I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US009119495B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Leung et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,119,495 B2
`Sep.1,2015
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1,656,148 A
`2,025,189 A
`
`1/1928 Harris
`12/1935 Yanchenko
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CN
`DE
`
`2332290 y
`8/1999
`843632 c
`7 /1952
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Search Report in related British Patent Application No. GB 1219319.
`9, mailed Jan. 7, 2013.
`
`Primary Examiner - Shin Kim
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Troutman Sanders LLP;
`Ryan A. Schneider; Benjamin C. Wiles
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A power transfer system to facilitate the transfer of electrical
`power between tree trunk sections of an artificial tree is dis(cid:173)
`closed. The power transfer system can advantageously enable
`neighboring tree trunk sections to be electrically connected
`without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections.
`Power distribution subsystems can be disposed within the
`trunk sections. The power distribution subsystems can com(cid:173)
`prise a male end, a female end, or both. The male ends can
`have prongs and the female ends can have voids. The prongs
`can be inserted into the voids to electrically connect the power
`distribution subsystems of neighboring tree trunk sections. In
`some embodiments, the prongs and voids are designed so that
`the prongs of one power distribution subsystem can engage
`the voids of another power distribution subsystem without the
`need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections.
`
`30 Claims, 18 Drawing Sheets
`
`105
`
`110
`
`,
`
`'
`
`100
`
`115
`
`(72)
`
`(73)
`
`(54) POWERED TREE CONSTRUCTION
`(71) Applicant: Polygroup Macau Limited (BVI), Road
`Town, Tortola (VG)
`Inventors: Chi Yin Alan Leung, Shenzhen (CN);
`Ricky Tong, Shenzhen (CN); Chi Kin
`Samuel Kwok, Shenzhen (CN);
`Chang-Jun He, Shenzhen (CN)
`Assignee: POLYGROUP MACAU LIMITED
`(BVI), Tortola (VG)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/621,507
`Feb.13,2015
`(22) Filed:
`Prior Publication Data
`(65)
`
`( *)
`
`Notice:
`
`US 2015/0157159 Al
`
`Jun. 11, 2015
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 14/547,505, filed on
`Nov. 19, 2014, now Pat. No. 8,959,810, which is a
`continuation of application No. 14/090,470, filed on
`Nov. 26, 2013, which is a continuation of application
`
`(Continued)
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A47G33/06
`HOJR 24138
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ................ A47G 33106 (2013.01); HOJR 24138
`(2013.01)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2011.01)
`
`( 58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ................................. A47G 33/06; F21S 4/001
`USPC .............. 279/157, 9.1; 40/442; 439/133, 134,
`439/135, 141, 620.21, 675
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`305
`
`Willis Exhibit 1001-1
`
`

`
`US 9,119,495 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`No. 13/659,737, filed on Oct. 24, 2012, now Pat. No.
`8,863,416.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/552,944, filed on Oct.
`28, 2011.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`2,188,529 A
`2,533,374 A
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`112009 Pfeiffer
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`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`EP
`GB
`WO
`
`8436328.2 A
`2533374 Al
`2112281 A
`9626661 A
`
`12/1984
`12/2012
`7 /1983
`9/1996
`
`Willis Exhibit 1001-2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.1,2015
`
`Sheet 1of18
`
`US 9,119,495 B2
`
`Fig. 1
`
`120
`
`305
`
`125
`
`l
`
`115
`
`Willis Exhibit 1001-3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.1,2015
`
`Sheet 2of18
`
`US 9,119,495 B2
`
`Fig. 2
`
`225
`
`215
`
`210
`
`I
`I
`305
`
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`
`I
`220
`
`Willis Exhibit 1001-4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.1,2015
`
`Sheet 3of18
`
`US 9,119,495 B2
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`
`Fig. 3b
`
`Willis Exhibit 1001-5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.1,2015
`
`Sheet 4of18
`
`US 9,119,495 B2
`
`205 ~
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`210
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`
`Willis Exhibit 1001-6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.1,2015
`
`Sheet 5of18
`
`US 9,119,495 B2
`
`405
`
`420
`
`420
`
`100
`
`405
`
`410
`
`1
`
`Fig. 4a
`
`Fig. 4b
`
`Willis Exhibit 1001-7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.1,2015
`
`Sheet 6of18
`
`US 9,119,495 B2
`
`405
`
`410
`
`415
`
`/
`
`~415
`
`Fig. 4c
`
`Willis Exhibit 1001-8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.1,2015
`
`Sheet 7of18
`
`US 9,119,495 B2
`
`Fig. 5
`
`100
`
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`505
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`Willis Exhibit 1001-9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.1,2015
`
`Sheet 8of18
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`US 9,119,495 B2
`
`Fig. 6
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.1,2015
`
`Sheet 9of18
`
`US 9,119,495 B2
`
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`Willis Exhibit 1001-11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.1,2015
`
`Sheet 10of18
`
`US 9,119,495 B2
`
`Fig. 8
`
`820
`
`830
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`Willis Exhibit 1001-12
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.1,2015
`
`Sheet 11 of 18
`
`US 9,119,495 B2
`
`Fig. 9
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`Willis Exhibit 1001-13
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`

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`
`Sep.1,2015
`
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`
`Fig. 10
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`Willis Exhibit 1001-14
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`

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`
`Sep.1,2015
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`

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`Sep.1,2015
`
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`
`Sep.1,2015
`
`Sheet 15 of 18
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`

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`Sep.1,2015
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`
`Sep.1,2015
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`

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`
`Sep.1,2015
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`US 9,119,495 B2
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`Fig. 15
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`Willis Exhibit 1001-20
`
`

`
`US 9,119,495 B2
`
`1
`POWERED TREE CONSTRUCTION
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION AND PRIORITY CLAIM
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica(cid:173)
`tion Ser. No. 14/547,505, filed 19 Nov. 2014, entitled "Pow(cid:173)
`ered Tree Construction," which claims the benefit of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 14/090,470, filed 26 Nov. 2013,
`entitled "Powered Tree Construction," which claims the ben(cid:173)
`efit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/659,737, filed 24
`Oct. 2012, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 8,863,416, entitled
`"Powered Tree Construction," which claims the benefit of
`U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/552,944, filed 28
`Oct. 2011, entitled "Powered Tree Construction." The entire 15
`contents and substance of all of the above applications are
`incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if fully set
`forth below.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to
`power transfer systems, and, more particularly, to power
`transfer systems for use with artificial trees, such as artificial
`Christmas trees.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`2
`the body is a cylinder. Near the second end the body tapers
`slightly to reduce the diameterof the body. In other words, the
`diameter of the first end, i.e., the receiving portion, is larger
`than the diameter of the second end, i.e., the extending por(cid:173)
`tion. To connect the trunk sections, the first end of a first trunk
`sections receives the second end of a second trunk sections.
`For example, the tapered end of the first trunk section is
`inserted into the non-tapered end of the second trunk section.
`In this manner, a plurality of trunk sections can be connected
`10 and a tree assembled.
`One difficulty encountered during assembly, however, is
`the rotational alignment of the trunk sections. In some
`designs, the trunk sections comprise electrical systems. The
`electrical systems allow electricity to flow through the trunk
`of the tree and into accessories that can be plugged into outlets
`disposed on the trunk. To connect neighboring trunk sections,
`however, electrical prongs of one trunk section must be rota(cid:173)
`tionally aligned with, and inserted into, electrical slots in
`another trunk section. This alignment process can be frustrat-
`20 ing because it can be difficult for a user to judge whether the
`prongs will engage the slots when trunk sections are joined
`together. It may therefore take several attempts before a user
`can electrically connect two trunk sections.
`What is needed, therefore, is a power transfer system for an
`25 artificial tree that allows a user to connect neighboring tree
`trunk sections without the need to rotationally alight the trunk
`sections. Embodiments of the present invention address this
`need as well as other needs that will become apparent upon
`reading the description below in conjunction with the draw-
`30 ings.
`
`As part of the celebration of the Christmas season, many
`people traditionally bring a pine or evergreen tree into their
`home and decorate it with ornaments, lights, garland, tinsel,
`and the like. Natural trees, however, can be quite expensive
`and are recognized by some as a waste of environmental
`resources. In addition, natural trees can be messy, leaving
`both sap and needles behind after removal, and requiring 35
`water to prevent drying out and becoming a fire hazard. Each
`time a natural tree is obtained it must be decorated, and at the
`end of the Christmas season the decorations must be
`removed. Because the needles have likely dried and may be
`quite sharp by this time, removal of the decorations can be a
`painful process. In addition, natural trees are often disposed
`in landfills, further polluting these overflowing environments.
`To overcome the disadvantages of a natural Christmas tree,
`yet still incorporate a tree into the holiday celebration, a great
`variety of artificial Christmas trees are available. For the most
`part, these artificial trees must be assembled for use and
`disassembled after use. Artificial trees have the advantage of
`being usable over a period of years and thereby eliminate the
`annual expense of purchasing live trees for the short holiday
`season. Further, they help reduce the chopping down of trees
`for a temporary decoration, and the subsequent disposal, typi(cid:173)
`cally in a landfill, of same.
`Generally, artificial Christmas trees comprise a multiplic-
`ity of branches each formed of a plurality of plastic needles
`held together by twisting a pair of wires about them. In other
`instances, the branches are formed by twisting a pair of wires
`about an elongated sheet of plastic material having a large
`multiplicity of transverse slits. In still other artificial Christ(cid:173)
`mas trees, the branches are formed by injection molding of
`plastic.
`Irrespective of the form of the branch, the most common
`form of artificial Christmas tree comprises a plurality of trunk
`sections connectable to one another. For example, in many
`designs, a first and second trunk section each comprise an
`elongate body. A first end of the body includes a receiving 65
`portion (e.g., a female end) and a second end of the body
`includes an extending portion (e.g., a male end). Typically,
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY
`
`Briefly described, embodiments of the present invention
`comprise a power transfer system to facilitate the transfer of
`electrical power between tree trunk sections of an artificial
`tree. The power transfer system can advantageously enable
`neighboring tree trunk sections to be electrically connected
`without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections
`40 during assembly. Embodiments of the present invention can
`therefore facilitate assembly of an artificial tree, reducing
`user frustration during the assembly process.
`In some embodiments, the power transfer system can com(cid:173)
`prise a first power distribution subsystem disposed within a
`45 first trunk section of an artificial tree. The power transfer
`system can further comprise a second power distribution sub(cid:173)
`system disposed within a second trunk section of an artificial
`tree. The first power distribution subsystem can comprise a
`male end with electrical prongs and the second power distri-
`50 bution subsystem can comprise a female end with electrical
`voids. The prongs can be inserted into the voids to conduct
`electricity between the power distribution subsystems, and,
`therefore, between the trunk sections of the tree.
`To enable neighboring tree trunk sections to be electrically
`55 connected without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk
`sections, the male end can comprise a central prong and a
`channel prong. Likewise, the female end can comprise a
`central void and a channel void. The central void can be
`located proximate the center of the female end, and the chan-
`60 nel void can be a circular void disposed around the central
`void. When the trunk sections are joined, the central prong
`can be inserted into the central void. Similarly, the channel
`prong can be inserted into the channel void. However,
`because the channel void is circular, the channel prong can be
`inserted into the channel void in a variety oflocations around
`the channel void. Accordingly, the male end can engage the
`female end in a variety of rotational configurations, and each
`
`Willis Exhibit 1001-21
`
`

`
`US 9,119,495 B2
`
`3
`configuration can provide a different rotational alignment
`between the first trunk section and the second trunk section.
`More specifically, the first trunk section can electrically
`engage the second trunk section regardless of the rotational
`relationship between the two sections.
`Embodiments of the present invention can comprise an
`artificial tree comprising a plurality of tree trunk sections. The
`trunk sections can form a trunk of the artificial tree. A first
`power distribution subsystem can be disposed within an inner
`void of a first trunk section of the plurality of tree trunk
`sections, and the first power distribution subsystem can com(cid:173)
`prise a male having a central prong and a channel prong. A
`second power distribution subsystem can be disposed within
`an inner void of a second trunk section of the plurality of tree
`trunk sections, and the second power distribution subsystem 15
`can comprise a female end having a central void and a channel
`void. In some embodiments, the central prong of the male end
`can be configured to engage the central void of the female end
`and the channel prong of the male end can be configured to
`engage the channel void of the female end to conduct elec- 20
`tricity between the first power distribution subsystem and the
`second power distribution subsystem.
`In some embodiments, the channel prong of the male end
`can be configured to engage the channel void of the female
`end at a plurality of locations. In some embodiments, the 25
`channel prong of the male end can be configured to engage the
`channel void of the female end in a plurality of configurations,
`and each configuration can provide a different rotational
`alignment between the first trunk section and the second trunk
`section.
`In some embodiments, the channel void of the female end
`can be substantially circular. The central void of the female
`end can be disposed proximate the center of the substantially
`circular channel void.
`In some embodiments, a safety cover can obstruct access to 35
`the channel void.
`In some embodiments, the central prong of the male end
`can engage a central contact device, and the central contact
`device can comprise one or more flexible contact sections that
`abut the central prong.
`In some embodiments, an outlet can be disposed on a trunk
`section, and the outlet can be configured to provide electrical
`power to a strand of lights.
`In some embodiments, alignment mechanisms can prevent
`the first trunk section from rotating with respect to the second
`trunk section.
`In some embodiments, the first trunk section can comprise
`an inner sleeve proximate an end of the first trunk section, and
`the second trunk section can comprise an outer sleeve proxi(cid:173)
`mate an end of the second trunk section. The inner sleeve can
`be configured to engage the outer sleeve. In some embodi(cid:173)
`ments, two or more pivot areas can be between the inner
`sleeve and the outer sleeve to substantially prevent the first
`trunk section from rocking with respect to the second trunk
`section.
`In some embodiments, a power cord can be configured to
`engage a wall outlet and provide power to the first power
`distribution subsystem and the second power distribution
`subsystem.
`Embodiments of the present invention can further com- 60
`prise a system for connecting tree trunk sections of an artifi(cid:173)
`cial tree. The system can comprise a first power distribution
`subsystem having a male end, and the male end can have one
`or more electrical prongs. The system can further comprise a
`second power distribution subsystem having a female end, 65
`and the female end can have one or more electrical voids. In
`some embodiments, the one or more electrical prongs of the
`
`4
`first power distribution subsystem can engage one or more
`electrical voids of the second power distribution subsystem to
`conduct electricity between the first power distribution sub(cid:173)
`system and the second power distribution subsystem. In some
`embodiments, the one or more electrical prongs of the first
`power distribution subsystem can engage one or more elec(cid:173)
`trical voids of the second power distribution subsystem in a
`plurality of configurations, and each configuration can pro(cid:173)
`vide a different rotational alignment between the first power
`10 distribution subsystem and the second power distribution
`subsystem.
`In some embodiments, a first electrical void of the female
`end can be a circular channel void.
`In some embodiments, a second electrical void of the
`female end can be a central void located proximate the center
`of the female end.
`In some embodiments, an electrical prong of the male end
`can engage the circular channel void at a plurality oflocations
`around the circular channel void.
`Embodiments of the present invention can further com(cid:173)
`prise a connector system for electrically connecting a plural(cid:173)
`ity of power distribution subsystems of a plurality of tree
`trunk sections that form an artificial tree. The connector sys(cid:173)
`tem can comprise a male end disposed on an end of a first tree
`trunk section of the plurality of tree trunk sections, and the
`male end can have a central prong and a channel prong. The
`connector system can further comprise a female end disposed
`on an opposite end of the first tree trunk section. The female
`30 end can have a central receiving void that can be located
`proximate the center of the female end and a channel receiv(cid:173)
`ing that can be substantially round and disposed axially
`around the central receiving void.
`In some embodiments, a safety cover can obstruct access to
`the channel void. In some embodiments, the safety cover can
`be depressed to enable access to the channel void.
`In some embodiments, the male end and the female end can
`comprise one or more clutch elements, and the one or more
`40 clutch elements can be configured to prevent the male end
`from rotating with respect to the female end.
`In some embodiments, the central receiving void can com(cid:173)
`prise a central contact device, and the central contact device
`can have one or more flexible contact sections that can be
`45 configured to abut an electrical prong.
`The foregoing summarizes only a few aspects of the
`present invention and is not intended to be reflective of the full
`scope of the present invention. Additional features and advan(cid:173)
`tages of the present invention are set forth in the following
`50 detailed description and drawings, may be apparent from the
`detailed description and drawings, or may be learned by prac(cid:173)
`ticing the present invention. Moreover, both the foregoing
`sunmiary and following detailed description are exemplary
`and explanatory and are intended to provide further explana-
`55 tion of the presently disclosed invention as claimed.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in
`and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate multiple
`embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter and
`serve to explain the principles of the presently disclosed
`subject matter. The drawings are not intended to limit the
`scope of the presently disclosed subject matter in any manner.
`FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a female end of a tree
`trunk section, in accordance with some embodiments of the
`present invention.
`
`Willis Exhibit 1001-22
`
`

`
`5
`FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a male end of a tree
`trunk section, in accordance with some embodiments of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 3a depicts a perspective view of a female end of a tree
`trunk section in proximity to a male end of a tree trunk
`section, in accordance with some embodiments of the present
`invention.
`FIGS. 3b-c depict cross-sectional views of a female end of
`a tree trunk section being joined with a male end of a tree
`trunk section, in accordance with some embodiments of the 10
`present invention.
`FIG. 4a depicts a perspective view of a female end of a tree
`trunk section in proximity to a male end of a tree trunk
`section, in accordance with some embodiments of the present
`invention.
`FIGS. 4b-c depict cross-sectional views of a female end of
`a tree trunk section being joined with a male end of a tree
`trunk section, in accordance with some embodiments of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view showing power dis(cid:173)
`tribution subsystems of an assembled tree trunk, in accor(cid:173)
`dance with some embodiments of the present invention.
`FIG. 6 depicts a side view of an assembled tree trunk, in
`accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
`FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a female end of a tree
`trunk section, in accordance with some embodiments of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 8 depicts a perspective, cross-sectional view of a
`female end of a tree trunk section, in accordance with some
`embodiments of the present invention.
`FIG. 9 depicts a central contact device with contact sec(cid:173)
`tions, in accordance with some embodiments of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a male end of a tree
`trunk section, in accordance with some embodiments of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 11 depicts a perspective, cross-sectional view of a
`male end of a tree trunk section, in accordance with some
`embodiments of the present invention.
`FIGS. l2a-d depict cross-sectional views of a female end
`of a tree trunk section being joined with a male end of a tree
`trunk section, in accordance with some embodiments of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 13 depicts a perspective, cross-sectional view of a
`female end of a tree trunk section joined with a male end of a
`tree trunk section, in accordance with some embodiments of
`the present invention.
`FIG.14a depicts a perspective view ofa male end ofa tree 50
`trunk section with clutch elements, in accordance with some
`embodiments of the present invention.
`FIG. 14b depicts a perspective view of a female end of a
`tree trunk section with clutch elements, in accordance with
`some embodiments of the present invention.
`FIG. 15 depicts an assembled artificial Christmas tree, in
`accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Although preferred embodiments of the invention are
`explained in detail, it is to be understood that other embodi(cid:173)
`ments are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that
`the invention is limited in its scope to the details of construc(cid:173)
`tion and arrangement of components set forth in the following 65
`description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
`capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or car-
`
`US 9,119,495 B2
`
`6
`ried out in various ways. Also, in describing the preferred
`embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the
`sake of clarity.
`It should also be noted that, as used in the specification and
`the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the"
`include plural references unless the context clearly dictates
`otherwise. References to a composition containing "a" con(cid:173)
`stituent is intended to include other constituents in addition to
`the one named.
`Also, in describing the preferred embodiments, terminol-
`ogy will be resorted to forthe sake of clarity. Itis intended that
`each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood
`by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equiva(cid:173)
`lents which operate in a similar mamier to accomplish a
`15 similar purpose.
`Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or
`"approximately" or "substantially" one particular value and/
`or to "about" or "approximately" or "substantially" another
`particular value. When such a range is expressed, other exem-
`20 plary embodiments include from the one particular value
`and/or to the other particular value.
`Herein, the use of terms such as "having," "has," "includ(cid:173)
`ing," or "includes" are open-ended and are intended to have
`the same meaning as terms such as "comprising" or "com-
`25 prises" and not preclude the presence of other structure, mate(cid:173)
`rial, or acts. Similarly, though the use of terms such as "can"
`or "may" are intended to be open-ended and to reflect that
`structure, material, or acts are not necessary, the failure to use
`such terms is not intended to reflect that structure, material, or
`30 acts are essential. To the extent that structure, material, or acts
`are presently considered to be essential, they are identified as
`such.
`It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more
`method steps does not preclude the presence of additional
`35 method steps or intervening method steps between those
`steps expressly identified. Moreover, although the term
`"step" may be used herein to connote different aspects of
`methods employed, the term should not be interpreted as
`implying any particular order among or between various steps
`40 herein disclosed unless and except when the order of indi(cid:173)
`vidual steps is explicitly required.
`The components described hereinafter as making up vari(cid:173)
`ous elements of the invention are intended to be illustrative
`and not restrictive. Many suitable components that would
`45 perform the same or similar functions as the components
`described herein are intended to be embraced within the
`scope of the invention. Such other components not described
`herein can include, but are not limited to, for example, similar
`components that are developed after development of the pres(cid:173)
`ently disclosed subject matter.
`To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features
`of the invention, various illustrative embodiments are
`explained below. In particular, the presently disclosed subject
`matter is described in the context of being an artificial tree
`55 power system. The present invention, however, is not so lim(cid:173)
`ited, and can be applicable in other contexts. For example and
`not limitation, some embodiments of the present invention
`may improve other power systems, such as light poles, lamps,
`extension cord systems, power cord connection systems, and
`60 the like. These embodiments are contemplated within the
`scope of the present invention. Accordingly, when the present
`invention is described in the context of a power transfer sys(cid:173)
`tem for an artificial Christmas tree, it will be understood that
`other embodiments can take the place of those referred to.
`When assembling an artificial tree, decorators commonly
`desire to illuminate the tree with one or more light strings, i.e.,
`strands oflights. The light strings require electrical power and
`
`Willis Exhibit 1001-23
`
`

`
`US 9,119,495 B2
`
`7
`are conventionally connected in series. In many designs, at
`least one of the light strings is connected to a wall outlet to
`provide power to all of the light strings. When decorating a
`tree, the decorator can walk around the tree, placing the light
`strings on various locations on the branches of the tree. In
`order to provide power to all of the light strings, typical light
`strings come with a first end in the form of a male end and a
`second end in the form of a female end.
`To provide power to more than one light string, the deco(cid:173)
`rator can insert the male end of one light string into the female
`end of another light string. In doing so, the light string that is
`electrically connected to a wall outlet (or other power outlet)
`transfers electrical energy from the outlet to subsequent light
`strings. In some conventional systems, the lights strings can
`have multiple points of electrical connectivity, providing for
`parallel or serial connectivity. Even so, the flow of power is
`usually from one light string connected to the power outlet to
`one or more downstream light strings.
`The act of providing power from the outlet to one or more
`light strings can be cumbersome and frustrating for a deco(cid:173)
`rator. In order to attach multiple light strings together, the
`decorator will either need to attach the light strings prior to
`their placement on the tree or attach the light strings after they
`have been placed on the tree. If the decorator attaches mul(cid:173)
`tiple light strings together, in order to "wrap" the tree with the 25
`light strings, the decorator often must walk around the tree,
`carrying the multiple strings. If the decorator waits until after
`the light strings are placed on the tree, the decorator will need
`to reach through the tree branches and electrically connect the
`light strings. The decorator would also likely need to manipu- 30
`late the light strings in order to connect the strings together.
`This process can be difficult and can take an extended amount
`of time.
`To alleviate issues associated with providing power to light
`strings in conventional artificial trees, and to provide further
`advantages, the present invention comprises a power transfer
`system for an artificial tree. In an exemplary embodiment, an
`artificial tree trunk comprises tree trunk sections that are
`engaged with one another to form the trunk of an artificial
`tree. At least some of the tree trunk sections can have hollow
`voids. Within the hollow voids can be power distribution
`subsystems. In some embodiments, power distribution sub(cid:173)
`system can comprise a female end, a