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`Application Number: 14621507
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`Document Date: 02/13/2015
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`Form Revision Date: August 26, 2013
`
`Willis Exhibit 1010-1
`
`

`
`r
`
`\..
`
`PTO/AIA/15 (03-13)
`Approved for use through 01/31/2014. OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`f
`f
`Under the Panerwork Reduction Act o 1995 no nersons are renuired to resnond to a collection o in ormation unless it disnlavs a valid OMB control number
`"\
`PTREE56CON3
`UTILITY
`PATENT APPLICATION
`TRANSMITTAL
`
`First Named Inventor LEUNG, Chi Yin Alan
`
`Title
`
`POWERED TREE CONSTRUCTION
`
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`APPLICATION ELEMENTS
`See MPEP chapter 600 concerning utility patent application contents.
`
`i.D Fee Transmittal Form
`{PTO/SB/17 or equivalent)
`
`2.0 Applicant asserts small entity status.
`See 37 CFR 1.27
`
`3.o Applicant certifies micro entity status. See 37 CFR 1.29.
`Applicant must attach form PTO/SB/15A or B or equivalent.
`
`Express Mail Label No. Filed via EFS-Web
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`ADDRESS TO:
`
`ACCOMPANYING APPLICATION PAPERS
`
`10. D
`
`Assignment Papers
`(cover sheet & document(s))
`Name of Assignee
`
`5. 0
`
`Drawing(s) (35 U.S.C. 113)
`
`[Total Sheets 18
`[Total Pages 4
`6. Inventor's Oath or Declaration
`(including substitute statements under 37 CFR 1.64 and assignments
`serving as an oath or declaration under 37 CFR 1.63(e))
`
`[Total Pages 30
`4.0 Specification
`Both the claims and abstract must start on a new page.
`(See MPEP § 608. 01(a) for information on the preferred arrangement)
`12.D English Translation Document
`I
`(if applicable)
`I 13.0 Information Disclosure Statement
`{PTO/SB/08 or PT0-1449)
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`I
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`11. D
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`37 CFR 3.73{c) Statement
`(when there is an assignee)
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`0
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`Power of Attorney
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`0
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`Copies of citations attached
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`14.o Preliminary Amendment
`15. 0
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`Return Receipt Postcard
`(MPEP § 503) (Should be specifically itemized)
`
`16.o Certified Copy of Priority Document(s)
`(if foreign priority is claimed)
`
`17. 0
`
`Nonpublication Request
`Under 35 U.S.C. 122{b){2){B)(i). Applicant must attach form PTO/SB/35
`or equivalent.
`10.0 Other: Certification and Request for Prioritized Examination Under 37 CFR 1.102(e)
`
`a. D Newly executed (original or copy)
`
`b. 0
`
`A copy from a prior application (37 CFR 1.63(d))
`
`1.0 Application Data Sheet
`
`•See note below.
`See 37 CFR 1.76 {PTO/AIA/14 or equivalent)
`
`8.
`
`CD-ROM or CD-R
`in duplicate, large table, or Computer Program (Appendix)
`
`Landscape Table on CD
`D
`9. Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission
`(if applicable, items a. - c. are required)
`
`a. D Computer Readable Form (CRF)
`
`b. D
`
`Specification Sequence Listing on:
`
`i. D CD-ROM or CD-R (2 copies); or
`
`ii.D Paper
`
`c. D
`
`Statements verifying identity of above copies
`
`*Note: (1) Benefit claims under 37 CFR 1.78 and foreign priority claims under 1.55 must be included in an Application Data Sheet (ADS).
`(2) For applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111, the application must contain an ADS specifying the applicant if the applicant is an
`assignee, person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign, or person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary
`interest in the matter. See 37 CFR 1.46(b).
`19. CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`
`The address associated with Customer Number: 06980
`
`0
`
`ORD Correspondence address below
`
`Name
`
`Address
`
`City
`
`Country
`
`Signature
`
`Name
`(Print/Type)
`
`State I
`I
`I Telephone I
`2015-02-13
`/Benjamin C_ Wiles 63174/
`Registration No. 63174
`Benjamin C. Wiles
`(Attorney I Agent)
`This collection of information is required by 37 CFR 1.53(b). The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by the USPTO
`to process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.11 and 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 12 minutes to complete,
`including gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments on
`the amount oftime you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent and
`Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND
`TO: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`If you need assistance in completing the form, call 1-800-PT0-9199 and select option 2.
`
`I Zip Code
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`Email
`
`Date
`
`Willis Exhibit 1010-2
`
`

`
`Privacy Act Statement
`
`The Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579) requires that you be given certain information in connection with your
`submission of the attached form related to a patent application or patent. Accordingly, pursuant to the
`requirements of the Act, please be advised that: (1) the general authority for the collection of this information is
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`related to a patent application or patent.
`If you do not furnish the requested information, the U.S. Patent and
`Trademark Office may not be able to process and/or examine your submission, which may result in termination
`of proceedings or abandonment of the application or expiration of the patent.
`
`The information provided by you in this form will be subject to the following routine uses:
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`1. The information on this form will be treated confidentially to the extent allowed under the Freedom of
`Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C 552a). Records from this system of
`records may be disclosed to the Department of Justice to determine whether disclosure of these
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`6. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to another federal agency for
`purposes of National Security review (35 U.S.C. 181) and for review pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act
`(42 U.S.C. 218(c)).
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`Services, or his/her designee, during an inspection of records conducted by GSA as part of that
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`8. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the public after either
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`U.S.C. 151. Further, a record may be disclosed, subject to the limitations of 37 CFR 1.14, as a routine
`use, to the public if the record was filed in an application which became abandoned or in which the
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`9. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Federal, State, or local
`law enforcement agency, if the USPTO becomes aware of a violation or potential violation of law or
`regulation.
`
`Willis Exhibit 1010-3
`
`

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`POWERED TREE CONSTRUCTION
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND PRIORITY CLAIM
`
`5
`
`This application is a continuation of United States Patent Application No. 14/547,505,
`
`filed 19 November 2014, entitled "Powered Tree Construction," which claims the benefit of
`
`United States Patent Application No. 14/090,470, filed 26 November 2013, entitled "Powered
`
`Tree Construction," which claims the benefit of United States Patent Application No.
`
`13/659,737, filed 24 October 2012, now issued United States Patent No. 8,863,416, entitled
`
`10
`
`"Powered Tree Construction," which claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent
`
`Application No. 61/552,944, filed 28 October 2011, entitled "Powered Tree Construction." The
`
`entire contents and substance of all of the above applications are incorporated herein by
`
`reference in their entirety as if fully set forth below.
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`15
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`20
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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`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
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`Christmas trees.
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`BACKGROUND
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`As part of the celebration of the Christmas season, many people traditionally bring a pine
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`or evergreen tree into their home and decorate it with ornaments, lights, garland, tinsel, and the
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`like. Natural trees, however, can be quite expensive and are recognized by some as a waste of
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`environmental resources. In addition, natural trees can be messy, leaving both sap and needles
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`25
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`behind after removal, and requiring water to prevent drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
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`Each time a natural tree is obtained it must be decorated, and at the end of the Christmas season
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`the decorations must be removed. Because the needles have likely dried and may be quite sharp
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`by this time, removal of the decorations can be a painful process. In addition, natural trees are
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`often disposed in landfills, further polluting these overflowing environments.
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`30
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`To overcome the disadvantages of a natural Christmas tree, yet still incorporate a tree
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`into the holiday celebration, a great variety of artificial Christmas trees are available. For the
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`1
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`PTREE56CON3
`
`Willis Exhibit 1010-4
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`

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`most part, these artificial trees must be assembled for use and disassembled after use. Artificial
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`trees have the advantage of being usable over a period of years and thereby eliminate the annual
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`expense of purchasing live trees for the short holiday season. Further, they help reduce the
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`chopping down of trees for a temporary decoration, and the subsequent disposal, typically in a
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`5
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`landfill, of same.
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`Generally, artificial Christmas trees comprise a multiplicity of branches each formed of a
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`plurality of plastic needles held together by twisting a pair of wires about them.
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`In other
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`instances, the branches are formed by twisting a pair of wires about an elongated sheet of plastic
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`material having a large multiplicity of transverse slits. In still other artificial Christmas trees, the
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`10
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`branches are formed by injection molding of plastic.
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`Irrespective of the form of the branch, the most common form of artificial Christmas tree
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`comprises a plurality of trunk sections connectable to one another. For example, in many
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`designs, a first and second trunk section each comprise an elongate body. A first end of the body
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`includes a receiving portion (e.g., a female end) and a second end of the body includes an
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`15
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`extending portion (e.g., a male end). Typically, the body is a cylinder. Near the second end the
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`body tapers slightly to reduce the diameter of the body. In other words, the diameter of the first
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`end, i.e., the receiving portion, is larger than the diameter of the second end, i.e., the extending
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`portion. To connect the trunk sections, the first end of a first trunk sections receives the second
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`end of a second trunk sections. For example, the tapered end of the first trunk section is inserted
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`20
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`into the non-tapered end of the second trunk section. In this manner, a plurality of trunk sections
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`can be connected and a tree assembled.
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`One difficulty encountered during assembly, however, is the rotational alignment of the
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`trunk sections. In some designs, the trunk sections comprise electrical systems. The electrical
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`systems allow electricity to flow through the trunk of the tree and into accessories that can be
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`25
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`plugged into outlets disposed on the trunk. To connect neighboring trunk sections, however,
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`electrical prongs of one trunk section must be rotationally aligned with, and inserted into,
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`electrical slots in another trunk section. This alignment process can be frustrating because it can
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`be difficult for a user to judge whether the prongs will engage the slots when trunk sections are
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`joined together. It may therefore take several attempts before a user can electrically connect two
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`30
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`trunk sections.
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`2
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`PTREE56CON3
`
`Willis Exhibit 1010-5
`
`

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`What is needed, therefore, is a power transfer system for an artificial tree that allows a
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`user to connect neighboring tree trunk sections without the need to rotationally alight the trunk
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`sections. Embodiments of the present invention address this need as well as other needs that will
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`become apparent upon reading the description below in conjunction with the drawings.
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`5
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`BRIEF SUMMARY
`
`Briefly described, embodiments of the present invention compnse a power transfer
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`system to facilitate the transfer of electrical power between tree trunk sections of an artificial
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`10
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`tree. The power transfer system can advantageously enable neighboring tree trunk sections to be
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`electrically connected without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections during
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`assembly. Embodiments of the present invention can therefore facilitate assembly of an artificial
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`tree, reducing user frustration during the assembly process.
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`In some embodiments, the power transfer system can comprise a first power distribution
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`15
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`subsystem disposed within a first trunk section of an artificial tree. The power transfer system
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`can further comprise a second power distribution subsystem disposed within a second trunk
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`section of an artificial tree. The first power distribution subsystem can comprise a male end with
`
`electrical prongs and the second power distribution subsystem can comprise a female end with
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`electrical voids. The prongs can be inserted into the voids to conduct electricity between the
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`20
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`power distribution subsystems, and, therefore, between the trunk sections of the tree.
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`To enable neighboring tree trunk sections to be electrically connected without the need to
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`rotationally align the tree trunk sections, the male end can comprise a central prong and a
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`channel prong. Likewise, the female end can comprise a central void and a channel void. The
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`central void can be located proximate the center of the female end, and the channel void can be a
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`25
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`circular void disposed around the central void. When the trunk sections are joined, the central
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`prong can be inserted into the central void. Similarly, the channel prong can be inserted into the
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`channel void. However, because the channel void is circular, the channel prong can be inserted
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`into the channel void in a variety of locations around the channel void. Accordingly, the male
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`end can engage the female end in a variety of rotational configurations, and each configuration
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`30
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`can provide a different rotational alignment between the first trunk section and the second trunk
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`3
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`PTREE56CON3
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`Willis Exhibit 1010-6
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`

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`section. More specifically, the first trunk section can electrically engage the second trunk section
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`regardless of the rotational relationship between the two sections.
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`Embodiments of the present invention can comprise an artificial tree compnsmg a
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`plurality of tree trunk sections. The trunk sections can form a trunk of the artificial tree. A first
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`5
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`power distribution subsystem can be disposed within an inner void of a first trunk section of the
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`plurality of tree trunk sections, and the first power distribution subsystem can comprise a male
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`having a central prong and a channel prong. A second power distribution subsystem can be
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`disposed within an inner void of a second trunk section of the plurality of tree trunk sections, and
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`the second power distribution subsystem can comprise a female end having a central void and a
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`10
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`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
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`configured to engage the channel void of the female end to conduct electricity 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
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`15
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`channel void of the female end at a plurality of locations. In some embodiments, the channel
`
`prong of the male end can be configured to engage the channel void of the female end in a
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`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.
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`20
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`The central void of the female end can be disposed proximate the center of the substantially
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`circular channel void.
`
`In some embodiments, a safety cover can obstruct access to the channel void.
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`In some embodiments, the central prong of the male end can engage a central contact
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`device, and the central contact device can comprise one or more flexible contact sections that
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`25
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`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.
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`In some embodiments, alignment mechanisms can prevent the first trunk section from rotating
`
`with respect to the second trunk section.
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`30
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`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
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`4
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`PTREE56CON3
`
`Willis Exhibit 1010-7
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`

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`proximate an end of the second trunk section. The inner sleeve can be configured to engage the
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`outer sleeve.
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`In some embodiments, two or more pivot areas can be between the inner sleeve
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`and the outer sleeve to substantially prevent the first trunk section from rocking with respect to
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`the second trunk section.
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`5
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`In some embodiments, a power cord can be configured to engage a wall outlet and
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`provide power to the first power distribution subsystem and the second power distribution
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`subsystem.
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`Embodiments of the present invention can further comprise a system for connecting tree
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`trunk sections of an artificial tree. The system can comprise a first power distribution subsystem
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`10
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`having a male end, and the male end can have one or more electrical prongs. The system can
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`further comprise a second power distribution subsystem having a female end, and the female end
`
`can have one or more electrical voids. In some embodiments, the one or more electrical prongs
`
`of the 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
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`15
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`subsystem 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 electrical
`
`voids of the second power distribution subsystem in a plurality of configurations, and each
`
`configuration can provide a different rotational alignment between the first power distribution
`
`subsystem and the second power distribution subsystem.
`
`20
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`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
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`25
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`channel void at a plurality of locations around the circular channel void.
`
`Embodiments of the present invention can further comprise a connector system for
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`electrically connecting a plurality of power distribution subsystems of a plurality of tree trunk
`
`sections that form an artificial tree. The connector system 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
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`30
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`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 end can have a central
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`5
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`PTREE56CON3
`
`Willis Exhibit 1010-8
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`

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`receiving void that can be located proximate the center of the female end and a channel receiving
`
`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.
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`5
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`In some embodiments, the male end and the female end can comprise one or more clutch
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`elements, and the one or more clutch elements can be configured to prevent the male end from
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`rotating with respect to the female end.
`
`In some embodiments, the central receiving void can comprise a central contact device,
`
`and the central contact device can have one or more flexible contact sections that can be
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`10
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`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 advantages of
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`the present invention are set forth in the following detailed description and drawings, may be
`
`apparent from the detailed description and drawings, or may be learned by practicing the present
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`15
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`invention. Moreover, both the foregoing summary and following detailed description are
`
`exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the presently
`
`disclosed invention as claimed.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`20
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`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
`
`25 with some embodiments of the present invention.
`
`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.
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`6
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`PTREE56CON3
`
`Willis Exhibit 1010-9
`
`

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`Figs. 3b-c depict cross-sectional views of a female end of a tree trunk section being
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`joined with a male end of a tree trunk section, in accordance with some embodiments of the
`
`present invention.
`
`Fig. 4a depicts a perspective view of a female end of a tree trunk section in proximity to a
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`5 male end of a tree trunk section, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
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`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.
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`Fig. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view showing power distribution subsystems of an
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`10
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`assembled tree trunk, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
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`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.
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`15
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`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 sections, 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
`
`20 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. 12a-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
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`25
`
`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 of a male end of a tree trunk section with clutch
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`30
`
`elements, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
`
`7
`
`PTREE56CON3
`
`Willis Exhibit 1010-10
`
`

`
`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.
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`5
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Although preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be
`
`understood that other embodiments are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the
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`invention is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set
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`10
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`forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
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`embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, in describing the
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`preferred embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity.
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`It should also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the
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`singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates
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`15
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`otherwise. References to a composition containing "a" constituent is intended to include other
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`constituents in addition to the one named.
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`Also, in describing the preferred embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the
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`sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by
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`those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to
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`20
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`accomplish a similar purpose.
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`Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" or "substantially"
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`one particular value and/or to "about" or "approximately" or "substantially" another particular
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`value. When such a range is expressed, other exemplary embodiments include from the one
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`particular value and/or to the other particular value.
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`25
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`Herein, the use of terms such as "having," "has," "including," or "includes" are open-
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`ended and are intended to have the same meaning as terms such as "comprising" or "comprises"
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`and not preclude the presence of other structure, material, or acts. Similarly, though the use of
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`terms such as "can" or "may" are intended to be open-ended and to reflect that structure,
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`material, or acts are not necessary, the failure to use such terms is not intended to reflect that
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`30
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`structure, material, or acts are essential. To the extent that structure, material, or acts are
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`presently considered to be essential, they are identified as such.
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`8
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`PTREE56CON3
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`Willis Exhibit 1010-11
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`It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not
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`preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those
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`steps expressly identified. Moreover, although the term "step" may be used herein to connote
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`different aspects of methods employed, the term should not be interpreted as implying any
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`5
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`particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the
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`order of individual steps is explicitly required.
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`The components described hereinafter as making up various elements of the invention are
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`intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable components that would perform the
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`same or similar functions as the components described herein are intended to be embraced within
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`10
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`the scope of the invention. Such other components not described herein can include, but are not
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`limited to, for example, similar components that are developed after development of the
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`presently disclosed subject matter.
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`To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the invention, various
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`illustrative embodiments are explained below.
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`In particular, the presently disclosed subject
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`15 matter is described in the context of being an artificial tree power system. The present invention,
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`however, is not so limited, and can be applicable in other contexts. For example and not
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`limitation, some embodiments of the present invention may improve other power systems, such
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`as light poles, lamps, extension cord systems, power cord connection systems, and the like.
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`These embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly,
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`20 when the present invention is described in the context of a power transfer system for an artificial
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`Christmas tree, it will be understood that other embodiments can take the place of those referred
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`to.
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`When assembling an artificial tree, decorators commonly desire to illuminate the tree
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`with one or more light strings, i.e., strands of lights. The light strings require electrical power
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`25
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`and are conventionally connected in series. In many designs, at least one of the light strings is
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`connected to a wall outlet to provide power to all of the light strings. When decorating a tree, the
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`decorator can walk around the tree, placing the light strings on various locations on the branches
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`of the tree. In order to provide power to all of the light strings, typical light strings come with a
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`first end in the form of a male end and a second end in the form of a female end.
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`30
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`To provide power to more than one light string, the decorator can insert the male end of
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`one light string into the female end of another light string. In doing so, the light string that is
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`9
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`PTREE56CON3
`
`Willis Exhibit 1010-12
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`

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`electrically connected to a wall outlet (or other power outlet) transfers electrical energy from the
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`outlet to subsequent light strings.
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`In some conventional systems, the lights strings ca