Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a lighted tree formed from a tree trunk section retaining a battery holder, branches extending from the trunk section, a light source disposed to emit light from a branch and electrically connected to the trunk section, and a base, adapted to mechanically support the trunk section and electrically connect the battery holder to an energy source external to the trunk section. In an illustrative example, the light source may be an LED-illuminated optic fiber. In some embodiments, the energy source may be a photovoltaic collector or multifrequency energy harvester. In some designs, the battery holder may adaptively maintain electrical polarity independent of battery orientation. In various implementations, battery holders may be stacked or rotated to one another to configure parallel or series batteries. Various embodiments may advantageously retain batteries in rotationally interconnected tree sections for common charging, or single in-tube section for smaller trees.

Abstract: Electroluminescent holiday lighting systems are provided including electroluminescent ornaments of varying constructions. An ornament shell or base has a layered construction including a base conductor, active conductor, electroluminescent layer and numerous insulation and protective layers. The electroluminescent layer is activated by a controller that selectively applies an activation bias to the ornament to illuminate it under specific conditions. Numerous ornament and lighting system controllers are also provided for controlling electroluminescent lights and displays, some in combination with other lighting technologies such as LED systems.

Abstract: An illuminated ornament is provided having an internally disposed support structure for mounting lighting elements within the ornament. In one aspect, the structure is a rod, hub and spoke arrangement in which the rod extends along an axis of the ornament with lighting elements being disposed at numerous locations along the axial positions on the rod and radial positions on the spokes. In another aspect, the ornament is divided into separate illuminated segments, each having its own lighting elements placed appropriately within each segment. In any arrangement, the goal of uniform ornament illumination and overall ornament color control is provided by proper placement of the LEDs on the support structures, possibly in combination with coloration of the ornament shell, color enhancement apparatus contained on the shell and/or in combination with external, electronic controlled access to the color display of the LEDs.

Abstract: An artificial lighted tree is presented with power routed through the trunk of the tree and three-wire safety grounding. The artificial lighted tree comprising a fused electrical plug having improved safety features comprising: a body portion surrounding respective first ends of a first, a second and a third electrical wire, the body portion further comprising a fuse holder embedded within an upper region of the body portion, and a fuse adapted to be releasably secured within the fuse holder via releasable securing means, a live blade in electrical communication with the first end of the first electrical wire, a neutral blade in electrical communication with the first end of the second electrical wire, a ground pin receptacle in electrical communication with the first end of the third electrical wire, wherein the body portion surrounds and maintains the live blade, neutral blade, and ground pin receptacle in spaced apart orientation corresponding to polarized sockets on an electrical wall outlet.

Abstract: An improved electrical power cord adapted to enhance the safety of an artificial lighted tree is presented.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to illuminated artificial trees constructed by interconnecting more than one artificial tree trunk section based on electrically connecting and rotationally coupling each tree trunk section to at least one other tree trunk section, each tree trunk section having an emitter of light visible externally to the tree trunk section and optically coupled to a light source within the tree trunk section, and each light source operably coupled to an external controller and power supply. In an illustrative example, each tree trunk section may have a light source optically connected by limited-length optical fiber to a light emitter within the tree trunk section. The light source may be a multi-color LED. The light source may be powered through rotatable male and female connectors mated between tree trunk section ends. Various examples may advantageously provide a consistently bright and tall tree with reduced energy consumption.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a lighted tree formed from a tree trunk section retaining a battery holder, branches extending from the trunk section, a light source disposed to emit light from a branch and electrically connected to the trunk section, and a base, adapted to mechanically support the trunk section and electrically connect the battery holder to an energy source external to the trunk section. In an illustrative example, the light source may be an LED-illuminated optic fiber. In some embodiments, the energy source may be a photovoltaic collector or multifrequency energy harvester. In some designs, the battery holder may adaptively maintain electrical polarity independent of battery orientation. In various implementations, battery holders may be stacked or rotated to one another to configure parallel or series batteries. Various embodiments may advantageously retain batteries in rotationally interconnected tree sections for common charging, or single in-tube section for smaller trees.

Abstract: An artificial lighted tree is presented with power routed through the trunk of the tree and three-wire safety grounding. The artificial lighted tree comprising a fused electrical plug having improved safety features comprising: a body portion surrounding respective first ends of a first, a second and a third electrical wire, the body portion further comprising a fuse holder embedded within an upper region of the body portion, and a fuse adapted to be releasably secured within the fuse holder via releasable securing means, a live blade in electrical communication with the first end of the first electrical wire, a neutral blade in electrical communication with the first end of the second electrical wire, a ground pin receptacle in electrical communication with the first end of the third electrical wire, wherein the body portion surrounds and maintains the live blade, neutral blade, and ground pin receptacle in spaced apart orientation corresponding to polarized sockets on an electrical wall outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a lighted planter formed from an emitter of light, a light source optically coupled with the emitter of light, an electrical power source electrically connected to the light source, and, an urn adapted to retain the emitter of light. In an illustrative example, the emitter of light may be an optic fiber bundle. The light source may be, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) optically coupled with the optic fiber bundle. Various embodiments may provide programmable light sequences from a multi-colored light source configured by a wireless remote control. In some examples, the electrical power source may be a battery. Some embodiments may provide a photovoltaic cell adapted to charge the battery. Various examples may advantageously provide environmentally friendly decorative plant receptacles with adaptable configurations at reduced cost, for example, using solar power to illuminate custom-configured plant arrangements with user-programmable light sequences.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a battery-powered lighted tree formed from an artificial tree trunk adapted to be mechanically supported and electrically connected to a support structure external to the tree, artificial tree branches extending from the trunk, a light source disposed to emit light from a branch and electrically connected to the trunk, and, a base, formed from a battery, and, a structure adapted to mechanically support the trunk and electrically connect the trunk to the battery. In an illustrative example, the light source may be an LED-illuminated optic fiber. In some embodiments, the battery may be charged from a solar cell. Some designs may provide customizable illumination patterns using a programmable controller adapted to control the light source. Various embodiments may advantageously operate from battery for a seasonal display, for example, using lights and battery selected to provide a sufficient period of illumination each display season day.

Abstract: An artificial lighted tree is presented with power routed through the trunk of the tree and three-wire safety grounding. The artificial lighted tree comprising a fused electrical plug having improved safety features comprising: a body portion surrounding respective first ends of a first, a second and a third electrical wire, the body portion further comprising a fuse holder embedded within an upper region of the body portion, and a fuse adapted to be releasably secured within the fuse holder via releasable securing means, a live blade in electrical communication with the first end of the first electrical wire, a neutral blade in electrical communication with the first end of the second electrical wire, a ground pin receptacle in electrical communication with the first end of the third electrical wire, wherein the body portion surrounds and maintains the live blade, neutral blade, and ground pin receptacle in spaced apart orientation corresponding to sockets on an electrical outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to illuminated artificial trees constructed by interconnecting more than one artificial tree trunk section based on electrically connecting and rotationally coupling each tree trunk section to at least one other tree trunk section, each tree trunk section having an emitter of light visible externally to the tree trunk section and optically coupled to a light source within the tree trunk section, and each light source operably coupled to an external controller and power supply. In an illustrative example, each tree trunk section may have a light source optically connected by limited-length optical fiber to a light emitter within the tree trunk section. The light source may be a multi-color LED. The light source may be powered through rotatable male and female connectors mated between tree trunk section ends. Various examples may advantageously provide a consistently bright and tall tree with reduced energy consumption.

Abstract: An artificial lighted tree may have power routed through the tree trunk and three-wire safety grounding. A system and method are provided for preventing inadvertent electrical connection of a standard plug to a female socket of an electrical power cord to the artificial lighted tree. The apparatus and method comprise a non-standard female socket on a three-prong safety grounded electrical power cord. The non-standard female socket includes raised side socket walls with vertical half rounds in the sidewalls to mate with a non-standard two-prong non-polarized male electrical plug, customized to include mating grooves cut into top and bottom lips. Advantageously, use of a non-standard female socket paired with a non-standard two-prong non-polarized male electrical plug functions to prevent electrical connection by standard two-prong non-polarized male electrical plugs thereby permitting use of a three wire cord having lower amperage rating than standard UL approved three wire cord.

Abstract: An illuminated light socket is provided for powering a light bulb in a typical light string system. The illuminated socket contains its own lighting element, separate and distinct from the light bulb. The lighting element remains off when the light bulb is inserted into the socket and is illuminating properly. The lighting element illuminates when either the bulb is removed from the socket or the bulb is not illuminating correctly. The illuminated light element provides a visually perceptible warning, on the socket itself, that the associated light bulb is either absent or defective. Alternatively, a collar performing the same function is provided such that the collar may be mounted to existing light sockets. The illuminated sockets and housings may accommodate light bulbs of any technology, e.g. incandescent, LED (single or multiple color), or electroluminescent. The socket lighting element itself is preferably a low power LED or electroluminescent light.

Abstract: An artificial lighted tree is presented with power routed through the trunk of the tree and three-wire safety grounding. The tree is divided into sections for easy assembly, disassembly, and storage. The base of the tree is grounded through a three-prong safety grounded electrical cord and each section of the tree makes a ground connection with the base section as it is assembled to the artificial lighted tree. Electrical connections to power the lights may be made outside the trunk of the tree or through electrical connections within the tree.

Abstract: A light string power module is provided for providing power to light strings while replicating a lighting pattern from a first light string in providing said power. The illumination pattern of the first light string, which is not powered by the light string power module, is detected by examining the voltage polarities presented on the leads of a first connector to which the first light string is attached. These detected polarities are replicated by a switching module at matching leads on a second connector to which a second light string is attached. A power processing module accepts input power and provides output DC power to the switching module such that the second light string is powered by said output DC power in concert with the replicated voltage polarities so as to replicate the light pattern presented by the first light string on the second light string.

Abstract: An artificial lighted tree is presented with power routed through the trunk of the tree and three-wire safety grounding. The tree is divided into sections for easy assembly, disassembly, and storage. Safety electrical connectors at the ends of each section are not powered until the sections are assembled. The tree can also accommodate multiple lighting circuits utilizing different voltages simultaneously.

Abstract: A shunting mechanism is provided within a socket of a light string system having a resistive element that substantially mirrors the resistive characteristic of the bulb inserted in the socket. The shunting mechanism is disabled when the bulb is inserted into the light string socket. When the bulb is removed from the light string socket, the shunting mechanism bridges the internal socket leads so as to maintain current flow and power delivery at levels similar to those provided when the bulb is present. In one embodiment, the resistive element is a resistive coating on the shunting mechanism or a resistive node on the shunting mechanism. In other embodiments, the resistive element is applied to the socket's internal leads. In yet other embodiments, the resistive element consists of sophisticated electronic circuitry specifically designed to mirror the resistive characteristics of the bulb assembly.

Abstract: Electroluminescent holiday lighting systems are provided including electroluminescent ornaments of varying constructions. An ornament shell or base has a layered construction including a base conductor, active conductor, electroluminescent layer and numerous insulation and protective layers. The electroluminescent layer is activated by a controller that selectively applies an activation bias to the ornament to illuminate it under specific conditions. Numerous ornament and lighting system controllers are also provided for controlling electroluminescent lights and displays, some in combination with other lighting technologies such as LED systems.

Abstract: An artificial lighted tree is presented with power routed through the trunk of the tree and three-wire safety grounding. The tree is divided into sections for easy assembly, disassembly, and storage. The base of the tree is grounded through a three-prong safety grounded electrical cord and each section of the tree makes a ground connection with the base section as it is assembled to the artificial lighted tree. Electrical connections to power the lights may be made outside the trunk of the tree or through electrical connections within the tree.