Abstract: A conformal power adapter for insertion into a lighted artificial tree and for converting power received from an external power source to a power usable by the lighted artificial tree. The power adapter includes an elongated housing including a first end, and a second end; a printed circuit board assembly including power-converting circuitry for converting an input electrical power to an output electrical power for use by a lighted artificial tree having a hollow trunk section, the printed circuit board assembly located substantially within the elongated housing; a power cord secured to the first end of the housing and in electrical connection with the power converting electronics, the power cord adapted to transmit power from an external power source to the power-converting circuitry. The elongated housing enclosing the printed circuit board assembly is sized to fit substantially within the hollow trunk portion of the lighted artificial tree.

Abstract: A decorative light string including a first group of light elements electrically connected in parallel to each other, a second plurality of light elements electrically connected in parallel to each other, and a third plurality of light elements electrically connected in parallel to each other. The first, second, and third groups of lights are electrically connected in series. A first wire stabilizer is located between the first group of lights and the second group of lights, and a second wire stabilizer is located between the second group of lights and the third group of lights. The first and second wire stabilizers secure wire ends forming first and second gaps in the wiring of the light string.

Abstract: A wire-piercing light-emitting diode (LED) a lead frame having a first lead and a second lead. The first lead has a first transition portion and a first bottom portion with a first cutting member, and the second lead having a second transition portion and a second bottom portion with a second cutting member.

Abstract: A modular, lighted artificial tree that includes a base portion for supporting the artificial tree and a first tree portion. The first tree portion includes a trunk portion having a first end and a second end, and forms a trunk wall, the trunk wall defines a trunk cavity and a plurality of apertures. The first end of the trunk portion is configured to couple with the base portion. The first tree portion also includes a plurality of branches coupled to the trunk portion; a first tree portion power-supply wiring harness within the trunk cavity and extending from the first end of the trunk portion to the second end of the trunk portion; a first light string operably coupled to the power-supply wiring harness. The first wire and the second wire pass through a common aperture to electrically connect to the wiring harness.

Abstract: An LED lamp assembly including an LED lamp and an LED insert having a body defining two coupler passages extending therethough from a top to a bottom thereof. Two conductive piercing couplers are engaged in one of the two coupler passages. The LED insert is engaged in an upper housing and the upper housing is coupled to a lower housing. The lower housing presents a wire receiving space structured and positioned to be aligned with the insulation piercing wire engaging portion of the two conductive piercing couplers when the upper housing is secured to the lower housing. The two leads of the LED lamp are positioned each in one of the two coupler passages in secure electrically conductive and mechanical contact with one of the spring contact portions of the two conductive piercing couplers.

Abstract: A lighted artificial tree includes a first tree portion including a first trunk portion, first branches joined to the first trunk portion, and a first light string. The first trunk portion has a trunk connector and a first trunk wiring assembly, the first trunk wiring assembly is electrically connectable to the first light string and the trunk connector, and at least a portion of the first wiring assembly is located inside the first portion. The second tree portion includes a second trunk portion, second branches, and a second light string. The second trunk portion has a trunk connector and a second trunk wiring assembly, the second trunk wiring assembly electrically connectable to the second lighting string and the trunk connector. The second tree portion may be mechanically coupled and electrically connected to the first tree portion by coaxially coupling the first trunk portion to the second trunk portion.

Abstract: A lighted artificial tree includes a first tree portion including a first trunk portion, first branches joined to the first trunk portion, and a first light string. The first trunk portion has a trunk connector and a first trunk wiring assembly, the first trunk wiring assembly is electrically connectable to the first light string and the trunk connector, and at least a portion of the first wiring assembly is located inside the first portion. The second tree portion includes a second trunk portion, second branches, and a second light string. The second trunk portion has a trunk connector and a second trunk wiring assembly, the second trunk wiring assembly electrically connectable to the second lighting string and the trunk connector. The second tree portion may be mechanically coupled and electrically connected to the first tree portion by coaxially coupling the first trunk portion to the second trunk portion.

Abstract: A lighted artificial tree includes a first tree portion including a first trunk portion, first branches joined to the first trunk portion, and a first light string. The first trunk portion has a trunk connector and a first trunk wiring assembly, the first trunk wiring assembly is electrically connectable to the first light string and the trunk connector, and at least a portion of the first wiring assembly is located inside the first portion. The second tree portion includes a second trunk portion, second branches, and a second light string. The second trunk portion has a trunk connector and a second trunk wiring assembly, the second trunk wiring assembly electrically connectable to the second lighting string and the trunk connector. The second tree portion may be mechanically coupled and electrically connected to the first tree portion by coaxially coupling the first trunk portion to the second trunk portion.

Abstract: A locking artificial tree trunk including a first generally cylindrical, hollow trunk portion including an upper end, the upper end defining a notch, and a second generally cylindrical trunk portion including a body portion, a lower end having an insertable portion, and an upper end. The locking artificial tree trunk also includes a coupling mechanism having a body portion and an upper portion having a tab, and defining a channel for receiving the insertable portion of the lower end of the second trunk portion. The body portion is inserted substantially into the upper end of the first trunk portion with the tab of the upper portion aligned with the notch, thereby preventing rotation of the coupling mechanism within the upper end of the first trunk portion.

Abstract: A locking artificial tree trunk including a first generally cylindrical, hollow trunk portion including an upper end, the upper end defining a notch, and a second generally cylindrical trunk portion including a body portion, a lower end having an insertable portion, and an upper end. The locking artificial tree trunk also includes a coupling mechanism having a body portion and an upper portion having a tab, and defining a channel for receiving the insertable portion of the lower end of the second trunk portion. The body portion is inserted substantially into the upper end of the first trunk portion with the tab of the upper portion aligned with the notch, thereby preventing rotation of the coupling mechanism within the upper end of the first trunk portion.

Abstract: An improved three dimensional display such as a Holiday decoration having collapsible constructions having a shape memory internal frame. In one embodied form, the unique display includes a collapsible internal frame formed, in part, from metal wire imparted with suitable memory characteristics. Such metals are referred to as “shape memory alloys” (SMAs) because much metals “remember” their original shapes. Accordingly, the present invention uses a deformable internal metal frame supporting an outer sheath formed from suitable materials such as fabric, or plastic film for the skin of the inventive three dimensional displays.

Abstract: A mechanical shunt for use in a socket of a string of lights resides in an otherwise typical lamp of a string of lights. The present shunt is a horizontal spring held in position by a shunt holder between the two conducting terminals on the interior walls of the socket so that the lateral ends of the shunt contact the terminals when the base is removed. When the base is inserted, a depending prong on the bottom of the base presses the shunt into a V-shaped surface formed in the shunt holder to pivot the lateral ends away from the terminals and allow current to flow through the Dumet wires to the filament.

Abstract: A serial lamp set having security warning functions comprising at least one serial lamp set unit composed of a plurality of light emitting elements, insulated electric wires, and power source connector; at least one IC set being connected in the serial lamp set for receiving the signal of electric power, generating pre-determined functions, having set limitation values of electric properties of the serial lamp set, emitting signals, such as a warning signal, and having set security warning functions. After the power connector is connected to the power source, a preset security warning signal shall be released at the time when the load of the serial lamp set is over the preset limitation value of an electric property.

Abstract: A remote controlling device includes a micro-controller; a transmitter coupled to the micro-controller to selectively transmit a control signal that controls the lighting of a lamp string, the transmitter comprising an encoder for coding the control signal; a preset lighting mode memory coupled to the micro-controller to store preset lighting modes; and lighting control program memory coupled to the micro-controller to store lighting control programs, each comprised of at least one lighting mode selected from the preset lighting mode memory. A user may operate a plurality of selection switches to select the preset lighting modes and the lighting control programs from the memories. Actuation of a transmission button allows for transmission of the control signal that carries the lighting control program selected from the lighting control program memory toward a receiver of the lamp control module of the lamp string in a wireless manner for controlling the lighting of the lamp string.