Abstract: An electro-mechanical coupler includes a source housing with a source surface and a load housing with a load surface. Both housings have through-holes for inserting and attaching tubes. One end of a first tube is insertable into the other tube. The source and load housings carry sets of plural electrical terminals that are brought into electrical contact with each other when the housing surfaces engage and they are oriented in a complementary topographic combination, such as the beveled slots of the source housing receiving the beveled inserts of the load housing. Spring-loaded plural electrical terminals extend from the bottom of the slot in the source housing and from the end of the insert in the load housing. A pivoting, sliding latch holds the source housing to the load housing, and a cam system assists in separating the source and load housings and their respective tubes.

Abstract: The present magnetic electrical connectors use magnets to press electrical terminals together, when the magnetic electrical connectors are correctly oriented with respect to each other. A magnetic electrical connector is identical other magnetic electrical connectors so there are fewer parts used for manufacturing and the assembly of the electrical connectors is simplified. The present electrical connectors improve electrical connection in applications where physical connection may be difficult to achieve because of limited physical access or because of low light conditions. When inserted into the ends of a conduit, the present magnetic electrical connectors transfer electricity through conduits that may have a different primary purpose. Conduits may be, for example, scaffolding or temporary barriers, velvet rope, or trim for modular furniture. In the case of scaffolding and a temporary barriers, magnetic electrical connectors can transfer electricity for lighting, power tools, and communications.

Abstract: A support is configured to be attached to and supported by a surface and to a channel running from the first end to the opposing second end of the support. The support carries a first magnetic electrical connector in a first end of the channel and a second magnetic electrical connector, wired to the first, in the opposing, second end of the channel. The first magnetic electrical connector is in electrical connection with the second magnetic electrical connector via at least one electrical conductor. An electrical current applied to the first magnetic electrical connector is conveyed by that electrical conductor to the second magnetic electrical connector. Wiring is directed through holed in the support to access points in the outer surface of the support where the user may access electrical current for operating appliances, charging batteries, and passing digital information. The supports may be decorative molding such as baseboards, crown molding, and chair rails.

Abstract: The present magnetic electrical connectors use magnets to press electrical terminals together, when the magnetic electrical connectors are correctly oriented with respect to each other. A magnetic electrical connector is identical other magnetic electrical connectors so there are fewer parts used for manufacturing and the assembly of the electrical connectors is simplified. The present electrical connectors improve electrical connection in applications where physical connection may be difficult to achieve because of limited physical access or because of low light conditions. When inserted into the ends of a conduit, the present magnetic electrical connectors transfer electricity through conduits that may have a different primary purpose. Conduits may be, for example, scaffolding or temporary barriers, velvet rope, or trim for modular furniture. In the case of scaffolding and a temporary barriers, magnetic electrical connectors can transfer electricity for lighting, power tools, and communications.

Abstract: A support is configured to be attached to and supported by a surface and to a channel running from the first end to the opposing second end of the support. The support carries a first magnetic electrical connector in a first end of the channel and a second magnetic electrical connector, wired to the first, in the opposing, second end of the channel. The first magnetic electrical connector is in electrical connection with the second magnetic electrical connector via at least one electrical conductor. An electrical current applied to the first magnetic electrical connector is conveyed by that electrical conductor to the second magnetic electrical connector. Wiring is directed through holed in the support to access points in the outer surface of the support where the user may access electrical current for operating appliances, charging batteries, and passing digital information. The supports may be decorative molding such as baseboards, crown molding, and chair rails.

Abstract: An artificial tree includes a base supporting a hollow trunk. The base includes plural legs connected to a central core. The base carries a housing containing an electrical controller for transforming, rectifying, and filtering electrical power received from a power receptacle. The housing includes a heat pump to dissipate heat from the electrical controller. A series of interconnected conduits comprises the tree trunk. A conduit has two identical electrical connectors that self-orient by magnetic repulsion to preserve electrical parity when connecting conduits together. Wiring harnesses run between the two electrical connectors in the conduit. The outside surface of the conduits carries hinge brackets to receive and pivotally hold artificial limbs. These limbs carry light strings and are pivotable between folded and deployed orientations. Wires from the wiring harness are pulled through holes in the sides of the conduits and connect to light strings on nearby limbs.

Abstract: An artificial tree includes a base supporting a hollow trunk. The base includes plural legs connected to a central core. The base carries a housing containing an electrical controller for transforming, rectifying, and filtering electrical power received from a power receptacle. The housing includes a heat pump to dissipate heat from the electrical controller. A series of interconnected conduits comprises the tree trunk. A conduit has two identical electrical connectors that self-orient by magnetic repulsion to preserve electrical parity when connecting conduits together. Wiring harnesses run between the two electrical connectors in the conduit. The outside surface of the conduits carries hinge brackets to receive and pivotally hold artificial limbs. These limbs carry light strings and are pivotable between folded and deployed orientations. Wires from the wiring harness are pulled through holes in the sides of the conduits and connect to light strings on nearby limbs.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical coupler includes a source housing with a source surface and a load housing with a load surface. Both housings have through-holes for inserting and attaching tubes. One end of a first tube is insertable into the other tube. The source and load housings carry sets of plural electrical terminals that are brought into electrical contact with each other when the housing surfaces engage and they are oriented in a complementary topographic combination, such as the beveled slots of the source housing receiving the beveled inserts of the load housing. Spring-loaded plural electrical terminals extend from the bottom of the slot in the source housing and from the end of the insert in the load housing. A pivoting, sliding latch holds the source housing to the load housing, and a cam system assists in separating the source and load housings and their respective tubes.

Abstract: An artificial tree includes a base supporting a hollow trunk. The base includes plural legs connected to a central core. The base carries a housing containing an electrical controller for transforming, rectifying, and filtering electrical power received from a power receptacle. The housing includes a heat pump to dissipate heat from the electrical controller. A series of interconnected conduits comprises the tree trunk. Each conduit has two identical electrical connectors that self-orient by magnetic repulsion to preserve electrical parity when connecting conduits together. Wiring harnesses run between the two electrical connectors in each conduit. The outside surface of the conduits carries hinge brackets to receive and pivotally hold artificial limbs. These limbs carry light strings and are pivotable between folded and deployed orientations. Wires from the wiring harness are pulled through holes in the sides of the conduits and connect to light strings on nearby limbs.

Abstract: A support is configured to be attached to and supported by a surface and to a channel running from the first end to the opposing second end of the support. The support carries a first electrical connector in a first end of the channel and a second electrical connector, wired to the first, in the opposing, second end of the channel. The first electrical connector is in electrical connection with the second electrical connector via at least one electrical conductor. An electrical current applied to the first electrical connector is conveyed by that electrical conductor to the second electrical connector. Wiring is directed through holed in the support to access points in the outer surface of the support where the user may access electrical current for operating appliances, charging batteries, and passing digital information. The supports may be decorative molding such as baseboards, crown molding, and chair rails.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution system for use in providing power for personal, commercial, and industrial uses. The electrical power distribution system may be incorporated in products such as safety barriers, velvet ropes for events, office furniture and home interior trim. The basic component is a conduit section that holds identical electrical connectors at each ends and which interconnect and interlock automatically when rotated to the correct orientation, at which point they have the correct polarity.

Abstract: Electrical connectors use magnetic repulsion for orienting themselves in the right polarity and magnetic attraction for holding together. When inserted into the ends of a conduit, a pair of these electrical connectors can transfer electricity through the conduit. Each electrical connector includes a housing with top and bottom surfaces and a fixed and a movable terminal both of which are recessed below the top surface of their respective, parallel passages. A spring controls terminal movement. Each terminal carries an electrical contact. A torus-shaped magnet surrounds the contact of the contact in the movable terminal so that its magnetic field energizes that contact. The magnets in movable terminals of each electrical connector are oriented in the same way so movable terminals of electrical connectors repel each other but fixed terminals attract movable terminals from their passages and into the passages of the fixed terminals so that two electrical connectors lock together.

Abstract: A locking mechanical and electrical connector for joining two sections of an artificial holiday tree includes an upper and a lower part that thread to a joined configuration from a separated configuration and locked in the joined position by a ball detent. Once completely joined, electrical contacts carried by the upper part are in electrical contact with electrical contacts carried by the lower part. The electrical wiring of the upper and lower parts is managed using harnesses and kept electrically separated from the two sections of the artificial tree. In joining of tree tubing sections, the weight of the upper section helps drive the rotation of the upper part with respect to the lower part, assisted by the low friction design of the threaded connection and the ball contact between the upper part electrical contacts and the interface surface of the lower part.

Abstract: A tree stand includes a housing dimensioned for holding electronic components used in providing electricity in support of decorative lighting for the tree. The tree stand removes heat from the housing without the use moving parts. Floor vents enable cool air to enter the housing; upper vents enable that air, warmed by the electrical components, to escape to the housing and into a heat riser housing as part of a growing, circular heat thermal. The heat follows a spiral ramp in the heat riser housing exiting vents at the top where additional heat is conducted into the tree itself, radiated into the air. Tree legs can be increased in number or replaced with longer legged trees without tools by insertion of the side wall into a slot formed in the legs and then slid around the circular slide wall from the notch where each leg is inserted.

Abstract: A magnetic repulsion-based coupler for an electrical connector includes a housing with two passages formed therein, a male terminal having a magnetic top on one of the passages, and a female terminal having a top made of a material attracted to a magnet in the other passage of the housing. Two such housings form an electrical connector for passing electric power from one conductor to another while preserving polarity when the couplers self-align. Self-alignment occurs when their opposing male terminals repel each other and are each attracted to the female terminals of the opposing couplers. Each passage in the housing of a coupler is formed to receive only the male or female terminal.

Abstract: An LED light string includes series-connected groups of individual LEDs or sets of LEDs, with each LED or set of LEDs in each group being electrically in parallel with each other LED or set of LEDs and with a parallel group device that regulates voltage within the group when LEDs in that group fail. The current to the LEDs is rectified, either in the light string plug or receptacle, preferably the latter. The color of each light in the group, or colors of each set in the group must be the same but successive groups can include LEDs of different colors. In an alternative embodiment, the LEDs can be oriented so that half light on during the first half of an alternating current cycle and the other half light during the second half of an alternating current cycle.

Abstract: Miniature bulbs are secured in their holders against twisting by first forming holders with tapered cavities smaller at their bottoms than the bulb, then heating the holders to soften them prior to insertion of the bulb. When the bulb is fully seated and the holder has cooled and firmed up, the holder will conform to the exterior shape of the bulb including the irregularities in its surface caused by the bulb formation process. The snug fit of the holder to the irregularities in the bulb resist the twisting of the bulb.

Abstract: Miniature bulbs are secured in their holders against twisting by first forming holders with tapered cavities smaller at their bottoms than the bulb, then heating the holders to soften them prior to insertion of the bulb. When the bulb is fully seated and the holder has cooled and firmed up, the holder will conform to the exterior shape of the bulb including the irregularities in its surface caused by the bulb formation process. The snug fit of the holder to the irregularities in the bulb resist the twisting of the bulb.

Abstract: A 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 conductive spring held in position by a shunt housing between the two conductive terminals so that both of its curved lateral ends contact the terminals when the bulb holder is removed. When the bulb holder is inserted, a pushrod on the flat central portion of the conductive spring presses the spring down into a well in the shunt housing so that the curved lateral ends of the conductive spring are drawn away from the electrical terminals, thereby allowing current to flow through the Dumet wires to the filament.

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 coiled spring shunt held by one of the electrical terminals in the socket so that it is cantilevered toward and in electrical contact with the other electrical terminal. The central portion of the spring shunt has a larger diameter. The lamp holder has bottom that, upon insertion of the holder into the socket, presses down on the central portion of the spring shunt so that its first end is moved out of electrical contact with the first electrical terminal, thereby allowing electrical current to pass through the filament in the bulb.