Abstract: An artificial Christmas tree with substantially unfiltered, full wave rectified pulsating DC voltage supplied to a plurality of female outlets disposed on the outside of the trunk of the tree. Alternatively, a power distribution strip, mountable on the tree, provides the full wave rectified pulsating DC power. The female outlets of the pre-wired tree or the power distribution strip receive the male plugs of “naked” LED light strings, which do not have female end connector plugs or power conversion circuitry. The LED light strings have only two wires and are powered by the full wave rectified and substantially unfiltered pulsating DC voltage. Dimming circuitry may be provided to dim the light output of the LED light strings.

Abstract: A series-wired LED light string formed of a plurality of LEDs connected in series with a current limiting resistor. A resistive component is electrically connected across each LED and serves as a shunt to electrically bypass a failed LED to keep the remaining LEDs in the light string fully illuminated. The LED light string has only two wires and is powered by a full wave rectified voltage, generated external to the light string.

Abstract: A series-wired LED light string formed of a plurality of sockets, each of which receives an LED housing containing a pair of LEDs connected in anti-parallel configuration and driven by AC voltage. By selecting and combining appropriate colored LEDs, the series wired string can emit light in a variety of different colors, including pastel colors by combining a white LED with a colored LED in an anti-parallel pair. Each LED socket may optionally include a protective resistive component which is electrically connected in parallel across each pair of anti-parallel LEDs to protect each LED of the pair from reverse voltage breakdown damage in the event of a failure of the other LED in the housing. The protective resistive component may be a resistor or a thermistor.

Abstract: A dual color series-wired LED light string formed of a plurality of sockets, each of which receives an LED housing containing a pair of LEDs connected in anti-parallel configuration. Each LED socket includes a protective resistive component which is electrically connected across each pair of anti-parallel LEDs of the respective LED housing to protect each LED of the pair from reverse voltage breakdown damage in the event of a failure of the other LED in the housing. The protective resistive component also further serves as a shunt to electrically bypass a failed LED to keep the remaining LEDs in the light string fully illuminated.

Abstract: A dual color series-wired LED light string formed of a plurality of sockets, each of which receives an LED housing containing a pair of LEDs connected in anti-parallel configuration. Each LED socket includes a protective resistive component which is electrically connected across each pair of anti-parallel LEDs of the respective LED housing to protect each LED of the pair from reverse voltage breakdown damage in the event of a failure of the other LED in the housing. The protective resistive component also further serves as a shunt to electrically bypass a failed LED to keep the remaining LEDs in the light string fully illuminated.

Abstract: A string set of series-connected incandescent bulbs in which the bulbs are individually provided with a voltage responsive shunt which is inoperative during normal operation of the string set when connected to a source of operating potential and which becomes operative only in response to an increase in the voltage thereacross which exceeds its rating, and in which the remaining bulbs of the circuit continue to receive rated current therethrough and rated voltage thereacross and further continue to be illuminated even though other bulbs in the string are either inoperative or are missing from their respective sockets. The string includes a split bridge AC to DC converter which provides pulsating DC current to the shunted, series-connected incandescent bulbs.

Abstract: A series wired light string which includes a marking on the bulb holder or socket of each light with the identity, i.e., current rating, of the bulb, or in the case of an LED light string, the color and/or current rating of the LED bulb, for replacement purposes. The identity marking can be applied to either or both of the bulb socket and holder, and can be added to the socket or holder during molding or afterwards by other means.

Abstract: A series wired light string which includes a marking on the bulb holder or socket of each light with the identity, i.e., current rating, of the bulb, or in the case of an LED light string, the color of the LED, for replacement purposes. The identity marking can be applied to either or both of the bulb/LED socket and holder, and can be added to the socket during molding or afterwards by other means.

Abstract: A string set of series-connected incandescent bulbs in which the bulbs are individually provided with a voltage responsive shunt which is inoperative during normal operation of the string set when connected to a source of operating potential and which becomes operative only in response to an increase in the voltage thereacross which exceeds its rating, and in which the remaining bulbs of the circuit continue to receive rated current therethrough and rated voltage thereacross and further continue to be illuminated even though other bulbs in the string are either inoperative or are missing from their respective sockets. The string includes a split bridge AC to DC converter which provides pulsating DC current to the shunted, series-connected incandescent bulbs.

Abstract: An elongated container with an elevator to position items near the opening of a container for easy access. The elevator includes a base and a member for engaging and disengaging the inner sidewall of the container depending upon the orientation of the container. Items are stored inside the container, on the base of the elevator. After removal of a portion of the items from the container, the opening of the container is covered, and the container is inverted. With the container in an inverted position, the elevator slides freely within the container and moves the remaining items toward the covered opening of the container. When the container is returned to its upright position, the member engages the inner sidewall of the container, preventing movement of the elevator within the container, such that the remaining items are easily accessible from the opening of the container.

Abstract: An LED with an internal bypass transistor, particularly suited for use in a series wired LED string to keep the string lit in the event of a failure of an LED. In one embodiment, the collector and/or base of the bypass transistor is used as one terminal of the shunt and the emitter is used as the opposite terminal. The preferred embodiment is to use the collector and emitter terminals only with the base terminal open.

Abstract: A split bridge circuit for rectifying the alternating current house supply into direct current (D.C.), using bi-polar transistor as rectifying devices. Using specified terminals of the bi-polar transistors results in a high forward voltage drop across the transistors (particularly as compared to the voltage drop across diode rectifiers in the prior art circuits), which reduces ripple significantly and lessens, or even eliminates, the need for a series limiting resistor in the circuit.

Abstract: An input power circuit for a battery-powered device, such as a toy or consumer electronic device, includes a polarity correction circuit portion. The device includes a first input terminal and a second input terminal, a first output terminal and a second output terminal, and a diode with a forward voltage drop of about 0.5 volts or less. In embodiments, the polarity correction circuit portion is configured to provide a positive voltage polarity at the first output terminal and a negative voltage polarity at the second output terminal for any polarity of power at the first input terminal and the second input terminal. The polarity correction circuit portion can include a diode bridge, and the diode may include a Schottky diode or a germanium diode.

Abstract: A shunt for bypassing LEDs in a series wired light string to keep the light string lit in the event of a failure of an LED. In one embodiment, the bypass shunt is a rectifier diode with a very high forward voltage drop (Vf). Another embodiment uses a transistor bypass device, where the collector and/or base is used as one terminal of the shunt device and the emitter is used as the opposite terminal. The preferred embodiment is to use the collector and emitter terminals only with the base terminal open.

Abstract: An input power circuit for a battery-powered device, such as a toy or consumer electronic device, includes a polarity correction circuit portion. The device includes a first input terminal and a second input terminal, a first output terminal and a second output terminal, and a diode with a forward voltage drop of about 0.5 volts or less. In embodiments, the polarity correction circuit portion is configured to provide a positive voltage polarity at the first output terminal and a negative voltage polarity at the second output terminal for any polarity of power at the first input terminal and the second input terminal. The polarity correction circuit portion can include a diode bridge, and the diode may include a Schottky diode or a germanium diode.

Abstract: A series connected LED light string using capacitors as shunts. The shunts are implemented by inserting a capacitor—for example a low breakdown voltage chip capacitor—in every light socket, or internally within each LED. The capacitive shunt continues current in the light string in the event an LED fails by opening electrically—the capacitor shorts out, thus, keeping the string of lights illuminated. The shunt capacitor across the LED also helps filter the pulsating DC voltage to the bulbs and reduces annoying flicker.

Abstract: A series-wired LED light string with flickering candle LED's. The LED's in the light string can be of the standard steady bum type or of the flickering type resembling a candle flame or the string can include a combination of both types as shown in FIG. 1. The flickering LED's each include a single Zener shunt to prevent variation of the voltage across the flickering LED, which would affect other LED's in the light string.

Abstract: A temperature compensated device to prevent overcurrent in electrical circuits in very cold conditions. The device includes a PTC thermistor to control current through a circuit. A negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor is thermally coupled to a PTC thermistor to ‘warm’ the PTC thermistor in cold environments. When circuit current flows in the NTC thermistor, the NTC thermistor will heat up, thus warming the PTC thermistor. The PTC thermistor may then operate as designed and prevent overcurrent in an electrical circuit.

Abstract: A Christmas light string with a resettable fuse, preferably a positive coefficient thermistor, that prevents damage to the string when an overcurrent condition arises. An overcurrent condition in a light string may occur when lights burn out or when too many light strings are placed end to end. When an overcurrent condition exists, the resistance of the resettable fuse rises and reduces the current in the string to prevent damage to bulbs and glass fuses.

Abstract: A split bridge circuit for rectifying the alternating current house supply into direct current (D.C.), using hi-polar transistor as rectifying devices. Using specified terminals of the bi-polar transistors results in a high forward voltage drop across the transistors (particularly as compared to the voltage drop across diode rectifiers in the prior art circuits), which reduces ripple significantly and lessens, or even eliminates, the need for a series limiting resistor in the circuit.