Abstract: A lighting fixture and a method of fabricating the same are shown and described herein in one particular embodiment, a light fixture comprises a plurality of vanes projecting radially outward from a central core, and a series of lights coupled to the fixture. The vanes can each be semi-circular, and can each be identical in size, such that the fixture as a whole is generally spherical. In addition, a method of fabricating a light fixture by bending an elongated structure alternatingly in opposite directions to form such a plurality of vanes is shown and described.

Abstract: A light unit for use in a series circuit has a mechanical switch for providing an alternate circuit path around the leads of a bulb when the bulb is loose or removed. The mechanical switch is biased toward a closed position such that, when the bulb is removed from the light unit, the switch closes to provide the alternate circuit path. The switch is displaced to an open position when a bulb is secured to the light unit to break the alternate circuit path and route electricity through the bulb. A shunt assembly having a high resistance element and a retainer can be secured within a socket cavity of the light unit.

Abstract: A light system with a light fixture includes a central member with a plurality of elongated members coupled thereto, extending radially outward from the central member in a plurality of planes. Each elongated member is configured to retain a plurality of parallel light strings routed to the elongated member from within an internal cavity of the central member.

Abstract: A lighting fixture and a method of fabricating the same are shown and described herein in one particular embodiment, a light fixture comprises a plurality of vanes projecting radially outward from a central core, and a series of lights coupled to the fixture. The vanes can each be semi-circular, and can each be identical in size, such that the fixture as a whole is generally spherical. In addition, a method of fabricating a light fixture by bending an elongated structure alternatingly in opposite directions to form such a plurality of vanes is shown and described.

Abstract: A light unit for use in a series circuit has a mechanical switch for providing an alternate circuit path around the leads of a bulb when the bulb is loose or removed. The mechanical switch is biased toward a closed position such that, when the bulb is removed from the light unit, the switch closes to provide the alternate circuit path. The switch is displaced to an open position when a bulb is secured to the light unit to break the alternate circuit path and route electricity through the bulb. A shunt assembly having a high resistance element and a retainer can be secured within a socket cavity of the light unit.

Abstract: A light unit for use in a series circuit has a mechanical switch for providing an alternate circuit path around the leads of a bulb when the bulb is loose or removed. The mechanical switch is biased toward a closed position such that, when the bulb is removed from the light unit, the switch closes to provide the alternate circuit path. The switch is displaced to an open position when a bulb is secured to the light unit to break the alternate circuit path and route electricity through the bulb. A shunt assembly having a high resistance element and a retainer can be secured within a socket cavity of the light unit.

Abstract: A lighting fixture has a plurality of coaxial round or other shaped rings on which a string of miniature lights is mounted. The rings are spaced apart when the fixture is in an active position and are stacked relatively close together when collapsed into a storage position. Slide links or the like interconnect the rings and limit expansion of the fixture into its active position.

Abstract: A unitary frame having a design simulating a magnified snowflake holds a string of lights mounted on a cord gripped in upstand channels presented by the frame between the lights on the string.

Abstract: A unitary frame having a design simulating a magnified snowflake holds a string of lights mounted on a cord gripped in upstand channels presented by the frame between the lights on the string.

Abstract: Three equal length sections of cord on which lights are mounted have three continuous length portions having different lengths which are arranged to bridge three spans of equal length. The spans are shorter than each of the three length portions. Each length section has its respective three length portions sequenced differently than the three length portions of the other two length sections so that the length portions bridging each span sag to three different levels. Attachments are provided at the ends of the spans.

Abstract: A light string is configured by clips in multiple draping sections in progressively longer arcs which are vertically spaced apart and are spaced by connecting sections. The connection sections are normally mounted in horizontal aligned positions by the use of hooks or other mounting elements provided by the clips.

Abstract: A light string is configured by clips in multiple draping sections in progressively longer arcs which are vertically spaced apart and are spaced by connecting sections. The clips each have two complementing injection-molded plastic shells which snap-fit together to provide a horizontal wireway intersected by a downwardly extending wireway. One or both of the shells have a hook or other mounting element whereby the connecting sections are normally mounted in horizontal aligned positions.

Abstract: A light set has multiple light units mounted on a multi-wire insulated cord, each light unit comprising a plastic push-in lampholders containing a bulb with two lead wires, a socket member receiving a pair of push-in contact elements and lampholder, and a base unit which snaps together with the socket member over the cord preparatory to insertion of the contact elements and lampholders. The contact elements pierce the cord insulation on opposite sides of a cutout through a selected one of the cord wires and establish positive contact with both parts of the severed wire by straddling respective of the wire parts with a pair of sharp prongs. Positive positioning of the bulb leads with respect to the contact elements is established by flexible leg extensions on the lampholders which interfit at their free ends with the leads and swing back to a position in the socket member pressing the leads against the contact elements.

Abstract: A miniature push-in type light unit has injection-molded plastic push-in lampholders, a socket member receiving a pair of push-in miniature contact elements and the socket member, and a base unit which snaps together with the socket member over a multi-wire insulated cord preparatory to insertion of the contact elements. The contact elements pierce the cord insulation on opposite sides of a cutout through a selected one of the cord wires and establish positive contact with both parts of the severed wire by straddling respective of the wire parts and clamping against the adjacent cord insulation by the blunt crimping portion. Proper positioning of the lampholder and positive positioning of leads from the bulb mounted in the lampholder is established for providing and maintaining engagement of the bulb leads with the contact elements.

Abstract: A light and reflector assembly has a lamp holder with a plug-in lamp base mounted therein which has a bulb surrounded by a reflector sleeved on the lamp holder. Releasable locking means are provided for locking the lamp base to the lamp holder responsive to pushing the lamp base into the lamp holder, and for then locking the reflector to the lamp holder responsive to twisting of the reflector after being sleeved onto the lamp holder. The reflector locking means may interact with the lamp base locking means.

Abstract: A light unit of the type with a push-in bulb assembly has complementing locking elements on the bulb assembly and lamp holder into which the bulb assembly is mounted. Examples include a hook-like element which springs over a passive element, a prong and complementing opening, and a hinged T-shaped element which swings into locking position between and beneath a pair of ear elements.

Abstract: A decorative light set has miniature light units with push-in bulb assemblies mounted on a multiwire cord in an arrangement providing a "chaser" set. The push-in bulb assemblies plug into the socket of socket housings which provide wireways for the cord and guideways for pairs of push-in contact elements. The contact elements bridge cutouts in the cord wires provided in a predetermined pattern, there being one cutout in each light unit.

Abstract: Miniature light units with push-in bulb assemblies are mounted on a multi-wire cord in an arrangement providing a "chaser" set. The push-in bulb assemblies plug into the socket of socket housings which provide wireways for the cord and multiple guideways for pairs of push-in contact elements. The contact elements bridge cutouts in the cord wires provided in a predetermined pattern, there being one cutout in each light unit. The bulb assemblies have lead wires extending across opposite side faces so as to engage the contact elements regardless of which of the guideways is occupied by the contact elements. Jaws at the ends of the wireways clamp the cord against movement relative to the light units when the socket housings are assembled.

Abstract: A lampholder for miniature light sets, which may be of two-piece snap-together construction or a molded, one-piece unit, has a socket at one end to receive a push-in lamp unit and a wireway at the opposite end. The socket receives two identical push-in contact plates which are laterally reversible so that in one position they project by a respective insulation-severing element into one portion of the wireway to engage a first wire, and in a second position the severing element projects into a second portion of the wireway to engage a second wire. The wires are preferably contained in an insulated cord having cutouts at regular intervals which are located in the lampholders to be bridged via the contact plates and lamp units for a series connection. The lampholders at the ends of each series may have one of their contact plates reversed to engage non-interrupted wires in the cord to provide a serial-parallel arrangement.