Tree- Or Plant-like (e.g., Tree Simulation, Etc.) Patents (Class 362/249.18)
  • Patent number: 10617248
    Abstract: A light system having a plurality of lighted tiers wherein each tier includes a plurality of radially extending lighted arms for illuminating branches of a tree. Each lighted arm is operatively associated with at least two conductive connectors for electrically connecting other lighted arms, other lighted tiers, or the lead wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Wintergreen Corporation
    Inventor: William Hale
  • Patent number: 8876547
    Abstract: A socket is provided for an LED light string and is formed by jointing two unsymmetrical casing members through thermal fusion by application of ultrasonic wave to thereby securely combine with electrical wires and a luminous element. The first and second casing members are provided with raised-and-recessed inter-engageable structures including holes and protrusions and multiple tiny bosses that is thermally fusible through application of ultrasonic wave for adhesion purposes. The first casing member includes a receiving channel for receiving electrical wires therein and the second casing member includes hold-down blocks and holding blocks for holding the electrical wires in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventor: Tung-Ling Wang
  • Patent number: 8789972
    Abstract: A lighted moving ball display system configured to provide a visual display, such as in a Christmas tree. The system includes a plurality of light emitting balls. The light emitting balls each include a light emitting device, a ball power module, and a housing configured to secure the light emitting device and the ball power module, therein. The system includes a passive transport medium configured to receive the balls and permit the balls to traverse the medium under gravitational force. The system includes a lifting mechanism functionally coupled to the medium and configured to lift the plurality of light emitting balls to a top portion of the medium. The system includes a power module configured to provide power to the modules and components of the system. The system includes a motivating apparatus configured to actively urge the plurality of light emitting balls to traverse the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventors: Lloyd R. Plumb, Lola Melody Howard Plumb
  • Patent number: 8721121
    Abstract: A decorative lighting string including blinking or twinkling lights spaced apart by at least three feet and preferably approximately six feet on a light string will create the effect of twinkling starlight or flickering firelight when used as part of a decorative scheme, such as Christmas decorations. This decorative lighting display is especially suited for outdoor use and can be effectively used in deciduous trees after they have lost their leaves. Twinkling lights that emit an illuminate of at least 40 lumens are especially suited for outdoor use. A random, irregular lighting pattern in which the lights do not appear to be connected by a light string provides the illusion of twinkling lights suspended in mid-air in a dark or darkening sky.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Roger Daniel Briles
  • Patent number: 8678615
    Abstract: The present invention is a string light type Christmas tree kit for raising upon and being supported from a flagpole with rope and pulley for raising and lowering a flag. The kit includes a crown connector for connection of ends of multiple string lights and raising to at topmost position by the rope and pulley. A circular hoop structure is connected to lower ends of the string lights and is raised off the ground when the crown connector is raised to the topmost position, forming a conical, lighted structure providing the visual illusion of a lighted Christmas tree supported from a flagpole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Gordon Ko
  • Patent number: 8616735
    Abstract: A light emitter has a light surround about the emitter formed from silicone having internally encapsulated plant materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Vickie Jean's Creations, Inc.
    Inventor: Victoria Jean Van Dyn Hoven
  • Patent number: 8543249
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Digital Lumens Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian J. Chemel, Colin Piepgras, Steve T. Kondo, Scott D. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8485690
    Abstract: A decorative light string clip device is provided for holding a string of lights in a desired configuration on a tree branch or other elongated support structure. The device includes an arcuate member having a pair of spaced free ends. The arcuate member has an outer perimeter edge extending between the free ends. A plurality of notches is provided in the member. Each of the notches extends inwardly from the outer perimeter edge of the member. The notches are radially positioned in spaced relationship around the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventors: Virginia Garcia, Valerie Garcia
  • Patent number: 8376584
    Abstract: A light system for decorating a tree featuring a flexible elongated band moveable between an attached position wherein the band is folded onto itself and an unattached position; an attachment means for securing the band in the attached position; a plurality of lights radiating outwardly from an outer surface of the band, the light strands each comprise a cord portion and a plurality of lights disposed along the cord portion; a first power plug and a second power plug, both power plugs being disposed on the band, wherein the first power plug functions to engage an electrical outlet or a second power plug of a second light system and the second power plug functions to accept a first power plug of a third light system; and a wire disposed in the band, the wire operatively connects each light strand to the first power plug and to the second power plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventors: Sarah A. Jenko, Barbara C. Grant
  • Patent number: 8240883
    Abstract: A lighting system includes a plurality of circular or disk-shaped lighting rings suitable for installation on a Christmas tree. The lighting rings include lights affixed to a webbing or net, and slits and trunk apertures to facilitate their placement around the Christmas tree trunk. For connection to an electrical power source, the lighting rings include electrical connectors including female electrical and male electrical connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Frank A. Barbieri
  • Patent number: 8201972
    Abstract: A decorative tree has a trunk, a plurality of double limbs and individual limbs connected to the trunk, and controlling electronics. Each double limb includes two individual limbs joined at a branch joint. Each individual limb has a plurality of flexible lamp stems and a molded branch formed around a structural rod. The lamp stem has two insulated wires, has a stiffening rod wrapped in a smooth sheath, and terminates in a molded lamp holder that supports an LED. Each lateral lamp stem connects to the molded branch at a molded branch fork and the tip lamp stem connects to an end of the stiffening rod. The controlling electronics provide an operating signal to the LED, which preferably causes the LED to sequentially emit more than one color in a repeated sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Exhart Environmental Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac Weiser, Margaret Weiser
  • Publication number: 20120075863
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Johnny Chen
  • Publication number: 20110141740
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a stand for supporting an ornamental object which provides one or more means for appearance customization. In particular, the present invention provides a tree stand with customizable elements flanking the tree-support element(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: ATICO INTERNATIONAL USA, INC.
    Inventors: Mary Scollan, Minerva Panico, Daniel W. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20110096546
    Abstract: A decorative tree has a trunk, a plurality of double limbs and individual limbs connected to the trunk, and controlling electronics. Each double limb includes two individual limbs joined at a branch joint. Each individual limb has a plurality of flexible lamp stems and a molded branch formed around a structural rod. The lamp stem has two insulated wires, has a stiffening rod wrapped in a smooth sheath, and terminates in a molded lamp holder that supports an LED. Each lateral lamp stem connects to the molded branch at a molded branch fork and the tip lamp stem connects to an end of the stiffening rod. The controlling electronics provide an operating signal to the LED, which preferably causes the LED to sequentially emit more than one color in a repeated sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Isaac Weiser, Margaret Weiser
  • Patent number: 7896516
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a decorative artificial twig structure for displaying a lamp, comprising a bendable rod serving as a structural foundation, an electrical wire, and a decorative lamp connected to the electrical wire. The rod and electrical wire are bundled together and wrapped in a covering to a position on the bundle below an end of the lamp such that the lamp can emit light visible to a viewer of the decorative artificial twig structure. In another embodiment, the decorative artificial twig structure comprises a plurality of lamps, a plurality of electrical wires connected to the lamps, and a plurality of bendable rods serving as a structural foundation for the lamps and electrical wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Jianrong Zhu
  • Patent number: 7559666
    Abstract: An illuminating imitation plant, comprising a stem, twigs and leaves. Said stem is made as the pattern of a real plant stem and stem light circles and light bands are arranged outside or inside the stem at intervals; the elastic supporting rod is installed in the middle of said stem and interposes pin said stem; meanwhile, the illuminant bodies are installed inside twigs on which multiple leaves are distributed; said leaves imitate the natural leaves and colors and show natural flexible patterns and are also inserted with elastic strips and with distributed light bands made of illuminant bodies and photo conducting materials. The twigs and leaves are ideally elastic and flexible especially can wobble vividly when it is breezy. They also glow more evenly and dimly and the effects of night illuming and decorating are excellent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: Li Min Liu