US 12,331,894 B2
Modular lighted tree with trunk electrical connectors
Johnny Chen, Taipei (TW)
Assigned to Willis Electric Co., Ltd., Taipei (TW)
Filed by Willis Electric Co., Ltd., Taipei (TW)
Filed on Nov. 13, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/507,913.
Application 18/507,913 is a continuation of application No. 17/533,881, filed on Nov. 23, 2021, granted, now 11,815,235.
Application 17/533,881 is a continuation of application No. 16/939,380, filed on Jul. 27, 2020, abandoned.
Application 16/939,380 is a continuation of application No. 16/122,323, filed on Sep. 5, 2018, granted, now 10,721,981, issued on Jul. 28, 2020.
Application 16/122,323 is a continuation of application No. 14/512,021, filed on Oct. 10, 2014, granted, now 10,070,675, issued on Sep. 11, 2018.
Application 14/512,021 is a continuation of application No. 13/718,028, filed on Dec. 18, 2012, granted, now 8,974,072, issued on Mar. 10, 2015.
Application 13/718,028 is a continuation of application No. 13/112,650, filed on May 20, 2011, granted, now 8,454,186, issued on Jun. 4, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/385,751, filed on Sep. 23, 2010.
Prior Publication US 2024/0151373 A1, May 9, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F21S 4/10 (2016.01); A41G 1/00 (2006.01); A47G 33/06 (2006.01); F21V 21/002 (2006.01); F21V 23/00 (2015.01); F21V 23/06 (2006.01); F21V 33/00 (2006.01); H01B 17/00 (2006.01); H01R 24/20 (2011.01); H01R 33/92 (2006.01); H05B 45/00 (2022.01); F21W 121/00 (2006.01); F21W 121/04 (2006.01); F21Y 115/10 (2016.01)
CPC F21S 4/10 (2016.01) [A41G 1/005 (2013.01); A41G 1/007 (2013.01); A47G 33/06 (2013.01); F21V 21/002 (2013.01); F21V 23/001 (2013.01); F21V 23/06 (2013.01); F21V 33/00 (2013.01); F21V 33/0028 (2013.01); H01B 17/00 (2013.01); H01R 24/20 (2013.01); H01R 33/92 (2013.01); H05B 45/00 (2020.01); F21W 2121/00 (2013.01); F21W 2121/04 (2013.01); F21Y 2115/10 (2016.08); Y10T 29/49117 (2015.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A lighted artificial tree, comprising:
a first tree portion including a first trunk portion defining a first vertical axis, a first plurality of branches joined to the first trunk portion, the first trunk portion having a first trunk body with a first trunk wall defining a first trunk interior, a first light string affixed to a portion of the first plurality of branches, a first trunk electrical connector and a first trunk wiring assembly, the first trunk electrical connector including a first main non-conductive portion abutting an interior portion of the first trunk body and a male connector portion having a male non-conductive portion and a pair of first electrical contacts in electrical connection with the first trunk wiring assembly, wherein at least one electrical contact of the pair of first electrical contacts projects axially in a direction away from the male non-conductive portion, and wherein at least a portion of the first trunk wiring assembly is located within the first trunk interior;
a second tree portion including a second trunk portion, a second plurality of branches joined to the second trunk portion, the second trunk portion having a second trunk body with a second trunk wall defining a second trunk interior, a second light string affixed to a portion of the second plurality of branches, a second trunk electrical connector and a second trunk wiring assembly, the second trunk electrical connector including a female non-conductive portion configured to receive the male non-conductive portion of the first trunk electrical connector and a pair of second electrical contacts configured to contact the pair of first electrical contacts, the second trunk wiring assembly electrically connectable to the second lighting string and the second trunk electrical connector, and wherein at least a portion of the second trunk wiring assembly is located within the second trunk interior; and
wherein an end of the second tree portion is configured to mechanically couple to an end of the first trunk portion such that the male non-conductive portion is received by the female non-conductive portion, and the pair of first electrical contacts makes electrical connection with the pair of second electrical contacts such that the first trunk wiring assembly is in electrical connection with the second trunk wiring assembly such that an electrical and mechanical connection between the first tree portion and the second tree portion are made in a single step.