Powered tree construction

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10777949-B2
Application number	US-201815911676-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 5, 2018
Priority date	Oct 28, 2011
Publication date	Sep 15, 2020
Grant date	Sep 15, 2020

Abstract

A power transfer system to facilitate the transfer of electrical power between tree trunk sections of an artificial tree is disclosed. The power transfer system can advantageously enable neighboring tree trunk sections to be electrically connected without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections. Power distribution subsystems can be disposed within the trunk sections. The power distribution subsystems can comprise a male end, a female end, or both. The male ends can have prongs and the female ends can have voids. The prongs can be inserted into the voids to electrically connect the power distribution subsystems of neighboring tree trunk sections. In some embodiments, the prongs and voids are designed so that the prongs of one power distribution subsystem can engage the voids of another power distribution subsystem without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An artificial tree comprising:
a first trunk section having a first connector, the first connector including:
a central prong configured to conduct electricity;
a vertical wall at least partially surrounding the central prong;
a second prong configured to conduct electricity, the second prong attached to the vertical wall; and
a first plurality of teeth;

a first electrical wire located at least partially within the first trunk section and connected with the central prong of the first connector;
a second electrical wire located at least partially within the first trunk section and connected with the second prong of the first connector;
a power cord electrically connected to the first and second electrical wires;
a first plurality of branches connected to the first trunk section;
a first light sting disposed upon the first plurality of branches and electrically connected with at least one of the first and second electrical wires;
a second trunk section having (i) a second connector, the second connector including:
a central contact device configured to conduct electricity;
a void at least partially surrounding the central contact device;
an outer contact device configured to conduct electricity, and
a second plurality of teeth; and

(ii) a third connector, the third connector including:
a central prong configured to conduct electricity;
a vertical wall at least partially surrounding the central prong; and
a second prong configured to conduct electricity, the second prong attached to the vertical wall; and
a third plurality of teeth

a third electrical wire located at least partially within the second trunk section and connected with the central contact device of the second connector and the central prong of the third connector;
a fourth electrical wire located at least partially within the second trunk section and connected with the outer contact of the second connector and the second prong of the third connector;
a second plurality of branches connected to the second trunk section;
a second light sting disposed upon the second plurality of branches and electrically connected with at least one of the third and fourth electrical wires;
a third trunk section having a fourth connector, the fourth connector including:
a central contact device configured to conduct electricity;
a void at least partially surrounding the central contact device;
an outer contact device configured to conduct electricity; and
a fourth plurality of teeth

a fifth electrical wire located at least partially within the second trunk section and connected with the central contact device of the fourth connector;
a sixth electrical wire located at least partially within the second trunk section and connected with the second contact device of the fourth connector; and
an accessory outlet connected to the fifth and sixth electrical wires and the third trunk section,
wherein when the first trunk section is axially aligned with the second trunk section, the central prong of the first connector is configured to contact the central contact device of the second connector, the void of the second connector is configured to at least partially receive the vertical wall of the first connector, the second prong of the first connector is configured to contact the outer contact device of the second connector, and the first plurality of teeth are configured to mate with the second plurality of teeth,
wherein when the second trunk section is axially aligned with the third trunk section, the central prong of the third connector is configured to contact the central contact device of the fourth connector, the void of the fourth connector is configured to at least partially receive the vertical wall of the third connector, the second prong third connector is configured to contact the outer contact device of the fourth connector, and the third plurality of teeth are configured to mate with the fourth plurality of teeth, and
wherein when the power plug is connected to a power source, the first trunk section is coupled with the second trunk section, and the second trunk section is coupled with the third trunk section, the accessory outlet is configured to receive and output power from the power source.

2. The artificial tree of claim 1 , wherein each tooth of the first plurality of teeth is a distinct part such that each tooth of the first plurality of teeth does not contact an adjacent tooth of the first plurality of teeth,
wherein each tooth of the second plurality of teeth is a distinct part such that each tooth of the second plurality of teeth does not contact an adjacent tooth of the second plurality of teeth.

3. An artificial tree comprising:
a first trunk section having a first connector, the first connector including:
a first electrical contact;
a second electrical contact; and
a first plurality of distinct, axially extending teeth, each tooth of the first plurality of distinct, axially extending teeth having a first width and adjacent teeth of the first plurality of distinct, axially extending teeth being separated by a first gap having a first distance; and

a second trunk section having a second connector, the second connector including:
a third electrical contact;
a fourth electrical contact; and
a second plurality of distinct, axially extending teeth, each tooth of the second plurality of distinct, axially extending teeth having a second width and adjacent teeth of the first plurality of distinct, axially extending teeth being separated by a second gap having a second distance and the second distance is greater than the first width.

4. The artificial tree of claim 3 , wherein the first distance is equal to the second distance.

5. The artificial tree of claim 3 , wherein the first width is equal to the second width.

6. The artificial tree of claim 3 , wherein when the first trunk section is axially aligned with the second trunk section, each first gap is configured to at least partially receive a tooth of the second plurality of distinct, axially extending teeth and each second gap is configured to at least partially receive a tooth of the first plurality of distinct, axially extending teeth.

7. The artificial tree of claim 6 , wherein when the first connector mates to the second connector, the first trunk section is rotationally restricted, with respect to the second trunk section, to a range of rotational angles, the range of rotational angles corresponding to the first distance, the second distance, the first width, and/or the second width.

8. An artificial tree comprising:
a first trunk section having a first connector, the first connector including:
a first electrical contact;
a second electrical contact;
a first outer wall extending axially upward from a first body portion of the first connector;
a first inner protrusion extending axially upward from the first body portion; and
a first plurality of distinct teeth, each pair of adjacent distinct teeth of the first plurality of distinct teeth separated by a first gap; and

a second trunk section having a second connector, the second connector including:
a third electrical contact;
a fourth electrical contact;
a second outer wall extending axially upward from a second body portion of the second connector;
a second inner protrusion extending axially upward from the second body portion; and
a second plurality of distinct teeth, each pair of adjacent distinct teeth of the second plurality of distinct teeth separated by a second gap,

wherein when the first trunk section is axially aligned with the second trunk section:
the second outer wall is configured to at least partially receive the first outer wall such that the second inner protrusion is positi

Assignees

• Polygroup Macau Ltd Bvi

Inventors

• Leung Chi Yin Alan
• Tong Ricky
• Kwok Chi Kin Samuel
• He chang-jun

Classifications

• H01R24/38 Primary

  having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts · CPC title

• H01R2103/00

  Two poles · CPC title

• A47G33/06 Primary

  Artificial Christmas trees · CPC title

• H01R13/10

  Sockets for co-operation with pins or blades · CPC title

• H01R31/00

  Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart · CPC title