Method and apparatus for ornamental light strings
AssigneeTimothy Ryan McWhirter
InventorTimothy Ryan McWhirter
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Abstract
A system, method and apparatus for detecting a faulty bulb within an ornamental light string. The light string includes a plug at one end, a receptacle at an opposing end and a plurality of lamps in series arrangement coupled therebetween using an electrical wire. Each lamp includes a bulb, a socket coupled to the bulb, and a light source within the bulb that is electrically coupled to the electrical wire. The bulb includes a translucent cover coupled to a holder. The holder is removably coupled to the socket. The socket comprises a temperature-dependent color changing material, which can be thermochromic ink, which allows the outer surface of the socket to change colors depending upon its temperature thereby assisting in identifying a faulty bulb requiring replacement.
Claims12
An ornamental light string, comprising:
- a plug positioned at one end of a light string;
- a receptacle positioned at an opposing end of the light string;
- a wire extending from and electrically coupling the plug to the receptacle;
- and
- a plurality of lamps positioned along and electrically coupled to the wire, at least a portion of the plurality of lamps being arranged in series arrangement along the wire, wherein each lamp comprises:
- a bulb comprising a translucent cover, a holder coupled to the translucent cover at one end, and a light source positioned within the translucent cover and electrically coupled to the wire, the light source capable of emitting light through the translucent cover;
- and
- a socket having a cavity extending from a top end towards a bottom end, the socket being coupled to the bulb, wherein at least a portion of the holder is removably positioned within the cavity, the socket comprising a temperature-dependent color changing material being at least partially exposed on the outer surface of the socket, and wherein the temperature-dependent color changing material visibly changes color on at least the outer surface of the socket when the temperature of the socket changes.
A method for assembling an ornamental light string, comprising:
- providing a plug and a receptacle;
- electrically connecting the plug to the receptacle using an insulated wire;
- electrically connecting a plurality of lamps along the insulated wire, at least a portion of the plurality of lamps being positioned in a series arrangement with one another, wherein each lamp comprises:
- a socket having a cavity extending from a top end towards a bottom end, the socket comprising a temperature-dependent color changing material being at least partially exposed on the outer surface of the socket, a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal positioned along an interior surface of the socket within the cavity, each of the first and second electrical terminals being electrically coupled to the insulated wire;
- and
- a bulb coupled to the socket, the bulb comprising:
- a translucent cover;
- a holder coupled to the translucent cover at one end;
- and
- a light source positioned within the translucent cover and electrically coupled to the first and second electrical terminals when at least a portion of the holder is removably positioned within the cavity and coupled to the socket, the light source capable of emitting light through the translucent cover;
- wherein the temperature-dependent color changing material visibly changes color on at least the outer surface of the socket when the temperature of the socket changes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.