Electrical and mechanical coupling systems for artificial powered trees and associated methods

A method of electrically and mechanically coupling a first trunk section of a lighted artificial tree to a second trunk section of the lighted artificial tree, the method comprising:

• positioning a first trunk section upright along a vertical axis, the first trunk section having:
• a receiving portion having a first diameter;
• a first electrical connector disposed on an outer surface of the first trunk section, the first electrical connector including a first plurality of electrical contacts;
• and
• a first mechanical coupler system comprising:
• a guiding protrusion disposed within the receiving portion and extending radially inward from an inner surface of the first trunk section;
• and
• an insert disposed within the first trunk section, the insert having a protrusion;
• aligning a second trunk section with the first trunk section and along the vertical axis, the second trunk section having:
• a second electrical connector disposed on an outer surface of the second trunk section, the second electrical connector including a second plurality of electrical contacts;
• and
• a second mechanical coupler system;
• causing the second trunk section to move axially such that a first end of the first trunk section receives a second end of the second trunk section and a first trunk wall of the first trunk section is engaged with a second trunk wall of the second trunk section;
• causing the second mechanical coupler system to initially contact the first mechanical coupler system at a first rotational alignment of the second trunk section with respect to the first trunk section;
• and
• allowing the second mechanical coupler system to rotate relative the first mechanical coupler system, thereby rotating the second trunk section into a second rotational alignment and a final rotational alignment position such that each electrical contact of the second plurality of electrical contacts is aligned with a respective electrical contact of the first plurality of electrical contacts.

An electrical and mechanical coupling system for artificial tree trunk portions comprising:

• a first electrical connector configured to be disposed about a first artificial tree trunk portion, the first electrical connector comprising:
• a first housing, and
• a first plurality of electrical contacts disposed at least partially within the first housing;
• a first mechanical coupler system configured to be at least partially disposed within the first artificial tree trunk portion, the first mechanical coupler system comprising:
• a guiding protrusion disposed within the first artificial tree trunk portion and extending radially inward from an inner surface of the first artificial tree trunk portion;
• and
• an insert disposed within the first artificial tree trunk portion, the insert having a protrusion;
• a second electrical connector configured to be disposed about a second artificial tree trunk portion, the second electrical connector comprising:
• a second housing, and
• a second plurality of electrical contacts disposed at least partially within the second housing;
• and
• a second mechanical coupler system configured to be at least partially disposed within the second artificial tree trunk portion,
• wherein the first mechanical coupler system is configured to engage the second mechanical coupler system such that the first mechanical coupler system can rotate relative the first mechanical coupler system, thereby rotating the first electrical connector into a final rotational alignment position such that each electrical contact of the first plurality of electrical contacts is aligned with and in contact with a respective electrical contact of the second plurality of electrical contacts.