# US 12,601,473 B2 · Inline connector

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,601,473 B2
- Document ID: US12601473B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 19/001,119
- Filed: 2024-12-24
- Published: 2026-01-15
- Granted: 2026-04-14
- Earliest claimed: 2024-07-12
- Assignees: Wangs Alliance Corporation
- Applicants: Wangs Alliance Corporation
- Inventors: Gong Xingping; Lian Junhui
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12601473B2

## CPC

- F21V 23/06: the elements being coupling devices {, e.g. connectors}
- F21S 2/005: {of modular construction}
- F21S 4/22: flexible or deformable, e.g. into a curved shape
- F21S 4/24: of ribbon or tape form, e.g. LED tapes
- F21S 4/28: rigid, e.g. LED bars
- F21V 15/015: Devices for covering joints between adjacent lighting devices; End coverings
- F21V 21/005: for several lighting devices in an end-to-end arrangement, i.e. light tracks
- F21V 23/002: {Arrangements of cables or conductors inside a lighting device, e.g. means for guiding along parts of the housing or in a pivoting arm}
- F21V 31/005: {Sealing arrangements therefor}
- H01R 13/521: {Sealing between contact members and housing, e.g. sealing insert}
- H01R 13/6273: {comprising two latching arms}
- F21Y 2103/10: comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
- F21Y 2113/13: comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
- F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED]
- H01R 13/5219: {Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal}
- F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED

## Abstract

Apparatus, methods and systems for connecting segments of a light tape. The light tape may include a first segment extending along an axis. The first segment may include a first male connector connected to a first end of the segment. The first male connector may include a conductor pin, an extension defining a groove and a sealing ring seated in the groove. The first segment may include a first female connector connected to a second end of the segment. The first female connector may include a hole for receiving the conductor pin and a receptacle for receiving the extension. The first male connector may be releasably interlocked with a second female connector connected to a second segment. The first male connector and the second female connector may releasably interlocked along the axis, without rotation of the second female connector relative to the first male connector about the axis.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A light tape comprising:
a first segment configured to extend along an axis, the first segment including:
a light emitting diode (“LED”);
a first end;
a second end;
a first male connector connected to the first end, the first male connector including:
a conductor pin;
an extension defining a groove; and
a sealing ring configured to be seated in the groove;
a first female connector connected to the second end, the first female connector:
defining a hole configured to receive the conductor pin; and
including a receptacle configured to receive the extension;
a cutout that includes a first ledge and a second ledge, the first ledge and the second ledge defining an opening therebetween; and
a tang that includes a first tab extending from a first side of the tang and a second tab extending from a second side of the tang, the tang having a width extending from the first tab to the second tab, the width being wider than the opening;
wherein:
the first male connector is configured to releasably interlock along the axis with a second female connector connected to a second segment;
the first male connector and the second female connector are configured to releasably interlock without rotation of the second female connector relative to the first male connector about the axis;
the width is configured to be pushed, along the axis, through the opening; and
when the first male connector and the second female connector are releasably interlocked:
the first tab is engaged with the first ledge; and
the second tab is engaged with the second ledge.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The light tape of claim 1 wherein:
the first female connector is configured to releasably interlock along the axis with a second male connector connected to a third segment; and
the first female connector and the second male connector are configured to releasably interlock, without rotation of the second male connector relative to the first female connector about the axis.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The light tape of claim 1 wherein the second segment is configured to provide power to the first segment via a plurality of wires.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The light tape of claim 3 further comprising, when the LED is a first LED having a first correlated color temperature (“CCT”):
a second LED source having a second CCT;
a third LED source having a third CCT;
a fourth LED source having a fourth CCT; and
a fifth LED source having a fifth CCT.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The light tape of claim 4 wherein the plurality of wires are configured to provide modulated currents to each of the first LED, second LED, third LED, fourth LED and fifth LED.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The light tape of claim 3 wherein:
the conductor pin is included in an array of conductor pins; and
the hole is included in an array of holes;
wherein each hole included in the array of holes is configured to receive a conductor pin from the array of conductor pins.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The light tape of claim 6 wherein:
the first segment includes a printed circuit board (“PCB”) including a plurality of traces;
each conductor pin included in the array of conductor pins is configured to be electronically connected to a trace; and
when the first segment and the second segment are releasably interlocked, each trace is configured to be electronically connected to a wire from the plurality of wires.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The light tape of claim 1 wherein the first male connector and the second female connector are configured to interlock in response to a pushing force exerted along the axis.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The light tape of claim 1 wherein the first male connector is configured to release from the second female connector solely in response to a pulling force exerted along the axis.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The light tape of claim 2 wherein the first female connector and the second male connector are configured to interlock in response to a pushing force exerted along the axis.

### Claim 11 (depends on 2)

The light tape of claim 2 wherein the first female connector is configured to release from the second male connector solely in response to a pulling force exerted along the axis.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The light tape of claim 1 wherein:
the first segment includes a first printed circuit board (“PCB”);
the LED is included in a first array of LEDs; and
the first array of LEDs is disposed on the first PCB.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The light tape of claim 12 wherein LEDs included in the first array of LEDs include first correlated color temperature (“CCT”) LEDs and second CCT LEDs.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The light tape of claim 12 further comprising a first cover configured to cover the first array of LEDs.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The light tape of claim 14 wherein the first cover includes a phosphor layer.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The light tape of claim 12 further comprising a second cover configured to cover the first PCB.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The light tape of claim 16 wherein the second cover includes a translucent material.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The light tape of claim 17 wherein the translucent material includes silicone.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The light tape of claim 1 wherein:
the extension further defines a first bore;
the conductor pin is disposed inside the first bore; and
the conductor pin does not extend beyond the first bore.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The light tape of claim 19 wherein:
the receptacle further defines a second bore;
the hole is disposed inside the second bore; and
the hole does not extend beyond the second bore.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The light tape of claim 1 wherein:
the tang is a first tang;
the first tang extends from a top side of the second female connector;
the second female connector includes a second tang; and
the second tang extends from a bottom side of the second female connector, the second tang being parallel to the first tang.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The light tape of claim 21 wherein:
the cutout is a first cutout;
the first cutout is disposed on a top side of the first male connector; and
the first male connector includes a second cutout disposed on a bottom side of the first male connector;
wherein, when the first male connector is releasably interlocked with the second female connector:
the first cutout is configured to receive the first tang; and
the second cutout is configured to receive the second tang.

### Claim 23 (depends on 2)

The light tape of claim 2 wherein:
the tang is a first tang;
the first tang extends from a top side of the first female connector;
the first female connector includes a second tang; and
the second tang extends from a bottom side of the first female connector, the second tang being parallel to the first tang.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The light tape of claim 23 wherein:
the cutout is a first cutout;
the first cutout is disposed on a top side of the second male connector; and
the second male connector includes a second cutout disposed on a bottom side of the second male connector;
wherein, when the second male connector is releasably interlocked with the first female connector:
the first cutout is configured to receive the first tang; and
the second cutout is configured to receive the second tang.

### Claim 25 (depends on 1)

The light tape of claim 1 wherein:
the groove is one of a plurality of grooves;
the sealing ring is one of a plurality of sealing rings; and
each of the plurality of sealing rings is configured to be seated in one of the plurality of grooves.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The light tape of claim 25 wherein when the first male connector and the second female connector are releasably interlocked, the plurality of sealing rings are configured to seal between the first segment and the second segment.

### Claim 27 (depends on 2)

The light tape of claim 2 wherein:
the groove is one of a plurality of grooves;
the sealing ring is one of a plurality of sealing rings; and
each of the plurality of sealing rings is configured to be seated in one of the plurality of grooves.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The light tape of claim 27 wherein when the second male connector and the first female connector are releasably interlocked, the plurality of sealing rings are configured to seal between the first segment and the third segment.