# US 5,700,083 A · Device for displaying electric lamps

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

- Number: US 5,700,083 A
- Document ID: US5700083A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/756,177
- Filed: 1996-11-25
- Granted: 1997-12-23
- Earliest claimed: 1996-11-25
- Inventors: Thomas E. Boechel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5700083A

## CPC

- F21V 21/13: Spring-loaded poles fixed at both ends
- F21S 2/00: Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction
- F21S 4/20: with light sources held by or within elongate supports
- F21V 21/088: Clips; Clamps
- F21W 2121/004: {mounted on the exterior of houses or other buildings to illuminate parts thereof}
- Y10S 362/806: Ornamental or decorative
- 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
- F21W: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A display device for displaying ornamental electric lamps in windows or other framed structures, is described. The display device includes supporting rods which can be easily assembled and disassembled and inserted in a window frame. The supporting rods include compressible end cap means which allow the supporting rods to be adapted to fit snugly within a window, or other frame, without damaging the frame. The supporting rods further include rotatable interconnecting means for detachably engaging two or more of the supporting rods together to provide for forming a variety of configurations of the display device in the window.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for displaying electric lamps in a window frame and the like, the display device comprising:
a) at least a first rod means, including:
i) a first intermediate member having a length nearly equal to but somewhat less than a first distance between spaced apart surfaces of the window frame;
ii) a plurality of first lamp retaining means provided as clip means at spaced intervals along the length of the first intermediate member; and
iii) first end members provided at opposed terminal ends of the first intermediate member to fit between the spaced apart surfaces defining the first distance of the window frame;
b) a plurality of electric lamps supported by respective ones of the plurality of lamp retaining means; and
c) an electric cord adapted to be connected to an electric power source to power the electric lamps.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 further comprising:
a) a second rod means, including:
(i) a second intermediate member having a length nearly equal to but somewhat less than a second distance between spaced apart surfaces of the window frame;
(ii) a plurality of second lamp retaining means provided at spaced intervals along the length of the second intermediate member; and
(iii) second end members provided at opposed terminal ends of the second intermediate member to fit between the spaced apart surfaces defining the second distance of the window frame;
b) a plurality of electric lamps supported by respective ones of the plurality of lamp retaining means;
c) an electric cord adapted to be connected to an electric power source to power the electric lamps; and
d) means for releasably interconnecting the first and second rod means together.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2 wherein the first and second intermediate members and the first and second lamp retaining means are each formed as integral one piece units.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2 including at least two of the first rod means, at least two of the second rod means, and interconnecting means connecting between the first and second rod means provided in a configuration to generally form a border about the perimeter of the window frame.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second intermediate members are flexible.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the clip means are approximately equidistant from each other.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the clip means are generally U-shaped.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2 wherein the interconnecting means comprises two C-shape clips connected back-to-back for releasably engaging the first and second rod means.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The device of claim 8 wherein two C-shaped clips are pivotably connected to each other.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2 wherein the first and second end members are of a compressible material to pressure fit between the respective spaced apart surfaces of the window frame.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The device of claim 10 wherein the first and second end members are of an elastomeric material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2 wherein the intermediate members are provided in a length about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches less than the distance between the spaced apart surfaces of the window frame.

### Claim 13

A device for displaying electric lamps in a window frame and the like, the display device comprising:
a) a rod means, including:
i) an intermediate member having a length somewhat less than a distance between spaced apart surfaces of the window frame;
ii) an end member wherein one of the intermediate member and the end member is provided with a threaded insert at an open end thereof and the other of the intermediate member and the end member supports a threaded member and wherein the threaded member is threadingly mateable to the threaded insert such that the intermediate member is adjustably connected to the end member to fit between spaced apart surfaces of the window frame;
iii) a plurality of first lamp retaining means provided at spaced intervals along the length of the intermediate member;
iv) a plurality of electric lamps supported by respective ones of the plurality of lamp retaining means; and
v) an electric cord adapted to be connected to an electric power source to power the electric lamps.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The devise of claim 13 wherein the intermediate member has a length of about 6 inches less than the distance between the spaced apart surfaces of the window frame.

### Claim 15

A method of mounting a display device in a window frame, comprising the steps of:
a) measuring a first distance between spaced apart surfaces of a window frame;
b) providing a first rod means for spanning the first distance of the window frame, the first rod means comprising: a first intermediate member having a length nearly equal to but somewhat less than the first distance; a plurality of first lamp retaining means provided as clip means for releasibly receiving electric lamps at spaced intervals along the length of the first intermediate member; first end members provided at opposed terminal ends of the first intermediate member; and an electric cord adapted to be connected to an electric power source for powering the lamps;
c) supporting the first rod means between the spaced apart surfaces defining the first distance of the window frame with the opposed first end members providing a snug fit; and
d) connecting the electric cord to an electric power source to power the electric lamps.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15 including providing:
a) a second rod means for spanning a second distance between spaced apart surfaces of the window frame, the second rod means comprising: a second intermediate member having a length nearly equal to but somewhat less than the second distance; a plurality of second lamp retaining means provided as clip means for releasibly receiving electric lamps at spaced intervals along the length of the second intermediate member; second end members provided at opposed terminal ends of the second intermediate member; and an electric cord adapted to be connected to an electric power source;
b) supporting the second rod means between the spaced apart surfaces defining the second distance of the window frame with the opposed second end members providing a snug fit;
c) connecting the electric cord to an electric power source to power the electric lamps; and
d) interconnecting the first and second rod means together supported in the window frame with power provided to the lamps.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16 including providing two C-shaped clips pivotally connected to each other with one of the C-shaped clips clipped to the first rod means and the other C-shaped clip clipped to the second rod means interconnecting the first and second rod means together.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16 including providing the first and second end members of a compressible material to pressure fit the first and second rod means between the respective spaced apart surfaces of the window frame.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15 including providing the first intermediate member in a length about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches less than the first distance of the window frame.