US4241387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lamp lead to wire attachment for integral string sets
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1977-12-09
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Granted: 1980-12-23
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Expires: 1997-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A string set construction is disclosed in which the leads from a wire lamp are mechanically joined to wire in the power cord by a plastic sandwich including the insulation on the power cord.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry J. Bowers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:46
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V31/00; F21S; F21S4/00; F21S4/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/806
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
In a decorative string set having incandescent lamps permanently connected to segments of insulated wire to form a series circuit, the improvement comprising: each lamp having lead wires in contact with and transverse to the ends of respective segments of said insulated wire; thermoplastic sheets disposed in an approximately parallel relationship, one on each side of said lead wires and said ends; and wherein said sheets are thermoplastically bonded to each other and to the insulation on said ends of said insulated wire, said lead wires and segments of said insulated wires are embedded between, partially enclosed and held in electrical contact by said bonded sheets, and said bonded sheets maintain said lead wires and said segments in said electrical contact with a continuous pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a decorative string set having incandescent lamps permanently connected to segments of insulated wire to form a series circuit, the improvement comprising: each lamp having lead wires in contact with and transverse to the ends of respective segments of said insulated wire; thermoplastic sheets disposed in an approximately parallel relationship, one on each side of said lead wires and said ends; and wherein said sheets are thermoplastically bonded to each other and to the insulation on said ends of said insulated wire, said lead wires and segments of said insulated wires are embedded between, partially enclosed and held in electrical contact by said bonded sheets, and said bonded sheets maintain said lead wires and said segments in said electrical contact with a continuous pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The decorative string set as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said segments has a plastic insulator over the entire length thereof and wherein some of said insulator plastic is included in the bond of said lead wire to said segment end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The string set as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lead wires of each lamp are doubled back on themselves for multiple contact with the ends of said respective segments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The string set as set forth in claim 3 and further comprising a plurality of translucent ornaments, each at least partially enclosing a lamp and overlying said plastic sheets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The string set as set forth in claim 3 wherein and further comprising a plurality of translucent ornaments, each having tabs on one end thereof and at least partially enclosing a lamp, wherein said tabs comprise said plastic sheets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The string set as set forth in claim 5 wherein said plastic comprises polyvinylchloride.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The string set as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lead wires of each lamp are doubled back on themselves for multiple contact with the ends of said respective segments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The string set as set forth in claim 7 and further comprising a plurality of translucent ornaments, each at least partially enclosing a lamp and overlying said plastic sheets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The string set as set forth in claim 7 further comprising a plurality of translucent ornaments, each having tabs on one end thereof and at least partially enclosing a lamp and, wherein said tabs comprise said plastic sheets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
118 words
In an incandescent lamp string set, a sealed lamp lead wire to string wire electrical connection comprising: a lamp lead wire; a string wire comprising an insulated conductor; said lamp lead wire being in approximately orthogonal contact with said string wire; thermoplastic sheets disposed in an approximately parallel relationship on opposite sides of said lead wire and said string wire; and wherein said sheets are thermoplastically bonded to each other and to the insulation on said string wire; and said lead wires are embedded between, partially enclosed and held in electrical connection by, said bonded sheets, and said bonded sheets maintain said lead wire and the conductor in said string wire in electrical contact with a continuous pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
118 words
In an incandescent lamp string set, a sealed lamp lead wire to string wire electrical connection comprising: a lamp lead wire; a string wire comprising an insulated conductor; said lamp lead wire being in approximately orthogonal contact with said string wire; thermoplastic sheets disposed in an approximately parallel relationship on opposite sides of said lead wire and said string wire; and wherein said sheets are thermoplastically bonded to each other and to the insulation on said string wire; and said lead wires are embedded between, partially enclosed and held in electrical connection by, said bonded sheets, and said bonded sheets maintain said lead wire and the conductor in said string wire in electrical contact with a continuous pressure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrical connection of claim 10, wherein said lamp lead wire is insulated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrical connection of claim 10, wherein said lamp string wire is fully insulated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electrical connection of claims 10, 11 or 12, wherein said lamp lead wire doubles back upon itself and makes a dual contact with said conductor in said string wire.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
An electrical connection for a lamp comprising a thermoplastic sandwich having at least two thermoplastic sheets thermoplastically bonded to each other to partially surround and compressively hold a lamp lead wire in contiguous contact with a conductor for effecting a positive electrical connection therebetween.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
An electrical connection for a lamp comprising a thermoplastic sandwich having at least two thermoplastic sheets thermoplastically bonded to each other to partially surround and compressively hold a lamp lead wire in contiguous contact with a conductor for effecting a positive electrical connection therebetween.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrical connection of claim 14 wherein said thermoplastic sheets are thermoplastically bonded to a thermoplastic insulating cover on said conductor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrical connection of claim 15 wherein said thermoplastic sandwich insulates and seals said mechanical and electrical connection.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
An electric lamp and power supply thereof comprising: (1) at least one electrical lead wire for the lamp, (2) at least one thermoplastic insulated electric power supply conductor, (3) a thermoplastic sandwich bonded to said lead wire and said power supply conductor for electrically attaching said lead wire to said power supply conductor and mechanically connecting said lamp to the insulated power supply conductor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
An electric lamp and power supply thereof comprising: (1) at least one electrical lead wire for the lamp, (2) at least one thermoplastic insulated electric power supply conductor, (3) a thermoplastic sandwich bonded to said lead wire and said power supply conductor for electrically attaching said lead wire to said power supply conductor and mechanically connecting said lamp to the insulated power supply conductor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electric lamp and power supply of claim 17 wherein said thermoplastic sandwich insulates and seals the electrically and mechanically attached lead wire and power conductor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electric lamp and power supply of claim 18 wherein said electrical lead is transverse to said power conductor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-23 | 1984-06-23 | 1984-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-23 | 1988-06-23 | 1988-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-23 | 1992-06-23 | 1992-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |