Seasons 4, Inc.

Seasons 4 Light Inc.

Foot-candle, LLC

Eastern Lite International Limited

Nash Rittmann

Jason A Loomis

Yi Xin Long

Fred Schleifer

Yixin Long

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a water-resistant capture device for enclosing wired electro-magnetic components, the capture device having a base module and a connecting cap module, wherein when the base module and cap module enclose an electro-magnetic component and the base module is connected to the cap module, one or more electric wires are compressed within deformable wire apertures formed by the combined base module and cap module. In some embodiments, the base module is deformable and deforms when affixed to the cap module so as to form a compressive water-resistant seal to an interior of the capture device. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED may be captured within the capture device. The cap module may provide a compressing aperture to provide a water resistant seal around the lens of a LED projecting therethrough.

Water-resistant wired electro-magnetic component capture

Apparatus and associated methods relate to providing clear indication of a color of a white-color light of a lighting element. To do so, a white-color indicator is affixed to the lighting element, which has a base, an illumination element, and a lens extending from the base and with the base surrounds the illumination element. The base of the lighting element is configured to physically and electrically connect with a socket of a lighting display. The illumination element is configured to provide white-color light in response to the base receiving electrical power from the socket. The lens is configured to transmit the white-color light of the illumination element therethrough. The white-color indicator is of a color that indicates the color of the white-color light of the illumination element, thereby providing clear indication of the color of the white-color light of the lighting element.

Lighting elements with white-color indicator

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a water-resistant capture device for enclosing wired electro-magnetic components, the capture device having a base module and a connecting cap module, wherein when the base module and cap module enclose an electro-magnetic component and the base module is connected to the cap module, one or more electric wires are passed through wire apertures formed by a combined base module and cap module. In some embodiments, the base module may be deformable and deform when affixed to the cap module. In some embodiments a sealing agent may be disposed in an interior of the capture device. The sealing agent may, for example, be assembled in solid form and be at least partially liquified for distribution. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED may be captured within the capture device. The sealing agent may provide a water resistant seal between a base and a housing element.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to an electrical interface design architecture to independently excite each of a network of light strings and/or light string controllers with any of a number of independent excitation signals. In an illustrative example, each of the light strings may receive a selected one of the excitation signals conducted via a wiring assembly to an interface formed as a plug or a corresponding socket. In some embodiments, the interface may galvanically connect one or more of the excitation signals to a corresponding load according to user-selection of a relative orientation between the plug and the socket. In some implementations the load may include a down-stream controller that draws operating power through a selected one of the conductors at the interface. In various implementations, the interface may supply a load such as a multi-channel cable or single channel light string, for example.

Low voltage coupling design

Apparatus and associated methods relate to providing a constant-brightness lighting power to one or more interconnected light strings. A light string power controller draws operating power from a power source that has a variable voltage. The light string power controller supplies constant-brightness lighting power to the one or more interconnected light strings connected to a light-string connector. The constant brightness operating power is both independent of the variable voltage of the power source and independent of a number, up to a predetermined maximum number, of the one or more interconnected light strings connected to the light-string connector. Additional light strings can be connected to the one or more interconnected light strings without affecting a brightness of the one or more interconnected light strings. The brightness of the one or more interconnected light strings is similarly unaffected by voltage variations of the power source.

Brightness control system for decorative light strings

Apparatus and associated methods relate to modular series-connectable LED light strings having an input connector and an output connector for electrically communicating power and a control signal, an input control signal being actively level-shifted to a level suitable to a first lighting element of the LED light string. In an illustrative embodiment, the LED light string may have a plurality of series connected lighting elements that generate a series of intermediate supply voltage levels. In some embodiments, the active level shifter may bias the input control signal between an DC voltage level applied to a positive supply pin of the first lighting element and the intermediate supply voltage level generated at the connection of a negative supply pin of the first lighting element and the positive supply pin of the second lighting element. In some embodiments, active level-shifting may advantageously restore the proper bias for a series connected light string.

Modular light-string system having independently addressable lighting elements

Apparatus and associated methods may relate to an artificial tree apparatus having a plurality of branch segments hingedbly connected to a trunk segment and adapted to be releasably secured in a stowed position. In an illustrative example, the branch segments may be secured in the stowed position by cinching a control member. For example, each branch segment may include a control member guide having an aperture, wherein the control member may be routed through the apertures of the control member guides for a given layer of branch segments. As the control member is cinched, the branch segments may be hinged inwardly to the stowed position. In an exemplary embodiment, the control member may include a releasable securing apparatus for retaining the branch segments in the stowed position. Releasing the control member from the cinched position may permit the branch segments to freely hinge outwardly to a deployed position.

Growing community of inventors

Odessa, FL, United States of America

Nash Rittmann