Light bar and decorative product comprising same

Abstract

The invention discloses a light bar and a decorative product comprising the same. The decorative article includes a support structure, a plurality of needles connected to the support structure, and a light bar. The light bar includes a flexible wire secured to the needles and a plurality of light sources. Each light source includes at least two leads electrically coupled to the flexible wire. The leads of the light sources disposed at different heights of the decorative article include different lengths.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ornament, and more particularly, to a design of a light strip for an ornament. Background Art

[0002] Many households will place ornaments in the living room or bedroom, or hang them on doors, fences, and railings as decorations. Examples of these ornaments include Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands. Various types of small decorative pieces, such as lights, wires, decorative balls, icicles, and figurines, can be used to beautify these ornaments. Although the types and materials of decorations have advanced over time, there are still some aspects of these ornaments that need further improvement, especially those that utilize light to enhance the aesthetic effect of the ornaments. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A first aspect of the present invention discusses an ornamental article that includes: a support structure; a plurality of coniferous needles connected to the support structure; and a light strip. The light strip includes a flexible wire fixed to the support structure or the needles; and a plurality of light sources. Each light source includes at least two leads electrically connected to the flexible wire. The leads of the light sources disposed at different heights of the article have different lengths.

[0004] A second aspect of the present invention discusses an ornamental article that includes: a body; and a light strip. The light strip includes: a flexible wire; a plurality of light sources, where each of the light sources includes at least two leads electrically connected to the flexible wire; and a plurality of connectors that guide the leads of the individual light sources to the flexible wire. The leads of the light sources are disposed at different heights of the body.

[0005] A third aspect of the present invention discusses a light strip that includes: a flexible wire; a plurality of light sources electrically connected to the flexible wire, where each of the light sources includes at least two leads; and a plurality of connectors that electrically connect the leads of the individual light sources to the flexible wire. The leads of the light sources at different positions of the flexible wire have different lengths. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] Aspects of the present invention are best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in accordance with standard practice in the industry, various structures are not drawn to scale. In fact, for clarity, the dimensions of many structures may be arbitrarily enlarged or reduced.

[0007] Figure 1 According to some specific embodiments, a perspective view of an article is shown.

[0008] Figure 2A and2B Schematic diagram of a light bar according to some specific embodiments.

[0009] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a light bar according to some specific embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Schematic diagram of a light bar according to some specific embodiments of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 6A and 6B Perspective view of two articles according to some specific embodiments.

[0012] Figure 6C Schematic diagram of a light bar according to some specific embodiments.

[0013] Figure 7 According to some specific embodiments, a perspective view of an article is shown.

[0014] Figure 8A According to some specific embodiments, a perspective view of the support structure of an article is shown.

[0015] Figure 8B and 8C According to some specific embodiments, an exploded view and an assembled view of the support structure and the light bar of an article are shown respectively.

[0016] Figure 9A According to some specific embodiments, an exploded view of the support structure and the light source of an article is shown.

[0017] Figure 9B According to some specific embodiments, an exploded view of the light bar and the conifer grove of an article is shown.

[0018] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed specific embodiments. However, it will be apparent that one or more specific embodiments may be practiced without some of these details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown schematically in order to simplify the drawings. Additionally, the same reference numerals on different drawings represent similar features, so detailed explanations of similar features may be provided when these features are first introduced into the present invention and may not be repeated subsequently. Detailed Description

[0019] This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 614,736, filed on December 26, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0020] The following description provides many different specific embodiments or examples for implementing different features in the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and configurations are described below to simplify the present invention. Of course, these are merely examples and not restrictive. For example, forming a first feature on or above a second feature in the following description may include specific embodiments in which the first and second features are in direct contact, and may also include specific embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features such that the first and second features are not in direct contact. Additionally, the present invention may repeat reference numerals and / or letters in the various examples. The purpose of this repetition is for simplicity and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various specific embodiments and / or configurations discussed.

[0021] Furthermore, spatial relative terms, such as "beneath", "below", "under", "above", "on top", "above", etc., may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the figures. In addition to the orientation depicted in the figures, such spatial relative terms also encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0022] As used herein, although terms such as "first", "second", and "third" describe many elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from other regions, layers, or sections. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms such as "first", "second", and "third" used herein do not imply an order or sequence.

[0023] As used herein, the term "connected" may be interpreted as "electrically connected", and the term "coupled" may also be interpreted as "electrically coupled". Terms such as "connected" and "coupled" may also be used to indicate that two or more elements cooperate or interact with each other. The terms "coupled" or "connected" used throughout the present invention may also refer to a physical or electrical connection between two or more objects. These objects may also be referred to as "coupled" or "connected" through data or information exchange. These "coupled" or "connected" objects may in some cases be in direct contact, or indirectly in contact through other intervening objects.

[0024] While the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. In addition, as used herein, the terms “about” or “substantially” generally refer to within 10%, 5%, 1%, or 0.5% of a given value or range. Alternatively, when considered by one of ordinary skill in the art, the terms “about,” “substantial,” or “substantially” mean within an acceptable standard error of the device. Except in the operating / working examples, or unless otherwise expressly specified, all numerical ranges, amounts, values, and percentages set forth herein, such as those for amounts of materials, duration of time, temperatures, operating conditions, ratios of amounts, and the like, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about,” “substantial,” or “substantially.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and claims of the present invention are approximations that may vary as desired. At the very least, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. In this document, ranges may be expressed as from one endpoint to another endpoint or between two endpoints. All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints unless otherwise specified.

[0025] Figure 1 According to some specific embodiments, a perspective view of an article 10 is shown. Figure 1 The article 10 is shown as an example of an ornament, such as a small-sized Christmas tree set suitable for tabletop decoration. Although not shown separately, other types of artificial ornaments are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0026] The article 10 includes a body 102 and a base 104 that supports the body 102. According to some specific embodiments, the body 102 includes a support structure 110 and a plurality of needles 112 or branches that are fixed, connected, or attached to the support structure 110. The body 102 or the support structure 110 is supported by the base 104 and extends upward from the base, wherein the needles 112 extend radially outward from the support structure 110. Throughout the present invention, the support structure 110 may include a trunk, a stem, branches, and any other structure of the article 10 to serve as a support for other components (such as the needles 112). The needles 112 may mimic the needle-shaped leaves of a coniferous tree and include a needle shape. The tips of these needles 112 may form a conical profile or surface 116 of the article 10. According to some specific embodiments, for another type of ornament, the needles 112 are replaced by leaves 112.

[0027] According to some specific embodiments, the article 10 includes one or more decorative elements attached to or suspended therefrom. For example, the article 10 includes one or more light strips 120 fixed thereto.Figure 1 For illustrative purposes only, one light strip 120 is shown, and other numbers of light strips 120 are also within the scope of the concept of the present invention.

[0028] According to some specific embodiments, the light strip 120 includes a flexible wire 122 and a plurality of light sources 124 electrically connected to the flexible wire 122. According to some specific embodiments, the light strip 120 further includes a plurality of connectors 126 that electrically guide each light source 124 to the flexible wire 122 ( Figure 1 not shown separately, but Figure 3 shown in

[0029] According to some specific embodiments, the base 104 includes a battery 130 inside it. The base 104 may further include a battery holder (not shown separately) for accommodating the battery 130. The battery 130 is arranged to supply power to the light strip 120. According to some specific embodiments, the base 104 further includes a switch (not shown separately) disposed between the battery (or battery holder) and the flexible wire 122 for controlling the turning on and off of the light strip 120. According to some specific embodiments, the base 104 may additionally or furthermore include a power socket 140 that is arranged to supply power to the battery 130 or directly supply power to the light strip 120 from an external power source, such as mains electricity, an electronic device, or a portable power bank. The power socket 140 may be a USB connector or other types of charging connectors. According to some specific embodiments, the configuration of the base 104 and the battery 130 enables the article 10 to be suitable as a desktop ornament, and the height of the article 10 may not exceed about 50 cm. For example, the height range of the article 10 is between about 10 cm and about 40 cm. The use of the light strip 120 can greatly improve the aesthetic effect of the article 10 through the light-emitting sources 124. According to some specific embodiments, the light source 124 includes a light-emitting element 1242 or a bulb configured to be close to the tip of the coniferous leaves 112 of the article 10 and away from the support structure 110 of the article 10. In this way, especially when the article 10 is displayed against a darker background, the lighting effect of the light strip 120 on the article 10 will become more prominent.

[0030] Figure 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams of the light strip 120 according to some specific embodiments. According to some specific embodiments, Figure 2A an independent light strip 120 shown in a straight manner is shown, and Figure 2B the light strip 120 shown is wound around an outer portion of the support structure 110 of the article 10. Refer to Figure 2A, the flexible wire 122 serves as the power supply path and connection hub for light sources 124 (e.g., exemplary light sources 124A, 124B, 124C, 124D, 124E, and 124F), where each light source 124 includes a light-emitting element 1242 (e.g., exemplary light-emitting elements 1242A, 1242B, 1242C, 1242D, 1242E, and 1242F) and multiple pairs of leads 1244 (e.g., exemplary leads 1244A, 1244B, 1244C, 1244D, 1244E, and 1244F). According to some specific embodiments, the light-emitting element 1242 can be formed by a light-emitting diode (LED), a light bulb, or other suitable light-emitting devices. According to some specific embodiments, the conductive core layer of the flexible wire 122 and the leads 1244 are formed of a conductive material, such as aluminum, copper, silver, gold, tungsten, iron, tin, or other suitable conductive materials. According to some specific embodiments, the leads 1244 are formed of a rigid material such as metal and are arranged to extend in a predetermined direction and support the light-emitting element 1242. According to some specific embodiments, the leads 1244 are formed of a non-flexible material.

[0031] According to some specific embodiments, the light sources 124A to 124F are electrically connected to the flexible wire 122 through electrical connection of each pair of leads 1244A to 1244F to the flexible wire 122. The electrical connection can be achieved through soldering or electrical attachment through a connector or adapter. In addition, the positions where the light sources 124A to 124F are electrically connected to the flexible wire 122 are appropriately determined. According to some embodiments, when the flexible wire 122 is straightened, the adjacent pairs of light sources 124A, 124B, 124E, 124F, 124C, and 124D are respectively spaced apart by distances or intervals S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 on the flexible wire 122. The distances S1 to S5 can be determined according to the direction when the light sources 124A to 124F are suspended on the surface 116 of the article 10. The distances S1 to S5 can be substantially equal to or different from each other.

[0032] According to some specific embodiments, the lengths of the leads 1244 of different light sources 124 are different, and these lengths depend on the position of the light source 124 on the light bar 120 or on the height of the article 10 when it is attached to the article 10. The leads 1244A, 1244B, 1244C, 1244D, 1244E and 1244F may have lead lengths L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 and L6 respectively. According to some specific embodiments, the lengths L1 to L6 of the respective leads 1244A to 1244F are adjusted such that when the light bar 120 is wound around the outer portion of the support structure 110, the light-emitting elements 1242A to 1242F can be arranged adjacent to or exactly at the tips of the needles 112, away from the support structure 110 of the article 10. The configuration of the lengths L1 to L6 allows the light-emitting elements 1242 to be as close as possible to the profile or surface 116 of the needles 112. According to some specific embodiments, the lengths L1 to L6 of the respective leads 1244A to 1244F of the respective light sources 124A to 124F, corresponding to the respective tips of the needles 112 and set away from the support structure 110, are substantially equal to the distances L1 to L6 from the support structure 110 to the tips of the needles 112 and away from the support structure 110 where the light-emitting elements 1242A to 1242F are disposed. Through the appropriate configuration of the lengths L1 to L6 of the respective leads 1244A to 1244F, the light-emitting elements 1242A to 1242F are not blocked by the needles 112 of the article 10, and thus the light-emitting performance of the light sources 124A to 124F can be improved.

[0033] As described above, the flexible wire 122 is wound around the outer portion of the support structure 110, while the leads 1244A to 1244F extend outwardly to be close to the surface 116 of the needles 112 such that the light-emitting elements 1242A to 1242F can be configured to be as close as possible to the surface 116 of the needles 112. According to some specific embodiments, the surface 116 of the needles 112 has a conical shape. In other words, the horizontal distance between the support structure 110 and the surface 116 increases as the position descends from the top of the article 10 to the bottom of the article 10. Therefore, for the respective light sources 124A, 124B, 124E, 124F, 124C and 124D, the lengths L1, L2, L5, L6, L3 and L4 increase monotonically from the top of the article 10 to the bottom of the article 10, or equivalently from the first end of the light bar 120 to the second end of the light bar 120.

[0034] Reference Figure 2B, since light sources 1242C and 1242D are configured to be closer to the bottom of the article 10 than light sources 1242A, 1242B, 1242E, and 1242F, the lengths L3 and L4 of respective leads 1244C and 1244D are greater than the lengths L1, L2, L5, and L6 of leads 1244A, 1244B, 1244E, and 1244F, respectively. According to some specific embodiments, when light sources 1242C and 1242D are configured at substantially equal heights of the article 10, lengths L3 and L4 are substantially equal. Similarly, since light sources 1242A and 1242B are configured to be closer to the top of the article 10 than light sources 1242C, 1242D, 1242E, and 1242F, the lengths L1 and L2 of respective leads 1244A and 1244B are less than the lengths L3, L4, L5, and L6 of respective leads 1244C, 1244D, 1244E, and 1244F. According to some specific embodiments, when light sources 1242A and 1242B are configured at substantially equal heights of the article 10, lengths L1 and L2 are substantially equal.

[0035] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a light bar 120 according to some specific embodiments of the present invention. The light bar 120 includes a flexible wire 122, exemplary light sources 124, and an exemplary connector 126. The flexible wire 122 may include two wires 122-1 and 122-2 arranged adjacent to each other. Wires 122-1 and 122-2 may be arranged to supply power and ground to the light sources 124, respectively. According to some specific embodiments, the flexible wire 122 is arranged to supply direct current (DC) power provided by a battery 130 or a power socket 140.

[0036] According to some specific embodiments, the connector 126 is arranged to guide the leads 1244 of the light sources 124 to the flexible wire 122. According to some specific embodiments, the connector 126 includes a double-pin socket having a first slot 126-1 and a second slot 126-2, and the light source 124 includes two leads 1244-1 and 1244-2. Slots 126-1 and 126-2 are configured at predetermined positions to receive and guide leads 1244-1 and 1244-2 such that wires 122-1 and 122-2 can be aligned with leads 1244-1 and 1244, respectively. In addition, the connector 126 includes an electrically insulating frame arranged to protect the conductive portions of leads 1244-1, 1244-2, and wires 122-1, 122-2 from external contamination or undesired short circuits. Refer to Figure 2B and Figure 3 , when the flexible wire 122 is wound around the outer portion of the support structure 110, the connector 126 is configured to be close to the outer portion of the support structure 110. As a result, the lengths L1 to L6 of respective leads 1244A to 1244F are substantially equal to the distances L1 to L6 between the support structure 110 and the tips of the needles 112.

[0037] Existing connectors for electrically connecting the flexible wire 122 to the light source 124 have been widely used in various industrial and consumer electronic applications. The unified number of pins of these connectors is equal to or greater than six. The disadvantage of using these existing unified connectors is that the actual connector size of these six-pin connectors is much larger than the diameter of the flexible wire 122 and the volume of the light source 124. The size of the existing six-pin socket is also disproportionate to that of a desktop-sized Christmas tree. Therefore, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to hide the existing six-pin socket as a connector within the needles 112. Due to the presence of these bulky six-pin sockets, the aesthetic effect of the article 10 is severely reduced.

[0038] In contrast, the proposed connector 126 includes a two-pin socket design that removes all unnecessary parts of the existing connector, which would otherwise occupy limited space in the article and give the viewer an uncomfortable visual experience. According to some specific embodiments, this minimized design of the connector 126 is crucial for a desktop-sized Christmas tree with a height of less than about 50 cm, as all components of such a desktop-sized Christmas tree should be scaled proportionally to maintain the overall aesthetic effect of the article.

[0039] Moreover, for existing Christmas trees, especially desktop-sized ones, the light-emitting elements of the light source can only be manually set close to the tip of the needles and away from the support structure of the article. As a result, the uniformity and efficiency of manually setting the light source close to the tip of the article are not satisfactory. In contrast, by appropriately designing the length of the leads 1244 of each light source 124, the proposed article 10 as a Christmas tree can accurately position the light source 124 away from the support structure 110 with each light-emitting element 1242 located at the tip of the needle, improving the manufacturing efficiency. Since the tasks of assembling and setting the light source 124 can be completed by automated equipment, the cost of the proposed article 10 can be reduced accordingly and the performance of the proposed article 10 can be improved.

[0040] According to some specific embodiments, a plurality of light sources 124 can be electrically connected to the flexible wire 122 in parallel or series. In a parallel configuration, one of a pair of leads 1244-1 (or 1244-2) of each light source 124 is directly electrically connected to the wire 122-1 (or 122-2) and receives a substantially equal supply voltage from the battery 130 or the power socket 140, while the other of the pair of leads 1244-2 (or 1244-1) is electrically connected to the wire 122-2 (or 122-1) and grounded. In a parallel configuration, the wire 122-1 (or 122-2) for delivering power is arranged to provide a predetermined supply voltage to each light source 124, and the current level of the wire 122-1 (or 122-2) is evenly distributed to all connected light sources 124.

[0041] In a series configuration, one of a pair of leads 1244-1 (or 1244-2) of each target light source 124 is electrically connected to wire 122-1 (or 122-2) through an intermediate light source 124 between the target light source 124 and the battery 130 or the power socket 140, and receives substantially equal supply voltage from the battery 130 or the power socket 140, while the other of the pair of leads 1244-2 (or 1244-1) is electrically connected to wire 122-2 (or 122-1) and grounded. In a series configuration, the wire 122-1 (or 122-2) for delivering power is arranged to provide a predetermined supply voltage to each light source 124, and at the same time the total voltage level of the wire 122-1 (or 122-2) is evenly distributed to all the connected light sources 124.

[0042] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the light bar 120 according to some specific embodiments of the present invention. Figure 4 The light bar 120 shown in Figure 3 is similar to the light bar 120 shown in Figure 4 The light bar 120 shown in Figure 3 The main difference between the light bar 120 shown in

[0043] According to some specific embodiments, the light source 134 includes a light-emitting element 1342 and a set of leads 1344 including leads 1344-1, 1344-2, and 1344-3. Leads 1344-1 and 1344-2 may have similar materials and configurations to leads 1244-1 and 1244-2, while providing an additional lead 1344-3 for additional functions. In a monochromatic configuration of the light-emitting element 1342, the lead 1344-3 is used to provide a control signal to control the blinking mode or switching period of the light-emitting element 1342. Additionally, in a two-color configuration of the light-emitting element 1342, the lead 1344-1 (or 1344-2) and 1344-3 can be used to deliver power to the first color component and the second color component of the two-color light-emitting element 1342, respectively.

[0044] According to some specific embodiments, the flexible wire 132 includes wires 132-1, 132-2, and 132-3. Wires 132-1 and 132-2 have a similar material and configuration to wires 122-1 and 122-2. In the monochromatic configuration of the light-emitting element 1342, the additional wire 132-3 can be used to transmit power or signals for additional purposes, for example, to provide a control signal for determining the blinking mode or switching period of the light-emitting element. Additionally, in the two-color configuration of the light-emitting element 1342, wire 132-1 (or 132-2) and 132-3 are used to deliver power to the first-color component and the second-color component of the two-color light-emitting element 1342, respectively.

[0045] According to some specific embodiments, the connector 136 is a three-wire connector including three slots 136-1, 136-2, and 136-3. The three slots 136-1, 136-2, and 136-3 are used to receive three leads 1344-1, 1344-2, and 1344-3 and align the leads 1344-1, 1344-2, and 1344-3 with wires 132-1, 132-2, and 132-3 respectively in this order or in other alignment orders. The slots 136-1, 136-2, and 136-3 can be arranged in a straight-line shape or different shapes.

[0046] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the light bar 120 according to some specific embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5 The light bar 120 shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4 The light bar 120 shown in is similar, so for the sake of brevity, the description of these similar components will not be repeated. Figure 5 The light bar 120 shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4 The main difference between the light bar 120 shown in and the light bar 120 shown in is that the flexible wire 122, the light source 124, and the connector 126 are all replaced by four-wire counterparts, namely the flexible wire 142, the light source 144, and the connector 146, respectively.

[0047] According to some specific embodiments, the light source 144 includes a light-emitting element 1442 and a set of leads 1444 including leads 1444-1, 1444-2, 1444-3, and 1444-4. Leads 1444-1 and 1444-2 may have a similar material and configuration to leads 1244-1 and 1244-2, while providing additional leads 1444-3 and 1444-4 for additional functions. In the two-color configuration of the light-emitting element 1442, lead 1444-3 is used to provide a control signal to control the blinking mode or switching period of the light-emitting element 1442, and leads 1444-1 and 1444-4 are used to deliver power to the first-color component and the second-color component of the two-color light-emitting element 1442, respectively. Additionally, in the three-color configuration of the light-emitting element 1342, leads 1444-1 (or 1344-2), 1444-3, and 1344-4 may be used to deliver power to the first-color component, the second-color component, and the third-color component of the two-color light-emitting element 1442, respectively.

[0048] According to some specific embodiments, the flexible wire 142 includes wires 142-1, 142-2, 142-3, and 142-4. Wires 142-1 and 142-2 have a similar material and configuration to wires 122-1 and 122-2. In the two-color configuration of the light-emitting element 1442, the additional wire 142-3 is used to deliver power or signals for additional uses, such as providing a control signal to determine the blinking mode or switching period of the light source 134, and wires 142-1 (or 142-2) and the additional wire 142-4 are used to deliver power to the first-color component and the second-color component of the two-color light-emitting element 1442, respectively. Additionally, in the three-color configuration of the light-emitting element 1442, wires 142-1 (or 142-2), 142-3, and 142-4 are used to deliver power to the first-color component, the second-color component, and the third-color component of the two-color light-emitting element 1442, respectively.

[0049] According to some specific embodiments, the connector 146 is a four-wire connector, including three slots 146-1, 146-2, 146-3, and 146-4. The four slots 146-1, 146-2, 146-3, and 146-4 are used to receive the four leads 1444-1, 1444-2, 1444-3, and 1444-4 and align the leads 1444-1, 1444-2, 1444-3, and 1444-4 or in other alignment orders with wires 142-1, 142-2, 142-3, and 142-4, respectively. The slots 146-1, 146-2, 146-3, and 146-4 may be arranged in a linear shape or different shapes.

[0050] Figure 6A and 6B are perspective views of two articles 20 and 30 according to some specific embodiments. Refer toFigure 6A The wreath 20 is provided with a plurality of needles 112 connected to one or more stems 110 and one or more light strips 120 ( Figure 6A not shown separately in Figure 6C but shown in

[0051] Reference Figure 6B The garland 30 is provided with a plurality of needles 112 connected to one or more stems 110 and one or more light strips 120 ( Figure 6B not shown separately in Figure 6C but shown in

[0052] Reference Figure 6C The flexible wire 122 serves as a power supply channel and connection hub for light sources 124 (e.g., exemplary light sources 124A, 124B, 124C, 124D, 124E, and 124F), where each light source 124 includes a light emitting element 1242 (e.g., exemplary light emitting elements 1242A, 1242B, 1242C, 1242D, 1242E, and 1242F) and a plurality of leads 1244 (e.g., exemplary leads 1244A, 1244B, 1244C, 1244D, 1244E, and 1244F). According to some specific embodiments, the light emitting element 1242 may be formed by a light emitting diode (LED), a light bulb, or another suitable light emitting device. According to some specific embodiments, the conductive core layer of the flexible wire 122 and the leads 1244 are formed of a conductive material, such as aluminum, copper, silver, gold, tungsten, iron, tin, or other suitable conductive materials.

[0053] According to some specific embodiments, light sources 124A to 124F are electrically connected to the flexible wire 122 through electrical connections of respective leads 1244A to 1244F to the flexible wire 122. This electrical connection can be achieved through a connector or adapter by soldering or electrical attachment in a manner similar to Figures 3 to 5 the connectors 126, 136, or 146 of the light bar 120 shown. In addition, the positions where the light sources 124A to 124F are electrically connected to the flexible wire 122 are determined to be appropriate. According to some specific embodiments, adjacent pairs of light sources 124A, 124B, 124E, 124F, 124C, and 124D are spaced apart by distances or intervals S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 on the flexible wire 122, respectively. The distances S1 to S5 can be determined according to the positions of the light sources 124A to 124F on the wreath 20 or garland 30. The distances S1 to S5 can be substantially equal to or different from each other.

[0054] According to some specific embodiments, the light-emitting element 1242 or bulb of each light source 124 is configured to be close to the tip of the needle 112 of the wreath 20 or garland 30 and away from the corresponding stem 110. In this way, especially when the wreath 20 or garland 30 is displayed against a darker background, the lighting effect of the light bar 120 on the wreath 20 or garland 30 becomes more prominent. According to some specific embodiments, since for most of the needles 112, the distances from the support structure 110 of the wreath 20 or garland 30 to the tips of the needles 112 are substantially equal, the lengths L1 to L6 of the leads 1144 are made to be substantially equal.

[0055] According to some specific embodiments, the lengths of the leads 1244 of different light sources 124 are different, which depends on the position of the light source 124 on the light bar 120 or on the position where the light sources 124 are distributed within the wreath 20 or the garland 30. The leads 1244A, 1244B, 1244C, 1244D, 1244E, and 1244F may have lead lengths L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, and L6 respectively. According to some specific embodiments, the lengths L1 to L6 of the respective leads 1244A to 1244F are adjusted such that the light-emitting elements 1242A to 1242F are dispersed in different depths or layers of the wreath 20 or the garland 30 to create a sense of hierarchy. According to some specific embodiments, the lengths L1 to L3 of the leads 1244A to 1244C respectively form a pattern with varying lengths, and the lengths L4 to L6 of the leads 1244D to 1244F respectively repeat the pattern of the leads 1244A to 1244C. For example, the lengths L1 to L3 or L4 to L6 in the pattern follow the relationships: L1 < L2 < L3 and L4 < L5 < L6. According to some specific embodiments, this pattern is repeated such that the lengths L1, L2, and L3 are respectively substantially equal to L4, L5, and L6. The configuration of the repeating pattern with varying lengths of different types of leads 1244 can create a sense of hierarchy for the viewer. Although only one pattern is discussed above for the leads 1244, other combinations of lead lengths and more combinations of different patterns are also within the scope of the present invention. For example, another pattern of the lengths L1 to L3 follows the relationship: L1 > L3 > L2.

[0056] Figure 7 According to some specific embodiments, a perspective view of an article 70 is shown. The article 70 includes a main body 102, a tree cap 702 covering the main body 102, and a base 104 supporting the main body 102. According to some specific embodiments, the main body 102 includes a support structure 110 and a plurality of needles 112 or branches fixedly connected or attached to the support structure 110. The main body 102 or the support structure 110 is supported by the base 104 and extends upward from the base, wherein the needles 112 extend radially outward from the support structure 110. The needles 112 may include a needle shape. The tips of these needles 112 may form a conical contour or surface 116 of the article 10. According to some specific embodiments, the article 70 is similar to the article 10.

[0057] According to some specific embodiments, the article 70 includes a light strip 720 disposed or extending within an inner portion or hollow space of the support structure 110. The light strip 720 includes flexible wires 122, a plurality of light sources 124, and a plurality of connectors 126. The light strip 720 is similar to the light strip 120 in many aspects, and thus, for the sake of brevity, the description of similar features will not be repeated. The main difference between the light strip 720 and the light strip 120 is that the flexible wires 122 of the light strip 720 extend within the support structure 110, and the connectors 126 guide the leads 1244 of the light sources 124 (see Figure 9A ) through the openings 802 (see Figure 8A ) in the support structure 110 and are connected to the flexible wires 122 of the light strip 720.

[0058] Figure 8A According to some specific embodiments, a perspective view of the support structure 110 of the article 70 is shown. The support structure 110 may be cylindrical and have a hollow space in its core. The support structure 110 may be formed by a first part 110A and a second part 110B, each of which is half of a hollow cylinder. According to some specific embodiments, the support structure 110 includes a plurality of openings 802 and 804 formed on the surface of the support structure 110. As described above, each opening 802 may be used to accommodate the connector 126 of the light strip 720, and each opening 802 may be used to accommodate the base 904 of the needle cluster 902 (see Figure 9B ).

[0059] Figure 8B According to some specific embodiments, an exploded view of the support structure 110 and the light strip 720 of the article 70 is shown. The opening 802 may be formed to fit the size of the connector 126, for example, in a rectangular shape or other suitable shape, such that the connector 126 can be inlaid or inserted into the opening 802 of the support structure 110. The connector 126 may be connected to the flexible wire 122 on the inner side of the support structure 110 and to the corresponding light source 124 on the other side of the support structure 110.

[0060] Figure 8C According to some specific embodiments, an assembled view of the support structure 110 and the light strip 720 of the article 70 is shown. When the connector 126 is inlaid on the corresponding opening 802, it substantially fills the opening 802. Refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8C , since the connector 126 of the light strip 720 is attached to the support structure 110, it is less visible due to the deeper position of the connector 126 within the article 70, and the aesthetic effect of the article 70 may be better than that of the article 10.

[0061] Figure 9AAccording to some specific embodiments, a exploded view of the light bar 720 and the light sources 124 of the display article 70 is shown. Three exemplary light sources 124A, 124B, and 124C are all arranged to be electrically connected to the flexible wire 122 through the guidance of the corresponding connectors 126A, 126B, and 126C. According to some specific embodiments, the light sources 124A, 124B, and 124C include corresponding leads 1244A, 1244B, and 1244C having corresponding lead lengths L1, L2, and L3. Please refer to Figure 2A and Figure 9A , the configuration of the flexible wire 122 of the light bar 720 is similar to that of the flexible wire 122 shown in Figure 2A , where the lengths L1, L2, and L3 of the respective leads 1244A to 1244C depend on the positions of the light sources 124A to 124C on the light bar 720, or on the height on the article 70 when it is attached to the article 70. According to some specific embodiments, the horizontal distance between the support structure 110 and the surface 116 can increase as the height decreases from the top to the bottom of the article 70. Therefore, when the light sources 124A, 124B, 124C are arranged on the support structure 110 from a height close to the tree cap 702 to a height close to the base 104, their lead lengths L1, L2, L3 will increase monotonically, that is, satisfying the relationship L1 < L2 < L3. According to some specific embodiments, the spacing values between the light sources 124A, 124B, and 124C on the flexible wire 122 are substantially equal because these spacing values represent the vertical spacing values of the light sources 124 on the support structure 110.

[0062] Figure 9B According to some specific embodiments, an exploded view of the light bar 720 and the foliage cluster 902 of the article 70 is shown. Each foliage cluster 902 includes a plurality of needles 112 and a base 904 for bundling the needles 112. The needles 112 can extend radially from the base 904. According to some specific embodiments, the opening 804 on the support structure 110 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the base 904, such as a circular shape when viewed from above, to allow the base 904 to be inlaid thereon. Please refer to Figure 7 and Figure 9B , when the connector 126 and the foliage cluster 902 are respectively attached to the support structure 110 through the opening 802 and the opening 804, the support structure 110, the light source 124, and the needles 112 can cover most of the flexible wire 122 and the connector 126. Therefore, compared with the existing tabletop Christmas tree, the aesthetic effect of the article 70 can be improved.

[0063] The structures of several specific embodiments are outlined above, so that those skilled in the art can better understand various aspects of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that they can easily use the present invention as a basis for designing or modifying other operations and structures to achieve the same purpose and / or achieve the same advantages of the specific embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also recognize that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0064] Symbolic Explanation

[0065] 10, 70: Articles

[0066] 20: Wreath

[0067] 30: Garland

[0068] 102: Main Body

[0069] 104: Base

[0070] 110: Support Structure

[0071] 110A: First Part

[0072] 110B: Second Part

[0073] 112: Coniferous Leaves

[0074] 116: Surface

[0075] 120, 720: Light Strips

[0076] 122, 132, 142: Flexible Wires

[0077] 122-1, 122-2, 132-1, 132-2, 132-3, 142-1, 142-2, 142-3, 142-4: Wires 124, 124A, 124B, 124C, 124D, 124E, 124F, 134, 144: Light Sources

[0078] 126, 136, 146: Connectors

[0079] 126-1: First Slot

[0080] 126-2: Second Slot

[0081] 130: Battery

[0082] 136-1, 136-2, 136-3, 146-1, 146-2, 146-3: Slots

[0083] 140: Power Socket

[0084] 702: Tree cap

[0085] 802, 804: Opening

[0086] 902: Conifer cluster

[0087] 904: Base

[0088] 1242, 1242A, 1242B, 1242C, 1242D, 1242E, 1242F: Light-emitting element

[0089] 1342, 1442: Light-emitting element

[0090] 1244, 1244A, 1244B, 1244C, 1244D, 1244E, 1244F: Lead

[0091] 1244-1, 1244-2, 1344, 1344-1, 1344-2, 1344-3: Lead

[0092] 1444, 1444-1, 1444-2, 1444-3, 1444-4: Lead

[0093] L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6: Length

[0094] S1, S2, S3, S4, S5: Distance

Claims

1. A decorative article, comprising: A support structure; A plurality of coniferous needles, which are connected to the support structure; And A light strip, comprising: A flexible wire, which is fixed to the support structure or the coniferous needles; And A plurality of light sources, each of which comprises at least two leads electrically connected to the flexible wire, Wherein the leads of the light sources disposed at different heights of the decorative article have different lengths.

2. The decorative article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support structure and the plurality of coniferous needles form a tree, a wreath or a garland.

3. The decorative article as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tree has a height of less than about 50 centimeters.

4. The decorative article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lengths of the leads of each of the light sources increase from the top to the bottom of the decorative article.

5. The decorative article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light sources are arranged near a contour formed by the tips of the coniferous needles away from the support structure.

6. The decorative article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance away from the support structure between the support structure and the tip of each coniferous needle is substantially equal to the length of the leads of each of the light sources arranged corresponding to the tip of each coniferous needle.

7. The decorative article as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the light sources comprises a light-emitting element.

8. The decorative article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light strip further comprises a plurality of connectors connecting the leads of each of the light sources to the flexible wire.

9. The decorative article as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flexible wire either (1) winds around an outer portion of the support structure, wherein the plurality of connectors are configured to be close to the outer portion of the support structure, or (2) is disposed in an inner portion of the support structure, and the plurality of connectors are inlaid on the support structure.

10. The decorative article as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the light sources comprises two leads, and each of the connectors comprises a two-pin socket.

11. A decorative article, comprising: A main body; And A light strip, which is fixed to the main body, the light strip comprising: A flexible wire; A plurality of light sources, wherein each of the light sources comprises at least two leads electrically connected to the flexible wire; and A plurality of connectors, which guide the leads of each of the light sources to the flexible wire, Wherein the leads of the light sources disposed at different heights of the main body include different lengths.

12. The decorative article as claimed in claim 11, wherein the main body comprises a support structure connecting a plurality of coniferous needles, and the distance away from the support structure between the support structure and the tip of each coniferous needle is substantially equal to the length of the leads of each of the light sources arranged corresponding to the tip of each coniferous needle.

13. The decorative article as claimed in claim 12, wherein the flexible wire is located in an inner portion of the support structure.

14. The decorative article as claimed in claim 13, wherein the plurality of coniferous needles are arranged in a plurality of coniferous needle clusters, and each of the plurality of coniferous needle clusters comprises a base inlaid on a first opening of the support structure.

15. The decorative article as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of connectors is inlaid on a second opening of the support structure.

16. The decorative article according to claim 11, wherein each of these connectors includes at least two slots configured to receive leads of a corresponding light source.

17. A light strip, comprising: A flexible wire; A plurality of light sources electrically connected to the flexible wire, wherein each of these light sources includes at least two leads; And A plurality of connectors that electrically connect the leads of each of these light sources to the flexible wire, Wherein the leads of these light sources disposed at different positions on the flexible wire have different lengths.

18. The light strip according to claim 17, wherein each of these connectors is a two-pin socket.

19. The light strip according to claim 17, wherein the lengths of these leads gradually increase from one end of the flexible wire to the other end.

20. The light strip according to claim 17, wherein each of these light sources includes a light-emitting element.

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