US5064067A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Christmas light organizer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-09-17
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Granted: 1991-11-12
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Expires: 2010-09-17
Abstract
Abstract A Christmas light organizer provides a frame for the handling and storage of a string of Christmas lights. A generally rectangular, planar frame includes two opposing sides having a series of tooth-like projections extending outwardly from the frame which are longitudinally bevelled, having an inner gap between projections at their base which is less than a least thickness of the electric cord and an outer gap at their ends which is greater than the greatest thickness of the electric cord, thereby allowing a Christmas light cord to be inserted and guided between the converging faces of adjacent projections until the cord is securely gripped therebetween. The other two, non-toothed, sides may have one or more sets of divergent, slanted notches intruding from the inner side of the frame and formed so as to hold, at the plug, an end of the electric cord. A handle may extend outwardly from one of the non-toothed sides. Cross braces may be added across the inside of the frame for both strength and safety.
Inventors
- 👤 James D. McAllister
- 👤 Molly J. McAllister
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:46
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H75/00; B65H75/02; B65H75/04; B65H75/06; A; A47; A47F; A47F7/00; A47F7/005; A47G; A47G25/00; A47G25/74; A47G25/743; F; F21; F21S; F21S4/00; F21S4/10; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/30; B65H2701/39; B65H2701/3915; B65H2701/50; B65H2701/51; B65H2701/512; B65H2701/5122; B65H2701/513; B65H2701/5132; F21V; F21V17/00; F21V17/007; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/806
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A Christmas light organizer, in combination with an electrical light string having a plurality of electric bulbs joined by electric cord, the organizer comprising: a. a planar frame having two opposing sides; b. a plurality of tooth-like projections (1) extending outwardly in linear series from each of the opposing sides; (2) each said projection, having a base on a said side and having an outer end, being formed with an outer surface which converges from the base to the outer end; (3) said projections being formed, and spaced from an adjacent projection, so that the respective bases are separated by a distance less than a least thickness of the electric cord and the respective outer ends are separated by a distance greater than a greatest thickness of the electric cord; (4) so that the electric cord may be inserted between the outer ends of two adjacent projections and with continuing insertion become wedged between said adjacent projections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A Christmas light organizer, in combination with an electrical light string having a plurality of electric bulbs joined by electric cord, the organizer comprising: a. a planar frame having two opposing sides; b. a plurality of tooth-like projections (1) extending outwardly in linear series from each of the opposing sides; (2) each said projection, having a base on a said side and having an outer end, being formed with an outer surface which converges from the base to the outer end; (3) said projections being formed, and spaced from an adjacent projection, so that the respective bases are separated by a distance less than a least thickness of the electric cord and the respective outer ends are separated by a distance greater than a greatest thickness of the electric cord; (4) so that the electric cord may be inserted between the outer ends of two adjacent projections and with continuing insertion become wedged between said adjacent projections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The Christmas light organizer, as recited in claim 1, the frame having a top joining the two opposing sides, wherein a handle extends outwardly from said top of said frame, said handle being formed at its outer end with an inwardly facing squared hook for grasping an edge of a ladder, rain gutter, or the like.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The Christmas light organizer, as recited in claim 1, where, additionally, there is at least one cross member extending between the two opposing sides of the frame, formed for structural support of the sides and to reduce the size of any single open area within the frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The Christmas light organizer, as recited in claim 1, where, additionally, there is at least one set of slanted notches formed on an edge of a top or bottom of the frame, said set of slanted notches including two diverging notches extending outwardly from locations on said edge, each notch being slanted toward one of the two opposing sides.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
226 words
A Christmas light organizer, in combination with an electrical light string having a plurality of electric bulbs joined by electric cord, the organizer comprising: a. a planar open frame having two opposing side members and a top member and a bottom member joining the two opposing side members; b. a plurality of tooth-like projections (1) extending outwardly in linear series from each of the opposing side members; (2) each said projection, having a base on a said side member and an outer end, being formed with an outer surface which converges from the base to the outer end; (3) said projections being formed, and spaced from an adjacent projection, so that the respective bases are separated by a distance less than a least thickness of the electric cord and the respective outer ends are separated by a distance greater than a greatest thickness of the electric cord; (4) so that the electric cord may be inserted between the outer ends of two adjacent projections and with continuing insertion become wedged between said adjacent projections; and c. at least one set of slanted notches formed on an inside edge of a top or bottom member of the frame, said set of slanted notches including two diverging notches extending outwardly from locations on said inside edge, each notch being slanted toward one of the two opposing side members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
226 words
A Christmas light organizer, in combination with an electrical light string having a plurality of electric bulbs joined by electric cord, the organizer comprising: a. a planar open frame having two opposing side members and a top member and a bottom member joining the two opposing side members; b. a plurality of tooth-like projections (1) extending outwardly in linear series from each of the opposing side members; (2) each said projection, having a base on a said side member and an outer end, being formed with an outer surface which converges from the base to the outer end; (3) said projections being formed, and spaced from an adjacent projection, so that the respective bases are separated by a distance less than a least thickness of the electric cord and the respective outer ends are separated by a distance greater than a greatest thickness of the electric cord; (4) so that the electric cord may be inserted between the outer ends of two adjacent projections and with continuing insertion become wedged between said adjacent projections; and c. at least one set of slanted notches formed on an inside edge of a top or bottom member of the frame, said set of slanted notches including two diverging notches extending outwardly from locations on said inside edge, each notch being slanted toward one of the two opposing side members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
291 words
A Christmas light organizer, in combination with an electrical light string having a plurality of electric bulbs joined by electric cord, the organizer comprising: a. a planar open frame having a top member, a bottom member, and two opposing side members, which includes: (1) a handle, extending outwardly from said top member, being formed with an inwardly facing squared hook at its outer end for grasping an edge of a ladder, rain gutter, or the like; (2) at least one set of slanted notches formed on an inside edge of the top or bottom member of the frame, said set of slanted notches including two diverging notches extending outwardly from locations on said inside edge, each notch being slanted toward one of the two opposing side members; and (3) at least one cross member extending between the two opposing side members of the frame, formed for structural support of the side members and to reduce the size of any single open area within the frame; b. a plurality of tooth-like projections (1) extending outwardly in linear series from each of the opposing side members; (2) each said projection, having a base on a said side member and an outer end, being formed with an outer surface which converges from the base to the outer end; (3) said projections being formed, and spaced from an adjacent projection, so that the respective bases are separated by a distance less than a least thickness of the electric cord and the respective outer ends are separated by a distance greater than a greatest thickness of the electric cord; (4) so that the electric cord may be inserted between the outer ends of two adjacent projections and with continuing insertion become wedged between said adjacent projections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
291 words
A Christmas light organizer, in combination with an electrical light string having a plurality of electric bulbs joined by electric cord, the organizer comprising: a. a planar open frame having a top member, a bottom member, and two opposing side members, which includes: (1) a handle, extending outwardly from said top member, being formed with an inwardly facing squared hook at its outer end for grasping an edge of a ladder, rain gutter, or the like; (2) at least one set of slanted notches formed on an inside edge of the top or bottom member of the frame, said set of slanted notches including two diverging notches extending outwardly from locations on said inside edge, each notch being slanted toward one of the two opposing side members; and (3) at least one cross member extending between the two opposing side members of the frame, formed for structural support of the side members and to reduce the size of any single open area within the frame; b. a plurality of tooth-like projections (1) extending outwardly in linear series from each of the opposing side members; (2) each said projection, having a base on a said side member and an outer end, being formed with an outer surface which converges from the base to the outer end; (3) said projections being formed, and spaced from an adjacent projection, so that the respective bases are separated by a distance less than a least thickness of the electric cord and the respective outer ends are separated by a distance greater than a greatest thickness of the electric cord; (4) so that the electric cord may be inserted between the outer ends of two adjacent projections and with continuing insertion become wedged between said adjacent projections.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-11-11 | 1995-05-13 | 1995-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-11 | 1999-05-13 | 1999-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-11 | 2003-05-13 | 2003-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |