IP Library Granted Patent US 11,006,775
Granted Patent B2
US 11,006,775 · App. 16/681,504 · Granted May 18, 2021

System, apparatus, and method for providing an electrical safety circuit

Inventor: Michael M. McRae (Ormond Beach, FL)
Assignee: National Christmas Products LLC
A47G33/06A47G33/126F21V23/04H01H1/5866H01H9/0271H01H21/26F21W2121/04F21Y2115/10
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,006,775
App. No.
16/681,504
Granted
May 18, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a base assembly, a movable assembly that is movably supported by the base assembly, a structural assembly that is supported by the movable assembly, a plurality of electrical assemblies that are supported by the structural assembly, an actuating assembly configured to move the movable assembly relative to the base assembly, and a first electrical connector that is electrically connectable to the actuating assembly and the plurality of electrical assemblies. The apparatus also has a second electrical connector that is electrically connectable to a power source, and a switch assembly disposed on the second electrical connector. The first and second electrical connectors are electrically connected via one or more contact members that are movably disposed relative to the base assembly.

Claims (54)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a base assembly;

a movable assembly that is movably supported by the base assembly;

a structural assembly that is supported by the movable assembly;

a plurality of electrical assemblies that are supported by the structural assembly;

an actuating assembly configured to move the movable assembly relative to the base assembly;

a first electrical connector that is electrically connectable to the actuating assembly and the plurality of electrical assemblies;

a second electrical connector that is electrically connectable to a power source; and

a switch assembly disposed on the second electrical connector;

wherein the first and second electrical connectors are electrically connected via one or more contact members that are movably disposed relative to the base assembly; and

wherein the switch assembly is configured to selectively electrically connect the power source to at least one of the actuating assembly and the plurality of electrical assemblies via the first and second electrical connectors.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the switch assembly is configured to electrically connect the power source to the actuating assembly while blocking an electrical connection between the power source and the plurality of electrical assemblies.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the switch assembly is configured to electrically connect the power source to the plurality of electrical assemblies while blocking an electrical connection between the power source and the actuating assembly.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the switch assembly is configured to electrically connect the power source to both the actuating assembly and the plurality of electrical assemblies.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the switch assembly is configured to block an electrical connection between the power source and both the actuating assembly and the plurality of electrical assemblies.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structural assembly is an artificial holiday tree and the plurality of electrical assemblies is a plurality of LED lights.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the switch assembly includes a foot pedal switch housing that contains at least one push button switch.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrical connectors are selected from the group consisting of a 3-wire safety AC cable and safety-grounded plug and a 2-wire power cord with a polarized plug or socket.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuating assembly is a motor and the movable assembly is rotatably supported by the base assembly and is rotatable relative to the base assembly.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second electrical connector is an electrical power cord that is attached to the base assembly.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the first electrical connector includes a first plurality of electrical members;

the second electrical connector includes a second plurality of electrical members;

the one or more contact members moves relative to the base assembly when the movable assembly moves relative to the base assembly; and

the first plurality of electrical members and the second plurality of electrical members remain electrically connected via the one or more contact members when the one or more contact members moves relative to the base assembly when the movable assembly moves relative to the base assembly.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more contact members are selected from the group consisting of ball bearings and spring-loaded contacts.

13. A method, comprising:

providing a base assembly;

movably supporting a movable assembly with the base assembly;

supporting a structural assembly with the movable assembly;

supporting a plurality of electrical assemblies with the structural assembly;

moving the movable assembly relative to the base assembly using an actuating assembly;

electrically connecting a first electrical connector to the actuating assembly and the plurality of electrical assemblies;

electrically connecting a second electrical connector to a power source;

disposing a switch assembly on the second electrical connector;

electrically connecting the first and second electrical connectors via one or more contact members that are movably disposed relative to the base assembly; and

selectively electrically connecting the power source using the switch assembly to at least one of the actuating assembly and the plurality of electrical assemblies via the first and second electrical connectors.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein using the switch assembly includes actuating the switch assembly with a first actuation that electrically connects the power source to one of the plurality of electrical assemblies and the actuating assembly while blocking an electrical connection between the power source and the other of the plurality of electrical assemblies and the actuating assembly.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein using the switch assembly includes actuating the switch assembly with a second actuation that electrically connects the power source to both the actuating assembly and the plurality of electrical assemblies.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein using the switch assembly includes actuating the switch assembly with a third actuation that electrically connects the power source to one of the plurality of electrical assemblies and the actuating assembly while blocking an electrical connection between the power source and the other of the plurality of electrical assemblies and the actuating assembly.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein using the switch assembly includes actuating the switch assembly with a fourth actuation that blocks an electrical connection between the power source and both the actuating assembly and the plurality of electrical assemblies.

18. An apparatus, comprising:

a base assembly;

a rotatable assembly that is rotatably supported by the base assembly;

an artificial tree that is supported by the rotatable assembly;

a plurality of LED tree lights that are supported by the artificial tree;

a motor configured to rotate the rotatable assembly relative to the base assembly;

a first electrical connector that is electrically connectable to the motor and the plurality of LED tree lights;

a second electrical connector that is electrically connectable to a power source; and

a foot pedal switch housing, which includes at least one push button switch, disposed on the second electrical connector;

wherein the first and second electrical connectors are electrically connected via one or more contact members that are movably disposed relative to the base assembly; and

wherein the at least one push button switch is configured to selectively electrically connect the power source to at least one of the motor and the plurality of LED tree lights via the first and second electrical connectors.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the at least one push button switch is configured to electrically connect the power source to the motor while blocking an electrical connection between the power source and the plurality of LED tree lights.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the at least one push button switch is configured to electrically connect the power source to the LED tree lights while blocking an electrical connection between the power source and the motor.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2024
From: NATIONAL CHRISTMAS PRODUCTS, LLC
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 066992/0363 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2024
From: NATIONAL CHRISTMAS PRODUCTS, LLC
To: LOAN ADMIN CO LLC
Reel/Frame 066992/0765 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 8, 2020
From: MCRAE, MICHAEL M
To: NATIONAL CHRISTMAS PRODUCTS LLC
Reel/Frame 054008/0395 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 16444715 · Jun 18, 2019
Related Publication 20200397174A1 · Dec 24, 2020