Light string bracket

Abstract

A decorator light string bracket for securely cradling exterior Christmas or other festive decorator light strings and rope lights to building eaves, rain gutters, walls, window and door frames, wood and ornamental iron fences and railings, and the like includes a base segment and one leg that is bent up at an appropriate angle from one end of the base segment to form with the base segment a secure cradle for holding the wire bundles and/or rope lights. Extending from an opposite end of the base segment, the bracket may have a second leg that is bent to conform with the base segment to a support object's corner or second and third legs bent to form with the base segment an inverted U-shaped mounting member to fit over a fence or railing. The bracket may also include a pair of cradles for holding two light strings.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A Decorator Light String Bracket for hanging decorator light strings and rope lights from rain gutters, eaves, window and door frames, exterior building walls, and other exterior building support surfaces and from fences, railings, and the like, comprising: 
 a base segment; the base segment having an upper end and a lower end; a first leg extending outward and upward from the lower end of the base segment and forming with the base segment an upwardly open first cradle sized for receiving and securely holding light strings and rope lights; means for securing the bracket to a support surface; and the base segment and the first leg being a single length of shape-retaining metal material.    
     
     
         2 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the first leg is generally straight and forms with the base segment an upwardly open and generally V-shaped cradle.    
     
     
         3 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the means for securing the bracket to a support surface is a hole in the base segment for receiving a mechanical fastener.    
     
     
         4 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 2 , including: 
 a second leg extending from the upper end of the base segment at a substantially right angle to the base segment and away from the first cradle to act as a support arm of the bracket; and the base segment and the first and second legs being a single length of shape-retaining metal material.    
     
     
         5 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the means for securing the bracket to a support surface is a hole in the second leg for receiving a mechanical fastener.    
     
     
         6 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 2 , including: 
 a second leg extending from the upper end of the base segment at a substantially right angle to the base segment and away from the first cradle; a third leg extending at a substantially right angle downward from the second leg; the third leg being spaced from and extending generally parallel to the base segment to form with the second leg and the base segment an inverted generally U-shaped channel that is the securing means of the bracket; and the base segment and the first, second and third legs being a single length of shape-retaining metal material.    
     
     
         7 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the first leg is generally C-shaped and forms with the base segment an upwardly open and generally C-shaped cradle.    
     
     
         8 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the means for securing the bracket to a support surface is a hole in the base segment for receiving a mechanical fastener.    
     
     
         9 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 7 , including: 
 a second leg extending from the upper end of the base segment at a substantially right angle to the base segment and away from the first cradle to act as a support arm of the bracket; and the base segment and the first and second legs being a single length of shape-retaining metal material.    
     
     
         10 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 the means for securing the bracket to a support surface is a hole in the second leg for receiving a mechanical fastener.    
     
     
         11 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 7 , including: 
 a second leg extending from the upper end of the base segment at a substantially right angle to the base segment and away from the first cradle; a third leg extending at a substantially right angle downward from the second leg; the third leg being spaced from and extending generally parallel to the base segment to form with the second leg and the base segment an inverted generally U-shaped channel that is the securing means of the bracket; and the base segment and the first, second and third legs being a single length of shape-retaining metal material.    
     
     
         12 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the shape-retaining metal material is selected from a group consisting of: steel treated to inhibit oxidation, aluminum, anodized aluminum, copper, and clear-coated copper to inhibit oxidation.    
     
     
         13 . A Decorator Light String Bracket for hanging decorator light strings and rope lights from rain gutters, eaves, window and door frames, exterior building walls, and other exterior building support surfaces and from fences, railings, and the like, comprising: 
 a base segment; the base segment having an upper portion and a lower portion;    a first leg extending outward and upward from the lower end of the lower portion of the base segment and forming with the lower portion of the base segment an upwardly open first cradle sized for receiving and securely holding light strings and rope lights; the lower portion of the base segment and the first leg being a single length of shape-retaining metal material;    a second leg extending outward and upward from the lower end of the upper portion of the base segment and forming with the upper portion of the base segment an upwardly open second cradle sized for receiving and securely holding light strings and rope lights; the second cradle being spaced above the first cradle to permit the insertion and removal of light strings and rope lights from the first cradle; the upper portion of the base segment and the second leg being a single length of shape-retaining metal material;    the lower portion of the base segment being secured to the upper portion of the base segment; and    means for securing the bracket to a support surface.    
     
     
         14 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 at least one of the first and second legs is generally straight and forms with the base segment an upwardly open and generally V-shaped cradle.    
     
     
         15 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the first and second legs are each generally straight and form with the base segment upwardly open and generally V-shaped cradles.    
     
     
         16 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 at least one of the first and second legs is generally C-shape and forms with the base segment an upwardly open and generally C-shaped cradle.    
     
     
         17 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the first and second legs are each generally C-shape and form with the base segment an upwardly open and generally C-shaped cradles.    
     
     
         18 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 one of the first and second legs is generally straight and forms with the base segment an upwardly open and generally V-shaped cradle; and the other of the first and second legs is generally C-shape and forms with the base segment an upwardly open and generally C-shaped cradle.    
     
     
         19 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the means for securing the bracket to a support surface is a hole in the upper portion of the base segment for receiving a mechanical fastener.    
     
     
         20 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 13 , including: 
 a third leg extending from the upper end of the upper portion of the base segment at a substantially right angle to the base segment and away from the first and second cradles to act as a support arm of the bracket; and the upper portion of the base segment and the second and third legs being a single length of shape-retaining metal material.    
     
     
         21 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 20 , wherein: 
 the means for securing the bracket to a support surface is a hole in the third leg for receiving a mechanical fastener.    
     
     
         22 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 13 , including: 
 a third leg extending from an upper end of the upper portion of the base segment at a substantially right angle to the base segment and away from the first and second cradles; a fourth leg extending at a substantially right angle downward from the third leg; the fourth leg being spaced from and extending generally parallel to the base segment to form with the third leg and the base segment an inverted generally U-shaped channel that is the securing means of the bracket; and the upper portion of the base segment and the second, third and fourth legs being a single length of shape-retaining metal material.    
     
     
         23 . The Decorator Light String Bracket according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the shape-retaining metal materials of the bracket are selected from a group consisting of: steel treated to inhibit oxidation, aluminum, anodized aluminum, copper, and clear-coated copper to inhibit oxidation.