Storage apparatus for decorative light strings

Abstract

A storage apparatus for strings of decorative lights provides a planar body having a first side, an opposing second side, a top, a bottom, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, the body defining plural parallel elongated spaced apart slots communicating with the top and extending proximate the bottom but not communicating therewith, the plural parallel elongated slots separated by plural parallel rectilinear supports.

1 . A storage apparatus for strings of decorative lights having plural spacedly arrayed light sockets on an electrically conductive wire, each socket having a diameter and carrying a light bulb, the storage apparatus comprising in combination:
 a planar body having a first side, an opposing second side, a top edge, a bottom edge and spaced apart lateral edges;   at least one slot defined in the body, the at least one slot having a slot opening communicating with the top edge of the body and extending to a slot end proximate the bottom edge of the body but not communicating with the bottom edge and the at least one slot has a first lateral edge and a spaced apart second lateral edge with a generally uniform width between the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge between the slot opening and the slot end; and   the width of the at least one slot between the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge is large enough to allow the wire to pass there-through but is smaller than the diameter of each of the plural light sockets.   
     
     
         2 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the body is planar. 
     
     
         3 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the body is in the shape of a boot having a toe portion extending from one lateral edge and a heel portion extending from a second lateral edge. 
     
     
         4 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 plural parallel slots defined in the body, the adjacent plural parallel slots separated by an elongate parallel support. 
 
     
     
         5 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a handle extending from the body for grasping during in use. 
     
     
         6 . A method of storing a string of decorative lights having a plurality of spacedly arrayed light sockets on an electrically conductive wire, each socket having a diameter and carrying a light bulb on a storage apparatus for decorative light strings, the method comprising the steps:
 placing a plug end of the string of decorative lights adjacent a slot opening communicating with a slot defined in a planar body with the plug end on a first side of the planar body and the wire passing through the slot which has a generally uniform width that is less than the diameter of the light sockets;   sliding the plug end and wire along the slot until the plug end reaches a slot end and the plug end is on the first side of the body and the wire extends through the slot between a first lateral side of the slot and a second lateral side of the slot;   placing a light socket next along the wire from the plug end adjacent the slot opening with the light socket on the first side of the body and the wires communicating with the light socket passing through the slot;   sliding the light socket and wires along the slot until the light socket reaches the slot end and the light socket is on the first side of the body and the wires extend through the slot between the first lateral side and of the slot and the second lateral side of the slot;   repeating the placing and sliding process with each next adjacent light socket along the electrically conductive wire to lace the light sockets onto the storage apparatus; and   placing a second plug end of the string of decorative lights adjacent a slot opening and sliding the second plug end and wire along the slot until the second plug end is distal from the slot opening and securing the second plug end in place.