Light set arrangement

Abstract

In a first aspect of the invention, a light set arrangement is provided. TheA light set arrangement includes a plurality of electrical wire segments feeding and downwardly dangling from a feeder electrical wire to simulate icicles. Each of a plurality of decorative lights and connectors, each decorative light and connector extendingconnected to the downwardly dangling electrical wire segments has a longitudinal axis and extends along a longitudinal axis formed by at least one electrical wire associated with the plurality of electrical wire segments. At least one electrical wire connects the plurality of decorative lights to each other. The arrangement also includes aEach of a plurality of retaining members wherein each retaining member retains the electrical wire connected to the decorative light and connector so that the longitudinal axis of each decorative light and connector is generally parallel to the electrical wire without being connected to or supported by any additional support structure. In a second aspect, a light connector is provided including a light bulb holder adapted for holding a light bulb, and a socket body. The socket body has a longitudinal axis, an outer surface and an opening to receive the light bulb holder. The socket body has an interior region with opposing electrical contacts adapted to receive electrical wires and make an electrical connection between the electrical wires and a light bulb. At least one projection extends from the outer surface of the socket body in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the socket body. The projection has a distal end terminating in at least one clip. The clip has a rounded throat with rounded edges forming a space within which at least one electrical wire is adapted to be disposed and a lip associated with the throat, the lip having rounded edges and extending into the space. The lip is adapted to retain the electrical wire in place and to maintain the longitudinal axis of the socket body in a direction generally parallel to the electrical wire.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A light set arrangement comprising:
 a plurality of electrical wire segments feeding and downwardly dangling freely from a feeder electrical wire to simulate icicles, the feeder electrical wire being electrically connectable to a source of electricity for the light set arrangement; 
 a plurality of decorative lights and connectors for the decorative lights connected to the plurality of the downwardly dangling electrical wire segments, each decorative light and connector having a longitudinal axis and extending along a longitudinal axis formed by at least one electrical wire associated with the plurality of electrical wire segments, the at least one electric wire connecting the plurality of decorative lights and connectors to each other; and 
 a plurality of retaining members,  
 wherein each retaining member is comprises a projection and is connected only to a connector and to the electrical wire without being connected to or supported by any additional support structure in a manner whereby the retaining member retains the electrical wire connected to the connector such that the longitudinal axis of each decorative light and connector is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the electrical wire, 
 the connector comprising a socket body with an outer surface and including a light bulb producing the decorative light, the projection extending from the outer surface of the socket body in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector, the outer surface of the socket body including a portion extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector adjacent the projection. 
 
     
     
       2. A light set arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the retaining member is selected from the group consisting of a clip projecting from the connector, a twist wrap, a cable tie, a plastic band, an elastomeric band and adhesive tape. 
     
     
       3. A light set arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the retaining member extends from the connector. 
     
     
       4. A light set arrangement according to claim  3  wherein the connector includes a socket body, the retaining member is at least one projection extending from the socket body, 1, the projection having a distal end terminating in at least one clip, the clip having a throat forming a space within which at least one electrical wire is disposed and a lip associated with the throat extending into the space to retain the electrical wire within the space. 
     
     
       5. A light set arrangement according to claim  3  wherein the connector includes a socket body, 1, the retaining member is comprising at least one projection extending from the socket body in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector, each projection having a distal end terminating in two clips, each of the clips having a throat and a lip wherein each clip has an opening adjacent the lip for introduction of electrical wires into a space formed by the throat and wherein the openings of each clip are oriented in generally opposed directions. 
     
     
       6. A light set arrangement according to claim  3  wherein the connector includes a socket body, the retaining member is a projection extending from the socket body, 1, the projection terminating in two clips, each of the clips having a throat and a lip wherein each clip has an opening adjacent the lip for introduction of the electrical wires into a space formed by the throat and wherein the openings of each clip are generally oriented in the same direction such that the openings of each clip are generally parallel to each other. 
     
     
       7. A light set arrangement according to claim  3  wherein the connector includes a socket body, 1, the retaining member includes including two projections forming a retaining clip, each projection extending from the outer surface of the socket body in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the socket body connector, each projection having a distal end having a throat and a lip associated with the throat to retain the electrical wire, wherein the projections are oriented such that the throat and lip of each projection face one another and form an opening and space between the lips for disposition of the electrical wires. 
     
     
       8. A light connector comprising:
 a light bulb holder adapted for holding a light bulb;   a socket body having a longitudinal axis, the socket body having an outer surface, an opening to receive the light bulb holder, an interior region with opposing electrical contacts adapted to receive electrical wires and make an electrical connection between the electrical wires and a light bulb; and   at least one projection extending from the outer surface of the socket body in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the socket body, the projection having a distal end terminating in at least one clip, the clip having a throat with rounded edges forming a space within which at least one electrical wire is adapted to be disposed and a lip associated with the throat, the lip having rounded edges and extending into the space and adapted to retain the electrical wire in place and adapted to maintain the longitudinal axis of the socket body in a direction generally parallel to the electrical wire.   
     
     
       9. A light connector according to  claim 8  wherein the projection of the socket body has a distal end terminating in two clips, each of the clips having a throat and lip wherein each clip has an opening adjacent the lip adapted for introduction of electrical wires into a space formed by the throat and wherein the openings of each clip are oriented in generally opposed directions. 
     
     
       10. A light connector according to  claim 8  wherein the projection of the socket body has a distal end terminating in two clips, each of the clips having a throat and a lip wherein each clip has an opening adjacent the lip adapted for introduction of electrical wires into a space formed by the throat and wherein the openings of each clip are oriented generally in the same direction such that the openings of each clip are generally parallel to each other. 
     
     
       11. A light connector according to  claim 8  having two projections forming a retaining clip, each projection extending from the outer surface of the socket body in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the socket body, each projection having a distal end having a throat and a lip associated with the throat, wherein each of the projections is oriented such that the throat and lip of each projection face one another thereby forming an opening and space between the lips adapted for introduction and disposition of electrical wires. 
     
     
       12. A light connector according to  claim 8  wherein the projection and socket body are unitary and formed from the same material. 
     
     
       13. The light set arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the light set arrangement simulates at least one lighted icicle. 
     
     
       14. The light set arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the downwardly dangling electrical wire segments extend generally perpendicularly from the feeder electrical wire. 
     
     
       15. The light set arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of the electrical wire segments have varying lengths. 
     
     
       16. The light set arrangement according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of electrical wire segments is associated with at least two of the plurality of decorative lights. 
     
     
       17. The light set arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the connector includes a socket body, the socket body including a flat portion. 
     
     
       18. The light set arrangement according to claim 17 wherein the flat portion extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis adjacent the retaining members. 
     
     
       19. The light set arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the socket body includes a first end and an opposed second end, the light bulb being within the socket body at the first end and electrical wires entering the socket body at the second end.