Aspects of the present invention relate to reinforced electric wires, particularly reinforced electric wires as used in holiday lighting such as Christmas light strings. In some embodiments, the reinforced electric wire can comprise a conductor, a reinforcing string or one or more reinforcing threads, and an insulator jacket. In some embodiments, the conductor comprises a plurality of conductor strands and one or more reinforcing strands arranged within an insulator jacket. Methods of making wires in accordance with various embodiments are also provided herein.

A central shaft power connector for lighted ornaments is disclosed. A central support pole, such as for a Christmas tree is made in multiple parts joinable with an electrical and mechanical connector which joins the pole parts and simultaneously connects power or other circuits from one part to the other. The connector has two engaging sections and an outrigger platform which locates a connector off to the side of the poles but in alignment. Final alignment is obtained by a key and keyway in the connector parts. The connector is friction fit into a slot on each section so that the connector can be removed and replaced.

Disclosed is an artificial tree having a plurality of electrified tree sections that couple together to provide power and/or command signals to devices connected thereto. One or more tree sections may have a trunk portion, one or more electrical connectors having a plurality of terminals, branches, a light string, and an electrical distribution system located at least partially within the trunk portion. A first tree section may be configured to couple to a second tree section such that an electrical connector of the first tree section is in electrical connection with an electrical connector of the second tree section, thereby mechanically and electrically connecting the first tree section to the second tree section such that power and/or the control data are transmitted to the second tree section. Further, each trunk segment may include an axial electrical connector that permits adjacent trunk segments to connect in a plurality of radial orientations relative to each other.

Disclosed is an artificial tree having a plurality of electrified tree sections that couple together to provide power and/or command signals to devices connected thereto. One or more tree sections may have a trunk portion, one or more electrical connectors having a plurality of terminals, branches, a light string, and an electrical distribution system located at least partially within the trunk portion. A first tree section may be configured to couple to a second tree section such that an electrical connector of the first tree section is in electrical connection with an electrical connector of the second tree section, thereby mechanically and electrically connecting the first tree section to the second tree section such that power and/or the control data are transmitted to the second tree section. Further, each trunk segment may include an axial electrical connector that permits adjacent trunk segments to connect in a plurality of radial orientations relative to each other.

Disclosed is an artificial tree having a plurality of electrified tree sections that couple together to provide power and/or command signals to devices connected thereto. One or more tree sections may have a trunk portion, one or more electrical connectors having a plurality of terminals, branches, a light string, and an electrical distribution system located at least partially within the trunk portion. A first tree section may be configured to couple to a second tree section such that an electrical connector of the first tree section is in electrical connection with an electrical connector of the second tree section, thereby mechanically and electrically connecting the first tree section to the second tree section such that power and/or the control data are transmitted to the second tree section. Further, each trunk segment may include an axial electrical connector that permits adjacent trunk segments to connect in a plurality of radial orientations relative to each other.

A method of arranging a plurality of lighting fixtures in a room or on an object includes the steps of: (a) producing a virtual model of the room or the object in or on which the lighting fixtures are to be placed; (b) virtually arranging the lighting fixtures on the virtual model; (c) identifying one or more guide lighting fixtures in the virtual arrangement, based on one or more predetermined positions; (d) generating a sequence of actuation of the lighting fixtures, which actuates at least the guide lighting fixtures; and (e) arranging the lighting fixtures so that at least the position of the guide lighting fixtures coincides with the position thereof at steps (b) and (c).

A light string is provided. The light string includes a plurality of light-emitting components, a first polyvinyl chloride covered wire and a second polyvinyl chloride covered wire. The light-emitting components are configured to emit light having a same color or different colors. A first polyvinyl chloride covered wire is electrically connected to a first terminal of each of the light-emitting components and a first power terminal of a power supply component. The first polyvinyl chloride covered wire receives a first voltage from the first power terminal of the power supply component. The second polyvinyl chloride covered wire is electrically connected to a second terminal of each of the light-emitting components and a second power terminal of the power supply component. The second polyvinyl chloride covered wire receives a second voltage from the second power terminal of the power supply component.

A lighting controller and a method of switching a light string between a plurality of lighting modes, and a light string assembly are provided. The lighting controller includes a control box, a switch power source circuit, and a lighting control circuit. A switching component is disposed on the control box. The switch power source circuit and the lighting control circuit are accommodated in the control box. The switch power source circuit is triggered to allow a power supply component to supply power to the light string during a predetermined time by the switching component receiving a turning-on timing trigger and allows the switching component to receive a plurality of lighting triggers. The lighting control circuit switches the light string between the plurality of lighting modes to exhibit a variable lighting effect according to the plurality of lighting triggers.

A rotation-locking lighted artificial tree that includes a first and second portion. The first portion includes a trunk, first electrical connector, and first wiring harness. The first electrical connector includes a first body portion and a first electrical contact set. The first body portion includes multiple projections electrically isolated from the first electrical contact set. The second tree portion includes a second electrical connector and a second wiring harness. The second electrical connector includes a second body portion and a second electrical contact set, the second body portion including multiple recesses. When the first tree portion couples to the second, the first and second electrical contact sets form an electrical connection and the recesses of the second body portion receive the projections of the first body portion, thereby electrically connecting and mechanically coupling the first tree portion to the second tree portion.

A lighted artificial tree, including a first tree portion having a first electrical connector having a first electrical terminal positioned in line with a central vertical axis, and a second electrical terminal. The tree also includes a second tree portion that includes a second electrical connector having a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal, the second electrical terminal defining a ring shape that encircles the first electrical terminal. When the first tree portion is coupled to the second tree portion, the first electrical connector is coupled to the second electrical connector, such that the first electrical terminal of the first electrical connector is electrically connected to the first electrical terminal of the second electrical connector, and the second electrical terminal of the first electrical connector is electrically connected to the second electrical terminal of the second electrical connector.