An improved flexible solar panel system built into existing products and into recycled materials, the system provides a renewable energy source from the sun and a recyclable structure made from used tires and or plastic. The system is made using a flexible solar cell and panel collector, a battery, a light source, a structure to support all the components and conductors between the battery, the solar cell and the light source and battery.

A selectively sized artificial tree comprising a frame assembly including an upper frame and body frame. The artificial tree may be configured for trees of different heights, having different radii, and having different sector sizes such as full circle, semicircle for positioning against a wall, and conical for positioning in a corner. The frames which are less than full circle may be combined, such as two semi circles for forming a full tree. A wheel assembly is provided for moving the tree. The wheels are housed with the frame when not engaged.

A lighted artificial tree that includes a first tree section including a trunk, wiring assembly and trunk electrical connector; a second tree section including a trunk, wiring assembly and trunk electrical connector; a distributed light power and control system, including: a primary controller and a plurality of sub-controllers, each of the plurality of sub-controllers in electrical communication with the primary controller; and a plurality of lighting elements, each of the plurality of lighting elements in direct electrical communication with one of the plurality of sub-controllers. The trunk electrical connector of the first tree section couples to the second trunk electrical connector such that power is conducted from the first tree section to the second tree section, and the primary controller controls each of the plurality of sub-controllers, and each of the plurality of sub-controllers selectively powers each of the plurality of lighting elements to create a lighting effect.

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.

A lighted artificial tree includes a first tree portion including a first trunk portion, first branches joined to the first trunk portion, and a first light string. The first trunk portion has a trunk connector and a first trunk wiring assembly, the first trunk wiring assembly is electrically connectable to the first light string and the trunk connector, and at least a portion of the first wiring assembly is located inside the first portion. The second tree portion includes a second trunk portion, second branches, and a second light string. The second trunk portion has a trunk connector and a second trunk wiring assembly, the second trunk wiring assembly electrically connectable to the second lighting string and the trunk connector. The second tree portion may be mechanically coupled and electrically connected to the first tree portion by coaxially coupling the first trunk portion to the second trunk portion.

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.

The disclosed invertible structures rely on combinations of translational movements to effect inversion. An exemplary invertible structure includes a track operable to be slidably coupled to a connector element of a longitudinal structure. In an embodiment, the connector element may include at least two connectors at least partially disposed in a slot defined in the track, which may have a plurality of translational axes for translational movements of the connectors of the longitudinal structure that would effect the inversion of the longitudinal structure.

An artificial tree that includes a first trunk body having a first elongated projection that extends axially from a first end toward a second end and forms a first keyway; a first electrical connector anchored within the first end of the first trunk body; a second trunk body, including a second elongated projection that extends axially, the second elongated projection forming a second keyway, the second elongated projection configured to be received by the first keyway; and a second electrical connector anchored within a first end of the second trunk body. The second elongated projection is received by the first keyway, and first and second electrical terminals of the first electrical connector make electrical connection with first and second electrical terminals of the second electrical connector, when the first end of the first trunk body is coupled to the first end of the second trunk body.

A method for manufacturing an artificial branch for use in providing an aesthetic element, or for providing camouflage or another structure. The joints between the various members of the artificial branch are preferably welded in place. The artificial branch preferably includes a main stem assembly including a reinforcing plug, branch stem members, limb assemblies, limb coupling members, a longitudinal support member, and foliage members.

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.