权利要求：
1. A lighted tree, comprising:
a tree trunk section adapted to be mechanically supported by a support structure external to the tree and configured to subsume a substantially elongated structure inserted into the trunk section;
a plurality of artificial tree branches extending from the trunk section;
at least one light source electrically connected to the trunk section and disposed to emit light from an LED string on tree branches; and
a battery holder, adapted to be inserted into the tree trunk section, and configured to power the lighted tree trunk section with a battery retained within the battery holder;
wherein the battery holder includes an end cap including electrical contacts configured to maintain the battery holder electrical polarity independent of the orientation of the battery retained within the battery holder.
2. The lighted tree of claim 1, wherein the battery holder further comprises:
an elongated structure section, open at one end, and adapted to releasably attach the end cap.
3. The lighted tree of claim 1, wherein the lighted tree further comprises: a lighted tree base that is not illuminated, comprising: a support structure adapted to mechanically support the trunk section.
4. The lighted tree of claim 1, wherein the lighted tree further comprises at least two electrically and mechanically interconnected trunk sections.
5. The lighted tree of claim 1, wherein the lighted tree further comprises: a lighted tree base that is not illuminated, comprising: the support structure adapted to mechanically support at least three interconnected trunk sections.
6. The lighted tree of claim 1, wherein the battery is rechargeable.
7. The lighted tree of claim 6, wherein the lighted tree further comprises a multifrequency ambient energy harvester module electrically and operably coupled to charge the battery retained within the battery holder.
8. The lighted tree of claim 6, wherein the lighted tree further comprises a photovoltaic collector electrically and operably coupled to charge the battery retained within the battery holder.
9. A lighted tree, comprising:
at least two electrically and mechanically interconnected trunk sections adapted to be mechanically supported by a support structure external to the tree and configured to subsume a substantially elongated structure inserted into at least one trunk section;
a plurality of artificial tree branches extending from each trunk section;
at least one light source electrically connected to each trunk section and disposed to emit light from LEDs on a branch;
a lighted tree base that is not illuminated, comprising: the support structure adapted to mechanically support the interconnected trunk sections; and,
a battery holder, adapted to be inserted into at least one tree trunk section, and configured to power the lighted tree trunk section with a battery retained within the battery holder;
wherein the battery holder further comprises an end cap including electrical contacts configured to universally connect a plurality of interconnected battery holders retaining batteries in parallel or series based on rotating a first battery holder to a predetermined angular displacement with respect to a second battery holder.
10. The lighted tree of claim 9, wherein the energy source external to the lighted tree further comprises a multifrequency Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvester module.
11. The lighted tree of claim 9, wherein the energy source external to the lighted tree further comprises a photovoltaic collector.
12. The lighted tree of claim 9, wherein the electrical contacts are configured to maintain the first and second battery holder electrical polarity independent of the orientation of the batteries.
13. A lighted tree, comprising:
at least two electrically and mechanically interconnected trunk sections adapted to be mechanically supported by a support structure external to the tree and configured to subsume a substantially elongated structure inserted into at least one trunk section;
a plurality of artificial tree branches extending from each trunk section;
at least one light source electrically connected to each trunk section and disposed to emit light from LEDs in a branch;
a base, comprising: the support structure adapted to mechanically support the interconnected trunk sections; and,
a battery holder, adapted to be inserted into at least one tree trunk section, configured to power the lighted tree trunk section with a batteries retained within the battery holder, and configured to operably couple the batteries retained within the battery holder with an energy source external to the lighted tree;
wherein the battery holder further comprises a universal arrangement of contacts to allow parallel or series connections while the battery compartments are above one another.
14. The lighted tree of claim 13, wherein the lighted tree further comprises another battery housed in the base operably configured to power the lighted tree.
15. The lighted tree of claim 13, wherein the base further comprises sensors adapted to configure the lighted tree illumination controlled as a function of signals transmitted by a wireless remote control.
16. A lighted tree, comprising:
at least two electrically and mechanically interconnected trunk sections adapted to be mechanically supported by a support structure external to the tree and configured to subsume a substantially elongated structure inserted into at least one trunk section;
a plurality of artificial tree branches extending from each trunk section;
at least one light source electrically connected to each trunk section and disposed to emit light from LEDs in a branch;
a base, comprising: the support structure adapted to mechanically support the interconnected trunk sections; and,
a battery holder, adapted to be inserted into at least one tree trunk section, configured to power the lighted tree trunk section with a battery retained within the battery holder, and configured to operably couple the battery retained within the battery holder with an energy source external to the lighted tree;
wherein the battery holder further comprises contacts adapted to permit the battery retained within the battery holder to be reversed while maintaining the same polarity.
17. The lighted tree of claim 16, wherein the base further comprises sensors adapted to configure the lighted tree illumination controlled as a function of signals transmitted by a wireless remote control.
发明内容：
[0007]Apparatus and associated methods relate to a lighted tree formed from a tree trunk section retaining a battery holder, branches extending from the trunk section, a light source disposed to emit light from a branch and electrically connected to the trunk section, and a base, adapted to mechanically support the trunk section and electrically connect the battery holder to an energy source external to the trunk section. In an illustrative example, the light source may be an LED-illuminated optic fiber. In some embodiments, the energy source may be a photovoltaic collector or multifrequency energy harvester. In some designs, the battery holder may adaptively maintain electrical polarity independent of battery orientation. In various implementations, battery holders may be stacked or rotated to one another to configure parallel or series batteries. Various embodiments may advantageously retain batteries in rotationally interconnected tree sections for common charging, or single in-tube section for smaller trees.
[0008]Apparatus and associated methods relate to a battery-powered lighted tree formed from an artificial tree trunk adapted to be mechanically supported and electrically connected to a support structure external to the tree, artificial tree branches extending from the trunk, a light source disposed to emit light from a branch and electrically connected to the trunk, and, a base, formed from a battery, and, a structure adapted to mechanically support the trunk and electrically connect the trunk to the battery. In an illustrative example, the light source may be an LED-illuminated optic fiber. In some embodiments, the battery may be charged from a solar cell. Some designs may provide customizable illumination patterns using a programmable controller adapted to control the light source. Various embodiments may advantageously operate from battery for a seasonal display, for example, using lights and battery selected to provide a sufficient period of illumination each display season day.
[0009]Various embodiments may achieve one or more advantages. For example, some embodiments may provide longer-lasting illumination of a lighted artificial tree. This facilitation may be a result of extending the artificial tree's energy used for illumination based on connecting the battery holder to an energy source external to the trunk section. Some implementations may provide extended artificial tree illumination at reduced operating cost. Such low cost lighted artificial tree extended illumination may be a result of supplementing the artificial tree power source with harvested ambient energy. Some embodiments may reduce negative impact to the Earth's natural environment. Such reduced environmental impact may be a result of reducing the number of batteries manufactured and discarded. For example, a lighted artificial tree powered at least in part by harvested energy from a photovoltaic collector or multifrequency energy harvester for a given illumination duty cycle may require fewer batteries discarded into landfills. In some examples, a user's effort installing artificial tree batteries may be reduced. Such reduced battery installation effort may be a result of a battery holder that adaptively maintains electrical polarity independent of battery orientation. For example, in some embodiments, an exemplary battery holder may retain batteries right-side up, or up-side down, and still maintain polarity. Various designs may increase the available battery configuration range useful to operate a lighted artificial tree. Such increased battery configuration range may be a result of a battery holder design that may be stacked to have the batteries in parallel or series, by simply rotating the holders to one another. Some embodiments may reduce a user's time recharging lighted artificial tree batteries. Such reduced lighted artificial tree battery recharging time may be a result of batteries configured in the tree sections, with the sections interconnected for common charging. Various designs may increase the user's safety or enjoyment of living space near a lighted artificial tree. This facilitation may be a result of retaining batteries in a holder located in a tree trunk section, such that the batteries are not in the way or visible. In an illustrative example, a small tree may safely retain a single set of batteries out of sight within the tree stand tube.
[0010]Some embodiments may reduce the cost associated with displays having many illuminated artificial trees. This facilitation may be a result of powering an illuminated tree from solar energy. In some examples, a user's effort to maintain a battery-operated illuminated tree may be reduced. Such reduction of maintenance effort may be a result of an illuminated tree powered from a battery adapted to provide a sufficient period of illumination each display season day. Some embodiments may supply battery power to a user's existing illuminated artificial tree. This facilitation maybe a result of adapting a support structure to connect the artificial tree to a battery in the support structure. For example, an artificial tree base retaining a battery may be electrically connected to an existing artificial tree.
[0011]The details of various embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
具体实施方式：
[0028]Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0029]To aid understanding, this document is organized as follows. First, an exemplary lighted artificial tree is briefly introduced with reference to FIG. 1. Then, with reference to FIGS. 2-12, the discussion turns to exemplary embodiments that illustrate lighted artificial tree structural and electrical design. Specifically, illustrative artificial tree assemblies and electrical schematics exemplary of various implementations of a lighted artificial tree including tree trunk sections adapted to retain a battery are disclosed. Then, with reference to FIGS. 13-15, illustrative designs of exemplary lighted artificial tree battery holders and tree trunk section tubes are described. Finally, with reference to FIG. 16, illustrative examples of exemplary battery compartment connection combinations are disclosed.
[0030]FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary lighted tree formed from a tree trunk section retaining a battery holder, branches extending from the trunk section, a light source disposed to emit light from light strings attached to branches and electrically connected to the trunk section, and a base, adapted to mechanically support the trunk section and electrically connect the battery holder to an energy source external to the trunk section. In FIG. 1, the depicted embodiment lighted tree includes branches 105 configured with LEDs 106 arranged to emit light from the lighted tree strings 126 attached to branches 105. The illustrated embodiment lighted tree includes battery container assembly 101 retaining batteries 103 housed in the tree stand tube 113. In the illustrated embodiment, the lighted tree is mechanically supported by the tree stand 102. In the depicted embodiment, the batteries 103 are secured in the battery container assembly 101 by the end caps 110, where the end caps include contact springs 115, battery holder contacts 130, and spring retainer contacts 124 electrically interconnected with the internal tube wiring 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the batteries 103 are electrically connected to power the lighted tree by the battery container upper electrical coupling including contact leads 111 and a lower battery terminal. In the illustrated embodiment, the batteries 103 are electrically connectable for recharging from an energy source external to the exemplary lighted tree through the recharging connector 123. In the depicted embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 is configured with the lower end cap 110 snap-in spring retainer contact 124 to retain the contact springs 115 to the end caps 110 and to contact the battery tube contact strip 242 (not shown). In the depicted embodiment, the lower end cap snap in spring retainer contact 124 is also in electrical connectivity with the lower contact spring 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower contact spring 115 is in electrical connectivity with the battery 103 negative terminal. In the depicted embodiment, the battery upper terminal is in electrical connectivity with the upper end cap 110 contact spring 115 (not illustrated) that contacts the upper spring retainer contact 124 (not illustrated). In some embodiments, the battery container assembly 101 may be configured with two end caps 110, including, for example, an upper end cap 110 and a lower end cap 110, configured in the battery container assembly 101. In various embodiments, the battery container assembly 101 may be configured with one end cap 110, which may be, for example, an upper end cap 110, or a lower end cap 110, configured in the battery container assembly 101. In the illustrated embodiment, the end cap 110 is operably coupled in electrical connectivity with the control module 108 adapted to control the light source. Other methods of retaining the batteries in the battery housing assembly are also within the scope of various embodiments of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, the control module 108 includes a timer and switch configured to operably control the LED 106 and LED light string 126 illumination patterns. In the illustrated embodiment, the control module 108 output power is operably coupled from the control module 108 to the branch LEDs 106 and LED light string 126. In some embodiments, the trunk tube 139 may secure an LED 106 within an LED light reflector 109. In the illustrated embodiment, the LED light strings 126 include LEDs 106 configured to emit light from lighted tree branches 105. In the depicted embodiment, tree trunk tube 139 internal wiring 118 contact leads 111 exit the tube 139 and are coupled with connectors 137 configured to electrically connect the LED light strings 126. In the depicted embodiment, the Wi-Fi transmitter module 116 is adapted to operably configure the LED 106 and LED light string 126 illumination patterns governed by the control module 108. The illustrated embodiment lighted tree includes multiple trunk tube 139 sections mechanically and electrically coupled through the trunk tube 139 connector 136. In some embodiments, one or more trunk tube sections 139 operably coupled in an exemplary lighted tree may each retain a battery container assembly 101 operably coupled with one or more battery container assembly 101 in each of additional trunk tube sections 139.
[0031]FIG. 2 depicts a circuit diagram illustrative of the exemplary lighted tree depicted in FIG. 1. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the battery 103 negative terminal is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the lower contact spring 115. In the depicted embodiment, the metal surface of the battery compartment contact strip 242 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the end cap 110 spring retainer contact 124 configured in the bottom end cap 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery compartment contact strip 242 is also engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the upper end cap 110 battery holder contact 130. In the depicted embodiment, the battery 103 positive terminal 129 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the upper end cap 110 contact spring 115 and end cap spring retainer contact 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper end cap 110 end cap spring retainer contact 124 is operably coupled with the control module 108 positive contact 245 while the top end cap 110 battery holder contact is operably coupled with the control module 108 negative contact 246. In the depicted embodiment, the control module 108 includes a timer and switch operably coupled with the tree trunk tube 139 internal wiring 111. In the illustrated embodiment, the tree trunk tube 139 internal wiring 111 exits the tree trunk tube 139 and connects to the decorative LED light strings 126 via light string connectors 137. In the depicted embodiment, the tree trunk tube 139 internal wiring 111 also connects internally to the tube section connector 136. In the illustrated embodiment, the tube section connector 136 electrically and mechanically couples the tube 139 to the next tree trunk section tube 139 in various lighted tree embodiments including multiple interconnected tree trunk section tubes 139. In the illustrated embodiment, the tree trunk tube 139 internal wiring 111 also provides internal connections to operably couple additional tree trunk section tubes 139 via the battery housing spring retainer contact 124 and battery holder container return contact 130 in accordance with various embodiments including multiple interconnected tree trunk section tubes 139.
[0032]FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary alternative lighted artificial tree configured with embodiment tree trunk sections retaining rechargeable batteries. In FIG. 3, the depicted embodiment lighted tree includes the battery container assembly 101 configured in a lower tree trunk section 139 to retain batteries to power the lighted tree. In the depicted embodiment, the lower tree trunk section 139 is illustrated in an assembly mode directed to configure a lighted tree assembly including the base 102 mechanically supporting electrically and mechanically interconnected upper and lower tree trunk sections 139. In the illustrated embodiment, the lighted tree includes the control module 108 operably coupled with the batteries 103 to control lighted tree light source illumination patterns or sequences. In the illustrated embodiment the control module 108 is configured to receive commands from the Wi-Fi transmitter module 116, which is adapted to operably configure the LED 106 and LED light string 126 illumination patterns governed by the control module. In the depicted embodiment, the control module 108 is operably coupled with a sensor and the recharger connector 123 configured in each tree trunk section. In the illustrated embodiment, a remote control is configured to send control signals via the Wi-Fi transmitter module 116. In the depicted embodiment, the Wi-Fi transmitter module 116 is operably coupled with the control module to link the control signals received from the remote control to the tree sections 139. In the illustrated embodiment, internal power leads connect the control signals to a tree trunk section connector and exit the tree trunk section 139 to connect with the LED light strings 126 that include LEDs 106 on the branches of the tree 105. In the depicted embodiment, recharging power may be supplied by an AC/DC hi to low voltage adapter connected to a charging power supply connected to the recharging connector 123.
[0033]FIG. 4 depicts a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary tree trunk tube section. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 4, the lower part of the tree trunk tube 139 houses the battery container assembly 101 configured to retain the battery 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 negative terminal is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 spring retainer contact 124. In the depicted embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 contact spring 115 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with and retained by the battery container assembly 101 end cap 110 spring retainer contact 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 end cap spring retainer contact 124 is part of the battery container assembly 101 lower end cap 110. In the depicted embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 end cap spring retainer contact 124 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery compartment contact strip 242, depicted in FIG. 2. The battery compartment contact strip 242 is configured to run up the side wall of the illustrated battery compartment tube wherein the battery container assembly 101 upper end cap connector operably couples with the control module 108 via control module contacts. In the depicted embodiment, the negative terminal 128 of the battery container assembly 101 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 upper end cap spring retainer contact. In the depicted embodiment, the securing notch 414 mechanically engages the upper tree tube section 139 with the lower tree tube section 139. In the illustrated embodiment, the tree tube stop 435 prevents the upper tree tube section 139 from sliding too far into the lower tree tube section 139. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 end cap 110 spring retainer contact 124 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the control module 108. In the depicted embodiment, the control module 108 includes a Wi-Fi/Rf receiver module configured with a sensor adapted to view through the tree tube 139 via the window aperture 440 configured in the tree tube 139. In the depicted embodiment, the Wi-Fi/Rf control module output power is operably coupled with the tree tube 139 internal tube wiring 118 including contact leads 111. In the illustrated embodiment, the tree tube 139 internal tube wiring 118 also connects to additional wiring internal to the tree tube 139, exits the tree trunk 139, and connects via connectors to the LED lighting strings 126 which include LEDs 106 configured in lighted tree branches 105.
[0034]FIG. 5 depicts a circuit diagram illustrative of the exemplary lighted tree depicted in FIG. 4. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 5, the battery container assembly 101 is configured to retain the battery 103 negative terminal 128 engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 lower contact spring 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 lower contact spring 115 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 end cap 110 spring retainer contact 124. In the depicted embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 end cap 110 spring retainer contact 124 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the metal surface of the battery holder contact strip 242, depicted in FIG. 2. The battery container assembly 101 battery holder contact strip 242 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 end cap 110 battery holder contact 130 and the end cap connector 232. In the depicted embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 is configured to engage the battery 103 positive terminal 129 retained within the battery container assembly 101 in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 end cap 110 spring contact 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 end cap 110 spring retainer contact 124 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 end cap 110 spring retainer contact 124 included in the battery container assembly 101 upper end cap 110. In the depicted embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 upper end cap 110 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the Wi-Fi/RF control module 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the Wi-Fi/RF control module includes a Wi-Fi/RF receiver. In the depicted embodiment, the Wi-Fi/RF control module is electrically and operably coupled with the recharging connector 123. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal trunk tube wiring 118 exits the tube 139 to electrically to and operably power the decorative LED light strings 126 via the connectors 137.
[0035]FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary alternative lighted artificial tree configured with embodiment tree trunk sections retaining rechargeable batteries. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 6, each tree trunk section 139 is configured with a battery container assembly 101 retaining batteries 103. In the illustrated embodiment, each tree trunk section 139 includes a control module 108 configured with a sensor adapted to view through the tree tube 139 via a window aperture configured in the tree tube 139. In the depicted embodiment, each tree trunk section 139 is configured with a recharging connector electrically and operably coupled with the tree trunk section 139 internal trunk tube wiring to charge the battery from an external energy source coupled to the recharging connector. In the depicted embodiment, the control sections are configured in each tree trunk section 139. In the illustrated embodiment, the control units' control signals are transmitted to the tree trunk sections 139 by the remote-control unit 633. In the depicted embodiment, the tree trunk sections 139 internal tube wiring electrically connects to power the LED 106 configured to emit light reflected by the LED light reflector 109 from the tree trunk section 139. In the illustrated embodiment, the optical fibers 619 are operably and optically coupled with at least one LED 106 to emit light reflected from the LED light reflector 109 governed by the control section and remote control 633. In the depicted embodiment, the tree trunk sections 139 internal wiring exits the tree trunk section 139 and extends to the branches of the tree 105. In some embodiments, the tree trunk section 139 internal wiring is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with a tree trunk section connector 136, as depicted, for example, at least in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In various embodiments, the tree trunk section connector 136 may be engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the next tree trunk section 139 internal wiring and the location keying strip 641. In some embodiments, the next tree trunk section 139 internal wiring may electrically and operably couple the next tree trunk section 139 including LED 106 and LED reflector 109 with Optical fibers 619 configured above the next tree trunk section 139 LED reflector 109. In various embodiments, the tree trunk sections 139 LEDs 106 and LED reflectors 109 may emit light directed into the optical fibers 619. In the depicted embodiment, the optical fibers 619 are configured in each trunk section 139 to exit the tree trunk section 139 to emit light from the tree branches 105. In the illustrated embodiment, recharging power is supplied by an AC/DC hi to low voltage adapter connected to a charging power supply connected to the recharging connector 123, depicted in FIG. 1.
[0036]FIG. 7 depicts a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary tree trunk tube section. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 7, the lower part of the tree trunk tube 139 houses the batteries 103 retained within the battery container assembly 101 operably configured to power the lighted tree with the batteries 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery 103 negative terminal is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 contact spring 115. In the depicted embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 contact spring 115 is electrically connected with the battery container assembly 101 end cap spring retainer contact 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 end cap spring retainer contact 124 is part of the battery container assembly 101 lower end cap. In the depicted embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 end cap spring retainer contact 124 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 contact strip 242. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 contact strip 242 is configured to runs up the side wall of the battery compartment tube. In the depicted embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 upper end cap 110 connector is electrically and operably coupled with the control module 108 included in the lighted tree, operably coupled with the lighted tree light sources, and configured to govern the tree light source illumination patterns. In the depicted embodiment, the battery 103 positive terminal 129 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 upper end cap 110 contact spring and the battery container assembly 101 end cap 110 retainer contact. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 end cap 110 retainer contact is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the control module 108. In the depicted embodiment, the control module 108 includes a Wi-Fi/Rf receiver module configured with a sensor adapted to view through the tree tube 139 via a window aperture 440. In the illustrated embodiment, the control module includes a recharging connector configured to operably charge the battery 103 or power the control module 108 from an energy source external to the tree. In the depicted embodiment, the Wi Fi/Rf control module 108 is operably coupled with the tree trunk section 139 internal wiring including contact leads 111. In the illustrated embodiment, the tree trunk section 139 internal wiring including contact leads 111 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the LED 106 configured with heat sink 738 to emit light into reflector 641 and illuminate the optical fibers 619 that exit the tree trunk tube 139 and are configured in the tree branches 105.
[0037]FIG. 8 depicts a circuit diagram illustrative of the exemplary lighted tree and trunk sections depicted in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 8, the battery 103 negative terminal 128 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 lower contact spring 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 lower contact spring 115 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 end cap spring retainer contact 124. In the depicted embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 end cap spring retainer contact 124 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the metal surface of the battery holder contact strip 242. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 contact strip 242 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 end cap 110 connector 232. In the depicted embodiment, the battery 103 positive terminal 129 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 end cap contact spring 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 end cap contact spring 115 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 end cap 110 spring retainer contact 124 included in the battery container assembly 101 upper end cap 110. In the depicted embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 upper end cap 110 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the Wi-Fi/RF control module 108 positive contact 245. In the illustrated embodiment, the Wi-Fi/RF control module 108 is configured with a Wi-Fi/RF receiver and recharging connector. In the illustrated embodiment, the Wi-Fi/RF control module 108 is electrically and operably coupled with the LED 106 through the tree trunk tube section 139 internal tube wiring including contact leads 111. In the depicted embodiment, the control module 108 is configured to control the LED 106 emitted light directed into the LED reflector 641. In the illustrated embodiment, the LED 106 light directed into the LED reflector 641 illuminates the optical fibers 619 configured to exit the tree trunk tube section 139 via various apertures disposed in the lighted tree branches.
[0038]FIG. 9 depicts a side perspective exploded view of exemplary battery container assemblies. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 9, the depicted battery container assemblies 101 include non-conductive tubes configured with upper and lower end caps 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower end caps 110 configured in the battery assembly container 101 non-conductive tubes include four contacts 124 and 130 configured in each end cap 110. In the depicted embodiment, the upper and lower end caps 110 included in the battery container assembly 101 non-conductive tubes include two end cap spring retainer contacts 124 in each end cap adapted to retain and electrically connect to battery container assembly 101 end cap 110 contact springs 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the end cap 110 spring retainer contacts 124 configured in each end cap 110 are engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with two battery container assembly 101 end cap connectors configured near the battery container assembly 101 side wall compartment contact strips 242. In the depicted embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 side wall compartment contact strips 242 are mechanically secured by the battery container assembly 101 contact strip retainer protrusions 131 in the battery container assembly 101 contact strip grooves 914, allowing the opposite battery container assembly 101 end cap 110 contacts to rotate while the end caps 110 are held in place to the battery compartment tubes by the battery tube snap retainers 944 that are part of the battery tube. In the illustrated embodiment, the two battery compartments 101 are in electrical contact with each other in the tree pole tube 139 and are located to make electrical contact by the locator keying strip 943 configured on the end caps 110 that prevent electrical connection unless they are substantially lined up at 0, 90, 180, or 270 degrees to each other.
[0039]FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary alternative lighted artificial tree configured with embodiment tree trunk sections retaining rechargeable batteries. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 10, the exemplary battery-powered artificial tree includes batteries 103 operably housed within the tree trunk sections 139 to power the artificial tree. In the depicted embodiment, the batteries 103 are illustrated in phantom. In the illustrated embodiment, the batteries 103 are configured to power the illumination of either individual LEDs 106 arranged on LED light strings 126, and/or, to power the optical fibers 619 from one or more LEDs 106 configured with LED reflectors 641. In the depicted embodiment, the LED reflectors 641 are illustrated in phantom. In the illustrated embodiment, the LEDs 106 arranged on LED light strings 126, and the LEDs 106 configured with LED reflectors 641, are configured within the tree trunk section tubes 139 for operable control by a remote-control unit and sensors. In the depicted embodiment, the Wi-Fi/RF transmitter module 116 is configured to control the artificial tree illumination by transmitted remote-control unit signals operably coupled with sensors configured in the tree trunk sections 139. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery 103 is configured with capability to recharge from an energy source external to the tree connectable to a recharging connector coupled with the battery 103.
[0040]FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary alternative lighted artificial tree configured with embodiment tree trunk sections retaining rechargeable batteries. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 11, the batteries 103 are operably housed in the battery container assembly 101 retained within the tree stand tube 113 supported by the tree stand 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery container assembly 101 includes the bottom end cap 110 configured with the lower snap in spring retainer contact 124 engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery container assembly 101 metal contact strip 242. In the depicted embodiment, the bottom end cap 110 lower snap in spring retainer contact 124 is also engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the lower contact spring 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower contact spring 115 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery 103 negative terminal 128. In the depicted embodiment, the battery 103 upper terminal is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the end cap 110 center terminal. In the illustrated embodiment, the end cap center terminal is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the control module 108 configured with a timer and switch. In the depicted embodiment, the control module 108 output power is operably coupled to the connectors 137. In the illustrated embodiment, the connectors 137 are operably coupled with tree LED light strings 126 including LEDs 106 arranged on the tree branches 105. In the depicted embodiment, the control module 108 is operably coupled with and configured to govern the LED light strings 126 illumination. In the illustrated embodiment, the control module 108 is operably coupled for remote control by the remote-control unit 633. In the depicted embodiment, the remote-control unit 633 signals are received by the Wi-Fi/RF receiver 116 housed in the control module 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the control module 108 is configured with the recharging connector 123. In the depicted embodiment, the recharging connector 123 is electrically and operably coupled with the solar charger 1160 configured to charge the battery 103.
[0041]FIG. 12 depicts a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary tree stand. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 12, the exemplary tree stand 102 includes the batteries 103 operably engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the end cap 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the end cap 110 is engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the Wi-Fi/RF receiver module 108. In the depicted embodiment, the Wi-Fi/RF receiver module 108 includes the Wi-Fi/RF sensor 116 configured to receive a signal transmitted by the wireless remote-control unit 633. In the illustrated embodiment, the Wi-Fi/RF sensor 116 includes the first recharging connector 123 configured to electrically couple with the second recharging connector 123 connected with the recharging power supply 1261. In the depicted embodiment, the recharging power supply 1261 is configured to power one or more lighted tree trunk tube section 139, depicted, for example, in at least FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11, installed in the tree stand 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the recharging power supply 1261 is operably coupled with the solar charger 1260 to power the lighted tree with power received from the solar charger 1260. In the illustrated embodiment, the recharging power supply 1261 is operably coupled with the AC/DC Hi to Lo voltage adapter 1259 to power the lighted tree with power received from the AC/DC Hi to Lo voltage adapter 1259. In the illustrated embodiment, the recharging power supply 1261 is operably coupled with the multifrequency energy harvester sensor module 1258 to power the lighted tree with power received from the multifrequency energy harvester sensor module 1258.
[0042]FIGS. 13A-13C depict illustrative top and side views of an exemplary battery holder end cap. FIG. 13A depicts an illustrative top view of an exemplary battery holder end cap 110. FIGS. 13B-13C depict illustrative side views of an exemplary battery container assembly 101 end cap 110. In the embodiment depicted by FIGS. 13A-13C, the non-conductive end cap 110 includes the spring contact 115 retained by the two spring retainer contacts 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring contact 115 is also retained by the two end cap connectors 130. In the depicted embodiment, the end cap 110 includes four end cap snap latch indentations 743 which are in an illustrative example depicted at substantially 45 degrees from the center lines of the spring retainer contacts 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the end cap 110 also includes the raised location keying strip 641 configured to prevent electrical contact unless the end cap 110 contacts are substantially lined up at 0, 90, 180, or 270 degrees to electrically and mechanically couple with another end cap 110.
[0043]FIG. 14 depicts a side perspective cross-sectional view of an exemplary battery compartment tube. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 14, the exemplary battery compartment tube 1407 includes the battery tube top snap retainer 944. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery compartment tube 1407 also includes the battery tube contact strip 242 configured in the contact strip groove 914. In the depicted embodiment, the battery compartment tube 1407 is configured with the contact strip retainer protrusions 131. In various embodiments, exemplary battery compartment tube 1407 designs may be configured to operably retain batteries 103 in a tree trunk tube section 139 or tree stand 102 to power various embodiment lighted tree implementations.
[0044]FIG. 15 depicts a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary tree trunk section tube retaining an exemplary battery compartment tube. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 15, the tree trunk tube section 139 retains the battery compartment tube 1407. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery compartment tube 1407 includes the end cap 110. In the depicted embodiment, the end cap 110 includes the end cap 110 end cap connectors 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the end cap 110 end cap connectors 130 are engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery compartment tube 1407 contact strips 242, also depicted, for example, at least in FIG. 2. In the depicted embodiment, the battery compartment tube 1407 contact strips 242 are engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the end cap 110 spring retainer contact 124 that contacts the control module 108 contacts 445. In the illustrated embodiment, the control module 108 contacts 445 and the spring retainer contact 124 are engaged in electrical and mechanical connectivity with the battery 103 positive terminal 129. In