Jacketed led assemblies and light strings containing same

Abstract

A jacketed light emitting diode assembly is provided, which includes a light emitting diode including a set of positive and negative contacts, and a lens body containing a semiconductor chip and end portions of the contacts. An electrical wire set of first and second electrical wires are connected to the positive contact and the negative contact, respectively. A light transmissive cover receives the lens body, and has an opening through which at least one of the contact set and the electrical wire set passes. An integrally molded plastic jacket at the opening of the light transmissive cover provides a seal at the opening against moisture and airborne contaminants. A waterproof light string including one or more of the jacketed light emitting diode assemblies is also provided, as are related methods.

1 - 70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . A jacketed light emitting diode assembly, comprising
 a light emitting diode comprising a contact set and a lens body;   an electrical wire set electrically connected to the contact set; and   an integrally molded plastic jacket molded directly onto at least a portion of the contact set and at least a portion of the lens body.   
     
     
         72 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 71 , further comprising electrical connections directly electrically connecting the electrical wire set to the contact set, wherein the integrally molded plastic jacket is molded directly onto the electrical connections. 
     
     
         73 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 71 , wherein the integrally molded plastic jacket comprises polystyrene. 
     
     
         74 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 71 , wherein the integrally molded plastic jacket comprises polypropylene. 
     
     
         75 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 71 , wherein the integrally molded plastic jacket comprises polyvinytchloride. 
     
     
         76 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 71 , further comprising a light transmissive cover having a cavity and an associated opening, wherein the lens body is at least partially received in the cavity. 
     
     
         77 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 76 , wherein the integrally molded plastic structure partially encases and seals the light transmissive cover at the opening. 
     
     
         78 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 76 , wherein the integrally molded plastic jacket comprises polystyrene. 
     
     
         79 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 76 , wherein the integrally molded plastic jacket comprises polypropylene. 
     
     
         80 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 76 , wherein the integrally molded plastic jacket comprises polyvinylchloride. 
     
     
         81 . A jacketed light emitting diode assembly, comprising:
 a light emitting diode comprising a contact set and a lens body;   an electrical wire set electrically connected to the contact set; and   an integrally molded plastic jacket molded directly onto at least a portion of the contact set and at least a portion of the electrical wire set where the contact set and the electrical wire set are electrically connected to one another.   
     
     
         82 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 81 , further comprising electrical connections directly electrically connecting the electrical wire set to the contact set, wherein the integrally molded plastic jacket is molded directly onto the electrical connections. 
     
     
         83 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 81 , wherein the integrally molded plastic jacket comprises polystyrene. 
     
     
         84 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 81 , wherein the integrally molded plastic jacket comprises polypropylene. 
     
     
         85 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 81 , wherein the integrally molded plastic jacket comprises polyvinylchloride. 
     
     
         86 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 81 , further comprising a light transmissive cover having a cavity and an associated opening, wherein the lens body is at least partially received in the cavity. 
     
     
         87 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 86 , wherein the integrally molded plastic structure partially encases and seals the light transmissive cover at the opening. 
     
     
         88 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 86 , wherein the integrally molded plastic jacket comprises polystyrene. 
     
     
         89 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 86 , wherein the integrally molded plastic jacket comprises polypropylene. 
     
     
         90 . The jacketed light emitting diode assembly of  claim 86 , wherein the integrally molded plastic jacket comprises polyvinylchloride.