Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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INVERTIBLE CHRISTMAS TREE
Technical Field
The following invention relates to artificialtrees and particularly artificial
Christmas trees which
can be collapsed and stored when not in use and deployed when intended to be
used. More
particularly,this invention relates t o e ollapsible Christmas trees which
collapse by rotation of one
portion of the Christmas tree relative to a second portion of the Christmas
tree.
Background Art
When decorating a space, it is often desirable to include trees as part of
such decorations. To
allow such decorations to last substantially indefinitely without
maintenanceand allow for repeated
cycles of storage and deptoymentof such decorations,it is desirable to provide
artificial trees rather
than live trees. An example of such decorations are Christmas trees typically
deployed during
holiday seasons occurring at the end of each calendar year.
Such artificial Christmas trees are often configured to be collapsible so that
they take up a
minimum of space during initial shipping and inventory before being sold, and
also to allow the
user to store the Christmas tree when not in use in a relatively small space
and protected from
damage. Some such collapsible Christmas trees or other trees have limbs which
are removably
attached from a central trunk. The limbs typically include further branches
which extend from the
limbs which can be formed of wire or other materials with the limbs formed of
wood, steel or other
relativelyrigid materials and the central trunk formed of wood, metal or other
materials that are
substantially rigid and strong enough to handle the loads encountered by
carrying the limbs.
Typically,needles of an artificial nature are fastened by wire,adhesive or
otherwiseto the branches
extending from the limbs or directly to the limbs themselves.
In some cases lighting is permanently fixed to the limbs, such as with lights
coupled to cords
and with the cords plugging into a central cord running up the trunk. With
other collapsible
Christmas trees the limbs are not removedfrom the trunk but rather pivotfrom a
stored orientation
to a deployed orientation. With such trees the deployed orientation is
generally perpendicular to
the trunk and the stored orientation is somewhere between 45 pivoted away
from horizontal to a
substantially vertical orientation parallel to the trunk.
While such pivotablelimbs on Christmas trees have the benefit of avoidingthe
requirement that
the limbs be attached to the central trunk, difficulty is encountered in
transitioning the limbs from a
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collapsed orientation to a deployed orientation. Eitherthe limb reorienting
process is highly labor
intensiveas each limb is adjustably positioned,or if deployed by
reorientingthe trunk, requires that
the entire tree be picked up and reoriented in various different ways.
This tree reorienting procedure is a particularly difficult maneuver in that
the tree must be held
away from the body of the individual before rotation. Many individuals lack
the strength, arm
length and dexterity to perform such a maneuver. For others, such a maneuver
is dangerous to
perform, presenting the possibility of injury or damage to the user or the
tree. Accordingly,a need
exists for a Christmas tree or other artificialtree which can be easily
reconfigured from a collapsed
configuration to a deployed configuration with a minimum of strength or
dexterity being required
for such tree deployment.
Disclosure of Invention
With this invention an artificial Christmas tree is provided which can be
readily inverted and
which has limbs pivotablyattached to a central trunk for automatic deployment
of the limbs of the
Christmas tree upon such inversion of the Christmas tree. To facilitate such
inversion, the trunk
includes two trunk portions including a first trunk portion adapted to be
supported above a floor
and a second trunk portion pivotably attached to the first trunk portion
through a pivotjoint. The
first trunk portion extends from a lower end to an upper end with the pivot
joint located closer to
the upper end than to the lower end and typically adjacent the upper end.
The second trunk portion has a portion thereof between a first end and a
second end of the
second trunk portion pivotablyattachedthrough the pivotjointto the first trunk
portion. This pivot
joint allows the second trunk portion to pivot substantially 180 from a
collapsed orientation
extending substantially vertically to a deployed orientation extending
substantially vertically,but
with the first and second ends having swapped. In particular, in a collapsed
orientation the first end
is above the second end. In the deployed orientation the second end of the
second trunk portion is
above the first end.
The limbs are pivotably attached to the second trunk portion. These limbs
pivot between a
perpendicularorientation and a collapsed orientation pivotingtoward the second
end of the second
trunk portion somewhat away from the deployed position. Such pivoting can
occur by gravity or
through manual movement of the limbs. If by gravity alone, merely rotating the
second trunk
portion about the pivot joint between the collapsed orientation and the
deployed orientation allows
the limbs to pivot from their collapsed position to their deployed
substantially perpendicularto the
second trunk portion position. Thus, all one need do is spin the second trunk
portion 180 while
the entire weightof the second trunk portion is supported by the first trunk
portion resting upon a
floor or other underlying surface.
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A clasp is preferably provided to selectively secure the second trunk portion
in the deployed
orientation(and optionally also in the stored orientation)to avoid
inadvertently invertingthe second
trunk portion after deployment thereof.. Lights preferably run up the first
trunk portion then
transition to the second trunk portion at the pivot joint and then toward each
end of the second
trunk portion and out at least some of the limbs, to provide lights for the
Christmas tree or other
artificial tree.
A wheeled base is optionally provided to further facilitate deploymentof the
artificial tree where
desired. A top cap is preferably removably attachable to the second end of the
second trunk
portion to provide an uppermost portion of the tree. This uppermost portion
can also include lights
thereon with an appropriate plug to provide electrical connection when the cap
is coupled to the
second end at the top of the deployed second trunk portion of the deployed
Christmas tree.
Brief Description of Drawings
Figures 1-7 are front elevationviews of the invertible Christmas tree of this
inventionat various
different stages from a completely collapsed stored configuration to a
completely deployed and
illuminated configuration revealing the various steps in a method of deploying
the collapsible
Christmas tree of this invention.
Figures 8-10 are details of Figures 3-5 revealing details of the invertible
Christmas tree of this
inventionaround a central pivot joint which allows a second trunk portion of
the Christmas tree to
pivot relative to a first trunk portion of the Christmas tree.
Figure 1 I is a detail of a portion of that which is shown in Figure 10 and
from a side viewtaken
along lines 1 I-11 of Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a detail of a portion of that which is shown in previous figures
illustrating how a
limb can be pivotably attached to the second trunk portion of the invertible
Christmas tree of this
invention.
Figure 13 is a detail similar to that which is shown in Figure 12, but after
invertingthe second
trunk portion so that the limbtransitionsto a stored configuration
pivotingaway from substantially
perpendicular to the second trunk portion.
Figure 14 is a top plan view of that which is shown in Figure 12 further
illustrating details of a
limb according to one form of this inventionand illustratingin broken lines
how other limbs can be
provided in different circumferentially spaced orientations from the second
trunk portion of the
invertible Christmas tree.
Figure 15 is a detail similar to that which is shown in Figure 12 but for an
alternative
embodiment limb and limb attachment to the second trunk portion.
Figure 16 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in Figure 15.
Figure 17 is a top plan view of that which is shown in Figure 15.
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Figure 18 is a front elevation view of an alternative pivot joint for joining
the rotating trunk
portion to the fixed trunk portion, with the repositioning of the rotating
trunk shown in broken
lines.
Figure 19 is a top plan view of that which is shown in Figure 18.
Figure 20 is a front elevation view of a second alternative pivot joint for
joining the rotating
trunk to the fixed trunk, with the rotating trunk shown in broken lines after
repositioning.
Figure 21 is a top plan view of that which is shown in Figure 20.
Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like
parts throughout the
various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 is directed to an
invertibleChristmas tree or other
artificialtree. The tree 10 is invertible(Figure 4) so that it can transition
between an upside down
stored orientation (Figure 3) with limbs angling downwardly to decrease a
width of the collapsed
Christmas tree, and a deployed orientation (Figure 5) with the limbs pivoted
to an orientation
substantially perpendicular to the trunk. The user thus need not pick up the
Christmas tree 10 at
any time to convert it from its stored orientation to its deployed
orientation.
In essence, and with particular reference to Figures 3-7, basic details of the
invertible Christmas
tree 10 of this inventionare described according to a preferred embodiment.
The tree 10 includes a
base 20 upon which the entire Christmas tree 10 is supported above an
underlying floor. A fixed
trunk 30 extends verticallyup from the base 20. This fixed trunk 30 extends
approximately half of
a height of the tree 10. Near an upper end 34 of the fixed trunk 30 a pivot 36
is provided. This
pivot 36 rotatably supports a rotating trunk 40 thereto. The rotating trunk 40
preferably has a
length similarto a height of the Christmas tree with the rotating trunk 40
pivotablycoupled to the
fixed trunk 30 through the pivot 36 near a midpoint of the rotating trunk 40.
Limbs 50 extend laterally from the rotating trunk 40. Preferably, these limbs
50 are pivotably
connected to the rotating trunk 40 so that the limbs 50 can pivot relativeto
the trunk between an
approximately perpendicular deployed orientation and a collapsed orientation
which pivots toward
the trunk. Thus, the limbs 50 extend substantially horizontally when the
rotating trunk 40 is in a
final position for deployment of the limbs 50, and the limbs 50 pivot toward
the rotating trunk 40
when the rotating trunk 40 is rotated to a stored position (Figure 3).
Branches 60 typically extend
from each limb 50. Lights 70 are typically routed up the fixed trunk 30, out
to each end of the
rotating trunk 40 and then out the limbs 50 potentially out onto branches 60
supported by the limbs
50. The lights receive power such as through a power receptacle P. A cap 80 is
preferably
provided which attaches to an end of the rotating trunk 40 to provide an
uppermost portion of the
tree 10 after the rotating trunk 40 has been rotated to a deployed
orientation.
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More specifically, and with initial reference to Figures 1 and 2, details of
accessories for the
invertible Christmas tree 10 are described for use when the invertible
Christmas tree 10 is in a
stored configuration. These accessories preferably include a substantially
cylindrical cover 2 with a
diametersized to fit overthe invertibleChristmas tree 10 when it is in its
stored position (Figure 3).
Typically the cap 80 can also fit inside this cover 2. A lid 4 is preferably
also provided which can
move relativeto the cover2 (such as along arrow A of Figure 2) and attach to
the cover 2, such as
through a zipper 6. The lid 4 is particularly useful during shipping or when
the invertible
Christmas tree 10 is to be stored on its side. Otherwise, the lid 4 is not
required. With the cover2
on the invertibleChristmas tree 10, the entire invertibleChristmas tree 10 can
be rolled into a closet
or other storage area and be kept clean and keep the Christmas tree from
damaging other objects,
such as within the closet.
With particular reference to Figures 2-4, detailsof the base 20 of the
invertibleChristmas tree
10 are described according to a preferred embodiment. The base 20 provides a
preferred form of
means to support the invertibleChristmas tree 10 above an underlying ground
surface, such as a
floor of a residential structure. This base 20 has sufficient width to provide
stability for the
invertible Christmas tree 10 to prevent it from tipping over. The base 20 also
preferably elevates
lowermost portions of the invertible Christmas tree 10 somewhat above an
underlying surface.
This base 20 in this most preferred embodimentis a wheeled base 20 including
wheels28 thereon
so that the entire invertibleChristmas tree 10 can be rolled about on the
underlying surface for easy
transportation, such as between a stored location and a deployed location.
The base 20 includes a plate 22 which is preferably circular or square in form
and oriented
generally horizontally. A pedestal 24 extends vertically upward from a central
portion of the plate
22. The pedestal 24 is configured to be fixedly attached to the fixed trunk 30
with the fixed trunk
preferably extending vertically upward from the pedestal 24.
25 Lateral portions of the plate 22 support joints 25. These joints 25
preferably have legs 26
pivotably attached to the plate 22 therethrough. Thus, the joints 25 allow the
legs 26 to pivot
relativeto the plate 22 (about arrow B of Figure 2). Wheels 28 are preferably
provided at the end
of each of these legs 26. The wheels 28 are preferably on casters or other
swivel joints.
With such a configuration, the base 20 can have a deployed configuration with
the legs 26
30 extending radially outwardly for maximum stability,but the legs 26 can be
pivoted inwardly (arrow
B) to provide a lesser width and to allow the lid 4 to be closed over the base
20 and to completely
enclose the invertible Christmas tree 10 within the cover 2 when desired
(Figure 1).
While the base 20 shown herein is described according to this preferred
embodiment, other
bases 20 could also be utilized. For instance,the base 20 could merely be a
fixed structure having
sufficient width to resist tipping of the invertibleChristmas tree 10.
Also,the base 2 could merely
be a hole in an underlying floor into which the fixed trunk 30 of the
invertibleChristmas tree 10
would be removably mounted. Other forms of Christmas tree stands could also be
utilized to
support the fixed trunk 30 and dispense with the base 20 altogether.
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With continuing reference to Figures 3-7 and 8-10, detaiIsof the fixed trunk
30 of the invertible
Christmas tree 10 are described according to this preferred embodiment. The
invertibleChristmas
tree 10 preferably includes a central trunk formed of two separate trunk
portions including a first
portion referred to as a fixed trunk 30 and a second portion referred to as a
rotating trunk 40. Also,
a top trunk 82 is provided as a portion of the cap 80 defining a small portion
of the overall trunk
structure of the invertible Christmas tree 10.
The fixed trunk 30 preferably has a height substantially half of that of the
invertibleChristmas
tree l0. The fixed trunk 30 is elongate in form and can be configured such as
in a solid cylindrical
form or in the form of a cylindrical tube. The fixed trunk 30 is formed of
substantially rigid
material and carries loads of the invertibleChristmas tree 10 upon the base 20
or other underlying
surface.
The fixed trunk 30 includes a lower end 32 opposite an upper end 34. A clasp
33 is provided
near the lower end 32. This clasp 33 is configured to be removably attached to
a portion of the
rotating trunk 40 to secure the rotating trunk 40 in either the stored
configuration (Figure 3) or in
the deployed configuration (Figure 5). This clasp structure is further
particularly shown in Figures
10 and ll.
The upper end 34 of the fixed trunk 30 includes a pivot 36 adjacent thereto.
This pivot36 can
be as simple as a hole passing laterally through the fixed trunk 30 with an
axle 37 passing through
this hole. In the embodiment depicted in Figures 3-11, the pivot 36 is in this
simple form with the
axle 37 providing for pivotableattachmentbetween the rotating trunk 40 and the
fixed trunk 30.
The axle 37 has a length similar to twice a diameter of the fixed trunk 30.
The rotating trunk 40 has a diameter similarto that of the fixed trunk 30 and
the axle 37 passes
through both the fixed trunk 30 and the rotating trunk 40 with the rotating
trunk 40 alignable
parallel with the fixed trunk 30 but just slightly offset laterallyfrom the
fixed trunk 30 so that the
rotating trunk 40 can rotate freely relativeto the fixed trunk 30. If desired,
the fixed trunk 30 can
be spaced slightly away from a center of mass of the invertible Christmas tree
10 so that the
rotating trunk 40 can have its center of mass more closely aligned with the
center of mass of the
overall invertible Christmas tree 10 for maximum stability.
While the embodiment of Figures 3-10 is perhaps the simplest embodiment for
the pivot 36,
other embodimentsof this pivotcould be utilized,including those depicted in
Figures 18-21. For
instance, Figures 18 and 19 depictfront and top viewsof an alternatejoint 136
with a bracket 138
pivotablyattachedto the upper end 34 of the fixed trunk 30 and an end of the
bracket 138 opposite
the upper end 34 of the fixed trunk 30 either fixed or pivotably attached to
the rotating trunk 40.
Rotation of the rotating trunk 40 relativeto the fixed trunk 30 occurs by
first moving along arrow
C', then moving along arrow C". 180 of rotation is achieved and the rotating
trunk 40 moves
from being directly adjacent the fixed trunk 30 on a first side thereof to
being directly adjacent the
fixed trunk 30 on a second side opposite the first side.
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In Figures 20 and 21 another embodiment is provided in the form of a second
alternativejoint
236. An axle 237 is provided to allow the rotating trunk 240, having a square
cross-section, to
rotate relative to the fixed trunk 230 in the form of a generally square cross-
sectioned structure
having one open side opposite the side bearing the axle 237. In this
embodiment,the rotating trunk
40 has a size slightly smallerthan that of the fixed trunk 30 so that the
rotating trunk 40 can rotate
to nest inside the fixed trunk 30 when in one position, but pivot out of this
nested configuration
when in the second configuration after 180 of rotation (along arrow C' and
then arrow C" (Figure
20)). Other embodiments of joints or pivots could also be resorted to, to
allow for pivotable
attachment of the rotating trunk 40 to the fixed trunk 30.
With continuing reference to Figures 3-11,- details of the rotating trunk 40
are described
according to this preferred embodiment. The rotating trunk 40 preferably
supports all of the limbs
50 of the invertibleChristmas tree 10 thereon. This rotating trunk 40 has an
elongate rigid form
similarto that of the fixed trunk 30. However, the rotating trunk 40
preferably has a length similar
to a height of the invertibleChristmas tree (minus a height of the cap 80 and
minus a height of the
base 20 up to a top of the pedestal 24).
This rotating trunk 40 has a first end 42 opposite a second end 44 (Figures 4
and 9). The first
end 42 is configured to be below the second end 44 when the rotating trunk 40
is in its deployed
configuration. The rotating trunk 40 is configured to have the first end 42
above the second end 44
when in the stored configuration (Figure 3). A port 45 is provided at the end
of the second end 44
which can receive and support the cap 80 thereon.
A core 46 passing through an interior of the rotating trunk 40 is preferably
hollow. Such a
hollow core 46 minimizes weight of the rotating trunk 40 while maintaining
strength for the
rotating trunk 40 and also optionally provides a pathway through which
electric equipmentfor the
lights 70 can be routed. Slots 48 (Figures 12-17) are formed in the rotating
trunk 40 through
which limbs 50 can interface in a rotating fashion relative to the rotating
trunk 40.
The rotating trunk 40 preferably has a center point or a point near the center
point of the
rotating trunk 40 which is pivotably attached to the fixed trunk 30 through
the pivot 36. This
midpoint is also preferably a center of mass of the rotating trunk 40. Thus,
the rotating trunk 40
can be freely rotated 180 to move the first end 42 from directly above the
second end 44 and
directly above the fixed trunk 30, to a second position with the first end 42
adjacentthe fixed trunk
30 and directly below the second end 44; with a center of mass of the rotating
trunk 40 always
remaining substantially aligned with the fixed trunk 30. Thus, the rotating
trunk 40 can be "spun"
without causing instability in the invertible Christmas tree 10 resting upon
the base 20 or other
support above a floor. Preferably, near each end 42,44 of the rotating trunk
40 holes are provided
which can interface with the clasp 33 so that the rotating trunk 40 can be
secured to the fixed trunk
30 in both the collapsed configuration and the deployed configuration.
With particular reference to Figures 12-17, details of the limbs 50 and
branches 60 of the
invertible Christmas tree 10 are described according to a preferred
embodiment. The limbs 50
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could be attached to the rotating trunk 40 in many different ways including in
fixed fashion or in a
fashion which is removable but not pivotable. However, most preferably the
limbs 50 are pivotably
attached to the rotating trunk 40. Such pivoting preferably allows for
rotation of the limbs 50
between a perpendicular orientation (actually substantially perpendicular but
preferably slightly
angled upwardly, when the rotating trunk 40 is oriented vertically)and a
collapsed configuration
closer to the angle of the rotating trunk 40 centerline than to
perpendicularto the rotating trunk 40
centerline.
Most preferably, this collapsed angle for the limbs 50 is 70 away from the
deployed
configuration for the limbs 50. Such rotation of the limbs 50 is depicted by
arrow E (Figures 12,
13 and 15). While the limbs appear to pivot upward, they in fact pivot
downward after the rotating
trunk 40 has rotated (about arrow C (Figure 12)) so that the limbs 50
actuallyrotate downward by
gravity forces, but only when the rotating trunk 40 has been rotated from the
deployed
configuration to the stored orientation. When this action is reversed and the
rotating trunk 40 is
rotated from the stored orientation to the deployed orientation,the limbs 50
pivot in an opposite
direction to the deployed configuration approximately perpendicular to a
centerline of the rotating
trunk 40.
Each of the limbs 50 is preferably an elongate rigid structure with a
plurality of such limbs 50
radiating from the rotating trunk 40. Most preferably, the limbs 50 extend in
many different
directions radially from the rotating trunk 40 (Figure 14) when a complete
symmetrical generally
conical bushy invertibleChristmas tree 10 is to be provided. The limbs50
generally each includea
root 51 defining an end thereof closest to the rotating trunk 40 and a tip 55
opposite the root 51. A
hinge 52 is located at the root 51 to pivotably attach the limbs 50 to the
rotating trunk 40. A stop
54 is provided to prevent the limbs 50 from rotating either past substantially
horizontal and
perpendicularto the rotating trunk 40 when in the deployed configuration or
past a collapsed angle,
such as 70 , away from the deployed orientation.
In the embodiment of Figures 12 and 13 this stop 54 is in the form of a flange
of material
extending substantially perpendicularly from the extent of the limbs 50 from
the root 51 to the tip
55. In the embodimentof Figures 15 and 16 the root 51 of the limbs 50 merely
passes through a
slot 48 in the rotating trunk 40 and a lower portion of this slot 48 acts as
the stop 54. The hinge 52
generally includes at least one axle 52 or axle-like structure about which the
limbs 50 can pivotably
move relative to the rotating trunk 40.
Branches 60 optionally but preferably radiate from the limbs 50 in a pattern
which mimics at
least some natural tree or otherwise has a desirable form. Typically, needles
52 also extend from
the branches 60. These needles 62 can be actual natural needles such as pine
needles, but most
typicallyare synthetic structures such as attached by wire or adhesiveto the
branches 60. It is also
conceivablethat needles 62 can also be directly attached to the limbs 50. The
branches 60 can have
a generally planar form such as might exist on a noble fir, or might havea
more bushy cylindrical
form which might be provided on many different types of pines. Needles 62 can
also be long or
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short depending on the design characteristics desired for the invertible
Christmas tree 10.
With particular reference to Figures 7 and 12-14, details of the lights 70 are
described. Most
preferably,the invertibleChristmas tree 10 is also permanently wired with
lights 70. A plug 74 is
provided which is removably attachable to a power receptacle P. A cord 72
extends from the plug
74 and extends up the fixed trunk 30 to the rotating trunk 40. At the joint
36, this cord 72
preferably splits into two separate cords, one of which extends towards the
first end 42 of the
rotating trunk 40 and the other of which extends towards the second end 44 of
the rotating trunk
40.
As these cords pass the limbs 50, the cords are routed out the limbs 50 and
terminateat various
different locations with lights 70. Various different controllers can be
provided and various
different lights can be provided if desired so that a variety of different
light displays can be
provided through the lights 70. The cord 72 can be routed through an
interiorof the fixed trunk 30
and through an interior of the rotating trunk 40 (and also conceivable through
an interior of the
limbs 50). Perhaps in a simplest form of the invention,the cord 72 can merely
be wrapped around
an exterior of the fixed trunk 30 and an exterior of the rotating trunk 40.
The cord 72 can be
camouflaged to have a color similar to that of the fixed trunk 30, rotating
trunk 40 and limbs 50
(i.e. green) to help hide the cords 72.
With particular reference to Figures 3, 6 and 7, details of the cap 80 are
described, according to
this preferred embodiment. Most preferably,to minimize an overall length of
the rotating trunk 40
and height of the invertibleChristmas tree 10 when in a stored
configuration,an uppermost portion
of the invertible Christmas tree 10 is configured as a separate cap 80. This
separate cap 80
preferably includes a top trunk 82 which fits into the port 45 in the second
end 44 of the rotating
trunk 40. The cap 80 can thus be attached with the top trunk 82 colinearwith
the rotating trunk 40.
To simplify attachment,it can occur when the rotating trunk 40 has been
rotated halfway,or just a
little more (see Figure 9).
Top limbs 84 radiate from the top trunk 82 with a configuration similar to the
limbs 50. A
bottom end 83 of the cap 80 is sized to fit inside the port 45 for secure but
removableattachmentof
the cap 80 to the rotating trunk 40. Lowermost portions of the cap 80
typically have a diameter
similar to that of the invertible Christmas tree 10 when the limbs 50 are in
their collapsed
configuration (Figure 3). Thus, the top limbs 84 of the cap 80 need not pivot
relative to the top
trunk 82. However, such pivoting could take place.
Also, most preferably a plug is provided and lights are provided on the cap 80
with the plug
attachableto a plug in the second end 44 of the rotating trunk 40 so that the
lights 70 on the cap 80
can be coupled to lights 70 on the rotating trunk 40 so that all of the lights
70 on the invertible
Christmas tree 10 can be simultaneously powered from a single power receptacle
P. Attachmentof
the cap 80 to the rotating trunk 40 is depicted along arrow D of Figure 6.
This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodimentof the invention
and a best mode
for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way,
it should be apparent
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that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment
without departing
from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. When structures are
identified as a means to
perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures
which can perform the
function specified. When structures of this invention are identified as being
coupled together,such
language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled
directly together or
coupled togetherthrough intervening structures. Such coupling could be
permanentor temporary
and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows pivoting,sliding or
other relativemotion
while still providing some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.
Industrial Applicability
This invention exhibits industrial applicabilityin that it providesan
artificial tree which can be
easily transitioned from a collapsed orientation to a deployed orientation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a Christmas tree which
is easy to store in a
collapsed form and easy to deploy when to be used.
Another object of the present inventionis to provide a Christmas tree which
can be transitioned
from a collapsed form to a deployed form without requiring high strength or
dexterity.
Another object of the present inventionis to providea Christmas tree which can
be transitioned
between a collapsed and a deployed configuration without damage to the
Christmas tree.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a Christmas tree which
can be readily
transitioned between a collapsed and a deployed position with lights
associated with the Christmas
tree remaining coupled to various different portions of the Christmas tree
both in the collapsed and
the deployed configuration.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a Christmas tree which
can be set up
quickly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for
transitioning an artificial
Christmas tree from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration.
Other further objects of this invention, which demonstrate its industrial
applicability, will
become apparent'from a careful reading of the included detailed description,
from a review of the
enclosed drawings and from review of the claims included herein.
