Patent ID: 9101173
Filing Date: 2015-08-11
Classification: A41G,A47G

Abstract:
1. An artificial tree apparatus, comprising: a trunk segment; a plurality of branch segments movably connected to said trunk segment, wherein said plurality of branch segments each have a proximal end adjacent said trunk segment and a distal end opposite said trunk segment, wherein said plurality of branch segments are movable relative said trunk segment to a first position and a second position; and a plurality of control member guides extending from said plurality of branch segments between said proximal end and said distal end, wherein each of said plurality of control member guides includes an aperture, wherein, for a set of branch segments connected to said trunk segment at a single elevation, each of the plurality of control member guides is located at a first common elevation in said first position and wherein each of the plurality of control member guides is located at a second common elevation in said second position; wherein, for a set of branch segments connected to said trunk segment at a single elevation, each of the control member guides is adapted to receive a control member routed through their apertures, said control member having an encircling portion and an excess portion, wherein, when the control member is routed through the apertures, the entirety of the encircling portion encircles said trunk segment within a horizontal plane common to the control member guides, and wherein each of the branch segments of said set of branch segments is adapted to simultaneously adjust to said first position in response to a first adjustment of said control member and is adapted to simultaneously adjust to said second position in response to a second adjustment of said control member; and wherein, when the control member is routed through the apertures, pulling the excess portion of the control member causes a diameter of the encircling portion to decrease.