Tree decoration holder

A holder for affixing a user chosen decorative element to the top trunk of a tree is shown and described. Multiple methods are provided for affixing the holder to the decorative element. The holder is easily secured to the trunk and can be adjusted to obtain the most pleasing vertical and horizontal position of the decorative element. Electrical wiring can also be routed through the device to provide electrical power to the decorative element from a power supply.

FIELD

The present version of these embodiments relate generally to the field of holders that can be used to attach decorative elements to the top of, for example, a Christmas tree or any other tree or bush.

BACKGROUND

These embodiments relate to devices that can be used to affix decorative elements to a Christmas tree or any other tree or bush. These embodiments relate to a holder that can be attached to various user chosen decorative elements by several methods and still be affixed securely and vertically even if the tree trunk is not exactly straight. Wiring can be routed through the device providing electrical power to the decorative element if desired.

Many persons celebrate the Christmas holiday and enjoy obtaining and decorating a Christmas tree. Others enjoy decorating trees for Christmas and many other holidays and events. One problem is attaching the decorative element to the top trunk of the tree. There exist several different methods to affixing these decorative elements to the top of the tree trunk. Several problems can occur in achieving this goal with traditional methods. Many times the trunk of the tree near the top is not straight. This can make installing a decorative element difficult. If the trunk is not relatively straight, then the decorative element will not extend beyond the top or near the top in a desirable position relative to those on the ground.

A second issue exists if the decorative element is somewhat heavy, this can cause the top trunk of the tree to bend and not allow a vertical location of the decorative element relative to the tree.

Another issue with decorative tree elements is that there does not appear to be much of a selection for decorative items or elements to mount to the top of the tree.

Many persons would enjoy installing such custom decorative items or elements such as sports team paraphernalia, paper-mache and anything else imaginable. Currently most users are limited to products that the market produces which are commonly called tree toppers. The problem becomes mounting these custom decorative items or elements to the tree such that they are secure, affixed in a relatively vertical position, customizable and easily installed.

Others may enjoy providing lighting, custom sounds or music to their decorative elements and thus need electrical power.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a Tree Decoration Holder.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the background art there is a need for a device that allows the installation of decorative elements to the top trunk of a tree and especially a holiday or Christmas tree.

A first objective of these embodiments is to provide a device that can affix decorative elements to the top of a tree.

Another objective of these embodiments is to provide a device that can affix decorative elements to the top of a tree securely.

It is yet another objective of these embodiments to provide a device that allows adjustment to the vertical orientation of the decorative element when affixed to the tree.

It is a still further objective of these embodiments to provide a device that is relatively easy to install on the top trunk of a tree.

An additional objective of these embodiments is to provide a device that can allow the user to choose which personal decorative element that they would like to affix to the top trunk of the tree.

Another objective of these embodiments is to provide a device that can be attached multiple ways to the user's chosen decorative element.

A final objective of these embodiments is to allow the use of electrically powered custom decorative elements affixed to the top trunk of a tree.

These together with other objectives of these embodiments, along with various features of novelty which characterize these embodiments, are pointed out with particularity in the claims attached which form a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of these embodiments, the operating advantages and the specific objectives attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, there is shown inFIG. 1a side view of one embodiment of the holder14affixed to a decorative element65having a partial cutaway view. The holder14has a coupler16affixed to a rod42.

FIGS. 2, 3show the coupler16having a first side18and a second side20. Also seen is a ledge25. A plate22is located on the second side20and the plate22is affixed to a cylinder24. The plate22has a through hole28which is concentric with a hole28in the cylinder24. The plate22also has a plurality of attachment holes30. This embodiment shows four holes30located on a common circumference approximately ninety degrees from the center line of the hole28. It should be appreciated that more or fewer holes30could be made dependent upon the anticipated loads in supporting the decorative element65.

The outer surface27of the cylinder24could also have ribs parallel to the center line to increase the strength of the cylinder24, not shown. There are threads26on the interior of the hole28for affixing the coupler16to the rod42.

It should be understood that this embodiment shows but one method of attachment of the coupler16to the rod42,FIG. 1. It should be apparent that the coupler16and rod42could be manufactured as one complete unit, for example, in a plastic injection mold.

FIG. 4shows one embodiment of the rod42. What is shown is a cylindrical rod42having a first end44and a second end46. Second end46is shown in this embodiment having threads48. Threads48correspond with the threads26of the coupler16. It should be appreciated that the rod42would not have to be a cylinder in cross section. Any cross section for the rod42could be used.

This embodiment of the rod42also has attached at the first end44a cap74. Cap74has a slot75that runs there through. In this embodiment of the rod42, the center of the rod42has a cavity76that runs the length forming essentially a hollow rod or pipe. The cavity76runs from the second end46to the first end44. There is also an opening78in the cap74such that electrical wiring (not shown) can be run into the slot75, through the cap74and into and through the rod42from the first end44to the second end46. This would allow electrical power to be available to the decorative element65via the wiring running through the holder14and to a power supply (not shown). This feature would allow even more variety to the decorative element65in that various colors of lights, music and other sounds and any feature that requires electrical power could also be utilized to enhance decorative element65.

FIG. 1shows one embodiment of the holder14affixed to a decorative element65. In this embodiment, the decorative element65has a cavity69. To affix the coupler16to the decorative element65requires that the cylinder24be inserted into the cavity69. The plate22ledge25is mounted flush against the surface of the decorative element65. If needed holes can be drilled into the surface of the decorative element and fasteners32can be inserted from the second side20of the plate22through the attachment holes30and secured into the base of the decorative element65,FIGS. 1, 2.

The rod42second end46threads48can then be screwed into the plate22and the cylinder24thereby securing the rod42to the coupler16,FIGS. 1,2,3,5. This then affixes the holder14to the decorative element65.

To install the holder14to the top of trunk60of tree58,FIG. 7, requires the user to align the plate22at or near the top of trunk60and locate the rod42as close to the trunk as is possible.FIGS. 1, 5, 7also show two fasteners54. These fasteners54can be strapping with hook and loop fasteners. The fasteners54would be wrapped around the trunk60and secured with the hook and loop fasteners such that the rod42is located near or against the trunk60.

FIG. 7shows an alternative arrangement of the lowest fastener54. In this embodiment of the holder14, there is a cap74on the first end44of rod42. Cap74has a slot75(FIG. 4) through which the fastener54can be threaded and then wrapped around the trunk60and secured to itself. Cap74also has an opening78that provides access to the cavity76of the rod42. This slot75thereby serves two purposes, the first to provide greater security to the holder14by preventing the holder14from possibly sliding on the straps54or trunk60and provides access to or communication with the cavity76to allow electrical wiring (not shown) to be routed within the rod42to the decorative element65from a power supply (not shown).

While the embodiment inFIG. 7shows two fasteners54, it should be understood that more fasteners54could be utilized to retain the holder14in place. The fasteners54should be locatable by the user such that the holder14and decorative element65is secured to the trunk60of the tree58.

It should be understood that the fasteners54could have adhesive on one side such that they could be positioned on the rod42at the best location relative to the trunk60. The limbs of the tree58may prevent a fixed fastener from securely attaching the holder14to the tree58trunk60. If fasteners54had adhesive on one side, or part of one side, then the user could align the holder14to the trunk60and use the adhesive to affix the fasteners54to the rod42at the optimum positions.

The user should also insure that the decorative element65is vertical. If the decorative element65is not vertical, it should be appreciated that the fasteners54could be loosened and the rod42re-positioned relative to the trunk60of the tree58to obtain a pleasing vertical position.

FIG. 5shows an alternative method to affix the coupler16to the decorative element65. In this embodiment there is no cavity69in the decorative element65. The coupler16is rotated 180 degrees relative to the rod42such that the second side20is relatively flush with the bottom surface of the decorative element65. Holes67can then be drilled into the decorative element65to allow fastening of the coupler16via fasteners32(not shown) inserted into attachment holes30of the plate22. Attachment holes67in the bottom of decorative element65corresponding in size and location the holes30. The rod42second end46can thereby be threaded into the cylinder24first side18to secure the rod42to the coupler16.

FIG. 6shows a coupler16and alternative method of affixing the coupler16to the decorative element65. In this embodiment, either the hook or loop part of the hook and loop fastener can be attached to the second side20of the coupler16with adhesive. This hook or loop can have cutouts to allow the fasteners32and the rod42to engage and wiring (not shown) to pass through. While the user should determine if the decorative element65can be affixed to the holder14with only hook and loop, if greater securing is needed, this embodiment would allow the use of fasteners32to the holes67in the decorative element65if needed. Obviously, the hook and loop could be affixed to the plate22second side20without the cutouts for the fasteners32or the cutout for the rod42. The other portion of the hook or loop would be affixed to the decorative element65with an adhesive as is known in the art.

FIG. 7shows one embodiment of the holder14affixed to a partial cut away view of a tree trunk60. This embodiment shows the rod42having the cap74with the cavity76. This embodiment could thereby have electrical wiring (not shown) passed through the rod42to power electrical elements of the users's choosing in the decorative element65.

It should be appreciated that several methods could be used to affix the holder14to the decorative element65. This would allow the user to choose their own decorative element65to attach to the tree58. This also provides the best, easiest, least destructive attachment method to the decorative element65and safest and most adjustable method of affixing to a tree58trunk60the decorative element65.

It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments, improvements, details and uses can be made consistent with the letter and spirit of the foregoing disclosure and within the scope of this application, which is limited only by the following claims, construed in accordance with the patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.