Collapsible artificial tree

The artificial tree is collapsible by inverting a main trunk thereof to swap positions of a first end and second end. The limbs are pivotably attached to the main trunk so that they sag under force of gravity from a deployed more horizontally extending orientation to a collapsed more vertically extending orientation when the main trunk is inverted. A base is preferably provided which has wheels and static portions in contact with the ground for supporting the tree thereon. A riser extending up from the base is configured to have an end of the main trunk rest therein. A lock is also preferably provided to hold an end of the trunk within the riser of the base. A separate treetop portion is removably attachable to ends of the trunk to complete the tree when in a deployed configuration and for storage of the treetop when the tree is not collapsed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following invention relates to artificial trees 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 to collapsible artificial trees which collapse by inversion of the tree.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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 maintenance and allow for repeated cycles of storage and deployment of 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 near the end of each calendar year.

Such artificial 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 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 relatively rigid 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 otherwise to the branches extending from the limbs and/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 removed from the trunk but rather pivot from 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 pivotable limbs on Christmas trees have the benefit of avoiding the requirement that the limbs be attached to the central trunk, difficulty is encountered in transitioning the limbs from a collapsed orientation to a deployed orientation. The limb reorienting process is thus highly labor intensive as each limb is adjustably positioned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With this invention an artificial tree is provided which is collapsible by inverting a main trunk of the tree from a first deployed orientation to a second collapsed orientation. The tree includes a main trunk which is elongate in form extending from a first end to a second end. Limbs are pivotably attached to the main trunk between the first end and the second end. These limbs are pivotably attached so that the limbs can pivot between a first position when the main trunk is in the deployed orientation to a second position when the main trunk is in the collapsed orientation.

When in the deployed orientation the second end of the main trunk is above the first end. When in a collapsed orientation, the first end of the main trunk is above the second end. In the collapsed orientation the limbs are closer to the second end of the main trunk and less perpendicular to the main trunk. In the deployed orientation, the limbs are oriented closer to horizontal and further from the second end of the main trunk.

Optionally, the limbs can include branches which extend off of the limbs and potentially also needles extending off of the branches (in the case of artificial trees of a type which have needles). Alternatively, leaves can be provided extending from the branches and/or limbs. Lights can also be provided on the limbs and branches. The lights are supplied with electric power by cords which also support the lights thereon and carry electric power from the main trunk.

In a most preferred embodiment a base is also provided along with the main trunk. This base provides a support which can hold the main trunk in the deployed orientation, and preferably but optionally also in the collapsed configuration. The base includes a trunk end supporter, such as in the form of a riser which extends substantially vertically and to which one of the ends of the trunk can be fixed. In the deployed configuration the first end of the trunk is fixed to the riser. In the collapsed orientation the second end of the trunk is fixed to the riser. The riser is preferably carried upon a ground support portion preferably as a portion of various arms joined together and with wheels at the ends of some of the arms. Most preferably, non-moving feet of some kind are also included on the ground support portion of the base so that the base can be kept from rolling when resting upon a horizontal surface or can be tilted somewhat onto wheels of the base and the base can then facilitate easy moving of the trunk and base together utilizing the wheels on the base.

In a most preferred embodiment the riser is fixed to the trunk by configuring the riser to have a hollow core and sizing the first end of the trunk to fit within this hollow core of the riser. Preferably, the second end of the trunk is configured similarly to the first end so that the second end can also fit within the hollow core of the riser. In such a way, the trunk can be supported on the base both when in the deployed configuration and in the collapsed configuration.

Most preferably a lock is provided on the riser which can secure one of the ends of the trunk to the riser. The lock prevents undesired movement of the trunk relative to the riser of the base except when the lock is disengaged. This lock is preferably carried on the riser and interacts with the trunk near one of the ends. As an alternative, the lock could be provided on each of the ends of the trunk and configured to interact with the riser, or otherwise configured partially on both the riser and ends of the trunk to facilitate such locking.

In a most preferred embodiment a treetop is also provided which provides an uppermost portion of an artificial tree. This treetop is configured to have a top trunk of elongate form extending from an upper end to a lower end. Limbs extend from this top trunk which typically match limbs of the main trunk of the artificial tree. The lower end of the treetop is configured to be removably attachable to at least the second end of the main trunk so that the treetop can be carried upon the main trunk to provide an uppermost portion of the artificial tree when in the deployed configuration. Optionally the limbs of the treetop can pivotably attach to the top trunk of the treetop, in a manner such as that provided by the limbs on the main trunk. Optionally, the treetop has the upper end also configured to be attachable to the first end of the trunk so that the treetop can be carried upon the main trunk when in the collapsed orientation.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an 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 tree which is easy to store in a collapsed form and easy to deploy when to be used.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tree which can be readily transitioned between a collapsed and a deployed position with lights associated with the tree remaining coupled to various different portions of the 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 tree from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an artificial tree which can be inverted between an upside down storage position and a right side up deployed position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral10is directed to a collapsible artificial tree (FIGS. 6 and 7) which collapses by inverting a main trunk40of the tree10(about arrow C ofFIG. 6). In this way, when the tree10is to be stored it has a lesser width to be stored in a smaller space. A stand is also optionally provided in the form of a base20which preferably includes wheels30and a riser22or other trunk40end support which supports one of the ends42,44of the main trunk40for either support of the tree10when in a deployed configuration or when in a collapsed configuration (seeFIGS. 6 and 7).

In essence, and with particular reference toFIGS. 5-7, basic details of the tree10are described, according to a most preferred embodiment. The tree10includes a base20(FIGS. 2-4) which in a preferred form has a series of elements joined together to form a main portion of the base20. A riser22extends up from the base20and defines one example of a portion of the base20which supports the tree10thereon. In particular, the riser22includes a hollow core29which can receive one of the ends42,44of the main trunk40therein for support of the main trunk40of the tree10in either a deployed configuration (FIG. 6) or in a collapsed configuration (FIG. 7). Wheels30are optionally provided on the base20to facilitate movement of the tree10in either the collapsed configuration or the deployed configuration.

The main trunk40(FIGS. 5-7) is elongate in form extending from a first end42to a second end44. Limbs50are pivotably attached to the main trunk40. The limbs50are pivoted in such a manner that they extend approximately horizontally when the main trunk has the second end44over the first end42and with the limbs50extending closer to vertically when the first end42of the main trunk40is over the second end44of the main trunk40(FIG. 7). Branches60optionally extend from the limbs50and lights70can optionally be provided on the branches60with wiring for the lights70supported by the main trunk40. A treetop80is also preferably provided which can be removably attached to the second end44of the main trunk40when the tree10is in the deployed configuration (FIG. 6) and which can optionally attach to the first end42of the main trunk40when the tree10has been inverted and is in a collapsed orientation (FIG. 7). A first alternative base120(FIGS. 1 and 3) and a second alternative base220(FIGS. 5-7) are also provided as alternative forms of the base20(FIGS. 2 and 4).

More specifically, and with particular reference toFIGS. 2-4, basic details of the base20of the preferred embodiment are described. The base20provides a preferred form of ground support for the tree10. However, in some embodiments of the tree10, no base20is provided. Ends42,44of the main trunk40can be configured to rest upon the ground themselves or to rest upon some other structure built into the ground which is configured to hold the ends42,44of the main trunk40. For instance, holes of appropriate size can be formed in the ground or some other ground-like manmade structure and ends42,44of the main trunk40can be placed therein for deployment and/or storage.

The base20generally includes a ground support portion defining an underlying portion of the base20which can rest upon a horizontal surface. This ground support portion preferably is configured to come into contact with the ground directly and to also preferably operate in conjunction with wheels30which are pivotably attached to the base20and also in contact with the ground. With a pair of wheels in contact with the ground and with the ground support portion also in contact with the ground, the base20can remain in fixed position when both the ground support portion and the wheels30are in contact with the ground, and can be readily moved if the base20is tilted slightly (typically with other portions of the tree10supported upon the base20) and then the entire tree10and base20can be rolled upon the wheels. The tree10is thus stable when erected and oriented vertically but can be tilted onto the wheels and then readily rolled from one position to another. Such movement can occur when the tree10is in a deployed configuration (FIG. 6) or in a collapsed configuration (FIG. 7).

With the preferred form of base20, a riser22extends vertically up from other portions of the base20. As an alternative, the riser22could be located largely below other portions of the base20, such that it is in the form of a hole which extends down into the base20. The riser22has a top23defining an uppermost portion thereof. A bottom24is provided opposite the top23and is typically affixed to underlying support portions of the base20. A lock25is preferably provided near the top23of the riser22. This lock25, in one form, includes a knob26which can be grasped by a user and extended toward and away from the riser22. A shaft27is coupled to the knob26and can be selectively positioned extending into a hollow core29of the riser22or pulled out of the hollow core29of the riser22. A horizontal extension28is affixed to the riser22preferably in a substantially horizontal orientation and with a hollow interior allowing the shaft27to move through the horizontal extension28and intersect the hollow core29.

The hollow core29preferably extends symmetrically about a central axis of the riser22. This central axis defines a line along which the main trunk40of the tree10is oriented when the main trunk40is supported upon the base20through the riser22. The ends42,44of the main trunk40are each preferably sized to fit within this hollow core29of the riser22for support of the main trunk40of the tree10in either the deployed configuration (FIG. 6) or in the collapsed configuration (FIG. 7).

While the riser22preferably has the hollow core29therein, it is conceivable that the riser22could have a solid configuration (or be open) and the ends42,44of the main trunk40could be sized to reside over and upon an outer side of the riser22so that a diameter of the riser22would be smaller than a diameter of hollow ends42,44of the main trunk40(or widths if the cross-section of the riser22and/or the ends42,44is other than circular).

While the hollow core29is preferably defined as residing within the riser22, the base20could have a hole extending down thereinto which would act similarly to the hollow core29of the riser22and have a central axis along which the main trunk40can be oriented. Such a hole extending into the base20would thus function as an alternative to the riser22of the base20and still provide support for the main trunk40of the tree10.

In this preferred embodiment for the base20, wheels30are provided rotatably attached to rigid portions of the base20through axles31. The rigid portions of the base20include a series of elements. These elements preferably include outer arms32which are parallel to each other and spaced apart by a central arm33. Two common ends of the outer arms32preferably each include wheel gaps34thereon. At the wheel gaps34, central portions of the arms32have been removed sufficiently so that the wheel30can reside within this wheel gap34. Axles31span the wheel gap34and support the wheels30in rotating fashion relative to the arms32. Wheels30are sized sufficiently large and positioned upon the axles31at appropriate locations so that portions of the wheels30extend below lowermost portions of the outer arms32. In this way, the wheels30are in contact with an underlying support surface, when the base20is in an upright orientation (see for instanceFIG. 4).

Ends of the outer arms32opposite the wheels30preferably each include a pivoting foot36. This pivoting foot36pivots about a pintle37and includes a lowermost portion in the form of a tread38. The pivoting foot36is not strictly required to pivot, but can to some extend accommodate less than entirely flat surfaces more completely with such a pivoting feature. The pivoting foot36preferably has a somewhat triangular configuration when viewed from the side so that the tread38portion is relatively large to provide a fixed portion of the ground support portion of the base20at ends of the outer arms32opposite the wheels30. If desired, locks can be provided on the wheels30so that the rotation of the wheels30can be prevented, such as when it is desired that the base20be particular stable. Utilization of the pivoting foot36also particularly resists sliding and horizontal movement of the base20in a horizontal direction.

As an alternative to the base20, an alternative base120is provided (FIGS. 1 and 3). With the alternative base120, a central member121supports the riser22with a first axle member124at one end of the central member121and a second axle member126at a second end of the central member121. Tips127of the first axle member include wheels thereon rotatably supported upon the first axle member124to facilitate rolling when the alternative base120is tipped up onto the wheels130. Tips127of the second axle member126include static wheels128or other ground support portions thereon. Such static wheels128or other ground support portions are preferably fixed to the second axle member126to resist movement of the alternative base120. Perspective views of the base20and first alternative base120are shown inFIGS. 3 and 4for comparison of their relative configurations. With either of the bases20,120, a similar riser22is utilized in a preferred form. Each form of base20,120can also be configured with a hollow core29extending down into the base20,120, rather than having the riser22extending up from other portions of the base20,120.

With particular reference toFIGS. 5-7, details of a second alternative base220are described. The second alternative base220is similar in many respects to the base20of the preferred embodiment except that ground support portions which do not rotate are not in the form of the pivoting foot36, but rather are in the form of a static wheel238. Thus, the second alternative base220includes outer arms232with wheels230at first ends thereof and with static wheels238at second ends thereof opposite the first ends. With any of the bases20,120,220the tree10can be tilted (about arrow D ofFIG. 7) up onto the wheels30,130,230and then rolled about, in either the deployed or the collapsed orientation.

With particular reference toFIGS. 5-7, details of the main trunk40are described, according to a most preferred embodiment. The main trunk40defines a portion of the collapsible artificial tree10which support limbs50and other decorative features of the tree10and which undergo collapse when the main trunk40is inverted (arrow C ofFIG. 6). The main trunk40is elongate in form and preferably rigid. The main trunk40can have various different heights, but it is desirable that the main trunk40maintain sufficiently low weight that it can be carried by an individual when grasped by the user's hand and held away from the body far enough to be inverted.

The main trunk40extends from a first end42to a second end44. These ends42,44are preferably circular in cross-sectional form and have a size slightly smaller than a size of the hollow core29. In this way, both the first end42and second end44can be placed within the hollow core29of the base20. Preferably, when deployed (FIG. 6) the first end42of the main trunk40is fitted within the hollow core29of the riser22(FIG. 5). Such positioning of the first end42into the riser22occurs along arrow A (FIG. 5). The tree10thus appears similar to that depicted inFIG. 6. If conversion from the deployed configuration (FIG. 6) to the stored configuration (FIG. 7) is desired, a user first removes the main trunk40from the hollow core29of the riser22of the base20. The user can then invert the main trunk40(about arrow C ofFIG. 6), so that the first end42and second end44are swapped. The second end44is preferably configured similarly to the first end42so that the second end44can be inserted into the riser22of the base20so that the base20functions to support other portions of the tree10both when in a deployed orientation and in a collapsed orientation (FIG. 7).

In one embodiment, the main trunk40includes limb support collars45at spaced intervals there along. These limb support collars45are provided adjacent where limbs50are pivotably attached to the base20. Each limb50includes a root51adjacent the main trunk40and opposite a tip55. An axle52is provided attaching the limbs50in a rotatable fashion to the main trunk40. A stop54is provided on at least one side of where the limbs50attach to the main trunk40which stop acts to keep the limbs50from pivoting beyond an amount desired. The limbs50can be configured in a variety of different ways and be pivotably attached to the main trunk40in a variety of different ways. In one embodiment the limbs50are attached to the main trunk40in the manner depicted inFIGS. 8-12.

With particular reference toFIGS. 12-17, details of the limbs50and branches60of the tree10are described according to one embodiment. The limbs50could be attached to the trunk40in many different ways including in fixed fashion or in a fashion which is removable but not pivotable. However, most preferably the limbs50are pivotably attached to the trunk40. Such pivoting preferably allows for rotation of the limbs50between a perpendicular orientation (actually substantially perpendicular but preferably slightly angled upwardly, when the trunk40is oriented vertically) and a collapsed configuration closer to the angle of the trunk40centerline than to perpendicular to the trunk40centerline.

Most preferably, this collapsed angle for the limbs50is 70° away from the deployed configuration for the limbs50. Such rotation of the limbs50is depicted by arrow E (FIGS. 8,9and11). While the limbs appear to pivot upward, they in fact pivot downward after the trunk40has rotated (about arrow C (FIG. 8)) so that the limbs50actually rotate downward by gravity forces, but only when the trunk40has been rotated from the deployed configuration to the stored orientation. When this action is reversed and the trunk40is rotated from the stored orientation to the deployed orientation, the limbs50pivot in an opposite direction to the deployed configuration approximately perpendicular to a centerline of the trunk40.

Each of the limbs50is preferably an elongate rigid structure with a plurality of such limbs50radiating from the rotating trunk40. Most preferably, the limbs50extend in many different directions radially from the trunk40(FIG. 10) when a complete symmetrical generally conical bushy invertible Christmas tree10is to be provided. The limbs50generally each include a root51defining an end thereof closest to the trunk40and a tip55opposite the root51. A hinge52is located at the root51to pivotably attach the limbs50to the trunk40. A stop54is provided to prevent the limbs50from rotating either past substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the trunk40when in the deployed configuration or past a collapsed angle, such as 70°, away from the deployed configuration.

A core46passing through an interior of the trunk40is preferably hollow. Such a hollow core46minimizes weight of the trunk40while maintaining strength for the trunk40and also optionally provides a pathway through which electric equipment for the lights70can be routed. Slots48(FIGS. 8-13) are formed in the trunk40through which limbs50can interface in a rotating fashion relative to the trunk40.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 8 and 9this stop54is in the form of a flange of material extending substantially perpendicularly from the extent of the limbs50from the root51to the tip55. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 11 and 12the root51of the limbs50merely passes through a slot48in the trunk40and a lower portion of this slot48acts as the stop54. The hinge52generally includes at least one axle52or axle-like structure about which the limbs50can pivotably move relative to the trunk40.

Branches60optionally but preferably radiate from the limbs50in a pattern which mimics at least some natural tree or otherwise has a desirable form. Typically, needles also extend from the branches60. These needles62can be actual natural needles such as pine needles, but most typically are synthetic structures such as attached by wire or adhesive to the branches60. It is also conceivable that needles62can also be directly attached to the limbs50. The branches60can have a generally planar form such as might exist on a noble fir, or might have a more bushy cylindrical form which might be provided on many different types of pines. Needles62can also be long or short depending on the design characteristics desired for the tree10.

With particular reference toFIGS. 8-12, details of the lights70are described. Most preferably, the tree10is also permanently wired with lights70. A plug74is provided which is removably attachable to a power receptacle P. A cord72extends from the plug74to the rotating trunk40. At the joint36, this cord72preferably splits into two separate cords, one of which extends towards the first end42of the trunk40and the other of which extends towards the second end44of the trunk40.

As these cords pass the limbs50, the cords are routed out the limbs50and terminate at various different locations with lights70. 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 lights70. The cord72can be routed through an interior of the trunk40(and also conceivable through an interior of the limbs50). Perhaps in a simplest form of the invention, the cord72can merely be wrapped around an exterior of the fixed trunk30and an exterior of the trunk40. The cord72can be camouflaged to have a color similar to that of the fixed trunk30, trunk40and limbs50(i.e. green) to help hide the cords72.

Most preferably the main trunk40and limbs50extending therefrom do not define the entire tree10above the base20. Rather, a treetop80is preferably provided which is removably attachable to the second end44of the main trunk40to define an uppermost portion of the tree10. This treetop80includes a top trunk82with limbs84extending therefrom laterally. These limbs84could be in fixed orientation relative to the trunk82or could pivot similar to the pivoting of the limbs50relative to the main trunk40.

The trunk82extends from an upper end86to a lower end88. The lower end88is configured to be attachable to the second end44of the main trunk40(FIG. 6). Furthermore, the upper end86of the treetop80can optionally be configured to be attachable to the second end44of the main trunk40. In such a configuration, the treetop80can be stored when resting upon the uppermost first end42of the main trunk40when the tree10is in the collapsed orientation (FIG. 7). As another alternative, when collapsed the treetop80can be supported upon a separate support riser extending upward from a portion of the base20provided for this particular purpose.

The treetop80would also typically be sufficiently light and easy to handle that it could be stored in a separate box away from the main trunk40and base20. Attachment of the treetop80to the main trunk40occurs along arrow B (FIGS. 6 and 7). The entire tree10and base20can be pivoted together up onto the wheels30,130,230, such by pivoting about arrow D (FIG. 7) to facilitate rolling of the tree10. Pivoting of the limbs50relative to the main trunk40occurs along arrow E (FIG. 7).

This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent 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 together through intervening structures. Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.