Abstract:
An artificial tree according to the present invention includes a tubular trunk with a stand for holding the trunk in an upright position. The artificial tree includes a plurality of branches coupled to the tree, each branch having a hook at an end displaced from the trunk. Each branch presents a length with branches at lower trunk levels having longer lengths than more upwardly positioned branches. The branches may be removably coupled to the trunk and storable within a trunk interior space. The artificial tree may also include ornamentation such as garland or lights and may include an audio device that plays sound in predetermined conditions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to an artificial ornamental tree and, more particularly to an artificial tree for hanging festive holiday stockings and that is adjustable and collapsible. 
   Hanging stockings at festive occasions, such as Christmas, has become very popular. Stockings are typically very colorful and come in a variety of sizes for holding several small gifts or candy. In the past, it was traditional to hang stockings on a fireplace mantle. However, this is not always feasible and so stockings must sometimes be hung from hooks or other hardware inserted into walls or door frames. 
   Various devices have been proposed in the art for hanging stockings or other ornamental items. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, traditional hanging devices do not have the construction of an artificial tree that is adjustable, collapsible, and perfectly suitable to hang festive stocking or the like. 
   Therefore, it would be desirable to have an artificial tree that includes a plurality of branches with hooks for securing respective stockings. Further, it would be desirable to have an artificial tree with a collapsible design that is fast to assemble for use or to disassemble for storage. In addition, it would be desirable that all components of the artificial tree may be stored within the trunk for storage. Various lighting options would also be desirable so that the artificial tree is an attractive addition to holiday events. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, an artificial tree for securing a plurality of festive stockings according to the present invention includes a tubular trunk with a stand to hold it in an upright position and a plurality of branches. Each branch has a hook at an end that may be positioned away from the trunk when the opposed end is adjacent to the trunk. The branches may be of different lengths so that the lower branches may be longer than upper ones. The trunk may have a plurality of openings complementary to the structure of respective branch ends for removably coupling the branches to the trunk. In this embodiment, the branches may be removed and stored in the trunk. In another embodiment, the branches are hingedly attached and, when folded upwardly, may be stored in a storage bag. This invention may include ornamentation supported by a plurality of the hooks, such as a string of lights or garland. An audio device may also be included. 
   Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide an artificial tree for securing a plurality of festive stockings. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide an artificial tree, as aforesaid, that is collapsible for storage. 
   Still another object of this invention is to provide an artificial tree, as aforesaid, having a plurality of branches, each with a hook on its distal end. 
   Yet another object of this invention is to provide an artificial tree, as aforesaid, in which each upward row of branches includes shorter length branches than the row below. 
   A further object of this invention is to provide an artificial tree, as aforesaid, in which the branches may be stored in the tree trunk. 
   A still further object of this invention is to provide an artificial tree, as aforesaid, having ornamentation or audio features. 
   Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an artificial tree according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the artificial tree as in  FIG. 1  with the ornamentation removed; 
       FIG. 3   a  is a top view of the artificial tree as in  FIG. 1  with the ornamentation removed; 
       FIG. 3   b  is a side view of the artificial tree; 
       FIG. 4   a  is a sectional view of the artificial tree taken along line  4   a - 4   a  of  FIG. 3   b;    
       FIG. 4   b  is an isolated view taken on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 4   a;    
       FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view of an artificial tree according to another embodiment of this invention in an extended configuration; 
       FIG. 5   b  is a perspective view of the artificial tree as in  FIG. 5   a  in a collapsed configuration; 
       FIG. 5   c  is a perspective view of the artificial tree as in  FIG. 5   b  partially inserted into a case; 
       FIG. 6   a  is a side view of an artificial tree according to yet another embodiment of this invention showing all branches with an equal length; 
       FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view of the artificial tree as in  FIG. 6   a;    
       FIG. 7   a  is a block diagram of an audio device for the artificial tree according to the present invention; and 
       FIG. 7   b  is a block diagram of an audio device and sensor for the artificial tree according to the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   An artificial tree  100  according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 4   b  and  6   a  through  7   b  of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, an artificial tree  100  according to the current invention includes an elongate trunk  110  and a plurality of branches  120 . 
   The trunk  110  presents upper and lower ends  112   a ,  112   b , may be tubular ( FIG. 4   b ), and may be constructed of plastic, metal, or another suitable material. Each branch  120  has opposed first and second ends  122   a ,  122   b , and each second end  122   b  has a hook  123  and is positionable away from the trunk  110  when the opposed first end  122   a  is adjacent the trunk  110 . Each branch  120  has a branch length, and as shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5   c , the branch length may increase with relative placement of the respective first ends  122   a  along the trunk  110  so that branches  120  with greater branch lengths are closer to the trunk lower end  112   b  than are branches  120  with lesser branch lengths. In other words, every branch  120  having a respective first end  122   a  relatively closer to the trunk lower end  112   b  may have a branch length that is at least as long as every other branch  120  having a respective first end  122   a  relatively closer to the trunk upper end  112   a . As shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , however, each branch  120  may have a branch length that is substantially equal to a branch length of every other said branch  120 . In other words, all of the branches  120  may be of substantially the same length. 
   Means for supporting the trunk  110  in an upright position are included. More particularly, a stand  130  adjacent the trunk lower end  112   b  may support the trunk  110  in an upright position. The stand  130  may present a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the trunk  110  to support the trunk  110 , and the diameter may be defined by a continuous or semi-continuous rim (not shown) or by a plurality of legs  132 . According to one embodiment, the legs  132  are foldable and the stand  130  is selectively slidable along the trunk  110  or removable from the trunk  110  for storage purposes ( FIG. 5   b ). 
   Ornamentation  140  may be included to be supported by a plurality of the hooks  123  t the second ends  122   b  of the branches  120  so that the ornamentation  140  encircles the trunk  110  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The ornamentation  140  may be, for example, a garland or a lighting device (e.g., a strand or rope of lights or another device that produces or transmits light). 
   An audio device  150  may be in communication with a power source  152  and means for actuating the audio device  150  for selectively providing sound. As shown in  FIG. 7   a , the means for actuating the audio device  150  may include a switch  154 . As shown in  FIG. 7   b , the means for actuating the audio device  150  may include a sensor  156  and a processor  158  for selectively providing sound when the sensor  156  detects a predetermined condition. The sensor  156 , for example, may be a pressure sensor located in or adjacent a branch  120 , and the predetermined condition may be a change in pressure on the branch  120 . This would cause the audio device  150  to provide sound when an article is placed on (or taken away from) the branch  120 . Alternately, the sensor  156  may be a motion sensor, for example, and the predetermined condition may be motion in a predetermined area. This would cause the audio device  150  to provide sound when motion is detected (e.g., when the artificial tree  100  is approached). 
   As shown in  FIG. 2  through  FIG. 4   b , the trunk  110  may define a plurality of openings  114  between the trunk upper and lower ends  112   a ,  112   b , and each branch first end  122   a  may have an extension  125  complementary to a respective trunk opening  114  for selectively coupling the branch first end  122   a  to the trunk  110 . Each trunk opening  114  may include a primary opening  114   a  and a flange opening  114   b , as best shown in  FIG. 4   b . Each extension  125  may include a primary member  125   a , a flange  125   b , and a plate  125   c  ( FIG. 4   b ). The flange  125   b  and the plate  125   c  may both have diameters that are larger than a diameter of the primary member  125   a , and the plate  125   c  may be spaced apart from the flange  125   b  to define a receiving area  126  therebetween. Each primary member  125   a  may be receivable in a respective primary opening  114   a , each flange  125   b  may be receivable in a respective flange opening  114   b , and each extension  125  may be rotatable to sandwich the trunk  110  between its flange  125   b  and its plate  125   c  ( FIG. 4   b ) when its primary member  125   a  is received in a respective primary opening  114   a  and its flange  125   b  is received in a respective flange opening  114   b . By sandwiching the trunk  110  between the flange  125   b  and the plate  125   c , the extension  125  (and therefore the branch  120 ) is coupled to the trunk  110 . The trunk  110  may define an interior cavity  116  that extends to the trunk upper end  112   a  and has a diameter sufficient to house the branches  120  when the first ends  122   a  of the branches  120  are not coupled to the trunk  110 . This provides a convenient way to store the artificial tree  100  when it is not in use. A cap  117  may be selectively coupled to the trunk  110  at the trunk upper end  112   a  to selectively restrict access to the trunk interior cavity  116 , and a decorative element  118  may extend upwardly from the cap  117 . 
   In use, the trunk  110  may be supported in an upright position by the stand  130 . The branches  120  may then be coupled to the trunk  110  by interactions between the extensions  125  and the trunk  110  at the trunk openings  114  as described above. The ornamentation  140  may be supported by a plurality of the hooks  123  at the second ends  122   b  of the branches  120  so that the ornamentation  140  encircles the trunk  110 , and other objects (e.g., stockings, ornaments, etc.) may be attached to the artificial tree  100  at the hooks  123 . If included, the audio device  150  may be used as described above. To store the artificial tree  100 , the ornamentation  140  and all other objects may be removed from the hooks  123 , and the branches  120  may be uncoupled from the trunk  110  in a manner opposite of how they were attached. The cap  117  may be removed from the trunk upper end  112   a , and the branches  120  may be stored in the trunk interior cavity  116 . The stand  130  may be removed from the trunk  110  or folded as described above. 
   An artificial tree  200  according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 5   a  through  FIG. 5   c  and includes a construction substantially similar to the construction previously described except as specifically noted below. More particularly, each branch first end  122   a  may be hingedly coupled to the trunk  110  between the trunk upper and lower ends  112   a ,  112   b  so that the respective branch second end  122   b  can rotate from a first position  200   a  ( FIG. 5   a ) to a second position  200   b  ( FIG. 5   b ). The second ends  122   b  are relatively closer to the trunk upper end  112   a  when at the second position  200   b  than when at the first position  200   a , and the artificial tree  200  takes up less space and may be more easily stored when the second ends  122   b  are at the second position  200   b . A storage case  210  may be included for housing the trunk  110  and the branches  120  when the branch second ends  122   b  are at the second position  200   b , as shown in  FIG. 5   c.    
   In use, the trunk  110  may be supported in an upright position by the stand  130 . When the trunk  110  is turned upright, the second ends  122   b  of the branches  120  may rotate from the second position  200   b  to the first position  200   a  (as described above) due to gravity or with a user&#39;s assistance. The ornamentation  140  may be supported by a plurality of the hooks  123  at the second ends  122   b  of the branches  120  so that the ornamentation  140  encircles the trunk  110 , and other objects (e.g., stockings, ornaments, etc.) may be attached to the artificial tree  200  at the hooks  123 . If included, the audio device  150  may be used as described above. To store the artificial tree  200 , the ornamentation  140  and all other objects may be removed from the hooks  123 , and the trunk  110  may be turned from the upright position to an upside-down position. By rotating the trunk  110 , the second ends  122   b  of the branches  120  may be returned from the first position  200   a  to the second position  200   b  due to gravity or with a user&#39;s assistance. The stand  130  may be removed from the trunk  110  or folded as described above. The trunk  110  and the branches  120  may then be housed in the storage case  210  as shown in  FIG. 5   c.    
   It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.