Abstract:
A rolling storage cart for movement and storage of multiple parts of an artificial Christmas tree is disclosed. The cart has a wheeled base supporting an upright section having a plurality of holding means, such as arms with forks or clamps, thereon to which dismantled parts or sections of the artificial Christmas tree are engageable for movement to an out of season storage location. The cart can easily be moved and positioned next to the tree during dismantling thereof and for reuse or rebuilding of the tree the following season without causing undue physical burden on the user when the tree is made, for example of metal, has a height of six feet or more, and for has significant weight.

Description:
DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    This application is a U.S. Non-Provisional application based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/404,076, filed Sep. 27, 2010, of which benefit and filing date is claimed and relates to a rolling storage cart for use in storing artificial Christmas tree parts in an organized, moveable manner, so they can be easily placed on the cart, moved to storage, and moved from storage to the tree erection site and taken off the cart to erect the Christmas tree. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Artificial Christmas trees are made in parts or sections, and particularly large ones, say six or seven or eight feet tall, or larger, or made all or partially of metal, are heavy and cumbersome to dismantle and store. The parts or sections of the tree cannot be put back or “stuffed” into their original packaging and/or cartons, which have usually been thrown away. “Stuffing” the tree parts or sections into most containers or cartons risks damage to the tree parts. There is no known prior art disclosing the rolling storage cart(s) for artificial Christmas trees as disclosed herein. 
         [0003]    As noted above, if the parts are carried from the place the tree is displayed to where it could be stored, such as a garage, this can be a daunting and awkward task, and the parts can be damaged. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to the present invention there are provided several embodiments of rolling or wheeled storage carts for storage of an artificial Christmas tree. Each cart comprising a wheeled base supporting an upright or vertical section(s) having a plurality of holding means, such as forks or clamps, thereon to which the dismantled multiple parts or sections of the artificial Christmas tree are engageable for storage out of season. The cart can be easily positioned next to the tree during dismantling thereof, and likewise during erection thereof, for erection or re-erection and reuse of the tree the following season without causing undue physical burden. In this respect, during both dismantling and reconstruction of the heavy artificial Christmas tree, one need only work with a section at a time, with the sections and bottom piece being in close proximity to the area of the tree because the cart rolls on wheels, reducing the burden on the user. Further, the parts are kept in an organized manner of disassembly or assembly so the tree can be easily dismantled or rebuilt. 
         [0005]    More particularly, there are disclosed hereinbelow embodiments of such an artificial Christmas tree storage cart, each having structure thereon to which portions of the artificial Christmas tree can be engaged. While the tree is being dismantled, the parts thereof can be suitably engaged onto the cart and then moved, rolled via its wheels, to a location, such as within a garage or storage shed, for storage and can easily be wheeled back to a location where a tree is desired to be placed the following year. The carts are particularly adapted for use in storing large Christmas trees, having significant weight to them and their parts. As will be disclosed in greater detail hereinafter, the cart produces a means by which a large, heavy artificial Christmas tree can be in a dismantled state, stored thereon and moved from place to place, as needed, without placing undue physical burden on the person dismantling or rebuilding the tree. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a box or shipping carton showing a first embodiment of the rolling storage cart for artificial Christmas tree storage of the present invention completely packed therein. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1  but has a top layer of cart parts therein removed therefrom to show the next layer of parts therebelow. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is similar to  FIG. 2  but shows another layer of cart parts therein removed therefrom to show the next layer of parts therebelow. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is similar to  FIG. 3  but shows only a single cart part left in bottom of the box or carton. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing all the cart parts of the first embodiment of the cart. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a center upright of the first embodiment aligned for engagement to a bottom cross member of the embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the bottom cross member fixed to the center upright at a centered position along the cross member, the cross member being received within a hollow tube or sleeve of the center upright and being fixed thereto and therewithin by frictional engagement via a connector passing through the hollow tube or sleeve and pushing against the cross member therewithin. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective view showing two bottom end parts, each of which engages to one end of the cross member, the cross member end sliding into a hollow tube or sleeve therefore at a centered position along the length of each bottom end part and showing each bottom end part to have wheels thereon for easy transport at once of all the parts of the tree on the cart once assembled. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the bottom end parts being frictionally engaged to each end of the cross member through use of connectors passing through the hollow tubes or sleeves of the end parts and pushing against cross member seated therewithin. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a telescoping upright part being aligned with the center upright to be received telescopically within the free upper end of the center upright, the telescoping upright part having a plurality of horizontally disposed open tubes or sleeves on an upper end thereof. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the telescoping upright part being fixed in desired position within the center upright by frictional engagement of a plurality of connectors through the center upright and against the telescoping upright part seated therewithin. 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing a plurality of horizontally extending arms having holding means, in this instance in the form of U shaped or fork sections on free ends thereof, each horizontally extending arm being engaged to one of the horizontally disposed tubes or sleeves of the telescoping upright part, each such arm being frictionally engaged to its corresponding tube or sleeve by means of frictional engagement of at least one connector through the tube or sleeve and against the arm therewithin. 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the assembled cart of the present invention and shows locking pins passing through aligned bores in the ends of each of the U shaped forks to form holding means or clamps at the ends of the horizontal arms and can engage with one of the parts of the tree. 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing the embodiment of  FIG. 13  next to an artificial Christmas tree to be dismantled and its parts engaged and stored on the cart. 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing the artificial Christmas tree of  FIG. 14  being dismantled into its vertical sections, with the vertical parts sections being engaged to the cart by placement of the center pole of the sections through each of the U shaped clamps and having the pins engaged through the aligned bores in the ends thereof to keep the sections in position on the cart. 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing the vertical sections of the artificial Christmas tree engaged to the cart and further showing a stand or base for the tree engaged within one of the U shaped clamps. 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is an enlarged but somewhat different perspective view similar to that of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view showing all the parts of a second embodiment of the cart of the present invention, unassembled, in a shipping carton box, lying in a single layer. 
           [0024]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view showing all the parts of the second embodiment, after removal from the box. 
           [0025]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view showing two telescopic parts of the bottom or base of the second embodiment aligned for engagement therebetween, each part comprising two elongate sections having a cross member engaging them together at one end thereof, and each cross member having wheels thereon and a hollow centered tube or sleeve therealong extending vertically therefrom. 
           [0026]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view showing the parts frictionally engaged to each other by connectors extending through an outer telescopic section and against an inner telescopic section. 
           [0027]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view showing an upright part of the cart engaged at each end of the base, by seating within the hollow tube or sleeve and being frictionally engaged thereto by means of at least one connector extending through the tube or sleeve (threaded) and frictionally abutting the upright part therewithin, each upright part having a hollow tube or sleeve at a top end thereof directed toward the opposite upright part. 
           [0028]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view showing a pair of horizontal top bars having holding means in the form of U shaped forks or portions, or could be clamps slidably received at desired locations therealong via a tube or sleeve of each clamp which slides over and along the top horizontal bars, the horizontal top bars being telescopic relative to each other. 
           [0029]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view showing a completed second embodiment of the cart of the present invention, with the two horizontal top bars telescoped together with a free end of each being received in an opposite horizontal tube or sleeve of the upright parts and having the U shaped forks or clamps fixed in position by connectors extending through the tube or sleeve of each clamp and frictionally engaging against the horizontal top bar therewithin. 
           [0030]      FIG. 25A  is a perspective view showing the cart of  FIG. 24  fully extended in a horizontal direction and having five tree sections engaged thereto via the forks or clamps. 
           [0031]      FIG. 25B  is a perspective view showing the cart of  FIG. 24  almost fully contracted in a horizontal direction and having three tree sections and the tree base or stand engaged thereto via the holding means or forks or clamps. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    Referring to the drawings in greater detail, there are illustrated therein two preferred embodiments of the rolling, wheeled cart for storage of an artificial Christmas tree made in accordance with the present invention and generally referred to by the reference numerals  10  ( FIGS. 1 to 17 ) and  10 ′ ( FIGS. 18 to 25B ). 
         [0033]    Beginning with  FIGS. 1-4 , a kit is shown to form when assembled the first embodiment of the rolling cart  10  of the present invention. The kit is shown as it would be purchased in a shipping carton or box  12 , the various parts of the cart  10  being positioned in several layers within the box  12  to make it compact and easy to store before purchase, ship, and/or to carry.  FIGS. 2-4  show how the various layers of parts for the first embodiment  10  as when removed from the box  12 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows all the parts of the first embodiment  10  after being removed from the box  12 . It will be seen that the first embodiment is comprised of two end parts  14  having (four) wheels  16 , one at each end thereof and having a hollow tube or sleeve  18  substantially centered therealong, facing a direction perpendicular to the wheels  16 . Also shows are a plurality of arms  20  having holding means  22 , such as forks or clamps  22  on one end thereof. Further, there is provided a cross member  24  and two telescoping bottom and top upright parts,  26  and  28 , respectively, with the bottom telescoping upright part  26  having a hollow tube or sleeve  30  at one end thereof and the top telescoping upright part  28  having a plurality of hollow tubes or sleeves  32  at one end thereof, the hollow tubes or sleeves  32  being equal in number to the number of arms  20  and to receive the same. In the preferred embodiment  10  shown, the number is four, though this should not be construed as limiting. For example two, three, five, six, seven or eight arms could be provided. Further, in the preferred embodiment  10  shown, substantially all the parts of the cart  10  are made from hollow, square or rectangular in cross section material, such as steel, aluminum or plastic. Generally, any non-circular cross-section could be used to prevent rotation. Although for some parts of the cart even round cross-sections could be used where rotation was not a concern. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows cross member  24  being aligned with an entrance into the hollow tube or sleeve  30  of the bottom upright  26 , the tube or sleeve  30  being perpendicular to the upright  26 , and which will lie in a horizontal plane when the embodiment  10  is constructed. The tube or sleeve  30  is of a slightly larger dimension in cross section than the cross member  24  to fit over the latter. Of course, a reverse construction of cross-sections could be used. 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 7  the cross member  24  is shown having been slid through the hollow tube or sleeve  30  to a position where the hollow tube or sleeve  30  is substantially centered along a length of the cross member  24 . The cross member  24  is fixed in this position relative to the tube or sleeve  30  by means of a connector  35 , such as a bolt  35 , passing through at least one bore  36  in the tube or sleeve  30 . Alternatively, the bore  36  could have a threaded portion and/or attached nut (as by welding) and frictionally compressing against cross bar  24  therewithin. 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  provides an enlarged perspective view of the end parts  14  which have wheels  16  at the ends thereof and include the hollow tubes or sleeves  18  at a position perpendicular to the position of the wheels  16 . The wheels permit easy transport of the cart, particularly with the tree components thereon. 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  provides a perspective view showing the end parts  14  being engaged one to each end of the cross member  24 , with all the wheels  16  lying in the same plane and the two hollow tubes or sleeves  18  each engaging over one end of the cross member  24  and being fixed thereover by engagement of a connector  35 , such as a bolt  35 , which extends through at least one bore  38  in each hollow tube or sleeve  18  or be constructed as described above to frictionally engage against an end of the cross member  24  seated therein. 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 10 , with the wheels  16  now resting along the ground, and this construction forming what would be considered a base  46  of the embodiment  10 , the top telescopic upright  28  is now positioned over the bottom telescopic upright in a manner where the top upright  28  can be slid into the slightly larger in dimension bottom upright  26 , with the plurality of hollow tubes or sleeves at a top end  42  of the top upright  28  now lying in a horizontal plane. 
         [0040]    Continuing as shown in  FIG. 11 , once the top upright  28  is slid into the bottom upright  26  to a desired position, at least one connector  35 , such as a bolt  35 , is passed through a bore  44  (alternatively threaded or with a nut secured thereto) in the bottom upright  26  and is frictionally engaged against the end of the top upright  28  to fix the relative positions of the uprights  26  and  28 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the plurality of arms  20  are each slid into one of the now horizontally disposed tubes or sleeves  32  of the top upright  28  and at least one connector  35 , such as a bolt  35 , is passed through a bore  48  in the tube or sleeve  32  and is frictionally engaged against the end of the arm  20  seated therewithin, to create the embodiment  10  shown fully assembled in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0042]    In use, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the cart  10  is brought into a position close to an artificial Christmas tree  36  being dismantled into its various parts for storage. In  FIG. 15 , part of the tree  36  is shown being engaged to one of the holding means  22  by sliding any engageable structure of the tree part over and into the holding means  22  and then completing the engagement of the part within the holding means by sliding the pin  40  through a pair of aligned openings  42  in the free ends  44  of the holding means  22 . This process is continued until every part of the tree  36 , including a tree stand or base  45  thereof, is engaged onto the cart  10 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . After all the parts are placed on the cart  10 , it can be rolled on its wheels to a place of storage. If desired a cover can be placed over the tree parts stand and cart  10 , to keep dust and dirt off the same. 
         [0043]      FIG. 18  shows a second embodiment  10 ′ of the rolling cart for an artificial Christmas tree  36 . It should be noted that the embodiment  10 ′ is larger than embodiment  10 , and the former can store a larger, more parts, artificial Christmas tree. 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 18 , the embodiment  10 ′ is shown within a shipping carton or a box  49  for same, wherein the parts fit therein in a single layer. Viewing  FIG. 18  in combination with  FIG. 19 , the second embodiment  10 ′ is seen to include a base  50  comprised of two telescoping pieces  52  and  54 , the base  50  being adapted to have wheels  56  engaged thereto along end sections  58  and  60 , respectively of telescoping pieces  52  and  54 , as best shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 . Also provided are a pair of uprights  62 , each of which engages within a hollow tube or sleeve  64  provided in the end sections  58  and  60 , at a substantially centered position therealong, on a side opposite that to which the wheels  56  are engaged, as shown in  FIG. 22 . Each upright  62  in turn includes a hollow, perpendicular tube or sleeve  66  at an upper end  68  thereof, each of which pair of sleeves  66  is used to engage one end of one of a pair of telescoping horizontally disposed top pieces  70  and  72 , as shown in  FIG. 24 . Along these telescoping pieces  70  and  72  are slidingly received a plurality of holding means  74  (see  FIG. 23 ) which are configured to have a pair of open ends  76  and a closed end  78  formed by a hollow tube or sleeve  79 , with a cross dimension larger than the top pieces  70 ,  72  so that sleeves  79  may be slid thereover and fixed thereto by connectors  80 , such as bolts  80 , which extend through a bore  82  (alternatively threaded or included a nut secured thereover) in the hollow sleeve or tube  79  at closed end  78  and against the top pieces intermittently along the length of the top pieces  70 ,  72 , as best shown in  FIG. 23 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 24  shows the fully assembled embodiment  10 ′ of the cart of the present invention. 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 25A  the second embodiment  10 ′ is shown in a fully contracted position and in  FIG. 25B  in a fully extended position, respectively. In the fully contracted position, it is suitable for use in a smaller storage area and is suited for use with a smaller tree with less and smaller parts. In the fully extended position, it is suited for use with a larger tree with more and larger parts that require more space for storage. 
         [0047]    Although the Figures show the cart  10  or  10 ′ in use for engaging tree parts for storage thereof, it will be understood that the carts are also used for construction of the tree the following Christmas season. In this respect, the cart  10  or  10 ′ is brought from the storage area to a position substantially near to where the tree is desired to be positioned. The tree base  45  is removed from the cart first and then the remaining parts are removed in the respective order, one at a time, from bottom part to top part, and the tree  36  is reconstructed. 
         [0048]    As described above, the cart  10  or  10 ′ and method of constructing and/or using same, provide a number of advantages, some of which have been described above and others of which are inherent in and apparent from the invention. 
         [0049]    It should be noted that the telescopic pieces could have various other cross-sections, such as rectangular or non-circular or even circular where part rotation is not a problem. Further, as to telescopic pieces, the reverse telescopic construction could be used. Also the inner telescopic piece could be made of a solid cross-section rather than hollow. 
         [0050]    Typical size pieces for the various parts could be made from square or rectangular or other cross section tubing, say from 1″×1″ to say 3″×3″ (or 1″ to 3″ diameter where round tubing could be used), with a side wall of from 1/16″ to ¼″ thick. Not all pieces need be identically or similarly sized, but could vary. The overall erected dimensions for embodiment  10  could, for example, be 26 to 50 inches in height with about 30 inches to 46 inches preferred, 20 to 28 inches in width, with about 24 inches preferred, and 20 to 28 inches in length, with 24 about inches preferred. The overall erected dimensions for embodiment  10 ′ could, for example, be 48 to 56 inches in height, with about 52 inches preferred, 16 to 24 inches in width, with about 20 inches preferred, and 39 to 80 inches in length, with about 43 to 76 inches preferred. Of course, the height of embodiment  10  could be extended 25% to 50% of its lowest height. The length of embodiment  10 ′ could, itself, be telescopically stretched say from 25% to 50% of its total unstretched length. The larger ranges above reflect the fact portions of the carts could telescope, for example, height in embodiment  10  and length in embodiment  10 ′. Of course, as alternatives, either embodiment could be constructed with other telescopic dimensions or no telescopic dimension. 
         [0051]    Modifications may also be proposed to the carts  10 ,  10 ′ without departing from the teachings herein. Also, equivalent elements and/or equivalent steps would fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.