Abstract:
A device comprising a base, a foam pillar disposed adjacent the base and adapted for receiving a plurality of boughs to form the shape of a tree, and a support member operably associated with the foam pillar to provide support for the foam pillar.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/593,766, filed Jun. 14, 2000, which application Ser. No. 09/593,766 is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/132,306 filed on Aug. 11, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,458, issued Jul. 25, 2000 and which is a division of application Ser. No. 08/797,698 filed on Feb. 11, 1997 and issued on Mar. 16, 1999 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,744, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0002]    This application is related to application Ser. No. 09/132,305 filed on Aug. 11, 1998 and issued on Dec. 28, 1999 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,882. Application Ser. No. 09/132,305 is a division of application Ser. No. 08/797,698 and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to imitation trees and more particularly to an imitation Christmas tree.  
           [0004]    Over the years, trees have been used for indoor and outdoor decoration and enhancement. For example, during the Christmas season, millions of trees are cut down for symbolic and decorational purposes. Cutting down live trees is wasteful, cumbersome and often the natural trees are poorly shaped and sized. Accordingly, over the years, numerous artificial or imitation trees have been developed. Some examples of these artificial trees can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,697 to Dieffenbach et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 2,125,907 to Frei; U.S. Pat. No. 2,851,807 to Taylor; U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,901 to Johnson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,210,232 to Wielland; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,019 to Magee.  
           [0005]    These numerous attempts have still failed to provide an imitation or artificial tree that is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, but yet natural in appearance and which provides a natural tree aroma.  
         OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an artificial or imitation tree, which employs natural or artificial boughs to create a natural looking tree.  
           [0007]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide an artificial or imitation tree, which employs real natural boughs in which the lives of the boughs can be maintained for a period of time by watering the tree.  
           [0008]    Still a further object of this invention is to provide an artificial or imitation tree, which can be used for decoration.  
           [0009]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide an artificial or imitation tree, which is perfectly shaped.  
           [0010]    Still a further object of this invention is to provide an artificial or imitation tree, which can vary in size from a miniature decoration to an average Christmas tree size.  
           [0011]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a method of manufacturing an imitation tree, which employs natural boughs.  
           [0012]    Still a further object of this invention is to provide a stand, which allows the simple insertion of the boughs thereto.  
           [0013]    A further object of this invention is to provide an artificial or imitation tree, which can be purchased with ease and set up without any cumbersome effort.  
           [0014]    Still a further object of this invention is to provide an artificial or imitation tree, which can be ordered as a gift for a third party.  
           [0015]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide an artificial or imitation tree, which is inexpensive to manufacture, purchase and maintain.  
           [0016]    Still a further object of this invention is to provide a natural looking imitation tree, which is environmentally friendly by utilizing only the boughs or branches of real trees.  
           [0017]    In summary, the present invention discloses a novel configuration for an imitation tree, which includes a fluid bearing support stand and a plurality of either natural or artificial boughs attached throughout the stand forming the shape of a tree, whereby the boughs, if they are natural, absorb the fluids retained within the stand, and for a method of manufacturing such an imitation tree. Additionally, the present invention discloses a novel configuration for a support stand for attaching boughs thereto, which includes a base support, a foam pillar having a height and supported at one end by the base support and a frame substantially around the foam pillar for providing additional rigidity for the foam pillar. These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following: 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a front elevational partial cross-sectional view of this novel imitation tree.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the pillar.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is an exploded front elevational view of the top portion of the pillar.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the pillar and the frame.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the holly decoration.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the pine cone decoration.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the bow decoration  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is a top front perspective view of this novel imitation tree shown with decorations.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 is a partial top front perspective view of the pillar and frame shown with the shipping brace.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     FIGS.  1  and  2   
       [0028]    Referring to FIG. 1, the imitation tree T is shown comprised of the stand ST and a plurality of boughs B.  
         [0029]    The stand ST includes a saucer SA, a pillar P and a frame F. The saucer SA is the base support for the stand ST and it has a basin  2  for retention of excess water W that drips through the pillar P, as will be discussed further below. The saucer SA, or base support, can be of almost any shape, here it is shown in a bowl-type fashion. The saucer SA will have, regardless of its shape, a height  4 , a top ridge  6  with a top diameter  8 , as well as a bottom  10  with a bottom diameter  12 . Within the saucer SA there should be a lip  14 , with a lip depth  16  and an interior side wall  17 . The lip  14  is the area upon which the pillar P and the frame F will rest, as will be discussed further below. For a miniature tree design, it is preferred that the top diameter  8  be about 6 inches, the bottom diameter  12  be about 4½ inches, the height  4  of the saucer SA be about 2¼ inches and the lip depth  16  be about 1½ inch.  
         [0030]    The pillar P must be of a material that will allow the boughs B to be inserted into it and subsequently support the boughs B. It is preferred that the pillar P be of a plastic foam type of material, which is comprised of numerous cells or fibers. If the imitation tree T is to employ natural boughs B, rather than artificial boughs B, then it is further preferred that the pillar P be made of florist plastic foam. That is, a phenolic floral plastic foam that can be purchased from the manufacture, Smithers Oasis, located in Trent, Ohio. It is understood that the pillar P could be of any material so long as it retains the fluid long enough for the boughs B to absorb it, as will be discussed further below.  
         [0031]    The pillar P can be of almost any shape, but it is preferred to be of a conical shape and even more particularly of a frustum-conical shape.  
         [0032]    Having the frustum-conical shape, the pillar P will have a height  18 , a top  20  with a top diameter  22 . The pillar P will also have a base  24  with a base diameter  26 . The pillar P is supported by the saucer SA because the base  24  rests on the lip  8  of the saucer SA. Accordingly, as mentioned above, in order for the pillar P to rest on the lip  14 , the base diameter  26  of the pillar P must be of a lesser value than the top diameter  8  of the saucer SA. Thus, the pillar P will be supported by the lip  14 . However, it is noted and shown in FIG. 1, the pillar P does not have to be supported by the lip  14 . That is, the base  24  of the pillar P may extend below the lip  14  and be supported by the interior side wall  17  of the saucer SA (shown in FIG. 1).  
         [0033]    The pillar P is divided into portions, a lower third portion  28  a middle third portion  30  and an upper third portion  32 . These portions,  28 ,  30  and  32  are not physical divisions, but rather reference portions for the insertion of the boughs B, as will be discussed further below.  
         [0034]    If natural boughs B are to be used, then it is preferred that the pillar P also have a well  34  extending into its body from the top  20 . The well  34 , having a well depth  36 , is to aid in allowing water W or any other liquid food supplement to be poured into the pillar P, as will be discussed further below. As an alternative embodiment, if natural boughs B are to be used, then a wick  38  can be attached to the pillar P at its base  24  and extend into the saucer SA, as shown in FIG. 1. The wick  38  is for absorbing an excess water W or any other liquid food supplement residing in the basin  2  of the saucer SA. The wick  38  is optional. For a miniature imitation tree T, it is preferred that the height  18  of the pillar P be about 11½ inches, the top diameter  22  be about 2 inches, the base diameter  26  be about 5½ inches, and the well depth  36  be about 1¼ inch.  
         [0035]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame F is a structure that is placed over the pillar P to provide stability or support for the pillar P in the lateral direction. Without the frame F, the pillar P, which is made of a foam material, will tend to fall over. The frame F is supported by the saucer SA. In other words, the base ring  40  of the frame F rests on the lip  14  of the saucer SA. Once the base ring  40  is in place, it is glued (not shown) to saucer SA in a plurality of locations. As an alternative, the base ring  40  could be similar to that of a snap ring, shown in FIG. 2. In other words, the base ring  40  could be discontinuous at one place  41 . That is, the discontinuous base ring  40  would have a first and second end. As such, the base ring  40  would have to have a base ring diameter  42  slightly larger than the top diameter  8  of the saucer SA. With the base ring  40  being discontinuous at one place  41 , the base ring  40  can be squeezed or compressed to fit within the top diameter  8 , of the saucer SA. Once in place, the base ring  40  can be released so that it snaps or expands to the size of the top diameter  8 . As such, the pressure that the base ring  40  will be exerting outwardly, will hold the frame F to the saucer SA.  
         [0036]    The frame is also made up of support members  44  which extend the height  46  of the frame F and connect to the base ring  40 . The frame F is preferred to also include a frustum-conical spiral  48  which extends from the base ring  40  to the top  50  of the frame F. The spiral  48  has a height, a base end adjacent to the base ring  40  and a top end. Wherever the spiral  48  interconnects with the support members  44 , they are joined together, forming joints  52 .  
         [0037]    The top  50  of the frame F is made by the support members  44  intersecting and crossing each other. It is preferred and shown in FIG. 2, that there only be two support members  44 . That is, each support member  44  is to attach to the base ring  40 , extend the height  46  of the frame F and then crossover to form the top  50  of the frame F and then to extend back down the other side of the frame F and to reattach to the base ring  40 . With both of the support members  44  being formed in this fashion, the support members  44  will intersect at the top  50  and at that intersection they should be joined. It is noted that more than two support members  44  could be employed.  
         [0038]    In order to provide rigidity, the frame F is preferred to be made of wire. However, it is understood that there are numerous other materials that could be used to provide such rigidity, such as plastic. It is further preferred that the shape of the frame F be of a similar shape to that of the pillar P, in order for the frame F to fit smoothly over the pillar P. Shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame F is of a frustum-conical shape.  
         [0039]    It is further understood that the frame F need not entirely surround the pillar P. In other words, the frame F could partially or substantially surround the pillar P, so long as it provides support for the pillar P.  
         [0040]    Additionally, if the base ring  40  is to be like a snap ring, then the frustum-conical spiral  48  could also be cut  53 , or be discontinuous in its lower portion, to aid in the insertion of the frame into the saucer SA, as shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0041]    For the miniature tree T design, it is preferred that the base ring diameter  42  be about 5½ inches, the frame height  46  be about 12 inches and that the spiral  48  be welded to the support members  44  at all of the joints  52 .  
         [0042]    Referring again to FIG. 1, the boughs B are shown in stick form. The boughs, branches or tree limbs B can be either artificial or natural. It is preferred that they be natural, so the imitation tree T will appear to be natural and it will also provide a natural aroma. The boughs B can be of any type of natural tree, such as, but not limited to, balsam fir, boxwood, cedar and pine. If it is preferred that the imitation tree T have a Christmas tree look, then the boughs B are preferred to be balsam fir boughs B. The natural types of boughs B can be supplied by lumber companies that “tip-off” natural trees. That is, the lumber companies remove the limbs from the trees. By using the boughs B that are trimmed off, no extra trees need to be cut down or destroyed and as such, there is a less of a harmful impact on the environment.  
         [0043]    The boughs B are to be inserted into the tree all around the pillar P as well as on the top  20 . Each bough B has a cut end  54  and a free end  56 . It is the cut end  54  that is inserted into the pillar P. Because the pillar P is to be of a foam material, the boughs B are easily pushed into the pillar P. The boughs B should be of a length  58  such that the pillar P can support the boughs B. For example, if one was making a small or miniature tree T with a small pillar P, one would not want to use extraordinarily large boughs B. Accordingly, the length  58  of the boughs B should be proportionate to the size of the pillar P, so long as the pillar P can support the boughs B.  
         [0044]    If natural boughs B are to be used, a user will need to pour water W or a liquid food supplement into the top  20  of the pillar P, so that the foam material of the pillar P will absorb the water W into its cells and become saturated. The cut ends  54  of the boughs B will absorb any water W or liquid, that is retained within the pillar P. Thus, the lives of the natural boughs B will be maintained.  
         [0045]    An object of the present invention is to make this imitation tree T have a perfect shape and appear to be natural and full. Accordingly, the boughs B are to be inserted at different angles in order to make the tree T have a proper shape. Within the lower third portion  28  of the pillar P, the boughs B are to be inserted around the pillar P at an angle  60  of about 10 degrees to about 15 degrees from a horizontal reference. The boughs B are also to be inserted in the middle third portion  30  of the pillar P at an angle  62  of about 20 degrees to about 35 degrees from a horizontal reference. The boughs B are to be inserted into the pillar P in its upper third portion  32  at an angle  64  of about 45 degrees to about 70 degrees from a horizontal reference. At least one natural bough B is to be attached to the top  20  of the pillar P at an angle  66  of about 0 degrees to about 10 degrees from the longitudinal axis  68  of the pillar P. Placing the boughs B into the pillar P in this fashion will assist in making the tree T appear to have a natural shape.  
         [0046]    To ensure that the imitation tree T has a full appearance, it is preferred that the boughs B be inserted into the pillar P at a density of about 1 bough B per square inch to about 4 boughs B per square inch of the pillar P.  
         [0047]    Additionally, to aid in the presentation and perfect look of the tree, the boughs B after being inserted into pillar P should be trimmed at an angle  70  of about 15 degrees to about 45 degrees from the longitudinal axis  68  of the pillar P all around the longitudinal axis  68  of the pillar P, and is preferred to be about 30 degrees. It is understood that boughs B in the different portions,  28 ,  30  and  32 , could be trimmed in numerous ways and at varying angles. For a miniature tree T, the trim angle  70  is the angle, measured from about 4 inches to about 5 inches from the top  20  of the pillar P, from the longitudinal axis  68 .  
         [0048]    For clarity of how the boughs B are to be inserted into the pillar P, the following is provided: the boughs B are inserted into the foam pillar P in the lower third portion  28  at an angle of about 75 degrees to about 80 degrees from the longitudinal axis  70 ; the boughs B are inserted into the foam pillar P in the middle third portion  30  at an angle of about 55 degrees to about 70 degrees from the longitudinal axis  70 ; and, the boughs B are inserted into the foam pillar P in the upper third portion  32  at angle of about 20 degrees to about 45 degrees from the longitudinal axis  70 .  
         [0049]    For a miniature Christmas tree T design, it is preferred that the length  58  of the boughs B in the lower third portion  20  be about 10 inches to about 12 inches, prior to being trimmed. It is also preferred, for a miniature tree T, that the distance from the longitudinal axis  68  to free end  56  of the boughs B located in the lower third portion  28  of the pillar P be of about  16  inches to about  20  inches, after being trimmed. Additionally, it is preferred, for the miniature tree T, that after being trimmed: the length  58  of the boughs B, located in the lower third portion  28  to be about 7 inches to about 9½ inches; the boughs B located in the middle third portion  30  to be about 5½ inches to about 7 inches; the boughs B located in the upper third portion  32  to be about 4½ inches to about 6 inches; and, the boughs B located on the top portion  20  to be about 3 inches to about 4½ inches.  
       FIG.  3   
       [0050]    [0050]FIG. 3, a bottom plan view of the pillar P with the wick  38 . As mentioned above, the wick  38  is optional. Its purpose is to absorb any excess water W that drips into the saucer SA and thus, provide additional water W to the boughs B.  
       FIG.  4   
       [0051]    Referring to FIG. 4, the pillar P is shown in cross-section with a break line. The well  34  has a well diameter  72  and a well depth of  36 . Of course the well diameter  72  must be of lesser value then the top diameter  22  of the pillar P. For the miniature tree T, the well depth  36  is preferred to be of about {fraction (1/4)} inches to about {fraction (1/2)} inches, and even further preferred to be about {fraction (1/4)} inches. Having this well  34  in the top  20  of the pillar P, will make it easy for the user to pour the water W or any liquid food supplement, into the pillar P. Thus, the user will pour the water W into this well  34  area and then the water will be disbursed throughout the pillar P. It is understood that more than one well  34  could be employed. That is, there could be numerous wells  34  located at varying depths within the pillar P.  
       FIG.  5   
       [0052]    [0052]FIG. 5 displays an alternative embodiment of the frame F about the pillar P. Here, the frame F consists of a top ring  74  a base ring  40  and a plurality of annular rings  76 , rather than a conical spiral  48  (shown in FIG. 1). Also shown are support members  44 . That is, each support member  44  is attached to the base ring  40 , and extends to the top ring  74  and attaches thereto. Thus, the top ring  74  is the top  50  of this embodiment of the frame F. The annular rings  76  are disposed between the base and top rings  40  and  74  and are attached to the support members  44 . The diameter of each ring decreases respectively from the base ring  40  to the top ring  74 , to give the frame F a frustum-conical shape. Only three support members  44  of this type are needed (only two are shown in FIG. 5, but the third member  44  is on the other side). However, more members  44  could be employed. It is also noted that base ring  40 , here in this embodiment, could also be like a snap ring discussed above. Additionally, the annular ring  76  closest to the base ring  40  could also be cut or discontinuous at one place to aid with the insertion of the frame F into the saucer SA.  
         [0053]    Also shown in FIG. 5 is alternative embodiment of the pillar P, showing it without a wick  38 .  
       FIG.  6   
       [0054]    Decorations D are to be placed all around the tree to enhance the appearance of the tree T. One type of such decorations D are holly berries  78 , which can be either real or imitation. The decorations D are attached with wire (not shown), to a florist pick  80 , and then the pick  80  is inserted into the foam pillar P. The florist pick  80  extends the decoration D out from the pillar P to give the appearance that the decorations D are resting or supported by the boughs B.  
       FIG.  7   
       [0055]    In this Figure, the decoration D shown is a pine cone  82 . The pine cone  82  is also attached to a florist pick  80 , with wire, not shown.  
       FIG.  8   
       [0056]    The decoration D shown in this Figure is a bow or ribbon  84 . The bow  84  is attached to a florist pick  80 , with wire, not shown. It is preferred that the bow  84  be inserted or arranged to be on the top  20  of the pillar P.  
       FIG.  9   
       [0057]    [0057]FIG. 9 displays a finished, trimmed and decorated imitation tree T. The saucer SA, as well as the pillar P and the boughs B can be seen. The bow  84  is placed at the top  20  of the pillar P. The pine cones  82  can be seen disbursed all about the tree T just as the holly berries  78  are. It is preferred that all of the components of the stand ST, namely, the pillar P, saucer SA and the frame F be the color green. This will aid in giving the tree T a fuller appearance.  
       Operation  
       [0058]    In order to make this novel imitation tree T, the stand ST must first be produced. To do so, one must supply a saucer SA, as well as pillar P and a frame F. The pillar P is inserted into the saucer SA and then the frame F is placed over the pillar P and into the saucer SA.  
         [0059]    Once the stand ST is completed, boughs B, preferably balsam or pine tips, need to be collected, gathered or bought. Once collected, the boughs B are to be inserted into the stand ST in the manner described above. The boughs B are to be inserted into the pillar P so as to support the rest of the branch from falling to the ground.  
         [0060]    With the boughs B inserted into the stand ST the free ends  56  all of the boughs B need to be trimmed at a continuous and constant angle  70  to give the tree T a perfect looking shape. Note, as described above, the boughs B could be trimmed at different angles to give the tree T a different shape.  
         [0061]    Once trimmed, the tree T needs to be decorated with decorations D. Accordingly, decorations D need to be supplied, preferably fourteen imitation holly berries  78 , fifteen pine cones  82  and one tartan bow  84 .  
         [0062]    If the imitation tree T is to be shipped, then a tree brace  86 , as shown in FIG. 10, must be supplied. The tree brace  86  comprises an insertion member  88  a cross member  90  and a hook  92  attached to the insertion member  88 . The insertion member  88  is attached to the cross member  90  to form a cross-like shape. The insertion member  88  is bent, to be able to be inserted into the pillar P, whereby the cross-like shape is maintained substantially parallel with the top  18  at the pillar P. The tree brace  86  is inserted into the top  20  of the pillar P until the hook  88  of the tree brace  86  reaches and intersects the top  50  of the frame F. The hook  88 , which catches or snags a support member  44 , prevents the tree brace  86  from proceeding farther into the pillar P. The tree brace  86  allows the imitation tree T to be inserted into a shipping box, not shown, whereby the box will not crush the imitation tree T. In other words, the tree brace  86  squares off the top of the imitation tree T for uniform fitting into a box, not shown. Note, FIG. 10 does not display the boughs B or the decorations D; however, they were not shown for clarity purposes.  
         [0063]    If natural boughs B are used in the imitation tree T the tree T will need to be watered with water W or supplied with a liquid food supplement. The owner of tree T will need to pour approximately one quart of cool water W slowly (about one minute) into the well  34  of the pillar P or in the area at the base of the bow  84 . If while pouring the water W into the pillar P, the water W starts to spill out from the tree T, then the water W needs to be added more slowly.  
         [0064]    While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, of uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general the principal of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features herein before set forth, all fall within the scope of the invention and of the limits of the appended claims.