Patent Publication Number: US-11653782-B1

Title: Tree top decoration mount

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application filed on Aug. 26, 2020, and having application Ser. No. 63/070,536, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure relates to trees and more particularly to a device for mounting a tree top decoration, typically known as a tree topper, in trees and the like, such as mounting decorative top pieces in holiday tree displays. 
     In the field of tree displays and holiday trees, it is popular to mount decorative tree toppers to trees to provide attractive looking presentation. In the case of many Christmas trees, the top of the tree is the least substantial portion of the entire tree, and as tree toppers become more elaborate, the ability of the tree becomes inadequate to support a heavier topper or topper with larger potential wind load. Therefore, and improved way to mount decorations to tree tops is desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the disclosure, an improved mount for tree topers is provided. The mount includes an elongate piece intended for positioning in a vertical orientation along the upper center of the tree trunk, with plural bendable members spaced along the piece, extending horizontally relative to the vertical piece, adapted for engaging with branches of the tree, to provide a robust mounting for a tree topper. 
     The subject matter of the present technology is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and embodiments thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an exemplary tree topper mount; 
         FIG.  2    is a partial close-in view of the upper portion of the tree topper mount of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a view of the tree topper mount of  FIG.  1    with a tree topper in position; 
         FIG.  4    is a view of a tree top decorative mount installed in a tree; and 
         FIG.  5    is a view of a second tree topper mount of a different color. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure a tree topper mount is provided to allow a decorative or other item to be mounted near the top of a tree, which may comprise a Christmas tree in a specific case. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a perspective view of an exemplary tree topper mount,  FIG.  2   , a partial close-in view of the upper portion of the tree topper mount, and  FIG.  3   , a view of the tree topper mount of  FIG.  1    with a tree topper in position, the mount  10  comprises a central post  12  extending a length  14  in a first direction representative of a vertical axis, with plural engagement members  16 ,  18 ,  20  positioned spaced apart from one another along an extent of the central post. The engagement members extend a distance horizontally from each of 2 sides of the central post. In the preferred embodiment, member  16 , the bottommost member is longest length  22 , with member  18  positioned centrally of the 3 engagement members being of a middle length  24 , and engagement member  20 , the top most, being the shortest length  26 . Positioned at the top of the central member is a receiver  32  (discussed in connection with  FIG.  2   ) suitable for mounting a removable tree topper ornament or the like therein. 
     Optional mounting D-rings  21  are positioned on each side of the central post  12 , placed around the engagement members to assist with maintaining the engagement members in position relative to the central post. In an alternative embodiment, such as in a case where the device is manufactured by injection molding, the D-rings may not be necessary to maintain the engagement members in position. 
     The central post  12  is preferably fairly rigid to hold its shape and provide a strong spine to the construct, whereas the engagement members  16 ,  18 ,  20  are flexible to allow them to be bent, but maintain their shape once bent but engage with limbs of a tree. 
     In use, the central post  12  of the mount is positioned along side the central trunk of a tree, near the top of the tree. The flexibility of the engagement members allows them to be bent to interact with limbs of a tree, so that the entire mount may be removably secured to an individual tree, by wrapping the engagement members around portions of limbs. Once the engagement members are secured to the tree, they hold their position and maintain the mount&#39;s position relative to the tree. Thus, once the need for the tree display is complete, the tree topper ornament may be removed and the engagement members may be disengaged from the tree limbs so that the mount can be removed, for use again at another time and/or location. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a mount installed on a tree  46 . It may be observed that the members  16 ,  18  and  20  are intertwined with branches of the tree, thereby maintaining central post  12  in position to provide a support for the mounting of tree topper  48 . While the illustrated tree is an artificial tree, the device works as well with natural trees. Since the members  16 ,  18 ,  20  can be bendable, they can be wrapped around the tree branches leaving the branches in their original position, or the branches can be wrapped around the members, or a combination of wrapping both the branches and members together. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , showing mounting of an example tree topper therein, the illustrated topper  34  is a decorative representation of a star, and includes a mounting post  36 . Once the mount  10  is secured to a tree, the post  36  is inserted into receiver  32 , whereby the decoration is now positioned on the tree. The engagement of post  36  by receiver  32  can be such that the post is free to rotate within the receiver, which might be desirable in the case of topper decorations designed to spin in the wind, or the engagement can be sufficiently secure such that the topper  34  is unlikely to rotate or be inadvertently blown out of the mount by the wind. 
     In a particular embodiment intended for residential use, which might be used in smaller size trees, suitable dimensions comprise: 
     Engagement member  20  is positioned at a distance  40  being 2.25 inches from the top of central post  12 . 
     Engagement member  18  is positioned at a distance  42  being 5.5 inches from the top of central post  12 . 
     Engagement member  16  is positioned at a distance  44  being 9 inches from the top of central post  12 . 
     Central post  12  length  14  is 10.5 inches/26.5 cm. 
     Length  22  of Bottommost member  16  is 10 inches/25 cm. 
     Length  24  of middle member  16  is 8 inches/20 cm. 
     Length  26  of topmost member  16  is 6 inches/15 cm. 
     Diameter  30  of central post  12  is ⅜ inch/1 cm. 
     Suitable D-rings  21  are 2×7 mm silicone D-rings. 
     Receiver  32  suitable comprises a 2 inch depth opening or hole formed in the top of the central post  12 . The diameter of the hole is suitably 3.5 mm. 
     Openings formed in the central post  12  to receive the members  16 ,  18 ,  20  are suitable 3.5 mm diameter. 
     In a commercial use version, for deployment of larger tree toppers in larger trees or locations needing more robust securement, suitable dimensions comprise: 
     Central post  12  length  14 , 18 inches/26.5 cm . 
     Length  22  of bottommost member  16 , 10 inches/25 cm 
     Length  24  of middle member  16 , 8 inches/20 cm 
     Length  26  of topmost member  16 , 6 inches/15 cm 
     Diameter of central post  12 , ½ inch/1.25 cm, with attendant adjustment of the spacing of the members  16 ,  18  and  20 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  6   , receiver  32  suitably has a depth  38  of 2 inches (5 cm) from the top of the central post  12 . 
     Central post  12  is tubular in particular embodiments but does not need to be and can be of any desirable cross sectional profile. Construction materials for the central post  12  can be plastic, aluminum, wood, other materials. Member  16 ,  18 ,  20  are suitably plastic or silicone coated bendable wires or the like. End caps may be provided on the members. The central post can be plastic with bendable wires extending therefrom, and the entire structure can be coated with or dipped in silicone or plastic compound that allows for movement. 
     Other embodiments can have the engagement members  16 ,  18 ,  20  extending from only 1 side of the central post, or one member extending one direction only from the post while another member extends in a different direction off of the post. While the illustrated embodiment has the members extending in 2 directions substantially 180 degrees from each side, more than 2 directions of extension of the engagement members and different relative angles can also be employed, the amount or members employed may depend on the weight or wind load of a particular topper that is to be attached to a tree. 
     The removability of the topper ornament allows changing of the type of decoration without requiring the removal of the mount from the tree if the type of display warrants such, allowing decorations to be changed with holidays or seasons as desired without requiring a new mount or reinstallation of the mount. 
     The central post and engagement members may be provided in particular colors that match or complement the color of the trees they are being used with, so that the mount can be camouflaged by the tree and not be apparent on casual observing of the tree. Shades of green to match tree color or browns/grays to match the limb/trunk color of trees are typical colors that may be employed.  FIG.  5    illustrates a different color central member from the version shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  3  and  4   , for example. End caps may be provided at the distal ends of the members  16 ,  18  and  20 , as shown in  FIG.  5   . 
     While in the illustrated embodiment, central post  12  is substantially circular in cross section, other cross sectional shapes may be employed, such as a more flattened circle or oval, square, rectangular, triangular, or other shape. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the device has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the technology.