Patent Publication Number: US-7585552-B2

Title: Apparatus and method of assembling an artificial tree and table surface decoration assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/783,755 filed on Mar. 17, 2006, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to decoration assemblies, and more particularly to decoration assemblies adapted to be used in conjunction with a support structure. 
   Decoration assemblies such as Christmas trees for example, are often used during various times of the year. For example, decoration assemblies may be used as seasonal displays or may be displayed during a particular holiday season. As such, generally decoration assemblies are usually only displayed for a portion of the year and are then stored for future use. Storage of at least some known decoration assemblies can create a challenge. In particular, because at least some known decoration assemblies are large and inflexible, such decoration assemblies may be difficult or awkward to move and may take up a significant amount of storage space. Moreover, because of their construction, design, or size, at least some known decoration assemblies may be difficult to assemble. For example, a Christmas tree decoration may include a plurality of limbs that must be coupled to, or removed from, a central support member when the tree is assembled or disassembled. Depending on the size, orientation, and number of limbs it may be a tedious and time consuming task to assemble or disassemble such trees. For example, at least some known Christmas tree decorations include a plurality of limbs that are threadably coupled to the central support member. 
   Additionally, at least some known free-standing decoration assemblies may be unstable when assembled. For example, at least some known Christmas tree decorations may require a Christmas tree be positioned within a stand. However, if the Christmas tree is not positioned correctly within the stand and/or if the stand is not securely coupled to the tree, the Christmas tree may easily tip over. 
   Furthermore, at least some known decoration assemblies are large and cannot be used in conjunction with a support structure. For example, because of their size or weight, known Christmas tree decorations must be coupled to a stand designed for such a decoration, that is supported on a flat surface such as the ground or a table top, but such trees may not be used in conjunction with an alternative stand or with a support structure that enhances the assembly, storage, and stability of the decoration assembly. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect of the present invention, a decoration assembly includes an artificial tree including a plurality of arms, wherein each arm is independently rotatable from a storage position to an erect position, and a support member coupled to the tree. The support member includes an interior surface and an opposite exterior surface. The interior surface defines a cavity within the support member. The support member further includes an electrical distribution system configured to be positioned within a portion of the cavity. The decoration assembly further includes a secondary support member including a table surface, an opening through the table surface, and at least three legs coupled to the table surface. The support member is configured to extend through the opening such that the secondary support member substantially circumscribes the support member. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, a method of assembly includes providing an artificial tree including a plurality of arms, wherein each arm is independently rotatable from a storage position to an erect position, and coupling a support member to the tree. The support member includes an interior surface and an opposite exterior surface wherein a cavity is defined with the support structure. The method further includes positioning an electrical distribution system within a portion of the cavity and coupling a secondary support member having a table surface, an opening through the table surface, and at least three legs coupled to the table surface, to a portion of the support member such that the support member extends through the opening and the secondary support member substantially circumscribes the support member. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary decoration assembly; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a tree and an exemplary support member that may be used with the decoration assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary support post that may be used with the decoration assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary base assembly that may be used with the decoration assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary decoration assembly  100 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a tree and an exemplary support member  104  that may be used with decoration assembly  100 .  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary support post  156  that may be used with decoration assembly  100 .  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary base assembly  186  that may be used with assembly  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, decoration assembly  100  includes a tree  102 , a support member  104  coupled to tree  102 , and a secondary support member  106  that circumscribes support member  104 , as described in more detail herein. 
   In the exemplary embodiment, tree  102  includes a central support shaft  108  that has a radially outer first end  110 , an opposite, radially inner end  112 , and a plurality of arms  114  that extend outwardly from support shaft  108 . In the exemplary embodiment, support shaft  108  is a tubular member that includes a cavity  116  defined therein and extending from end  110  to end  112 . In the exemplary embodiment, shaft  108  is fabricated from a metallic material. Alternatively, shaft  108  may have any cross-sectional shape and/or be fabricated from any material that enables shaft  108  to function as described herein, such as, but not limited to a plastic, a carbon graphite material, and/or any combination thereof. 
   In the exemplary embodiment, arms  114  are spaced axially along shaft  108  such that axially-adjacent arms  114  are separated by an axial distance L 1 . In the exemplary embodiment, each arm  114  is coupled to shaft  108  using at least one fastening mechanism  118 . More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, each fastening mechanism  118  is a bearing that allows each arm  114  to rotate from a storage position  120  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) to a display position  122  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). In an alternative embodiment, fastening mechanism  118  is any mechanism that enables decoration assembly  100  to function as described herein. In another embodiment, at least some of arms  114  are removably coupled to shaft  108 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment, each arm  114  includes at least one branch  124  extending outward therefrom, and at least one light-emitting device  126  coupled thereto. In an alternative embodiment, each arm  114  does not include at least one branch  124  and/or does not include at least one light-emitting device  126 . 
   As described above, decoration assembly  100  includes support member  104 . In the exemplary embodiment, support member  104  is a hollow, tubular member that includes a first end  128  and an opposite second end  130 . Support member first end  128  is coupled to shaft second end  112 . In the exemplary embodiment, support member first end  128  extends from shaft second end  112  and member  104  is formed integrally with shaft  108 . In an alternative embodiment, support member first end  128  is removably coupled and/or is rotatably coupled to shaft second end  112 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment, support member  104  includes an interior surface  129  and an opposite exterior surface  131 . Interior surface  129  defines a cavity  132  that extends through at least a portion of support member  104 . In the exemplary embodiment, support member  104  includes a transition portion  134  extending from first end  128  towards second end  130 , a stop portion  136  that extends from transition portion  134 , and a coupling portion  138  that extends from stop portion  136  to second end  130 . In the exemplary embodiment, transition portion  134 , stop portion  136 , and coupling portion  138  are formed integrally together. In an alternative embodiment, transition portion  134 , stop portion  136 , and coupling portion  138  are coupled together. In an alternative embodiment, support body member  104  does not include transition portion  134 . Rather, support member  104  includes stop portion  136  and coupling portion  138  extending therefrom. 
   In the exemplary embodiment, stop portion  136  includes a first body portion  140  and a second portion  142  extending from first body portion  140 . In the exemplary embodiment, second body portion  142  has a frusto-conical cross-sectional profile defined by a first diameter  143  at a first end  144  and a second diameter  145  at a second end  146 . In the exemplary embodiment, first diameter  143  is larger than second diameter  145 . In an alternative embodiment, second diameter  145  is greater than first diameter  143 . In another alternative embodiment, second portion  142  is formed with any suitable shape that enables support member  104  to function as described herein. In a further alternative embodiment, support member  104  does not include first portion  140 , but rather support member  104  includes only second portion  142 . 
   Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, decoration assembly  100  is coupleable to an electricity source (not shown) through an electrical connector assembly  148 . Connector assembly  148  enables electricity to be supplied to light-emitting devices  126 . In the exemplary embodiment, assembly  148  includes a wire  150  including at least one male connector  152 . Alternatively, wire  150  may be formed with a female connector. 
   In the exemplary embodiment, wire  150  extends through support member  104  and is helically wrapped around at least a portion of shaft  108 . Specifically, a portion of electric wire  150  extends through cavity  132  such that connector  152  extends beyond second end  130  of support member  104 . In an alternative embodiment, an electrical source is coupled to shaft  108  in any suitable manner that enables decoration assembly  100  to function as described herein. 
   Decoration assembly  100  also includes a support post  156  that is configured to couple to support member  104  and extend therefrom. In the exemplary embodiment, support post  156  includes a first end  158 , an opposite second end  160 , and a cavity  161  that extends therethrough from first end  158  to second end  160 . Moreover in the exemplary embodiment, post  156  is fabricated from a metallic material. In an alternative embodiment, post  156  may be fabricated with any shape or from any material such as, but not limited to a plastic material, a carbon graphite material, and/or any combination thereof, that enables decoration assembly  100  to function as described herein. 
   Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, support post  156  includes a coupling portion  162 . In the exemplary embodiment, support post  156  and coupling portion  162  are formed integrally. In an alternative embodiment, support post  156  and coupling portion  162  are coupled together. 
   In the exemplary embodiment, coupling portion  162  includes a first portion  164  and a second portion  166  extending from first portion  164 . Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, second portion  166  is formed with a frusto-conical cross-sectional profile that is defined by a first diameter  163  at a first end  168  and a second diameter  165  at a second end  170 . In the exemplary embodiment, first diameter  163  is larger than second diameter  165 . In an alternative embodiment, second diameter  165  is greater than first diameter  163 . In a further alternative embodiment, second portion  166  is formed with any suitable shape that enables support member  104  to function as described herein. 
   Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, first diameter  163  of first end  168  is sized approximately the same as first diameter  143  of first end  144 , and second diameter  165  of second end  170  is approximately the same size as the second diameter  145  of second end  146 . In an alternative embodiment, the diameters are any suitable size to enable decoration assembly  100  to function as described herein. 
   In an alternative embodiment, support post  156  does not include coupling portion  162 . In a further alternative embodiment, support post  156  does not include first portion  164 , but rather includes only second portion  166 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment, support post  156  includes an opening  169  defined within a sidewall  167  of support post  156 . Opening  169  is a distance D 2  from second end  160 . Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, support post  156  is coupleable to an electricity source through an electrical connector assembly  171 . Connector assembly  171  is positioned within support post cavity  161 . In the exemplary embodiment, electric connector assembly  171  includes a wire  172  that extends between a first end  174  and a second end  176 . Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, wire first end  174  extends from support post first end  158 , wire  172  is routed through a portion of cavity  161 , and wire second end  176  extends through post opening  169 . In the exemplary embodiment, first end  174  includes a female connector  178  that is sized and oriented to couple to connector  152 , and second end  176  includes a male connector  182 . In an alternative embodiment, first end  174  includes a male connector, and second end  176  includes a female connector. 
   Decoration assembly  100  also includes a base assembly  186  that is configured to couple to support post  156 . In the exemplary embodiment, base assembly  186  includes a base  188 , a support post  190  extending from base  188 , and a retaining pin  192  sized for insertion within a portion of support post  190 . In the exemplary embodiment, base  188  is a known “patio table umbrella base”. Alternatively, base  188  may be any structure that enables decoration assembly  100  to function as described herein. In the exemplary embodiment, base  188  has a frusto-conical cross-sectional profile defined by a first diameter  193  at a first end  194  and a second diameter  195  at a second end  196 . In the exemplary embodiment, first diameter  193  is smaller than second diameter  195 . In an alternative embodiment, second diameter  195  is smaller than first diameter  193 . In another alternative embodiment, base  188  has any suitable shape that enables decoration assembly  100  to function as described herein. 
   Support post  190  includes a first end  198 , an opposite second end  200 , and has a cavity  202  defined therein that extends from first end  198  to second end  200 . In the exemplary embodiment, support post  190  also includes an opening  204  defined within a sidewall  203  that is sized and oriented to receive retaining pin  192 . In the exemplary embodiment, retaining pin  192  includes a shaft  206  and a handle  208  extending from shaft  206 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment, decoration assembly  100  includes a secondary support member  106  that is sized and shaped to substantially circumscribe support member  104 . In the exemplary embodiment, support member  106  is a known “patio table”. Alternatively, support member  106  may be any table configured to support tree  102  and member  104  as described herein. In a further alternative embodiment, support member  106  is not a table, but rather may be any item, such as but not limited to, a furniture item or a furniture accessory that enables decoration assembly  100  to function as described herein. 
   In the exemplary embodiment, support member  106  includes a means  302  for positioning support member  106  on the ground or other surface, and a table surface  304  attached thereto that includes at least one opening  316  defined therein. In the exemplary embodiment, opening  316  is sized to receive member  104  therein. Table surface  304  is oriented substantially horizontal, and is fabricated from any suitable material that enables decoration assembly  100  to function as described herein. 
   For example, support member  106  includes at least three legs  302  and table surface  304 . Each leg  302  includes a first end  306  and an opposite second end  308 , and tabic surface  304  includes an upper surface  310  and an opposite lower surface  312 . In the exemplary embodiment, each leg first end  306  is positioned in contact against lower surface  312  to support table surface  304 , and each leg second end  308  is positioned against ground, deck, and/or floor. 
   In the exemplary embodiment, support member  106  also includes a reinforcing element  318  that couples to each leg  302 . Reinforcing element  318  includes an opening  320  defined therein such that each leg  302  extends through a portion of opening  320 . Reinforcing element  318  is configured to provide reinforcing support to member  106 . In an alternative embodiment, support member  106  does not include reinforcing element  318 . 
   During assembly of member  106 , in the exemplary embodiment, reinforcing element  318  is coupled to legs  302 , and leg first ends  306  are coupled to lower surface  312  of table surface  304 . 
   During assembly of tree  102  and member  104 , in the exemplary embodiment, each arm  114  of tree  102  is coupled to shaft  108  with at least one fastening mechanism  118  such that each arm  114  is rotatable between storage position  120  and display position  122 . Once each arm  114  is coupled to shaft  108 , wire  150  of assembly  148  is helically wrapped around at least a portion of shaft  108  and a portion of electric wire  150  is positioned within cavity  132  such that connector  152  extends beyond second end  130  of support member  104 . 
   Moreover, during assembly of decoration assembly  100 , in the exemplary embodiment, base assembly  186  is positioned on the ground (not shown), and support post  156  is positioned within reinforcing element opening  320  such that support post  156  is substantially perpendicular with respect to the ground and base assembly  186 . Specifically, support post second end  160  is inserted within tubular member cavity  202 . After insertion of support post  156  into base assembly  186 , retaining pin  192  is rotated within opening  204  to substantially secure support post  156  in position within support post  190 . 
   Once support post  156  is secured within support post  190 , support member  104  is coupled to support post  156 . Specifically, female connector  178  is coupled to male connector  152 . Once connectors  152  and  178  are coupled together, support member  104  is inserted through member  106 . Specifically, member  104  is inserted through opening  316  in table surface  304  of member  106 . After insertion through opening  316 , member  104  is fittingly and removably coupled to support post  156 . In the exemplary embodiment, coupling portion  138  of support member  104  is positioned within cavity  161  of support post  156 , and portion  136  is positioned within coupling portion  162 . Specifically, end  130  is inserted into cavity  161  through end  158  such that portion  164  substantially circumscribes portion  136 , and portion  166  substantially circumscribes portion  142 . More specifically, first end  144  is substantially aligned with first end  168 , and second end  146  is substantially aligned with end  170 . In the exemplary embodiment, support member  104  may be rotated with in support post  156 . 
   Once tree  102 , member  104 , support post  156 , and base assembly  186  are coupled together, male connector  182  may be inserted into at least one or but not limited to, an electrical outlet (not shown), a power strip, an extension cord, and/or any combination thereof to supply electricity to light-emitting devices  126 . 
   Moreover, in an alternative embodiment, during assembly of decoration assembly  100 , base assembly  186  is positioned on the ground (not shown). Once base assembly  186  is positioned on the ground, support post  156  is inserted through member  106 . Specifically, post  156  is inserted through opening  316  in table surface  304  such that support post  156  extends from upper surface  310  to lower surface  312 . In the alternative embodiment, coupling portion  162  extends above upper surface  310 . Once support post  156  is positioned within opening  316 , support post  156  is coupled to post  190 . Specifically, support post end  190  is positioned within cavity  202 . 
   In the alternative embodiment, after coupling post  156  to post  190 , female connector  178  is coupled to male connector  152 . Once connectors  152  and  178  are coupled together, support member  104  is fittingly and removably coupled to support post  156 . Coupling portion  138  of support member  104  is positioned within cavity  161  of support post  156 , and portion  136  is positioned within coupling portion  162 . Specifically, end  130  is inserted into cavity  161  through end  158  such that portion  164  substantially circumscribes portion  136 , and portion  166  substantially circumscribes portion  142 . More specifically, first end  144  is substantially aligned with first end  168 , and second end  146  is substantially aligned with end  170 . In the exemplary embodiment, support member  104  may be rotated with in support post  156 . 
   In the alternative embodiment, once tree  102 , member  104 , support post  156 , and base assembly  186  are coupled together, male connector  182  may be inserted into at least one of, but not limited to, an electrical outlet (not shown), a power strip, an extension cord, and/or any combination thereof to supply electricity to light-emitting devices  126 . 
   During use, a user (not shown) may rotate arms  114  of tree  102  between storage position  120  and display position  122 . In the exemplary embodiment, to rotate arms  114  between position  120  and position  122 , a user rotates each arm  114  in a downward direction  322  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). In an alternative embodiment, a user may rotate each arm  114  in an upward direction (not shown). 
   The above-described apparatus and method provide a decoration assembly. The decoration assembly may include a secondary support member wherein a tree and a support member are fittingly coupled to the secondary support member. The tree and support member may be removed from the secondary support member for storage purposes. The secondary support member, which may be configured in many different ways, may be adapted for other purposes when the tree and support member are separated from the secondary support member. The decoration assembly described herein is flexible and easy to transport. The decoration assembly is also easy to assemble. Moreover, the decoration assembly has improved stability with the use of a secondary support member. 
   As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
   Exemplary embodiments of an apparatus and method of constructing a decoration assembly are described above in detail. The decoration assembly and methods illustrated are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the apparatus may be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein. Further, steps described in the method may be utilized independently and separately from other steps described herein. 
   While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.