Patent ID: 8916242

Claim:
A kit for constructing an artificial tree trunk, comprising: a first tree trunk section having a first end including a receiving portion; a second tree trunk section having a second end including an extending portion; an extending member disposed on at least one of the first tree trunk section and the second tree trunk section; and a generally hollow sleeve having: a first sleeve end having an inner diameter sized to receive the extending portion of the second tree trunk section; a second sleeve end sized to receive the receiving portion of the first tree trunk section; a shoulder proximate the first sleeve end; and a cutout in the sleeve, the cutout configured to receive the extending member, and wherein the cutout in the sleeve is U-shaped and extends from an end of the sleeve; wherein the receiving portion of the first end of the first tree trunk section is configured to be inserted into the second sleeve end and contact the shoulder; and wherein the extending portion of the second tree trunk section is configured to be inserted into both the first sleeve end and the receiving portion of the first end of the first tree trunk section.