Patent ID: 7458475

Claim:
In a display tree-like structure of the type having a stem made of a plurality of end-to-end connected stem elements and a plurality of branches for holding objects, a multi-purpose coupling device for connecting two consecutive stem elements, comprising: a stem connector having a lower plug and an upper plug joined by a stopping ring, said stopping ring extending at the exterior of said stem connector between said plugs; a first branch support comprising a smaller base and a larger base connected by an inner and an outer wall, said outer wall defining a frusto-conical body, said inner wall forming an axially aligned cylindrical bore, said first branch support further comprising a friction ring extending radially inwardly within said axially aligned cylindrical bore and comprising a first and a second friction surface, wherein said first friction surface is defined in a mating plane containing said larger base and is configured to engage said stopping ring of said stem connector while allowing rotation of said first branch support about said stem connector, a plurality of branch arm connectors; and a plurality of V-shaped slots and associated pockets formed in said frusto-conical body for receiving the branch arm connectors supporting said plurality of branches.