US1694974A

US1694974A - Artificial christmas tree

Info

Publication number: US1694974A
Application number: US131558A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles H Glover
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1926-08-26
Filing date: 1926-08-26
Publication date: 1928-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 1945-12-11

Description

Dec. ll"

c.'H. GLovER ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREEk 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 26, 1926 MEL Dec. 1l, 1928.

C. H. GLOVER ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE Filed Aug. 26, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 C/uzrdes 6701/91" FME Patented Dec. 11, 1928.

UNITED STATES PAilEN'l."y OFFICE,

CHARLES nenovnn, lon LA caninas,-ILL11\Io1s..k

. Aar-Iniciar, CHRISTMAS'TREE... A

Alipncation mea Aggiunge, 1926. semain. l131,558. "f

This invention relates tovGhristmas trees and more particularly to artificial trees ofthe demountable type. r

It contemplates more especially the pro- I vision ofv a readily portable tree of the type mentioned, which canbe assembled and `dismantled with` ease so as to enable its shipment at little expense and inconvenience.

, Artificial trees are highly desirable .in that they can berepeatedly used without impairing their beauty kor usefulness, it being.r pos-v sible by the present invention to provide standard units of any suitable `form which bear a relation to each other `to facilitatethe assemblagethereof so as to produce with ease,

a structure of inexpensive construction andv fanciful design. Trees of known construction are not entirely desirable, in that they can not readily be dismantled to provide a compact and portable unit.

One object ofthe present. invention is to simplify and improve the construction of devices of the character mentioned.

Another object is to provide an ornamental artificial tree which is durable, fire proof,A and inexpensive.

A further Objectis to provide a tree can be easily assembled andl dismantledk to provide a compact, portable unit. A still further object is to provide a tree 'having collapsible branches capable ofselective association and disassociation.

' Other objects and advantages will: appear from the following description of an illustrated embodiment ofthe present invention.

v ment and attaching means therefor. v

Figure 6 isa detail view. 'of a branch' supporting and securing member embodying fea-l I tures ofthe present invention.

' Figure 7 isa fragmentary plan viewof the base' member; whichV supports the bole of the tree. I* L' lhe structure s elected for illustration comprises abole or trunk. I10 consistingV ,preferably of a sectional tubular metal pipe having any number of telescoping sections 11 constitutlng metallic tubularmembers of reduced diametersto kpermit thereception of each. in

the next succeeding section.

The bole 10is,'.inth`is instance, supported in ab'ase'member'whichl comprises a disc 12 f having radially extending stabilizing menibers 12.3 which, intermediate the endsfthereof, are pivotallyassociated with the disc by means` of the threaded studs laprojected therethrough and havinga nut 15 in threaded engagement therewith to selectively render themembers `l'rigid with respect to the disc 12. The inner extremities of the radially extending members 13 which overliethe` disc v 12, are provided/with arcuate portions 16 which confront each otherto define acircular recess to receive the boley 10. Withthis arrangement itV will be apparent that with the removal of the bole 10, the nuts l5 Vcan Abe readily loosened to permit removal of the members 13 "or their deflection to assume a compact'arrangement such as the dotted line position shown in Figure 7' to'permit itto be 'conveniently handled or .ins'erted'in a ,suitable container. Adjacent .the oute'redge'of the disc 12 themembers 13 arebent'downwardly and outwardly as indicated at 1.3@ 'so that `the' projecting portions ofl thesemembers vmay lie in A f a commonplane to provide a stable `basefor 1,;heb'ole1l0 j y'In order tof readily'and' detachably secure the branches constituting constituentfelements/*of y thetree to` the bolev or vtrunk 10, a

series' ofrings areV `longitudinally spaced 'at bole 10. 'The rings, in 'this instance,` "are formed from a circular member lpreferably lof metallic construction which Iis crimpedv at Y'desired distances along thejlengthof the spaced ypoints Vabout the periphery-*thereof to 'define a bolle embracing vportion 18 whereby itis" securely fixed thereto. Portions 19 of the ring 17 .are thereby vdisposed-:from

l.the bole lotto. define' peripherally spaced ioo interstices or loops 20 adapted to receive the branches of the tree to be hereinafter described.

The branches, in this instance, are of metallic construction, they being composed of a single strand of wire bent at its mid portion to define a loop or eye 21 and formed into two parallel extending

adjacent portions

22 and 23 having their free extremities bent upon themselves to define two loops-24 for a purpose that hereafter will be apparent.

The loops 24 receive therein a pivotally engaging eye 25 terminating in parallel extending

resilient arms

26 and 27 which are slidable in a clip 28 composed of a strip of material bent upon itself to define an elon ated opening 29 wherein the arms 26 and 2 are detachably secured. The cli 28 has a centrally projecting portion 30 ormed integral therewith which terminates in a laterally extendin arcuate shoulder 31 adapted to support t e pivotal branch in a horizontal or predetermined radiali extending position. It will be apparent t at the cli s 28 projected in the interstice 2O of the c ip 18 tend to securely fix the ring 17 to the bole :so as to revent relative movement therebetween.

s shown, the alternate clips are so positioned with respect to each other that the succeeding branches of each series are staggered (Flgure 4) in order that the branches may be pivotally deflected upwardly to assume positions intermediate each other without interference. By so doing, the tree may be dismantled or preferably collapsed, thereby defining a compact unit occupying very little space, which may be readily placed in a container for shipment or storage purposes.

It will be obvious from Figure 1 that the branches, in this instance, are of such length l as to define a conical body portion, although a body of any form or contour may be provided by merel va in the len h of the branches to suii7 0113s idividualgtfancy.

The `branches are preferably covered with metallic tinselled strand consisting of a tinselled cord 32 rovided with radiating glistening minute s or thistles 33 which are about 1/2.-,long to define a tinsel having a diameter of about 1", it being wound u on the branches as shown in Figure 5, to simu ate the ordinary thistles of a natural tree. The bole as well as the strands are green in color so as to closely imitate a natural Christmas tree. As described above, the extremities of the branches terminate in a loop 21 whereon the ornaments may be secured so as to create the desired ornamentation and appearance characteristic of trees of the character mentioned.

It will be a parent from the above that an artistic, arti cial tree has been provided which is inexpensive, durable, and composed of constituent elements which may be readily assembled and dismantled with ease or collapsed so as to define a compact unit for the purpose specified.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details of the construction varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a Christmas tree, a trunk, rings spaced longitudinally along said trunk, said rings having projecting portions defining perip erally spaced pockets, and branches removably fixed in said pockets. y, Y i

2. In a Christmas tree, a bole, staggered branches hin edly associated with said bole, and means or normallyy supporting said branches in a horizontalV position, said branches being arranged to assume a vertical position adjacent said bole.

3. The combination Vwith a bole, of a series of branches associated with said bole, each of said branches comprising a wire bent intermediate the ends thereof to define an eye, the extremities of said wire being looped, and means detachably associated with said bole to hingedly support said branches.

4. The combination with a bole, of a series of branches associated-with said bole, each of said branches comprising a wire bent intermediate the ends thereof to define an eye, the extremities of said wire being looped, and means detachably associated with said bole to hingedly support said branches, said means comprising a` wire bent to define resilient arms for yieldably engaging said bole.

5. The combination with a tree branch comprising a wire bent to define a loop at one extremity thereof, another wire bent inter- ,mediate the ends thereof and extending through said loop to hingedly support said branch, and a clip embracing the arms of said supporting wire, said clip having means thereon to support said branch in a predetermined position. j f

6. The combination with a bole, a disc disposed below said bole, and radial extending members pivoted to said disc, each said member having a confronting arcuate end defin-` ing a recess to receive said bole.

7. The combination with a bole, of a support for said bole, said support comprising a base, and radially extending members pivv oted to said base each member having a recess for receiving said bole, said` members being foldable when said bole is removed.

8. In an artificial tree,a bole comprising a plurality of telescopic sections, a plurality of limbs for said bole, andresilient means spaced along said bole to support said limbs, said means preventing relative movement between said sections when said limbs. are in place. j Y j y 9. In an artificial tree, a bole formed of telescopio sections, a base plate for said bole, and stabilizing members removably attached to said base, said members being laterally pivotal.

10. In an artieial tree, a bole formed of telescopic sections, spaced members on said hole, clips supported by said members, branches for said bole, and means on said branches engageable in said'clips whereby said clips Will be forced against said sections to prevent relative movement therebetween. v

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my'name.

CHARLES H. GLovER.