GB2130881A - Artificial trees - Google Patents

Abstract

An artificial tree comprises a stem part 5 and a set of assemblies, each assembly having a mounting part 7, 8, 9 which slidably engages the stem part and branch parts mounted on, and extending away from, the mounting part, the tree also having locating means such as wire linkages 20 which are adapted and arranged to locate the assemblies at required levels for display of the tree and to be compacted together for packaging of the tree. One or more fixed assemblies may be provided in addition to the set of slidable assemblies if required. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Artificial trees The present invention relates to artificial trees.

Such trees are most commonly used as Christmas trees but may be used for other purposes, usually decorative. It is to be understood that the term "tree" as used herein is intended to include varieties of vegetation of tree-like configuration irrespective of whether they might, in practice, be regarded more naturally as shrubs or bushes.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an artificial tree as hereinbefore defined which comprises a stem part and a set of assemblies, each assembly having a mounting part which slidably engages the stem part and branch parts mounted on, and extending away from, the mounting part, and locating means being adapted and arranged to locate the assemblies at required levels for display of the tree and to be compacted together for packaging of the tree. One or more fixed assemblies may be provided in addition to the set of slidable assemblies if required.

Artificial trees have a bulk which complicates their commercial distribution and their carriage by individual purchasers. In its compacted form an artificial tree as provided by the invention has a bulk which is typically of the order of one half of that which it occupies for display purposes.

Further, the ordinary purchaser is able to bring it from the compacted form to the display form with little or no instruction.

According to a preferred arrangement the locating means is connected with or adjacent to the mounting parts of the assemblies aforesaid.

The locating means may be connections of strut-like character for supporting the assemblies from below. Such connections may be provided in a form such that they may be engaged with the assemblies after the positioning thereof for display. Preferably however, they are permanently connected with the assemblies, e.g. they may be of such articulated form that they be brought into the required load-bearing state by a simple overcentre manipulation thereof about their joints.

It is however preferred to provide the locating means in the form of tension means. With this arrangement the assemblies are suspended from above. Bringing the tree into the display state is simplified. Additionally, the need to provide the lowermost assembly with an arrangement for securing it, and the other assemblies, in position, and the provision of a base which is removable, alone or with a section of the stem part, are avoided.

In the description which follows, specific reference is made only to tension means but it is to be understood that this specificity does not exclude strut connections except where otherwise implied by the context.

It is within the scope of the invention to provide the tension means in the form of separate tension parts for each assembly, each tension part extending to a level above that of the uppermost assembly of the set. Improved results however are obtained by providing the tension means in the form of sections by which each assembly of the set which has another of the assemblies above is linked with the said assembly above. Conveniently the uppermost assembly of the set is suspended by the tension means from an anchorage which is fixed relative to the stem part. This anchorage may be a further mounting part having branch parts mounted thereon.

The appearance of the tree depends upon the positioning of the foliage when held by the tension means. In practice it is found to be difficult to achieve positioning with reasonable accuracy by tension means in the form of lengths of flexible material, e.g. extruded synthetic material.

Consistent accurate results are obtained, in accordance with a feature of the invention, by providing the tension means in the form of rigid parts articulated together. Rigid parts formed of wire give very satisfactory results, with simple tooling, especially when articulated together by interengaging loops.

The accuracy of (virtually automatic) positioning of the branch parts required for display is readily and economically achieved by the present invention. Similar results could be achieved, in theory, by providing a tapered stem part in association with mounting parts formed with apertures of appropriately graduated size but the precision involved in production is difficult to achieve and conversion from the display form to the packaging form desirable for storage out of season, tends to be complicated by jamming.

In a convenient arrangement, the stem part has an upper section and a lower section which is detachable from the upper section, said upper section being of sufficient height to accommodate the assemblies when they are compacted together. It is to be noted however that although single-piece stem part projects from the compacted foliage, such projection can be tolerated in many cases.

In a preferred form of the tree, at least some of the branch parts are formed of wires twisted together with foliage parts secured therebetween by the twisting.

The mounting parts are conveniently of annular cross section and formed with receiving apertures for receiving the branch parts. A loose (nonprecision) fit of the stem through the centres of such mounting parts is a readily-achieved desiratum.

Advantageously the said receiving apertures extend into the mounting parts in the axial directions thereof and the twisted wires extend into said apertures.

In one arrangement, the apertures extend through the mounting parts in the axial direction thereof and the twisted wires are bent to secure them in position. In another, and preferred arrangement the apertures extend into, not necessarily through, the mounting parts from a face thereof and are secured in position by a cover member secured to said face. This cover member is preferably so secured by engagement of protuberances within receiving apertures.

Securing by an adhesive is possible but not preferred.

To prevent rotation of the branch parts therein, one or both faces of the mounting parts may be formed with grooves extending outwardly from the apertures. In positioning the twisted wires passed into the apertures by bending them to the desired inclinations with the stem part, they are engaged within the grooves and thereby secured against horizontal rotation.

The following description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings is given in order to illustrate the invention. in the drawings: Fig. 1 is an elevation showing the construction of a preferred embodiment of an artificial tree as provided by the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan showing, on an enlarged scale, identical bosses used in the embodiment, Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken at Ill-Ill of Fig. 2 on a further enlarged scale.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of part of the boss of Fig. 2 on a still further enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of part of one of the tension means shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 shows, in plan, a modified form of boss.

Fig. 7 is a cross-section taken at VIl-VIl of Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a retaining cover used with the boss of Figs. 6 and 7, and Fig. 9 shows a modified tension means.

The artificial tree of Fig. 1 has a base 1 formed of two intersecting parts formed with feet 2.

Centrally mounted on the base is a stem section formed of an upper stem section 3 having a central axial projection 4 removably located in a complementary upwardly directed hole formed in the top of a lower stem section 5 which extends upwardly from base 1.

Four identical annular bosses 6, 7, 8 and 9 are mounted upon the stem part 3, 4, 5, which passes through their central apertures dimensioned to give a loose sliding fit. The uppermost boss 6 is fixed permanently into position by a quick-setting resinous adhesive whilst bosses 7, 8 and 9 are left free to slide.

A branch part 10 formed of two wires twisted together and thereby securing foliage parts 11 of bustle-like material is removably mounted by locating the bottom end 1 2 of the twisted wires in a hole drilled in the top of stem section 3. As the bristle-material, it is found to be convenient to employ the longitudinally grooved material of favourable light-reflection properties used in the construction of rotary brushes.

Four branch parts similar to branch part 10 are carried by each one of the four bosses 6 to 9. Their twisted wire ends 1 3 are passed downwardly through vertical holes 14 formed in the bosses and positioned as shown in Fig. 2. The upper face of each boss has a set of recesses 1 5 extending from the holes 14 to its outer periphery 1 6. These recesses are shaped to provide a bottom cylindricai section 1 7 which communicates with the upper face by a contiguous narrowed section 1 8 - see especially Figs. 3 and 4.

To mount a branch part upon a boss, the bristle-free, twisted-wire end portion 1 3 thereof is passed downwardly through a hole 14 until its end, e.g. end 18 in Fig. 1, projects through the lower face. The free part or the end portion is then bent through 900 thereby forcing it through the narrowed section 1 8 into the cylindrical section 1 7. In this way the end portion is held permanently and securely in position. When so held, the twisted wire projecting clear of its boss is then bent into the required position. For most kinds of artificial trees the upward bending shown at 1 9 in Fig. 1 is required.

Boss 9 is suspended from boss 8, boss 8 from boss 7, and boss 7 from fixed boss 6, in each case by a pair of articulated linkages, 20 in Fig. 1. Each linkage is formed of two lengths of wire 21 and 22, both ends of each of which are fashioned, as shown in Fig. 5, to form a loop 23 secured by twisting at 24. Articulation is achieved by arranging one loop of one wire to pass through one loop of the other.

In fitting the branch parts to the bosses, the twisted wires are passed through a free loop or loops of the wire linkages as required.

For simplicity of illustration, only branch part 10 is shown complete in Fig. 1. The branch parts mounted upon the bosses are similar to branch part 10.

As shown in Fig. 1 , the tree is in the display position. For packaging, the suspended bosses 7, 8 and 9 are pushed upwardly towards boss 6 until the branch parts of these bosses are compacted with those of fixed boss 6. When boss 9 has been moved above it, the lower stem section 5 may be detached, with the base 1 , from the upper section 3. The extent of the compaction obtained depends upon the design of the branch parts and is useful with most practical designs.

In the embodiment shown, each boss carries four branch parts. They are secured to the bosses at four angular positions relative to the base but in setting their verticai inclinations may be bent also in the horizontal direction as required. The lowermost boss 9 is not loaded from below and the horizontal inclination of its branch parts can be modified by engagement with those of boss 8. The same is true, to a lesser extent, of boss 8 which is loaded only from boss 9.

As will be noted, each boss is designed to mount up to eight branch parts even though only four are employed in the example shown. Up to eight branch parts per boss may be provided when required without modification of the bosses.

The modified form of boss shown in Figs. 6 8 7 differs from that described with reference to Figs.

2 to 4 in that it is formed on its upper face with four receiving apertures 24, each having a cross section which extends uniformly from a circular entrance 25 to a circular base 26.

When the branch parts have been positioned as described above, they are secured in position by an annular retaining cover 27 having four protuberances 28 which are press-fitted into the apertures 24. These protuberances have frustoconical heads 29 carried by stems 30 as shown.

Their wider, upper peripheries 31 form a secure retaining engagement within the receiving apparatus 24.

Covers 27, the bosses or bath, are preferably moulded from a resilient material, e.g.

polyethylene or plasticised polyvinyl chloride.

In a modified arrangement, the linkages 20 are replaced by tension means in the form of a flexible strip material 30, shown, not to scale, in Fig. 9 formed with transverse slits 31. The material is conveniently a synthetic resinous material, e.g.

plasticised polyvinyl chloride tape of 10 x 1 mm cross-section.

The slit strip is best secured to the mounting parts by pressing it over protuberances provided thereon. An example of protuberances for this purpose is shown in broken lines at 32 in Fig. 6.

They are similar to protuberances 28 shown in Fig. 7. When the heads have been pressed through the sl-its, the resilient nature of the strip material provides a stable engagement. In most cases, a single strip extends from the upper fixed boss 6 to locate all the bosses therebelow. Results adequate for most purposes are obtained with two, diametrically opposed protuberances per boss 32 as shown in Fig. 6. More than two may be employed if required.

Protuberances 32 may be moulded with the bosses or fitted subsequently as preferred.

It will be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are provided for purposes of illustrations only and that various departures may be made therefrom without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, instead of the linkages 20, there may be provided one or more continuous lengths of flexible or articulated material extending from boss 6 and joined to the bosses 7, 8 and 9 by attachments provided on the bosses or, preferably because of the improved ease of accurate assembly obtainable with a suitable jig, provided on said lengths. The continuous length or lengths may be formed, for example, from polypropylene or other synthetic material in strip or spun-fibrous form or metal wire of the multi-stranded type.

It will be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are provided for purposes of illustrations only and that various departures may be made therefrom without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, instead of the linkages 20, there may be provided one or more continuous lengths of flexible or articulated material extending from boss 6 and joined to the bosses 7, 8 and 9 by attachments provided on the bosses or, preferably because of the improved ease of accurate assembly obtainable with a suitable jig, provided on said lengths. The continuous length or lengths may be formed, for example, from polypropylene or other synthetic material in strip or spun-fibrous form or metal wire of the multi-stranded type.

Claims (22)

1. An artificial tree as hereinbefore defined which comprises a stem part and a set of assemblies, each assembly having a mounting part which slidably engages the stem part and branch parts mounted on, and extending away from, the mounting part, and locating means connected with the assemblies, said locating means being adapted and arranged to locate the assemblies at required levels for display of the tree and to be compacted together for packaging of the tree.

2. A tree according to claim 1 in which the locating means is connected with, or adjacent to, the mounting parts of the assemblies.

3. A tree according to either of claims 1 or 2 in which the locating means is tension means.

4. A tree according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the locating means is provided in the form of sections by which each assembly of the set which has another of the assemblies above is linked with the said assembly above.

5. A tree according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the uppermost assembly of the set is suspended by the locating means from an anchorage which is fixed relative to the stem part.

6. A tree according to claim 5 in which the anchorage is a further mounting part having branch parts mounted thereon.

7. A tree according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in which the locating means is provided in the form of rigid parts articulated together.

8. A tree according to claim 7 in which the rigid parts are formed of wire.

9. A tree according to claim 6 in which the rigid parts are formed of wire and have interengaging loops by which they are articulated together.

10. A tree according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the stem part has an upper section and a lower section which is detachable from the upper section, said upper section being of sufficient height to accommodate the assemblies when they are compacted together.

11. A tree according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in which said mounting parts are of annular cross section and are formed with receiving apertures for receiving the branch parts.

12. A tree according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in which at least some of the branch parts are formed of wires twisted together with foliage parts secured therebetween by the twisting.

13. A tree according to claim 12 in which the foliage parts are of bristle-like character.

14. A tree according to claim 11 in which the said apertures extend into the mounting parts in the axial directions thereof and the twisted wires extend into said apertures.

1 5. A tree according to claim 14 in which said apertures extend through the mounting parts in the axial direction thereof and the twisted wires are bent to secure them in position.

1 6. A tree according to claim 11 in which said apertures extend into the mounting parts from a face thereof and the branch parts are secured in position by a cover member secured to said face.

17. A tree according to claim 16 in which said cover member is so secured by engagement of protuberances within receiving apertures.

18. A tree according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or claims 11 to 17 as dependent thereon in which the locating means is tension means provided in the form of flexible strip material.

19. A tree according to claim 18 in which the strip material is formed of resinous material.

20. A tree according to either of claims 18 or 19 in which the mounting parts have projections which pass through the strip material for location of the mounting parts relative thereto.

21. A tree according to claim 20 in which the strip material is formed with transverse slits for reception of said projection.

22. An artificial tree, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings.