US2226349A - Decorative tree - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 24, 1940. A. E. ROYLE DECORATIVE TREE 1 Filed March 21, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mwn m Dec. 24, 1940. RQYLE 2,226,349

DECORATIVE TREE Filed March 21, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR fmexqngw E, $03M W ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 24, 1940 v UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims. (01. 41-15 a My present invention relates to an improved decorative tree which-is. preferably made up in miniature sizes, the dissociated parts of which are made up in asmall compact package for sale. 'I'hesedissociated parts are adapted to be manually assembled, under instructions, by amateurs, thus providing entertainment and novelty for the person or persons assembling tree parts, and also p,

providing an ornamental and decorative tree. 1 In carrying out'my invention I utilize a sheet of thin,'pliant, and somewhat resilient metal, in which sheet are stamped guiding kerfs so that the sheetimay'be flexed and separated at the kerfs into two blanks, one 'or both of which blanks may beutilized in the formation of a tree-trunk or tubular stem having a uniform series of tines. In the package, as sold, a handtool or mandrel is enclosed-by means of which the tines may be converted into curledor twisted branches for the tree. A suitable base,'and appropriate decorative features or ornamentsare also incl'uded'in the package, as will be later described.

In the accompanying'drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention, and the vmethod by which the tree is made, but it'will'be understood that changes and alterations may be made in these exemplifying drawings, within the scope of my claims, without departing from the principles of the invention. Figure 1 is a plan view of a thin sheet metal plate having kerfs of channels stamped in its faces, from which two blanks may be formed by separating the kerfs; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the blanks after it has been separated, as by hand, from another blank of the sheet or plate, part of the separated blank being broken away for convenience of illustration.

Figure 3 is a perspective view (iii a blank with its marginal strip rolled into a tubular stem, which forms the main, upright stem or trunk of the completed tree.

Figure 4 is a perspective view, partly in section, of one form of a hand tool mandrel which is utilized in curling the branches of the tree.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the initial step in employing a mandrel of another type to curl a branch of the tree; and Figure 6 is a similar view showing the completion of the method of curling the tree-branch, the mandrel being in position for release from the curled branch.

Figure '7 is a perspective view at the top of the tree-stem showing the relation of three radially arranged and curled branches, each or whichis 5 fashioned with a supporting lug at its outer end.

Figure 8 is a detail view showingv a portion of the stem, together with a curled branch, and an. ornament attached at the free end of the branch,

Figure 9 is a sectional detail view'of the treebase or support, showing a supporting pin or nail for the tree-stem, and also showing sockets in the base to receive ornaments, shown by dotted lines. w

Figure 10 is, a plan view of a tree-base showing the exterior sockets therein to receive ornaments, w as varied, colored gum drops. '.'Figure"1l is a 'modifiedform of the sheet or metal plate with the kerfs stamped therein.

Figure 12 is a slightly modified form of the treebase, partly in section to show the integral nodules 15 on the base in lieu of socketsto receive the ornamentalgum drops of Figure 9.

Figure 13 is a completed tree showing the curled'branches and decorations on their ends, and the ornamental features of the base of the 20 tree.

i In' carrying out my invention I employ a thin fplate or sheet of suitable material that is capable of being stamped or pressed in a suitable machine, I to provide the zig-zag kerfsshown in Figure 1 25 and also in, Figure 11, which kerfs terminateat a suitable distance from opposite edges 'of' the plate to form marginal edges or flat bars. I have found that sheet metal, treated paper, plastics, or other materials which will take a curl may be 30 used. In some instances even wire may be used.

The metal is pliant and somewhat resilient so that the tines which form the branches of the tree, when curled may wobble or quiver similar to the action of a spring. 35

In Figure 1 I have shown a sheet of metal having a straight marginal edge I and a diagonal edge 2, and between these edges or fiat bars, the zig-zag kerfs are indicated at 3, and it will be noted that the longitudinal kerfs extending trans- 4 versely of the plate, increase in length from the top of the plate toward the lower end of the plate. By grasping the opposite fiat bars I and 2 in the hands and flexing the plate, it will be understood that the plate may be separated into blanks, one 45 .of which is shown in Figure 2 as comprising a flat edge bar I and a series of parallel tines 4, the top tine being the shortest and the bottom tine being the longest, in order that the length of the tree-branches will decrease from the bottom toward the top of the tree.

' The flat marginal edge or fiat bar I is curled or turned from end to end by a suitable tool to form the trunk or tubular stem 5 of the tree, and then the straight tines 4 are curled to form the branches of the tree, a partially completed branch 6 being shown in Figure 6.

For curling the tines I employ a suitable handtool, or other device, as 1, which is a tapered mandrel having a bifurcated end B, or slot 8', and the tines are sucessively curled by the use of this tool. The free end of a tine is inserted in the bifurcated tool I as in Figure then the tine is rolled upon the mandrel while the latter is being turned from position of Figure 5 to position of Figure 6.

Starting at the top of the blank in Figure 3, the

successive tines, as indicated in Figure '7 are turned or curled to form the branches 9, 9, of the tree and the branches are spaced apart in radial I relation to the tree-stem, in imitation of a tree with its branches, as shown in Figure 13; I

For ornamental purposes, the ends of the curled branches 9 are bent upwardly at in to form sup-' porting lugs for confections, as gum drops, which are preferably of varied colors, and are pressed onto the lugs to provide a firm seat thereon. The gum drops, or other suitable confections are indicated at l l in Figure 13, and it will be understood that various other ornaments or decorative features may be hung upon the branches of the tree.

To provide a stable support for the tree I preferably use a hemispherical base l2, which may be of candy, or other suitable material, and the base is formed with a wide flat bottomface or hearing support to prevent accidental tipping of the tree. In attaching the tree to the base a center pin or nail 13 having a head I4 is embedded in the base, and the lower end of the tubular stern of the tree is forced down over the projecting upper end of the pin I3, and the tubular stem fits neatlyon the pin with suflicient friction .to prevent accidental separation of the parts.

In Figures 9 and the exterior face of the hemispherical base is shown as provided with a number of sockets 15 extending over the face of the base, and these sockets are filled with elliptical or egg-shaped confections as l6, indicated by dotted lines in Figure 9. In Figure 12 a modification of this arrangement of the ornamented base is shown wherein the base I! has a number of decorative nodules is fashioned integrally therewith. In either of the two forms, the base and its ornamental or decorative features, different and contrasting colors are used, thus insuring a pleasing efiect for the trimmed tree. 5

In Figure 11 where a slight modification is shown, the edge bars l9 and of the kerfed plate or sheet, form the boundaries for the zig-zag kerfs 2|, and the two blanks fashioned from this plate have narrow tines 22 that are rounded at 10 their ends and the tines are tapered down to their free ends somewaht similar toa comb.

The foregoing description and the accompanying drawings are believed to clearly disclose a preferred embodiment of my invention, but it will be 15 understood that this disclosure is merely illustrative and that such changes in the invention may be made as are fairly within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

- I claim: 20 l. A decorative tree .comprising a hemispherical base having exterior pocketsadapted to receive decorative features, and an upright centerpin mounted inthe base, a'tubular, tree-stem mounted on the center-pin, said stem having 25 radially extending branches, and supporting lugs at the ends of saidbranches adapted to form seatsfor ornaments. l,

2. A'decorative tree comprising a hemispherical base havingexterior receptacles for decorative features, and an upright center-pin mounted'in the base, a tubularmetal tree-stem mounted on the center-pin, said stem having'radially extending, integral and'flexiblebranches, and supporting lugs at the ends of the branches adapted to form seats for ornaments.

3. A" decorative tree comprising a basehaving an upright center-pin, a tubular tree-stem mounted on the center-pin, saidstem having straight, integral radiating branches, said branches each 40 having a multiplicity of uniform curls extending from end to end along the longitudinal axis'of the branch, and lugs at the outer ends of said branches adapted to form seats for ornaments.

ALEXANDER E. BOYLE.

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