US2911748A

US2911748A - Artificial christmas trees

Info

Publication number: US2911748A
Application number: US649452A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rodgers Dominick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-03-29
Filing date: 1957-03-29
Publication date: 1959-11-10
Anticipated expiration: 1976-11-10

Description

Nov. 10, 1959 D, RODGERS 2,911,748

ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREES Filed March 29, 1957 IN VENTOR:

BYAQOMU LicA @wlgz/w Attorney.

United States Patent ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREES Dominick Rodgers, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application March 29, 1957, Serial No. 649,452 3 Claims. (Cl. 41-15) This invention relates to artificial Christmas trees and particularly to a readily stored, strong and stable artificial tree.

Many forms of artificial Christmas trees have heretofore been proposed. Conventionally these trees are based upon the use of a central trunk with a plurality of axially extending branches which "may or may not fold for storage. In either event, such trees are bulky in storage, unstable in use and expensive to make.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, inexpensive, stable, easily stored artificial Christmas tree.

Another object of the invention is to provide an artificial Christmas tree capable of folding into a flat compact mass.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an artificial Christmas tree having a plurality of diverging side members with at least two such members removably connected together at one end to form a point or apex and diverging from said end in conical fashion, connecting means connecting the diverging side members adjacent the end opposite the apex connection end to a central axis and rotatable thereabout, means on said opposite end of the apex-connected members adapted to be fixed to a support surface and spaced holding means on each diverging member adapted to receive successive tiers of ropelike sprays of fringed material and decorative lamps.

Other objects, advantages and purposes of this invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following description and the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation of a segment of a diverging member of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged front elevation of the segment shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevation of a fastening means of Figures 1, 3 and 4.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated four diverging

side members

10, 11, 12 and 13 connected together by a bolt 14 at one end to form a point or apex, although it will be understood that more than four side members may be employed to complete the conical shape. Each diverging member '10, 11, 12 and 13 is provided with a U-shaped supporting portion 15 at the end opposite bolt 14. A connecting and spacing rod-like or strap member arm 16 connects each diverging

member

10, 11, 12 and 13 to a central axis 17, whereby the members are rotatable thereabout. Each diverging

member

10, 11, 12 and 13 is provided with spaced openings 18 receiving hook means 19, said hook means being crimped tightly through the openings 18" in tight contact with the diverging member.

The Christmas tree of this invention is operated in the following fashion. The diverging

members

10, 11, 12 and 13 are stored by removing bolt 14 and turning the diverging

members

10, 11, 12 and 13 about the axis to form a flat, compact assembly. To assemble and use the invention, the diverging

members

10, 11, 12 and 13 are rotated about the axis 17 so as to be degrees apart. The bolt 14 is inserted through the ends of the diverging members and tightened in place. Screws or like fasteners (not shown) are placed through openings 20 in the inwardly-bent and downwardly and outwardly extending end portion or U-shaped member 15 and into a supporting surface to hold the tree in upright position. Festoons 21 of ropelike interwoven twigs or artificial sprays and like decorative material are hung over the hooks 19 as illustrated in Figure 1. Similarly ropes of decorative electric lamps 22 may be hung over the hooks 19. 7

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described hereinabove, it will be understood that the invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims;

Iclaim:

1. A hollow artificial and ornamental tree construction comprising, downwardly-diverging side members having inwardly-bent bottom end portions, a central pivot support means, spacing arms extending inwardly from said bent portions and connecting said side members on a central vertical axis to said pivot support means for rotation thereabout, a plurality of said side members converging upwardly to form an apex at a top end of the construction, means securely connecting said upwardly-converging side members together at said apex in a releasable relationship with respect to each other, supporting portions extending downwardly from said inwardly-bent bottom end portions and adapted to be positioned on a supporting surface, said apex and said pivot support means being connected together only through said upwardly-converging side members, means in a vertically spaced relation on said upwardly-converging and downwardly-diverging side members for suspending decorative material therefrom, and the tree construction being collapsible by releasing said securing means and turning said plurality of side members on the central vertical axis about said pivot support means into a compact assembly.

2. A tree construction as defined in claim 1 wherein, said supporting portions are of substantially L shape and have apertured feet for inserting fasteners thereinto and into the supporting surface to hold the tree construction in an upright position.

3. A hollow artificial and ornamental tree construction comprising, downwardly-diverging side members having inwardly-bent lower end portions, said members defining a conical shape, a central pivot support means, means extending inwardly from said bent lower end portions and connecting them on a central vertical axis to said pivot support means for rotation thereabout, at least four of said side members converging upwardly to form an apex, means securely connecting said upwardlyconverging side members together at said apex in a releasable relationship with respect to each other, said lower end portions being of substantially U-shape for positioning the construction on a supporting surface, said apex and said pivot support means being connected together only through said side members, and verticallyspaced hook means along said side members for suspending decorative material in a tier relationship thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 460,876 Kurth Oct. 6, 1891 849,962 Bell Apr. 9, 1907 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,084,577 France July 7, 1954