US3676275A

US3676275A - Decorative tree covering for ornamenting an artificial tree

Info

Publication number: US3676275A
Application number: US81762A
Authority: US
Inventors: Seymour D Sloane
Original assignee: SEYMOUR D SLOANE
Current assignee: SEYMOUR D SLOANE
Priority date: 1970-10-19
Filing date: 1970-10-19
Publication date: 1972-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 1989-07-11

Abstract

A decorative tree covering including a tinsel garland attached to backing strips in a pre-designed pattern. The tall covering is adapted to be draped, in tent-like fashion, over a tree, such as a Christmas tree, for ornamentation purposes. An alternate embodiment utilizes a web network for supporting the garland; the tree is further adorned with bows, etc., attached to the network.

Description

July 11, 1972 s. D. SLOANE 3,676,275

DECORATIVE TREE COVERING FOR ORNAMENTING AN ARTIFICIAL TREE Filed Oct. 19, 1970 .3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR SEYMOUR D. SLOANE ATTORNEYS DECORATIVE TREE COVERING FOR ORNAMENTING AN ARTIFICIAL TREE S. D. SLOANE.

Jul 11', 1972" Filed Oct. 19, 1970 INVENTOR SEYMOUR D. SLOANE 5. D. sLoArJE July 11, 1972 DECORATIVE TREE COVERING FOR ORNAMENTING AN ARTIFICIAL'TREE 5 Sheets-Sheet:

Filed Ocq. 19, 1970 SEYMOUR D. SLOANE 9 :7? ATTURNEYS United States Patent Ofice 3,676,275 Patented July 11, 1972 3,676,275 DECORATIVE TREE COVERING FOR ORNAMENT- lNG AN ARTIFICIAL TREE Seymour D. Sloane, 7938 210th St., Flushing, N.Y. 11364 Filed Oct. 19, 1970, Ser. No. 81,762 Int. Cl. A47g 33/08 US. Cl. 161-14 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to ornamentation devices and more particularly to a decorative tree covering.

The tree covering of this invention is especially adapted for, but not solely limited to, use with Christmas trees. The seasonal trimming of Christmas trees, used both for commercial purposes such as in store window displays as well as within the home, is both a time consuming and somewhat burdensome task.

This invention is intended to facilitate the decorating of such trees and to provide a time-saving expedient, particularly useful during the busy holiday season.

The decorative tree covering is adapted to be draped over or placed around a tree in a tent-like fashion, and is flexible enough to be accommodated over trees of Various sizes. The device is comprised of a plurality of longitudinal rib members or backing strips which are secured together and radiate from a central ring, said ring being placed over the top or main stem of the tree and supported thereby. Additional support is provided by the projecting tree branches. A garland comprised of a wreath, festoon, chain of flowers, tinsel, etc., is aflixed to the backing strips in a pendulous manner to form a pre-designed pattern. The tree covering is formed as an integral unit; however, a modified embodiment is provided with a longitudinal opening and closure fastening means running generally along the opening. The covering may also be formed as two separate half-sections joined together by means of similar fastening devices. A further embodiment encompasses the use of a web network including a plurality of longitudinal and transverse intersecting backing strips suspended from the top of the tree for supporting attached garland and adorned with bows or other decorative attachments at each of said network intersections.

It is an object therefore of this invention to provide a decorative tree covering of the general character described herein.

Specifically it is an object of the instant invention to provide a decorative tree covering having a pre-designed pattern which may be draped over a tree as an integral unit.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a decorative tree covering having a plurality of longitudinal backing strips for supporting a garland.

Another object of this invention is to provide a decorative tree covering wherein a web network is draped over the tree in tent-like fashion and has attached thereto ornamental articles.

Another object of this invention is to provide a decorative tree covering which is readily adapted for placement over a tree and presents an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown some of the various embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Christmas tree showing the decorative tree covering of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective enlarged view of the decorative tree covering shown prior to placement over the tree and includes a plurality of longitudinal backing strips adapted to be fastened over the top or main stem of the tree and also has a plurality of generally transverse garlands shown in a pre-designed pattern and attached to the longitudinal strips.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the decorative tree covering of this invention wherein a longitudinal opening is provided to permit the covering to be wrapped around the tree, members are included to fasten the covering in a closed position.

FIG. 4 is a partial auxiliary view shown to an enlarged scale taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and shows in detail the hook and eyelet members for fastening the covering.

FIG. 4A is an enlarged partial perspective view taken of the encircled portion of FIG. 2 and shows a central ring member for securing together one end of each longitudinal strip.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of two half-sections of a modified embodiment of the decorative tree covering of this invention wherein the two half-sections are joined together by means of hook and eyelet members.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the upper portion of the decorative tree covering showing a hollow cone shaped mounting fixture adapted to be placed over the top or main section of the tree, the mounting fixture additionally has an annular rim for securing the ends of a plurality of longitudinal strip members.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the decorative tree covering of this invention wherein the garland is attached to the longitudinal backing strips in a pre-designed and polygonal configuration.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 7 and shows fastener attachment of the garland to the longitudinal backing strip.

FIG. 9 is a further embodiment of the decorative tree covering of this invention wherein a web network formed by a plurality of intersecting longitudinal backing strips and transverse backing strips which support the garland in a decorative pendulous pattern; additionally, a plurality of bows are affixed to the network at the points of intersection of said backing strips.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view to an enlarged scale taken along line 1010 of FIG. 9 and shows in detail the garland and the bow attached to the intersecting backing strips.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view to an enlarged scale taken of the encircled portion of FIG. 9 and shows a central ring placed over the top or main stem of a tree for supporting the longitudinal and transverse backing strips forming the web network.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference number 20 denotes generally the decorative tree covering of this invention which as shown in FIG. 1, is adapted to be placed over or around a tree 22, typically a Christmas tree, for ornamentation purposes. The tree covering 20, is preferably fashioned in a predesigned pattern and may be formed as an integral unit having a tent-like appearance as shown in FIG. 2. The covering is comprised of a plurality of longitudinal backing strips 24 which are secured together and radiate from a central ring 26, said ring 26 being adapted for placement over the top or main stem 28 of tree 22. One end of each longitudinal strip 24 is provided with fastening means, such as hook 29, which is adapted to be engaged around ring 26 and to thereby support the longitudinal backing strip 24.

The longitudinal backing strip 24 is preferably made of synthetic plastic, e.g. polyvinylchloride, and may be gold colored. However, cord, wire, chain or other lightweight durable material having a variety of desired colors, may also be used. The use of synthetic plastic for the longitudinal backing strips 24 will conveniently permit joining of several strip segments to extend the length thereof or joining two strips together at their point of intersection, by means of heat sealing, stapling, gluing, etc.

To complete the covering 20, a plurality of garland segments 30 are attached to and draped transversely between two respective longitudinal backing strips 24; the garland 30 may additionally be attached to and along the longitudinal backing strips 24. Alternatively, the garland 30 may be used as the longitudinal backing strips 24.

The garland 30 is comprised of a wreath, festoon, chain of flowers, tinsel, etc. In the preferred embodiment, a tinsel garland is used which is constructed of metallic yarn wrapped around a core of cotton, cotton wire, silk, rayon, etc., having radiating finger-like threads, copper plated, to produce a glittering golden color (see FIG. 4). The garland 30 is draped in pendulous manner between each of two respective longitudinal strips 24 by means of staples, or other appropriate fastening means at intermediate locations 32 therealong. The garland 30 may also be aflixed longitudinally along the backing strips 24 and may also be used for the longitudinal strips 24.

The so formed, tent-like covering 20 will be basically conical in shape and flexible enough in its radial direction to permit accommodation over trees 22 having various sizes. It should of course be noted that the covering 20 will be supported both by the main stem 28 passing through the central ring 26 and by the branches of the tree extending outwardly and engaging the longitudinal backing strips 24 and garland 30.

In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 3 a tree covering 20a is provided with fastening means comprised of a plurality of hooks 34 and eyelets 36, although a single, flexible plastic piece to hold the two strips together could be used as a fastener. In a preferred embodiment, the hooks 34 are fastened to a longitudinal backing strip 24a and the eyelets 36 are attached to a longitudinal backing strip 24a having garland 30a thereon. The tree covering 20a of this modified embodiment can be wrapped around a tree instead of being lowered over the tree as is the case for the covering 20 shown in FIG. 2. The hooks 34 and eyelets 36, as shown in FIG. 4, are attached to a band 38, 38', said band being affixed to the

longitudinal backing strip

24a and 24a. The band 38, 38' also hold the

adjoining garlands

30, 30a.

In another embodiment, a decorative tree covering 20b encompasses two separate and integral half-sections 40. The half-sections 40 are adapted for mating engagement and each section contains longitudinal backing strips 24b, 24b, in this embodiment; garland is used for the backing strips, and transverse garlands 30b are attached thereto. On each of the half-sections 40, are provided in the respective sets of hooks 34b and eyelets 36b. A cone shaped mounting fixture 42 is used for suspending the longitudinal backing strips 24b over the tree. The mounting fixture 42 is hollow and adapted to be placed over a main stem 28b of the tree and is further provided with an annular portion 44 which will accept a plurality of angular fasteners 46 attached to the ends of each of the longitudinal backing strips 24b, 24b and will thus hold longitudinal backing strips 24b, 24b together and support the attached garlands 3012. Besides fastening the two sections by hook and eyelets assemblies, the two sections could be joined by single fastener, such as a hog ring, etc.

It should be apparent that the pre-designed garland patterns may be varied and FIGS. 7 and 8 show a modified arrangement and method of attaching the garland 300 in a polygonal fashion. In this embodiment, the garland 30c serves as its own backing strips and a continuous strip of garland 300 is positioned over the plurality of crossing garlands 30c and attached to each other by means of a staple fastener, hog ring 56, or like device (see FIG. 8). The garland strips 300 as shown in FIG. 7 are designed to form a polygonal pattern.

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate further embodiment which encompasses the use of a network web including a plurality of longitudinal backing strips 24d and a plurality of transverse and intersecting transverse backing strips 48. The backing strips 24d and 48 are joined at their points of intersection 50 by appropriate fastening means such as welding, gluing, stapling, heat sealing, etc. The longitudinal backing strips 24d are secured together with angular fasteners 46 adapted for engagement around a central ring 26d. The ring 26d is placed over a main stem 28d of the tree and will thereby support the web network so formed. The garlands 30d may be draped in a pendulous manner and aflixed to the backing strips 24d and 48 in a manner similar to that described with respect to the other embodiments. Additionally, this embodiment entails the use of a bow 52 or other adornment aflixed to the Web network and as illustrated in this case may be attached at the point 50 of intersection between the backing strips 24d and 48. Bows 52 may be attached by means of a pliable wire or clip and can additionally secure the longi- Zudinal backing strip 24d to the transverse backing strip It should be noted that the above cited embodiments are intended as exemplary, and while they have described the invention with specific implementation thereof, other modifications, and changes might be made in the embodinfient so set forth and will be apparent to those skilled in t e art.

Furthermore, it should be understood that all materials herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A decorative tree covering for ornamentation purposes comprising a plurality of backing strips, said means further being adapted for attachment to the top of a tree, and a plurality of garlands fastened to said longitudinal backing strips in a predesigned pattern; said tree covering is formed as two half-sections, said half-sections being provided with a plurality of fastening members and corresponding other fastening members for interlocking engagement when the covering is in place around a tree, and further includes a hollow cylindrical mounting fixture for securing the longitudinal backing strips.

2. A decorative tree covering as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of said backing strips is attached to a central ring member, said ring member being adapted for placement over a main stem at the top of a tree.

3. A decorative tree covering as claimed in claim 2, wherein the garlands are pendulously draped between each of two longitudinal backing strips in the predesigned pattern, said longitudinal backing strips also being garland.

4. A decorative tree covering as claimed in claim 3, wherein the longitudinal backing strips are made of synthetic plastic, and the garlands are tinsel.

5. A decorative tree covering as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tree covering is provided with an opening along a longitudinal strip to permit the covering to be wrapped around a tree and said longitudinal backing strip secured by fastening means along said opening when the covering is in place around a tree.

6. A decorative tree covering as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting fixture is adapted for placement over a main stem at the top of a tree, said mounting fixture being further provided with an annular rim for securing the ends of said longitudinal backing strips.

7. A decorative tree covering as claimed in claim 4, wherein the garlands are draped in a polygonal pattern and are affixed to each other by staple fasteners.

8. A decorative tree covering as claimed in claim 4, further including a plurality of transverse backing strips joined to the longitudinal backing strips at points of intersection and thereby forming a web network.

9. A decorative tree covering as claimed in claim 8, wherein the web network is embellished with garlands and further adorned with bows afiixed at the points of intersection between the longitudinal and transverse strips and further securing the strips at said points.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Prettyman 161--23 Fisher Sr 240-10 Hankus 16122 Shoalts 161--22 X Erickson et a1 16122 X Smith 16122 US. Cl. X.R.