WO2010068188A1

WO2010068188A1 - Invertible christmas tree

Info

Publication number: WO2010068188A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/013587
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruce A. Schooley
Original assignee: Schooley Bruce A
Priority date: 2008-12-10
Filing date: 2008-12-10
Publication date: 2010-06-17
Also published as: CA2781589A1; AU2008364940A1; EP2361028B8; AU2008364940B2; CN201504969U; EP2361028A1; EP2361028A4; EP2361028B1; CA2781589C

Abstract

An artificial Christmas tree includes a central trunk broken into two separate portions including a fixed trunk portion and a rotating trunk portion. The fixed trunk extends up from an underlying base. The rotating trunk rotatably attaches at a midpoint thereof to an upper end of the fixed trunk. Limbs are pivotably attached to the rotating trunk with optional lights coupled thereto. These limbs pivot between a perpendicular orientation extending from the rotating trunk and a collapsed configuration closer to a centerline of the rotating trunk. The rotating trunk can be pivoted from a first collapsed configuration with a first end above a second end to a deployed configuration with the second end above the first end. During such pivoting,the limbs attached to the rotating trunk transition between a collapsed to a deployed configuration automatically. A wheeled base and cover further facilitate storage and deployment.

Description

INVERTIBLE CHRISTMAS TREE

Technical Field

The following inventionrelates to artificialtrees and particularlyartificialChristmas trees which can be collapsed and stored when not in use and deployed when intended to be used. More particularly, this invention relates to collapsible Christmas trees which collapse by rotation of one portion of the Christmas tree relative to a second portion of the Christmas tree.

Background Art

When decorating a space, it is often desirable to include trees as part of such decorations. To allow such decorations to last substantially indefinitely without maintenanceand allow for repeated cycles of storage and deployment of such decorations, it is desirable to provide artificialtrees rather than live trees. An example of such decorations are Christmas trees typically deployed during holiday seasons occurring at the end of each calendar year.

Such artificial Christmas trees are often configured to be collapsible so that they take up a minimum of space during initial shipping and inventory before being sold, and also to allow the user to store the Christmas tree when not in use in a relatively small space and protected from damage. Some such collapsible Christmas trees or other trees have limbs which are removably attachedfrom a central trunk. The limbs typically include further branches which extend from the limbs which can be formed of wire or other materials with the limbs formed of wood, steel or other relatively rigid materials and the central trunk formed of wood, metal or other materials that are substantially rigid and strong enough to handle the loads encountered by carrying the limbs. Typically,needles of an artificial nature are fastened by wire,adhesive or otherwise to the branches extending from the limbs or directly to the limbs themselves.

In some cases lighting is permanently fixed to the limbs, such as with lights coupled to cords and with the cords plugging into a central cord running up the trunk. With other collapsible Christmas trees the limbs are not removed from the trunk but rather pivotfrom a stored orientation to a deployed orientation. With such trees the deployed orientation is generally perpendicular to the trunk and the stored orientation is somewhere between 45° pivoted away from horizontal to a substantially vertical orientation parallel to the trunk.

While such pivotablelimbs on Christmas trees havethe benefit of avoidingthe requirement that the limbs be attached to the central trunk, difficulty is encountered in transitioningthe limbs from a collapsed orientation to a deployed orientation. Either the limb reorienting process is highly labor intensiveas each limb is adjustably positioned, or if deployed by reorienting the trunk, requires that the entire tree be picked up and reoriented in various different ways.

This tree reorienting procedure is a particularly difficult maneuver in that the tree must be held away from the body of the individual before rotation. Many individuals lack the strength, arm length and dexterity to perform such a maneuver. For others, such a maneuver is dangerous to perform, presenting the possibility of injury or damage to the user or the tree. Accordingly, a need exists for a Christmas tree or other artificialtree which can be easily reconfigured from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration with a minimum of strength or dexterity being required for such tree deployment.

Disclosure of Invention

With this invention an artificial Christmas tree is provided which can be readily inverted and which has limbs pi votably attached to a central trunk for automatic deployment of the limbs of the Christmas tree upon such inversion of the Christmas tree. To facilitate such inversion, the trunk includes two trunk portions including a first trunk portion adapted to be supported above a floor and a second trunk portion pivotably attached to the first trunk portion through a pivotjoint. The first trunk portion extends from a lower end to an upper end with the pivotjoint located closer to the upper end than to the lower end and typically adjacent the upper end.

The second trunk portion has a portion thereof between a first end and a second end of the second trunk portion pivotably attached through the pivotjoint to the first trunk portion. This pivot joint allows the second trunk portion to pivot substantially 180° from a collapsed orientation extending substantially vertically to a deployed orientation extending substantially vertically,but with the first and second ends having swapped. In particular, in a collapsed orientation the first end is above the second end. In the deployed orientation the second end of the second trunk portion is above the first end.

The limbs are pivotably attached to the second trunk portion. These limbs pivot between a perpendicularorientation and a collapsed orientation pi votingtoward the second end of the second trunk portion somewhat away from the deployed position. Such pivoting can occur by gravity or through manual movement of the limbs. If by gravity alone, merely rotating the second trunk portion about the pivotjoint between the collapsed orientation and the deployed orientation allows the limbs to pivot from their collapsed position to their deployed substantially perpendicularto the second trunk portion position. Thus, all one need do is spin the second trunk portion 180° while the entire weightof the second trunk portion is supported by the first trunk portion resting upon a floor or other underlying surface. A clasp is preferably provided to selectively secure the second trunk portion in the deployed orientation (and optionally also in the stored orientation)to avoid inadvertently invertingthe second trunk portion after deployment thereof. Lights preferably run up the first trunk portion then transition to the second trunk portion at the pivot joint and then toward each end of the second trunk portion and out at least some of the limbs, to provide lights for the Christmas tree or other artificial tree.

A wheeled base is optionally provided to further facilitatedeploymentof the artificial tree where desired. A top cap is preferably removably attachable to the second end of the second trunk portion to provide an uppermost portion of the tree. This uppermost portion can also include lights thereon with an appropriate plug to provide electrical connection when the cap is coupled to the second end at the top of the deployed second trunk portion of the deployed Christmas tree.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figures 1-7 are front elevationviews of the invertibleChristmas tree of this inventionat various different stages from a completely collapsed stored configuration to a completely deployed and illuminated configuration revealing the various steps in a method of deploying the collapsible Christmas tree of this invention. Figures 8-10 are detailsof Figures 3-5 revealing details of the invertibleChristmas tree of this inventionaround a central pivot joint which allows a second trunk portion of the Christmas tree to pivot relative to a first trunk portion of the Christmas tree.

Figure 1 1 is a detail of a portion of that which is shown in Figure 10 and from a side viewtaken along lines 1 1-1 1 of Figure 10. Figure 12 is a detail of a portion of that which is shown in previous figures illustrating how a limb can be pivotably attached to the second trunk portion of the invertibleChristmas tree of this invention.

Figure 13 is a detail similar to that which is shown in Figure 12, but after inverting the second trunk portion so that the limb transitions to a stored configuration pi votingaway from substantially perpendicular to the second trunk portion.

Figure 14 is a top plan view of that which is shown in Figure 12 further illustrating details of a limb according to one form of this inventionand illustratingin broken lines how other limbs can be provided in different circumferentially spaced orientations from the second trunk portion of the invertible Christmas tree. Figure 15 is a detail similar to that which is shown in Figure 12 but for an alternative embodiment limb and limb attachment to the second trunk portion.

Figure 16 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in Figure 15. Figure 17 is a top plan view of that which is shown in Figure 15. Figure 18 is a front elevation view of an alternative pivot joint for joining the rotating trunk portion to the fixed trunk portion, with the repositioning of the rotating trunk shown in broken lines.

Figure 19 is a top plan view of that which is shown in Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a front elevation view of a second alternative pivot joint for joining the rotating trunk to the fixed trunk, with the rotating trunk shown in broken lines after repositioning.

Figure 21 is a top plan view of that which is shown in Figure 20.

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 is directed to an invertibleChristmas tree or other artificialtree. The tree 10 is invertible(Figure 4) so thatit can transition between an upside down stored orientation (Figure 3) with limbs angling downwardly to decrease a width of the collapsed Christmas tree, and a deployed orientation (Figure 5) with the limbs pivoted to an orientation substantially perpendicular to the trunk. The user thus need not pick up the Christmas tree 10 at any time to convert it from its stored orientation to its deployed orientation.

In essence, and with particular reference to Figures 3-7, basic details of the invertibleChristmas tree 10 of this inventionare described according to a preferred embodiment. The tree 10 includes a base 20 upon which the entire Christmas tree 10 is supported above an underlying floor. A fixed trunk 30 extends verticallyup from the base 20. This fixed trunk 30 extends approximately half of a height of the tree 10. Near an upper end 34 of the fixed trunk 30 a pivot 36 is provided. This pivot 36 rotatably supports a rotating trunk 40 thereto. The rotating trunk 40 preferably has a length similarto a height of the Christmas tree with the rotating trunk 40 pivotablycoupled to the fixed trunk 30 through the pivot 36 near a midpoint of the rotating trunk 40.

Limbs 50 extend laterally from the rotating trunk 40. Preferably, these limbs 50 are pivotably connected to the rotating trunk 40 so that the limbs 50 can pivot relativeto the trunk between an approximately perpendiculardeployed orientation and a collapsed orientation which pivots toward the trunk. Thus, the limbs 50 extend substantially horizontally when the rotating trunk 40 is in a final position for deployment of the limbs 50, and the limbs 50 pivot toward the rotating trunk 40 when the rotating trunk 40 is rotated to a stored position (Figure 3). Branches 60 typically extend from each limb 50. Lights 70 are typically routed up the fixed trunk 30, out to each end of the rotating trunk 40 and then out the limbs 50 potentially out onto branches 60 supported by the limbs 50. The lights receive power such as through a power receptacle P. A cap 80 is preferably provided which attaches to an end of the rotating trunk 40 to provide an uppermost portion of the tree 10 after the rotating trunk 40 has been rotated to a deployed orientation. More specifically, and with initial reference to Figures 1 and 2, details of accessories for the invertible Christmas tree 10 are described for use when the invertible Christmas tree 10 is in a stored configuration. These accessories preferably include a substantially cylindrical cover 2 with a diameter sized to fit over the invertibleChristmas tree 10 when it is in its stored position (Figure 3). Typically the cap 80 can also fit inside this cover 2. A lid 4 is preferably also provided which can move relative to the cover2 (such as along arrow A of Figure 2) and attach to the cover 2, such as through a zipper 6. The lid 4 is particularly useful during shipping or when the invertible Christmas tree 10 is to be stored on its side. Otherwise, the lid 4 is not required. With the cover2 on the invertibleChristmas tree 10, the entire invertibleChristmas tree 10 can be rolled into a closet or other storage area and be kept clean and keep the Christmas tree from damaging other objects, such as within the closet.

With particular reference to Figures 2-4, detailsof the base 20 of the invertibleChristmas tree 10 are described according to a preferred embodiment. The base 20 provides a preferred form of means to support the invertibleChristmas tree 10 above an underlying ground surface, such as a floor of a residential structure. This base 20 has sufficient width to provide stability for the invertibleChristmas tree 10 to prevent it from tipping over. The base 20 also preferably elevates lowermost portions of the invertibleChristmas tree 10 somewhat above an underlying surface. This base 20 in this most preferred embodimentis a wheeled base 20 including wheels 28 thereon so that the entire invertibleChristmas tree 10 can be rolled about on the underlying surface for easy transportation, such as between a stored location and a deployed location.

The base 20 includes a plate 22 which is preferably circular or square in form and oriented generally horizontally. A pedestal 24 extends vertical Iy upward from a central portion of the plate 22. The pedestal 24 is configured to be fixedly attached to the fixed trunk 30 with the fixed trunk 30 preferably extending vertically upward from the pedestal 24. Lateral portions of the plate 22 support joints 25. These joints 25 preferably have legs 26 pivotably attached to the plate 22 therethrough. Thus, the joints 25 allow the legs 26 to pivot relativeto the plate 22 (about arrow B of Figure 2). Wheels 28 are preferably provided at the end of each of these legs 26. The wheels 28 are preferably on casters or other swivel joints.

With such a configuration, the base 20 can have a deployed configuration with the legs 26 extending radially outwardly for maximum stability, but the legs 26 can be pivoted inwardly (arrow B) to provide a lesser width and to allow the lid 4 to be closed over the base 20 and to completely enclose the invertible Christmas tree 10 within the cover 2 when desired (Figure 1).

While the base 20 shown herein is described according to this preferred embodiment, other bases 20 could also be utilized. For instance, the base 20 could merely be a fixed structure having sufficient width to resist tipping of the invertibleChristmas tree 10. Also,the base 2 could merely be a hole in an underlying floor into which the fixed trunk 30 of the invertibleChristmas tree 10 would be removably mounted. Other forms of Christmas tree stands could also be utilized to support the fixed trunk 30 and dispense with the base 20 altogether. With continuing reference to Figures 3-7 and 8-10, details of the fixed trunk 30 of the invertible Christmas tree 10 are described according to this preferred embodiment. The invertibleChristmas tree 10 preferably includes a central trunk formed of two separate trunk portions including a first portion referred to as a fixed trunk 30 and a second portion referred to as a rotating trunk 40. Also, a top trunk 82 is provided as a portion of the cap 80 defining a small portion of the overall trunk structure of the invertible Christmas tree 10.

The fixed trunk 30 preferably has a height substantially half of that of the invertibleChristmas tree 10. The fixed trunk 30 is elongate in form and can be configured such as in a solid cylindrical form or in the form of a cylindrical tube. The fixed trunk 30 is formed of substantially rigid material and carries loads of the invertibleChristmas tree 10 upon the base 20 or other underlying surface.

The fixed trunk 30 includes a lower end 32 opposite an upper end 34. A clasp 33 is provided near the lower end 32. This clasp 33 is configured to be removably attached to a portion of the rotating trunk 40 to secure the rotating trunk 40 in either the stored configuration (Figure 3) or in the deployed configuration (Figure 5). This clasp structure is further particularly shown in Figures

10 and 1 1.

The upper end 34 of the fixed trunk 30 includes a pivot 36 adjacentthereto. This pivot36 can be as simple as a hole passing Iaterallythrough the fixed trunk 30 with an axle 37 passing through this hole. In the embodimentdepicted in Figures 3-1 1 , the pivot 36 is in this simple form with the axle 37 providing for pivotable attachment between the rotating trunk 40 and the fixed trunk 30.

The axle 37 has a length similar to twice a diameter of the fixed trunk 30.

The rotating trunk 40 has a diameter similar to that of the fixed trunk 30 and the axle 37 passes through both the fixed trunk 30 and the rotating trunk 40 with the rotating trunk 40 alignable parallel with the fixed trunk 30 but just slightly offset laterallyfrom the fixed trunk 30 so that the rotating trunk 40 can rotate freely relativeto the fixed trunk 30. If desired, the fixed trunk 30 can be spaced slightly away from a center of mass of the invertible Christmas tree 10 so that the rotating trunk 40 can have its center of mass more closely aligned with the center of mass of the overall invertible Christmas tree 10 for maximum stability.

While the embodiment of Figures 3-10 is perhaps the simplest embodimentfor the pivot 36, other embodimentsof this pivotcould be utilized, including those depictedin Figures 18-21. For instance,Figures 18 and 19 depictfront and top viewsof an alternatejoint 136 with a bracket 138 pivotablyattachedto the upper end 34 of the fixed trunk 30 and an end of the bracket 138 opposite the upper end 34 of the fixed trunk 30 either fixed or pivotably attached to the rotating trunk 40.

Rotation of the rotatingtrunk 40 relativeto the fixed trunk 30 occurs by first movingalong arrow C, then moving along arrow C". 180° of rotation is achieved and the rotating trunk 40 moves from being directly adjacent the fixed trunk 30 on a first side thereof to being directly adjacent the fixed trunk 30 on a second side opposite the first side. In Figures 20 and 21 another embodiment is provided in the form of a second alternativejoint 236. An axle 237 is provided to allow the rotating trunk 240, having a square cross-section, to rotate relative to the fixed trunk 230 in the form of a generally square cross-sectioned structure having one open side opposite the side bearing the axle 237. In this embodiment,the rotating trunk 40 has a size slightly smaller than that of the fixed trunk 30 so that the rotating trunk 40 can rotate to nest inside the fixed trunk 30 when in one position, but pivot out of this nested configuration when in the second configuration after 180° of rotation (along arrow C and then arrow C" (Figure 20)). Other embodiments of joints or pivots could also be resorted to, to allow for pivotable attachment of the rotating trunk 40 to the fixed trunk 30. With continuing reference to Figures 3-1 1, details of the rotating trunk 40 are described according to this preferred embodiment. The rotating trunk 40 preferably supports all of the limbs 50 of the invertibleChristmas tree 10 thereon. This rotating trunk 40 has an elongate rigid form similar to that of the fixed trunk 30. However, the rotating trunk 40 preferably has a length similar to a height of the invertibleChristmas tree (minus a height of the cap 80 and minus a height of the base 20 up to a top of the pedestal 24).

This rotating trunk 40 has a first end 42 opposite a second end 44 (Figures 4 and 9). The first end 42 is configured to be below the second end 44 when the rotating trunk 40 is in its deployed configuration. The rotating trunk 40 is configured to have the first end 42 above the second end 44 when in the stored configuration (Figure 3). A port 45 is provided at the end of the second end 44 which can receive and support the cap 80 thereon.

A core 46 passing through an interior of the rotating trunk 40 is preferably hollow. Such a hollow core 46 minimizes weight of the rotating trunk 40 while maintaining strength for the rotating trunk 40 and also optionally provides a pathway through which electric equipmentfor the lights 70 can be routed. Slots 48 (Figures 12-17) are formed in the rotating trunk 40 through which limbs 50 can interface in a rotating fashion relative to the rotating trunk 40.

The rotating trunk 40 preferably has a center point or a point near the center point of the rotating trunk 40 which is pivotably attached to the fixed trunk 30 through the pivot 36. This midpoint is also preferably a center of mass of the rotating trunk 40. Thus, the rotating trunk 40 can be freely rotated 180° to move the first end 42 from directly above the second end 44 and directly above the fixed trunk 30, to a second position with the first end 42 adjacentthe fixed trunk 30 and directly below the second end 44; with a center of mass of the rotating trunk 40 always remaining substantially aligned with the fixed trunk 30. Thus, the rotating trunk 40 can be "spun" without causing instability in the invertibleChristmas tree 10 resting upon the base 20 or other support above a floor. Preferably, near each end 42, 44 of the rotating trunk 40 holes are provided which can interface with the clasp 33 so that the rotating trunk 40 can be secured to the fixed trunk 30 in both the collapsed configuration and the deployed configuration.

With particular reference to Figures 12-17, details of the limbs 50 and branches 60 of the invertible Christmas tree 10 are described according to a preferred embodiment. The limbs 50 could be attached to the rotating trunk 40 in many different ways including in fixed fashion or in a fashion which is removable but not pivotable. However, most preferably the limbs 50 are pivotably attached to the rotating trunk 40. Such pivoting preferably allows for rotation of the limbs 50 between a perpendicular orientation (actually substantially perpendicular but preferably slightly angled upwardly, when the rotating trunk 40 is oriented vertically)and a collapsed configuration closer to the angle of the rotating trunk 40 centerline than to perpendicular to the rotating trunk 40 centerline.

Most preferably, this collapsed angle for the limbs 50 is 70° away from the deployed configuration for the limbs 50. Such rotation of the limbs 50 is depicted by arrow E (Figures 12, 13 and 15). While the limbs appear to pivot upward, they in fact pivot downward after the rotating trunk 40 has rotated (about arrow C (Figure 12)) so that the limbs 50 actually rotate downward by gravity forces, but only when the rotating trunk 40 has been rotated from the deployed configuration to the stored orientation. When this action is reversed and the rotating trunk 40 is rotated from the stored orientation to the deployed orientation, the limbs 50 pivot in an opposite direction to the deployed configuration approximately perpendicular to a centerline of the rotating trunk 40.

Each of the limbs 50 is preferably an elongate rigid structure with a plurality of such limbs 50 radiating from the rotating trunk 40. Most preferably, the limbs 50 extend in many different directions radially from the rotating trunk 40 (Figure 14) when a complete symmetrical generally conical bushy invertibleChristmas tree 10 is to be provided. The limbs 50 generally each includea root 51 defining an end thereof closest to the rotating trunk 40 and a tip 55 opposite the root 51. A hinge 52 is located at the root 51 to pivotably attach the limbs 50 to the rotating trunk 40. A stop 54 is provided to prevent the limbs 50 from rotating either past substantially horizontal and perpendicularto the rotating trunk 40 when in the deployed configuration or past a collapsed angle, such as 70°, away from the deployed orientation.

In the embodiment of Figures 12 and 13 this stop 54 is in the form of a flange of material extending substantially perpendicularly from the extent of the limbs 50 from the root 51 to the tip 55. In the embodimentof Figures 15 and 16 the root 51 of the limbs 50 merely passes through a slot 48 in the rotatingtrunk 40 and a lowerportion of this slot 48 acts as the stop 54. The hinge 52 generally includes at least one axle 52 or axle-like structure about which the limbs 50 can pivotably move relative to the rotating trunk 40.

Branches 60 optionally but preferably radiate from the limbs 50 in a pattern which mimics at least some natural tree or otherwise has a desirable form. Typically, needles 52 also extend from the branches 60. These needles 62 can be actual natural needles such as pine needles, but most typically are synthetic structures such as attached by wire or adhesive to the branches 60. It is also conceivablethat needles 62 can also be directly attached to the limbs 50. The branches 60 can have a generally planar form such as might exist on a noble fir, or might have a more bushy cylindrical form which might be provided on many different types of pines. Needles 62 can also be long or short depending on the design characteristics desired for the invertible Christmas tree 10.

With particularreference to Figures 7 and 12-14, details of the lights 70 are described. Most preferably, the invertibleChristmas tree 10 is also permanently wired with lights 70. A plug 74 is provided which is removably attachable to a power receptacle P. A cord 72 extends from the plug 74 and extends up the fixed trunk 30 to the rotating trunk 40. At the joint 36, this cord 72 preferably splits into two separate cords, one of which extends towards the first end 42 of the rotating trunk 40 and the other of which extends towards the second end 44 of the rotating trunk 40.

As these cords pass the limbs 50, the cords are routed out the limbs 50 and terminateat various different locations with lights 70. Various different controllers can be provided and various different lights can be provided if desired so that a variety of different light displays can be provided through the lights 70. The cord 72 can be routed through an interior of the fixed trunk 30 and through an interior of the rotating trunk 40 (and also conceivablethrough an interior of the limbs 50). Perhaps in a simplest form of the invention,the cord 72 can merely be wrapped around an exterior of the fixed trunk 30 and an exterior of the rotating trunk 40. The cord 72 can be camouflaged to have a color similar to that of the fixed trunk 30, rotating trunk 40 and limbs 50 (i.e. green) to help hide the cords 72.

With particularreference to Figures 3, 6 and 7, details of the cap 80 are described, according to this preferred embodiment. Most preferably, to minimize an overall length of the rotating trunk 40 and height of the invertibleChristmas tree 10 when in a stored configuration, an uppermost portion of the invertible Christmas tree 10 is configured as a separate cap 80. This separate cap 80 preferably includes a top trunk 82 which fits into the port 45 in the second end 44 of the rotating trunk 40. The cap 80 can thus be attached with the top trunk 82 colinearwith the rotatingtrunk 40. To simplify attachment, it can occur when the rotatingtrunk 40 has been rotated halfway, or just a little more (see Figure 9).

Top limbs 84 radiate from the top trunk 82 with a configuration similar to the limbs 50. A bottom end 83 of the cap 80 is sized to fit inside the port 45 for secure but removableattachmentof the cap 80 to the rotating trunk 40. Lowermost portions of the cap 80 typically have a diameter similar to that of the invertible Christmas tree 10 when the limbs 50 are in their collapsed configuration (Figure 3). Thus, the top limbs 84 of the cap 80 need not pivot relative to the top trunk 82. However, such pivoting could take place.

Also, most preferably a plug is provided and lights are provided on the cap 80 with the plug attachableto a plug in the second end 44 of the rotating trunk 40 so that the lights 70 on the cap 80 can be coupled to lights 70 on the rotating trunk 40 so that all of the lights 70 on the invertible Christmas tree 10 can be simultaneously powered from a single power receptacleP. Attachmentof the cap 80 to the rotating trunk 40 is depicted along arrow D of Figure 6.

This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodimentof the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this inventiondisclosure. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified. When structures of this inventionare identified as being coupled together,such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled directly together or coupled together through intervening structures. Such coupling could be permanentor temporary and eitherin a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows pivoting,sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.

Industrial Applicability

This invention exhibits industrial applicability in that it providesan artificial tree which can be easily transitioned from a collapsed orientation to a deployed orientation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a Christmas tree which is easy to store in a collapsed form and easy to deploy when to be used.

Another object of the present inventionis to providea Christmas tree which can be transitioned from a collapsed form to a deployed form without requiring high strength or dexterity.

Anotherobject of the present inventionis to providea Christmas tree whichcan be transitioned between a collapsed and a deployed configuration without damage to the Christmas tree.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a Christmas tree which can be readily transitioned between a collapsed and a deployed position with lights associated with the Christmas tree remaining coupled to various different portions of the Christmas tree both in the collapsed and the deployed configuration. Another object of the present invention is to provide a Christmas tree which can be set up quickly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for transitioning an artificial Christmas tree from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration.

Other further objects of this invention, which demonstrate its industrial applicability, will become apparent from a careful reading of the included detailed description, from a review of the enclosed drawings and from review of the claims included herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

Claim 1: A collapsible Christmas tree, comprising in combination: a first trunk portion adapted to be supported upon a floor; said first trunk portion having an elongate form extending between an upper end and a lower end, said upper end above said lower end when said first trunk portion is supported upon a floor; a second trunk portion having an elongate form between a first end and a second end; said second trunk portion including a plurality of limbs extending laterally therefrom; a pivot joint coupling said first trunk portion to said second trunk portion in a manner allowing pivoting of said second trunk portion relative to said first trunk portion; said pivotjoint coupled to said first trunk portion at a location closer to said upper end than to said lower end; and said pivotjoint coupled to said second trunk portion at a location spaced from both said first end and said second end of said second trunk portion.

Claim 2: The collapsible Christmas tree of Claim 1 wherein said plurality of limbs are attached to said second trunk in a manner which allows pivoting of said limbs relative to said second trunk.

Claim 3: The collapsible Christmas tree of Claim 2 wherein said limbs are restricted to movement between substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said second trunk and a collapsed form with a tip of each limb closer to the second trunk portion than a deployed position extending substantially perpendicularly from said second trunk portion.

Claim 4: The collapsibleChristmas tree of Claim 1 wherein said pivotjoint allows for at least about 180° of rotation relative to said first trunk portion.

Claim 5: The collapsibleChristmas tree of Claim 4 wherein said pivotjoint includes an axle aligned with a rotational axis with said axle coupled to both said first trunk portion and said second trunk portion with said second trunk portion pivoting about said axle relative to said first trunk portion.

Claim 6: The collapsible Christmas tree of Claim 5 wherein said pivot joint is located at substantially a midpoint of said second trunk portion. Claim 7: The collapsible Christmas tree of Claim 5 wherein said pivot joint is positioned at substantially a balance point of said second trunk portion aligned with a center of mass of said second trunk portion.

Claim 8: The collapsible Christmas tree of Claim 5 wherein said pivot joint is located adjacent said upper end of said first trunk portion.

Claim 9: The collapsible Christmas tree of Claim 1 wherein lights are provided along a cord adapted to be coupled to a source of electricpower, said cord routed up said first trunk portion and transitioningfrom said first trunk portion to said second trunk portion adjacentsaid pivotjoint with said cord feeding electric power to a plurality of lights deployed on at least one limb coupled to said second trunk portion.

Claim 10: The collapsibleChristmas tree of Claim 1 wherein said second end of said second trunk portion is adapted to receivea bottom end of a cap portion of the collapsibleChristmas tree, said cap portion including a top trunk and top limbs extending laterally from said top trunk with said top trunk substantially aligned with said second trunk portion when said bottom end of said cap is coupled to said second end of said second trunk portion.

Claim 1 1: A method for erecting a collapsible Christmas tree, the steps including: providing a Christmas tree having a first trunk portion adapted to be supported upon a floor, the first trunk portion having an elongate form extending between an upper end and a lower end, the upper end above the lower end when the first trunk portion is supported upon a floor, a second trunk portion having an elongate form between a first end and a second end, the second trunk portion including a plurality of limbs extending laterally therefrom, a pivotjoint coupling the first trunk portion to the second trunk portion in a manner allowing pivoting of the second trunk portion relative to the first trunk portion, the pivot joint coupled to the first trunk portion at a location closer to the upper end than to the lower end, and the pivot joint coupled to the second trunk portion at a location spaced from both the first end and the second end of the second trunk portion; initially positioning the collapsible Christmas tree with the first trunk portion extending substantially vertically with the first end of the second trunk portion above the second end of the second trunk portion and with the second trunk portion extending substantially vertically; and pivotingthe second trunk portion about the pivotjoint substantially 180° to be substantially vertical with the second end above the first end.

Claim 12: The method of Claim 1 1 including the further step of allowingthe limbs coupled to the second trunk portion to pivot relative to the second trunk portion between a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the second trunk portion and a collapsed orientation pivoted closer to the second trunk portion with the limbs in the collapsed orientation when the first end of the second trunk portion is above the second end of the second trunk portion and with the limbs extending substantially horizontally when the second end of the second trunk portion is located above the first end of the second trunk portion.

Claim 13: The method of Claim 11 including the further step of securing the first end of the second trunk portion to a portion of the first trunk portion in a temporary fashion to hold the second trunk portion in a deployed position with the second end of the second trunk portion above the first end of the second trunk portion.

Claim 14: The method of Claim 11 including the further step of providing a cap having a top trunk with a plurality of top limbs extending laterally from the top trunk, the top trunk removably attachableto the second end of the second trunk portion with the top trunk extending substantially colinearly with said second trunk portion; and attaching the top trunk of the cap portion to the second end of the second trunk portion.

Claim 15: The method of Claim 11 including the further steps of: providinga cover with a height similar to a length of the first trunk portion plus about half of a length of the second trunk portion and with a width similar to a width of the Christmas tree when in a collapsed form with the first end of the second trunk portion above the second end of the second trunk portion, such widths defined by tips of limbs attached to the second trunk portion; and removing the cover before said pivoting step.

Claim 16: The method of Claim 11 including the further steps of: providing a wheeled base; fixing the lower end of the fixed trunk to the wheeled base; and using the wheeled base to transport the Christmas tree from a storage location to a location where deployment of the tree is intended.

Claim 17: An invertible artificial tree, comprising: a first trunk portion with an upper end above a lower end; a pivot joint on said second trunk portion; a second trunk portion with a first end opposite a second end; said second trunk portion joined to said first trunk portion at said pivotjoint between said first end and said second end; and a plurality of limbs extending laterally from said second trunk portion. Claim 18: The artificial tree of Claim 17 wherein said pivotjointis adapted to allow rotation of said second trunk portion substantially 180° relative to said first trunk portion.

Claim 19: The artificial tree of Claim 18 wherein said plurality of limbs are pivotably attached to said second trunk portion, said limbs adapted to pivot by gravityfrom a collapsed position to a deployed position with tips of said limbs closer to said second trunk portion when said limbs are in said collapsed position than in said deployed position.

Claim 20: The artificial tree of Claim 19 wherein lights are coupled to said limbs, said lights coupled to a light cord routed up said first trunk portion, than to said second trunk portion before being coupled to said lights to supply power to said lights.

Claim 21: The artificial tree of Claim 18 wherein said second trunk portion is oriented substantially parallel with said first trunk portion both before and after rotation of said second trunk portion relative to said first trunk portion about said pivot joint.

Claim 22: The artificial tree of Claim 17 wherein a clasp is removably attachablebetween said first trunk portion and a portion of said second trunk portion, between where said second trunk portion is coupled to said pivot joint and said first end of said second trunk portion, to keep said second trunk portion locked in a deployed position until said clasp is removed.