Animated tree
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An animated tree including in combination:
- a trunk member having a plurality of openings therein, with said openings having an upper engaging surface and a lower engaging surface;
an actuating member positioned within said trunk member and extending substantially the length thereof, said actuating member being operable between an extended, upward position and a collapsed, downward position;
a plurality of flexible tree branches extending through said predetermined openings in said trunk member, with said branches having a proximal end anchored to said actuating member and having a distal end extending outwardly from said trunk member through said openings;
wherein when said actuating member is in said extended, upward position, said flexible tree branches contact said upper engaging surface of said openings to force said distal ends of said branches to extend downwardly to the collapsed position, and when said actuating member is in said collapsed position said tree branches contact said lower engaging surfaces of said openings to force said distal ends of said branches to move to an extended position to provide a full sized animated tree.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An animated Christmas tree includes a trunk member having a plurality of openings and an actuating member positioned within the trunk member and extending substantially the length thereof and being operable between an extended position and a collapsed position. A plurality of flexible tree branches are anchored to the actuating member and extend outwardly from the trunk member. Upon movement of the actuating member in the trunk member, the tree branches move between the collapsed position and the extended position.
27 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. An animated tree including in combination:
-
a trunk member having a plurality of openings therein, with said openings having an upper engaging surface and a lower engaging surface;
an actuating member positioned within said trunk member and extending substantially the length thereof, said actuating member being operable between an extended, upward position and a collapsed, downward position;
a plurality of flexible tree branches extending through said predetermined openings in said trunk member, with said branches having a proximal end anchored to said actuating member and having a distal end extending outwardly from said trunk member through said openings;
wherein when said actuating member is in said extended, upward position, said flexible tree branches contact said upper engaging surface of said openings to force said distal ends of said branches to extend downwardly to the collapsed position, and when said actuating member is in said collapsed position said tree branches contact said lower engaging surfaces of said openings to force said distal ends of said branches to move to an extended position to provide a full sized animated tree. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. An animated tree including in combination:
-
a trunk member having a plurality of openings therein, with said openings being structurally arranged;
an actuating member positioned within said trunk member and extending substantially the length thereof, said actuating member being operable and driven between an extended, upward position and a collapsed, downward position;
a plurality of sleeve members associated with said actuating member and structurally arranged to cooperate with said trunk member and said openings therein;
a plurality of flexible tree branches extending through said openings in said trunk member, with said branches having a proximal end anchored to said trunk member and having a distal end extending outwardly from said trunk member through said openings in said trunk member and said sleeve members;
wherein said actuating member is in said extended, upward position, said flexible tree branches are contacted by said sleeve members to force said distal ends of said branches to an extended position, and when said actuating member is in said collapsed position said tree branches are contacted by said sleeve members to force said distal ends of said branches to move to a downward, collapsed position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification