Tree with covering apparatus

• US 20070051038A1
• Filed: 04/20/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Inventors: Schooley, John, Henry, Jeffery
• Application Number:
  US11/407,885
• Publication Number:
  US 20070051038A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/65.700
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 23/043 Transplanting devices for grasping, undercutting or transporting the root ball A01G23/046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 27/005 Reservoirs connected to flower-pots through conduits
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/022 Pots for vertical horticulture
• CPC Class Codes: A41G 1/007 Artificial trees
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/00 Water roundabouts, e.g. freely floating

Abstract

A system may include a tree and a covering apparatus. The tree may include a composite tree. A composite tree may include a base having an artificial trunk portion. Living plants may be coupled to the base. Portions of the living plants may form branches of the composite tree. In some embodiments, the living plants are living trees. The base may include one or more openings. A first portion of at least one of the living plants may be coupled in one of the openings such that a second portion of the living plant extends from the opening to form a branch of the composite tree. The covering apparatus may function to cover at least a portion of the tree. The covering apparatus may be coupled to the tree. At least a portion of the covering apparatus may be positioned in or above the tree.

Claims

1-313. -313. (canceled)

314. A system, comprising:

a tree comprising at least one branch; and

a covering apparatus positioned adjacent the tree configured to apply a material to at least a portion of at least one of the branches.

315. The system of claim 314, wherein the tree is a composite tree comprising a base and at least one plant coupled to the base.

316. The system of claim 315, wherein the at least one plant is a living plant.

317. The system of claim 314, wherein the tree is a living tree.

318. The system of claim 314, wherein the tree is an artificial tree.

319. The system of claim 314, wherein the covering apparatus comprises a sprinkler, wherein the material comprises water.

320. The system of claim 314, wherein the covering apparatus comprises a snow making machine, wherein the material comprises snow.

321. The system of claim 314, wherein the material comprises artificial snow.

322. The system of claim 314, wherein the covering apparatus comprises a snow gun configured to deposit snow on one or more branches of the tree.

323. The system of claim 314, wherein the covering apparatus comprises a fluid line configured to deliver a liquid to one or more branches of the tree.

324. The system of claim 314, further comprising a structure coupled to the tree, the structure configured to hold at least one person.

325. The system of claim 314, wherein the structure comprises a lodging unit.

326. The system of claim 314, wherein the covering apparatus is part of a fire suppression system, wherein the fire suppression system comprises a sensor configured to detect smoke or fire in or on the tree, wherein the fire suppression system is configured to activate the covering apparatus to apply a fire suppression material to the tree if the sensor detects smoke or fire in the tree.

328. The system of claim 326, wherein the fire suppression material comprises foam.

327. (canceled)

329. A system, comprising:

a tree comprising at least one branch;

a structure coupled to the tree, the structure configured to hold at least one person; and

a covering apparatus coupled to the structure and/or the tree, the covering apparatus configured to apply a material to at least a portion of the structure or at least one of the branches.

330. The system of claim 329, wherein the tree is a composite tree comprising a base and at least one plant coupled to the base.

336. The system of claim 329, wherein the structure comprises a lodging unit.

341. The system of claim 329, further comprising at least one layer of ice on a portion of the structure wherein the at least one layer of ice is deposited by the covering apparatus.

350. The system of claim 329, further comprising a water amusement ride, wherein at least a portion of the water amusement ride is positioned adjacent to the tree.

331-335. -335. (canceled)

337-340. -340. (canceled)

342-349. -349. (canceled)

351. A method, comprising:

activating a covering apparatus; and

depositing a material on at least a branch of a tree system and/or on at least a portion of an elevated structure coupled to at least a portion of the tree system.

352-375. -375. (canceled)