Pull Up Tree System

• US 20110076425A1
• Filed: 11/30/2010
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polygroup Macau Limited (MDF Commerce, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polygroup Macau Limited (MDF Commerce, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cheng, Lewis, Harman, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,309,188 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/8
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/06 Artificial Christmas trees
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/007 with provision for shipment or storage
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/04 for Christmas trees

Abstract

A pull up artificial tree system is adapted to change from a collapsed storage state to an expanded operable state. The pull up tree system includes a base system, a trunk, and a first tree assembly. The first tree assembly includes a top portion; a plurality of frame assemblies comprising a collar, a plurality of outwardly extending support braces, a perimeter, and branch assemblies; and a connection assembly. The collars are slidably disposed upon the trunk, such that they can be pulled upwardly. The pull up tree system can support a regularly arranged artificial tree and/or an inverted tree. In addition, the pull up tree system can be stored in a shell that is slidably disposable within a storage container.

Claims

1. A pull up tree system comprising:

a storage container defining a cavity, the cavity sufficiently large enough to receive a removable shell;

an artificial tree comprising a first state and a second state, and comprising

a base system;

a trunk comprising a first end and a second end, the first end in communication with the base system; and

a first tree assembly comprising a top portion, a plurality of frame assemblies, and a connection assembly, each of the plurality of frame assemblies comprising;

a collar slidably disposed about the trunk,

a wave-shaped perimeter carrying a plurality of branch assemblies, wherein the perimeter weaves towards and away from the collar; and

a plurality of support braces extending from the collar to the perimeter,

the connection assembly of the first tree assembly extending from the top portion of the first tree assembly to the bottom most frame assembly, and comprising a flexible, elongated body,

when the top portion of the first tree assembly is pulled upwardly the artificial tree converts from the first state to the second state.

2. The system of claim 1, the first end of the trunk insertable into an aperture of the base system.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a second tree assembly that is couplable to the second end of the trunk.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a light string system carried by the plurality of branch assemblies.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the artificial tree in the operable state.

6. The system of claim 2, the top portion of the first frame assembly further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the artificial tree in the second state, the locking mechanism lockable to a location in proximity of the top end of the trunk.

7. The system of claim 2, the connection assembly comprising a plurality of strings extending from the top portion to the lowest frame assembly and coupled to each perimeter of each of the plurality of frame assemblies, and when the top portion of the first tree assembly is pulled upwardly the connection assembly pulls upwardly the plurality of frame assemblies.

8. The system of claim 1, each of the plurality of frame assemblies further comprising a plurality of protruding members extending outwardly from the wave-shaped perimeter, each of the plurality of protruding members adapted to carry one or more branch assemblies.

9. A pull up tree system comprising an artificial tree that may be collapsed into a storage state and erected into an operable state, the pull up tree system comprising:

a base system providing structural integrity for the artificial tree and comprising a base having a plurality of outwardly extending feet;

a trunk of rigid construction comprising a first end and a second end, the first end in communication with the base system; and

a first tree assembly comprising a top portion, a plurality of frame assemblies, and a connection assembly;

each of the plurality of frame assemblies comprising;

a collar slidably disposed about the trunk,

a perimeter carrying a plurality of branch assemblies, wherein the perimeter weaves towards and away from the collar; and

a plurality of outwardly extending support braces extending from the collar to the perimeter, and

the connection assembly of the first tree assembly extending from the top portion of the first tree assembly to the bottom most frame assembly, and comprising a flexible, elongated body,

when the top portion of the first tree assembly is pulled upwardly the artificial tree converts from the storage state to the operable state.

10. The system of claim 9, the first end of the trunk insertable into an aperture of the base system.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising a second tree assembly that is couplable to the second end of the trunk.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a light string system carried by the plurality of branch assemblies.

13. The system of claim 9, the artificial tree housed within a shell that is slidably disposed within a storage container.

14. The system of claim 9, further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the artificial tree in the operable state.

15. The system of claim 9, the top portion of the first frame assembly further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the artificial tree in an operable state, the locking mechanism lockable to a location in proximity of the top end of the trunk.

16. The system of claim 9, the connection assembly comprising a plurality of strings extending from the top portion to the lowest frame assembly and coupled to each perimeter of each of the plurality of frame assemblies, and when the top portion of the first tree assembly is pulled upwardly the connection assembly causes the rise of the plurality of frame assemblies.

17. The system of claim 9, each of the plurality of frame assemblies further comprising a plurality of protruding members extending outwardly from the perimeter, each of the plurality of protruding members adapted to carry one or more branch assemblies.

18. A pull up tree system that may be collapsed into a storage state and erected into an operable state, the pull up tree system comprising:

a top portion;

a plurality of frame assemblies for providing the frame, each frame assembly comprising;

a collar slidably disposed about an upwardly extending member;

a perimeter providing the shape of the frame, wherein the perimeter weaves towards and away from the collar; and

a plurality of protruding members extending outwardly from the perimeter, each of the plurality of protruding members adapted to carry one or more branch assemblies; and

a plurality of support braces extending from the collar to the perimeter for supporting the perimeter; and

a connection assembly extending from the top portion to the bottom most frame assembly and coupled to each of the perimeters of each of the frame assemblies,

wherein when the top portion of is pulled upwardly the pull up tree system converts from the storage state into the operable state.

19. The pull up tree system of claim 18, the upwardly extending member comprising a trunk;

the trunk coupled to a base system providing structural integrity to the pull up tree system; and

the perimeters of each of the plurality of frame assemblies carrying a plurality of branch assemblies.

20. The pull up tree system of claim 18, wherein pulling upwardly on the pull up tree system causes each frame assembly to slide along a substantially vertically-oriented trunk, and wherein the top portion fits over a top end of the trunk for locking the pull up tree in the operable state.