COLLAPSIBLE MOUNTING OF ARMS, RODS OR BRANCHES ON A CENTRAL SUPPORT

• US 3,801,415 A
• Filed: 12/12/1972
• Issued: 04/02/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alfred Jean Fristot
• Original Assignee: Alfred Jean Fristot
• Inventors: Fristot, Alfred Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): Schulz, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/314,473
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 161/24,22,23 D29/1B
• US Class Current: 428/9
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/06 Artificial Christmas trees

Abstract

In this artificial tree the central bole comprises substantially rectangular openings off-set both laterally and vertically and each branch is adapted to engage a corresponding opening by means of a tenon formed integrally therewith and by being force-fitted therethrough. To this eand, each tenon comprises laterally projecting lips or catches adapted to undergo an elastic deformation when said tenon is introduced through the opening, the branch being subsequently retained in their inclined position by engaging with a heel the inner surface of said tubular hole. Internal cam means may be provided in said bole for actuating said tenon and thus fold the branches to an inoperative position alongside the bole. These cams may be carried by a common rod.

Claims

1. Collapsible mounting of arms, rods or branches on a common central support, more particularly for constituting artificial decorative trees, such as Christmas or other trees comprising a bole consisting of a hollow tube having a plurality of openings formed through its wall, said openings being off-set both angularly and vertically, wherein each branch formed integrally by plastic injection molding with its foliage, comprises at its root end a tenon also molded integrally with said branch, having a contour permitting of lockingly engaging one of said openings while preserving the possibility, from its natural inclined position resulting from the inclination given to the lower bearing surface of said tenon which engages the bole surface, of being raised and folded to a vertical or substantially vertical position alongside said bole, and conversely, when said branch is released, of allowing said branch to automatically resume its initial, out-spread position.

2. Mounting as set forth in claim 1, wherein each tenon, having a thickness corresponding substantially to the width of the opening through which it can be inserted into said bole, comprises at its lower portion a rounded contour adapted slidably to engage the wall of the opening engaged thereby, and, at its upper portion, a heel acting as a retaining element for said branch by engaging in the out-spread position thereof the inner wall of the bole, in combination with a lower stop portion adapted to engage on the opposite side the outer wall of said bole.

3. Mounting as set forth in claim 1, wherein each tenon comprises projecting catch member adapted, when forced through said opening, to undergo an elastic deformation so as to penetrate into the bole and subsequently prevent any untimely or undesired removal of the corresponding branch.

4. Mounting as set forth in claim 1, wherein said branches are adapted to be folded against the bole by positive means comprising for each branch a cam member adapted, when rotated, to exert a thrust against the upper edge of the registering tenon, all the cams of the device being carried by a common rod disposed within said bole and adapted to be rotate through manual, mechanical, electrical or other control means.