Artificial Christmas tree

• US 5,094,893 A
• Filed: 01/29/1991
• Issued: 03/10/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Don Snider
• Original Assignee: Don Snider
• Inventors: Snider, Don
• Primary Examiner(s): Epstein, Henry F.
• Application Number:
  US07/647,437
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 428/18, 428/19, 428/20, 211/196, 211/205, 362/123
• US Class Current: 428/18
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/06 Artificial Christmas trees

Abstract

An artificial Christmas tree (10) which simulates a decorated real Christmas tree is disclosed comprising a base stake (26) for insertion in the ground, an upstanding trunk (12) having an enlarged diameter lower trunk portion (24) connected at the bottom to the stake (26) and terminating at its upper end in a smaller diameter upper trunk portion (30), a hoop (14) encircling the trunk (12) at the upper end of the enlarged diameter lower trunk portion (24), angularly spaced-apart spokes (16) connected between the hoop (14) and trunk (12) for holding them in concentric relation, upper guys (18) extending between the hoop (14) and the upper trunk portion (30), and lower guys (22) for connection between the hoop (14) and the ground to stabilize the hoop (14) and trunk (12). Intermediate guys (20) are connected between the hoop (14) and a point of the trunk (12) substantially midway between the spokes (16) and the top of the trunk. An omnidirectional star (50) having three half-star-shaped sections (52) arranged at 120° intervals is attached to the top of the tree (10), and presents a full star shape when viewed from any angle. Light strings (94) are looped between the hoop (14) and top of the trunk adjacent each of the upper guys (18), and garland is spirally wrapped around the tree from the top of the trunk to the hoop, and may also be draped as desired. At night, the illuminated tree appears to sparkle giving a jewel-like appearance. The artificial Christmas tree (10) is suitable for outdoor use, and the trunk (12) extends from the lowest simulated limbs of the tree (10) to the ground. The lower trunk (24) may be wrapped with a light string.

Claims

1. An artificial Christmas tree comprising, in combination:

a base stake for insertion in the ground;

an upstanding trunk having an enlarged diameter lower trunk portion connected at the bottom to the stake and terminating at its upper end in a smaller diameter upper trunk portion;

a relatively rigid hoop encircling the trunk at the upper end of the enlarged diameter lower trunk portion;

angularly spaced apart spokes connected between the hoop and trunk for holding them in concentric relation;

strings extending between the hoop and the upper trunk portion at least some of which are decorative;

strings extending between the hoop and the ground to stabilize the hoop and trunk; and

at least some of said strings connected to the hoop intermediate the spokes.

2. The invention defined by claim 1 wherein said smaller diameter upper trunk portion extends downwardly through said enlarged diameter lower trunk portion and is connected to said stake.

3. The invention defined by claim 1 wherein a hub encircles said upstanding trunk at the upper end of said enlarged diameter lower trunk portion, and said spokes ar connected to said hub.

4. The invention defined by claim 1 wherein said smaller diameter upper trunk portion has a downward extension telescoped over said stake;

said enlarged diameter lower trunk portion telescoped over said downward extension;

spacer means between said downward extension and said lower trunk portion maintaining the same in concentric relation;

a hub member telescoped over said smaller diameter upper trunk portion and resting on said lower trunk portion; and

said spokes connected to said hub.

5. The invention defined by claim 1 wherein the smaller diameter upper trunk portion is relatively flexible and some of said strings are connected between the hoop and the top of the trunk and others are connected between the hoop and a point of the trunk substantially midway between the spokes and the top of the trunk.

6. A structural frame for an artificial Christmas tree comprising, in combination:

an upstanding but relatively flexible trunk having a bottom end to rest on the ground and a top end spaced thereabove;

a relatively more rigid hoop encircling the trunk adjacent the bottom end but spaced thereabove;

a plurality of angularly spaced apart spokes connected between the trunk and hoop; and

a plurality of first guys connected between the hoop and top of the trunk in angularly spaced apart relation therearound, a plurality of second guys connected between the hoop and a point of the trunk substantially midway between the spokes and the top of the trunk and angularly intermediate the first guys, and a plurality of third guys connected to the hoop adjacent the first and second guys and adapted to be connected to the ground for stabilizing the tree.

7. An artificial Christmas tree comprising:

a base stake adapted to be inserted into the ground;

a central trunk having a lower portion connected to the base stake and also having an upper portion;

an annular hub positioned upon the lower portion of the trunk spaced above the ground;

a plurality of spokes having inner ends removably connected to the annular hub and outer ends radially spaced from the annular hub;

a relatively rigid hoop removably attached to the outer ends of the spokes;

decorative strings connected to the upper portion of the trunk and extending radially downwardly and connected to the hoop; and

guys connected to the hoop and to the ground to stabilize the hoop and trunk.

8. The artificial Christmas tree of claim 7 further comprising an omnidirectional star removably attached to the upper portion of the trunk, the star having three half-star-shaped sections arranged at 120°

intervals.

9. The artificial Christmas tree of claim 7 further comprising "S" hooks attached to the hoop for attaching the decorative strings to the hoop.

10. The artificial Christmas tree of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of spaced apart anchoring stakes and means for tying down the tree to the "S" hooks.

11. The artificial Christmas tree of claim 7 wherein the hoop comprises a plurality of sections, each section extending between the outer ends of adjacent spokes.

12. The artificial Christmas tree of claim 11 wherein the hoop is generally octagonal in shape.

13. The artificial Christmas tree of claim 7 wherein the hub comprises complimentary opposed upper and lower annular sections for clamping engagement on the spokes at the trunk, and means for clamping the hub sections together.