Folding artificial Christmas tree

• US 5,342,661 A
• Filed: 07/20/1992
• Issued: 08/30/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald R. Wilcox II
• Original Assignee: Donald R. Wilcox II
• Inventors: Wilcox, Donald R. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Epstein, Henry F.
• Application Number:
  US07/915,328
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 156/61, 211/196, 211/205, 222/179, 222/402.15, 222/192, 428/18, 428/19, 428/20, D11/118
• US Class Current: 428/18
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/06 Artificial Christmas trees

Abstract

A base and at least one extension tube are arranged for coaxially aligned relationship relative to one another mounted to an underlying support stand. The apparatus includes a plurality of branch rods, each having a matrix of branch rod bristles, with each branch rod mounted relative to a single bracket of a plurality of mating brackets to position the branch rods at acute angles relative to the base and extension tubes. Optional apparatus of the invention includes a scent dispenser structure directing scent through the base and extension tube directed through mesh webs within the tubes.

Claims

1. A folding artificial Christmas tree, comprising,

a base tube and an extension tube, the base tube having a base tube lower end and a base tube upper end, the extension tube including an extension tube lower end and an extension tube upper end, with the base tube upper end slidably receiving the extension tube lower end therewithin in a coaxially aligned relationship, and a support stand, the support stand having a cylindrical collar, and the cylindrical collar including a plurality of leg members extending downwardly relative to the cylindrical collar and projecting exteriorly of the cylindrical collar, and the base tube lower end received within the cylindrical collar, and

the extension tube upper end having an upper end opening and a central rod, the central rod mounted in the upper end opening and being coaxially aligned with the base tube and the extension tube, with the central rod having a matrix of central rod bristles mounted coextensively thereabout, and

a plurality of bracket pairs, with at least one bracket pair mounted about the base tube, and at least one bracket pair mounted about the extension tube, wherein each bracket pair includes a first bracket member and a second bracket member, and a plurality of branch rods, with one branch rod of said plurality of branch rods pivotally mounted to each said first bracket member and said second bracket member, and

the first bracket member and the second bracket member are oriented in a mirror image configuration relative to one another, and

the base tube includes a row of base tube apertures and a first lock pin directed through one of said base tube apertures above the support collar, and the extension tube includes a row of extension tube apertures oriented parallel to the base tube apertures, and a second lock pin directed through one of said extension tube apertures above the base tube to position the extension tube relative to the base tube.

2. An artifical Christmas tree as set forth in claim 1 wherein each bracket member includes a mounting flange, and the mounting flange including a semi-cylindrical cavity medially thereof, and a plurality of parallel bracket flanges projecting beyond the mounting flange, and a mounting bracket pivotally mounted to the mounting flanges, wherein the mounting bracket includes a plurality of mounting bracket flanges received between the bracket flanges and a pivot axle directed through the bracket flanges and the mounting flanges to pivotally mount the mounting flanges relative to the bracket flanges, and the mounting bracket further includes a bracket boss orthogonally oriented relative to the bracket flanges extending exteriorly of the bracket flanges beyond the bracket flanges, with each said branch rod having a tubular configuration, with the branch rod received on said bracket boss.

3. An artificial Christmas tree as set forth in claim 2 wherein branch rod includes a branch rod lowermost end and a lock fastener directed through the branch rod adjacent the lowermost end in abutment with the boss.

4. An artificial Christmas tree as set forth in claim 3 wherein the bracket flanges include an abutment flange projecting below the bracket flanges, and the mounting flanges include an adjustment flange oriented below the mounting flanges, and an adjustment rod threadedly directed through the adjustment flange in abutment with the abutment flange to effect pivotment of the mounting bracket relative to the bracket member upon projection of the adjustment rod through the adjustment flange.

5. An artificial Christmas tree as set forth in claim 4 wherein the base tube and extension tube each include a plurality of venting mesh webs directed through the base tube and the extension tube, and the collar includes a collar lower edge, and an aerosol container positioned below the collar lower edge coaxially aligned with the base tube, and the aerosol container including an aerosol container nozzle directed into the base tube to project aerosol spray through the mesh webs, and a trigger lever mounted to the aerosol container in abutment with the collar lower edge, and a support plate mounted below the aerosol container receiving the aerosol container thereon, the support plate including a support plate lever extending laterally of the support plate integrally mounted thereto, and the support plate lever including a fulcrum projection mounted to the support plate lever to effect pivotment of the support plate lever about the fulcrum projection.