Collapsible Christmas tree
First Claim
1. A decorative structure, comprising:
- a length of strand material, said strand material including a plurality of individual helical strands twisted with respect to one another, said strands being fixed with respect to one another near first ends of said strands, a coupling device adapted to fix said strands with respect to one another near first ends of said strands; and
a twisting member having a plurality of apertures formed therein, each of said apertures adapted to receive a respective one of said individual strands therethrough;
wherein each of said strands is positioned through a respective one of said apertures, and wherein advancing said twisting member from second ends of said strands toward said first ends of said strands causes said strand material to unwind.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A novel decorative structure includes a length of strand material, having a plurality of individual strands twisted with respect to one another and fixed with respect to one another near a first end of the strands, and a twisting member having a plurality of apertures formed therein, each adapted to receive a respective one of the individual strands therethrough. In a particular embodiment the twisting member is a disc, such that when the twisting member is advanced from a second end of the strands to the first end, the strand material is caused to unwind. Similarly, when the twisting member is advanced from the first end to the second end of the strands, the strand material is caused to wind up. When unwound, the strands retain a decorative helical shape, and give the appearance of a Christmas tree.
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Citations
67 Claims
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1. A decorative structure, comprising:
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a length of strand material, said strand material including a plurality of individual helical strands twisted with respect to one another, said strands being fixed with respect to one another near first ends of said strands, a coupling device adapted to fix said strands with respect to one another near first ends of said strands; and
a twisting member having a plurality of apertures formed therein, each of said apertures adapted to receive a respective one of said individual strands therethrough;
wherein each of said strands is positioned through a respective one of said apertures, and wherein advancing said twisting member from second ends of said strands toward said first ends of said strands causes said strand material to unwind. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 65)
said strand steel includes a straight center strand; and
said center strand is cut substantially shorter than the remaining strands of said strand material.
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6. A decorative structure according to claim 1, wherein said coupling device comprises a clamp.
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7. A decorative structure according to claim 1, further including a cover for covering said first ends of said strands.
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8. A decorative structure according to claim 7, wherein said cover comprises a metal cap.
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9. A decorative structure according to claim 7, further including a decorative object adapted to mount to said cover.
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10. A decorative structure according to claim 1, further including a coating individually applied to at least one of said strands of said strand material.
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11. A decorative structure according to claim 10, wherein said coating comprises a powder coating.
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12. A decorative structure according to claim 10, wherein said coating comprises at least one layer of paint.
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13. A decorative structure according to claim 1, wherein said twisting member comprises a disc.
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14. A decorative structure according to claim 13, wherein said disc includes at least one aperture for each said individual strand of said strand material.
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15. A decorative structure according to claim 14, wherein:
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said strand material comprises strand steel having a straight center strand cut near said first end of said strand material; and
said disc defines one of said apertures near the center of said disc for receiving said center strand.
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16. A decorative structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said apertures formed in said twisting member is oblong in shape.
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17. A decorative structure according to claim 1, further including a strand retainer for retaining said strands in a wound state.
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18. A decorative structure according to claim 17, wherein said strand retainer comprises an annular ring, said annular ring having an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of said strand material when said strands are in said wound state.
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19. A decorative structure according to claim 18, wherein said annular ring is disposed between said first ends of said strands and said twisting member, whereby moving said twisting member toward said first ends causes said annular ring to move toward said first ends of said strands.
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20. A decorative structure according to claim 17, wherein said strand retainer comprises a strap for wrapping around said strands.
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21. A decorative structure according to claim 1, further comprising at least one twisting member retainer for retaining at least one of said strands in one of said apertures of said twisting member.
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22. A decorative structure according to claim 21, wherein said twisting member retainer comprises a separate device fixed to at least one of said individual strands near a second end of said one of said individual strands.
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23. A decorative structure according to claim 21, wherein said twisting member retainer comprises a deformation in at least one of said individual strands near a second end of said one of said individual strands.
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24. A decorative structure according to claim 23, wherein said deformation comprises a bend formed near said second end of said one of said individual strands.
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25. A decorative structure according to claim 1, further including a plurality of attachment devices for attaching decorations to said decorative structure.
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26. A decorative structure according to claim 25, wherein said attachment devices comprise detachable clips, said detachable clips having a first end for attaching to one of said individual strands and a second end for attaching to said decorations.
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27. The decorative structure according to claim 1, whereby twisting said twisting member about a longitudinal axis of said strand material will cause said individual strands of said strand material to wind or unwind with respect to one another depending on the direction of rotation of said twisting member.
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65. A decorative structure according to claim 1, wherein said strands are formed of a semi-rigid material, whereby said decorative structure is self-supporting on second ends of said strands.
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28. A method for erecting a decorative structure, comprising:
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providing a length of strand material, said strand material including a plurality of individual strands twisted with respect to one another, said strands fixed with respect to one another at a first end of said strand material;
unwinding said strands of said strand material from a second end to said first end of said strand material using a twisting member, said twisting member having a plurality of apertures formed therein, each of said apertures adapted to receive a respective one of said individual strands therethrough; and
standing said decorative structure upright, such that said decorative structure is supported by the unwound ends of said strands. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 66)
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37. A method for manufacturing a decorative structure, comprising:
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providing a length of strand material, said strand material including a plurality of individual helical strands twisted with respect to one another;
coupling said strands with respect to one another near a first end of said strand material;
providing a twisting member having a plurality of apertures formed therein; and
positioning a second end of each of said individual strands in a respective one of said apertures of said twisting member;
wherein advancing said twisting member from second ends of said strands toward said first ends of said strands causes said strand material to unwind. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 67)
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60. A decorative structure, comprising:
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a plurality of helical strands, each strand having a first end and a second end;
a coupling device fixing said strands with respect to one another near said first ends of said strands;
a positioning device adapted to selectively position said second ends of said strands in a spaced apart relationship;
wherein said helical strands are formed of a semi-rigid material, whereby said decorative structure is self-supporting on said second ends of said strands. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64)
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Specification