Connector system

• US 9,844,288 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2014
• Issued: 12/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polygroup Macau Limited (MDF Commerce, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polygroup Macau Limited (MDF Commerce, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fu, Yong, Cheng, Chung-Wai (Paul)
• Primary Examiner(s): KRUPICKA, ADAM C
• Application Number:
  US14/547,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20150072088A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A41G 1/007 Artificial trees
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/06 Artificial Christmas trees
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7035 Specific angle or shape of rib, key, groove, or shoulder

Abstract

A connector system facilitates the connection of a first tree trunk to a second tree trunk of an artificial tree system. The connector system can prohibit rotation of the first tree trunk relative to the second tree trunk.

Claims

1. An artificial tree comprising:

a first tree trunk section comprising a tapered end and the tapered end having a sleeve disposed thereon, the sleeve comprising a notch;

a second tree trunk section comprising a hollow end, the hollow end of the second tree trunk section configured to at least partially receive the tapered end of the first tree trunk section; and

an outwardly extending member extending normal to the second tree trunk section, the outwardly extending member operable to engage the notch to provide a rotation locking characteristic between the first tree trunk section and the second tree trunk section.

2. The artificial tree of claim 1, wherein the outwardly extending member is a first outwardly extending member, the artificial tree of claim 1 further comprising a second outwardly extending member extending normal to the first tree trunk section.

3. The artificial tree of claim 2, wherein the notch is a first notch, the second tree trunk section further comprising a second notch, and wherein the second outwardly extending member is received by the second notch to provide the rotation locking characteristic between the first tree trunk section and the second tree trunk section.

4. The artificial tree of claim 1, wherein the sleeve insert abut at least a portion of an external wall of the first tree trunk section, the sleeve configured to resist deformation of the first tree trunk section.

5. The artificial tree of claim 1, wherein the notch is U-shaped.

6. The artificial tree of claim 1, wherein the notch extends from an end of the sleeve.

7. An artificial tree comprising:

a first tree trunk section;

an outwardly extending member attached to the first tree trunk section;

a second tree trunk section; and

an insert completely disposed within a hollow end of the second tree trunk section, the insert comprising a notch configured to receive the outwardly extending member;

wherein the second tree trunk section is configured to at least partially receive the first tree trunk section, such that, upon insertion of the outwardly extending member into the notch, a rotation locking characteristic is provided between the first tree trunk section and the second tree trunk section.

8. The artificial tree of claim 7, wherein the insert is secured in place within the second tree trunk section.

9. The artificial tree of claim 7, the insert comprising plastic.

10. The artificial tree of claim 9, the first and second tree trunk sections comprising metal.

11. The artificial tree of claim 7, wherein an end of the outwardly extending member extends outwardly from the first tree trunk section.

12. The artificial tree of claim 7, wherein the outwardly extending member extends normal to the first tree trunk section.

13. A method of assembling an artificial tree, the method comprising:

inserting a tapered end of a first tree trunk section into a hollow end of a second tree trunk section, the first tree trunk section comprising an outwardly extending member and the second tree trunk comprising a notched insert disposed completely therein; and

inserting the outwardly extending member into the notch of the insert to provide a rotation locking characteristic between the first tree trunk section and the second tree trunk section.