Patents Assigned to National Tree Company
  • Publication number: 20210027747
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes providing an interactive device having at least one of a display screen and an audio component, pairing the interactive device with a user device, transferring data to the interactive device, and displaying images via the display screen or emitting sound via the audio component based on the transferred data. The interactive device is a non-transmitting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: National Tree Company
    Inventor: Michael M. McRae
  • Publication number: 20200403363
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a base assembly, a movable assembly that is movably supported by the base assembly and that is movable relative to the base assembly, a structural assembly that is supported by the movable assembly, a plurality of electrical assemblies supported by the structural assembly, and a first electrical connector that is electrically connectable to some of the plurality of electrical assemblies, the first electrical connector being attached to the movable assembly and including a first plurality of electrical members. The apparatus also has a second electrical connector that is electrically connectable to a power source, the second electrical connector being attached to the base assembly and including a second plurality of electrical members, and one or more contact members that are movably disposed relative to the base assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: National Tree Company
    Inventor: Michael M. McRae
  • Publication number: 20200154924
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an artificial tree including a trunk with first tree branches extending from the trunk to above the floor, a base configured with apertures adapted to retain second tree branches extending from the base and covering the space between the floor and the first branches, and a light source configured to illuminate the first and second branches. In an illustrative example, the apertures may be tubes configured for fiber optics. The light source may be, for example, fiber optics illuminating branches inserted in the tubes, permitting full-flow appearance branches to spread out, covering the base. Some examples may employ additional illumination sources configured in the base below the apertures to shine through a color wheel offset from the trunk center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: National Tree Company
    Inventor: Michael M. McRae
  • Publication number: 20190390829
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a lighting component, an energy storage assembly electrically connected to the lighting component, a control assembly electrically connected to the energy storage assembly, and an energy receiving component electrically connected to the control assembly. The energy receiving component wirelessly receives energy. The energy storage assembly includes a Graphene strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: National Tree Company
    Inventor: Michael M. McRae
  • Publication number: 20190326711
    Abstract: An artificial lighted tree is presented with power routed through the trunk of the tree and three-wire safety grounding. The artificial lighted tree comprising a fused electrical plug having improved safety features comprising: a body portion surrounding respective first ends of a first, a second and a third electrical wire, the body portion further comprising a fuse holder embedded within an upper region of the body portion, and a fuse adapted to be releasably secured within the fuse holder via releasable securing means, a live blade in electrical communication with the first end of the first electrical wire, a neutral blade in electrical communication with the first end of the second electrical wire, a ground pin receptacle in electrical communication with the first end of the third electrical wire, wherein the body portion surrounds and maintains the live blade, neutral blade, and ground pin receptacle in spaced apart orientation corresponding to polarized sockets on an electrical wall outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: National Tree Company
    Inventor: Michael M. McRae
  • Publication number: 20190237915
    Abstract: An improved electrical power cord adapted to enhance the safety of an artificial lighted tree is presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: National Tree Company
    Inventor: Michael M. McRae
  • Publication number: 20180356084
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a lighted tree formed from a tree trunk section retaining a battery holder, branches extending from the trunk section, a light source disposed to emit light from a branch and electrically connected to the trunk section, and a base, adapted to mechanically support the trunk section and electrically connect the battery holder to an energy source external to the trunk section. In an illustrative example, the light source may be an LED-illuminated optic fiber. In some embodiments, the energy source may be a photovoltaic collector or multifrequency energy harvester. In some designs, the battery holder may adaptively maintain electrical polarity independent of battery orientation. In various implementations, battery holders may be stacked or rotated to one another to configure parallel or series batteries. Various embodiments may advantageously retain batteries in rotationally interconnected tree sections for common charging, or single in-tube section for smaller trees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: National Tree Company
    Inventor: Michael M. McRae
  • Publication number: 20180337496
    Abstract: An artificial lighted tree is presented with power routed through the trunk of the tree and three-wire safety grounding. The artificial lighted tree comprising a fused electrical plug having improved safety features comprising: a body portion surrounding respective first ends of a first, a second and a third electrical wire, the body portion further comprising a fuse holder embedded within an upper region of the body portion, and a fuse adapted to be releasably secured within the fuse holder via releasable securing means, a live blade in electrical communication with the first end of the first electrical wire, a neutral blade in electrical communication with the first end of the second electrical wire, a ground pin receptacle in electrical communication with the first end of the third electrical wire, wherein the body portion surrounds and maintains the live blade, neutral blade, and ground pin receptacle in spaced apart orientation corresponding to polarized sockets on an electrical wall outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: National Tree Company
    Inventor: Michael M. McRae
  • Publication number: 20180275330
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a lighted planter formed from an emitter of light, a light source optically coupled with the emitter of light, an electrical power source electrically connected to the light source, and, an urn adapted to retain the emitter of light. In an illustrative example, the emitter of light may be an optic fiber bundle. The light source may be, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) optically coupled with the optic fiber bundle. Various embodiments may provide programmable light sequences from a multi-colored light source configured by a wireless remote control. In some examples, the electrical power source may be a battery. Some embodiments may provide a photovoltaic cell adapted to charge the battery. Various examples may advantageously provide environmentally friendly decorative plant receptacles with adaptable configurations at reduced cost, for example, using solar power to illuminate custom-configured plant arrangements with user-programmable light sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: National Tree Company
    Inventor: Michael M. McRae
  • Publication number: 20180271314
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a battery-powered lighted tree formed from an artificial tree trunk adapted to be mechanically supported and electrically connected to a support structure external to the tree, artificial tree branches extending from the trunk, a light source disposed to emit light from a branch and electrically connected to the trunk, and, a base, formed from a battery, and, a structure adapted to mechanically support the trunk and electrically connect the trunk to the battery. In an illustrative example, the light source may be an LED-illuminated optic fiber. In some embodiments, the battery may be charged from a solar cell. Some designs may provide customizable illumination patterns using a programmable controller adapted to control the light source. Various embodiments may advantageously operate from battery for a seasonal display, for example, using lights and battery selected to provide a sufficient period of illumination each display season day.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: National Tree Company
    Inventor: Michael M. McRae
  • Publication number: 20180100958
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to illuminated artificial trees constructed by interconnecting more than one artificial tree trunk section based on electrically connecting and rotationally coupling each tree trunk section to at least one other tree trunk section, each tree trunk section having an emitter of light visible externally to the tree trunk section and optically coupled to a light source within the tree trunk section, and each light source operably coupled to an external controller and power supply. In an illustrative example, each tree trunk section may have a light source optically connected by limited-length optical fiber to a light emitter within the tree trunk section. The light source may be a multi-color LED. The light source may be powered through rotatable male and female connectors mated between tree trunk section ends. Various examples may advantageously provide a consistently bright and tall tree with reduced energy consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: National Tree Company
    Inventor: Michael M McRae
  • Publication number: 20150374159
    Abstract: An artificial lighted tree is presented with power routed through the trunk of the tree and three-wire safety grounding. The tree is divided into sections for easy assembly, disassembly, and storage. Safety electrical connectors at the ends of each section are not powered until the sections are assembled. The tree can also accommodate multiple lighting circuits utilizing different voltages simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: NATIONAL TREE COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael M. McRae
  • Publication number: 20040070992
    Abstract: A decorative light assembly comprises a plurality of optical fibers formed into a bundle having a length greater than one inch, the bundle having a first end for receiving light, and a second end that is fused for providing the received light as decorative illumination. The decorative light assembly is for use on, e.g., Christmas trees, windows, doors, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: National Tree Company
    Inventors: Salvatore J. Puleo, Joseph A. Puleo