ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE
An artificial Christmas tree includes a foot stand, a trunk, multiple branches and multiple leaves. One end of the trunk is connected with the foot stand. The trunk has multiple branch holders. Each branch is formed by sheathing plastic around an iron wire and is flexible and bendable. One end of each branch is connected with a corresponding branch holder of the trunk and each branch has multiple leafstalk seats formed around a periphery of the branch for corresponding leaves to be mounted on the leafstalk seats. Each leaf has a resilient metal wire sheathed by plastic and has multiple leaflets formed on the sheathed metal wire. As the leaves can be short or long and can be sequentially spread out after mounted on corresponding branches, a Christmas tree structure with simple and easy assembly and three-dimensional spatial perception to viewers can be attained.
The present invention relates to an artificial Christmas tree and, more particularly, to an artificial Christmas tree rendering increased ease and convenience in assembly and shipment of the artificial Christmas tree and quick shape restorability after the artificial Christmas tree is unpacked.
2. Description of the Related ArtIn view of its simple assembly, complete and beautiful tree structure, and easy storage and relocation, undoubtedly, artificial Christmas tree is one of the most indispensable decorations during the Christmas holiday season. To give an artificial Christmas tree a natural and aesthetically appealing look, tree leaves are supposed to be correctly positioned and oriented as desired.
However, tree leaves of artificial Christmas trees available in the market must be manually adjusted by workers in the factory in terms of location and orientation of the tree leaves before shipment. Despite the availability of standard operation procedures for assembly of the artificial Christmas trees, under the circumstance that aesthetic judgment varies from person to person and product capacity is a major manufacturing concern, consistent and optimal shape of the artificial Christmas trees is hard to get. As warehousing and shipping costs are also critical to be taken into account, the artificial Christmas trees tend to be squeezed as much as possible especially when they are packed for shipping. After consumers receive and unpack the purchased artificial Christmas trees, tree leaves and branches of the artificial trees appear to be folded and distorted, giving a tree structure much less than expected by the consumers. Even though manufacturers of the artificial Christmas trees stress that the artificial Christmas trees may be made of steel wire, which is more rigid and less damage-prone, it is inevitable that the artificial Christmas trees eventually become distorted due to the weight and poor elasticity of the steel wires.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn objective of the present invention is to provide an artificial Christmas tree with multiple branch holders mounted along a longitudinal direction of the trunk and the leaves spread out after mounted on corresponding branches to achieve a Christmas tree structure with simple and easy assembly and three-dimensional spatial perception to viewers.
To achieve the foregoing objective, the artificial Christmas tree includes a foot stand, a trunk, multiple branches and multiple leaves.
The trunk with one end thereof connected with the foot stand has multiple sleeves and multiple branch holders alternately connected with each other along a longitudinal direction of the trunk to form the trunk. Each branch holder has multiple mounting ears annularly mounted around a rim of a bottom of the branch holder. The multiple mounting ears of the branch holder and the mounting ears of the branch holder located next thereto are alternately arranged.
Each branch with one end thereof connected with one of the multiple mounting ears of a corresponding branch holder, and has an iron wire and multiple leafstalk seats.
The iron wire is sheathed by a plastic material and is flexible and bendable.
The multiple leafstalk seats are obliquely formed around a periphery of the branch, are spaced apart from each other, and are located between two ends of the branch.
Each leaf is made of a resilient metal wire sheathed by a plastic material, and is mounted in a corresponding leafstalk seat of one of the multiple branches.
Preferably, an included angle between each leafstalk seat and a corresponding branch ranges from 0 degree to 90 degrees.
Preferably, each leafstalk seat of a corresponding branch has a free end, a fixed end and a recess. The fixed end is opposite to the free end and is connected with the corresponding branch. The recess is inwardly formed in the leafstalk seat in a longitudinal direction from the free end to the fixed end. Each leaf has an insertion end formed on a bottom portion of the leaf and engaging the recess of a corresponding leafstalk seat.
Preferably, each leafstalk seat of a corresponding branch has a free end, a fixed end and multiple recesses. The fixed end is opposite to the free end and is connected with the corresponding branch. The multiple recesses are inwardly formed in the leafstalk seat in a longitudinal direction from the free end to the fixed end. Each leaf has multiple insertion ends formed on a bottom portion of the leaf and engaging the multiple recesses of a corresponding leafstalk seat.
Preferably, each leafstalk seat of a corresponding branch has a free end, a fixed end and an insertion pin. The fixed end is opposite to the free end and is connected with the corresponding branch. The insertion pin is formed on and protrudes from a free end of the leafstalk seat in a longitudinal direction from the fixed end to the free end of the leafstalk seat. Each leaf has a recess formed in a bottom portion of the leaf and engaging the insertion pin of a corresponding leaf.
Preferably, each leafstalk seat of a corresponding branch has a free end, a fixed end and multiple insertion pins. The fixed end is opposite to the free end and is connected with the corresponding branch. The multiple insertion pins are formed on and protrude from a free end of the leafstalk seat in a longitudinal direction from the fixed end to the free end of the leafstalk seat. Each leaf has multiple recesses formed in a bottom portion of the leaf and engaging the respective insertion pins of a corresponding leaf.
Preferably, each leaf is adhesively connected to a corresponding branch with the insertion end of the leaf adhesively engaging the recess of a corresponding leafstalk seat.
Preferably, each leaf is adhesively connected to a corresponding branch with the multiple insertion ends of the leaf adhesively engaging the respective recesses of a corresponding leafstalk seat.
Preferably, each leaf is adhesively connected to a corresponding branch with the recess of the leaf adhesively engaging the insertion pin of a corresponding leafstalk seat.
Preferably, each leaf is adhesively connected to a corresponding branch with the multiple recesses of the leaf adhesively engaging the respective insertion pins of a corresponding leafstalk seat
Preferably, each leafstalk seat has two lateral channels inwardly formed in the leafstalk seat in a longitudinal direction from the free end to the fixed end of the leafstalk seat and extending along two opposite lateral directions of the leafstalk seat passing through the recess within a range inside the peripheral wall of the leafstalk seat, and being shorter than the recess in depth. The insertion end of each leaf has two raised ribs oppositely formed on a peripheral wall of the insertion end to correspond to the two respective lateral channels of a corresponding leafstalk seat. The insertion end of each leaf engages the recess of a corresponding leafstalk seat with the two raised ribs engaging the two respective lateral channels of the corresponding leafstalk seat.
Preferably, each leafstalk seat has two lateral channels inwardly formed in the leafstalk seat in a longitudinal direction from the free end to the fixed end of the leafstalk seat and formed through the peripheral wall of the leafstalk seat along two opposite lateral directions of the leafstalk seat passing through the recess, and being shorter than the recess in depth. The insertion end of each leaf has two raised ribs oppositely formed on a peripheral wall of the insertion end to correspond to the two respective lateral channels of a corresponding leafstalk seat. The insertion end of each leaf engages the recess of a corresponding leafstalk seat with the two raised ribs engaging the two respective lateral channels of the corresponding leafstalk seat.
Preferably, each leaf has a round hook formed on a bottom end of the leaf and each branch has multiple leaf holders. Each leaf holder has a leaf-mounting base and a pin. The leaf-mounting base is box-shaped, is mounted on a corresponding leafstalk seat, and has two open sides. The pin is mounted through two opposite walls of the leaf-mounting base. The round hook of each leaf is fastened around the pin of a corresponding leaf holder by way of hook-connection.
Preferably, each leaf has an inverted hook formed on a bottom end of the leaf and each branch has multiple leaf holders. Each leaf holder is mounted on a corresponding leafstalk seat, and has two opposite walls and a bridge portion. The bridge portion is formed between the two opposite walls and has an urging portion upwardly formed in a bottom portion of the bridge portion. The inverted hook of each leaf is hooked around the urging portion of the bridge portion of a corresponding leaf holder by way of hook-connection.
Preferably, a peripheral surface of each branch is bark-shaped, bark-free shaped, or bark-shaped over a top portion of the branch and bark-free shaped over a bottom portion of the branch.
Preferably, each branch further has multiple connection tubes. Each connection tube has a hole formed in a top end thereof and a rod formed on and protruding from a bottom end and engaging the hole of a connection tube located right below the connection tube. At least one of the leafstalk seat and one of the connection tubes of each branch adjacent to the at least one leafstalk seat constitute a branch division. Each branch is assembled or detached by connecting or disconnecting the multiple branch divisions.
The artificial Christmas tree has the advantages that the multiple branch holders are sequentially mounted along a longitudinal direction of the trunk for the leaves to be spread out after mounted on corresponding branches, the mounting ears of adjacent two of the branch holders are alternately arranged for exhibiting the artificial Christmas tree with three-dimensional spatial perception to viewers, an included angle between each leafstalk seat and a corresponding branch ensures the leaves to be positioned at optimal position and orientation, and the resilient metal wire inside each leaf facilitates the leaf to be flexible and bendable, rendering a small size beneficial to lower warehousing and storage costs when subject to a compression force and a restored shape after the compression force is gone.
Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Claims
1. An artificial Christmas tree, comprising:
- a foot stand;
- a trunk with one end thereof connected with the foot stand, and having multiple sleeves and multiple branch holders alternately connected with each other along a longitudinal direction of the trunk to form the trunk, wherein each branch holder has multiple mounting ears annularly mounted around a rim of a bottom of the branch holder, and the multiple mounting ears of the branch holder and the mounting ears of the branch holder located next thereto are alternately arranged;
- multiple branches, each branch with one end thereof connected with one of the multiple mounting ears of a corresponding branch holder, and having: an iron wire sheathed by a plastic material and being flexible and bendable; and multiple leafstalk seats obliquely formed around a periphery of the branch, spaced apart from each other, and located between two ends of the branch; and
- multiple leaves, each leaf made of a resilient metal wire sheathed by a plastic material, and mounted in a corresponding leafstalk seat of one of the multiple branches.
2. The artificial Christmas tree as claimed in claim 1, wherein an included angle between each leafstalk seat and a corresponding branch ranges from 0 degree to 90 degrees.
3. The artificial Christmas tree as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- each leafstalk seat of a corresponding branch has: a free end; a fixed end being opposite to the free end and connected with the corresponding branch; and a recess inwardly formed in the leafstalk seat in a longitudinal direction from the free end to the fixed end; and
- each leaf has an insertion end formed on a bottom portion of the leaf and engaging the recess of a corresponding leafstalk seat.
4. The artificial Christmas tree as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- each leafstalk seat of a corresponding branch has: a free end; a fixed end being opposite to the free end and connected with the corresponding branch; and multiple recesses inwardly formed in the leafstalk seat in a longitudinal direction from the free end to the fixed end; and
- each leaf has multiple insertion ends formed on a bottom portion of the leaf and engaging the multiple recesses of a corresponding leafstalk seat.
5. The artificial Christmas tree as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- each leafstalk seat of a corresponding branch has: a free end; a fixed end being opposite to the free end and connected with the corresponding branch; and an insertion pin formed on and protruding from a free end of the leafstalk seat in a longitudinal direction from the fixed end to the free end of the leafstalk seat; and
- each leaf has a recess formed in a bottom portion of the leaf and engaging the insertion pin of a corresponding leaf.
6. The artificial Christmas tree as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- each leafstalk seat of a corresponding branch has: a free end; a fixed end being opposite to the free end and connected with the corresponding branch; and multiple insertion pins formed on and protruding from a free end of the leafstalk seat in a longitudinal direction from the fixed end to the free end of the leafstalk seat; and
- each leaf has multiple recesses formed in a bottom portion of the leaf and engaging the respective insertion pins of a corresponding leaf.
7. The artificial Christmas tree as claimed in claim 3, wherein each leaf is adhesively connected to a corresponding branch with the insertion end of the leaf adhesively engaging the recess of a corresponding leafstalk seat.
8. The artificial Christmas tree as claimed in claim 4, wherein each leaf is adhesively connected to a corresponding branch with the multiple insertion ends of the leaf adhesively engaging the respective recesses of a corresponding leafstalk seat.
9. The artificial Christmas tree as claimed in claim 5, wherein each leaf is adhesively connected to a corresponding branch with the recess of the leaf adhesively engaging the insertion pin of a corresponding leafstalk seat.
10. The artificial Christmas tree as claimed in claim 6, wherein each leaf is adhesively connected to a corresponding branch with the multiple recesses of the leaf adhesively engaging the respective insertion pins of a corresponding leafstalk seat.
11. The artificial Christmas tree as claimed in claim 3, wherein each leafstalk seat has two lateral channels inwardly formed in the leafstalk seat in a longitudinal direction from the free end to the fixed end of the leafstalk seat and extending along two opposite lateral directions of the leafstalk seat passing through the recess within a range inside the peripheral wall of the leafstalk seat, and being shorter than the recess in depth, the insertion end of each leaf has two raised ribs oppositely formed on a peripheral wall of the insertion end to correspond to the two respective lateral channels of a corresponding leafstalk seat, and the insertion end of each leaf engages the recess of a corresponding leafstalk seat with the two raised ribs engaging the two respective lateral channels of the corresponding leafstalk seat.
12. The artificial Christmas tree as claimed in claim 3, wherein each leafstalk seat has two lateral channels inwardly formed in the leafstalk seat in a longitudinal direction from the free end to the fixed end of the leafstalk seat and formed through the peripheral wall of the leafstalk seat along two opposite lateral directions of the leafstalk seat passing through the recess, and being shorter than the recess in depth, the insertion end of each leaf has two raised ribs oppositely formed on a peripheral wall of the insertion end to correspond to the two respective lateral channels of a corresponding leafstalk seat, and the insertion end of each leaf engages the recess of a corresponding leafstalk seat with the two raised ribs engaging the two respective lateral channels of the corresponding leafstalk seat.
13. The artificial Christmas tree as claimed in claim 3, wherein
- each leaf has a round hook formed on a bottom end of the leaf and each branch has multiple leaf holders; and
- each leaf holder has: a leaf-mounting base being box-shaped, mounted on a corresponding leafstalk seat, and having two open sides; and a pin mounted through two opposite walls of the leaf-mounting base;
- wherein the round hook of each leaf is fastened around the pin of a corresponding leaf holder by way of hook-connection.
14. The artificial Christmas tree as claimed in claim 3, wherein
- each leaf has an inverted hook formed on a bottom end of the leaf and each branch has multiple leaf holders; and
- each leaf holder is mounted on a corresponding leafstalk seat, and has: two opposite walls; and a bridge portion formed between the two opposite walls and having an urging portion upwardly formed in a bottom portion of the bridge portion;
- wherein the inverted hook of each leaf is hooked around the urging portion of the bridge portion of a corresponding leaf holder by way of hook-connection.
15. The artificial Christmas tree as claimed in claim 1, wherein a peripheral surface of each branch is bark-shaped, bark-free shaped, or bark-shaped over a top portion of the branch and bark-free shaped over a bottom portion of the branch.
16. The artificial Christmas tree as claimed in claim 1, wherein each branch further has multiple connection tubes, each connection tube has a hole formed in a top end thereof and a rod formed on and protruding from a bottom end and engaging the hole of a connection tube located right below the connection tube, at least one of the leafstalk seat and one of the connection tubes of each branch adjacent to the at least one leafstalk seat constitute a branch division, and each branch is assembled or detached by connecting or disconnecting the multiple branch divisions.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 26, 2017
Publication Date: Jul 26, 2018
Inventor: GEORGE TSAI (Taipei)
Application Number: 15/416,419