ORNAMENTAL TREE HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE BASE
A base unit for an ornamental tree is provided that includes a ground support portion adapted to rest upon an underlying surface. The base unit of further includes an adjustable riser attached to and extending upwardly from the ground support to terminate in a distal end portion, the distal end portion of the riser being configured to support a trunk of the ornamental tree. The adjustable riser comprises an adjustment component to adjust the height of the ornamental tree between the ground support portion and the distal end portion of the riser between a first and a second height.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/994,714, filed Jan. 13, 2016, and entitled ADJUSTABLE BASE FOR AN ORNAMENTAL TREE, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis disclosure relates to an adjustable base for an ornamental tree and to methods of using the tree and the base.
BACKGROUNDWhen decorating a space, such as during holidays, it is often desirable to include trees as part of such decorations. To allow such decorations to last substantially indefinitely without maintenance and allow for repeated cycles of storage and deployment of such decorations. In some circumstances, it is desirable to provide artificial trees rather than live trees. Examples of such decorations are Christmas trees typically deployed during holiday seasons occurring near the end or beginning of each calendar year.
SUMMARYThis disclosure relates to an adjustable base for an ornamental tree and to a method for using an adjustable base with an ornamental tree.
In one example, an apparatus includes a ground support portion adapted to rest upon an underlying surface. An adjustable riser is attached to and extends from the ground support along a longitudinal axis to terminate in a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the riser is adapted to support a trunk of an ornamental tree, the adjustable riser comprising an adjustment component adapted to adjust a height of the distal end portion of the riser along the longitudinal axis with respect to the ground support portion between a first height and a second height.
In another example, a method includes placing a ground support portion of a base unit onto an underlying surface. The base unit includes an adjustable riser attached to and extending from the ground support portion along a longitudinal axis thereof to terminate in a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the riser is adapted to support both ends of an elongated trunk of a tree having spaced apart first and second ends. The method also includes mounting one of the first end or the second end of the trunk to the distal end portion of the adjustable riser and adjusting a height of the adjustable riser to adjust a height of the tree relative to the underlying surface where the base unit is placed.
In yet another example, a collapsible ornamental tree includes a base unit and a trunk. The base unit includes a ground support adapted to rest upon an underlying surface, wherein a given portion of the ground support includes at least two wheels thereon, and another portion of the ground support does not include any wheels thereon. An adjustable riser extends outwardly from the ground support along a longitudinal axis to terminate in a distal end portion, the longitudinal axis being transverse to a plane extending through the ground support. A trunk of elongate form extends between a first end and a second end. Both the first end and the second end are adapted to be supported separately by the base unit when attached to the distal end portion of the adjustable riser. A plurality of limbs are pivotably attached to the trunk and moveable between a display condition and a storage condition. When the first end of the trunk is connected to the distal end portion of the adjustable riser, the branches are in the display condition as to be closer to horizontal than the storage condition. When the second end of the trunk is connected to the distal end portion of the adjustable riser, the branches are in the storage condition as to be closer to vertical than the display condition.
This disclosure relates to an adjustable base for an ornamental tree and to methods of using the tree and the base. The base provides ground support for the ornamental tree, and can be configured to both store the ornamental tree in a collapsed arrangement (also referred to as a storage configuration), as well as facilitate deployment of the ornamental tree for display. The base includes a riser having a distal end portion that is adapted to support a main trunk of the ornamental tree. The riser further is configured to have an adjustable axial length that can be adapted to adjust the height of the tree with respect to an underlying surface where there base rests. The adjustment of the riser's length can be performed via a pneumatic actuator, an electrical actuator (e.g., motor) or other mechanism, such as disclosed herein.
In some examples, the distal end of the riser can also be configured for dual uses, namely, to attach and support a lower end of the trunk to support the tree in the display configuration and to attach to and support an upper end (axially opposing the lower end) of the main trunk to support the tree in the storage configuration. This dual use of the base thus enables the base to support the tree in the storage configuration or the display configuration depending on which end of the trunk is attached to the riser.
Additionally, since the height of the riser is adjustable, in either the storage or display configuration, the distance between the group of tree limbs that are closest to the base and the underlying surface can be varied to space such limbs at a desired distance from the underlying surface. In the storage configuration, for example, the distance can be set by the user to provide sufficient space to accommodate limbs that have been collapsed along the trunk. In the display configuration, for example, the distance can be set by the user to make the tree taller or shorter for various purposes, such as to accommodate large presents under the tree or based on ceiling height.
As a further example, the base can be plugged into an exterior power source and serve as a central point of connection. For example, the base can include a receptacle for plugging in a cord for lighting or other ornamental fixtures located on the tree. As another example, a post can be attached to the base fitted with electrical connectors configured to mate with the trunk and/or limbs, through which electrical power can be distributed. In some examples, the height of the riser can be adjusted by an electrical actuator (e.g., motor) that is supplied power from the power source that also supplies electricity to the tree lights. In some examples, a motor is configured to tilt the base from a substantially vertical orientation to a substantially horizontal orientation to facilitate storage or deployment of the tree.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures,
The base 50 functions as a stand for supporting tree 10 in both its storage condition and display condition. The base 50 includes a body portion 46 to house adjustment and attachment features for operation of the adjustable base 50. As shown in the example of
In the example of
As a further example, the base can include wheels 55 such as provided near opposite ends of an outer arm 57 of the base 50. For instance, the wheels 55 can rotate about an axle 56 to facilitate movement of the base 50 across an underlying surface. The wheels 55 can be further used to move the tree 10 while mounted in the base 50 in either the collapsed (storage) configuration or the deployed configuration.
The base 50 can also include one or more pivoting feet 53 attached to outer arm 52 by use of a pintle 54. The feet 53 help prevent the base 50 from slipping when on a flat surface such as a floor. Further, when the base 50 is tilted such that the opposite outer arm 57 is raised from the floor, the feet 53 maintain contact as to provide support and stability for the base 50. For instance, the feet can support the base as it rotates about an axis extending through the pintles 54 to reposition the base 50 when changing the tree between its storage and display conditions (e.g.,
In some examples, each of the feet 53 can be configured to provide more than two degrees of freedom (e.g., more than one angle of rotation), as to accommodate uneven surfaces more completely with such a pivoting feature. In the example of
As a further example, the base 50 can remain in a fixed position when both feet 53 and wheels 55 contact the ground, and can be readily moved if the base 50 is tilted slightly (typically with other portions of the tree 10 supported upon the base 50) and then the entire tree 10 and base 50 can be rolled upon the wheels 55 (see
The adjustable riser 70 of the base 50 can be used to adjust the height of the tree 10. For example, the distal end portion 48 of the riser 70 can be set to a selected height (e.g., six inches to about 20 inches) demonstrated at 48′ and 70′ above the underlying surface. The height of the riser can be adjusted when the tree is mounted to the riser, either in the display condition or storage condition, or when no tree is mounted to the riser. Adjusting the height of the riser 70 allows for a user to decorate the tree 10 when in its display condition. For example, the riser can be set to a lower height to help users reach and decorate top parts of the tree and then be adjusted to an increased height for subsequent display. Additionally, the height of the riser 70 can be set to define the height of the tree for accommodating different environments (e.g., a different ceiling height in multiple rooms where the ornamental tree may be deployed).
The riser 70 can include one or more features configured to adjust the height of the distal end portion 48 of the riser 70 along a longitudinal axis 25 extending through the riser. The longitudinal axis 25 extends transverse to a plane extending through the ground support of the base 50, which plane is generally parallel to the underlying surface 58 when the wheels 55 and feet 53 rest on the surface. The desired height of the riser 70 can be set along the axis 25 by a locking mechanism to ensure the riser 70 does not collapse into the post 64 when the tree 10 is mounted thereon. As an example, the riser 70 includes one or more tubes of a fixed length and a diameter dimensioned to fit within an interior hollow core of the main support post 64. Once inserted within the hollow core, the height of the riser 70 is adjustable with respect to the post 64 and can be fixed by the locking mechanism.
In the example of
As another example,
Example pneumatic mechanisms 73 are single-acting, double-acting, and telescoping cylinders. A single-acting cylinders (SAC) uses the pressure imparted by compressed air to create a driving force in one direction (in the present case, outward from the riser), and a spring to return to the piston to the riser. A double-acting cylinder (DAC) uses the force of air to move in both extend and retract strokes. They have two ports to allow air in, one for outstroke and one for instroke. Stroke length for this design is not limited, however, the piston rod is more vulnerable to buckling and bending. Telescoping cylinders can be either single or double-acting. The telescoping cylinder incorporates a piston rod nested within a series of hollow stages of increasing diameter. Upon actuation, the piston rod and each succeeding stage “telescopes” out as a segmented piston. Thus, a telescoping cylinder allows for a longer stroke than would be achieved with a single-stage cylinder of the same collapsed (i.e., retracted) length. The type of pneumatic mechanisms 73 thus may be chose according to the desired range of heights for the adjustable base 50.
In another example, the height of the riser 70 can be adjusted by a hand powered lever and crank attached to the base 50. The lever and crank provides for communicating motion or for converting reciprocating motion into rotary motion. The crank can consist of a lever attached at right angles to a rotating shaft by which reciprocating motion is imparted to or received from the shaft. The crank is used to convert circular motion into reciprocating motion, or vice versa. The lever may be a bent portion of the shaft, or a separate arm or disk attached to it. Attached to the end of the crank by a pivot is a connecting rod. The end of the rod attached to the crank moves in a circular motion that can be turned manually about an axle. In this case, a user applies rotational force to the crank. In operation, rotating the crank turns one or more gears that are attached to a mechanism attached to the riser. This motion results in a change in the height of the riser, such that rotating the crank in a first direction will increase the height of the riser, and rotating the crank in a second direction will lower the height of the riser. When the lever is not in motion, the height of the tree can be remain fixed. For example, the lever can lock in place once the desired height is achieved.
As yet another example,
In some examples, the tree 10 can be permanently wired with lights. A plug 62 can be provided which is attachable to a power receptacle, such as by use of cord 63. Another cord can extend from the plug 62 to the trunk 40. In other examples, the electrical connection to the lights can be provided internally within the riser 70 and trunk 40 and extend to the limbs. As these cords pass the limbs 49, the cords can be routed out the limbs 49 and terminate at various different locations with lights or other fixtures.
In another example, the cord can be wrapped around an exterior of the trunk 40. The cord can be camouflaged to have a color similar to that of the trunk 40 and limbs 49 (i.e., green) to help hide the cords. In one example, the interior of each of the post 64 and riser 70 can include electrical contacts. A corresponding set of electrical contacts can be provided on the trunk 40 to mate with the electrical contacts of the post and/or riser, thereby providing electrical current to the lights and fixtures located on the tree 10. In other examples, the electrical wiring can be disposed, at least partially within the trunks and/or branches of the tree.
Other controls can be provided on the motor housing 60 and/or the remote control 31. For example, controls can actuate another motor to rotate the tree while on display. Lights associated with the tree can be turned on and off, as well as additional features such as blinking, changing colors, and changing operation in response to environmental stimuli (e.g., transitioning color as the temperature changes, blinking in rhythm with a musical score, etc.). In another example, the motor can tilt the base 50 to automatically change the orientation of the riser 70 in order to facilitate transition from a deployed condition to a storage condition or vise versa, in accordance with the systems and methods described herein.
Additionally, the riser 70 can be configured with one or more locking mechanisms to secure the riser 70 at a fixed axial position with respect to the post 64. In one example illustrated in
In the example illustrated in
In yet another example illustrated in
As mentioned, the adjustable riser 70 can have a hollow core to receive a trunk of the tree 10. Alternatively, the riser 70 and/or the post 64 can have a solid core, such that a hollow core of the trunk of the tree 10 can fit over the solid core. The main trunk 40, as shown in
Limbs 49 can be pivotably attached to the main trunk 40 between the first and second ends 42 and 44. For example, the limbs 49 pivot in such a manner that they extend approximately horizontally when the main trunk is oriented with the second end 44 positioned substantially vertically above the first end 42 (
Branches of the tree 10 can radiate from the limbs 49 in a pattern which mimics at least some natural tree or otherwise has a desirable form. Needles can also extend from the branches and limbs. The needles can be actual natural needles such as pine needles, but can also be synthetic structures, such as attached by wire or adhesive to the branches. It is also conceivable that needles can be directly attached to the limbs. The branches can have a generally planar form such as might exist on a noble fir, or might have a more bushy cylindrical form which might be provided on many different types of pines. Needles can also be long or short depending on the design characteristics desired for the tree 10.
The tree can also include a treetop 80, which can include a treetop trunk portion that is removably attached to the second end 44 of the main trunk 40 when the tree 10 is deployed in the display condition (
With reference to
As a further example, the main trunk 40 defines a portion of the collapsible ornamental tree 10 which supports limbs 49 and other decorative features of the tree 10. Thus, when the main trunk 40 is inverted (in the direction of arrow “C” of
As one example, in the deployed condition (e.g.,
By way of further example,
Additionally, by employing the tension ring 65 or other means disclosed herein for adjusting the riser (see, e.g.,
As shown in
For example, from the reclined position, a user can disconnect the trunk from the base 50 and reattach an opposite end of the trunk to switch between storage and display configurations. That is, while the base 50 is in its reclined position (e.g., as in
While the foregoing examples have been described in the context of removing and attaching an artificial tree to the base, in other examples, a real tree (live or dead) can be attached to the riser while the base is in the reclined position. For example, the riser include an opening to receive a lower trunk of a tree and can include a locking mechanism to lock the trunk with respect to the riser. A user can then rotate the base and the tree attached thereto in the direction “G” to the vertical display condition, similar to
In view of the foregoing structural and functional features described above, examples method will be better appreciated with reference to
At 410, the base unit 50 is positioned to its reclined position. For example, base unit 50 can be tilted up onto feet 53 of outer portion 52 of the base 50 without wheels 55, thereby resisting rolling and orienting the adjustable riser 70 substantially horizontally (e.g., to its reclined position). At 420, an end 42 or 44 of the tree trunk 40 of the tree 10 is mounted to the adjustable riser 70. For example, the end 42 can be mounted to the riser when configuring the tree in its display condition. Alternatively, the end 44 can be mounted to the riser when configuring the tree in its storage condition.
At 430, the base is positioned back onto the underlying surface to its display or storage condition. For example, the base 50 is tilted in the opposite direction from the tilting at 410, such that the adjustable riser 70 is oriented substantially vertically with respect to the underlying surface. Thus, both the feet 53 and wheels 55 of the base unit 50 are in contact with the underlying surface 58. Additionally, at any stage of the method of
Various different modifications can be made to the example without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. When structures are identified as to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified. When structures are identified as being coupled together, such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled directly together or coupled together through intervening structures. Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.
What have been described above are examples. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of structures, components, or methods, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, this disclosure is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of this application, including the appended claims. Where the disclosure or claims recite “a,” “an,” “a first,” or “another” element, or the equivalent thereof, it should be interpreted to include one or more than one such element, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. As used herein, the term “includes” means includes but not limited to, and the term “including” means including but not limited to. The term “based on” means based at least in part on.
Claims
1. An ornamental tree, comprising:
- a base unit comprising: a ground support adapted to rest upon an underlying surface; and an adjustable riser extending outwardly from the ground support along a longitudinal axis to terminate in a distal end portion, the adjustable riser comprising an adjustment component adapted to adjust a height of the distal end portion of the adjustable riser along the longitudinal axis with respect to the ground support between a first height and a second height;
- a trunk of elongate form extending between a first end and a second end, both the first end and the second end adapted to be supported separately when attached to the distal end portion of the adjustable riser; and
- a plurality of limbs attached to the trunk and moveable between a first position and a second position.
- wherein, when the first end of the trunk is connected to the distal end portion of the adjustable riser, the limbs are in the first position so as to be closer to horizontal than the second position, and
- wherein, when the second end of the trunk is connected to the distal end portion of the adjustable riser, the limbs are in the second position so as to be closer to vertical than the first position.
2. The tree of claim 1, wherein the adjustment component comprises one of a motor, a pneumatic component, and a turn crank configured to adjust the height of the adjustable riser.
3. The tree of claim 1, further comprising a controller for controlling at least one of the height of the adjustable riser and lights disposed on the tree.
4. The tree of claim 3, wherein the controller is one of a wired controller and a wireless controller.
5. The tree of claim 1, wherein the adjustment component adjusts the height of the distal end portion of the adjustable riser relative to the ground support in response to a user input.
6. The tree of claim 1, further comprising a post attached to and extending upwardly from the ground support and a connector at a distal end of the post, the post having a hollow core, the adjustable riser being insertable into the hollow core of the post, the connector configured to fix the height of the adjustable riser with respect to the post in response to actuating the connector.
7. The tree of claim 6, wherein the post includes a plurality of holes, and wherein the connector includes a spring biased pin to mate with one of the plurality of holes to set the height of the adjustable riser.
8. The tree of claim 6, wherein the post includes an opening, and wherein the connector includes a tension ring at the opening to secure the adjustable riser with respect to the post.
9. The tree of claim 1, further comprising a treetop that is removable with respect to the trunk, the treetop including a top trunk and a plurality of limbs extending laterally from the top trunk, the top trunk having a proximal end adapted to be removably connected with the second end of the trunk.
10. The tree of claim 1, wherein the ground support further comprises at least two wheels, the ground support including at least another part that does not include any wheel, such that the tree can roll when tilted up onto the wheels and resist rolling when resting on both the wheels and the part of the ground support that is without wheels.
11. The tree of claim 10, wherein the part of the ground support that does not include any wheels further comprises feet that are rotatably connected to the ground support and adapted to maintain contact with the underlying surface when tilted up onto the feet.
12. The tree of claim 1, wherein, when the first end of the trunk is connected to the distal end portion of the adjustable riser, the limbs are in the first position so as to be closer to horizontal than the second position, and
- wherein, when the second end of the trunk is connected to the distal end portion of the adjustable riser, the limbs are in the second position so as to be closer to vertical than the first position.
13. A method of using the tree of claim 1, the method comprising:
- placing the ground support onto the underlying surface;
- mounting one of the first end and the second end of the trunk to the distal end portion of the adjustable riser; and
- adjusting the height of the distal end portion of the adjustable riser to adjust a height of the tree relative to the underlying surface where the ground support is placed.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein adjusting the height of the distal end portion of the adjustable riser occurs prior to mounting one of the first end and the second end of the trunk to the distal end portion of the adjustable riser.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein adjusting the height of the distal end portion of the adjustable riser occurs after mounting one of the first end and the second end of the trunk to the distal end portion of the adjustable riser.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
- tilting the base unit from a normal support position to a reclined position such that the base unit is substantially transverse to the underlying surface and the adjustable riser extends substantially parallel with the underlying surface;
- attaching one of the first end of the trunk and the second end of the trunk to the distal end portion of the adjustable riser; and
- tilting the base unit from the reclined position back to the normal support position on the underlying surface.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the ground support further comprises a first portion that includes at least two wheels and a second portion that does not include any wheels, each of the first portion and the second portion contacting the underlying surface in the normal support position, the method further comprising:
- tilting the base unit in a direction opposite the wheels onto the second portion and into the reclined position.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second portion of the ground support includes feet pivotally attached to a bracket of the ground support, each of the feet having a contact surface that maintains contact with the underlying surface during the tilting.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the ground support further comprises a first portion that includes at least two wheels and a second portion that does not include any wheels, each of the first portion and the second portion contacting the underlying surface in a normal support position, the method further comprising:
- tilting the base unit in a first direction onto the at least two wheels; and
- rolling the base unit from one location to another location while tilted on the wheels.
20. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
- connecting the first end of the trunk to the distal end portion of the adjustable riser, such that the limbs are in the first position so as to be closer to horizontal than the second position, corresponding to a display condition of the tree;
- removing the first end of the trunk from the distal end portion of the adjustable riser;
- connecting the second end of the trunk to the distal end portion of the adjustable riser, such that the limbs are in the second position so as to be closer to vertical than the first position, corresponding to a storage condition for the tree; and
- adjusting the height of the adjustable riser such that ends of the limbs are spaced a distance from the underlying surface to accommodate limbs while in the storage condition.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 19, 2019
Publication Date: Jun 13, 2019
Inventors: BRUCE A. SCHOOLEY (ALAMO, CA), THOMAS M. HARMAN (PORTOLA VALLEY, CA)
Application Number: 16/279,618