FOLDING DECORATIVE DEVICE
A foldable structure including a base having a shaft extending outwardly therefrom. A frame is secured about the shaft and has a perimeter defining an interior space. A first inner member is rotatably secured to the shaft. The first inner member has an outer perimeter that fits within the frame perimeter. The first inner member has a first position wherein the outer perimeter of the first inner member is disposed within the inner perimeter of the frame. The first inner member has a second position wherein the outer perimeter of the first inner member is disposed outside of the inner perimeter of the frame and the frame and first inner member lie in different planes.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/731,438 filed Sep. 14, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUNDSeasonal ornaments and decorations are typically stored most of the year and brought out for a particular occasion. Certain decorative items such as Christmas trees can be difficult to set up and disassemble. In addition, they can take up considerable storage space. Various designs are known in the art for reducing the storage space of Christmas trees. However, these designs typically require the various elements to engage each other upon folding which misshapes the tree.
In addition, being able to fold a decorative device such that it takes up a minimal amount of space allows for cost effective shipping and stocking. Accordingly, it would be desirable to present a decorative device such as a Christmas tree, which is easy to assemble and takes up a minimal amount of stored space.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure provides a foldable structure including a base having a shaft extending outwardly therefrom. A frame is secured about the shaft and has a perimeter defining an interior space. A first inner member is rotatably secured to the shaft. The first inner member has an outer perimeter that fits within the frame perimeter. The first inner member has a first position wherein the outer perimeter of the first inner member is disposed within the inner perimeter of the frame. The first inner member has a second position wherein the outer perimeter of the first inner member is disposed outside of the inner perimeter of the frame, and the frame and first inner member lie in different planes.
The present disclosure further provides a foldable decorative tree including a base having a shaft extending outwardly therefrom. A frame is secured about the shaft and having a perimeter defining an interior space. A first inner member is rotatably secured to the shaft. The first inner member has an outer perimeter that fits within the frame perimeter. The first inner member has a first position wherein the outer perimeter of the first inner member is disposed within the inner perimeter of the frame. The first inner member has a second position wherein the outer perimeter of the first inner member is disposed outside of the inner perimeter of the frame and the frame and first inner member lie in different planes. A locking apparatus is provided that restricts the rotation of the first inner member in a predetermined position relative to the frame.
The present disclosure further provides a foldable decorative structure including a base having a shaft extending outwardly therefrom. A frame is secured about the shaft and having a perimeter defining an interior space. A first inner member is rotatably secured to the shaft. The first inner member has an outer perimeter that fits within the frame perimeter. The first inner member has a first position wherein the outer perimeter of the first inner member is disposed within the inner perimeter of the frame. The first inner member has a second position wherein the outer perimeter of the first inner member is disposed outside of the inner perimeter of the frame and the frame and first inner member lie in different planes. A second inner member is rotatably secured to the shaft. The second inner member has an outer perimeter, and wherein the second inner member has a first position wherein an outer perimeter of the second inner member is disposed within the inner perimeter of the first inner member. The frame and first and second inner members have an open position wherein the frame and first and second inner members each lie in a different plane and a closed position wherein the frame and first and second inner members each lie in substantially the same plane.
With references to
The decorative device 10 may include an outer frame 12 having an inner perimeter 14 which defines an inner open space 16. The outer frame 12 may be formed of metal wire, plastic, wood, or other material, which can maintain a desired shape. The outer frame 12 may be supported on a base 18. The base 18 may have a configuration to support the decorative device 10 on a support surface such as a floor or tabletop. A pole or shaft 20 may extend generally orthogonally from the base 18 terminating at a distal top end 19. The outer frame 12 may be rotatably secured to the shaft 20. The shaft 20 extends along a vertical axis of rotation Y-Y. In an alternative embodiment, the outer frame 12 may be fixed to the base 18 such that it does not rotate relative thereto.
The decorative device 10 may further include one or more inner members 22, which are pivotally secured to the base 18. The inner members 22 may rotate relative to the frame 12. The inner members 22 may include an outer perimeter 24 having a configuration which fits inside the space 16 formed by the outer frame 12. In one embodiment, the outer perimeter 24 can have a shape substantially the same as the shape of the outer frame inner perimeter 14 as shown in
The inner member 22 may be sized smaller than the outer frame 12 such that it can fit within the outer frame 12. The inner member 22 may be rotatable relative to the outer frame 12 such that it can assume a closed or storage position wherein the frame perimeter 14 aligns with and nests within the inner member perimeter 24 and space 16 as shown in
In an alternative embodiment shown in
It is further contemplated that the innermost member may have a perimeter defining an open space or may be a substantially solid planar member including decorative images or elements thereon.
When the decorative device 10 is in the closed position, as shown in
As set forth above, the shaft 20 extends from the base 18. In one embodiment, the base 18 may include two generally U-shaped members with an upper base member 50 disposed above the lower base member 52. In one embodiment, the upper base member 50 may be secured to the outer frame 12 and the lower base member 52 may be secured to the shaft 20. The lower base member 52 may be rotated relative to the upper base member 50 such that it may be moved from the folded position wherein it is generally parallel with the upper member (
In order to allow for the inner members 22 to rotate, each inner member 22a and 22b may have a pivot device 40 having an opening 42 (
As shown in
It is contemplated that the inner member 22 may include a plurality of decorative elements each secured to a pivot device. With reference to
With reference to
In an alternative embodiment shown in
The decorative device 10 may be formed of a plurality of segments to help facilitate assembly and disassembly of the decorative device 10. With reference to
While the device 10 has been described as a decorative element such as a Christmas tree, it is also contemplated that the features of this invention could also be applied to non-decorative devices where space saving storage and ease of setup are desired.
While there have been described what is presently believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will realize that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A foldable structure comprising:
- a base having a shaft extending outwardly therefrom;
- a frame secured about the shaft and having a perimeter defining an interior space; and
- a first inner member rotatably secured to the shaft, the first inner member having an outer perimeter that fits within the frame perimeter, the first inner member having a first position wherein the outer perimeter of the first inner member is disposed within the inner perimeter of the frame, and the first inner member having a second position wherein the outer perimeter of the first inner member is disposed outside of the inner perimeter of the frame and the frame and first inner member lie in different planes.
2. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the first inner member as secured to a first pivot device having an opening the shaft extending through the first pivot member opening.
3. The structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the first inner member is secured to a plurality of pivot members each having an opening extending therethrough.
4. The structure as defined in claim 3, wherein the first inner member has an inner perimeter defining a space, and a second inner member is rotatably secured to the shaft, the second inner member having an outer perimeter, and wherein the second inner member has a first position wherein the outer perimeter of the second inner member is disposed within the inner perimeter of the first inner member, and the frame and first and second inner members lie in substantially the same plane.
5. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the second inner member is secured to a pivot device having an opening extending therethrough to receive the shaft.
6. The structure as defined in claim 5, wherein the inner member pivot device is disposed between pivot device of the first inner member.
7. The structure as defined in claim 2, wherein a locking apparatus restricts the rotation of the first inner member in a predetermined position relative to the frame.
8. The structure as defined in claim 7, wherein the frame includes a shaft receiver non-pivotally secured thereto, and the locking apparatus includes a mechanical engagement between the shaft receiver and the inner member pivot device to restrict relative rotation.
9. The structure as defined in claim 8, wherein the inner member pivot device is translatable along an axis of rotation relative to the shaft receiver and the mechanical engagement between the shaft receiver and the inner member pivot device is overcome.
10. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the frame has an outer perimeter forming the shape of a tree.
11. The foldable decorative tree as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality and the frame and the first inner member lie in the same plane when in the first position.
12. A foldable decorative tree comprising:
- a base having a shaft extending outwardly therefrom;
- a frame secured about the shaft and having a perimeter defining an interior space; and
- a first inner member rotatably secured to the shaft, the first inner member having an outer perimeter that fits within the frame perimeter, the first inner member having a first position wherein the outer perimeter of the first inner member is disposed within the inner perimeter of the frame, and the first inner member having a second position wherein the outer perimeter of the first inner member is disposed outside of the inner perimeter of the frame and the frame and first inner member lie in different planes; and
- a locking apparatus restricting the rotation of the first inner member in a predetermined position relative to the frame.
13. The foldable decorative tree as defined in claim 12, wherein and the frame and the first inner member lie in the same plane when in the first position.
14. The foldable decorative tree as defined in claim 12, wherein the shaft is formed of a plurality of elongate shaft members removabley joinable to each other.
15. The foldable decorative tree as defined in claim 14, wherein the frame is formed of a plurality of frame members and each shaft member includes one of the plurality of frame members connected thereto.
16. The foldable decorative tree as defined in claim 15, including a plurality of first inner members each shaft member includes one of the plurality of first inner members connected thereto.
17. The foldable decorative tree as defined in claim 16, including a plurality of second inner members, and each shaft member includes one of the plurality of second inner members connected thereto.
18. The foldable decorative tree as defined in claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of first inner members has an inner perimeter defining a space, and each of the second inner member has an outer perimeter, and wherein each second inner member has a first position wherein the outer perimeter of the second inner member is disposed within the inner perimeter of the first inner member, and the frame and first and second inner members lie in substantially the same plane.
19. A foldable decorative structure comprising:
- a base having a shaft extending outwardly therefrom;
- a frame secured about the shaft and having a perimeter defining an interior space;
- a first inner member rotatably secured to the shaft, the first inner member having an outer perimeter that fits within the frame perimeter, the first inner member having a first position wherein the outer perimeter of the first inner member is disposed within the inner perimeter of the frame, and the first inner member having a second position wherein the outer perimeter of the first inner member is disposed outside of the inner perimeter of the frame and the frame and first inner member lie in different planes; and a second inner member rotatably secured to the shaft, the second inner member having an outer perimeter, and wherein the second inner member has a first position wherein an outer perimeter of the second inner member is disposed within the inner perimeter of the first inner member, and wherein the frame and first and second inner members have an open position wherein the frame and first and second inner members each lie in a different plane and a closed position wherein the frame and first and second inner members each lie in substantially the same plane.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 16, 2019
Publication Date: Mar 19, 2020
Inventor: Korina Moran (Ossining, NY)
Application Number: 16/572,054