Patent US3970542A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3603780A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3603780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Artificial tree structure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-01-26
•
Granted: 1971-09-07
•
Expires: 1990-01-26
Abstract
Abstract Improved structure for an artificial tree such as a Christmas tree having a hollow trunk with hollow sleeved limbs pivotally mounted on the trunk at decreasing distances therefrom toward the tree top for folding of the structure into minimized volume. Electrical wiring extending from limbs through the tree trunk provides an integral lighting system and adds structural rigidity while limb covers provide maximized realistic appearance.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth C Lu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:25
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G33/00; A47G33/04; A47G33/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
An artificial tree structure comprising a plurality of tubular trunk members with each including a coupling member having a vertical tubular portion with integral lateral cylindrical extensions communicating with the tubular portion, said trunk members being connected end-to-end to form a continuous single tree trunk, the cylindrical extensions of said coupling members decreasing in length toward the top of the tree trunk, a plurality of tubular limbs pivotally mounted one on each coupling member extension for folding upwardly toward the trunk, the distance between the trunk and the pivot point of the limbs decreasing toward the top of the tree trunk for compact folding of the structure, electrical conductors extending to at least certain of said limbs and through the trunk via said coupling members, and light sockets on said limbs with means extending into the limbs into electrical connection with said conductors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
An artificial tree structure comprising a plurality of tubular trunk members with each including a coupling member having a vertical tubular portion with integral lateral cylindrical extensions communicating with the tubular portion, said trunk members being connected end-to-end to form a continuous single tree trunk, the cylindrical extensions of said coupling members decreasing in length toward the top of the tree trunk, a plurality of tubular limbs pivotally mounted one on each coupling member extension for folding upwardly toward the trunk, the distance between the trunk and the pivot point of the limbs decreasing toward the top of the tree trunk for compact folding of the structure, electrical conductors extending to at least certain of said limbs and through the trunk via said coupling members, and light sockets on said limbs with means extending into the limbs into electrical connection with said conductors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tree structure of claim 1 further defined by said electrical conductors being attached to the limbs adjacent the outer ends thereof and extending in tension through the limbs ans trunk into attachment with the trunk at the bottom thereof for maintaining the limbs and trunk in compression.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The tree structure of claim 1 further defined by said limbs each including a substantially rigid central hollow tube and a plurality of contiguous molded plastic sleeves disposed on the tube and maintained thereon by an end piece closing the outer end of the tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The tree structure of claim 1 further defined by the pivotal mounting of said limbs including an upwardly facing concave receptacle at the end of each coupling member extension, the inner end of each limb normally nesting in a receptacle, and a pivot pin extending ng across the receptacle through the inner end of the limb therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The tree structure of claim 1 further defined by said trunk increasing in diameter toward the bottom thereof and said conductors connectinG said sockets in parallel to thus include an increasing number of wires in the trunk toward the bottom thereof, said wires filling said trunk in tightly packed relation therein for connecting the tree trunk members into a single continuous trunk of substantial structural strength and limited flexibility in the upper portion thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |