Artificial tree

Claim 2

An artificial tree comprising a plurality of tree sections secured together to form said artificial tree, each of said plurality of tree sections comprising a center shaft, a plurality of slip rings secured to said center shaft, a plurality of sets of branches attached to and emanating from said plurality of slip rings, each of said plurality of sets of branches being supported on each said center shaft by one of said plurality of slip rings, an upper connection peice on the top of said center shaft, and a lower connection piece on the bottom of said center shaft wherein each of said plurality of tree sections further comprises: a. a plurality of slip collars, and b. a plurality of connecting bars securing said plurality of slip collars rigidly with each other.

Claim 3

An artificial tree according to claim 1 further comprising raising means wherein when said plurality of connecting bars is raised, each of said plurality of slip collars secured thereto is also raised, thereby pressing each of said plurality of slip collars against one of said plurality of sets of branches causing said one of said plurality of sets of branches to fold inward toward said center shaft, thereby making each of said plurality of tree sections more easily storable.

Claim 4

An artificial tree according to claim 2 further comprising a plurality of connecting holes in each of said plurality of connecting bars through which connecting bars from one of said plurality of tree sections may be rigidly secured to connecting bars from another of said plurality of tree sections.

Claim 5

An artificial tree according to claim 3 further comprising a lever secured to the bottom one of said plurality of tree sections, to be used below all other tree sections, said lever being secured to the plurality of connecting bars on said bottom one of said plurality of tree sections, and said lever being secured to other of said plurality of tree sections by use of said plurality of connecting holes in each of said plurality of connecting bars, whereby when said lever is raised each of said plurality of connecting bars is raised, each of said plurality of slip collars secured thereto is also raised, thereby pressing each of said plurality of slip collars against one of said plurality of sets of branches causing said one of said plurality of sets of branches to fold inward toward said center shaft, thereby making each of said plurality of tree sections more easily storeable.

Claim 6

An artificial tree according to claim 1 wherein each of said sets of branches contains electrical wiring for a plurality of electrical lights in each branch of said sets of branches.

Claim 7

An artificial tree according to claim 5 wherein said center shaft contains electrical wiring to enable electrical connection to each branch of said sets of branches.

Claim 8

An artificial tree according to claim 6 wherein said center shaft and each branch of said sets of branches are hollow enabling electrical wiring to pass therein.

Claim 9

An artificial tree according to claim 7 wherein said plurality of tree sections are secured together by a plurality of connecting pieces which provide electrical and physical connection.

Claim 10

An artificial tree according to claim 7 wherein each branch of said sets of branches is electrically wired in parallel, whereby any electrical open circuit on one branch will not disturb said plurality of electrical lights on other branches.

Claim 11

An artificial tree according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of tree sections are secured together by a plurality of connecting pieces which provide electrical and physical connection.

Claim 12

An artificial tree according to claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of slip rings comprises: a. a circular wire which passes through each branch of the set of branches supported by the slip ring; and b. a plurality of slots, one for each branch in the set of branches supported by the slip ring, providing room for said set of branches to be folded inward toward said center shaft.

Claim 13

An artificial tree according to claim 1 further comprising a base on which said plurality of tree sections secured together may be placed.

Claim 14

An artificial tree according to claim 12 further comprising an ornament physically and electrically secured to the highest of said plurality of tree sections secured together.

Claim 15

An artificial tree according to claim 12 wherein said base is physically and electrically connected to said plurality of tree sections secured together.

Claim 16

An artificial tree according to claim 14 further comprising an electrical connection leading from said base which may be connected to an electrical power source.

Claim 17

An artificial tree according to claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of sets of branches rests on one of said plurality of slip collars.