Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
A bracket for mounting artificial tree branches to an artificial tree trunk comprising: an annular member concentrically and fixedly positionable on said tree trunk; a plurality of outwardly extending arms on said annular member, said arms being circumferentially spaced on said annular member and rigidly mounted thereto, each of said arms defining an upwardly opening channel for receiving an inner end of an artificial tree branch, said channel being defined by first and second parallel spaced vertical walls interconnected by an upwardly and outwardly inclined bottom wall, said first vertical wall including a generally vertical slot communicating with an upper edge thereof and said second vertical wall including an opening generally in alignment with a lower end portion of the slot for receiving a laterally extending portion of said inner end of said tree branch with said slot enabling the tree branch integral with and adjacent to the laterally extending inner end to be moved into the channel and to be supported by the inclined bottom wall of said channel which serves to limit a downward swinging movement of said artificial tree branch; means on each arm pivotally supporting the inner end of said tree branch to enable the tree branch to pivot about an axis transverse to the trunk; and means on each arm to limit the downwardly swinging movement of the tree branch so as to position the tree branch in a position which simulates its natural relation to the tree trunk with the tree branch being freely pivotal upwardly to a position alongside the tree trunk.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
A bracket for mounting artificial tree branches to an artificial tree trunk comprising: an annular member concentrically and fixedly positionable on said tree trunk; a plurality of outwardly extending arms on said annular member, said arms being circumferentially spaced on said annular member and rigidly mounted thereto, each of said arms defining an upwardly opening channel for receiving an inner end of an artificial tree branch, said channel being defined by first and second parallel spaced vertical walls interconnected by an upwardly and outwardly inclined bottom wall, said first vertical wall including a generally vertical slot communicating with an upper edge thereof and said second vertical wall including an opening generally in alignment with a lower end portion of the slot for receiving a laterally extending portion of said inner end of said tree branch with said slot enabling the tree branch integral with and adjacent to the laterally extending inner end to be moved into the channel and to be supported by the inclined bottom wall of said channel which serves to limit a downward swinging movement of said artificial tree branch; means on each arm pivotally supporting the inner end of said tree branch to enable the tree branch to pivot about an axis transverse to the trunk; and means on each arm to limit the downwardly swinging movement of the tree branch so as to position the tree branch in a position which simulates its natural relation to the tree trunk with the tree branch being freely pivotal upwardly to a position alongside the tree trunk.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The bracket as defined in claim 1 wherein said second vertical wall includes a projection extending outwardly therefrom in alignment with the opening contained in said second wall, said projection being hollow and being provided with a passageway therethrough to receive the laterally extending inner end of the tree branch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The bracket as defined in claim 2 wherein said hollow projection includes a bottom surface and a top surface cooperating with the opening in said second wall and the lower end portion of the slot in said first wall to rotatably support and stabilize the laterally extending inner end of the tree branch at longitudinally spaced points along the top and bottom surfaces thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The bracket as defined in claim 3 wherein the spaced points of support for the top surface of the inner end of the tree branch are longitudinally staggered in relation to the spaced points of support provided by the bottom surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The bracket as defined in claim 4 wherein said bracket and arms are constructed of a one-piece plastic material with upper edges of said first and second vertical walls being coplanar with an upper end of the annular member, said annular member being cylindrical and having a lower end extending substantially below said arms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The bracket as defined in claim 5 wherein said inclined bottom wall includes a horizontal inner end portion forming a continuation of the inclined bottom wall.