The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 25, 1976
Filed:
Nov. 27, 1974
Ascher Chase, Virginia Beach, VA (US);
General Foam Plastics Corporation, Norfolk, VA (US);
Abstract
A knock-down artificial Christmas tree is provided utilizing a plurality of branch-retaining rings or holders for connecting the branches to the vertical support pole of the tree, alternating with spacers between those rings. The retaining rings and the spacers are comprised of, advantageously, molded thermoplastic, and the spacers are textured on the outer surfaces thereof to simulate the trunk of a tree, thus negating the necessity to wrap or hide, or otherwise mask an unsightly supporting pole for the tree. The branch-retaining rings, together with the alternating spacers, upon assembly of the tree, serve to place the branch-retaining rings and their associated branches in preselected, spaced fashsion along the trunk, to provide rapid assembly and disassembly of the tree. To impart a natural appearance, the branch-retaining rings are configured to accommodate differing numbers of branches in different areas of the tree. Moreover, the rings include means for holding the individual branches against rotation around their own axes or movement from their desired orientation. The positioning system herein provides for an 'automatic' correct vertical spacing of the branches along the trunk, while the branch-retaining rings allow for correcting the circumferential or radial orientation of the branches around the tree.