Patent Application
20050152140
The present invention relates generally to seasonal, ornamental decorations, and more particularly to an illuminated tree skirt shaped to resemble a snow drift at the base of the tree.
In accordance with the present invention, an illuminated ornamental tree skirt of flexible transparent or translucent plastic material is arranged around the base of a tree to resemble an accumulation of snow, such as a snow drift. Further, the illumination of the ornamental tree skirt creates a glistening effect on the top surface of the simulated snow. The ornamental tree skirt is suitable for seasonal exterior use, even in areas of little to no snowfall, to create or enhance a seasonal, winter scene.
The ornamental tree skirt is shaped to surround the trunk of a tree and is shaped to create whatever snow accumulation effect the user desires. Flaps are conveniently located on the skirt to cover any gaps, if desired, between the skirt and the tree trunk. The ornamental tree skirt is also equipped with stake holes or other anchoring attachments so that the skirt may be held against the ground.
The skirt may be illuminated with a convention string of ornamental lights, commonly used as Christmas tree decorations. The use of twinkle lights further enhances the glistening effect. The string of ornamental lights may be sandwiched between layers of the skirt material to protect against the weather, and the lamps may be oriented in a horizontal manner parallel with the layers of the skirt material to minimize breakage due to traffic.
The layers making up the ornamental skirt are preferably ventilated to reduce any internal buildup of moisture and/or mildew. There are also drain holes through all the layers of the ornamental skirt to provide a runoff path for any moisture that collects on the upper surface of the skirt. The internal string of lights is held in position away from the ventilation and drain holes to minimize the danger of any broken light glass escaping from the sandwiched material of the skirt.
The lower layer of the ornamental skirt is also preferably transparent or translucent so that the ornamental string of lights can be traced in the event that a lamp burns out. Thus, a burned out lamp, once located, can be removed through a small slit in the lower material, replaced, and the slit is then easily taped over to maintain the weather seal.
The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Although the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalent arrangements as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Turning now to the drawings and referring first to
According to another embodiment of the present invention, weights (not shown) may be incorporated into the ornamental skirt 100 to help keep it in place. This anchoring technique is especially valuable in areas where the ground conditions might prove an obstacle to using stakes to anchor the skirt 100, or where the added weight simply helps to maintain the skirt in place in varying environmental conditions.
As an alternative to a conventional light string, multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs) may be employed.
The layers 202 and 203 may be attached to each other as at 210 and 211 to form a channel 212 for the encased light string 204. The channel 212 maintains the position of the light string 204 within the tree skirt 200, providing the desired distribution of the lights 205 throughout the skirt 200 to provide the desired aesthetic effect. The plastic films may be attached by sewing, thermal bonding, adhesives, tape or any other desired technique to form the desired channel 212 for the light string 204. It will also be appreciated that the two layers 202 and 203 of plastic film need not be coextensive, as in the illustrative embodiment; for example, narrow strips of film may be laminated to a single large sheet only in those areas where reinforcement or channel formation is required, to reduce the overall amount of material required and thus reduce the material cost. Alternatively, tape or other attachment means may be used to attach the light string to the underside of a single-ply skirt, and to provide reinforcement around the openings in the skirt.
A soft plastic material of a white color and texture to resemble a layer of snow forms the visible, top layer 201 and is translucent so that light from the encased lights 205 is externally visible to provide a glistening effect when the lights are illuminated. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the upper surface of the top layer 201 has a puckered texture to simulate the surface of snow. A suitable thickness for the top layer 201 is about 4 mils, and the plastic material of all the layers is preferably resistant to mildew, stains and UV and remains flexible at low outdoor temperatures. The top layer 201 may be slightly larger than the underlying layers 202 and 203, but attached to the lower layers along the peripheral edges uniformly so that the top layer 201 has a slightly baggy appearance to aid in simulating the natural appearance of an accumulation of snow. The peripheral edges are preferably sealed or otherwise bonded through all the layers as at 215 to protect against the environment, or a separate U-shaped piece may be sewn or otherwise attached to the peripheral edges of the sheets.
Multiple drainage and stake holes 220 extend through all layers of the skirt 200, with sealing of the layers to each other around each hole, as at 220a, to provide environmental sealing. Eyelets or other types of reinforcement may be used around each of the holes 220 to provide edge reinforcement. Vent holes 222 are also preferably provided in the bottommost layer 203 of the skirt to prevent or reduce mildew. A suitable size for the vent holes 222 is {fraction (1/8)} inch. The vent holes 222 are preferably distributed over substantially the entire area of the skirt 200, on an approximate 6-inch grid, but are not placed within the light-string channel 212 so as to minimize the chance of any hazardous glass particles from broken lights 205 sifting out of the skirt 200.
As can be seen in
While particular embodiments and applications of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction and compositions disclosed herein and that various modifications, changes, and variations may be apparent from the foregoing descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60534599 | Jan 2004 | US | |
| 60601329 | Aug 2004 | US |
