The present invention relates to a trunk joint, and more particularly to a trunk joint for an artificial tree in which artificial branches can be properly positioned radially along the perimeter of the trunk joint so as to make the artificial tree stands still and beautifully.
Generally, an artificial tree, such as Christmas includes a trunk from which a plurality of branches are stemmed from, and a stand on which the trunk and the branches are firmly and securely supported. The assembled artificial tree is further decorated with light strings, and all kinds of decoration. In order to attach the branches onto the trunk, a plurality of branch joints is used to as to assemble the branches. The prior art branch joint is made from plastic molding or sheet metal having pedestal shape, such as shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,510 issued to Smith discloses an apparatus for mounting artificial tree branches to an artificial tree trunk. As disclosed in the abstract, a series of bracket guideways are adapted for pivotal engagement with a plurality of branch members for movement of each member between stowed and operative positions. Each branch engages a guideway notch which suspends the branch in an operative position radially from the tree trunk. As each branch member moves between stowed and operative positions, a guideway slot receives one leg of a branch so as to enable its elbow to pass through the guideway. Upon moving the branches into a stowed or an operative position, each branch member engages a guideway slot or notch, respectively, restricting radial rotation of the branch.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,563 issued to the Applicant discloses another bracket joint for the use of the artificial tree, i.e. the Christmas tree. According to the disclosure, A branch joint for use with a christmas tree to connect a plurality of additional branches to trunk of the christmas tree, are designed to an umbrella-shaped body. A plurality of top and bottom ellipses respectively distributed on the top and bottom circumference of said body. A plurality of recesses form on a top edge of said body. Meanwhile, the additional branches are capable of being respectively inserted into said top ellipses, through the bottom ellipses, to be inward bent at a specific angle then for retaining a distal end of each branch within the corresponding recess whereby the branches and the umbrella-shaped body are retained together in a more natural, simple and useful manner.
As clearly seen from the disclosure of the Smith '510 and Tsai '563 patents, it can be easily found that all the branches are loosely arranged along the joint. Accordingly, it is difficult to create an artificial tree with predetermined shape and outlook. Specially, each of the branches extends from the joint which is spatially apart from the trunk.
It is the objective of the present invention to provide a trunk joint in which when a branch is mounted thereon, creating a phenomena such that the branch extends substantially from the trunk.
In order to achieve to the object set forth, a trunk joint in accordance with the present invention includes a tube member having a first diameter. A collar extends from the tube member and having a second diameter different to the first diameter and the collar defining at least an opening through a wall thereof. A positioning disk is arranged in the collar and having an aperture of a third diameter substantially equal to the first diameter for receiving a trunk therein. The aperture has an inner rim defining at least one first notch corresponding to the opening through the wall of the collar.
According to one aspect of the present invention, once a trunk is inserted into the tube through the aperture of the positioning disk, branches assembled on the trunk joint will be properly locked within the first notch.
Referring to
According to the present invention, the positioning disk 22 has an aperture having a diameter with is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the tube member 1. The diameter is specially dimensioned so as to properly receive a trunk therethrough.
As it can be really seen from the Figures, the positioning disk 22 has an annual configuration, and the locking notches 221 are arranged along its inner rim such that the locking notches 221 each is aligned to the corresponding supporting opening 212.
Referring to
As clearly shown in
In the second and third embodiments, an upper rim of the first tubular base 214 includes a bend which jointly defining a space with the transition 215. As such, a positioning disk 22 is properly snapped between the space defined by the bend and the transition 215. Again, the positioning disk 22 is provided with a plurality of locking notches 221 corresponding to the locating notches 210 and the supporting openings 212.
As compared with the prior art, the present invention features that the branches can be easily and securely assembled. Since the branches 3 are firmly secured by the trunk joint, the branches 3 can be effectively prevented from swinging or moving. As a result, the customer can use it in a more safe way. In addition, the branch joint is simply configured, and therefore it can be easily manufactured.
Referring to
Referring to
As clearly shown in
Specially, an upper rim of the first tubular base 214 includes a bend which jointly defining a space with the transition 215. As such, a positioning disk 22 is properly snapped between the space defined by the bend and the transition 215. Again, the positioning disk 22 is provided with a plurality of locking notches 221 corresponding to the locating notches 210 and the supporting openings 212 which has an elongate shape. The assembly of the branch 3 to the trunk joint is similar to the first embodiment discussed above, no further description is given here below.
The difference between the second and third embodiments is that the elongate supporting opening 212 extends to the bottom edge of the second tubular base 216. The longer the supporting opening 212, the larger the angle between the end portion 31, as shown in
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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5015510 | Smith | May 1991 | A |
5054622 | Lee | Oct 1991 | A |
6116563 | Tsai | Sep 2000 | A |
20040191431 | Lai | Sep 2004 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20060105118 A1 | May 2006 | US |