GB2169198A - Artificial christmas trees - Google Patents

Abstract

An artificial Christmas tree comprises a column of similar clamp units which hold branches (9). Each clamp unit has two discs (1, 2) screwed face to face with the branches therebetween. Slots in the upper disc (1) accommodate the stems of the branches which are supported at an angle to the tree axis by lugs (12) with inclined faces, the lugs entering the slots in the upper disc. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Artificial tree and clamp unit therefor The invention relates to an artificial tree and to a clamp unit therefor. The invention is particularly applicable to artificial Christmas trees and an object of the invention is to provide a tree which can be collapsed for storage and which is of particularly convenient construction.

The invention provides an element for such a tree in the form of a clamp unit, the unit comprising upper and lower discs; clamping means for clamping the discs face to face to hold and support the stems of artifical tree branches therebetween; radial slots in the upper disc for allowing the stems to pass therethrough; and radial support lugs of the lower disc, the lugs being adapted to fit into the slots and having an inclined upper surface for supporting the tree branches at an angle to the plane of the discs.

At least two forms of branch are envisaged. In one form each branch is a double branch consisting of a pair of branches with the ends of their stems joined.

In another form the branches are single, each having splayed ends for location purposes.

Thus, in one form the clamp unit is adapted to clamp double branches, the slots and lugs being provided in pairs with channels in one or both discs linking the members of each pair to accommodate the joined ends of the stems.

In another form the clamp unit is adapted to clamp single branches, one or both discs having recesses to accommodate the splayed ends.

The clamping means preferably comprises screws. Preferably each disc has a tubular boss whereby a set of units may be assembled in a column, perhaps with spacers therebetween, to constitute a tree.

The invention also provides an artificial tree constituted by an assembly of clamp units holding branches in a column as described. In a preferred embodiment the tree comprises two pre-assembled parts, namely a main part and a top part, the two parts being readily detachable.

The invention will further be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a clamp unit in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a view of the underside of the upper disc of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded view of another clamp unit in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 is a plan view of the lower disc of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an elevation of a Christmas tree embodying the invention; and Figure 6 is an exploded view illustrating the manner of attaching the two parts of the tree of Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the clamp unit comprises an upper disc 1 and a lower disc 2 which are integral with tubular boss members 10 and 11 respectively. The discs are capable of being clamped together by means of screws 20 which pass through holes 17 in the lower disc and are screwed into the upper disc at 14.

The upper disc has radial slots 16 which accommodate the stems of artificial tree branches such as that shown at 9. As illustrated, the branch in this embodiment is a double branch which has the ends of the stems of the two parts joined. Lugs 12 extend from the upper surface of the lower disc and enter the slots 16. The upper surfaces of the lugs are inclined so as to support the branches at an angle with respect to the plane and axis of the discs. The branches are made of flexible plastics so that for packing they may be compressed against the trunk of the tree.

In order to accommodate the joined ends of the branch stems, the discs have curved channels 13 and 18 which link adjacent lugs 12 and slots 16 respectively.

The hollow interior of the boss 10 and 11 is hexagonel in cross-section, shown at lOb. This accepts a spring metal coupling member 8 which couples and holds similar clamp units when mounted and to end in a column to form a tree.

Also, a hexagonal hollow spigot 10a at the top of the upper boss 10 fits a corresponding recess in the bottom of the lower boss 11.The bosses need not be fitted end to end directly, it being possible to interpose suitably inter-fitting spaces.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a different form of construction for the clamp unit.

Again, there are upper and lower discs 1 and 2 with respective bosses 10 and 11. Slots 16 in the upper disc accommodate branches 24 and lugs 12 and the lower disc enter the slots and support the branches.

In this embodiment the screws 36 enter from beneath via holes 28 and are screwed at 34 into the upper disc.

The principal difference of the embodiments of Figures 3 and 4 over that of Figures 1 and 2 is that the branches 24 are single and have splayed ends as shown at 40. These serve to locate the branches and are accommodated in a channel 31a in the underside of the upper disc. As shown in Figure 4, the face of disc 2 has no channel.

Referring now to Figure 5 there is shown a Christmas tree constructed from clamp units holding branches as described in relation to Figures 1 to 4. The tree has an upper part 3 and a lower part 4, which are each pre-assembled and which fit together by virtue of a spigot 23 depending from the upper part and fitting into the lower part. The lower part fits a stand 5.

The lower part of the tree comprises a column of identical clamp units 6 of the kind shown in Figures 1 and 2. Interposed between adjacent units are spacers 7.

The upper part of the tree comprises a column of clamp units of the kind shown in Figures 3 and 4 which progressively decrease in size.

Referring now to Figure 6 there is shown an exploded view of the junction between parts 3 and 4 of the tree of Figure 5. The uppermost clamp unit 6 of the lower part is shown, without branches, as is the lowermost clamp unit 24 of the upper part. A spacer 7 is shown also.

The coupling member 8 in unit 6 accomodates a tube 23a with a hexagonal outer section and circular bore. The bore accepts the spigot 23 which is inserted into a hollow bore in the unit 24. The spigot is an interference fit in the bores.

Claims (12)

1. A clamp unit for an artificial tree, the unit comprising upper and lower discs, clamping means for clamping the discs face to face to hold and support the stems of artificial tree branches therebetween; radial slots in the upper disc for allowing the stems to pass therethrough; and radial support lugs on the lower disc, the lugs being adapted to fit into the slots and having an inclinded upper surface for supporting the tree branches at an angle to the plane of the discs.

2. A clamp unit as claimed in claim 1 adapted to clamp double branches, the branches being arranged in pairs with the ends of their stems joined, the slots and lugs being provided in pairs with channels in one or both discs linking the members of each pair to accommodate the joined ends of the stems.

3. A clamp unit as claimed in claim 1 adapted to clamp single branches, the stems of each of which have splayed ends for location purposes, one or both discs having recesses to accommodate the splayed ends.

4. A clamp unit as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the clamping means comprises screws.

5. A clamp unit as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a tubular boss is provided axially on each disc to allow a set of units to be assembled in a column to constitute a tree.

6. A clamp unit as claimed in any of the preceding claims in combination with artificial tree branches clamped between the discs.

7. An artificial tree constituted by an assembly of clamp units with branches as claimed in claim 6.

8. An artificial tree as claimed in claim 7 wherein there are provided spacers between at least some adjacent clamp units.

9. An artifical tree as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein there are two pre:assembled parts, namely a main part and a top part, the two parts being readily detachable.

10. An artificial tree as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9 wherein there is stand fitted to the base of the assembly of clamp units.

11. A clamp unit for an artificial tree substantialiy as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

12. An artificial tree substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.