US20030159958A1

US20030159958A1 - Artificial tree duffle

Info

Publication number: US20030159958A1
Application number: US10/084,748
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald Falk
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-26
Filing date: 2002-02-26
Publication date: 2003-08-28

Abstract

An artificial tree duffle for the purpose of efficiently handling and protecting artificial trees during times of non-display or non-use; in which the artificial tree is kept in a cloth or textile type duffle, sack, bag, or housing of verbiage with the same meaning. This duffle has a single opening on one end, and shall have two or more circumferentially attached braided textile type tightening straps, while also having an additional non-tightening braided textile type strap attached in a longitudinal direction from the enclosed bottom end of the duffle to the open top end. In addition, the open end of the duffle is to have a hem type closing cord guide that houses the closing cord which when tightened may be secured to an optional (VELCRO) or anchor patch.

Description

PREAMBLE

The “Artificial Tree Duffle” in the above title is intended to provide a quick and convenient method for protecting and handling artificial trees, including but not limited to artificial Christmas trees. This invention provides a product that can easily capture or enclose indoor artificial trees during seasons of non-use or display for both commercial and residential needs.

SINGLE CLAIM

I claim the following;

An Artificial Tree Duffle for the Protection and Handling of an Artificial Tree Comprising of:

A cloth or textile type of fabric in a cylindrical shape with an enclosed circular bottom and having the opposite end open with a closing cord, forming what is commonly known as a sack or bag that has two or more circumferentially attached braided type textile tightening straps and a single non-tightening braided textile strap running longitudinally from the bottom towards the opposite open end or any segment therein for the purpose of hanging, while the cylindrical portion of the duffle has an optional attached closing cord anchor patch as described within the description portion of the application.

BACKGROUND & SUMMARY

This “Artificial Tree Duffle” was conceived through two of my own personal needs; The first, was the removal of replica or artificial trees such as silk or plastic to make room for the seasonal decorations we display in Fall and Winter. Plastic bags or sheets were not sufficient enough protection and provided no means for handling. The second, was the removal of our artificial Christmas trees after the season had passed. Tarps or sheets that had to be wrapped or tied were just too time consuming and usually left the trunk still exposed.

I feel that this “Artificial Tree Duffle” is unique in design in respect that it only has an opening in one end, and it completely encompasses or encloses the artificial tree in a shorter amount of time. The “Artificial Tree Duffle” further distances its' design from prior designs by means that it is essentially one piece meaning everything is attached.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

In researching my own design, I found the following designs previously granted a patent by “The U.S. Patent Office;”

U.S. Pat. No. 3,872,906—in which Bolanz describes a Christmas tree cover assembly with a removable-bottom and side walls, essentially becoming a box deploying a bag.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,166—in which Burke describes a flexible sheet of material with opposite edges overlapping.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,520—in which Blackburn describes a cover for Christmas trees in a radial or circular tarp with a center opening.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,878—in which Lofton describes a Christmas tree disposal bag for the disposal of Christmas trees.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,291,999—in which Phair describes a Christmas tree bag in a cone shaped tarp with openings on each end for use with evergreens.

I, Donald P. Falk have invented a new design an “Artificial Tree Duffle” as set forth the following specification: [0013]
FIG. 1 is a front view, without any hidden lines, of an “Artificial Tree Duffle” showing my new design; [0014]
FIG. 2 is a top view thereof; [0015]
FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof; [0016]
FIG. 4 is a left side view thereof, [0017]
FIG. 5 is a right side view thereof; [0018]
FIG. 6 is a back view thereof;[0019]
Where as the following numerical referenced items shown in the above mentioned figures indicate; [0020]
[0021] 1 Indicates the main body of the design, consisting of a 360 degree cylindrical shape constructed of cloth or textile type of fabric material.
[0022] 2 Indicates the bottom consisting of a 360 degree circle of the before mentioned material that has been modified for strength.
[0023] 3 Indicates the tightening straps made of a braided aramid fiber or textile running circumferentially around the main body overlapping through a buckle.
[0024] 4 Indicates guide loops attached continuously or in sections to the main body of the bag for the purpose of housing the tightening straps.
[0025] 5 Indicates the hanging(or carrying) strap that has one end attached to the before mentioned bottom and running longitudinally towards the top or open end. This strap is made of the before mentioned braided aramid fiber or textile. Length may vary but the opposite end is also attached to the before mentioned main body.
[0026] 6 Indicates a hem type of closing cord guide with an opening appropriate to allow closing and tying of the closing cord.
[0027] 7 Indicates a single continuous length of cord running circumferentially through the before mentioned closing cord guide 360 degrees so as to have both ends exposed in the before mentioned opening.
[0028] 8 Indicates an optional attached closing cord anchor patch consisting of VELCRO and a folding flap to cover VELCRO.
[0029] 9 Indicates a buckle or fastener made of plastic or metal.

Claims

What is claimed as being new, and asking to be protected by patent letters of the united states patent and trademark office is as follows:

1) A unique and improved design of an “Artificial Tree Duffle” for the convenience of quickly handling and protecting artificial trees during times of non-use comprising, and in combination of:

In which an artificial tree is kept in a cloth or textile type duffle, sack, bag, or verbiage with the same meaning, in a cylindrical shape having a single opening on one end, with two or more circumferentially attached braided textile tightening straps, while also having an additional attached non-tightening braided textile strap running in a longitudinal direction from the bottom closed end to the open top end or within any segment in between for the purpose of hanging or handling, while the open end of the duffle is to have a hem sewn in it to house a closing cord, in which when tightened the cord may be secured to an optional attached “VELCRO” anchor patch.