Artificial palm frond for an artificial palm tree

Abstract

An artificial palm frond, in particular for use in outdoor areas, has a plurality of stem components (10) which include an elongated base body (12) configured as a sleeve. The artificial palm frond further has a pole penetrating the base body (12). A plurality of stem components (10) placed axially in line with each other are penetrated by the same pole.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an artificial palm frond, in particular for use in outdoor areas. The invention further relates to an artificial palm tree including such an artificial palm frond.[0002]Artificial palm trees for indoor and outdoor areas have come into fashion and are installed for decorative purposes e.g. in thermal spas, in waterparks, under glass domes, in front of shops, in beach parks, in the open air areas on cruise ships, and on roof terraces.[0003]Conventional artificial palm trees, however, have palm fronds which are not suitable for permanent use in outdoor areas. It is generally not possible to meet the high requirements with respect to UV resistance, color fastness and flame resistance. Of particular importance, however, is the need for non-buckling and break-proof palm fronds, which also withstand high wind forces. Especially in the case of tall palm trees having palm frond lengths of up to 400 cm, this need could not be s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]A sleeve within the scope of the invention should be understood to mean a component which, after being produced, includes a continuous cavity free from material. A sleeve of this type should be delimited from, e.g., a casing which is injection-molded around a support and forms a composite with the support. According to the invention, the configuration of the base body in the form of a sleeve permits a pole to be passed through the base body for reinforcing the stem component. Such a design allows palm fronds to be manufactured which, for one thing, have a stem that is flexible as with real palm fronds and which, for another thing, will not buckle or break even under the action of great forces.

[0008]The particular configuration of the artificial palm frond which includes a plurality of stem components that are placed axially in line with each other and are penetrated by the same pole (inclusive of all extensions and mounts of the individual base bodies) has the additional advantage that the stem components, which are easy to handle and flexibly combinable, open up a multitude of design options, while the pole that penetrates all of the stem components of a palm frond ensures the stability over the entire length of the palm frond.

[0009]In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the base body has an end including a hollow extension for insertion into a corresponding mount which is formed at an end of another base body. In this way, a plurality of stem components may be inserted into each other in the nature of a modular system in a simple manner to form an artificial palm frond, which makes possible an on-site assembly of the palm frond. The stem components may be produced in easy-to handle sizes, resulting in logistical advantages, in particular in respect of storage and delivery. Any defective stem components could be exchanged or retrofitted separately, if necessary.

[0010]A very simple assembly of the artificial palm frond according to the invention is obtained in that the extensions and the mounts of the stem components have profiles that are adjusted to each other and allow the stem components to be inserted into each other only in one predefined orientation.

[0011]To attach one-piece leaves, the base body of the stem component may include molded-on nipples. This allows a high flexibility in the fabrication of the palm fronds because leaves of different designs may be used as desired.

[0012]As an alternative, the base body of the stem component may include integrally molded leaves. In this case, the fabrication of the leaves, which may be expensive in some circumstances, is dispensed with; the leaves may then be molded in an injection-molding process together with the base body to form a complete frond part. In this variant, an increase in the stability at the connecting points of the leaves is also to be expected.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional artificial palm trees, however, have palm fronds which are not suitable for permanent use in outdoor areas.

It is generally not possible to meet the high requirements with respect to UV resistance, color fastness and flame resistance.

Especially in the case of tall palm trees having palm frond lengths of up to 400 cm, this need could not be satisfied.

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