Artificial Christmas tree in modular design

Abstract

Artificial tree with a base or stand, a trunk, branches and a top, characterized in that the tree is composed of at least two modules which can be assembled via a plug-in system located in the trunk, wherein the tree can be enlarged to any size by adding further modules from below to the plug-in system, wherein a power line which connects a power source located in the base to the branches and is located in the trunk can also be connected from module to module by means of the plug-in system and can thus supply power to, for example, a string of lights in the branches - regardless of how many modules are plugged together.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an artificial tree or Christmas tree with a base or stand, a trunk, branches, and a top, wherein the tree is composed of several modules. In addition, string lights are incorporated into the branches or individual modules.

[0002] The invention is based on the following finding: Artificial trees, and Christmas trees in particular, have been around for a long time. For a long time, they were made of wire and / or paper, but later, flexible branches were introduced, and twigs and needles were made of plastic. To this day, these products struggle with the disadvantage that they simply don't look "real." And because the trees are rarely inexpensive, they are reused, meaning they have to be stored – which isn't easy due to their size and circumference. And if you decorated the artificial tree with fairy lights, you first had to remove the lights, fold the tree up, and then store it. And when you brought the tree out again for the "season," you had to decorate it with fairy lights again. At the same time, these trees are still not expandable or enlargeable. If you wanted or needed a larger (or smaller) tree later, you had to buy a new one.

[0003] The present invention relates to a device consisting of a stand and a plurality of individual modules in the shape of a tree (for example, fir), whereby these injection-molded branches - foldable - protrude diagonally upwards from the trunk, as is usual with conifers.

[0004] The branches can be clipped together—even if they already have a pre-attached string of lights—to create a tree of your choice of height (and circumference). The central "trunk" of the artificial tree can be covered with an artificial outer skin that looks incredibly similar to a real tree trunk (e.g., a fir).

[0005] The object of the present invention is to create a commercially available and fully functional artificial tree that is not only reusable, but also designed so that it can be easily disassembled and reassembled, including with regard to any pre-mounted string of lights in the branches. A technical added value is that the tree can also be expanded as desired, allowing new modules to be added from below. These modules have the same appearance but, due to their width, function as a (new) base or lower section, as conifers, such as firs, taper from bottom to top.

[0006] The aim of the invention is to create an artificial tree that makes the experience of having an artificial Christmas tree as real and practical as possible: The assembly and disassembly, as well as the storage of the entire tree, should be as effortless as possible.

[0007] The aim of the invention is to continue to illuminate the tree but to avoid having to laboriously remove or reattach the fairy lights when dismantling and reassembling it.

[0008] Another goal is to ensure that the tree is flexible in terms of size. Depending on where it is intended to be used, it should be small, medium, or large, allowing it to be used in a variety of ways—without compromising the aforementioned functions.

[0009] This problem is solved by a device having the features of claims 1 and 2. Advantageous developments of such a device are formulated in the dependent claims below.

[0010] The special thing about this device is that, in addition to the base that fixes the entire construction, the tree consists of several modules that can be plugged together via the artificial trunk (in the middle), making the tree expandable as desired.

[0011] The pre-mounted fairy lights on the modules or individual branches are powered by a power cable located in the trunk. Each module has a cable inside the hollow trunk and, most importantly, a plug-in connection in the trunk, which ensures the power supply in the tree from bottom to top. So, connecting another module to the tree also connects the power between the various parts of the tree – quite simply. The plug-in connection at the top of the trunk (of every module except the tip) fits into the bottom of each module. This allows an element / module to be added or removed from the tree without having to reinstall or relocate the lighting. The tree is therefore easy to add to, expand, or reduce in size – depending on your needs and the surroundings.The required elements vary in width, so that the pyramid-like structure typical of a conifer can be imitated: the widest module is at the bottom, while the tree tapers towards the top and the tip (of the tree) is at the top.

[0012] The invention accordingly consists of a device comprising several modules, each of which is equipped with a plurality of artificial branches that can be extended like an umbrella via joints on the trunk. In the normal state (when standing), the branches extend diagonally upwards at various angles. When the tree is dismantled and the modules are taken apart, the branches can be "folded" via these joints, thus requiring less space for transport or storage. The branches are then arranged almost parallel to the trunk.

[0013] Arranged on each of these branches are a multitude of smaller injection-molded branches, which are tied to the branch using a wrapping technique. This keeps the branches flexible, opaque, and natural-looking.

[0014] The invention can be further developed to improve the appearance of the trunk, which is usually made of plastic or metal, by pulling a plastic cover or outer skin over the trunk, modeled on the trunk of a conifer. This cover is hollow in the middle and has an uneven outer surface that looks like the bark of a tree trunk. In this way, the user of the tree can hardly tell the difference from a real tree, even when looking through the almost opaque branch structure at the center of the tree. This outer skin can simply be pulled over the exposed parts of the artificial trunk and is tailored to its circumference.

[0015] An advantageous development of the tree according to the invention is that one or more diffusers can be attached to the trunk, which contain room fragrances and release them in specific quantities to, for example, imitate the smell of a real tree. The diffuser has a securely lockable container into which, for example, fragrance oils can be poured. The scent of the fragrance in the container is distributed around the tree and into the room via wooden sticks or sticks made of any material. This diffuser has a rounded hollow in the middle, which allows it to be easily attached to the trunk and thus securely placed in the middle of the tree. Using a unit designed in this way, it is possible to quickly replace the diffuser or refill it with new fragrances.

[0016] The invention is equipped either with a power supply or with its own power source (rechargeable battery, battery or solar) which supplies the light chain and the electrical elements of the invention with power.

[0017] The invention also features at least one interface via which the controller can be connected to an external input device. This interface can advantageously be or include a wireless interface. In particular, a radio remote control can be used to switch the string of lights on and off, as well as to regulate specific intervals or the light intensity via a dimmer. A unit operating according to the Bluetooth standard (or another form of near-field communication) is also provided. Configuring the interface as wirelessly communicating has the advantage that data can be transmitted to the controller of the electronic elements. Accordingly, the user of the tree in question can transmit new data or commands to the controller using a corresponding input device that also has a wireless interface communicating according to a suitable communication standard.The user can modify the light or odor effects simply by operating the input device. Ideally, the electronic components such as the power supply and interfaces are integrated into a cavity in the lower part of the trunk.

[0018] An advantageous embodiment is provided if the device includes a digital data storage device connected to the controller. Such a digital data storage device can store data regarding the light intervals to be displayed, as well as audio content. The remaining content storage is usually carried out on the external input device, from where data is then transferred as needed via the interface to the controller in the tree and stored on the digital storage device for the operation of the light unit in the tree itself.

[0019] The invention also relates to software to be installed on a data processing device—for controlling the light display or the fragrance unit or a separate music and sound reproduction device—in particular for reproducing content (e.g., light sequences, music pieces, fragrances, etc.). Such software can, in particular, be application software for operation on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet PC, a so-called app.

[0020] Using software (app) installed on a mobile device, the playback elements can optionally be operated and controlled via the radio element, and content (light sequences, audio playback) can be transmitted.

[0021] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the illustrations of possible embodiments. Fig. 1

[0022] Visible in a diagrammatic view: the side view of the lower part of the tree with the multi-legged stand (1), in which the trunk of the lower module (2) can be fixed and secured by means of locking screws (1.1).

[0023] The flexible branches (2.2) with the twigs (2.3) are shown merely as an example. At the upper end of the trunk, a plug connection (2.4) can be seen, which can be used to connect the lower end of another module (3), which has a counterpart (3.1) to this plug connection on the trunk. Fig. 2

[0024] Visible in a diagrammatic view: A section of a module with the suspension (4) for the branches (2.2), which can be tilted downwards for setting up the tree and folded upwards against the trunk for folding and dismantling the tree (to save space). In the illustration, the two middle branches are folded upwards, while the two outer branches are folded downwards. Fig. 3

[0025] A diagrammatic view shows the diffuser (5) for diffusing scents, preferably tree or conifer scents. In the center, the round opening (5.1) is visible, allowing this device to be placed over the trunk at any desired part of the tree and thus attached to the center of the tree. It can be seen that the upper edge (5.2) is removable for adding or refilling scents. The reservoir is perforated with various openings so that wooden or other sticks (5.3) can absorb the scent and spread it into the surrounding area.

Claims

[1] Artificial tree with a base or stand, a trunk, branches and a top, characterized by that the tree is made up of at least two modules which can be put together using a plug-in system in the trunk, whereby the tree can be enlarged to any size by adding further modules if these are added to the plug-in system from below, whereby a power cable which connects a power source located in the base with the branches and is located in the trunk can also be connected from module to module using the plug-in system and can thus supply a chain of lights in the branches with power - regardless of how many modules are plugged together. [2] Artificial tree according to claim 1, characterized bythat the tree modules vary in width, so that the pyramid-like structure typical of a conifer can be imitated, with the widest module being at the bottom, while the tree tapers towards the top and the tip of the tree is always found at the top. [3] Artificial tree according to claim 1, characterized by that the modules are each provided with a multitude of artificial branches which can be folded like an umbrella via joints on the trunk, so that the branches stick out diagonally upwards at different angles when the tree is in a standing position, while the branches can be folded in via these joints when the tree is to be dismantled or stored, thus taking up less space; whereby a multitude of smaller injection-molded branches are arranged on each of these branches, which are tied to the branch using a wrapping technique, so that the branches remain flexible and appear opaque and natural. [4] Artificial tree according to claim 1, characterized by that the appearance of the trunk is improved by pulling a separate cover or outer skin made of plastic over the trunk, which is made of plastic or metal and is modeled on the trunk of a coniferous tree, whereby this cover is hollow in the middle and has an uneven outer surface on the outside, which looks like the bark or rind of a tree trunk. [5] Artificial tree according to claims 1-4 characterized bythat one or more diffusers can be attached to the trunk, which contain room fragrances that can be released in specific quantities, whereby the diffuser has a firmly lockable container into which odorous oils are poured, which are absorbed by wooden sticks or sticks made of any material and distributed into the environment; whereby this diffuser has a round hollow in the middle, which allows it to be put on the trunk and thus safely placed in the middle of the tree. [6] Artificial tree according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it is optionally equipped with its own, autonomous power source (such as accumulator, battery or solar) which supplies the light chain and the other electrical elements of the invention in all connected modules with power - via the cable inside the trunk [7] Artificial tree according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that software to be installed on a data processing device can be used to control an optical or acoustic reproduction unit located in the tree and that the light function or the volume can be controlled via the wireless connection, in particular to start playback, to stop playback or to dim the light. [8] Artificial tree according to claim 7, characterized by that the data processing device is a mobile device, in particular a tablet or a smartphone, and that the software is an application / app installed on the mobile device.

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