Reusable kit-form decorative tree representation

Abstract

A Decorative tree representation as shelves comprises a series of rigid, open, three-dimensional shelf structures 1 based on the form of an isosceles trapezium and a three-dimensional cap 2 based on t

Description

Introduction and Background to the invention: Undecorated evergreen trees have been used in various churches across Europe at Christmas for centuries and some suggest that the Christmas tree custom evolved from pre-Christian traditions (Sowder 1966). Perhaps the first record of a decorated Christmas tree was around 1521 in Alsace and in 1605 there is a report of decorated fir trees in people’s homes over the Christmas period in Germany where it continued as a regional tradition. It was not until the mid-1800s that the decorated Christmas tree became popular in England. In 1841 the custom was introduced by the German Prince Albert and in 1856 the Tree was introduced into the White House by Franklin Pierce for a group of Washington Sunday school children (Sowder 1966). Today Christmas trees are a key component of the Christmas festivities and are typically decorated along the branches with various baubles, ornaments, tinsel and often lights. Christmas trees come in many shapes and sizes and formats. Natural Christmas trees have various disadvantages including the shedding of their needles and the fact that they are rarely reusable when cut down and brought inside. Recently there has been an increase in the number of artificial trees sold, related to the clean-up associated with needle loss from real trees and the perception that artificial trees may be more environmentally friendly, with an 18% increase in purchases from 2008 -2014 according to the National Christmas Tree Association. In one Indiana survey (Famer et al) most respondents used an artificial Christmas tree and were persuaded by price, convenience, cleanliness, and safety perceptions. Most respondents held the belief that if retained for many years artificial trees were quantitatively better for the environment (if the artificial tree is kept for multiple years). This aligns with a life cycle analysis (Americas 2010), which concluded that (for the scenarios evaluated), if the plastic artificial tree is kept more than 4 years, the Global Warming Potential associated with the artificial tree is less than a natural tree purchased every year for more than 4 years. There are, however, repeated recent concerns that artificial Christmas trees especially if not kept for many years may be less environmentally friendly due to them being made from plastic and due to their construction often start to lose their appearance with repeated use (Guardian). For ease of storage many artificial trees require the branches of the tree to either be able to be inserted into the trunk assembly or to be folded carefully out from the trunk and then stored in a box the length of which is equivalent to the height of the tree. Artificial trees, however, do not have to be made of plastic and nor do they have to have artificial leaves or needles. Over the years a number of alternatives have been proposed that retain the outline appearance of an evergreen / fir tree but can be made of wood or plastic in the shape of a tree. They may even have shelves that enable decorations to be displayed. However, these tend to be either of a rigid construction and / or are very complex to construct and very difficult to store year on year (as illustrated in patent US20030106472Almultiple stem artificial holiday tree with shelves). 21 01 25 References • Americas, P. E. (2010). Comparative life cycle assessment of an artificial Christmas tree and a natural Christmas tree. Boston, MA: Final Report for the American Christmas Tree Association. • Farmer J., Albini, B., &Bruce, A. Beauty is in the Eye of the Tree Holder: Indiana Christmas Tree Consumer Survey. Age. 54(57.65), 64-12.: https: / / sfss.indiana.edu / projects / indiana / christmastree / Consumer-Reportl.pdf * Sowder, A. M. (1966). Christmas trees: the tradition and the trade (No. 94). Extension Service, US Department of Agriculture. ® Guardian : https: / / www.theguardian.com / lifeandstyle / 2021 / dec / 04 / real-or-fake-christmas-tree-sustainable- environment#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Carbon%20Trust,used%20in%20t he%20fa ke%20tree. Summary of the invention In an independent aspect of the invention, there is provided a tree representation system according to claim 1. In a further independent aspect, there is a provided a method according to claim 18. Optional features are specified in the set of dependent claims. An easy-to-assemble and easy-to-dismantle reusable artificial Christmas / display tree representation, that can be made from a kit, comprising a series of rigid, open, three dimensional shelf components based on the form of an isosceles trapezium (according to UK English) that give the option when not in use for compact storage (sequentially one inside the next) alongside a three dimensional top capping shelf, based on the form of an isosceles triangle. During assembly a central column (whole or sectionally or telescopically assembled) representing the trunk of the tree is positioned vertically through holes centrally placed in the horizontal shelf components. The isosceles trapezium shelf components are supported in position by use of transverse pins / rods positioned through pre-prepared holes in the central support column. When assembled sequentially (largest isosceles trapezium shelving component at the bottom and smallest on the top, topped by the cap), and the supporting column placed into a suitable base, it provides a modem impression of a tree with a trunk as well as providing shelves that can be used for ornaments or other display purposes. The assembled tree has the advantage of being able to take up limited space depth-wise and for example can be placed against a wall, in front of a window or on or by an existing piece of furniture. Accordingly, the dimensions of the final tree representation depend on the number and size of the isosceles trapezium shelving components employed in its construction. This enables trees of various heights, widths, and depths to be constructed. The material (hard or soft wood, or MDF, or cardboard or hardboard or chipboard, or metal, or plastic) used to construct the tree can either be pre-painted / pre-coloured / pre-decorated or left plain for end-user painting / colouring / decoration. Optional features include built-in illumination, and / or perforations, notches, or grooves to allow easy attachment of decorative items and / or the attachment of accessories to allow for extra decorative items to be displayed. Brief Description of the drawings This invention will now be described with reference, by way of example only, to accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: Front elevation of an example of an assembled tree. Figure 2: Side elevation of an example of an assembled tree of fixed consistent depth. Figure 3: A representation of an example of isosceles trapezium shelving components and triangular cap in compact storage for the example tree in Figure 1 Figure 4: The front elevation of a representative single storage isosceles trapezium shelf showing examples of potential optional refinements. Figure 5: An example of the components of a central sectioned column. Figures 6: An example of the view of the horizontal top of an isosceles trapezium shelving component looking vertically down onto the top bordered by the down sloping wings -highlighting optional perforations and optional connector for lights Figure 7: An example of the view of the underside of the lowest isosceles trapezium shelving component looking up vertically highlighting optional perforations, optional electrical connector and position of a transverse supporting pin / rod running through the central support. Figure 8: An example of the view of the underside of the upper horizontal portion of an isosceles trapezium shelving component showing a transverse pin / rod running thorough the central support and highlighting optional perforations. Figure 9: A simple perspective view of an assembled tree example showing the relationship of the isosceles trapezium shelf components to the three-dimensional structure. Figure 10: A perspective view (not to scale) of an example of a single isosceles trapezium shelving component showing the central holes through which the central column would be placed; the dotted lines demonstrate an example of the points at which optional integral lighting sections could be attached at point of manufacture. Figure 11: An expanded view (not to scale) of an example of the interior of a clip-on section of a light housing component Figure 12: An example of a cross-sectional view of one of the optional light-housing sections of isosceles trapezium shelving component. Figure 13: Photograph of an example of an assembled tree (of approximately 7ft in height) before decoration. Figure 14: Photograph of an example of an assembled tree with an example of end-user postassemble decoration Detailed description- refer to pictures / figures The present invention is a multiple-shelved tree representation, with shelves that are integral to the design. In its preferred embodiment the invention provides a balanced symmetrical tree representation from two aspects, reducing the projection into a space and allowing for easy post-assembly decoration or dressing if required. The invention may be used indoors or outdoors depending on the materials used for construction. The invention allows for a final tree representation that could range in height from 6 inches to over 20ft with a modern, clean, aesthetic appearance to be set up even in a narrow space e.g., a hallway or small room. The tree may be a Christmas tree for displaying Christmas ornaments and other items or could be used all year round as a display tree for domestic or commercial purposes. The tree can be easily assembled and dismantled. In its preferred embodiment the tree representation would come in kit form enabling a different sized final tree to be assembled depending, for example, on the space available for the finished constructed item and its use. The final size of the assembled tree representation can be varied, for example, by not utilizing all the shelving components of any given kit or by the size of the supplied components of any given kit or by purchasing additional components to increase the overall size of a previous kit. Basically, the invention is a tree representation that is constructed from a series of rigid, open three-dimensional shelf structures based on the form of an isosceles trapezium (UK English definition) made from rigid material such as hard or soft wood, or MDF, or hardboard or chipboard or metal or preferably plastic (or even cardboard for smaller versions). These components or structures (referred to below as isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structures or isosceles trapezium shaped shelf components) when made from plastic or metal could be of a hollowbox construction for reduced weight but retained strength. The use of materials from sustainable / recycled sources may be preferable for environmental reasons. The smallest isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure can fit inside the next smallest and so on enabling compact storage if required. The tree may be capped by a rigid three-dimensional cap based on the form of an isosceles triangle that attaches at the top which may be stored external to the largest isosceles trapezium shaped shelf component / structure so that the whole kit can fit easily into a box slightly longer than the base width of the largest isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure. In its preferred embodiment the isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structures are stacked in an aligned manner going progressively from largest at the base to the smallest at the top. Figure 1 shows an example of an assembled tree representation where the individual isosceles trapezium shelf structures (1) are assembled in reducing size and capped by a triangular shelf unit (2). Figure 2 shows the side elevation of the same sized tree as in figure 1; Figure 2 also shows optional perforations (5) for attachment of decorative items and accessories. Figure 3 shows how the isosceles trapezium shaped shelf components (1) can be compactly stored in conjunction with the top cap (2). Figure 9 shows a perspective view of an example of an assembled tree representation. The photograph in Figure 11 shows an example of an assembled tree representation. The photograph in Figure 12 shows an example of the way the tree representation in Figure 11 could be decorated by the end-user post assembly. The acute internal angle of each isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure (size can vary) for any given kit needs to be consistent if the most effective compact storage is to be achieved. The angle (as illustrated by 7 in Figure 4) can range from 15- 70 0 depending on the thickness of the material used in construction, the number of shelving components required in the formation of the tree, the desired compactness of the storage and the overall tree like representation of the final construction. In the preferred embodiment the acute internal angle is between 35-55 ° Figure 4 shows the front elevation of a representative single isosceles trapezium shelf component showing an acute internal angle of 45° (7). Each isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure has holes (as illustrated by feature 12 in Figures 6, 7, 8 and 10) preprepared in the centre of both the top horizontal portion and bottom shelf portion to a size to enable the isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure to slide over and down the central column until it reaches a supporting transverse pin / rod or comes to rest on any trapezium shelf structure that is itself supported by a transverse pin / rod beneath its upper horizontal shelf. Figure 1 shows the central pole which represents the tree trunk (4). The transverse pins / rods are placed one at a time as each isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure is lowered into place so that the bottom of one isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure rests on the top of the one below. Figure 1 shows the position of these supporting transverse pins (3), and they are also illustrated in figures 7 &8. The bottom isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure rests purely on the transverse pin / rod as illustrated in Figure 2 (3). Figure 10 shows a perspective view of an example isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure with its central holes. The central supporting column (the trunk representation) needs to be mounted in an appropriate base. For any substantial tree this would need to be weighted such as would be used to support a natural tree of similar size e.g., a weighted clamped system or preferably a weighted pole support system such as is used to support an outdoor sunshade or rotary dryer (an example of such a pole support is illustrated in the photo in Figure 13). The central column has preprepared transverse holes at set heights to receive short (i.e., not exceeding the depth of the shelf they are supporting) weight bearing rods / pins (the transverse pins [3] described above) that act to support the weight in the centre width wise of each isosceles trapezium. The size of these holes and pins / rods (and material used for construction) depends on the weight and size of the isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure and expected load on the associated shelf. The central supporting column (trunk representation) can be made of any suitable material (e.g., metal, wood, plastic) and can either be a single component or for more compact storage could be telescopic or in sectional components that fit together. The number and size of these sections can vary depending on the size of the constructed tree and the materials used. An example of individual components (lOa-g) that could fit together are illustrated in Figure 5 which also shows the preprepared holes (11); 10 b fitting on 10a such that the hole towards the bottom of 10b aligns with the hole towards the top of 10a and aligns with the underside of the bottom horizontal of the lowest isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure when assembled. The transverse pin / rod therefore performs the dual task of securing the column sections and providing shelf support. Subsequent sections lOc-f are added in a similar manner. 10g the top section may support more than one shelf by having more than one preprepared hole e.g., in the example featured two isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structures and the cap. This simplifies assembly without compromising compact storage if required as the pole sections can be stored alongside or within the sequentially stored open isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structures. The final height of the tree is determined by the height of the central column (plus any cap or ornamental item used on the top of the upper-most isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure) if a single piece column support is used in the construction, but if a multiple telescopic or sectional component structure is employed within a single kit, the height of the tree may still be varied according to the number of shelving components and trunk sections utilised from the kit in the chosen assembly. The depth of the tree is determined by the third dimension of the isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure (i.e., not the height or width of the isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure). This need not be consistent within a particular kit or tree representation. In the preferred embodiment it would either stay constant or reduce over the height of the final construct. An example of a consistent version is shown in Figure 2 with (6) representing the consistent depth as this would allow the assembled tree to be put up close to a vertical surface. This constant depth is also illustrated in Figure 9 (6) and realised in the photographs shown in Figures 13 &14. The final size of the tree representation depends on the size of the isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structures used for its construction as well as the number of isosceles trapezium shaped shelf components and the supporting column size or supporting column sections utilised. Variability in size therefore can occur at the stage of manufacture and / or kit provision as well as at the end user assembly point. In addition, it could be possible that additional isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structures and central column sections could be obtained to enlarge a particular tree representation. The height of the assembled tree, depending on the material used, can vary from 6inches to over 20 ft, but the preferred embodiment would be between 2-8 ft for indoor use. If used outdoors, consideration would need to be given to suitable safety attachments e.g., guy ropes. Ornaments and other decorative items can be placed on the shelves post assembly up to a weight limit depending on the size of the isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structures and materials used in all parts of the construction. The isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structures and central column could come pre-coloured / decorated / painted in various colours and / or with different motifs / logos or equivalent to allow for themed appearance or marketing or advertising purposes. Alternatively, depending on the material used in the construction, the isosceles trapezium shelf structures and central column could be customised through (re-) painting / decoration by end-users. Additional refinements could include 1) the option for integral lighting (one example of which is described below) through the edges of the isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structures and triangular cap and 2) designated slots, grooves or perforations ( an example of possible perforation positioning on the faces of the isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structures and cap is illustrated by 5 in Figures 2 and 6,7 &8) through the shelf material to allow the easy attachment of ornaments and decorations both hanging (e.g. via perforations in the exposed underside areas of the isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure that act as fastening points for baubles or other hanging items) and resting (e.g., LED artificial candles). In the preferred embodiment multiple perforations would be created (and where juxtaposed to another level, be aligned) in order to permit any end user a wide choice of which ones to use for attaching any decorative items. Additional detachable rigid display platforms (with or without a well to hold the candle or other item) could be attached for example into purpose built specific slots / notches or perforations or grooves or similar on the upsloping wing section of one or more isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structures or the cap as illustrated by a hooked wedge 9 in Figure 4. Alternatively, a range of decorations could be made to specifically latch onto these wings. The number and position of these additional refinements can vary. The optional integral lighting arrangement could, for example, consist of a string of LED lights arranged inside the body of each isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure, to be positioned behind and therefore shine through holes in the leading (front facing) edge of each isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure, along the lower horizontal and the inclined wings as shown by 8 in Figure 4 (numbers and position can vary) and Figures 10, 11 &12. To create this hidden wiring effect the isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structures could, for example, be made in more than one section e.g. the main body for load bearing being most of the ‘depth’ of the tree (i.e., front to back), with the light - containing section being a relatively narrow depth (number 15 in Figure 10) of hollow construction that then attaches onto the front edge of the deeper portion as highlighted by the dotted line 17 (in Figure 10) which represents the line of attachment of the front light-housing section to the main body . This would allow for the input lead and output lead of each isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure’s lighting to be fed through a hollow section of the deeper portion to a connector on the base and on the top of the isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure respectively. The connectors would be aligned with those of the next isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure up and a short bridge connector would be plugged in at each stage of the assembly of the tree. The bottom of the lowest isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure would be the point of input for a small plug with the cable that leads back to the power source (for example through a standard transformer plug). Example of an inter isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure connector point position is illustrated by number 13 in Figures 6 &10 and an example of one possible position of input point for power source lead is illustrated by 14 in Figure 7. The bridging connectors would obviously need to be removed for storage as part of the dismantlement and stored for example with the transverse pins. If both the front facing and rear facing aspects of the tree representation required integral illumination, (if for example the tree representation is to be placed in front of a window), the isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structures, could be made in three sections to allow for narrow clip-on sections on both aspects as shown in Figure 10 (where the dotted line 18 represents the line of attachment of the rear light-housing section similar to 17 at the front) with 16 being an example depth of the rear-facing light-housing component. These attachable potentially clip-on sections would be fitted at time of manufacturer and would not form part of the end-user - assembly process (apart from the placing of each bridge connector, to connect one isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure’s lighting string to the next). Figure 11 (not to scale as hollow portion expanded for better visibility) shows one example of how the integral lighting could be housed within the narrow attachable lighting section with the input lead entering the housing (e.g. at number 19 on Figure 11) from the corresponding point within the main depth of the trapezium shelving component’s horizontal base. The input lighting lead for any given trapezium shelving component comes from the input socket on the base of the main body of the lower horizontal shelf section of that trapezium unit and runs internally in the thickness of the base shelf, forwards into the light-housing attachable section. The lead is then run round to the starting point of the string of, for example, LED lights e.g. towards the top of one of the sloping side wings. The lights can be placed down the leading edge of that side wing, along the leading edge of the base horizontal shelf section and up the leading edge of the opposite side wing, with the output connecting lead (number 20 in Figure 11 and Figure 12 ) running along the inside of the upper horizontal component to a point (as exampled by number 21 in Figure 11) where it leaves the light-housing section and is fed through a hollow in the adjacent main body of the upper horizontal of that trapezium shelving component to be attached to an output connecting socket. The input and output connecting sockets are fastened in place (e.g., clip arrangement internal to shelf) and the whole light-housing section is attached e.g. by the internal clips as illustrated by example by number 22 in Figures 11 &12 (illustrating different angles of clip in each figure) onto the leading edge of the main depth of that trapezium. All this assembly takes place at point of manufacture and forms a sealed unit of shelving with integral lighting on one aspect. If dual lighting aspects are required a similar light-housing section could be attached on the rear edge of the main body of an isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure and connected to the same input and output connectors as used for the front facing lights. Feature 23 in Figures 11 and 12 highlights an example of the overall thickness of the hollow section of the light-housing unit. Feature 24 represents an example of an aperture in the leading edge of a light-housing section through which the light 8 can shine. The dimension labelled 25 in Figure 12 corresponds to the depth of either 15 or 16 in figure 10. 04 01 24

Claims

20 02 251. A tree representation system comprising shelves, constructed from a series of rigid open three-dimensional structures based on the shape of a symmetrical isosceles trapezium, together with a central support column and load bearing transverse elements, with each rigid isosceles trapezium shaped structure having a hole centrally in its upper and lower horizontal parts of a size that permits the central column to pass through wherein the transverse element is a pin or rod placed through preprepared holes at specific heights related to the height of each three-dimensional structure in the central support column.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the tree representation system represents a Christmas tree.

3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the tree representation system is for display or decorative purposes.

4. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the load bearing transverse elements are bearing the weight of each rigid open three-dimensional structure.

5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a three-dimensional top based on the shape of an isosceles triangle.

6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rigid open three-dimensional structures are stacked in an aligned manner, progressing from largest nearest to the ground to the smallest at the top.

7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a depth of the tree representation is determined by the depth of the rigid open three-dimensional structures.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the depth of the tree representation is constant.

9. A system according to claim 7, wherein the depth of the tree representation is reduced in stages over the height of the final construction.

10. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the acute internal angle of each rigid open three-dimensional structure, based on the shape of a symmetrical isosceles trapezium is in the range 15-70 °.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the acute internal angle is between 35-55 °'12. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rigid open three-dimensional structures comprises lighting-housing sections for built-in illumination devices.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the illumination devices are attached to edges of the rigid open three-dimensional structures, the system comprising a plurality of aligned connectors for electrically connecting the illumination devices from one level of isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure to the next isosceles trapezium shaped shelf structure through a system of aligned connectors.

14. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rigid open three-dimensional structures include one or more from the group of: slots, perforations, grooves, notches or similar, to allow attachment of decorative items.

15. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rigid open three-dimensional structures, include an attachment for allowing decorative items to be displayed.

16. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the central support column is telescopic.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the central supporting column comprises interlocking lengths of hollow metal or plastic construction and aligned holes for receiving a transverse pin or rod to fit the interlocking lengths together.

18. A method of constructing a tree representation system comprising shelves, the method comprising the steps of providing a series of rigid open three-dimensional structures based on the shape of a symmetrical isosceles trapezium, together with a central support column and load bearing transverse elements, with each rigid isosceles trapezium shaped structure having a hole centrally in its upper and lower horizontal parts of a size that permits the central column to pass through wherein the transverse element is a pin or rod placed through preprepared holes at specific heights related to the height of each three-dimensional structure in the cental support column.

19. A kit of parts for assembling a tree representation, the kit of part comprising shelves, constructed from a series of rigid open three-dimensional structures based on the shape of a symmetrical isosceles trapezium, a cental support column and load bearing transverse elements, with each rigid isosceles trapezium shaped structure having a hole centrally in its upper and lower horizontal parts of a size that permits the cental column to pass through when the tree representation is assembled wherein the transverse element is a pin or rod placed through preprepared holes at specific heights related to the height of each three-dimensional structure in the cental support column.20 02 25

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