Invertible Christmas tree
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible Christmas trees require significant labor and strength to transition from a collapsed to a deployed configuration, posing a risk of injury or damage, especially due to the need to reorient the entire tree while holding it away from the body.
Innovation Solution
An artificial Christmas tree design featuring a central trunk with two pivotable trunk portions, allowing for automatic deployment by inverting the tree, with limbs that pivot between collapsed and deployed orientations using a pivot joint, and a clasp to secure the trunk in place, along with optional lighting and a wheeled base for easy setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire tree is picked up and reoriented to deploy limbs, then the limbs can be transitioned from collapsed to deployed orientation, but the operation becomes labor intensive and dangerous requiring high strength and dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The trunk is divided into a first trunk portion and a second trunk portion that can pivot relative to each other. The limbs are attached to the second trunk portion and can pivot independently. This segmentation allows the limbs to be deployed by simply pivoting the second trunk portion, eliminating the need to lift and reorient the entire tree, thus reducing labor intensity and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pivot joints that enable dynamic movement between the first and second trunk portions, and between the limbs and the second trunk portion. This dynamic mechanism allows the tree to transition smoothly from a collapsed to a deployed state through simple pivoting motion, rather than requiring manual reorientation of the entire structure, thereby reducing the strength and dexterity needed for deployment.
2Volume of moving object
If the tree is collapsed for storage, then space is minimized, but the transition to deployed configuration requires significant labor and strength
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the trunk into two pivotable portions, the patent enables the tree to collapse into a compact form for storage while allowing simple pivoting motion for deployment. The segmented structure reduces the effort needed to transition between states, as users only need to pivot the second trunk portion rather than manipulate the entire tree, thus maintaining ease of operation despite compact storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional deployment approach: instead of expanding the tree by lifting and reorienting the entire structure, the tree is deployed by pivoting a portion of the trunk in the opposite direction of collapse. This inversion simplifies the deployment process, reducing the labor and strength required while maintaining effective space-saving collapse capability.
3Strength
If limbs are permanently attached to the trunk, then structural strength is maximized, but the tree cannot be collapsed for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pivot joints to create a dynamic attachment system between the limbs and the second trunk portion, and between the second trunk portion and the first trunk portion. This dynamic connection maintains structural strength when the tree is deployed, as the pivot joints provide stable support, while simultaneously enabling the tree to collapse into a compact storage configuration by pivoting the components together, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and storability.
4Ease of operation
If the tree structure is simplified for easy deployment, then ease of operation improves, but the ability to maintain structural integrity and support limbs may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the trunk into two portions with a pivot joint, and attaches limbs to the second portion with another pivot joint. This segmentation creates a simple deployment mechanism requiring minimal effort, while the pivot joints are designed to maintain structural integrity when loaded. The segmented structure distributes mechanical stresses effectively, preserving strength despite the simplified deployment operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The second trunk portion acts as an intermediary between the first trunk portion and the limbs. It provides a stable mounting point for the limbs through a pivot joint while being connected to the first trunk portion through another pivot joint. This intermediary structure simplifies deployment operations by isolating the complexity of the pivot mechanisms from the user, while maintaining the structural integrity needed to support the tree and its decorations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and safe transition from a collapsed to a deployed configuration without requiring high strength or dexterity, minimizing the risk of injury or damage to the tree, while maintaining light functionality throughout the process.
Implementation Method 1
at least one second trunk portion pivotably attached to the first trunk portion... allowing for automatic deployment by inverting the tree
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial Christmas tree includes a central trunk broken into at least two separate portions including a fixed trunk portion and at least one rotating trunk portion. The fixed trunk extends up from an underlying base. Rotating trunks rotatably attach at midpoints thereof at least indirectly to an upper end of the fixed trunk. Limbs are pivotably attached to the rotating trunks with optional lights coupled thereto. These limbs pivot between a perpendicular orientation extending from the rotating trunks and a collapsed configuration closer to a centerline of the rotating trunks. The rotating trunks can be pivoted from a first collapsed configuration with a first end above a second end to a deployed configuration with the second end above the first end. During pivoting, the limbs attached to the rotating trunk transition between a collapsed to a deployed configuration automatically. A wheeled base and cover further facilitate storage and deployment.