Christmas tree skirt device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Christmas tree skirts are unattractive and fail to effectively hide unsightly extension cords, impacting the aesthetic appeal of the tree and preventing users from matching décor, while there is a need for a skirt that lights up the base, includes weighted materials for stability, features embedded LED lights, offers versatile sizes and styles, and can serve as table décor.
Innovation Solution
A Christmas tree skirt device with a skirt component featuring a central opening, weighted perimeter ring, embedded lights, and hook-and-loop closures that secures around the tree base, hiding extension cords and enhancing the holiday aesthetic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional tree skirts are used, then the base of the tree is covered, but the extension cords remain visible and unsightly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single tree skirt device: it merges the cord-hiding function with lighting function and decorative function. The skirt component integrates embedded LED lights, weighted perimeter rings for stability, and hook-and-loop closures, creating a multi-functional device that simultaneously hides cords, provides illumination, and enhances aesthetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The tree skirt acts as an intermediary element between the extension cords and the visible space. By positioning the skirt between the cords and the viewer, it mediates the visual impact, concealing the unsightly cords while presenting an attractive decorative surface with embedded lights and patterns.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional tree skirts are used, then coverage is provided, but the skirts are unattractive and do not match décor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating embedded LED lights at specific locations within the skirt component, creating zones of illumination that enhance visual appeal. The skirt features localized decorative elements such as patterns, textures, and lighting zones that can be strategically positioned to match different décor styles while maintaining full coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded LED lights enable dynamic color changes and illumination variations on the tree skirt surface. The lighting system can display different colors, patterns, and intensities, allowing the skirt to adapt to various décor themes and create visually appealing effects that conventional static skirts cannot achieve.
3Ease of operation
If the skirt is made lightweight for easy handling, then ease of installation improves, but stability around the tree base decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the weight distribution by concentrating weight in the perimeter rings rather than distributing it uniformly throughout the entire skirt. This allows the main body of the skirt to remain lightweight and easy to handle, while the weighted perimeter rings provide localized stability at the critical interface between the skirt and the tree base.
Solution Approach 2:
The weighted perimeter rings act as counterweights that compensate for the lightweight construction of the skirt body. These weights are strategically positioned at the perimeter to provide downward force that anchors the skirt around the tree base, preventing it from shifting or blowing away while keeping the overall device easy to install.
4Shape
If the skirt is made as a complete circle, then aesthetic appearance improves, but it cannot be easily placed around the tree base
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the circular skirt into two halves separated by a radial split. This segmentation allows the skirt to be opened like a book and easily placed around the tree base by simply opening the split, while the hook-and-loop closures on the radial edges reconnect the halves to form a complete circle, maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial split is pre-positioned and the hook-and-loop closures are pre-attached to the radial edges, allowing the user to simply open the skirt and wrap it around the tree base without requiring complex assembly. The preliminary preparation of the split and closures enables quick and easy installation while ensuring the skirt forms a complete circle when closed.
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
The device effectively conceals extension cords, enhances the tree's aesthetic with lighting and decorative options, and provides stability, offering various sizes and styles to match tree décor and serve as table décor.
Implementation Method 1
The device includes weighted materials within the ring and exterior to keep the skirt in place around the tree base
Implementation Method 2
The skirt component also comprises a plurality of embedded lights which are powered by concealed wires and a battery pack
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a novel Christmas tree skirt device. The device comprises a skirt component with a central, continuous opening. Further, the perimeter of the skirt component comprises a weighted perimeter ring. Additionally, weights can also be used along the exterior of the skirt component. The skirt component also comprises a plurality of embedded lights. The skirt component is radially split from the central, continuous opening to the perimeter to allow the skirt component to be placed around a base of a Christmas tree. Further, once in place around the base, hook and loop closures positioned along this split are used to secure the skirt component around the base of the tree. Thus, users apply the skirt component to the base of a Christmas tree to hide extension cords running to the tree, while adding to the overall holiday aesthetic.