Collapsible Artificial Tree With Inverting Trunk and Self-Pivoting Limbs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible artificial Christmas trees face labor-intensive limb reorientation challenges when transitioning from a collapsed to a deployed orientation, as limbs need to be adjustably positioned, which complicates the setup process.
Innovation Solution
The design features a collapsible artificial tree that inverts its main trunk from a deployed to a collapsed orientation, with pivotably attached limbs that adjust their position accordingly, allowing for easy transition between configurations while maintaining light connectivity, and includes a base with a riser and wheels for support and mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If limbs are pivotably attached to allow reorientation from collapsed to deployed orientation, then the tree can be stored in compact form and deployed for use, but the limb reorienting process becomes highly labor intensive requiring manual adjustment of each limb
Solution Approach 1:
The limb reorienting mechanism uses the trunk's own weight and gravitational force to automatically pivot the limbs from collapsed to deployed orientation during inversion, eliminating the need for manual adjustment of each limb by the user
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by having limbs that are perpendicular to the trunk in the deployed orientation and parallel to the trunk in the collapsed orientation, allowing automatic reorientation through simple trunk inversion rather than complex mechanical mechanisms
2Volume of moving object
If limbs are removed from the trunk for storage, then the tree takes up minimum space during shipping and inventory, but the attachment and detachment process becomes time consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tree is divided into modular segments (trunk, limbs, branches, needles) that can be independently positioned and attached, allowing flexible configuration for both compact storage and full deployment without complex fastening mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The limbs are designed with dynamic positioning capability through pivotable attachments that allow them to be positioned parallel to the trunk for compact storage or perpendicular for deployment, eliminating the need for removable attachments
3Reliability
If lighting is permanently fixed to the limbs with cords running up the trunk, then the lights remain connected during collapse and deployment, but the cord management becomes complex during trunk inversion
Solution Approach 1:
The light cords are routed through the hollow interior of the trunk, nesting the electrical wiring within the trunk structure itself, which simplifies cord management during inversion and eliminates external cord routing complications
Data Source
AI summary
The artificial tree is collapsible by inverting a main trunk thereof to swap positions of a first end and second end. The limbs are pivotably attached to the main trunk so that they sag under force of gravity from a deployed more horizontally extending orientation to a collapsed more vertically extending orientation when the main trunk is inverted. A base is preferably provided which has wheels and static portions in contact with the ground for supporting the tree thereon. A riser extending up from the base is configured to have an end of the main trunk rest therein. A lock is also preferably provided to hold an end of the trunk within the riser of the base. A separate treetop portion is removably attachable to ends of the trunk to complete the tree when in a deployed configuration and for storage of the treetop when the tree is not collapsed.