Artificial Tree Branch Cinching for Compact Stowed Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Disassembling and moving large artificial trees to storage after holiday seasons is cumbersome due to their size and complexity.

Innovation Solution

An artificial tree apparatus with hinged branch segments that can be securely cinched into a stowed position using a control member with guides, allowing for easy transition between deployed and stowed positions, utilizing control member guides and securing apparatuses like hooks, spring-loaded clips, or zip-ties to reduce storage and transport space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the artificial tree is disassembled and moved to storage after holiday season, then the tree can be stored, but the process is cumbersome due to large size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of storageVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The artificial tree is divided into multiple detachable segments including a trunk segment, branch segments, and a top segment. Each branch segment can be independently folded and secured, allowing the tree to be compacted into a much smaller storage volume while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The branch segments are designed to fold inward and nest against the trunk segment when in the stowed position. The control member guides the branching segments to nest tightly around the trunk, creating a compact cylindrical package that minimizes storage space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If the branch segments are hinged inwardly to stowed position, then the storage space is reduced, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional elements are merged into integrated components. The control member combines guiding, cinching, and securing functions in a single element. The control member guide integrates the aperture, guide surface, and securing apparatus into one structured component attached to each branch segment, reducing the overall number of separate parts while achieving complex stowed positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control member is designed to automatically guide branch segments into the correct stowed position through its interaction with the control member guide. As the control member is cinched, it self-adjusts to pull each branch segment into alignment and secure it in place, reducing the need for manual positioning and complex mechanical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If the control member is cinched to secure branch segments, then the stowed position is achieved, but the time required for the operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestowed position stabilityVSAvoidtime to store

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control member guide is pre-positioned on each branch segment with the aperture and guide surface oriented to receive and guide the control member. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the control member is inserted and cinched, the branch segments are immediately and correctly positioned in the stowed configuration, achieving stable positioning quickly without requiring additional adjustment steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If the control member guides are located at specific positions on branch segments, then the stowing efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestowing speedVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control member guide is designed as a universal component that can be attached to any branch segment regardless of its specific position or orientation. The standardized aperture size, guide surface geometry, and securing apparatus design allow the same control member guide component to be used on all branch segments, simplifying manufacturing while enabling efficient stowing operation across the entire tree structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9101173B1Artificial tree apparatus adapted for being releasably secured in a stowed position

Publication Date: 2015.08.11 POLYGROUP MACAU BVI

AI summary

Apparatus and associated methods may relate to an artificial tree apparatus having a plurality of branch segments hingedbly connected to a trunk segment and adapted to be releasably secured in a stowed position. In an illustrative example, the branch segments may be secured in the stowed position by cinching a control member. For example, each branch segment may include a control member guide having an aperture, wherein the control member may be routed through the apertures of the control member guides for a given layer of branch segments. As the control member is cinched, the branch segments may be hinged inwardly to the stowed position. In an exemplary embodiment, the control member may include a releasable securing apparatus for retaining the branch segments in the stowed position. Releasing the control member from the cinched position may permit the branch segments to freely hinge outwardly to a deployed position.