# US 11,076,713 B2 · Folding artificial tree device and system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,076,713 B2 - Document ID: US11076713B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/479,558 - Filed: 2018-01-19 - Published: 2019-11-28 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2017-01-19 - Assignees: Shining Sea Trading Company - Applicants: Shining Sea Trading Company - Inventors: Jared Hendricks - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11076713B2 ## CPC - A47F 5/108: {adapted for regular, e.g. daily, transport, filled with articles to a display area} - A47G 33/06: Artificial Christmas trees - A47F 5/06: adjustable - A47F 5/12: Tiltable stands - A47G 33/12: Christmas tree stands {(sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/2238)} - F16M 11/10: around a horizontal axis {(F16M11/12 takes precedence)} - F16M 11/38: by folding {, e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms} - F16M 11/42: with arrangement for propelling the support {stands on wheels} - A47G 2033/1266: {Stackable, foldable, collapsible, nestable or sale packaged} - F16M 2200/021: for rotational movement - A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS ## Abstract An artificial tree stand device is disclosed and described. Such a device can include an upper tree frame configured to couple to and support an upper trunk portion of an artificial tree, a lower tree frame configured to couple to and support a lower trunk portion of the artificial tree, the upper tree frame being pivotally coupled to the lower tree frame, a tree stand base pivotally coupled to the lower tree frame, and wherein the upper tree frame, the lower tree frame, and the tree support base lock into a vertical position to display the artificial tree, and at least the upper tree frame unlocks to allow the upper tree frame to pivot into a storage position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An artificial tree stand device, comprising: an upper tree frame configured to couple to and support an upper trunk portion of an artificial tree; a lower tree frame configured to couple to and support a lower trunk portion of the artificial tree, the upper tree frame being pivotally coupled to the lower tree frame; a tree stand base pivotally coupled to the lower tree frame; and wherein the upper tree frame, the lower tree frame, and the tree support base lock into a vertical position to display the artificial tree, and at least the upper tree frame unlocks to allow the upper tree frame to pivot into a storage position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the upper tree frame and the lower tree frame are configured to pivot in opposite directions from one another. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein: the upper tree frame comprises an upper trunk lock to couple and support the upper trunk portion of the artificial tree; and the lower tree frame comprises a lower trunk lock to couple and support the lower trunk portion of the artificial tree, wherein the upper trunk lock and the lower trunk lock are positioned to align the upper trunk portion and the lower trunk portion of the artificial tree along a common central axis. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the upper tree frame and the lower tree frame are aligned along a common central axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the upper tree frame is offset from a central axis of the lower tree frame, such that the upper tree frame is positioned adjacent to the lower tree frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the upper tree frame further comprises an upper pivot lock to secure the upper tree frame relative to the lower tree frame when engaged, and to allow the upper tree frame to pivot relative to the lower tree frame when disengaged. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the upper tree frame further includes a switch functionally coupled to the upper pivot lock, the switch configured to disengage the upper pivot lock. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the lower tree frame further comprises a lower pivot lock to secure the lower tree frame relative to the tree stand base when engaged, and to allow the lower tree frame to pivot relative to the tree stand base when disengaged. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the lower tree frame further includes a switch functionally coupled to the lower pivot lock, the switch configured to disengage the lower pivot lock. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising: an upper pivot lock to secure the upper tree frame relative to the lower tree frame when engaged, and to allow the upper tree frame to pivot relative to the lower tree frame when disengaged; a lower pivot lock to secure the lower tree frame relative to the tree stand base when engaged, and to allow the lower tree frame to pivot relative to the tree stand base when disengaged; and a switch functionally coupled to the upper pivot lock and the lower pivot lock, the switch configured to disengage both the upper pivot lock and the lower pivot lock. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the storage position is the lower tree frame in the vertical position and the upper tree frame is pivoted into a nonvertical position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, further comprising a storage bag coupled to the tree stand base, the storage bag being configured to receive the upper tree frame and the lower tree frame in the storage position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the upper tree frame, the lower tree frame, and the tree support base lock into the vertical position to display the artificial tree, and the upper tree frame and the lower tree frame unlock to allow both the upper tree frame and the lower tree frame to pivot into the storage position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, further comprising a storage bag coupled to the tree stand base, the storage bag being configured to receive the upper tree frame and the lower tree frame in a nonvertical position as the storage position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper tree frame or the lower tree frame includes a handle for manipulation. ### Claim 16 An artificial tree system, comprising: an artificial tree having at least an upper tree segment and a lower tree segment; an upper tree frame configured to couple to and support the upper tree segment; a lower tree frame configured to couple to and support the lower tree segment, the upper tree frame being pivotally coupled to the lower tree frame; a tree stand base pivotally coupled to the lower tree frame; and wherein the upper tree frame, the lower tree frame, and the tree support base lock into a vertical position to display the artificial tree, and at least the upper tree frame unlocks to allow the upper tree frame and the upper tree segment to pivot into a storage position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the upper tree frame and the lower tree frame are configured to pivot in opposite directions from one another. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein: the upper tree frame comprises an upper trunk lock to couple and support the upper tree segment; and the lower tree frame comprises a lower trunk lock to couple and support the lower tree segment, wherein the upper trunk lock and the lower trunk lock are positioned to align the upper tree segment and the lower tree segment along a common central axis. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the upper tree frame and the lower tree frame are aligned along a common central axis. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the upper tree frame is offset from a central axis of the lower tree frame, such that the upper tree frame is positioned adjacent to the lower tree frame. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the upper tree frame further comprises an upper pivot lock to secure the upper tree frame relative to the lower tree frame when engaged, and to allow the upper tree frame to pivot relative to the lower tree frame when disengaged. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein the upper tree frame further includes a switch functionally coupled to the upper pivot lock, the switch configured to disengage the upper pivot lock. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the lower tree frame further comprises a lower pivot lock to secure the lower tree frame relative to the tree stand base when engaged, and to allow the lower tree frame to pivot relative to the tree stand base when disengaged. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The system of claim 23, wherein the lower tree frame further includes a switch functionally coupled to the lower pivot lock, the switch configured to disengage the lower pivot lock. ### Claim 25 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, further comprising: an upper pivot lock to secure the upper tree frame relative to the lower tree frame when engaged, and to allow the upper tree frame to pivot relative to the lower tree frame when disengaged; a lower pivot lock to secure the lower tree frame relative to the tree stand base when engaged, and to allow the lower tree frame to pivot relative to the tree stand base when disengaged; and a switch functionally coupled to the upper pivot lock and the lower pivot lock, the switch configured to disengage both the upper pivot lock and the lower pivot lock. ### Claim 26 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the storage position is the lower tree frame in the vertical position and the upper tree frame is pivoted into a nonvertical position. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The system of claim 26, further comprising a storage bag coupled to the tree stand base, the storage bag being configured to receive the upper tree frame and the lower tree frame in the storage position. ### Claim 28 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the upper tree frame, the lower tree frame, and the tree support base lock into the vertical position to display the artificial tree, and the upper tree frame and the lower tree frame unlock to allow both the upper tree frame and the lower tree frame to pivot into the storage position. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The system of claim 28, further comprising a storage bag coupled to the tree stand base, the storage bag being configured to receive the upper tree frame and the lower tree frame in a nonvertical position as the storage position. ### Claim 30 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the upper tree frame or the lower tree frame includes a handle for manipulation.