Collapsible Christmas tree
OwnerCameron F. Quigelinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A novel decorative structure includes a length of strand material, having a plurality of individual strands twisted with respect to one another and fixed with respect to one another near a first end of the strands, and a twisting member having a plurality of apertures formed therein, each adapted to receive a respective one of the individual strands therethrough. In a particular embodiment the twisting member is a disc, such that when the twisting member is advanced from a second end of the strands to the first end, the strand material is caused to unwind. Similarly, when the twisting member is advanced from the first end to the second end of the strands, the strand material is caused to wind up. When unwound, the strands retain a decorative helical shape, and give the appearance of a Christmas tree.
Claims67
A decorative structure, comprising:
- a length of strand material, said strand material including a plurality of individual helical strands twisted with respect to one another, said strands being fixed with respect to one another near first ends of said strands,
- a coupling device adapted to fix said strands with respect to one another near first ends of said strands;
- and
- a twisting member having a plurality of apertures formed therein, each of said apertures adapted to receive a respective one of said individual strands therethrough;
- wherein each of said strands is positioned through a respective one of said apertures, and wherein
- advancing said twisting member from second ends of said strands toward said first ends of said strands causes said strand material to unwind.
A method for erecting a decorative structure, comprising:
- providing a length of strand material, said strand material including a plurality of individual strands twisted with respect to one another, said strands fixed with respect to one another at a first end of said strand material;
- unwinding said strands of said strand material from a second end to said first end of said strand material using a twisting member, said twisting member having a plurality of apertures formed therein, each of said apertures adapted to receive a respective one of said individual strands therethrough;
- and
- standing said decorative structure upright, such that said decorative structure is supported by the unwound ends of said strands.
A method for manufacturing a decorative structure, comprising:
- providing a length of strand material, said strand material including a plurality of individual helical strands twisted with respect to one another;
- coupling said strands with respect to one another near a first end of said strand material;
- providing a twisting member having a plurality of apertures formed therein;
- and
- positioning a second end of each of said individual strands in a respective one of said apertures of said twisting member;
- wherein advancing said twisting member from second ends of said strands toward said first ends of said strands causes said strand material to unwind.
A decorative structure, comprising:
- a plurality of helical strands, each strand having a first end and a second end;
- a coupling device fixing said strands with respect to one another near said first ends of said strands;
- a positioning device adapted to selectively position said second ends of said strands in a spaced apart relationship;
- wherein said helical strands are formed of a semi-rigid material, whereby said decorative structure is self-supporting on said second ends of said strands.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.