Multi-positional, locking artificial tree trunk

An artificial tree comprising:

• a locking artificial trunk, including:
• a first generally cylindrical, hollow trunk portion including an upper end, the upper end defining a notch;
• a second generally cylindrical trunk portion including a body portion, a lower end having an insertable portion, and an upper end;
• and
• a coupling mechanism including:
• a generally-cylindrical body portion defining a channel for receiving the insertable portion of the lower end of the second trunk portion and having a body portion outside diameter, and
• an upper portion adjacent and atop the body portion and forming an annular ring having an outside diameter greater than the body portion outside diameter and defining an opening to the channel, the upper portion including a first tab projecting downward and away from the upper portion;
• wherein the body portion of the coupling mechanism is inserted substantially into the upper end of the first trunk portion with the tab of the upper portion aligned with the notch, thereby preventing rotation of the coupling mechanism within the upper end of the first trunk portion;
• a plurality of branch-support rings affixed to the first and second trunk portions;
• a plurality of branches connected to the plurality of branch-support trunk rings;
• and
• a base defining a receiver having an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the lower portion of the first trunk portion such that the first trunk portion is insertable into the receiver of the base.

A multi-positional interlocking artificial tree trunk assembly, comprising:

• a first trunk including a first end;
• a second trunk including a first end having an insertable portion, and a second end;
• and
• a coupling mechanism inserted substantially into the first end of the first trunk, the coupling mechanism including a body portion and an end portion, and defining a channel for receiving the insertable portion of the first end of the second trunk portion;
• wherein the insertable portion forms an insertable, non-circular cross-section and the channel defines a non-circular channel cross-section that is complementary to the insertable cross-section such that the insertable portion is insertable into the channel to secure the second trunk to the coupling mechanism in any of a plurality of relative rotational positions, thereby preventing rotation of the second trunk relative to the coupling mechanism for any of the plurality of relative rotational positions.