Inventors:
Kenneth W. Armstead - Detroit MI
Terry N. Bezue - Detroit MI
Kienuwa H. Obaseki - Ann Arbor MI
International Classification:
A47G 3306
Abstract:
A pop-up artificial Christmas tree has an elongated trunk which is held vertical by a stand. A plurality of stationary sleeves are affixed to the trunk and a guide sleeve is disposed on the trunk to slide proximate to and remote from an adjacent stationary sleeve. Pivotally connected to depend from each sleeve are a plurality of limbs that bear integrally attached branches. When the guide sleeve is pushed into proximity with the lowermost stationary sleeve, the limbs of the stationary sleeves and the guide sleeves pivot to substantially horizontal orientations. The guide sleeve is held into proximity with the lowermost stationary sleeve by a pin extending through the trunk, and an extension with branches of decreasing length from bottom to top may be attached to extend from the top of the trunk to effect a conical configuration of a natural tree. The pop-up artificial Christmas tree may be collaspsed to a storage state when the guide sleeve is slid away from the lowermost stationary sleeve, the extension taken from the top, and the collapsed tree and extension may be stored in a bag that also serves as an under-the-tree spread. From the storage state, the pop-up artificial Christmas tree may be popped up again to the posture of a natural tree like one might pop up an umbrella.
