Invertible christmas tree

Abstract

In one example, an artificial Christmas tree is provided which can be readily inverted and which has limbs rotatably attached to a central trunk for automatic deployment of the limbs of the Christmas tree upon such inversion of the Christmas tree. To facilitate such inversion, the trunk includes at least two trunk portions including a first trunk portion adapted to be supported above a floor and at least one second trunk portion rotatably attached to the first trunk portion, at least indirectly, through at least one rotatable coupling. The first trunk portion extends from a lower end to an upper end with the rotatable coupling located closer to the upper end than to the lower end and typically adjacent the upper end.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An artificial Christmas tree comprising:
 a trunk comprising at least two trunk portions including a first trunk portion adapted to be supported above a floor by a base and at least one second trunk portion rotatably attached to the first trunk portion, at least indirectly, through at least one rotatable coupling, the first trunk portion extending from a lower end to an upper end with the rotatable coupling located closer to the upper end than to the lower end and typically adjacent the upper end;   limbs rotatably attached to the first trunk for automatic deployment of the limbs of the Christmas tree upon inversion of the Christmas tree from a collapsed orientation to a deployed orientation; and   a clasp to selectively secure the at least one second trunk portion in the deployed orientation to avoid inadvertently inverting the at least one second trunk portion after deployment thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The tree of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable coupling further comprises:
 an arcuate connector portion first to the first trunk portion and positioned opposite the base; and   a T-shaped bracket having one leg that connects to the second trunk and another portion that connects to the connector portion.   
     
     
         3 . The tree of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable coupling further comprises:
 an arcuate connector portion with opposite ends connected to the second trunk and a slide element affixed to the end of the first trunk,   the connector portion extends through the slide element and can slide through the slide element to cause rotational movement and inversion of the second trunk relative to the first trunk.   
     
     
         4 . The tree of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable coupling further comprises:
 an arcuate connector portion and a slide element, the slide element is connected to the second trunk and the connector portion is connected to a bracket that is fixed to the upper end of the first trunk, the connector portion extends through the slide element, and the slide element is slidable along and over the connector portion to cause rotational movement and inversion of the second trunk relative to the first trunk.   
     
     
         5 . The tree of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable coupling further comprises:
 a bracket with an arcuate channel that receives a pin connected to the second trunk, the pin is slidable in the channel of the bracket to cause rotational movement and inversion of the second trunk relative to the first trunk.   
     
     
         6 . The tree of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable coupling further comprises:
 a pin fixed to the second trunk that is received in a slot in the first trunk, the pin can include a shaft and a head that forms an interference with the slot to retain the pin in the slot, the pin is rotatable in the slot to facilitate rotational movement and inversion of the second trunk relative to the first trunk.   
     
     
         7 . The tree of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable coupling further comprises:
 a pair of engaging semi-circular gears, one fixed to the first trunk and another fixed to the second trunk, a rigid link connected the respective centers of the gears.   
     
     
         8 . The tree of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable coupling further comprises a scissor mechanism  186  that connects the second trunk to the first trunk. 
     
     
         9 . The tree of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable coupling further comprises:
 a fixed plate attached to the upper end of the first trunk and a rotating plate connected to the second trunk; and   a bearing connects the plates to facilitates rotational movement and inversion of the second trunk relative to the first trunk.   
     
     
         10 . The tree of  claim 1 , further comprising a wheeled base is to further facilitate deployment of the artificial tree. 
     
     
         11 . The tree of  claim 1 , further comprising a top cap removably attachable to the second end of the second trunk portion to provide an uppermost portion of the tree.