Adjustable tree collar

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9687101-B2
Application number	US-201414505019-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 2, 2014
Priority date	Oct 2, 2014
Publication date	Jun 27, 2017
Grant date	Jun 27, 2017

Abstract

A tree collar includes a sleeve formed into a frusto-conical shape and having an inner facing surface, an outer facing surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first end and a second end. The first and second ends overlap each other to adjust a diameter of the sleeve and a length of the band at the top edge is less than a length of the band at the bottom edge. A first clasp secures a portion of the top edge of the sleeve to a different portion of the top edge of the sleeve. A second clasp secures a portion of the bottom edge of the sleeve to a different portion of the bottom edge of the sleeve.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tree collar for hiding a tree stand, the tree collar comprising:
a metallic band having an inner facing surface, an outer facing surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first end and a second end, wherein a length of the metallic band at the top edge is less than a length of the metallic band at the bottom edge;
a first clasp formed integral with the metallic band and protruding from the top edge of the metallic band;
a second clasp formed integral with the metallic band and protruding from the bottom edge of the metallic band;
a prong that protrudes from the outer facing surface of the metallic band at a location that is spaced apart from the top edge and the bottom edge and spaced apart from the first end and the second end; and
a belt having a fixed end coupled to the outer facing surface of the metallic band, a free end and a plurality of holes located between the fixed end and the free end, wherein the free end of the belt includes a permanent magnet;
wherein the first and second ends of the metallic band overlap each other to form the metallic band into a frusto-conical: shaped sleeve for surrounding the tree stand by inserting a portion of the top edge of the metallic band into the first clasp and inserting a portion of the bottom edge of the metallic band into the second clasp to hold and adjust a circumference of the sleeve; and
wherein the prong is configured to be inserted through one of the plurality of holes in the belt and the permanent magnet of the free end of the belt is configured to magnetically couple the belt to the outer facing surface of the metallic band to secure the sleeve at a chosen circumference.

2. The tree collar of claim 1 , wherein the fixed end of the belt is located in closer proximity to the second end of the band than the first end of the band.

3. The tree collar of claim 1 , wherein the prong extends through a thickness of the band so as to also protrude from the inner facing surface of the band to provide structural integrity to the portion of the prong that protrudes from the outer facing surface.

Assignees

• Target Brands Inc

Inventors

• Reetz Paul D
• Ramthun Laura E

Classifications

• A47G33/04 Primary

  Christmas trees  (lighting devices therefor F21S  {; string lighting F21S4/00; electric candles F21S10/04}; candle holders F21V35/00 {; light guides for lighting systems G02B6/00}) · CPC title

• A47G33/08

  Christmas tree decorations · CPC title

• A47G33/12

  Christmas tree stands {(sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/2238)} · CPC title