Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems – Plural series connected load devices – Christmas lights
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-31
2001-11-20
Wong, Don (Department: 2821)
Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
Plural series connected load devices
Christmas lights
C362S269000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06320327
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a reversible revolving illuminated musical and speaking Christmas tree stand and more specifically to a remotely controlled stand of this type. The stand is adapted to rotatably support an artificial or natural Christmas tree, other decorative trees or other devices for reversible rotational movement about a generally vertical axis. The stand includes a structure for supportingly engaging the tree or other device, structure for illuminating the tree or other device and an audio device for producing a musical rendition, song or the like relating to the tree or other device and a remote control by which all functions of the stand can be independently controlled at a distance from the stand. The stand has a housing shaped and configured to carry out the theme or symbolism of the tree or other device. The remote control includes an infrared transmitter which is preferably hand held and the stand includes an infrared signal receiver to control the functions in accordance with the infrared control device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various types of rotating and non-rotating Christmas tree stands are well known in the art as well as stands or Christmas trees which incorporate lights, music and manual control apparatus. Also, various remote control devices are provided to enable remote control of various electrically powered appliances or devices. The following U.S. patents generally relate to this field of endeavor. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,153,860 5,485,068 5,647,569 5,455,750 5,634,622.
While the prior art discloses various remotely controlled devices and manually controlled stands supporting a Christmas tree for rotation, the specific arrangement of the components and the remote control characteristics of the present invention are not found in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The remotely controlled, illuminated, musical and speaking Christmas tree stand of the present invention comprises a hollow housing of generally star shaped configuration. The tree stand includes an upwardly and inwardly tapering peripheral wall having a substantially flat closed and removable bottom which can rest upon a supporting surface. The stand further includes structure at its upper end for clampingly engaging a Christmas tree, a drive mechanism for reversibly rotating the Christmas tree, a mechanism providing electrical energy to decorative light bulbs on the tree and an audio device for producing music, song and/or vocal message traditionally associated with the Christmas season.
In accordance with the present invention, the stand is provided with an infrared control signal receiver either on the housing or extended from the housing which receives infrared signals transmitted from a portable battery powered control device. The portable control device is provided with manually controlled switches to selectively and independently energize the lights on the tree, selectively and reversibly rotate the tree and selectively operate the audio device. This enables operation and control of the functional capabilities of the stand from a remote location by utilizing the portable infrared control device in a manner well known in the art of remote controlling various appliances such as television and the like.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a stand for a Christmas tree or similar device utilizing components that enable the tree or other device to be reversibly rotated about a vertical axis, that enable decorative lights on the tree or other device to be energized when rotating or when stationary and that actuate an audio device for producing music or songs relating to the Christmas season, or that relate to other decorative devices supported by the stand. All functional operations of the stand are controlled by a remote infrared control device that transmits signals to an infrared signal receiver either on the stand or located adjacent to and connected to the stand to facilitate operation of all functions of the stand from a remote location.
Another object of the invention is to provide a remote control for a Christmas tree or other device as set forth in the preceding object in which the remote control device provides an infrared signal to the receiver associated with the stand for independently controlling each of the functions, operating selected multiple functions and simultaneous operation of all functions from a remote location.
A further object of the invention is to provide a remotely controlled, illuminated, musical revolving Christmas tree stand which stably supports a natural or artificial Christmas tree and is simple, safe and dependable in operation, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, maintain and operate.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a Christmas tree stand having a star shaped configuration in green or other color or colors to conform with the symbolism of the tree and the Christmas season.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4153860 (1979-05-01), Vonick
patent: 4928568 (1990-05-01), Snavely
patent: 5455750 (1995-10-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5485068 (1996-01-01), Vaught
patent: 5575242 (1996-11-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5634622 (1997-06-01), Pye
patent: 5647569 (1997-07-01), Sofy
patent: 6037679 (2000-03-01), Pirillo
Lavatelli Alesandro
Lengo Giuliano
Jacobson & Holman PLLC
Puleo Tree Co.
Tran Thuy Vinh
Wong Don
LandOfFree
Remotely controlled revolving illuminated musical Christmas... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Remotely controlled revolving illuminated musical Christmas..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Remotely controlled revolving illuminated musical Christmas... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2614390