Artificial tree and method

Abstract

An artificial tree has a lightweight plastic base that may be filled with water or sand to make it heavy enough to support the tree in an outdoor environment without the use of guywires. A sectional vertical support member permits the assembler to vary the height of the assembled tree with ease. A light string is alternately routed up and down between the base and the top of the tree and around the base to give the assembled tree a conical shape that simulates a decorated Christmas tree when lit.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An artificial tree, comprising 
 (a) a base of generally cylindrical shape having a top, a bottom, and a substantially hollow interior, the top having a port for permitting access to the interior, and a center;    (b) a vertical support member extending upwardly from the center of said base;    (c) a circular cap connected with an upper end of said support member; and    (d) at least one light string segment extending between the circumference of said base and said cap.    
     
     
         2 . The artificial tree of  claim 1 , wherein the top of said base includes a lip extending outwardly from the circumference of said base, said lip having a plurality of vertical slots for receiving the light string segments.  
     
     
         3 . The artificial tree of  claim 2 , wherein said vertical slots have an elongated inner section defining a generally T-shape.  
     
     
         4 . The artificial tree of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one light string extends upwardly from an origination point at a first slot to said cap and downwardly to a second slot, then under said lip to a third, adjacent slot, then upwardly to said cap and downwardly to a fourth slot, then repeating sequentially and in order to each adjacent slot until said string extends downwardly to a termination point at the last slot adjacent said first slot.  
     
     
         5 . The artificial tree of  claim 4 , wherein said light string is secured to said base at the origination and termination points.  
     
     
         6 . The artificial tree of  claim 5 , wherein said light string is secured to said base at the origination and termination points by an elastic band stretched between two adjacent slots.  
     
     
         7 . The artificial tree of  claim 6 , and further comprising a tensioning apparatus on said light string adjacent the termination point.  
     
     
         8 . The artificial tree of  claim 2 , wherein said vertical support member includes a plurality of sections of substantially equal length.  
     
     
         9 . The artificial tree of  claim 8 , wherein the number of support member sections determines the height of the tree.  
     
     
         10 . The artificial tree of  claim 1 , wherein said base further comprises a socket at the center of the top for receiving said vertical support member.  
     
     
         11 . The artificial tree of  claim 1 , wherein said base further contains a plurality of generally cylindrical openings extending downwardly through the base from top to bottom, whereby a stake may be driven through said base openings and into the ground.  
     
     
         12 . A structural frame for an artificial tree, comprising 
 (a) a base of generally cylindrical shape having a top, a bottom, and a substantially hollow interior, the top having a port for permitting access to the interior, and a center;    (b) a vertical support member extending upwardly from the center of said base; and    (c) a circular cap connected with an upper end of said support member.    
     
     
         13 . A method of constructing an artificial tree, comprising the steps of 
 (a) securing a vertical support member to a base;    (b) connecting a cap with an upper end of the vertical support member;    (c) connecting a first end of at least one light string to a first slot and extending the light string upwardly to the cap and downwardly to a second slot;    (d) routing the string under the lip to an adjacent third slot;    (e) extending the string upwardly to the cap and downwardly back to a fourth slot in said base; and    (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) until the string extends downwardly to the last slot adjacent to the first slot.