Method and Apparatus for a Portable and Retractable Shade Device

Abstract

Portable and retractable artificial trees including a first generally cylindrical, hollow trunk portion including an upper end, the upper end defining a notch, and a second generally cylindrical trunk portion including a body portion, a lower end having an insertable portion, and an upper end. The artificial trees further include separable, modular tree portions mechanically connectable, controllable and lockable between trunk and branch portions is provided. The proposed system may be transported by any means for convenience, including by rail, fork-truck, or otherwise according to a size from a few centimeters to twenty meters or more. The tree has an elongated trunk and a series of branch assemblies spaced upon its trunk mechanically and electrically interconnected to a base device for retracting, expanding, or otherwise controlling the branch assemblies.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for a portable and retractable artificial tree, said apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of trunk members having a generally cylindrical body with an outer wall and an inner cavity, said trunk members each having an upper portion and lower portion, wherein said upper portion of a first one of said trunk members has an outside diameter for interconnecting with said lower portion of a second one of said trunk members when operably brought into juxtaposition with each other;   a plurality of branch assemblies each connected to an opening on said outer wall of at least one of said trunk members; and   a plurality of lever arms disposed within said inner cavity having upper ends pivotably attached to said branch assemblies operable to allow control of said branch assemblies by movement of said lever arms in vertical paths within said inner cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first trunk member upper portion comprises a reduced diameter and a detent for interconnection with said second trunk lower portion having a guide slot. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said branch assemblies further comprises one or more secondary branch assemblies connected to said lever arms through openings in said one of said branch assemblies. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said lever arms control vertical or lateral movement of said secondary branch assemblies. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a detent on said upper portion of one of said trunk members is positioned for alignment with a recess in said lower portion of said second one of said second trunk member. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said lever arms control vertical movement of said branch assemblies. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said lever arms are located in said inner cavity and is accessed through said outer wall. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , said apparatus further comprising:
 a base device for maintaining said trunk in a substantially vertical position, said base device housing a controller for controlling said branch assemblies using said lever arms.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein a lowermost one of said trunk members is attached to said base device. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein an electrical line is positioned in said inner cavity, and wherein said outer wall includes an electrical receptacle connected to said electrical line. 
     
     
         11 . A portable and retractable artificial tree transformable between a narrow vertical state and an expanded state, wherein said artificial tree comprises:
 a generally cylindrical rigid trunk having upper and lower ends, said trunk having an outer wall and an inner cavity;   a base constructed to engage said lower end to support said trunk in a substantially vertical upright position;   a plurality of branch assemblies operably interconnected with said trunk through openings in said outer wall; and   a plurality of lever arms disposed within said inner cavity having upper ends pivotably attached to said branch assemblies operable to allow movement of said lever arms in vertical paths within said cavity during a use and provide movement of said branch assemblies;   wherein each said branch assembly is pivotably attached to at least one of said plurality of lever arms by extending through a borehole in said trunk; and   whereby controlled sliding movement of said lever arms operably causes said branch assemblies to be displaced from said trunk upwardly angled therefrom to produce an expanded state of said tree, and opposite controlled movement of said lever arms causes said branch assemblies to be drawn close to said trunk in substantially parallel alignment therewith to produce a narrow state of said tree.   
     
     
         12 . The artificial tree according to  claim 11 , wherein each branch assembly contains a plurality of secondary branch assemblies. 
     
     
         13 . The artificial tree according to  claim 12 , wherein said secondary branch assemblies are non-uniformly spaced apart from one another upon each of said branch assemblies. 
     
     
         14 . The artificial tree according to  claim 11 , wherein said branch assemblies are uniformly spaced upon said trunk. 
     
     
         15 . The artificial tree according to  claim 11 , wherein in said expanded state said branch assemblies extend outwardly at an angle of between about 30 to 90 degrees with respect to said trunk. 
     
     
         16 . The artificial tree according to  claim 11 , wherein in said narrow state said branch assemblies extend outwardly at an angle of between about 0 to 30 degrees with respect to said trunk. 
     
     
         17 . The artificial tree according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a process controller system providing operative control to said plurality of branch members.