Apparatus and associated methods may relate to an artificial tree apparatus having a plurality of trunk segments that couple together to provide a plurality of information or command signals to load devices connected thereto. In an illustrative example, one or more branch segments having light emitting devices are connected to the trunk segments to independently receive the electrical power and command signals via a control system. In some implementations, each command signal generated by the control system may include data pertaining to light color and illumination pattern. In some embodiments, each branch segment and associated light emitting devices may be independently controlled via a multi-channel arrangement. In some implementations, each group of light emitting devices may be manually configured via one or more user-interfaces. In various implementations, each trunk segment may include an axial electrical connector which permits adjacent trunk segments from being connected in any radial orientation relative to each other.

Disclosed is an artificial tree having a plurality of electrified tree sections that couple together to provide power and/or command signals to devices connected thereto. One or more tree sections may have a trunk portion, one or more electrical connectors having a plurality of terminals, branches, a light string, and an electrical distribution system located at least partially within the trunk portion. A first tree section may be configured to couple to a second tree section such that an electrical connector of the first tree section is in electrical connection with an electrical connector of the second tree section, thereby mechanically and electrically connecting the first tree section to the second tree section such that power and/or the control data are transmitted to the second tree section. Further, each trunk segment may include an axial electrical connector that permits adjacent trunk segments to connect in a plurality of radial orientations relative to each other.

A decorative artificial plant apparatus having a tubular frame configured to resemble the longitudinal shape of trunk and branch portions of a natural plant that is being duplicated. A stack of overlapping open cylinder segments is supported on the frame shaped to collectively resemble an outer surface of the trunk portion. Each cylinder segment has an expansion feature configured to diametrically expand when overlapped around an adjacent cylinder segment in the stack.

A decorative artificial plant apparatus having a tubular frame configured to resemble the longitudinal shape of trunk and branch portions of a natural plant that is being duplicated. A stack of overlapping open cylinder segments is supported on the frame shaped to collectively resemble an outer surface of the trunk portion. Each cylinder segment has an expansion feature configured to diametrically expand when overlapped around an adjacent cylinder segment in the stack.

Methods and systems for making artificial flowers are disclosed. The method can include wrapping a first flower wrapper having between 1 and 5 petals around a foam core to form a first flower construct, or bud. The method can include wrapping a second flower wrapper having between 1 and 5 petals around the first flower construct, or bud. The method can include wrapping a third flower wrapper having between 1 and 5 petals around the second flower construct. The method can include wrapping additional layers of flower wrappers around flower constructs, including, but not limited to, 3 more layers of flower wrappers. Wrapping a flower wrapper around a core or a flower construct may be done manually or in an automated fashion. Wrapping a flower wrapper around a core or a flower construct may be done petal by petal or all petals simultaneously.

Methods and systems for making artificial flowers are disclosed. The method can include wrapping a first flower wrapper having between 1 and 5 petals around a foam core to form a first flower construct, or bud. The method can include wrapping a second flower wrapper having between 1 and 5 petals around the first flower construct, or bud. The method can include wrapping a third flower wrapper having between 1 and 5 petals around the second flower construct. The method can include wrapping additional layers of flower wrappers around flower constructs, including, but not limited to, 3 more layers of flower wrappers. Wrapping a flower wrapper around a core or a flower construct may be done manually or in an automated fashion. Wrapping a flower wrapper around a core or a flower construct may be done petal by petal or all petals simultaneously.

Surrogates for roadside objects can be used for vehicle testing. A grass surrogate can be configured to exhibit substantially the same characteristics as natural grass when sensed by one or more vehicle sensors (e.g., cameras, radar sensors, and/or LIDAR sensors). Such surrogates can be used to test autonomous vehicles, one or more vehicle sensors, a vehicle sensor system, and/or one or more vehicle systems (e.g., a road departure mitigation system). The grass surrogate can help a vehicle to identify road boundaries, particularly in portions of a road that do not include lane markings. The grass surrogate can be configured to withstand being driven over by a test vehicle without being damaged and/or without damaging the test vehicle. In some arrangements, the grass surrogate can include artificial grass that is coated with a mixture of high gloss acrylic paint and high reflectance pigments.

A lighted artificial tree includes a first tree portion including a first trunk portion, first branches joined to the first trunk portion, and a first light string. The first trunk portion has a trunk connector and a first trunk wiring assembly, the first trunk wiring assembly is electrically connectable to the first light string and the trunk connector, and at least a portion of the first wiring assembly is located inside the first portion. The second tree portion includes a second trunk portion, second branches, and a second light string. The second trunk portion has a trunk connector and a second trunk wiring assembly, the second trunk wiring assembly electrically connectable to the second lighting string and the trunk connector. The second tree portion may be mechanically coupled and electrically connected to the first tree portion by coaxially coupling the first trunk portion to the second trunk portion.

A method to secure an adjacent pair of turf members to a ground surface is provided. The method includes disposing a joint strip on the ground surface, disposing a first turf member on the joint strip, inserting a first set of primary fasteners through the first turf member, joint strip and ground surface, inserting a first set of secondary fasteners through the first turf member, joint strip and ground surface, disposing a second turf member on the joint strip to permit a side edge of the second turf member to align with the side edge of the first turf member along a seam line, inserting a second set of primary fasteners through the second turf member, joint strip and ground surface, and inserting a second set of secondary fasteners through the second turf member, joint strip and ground surface.

Disclosed are methods for making shock absorbing pads utilizing reclaimed artificial turf and reclaimed carpet materials. It is demonstrated that the artificial turf systems comprising inventive pads exhibit improved Head Impact Criteria (HIC) and cradle-to-cradle score.