An ornamental tree assembly includes a base defining a presentation surface and at least one base edge defining a base periphery. A lower portion of an ornamental tree is fixedly secured to the presentation surface of the base. A plurality of walls is movable with respect to the base, with at least one of the walls pivotally secured to the base edge. The ornamental tree assembly also includes an upper portion of the ornamental tree fixedly secured to another of the plurality of walls. The upper portion of the ornamental tree is inverted and disposed adjacent the lower portion of the ornamental tree when the plurality of walls are configured in a storage configuration; and the upper portion is upright and extending over the lower portion when the plurality of storage walls are in a display configuration.

An ornamental tree assembly includes a base defining a presentation surface and at least one base edge defining a base periphery. A lower portion of an ornamental tree is fixedly secured to the presentation surface of the base. A plurality of walls is movable with respect to the base, with at least one of the walls pivotally secured to the base edge. The ornamental tree assembly also includes an upper portion of the ornamental tree fixedly secured to another of the plurality of walls. The upper portion of the ornamental tree is inverted and disposed adjacent the lower portion of the ornamental tree when the plurality of walls are configured in a storage configuration; and the upper portion is upright and extending over the lower portion when the plurality of storage walls are in a display configuration.

An apparatus for electrically connecting a first structural member and a second structural member is disclosed. The apparatus has a first mating connector assembly configured to be attached to the first structural member, the first mating connector assembly including a first neutral terminal ring, a second mating connector assembly configured to be attached to the second structural member, the second mating connector assembly including a second neutral terminal ring, a first neutral lead electrically connected to the first neutral terminal ring, and a second neutral lead electrically connected to the second neutral terminal ring. The first neutral terminal ring is slidably disposed adjacent to the second neutral terminal ring when the first mating connector assembly and the second mating connector assembly are in contact. A first wall member forming the first neutral terminal ring includes a first plurality of slits.

An apparatus for electrically connecting a first structural member and a second structural member is disclosed. The apparatus has a first mating connector assembly configured to be attached to the first structural member, the first mating connector assembly including a first neutral terminal ring, a second mating connector assembly configured to be attached to the second structural member, the second mating connector assembly including a second neutral terminal ring, a first neutral lead electrically connected to the first neutral terminal ring, and a second neutral lead electrically connected to the second neutral terminal ring. The first neutral terminal ring is slidably disposed adjacent to the second neutral terminal ring when the first mating connector assembly and the second mating connector assembly are in contact. A first wall member forming the first neutral terminal ring includes a first plurality of slits.

An artificial Christmas tree includes a central trunk broken into at least two separate portions including a fixed trunk portion and at least one rotating trunk portion. The fixed trunk extends up from an underlying base. Rotating trunks rotatably attach at midpoints thereof at least indirectly to an upper end of the fixed trunk. Limbs are pivotably attached to the rotating trunks with optional lights coupled thereto. These limbs pivot between a perpendicular orientation extending from the rotating trunks and a collapsed configuration closer to a centerline of the rotating trunks. The rotating trunks can be pivoted from a first collapsed configuration with a first end above a second end to a deployed configuration with the second end above the first end. During pivoting, the limbs attached to the rotating trunk transition between a collapsed to a deployed configuration automatically. A wheeled base and cover further facilitate storage and deployment.

An artificial Christmas tree includes a central trunk broken into at least two separate portions including a fixed trunk portion and at least one rotating trunk portion. The fixed trunk extends up from an underlying base. Rotating trunks rotatably attach at midpoints thereof at least indirectly to an upper end of the fixed trunk. Limbs are pivotably attached to the rotating trunks with optional lights coupled thereto. These limbs pivot between a perpendicular orientation extending from the rotating trunks and a collapsed configuration closer to a centerline of the rotating trunks. The rotating trunks can be pivoted from a first collapsed configuration with a first end above a second end to a deployed configuration with the second end above the first end. During pivoting, the limbs attached to the rotating trunk transition between a collapsed to a deployed configuration automatically. A wheeled base and cover further facilitate storage and deployment.

The invention provides an annular shroud configured to be positioned around a tree stand. The annular shroud has one or more display panels configured to display digital images about a perimeter of the tree stand. In some embodiments, the invention further includes a tree stand display assembly comprising a tree, a tree stand supporting the tree in an upright orientation, and the annular shroud around the tree stand.

The invention provides an annular shroud configured to be positioned around a tree stand. The annular shroud has one or more display panels configured to display digital images about a perimeter of the tree stand. In some embodiments, the invention further includes a tree stand display assembly comprising a tree, a tree stand supporting the tree in an upright orientation, and the annular shroud around the tree stand.

Apparatuses and methods for a self-deploying tree are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a self-deploying tree system comprises a top tree assembly, a main tree assembly, and a base. The lower end of the top tree assembly may be coupled to the upper end of the main tree assembly, and the lower end of the main tree assembly may be coupled to the base, providing a vertical orientation of the self-deploying tree system. The self-deploying tree system further comprises a deployment mechanism which may be activated to automatically convert the tree from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration or from a deployed configuration to a collapsed configuration. The collapsed configuration comprises a reduced height and a reduced circumference to allow for ease of handling and storage. The deployed configuration provides for the tree to be extended to a desired height and for deployment of the limbs as desired for display.

Apparatuses and methods for a self-deploying tree are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a self-deploying tree system comprises a top tree assembly, a main tree assembly, and a base. The lower end of the top tree assembly may be coupled to the upper end of the main tree assembly, and the lower end of the main tree assembly may be coupled to the base, providing a vertical orientation of the self-deploying tree system. The self-deploying tree system further comprises a deployment mechanism which may be activated to automatically convert the tree from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration or from a deployed configuration to a collapsed configuration. The collapsed configuration comprises a reduced height and a reduced circumference to allow for ease of handling and storage. The deployed configuration provides for the tree to be extended to a desired height and for deployment of the limbs as desired for display.