US 12,029,340 B2
Connector system
Yong Fu, Zhu Yang Town (CN); and Chung-Wai (Paul) Cheng, Hong Kong (CN)
Assigned to POLYGROUP MACAU LIMITED (BVI), Road Town (VG)
Filed by POLYGROUP MACAU LIMITED (BVI), Tortola (VG)
Filed on Jan. 2, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/092,416.
Application 18/092,416 is a continuation of application No. 17/021,474, filed on Sep. 15, 2020, granted, now 11,540,656.
Application 17/021,474 is a continuation of application No. 15/815,848, filed on Nov. 17, 2017, granted, now 10,772,452, issued on Sep. 15, 2020.
Application 15/815,848 is a continuation of application No. 14/547,406, filed on Nov. 19, 2014, granted, now 9,844,288, issued on Dec. 19, 2017.
Application 14/547,406 is a continuation of application No. 12/982,015, filed on Dec. 30, 2010, granted, now 8,916,242, issued on Dec. 23, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/291,481, filed on Dec. 31, 2009.
Prior Publication US 2023/0137597 A1, May 4, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A47G 33/06 (2006.01); A41G 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC A47G 33/06 (2013.01) [A41G 1/007 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49826 (2015.01); Y10T 29/49947 (2015.01); Y10T 403/7035 (2015.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An artificial tree comprising:
a first tree trunk section comprising a tapered end, a first outwardly extending member, the first outwardly extending member extending normal to the first tree trunk section;
a second tree trunk section comprising a hollow end and a second outwardly extending member extending normal to the second tree trunk section, the hollow end of the second tree trunk section configured to at least partially receive the tapered end of the first tree trunk section; and
a sleeve disposed on an outer surface of the hollow end, the sleeve comprising:
a first end having a first inner diameter, the first inner diameter approximately equal to an outer diameter of the tapered end of the first tree trunk section;
a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter, the second inner diameter approximately equal to or greater than an outer diameter of the hollow end of the second tree trunk section;
a first cutout that is operable to at least partially receive and engage the first outwardly extending member to provide a rotational alignment between the first tree trunk section and the sleeve and a rotation locking characteristic between the first tree trunk section and the sleeve; and
a second cutout that is operable to at least partially receive and engage the second outwardly extending member to provide vertical alignment of the first tree trunk section with the second tree trunk section during use.