CA1167015A - Christmas tree stand - Google Patents

Christmas tree stand

Info

Publication number
CA1167015A
CA1167015A CA000392575A CA392575A CA1167015A CA 1167015 A CA1167015 A CA 1167015A CA 000392575 A CA000392575 A CA 000392575A CA 392575 A CA392575 A CA 392575A CA 1167015 A CA1167015 A CA 1167015A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
container
funnel
tree
water
support members
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000392575A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Donald W. Sutton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TRIDON-HOLDINGS Inc
Original Assignee
TRIDON-HOLDINGS Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by TRIDON-HOLDINGS Inc filed Critical TRIDON-HOLDINGS Inc
Priority to CA000392575A priority Critical patent/CA1167015A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1167015A publication Critical patent/CA1167015A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47GHOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G33/00Religious or ritual equipment in dwelling or for general use
    • A47G33/04Christmas trees 
    • A47G33/12Christmas tree stands
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47GHOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G33/00Religious or ritual equipment in dwelling or for general use
    • A47G33/04Christmas trees 
    • A47G33/12Christmas tree stands
    • A47G2033/1286Christmas tree stands comprising watering means, e.g. a water reservoir

Landscapes

  • Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A Christmas Tree stand for supporting a tree and provid-ing an integral filling means is disclosed. The stand compris-ses a central container for receiving a base of the tree and clamping means for securing said container and said base. The container is supported by a plurality of mutually spaced hori-zontal trusses extending outwardly therefrom. One of said trus-ses mounts a funnel at the distal portion thereof, which funnel is in communication with the interior of said container so that when water is poured into said funnel the container will be filled and said funnel will provide a visual indicator when the container is full.

Description

This invention relates to an improved Christmas Tree stand which will reliably support even a large Christmas Tree and which incorporates an integral means for watering the tree.
The device of this invention also may be dismantled for storage, cleaning, and the like, and may be utilized for prolonged pe-riods without rusting or deteriorating.
A wide variety of Christmas Tree stands are currently available. Typically the stands are constructed of metal and therefore are subject to rusting. In addi*ion, common Christmas Tree stands are relatively unstable, and in the case of large trees, require additional supports.
As is well known, Christmas Trees can become fire haz-ards. If the trees are not watered regularly, the needles tend to dry very quickly. The drying process is also enhanced by the low ambient humidity normally present during the winter months. When a Christmas Tree begins to dry, it will shed its needles, and if decorative electric lights are placed on the branches, the heat generated by these lights can cxeate a fire hazard.
The typical Christmas Tree stand includes a cup or con-tainer for the base of the tree which is large enough to also contain water. However, in order to reach the container in such devices it is necessary to reach under the low branches on ` the tree, encountering the sharp needles. In addition, if de-corations or presents are placed beneath the tree it is neces-sary to move these articles. Accordingly, watering such a tree may be a time consuming or unpleasant task which is often ne-glected.
In U.S. Patent No. 3,469,342 there is disclosed a Christmas Tree stand with a means for watering remotely located ~'701~

from the tree. In this patent, a flexible hose connects a re-servoir and the container portion of the stand. By keeping the reservoir full, the container in communication therewith will be maintained at the same level. In this device, however, the reservoir must be sealed to avoid spilling the water contained therein, and for aesthetic purposes the reservoir should be hidden. Obviously, this device presents certain difficulties in that the reservoir could accidently be opened, spilling the water therein, and the reservoir could be unsightly.
The device of the instant invention solves the problems above-described relative to the prior art by providing a light weight, but stable, container having truss-like horizontal sup-ports for additional stability. The device further incorporates an integral filling tube disposed at the distal end of one sup-port which is connected bv a conduit to the container portion~
The filling means of this invention uses a funnel rather than a reservoir. When the container is full, the funnel will con-tain a small amount of water which will serve merely to provide visual indication that the container is full. The device of this invention furthermore is constructed of heavy gauge plastic and may be fully dismantled for storage. Therefore the device of this invention provides a remote filling means which may be utilized without contacting the lower branches of the tree and which will provide a visual indicator showing when the contain-er is full. The filling means, however, is not subject to spil-ling and only a very small quantity of water is retained there-in. Removable support members are provided which also are con-structed of heavy gauge plastic. The support members are truss-like so that stability will be provided without excess weight. Finally, the container portion intended to hold the 1~67~5 base of the tree is also constructed of heavy gauge plastic so that the tree may be maintained for prolonged periods without the possibility o~ rusting.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to pro-vide a tree stand for supporting a Christmas Tree or the like which iS stable even with tall trees, but which may be rapidly dismantled for storage.
It is another object o~ this invention to provide a Christmas Tree stand with a filling means whereby th~ tree may be watered without encountering the lower branches thereo~.
It iS another obj ect of this invention to provide a filling means for a Christmas Tree stand which will provide a visual indication when the container is full at a remote loca-tion so that the filling process can be completed without en-lS CoUntering the lower branches of the tree, and without over-filling the container.
These and other objects will become readily apparent with reference to the drawings and following description where-in:
FIGURE l is a perspective view of the tree stand of this invention;
FIGURE 2 is an exploded top view of a portion of the device of this invention showing a single support member;
FIGURE 3 is an exploded side view in partial section of the device of this invention with portions removed;
FIGURE 4 is a bottom view o~ the container portion o~
the device of this invention.
With attention to the drawings, the tree ~tand 10 of this invention includes a cylindrical container 12 whlch sup ports pre~erably three screw clamp members l4 threadedly re-.
X 16701 ~

ceived in the upper portion 16 of container 12. Upper portion 16 may be thickened to provide additional support. Clamp mem-bers 14, and stabilizer point 15 secure the base of a tree tnot shown) when inserted in container 12. Lateral sup-port for container 12 is provided by preferably three hori~on-tal support members 18, 20 and 22. Each leg member 18, 20, and 22 is provided at its proximal end with a T-shaped tongue 24 as shown in FIGURE 2. Tongue 24 is intended to be slidably re-ceived in groove 26 formed in the external wall of container 12.
As shown in FIGURE 4, each groove 26 has opposed lip portions 28 which in turn define a T-shaped groove corresponding to the shape of tongue 24. Leg members 18, 20 and 22 are intended to be dimensioned so that tongue 24 will be slidable upwardly into groove 26 whereby the reinforced upper portion 16 will serve as a stop.
Each leg member 18, 20 and 22 comprises a horizontal arm 30 intended to rest on the floor, a reinforced vertical dis-tal portion 32, and an angular reinforced horizontal portion 34. Cross-members 36 are provided between members 30 and 34 to achieve a truss-like support structure.
With attention to FIGURES 1 and 3, a filling means 38 for container 12 is also provided. Filling means 38 includes a funnel portion 40 with an integral vertical support 42. Sup-port member 42 is intended to be slidably received in an aper-ture 44, as shown in FIGURE 2, in leg member 22. Accordingly, when fully assembled vertical support member 42 provides stabil-ity for funnel member 40 against tipping, funnel member 40 com-municates with container 12 by a conduit 44 which extends from funnel member 40 to a connecting means such as nipple 46 on container 12.

116701 ~

The height of funnel membex 40 relative to container 12 is intended to provide a visual means for determining when con-tainer 12 is full. The water level in funnel 40 will be the same as the water level in container 12, and in this manner, a person filling container 12 through filling means 38 can stop pouring when water is observed in funnel 40.
In the preferred embodiment of this invention container 12 has an internal diameter of about 5-3/8 inches and a depth of about 6-3/4 inches. The housing 27 surrounding the T-groove 26 extends into container 12 about 1/2 inch. The supporting legs 18, 20 and 22 extend outwardly from container 12 about 14 inches. A stand of these dimensions can easily support a Christmas Tree having a height of 11-1/2 feet and provide a stable support for prolonged periods.
In order to assemble the device of this invention, screw members 14 are inserted in respective holes in the thick-ened upper portion 16 of container 12. Horizontal leg members 18, 20, and 22 are slidably received in T-grooves 26 in contain-er 12 and the filling means 38 is assembled on leg member 22.
This merely requires insertion of support member 42 into the respective hole 44 in leg member 22 and attachment of conduit 44 between funnel member 40 and nipple 46 on container 12. The tree may then be inserted into container 12 and screw members 14 tightened into the base thereof in the conventional fashion.
When water is poured into funnel member 40, it will flow through conduit 44 into container 12 until the level of water in container 12 rises to fill funnel member 40. As time passes and the tree absorbs water in container 12, the level of water therein and in conduit 44 will drop. When it is desired to water the tree, if funnel member 40 is empty it will be obvious 11~7~1~

that water is required in container 12. Water may then be merely poured into funnel 40 until the level of water in con-tainer 12 rises to the level of funnel 40. Because the funnel is located approixmately 14 inches outwardly from the base of the tree, the filling procedure should not require encountering lower branches on the tree. Further, if funnel member 40 is accidently bumped it is not intended to retain any substantial quantity of water and therefore cannot be expected to cause any substantial problem relative to water spotting of presents, de-corations, and the like. Furthermore, after the tree has ab-sorbed some water from container 12, funnel member 40 will be empty.
When it is desired to store the device of this inven-tion, it is necessary only to remove conduit 44 from nipple 46 and remove the support legs 18, 20 and 22 by sliding the legs downwardly out of engagement with T-groove 26. The device may then be cleaned, packaged and stored for reuse.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
;

Claims (7)

The embodiment of the invention in which an extension property or privilege is claimed is defined as follows:
1. A stand for supporting a Christmas Tree or the like and for providing water for said tree while supported therein comprising:
a cylindrical container for receiving the base of said tree; retaining means carried by said container for retain-ing said base in said container;
a plurality of mutually spaced horizontal support members releasably attached to the outer wall of said container and extending outwardly therefrom, each support member having a lower horizontal leg contained in the plane containing the base of said container and an upper leg extending outwardly from the upper portion of said container and a plurality of vertical inclined chord members interconnecting said upper and lower legs to define a support truss; and filling means removably mounted on the distal por-tion of one of said support members in communication with the interior of said container for providing remote access to said container to fill said container with water and to determine when said container has been filled.
2. The device of Claim 1 wherein said filling means further comprises a funnel disposed at a predetermined height above the horizontal leg of said support member and a conduit interconnecting said funnel and container so that when water is disposed within said container the level thereof in said filling means will be the same as the level of water in said container.
3. The device of Claim 2 wherein each of said support members define a vertical T-shaped tongue at the proximal end thereof and the water wall of said container defines a tongue-receiving, T-shaped groove for each of said support members.
4. The device of Claim 3 wherein three of said support members are provided, equidistantly spaced around said container.
5. The device of Claim 4 wherein each of said support members extends outwardly about 14 inches from said container.
6. The device of Claim 2 wherein said funnel is mounted on a vertically disposed post removably attached to a support member.
7. The device of Claim 6 wherein the upper portion of said funnel is contained in the horizontal plane that contains the upper portion of said container.
CA000392575A 1981-12-17 1981-12-17 Christmas tree stand Expired CA1167015A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000392575A CA1167015A (en) 1981-12-17 1981-12-17 Christmas tree stand

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000392575A CA1167015A (en) 1981-12-17 1981-12-17 Christmas tree stand

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1167015A true CA1167015A (en) 1984-05-08

Family

ID=4121645

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000392575A Expired CA1167015A (en) 1981-12-17 1981-12-17 Christmas tree stand

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1167015A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0371354A2 (en) * 1988-11-29 1990-06-06 Bielefelder Küchenmaschinen- und Transportgeräte-Fabrik vom Braucke GmbH Stand, in particular for Christmas trees

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0371354A2 (en) * 1988-11-29 1990-06-06 Bielefelder Küchenmaschinen- und Transportgeräte-Fabrik vom Braucke GmbH Stand, in particular for Christmas trees
EP0371354A3 (en) * 1988-11-29 1991-11-21 Bielefelder Küchenmaschinen- und Transportgeräte-Fabrik vom Braucke GmbH Stand, in particular for christmas trees

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MKEX Expiry