CA2134034A1 - Tree stand - Google Patents
Tree standInfo
- Publication number
- CA2134034A1 CA2134034A1 CA 2134034 CA2134034A CA2134034A1 CA 2134034 A1 CA2134034 A1 CA 2134034A1 CA 2134034 CA2134034 CA 2134034 CA 2134034 A CA2134034 A CA 2134034A CA 2134034 A1 CA2134034 A1 CA 2134034A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bars
- tree
- holes
- trunk
- stand
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A device for supporting a tree trunk of a tree has intermediate spaces between its branches. The device includes a tree standing having holes formed in a top surface. Bars are placed into the holes and extend around the trunk and into the intermediate spaces to support the tree. The bars are collapsible into smaller lengths and may be threaded on a lower end to matingly engage a correspondingly threaded hole.
A device for supporting a tree trunk of a tree has intermediate spaces between its branches. The device includes a tree standing having holes formed in a top surface. Bars are placed into the holes and extend around the trunk and into the intermediate spaces to support the tree. The bars are collapsible into smaller lengths and may be threaded on a lower end to matingly engage a correspondingly threaded hole.
Description
BACICGROUND OF THE INVENTION
l. Field o~ the Inventio~
The invention relates to a tree stand, particularly for Christmas trees. i~
l. Field o~ the Inventio~
The invention relates to a tree stand, particularly for Christmas trees. i~
2. Prio~_~rt Christmas tree s ands are sufficiently known. For one typs of stand, the trunk of the tree is inserted into a cylindrical s1eeve and subsequently fixed in a certain poRition by laterally arranged screws set at an angle relative to each other. It is known also to fix the trunk of the tree in position by lever mechanisms or clamping screws.
A Chri~tmas tree stand is known from DE-OS 42 ll 168, in connection with which the stand has a sleeve for receiving the trunk of the tree, whereby provisions can be made laterally of the sleeve for arms, which can be placed ayainæt the trunk and 6ecured by a chain.
The known tree stands all have the drawback that at least the trunk of the tree has to be worked before the tree can be placed in the stand. Such working may have the ob~ective, for example, of reducing the diamet~r of the trunk, so that it can fit into the tree stand, or Oe straightening the trunk Oe the tree so that the tree trunk i9 standing in a ~ :.
213~03'~
more or less vertical position. ~his reduces the risk that the tree will fall over.
Thus, the in~ention is based on the problem of creating a ~ree stand into which a tree can be placed to stand straight without having to work the trunk.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, the problem is solved in that the top surface has a pattern of holes for receiving a plurality of bars, poles or rods which project around the trunk into the intermediate spaces formed by branches of the tree. The stability of the tree is thus substantially obtained in that the branches interlock with the bars. It has been found that even trees that have grown at a slant can be set up substantially vertically with the device according to the invention without having to be worked in any way.
According to a special feature of the invention, the pattern of holes is designed in such a way that the bars can be arranged in different circular diameters so as to be able to take into account different tree trunk diamaters.
According to another feature of the invention, the ~
stand is embodied in the form of a container, whereby the ~ ;
container can be filled with heavy or dense material such as, - 2 - ;~
X~3~0~ ~
for example, sand or water to increase the stability of the stand. Water has the advantage that the tree stays fresh ~or a longer time. Alternatively, the stand has two chambers, `
whereby the o~e, lower chamber can be filled with a heavy or dense material for increasing the stability, and the other, ~`
upper chamber can be filled with water. ;
For facilitating packaging and for adapting the bars -;
to the height of the trunk, the bars are variable in length. ;
The bars may be separated into sections or may be` ~ -telescopingly extendable.
According to a particularly advantagaous feature of the invention~ a top surface within the upper container has frustoconical holes, whereby the bars also have frustoconical ;;
end~, oorresponding with said holes. In this way, the bars are fixedly seated in the holes arranged within the upper container. ~lowever, it is possible also to screw the bars into the holas in the bottom.
; .
According to another feature of the invention, the bars extend from the holes at an angle, i.e., the bars extend out cDnically from the holes. If the bars engage the branchwork of the tree with a greater spacing from the trunk of the tree, the tree is less likely to tilt than when the rods are placed directly on the tree trunk parallel with it.
.: .
213~03~
Thls is because the lever arm required for tilting the tree beaomes longer.
According to a variation of the tree stand, the bars are eccentrically rotatable wi~hin each of the holes. For this purpose, the bars each have an eccentric member at their ends facing the bottom of the stand, whereby the eccentric member has a foot part received by a hole of the pattern of holes. The advantage of this variation is that with fewer holes in the bottom of the stand, it is nevertheless possible that tree trunks of different thicknesses can be sa~ely received because the spacing between the bars can be varied by turning the bars in the holes.
For reinforcing the connection between the bar and ~ ;~
the eccentric member, a bridge which may be designed as a type of triangle, i8 vertically arranged on the eccentric member.
According to another feature of said variation, the foot part is fixable in the hole. This can be accomplished by a polygon, for example, triangle or square. However, it is aonceivable also to fix the eccentric member on the bottom of the stand by screws.
, :; '~; ' :.: ' ., : :
2 1 3 ~ ~ 3 '~ '~; -' ' `, . BRIEF DESC~IPTION OF q'HE DRAWINGS
Other objects and features of the present invention ~ ~ :
will become apparent from the following detailed descriptlon considered in connecti~n with the accompanying drawings which disclose several embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustratio~ only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.
In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: .
FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view of an embodiment of a tree stand acaording to the invention; ' FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tree stand; .. :
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one of the holes, taken along the line B-B from FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate design of the hole, taken along the line B-B from Fig. 2.
FIG. 5 is a side-elevational view showing an alternate embodiment of a bar; and FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the bar and an ec~entric member.
DEI'AII.~3D DBSCRTPTIO~ oF PR13~ERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now in detail to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, there i8 shown an embodiment of a tree stand 1 having an upper chamber 2 and a lower chamber 3 separatQd by a central member 4. A set of bars 5 is inserted into a series of holes 9 that form a pattern on the top of central member 4. Individual holes 9a of the hole pattern 9 are arranged in a way such that the holes are approximately disposed in two circles. A tree trunk 6 of a tree 7 is inserted in direction a into the center opening formed between :~
: .. . -::
the upright bars 5.
The design of the individual holes is shown in FIGS. ~.
A Chri~tmas tree stand is known from DE-OS 42 ll 168, in connection with which the stand has a sleeve for receiving the trunk of the tree, whereby provisions can be made laterally of the sleeve for arms, which can be placed ayainæt the trunk and 6ecured by a chain.
The known tree stands all have the drawback that at least the trunk of the tree has to be worked before the tree can be placed in the stand. Such working may have the ob~ective, for example, of reducing the diamet~r of the trunk, so that it can fit into the tree stand, or Oe straightening the trunk Oe the tree so that the tree trunk i9 standing in a ~ :.
213~03'~
more or less vertical position. ~his reduces the risk that the tree will fall over.
Thus, the in~ention is based on the problem of creating a ~ree stand into which a tree can be placed to stand straight without having to work the trunk.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, the problem is solved in that the top surface has a pattern of holes for receiving a plurality of bars, poles or rods which project around the trunk into the intermediate spaces formed by branches of the tree. The stability of the tree is thus substantially obtained in that the branches interlock with the bars. It has been found that even trees that have grown at a slant can be set up substantially vertically with the device according to the invention without having to be worked in any way.
According to a special feature of the invention, the pattern of holes is designed in such a way that the bars can be arranged in different circular diameters so as to be able to take into account different tree trunk diamaters.
According to another feature of the invention, the ~
stand is embodied in the form of a container, whereby the ~ ;
container can be filled with heavy or dense material such as, - 2 - ;~
X~3~0~ ~
for example, sand or water to increase the stability of the stand. Water has the advantage that the tree stays fresh ~or a longer time. Alternatively, the stand has two chambers, `
whereby the o~e, lower chamber can be filled with a heavy or dense material for increasing the stability, and the other, ~`
upper chamber can be filled with water. ;
For facilitating packaging and for adapting the bars -;
to the height of the trunk, the bars are variable in length. ;
The bars may be separated into sections or may be` ~ -telescopingly extendable.
According to a particularly advantagaous feature of the invention~ a top surface within the upper container has frustoconical holes, whereby the bars also have frustoconical ;;
end~, oorresponding with said holes. In this way, the bars are fixedly seated in the holes arranged within the upper container. ~lowever, it is possible also to screw the bars into the holas in the bottom.
; .
According to another feature of the invention, the bars extend from the holes at an angle, i.e., the bars extend out cDnically from the holes. If the bars engage the branchwork of the tree with a greater spacing from the trunk of the tree, the tree is less likely to tilt than when the rods are placed directly on the tree trunk parallel with it.
.: .
213~03~
Thls is because the lever arm required for tilting the tree beaomes longer.
According to a variation of the tree stand, the bars are eccentrically rotatable wi~hin each of the holes. For this purpose, the bars each have an eccentric member at their ends facing the bottom of the stand, whereby the eccentric member has a foot part received by a hole of the pattern of holes. The advantage of this variation is that with fewer holes in the bottom of the stand, it is nevertheless possible that tree trunks of different thicknesses can be sa~ely received because the spacing between the bars can be varied by turning the bars in the holes.
For reinforcing the connection between the bar and ~ ;~
the eccentric member, a bridge which may be designed as a type of triangle, i8 vertically arranged on the eccentric member.
According to another feature of said variation, the foot part is fixable in the hole. This can be accomplished by a polygon, for example, triangle or square. However, it is aonceivable also to fix the eccentric member on the bottom of the stand by screws.
, :; '~; ' :.: ' ., : :
2 1 3 ~ ~ 3 '~ '~; -' ' `, . BRIEF DESC~IPTION OF q'HE DRAWINGS
Other objects and features of the present invention ~ ~ :
will become apparent from the following detailed descriptlon considered in connecti~n with the accompanying drawings which disclose several embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustratio~ only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.
In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: .
FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view of an embodiment of a tree stand acaording to the invention; ' FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tree stand; .. :
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one of the holes, taken along the line B-B from FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate design of the hole, taken along the line B-B from Fig. 2.
FIG. 5 is a side-elevational view showing an alternate embodiment of a bar; and FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the bar and an ec~entric member.
DEI'AII.~3D DBSCRTPTIO~ oF PR13~ERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now in detail to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, there i8 shown an embodiment of a tree stand 1 having an upper chamber 2 and a lower chamber 3 separatQd by a central member 4. A set of bars 5 is inserted into a series of holes 9 that form a pattern on the top of central member 4. Individual holes 9a of the hole pattern 9 are arranged in a way such that the holes are approximately disposed in two circles. A tree trunk 6 of a tree 7 is inserted in direction a into the center opening formed between :~
: .. . -::
the upright bars 5.
The design of the individual holes is shown in FIGS. ~.
3 and 4. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, central ;~
:- .. , ..:
member 4 has frustoconically-shaped holes 9b with a cone angle ,.. .:. ~ ::
of about 80. At its lower end, bar 5 has a correspondingly shaped cone 5a which is force-fitted into hole 9b. The holes ;,. . - -::
9b can be disposed within central member 4 in such a way that the bars slant away from each other, as shown in FIG. 1. In -, .-. :,,.,: .
this Way~ the bars have greater interlocking with the branches because smaller branches that extend off the main branchss are .
spaced from the trunk of the tree. By having the bars engage ' ',',-' .'~
:: :::, .::
,, , .:- - ~, ~ .
2~3~03~
these smaller branches as well, the tree is provided with an overall superior support.
In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the bar 5 is anchored within the hol~ 9G by a thread connection 10.
. ' ~ar 5 may be divided into two sections, whereby the two sections of the bar are connectable with each other, for .
example, by a thread connection. However, it is also possible to design a telescoping bar similar to an antenna, so that the length of the bar is variable to facilitate packaging and also to alect an appropriate height depending on the height of the .
Chr~stmas tree.
The variatlon of a tree stand shown in FIG5. 5 and 6 is characterized by an eccentric member 11, which connects bar 5 with a foot part 12. The foot part 12 is disposed within hole 9a of central member 4. Bar 5 is offset from hole 9a by eccentric member 11. For reinforcing the connection between `.
the bar 5 and eccentric member 11, there is a bridge 13, which .
i~ designed as a vertically standing triangle.
The eccentric member 11 is fixed on central member 4 of the stand 1 by a screw 15. By turning the bar 5, and thus also the foot part 12 in the hole 9a, the spacing between the individual bars is variable, so that even with fewer holes in the hole pattern, tree trunks of different thicknesses can ,, . , . -, , - ,, ,. , ~ :
2~34103~
still be received by the stand. Alternatively, hole 9a and foot part 12 are aorrespondingly hexagonally shaped.
Eccentric member 11 and bridge 13 can then be set in any one of six positions to adjust bar 5 c~oser to or farther from the other bar~.
While several embodiments of the present invantion have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifiaations may be made thereunto without ~;
departing ~rom the spirit and scope of the invention as ~;
defined in the appended claims. ~ ;
~ ': ' ,,''~, - 8 ~
~ ' ' ' ` '~;
:- .. , ..:
member 4 has frustoconically-shaped holes 9b with a cone angle ,.. .:. ~ ::
of about 80. At its lower end, bar 5 has a correspondingly shaped cone 5a which is force-fitted into hole 9b. The holes ;,. . - -::
9b can be disposed within central member 4 in such a way that the bars slant away from each other, as shown in FIG. 1. In -, .-. :,,.,: .
this Way~ the bars have greater interlocking with the branches because smaller branches that extend off the main branchss are .
spaced from the trunk of the tree. By having the bars engage ' ',',-' .'~
:: :::, .::
,, , .:- - ~, ~ .
2~3~03~
these smaller branches as well, the tree is provided with an overall superior support.
In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the bar 5 is anchored within the hol~ 9G by a thread connection 10.
. ' ~ar 5 may be divided into two sections, whereby the two sections of the bar are connectable with each other, for .
example, by a thread connection. However, it is also possible to design a telescoping bar similar to an antenna, so that the length of the bar is variable to facilitate packaging and also to alect an appropriate height depending on the height of the .
Chr~stmas tree.
The variatlon of a tree stand shown in FIG5. 5 and 6 is characterized by an eccentric member 11, which connects bar 5 with a foot part 12. The foot part 12 is disposed within hole 9a of central member 4. Bar 5 is offset from hole 9a by eccentric member 11. For reinforcing the connection between `.
the bar 5 and eccentric member 11, there is a bridge 13, which .
i~ designed as a vertically standing triangle.
The eccentric member 11 is fixed on central member 4 of the stand 1 by a screw 15. By turning the bar 5, and thus also the foot part 12 in the hole 9a, the spacing between the individual bars is variable, so that even with fewer holes in the hole pattern, tree trunks of different thicknesses can ,, . , . -, , - ,, ,. , ~ :
2~34103~
still be received by the stand. Alternatively, hole 9a and foot part 12 are aorrespondingly hexagonally shaped.
Eccentric member 11 and bridge 13 can then be set in any one of six positions to adjust bar 5 c~oser to or farther from the other bar~.
While several embodiments of the present invantion have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifiaations may be made thereunto without ~;
departing ~rom the spirit and scope of the invention as ~;
defined in the appended claims. ~ ;
~ ': ' ,,''~, - 8 ~
~ ' ' ' ` '~;
Claims (15)
1. A device for supporting a tree trunk of a tree having intermediate spaces between its branches, the device comprising:
a tree stand for receiving the tree trunk, said tree stand having a plurality of holes formed in a top surface thereof; and a plurality of bars disposed within said plurality of holes and extending around the trunk and into the intermediate spaces to support the tree.
a tree stand for receiving the tree trunk, said tree stand having a plurality of holes formed in a top surface thereof; and a plurality of bars disposed within said plurality of holes and extending around the trunk and into the intermediate spaces to support the tree.
2. The device according to Claim 1, wherein said plurality of holes are arranged in several circular patterns with different diameters, whereby said plurality of bars are selectively disposed within different ones of said circular patterns to accommodate variously sized tree trunks.
3. The device according to Claim 1, wherein said tree stand is a container.
4. The device according to Claim 3,wherein said container includes:
a lower chamber adapted to be filled with a dense material to increase the stability of the device; and an upper chamber adapted to be filled with water and receive the tree trunk.
a lower chamber adapted to be filled with a dense material to increase the stability of the device; and an upper chamber adapted to be filled with water and receive the tree trunk.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said upper chamber includes a closed wall extending upwardly from said top surface, the tree trunk and the water being placed within said closed wall upon said top surface.
6. The device according to Claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of bars are variable in length.
7. The device according to Claim 6, wherein each of said plurality of bars are separable into shorter length pieces.
8. The device according to Claim 6, wherein each of said plurality of bars are telescoping.
9. The device according to Claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of holes has a frustoconical shape; and wherein each of said plurality of bars has a correspondingly shaped frustoconical end.
10. The device according to Claim 1, wherein said plurality of holes and bars are matingly threaded so that said bars are removably screwed into the holes.
11. The device according to Claim 1, wherein each of said bars extends out of said tree stand at an angle.
12. The device according to Claim 1, wherein each of said bars is eccentrically and rotatably disposed within the respective hole.
13. The device according to Claim 12, comprising:
a respective eccentric member mounted on an end of each of said plurality of bars facing said tree stand; and a foot part connected to each eccentric member and disposed within a respective hole of the tree stand.
a respective eccentric member mounted on an end of each of said plurality of bars facing said tree stand; and a foot part connected to each eccentric member and disposed within a respective hole of the tree stand.
14. The device according to Claim 13, comprising;
a bridge member reinforcing the connection between each bar and its respective eccentric member.
a bridge member reinforcing the connection between each bar and its respective eccentric member.
15. The device according to Claim 14, wherein each foot part is removably secured within the respective hole.
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEG9316352.5 | 1993-10-26 | ||
| DE9316352 | 1993-10-26 | ||
| DEG9400149.9 | 1994-01-07 | ||
| DE9400149U DE9400149U1 (en) | 1993-10-26 | 1994-01-07 | Tree stands, especially Christmas tree stands |
| EP94104829.0 | 1994-03-26 | ||
| EP94104829A EP0649621B1 (en) | 1993-10-26 | 1994-03-26 | Tree stand, in particular Christmas tree stand |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2134034A1 true CA2134034A1 (en) | 1995-04-27 |
Family
ID=27208649
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2134034 Abandoned CA2134034A1 (en) | 1993-10-26 | 1994-10-21 | Tree stand |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2134034A1 (en) |
-
1994
- 1994-10-21 CA CA 2134034 patent/CA2134034A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |