CA2217958A1 - Supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped element - Google Patents
Supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped element Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2217958A1 CA2217958A1 CA 2217958 CA2217958A CA2217958A1 CA 2217958 A1 CA2217958 A1 CA 2217958A1 CA 2217958 CA2217958 CA 2217958 CA 2217958 A CA2217958 A CA 2217958A CA 2217958 A1 CA2217958 A1 CA 2217958A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- shaped
- cylindrical shaped
- shaped element
- open top
- vertically arranged
- 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
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 241000191291 Abies alba Species 0.000 description 14
- 235000004507 Abies alba Nutrition 0.000 description 14
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000518994 Conta Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 1
- YTGJWQPHMWSCST-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tiopronin Chemical compound CC(S)C(=O)NCC(O)=O YTGJWQPHMWSCST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000018044 dehydration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006297 dehydration reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012858 resilient material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003351 stiffener Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229960004402 tiopronin Drugs 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G33/00—Religious or ritual equipment in dwelling or for general use
- A47G33/04—Christmas trees
- A47G33/12—Christmas tree stands
- A47G33/1206—Christmas tree stands of self-clamping type
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G33/00—Religious or ritual equipment in dwelling or for general use
- A47G33/04—Christmas trees
- A47G33/12—Christmas tree stands
- A47G2033/1286—Christmas tree stands comprising watering means, e.g. a water reservoir
Landscapes
- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
Abstract
A cylindrical element supporting structure (10) that includes an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container (14), knurling (16) circumferentially disposed on the outer surface (14-1) of the container (14), at least three supporting stand legs (22) vertically slidably mounted to the container (14), and at least three crescent-shaped locking levers (24) vertically pivotally mounted to a respective supporting stand leg (22). When the cylindrical element (12) is placed in the container (14), the weight of the cylindrical element (12) causes the container (14) to slide downwardly along the supporting stand legs (22). The locking levers (24) pivot upwardly allowing the lower end (24-1) of each locking lever (24) to ride upwardly and outwardly on the container outer surface (14-1). The upper end (24-2) of each locking lever (24) contacts the cylindrical element (12). The locking lever lower ends (24-1) engage the knurling (16) and prevent the locking levers (24) from further pivoting. The cylindrical element (12) is stabilized in a self-locking fashion.
Description
- ~ =
CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 Invention: SUPPORTING STRUCTURE TO MOUNT AND
HOLD CYLINDRICAL SHAPED ~T.~M~NT
CROSS REFERENCES
This application contains subject matter disclosed in ~ applicant's HUNGARIAN REPUBLIC application number P9401889 filed on June 22, 1994 and UNl'l'~ STATES OF AMERICA application S.N. 08/492,842 filed on June 20, 1995 for which the benefits of priority under Title 37 C.F.R. Sec. 1.451 are claimed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements. More particularly, the present invention relates to a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that includes an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container for receiving the cylindrical shaped element, knurling disposed on the outer surface of the container, at least three supporting stand legs vertically slidably mounted to the outer surface of the container, a crescent-shaped locking lever vertically pivotally mounted to each of the at least three supporting stand legs, a star-shaped locking element vertically rotatably mounted to the upper end of the crescent-shaped locking lever and communicating with the cylindrical shaped element, and a pawl disposed at the lower end of the crescent-shaped locking element and co~mlln; cating with the knurling so that when the cylindrical shaped element is placed in the container the combined weight of the container and the cylindrical shaped element will cause the container to slide down the at least three supporting stand legs which in turn will cause the crescent-shaped locking levers to pivot upwardly as the pawl rides up the outer surface of the container until the star shaped locking element contacts and presses against the cylindrical shaped element at which time the pawl will engage a knurl and prevent the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers from further pivoting and -CA 022l79~8 l997-lO-09 WO 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 stabilizing the cylindrical shaped element in a self-locking fashion.
At Christmas people are confronted in one way or another with the problem of providing the christmas tree with a base that is capable of maintA; n; ng the tree upright for several weeks. Christmas trees are very difficult to hold in a vertical position and their weight and length must be taken into account.
Conventional Christmas tree bases require a substantial amount of work to be carried out, either for adapting the wet, resiny, knotty and gnarled thick end of the tree to a round hole in a wooden cross by means of normally unsuitable edged tools, or for holding the tree upright while a helpmate is lying on the floor and tries to tighten three or four screws in order to prevent the tree from tilting over and falling out of the base of the stand. At the same time the center of gravity of the tree must be positioned within the support area of the base, otherwise both the tree and the base will tilt over. The effort required in both cases is substantial.
Another type of base is the three legged Christmas tree base. In this type of base the trunk of the Christmas tree is placed in the cylindrical part of the base and a wing nut is secured which presses and fastens the tree trunk against the surface of the supporting structure. This type of base does not provide adequate mounting to stabilize and prevent the tree from toppling over.
Still another type of base includes a wider base connected by stiffeners to increase stability. However, the varying features of the tree trunk can not accommodated for.
Numerous innovations for Christmas tree stands have been provided in the prior art that will be described. However, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention in that they do not teach a Christmas tree base that includes an inverted vertically arranged hollow frustum-shaped open top container for receiving the tree trunk, knurling disposed on the outer surface of the container, at CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCTrUS95/12188 least three supporting stand legs vertically slidably mounted to the outer surface of the container, an arch-shaped locking lever vertically pivotally mounted to each of the at least three supporting stand legs, a star shaped locking element 5 vertically rotatably mounted to the upper end of the crescent-shaped locking lever and c 7n; cating with the tree trunk, and ~ a pawl disposed at the lower end of the crescent-shaped locking element and co 771; cating with the knurling so that when the tree trunk is placed in the container, the weight of the tree will cause the container to slide down the at least three supporting stand legs which in turn will cause the crescent-shaped locking levers to pivot upwardly as the pawl rides up the outer surface of the container until the star shaped locking element contacts and presses against the tree trunk at which time the pawl will engage a knurl and prevent the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers from further pivoting and stabilizing the tree in a self-locking fashion.
For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,885,763 to Blom teaches a supporting stand for Christmas trees that includes a tubular stand, a vertically arranged container having an internally disposed conical lower part and being slidably mounted within the stand, a spring biasing the container in the most upright inactive position, and at least three arms radially pivotally connected to the upper part of the stand.
Another example, U.S. Patent No. 4,313,588 to Sjostrand teaches a Christmas tree base that includes a cross-shaped stand, a holder slidably mounted on each leg of the cross-shaped stand, a cam disc disposed at the center of the disc, and springs for drawing the holders to the center of the stand.
Finally, still another example, U.S. Patent No. 4,571,882 to Capen teaches a Christmas tree stand that includes a stand, a pair of adjustable pawls disposed on the stand and forming a hemispherical cavity, a receptacle for the tree trunk having a hemispherical ball disposed on the bottom, and a plurality of machine screws provided on the receptacle for retaining the tree trunk.
CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 It is apparent that numerous innovations for Christmas tree stands have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that is simple to use.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that holds and locks the trunk of a Christmas tree in a vertical position.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that holds and locks any cylindrically shaped element in a vertical position.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that holds and locks a flag pole.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that negates the effects of wind on the flag pole.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements whose locking capability is directly CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 proportional to the weight of the cylindrically shaped element and responsive to same.
Briefly stated, still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that includes an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container, knurling, at least three supporting stand legs, and at least three crescent-shaped locking levers.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container has an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the knurling is circumferentially disposed on the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the at least three supporting stand legs are vertically slidably mounted to the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each of the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers is vertically pivotally mounted to a respective one of the at least three supporting stand legs.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each of the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers the has a crescent-shaped locking lever lower end that communicates with the knurling and a crescent-shaped locking lever upper end that communicates with a cylindrical shaped element.
CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure is injection molded from plastic.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that further includes a securing tooth disposed in the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that still further includes at least three extension members vertically disposed on the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface and slidably connected to the at least three supporting stand legs.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each of the at least three extension members has an extension member arcuate-shaped inner edge that matches the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface, an vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange, and contains a vertically disposed extension member slot.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the at least three extension members and the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container are integrally formed.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each of the at least three supporting stand legs has a supporting stand leg arcuate-shaped upper edge, a supporting stand leg outer block, a vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion that contains a vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 that slidably receives the vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each of the at least three supporting stand legs further contains a vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot and a horizontally disposed supporting stand leg aperture.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each vertically disposed extension member slot and a respective vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot is a common slot.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each of the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers is vertically pivotally mounted within a respective common slot.
Yet still another obiect of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the crescent-shaped locking lever lower end is a sharp pawl.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the crescent-shaped locking lever upper end is a rounded pawl that has a pair of rounded pawl legs that are displaced a distance from each other and define an upper pawl slot therebetween.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the pair of rounded pawl legs contain aligned horizontally disposed rounded pawl leg apertures.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that yet further includes a star wheel locking element that has star wheel locking element perimeter teeth and is vertically rotatably mounted within the upper pawl slot.
=
CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that still yet further includes a star wheel rotating pin that passes through the aligned horizontally disposed rounded pawl leg apertures.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using a cylindrical shaped element supporting structure that includes the steps of placing manually the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on a stationary surface, resting manually at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on the stationary surface, placing manually a cylindrical shaped element in an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure, resting manually the cylindrical shaped element bottom on a hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container, entering automatically a securing tooth disposed on the cylindrical shaped element bottom inner surface into the cylindrical shaped element bottom by virtue of the weight of said cylindrical shaped element, sliding automatically downwardly a combination of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container and at least three vertically disposed extension members of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure by virtue of the weight of the cylindrical shaped element, moving automatically upwardly and outwardly at least three lower locking lever sharp pawls of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure by virtue of the upward increasing diameter of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container, causing automatically at least three crescent-shaped locking levers of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure to pivot upwardly by virtue of their integral formation with the at least three lower locking lever sharp pawls, pivoting CA 022l79~8 l997-lO-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 automatically and continuously the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers until the star wheel locking element perimeter teeth of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure contact the cylindrical shaped element, lodging automatically the at least three locking lever sharp pawls in knurling disposed on the outer surface of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container, self-locking automatically the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers from further movement, and securing automatically the cylindrical shaped element in a stabilized position in the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using a cylindrical shaped element supporting structure that further includes the step of adding a liquid in the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container.
Finally, still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using a cylindrical shaped element supporting structure that still further includes the step removing one locking lever pivot pin of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure after the securing step.
The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.
The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.
CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The figures on the drawing are briefly described as follows:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements of the present invention illustrating, for clarity purposes, only one of the at least three supporting stand legs and respective crescent-shaped locking lever;
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of figure 1; and Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of figure 1.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING
10 supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements of the present invention 12 cylindrical shaped element 12-1 cylindrical shaped element outer surface 12-2 cylindrical shaped element bottom 14 inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14-1 hollow frustum-shaped container outer surface 14-2 hollow frustum-shaped container bottom 14-2 14-3 hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface 14-4 hollow frustum-shaped container chamber 16 knurling 18 optional securing tooth 20 at least three vertically disposed extension members 20-1 vertically disposed extension member arcuate-shaped inner edge 20-2 vertically disposed extension member track portion 20-3 vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCTrUS95/12188 20-4 vertically disposed extension member slot 22 at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22-1 vertically disposed supporting stand leg arcuate-shaped upper edge 22-2 vertically disposed supporting stand leg outer block 22-3 vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion 22-4 vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess 22-5 vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot 22-6 horizontally disposed supporting stand leg aperture 23 common slot 24 at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24-1 locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-2 locking lever upper end rounded pawl 24-3 horizontally disposed locking lever pivot aperture 24-4 pair of locking lever upper end rounded pawl legs 24-5 locking lever upper end rounded pawl slot 24-6 aligned horizontally disposed locking lever upper end rounded pawl leg aperture 26 readily removable locking lever pivot pin 28 star wheel locking element 28-1 star wheel locking element perimeter teeth 30 star wheel locking lever rotating pin 32 stationary surface 34 downward arrow 36 upward arrow 38 outward arrow 40 pivot arrow DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the figures, and particularly to figure 1, the supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements of the present invention is shown generally at 10 securing a cylindrical shaped element 12 that has a cylindrical shaped element outer surface 12-1 and a cylindrical shaped element bottom 12-2.
, CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCTrUS95/12188 The configuration of the supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements 10 can best be seen in figures 1-3, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
The supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements 10 can be injection mold from plastic, but is not limited to that, and includes an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 that has a hollow frustum-shaped cont~; ner outer surface 14-1 with a hollow frustum-shaped container bottom 14-2, a hollow frustum-shaped cont~; ner bottom inner surface 14-3, and contains a hollow frustum-shaped contA; ner chamber 14-4.
Knurling 16 is circumferentially disposed on a portion of the hollow frustum-shaped container outer surface 14-1 and an optional securing tooth 18 is disposed at the center of the hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface 14-3.
Each of at least three vertically disposed extension members 20 has a vertically disposed extension member arcuate-shaped inner edge 20-1, a vertically disposed extension member track portion 20-2 with a vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange 20-3, and contains a vertically disposed extension member slot 20-4. At least three vertically disposed extension members 20 have been chosen to assure stability.
The at least three vertically disposed extension members 20 may be integrally formed with the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14, but is not limited to that, or may be attached to the inverted hollow frustum-shaped container outer surface 14-1 at the vertically disposed extension member arcuate-shaped inner edge 20-1 whose contour matches that of the hollow frustum-shaped container outer surface 14-1.
Each of at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 is vertically slidably mounted to a respective one of the at least three vertically disposed extension member 20 and has a vertically disposed supporting stand leg arcuate-shaped upper edge 22-1, a vertically disposed supporting stand leg outer block 22-2, a vertically disposed supporting stand CA 022179~8 1997-lO-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 leg track portion 22-3 containing a vertical.ly disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess 22-4.
Each of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 further contains a vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot 22-5, and a horizontally disposed supporting stand leg aperture 22-6. The vertically disposed supporting - stand leg slot 22-5 and the vertically disposed extension member slot 20-4 form a common slot 23.
Each of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 is vertically slidably mounted to the respective one of the at least three vertically disposed extension members 20 by virtue of the vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange 20-3 and the vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess 22-4.
The presence of the flange of the vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange 20-3 and the presence of the recess of the vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess 22-4 provide an interlocking arrangement that prevents lateral separation.
Each of at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24 is vertically pivotally mounted within the vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot 22-5 of a respective one of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 and includes a locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 that communicates with the knurling 16, a locking lever upper end rounded pawl 24-2, and contains a horizontally disposed locking lever pivot aperture 24-3.
Each of the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24 is vertically pivotally mounted within the vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot 22-5 of a respective one of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 by a readily removable locking lever pivot pin 26 that passes through the horizontally disposed supporting stand leg aperture 22-6 and the aligned horizontally disposed locking lever pivot aperture 24-3.
The locking lever upper end rounded pawl 24-2 includes a pair of locking lever upper end rounded pawl legs 24-4 CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 displaced a distance from each other and define a locking lever upper end rounded pawl slot 24-5 therebetween.
Each one of the pair of locking lever upper end rounded pawl legs 24-4 contain an aligned horizontally disposed locking lever upper end rounded pawl leg aperture 24-6.
A star wheel locking element 28 communicates with the cylindrical shaped element 12 and has star wheel locking element perimeter teeth 28-1. The star wheel locking element 28 is vertically rotatably mounted within the locking lever upper end rounded pawl slot 24-5 by a star wheel locking lever rotating pin 30 that passes through each aligned horizontally disposed locking lever upper end rounded pawl leg aperture 24-6.
The operation of the supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements 10 can best be seen in figure 1, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
The supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements 10 is placed on a stationary surface 32 with the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 resting on the stationary surface 32.
The cylindrical shaped element 12 is placed in the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 with the cylindrical shaped element bottom 12-2 resting on the hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface 14-3.
The weight of the cylindrical shaped element 12 causes the optional securing tooth 18 to enter the cylindrical shaped element bottom 12-2 and secures it thereto.
The weight of the cylindrical shaped element 12 further causes the combination of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 and the at least three vertically disposed extension members 20 to slide downwardly on the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 in the direction of downward arrow 34.
As the combination of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 and the at least three vertically disposed extension members 20 slide CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 downwardly, each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 moves upwardly along the knurling 16 in the direction of upward arrow 36.
As each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 moves upwardly and by virtue of the upward increasing diameter of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14, each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 is displaced outwardly in the direction of outward arrow 38.
The outward movement of each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 causes the at east three crescent-shaped locking levers 24 to pivot upwardly in the direction of pivot arrow 40.
The at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24 will continue to pivot upwardly until the star wheel locking element perimeter teeth 28-1 contact the cylindrical shaped element outer surface 12-1. At this point each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 will become lodged in the knurling 16 and self-locking the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24 from further movement. The cylindrical shaped element 12 is now secured in a stabilized position within the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14.
When the cylindrical shaped element 12 is to be removed from the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14, only one readily removable locking lever pivot pin 26 need be removed. After the one readily removable locking lever pivot pin 26 is removed, the respective one of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand leg 22 is removed from the common slot 23. This will eliminate the stabilizing and holding force of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs and allow the cylindrical shaped element 12 to be readily removed from the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14.
The allowable diameter of the cylindrical shaped element 12 is directly proportional to, and therefore governed by, the amount of allowable travel the inverted vertically arranged CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 can make relative to the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22.
If the cylindrical shaped element 12 is of a resilient material such as the tree trunk of a Christmas tree or the like, the star wheel locking element perimeter teeth 28-1 will pierce the cylindrical shaped element outer surface 12-1 and enter the cylindrical shaped element 12 providing addition securement.
If the cylindrical shaped element 12 is a plant such as a Christmas tree, water can be placed in the inverted hollow frustum-shaped container 14 for nourishment and prevention of dehydration.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements, it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various ~ applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 Invention: SUPPORTING STRUCTURE TO MOUNT AND
HOLD CYLINDRICAL SHAPED ~T.~M~NT
CROSS REFERENCES
This application contains subject matter disclosed in ~ applicant's HUNGARIAN REPUBLIC application number P9401889 filed on June 22, 1994 and UNl'l'~ STATES OF AMERICA application S.N. 08/492,842 filed on June 20, 1995 for which the benefits of priority under Title 37 C.F.R. Sec. 1.451 are claimed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements. More particularly, the present invention relates to a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that includes an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container for receiving the cylindrical shaped element, knurling disposed on the outer surface of the container, at least three supporting stand legs vertically slidably mounted to the outer surface of the container, a crescent-shaped locking lever vertically pivotally mounted to each of the at least three supporting stand legs, a star-shaped locking element vertically rotatably mounted to the upper end of the crescent-shaped locking lever and communicating with the cylindrical shaped element, and a pawl disposed at the lower end of the crescent-shaped locking element and co~mlln; cating with the knurling so that when the cylindrical shaped element is placed in the container the combined weight of the container and the cylindrical shaped element will cause the container to slide down the at least three supporting stand legs which in turn will cause the crescent-shaped locking levers to pivot upwardly as the pawl rides up the outer surface of the container until the star shaped locking element contacts and presses against the cylindrical shaped element at which time the pawl will engage a knurl and prevent the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers from further pivoting and -CA 022l79~8 l997-lO-09 WO 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 stabilizing the cylindrical shaped element in a self-locking fashion.
At Christmas people are confronted in one way or another with the problem of providing the christmas tree with a base that is capable of maintA; n; ng the tree upright for several weeks. Christmas trees are very difficult to hold in a vertical position and their weight and length must be taken into account.
Conventional Christmas tree bases require a substantial amount of work to be carried out, either for adapting the wet, resiny, knotty and gnarled thick end of the tree to a round hole in a wooden cross by means of normally unsuitable edged tools, or for holding the tree upright while a helpmate is lying on the floor and tries to tighten three or four screws in order to prevent the tree from tilting over and falling out of the base of the stand. At the same time the center of gravity of the tree must be positioned within the support area of the base, otherwise both the tree and the base will tilt over. The effort required in both cases is substantial.
Another type of base is the three legged Christmas tree base. In this type of base the trunk of the Christmas tree is placed in the cylindrical part of the base and a wing nut is secured which presses and fastens the tree trunk against the surface of the supporting structure. This type of base does not provide adequate mounting to stabilize and prevent the tree from toppling over.
Still another type of base includes a wider base connected by stiffeners to increase stability. However, the varying features of the tree trunk can not accommodated for.
Numerous innovations for Christmas tree stands have been provided in the prior art that will be described. However, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention in that they do not teach a Christmas tree base that includes an inverted vertically arranged hollow frustum-shaped open top container for receiving the tree trunk, knurling disposed on the outer surface of the container, at CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCTrUS95/12188 least three supporting stand legs vertically slidably mounted to the outer surface of the container, an arch-shaped locking lever vertically pivotally mounted to each of the at least three supporting stand legs, a star shaped locking element 5 vertically rotatably mounted to the upper end of the crescent-shaped locking lever and c 7n; cating with the tree trunk, and ~ a pawl disposed at the lower end of the crescent-shaped locking element and co 771; cating with the knurling so that when the tree trunk is placed in the container, the weight of the tree will cause the container to slide down the at least three supporting stand legs which in turn will cause the crescent-shaped locking levers to pivot upwardly as the pawl rides up the outer surface of the container until the star shaped locking element contacts and presses against the tree trunk at which time the pawl will engage a knurl and prevent the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers from further pivoting and stabilizing the tree in a self-locking fashion.
For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,885,763 to Blom teaches a supporting stand for Christmas trees that includes a tubular stand, a vertically arranged container having an internally disposed conical lower part and being slidably mounted within the stand, a spring biasing the container in the most upright inactive position, and at least three arms radially pivotally connected to the upper part of the stand.
Another example, U.S. Patent No. 4,313,588 to Sjostrand teaches a Christmas tree base that includes a cross-shaped stand, a holder slidably mounted on each leg of the cross-shaped stand, a cam disc disposed at the center of the disc, and springs for drawing the holders to the center of the stand.
Finally, still another example, U.S. Patent No. 4,571,882 to Capen teaches a Christmas tree stand that includes a stand, a pair of adjustable pawls disposed on the stand and forming a hemispherical cavity, a receptacle for the tree trunk having a hemispherical ball disposed on the bottom, and a plurality of machine screws provided on the receptacle for retaining the tree trunk.
CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 It is apparent that numerous innovations for Christmas tree stands have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that is simple to use.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that holds and locks the trunk of a Christmas tree in a vertical position.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that holds and locks any cylindrically shaped element in a vertical position.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that holds and locks a flag pole.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that negates the effects of wind on the flag pole.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements whose locking capability is directly CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 proportional to the weight of the cylindrically shaped element and responsive to same.
Briefly stated, still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that includes an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container, knurling, at least three supporting stand legs, and at least three crescent-shaped locking levers.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container has an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the knurling is circumferentially disposed on the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the at least three supporting stand legs are vertically slidably mounted to the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each of the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers is vertically pivotally mounted to a respective one of the at least three supporting stand legs.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each of the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers the has a crescent-shaped locking lever lower end that communicates with the knurling and a crescent-shaped locking lever upper end that communicates with a cylindrical shaped element.
CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure is injection molded from plastic.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that further includes a securing tooth disposed in the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that still further includes at least three extension members vertically disposed on the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface and slidably connected to the at least three supporting stand legs.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each of the at least three extension members has an extension member arcuate-shaped inner edge that matches the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface, an vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange, and contains a vertically disposed extension member slot.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the at least three extension members and the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container are integrally formed.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each of the at least three supporting stand legs has a supporting stand leg arcuate-shaped upper edge, a supporting stand leg outer block, a vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion that contains a vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 that slidably receives the vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each of the at least three supporting stand legs further contains a vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot and a horizontally disposed supporting stand leg aperture.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each vertically disposed extension member slot and a respective vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot is a common slot.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each of the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers is vertically pivotally mounted within a respective common slot.
Yet still another obiect of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the crescent-shaped locking lever lower end is a sharp pawl.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the crescent-shaped locking lever upper end is a rounded pawl that has a pair of rounded pawl legs that are displaced a distance from each other and define an upper pawl slot therebetween.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the pair of rounded pawl legs contain aligned horizontally disposed rounded pawl leg apertures.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that yet further includes a star wheel locking element that has star wheel locking element perimeter teeth and is vertically rotatably mounted within the upper pawl slot.
=
CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that still yet further includes a star wheel rotating pin that passes through the aligned horizontally disposed rounded pawl leg apertures.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using a cylindrical shaped element supporting structure that includes the steps of placing manually the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on a stationary surface, resting manually at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on the stationary surface, placing manually a cylindrical shaped element in an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure, resting manually the cylindrical shaped element bottom on a hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container, entering automatically a securing tooth disposed on the cylindrical shaped element bottom inner surface into the cylindrical shaped element bottom by virtue of the weight of said cylindrical shaped element, sliding automatically downwardly a combination of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container and at least three vertically disposed extension members of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure by virtue of the weight of the cylindrical shaped element, moving automatically upwardly and outwardly at least three lower locking lever sharp pawls of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure by virtue of the upward increasing diameter of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container, causing automatically at least three crescent-shaped locking levers of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure to pivot upwardly by virtue of their integral formation with the at least three lower locking lever sharp pawls, pivoting CA 022l79~8 l997-lO-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 automatically and continuously the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers until the star wheel locking element perimeter teeth of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure contact the cylindrical shaped element, lodging automatically the at least three locking lever sharp pawls in knurling disposed on the outer surface of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container, self-locking automatically the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers from further movement, and securing automatically the cylindrical shaped element in a stabilized position in the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using a cylindrical shaped element supporting structure that further includes the step of adding a liquid in the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container.
Finally, still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using a cylindrical shaped element supporting structure that still further includes the step removing one locking lever pivot pin of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure after the securing step.
The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.
The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.
CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The figures on the drawing are briefly described as follows:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements of the present invention illustrating, for clarity purposes, only one of the at least three supporting stand legs and respective crescent-shaped locking lever;
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of figure 1; and Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of figure 1.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING
10 supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements of the present invention 12 cylindrical shaped element 12-1 cylindrical shaped element outer surface 12-2 cylindrical shaped element bottom 14 inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14-1 hollow frustum-shaped container outer surface 14-2 hollow frustum-shaped container bottom 14-2 14-3 hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface 14-4 hollow frustum-shaped container chamber 16 knurling 18 optional securing tooth 20 at least three vertically disposed extension members 20-1 vertically disposed extension member arcuate-shaped inner edge 20-2 vertically disposed extension member track portion 20-3 vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCTrUS95/12188 20-4 vertically disposed extension member slot 22 at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22-1 vertically disposed supporting stand leg arcuate-shaped upper edge 22-2 vertically disposed supporting stand leg outer block 22-3 vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion 22-4 vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess 22-5 vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot 22-6 horizontally disposed supporting stand leg aperture 23 common slot 24 at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24-1 locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-2 locking lever upper end rounded pawl 24-3 horizontally disposed locking lever pivot aperture 24-4 pair of locking lever upper end rounded pawl legs 24-5 locking lever upper end rounded pawl slot 24-6 aligned horizontally disposed locking lever upper end rounded pawl leg aperture 26 readily removable locking lever pivot pin 28 star wheel locking element 28-1 star wheel locking element perimeter teeth 30 star wheel locking lever rotating pin 32 stationary surface 34 downward arrow 36 upward arrow 38 outward arrow 40 pivot arrow DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the figures, and particularly to figure 1, the supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements of the present invention is shown generally at 10 securing a cylindrical shaped element 12 that has a cylindrical shaped element outer surface 12-1 and a cylindrical shaped element bottom 12-2.
, CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCTrUS95/12188 The configuration of the supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements 10 can best be seen in figures 1-3, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
The supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements 10 can be injection mold from plastic, but is not limited to that, and includes an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 that has a hollow frustum-shaped cont~; ner outer surface 14-1 with a hollow frustum-shaped container bottom 14-2, a hollow frustum-shaped cont~; ner bottom inner surface 14-3, and contains a hollow frustum-shaped contA; ner chamber 14-4.
Knurling 16 is circumferentially disposed on a portion of the hollow frustum-shaped container outer surface 14-1 and an optional securing tooth 18 is disposed at the center of the hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface 14-3.
Each of at least three vertically disposed extension members 20 has a vertically disposed extension member arcuate-shaped inner edge 20-1, a vertically disposed extension member track portion 20-2 with a vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange 20-3, and contains a vertically disposed extension member slot 20-4. At least three vertically disposed extension members 20 have been chosen to assure stability.
The at least three vertically disposed extension members 20 may be integrally formed with the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14, but is not limited to that, or may be attached to the inverted hollow frustum-shaped container outer surface 14-1 at the vertically disposed extension member arcuate-shaped inner edge 20-1 whose contour matches that of the hollow frustum-shaped container outer surface 14-1.
Each of at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 is vertically slidably mounted to a respective one of the at least three vertically disposed extension member 20 and has a vertically disposed supporting stand leg arcuate-shaped upper edge 22-1, a vertically disposed supporting stand leg outer block 22-2, a vertically disposed supporting stand CA 022179~8 1997-lO-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 leg track portion 22-3 containing a vertical.ly disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess 22-4.
Each of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 further contains a vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot 22-5, and a horizontally disposed supporting stand leg aperture 22-6. The vertically disposed supporting - stand leg slot 22-5 and the vertically disposed extension member slot 20-4 form a common slot 23.
Each of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 is vertically slidably mounted to the respective one of the at least three vertically disposed extension members 20 by virtue of the vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange 20-3 and the vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess 22-4.
The presence of the flange of the vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange 20-3 and the presence of the recess of the vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess 22-4 provide an interlocking arrangement that prevents lateral separation.
Each of at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24 is vertically pivotally mounted within the vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot 22-5 of a respective one of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 and includes a locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 that communicates with the knurling 16, a locking lever upper end rounded pawl 24-2, and contains a horizontally disposed locking lever pivot aperture 24-3.
Each of the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24 is vertically pivotally mounted within the vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot 22-5 of a respective one of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 by a readily removable locking lever pivot pin 26 that passes through the horizontally disposed supporting stand leg aperture 22-6 and the aligned horizontally disposed locking lever pivot aperture 24-3.
The locking lever upper end rounded pawl 24-2 includes a pair of locking lever upper end rounded pawl legs 24-4 CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 displaced a distance from each other and define a locking lever upper end rounded pawl slot 24-5 therebetween.
Each one of the pair of locking lever upper end rounded pawl legs 24-4 contain an aligned horizontally disposed locking lever upper end rounded pawl leg aperture 24-6.
A star wheel locking element 28 communicates with the cylindrical shaped element 12 and has star wheel locking element perimeter teeth 28-1. The star wheel locking element 28 is vertically rotatably mounted within the locking lever upper end rounded pawl slot 24-5 by a star wheel locking lever rotating pin 30 that passes through each aligned horizontally disposed locking lever upper end rounded pawl leg aperture 24-6.
The operation of the supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements 10 can best be seen in figure 1, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
The supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements 10 is placed on a stationary surface 32 with the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 resting on the stationary surface 32.
The cylindrical shaped element 12 is placed in the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 with the cylindrical shaped element bottom 12-2 resting on the hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface 14-3.
The weight of the cylindrical shaped element 12 causes the optional securing tooth 18 to enter the cylindrical shaped element bottom 12-2 and secures it thereto.
The weight of the cylindrical shaped element 12 further causes the combination of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 and the at least three vertically disposed extension members 20 to slide downwardly on the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 in the direction of downward arrow 34.
As the combination of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 and the at least three vertically disposed extension members 20 slide CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 downwardly, each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 moves upwardly along the knurling 16 in the direction of upward arrow 36.
As each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 moves upwardly and by virtue of the upward increasing diameter of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14, each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 is displaced outwardly in the direction of outward arrow 38.
The outward movement of each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 causes the at east three crescent-shaped locking levers 24 to pivot upwardly in the direction of pivot arrow 40.
The at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24 will continue to pivot upwardly until the star wheel locking element perimeter teeth 28-1 contact the cylindrical shaped element outer surface 12-1. At this point each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 will become lodged in the knurling 16 and self-locking the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24 from further movement. The cylindrical shaped element 12 is now secured in a stabilized position within the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14.
When the cylindrical shaped element 12 is to be removed from the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14, only one readily removable locking lever pivot pin 26 need be removed. After the one readily removable locking lever pivot pin 26 is removed, the respective one of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand leg 22 is removed from the common slot 23. This will eliminate the stabilizing and holding force of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs and allow the cylindrical shaped element 12 to be readily removed from the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14.
The allowable diameter of the cylindrical shaped element 12 is directly proportional to, and therefore governed by, the amount of allowable travel the inverted vertically arranged CA 022179~8 1997-10-09 W O 97/00636 PCT~US95/12188 hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 can make relative to the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22.
If the cylindrical shaped element 12 is of a resilient material such as the tree trunk of a Christmas tree or the like, the star wheel locking element perimeter teeth 28-1 will pierce the cylindrical shaped element outer surface 12-1 and enter the cylindrical shaped element 12 providing addition securement.
If the cylindrical shaped element 12 is a plant such as a Christmas tree, water can be placed in the inverted hollow frustum-shaped container 14 for nourishment and prevention of dehydration.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements, it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various ~ applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
Claims (18)
1. A cylindrical shaped element supporting structure, comprising:
a) an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container having an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface;
b) knurling circumferentially disposed on said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface;
c) at least three supporting stand legs vertically slidably mounted to said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container; and d) at least three crescent-shaped locking levers each of which being vertically pivotally mounted to a respective one of said at least three supporting stand legs and having a crescent-shaped locking lever lower end communicating with said knurling and a crescent-shaped locking lever upper end communicating with a cylindrical shaped element so that when the cylindrical shaped element is placed in said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container the weight of the cylindrical shaped element causes said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container to slide downwardly along said at least three supporting stand legs which causes said at least three crescent-shaped locking levers to pivot upwardly so as to allow each said crescent-shaped locking lever lower end to ride upwardly and outwardly on said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface until each said crescent-shaped locking lever upper end contacts the cylindrical shaped element and said each said crescent-shaped locking lever lower end engages said knurling and prevents said at least three crescent-shaped locking levers from further pivoting so as to stabilize the cylindrical shaped element in a self-locking fashion.
a) an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container having an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface;
b) knurling circumferentially disposed on said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface;
c) at least three supporting stand legs vertically slidably mounted to said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container; and d) at least three crescent-shaped locking levers each of which being vertically pivotally mounted to a respective one of said at least three supporting stand legs and having a crescent-shaped locking lever lower end communicating with said knurling and a crescent-shaped locking lever upper end communicating with a cylindrical shaped element so that when the cylindrical shaped element is placed in said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container the weight of the cylindrical shaped element causes said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container to slide downwardly along said at least three supporting stand legs which causes said at least three crescent-shaped locking levers to pivot upwardly so as to allow each said crescent-shaped locking lever lower end to ride upwardly and outwardly on said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface until each said crescent-shaped locking lever upper end contacts the cylindrical shaped element and said each said crescent-shaped locking lever lower end engages said knurling and prevents said at least three crescent-shaped locking levers from further pivoting so as to stabilize the cylindrical shaped element in a self-locking fashion.
2. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure is injection molded from plastic.
3. The structure as defined in claim 1; further comprising a securing tooth disposed in said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container.
4. The structure as defined in claim 1; further comprising at least three extension members vertically disposed on said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface and slidably connected to said at least three supporting stand legs.
5. The structure as defined in claim 4, wherein each of said at least three extension members has an extension member arcuate-shaped inner edge that matches said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer surface, an vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange, and contains a vertically disposed extension member slot.
6. The structure as defined in claim 4, wherein said at least three extension members and said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container are integrally formed.
7. The structure as defined in claim 4, wherein each of said at least three supporting stand legs has a supporting stand leg arcuate-shaped upper edge, a supporting stand leg outer block, a vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion that contains a vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess that slidably receives said vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange.
8. The structure as defined in claim 7, wherein said each of said at least three supporting stand legs further contains a vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot and a horizontally disposed supporting stand leg aperture.
9. The structure as defined in claim 8, wherein each said vertically disposed extension member slot and a respective said vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot is a common slot.
10. The structure as defined in claim 9, wherein each of said at least three crescent-shaped locking levers is vertically pivotally mounted within a respective said common slot.
11. The structure as defined in claim 10, wherein said crescent-shaped locking lever lower end is a sharp pawl.
12. The structure as defined in claim 11, wherein said crescent-shaped locking lever upper end is a rounded pawl that has a pair of rounded pawl legs that are displaced a distance from each other and define an upper pawl slot therebetween.
13. The structure as defined in claim 12, wherein said pair of rounded pawl legs contain aligned horizontally disposed rounded pawl leg apertures.
14. The structure as defined in claim 13; further comprising a star wheel locking element that has star wheel locking element perimeter teeth and is vertically rotatably mounted within said upper pawl slot.
15. The structure as defined in claim 13; further comprising a star wheel rotating pin that passes through said aligned horizontally disposed rounded pawl leg apertures.
16. A method of using a cylindrical shaped element supporting structure, comprising the steps of:
a) placing manually said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on a stationary surface;
b) resting manually at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs of said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on said stationary surface;
c) placing manually a cylindrical shaped element in an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container of said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure;
d) resting manually the cylindrical shaped element bottom on a hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface of said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container;
e) entering automatically a securing tooth disposed on said cylindrical shaped element bottom inner surface into said cylindrical shaped element bottom by virtue of the weight of said cylindrical shaped element;
f) sliding automatically downwardly a combination of said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container and at least three vertically disposed extension members of said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs of said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure by virtue of the weight of said cylindrical shaped element;
g) moving automatically upwardly and outwardly at least three lower locking lever sharp pawls of said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure by virtue of the upward increasing diameter of said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container;
h) causing automatically at least three crescent-shaped locking levers of said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure to pivot upwardly by virtue of their integral formation with said at least three lower locking lever sharp pawls;
i) pivoting automatically and continuously said at least three crescent-shaped locking levers until star wheel locking element perimeter teeth of said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure contact said cylindrical shaped element;
j) lodging automatically said at least three locking lever sharp pawls in knurling disposed on the outer surface of said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container;
k) self-locking automatically said at least three crescent-shaped locking levers from further movement;
and l) securing automatically said cylindrical shaped element in a stabilized position in said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container.
a) placing manually said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on a stationary surface;
b) resting manually at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs of said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on said stationary surface;
c) placing manually a cylindrical shaped element in an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container of said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure;
d) resting manually the cylindrical shaped element bottom on a hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface of said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container;
e) entering automatically a securing tooth disposed on said cylindrical shaped element bottom inner surface into said cylindrical shaped element bottom by virtue of the weight of said cylindrical shaped element;
f) sliding automatically downwardly a combination of said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container and at least three vertically disposed extension members of said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs of said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure by virtue of the weight of said cylindrical shaped element;
g) moving automatically upwardly and outwardly at least three lower locking lever sharp pawls of said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure by virtue of the upward increasing diameter of said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container;
h) causing automatically at least three crescent-shaped locking levers of said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure to pivot upwardly by virtue of their integral formation with said at least three lower locking lever sharp pawls;
i) pivoting automatically and continuously said at least three crescent-shaped locking levers until star wheel locking element perimeter teeth of said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure contact said cylindrical shaped element;
j) lodging automatically said at least three locking lever sharp pawls in knurling disposed on the outer surface of said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container;
k) self-locking automatically said at least three crescent-shaped locking levers from further movement;
and l) securing automatically said cylindrical shaped element in a stabilized position in said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container.
17. The method as defined in claim 16; further comprising the step of adding a liquid in said inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container.
18. The method as defined in claim 16; further comprising the step of removing one locking lever pivot pin of said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure after said securing step, when it is required to remove said cylindrical shaped element from said cylindrical shaped element supporting structure.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/492,842 US5535977A (en) | 1994-06-22 | 1995-06-20 | Supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped element |
| US08/492,842 | 1995-06-20 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2217958A1 true CA2217958A1 (en) | 1997-01-09 |
Family
ID=23957848
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2217958 Abandoned CA2217958A1 (en) | 1995-06-20 | 1995-09-25 | Supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped element |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2217958A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997000636A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2008074159A1 (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2008-06-26 | Hebert Vincent | Apparatus for holding substantially cylindrically shaped elements |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19931309C2 (en) * | 1999-07-07 | 2003-06-26 | Bruno Gruber | Holding device for a tree trunk |
| USRE49759E1 (en) | 2014-01-09 | 2023-12-19 | Sorin Group Italia S.R.L. | Blood processing unit with heat exchanger core for providing modified flow path |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2042C (en) * | F. haase in Bremen | Christmas tree holder | ||
| US1714498A (en) * | 1927-03-14 | 1929-05-28 | Albert P Danner | Christmas-tree holder |
| CH158561A (en) * | 1931-10-13 | 1932-11-30 | Bosshardt Wiedersatz Kath | Christmas tree holder. |
| US4261138A (en) * | 1978-10-27 | 1981-04-14 | St George Syms John G | Christmas tree holder |
-
1995
- 1995-09-25 CA CA 2217958 patent/CA2217958A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-09-25 WO PCT/US1995/012188 patent/WO1997000636A1/en active Application Filing
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2008074159A1 (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2008-06-26 | Hebert Vincent | Apparatus for holding substantially cylindrically shaped elements |
| US8205851B2 (en) | 2006-12-21 | 2012-06-26 | Vincent Hebert | Apparatus for holding substantially cylindrically shaped elements |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1997000636A1 (en) | 1997-01-09 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US3734439A (en) | Beverage container receptacle and clamp | |
| US4069772A (en) | Tier support system for fancy cakes | |
| US5249772A (en) | Stand for christmas tree | |
| US5558236A (en) | Refreshment rack | |
| US4863134A (en) | Combination cup holder and armrest | |
| US5938168A (en) | Christmas tree stand having grippers including spikes | |
| WO1998020214A1 (en) | Secured receptacle holder | |
| US5535977A (en) | Supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped element | |
| WO2001026512A1 (en) | Display stand | |
| US6681519B2 (en) | Self-clamping christmas tree stand | |
| US4068761A (en) | Apparatus for supporting and displaying plants | |
| GB2231083A (en) | Receptacle hanger | |
| US5664746A (en) | Baby bottle holder | |
| US5285991A (en) | Card table mounted food and beverage holding apparatus | |
| AU8070587A (en) | Christmas tree stand | |
| US5484131A (en) | Tree levelling stand | |
| CA2217958A1 (en) | Supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped element | |
| US4365725A (en) | Basket with swing away double locking handle | |
| US5870858A (en) | Christmas tree stand | |
| US4834335A (en) | Tree stand | |
| US3815854A (en) | Tree stand | |
| US2761641A (en) | Christmas tree stand | |
| US2765999A (en) | Supporting devices | |
| US6533140B1 (en) | Beverage container holder | |
| US5505445A (en) | Football kicking tee |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |