GB1589257A - Holder for holding a tree upright - Google Patents

Description

(54) HOLDER FOR HOLDING A TREE UPRIGHT (71) I, PETER NEWMAN, a British subject, of Strand Yard, Builth Wells, Powys, Wales, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to a holder for supporting a tree in an upright position. Preferably the holder is designed for supporting a christmas tree in an upright position, but it may be used for supporting any other tree which requires support.

At present domestic christmas trees are usually mounted in a bucket of earth or sand and may be wedged in position by stones or logs. However the procedure to get the tree to remain in a generally upright position is lengthy, particularly with a taller tree.

According to the present invention a holder for holding a tree upright comprises a spigot arranged to stick into the bottom of the trunk of the tree for supporting the tree substantially centrally of the holder, a base connected to the spigot and including three members extending radially from the spigot, each of the members having a foot portion on which the holder can stand in use, and three support members pivoted to the base at positions which, in use, are vertically spaced above both the foot portions on which the holder stands and the bottom of the tree impaled on the spigot, the support members being arranged to engage the tree trunk and to support it in an upright position.

Preferably there are three supporting arms pivoted to the base equally spaced about the central spigot. Preferably in use the base is clipped to a container for receiving a mixture of water and glycerin.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment; Figure 2 is a view of a first assembly step; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the holder being covered for decorative purposes; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment.

In the drawings of the first embodiment a holder 1 for a tree comprises a circular base 3 including three radially extending struts 5 by means of which the base is attached to a central spigot 4 and a circular surround interconnecting the struts. Equidistantly spaced about the base 3 are three support arms 6 which are pivoted to the circular surround of the base 3 and each of which includes a gripping portion 7 at their free end and angled relative to the respective arm 6 to improve support. As seen from the drawing in use, the holder 1 is supported on foot portions of the struts 5 and the arms 6 are pivoted to the base at positions vertically spaced above the foot portions. The base 3 is also provided with a plurality of clips 8 by means of which the base is secured to a container 9.In the case of a holder for a christmas tree the container 9 may be filled with a mixture of water and glycerin to stop the needles falling off the tree.

In use, as seen from Figure 2, as a first step, the central spigot 4 is pushed into the bottom of the tree 2. The tree 2 is then placed in a generally upright position with the holder being disposed within the container 9 so that the holder rests on the foot portions of the struts 5 and the clips 8 engage over the edge of the container 9. The support arms 6 are then forced against the tree 2 so that the gripping portions 7 engage the tree. The gripping portions 7 form substantially a right angle with the axis of the tree and the main body of the support arms 6 form an angle of about 45" with the tree 2. Because of the angle of the arms 6 relative to the tree the arms 6 counteract any tendency for the tree to fall.

Finally a decorative cover 10 as shown in Figure 3 may be applied over the arms 6 to hide the holder from view and enhance the appearance thereof. Also in the case of a christmas tree water and glycerin may be put in the container 9 to prevent the needles from falling.

In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 4 the holder 11 comprises a central spigot 12 having a base including three radially extending feet 13. At the free end of each foot 13 is a vertically extending portion of the base to which a support arm 14 is pivotally mounted. Each support arm 14 is made of channel section which is flayed out at its free end to provide a serrated gripping portion 15. In order to lock the base feet to a container the base is provided with ears 16 which engage the plastics container (not shown in Figure 4 but corresponding to that shown in the previous embodiment). In use this alternative embodiment functions in the same way as the first embodiment in keeping a tree upright.

As seen from the drawings for each embodiment, in order to attain the correct stability for a tree, the support arms 6 and 14 are pivoted to their respective bases at positions which, in use, are vertically spaced above both the points of support for the holder ie the foot portions, the bottom of the tree impaled on the spigot.

WHAT I CLAIM IS 1. A holder for holding a tree upright comprising a spigot arranged to stick into the bottom of the trunk of the tree for supporting the tree substantially centrally of the holder, a base connected to the spigot and including three members extending radially from the spigot, each of the members having a foot portion on which the holder can stand in use, and three support members pivoted to the base at positions which, in use, are vertically spaced above both the foot portions on which the holder stands and the bottom of the tree impaled on the spigot, the support members being arranged to engage the tree trunk and to support it in an upright position.

2. A holder according to claim 1 wherein the base further includes a circular surround interconnecting the three members extending radially from the spigot.

3. A holder according to claim 2 wherein the support members are pivoted to the circular surround, 4. A holder according to claim 1 wherein the support members are pivoted to the radially extending members.

5. A holder according to claim 2 or 4 wherein the radially extending members include foot portions extending radially outwardly from the spigot and portions extending upwardly from the remote ends of the foot portions.

6. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the free ends of the support members are serrated to grip the tree trunk during use.

7. A holder according to claim 6 wherein the serrated portions of the support members are at an angle with respect to the remainder of the respective support members so that in use they form an angle of substantially 90" with the tree trunk to improve the grip of the support members.

8. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims further including a container base is attached.

9. A holder according to claim 8 wherein the holder is for a Christmas tree, the container including a mixture of water and glycerin to prevent the needles from falling and including a decorative cover to enhance the appearance of the holder.

10. A holder for holding a tree upright substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. each foot 13 is a vertically extending portion of the base to which a support arm 14 is pivotally mounted. Each support arm 14 is made of channel section which is flayed out at its free end to provide a serrated gripping portion 15. In order to lock the base feet to a container the base is provided with ears 16 which engage the plastics container (not shown in Figure 4 but corresponding to that shown in the previous embodiment). In use this alternative embodiment functions in the same way as the first embodiment in keeping a tree upright. As seen from the drawings for each embodiment, in order to attain the correct stability for a tree, the support arms 6 and 14 are pivoted to their respective bases at positions which, in use, are vertically spaced above both the points of support for the holder ie the foot portions, the bottom of the tree impaled on the spigot. WHAT I CLAIM IS

1. A holder for holding a tree upright comprising a spigot arranged to stick into the bottom of the trunk of the tree for supporting the tree substantially centrally of the holder, a base connected to the spigot and including three members extending radially from the spigot, each of the members having a foot portion on which the holder can stand in use, and three support members pivoted to the base at positions which, in use, are vertically spaced above both the foot portions on which the holder stands and the bottom of the tree impaled on the spigot, the support members being arranged to engage the tree trunk and to support it in an upright position.

2. A holder according to claim 1 wherein the base further includes a circular surround interconnecting the three members extending radially from the spigot.

3. A holder according to claim 2 wherein the support members are pivoted to the circular surround,

4. A holder according to claim 1 wherein the support members are pivoted to the radially extending members.

5. A holder according to claim 2 or 4 wherein the radially extending members include foot portions extending radially outwardly from the spigot and portions extending upwardly from the remote ends of the foot portions.

6. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the free ends of the support members are serrated to grip the tree trunk during use.

7. A holder according to claim 6 wherein the serrated portions of the support members are at an angle with respect to the remainder of the respective support members so that in use they form an angle of substantially 90" with the tree trunk to improve the grip of the support members.

8. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims further including a container base is attached.

9. A holder according to claim 8 wherein the holder is for a Christmas tree, the container including a mixture of water and glycerin to prevent the needles from falling and including a decorative cover to enhance the appearance of the holder.

10. A holder for holding a tree upright substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.