GB2072002A

GB2072002A - Christmas tree stand

Info

Publication number: GB2072002A
Application number: GB8009259A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-03-19
Filing date: 1980-03-19
Publication date: 1981-09-30
Also published as: GB2072002B

Abstract

A mounting means for mounting a Christmas tree in an upright position includes a plurality of elongate metal strip supports (2) each having an upwardly directed spike (3) on which the bottom of a tree may be impaled, an abutment surface (4, 5) for abutting the side surface of the tree, and a leg (7) extending outwardly from the tree and terminating in a foot (8) on which the tree is supported. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Christmas tree stand This invention relates to means for mounting a Christmas tree in an upright position.

Although it has been previously proposed to provide a stand for supporting a Christmas tree, for example as shown in U.S. Patent Specification 3815854, at present most people who purchase a Christmas tree still prefer to keep their tree in an upright position by placing the base of the tree in a container, such as a bucket, and then wedging the base with soil and logs. Nevertheless this manner of supporting a Christmas tree invariably results in soil spillage and it is also difficult to wedge the tree substantially upright.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple and uncomplicated means for mounting a Christmas tree in an upright position.

According to the present invention means for mounting a Christmas tree in an upright position comprises a support, a plurality of which may be used to support the tree, the support comprising a spike for engagement with the tree a tree-engaging surface adjacent the spike and an outwardly extending leg.

More particularly an elongate metal support for use in supporting a Christmas tree in an upright position comprises a spike at one end on which the bottom of the tree may be impaled, said spike in use extending substantially longitudinally of the trunk of the tree, the support from the spike being bent back upon itself to provide a tree-engaging surface arranged to engage the side surface of the tree adjacent the bottom, and a leg extending outwardly from the tree-engaging surface and forming an acute angle therewith.

Preferably the tree-engaging surface comprises two spaced tree-engaging surface portions separated by an intermediate offset portion arranged to accommodate irregularities in the surface contour of the tree.

In a preferred form means for mounting a Christmas tree in an upright position comprises three supports each being in accordance with the invention as defined above.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a support; Figure 2 is a partial view on arrow A in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side elevation of a tree in a supported position.

In Figure 3 of the drawings a tree 1 is supported in an upright position by a number of elongate supports 2; usually three such supports. Each support 2 is as shown in Figure 1 and comprises an upwardly directed spike 3 at one end, tree-engaging surface portions 4 and 5 separated by an offset portion 6, and an outwardly directed leg 7 terminating in a foot 8. The offset portion 6 is provided to accommodate any irregularities in the tree surface contour thereby ensuring that the surface portions 4 and 5 are in engagement with the tree.

As seen from Figure 3 the feet 8 are positioned slightly below the spikes 3 to provide stability by ensuring that the tree is supported on the feet and not on the tree itself.

If desired the base of the tree may be positioned in a container for water, indicated in Figure 3 by dotted lines 9. In this case a lid is preferably used to avoid the danger of tree lights falling into the water container.

The supports 2 are preferably black painted metal provided with plastics or rubber feet 8. In use preferably three supports 2 are hammered into the base of the tree approximately equidistantly spaced from one another, the tree is then placed upright and it will support itself resting on the feet 8.

Although three supports are provided four or more may be used or only two may be used if the supports are slightly modified by each including two or more splayed legs.

The spike is preferably about 1/2 inch long and the heavier the tree the tighter the tree will be held.

1. Mounting means for mounting a Christmas tree in an upright position comprising a support, a plurality of which may be used to support the tree, each support comprising means for engagement with the bottom of the tree, an abutment surface adjacent the engagement means for abutment with the tree, and an outwardly extending leg.

2. Mounting means according to Claim 1 wherein the means for engagement with the bottom of the tree comprises a spike on which the bottom of the tree may be impaled.

3. Mounting means according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the abutment surface comprises two spaced abutment surface portions separated by an offset portion.

4. Mounting means according to Claim 1,2 or 3 including a container for water in which the base of the tree may be positioned.

5. An elongate metal support for use in supporting a Christmas tree in an upright position comprising a spike at one end on which the bottom of the tree may be impaled, said spike in use extending substantially longitudinally of the trunk of the tree, the support from the spike being bent back upon itself to provide a tree abutment surface arranged to abut the side surface of the tree adjacent the bottom, and a leg extending outwardly from the tree abutment surface and forming an acute angle therewith.

6. An elongate metal support according to Claim 5 wherein the tree abutment surface comprises two spaced abutment surface portions separated by an intermediate offset portion arranged to accornmodate irregularities in the surface contour of the tree.

7. An elongate metal support according to Claim 5 or 6 wherein the transition between the abutment surface and the leg is strengthened.

8. An elongate metal support according to Claim 7 wherein the support is metal strip and the transition is strengthened by the strip being curved in cross-section.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Christmas tree stand This invention relates to means for mounting a Christmas tree in an upright position. Although it has been previously proposed to provide a stand for supporting a Christmas tree, for example as shown in U.S. Patent Specification 3815854, at present most people who purchase a Christmas tree still prefer to keep their tree in an upright position by placing the base of the tree in a container, such as a bucket, and then wedging the base with soil and logs. Nevertheless this manner of supporting a Christmas tree invariably results in soil spillage and it is also difficult to wedge the tree substantially upright. An object of the present invention is to provide a simple and uncomplicated means for mounting a Christmas tree in an upright position. According to the present invention means for mounting a Christmas tree in an upright position comprises a support, a plurality of which may be used to support the tree, the support comprising a spike for engagement with the tree a tree-engaging surface adjacent the spike and an outwardly extending leg. More particularly an elongate metal support for use in supporting a Christmas tree in an upright position comprises a spike at one end on which the bottom of the tree may be impaled, said spike in use extending substantially longitudinally of the trunk of the tree, the support from the spike being bent back upon itself to provide a tree-engaging surface arranged to engage the side surface of the tree adjacent the bottom, and a leg extending outwardly from the tree-engaging surface and forming an acute angle therewith. Preferably the tree-engaging surface comprises two spaced tree-engaging surface portions separated by an intermediate offset portion arranged to accommodate irregularities in the surface contour of the tree. In a preferred form means for mounting a Christmas tree in an upright position comprises three supports each being in accordance with the invention as defined above. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a support; Figure 2 is a partial view on arrow A in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side elevation of a tree in a supported position. In Figure 3 of the drawings a tree 1 is supported in an upright position by a number of elongate supports 2; usually three such supports. Each support 2 is as shown in Figure 1 and comprises an upwardly directed spike 3 at one end, tree-engaging surface portions 4 and 5 separated by an offset portion 6, and an outwardly directed leg 7 terminating in a foot 8. The offset portion 6 is provided to accommodate any irregularities in the tree surface contour thereby ensuring that the surface portions 4 and 5 are in engagement with the tree. As seen from Figure 3 the feet 8 are positioned slightly below the spikes 3 to provide stability by ensuring that the tree is supported on the feet and not on the tree itself. If desired the base of the tree may be positioned in a container for water, indicated in Figure 3 by dotted lines 9. In this case a lid is preferably used to avoid the danger of tree lights falling into the water container. The supports 2 are preferably black painted metal provided with plastics or rubber feet 8. In use preferably three supports 2 are hammered into the base of the tree approximately equidistantly spaced from one another, the tree is then placed upright and it will support itself resting on the feet 8. Although three supports are provided four or more may be used or only two may be used if the supports are slightly modified by each including two or more splayed legs. The spike is preferably about 1/2 inch long and the heavier the tree the tighter the tree will be held. CLAIMS

9. A mounting means for mounting a Christmas tree in an upright position comprising three supports according to any one of Claims 5 to 8.

10. Amounting means for mounting a Christmas tree in an upright position substantially as hereinbe fore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.