US2448304A

US2448304A - Supporting device

Info

Publication number: US2448304A
Application number: US687390A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gabel John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-07-31
Filing date: 1946-07-31
Publication date: 1948-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 1965-08-31

Description

7 Aug. 31, 1948. J. GABEL 2,448,304

SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed July 31, 1946 7 INVENTOR.

(75% GZZZZ Patented Aug. 31, 1948 UNITED STATES harem orrlcs 4 Claims.

This invention relates to supporting devices, and particularly to stands or holders for objects such as Christmas trees having lower portions which are clamped and held upright.

It is highly desirable that supporting devices of the aforesaid character be so designed and constructed that they can be assembled with maximum ease. This is especially true where such a device is used in the erection of a Christmas tree or like object in view of the air of tension and excitement which generally attends such an event. It is further desired that the holder be of relatively small size, sturdy, adjustable to accommodate trees or like objects of varying sizes, effective in resisting any tendency of the object to tip, and capable of being readily knocked down and stored or packed when not in use. In United States Letters Patent 1,789,360, granted to me on January 20, 1931, there is disclosed a holder for a Christmas tree or the like which fulfills the above requirements. The present invention affords certain improvements in regard to the basic construction as set forth in the aforesaid patent, as well as Christmas tree holders or like devices in general.

An object of the present invention is to facilitate the assembling of the h'older by an improved manner of mounting the water cup on the base of the holder.

A further object is to afford greater rigidity and equilibrium of the holder by an improved base structure.

Still further objects are to simplify the construction of the holder as a whole and to provide a novel, economical and advantageous construction for the purpose set forth.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment is set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawing, wherein like reference numerals are used to designate like parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing the holder as assembled and supporting a tree trunk or like object, the holder being constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the holder;

Fig. 3 is a plan detail View of th'e tree clamping portion of the holder;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the water cup associated with the holder;

Fig. 5 is a perspective detail View of a portion of the base structure, and

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail view to show the manner of mounting the water cup on the base.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the embodiment of the invention there illustrated comprises a pyramidshaped frame having a rectangular base. Bars I0, which arebent diagonally outwardly at their ends, form the sides of the rectangular base. Crossbars I2 extend diagonally between the corners of the rectangle and are notched at their centers, as shown in Fig. 5, so as to be interfitting. A water cup I4, Fig. 4, havinga flanged bottom portion, is adapted to seat on the bars I2, the lower flange of the cup I4 having notches I6 provided therein to receive the bars I2, as shown in- Fig. 6. A spike I8 or similar projection extending upwardly from the bottom of the cup I4 is provided to impale the lower end of a tree trunk 20, Fig. l, or like object which is to be supported by the holder. Bars 22 extend diagonally upwardly from the corners of the base and carry at their upper ends the clamping means for engaging the tree trunk 20 or the like. The bars I0, I2 and 22 are fastened together at the corners of the base by any suitable means such as the bolts 23 shown in the drawing. Details of the clamping structure are more clearly indicated in Fig. 3. Arcuate clamp members 24, having lugs through which bolts 26 may be passed to attach these clamp members to the upper ends of the bars 22, are arranged in a circle about the tree trunk 20. The bolts 26 are tightened to clamp the trunk 20, the amount of tightening required being dependent on the diameter of the tree trunk. The lower end of the tree trunk rests in the cup I4, which may be filled with water to keep th'e three from drying out.

By means of the bolts 23 and 26, the structure is quickly and easily assembled. The water cup 54 is readily positioned by merely placing it on the bars I2 which seat in the notches it. This is especially advantageous in that it avoids the need for attaching the water cup to the frame. The cup is firmly held in position by the tree trunk 20 and the bars I2. The framework is readily taken apart by loosening the bolts 23 and 26 and can be compactly stored or packaged for shipment.

The notched Crossbars I2, in addition to affording a convenient mounting for the water cup I4, are effective to brace the structure rigidly. They also have the advantage that it is not necessary to attach them to the water cup. The frame as a whole forms a stable support for the tree. It will be understood of course that the invention may be used equally well for supporting other objects such as fiagpoles or signs having a lower portion that may be clamped in place instead of the tree trunk.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodiment set forth for purposes of illustration without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention isaccordingly not to be limited to the specific embodiment shown and described, but only as indicated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby caimed as follows;

1. A support for engaging and holdin upright the trunk portion of a Christmas treeorany other object having a portion similar to the trunk, comprising bars forming arectangular base, bars extending diagonally upwardly from the corners of said base toward the object to be supported thereby, clamping means carried on the upper ends of said upwardly extending bars to engage and hold the object to be supported, crossbars extending between the corners of said base, and a water cup, having a flanged lower edge notched to receive said. crossbars, mounted on. said. crossbars without attachment thereto and enclosing. the, lower end of the object to be supported,

2. A support for engaging and holding upright the trunk portion. of a Christmas tree or any other object similar thereto, comprising a pyramidal framework, crossbarsat the base of said framework, and. a cupadapted. to enclose the lower portion of. the object. to be supported, said cup being. notched on its. lower edge for mounting on said crossbars.

3. A support for engaging and holding upright the trunk portion of a Christmas tree or any other object similar thereto, comprising bars forming a rectangular base, crossbars extendin between the corners of said base and being notched to interfit at their centers, a frame tapering upwardly from the corners of said base, clamping means carried by said frame to engage the object to be supported, and a cup adapted to seat on said crossbars and enclose the lower end of the object to be supported.

4. A support for engaging and holding upright the trunk portion of a Christmas tree or any other object similar thereto, comprisin bars forming a rectangular base, bars extending diagonally upwardly from the corners of said base toward the object to be supported thereby REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Dixon et al July 14, 1885 Bailey June 17,1913 Piner Sept. 8, 1914 Gabel Jan. 20, 1931 Number