US2730321A

US2730321A - Christmas tree stand

Info

Publication number: US2730321A
Application number: US352773A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harvey J Dutton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1953-05-04
Filing date: 1953-05-04
Publication date: 1956-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 1973-01-10

Description

1956 H. J. DUTTON CHRISTMAS TREE STAND Filed May 4. 1953 Harvey J. Du/fon INVENTOR.

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The present invention relates to holders and stands, generally classified, for Christmas trees, and has more particular reference to a construction in this field of in vention which is characterized by certain new and useful improvements.

A general objective of the invention is to improve upon and reduce the number of elements or parts entering into the over-all combination, thereby not only increasing the efiiciency of the structural device as an entity, but also rendering the same less costly to manufacture and to otherwise simplify factors of assembling and sale.

Another object of the invention is to structurally, functionally and otherwise improve upon similarly constructed prior art Christmas tree holders by providing one which is susceptible of being constructed through the medium of readily accessible, simple and economical elements, and in this manner to provide a construction in which manufacturers and users will find their respective requirements and needs satisfactorily met.

In carrying out a preferred embodiment of the invention, a structure which is generally cruciform in plan is provided, the same being characterized at its central or hub portion by a receptacle telescopically receiving the coacting end of the trunk of the tree, the wall thereof having circumferentially-spaced radial weights, said weights being handy soft-drink or beer bottles, or the like, the neck portions of which are joined to the receptacle by adapter and retaining devices.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a Christmas tree holder, or so-called stand, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a section taken approximately on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the adapter devices used for accommodating and attaching the hold-down bottles.

Referring now to the drawings by way of reference numerals and accompanying lead lines, the hub portion of the over-all assemblage is characterized, as before stated, by a receiver. This is denoted by the numeral 4 and takes the form of a simple receptacle. Actually, the receptacle may be made from a salvaged vegetable or tomato can of appropriate cross-section. A can which is approximately 3 /2" to 4 in diameter will usually do, at least for small trees. In any event this receptacle, or so-called can has a flat bottom 6, and an upstanding, endless, circular wall 8. The hold-down devices, weights and stabilizers are simple, available bottles. While the device could be made up for handling larger bottles, such as pint or quart-sized milk bottles, it has been found that generally speaking, for a small tree, so-called beer bottles and soft drink bottles will do. Therefore, the stabilizing and hold-down devices each is in the form of a bottle, and the latter is denoted by the numeral and has a neck 12,

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terminating in a bead 14, which beaded neck is separably joined with the wall 8 of the receptacle. To do this an adapter clip or device is necessary for each bottle. There are four bottles and therefore there are four adapter clips. Each comprises a suitably shaped plate or disc 18, which is Welded or otherwise secured to the exterior surface of the receptacle wall and this disc is marginally provided with resilient retaining elements, each of which is denoted generally by the numeral 20. Each retaining element takes the form of an inwardly curled or bent spring tongue or grip 22 which suitably accommodates and engages over the head 14 of the bottle neck in the manner shown. The device is finished by the provision of a simple wood screw, or the like, which is denoted by the numeral 2 5 and which is welded to the interior of the bottom at the center and which screws into the trunk of the tree in an obvious manner. Therefore, placing the trunk of the tree in the can or receptacle in the manner shown, and screwing it in place and then applying the respective bottles, by clipping the same in place, a stand is had which will fulfill the requirements of the invention under consideration.

It is to be explained that the expression can is not intended to be limiting for it is obviously within the purview of the invention to employ a shallower and larger receptacle and to treat the same as a watering pan. The plate in Figure 3 may be interpreted as any suitable attaching clip with bottle accommodating retaining elements permitting adjustable attachment of the bottle neck thereto.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A Christmas tree stand comprising an open-top can having a flat bottom and upstanding marginal wall and providing a receiver for the coacting end-portion of the tree-trunk, an upstanding screw-threaded fastening secured in said can and joined with the bottom and rising centrally therefrom and adapted to be anchored in the tree-trunk, a plurality of radial coplanar attachable and detachable hold-down and stabilizing legs, each leg comprising a bottle-shaped weight embodying a body portion adapted to rest on the floor and a reduced neck portion extending axially from the body portion and terminating in a bead, and adapter clips secured circumferentially to the exterior surface of said wall and circumferentially spaced from one another, each clip comprising a flat plate superimposed against and fixed to said wall in a plane above said bottom and below the upper edge of said wall, the marginal edge of said plate having circumferentially spaced inturned resilient grips, the adjacent end of the bottle neck being in end thrust contact with said plate and said grips reisliently engaging the cooperating bead and serving to detachably maintain the same in its intended position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,421,140 Blaner May 27, 1947 2,459,533 Irvin Jan. 18, 1949 2,483,813 Davis Oct. 4, 1949 2,609,169 Kroeger Sept. 2, 1952 2,615,660 Haumann Oct. 28, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 70,648 Denmark Feb. 20, 1950