US2763454A

US2763454A - Rotatable christmas tree stand

Info

Publication number: US2763454A
Application number: US375474A
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrew E Lindsell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1953-08-20
Filing date: 1953-08-20
Publication date: 1956-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 1973-09-18

Description

Sept, 18, 1956 A. E. LINDSELL ROTATABLE CHRISTMAS TREE STAND Filed Aug. 20, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Andrew EMT/M56 INVEN TOR.

p W, 1956 A. E. LINDSELL 2,763,454

ROTATABLE CHRISTMAS TREE STAND Filed Aug. 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 III III III-- 48 Andrew E Lindse/I t 78 I INVENTOR.

66 g 40 {7 9 52525233545? g BY 8 0 50 Attorneys United States Patent ROTATABLE CHRISTMAS TREE STAND Andrew E. Lindsell, Queens Village, N. Y.

Application August 20, 1953, Serial No. 375,474

1 Claim. (Cl. 248--45) This invention relates in general to improvements on Christmas tree stands, and more specifically to a Christmas tree stand which is both rotatable and tiltable so as to permit ease of trimming a Christmas tree.

This invention is an improvement on my Patent No. 2,605,067, dated July 29, 1952, and presents a simpler and more easily formed construction so as to be economically feasible.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a Christmas tree stand which may rigidly support at Christ mas tree in a desired position and which is so constructed and arranged whereby a Christmas tree carried thereby may be temporarily tilted and rotated so that such a Christmas tree may be easily trimmed.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved Christmas tree stand which includes both pivoting means and rotatable means to facilitate trimming of the Christmas tree, said means being so arranged whereby a minimum of stress is imposed on the parts of the stand.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved Christmas tree stand, which among other elements includes a supporting base, the supporting base being provided with extensible legs whereby Christmas trees of various sizes may be accommodated without tilting over.

These, together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the Christmas tree stand which is the subject of this invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a supporting base and carriage of the Christmas tree stand, the base being provided with extensions and being partially broken away and shown in sections in order to illustrate the manner in which the carriage is pivotally carried thereby;

Figure 3 is a top plan view on a reduced scale of the Christmas tree stand and shows the base being provided with extensions;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the central portion of the Christmas tree stand on a reduced scale;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of Figure 3 and shows the manner in which the receptacle of the Christmas tree stand is rotatably mounted relative to the carriage, a tilted position of the receptacle being shown in dotted lines; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6--6 of Figure 3 and shows the exact manner in which the receptacle is connected to the carriage, also being illustrated is the manner in which the carriage is pivotally connected to and locked with respect to the supporting base.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be, seen that the Christmas tree stand, which is the subject of this invention, includes a supporting base which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The supporting base 10 includes a pair of

elongated sides

12 and 14. The

sides

12 and 14 have spaced parallel

central portions

16 and 18, respectively, which are connected together by transverse members 20. Each of the

sides

12 and 14 terminate in diverging

legs

22 and 24 which are integral with their respective central portions. It will be noted that the legs 22 of the

sides

12 and 14 are provided with apertures 26 adjacent their free ends. The apertures 26 have passed therethrough fasteners 28 which connect to the legs 22 the angular extensions 30.

Each of the angular extensions 30 includes a relatively short connecting portion 32 and a relatively long outer portion 34. It will be noted that the outer portion 34 is at such an angle to the connecting portion 32 so as to permit the outer portions 34 to be in spaced parallel relation when connected to their legs 22.

The Christmas tree stand also includes a carriage which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 36. The carriage 36 is U-shaped in cross section, as is best illustrated in Figure 6, and includes an upper horizontal flat portion 38 and depending flanges 40. The flanges 40 are in face to face engagement with the inner faces of the

central portions

16 and 18 and are pivotally connected thereto by a centrally located pivot pin 42.

The carriage 36 is intended to pivot with respect to the supporting base 19 and is entirely confined within the supporting base 16. In order that tilting of the carriage 36 may be limited, the

central portions

16 and 18 are provided with inwardly extending

flanges

44 and 46. The flanges are disposed in pairs which are in opposed relation. The flanges 44 extend vertically and are intended to engage first edges of the flanges 40 to limit pivoting of the carriage 36 past a generally vertical position.

The flanges 46 slope upwardly and outwardly and are intended to engage second edge of the flanges 40 to limit pivoting of the carriage 36 to an angular tree trimming position.

in order that the carriage 36 may be retained in a vertical position, the central portion 16 is provided with a removable locking screw 48. The locking screw 48 is selectively received in an aperture 50 in one of the flanges 40.

The Christmas tree stand also includes a receptacle which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 52. The receptacle 52 includes a cylindrical body portion 54 and a bottom 56. The body portion 54 is provided with a scalloped outer edge 58 and disposed adjacent the upper edge 58 is a plurality of axially extending bosses 60. The bosses 60 are internally threaded and have passed therethrough wing screws 62, the wing screws 62 passing into the interior of the receptacle 52 and intended to lockingly position a Christmas tree therein.

Referring now to Figure 6 in particular, it will be seen that the bottom 56 of the receptacle 52 is provided with an integral downwardly extending pin 64. The pin 64 passes through a centrally located aperture 66 in the horizontal portion 38 of the carriage 36 and permits to tation of the receptacle 52 with respect to the carriage 36. The pin 64 has an enlarged shoulder portion 68 which directly underlies the lower surface of the bottom 56 and which forms a spacer for a suitable bearing 70 surrounding the pin 64 and seated on the horizontal portion 38 of the carriage 36. The pin 64 is retained in the bore 66 by a locking nut 72 which is threadedly engaged on the lower end of the pin 64. Carried by the pin 64 and disposed between the locking nut 72 and the underside 3 of the horizontal portion 38 is a suitable bearing spacer 74.

In view of the foregoing it will be seen that the receptacle 52 is mounted for selective rotation relative to the carriage 36. In order that rotation of the receptacle 52 with respect to the carriage 36 may be selectively prevented, the horizontal portion 38 of the carriage 36 is provided with an internally threaded bore 76 underlying the bottom 56. Threadedly engaged in the bore 76 is a locking screw 78 which is selectively engageable with the underside of the bottom 56. The locking screw 58 is provided with an enlarged knurled head 80 to facilitate rotation thereof. It will be seen that the locking screw 78 may frictionally engage the bottom 56 to prevent rotation of the receptacle 52.

It will be noted that the pin 64, which is preferably formed integrally with the bottom 56, but which may be separate, includes an upwardly extending projection 82 which is disposed within the confines of the receptacle 52 above the bottom 56. The projection 32 is pointed as at 84 and is intended ot pierce the base of a Christmas tree to facilitate centering of the Christmas tree with respect to receptacle 52.

It is the purpose of the above described Christmas tree stand to suitably support a Christmas tree in a tilted position for trimming. Accordingly, when it is desired to trim a Christmas tree (not shown) carried by the Christmas tree stand, which is the subject of this invention, the

locking screws

48 and 78 are removed. This permits tilting of both the carriage 36 and the receptacle 52 as well as rotation of the receptacle 52. After a Christmas tree has been trimmed, it is restored to its vertical position and retained therein by positioning the

locking screws

48 and 78 in the positions illustrated in Figure 6.

The purpose of the extensions 30 is to permit the base to accommodate large Christmas trees without tilting over. It will be noted that the extensions 30 are disposed only on the end of the base 10 towards which the Christmas tree tilts. It will be seen that the only turning movement is in this direction primarily. If desired, the extensions 30 may be replaced if found not to be needed for a particular sized Christmas tree.

' 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 4 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 a horizontal open base frame having spaced opposite side members, a carriage of inverted U-shape including a horizontal flat portion having depending terminal flanges fitting between said side members and pivoted thereto for vertical tilting of said carriage in said frame in opposite directions, a receptacle upstanding from and rotatably mounted on said carriage and secured thereto for tilting with said carriage, a pair of opposite lugs on said side members respectively limiting tilting of said carriage in one di rection when said receptacle is perpendicular to the frame, another pair of opposite lugs on said side members respectively limiting tilting of said carriage in the opposite direction when said receptacle is inclined out of per pendicular position, a hand screw threaded upwardly through said flat portion for engagement with and disengagement from said receptacle to lock said receptacle against rotation in its perpendicular position and to unlock the receptacle for rotation when the receptacle is inclined, and a screw in one of said side members engageable with one of said flanges for locking the carriage against tilting.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 176,905 Walton May 2, 1876 437,486 Driesback Sept. 30, 1890 684,451 Mowry Oct. 15, 1901 1,006,268 Peirce Oct. 1-7, 1911 1,336,307 Loudon Apr. 6', 1920 1,694,815 Garlick Dec. 11, 1928 1,794,107 Doyle et a1 Feb. 24, 1931 1,852,650 Halberstadter Apr. 5, 1932 2,256,556 Gibbons Sept. 23, 1941 2,345,147 Petracca Mar. 28, 1944- 2,403,324 Anderson July 2, 1946 2,471,512 Barlock May 31, 1949 2,605,067 Linse'll July 29, 1952 2,667,317 Trebules Jan. 26, 1954-