US904227A - Stand for christmas-trees and the like. - Google Patents

Description

E. E. RICE.

STAND FOR GHRISTMAS TREES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1907.

Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD E. RICE, OF NEW DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO THE OSBORN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

STAND FOR CHRISTMAS-TREES AND THE LIKE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD E. RICE, a citizen of the United States, resident of New Durham, county of Straflord, State of New Hampshire, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Stands for Christmas-Trees and the Like, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

This my present invention relates, as indi cated, to stands suitable for supporting objects such as Christmas trees or the like. Said invention is designed to provide a stand of this character that may be folded up into convenient compass when not in use, but that, when desired, can be very quickly put in operative condition; as well as a stand that shall, withal, be simple in construction and economical in manufacture.

To the accomplishment of the above and related ends said invention consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention inay be used.

In said annexed drawing :--Figure 1 is a perspective view with its parts in operative position, of one approved form of my invention, the lower portion or trunk of a Christmas tree being represented as supported thereon; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of such stand and tree section; Fig. 3 is a similar side elevation of another, slightly modified, form of the device; Fig. 4 is a broken perspective view of my improved stand in its folded or inoperative position; Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the base plates forming a feature of the construction of such stand; Fig. 6 is a similar detail view of the two forms of braces, respectively, shown in connection with such stand in Figs. 2 and 3, and Fig. 7 is a broken crosssection through the bottom base plate.

As will be seen upon reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing just described, the form of my invention there illustrated comprises primarily two vertically spaced base plates A A. These plates, see Figs. 4- and Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 6, 1907.

Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

Serial No. 372,048.

5, such latter figure representing the upper thereof, are each formed with three divergent portions or arms a and with a central aperture 64. Between the corresponding pairs of arms of these plates are mounted three base members, or feet, B B B Of such base members the first, B, is rigidly secured between one pair of the plate portions or arms in question, see Fig. 4, whereas the two other members are pivotally mounted between the remaining pairs of arms, a single rivet 6 being employed in connection with each one for this purpose. The two members B B are thus seen to be free to assume the radially extending positions shown in Fig. 1, or to be folded laterally against rigidly attached member B, as shown in Fig. 4-. The latter position, which is the inoperative position of the stand, represents the condition in which it will be left when in storage or while being carried about. The other or extended positions of the base members are assumed only when it is desired to render the device operative.

In order to render the stand more rigid when in such operative position, it is of course desirable that the two pivotally mounted base members should be secured against dislodgment from their radially extending positions. For the purpose of thus securing them, various means will suggest themselves. One approved method, however, is that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and consists simply in providing the projecting arms with lugs or clips 04 that normally extend laterally and hence do not interfere with the pivotal movement of the base member in question, but that, when the latter occupy their extended positions, may be readily bent over, as by a blow of a hammer, and thus secure such members in place. Only one such clip need obviously be left projecting from each of the two arms in question, Fig. 4. In order to enable the stand to rest the more securely upon the floor or other supporting surface, which is apt to present inequalities, it is desirable that the respective base members B B B have but a single point of rest on such surface. To this end the pivotal axes formed by the rivets Z), whereby the members are secured to the base plates A A, are inclined from the perpendicular so that the center of the stand in the extended or operative position of the members is raised a slight distance above the floor, Figs. 2 and 3. Such raising of the center or base plate of the device above the supporting surface upon which it rests has the further result of providing room for the accommodation of the pin 0, preferably consisting of a wire spike, that is utilized to secure to the stand the base D of the tree, or other object to be supported, such nail being inserted, Figs. 2, 3 and 4, point upwardly through the central apertures 44 in the base plates A A. To assist in securing such object to the stand, and to steady the same thereon, a detachable lateral brace E is provided in connection with each of base members B B B Such brace members preferably consist of straight sections of wire or light rod, one end 6 of which is adapted to be seated in inwardly inclined apertures a in the upper faces of the respective base members, the other end 6 of which is recurved and pointed so as to be adapted to be driven in the stem of the tree or other object, Fig. 2. If desired, in stead of providing apertures in the base members as described, such brace rods may be recurved at both ends and the lower end as well as the upper then secured in place by driving the same into the base members. This form E of brace is the one shown in Fig. 3 and to the left in Fig. 6.

In, the alternative type of the device shown in Fig. 3, the modifications introduced, in addition to the slight variation in the brace rod already referred to, consist, first, in the substitution of a square headed lag screw 0 for the nail or spike C employed in the first form of the device to engage the lower end of the tree. For the reception of the head of the screw a depression 0* of corresponding form and size is struck into bottom base plate A, as clearly shown in Fig. 7, by means of which the screw is held against turning, as by a wrench, and the mounting of the device on the base of the tree thus facilitated. The second modification in the form of the device shown in Fig. 3, consists in the provision of catch means to engage base members B, B, B and hold them in their outer or extended positions. To this end the arms of the upper base plate A are shortened and the point of pivotal attachment of the respective base members thereto moved more nearly to the end of the latter. The arms of the lower base plate A, extending as they will,therefore, beyond the ends of arms of the upper base plate, have their outer extremities a laterally curved, thereby providing an upper convex face for the same. Each such arm end is provided with an aperture (0 adapted to engage with a projecting stud b on the under side of the corresponding base member when the latter is swung across such base plate portion. This modified form. of the device will thus be seen to have the advantage not only being quite readily adjusted for use but of being thereupon again returnable to its original inoperative or folded condition for the purpose of storage when any particular period of use is at an end.

The manner of operating, or rather using, my improved stand should not require further explanation than has already been given in connection with the description of the construction of the several forms of the device. From such description it should be equally obvious that the device offered not only has a considerable field of usefulness in connection with the celebration of our chief annual holiday as a substitute for soap boxes or like extemporized supports, but that, by reason of the fewness of its parts an d the simplicity of its operation, it need be but little more expensive than such crude make-shift means. At the same time its convenience, and particularly the knock-down or collapsible feature of its construction should appeal it is thought alike to seller and purchaser.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism hereindisclosed, provided the means stated by any one of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a stand for supporting Christmas trees and the like, the combination of a base plate provided with means for attaching the lower end of such tree thereto, and base members having their inner ends pivotally secured to said base plate, said members being adapted in one position to extend radially from said plate and in another position to fold laterally against each other.

2. In a stand for supporting Christmas trees and the like, the combination of a base plate provided with means for attaching the lower end of such tree thereto, a base member rigidly attached to said base plate, and other base members pivotally attached to said plate about axes approximately at right angles thereto, whereby said members are adapted in one position to extend radially from said plate and in another position to fold laterally against said rigidly attached member.

3. In a stand for supporting Christmas trees and the like, the combination of a base plate provided with means for attaching the lower end of such tree thereto, a base member rigidly attached to said base plate, other base members pivotally attached to said plate about axes approximately at right angles thereto, whereby said members are adapted in one position to extend radially from said plate and in another position to fold laterally against said rigidly attached member, and

means adapted to secure said pivotally attached members in their radially disposed positions.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a base plate, one base member rigidly attached to said plate, and two other base members pivotally attached to said plate and respectively adapted in one position to extend radially therefrom and in another position to fold laterally against said rigidly attached member, the pivotal axes of said members being inclined so as to raise said plate above the plane of the outer ends of said'base members when the latter are extended.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a base including radially divergent members, each of said members being provided on its upper face with an inwardly inclined opening, of brace members having their lower ends adapted to be inserted in said openings and upper ends adapted for attachment to the object supported on the stand.

6. In a device of thecharacter described, the combination of a base plate and a base member rigidly attached thereto, other base members pivotally attached to said plate and respectively adapted in one position to extend radially therefrom and in another position to fold laterally against said rigidly attached member, each of said members being provided on its upper face with an inwardly inclined opening, and brace members having lower ends adapted to be inserted in said openings and upper ends bent and pointed for attachment to the object supported on the stand.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of two vertically spaced base plates, each having three corresponding divergent portions or arms, a base member rigidly secured at its inner end between one pair of such arms, and other members respectively pivotally secured between the remaining pairs of arms, said last named members being adapted to extend radially from said plates or to fold laterally against said rigidly secured member as desired.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of two vertically spaced base plates, each having three corresponding divergent portions or arms, a base member rigidly secured at its inner end between one pair of such arms, other members respec tively pivotally secured between the remaining pairs of arms, said last named members being adapted to extend radially from said plates or to fold laterally against said rig idly secured member as desired, and means borne by the arms of one of said plates adapted detachably to engage said pivotally secured members to retain the same in such first named position.

9. In a device of the character described,

the combination of two vertically spaced base plates, each having three corresponding divergent portions or arms, a base member rigidly secured at its inner end between one pair of such arms, other members respectively pivotally secured between the remaining pairs of arms, said last named. members being adapted to extend radially from said plates or to fold laterally against said rigidly secured member as desired, and a short projecting stud on the under side of each of said pivotally secured members, the corresponding arms of the lower base plate being provided with apertures adapted to engage said studs respectively to retain said members in their radially extending positions.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of two vertically spaced base plates, each having three corresponding divergent portions or arms, a base member rigidly secured at its inner end between one pair of such arms, other members respectively pivotally secured between the remaining pairs of arms, said last named members being adapted to extend radially from said plates or to fold laterally against said rigidly secured member as desired, and a short projecting stud on the under side of each of said pivotally secured members, the corresponding arms of the lower base plate having their upper faces transversely convex and provided with apertures adapted to engage said studs respectively to retain said members in their radially extending positions.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of two vertically spaced base plates, each having three corresponding divergent portions or arms, a base member rigidly secured at its inner end between one pair of such arms, other members respectively pivotally secured between the remaining pairs of arms, said last named members being adapted to extend radially from said plates or to fold laterally against said rigidly secured member as desired, and a screw non-rotatably held in one of said plates and having its point projecting upwardly to receive the object to be supported.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination of two vertically spaced base plates, each having three corresponding divergent portions or arms, a base member rigidly secured at its inner end between one pair of such arms, other members respectively pivotally secured between the remaining pairs of arms, said last named members being adapted to extend radially from said plates or to fold laterally against said rigidly secured member as desired, each of said base members being provided on its upper face with an inwardly inclined opening, rods having their lower ends adapted to be inserted in such openings and their upper ends recurved and pointed for attachment to the object supported on the stand, and means said plates or to fold laterally against said rigidly secured member as desired, the lower of said plates being centrally formed with a recess and the upper of said plates with an opening above such recess, and a screw having its head non-rotatably held in such recess and its point projecting upwardly through such opening.

Signed by me this 3rd day of May, 1907.v

EDlVARD E. RICE.

Attested by:

MARY ISRAEL, JNO. F. Ommnm.

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