WO1997000636A1 - Supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped element - Google Patents
Supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped element Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1997000636A1 WO1997000636A1 PCT/US1995/012188 US9512188W WO9700636A1 WO 1997000636 A1 WO1997000636 A1 WO 1997000636A1 US 9512188 W US9512188 W US 9512188W WO 9700636 A1 WO9700636 A1 WO 9700636A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- shaped
- cylindrical shaped
- shaped element
- open top
- vertically arranged
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 241000191291 Abies alba Species 0.000 description 14
- 235000004507 Abies alba Nutrition 0.000 description 14
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 1
- YTGJWQPHMWSCST-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tiopronin Chemical compound CC(S)C(=O)NCC(O)=O YTGJWQPHMWSCST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000018044 dehydration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006297 dehydration reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012858 resilient material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003351 stiffener Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229960004402 tiopronin Drugs 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G33/00—Religious or ritual equipment in dwelling or for general use
- A47G33/04—Christmas trees
- A47G33/12—Christmas tree stands
- A47G33/1206—Christmas tree stands of self-clamping type
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G33/00—Religious or ritual equipment in dwelling or for general use
- A47G33/04—Christmas trees
- A47G33/12—Christmas tree stands
- A47G2033/1286—Christmas tree stands comprising watering means, e.g. a water reservoir
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements. More particularly, the present invention relates to a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that includes an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container for receiving the cylindrical shaped element, knurling disposed on the outer surface of the container, at least three supporting stand legs vertically slidably mounted to the outer surface of the container, a crescent-shaped locking lever vertically pivotally mounted to each of the at least three supporting stand legs, a star-shaped locking element vertically rotatably mounted to the upper end of the crescent-shaped locking lever and communicating with the cylindrical shaped element, and a pawl disposed at the lower end of the crescent-shaped locking element and communicating with the knurling so that when the cylindrical shaped element is placed in the container the combined weight of the container and the cylindrical shaped element will cause the container to slide down the at least three supporting stand legs which in turn will cause the crescent-shaped locking levers to pivot
- Christmas trees are very difficult to hold in a vertical position and their weight and length must be taken into account.
- Still another type of base includes a wider base connected by stiffeners to increase stability.
- the varying features of the tree trunk can not accommodated for.
- Numerous innovations for Christmas tree stands have been provided in the prior art that will be described. However, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention in that they do not teach a Christmas tree base that includes an inverted vertically arranged hollow frustum-shaped open top container for receiving the tree trunk, knurling disposed on the outer surface of the container, at least three supporting stand legs vertically slidably mounted to the outer surface of the container, an arch-shaped locking lever vertically pivotally mounted to each of the at least three supporting stand legs, a star shaped locking element vertically rotatably mounted to the upper end of the crescent- shaped locking lever and communicating with the tree trunk, and a pawl disposed at the lower end of the crescent-shaped locking element and communicating with the knurling so that when the tree trunk is placed in the container, the weight of the
- U.S. Patent No. 3,885,763 to Blom teaches a supporting stand for Christmas trees that includes a tubular stand, a vertically arranged container having an internally disposed conical lower part and being slidably mounted within the stand, a spring biasing the container in the most upright inactive position, and at least three arms radially pivotally connected to the upper part of the stand.
- U.S. Patent No. 4,313,588 to Sjostrand teaches a Christmas tree base that includes a cross-shaped stand, a holder slidably mounted on each leg of the cross- shaped stand, a cam disc disposed at the center of the disc, and springs for drawing the holders to the center of the stand.
- 4,571,882 to Capen teaches a Christmas tree stand that includes a stand, a pair of adjustable pawls disposed on the stand and forming a hemispherical cavity, a receptacle for the tree trunk having a hemispherical ball disposed on the bottom, and a plurality of machine screws provided on the receptacle for retaining the tree trunk. It is apparent that numerous innovations for Christmas tree stands have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that holds and locks the trunk of a Christmas tree in a vertical position.
- Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that holds and locks any cylindrically shaped element in a vertical position.
- Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that holds and locks a flag pole.
- Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that negates the effects of wind on the flag pole.
- Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements whose locking capability is directly proportional to the weight of the cylindrically shaped element and responsive to same.
- still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that includes an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container, knurling, at least three supporting stand legs, and at least three crescent-shaped locking levers.
- Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each of the at least three supporting stand legs has a supporting stand leg arcuate-shaped upper edge, a supporting stand leg outer block, a vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion that contains a vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess that slidably receives the vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange.
- Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each of the at least three supporting stand legs further contains a vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot and a horizontally disposed supporting stand leg aperture.
- Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each vertically disposed extension member slot and a respective vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot is a common slot.
- Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein each of the at least three crescent- shaped locking levers is vertically pivotally mounted within a respective common slot.
- Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the crescent-shaped locking lever lower end is a sharp pawl.
- Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the crescent-shaped locking lever upper end is a rounded pawl that has a pair of rounded pawl legs that are displaced a distance from each other and define an upper pawl slot therebetween.
- Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements wherein the pair of rounded pawl legs contain aligned horizontally disposed rounded pawl leg apertures.
- Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using a cylindrical shaped element supporting structure that includes the steps of placing manually the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on a stationary surface, resting manually at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on the stationary surface, placing manually a cylindrical shaped element in an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure, resting manually the cylindrical shaped element bottom on a hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container, entering automatically a securing tooth disposed on the cylindrical shaped element bottom inner surface into the cylindrical shaped element bottom by virtue of the weight of said cylindrical shaped element, sliding automatically downwardly a combination of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container and at least three vertically disposed extension members of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure by virtue of the weight of the
- Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using a cylindrical shaped element supporting structure that further includes the step of adding a liquid in the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container.
- Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using a cylindrical shaped element supporting structure that still further includes the step removing one locking lever pivot pin of the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure after the securing step.
- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements of the present invention illustrating, for clarity purposes, only one of the at least three supporting stand legs and respective crescent-shaped locking lever;
- Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of figure 1.
- the supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements of the present invention is shown generally at 10 securing a cylindrical shaped element 12 that has a cylindrical shaped element outer surface 12-1 and a cylindrical shaped element bottom 12-2.
- the configuration of the supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements 10 can best be seen in figures 1-3, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
- the supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements 10 can be injection mold from plastic, but is not limited to that, and includes an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 that has a hollow frustum-shaped container outer surface 14-1 with a hollow frustum-shaped container bottom 14-2, a hollow frustum- shaped container bottom inner surface 14-3, and contains a hollow frustum-shaped container chamber 14-4.
- Knurling 16 is circumferentially disposed on a portion of the hollow frustum-shaped container outer surface 14-1 and an optional securing tooth 18 is disposed at the center of the hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface 14-3.
- Each of at least three vertically disposed extension members 20 has a vertically disposed extension member arcuate- shaped inner edge 20-1, a vertically disposed extension member track portion 20-2 with a vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange 20-3, and contains a vertically disposed extension member slot 20-4. At least three vertically disposed extension members 20 have been chosen to assure stability.
- the at least three vertically disposed extension members 20 may be integrally formed with the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14, but is not limited to that, or may be attached to the inverted hollow frustum-shaped container outer surface 14-1 at the vertically disposed extension member arcuate-shaped inner edge 20-1 whose contour matches that of the hollow frustum-shaped container outer surface 14-1.
- Each of at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 is vertically slidably mounted to a respective one of the at least three vertically disposed extension member 20 and has a vertically disposed supporting stand leg arcuate- shaped upper edge 22-1, a vertically disposed supporting stand leg outer block 22-2, a vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion 22-3 containing a vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess 22-4.
- Each of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 further contains a vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot 22-5, and a horizontally disposed supporting stand leg aperture 22-6.
- the vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot 22-5 and the vertically disposed extension member slot 20-4 form a common slot 23.
- Each of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 is vertically slidably mounted to the respective one of the at least three vertically disposed extension members 20 by virtue of the vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange 20-3 and the vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess 22-4.
- the presence of the flange of the vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue with flange 20-3 and the presence of the recess of the vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess 22-4 provide an interlocking arrangement that prevents lateral separation.
- Each of at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24 is vertically pivotally mounted within the vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot 22-5 of a respective one of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 and includes a locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 that communicates with the knurling 16, a locking lever upper end rounded pawl 24-2, and contains a horizontally disposed locking lever pivot aperture 24-3.
- Each of the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24 is vertically pivotally mounted within the vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot 22-5 of a respective one of the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 by a readily removable locking lever pivot pin 26 that passes through the horizontally disposed supporting stand leg aperture 22-6 and the aligned horizontally disposed locking lever pivot aperture 24-3.
- the locking lever upper end rounded pawl 24-2 includes a pair of locking lever upper end rounded pawl legs 24-4 displaced a distance from each other and define a locking lever upper end rounded pawl slot 24-5 therebetween.
- Each one of the pair of locking lever upper end rounded pawl legs 24-4 contain an aligned horizontally disposed locking lever upper end rounded pawl leg aperture 24-6.
- a star wheel locking element 28 communicates with the cylindrical shaped element 12 and has star wheel locking element perimeter teeth 28-1.
- the star wheel locking element 28 is vertically rotatably mounted within the locking lever upper end rounded pawl slot 24-5 by a star wheel locking lever rotating pin 30 that passes through each aligned horizontally disposed locking lever upper end rounded pawl leg aperture 24- 6.
- the supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements 10 is placed on a stationary surface 32 with the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 resting on the stationary surface 32.
- the cylindrical shaped element 12 is placed in the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 with the cylindrical shaped element bottom 12-2 resting on the hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface 14-3.
- the weight of the cylindrical shaped element 12 causes the optional securing tooth 18 to enter the cylindrical shaped element bottom 12-2 and secures it thereto.
- the weight of the cylindrical shaped element 12 further causes the combination of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 and the at least three vertically disposed extension members 20 to slide downwardly on the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 in the direction of downward arrow 34.
- each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 moves upwardly along the knurling 16 in the direction of upward arrow 36.
- each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 moves upwardly and by virtue of the upward increasing diameter of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum- shaped container 14, each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 is displaced outwardly in the direction of outward arrow 38.
- the outward movement of each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 causes the at east three crescent- shaped locking levers 24 to pivot upwardly in the direction of pivot arrow 40.
- the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24 will continue to pivot upwardly until the star wheel locking element perimeter teeth 28-1 contact the cylindrical shaped element outer surface 12-1. At this point each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 will become lodged in the knurling 16 and self-locking the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24 from further movement.
- the cylindrical shaped element 12 is now secured in a stabilized position within the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14.
- the allowable diameter of the cylindrical shaped element 12 is directly proportional to, and therefore governed by, the amount of allowable travel the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 can make relative to the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22.
- the cylindrical shaped element 12 is of a resilient material such as the tree trunk of a Christmas tree or the like, the star wheel locking element perimeter teeth 28-1 will pierce the cylindrical shaped element outer surface 12-1 and enter the cylindrical shaped element 12 providing addition securement. If the cylindrical shaped element 12 is a plant such as a Christmas tree, water can be placed in the inverted hollow frustum-shaped container 14 for nourishment and prevention of dehydration.
Landscapes
- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/492,842 US5535977A (en) | 1994-06-22 | 1995-06-20 | Supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped element |
US08/492,842 | 1995-06-20 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1997000636A1 true WO1997000636A1 (en) | 1997-01-09 |
Family
ID=23957848
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1995/012188 WO1997000636A1 (en) | 1995-06-20 | 1995-09-25 | Supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped element |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
CA (1) | CA2217958A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1997000636A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE19931309A1 (en) * | 1999-07-07 | 2001-01-18 | Bruno Gruber | Holding device for tree trunk, with receiving device, three disks and pressing device |
USRE49759E1 (en) | 2014-01-09 | 2023-12-19 | Sorin Group Italia S.R.L. | Blood processing unit with heat exchanger core for providing modified flow path |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA2673278C (en) | 2006-12-21 | 2015-06-16 | Vincent Hebert | Apparatus for holding substantially cylindrically shaped elements |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2042C (en) * | F. haase in Bremen | Christmas tree holder | ||
US1714498A (en) * | 1927-03-14 | 1929-05-28 | Albert P Danner | Christmas-tree holder |
CH158561A (en) * | 1931-10-13 | 1932-11-30 | Bosshardt Wiedersatz Kath | Christmas tree holder. |
US4261138A (en) * | 1978-10-27 | 1981-04-14 | St George Syms John G | Christmas tree holder |
-
1995
- 1995-09-25 WO PCT/US1995/012188 patent/WO1997000636A1/en active Application Filing
- 1995-09-25 CA CA 2217958 patent/CA2217958A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2042C (en) * | F. haase in Bremen | Christmas tree holder | ||
US1714498A (en) * | 1927-03-14 | 1929-05-28 | Albert P Danner | Christmas-tree holder |
CH158561A (en) * | 1931-10-13 | 1932-11-30 | Bosshardt Wiedersatz Kath | Christmas tree holder. |
US4261138A (en) * | 1978-10-27 | 1981-04-14 | St George Syms John G | Christmas tree holder |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE19931309A1 (en) * | 1999-07-07 | 2001-01-18 | Bruno Gruber | Holding device for tree trunk, with receiving device, three disks and pressing device |
DE19931309C2 (en) * | 1999-07-07 | 2003-06-26 | Bruno Gruber | Holding device for a tree trunk |
USRE49759E1 (en) | 2014-01-09 | 2023-12-19 | Sorin Group Italia S.R.L. | Blood processing unit with heat exchanger core for providing modified flow path |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2217958A1 (en) | 1997-01-09 |
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