WO1998054511A1

WO1998054511A1 - Christmas tree stand

Info

Publication number: WO1998054511A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/011522
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ben L. Hooper
Original assignee: Hooper Ben L
Priority date: 1997-06-02
Filing date: 1998-05-29
Publication date: 1998-12-03

Abstract

A tree stand (10) for retaining the lower portion of a tree trunk (11) and supporting the tree upright, which includes a cylindrically walled base closed by a lower plate and an upper plate (12) having an opening to receive the tree trunk. The base (14) defines a container of relatively low profile and wide diameter, retaining a volume of water therein and providing a weighted base. Two sets of uprights are disposed diametrically opposite of each other and are attached to the base. Extending through the upper end of each upright is a clamping (54) member.

Description

CHRISTMAS TREE STAND

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to stands for supporting vertically disposed poles and, particularly to a stand for supporting trees, such as Christmas trees. Christmas tree stands come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but can be broadly classified into two basic categories: those with legs, and those with circular bases. Most have a region for receiving the trunk of the tree and support the tree trunk vertically with the aid of radially arranged screws or spikes which contract the tree trunk and hold it vertically. The structures from both categories which support the tree trunk at multiple levels also have high profiles and small footprints, resulting in elevated centers of gravity and an unstable environment. If the center of gravity of the tree exceeds the vertical boundary defined by the footprint, the tree will fall over. Traditionally, the tree trunk is supported at the same level as three or four radially arranged points. No matter the profile of the base, the tree is permitted to rotate around one or more axis of fixation, creating an unstable situation. The instant invention overcomes the disadvantages present in the prior structures and provides a stable platform for supporting trees of substantial size. The instant invention also provides a unique way ofjichieving a substantially vertical and stable orientation of the tree in the stand with minimal effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A tree stand, and a method for manufacturing the tree stand, are disclosed. In general, the tree stand retains the lower portion of the tree trunk and supports the tree in an upright orientation and includes a base member having a diameter substantially greater than its height defined by a generally cylindrical wall closed at one end and substantially closed at the opposite end. The wall substantially closing the opposite end has a central opening of a diameter sufficient to receive the trunk of the tree. Extending from the base member are at least four support members, a first two disposed generally orthogonal to the second two support members with the support members in each pair disposed diametrically opposite to the other around the central opening. The first pair of support members have a height substantially different than the second pair. A threaded fastener extends through the upper end ot each support member such that the fasteners extending through the first pair engage the tree trunk at a first elevation and the fasteners extending through the second pair engage the tree at a right angle to the first and at a different elevation

The advantages pro ided by the invention include a more stable base than achieved b prior designs, as a result of the lower profile and under footprint The stability is improved by the added weight of the water filling the base member The substantial weight, low profile, and under footpπnt lower the center of gravity of the upπght tree and stand Moreover, due to the circular nature of the base, support is provided in a 360-degree arc where in prior stands, three or four legs only provide πgid support every 120 or 90 degrees or the radial distribution of the legs .Another advantage prov ided in this invention is the support of the tree trunk at two different elevations, each rotated 90 degrees with the other With the tree clamped between opposing points, a rotation axis is defined The rotated and different level clamping points pre ent the rotation from occurring and actually provide a method and structure for obtaining the desired ertical orientation of the tree for displav These and other features, advantages and objects of the present inv ention will be further understood and appreciated bv those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES Fig 1 is a perspective v iew of one form of the tree stand embodying the invention, Fig 2 is a perspectiv e iew of the invention taken supporting the trunk of the tree.

Fig 3 is a plan v iew of the inv ention taken

Fig 4 is a section iew of the invention taken along line IY-IV shown in Fig 3, and Fig 5 is a section view of the invention taken along line V-V shown in Fig 3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS The drawing figures illustrate a tree stand 10 embodvmg the invention and commonlv used for supporting a Christmas tree, such as shown bv reference 1 1 , in an upπght oπentation The stand 10 includes a base member 12 having a generally cylindrical wall 14 closed at a lower end by a lower or bottom plate 16, and substantially closed at an upper end by an upper or top plate 18 The upper plate 18 includes a concentrically located or central opening 20 having a diameter sufficient to receive and accommodate the trunk of the tree The generally cy lindrical wall, lower plate, and top plate define a container 22 of relatively low profile (about 2 inches) in comparison to a diameter which is preferably on the order of 24 inches across Container 22 is manufactured such that the seams of the upper and lower plates 18, 16, respectively, with the generally cv ndπcal wall 14 is capable of retaining water 24 or other fluids The relatively wide footpπnt of base member 12 provided by the diameter, and the relatively low profile results in a substantially low center of gravity In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tree stand base 10 is manufactured from steel ranging in thickness from one-sixteenth to one-eigth of an inch Most preferably, the upper and lower plates are formed from the one-sixteenth inch thick material while the generally cy ndπcal wall 14 is formed from one-eigth inch thick matenal When container 22 is filled with water, the weight of the water, coupled with the mass of the steel base member 12, prov ide a stable platform for the base of the tree received therein

Secuπng the trunk of the tree to tree stand 10 and to base member 12 are a plurality of ngid upπght or support members 26, preferably arranged into two sets of two uprights 28 each As shown in the figures, the upπghts 28 A and 28B in the first set of uprights 26A are disposed diametπcally opposite each other across central opening 20 with each having a lower end 30 attached to the upper surface 32 of lower plate 16 Extending upwardly from surface 32, upπghts 28 Λ and 28B extend through a notch 34 in the peπmeter of central opening 20 Upper ends 36 preferably extend several inches or more abov e upper plate 18 and are preferably located directly above lower ends 30

.Arranged at about ninety degrees to the first set 26A of upπghts or support member 28 A, 28B is the second set 26B of upπghts or support members 38A, 38B The upπghts 38A, 38B are also disposed diametrically opposite one another across central opening 20, each with a lower end 40 attached to the upper surface 32 of a lower plate 16 As each upnght 38A, 38B extends upwardly from lower plate 16 it is received and fixed in a notch 34 formed in the perimeter of central opemng 20 In the second set 26B of upπghts 38 A, 38B, an upper end 42 extends upwardly and is inclined toward the middle of central opening 20 In a preferred embodiment, upπghts 38 A, 38B extend above the upper plate 18 of base member 12, but not to the extent of the uprights in set 26A

Passing through the upper end 36 and 42 of each of the upπghts in sets 26 A and 26B is an adjustable clamping member 44 Each clamping member 44 includes a threaded shaft 46 extending through at least one and preferably two threaded female members 48 one each of which is attached to an opposite side of the upπght members In a prototype of the invention, the female members 48 were formed by nuts welded to the upper ends of the upπghts A hole (not shown) through the upper end of each upπght permits uninterrupted passage of the clamping member therethrough As shown in Fig 5, one end 50 of clamping members 44 is pointed and adopted to pierce the trunk of the tree An annular flange 52 extends around the shaft 46 a slight distance from the point tip 50 to provide a clamping action against the tree trunk and restrict the depth to which the tip penetrates the tree trunk Annular flange 52, in cooperation with the opposing flange, clamps the tree trunk and substantially reduces e tendencey of the tree to rotate about the clamping axes The opposite end 52 of each clamping member 44 terminates in a handle 54 which provides easy adjustment for each clamping member The length of each clamping member 44 is sufficient for the tip to extend substantially to a point midway between the opposing uprights and retract substantially to each upπght This range of adjustment accommodates many tree trunk diameters

In operation, and as, shown in Fig 2, the tree trunk is often tπmmed free of lower branches and cut generallv perpendicular to produce a relatively flat bottom and permit the tree to draw wa'er from a reservoir The tree stand is then placed on the floor or other generally level surface where the tree is to be displayed The tree is then placed with the bottom of the trunk extending tnrough the central opening and resting on the upper surface 32 of the lower plate

\V lth the tree trunk resting on the lower plate, the clamping members 44 m either the first or second set of upπghts, or both, are adjusted until they impinge upon the trunk The clamping members 44 extending through the taller upπghts engage the tree trunk generally at a horizontal onentation and define a first axis of attachment The clamping members extending inwardly and downwardly from the lower set of upπghts engage the trunk at points lower than the first axis, and along a line located ninety degrees to the first The angular orientation of the lower clamping members permits easy adjustment with respect to the vertical plum The angular oπentation also reduces the tendency of the sharp point to translate downwardly along the side of the tree trunk as the trunk rotates about the upper or first axis The angular orientation of the lo er clamping members also prov ides the advantage of requiπng less force to adjust the angular oπentation of the tree in the stand That is to say that substantially more force is directed along the path of the rotation than just a component of the force achieved in hoπzontally disposed clamping members A further advantage of the orthogonal configuration of the ngid upπghts is that one set of clamping members prevents rotation of the tree trunk about the orthogonal clamping axis

After the tree is located m the desired posiϋon, base member 12 is filled with water The weight of the water, coupled with the weight of the low profile steel based member, and the relatively expansive footpπnt of the base member provides a sound foundation and substantially reduces the chances the tree will tip or fall ov er The smooth lower plate also prov ides a stable bearing surface for rotating the tree to achieve the desired orientation

The above descπption is considered that of the preferred embodiments only Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and descπbed above are merej for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the in ention which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the pπnciples of patent law, including the Doctπne of Equivalents

I CL AIM

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A tree stand for retaining the lower portion of a tree trunk and supporting the tree in an upright orientation, comprising: a base member having a generally cylindrical wall closed at a lower end by a lower plate and substantially closed at an upper end by an upper plate, said upper plate having a centrally located opening therein for receiving one end of the tree trunk therethrough, said generally cylindrical wall, lower plate and upper plate defining a container of relatively low profile and relatively wide diameter for retaining a volume of water therein and providing a weighted base; a first set of at least two upright members diametrically opposed to each other and having a lower end attached to said lower plate and an upper end extending through said upper plate: a second set of at least two upright members diametrically opposed to each other and located about ninety degrees from said first set and having a first end attached to said lower plate and an upper end extending through said upper plate and angled upwardly and inwardly, said second set of said upright members having a height less than said first set of upright members; a plurality of adjustable clamping members, each extending at a generally right angle through said upper end of a respective one of said upright members and having a first end for ensaσinσ the tree.

2. The tree stand as defined in claim 1 , wherein each of said adjustable clamping members is threaded to permit adjustment of each of said clamping members with respect to the tree trunk.

3. The tree stand as defined in claim 1 , wherein said adjustable clamping members extending through said upper end of said second set of upright members are inclined inwardly and adapted to engage a lower portion of the tree trunk. 4 The tree stand is defined in claim 1 , wherein said adjustable clamping members extending through said first set of upπght members engage the trunk of the tree and prevent the tree from piv oting about an axis defined by said adjustable clamping members extending through said second set of upright members

5 A Chπstmas tree stand compπsing a base having a lower plate, a wall extending upwardly from a peπmeter of said lower plate, and an upper plate attached to an upper end of said wall, said central plate having a central opemng, sad lower plate, wall, and upper plate further defining a substantially enclosed chamber for retaining a volume of liquid therein, at least four support members extending upwardly from said upper plate a first two of said support members disposed generally orthogonal to a second two of sad support members, said support members located diametrically opposite each other across said central opening said first two support members having a height less than said second two support members, said first and second two support members also hav ing an upper end, said upper end of said second two support members inclined upwardly and away from said perimeter. a threaded fastener extending through said upper end of each support member and oπented generally inwardly toward- said central opening, said threaded fastener in each of sad second two of support members being inclined toward said lower plate

6 The Chπstmas tree stand as defined m claim 5, wherein said wall of sad base has a height less than one-half a diameter of said lower plate

7 The Chπstmas tree stand as defined in claim 6, wherein sad wall of said base has a height less than one-forth said diameter of said lower plate

8 The Chπstmas tree stand as defined in claim 7 wherein said wall of said base has a height less than one-tenth said diameter of said lower pla-e

9 The Chπstmas tree stand as defined in clairr 5 wherein said threaded fasteners extending through said second two support members prevent a tree retained by the tree stand from rotating about a pivot axis defined by said threaded fasterers extending through said first two support members

10 A method for supporting the trunk of a Chnstmas tree in a tree stand, compπsing prov iding a base having a height less than one-half a diameter of said base, said base defined by a lower plate, a wall extending upwardly from a peπmeter of said lower plate, and a top plate containing a central opening attached to an upper edge of said wall for defining an interior volume, supporting the trunk of the tree at a first par of diametπcallv opposed points above said base bv upper ends of two upπght support members extending from said base, and supporting the trunk of the tree at a second pair of diametπcally opposed points along a generallv orthogonal axis at a height lower than said first pair of diametπcallv opposed points

1 1 The method as defined in claim 10, wherein the step of supporting the trunk of the tree at said second pair of diametπcally opposed poιn^fs includes the step of providing opposing downwardlv inclined adjustable tree engaging members for engaging a lower portion of a tree trunk

12 The method for manufacturing a Chπstmas tree stand, comprising the steps of constructing a container having a lower plate, a wall extending upwardly from a perimeter of said lower plate, and a top plate contaning a central opening attached to an upper edge of said wall, a height of sad container being less than one-half a diameter of sad lower plate, attaching a plurality of upπghts to said top plate about sad central opening, a first two of said plurality of upπghts being diametrically opposed and having a first height and a second two of said plurality of uprights being diametπcally opposed to each other and oriented generally ninerv degrees to said first two of said plurality of uprights and having a height less than said first two of plurality of uprights, attaching adjustable tree engaging pins through an upper end of each upright such that sad adjustable tree engaging pins extending through said first two upπghts are oπented generally hoπzontally and said adjustable tree engaging pins extending through sad second two upπghts are inclined toward sad lower plate through said central opemng