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US 6,681,519 B2Granted
Self-clamping christmas tree stand
AssigneeDonald F. Mitchell
InventorRichard E. Cone
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-clamping Christmas tree stand provides a stable platform for a Christmas tree that allows simple installation and adjustment of the tree angle without having to be positioned under the tree to perform the adjustments. The tree stand uses the weight of the tree to firmly clamp the tree's trunk. A clamping mechanism provides a constant grip that will not loosen unless an upward force is provided by the user. The adjustment range of the tree trunk angle with respect to the vertical plane may be varied to accommodate tree trunks of different shapes. Lastly, the tree stand includes a large liquid reservoir to maintain the tree's moisture content.
Claims15
A self-clamping Christmas tree stand comprising:
- a reservoir member including,
- (a) an opening for receiving a trunk of a tree,
- (b) an upper portion including slots receiving a plurality of self-clamping members there through,
- (c) a lower portion for coaxially disposing said reservoir member into a base member, and
- (d) means for causing said plurality of self-clamping members to clamp onto said tree trunk when a weight associated with said tree is applied to said reservoir member;
- said base member including,
- (a) a central portion adapted for coaxially receiving said lower portion of said reservoir member, and
- (b) an outer portion adapted for receiving said plurality of self-clamping members;
- and,
- said plurality of self-clamping members, each of said plurality of self-clamping members including,
- (a) a bottom end adapted for being disposed into said outer portion of said base member,
- (b) a top end adapted for clamping onto said tree trunk, and
- (c) means for locking said reservoir member into a clamped position following application of said weight.
10 more elements
A self-clamping Christmas tree stand comprising:
- a reservoir member including,
- (a) an opening for receiving a trunk of a tree,
- (b) an upper portion adapted for receiving a plurality of clamping members,
- (c) a lower portion for coaxially disposing said reservoir member into a base member, and
- (d) an interior bottom having a substantially centered stabilizer positioning dowel for positioning of a stabilizer disk, and
- (e) means for causing said plurality of clamping members to clamp onto said tree trunk when a weight associated with said tree is applied to said reservoir member;
- said base member including,
- (a) a central portion adapted for coaxially receiving said lower portion of said reservoir member, and
- (b) an outer portion adapted for receiving said plurality of clamping members;
- said plurality of clamping members, each of said plurality of clamping members including,
- (a) a bottom end adapted for being disposed into said outer portion of said base member,
- (b) a top end adapted for clamping onto said tree trunk, and
- (c) means for locking said reservoir member into a clamped position following application of said weight;
- and
- said stabilizer disk including;
- (a) a top portion having at least one vertically standing spike for impaling a bottom of said tree trunk, and
- (b) a bottom portion having a plurality of indentations for adjustably coupling with said stabilizer positioning dowel in a plurality offset positions to accommodate for misalignments of said tree trunk with respect to a vertical axis.
14 more elements
A self-clamping Christmas tree stand comprising:
- a reservoir member including,
- (a) an opening for receiving a trunk of a tree,
- (b) a lower piston portion for coaxially installing said reservoir member into a base member,
- (c) an upper flange portion having a plurality of equally spaced slots for slideably receiving therethrough a plurality of clamping members,
- (d) an interior bottom having a substantially centered stabilizer positioning dowel for positioning of a stabilizer disk, and
- (e) means for causing said plurality of clamping members to clamp onto said tree trunk when a weight associated with said tree is applied to said reservoir member;
- a base member including,
- (a) a cylinder portion for receiving said lower piston portion of said reservoir member,
- (b) an outer support portion having a plurality of equally spaced pivot channels in angular alignment with said plurality of equally spaced slots and adapted for receiving said plurality of clamping members,
- (c) a rim located on the outer circumference of said base member for capturing incidental spills of liquid,
- said plurality of clamping members, each of said plurality of clamping members including,
- (a) a pivot end for being pivotally disposed in said pivot channels,
- (b) a curvilinear end having a substantially vertical face adapted for clamping onto said tree trunk,
- (c) an engagement notch for slideably locking said upper flange portion into a clamped position, and
- (d) an upper travel stop for limiting travel of said reservoir member in an upward direction;
- and
- said stabilizer disk including;
- (a) a top portion having at least one vertically standing spike for impaling a bottom of said tree trunk, and
- (b) a bottom portion having a plurality of indentations for adjustably coupling with said stabilizer positioning dowel in a plurality offset positions to accommodate for misalignments of said tree trunk with respect to a vertical axis.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.