US2904291A - Base for christmas trees - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 15, 1959 J. F. HARBES EIAL BASE FOR CHRISTMAS TREES Filed Sept. 10, 1956 INVENTORS. dob/1 F. #arfiz; Robert 4, 51d? United States Patent f" This invention relates to a base or stand for a Christmas tree and constitutes a continuation-in-partof our copending application Serial No. 498,982, filed April 4; 1955.

It is the primary object of the instant invention to improve upon the disclosure of said application by the provision of a base or stand that is adapted to support the trunk of the tree within a container of water, yet not be attached to such pan in any manner.

The most important object of the present invention is to provide a tree stand that incorporates the novel feature of our copending application with respect to holding the severed end of the trunk of the tree tightly against a base, yet adaptable as aforementioned for partial insertion within a pan of water that advantageously does not form a part of the stand itself.

Another important object of the instant invention is to provide a Christmas tree stand that is adaptable for supporting trees of various sizes and particularly of varying trunk diameters through the provision of an expansible clamp adapted to be attached to the said trunk in surrounding relationship thereto.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a support for a tree that incorporates turnbuckles or other take-up means as disclosed in our copending application but in a more advantageous manner to draw the trunk of the tree downwardly toward a base within the pan of water, thereby holding the trunk properly centered and against lateral movement or any kind of slippage.

A still further object of the instant invention has to do with the way in which a portion of the stand is looped over the uppermost edge of the water pan presenting a depressed portion for receiving the trunk of the tree that is attached to the stand through use of take-up means interconnecting the said clamp with that part of the structure which bridges the pan as just above mentioned.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a base for Christmas trees made pursuant to our present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a vertical, cross-sectional view illustrating the manner of attachment of a tree trunk to the support.

As is clear in the drawing, the stand forming the subject matter of the instant invention is adapted to be associated with an open-top, water-receiving pan or similar receptacle 10, provided with an uppermost edge 12 and over which a plurality of substantially V-shaped bridging elements 14 are looped when the pan 10 is associated with the stand. Each element 14 includes, therefore, a leg 16 that extends radially at an angle upwardly and inwardly from an annular ring .18. The lowermost terminal ends of the legs 16 are rigidly attached to the ring 18 and it is seen that the latter surrounds the pan 10 when the ring 18 and the pan 10 are in the relative positions shown in the drawing.

Each element 14 includes also an elongated arm 20 integral with corresponding legs .16 and extending downwardly and inwardly at an angle from the point of juncture 22 between the legs 16 and the arms 20. The elements 14 are further interconnected at said points of Patented Sept. 15, 1959 juncture 22 by a second annular ring 24 of a lesser diameter than the ring 18, disposed directly above the edge 12 'ofpan'lfl and rigidly attached to the elements 14 at the zones of juncture 22. It is noted that the elements 14 arelooped over the ring 24 and, therefore, over the edge 12 ofpan when the latter is employed.

The'innermost and lowermost terminal ends 26 of the arms, 21) are preferably bent horizontally and are interconnected by a base 28 which may be in the nature of a circular'plate overlyin'gthe terminal ends 26 of the arms 20.' Thus, there is presented. a depressed portion within the pan 10'having an elevated base 28 for supporting the severed end 30 of trunk 32 of a Christmas tree 'or the like. An upwardly extending, centrally disposed pin 34 may beprovided on the base 28 for piercing the end 30 of trunk 32 if desired, or the base 28lsimply provided with an opening adapted to receive a nail or other fastener to be driven into the end 30 of trunk 32.

An expansible clamp 36 adapted for attachment to the trunk 32 above the ring 24, includes a plurality of arcuate segments or sections 38 each provided with a pair of outturned, radial cars 40.

One ear 40 of each segment 38 respectively, receives a rotatable clamping fixture which may be in the nature of an eyebolt 42 provided with a shoulder 44. The other ear of each segment 38 respectively, is provided with a tapped opening for receiving the threaded end of the proximal bolt 42. It is seen, therefore, that the clamp 36 is adapted to receive trunks 32 of varying diameters and that the said clamp 36 may be rigidly attached to the trunk 32 simply by manipulating the bolts 42.

The clamp 36 is operably connected with the elements .14 through the medium of a plurality of take-up devices, preferably in the nature of turnbuckles 46. A turnbuckle 46 is provided for each segment 38 respectively and the lowermost ends thereof are provided with eyes 48 that receive the ring 24. The uppermost ends of the turnbuckles 46 are rigidly or otherwise suitably attached directly to their corresponding clamp segments 38.

It is seen, therefore, that it is a simple matter to place the trunk 32 on the piercing pin 34 or on the base 28, and thereupon place the clamp- 36 on the trunk 32 in surrounding relationship thereto. Before tightening the clamp 36, the iturnbuckles 46 should be loosened and thereupon each of the bolts 42 is manipulated to draw the segments 38 tightly against the tree trunk 32. With the clamp 36 firmly in place, the turnbuckles 46 may be manipulated to draw the trunk 32 downwardly toward the base 28 into tight engagement therewith. If the piercing pin 34 is employed, such drawing action on the part of the turnbuckles 46 will cause the pin 34 to pierce the severed end 30 of trunk 32 as the end 30 moves toward the base 28.

It is manifest from the above also, that the attitude of the tree may be adjusted for balance and proper upright positioning by varying degrees of tightening of the turnbuckles 46 Whether or not the trunk 32 is straight and uniform.

The stand may, of course, be employed in total absence of the pan 10 if desired. However, it is but necessary to tip the tree and the stand attached thereto in order to insert the pan 10 beneath the ring 24 as shown in the drawing, or lift the tree and the stand to place the same in position above the pan 10, all as may be desired. In any event, the pan 10 is adapted to hold a relatively large amount of water and it is disposed for ready access when Water is to be added from time to time.

It is apparent also that the stand is of such nature as to facilitate the provision of a decorative base. The rings 18 and 24, the turnbuckles 46 and the legs 16 are all conveniently adaptable to receive decorative material which may be easily attached thereto and opened slightly employed and, therefore, the purchaser of the stand may use any available kitchen utensil for such purpose.

A tree supponted by the stand above described is not easily tipped over and attention is specifically called to the unique way in which the trunk 32 is forced downwardly into the depressed portion of the stand as an upward pull is exerted on the ring 24 by the action of turnbuckles 46.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

A Christmas tree stand comprising a horizontal support; a plurality of substantially V-shaped elements each including a leg rigidly attached to said support and extending upwardly and inwardly at an angle therefrom and an arm integral with the leg and extending downwardly and inwardly at an angle therefrom; a horizontal ring rigidly attached to said elements at the juncture between the legs and the arms; a flat base plate rigidly attached to the lowermost and innermost ends of the arms, said base plate being disposed within a horizontal plane parallel with and spaced between the plane of said support and the plane of said ring; an expansible clamp adapted for attachment to the tree trunk above the ting; and turnbuckles interconnecting the ring and the clamp for drawing the end of the trunk into tight engagement with said base plate, each of said turnbuckles having one end thereof rigidly attached to said clamp and the opposite end thereof provided with an eye loosely encircling the ring for movement with respect thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 578,012 Harris Mar. 2, 1897 868,942 Reid Oct. 22, 1907 1,923,794 Noland Aug. 22, 1933 20 2,260,932 Chulick et a l. Oct. 28, 1941 2,634,070 Aguettaz Apr. 7, 1953

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