Patent Publication Number: US-6983921-B1

Title: Rolling christmas tree stand

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Number 501,783 filed on Nov. 28, 2001 under 35 U.S.C. §122 and 37 C.F.R. §1.14. There are no currently co-pending applications anywhere in the world. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to tree stands that accommodate relocation and the like and, more particularly, to a wheeled, wide, weighted based including a perforated retention sleeve for allowing free communication of fluid to the tree&#39;s trunk. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   The holiday season is a time of great fun and happiness for almost everyone. A great deal of the holiday cheer comes from the yearly traditions that are passed from generation to generation. Perhaps the most well known of all traditions is that of the Christmas tree. The act of putting it up and decorating it in one&#39;s home is a process that can be enjoyed by all members of the family. However, the physical size of most Christmas trees, causes a number of aggravations. First, it is difficult to get the tree to be straight and plumb in the stand. Second, the tree must be positioned in its final location before it can be decorated. Third, it is difficult to clean or vacuum around. Finally, the tree often blocks access to shelves, cabinets or other items which may be needed during the holiday season. 
   A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related: 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,335 issued in the name of Helinski, describes a Christmas Tree cart comprised of a hollow cylindrical tree holder mounted on wheels. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,086 issued in the name of Hunt, describes a new portable tree holding device for creatively and innovatively holding a Christmas tree or the like in a vertical upright position. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,547 issued I the name of Payan, describes a Christmas tree spotter for easily and safely moving a fully decorated erect Christmas tree to a display location. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,799 issued in the name of Keefe, describes an apparatus for supporting and transporting a Christmas tree. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,067 issued in the name of Gillanders, describes a holder for Christmas trees which provides for ease of mobility with wheels and a removable handle. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,678 issued in the name of Morrill, describes a upright frame member with an upper handle and bottom support wheels. The forward projecting boom is secured to the upright frame and is of length at least as long as tree branched to be mounted on the cart. 
   U.S. Patent No. D449, 415 issued in the name of Durieux, is an ornamental design for a handcart. 
   U.S. Patent No. D400, 333 issued in the name of Westlake, is an ornamental design for a Christmas tree transport cart. 
   Consequently, there is a need for a means by which Christmas trees can be easily moved while in an upright position to reduce or eliminate the aggravations as described above. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved tree stand that accommodates relocation. 
   It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved a wheeled, wide, weighted based including a perforated retention sleeve for allowing free communication of fluid to the tree&#39;s trunk. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a Christmas tree stand is provided with integral, adjustable, and lockable rolling casters. Upon initial observation of the invention, it looks like a conventional Christmas tree stand with a series of thumb operated bolts to hold the tree and a central reservoir to hold water to help the tree remain green. However, after closer inspection, it can be seen that a series of four or five casters are provided around the bottom perimeter of the stand. Each caster is adjustable in height, which allows the user to set the tree straight or plumb. 
   Additionally, each caster is lockable, which aids in keeping the tree stationary and stable when movement is not desired. With such a system, the tree can be easily moved during initial placement, during decorating, for cleaning or vacuuming, for access behind the tree, and for removal purposes. 
   The use of the present invention allows an upright Christmas tree to be moved in a quick, safe, easy and effective manner. 
   Advantages of the present invention are that it can be used to holds live Christmas trees or, alternatively, can be used with artificial trees as well. 
   Further, the present invention has multiple uses, such as: allowing a tree to be easily moved when initially putting up the tree; allowing a tree to be moved or rotated for even and consistent decorating; moving a tree for cleaning, sweeping or vacuuming; moving a tree for access to blocked cabinets, shelves or other items; or, permitting easy decoration removal after completion of holiday season. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a partially exploded perspective view of a Christmas tree stand according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view thereof; and 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view thereof. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1–3 , a tree support apparatus  10  is shown, according to the present invention, including a radially configured base  12  an a removable, insertable perforated retention sleeve  14 . The tree support  10  is provided with a plurality of adjustable and lockable rolling casters  16 . A series of four or five casters  16  are provided around the bottom perimeter  20  of the stand  10 . Each caster  16  is adjustable in height by use of a threaded, linearly articulating attachment rod  22 , which allows the user to set the tree straight or plumb. 
   Additionally, each caster  16  is lockable, which aids in keeping the tree stationary and stable when movement is not desired. With such a system, the tree can be easily moved during initial placement, during decorating, for cleaning or vacuuming, for access behind the tree, and for removal purposes. 
   The upper portion of the stand  10  forms an integral cylindrical receiving basin  30  forming an integral water-tight containment  32 . A water introduction means  34 , through which water may be poured into the water-tight containment  32 , and shown herein as a cylindrical introduction tube, is in fluid communication with the water-tight containment  32 . About the upper perimeter of the cylindrical receiving basin  30  are a series of impingement rods  40 , each having a threaded inner end opposite an angular outer end, wherein the impingement rods  40  are each received by a tapped outer receiving orifice  42 . 
   Finally, the perforated retention sleeve  14  is formed having a cylindrical upper portion  50  and terminating at a generally cone-shaped lower portion  52 . The upper portion  50  forms tapped — inner  53  receiving orifices that allow the impingement rods  40  to penetrate and impinge against the trunk of an inserted tree. The lower portion  52  forms a plurality of perforations  51  and terminates at an apex that forms a centering aperture  54 . The centering aperture  54  aligns with a centering pin  56  projecting vertically upward from the bottom of the basin  30 . 
   2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
   To use the present invention, a user first places the trunk of a tree into the perforated retention sleeve  14 . The perforated retention sleeve is then placed within the basin  32  such that the centering aperture  54  receives the centering pin  56 . The threaded rods  40  are then tightened until the tree is securely held in place in a vertical, straight manner. If any final “trimming” of the level of the tree is necessary, the appropriate castors  16  can thereby be adjusted. If a live-cut tree is being held, water can be introduced to the basin via the water introduction means  34 . 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.