Patent Publication Number: US-5522177-A

Title: Christmas tree stand

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to new and useful improvements in Christmas tree stands. 
     Various types of Christmas tree stands have heretofore been provided. Such stands basically provide structure that engages the tree trunk at the bottom for supporting the tree and that also engages the tree upwardly from the bottom for steadying it vertically. Broad examples of such structures are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,481,015, 2,500,215, 3,697,026, 4,254,578, and 1,484,784 United Kingdom. Some of these patents also can be combined with pans for immersing the bottom of the trunk in water pans in order to provide moisture for a tree in the holder. Applicant herein has heretofore conceived a Christmas tree stand with the above basic structure and with substantial improvements in the art as well. Such improvements are shown in his U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,049. 
     The purpose of the present invention is to further improve on Christmas tree stands in simplification, sturdy support of a tree, and to prevent twisting of the tree. In accomplishing these improvements, the present stand comprises a base ring and an upwardly extending post having a lower end secured integrally to the base ring. The post is inclined toward an inner portion of the base ring and supports a vertical tree holding bar that in turn supports a bottom horizontal foot plate from which first and second tree trunk piercing means project. This pair of trunk piercing means positively provide a connection to the trunk of the tree to hold the tree upright and also prevent the tree from twisting. The first tree trunk piercing means comprises a wedge member that penetrates the tree radially through the bark and the second piercing means comprises an axially movable set pin that can be withdrawn in an initial step of mounting the tree on the holder but then can be pounded in place axially to accomplish one of the final steps in setting a tree on the holder. This device uses a crank screw at its upper end for cinching the tree tightly onto the holder. 
     The invention will be better understood and additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present tree stand with the trunk of the tree and a water container shown in broken lines. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view. 
     FIG. 3 is a to plan view, and 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged fragmentary side elevational views of the stand showing steps of mounting the stand on a tree. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The invention comprises a metal base 10 preferably circular in shape and also preferably of metal. A tree engaging and holding member 12 includes an inclined support post 12a welded at its bottom end to the base 10. The upper end 14 of the support post 12a terminates short of the axis point of the base 10. A portion 16 of the post 12a at the top is horizontal. This horizontal portion is formed by an inward bend 18 in the inclined post. An inverted U-shaped brace 20 is welded in inclined position between the base ring and the post 12a. 
     Suspended integrally from the upper end of post 12a with the bottom thereof disposed in a plane above the bottom edge of base 10 is an upright tree holding bar 12b. This bar is welded integrally to the post at a point below the top of the bar, thus leaving a projecting portion 22 of the bar above its connection to the post. 
     The bottom of the depending bar portion 12b has an integral right angle foot plate 26 that supports a tree T. The foot plate may assume varying lengths depending on the size of the stand but for the average tree stand it is approximately 4 inches long, 1 inch wide, and 1/2 inch thick. The outer end of this foot plate is offset from the center of the base 10 to allow the tree to be approximately centered in the base, especially trees with large diameter trunks. A gusset or wedge plate 28 is welded on edge in the inside corner between the bottom end of bar portion 12b and the foot plate 26. This wedge plate reinforces the projecting support of the foot plate on the bar portion 12b and also will penetrate the tree in a mounted position of a tree on the stand, as will become more apparent hereinafter. This wedge plate measures on the average approximately 1 inch in height and 3/4 inch along the foot plate in an average size base 10. 
     A set pin 30 is mounted in the foot plate 26 adjacent the outer or free end of the foot plate and is freely movable axially in an aperture 32 in the foot plate. Pin 30 has a head 34 on the bottom and a lateral stop projection 36, such as a drop of weld metal, on the other end. This pin thus has axial movement relative to the foot plate but is trapped in its axial movement by its head and projection 36 to prevent displacement. 
     The upper end of the depending bar portion 12b has a cross bore 38 that extends axially in the same direction as the foot plate 26. This bore freely receives a tree penetrating cinching screw portion 40 of a screw crank 42. The screw crank includes an abutment 44 at the rearward end of the screw portion 40 that abuts against the tree holding bar 12b and serves to cinch up the bar against the tree, as will be apparent hereinafter. 
     For mounting a tree on the holder, reference is first made to FIG. 4. The bottom of the tree is first squared off and then the tree is laid horizontal. The holder in the tipped up edge position of FIG. 4 is brought down in a radial direction relative to the tree. At this time, the set pin 30 is retracted rearwardly as shown. In bringing the stand down radially, the foot plate 26 is moved along closely to the butt end of the tree. Movement of the stand down will be interrupted by engagement of the outer edge of the wedge plate with the bark surface of the tree. Thereupon, the depending bar portion 12b is tapped with a hammer on the side thereof opposite from the wedge plate 28 to drive the wedge plate edgewise and radially into the tree to the FIG. 5 position. Also with reference to FIG. 5 the set pin 30 is then driven axially into the butt end of the tree. Thereupon, the screw portion 40 of the screw crank 42 is inserted in the bore 38 in the direction shown in FIG. 3 and then suitably operated to penetrate the tree and cinch the tree firmly up against the bar portion 12b at the abutment 44, as shown by the broken line tree position in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     The tree is thus firmly locked in place on the holder. Furthermore, the two spaced points of engagement by the wedge plate 28 and the set pin 30 positively anchor the bottom end of the tree and also prevent the tree from twisting or turning axially. The metal used for the tree engaging and holding member 12 is of selected strength such that while capable of firmly holding the tree upright it nevertheless can be bent if forced. Thus, if the tree needs adjustment in its upright position, the operator places a foot on the base 10 and forces the tree to the desired upright position. Bending will mostly occur at the upper portion of member 12. Depending bar portion 12b supports the foot plate in suspended relation relative to the floor and the stand is open in the center and can receive a water container C. 
     It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.