Patent Abstract:
A support apparatus includes: an extension member with opposed first and second ends; a yoke disposed at the first end of the extension member; and a foot disposed at the second end of the extension member.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to home decorations and more particularly to physical supports for decorations such Christmas trees. 
         [0002]    Christmas trees are a common type of holiday decoration. A natural or artificial tree is usually supported by a relatively small tripod-type base at its root end, and hung with decorations such as electric lights and glass or ceramic ornaments. 
         [0003]    One problem with a Christmas tree is that it can be heavy and have a high center of gravity (“top-heavy”). A Christmas tree can easily be knocked over by a child or a pet. If a tree falls over it may it may damage or destroy ornaments having significant financial or sentimental value. It could also cause significant damage to the home or its furnishings or injury to occupants. Furthermore, in extreme cases, broken electric lights or spilled water could cause a fire or other structural damage. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This problem is addressed by a support that can be placed around a tree or pole to increase its stability. 
         [0005]    According to one aspect of the technology described herein, a support apparatus includes: an extension member with opposed first and second ends; a yoke disposed at the first end of the extension member; and a foot disposed at the second end of the extension member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of a support; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the support shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a partially-broken-away top plan view of a yoke of the support shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the yoke shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a schematic side view showing the support of  FIG. 1  being used to support a tree; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a schematic top plan view showing an array of the supports of  FIG. 1  arranged about a tree trunk in a tripod pattern; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a schematic top plan view of an alternative support; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a schematic perspective view of the support of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an exemplary support  10 . The basic components of the support  10  are an extension member  12 , a yoke  14 , and a foot  16 . 
         [0016]    The extension member  12  is an elongated element with upper and lower ends  18 ,  20  respectively. The extension member  12  may have a fixed or adjustable length. As used herein, the term “adjustable” refers to the length being selectively variable without having to be permanently changed, i.e. the length can be adjusted without permanently removing or adding material. Nonlimiting examples of adjustable structures include modular structures, sliding structures, and telescoping structures. In the illustrated example, the extension member  12  includes an upper tube  22  which telescopes inside a lower tube  24 . An internal detent mechanism or a twist-lock mechanism (not shown) is provided to fix the extension member  12  at any desired length. This type of telescoping device is sold commercially for use as an extension handle, e.g. for being attached to a paint roller or similar tool. 
         [0017]    The upper end  18  of the extension member  12  includes some means for attachment to the yoke  14 , such as an interlocking surface, a fastener, or a latching mechanism. In the illustrated example, the upper end  18  has male threads  25  formed thereon. 
         [0018]    Optionally, the extension member  12  may be decorated, for example by painting, powder coating, anodization, printing, or covering with material such as vinyl wrap. For example, the decoration may incorporate a holiday theme, or it may incorporate a color or pattern intended to camouflage the appearance of the support  10 . 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the yoke  14  is generally Y-shaped with a proximate end  26  and a distal end  28 . The yoke  14  includes a body  30  with a pair of spaced-apart fingers  32  extending therefrom, adjacent the distal end  28 . The fingers  32  may be generally parallel to each other. The spacing between the fingers  32  may be selected sufficient to receive a portion of a branch or trunk of a tree. By way of example and not of limitation, the spacing between the fingers  32  may be in a range of a fraction of an inch to several inches. The yoke  14  includes some means for attachment to the upper end  18  of the extension member  12 , such as an interlocking surface, a fastener, or a latching mechanism. In the illustrated example, the body  30  of the yoke  14  incorporates female threads  34  adjacent the proximate end  26 , which engage the male threads  25  of the extension member  12 . 
         [0020]    The yoke  14  may be manufactured from any material providing adequate strength for the purpose of coupling to the extension member  12  and bearing against a tree. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials include polymers, metals, and wood. In the illustrated example the yoke  14  is an integral, unitary, or monolithic component molded from plastic such as polyethylene. 
         [0021]    The foot  16  is configured to engage a floor or ground surface to prevent slippage of the support  10 . The foot  16  may incorporate one or more features to promote friction and/or traction, such as a soft or rough surface, or pins, ribs or spikes. In the illustrated example, the foot  16  is a cap made from a resilient material such as natural or synthetic rubber, sized to engage the lower end  20  of the extension member  12  in a friction fit. 
         [0022]    Optionally, the yoke  14  and the foot  16  may be provided as a kit and used to assemble a support  10  using an existing telescoping extension member  12  as described above. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows how the support  10  may be used to brace a Christmas tree. A representative tree  36  includes a central trunk  38  supported by a base  40  which in turn rests on a floor  42 . A plurality of branches  44  extend outward from the trunk  38 . The yoke  14  receives the trunk  38  and/or a branch  44  to prevent the upper end  18  from disengaging. The foot  16  rests against or engages the floor  42 . The support  10  extends upward from the floor  42  at an acute angle. The support  10  thus directly braces the tree  36  from toppling in a direction towards the support  10 , and provides a wider effective base for the tree  36 . The angle and/or length of the support  10  may be selected to provide sufficient stability and resistance to toppling while minimizing the exposed portion of the support  10 . 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , a number of supports  10  may be arrayed around the trunk  38  as necessary to provide complete support to the tree  36 . Each support  10  braces the tree  36  against falling in a direction in line with the support  10 , but does not provide lateral support. If the tree  36  is freestanding, a minimum of three supports  10  arrayed at equal spacings (e.g. 120°) will brace the tree  36  against falling in any direction. If the tree  36  is already positioned such that it is protected against falling in one or more directions, for example if the tree  36  is placed in an interior corner of a room, then fewer supports  10  may be sufficient. 
         [0025]      FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative yoke  114  similar in construction to the yoke  14  described above. The yoke  114  is interchangeable in the assembly of the support  10  with the yoke  14  described above. Elements of the yoke  14  not specifically described may be considered identical to the yoke  14 . The yoke  114  is generally Y-shaped with a body  130  with a pair of spaced-apart fingers  132  extending therefrom. The yoke  114  includes some means for attachment to the upper end  18  of the extension member  12 , as described above. A pair of ribs  134  are disposed on opposite sides of the body  130 . Each rib  134  as a slot  136  formed therethrough. 
         [0026]      FIG. 8  illustrates the yoke  114  with an adjustable strap  138  threaded through the slots  136 . The strap  138  is adjustable in length and may be secured with a fastening mechanism such as the illustrated buckle  140  and hook-and-loop fastener  142 . When the buckle  140  and hook-and-loop fastener  142  are released the strap  138  defines an open shape with two free ends that may be wrapped around a tree or pole. When the buckle  140  and hook-and-loop fastener  142  are secured, the free ends are fastened together and the strap  138  defines a closed loop in cooperation with the yoke  114 . In use with the support  10 , the strap  138  may be used to secure the yoke  114  to the pole, trunk, or branch to ensure that the support  10  does not slip out of position. 
         [0027]    While the support  10  has been described in the context of supporting a Christmas tree, the principles described herein may be adapted to other uses. In particular, the support  10  to be used to support any upstanding structure such as a pole, rod, or bar. 
         [0028]    Furthermore, the support  10  or  110  may also be used as a tool, with the yoke  14  or  114  serving a hook or gripper (optionally using the strap  138  for security) and the extension  12  serving as a long handle. Used this way, the support  10  or  110  can be used to hold objects such as lights, ornaments, etc. These items can be lifted up and installed on, or removed from, the tree  36  or other locations at elevations above the user&#39;s natural reach. 
         [0029]    The foregoing has described a tree and pole support. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. 
         [0030]    Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstracts and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
         [0031]    The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstracts and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4