Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention is in the field of tree grips.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,586 to Coppedge discloses a Christmas tree stand having a bowl which includes threaded nuts and a set of turn screws threaded through the support collar nuts. Partial cylindrical clamping plates are driven by screws to hold a tree in place.  
         [0003]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,193 to Adams discloses a Christmas tree stand having smooth grippers having an arcuate shape. See,  FIG. 6  of the &#39;193 patent.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 2,913,202 to Meldrum discloses a tree stand including a plurality of arcuate clamping plates having one edge hingedly connected to vertically spaced portions of the inner wall of a cylindrical member.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 359,462 discloses a design for a Christmas Tree Stand.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. D442,883S discloses a design for a Support Stand For Christmas Trees And Other Trees and Plants.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,997 B1 discloses a Christmas tree stand which includes a base and a clamping mechanism which has a pair of opposed jaws to clamp the tree.  
         [0008]     Christmas trees are popular. Difficulty in orienting and maintaining the trees in a vertical position is a common problem. Since the trees often bear lights and sometimes even candles, it is imperative that the Christmas trees remain upright in their stands so as to minimize fire risk and also to minimize damage to the tree, decorations on the tree, and surrounding furniture, flooring and woodwork. The problem is exacerbated by the desire to have a larger (taller and wider) Christmas tree.  
         [0009]     It is, therefore, desirable to have a device and a method of ensuring that a Christmas tree regardless of size and straightness of the trunk, be securely mounted in an upright position.  
         [0010]     It is also desirable to have a device and method of ensuring that a sapling or other young tree is supported to enable growth until replanting can be effected or until the support is no longer necessary for the growth of the tree.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     A tree grip having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis includes a first surface for engagement with the tree and a second surface oriented and facing oppositely to that of the first surface. The first surface includes a plurality of serrations and the second surface includes a bore therein. The bore may be vertically offset. The serrations may be in a variety of patterns or combinations of patterns may be employed. Protrusions may be employed in combination with the serrations or alone.  
         [0012]     A plurality of tree grips each having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis in combination with a tree stand for use in securing a tree in the stand is disclosed. Each of the tree grips includes a first surface and a second surface oriented and facing oppositely to the first surface. The first surface includes a plurality of protrusions or serrations or a combination of both and the second surface includes a vertically offset bore. The tree stand includes a circumferentially oriented support and a plurality of threaded members oriented radially inwardly with respect to the circumferentially oriented support. The circumferentially oriented support includes respective female threads for interengaging the plurality of threaded members preventing movement of the threaded members relative to the circumferentially oriented support. Each of the threaded members engage a respective bore in each of the respective tree grips thus restraining outward radial movement of the tree grips. The plurality of protrusions and/or serrations substantially engage the tree to secure it within the stand in a vertical position.  
         [0013]     It is an object to provide a tree grip for use in combination with a tree stand to secure a tree in a stable, vertical position.  
         [0014]     It is an object to provide a method for securing a tree within a tree stand utilizing the tree grips disclosed herein.  
         [0015]     These and other objects of the invention will become apparent when reference is made to the Brief Description of the Drawings, Description of the Invention and claims which follow hereinbelow. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art Christmas tree stand.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the Christmas tree stand of  FIG. 1  in combination with the tree grip of the instant invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the Christmas tree stand of  FIG. 3  in combination with the tree grip of the instant invention and a portion of a tree.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 4A  is an enlargement of a portion of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the first embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a right side view of the first embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the first embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a left side view of the first embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the first embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a rear view of the first embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is a top view of another embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is a top view of yet another embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0030]      FIG. 13A  is a right side view of the embodiment of the tree grip of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 13B  is a front view of the embodiment of the tree grip of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 14  is a top view of yet another embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0033]      FIG. 14A  is a right side view of the embodiment of the tree grip of  FIG. 14 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 14B  is a front view of the embodiment of the tree grip of  FIG. 14 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 15  is a top view of yet another embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0036]      FIG. 16  is a top view of yet another embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0037]      FIG. 16A  is a right side view of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in FIG.  16 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 16B  is a front view of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 17  is a top view of yet another embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0040]      FIG. 17A  is a right side view of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 17 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 17B  is a front view of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 17 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 18  is a top view of yet another embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0043]      FIG. 18A  is a right side view of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 18 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 18B  is a front view of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 18 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 19  is a top view of yet another embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0046]      FIG. 19A  is a right side view of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 19 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 19B  is a front view of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 19 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 20  is a top view of yet another embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0049]      FIG. 20A  is a right side view of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 20 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 20B  is a front view of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIGS. 20 .  16 . 
     
    
       [0051]     A better understanding of the drawings and the invention will be had when reference is made to the Description of the Invention and claims which follow hereinbelow.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0052]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view  100  of a prior art Christmas tree stand. Most prior art Christmas tree stands employ a plurality of threaded screws  104 ,  117 ,  120 ,  124  having handles  103 ,  116 ,  119  and  123  for rotating the screws thus positioning the screws radially inwardly or outwardly. Each of the screws  104 ,  117 ,  120 ,  124  have threads which coact with reciprocal threads  102 ,  118 ,  121 ,  125  in a circumferential support  101  which is part of a container or bowl  130  capable of holding water to feed the tree placed therein. Reference numeral  105  indicates the interior hollow cavity of the bowl  130 .  
         [0053]     Screws  104 ,  117 ,  120 ,  124  are oriented radially with respect to generally circumferential support  101 . Each screw  104 ,  117 ,  120  and  124  has a respective end  127 ,  128 ,  129  and  126  for engagement with the tree. The ends of the screws have limited diametrical area and, as such, do not support the tree very well. Since, the screws have limited diametrical area they protrude into the tree differently depending on whether a soft spot of the wood is engaged. In a similar fashion, hard spots of the wood do not allow penetration of the screw. Therefore, a user is left with an uneven at best gripping of the tree by the screws. The grips of the instant invention greatly enlarge the surface area which engages the tree. Further, the grips of the instant invention also included serrations and/or protrusions which engage the tree. The grips of the instant invention provide secure engagement of the tree from four positions. It is desirable to use four grips of the instant invention but two grips spaced 180 degrees apart may be used.  
         [0054]     Bowl  130  is mounted atop plate  107  and is supported by leg pairs  112 ,  113 ;  111 ,  114 ;  109 ,  106 ; and  110 ,  115 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view  200  of the Christmas tree stand of  FIG. 1  in combination with a plurality of tree grips  201 ,  202 ,  203  and  204  of the instant invention. Each of the tree grips  201 ,  202 ,  203  and  204  include a first surface having serrations  205 ,  206  and  207  thereon as viewed in  FIG. 2 . Screw  117  is illustrated extending into bore  208  of the second oppositely oriented surface.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view  300  of the Christmas tree stand of  FIG. 1  in combination with the tree grips  201 ,  202 ,  203  of the instant invention and a portion of a tree  301 .  
         [0056]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view  400  taken along the lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  illustrating tree grips  201  and  203  in cross-section. Preferably the tree grips are manufactured from Aluminum but they may be constructed from steel, wood, polyurethane, nylon, acrylic or any other rigid polymer. Referring still to  FIG. 4 , threads  104 ,  120  are received and restrained by respective reciprocal threads  102 ,  121  which maintain the screws (threaded members) in position relative to the circumferential support  101 . Reference numerals  302 ,  303  indicate compression and deformation of the wood of the tree  301  by serrations  205 ,  206  of the tree grips  201 ,  203 . Spike  401 , part of the prior art tree stand illustrated in  FIG. 1 , also penetrates wood  301  and stabilizes the tree from the bottom.  
         [0057]     Bores  304 ,  305  in the second surface of tree grips  201 ,  203  are illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Ends  127 ,  129  of the screws are illustrated engaging the respective bores  304 ,  305  which urge tree grips  201 ,  203  into compression with the tree  301 . This causes the serrations or protrusions to cut into and deform the wood fo the tree  301 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 4A  is an enlargement  400 A of a portion of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4A  illustrates the compression of the wood  301  by serrations  205  of the grip  201 . Still referring to  FIG. 4A , screw threads  104  interengage reciprocal threads  102  in the outer circumferential support  101 . Screw member  104  includes end  127  which engages the bottom of bore  303  which pushes the tree grip  201  leftwardly as screw member  104  is rotated by handle  103 . Tree grips  201 ,  202 ,  203  and  204  apply pressure to a relatively large surface area of the wooden tree. Additionally, the grips frictionally engage the tree by virtue of the serrations and/or protrusions on the second surface of the tree grip.  
         [0059]     The tree grips illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4A  are illustrated in more detail in  FIGS. 5-11 . Preferably, the tree grips are 3 inches long, {fraction (3/4)} inch wide and {fraction (3/4)} inch high. The length is sometimes referred to herein as the longitudinal direction and the grip has a longitudinal axis running therethrough.  FIG. 5  is a top view of the first embodiment  500  of the tree grip  201 , for instance. When referring to  FIG. 5 , the longitudinal axis (vertical axis) runs vertically through the center of mass of the tree grip. The horizontal axis runs transversely through the tree grip through the center of mass. Reference numeral  501  represents a peak of one of the serrations  504  and reference numeral  502  represents a valley of one of the serrations. Another one of the serrations  503  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 6  is a right side view  600  of the first embodiment of the tree grip.  FIG. 7  is a front view  700  of the first embodiment of the tree grip.  FIG. 8  is a left side view  800  of the first embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0060]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view  900  of the first embodiment of the tree grip illustrating the second surface  901  and a bore  902  therein. Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 9 , the bore of the tree grip is offset from center approximately {fraction (1/4)} inch and is biased toward the upward end  504  of the tree grip. The bore as shown is approximately {fraction (7/16)} inch diameter and is approximately {fraction (3/8)} inch deep. The bore is vertically offset approximately {fraction (1/4)} inch. The serrations are arranged in a transverse relationship and, when viewed from the side, the base of the triangle is {fraction (1/4)} inch and the height is {fraction (1/8)} inch. While this position of the bore and this size of tree grip is disclosed in detail herein, other positions of the bore and other sizes of the tree grip are specifically contemplated. For instance, the tree grip may have different dimensions as the situation requires. It may be taller, wider and higher and may have a bore placed in a different position. For some applications an extremely lengthy (extremely long) tree grip may be used.  FIG. 10  is a rear view  1000  of the first embodiment of the tree grip.  FIG. 11  is a perspective view  1100  of the first embodiment of the tree grip.  
         [0061]      FIG. 12  is a top view  1200  of another embodiment of the tree grip illustrating serrations defined by peaks  1201  and valleys  1202  occurring at a higher frequency than that illustrated in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0062]      FIG. 13  is a top view  1300  of yet another embodiment of the tree grip illustrating serrations diagonally situated having peaks  1302  and valleys  1301 .  FIG. 13A  is a right side view  1300 A of the embodiment of the tree grip of  FIG. 13 . Reference numeral  1303  illustrates the right side of the grip.  
         [0063]      FIG. 13B  is a front view  1300 B of the embodiment of the tree grip of  FIG. 13 . Reference numeral  1304  indicates the front side of the grip.  
         [0064]      FIG. 14  is a top view  1400  of yet another embodiment of the tree grip illustrating serrations oriented vertically (longitudinally) on the first surface of the grip. Reference numeral  1401  illustrates a peak and reference numeral  1402  illustrates a valley of one of the serrations. Reference numeral  1403  illustrates the rightmost serration (tooth) and it can also be viewed in  FIG. 14A , a right side view  1400 A of the embodiment of the tree grip of  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 14B  is a front view  1400 B of the embodiment of the tree grip of  FIG. 14 .  
         [0065]      FIG. 15  is a top view  1500  of yet another embodiment of the tree grip similar to that of  FIG. 5  with indicia (SANTACLAWS) in a recessed portion of the grip. The recessed portion of the grip is in the form of a rectangular discontinuity in the serrations located on the first surface of the grip.  
         [0066]      FIG. 16  is a top view  1600  of yet another embodiment of the tree grip illustrating peaks  1601  and valleys  1602  illustrated in a curved orientation.  FIG. 16A  is a right side view  1600 A of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 16B  is a front view  1600 B of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 16  illustrating the front portion  1603 .  
         [0067]      FIG. 17  is a top view  1700  of yet another embodiment of the tree grip illustrating peaks  1703  and valleys  1701 ,  1702  illustrated in a multi-angled relationship.  FIG. 17A  is a right side view  1700 A of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 17B  is a front view  1700 B of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 17 .  
         [0068]      FIG. 18  is a top view  1800  of yet another embodiment of the tree grip. Pyramid-shaped protrusions  1801  having a triangular base are illustrated.  FIG. 18A  is a right side view  1800 A of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 18B  is a front view  1802  of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 18 .  
         [0069]      FIG. 19  is a top view  1900  of yet another embodiment of the tree grip illustrating cylindrical protrusions having a convexly-shaped upper portions  1901  extending outwardly for gripping wood.  FIG. 19A  is a right side view  1900 A of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 19B  is a front view  1900 B of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 19 .  
         [0070]      FIG. 20  is a top view  2000  of yet another embodiment of the tree grip illustrating a combination of transverse serrations having peaks  2001  and valleys  2002  as well as lands  2004  having protrusions  1801  thereon. The protrusions may be in the shape of the pyramids previously described or they may have the convex heads as illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 19 A.  FIG. 20A  is a right side view  2000 A of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 20 .  FIG. 20B  is a front view  2000 B of the embodiment of the tree grip illustrated in  FIG. 20 . Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that protrusions having a different shape may be used. Further, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that lands may be created in the topography of the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein as  FIGS. 13, 14 ,  16  and  17  and that protrusions may be used in the lands created therein.  
         [0071]     While the invention has been described herein by way of example and with particularity, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1