Supports – Suspended supports – Releasable for lowering
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-04
2002-08-20
Chan, Korie (Department: 3632)
Supports
Suspended supports
Releasable for lowering
C248S320000, C248S332000, C248S343000, C248S521000, C047S067000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06435463
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of Christmas tree stands. More particularly to suspending a Christmas tree from an overhead support and optionally rotating the tree.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Christmas tree stands are well known. They generally comprise a means for gripping the base of the tree and a stand base to provide a wide enough stance to hold the tree in an upright position. All such stands suffer from the shortfall of being unable to adequately support a tree which has a trunk that is substantially off center or that is not substantially straight. In such a case a vertical line from the center of gravity of the tree may fall within but near or outside the radius of the base of the tree stand. Thus, the tree may be unstable or even impossible to stand upright. The problem of a tree decorated with delicate ornaments falling over is readily apparent. In addition, a pleasingly shaped tree with bowed or irregular trunk may be impossible to position in a stand without having an appearance of being crooked or tilted.
A variety of Christmas tree stands that attempt to deal with the problem of a non-straight trunk have generally taken the form of a stand which grips the base of the tree trunk and provides a lockable swivel or gimbals which allow the tree to be oriented vertically and then secured in position. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,156,323 to Scheffler describes a “cup-shaped holder that may be inclined with respect to vertical to permit proper positioning of the tree and to compensate for irregularities in the tree shape.” U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,882 to Capen describes a “hemispherical ball which is received by two adjustable jaws which form a hemispheric cavity. ” Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,309 to McCure which describes a three-legged base with three length adjustable guys to straighten the tree. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,699,347 to Kuhnley, 4,913,395 to Juhas, 5,845,890 to Earsley et al, and 6,019,341 to Brown et al disclose variations on these themes. All of these still hold the tree at the base and may be unstable if the tree deviates from straight.
Stands designed to rotate a tree about a vertical axis already exist in the art. An example is disclosed is U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,008 to Chu which discloses a stand which alternates in direction of rotation at the end of each full circuit to prevent the twisting of electrical cords that may be attached to lighted ornaments on the tree. U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,569 to Sofy discloses a rotating stand assembly that includes a clutch which can disengage if motion is obstructed and electrical outlets that rotate in concert with the tree. U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,989 to Allman reveals a tree stand which combines rotation, a built in musical unit, a rotating electrical outlet and a remote control for controlling the operation of the tree stand. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,921,022 to Baker and 5,979,859 to Vartanov et al disclose stands that include rotating electrical outlets along with other feature s. All of these tree stands support the tree from the base. Thus, the problem of an unstable or marginally tree may be magnified by the addition of rotational motion, increasing the likelihood of the tree toppling.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,482 to Holod discloses a “Support system for Christmas trees and the like” which discloses an overhead anchor and a clamp connected to a portion of the tree. The clamp disclosed comprises a disposable ratchet mechanism similar to that used in common wire ties. The tree is thus gripped in a way that concentrates stress in a small area of the main leader. This increases the likelihood that breakage may occur and that the tree may fall unless otherwise supported. Since a decorated live tree combines electricity, water and a potential source of fuel for a fire it is essential that the tree be supported in a secure fashion.
The present invention provides a means by which to support a tree securely, in an aesthetically pleasing manner, with no concern of toppling and allows for the safe rotation of the tree if desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention allows for the suspension of a Christmas tree from an overhead support. This approach assures a visually pleasing, structurally secure and balanced presentation of the decorated tree.
This is achieved by securing a hook to an overhead support such as a ceiling joist or beam or structure dedicated to this purpose. A swivel is then secured to the hook. A tree grip is secured to the swivel and then to the main leader of the Christmas tree. The tree will then hang plumb due to the force of gravity. Optionally, a pulley may be employed to assist in the raising of the tree. The pulley is secured to the hook by a loop. The tree grip is secured to the top of the tree. A cable is securely attached to the trunk of the tree below the apex of the tree. The cable is threaded through the sheave of the pulley and may be pulled to raise the tree until the tree grip can be attached to the hook. The free end of the cable may then be attached to the trunk of the tree to provide additional security of attachment.
The tree grip comprises a Kellems style mesh grip which is well known in the electrical arts as a device for pulling or supporting electrical cable. This assures a firm grip upon the leader of the tree and that the stress of supporting the weight of the tree is distributed over a large area greatly decreasing the risk of breakage and subsequent collapse of the tree.
In order to stabilize the tree from excessive swinging, the base of the tree may be placed in an open topped basin, which may also be used to store water to provide for the moisture needs of a living tree. The water may also serve to provide additional weight to stabilize the base of the tree.
Since substantially all of the weight of the tree is born by the overhead support, the option of rotating the tree to display all of its sides to the viewer is much simplified. A motorized rotating device to turn the tree trunk is secured to the tree and to the stabilizing and water holding basin. This device may also provide for the supply of electrical power to the lights of the tree. Electrical outlets may be located on the shroud of the rotating device, which rotates with the tree. Thus, twisting of the electrical cords is eliminated. Electrical power to the rotating device may be provided through a brush and ring assembly well known within the electrical arts. Of course, other techniques may be used without departing from the essential attributes of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 335654 (1886-02-01), Taplin
patent: 2017625 (1935-10-01), Kellems
patent: 2766501 (1956-10-01), Kellems
patent: 3033502 (1962-05-01), Silver
patent: 3883102 (1975-05-01), Trigg
patent: 4078753 (1978-03-01), Cole
patent: 4289310 (1981-09-01), Weakly
patent: 4349172 (1982-09-01), Banks, Jr.
patent: 4571882 (1986-02-01), Capen
patent: 4699347 (1987-10-01), Kuhnley
patent: 4875653 (1989-10-01), Connolly
patent: 4889309 (1989-12-01), McCure
patent: 4890008 (1989-12-01), Chu
patent: 4913395 (1990-04-01), Juhas
patent: 5647569 (1997-07-01), Sofy
patent: 5845890 (1998-12-01), Earsley et al.
patent: 5878989 (1999-03-01), Allman
patent: 5921022 (1999-07-01), Baker
patent: 5967481 (1999-10-01), Lobo
patent: 5967482 (1999-10-01), Holod, Jr.
patent: 5979859 (1999-11-01), Vartanov et al.
patent: 6019341 (2000-02-01), Brown et al.
Chan Korie
Patterson Thuente Skaar & Christensen P.A.
LandOfFree
System and method for suspending a tree does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System and method for suspending a tree, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System and method for suspending a tree will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2899062