Supports – Staff type – Angularly adjustable
Patent
1996-12-02
1999-08-17
Berger, Derek J.
Supports
Staff type
Angularly adjustable
47 405, 248523, 248526, F16M 1300
Patent
active
059381671
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a Christmas tree stand comprising a base structure and a holding device where at least a portion of the holding device is approximately spherical and provided with means for securing the latter in the end portion of the tree.
2. Background Art
From e.g. WO 94/06332 a Christmas tree stand is known which comprises a holding device in the form of a disc which is to be screwed into to the end portion of the tree and a base structure with three legs. The base structure is provided with an engagement portion for the holding device which serves to prevent horizontal displacement of the two portions relative to each other. The three legs serve to ensure the vertical position of the tree, as they abut on the tree bole. It is only to a limited degree possible to straighten up a Christmas tree positioned in such known Christmas tree stand and when possible only by manual adjustment of the legs' position which does not allow one single person to carry out simultaneous adjustment and control of the positioning. When the bole of the tree is uneven or in any other way irregular, such adjustment and maintaining in position of a tree is further complicated. Thus, in case of this prior art Christmas tree stand, it may be necessary to support one or more legs with wedges to obtain desired straightening of the tree in a vertical position.
The publications U.S. Pat. No. 2,893,658, U.S. Pat. No. 2,997,264, U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,882 and DE 3 601 601 describe Christmas tree stands comprising a spherical portion to be secured to the end portion of the tree and a base structure for receiving and securing the spherical portion. In these prior art references, the securing is realized by threaded clamping parts or spring activated clamping parts. The securing requires manual operation of these clamping parts. This renders it difficult for one single person to arrange the tree in the correct position and at the same time activate the clamping means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus the object of the invention to provide a Christmas tree stand which allows positioning and securing of a tree by one single upright operator.
This object is obtained with a Christmas tree stand of the type described above which is characterized in that the base structure comprises parts constructed to press against the spherical portion of the holding device by influencing the base structure with the tree's intrinsic weight and thereby securing the holding device.
The holding device being at least approximately spherical and the base structure being constructed to press against the holding device and not against the tree bole permit pivoting of the tree to any position about the centre of the spherical portion. In this context the straightening may for example be carried out steplessly. This is conveniently obtained by the structure comprising at least three support elements which are constructed to press against the spherical portion of the holding device by influencing the base structure with the intrinsic weight of the tree.
In a preferred embodiment the base structure of the Christmas tree stand comprises a central receiving portion for receiving the holding device and at least three support elements hinged pivotally relative to the central receiving portion in such a way that upon influencing the receiving portion with the tree's intrinsic weight by means of the holding device, the support elements will press against the holding device and thereby secure it.
According to a further advantageous embodiment the supporting elements are pivotably movable about axes which are below the centre of the spherical portion of the holding device in a final position of the tree. Hereby favourable conditions for the power influence of the holding device are obtained.
In order to facilitate the insertion of the holding device in the base structure the receiving portion and the support elements are constructed with mutually cooperating parts which allow the legs to be posit
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Collet Bernt Johan
Collet Peter Ferdinand
Berger Derek J.
Skovbunden Aps
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