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WO2006037943A1 - Ameliorations des supports d'arbres - Google Patents

Ameliorations des supports d'arbres Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2006037943A1
WO2006037943A1 PCT/GB2005/003439 GB2005003439W WO2006037943A1 WO 2006037943 A1 WO2006037943 A1 WO 2006037943A1 GB 2005003439 W GB2005003439 W GB 2005003439W WO 2006037943 A1 WO2006037943 A1 WO 2006037943A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tree
stand
retaining member
gripping means
tree stand
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2005/003439
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Joseph Noblett
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP05778499A priority Critical patent/EP1799078A1/fr
Priority to CA002584840A priority patent/CA2584840A1/fr
Priority to US11/576,865 priority patent/US20080078116A1/en
Publication of WO2006037943A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006037943A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G33/00—Religious or ritual equipment in dwelling or for general use
    • A47G33/04—Christmas trees 
    • A47G33/12—Christmas tree stands
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G33/00—Religious or ritual equipment in dwelling or for general use
    • A47G33/04—Christmas trees 
    • A47G33/12—Christmas tree stands
    • A47G2033/1286—Christmas tree stands comprising watering means, e.g. a water reservoir

Definitions

  • This invention relates to tree stands, and in particular, but not exclusively to Christmas tree stands.
  • the invention also extends to a kit, and a method of securing a tree to a tree stand.
  • stands available for securing cut trees.
  • One commonly used type of stand is a cut-out section of a tree trunk which has a recess cut or bored part-way through the section. The cut trunk end of a tree is then simply inserted into the recess in the stand. The weight of the cut-out section effects stabilisation of the tree and reduces the chance of the tree toppling.
  • the circumference of the tree is usually chosen to be substantially identical or slightly larger than the circumference of the recess in the stand, to enable a snug fit of the tree in the stand.
  • a problem with the above-mentioned type of stand is that it is almost impossible to buy a cut tree in which the diameter is identical to the diameter of the recess of a consumer's particular stand, and therefore a consumer may spend considerable time finding a suitable tree, or may have to shave or bore their cut tree in order to enable it to fit in the stand.
  • a second known type of stand comprises a generally cylindrical tube having a number of apertures into which can be threaded screws, and when a tree is inserted into the stand, the screws may be inserted such that they protrude into the cylinder and abut the trunk of the tree in order to tightly restrain the tree in the stand.
  • the stand is commonly connected to, or forms part of a weighted base member which helps to prevent the tree and stand from toppling over in use.
  • a disadvantage with this type of stand is the need for the user to bend over or kneel in order to loosen or tighten screws once the tree has been inserted. Furthermore, the screws may be difficult to operate, and once tightened into the trunk of the tree, may be difficult to remove. This is particularly problematical for elderly or infirm persons. Furthermore, the screws may work loose over a period of time, especially if the tree is agitated, for example when being decorated.
  • the tree is inserted into a tree retaining member which in itself is mounted in a fluid reservoir.
  • the tree retaining member comprises no mechanical means to fix the tree in position, but instead relies on a snug fit between the tree and the tree retaining member in order to retain the tree.
  • the interior of the tree retaining member may include ribs or veins which grip the tree in order to fix the tree within the retaining member.
  • a tree stand comprising a tree retaining member arranged in use to releasably mount a tree, the tree retaining member comprising tree gripping means, comprising a resilient member moveable between a first position in which the gripping means are arranged to grip a tree mounted in the tree stand, and a second position in which the gripping means are arranged to enable release of a mounted tree, wherein the tree stand further comprises a means to releasably lock the gripping means in the first position.
  • the resilient gripping means is biased towards the second position.
  • the releasable locking means preferably enables the resilient gripping means to grip a mounted tree until the releasable locking means are removed, at which point the resilient gripping means is biased to the second position.
  • the tree retaining member comprises a hollow receptacle having an opening into which a tree may be inserted.
  • the receptacle is an elongated member having a bore running therethrough.
  • the elongate member may be a substantially cylindrical member, more preferably having a circular cross section.
  • the receptacle may comprise a frusto-conical member having an opening at one end thereof.
  • the tree retaining member is preferably mounted in a fluid reservoir.
  • the fluid reservoir preferably comprises a receptacle having an opening therein, into which water or other substances may be added.
  • the tree retaining member is preferably mounted such that it does not substantially protrude from the reservoir.
  • the tree retaining member is preferably in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. In this way, water poured into the fluid reservoir is able to enter the tree retaining member to feed a tree mounted therein, in use.
  • the resilient gripping means may comprise a portion of the tree retaining member.
  • the tree retaining member comprises a receptacle having an opening therein, into which a cut tree or shrub trunk can be inserted
  • the resilient gripping means comprises a portion of the tree retaining member at or near the opening of the tree retaining member.
  • the resilient gripping means comprise at least one member at least a portion of which, in the first position, is arranged to grip a tree mounted in the receptacle in use.
  • the or each member in the second position is biased away from the opening of the receptacle, and preferably extend radially outwardly from the receptacle wall.
  • the releasable locking means comprises a means to bias the or each resilient gripping member to the first position until the locking means is moved.
  • the locking means may comprise a locking member which prevents movement of the or each resilient gripping member until the locking member is moved.
  • the releasable locking means comprises a collar which in use is arranged to bias the or each resilient gripping member to the first position.
  • the resilient gripping means comprises a plurality of gripping members arranged at or near the opening of the receptacle and more preferably around substantially the whole of the opening of the receptacle.
  • the receptacle is a cylindrical member having a circular opening therein, and the gripping means comprises a plurality of fingers extending axially around the opening of the receptacle.
  • the locking means comprises a collar which in use is arranged to fit around the outside of the fingers and move the fingers into the first position. When the collar is removed the fingers are free to bias to the second position in which the fingers do not enter or obscure entry of a tree into the opening of the receptacle.
  • the receptacle is a cylindrical member and the collar is an annular member dimensioned to fit around the outside of the receptacle.
  • the collar is held in place on the outside of the receptacle by the resilience of the or each resilient gripping member.
  • the tree retaining member and/or resilient gripping means are constructed from plastics, metal, or the like.
  • the tree retaining member is the sole means for retaining a tree in the tree stand.
  • a tree inserted into the tree retaining member is solely retained by abutment of the tree with the interior surface of the tree retaining member and gripping means .
  • the tree retaining member does not comprise mechanical means to retain a tree.
  • a user does not have to effect operation of any mechanical means such as screws or bolts, and does not therefore have to kneel or bend to the ground level to insert and retain the tree.
  • the tree stand may further comprise weighting means.
  • the weighting means comprises a base member which may be connected to the fluid reservoir or formed integrally with the fluid reservoir.
  • the base member comprises a plurality of legs, which in use, are arranged to engage a surface on which the tree stand is mounted.
  • the tree stand may be of any suitable material, but is preferably metal (including alloy) and is more preferably constructed from iron, cast iron, aluminium or stainless steel .
  • a kit comprising a tree stand of the first aspect of the invention and a tree.
  • the tree is a cut tree suitable for use as a Christmas tree.
  • the cut tree comprises a trunk which in the region of the cut end thereof, has a circumference substantially identical to the interior circumference of the tree retaining member.
  • cut tree we mean a tree or shrub which has been cut by any suitable means to provide a cut end of the trunk of the tree distal to the apex of the tree.
  • trees may be cut by chopping, cutting, sawing and the like for example.
  • the cut end of the trunk of the tree may be shaped by any suitable means, including sawing, chopping, shaving, planing or the like.
  • the tree stand is as described hereinabove for the first aspect of the invention.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an upper perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the tree stand of the invention, in which the releasable locking means are not shown;
  • Figure 2 illustrates a side sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 illustrates a plan view of the releasable locking means of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figure 4 illustrates a side sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 in which the releasable locking means has locked the tree gripping means into position.
  • a tree stand 2 comprises a weighting means in the form of a base 10 which includes four legs 12.
  • a fluid reservoir 4 which is cylindrical in shape.
  • a tree retaining member 6 which is generally cylindrical in shape.
  • the tree retaining member 6 comprises an aperture 8 located at the connection between the retaining member 6 and the base 10, which allows fluid communication between the retaining member 6 and the fluid reservoir 4.
  • the tree retaining member 6 further comprises resilient gripping means 14 to help hold a tree in place within the tree retaining member 6.
  • the tree retaining member 6 and gripping means 13 are constructed from a resilient metal such as steel or aluminium.
  • the resilient gripping means comprise four gripping members in the form of fingers 14, extending axially from the cylindrical tree retaining member 6 in a direction substantially parallel with the wall of the tree retaining member 6.
  • the four fingers 14 are separated by slits 15.
  • the fingers 14 are integral with the tree retaining member 6.
  • the fingers 14 are resiliently biased such that in position shown in Figure 1, the first position, the fingers 14 extend radially slightly outwardly with respect to the opening of the tree retaining member 6, in order that a tree may be inserted into the tree retaining member 6. In this position, as shown in Figure 1, the slits 15 are slightly opened, in order that the fingers 14 are biased away from each other and outwardly of the tree retaining member 6.
  • FIG 3 illustrates a top down view of the releasable locking means 24 of the tree stand 2 of the invention (separate from the tree stand 2) .
  • the locking means 22 comprises an annular locking member having an outer surface 23 and an inner surface 24.
  • the annular member includes a bore 25 running therethrough.
  • the inner surface 24 is arranged to have substantially the same diameter as the outer surface of the tree retaining member 6 of the tree stand 2.
  • a user firstly slips collar 22 over the tree retaining member ⁇ , whilst biasing the fingers 14 into their first, closed position, until the collar slips past the slits 15, at which point the user may release the fingers 14 to their second, open position.
  • the fingers 14 are biased to their second, open position in which the fingers do not resiliently grip the tree mounted in the tree stand and this enables the mounted tree to be released from the tree retaining member 6, if desired.
  • a user slides the collar 23 up the tree retaining member 6 until it begins to cover the slits 15 and the bottom of the fingers 14.
  • the collar pushes against the fingers 14, and biases them towards the first closed position, in which they begin to abut and grip the cut tree.
  • the user may then let go of the collar 23.
  • the collar will be held in place in its position by biasing from the resilient fingers 14, which are biased towards their second position naturally, due to the resilience of the metal forming the fingers.
  • the user may then wish to fill the fluid reservoir with water, which will seep into the bottom of the tree retaining member 6 through aperture 8.
  • the user When the user wishes to remove the tree from retaining member 6, the user slides the collar 23 down the tree retaining member 6, and the release of pressure enables the fingers 14 to resiliently bias to their second position, away from the opening of the tree retaining member 6, to the position shown in Figure 1. In this position, the fingers 14 do not resiliently grip the cut tree, and a user may then withdraw the cut tree from the tree retaining member 6.

Landscapes

  • Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)
  • Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention prévoit un support d'arbre comprenant un élément de retenue d'arbre (16) disposé à l'utilisation pour monter un arbre de façon libérable, l'élément de retenue d'arbre (16) comprenant trois moyens de préhension (14) comprenant un élément résistant mobile entre une première position dans laquelle les moyens de préhension (14) sont disposés pour prendre un arbre monté dans le support d'arbre, et un seconde position dans laquelle les moyens de préhension (14) sont disposés pour permettre de libérer un arbre monté ; le support d'arbre comprend de plus un moyen de verrouiller de façon libérable les moyens de préhension dans la première position (22). L'invention fournit de plus un kit comprenant un support d'arbre pour l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9 et un arbre.
PCT/GB2005/003439 2004-10-07 2005-09-05 Ameliorations des supports d'arbres Ceased WO2006037943A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05778499A EP1799078A1 (fr) 2004-10-07 2005-09-05 Ameliorations des supports d'arbres
CA002584840A CA2584840A1 (fr) 2004-10-07 2005-09-05 Ameliorations des supports d'arbres
US11/576,865 US20080078116A1 (en) 2004-10-07 2005-09-05 Tree Stands

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0422278.2A GB0422278D0 (en) 2004-10-07 2004-10-07 Improvements in and relating to tree stands
GB0422278.2 2004-10-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006037943A1 true WO2006037943A1 (fr) 2006-04-13

Family

ID=33443525

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2005/003439 Ceased WO2006037943A1 (fr) 2004-10-07 2005-09-05 Ameliorations des supports d'arbres

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20080078116A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1799078A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2584840A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB0422278D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006037943A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD628512S1 (en) * 2010-04-23 2010-12-07 Cathy Lynn Marsh Artificial Christmas tree base cover

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9403129U1 (de) * 1994-02-28 1994-04-28 Barczikowski, Anton, 61231 Bad Nauheim Halter für einen an seiner Unterseite mit einer Säule, einem Stamm o.dgl. versehenen Gegenstand
DE19543441A1 (de) * 1995-11-22 1997-05-28 Carsten Preuse Christbaumständer
DE19931309A1 (de) * 1999-07-07 2001-01-18 Bruno Gruber Haltevorrichtung für einen Baumstamm
DE20209344U1 (de) * 2002-06-15 2002-11-07 Rainer, Stephan, 94447 Plattling Spann- und Haltevorrichtung für Stangen

Family Cites Families (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1750367A (en) * 1927-12-31 1930-03-11 James C Smith Christmas-tree holder
US2504455A (en) * 1946-02-18 1950-04-18 George D Ruetz Clamp
US2750138A (en) * 1948-01-23 1956-06-12 Morris Milo Ward Christmas tree mounting means
US3302909A (en) * 1965-10-18 1967-02-07 Glassman Martin Walter Staff-type base support
US3582028A (en) * 1968-08-16 1971-06-01 John G Purdy Tree holder
US3987996A (en) * 1975-10-23 1976-10-26 The Raymond Lee Organization, Inc. Combination hassock and christmas tree holder
SE395353B (sv) * 1975-12-09 1977-08-15 Almer Bengt Oennert Stativfot, avsedd att anvendas foretredesvis som julgransfot
AT354674B (de) * 1977-01-25 1980-01-25 Stranzinger Hermann Christbaumstaender od. dgl.
DE3606778A1 (de) * 1986-03-01 1987-09-03 Jakob Gies Baumstaender, bestehend aus einem gehaeuse und darin angeordneten spannmitteln fuer einen baumstamm
GB8826435D0 (en) * 1988-11-11 1988-12-14 Gordon I A Christmas tree stand
US5086583A (en) * 1990-07-18 1992-02-11 Breen William C Method and apparatus for holding cut trees
US5507117A (en) * 1993-05-28 1996-04-16 County Line Limited Partnership, L.L.C. Tree stand
DE19545471C2 (de) * 1995-12-06 2002-07-18 Krinner Klaus Klemmvorrichtung für einen Stamm, insbesondere den eines Christbaumes
US5918849A (en) * 1997-01-27 1999-07-06 Bliss; Jon P. Tree stand with a plurality of pivoting arms that each pivot about a vertical axis
NO994989A (no) * 1999-10-14 2000-10-09 Hans Joachim Kotthaus Løsbar festeanordning
DE10101312B4 (de) * 2001-01-12 2004-04-29 Krinner Innovation Gmbh Christbaumständer
US6681519B2 (en) * 2001-10-24 2004-01-27 Donald F. Mitchell Self-clamping christmas tree stand
US20060255231A1 (en) * 2005-05-13 2006-11-16 Christmas Innovations Ltd Of New Farm Rural Industries Christmas tree stand

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9403129U1 (de) * 1994-02-28 1994-04-28 Barczikowski, Anton, 61231 Bad Nauheim Halter für einen an seiner Unterseite mit einer Säule, einem Stamm o.dgl. versehenen Gegenstand
DE19543441A1 (de) * 1995-11-22 1997-05-28 Carsten Preuse Christbaumständer
DE19931309A1 (de) * 1999-07-07 2001-01-18 Bruno Gruber Haltevorrichtung für einen Baumstamm
DE20209344U1 (de) * 2002-06-15 2002-11-07 Rainer, Stephan, 94447 Plattling Spann- und Haltevorrichtung für Stangen

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0422278D0 (en) 2004-11-10
CA2584840A1 (fr) 2006-04-13
US20080078116A1 (en) 2008-04-03
EP1799078A1 (fr) 2007-06-27

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