US3784136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Christmas tree stand holder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-08-18
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1992-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A device for holding the wooden Christmas tree stand with the bottom end of the tree trunk submerged in water, so that the tree can take up water and retain its freshness. The device comprises a shallow, flat-bottomed basin of sufficient lateral dimension to receive the conventional wooden stand, and sufficient depth to hold water to cover the stand and the cut end of the trunk. A two-piece lid is provided, in which the two halves are hinged together near one edge, so that they can be swung apart to pass the tree trunk between them, said halves being brought together with the trunk in the center. A swinging latch on one of the halves fastenes to the other half to tie the two lid halves together. At its center, the lid has a circular opening to receive the tree trunk, and a series of slots radiating from the opening form flaps that bend upwardly to accommodate a trunk that is larger than the opening. Score lines provide lines of weakness, so that the flaps will bend up freely at their bases.
Inventors
- 👤 E Lopez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:15
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G33/00; A47G33/04; A47G33/12; A47G2033/1286
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A holder for keeping a Christmas tree fresh and moist for an extended period of time, said holder being used with a conventional wooden cross stand fixed to the bottom end of the tree trunk, and the holder comprising, in combination: a shallow, flat-bottomed basin of dimensions to receive the wooden cross stand of the tree therein, said basin having upstanding side walls, and being adapted to be partially filled with water, so that the wooden cross stand and the bottom end of the tree trunk are submerged in water; a lid adapted to cover said basin, said lid having an opening in the center thereof through which the trunk of the tree passes, and the lid being divided so that it can be passed on both sides of the trunk in order to center the lid with respect to the trunk, and to seat said trunk in said opening; said lid having resilient means around the perimeter of said opening which is expandable to allow a tree trunk of larger diameter than the opening to be received therein; and means for joining together the divided parts of said lid after the lid has been put around the tree trunk, so as to secure the lid in place and prevent the divided parts from separating; said wooden cross stand providing the sole support for the tree independent of the holder, and said holder providing a basin to serve as a receptacle for said stand and the water in which it is immersed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
A holder for keeping a Christmas tree fresh and moist for an extended period of time, said holder being used with a conventional wooden cross stand fixed to the bottom end of the tree trunk, and the holder comprising, in combination: a shallow, flat-bottomed basin of dimensions to receive the wooden cross stand of the tree therein, said basin having upstanding side walls, and being adapted to be partially filled with water, so that the wooden cross stand and the bottom end of the tree trunk are submerged in water; a lid adapted to cover said basin, said lid having an opening in the center thereof through which the trunk of the tree passes, and the lid being divided so that it can be passed on both sides of the trunk in order to center the lid with respect to the trunk, and to seat said trunk in said opening; said lid having resilient means around the perimeter of said opening which is expandable to allow a tree trunk of larger diameter than the opening to be received therein; and means for joining together the divided parts of said lid after the lid has been put around the tree trunk, so as to secure the lid in place and prevent the divided parts from separating; said wooden cross stand providing the sole support for the tree independent of the holder, and said holder providing a basin to serve as a receptacle for said stand and the water in which it is immersed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
128 words
A Christmas tree holder as in claim 1, wherein said basin and said lid are circular in planform; said lid comprising two semi-circular halves which are placed on opposite sides of the tree trunk, each of said lid halves having a diametrical edge, and said diametrical edges abutting against one another when the lid halves are placed around said tree trunk; and each of said lid halves having a strap at one side along the diametrical edge, the free end of said strap overlying the other lid half and having a protuberance on its underside that is inserted into a hole in said other lid half, one of said straps serving as hinge means pivotally connecting said lid halves together, and the other strap serving as latch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
A Christmas tree holder as in claim 1, wherein at least said lid is made of resilient plastic, And said resilient means comprises radial slits in the lid extending outwardly from said opening to form tabs which bend upwardly when a tree trunk of diameter larger than said opening is used with the holder, said lid having lines of weakness extending between the outer ends of adjacent radial slits, said lines of weakness providing a hinge-like action so that the tabs bend upwardly along said lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A Christmas tree holder as in claim 1, wherein said basin and said lid are molded of resilient plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A Christmas tree holder as in claim 1, wherein said basin and said lid are molded of polyethylene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |