Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Invention: SUPPORTING STRUCTURE TO MOUNT AND
HOLD CYLINDRICAL SHAPED ~T.~M~NT
CROSS REFERENCES
This application contains subject matter disclosed in
~ applicant's HUNGARIAN REPUBLIC application number P9401889
filed on June 22, 1994 and UNl'l'~ STATES OF AMERICA application
S.N. 08/492,842 filed on June 20, 1995 for which the benefits
of priority under Title 37 C.F.R. Sec. 1.451 are claimed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a supporting structure to
mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements. More particularly,
the present invention relates to a supporting structure to
mount and hold cylindrical shaped elements that includes an
inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped
container for receiving the cylindrical shaped element,
knurling disposed on the outer surface of the container, at
least three supporting stand legs vertically slidably mounted
to the outer surface of the container, a crescent-shaped
locking lever vertically pivotally mounted to each of the at
least three supporting stand legs, a star-shaped locking
element vertically rotatably mounted to the upper end of the
crescent-shaped locking lever and communicating with the
cylindrical shaped element, and a pawl disposed at the lower
end of the crescent-shaped locking element and co~mlln; cating
with the knurling so that when the cylindrical shaped element
is placed in the container the combined weight of the container
and the cylindrical shaped element will cause the container to
slide down the at least three supporting stand legs which in
turn will cause the crescent-shaped locking levers to pivot
upwardly as the pawl rides up the outer surface of the
container until the star shaped locking element contacts and
presses against the cylindrical shaped element at which time
the pawl will engage a knurl and prevent the at least three
crescent-shaped locking levers from further pivoting and
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stabilizing the cylindrical shaped element in a self-locking
fashion.
At Christmas people are confronted in one way or another
with the problem of providing the christmas tree with a base
that is capable of maintA; n; ng the tree upright for several
weeks. Christmas trees are very difficult to hold in a
vertical position and their weight and length must be taken
into account.
Conventional Christmas tree bases require a substantial
amount of work to be carried out, either for adapting the wet,
resiny, knotty and gnarled thick end of the tree to a round
hole in a wooden cross by means of normally unsuitable edged
tools, or for holding the tree upright while a helpmate is
lying on the floor and tries to tighten three or four screws in
order to prevent the tree from tilting over and falling out of
the base of the stand. At the same time the center of gravity
of the tree must be positioned within the support area of the
base, otherwise both the tree and the base will tilt over. The
effort required in both cases is substantial.
Another type of base is the three legged Christmas tree
base. In this type of base the trunk of the Christmas tree is
placed in the cylindrical part of the base and a wing nut is
secured which presses and fastens the tree trunk against the
surface of the supporting structure. This type of base does
not provide adequate mounting to stabilize and prevent the tree
from toppling over.
Still another type of base includes a wider base connected
by stiffeners to increase stability. However, the varying
features of the tree trunk can not accommodated for.
Numerous innovations for Christmas tree stands have been
provided in the prior art that will be described. However,
even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific
individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the
present invention in that they do not teach a Christmas tree
base that includes an inverted vertically arranged hollow
frustum-shaped open top container for receiving the tree trunk,
knurling disposed on the outer surface of the container, at
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least three supporting stand legs vertically slidably mounted
to the outer surface of the container, an arch-shaped locking
lever vertically pivotally mounted to each of the at least
three supporting stand legs, a star shaped locking element
5 vertically rotatably mounted to the upper end of the crescent-
shaped locking lever and c 7n; cating with the tree trunk, and
~ a pawl disposed at the lower end of the crescent-shaped locking
element and co 771; cating with the knurling so that when the
tree trunk is placed in the container, the weight of the tree
will cause the container to slide down the at least three
supporting stand legs which in turn will cause the crescent-
shaped locking levers to pivot upwardly as the pawl rides up
the outer surface of the container until the star shaped
locking element contacts and presses against the tree trunk at
which time the pawl will engage a knurl and prevent the at
least three crescent-shaped locking levers from further
pivoting and stabilizing the tree in a self-locking fashion.
For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,885,763 to Blom teaches a
supporting stand for Christmas trees that includes a tubular
stand, a vertically arranged container having an internally
disposed conical lower part and being slidably mounted within
the stand, a spring biasing the container in the most upright
inactive position, and at least three arms radially pivotally
connected to the upper part of the stand.
Another example, U.S. Patent No. 4,313,588 to Sjostrand
teaches a Christmas tree base that includes a cross-shaped
stand, a holder slidably mounted on each leg of the cross-
shaped stand, a cam disc disposed at the center of the disc,
and springs for drawing the holders to the center of the stand.
Finally, still another example, U.S. Patent No. 4,571,882
to Capen teaches a Christmas tree stand that includes a stand,
a pair of adjustable pawls disposed on the stand and forming a
hemispherical cavity, a receptacle for the tree trunk having a
hemispherical ball disposed on the bottom, and a plurality of
machine screws provided on the receptacle for retaining the
tree trunk.
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It is apparent that numerous innovations for Christmas
tree stands have been provided in the prior art that are
adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations
may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which
they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of
the present invention as heretofore described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements that avoids the disadvantages of the prior
art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a
supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped
elements that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
Still another object of the present invention is to
provide supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements that is simple to use.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped
elements that holds and locks the trunk of a Christmas tree in
a vertical position.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements that holds and locks any cylindrically shaped
element in a vertical position.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements that holds and locks a flag pole.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements that negates the effects of wind on the flag
pole.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements whose locking capability is directly
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proportional to the weight of the cylindrically shaped element
and responsive to same.
Briefly stated, still yet another object of the present
invention is to provide a supporting structure to mount and
hold cylindrical shaped elements that includes an inverted
vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container,
knurling, at least three supporting stand legs, and at least
three crescent-shaped locking levers.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements wherein the inverted vertically arranged hollow
open top frustum-shaped container has an inverted vertically
arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container outer
surface.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements wherein the knurling is circumferentially
disposed on the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top
frustum-shaped container outer surface.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements wherein the at least three supporting stand
legs are vertically slidably mounted to the inverted vertically
arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements wherein each of the at least three crescent-
shaped locking levers is vertically pivotally mounted to a
respective one of the at least three supporting stand legs.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements wherein each of the at least three crescent-
shaped locking levers the has a crescent-shaped locking lever
lower end that communicates with the knurling and a crescent-
shaped locking lever upper end that communicates with a
cylindrical shaped element.
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Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements wherein the cylindrical shaped element
supporting structure is injection molded from plastic.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements that further includes a securing tooth disposed
in the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-
shaped container.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements that still further includes at least three
extension members vertically disposed on the inverted
vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container
outer surface and slidably connected to the at least three
supporting stand legs.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements wherein each of the at least three extension
members has an extension member arcuate-shaped inner edge that
matches the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top
frustum-shaped container outer surface, an vertically disposed
extension member track portion tongue with flange, and contains
a vertically disposed extension member slot.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements wherein the at least three extension members
and the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-
shaped container are integrally formed.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements wherein each of the at least three supporting
stand legs has a supporting stand leg arcuate-shaped upper
edge, a supporting stand leg outer block, a vertically disposed
supporting stand leg track portion that contains a vertically
disposed supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess
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that slidably receives the vertically disposed extension member
track portion tongue with flange.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements wherein each of the at least three supporting
stand legs further contains a vertically disposed supporting
stand leg slot and a horizontally disposed supporting stand leg
aperture.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements wherein each vertically disposed extension
member slot and a respective vertically disposed supporting
stand leg slot is a common slot.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements wherein each of the at least three crescent-
shaped locking levers is vertically pivotally mounted within a
respective common slot.
Yet still another obiect of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements wherein the crescent-shaped locking lever lower
end is a sharp pawl.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements wherein the crescent-shaped locking lever upper
end is a rounded pawl that has a pair of rounded pawl legs that
are displaced a distance from each other and define an upper
pawl slot therebetween.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements wherein the pair of rounded pawl legs contain
aligned horizontally disposed rounded pawl leg apertures.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements that yet further includes a star wheel locking
element that has star wheel locking element perimeter teeth and
is vertically rotatably mounted within the upper pawl slot.
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Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements that still yet further includes a star wheel
rotating pin that passes through the aligned horizontally
disposed rounded pawl leg apertures.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a method of using a cylindrical shaped element
supporting structure that includes the steps of placing
manually the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure on
a stationary surface, resting manually at least three
vertically disposed supporting stand legs of the cylindrical
shaped element supporting structure on the stationary surface,
placing manually a cylindrical shaped element in an inverted
vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container of
the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure, resting
manually the cylindrical shaped element bottom on a hollow
frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface of the inverted
vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container,
entering automatically a securing tooth disposed on the
cylindrical shaped element bottom inner surface into the
cylindrical shaped element bottom by virtue of the weight of
said cylindrical shaped element, sliding automatically
downwardly a combination of the inverted vertically arranged
hollow open top frustum-shaped container and at least three
vertically disposed extension members of the cylindrical shaped
element supporting structure on at least three vertically
disposed supporting stand legs of the cylindrical shaped
element supporting structure by virtue of the weight of the
cylindrical shaped element, moving automatically upwardly and
outwardly at least three lower locking lever sharp pawls of the
cylindrical shaped element supporting structure by virtue of
the upward increasing diameter of the inverted vertically
arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container, causing
automatically at least three crescent-shaped locking levers of
the cylindrical shaped element supporting structure to pivot
upwardly by virtue of their integral formation with the at
least three lower locking lever sharp pawls, pivoting
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automatically and continuously the at least three crescent-
shaped locking levers until the star wheel locking element
perimeter teeth of the cylindrical shaped element supporting
structure contact the cylindrical shaped element, lodging
automatically the at least three locking lever sharp pawls in
knurling disposed on the outer surface of the inverted
vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container,
self-locking automatically the at least three crescent-shaped
locking levers from further movement, and securing
automatically the cylindrical shaped element in a stabilized
position in the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top
frustum-shaped container.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide a method of using a cylindrical shaped element
supporting structure that further includes the step of adding a
liquid in the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top
frustum-shaped container.
Finally, still yet another object of the present invention
is to provide a method of using a cylindrical shaped element
supporting structure that still further includes the step
removing one locking lever pivot pin of the cylindrical shaped
element supporting structure after the securing step.
The novel features which are considered characteristic of
the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.
The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and
its method of operation, together with additional objects and
advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following
description of the specific embodiments when read and
understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The figures on the drawing are briefly described as
follows:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the
supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped
elements of the present invention illustrating, for clarity
purposes, only one of the at least three supporting stand legs
and respective crescent-shaped locking lever;
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of
figure 1; and
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of
figure 1.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING
10 supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical shaped
elements of the present invention
12 cylindrical shaped element
12-1 cylindrical shaped element outer surface
12-2 cylindrical shaped element bottom
14 inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped
container
14-1 hollow frustum-shaped container outer surface
14-2 hollow frustum-shaped container bottom 14-2
14-3 hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface
14-4 hollow frustum-shaped container chamber
16 knurling
18 optional securing tooth
20 at least three vertically disposed extension members
20-1 vertically disposed extension member arcuate-shaped inner
edge
20-2 vertically disposed extension member track portion
20-3 vertically disposed extension member track portion tongue
with flange
--10--
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20-4 vertically disposed extension member slot
22 at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs
22-1 vertically disposed supporting stand leg arcuate-shaped
upper edge
22-2 vertically disposed supporting stand leg outer block
22-3 vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion
22-4 vertically disposed supporting stand leg track portion
groove with recess
22-5 vertically disposed supporting stand leg slot
22-6 horizontally disposed supporting stand leg aperture
23 common slot
24 at least three crescent-shaped locking levers
24-1 locking lever lower end sharp pawl
24-2 locking lever upper end rounded pawl
24-3 horizontally disposed locking lever pivot aperture
24-4 pair of locking lever upper end rounded pawl legs
24-5 locking lever upper end rounded pawl slot
24-6 aligned horizontally disposed locking lever upper end
rounded pawl leg aperture
26 readily removable locking lever pivot pin
28 star wheel locking element
28-1 star wheel locking element perimeter teeth
30 star wheel locking lever rotating pin
32 stationary surface
34 downward arrow
36 upward arrow
38 outward arrow
40 pivot arrow
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the figures, and particularly to figure
1, the supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements of the present invention is shown generally at
10 securing a cylindrical shaped element 12 that has a
cylindrical shaped element outer surface 12-1 and a cylindrical
shaped element bottom 12-2.
,
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The configuration of the supporting structure to mount and
hold cylindrical shaped elements 10 can best be seen in figures
1-3, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
The supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements 10 can be injection mold from plastic, but is
not limited to that, and includes an inverted vertically
arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 that has a
hollow frustum-shaped cont~; ner outer surface 14-1 with a
hollow frustum-shaped container bottom 14-2, a hollow frustum-
shaped cont~; ner bottom inner surface 14-3, and contains a
hollow frustum-shaped contA; ner chamber 14-4.
Knurling 16 is circumferentially disposed on a portion of
the hollow frustum-shaped container outer surface 14-1 and an
optional securing tooth 18 is disposed at the center of the
hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner surface 14-3.
Each of at least three vertically disposed extension
members 20 has a vertically disposed extension member arcuate-
shaped inner edge 20-1, a vertically disposed extension member
track portion 20-2 with a vertically disposed extension member
track portion tongue with flange 20-3, and contains a
vertically disposed extension member slot 20-4. At least three
vertically disposed extension members 20 have been chosen to
assure stability.
The at least three vertically disposed extension members
20 may be integrally formed with the inverted vertically
arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14, but is
not limited to that, or may be attached to the inverted hollow
frustum-shaped container outer surface 14-1 at the vertically
disposed extension member arcuate-shaped inner edge 20-1 whose
contour matches that of the hollow frustum-shaped container
outer surface 14-1.
Each of at least three vertically disposed supporting
stand legs 22 is vertically slidably mounted to a respective
one of the at least three vertically disposed extension member
20 and has a vertically disposed supporting stand leg arcuate-
shaped upper edge 22-1, a vertically disposed supporting stand
leg outer block 22-2, a vertically disposed supporting stand
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leg track portion 22-3 containing a vertical.ly disposed
supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess 22-4.
Each of the at least three vertically disposed supporting
stand legs 22 further contains a vertically disposed supporting
stand leg slot 22-5, and a horizontally disposed supporting
stand leg aperture 22-6. The vertically disposed supporting
- stand leg slot 22-5 and the vertically disposed extension
member slot 20-4 form a common slot 23.
Each of the at least three vertically disposed supporting
stand legs 22 is vertically slidably mounted to the respective
one of the at least three vertically disposed extension members
20 by virtue of the vertically disposed extension member track
portion tongue with flange 20-3 and the vertically disposed
supporting stand leg track portion groove with recess 22-4.
The presence of the flange of the vertically disposed extension
member track portion tongue with flange 20-3 and the presence
of the recess of the vertically disposed supporting stand leg
track portion groove with recess 22-4 provide an interlocking
arrangement that prevents lateral separation.
Each of at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24
is vertically pivotally mounted within the vertically disposed
supporting stand leg slot 22-5 of a respective one of the at
least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22 and
includes a locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 that
communicates with the knurling 16, a locking lever upper end
rounded pawl 24-2, and contains a horizontally disposed locking
lever pivot aperture 24-3.
Each of the at least three crescent-shaped locking levers
24 is vertically pivotally mounted within the vertically
disposed supporting stand leg slot 22-5 of a respective one of
the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22
by a readily removable locking lever pivot pin 26 that passes
through the horizontally disposed supporting stand leg aperture
22-6 and the aligned horizontally disposed locking lever pivot
aperture 24-3.
The locking lever upper end rounded pawl 24-2 includes a
pair of locking lever upper end rounded pawl legs 24-4
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displaced a distance from each other and define a locking lever
upper end rounded pawl slot 24-5 therebetween.
Each one of the pair of locking lever upper end rounded
pawl legs 24-4 contain an aligned horizontally disposed locking
lever upper end rounded pawl leg aperture 24-6.
A star wheel locking element 28 communicates with the
cylindrical shaped element 12 and has star wheel locking
element perimeter teeth 28-1. The star wheel locking element 28
is vertically rotatably mounted within the locking lever upper
end rounded pawl slot 24-5 by a star wheel locking lever
rotating pin 30 that passes through each aligned horizontally
disposed locking lever upper end rounded pawl leg aperture 24-
6.
The operation of the supporting structure to mount and
hold cylindrical shaped elements 10 can best be seen in figure
1, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
The supporting structure to mount and hold cylindrical
shaped elements 10 is placed on a stationary surface 32 with
the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs 22
resting on the stationary surface 32.
The cylindrical shaped element 12 is placed in the
inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped
container 14 with the cylindrical shaped element bottom 12-2
resting on the hollow frustum-shaped container bottom inner
surface 14-3.
The weight of the cylindrical shaped element 12 causes the
optional securing tooth 18 to enter the cylindrical shaped
element bottom 12-2 and secures it thereto.
The weight of the cylindrical shaped element 12 further
causes the combination of the inverted vertically arranged
hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 and the at least
three vertically disposed extension members 20 to slide
downwardly on the at least three vertically disposed supporting
stand legs 22 in the direction of downward arrow 34.
As the combination of the inverted vertically arranged
hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 and the at least
three vertically disposed extension members 20 slide
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downwardly, each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl
24-1 moves upwardly along the knurling 16 in the direction of
upward arrow 36.
As each respective locking lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1
moves upwardly and by virtue of the upward increasing diameter
of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-
shaped container 14, each respective locking lever lower end
sharp pawl 24-1 is displaced outwardly in the direction of
outward arrow 38.
The outward movement of each respective locking lever
lower end sharp pawl 24-1 causes the at east three crescent-
shaped locking levers 24 to pivot upwardly in the direction of
pivot arrow 40.
The at least three crescent-shaped locking levers 24 will
continue to pivot upwardly until the star wheel locking element
perimeter teeth 28-1 contact the cylindrical shaped element
outer surface 12-1. At this point each respective locking
lever lower end sharp pawl 24-1 will become lodged in the
knurling 16 and self-locking the at least three crescent-shaped
locking levers 24 from further movement. The cylindrical
shaped element 12 is now secured in a stabilized position
within the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top
frustum-shaped container 14.
When the cylindrical shaped element 12 is to be removed
from the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-
shaped container 14, only one readily removable locking lever
pivot pin 26 need be removed. After the one readily removable
locking lever pivot pin 26 is removed, the respective one of
the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand leg 22
is removed from the common slot 23. This will eliminate the
stabilizing and holding force of the at least three vertically
disposed supporting stand legs and allow the cylindrical shaped
element 12 to be readily removed from the inverted vertically
arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14.
The allowable diameter of the cylindrical shaped element
12 is directly proportional to, and therefore governed by, the
amount of allowable travel the inverted vertically arranged
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hollow open top frustum-shaped container 14 can make relative
to the at least three vertically disposed supporting stand legs
22.
If the cylindrical shaped element 12 is of a resilient
material such as the tree trunk of a Christmas tree or the
like, the star wheel locking element perimeter teeth 28-1 will
pierce the cylindrical shaped element outer surface 12-1 and
enter the cylindrical shaped element 12 providing addition
securement.
If the cylindrical shaped element 12 is a plant such as a
Christmas tree, water can be placed in the inverted hollow
frustum-shaped container 14 for nourishment and prevention of
dehydration.
It will be understood that each of the elements described
above, or two or more together, may also find a useful
application in other types of constructions differing from the
types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as
embodied in a supporting structure to mount and hold
cylindrical shaped elements, it is not limited to the details
shown, since it will be understood that various omissions,
modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and
details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made
by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from
the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully
reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by
applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various
~ applications without omitting features that, from the
standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of
the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
