Patent Application
20240245249
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
The present invention relates to an improved tree stand for live trees such as live evergreen trees, e.g., live Christmas trees.
Every year millions of evergreen trees are cut for use as Christmas trees. This reduction of trees causes ecological issues. Live trees with the root ball intact are the most eco-friendly option on the market but are typically heavier than the traditionally cut tree. Due to the root ball and weight, the use of live trees creates issues with transportation and upkeep. Accordingly, there is a need for a portable tree stand for live trees that improves the transportation and upkeep of a live tree in an eco-friendly manner.
US2005229482A1 discloses a Christmas tree strand. The stand comprises of a large capacity water reservoir, adjustable legs, foot wheels and adjustable arms for engaging the trunk of the tree. Christmas tree stand is used for supporting the tree and for the moment of the tree. The water reservoir is used to keep the tree fresh.
DE202022000042U1 discloses a mobile Christmas tree stand. The stand comprises of height-adjustable roller elements, trunk intake and water storage tank, adjustable height difference of ground clearance with glides and stopper. The stand is used to move Christmas tree with stability and ground clearance.
US2006213121A1 discloses an evergreen tree stand with safety and filling features includes a base container, a tree hold-and-lock mechanism and a watering mechanism. The base container is provided for the hold of water. The tree hold and lock mechanism is connected to the base for holding the tree vertically upwards. The collar is attached to the tree to rotate the tree in clockwise and anticlockwise direction. The stand is use for safe transfer of the tree from one place to another.
CN107568019A discloses a transplanting method of maidenhair trees with multiple branches. The method includes digging of the tree, a rotating mechanism, packaging and hoisting wherein soil balls after excavation and shaping are packed and wrapped tightly and densely by hemp ropes. The hemp rope sack is then transferred to the desired location using a transporting vehicle.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.
The present invention relates to a mobile tree stand having a base, a top section, and a water distribution component.
In some aspects, the base has an approximate square planar configuration with the width and length having approximately the same dimensions. The base has a flat bottom, side walls and open top adapted to receive a live tree having a tree trunk and root ball. The base further includes a plurality of integrated wheels configured to allow for wheeled movement of the mobile tree stand.
In these aspects, the top section also has an approximate square planar configuration with its width and length being approximately the same width and length dimensions as the base. The top section is configured to be removably secured to the side walls of the base creating a tree root cavity when secured to the base. The tree root cavity is configured to receive the root ball of the live tree. The top section having a top opening circular opening having a first diameter.
Also, in these aspects, the water distribution component has approximately the same configuration as the top section and located proximate the interior surface of the top section creating a water reservoir therebetween. The water reservoir being configured to store water. The water distribution component has a plurality of water distribution openings configured to allow water stored in the reservoir to slowly pass therethrough into the tree root cavity. Further, the water distribution component has a water distribution circular opening having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter of the top opening circular opening and located within the top opening circular opening creating a water inlet therebetween. The water distribution circular opening is configured to receive the tree trunk of the live tree.
In some aspects, the base of the mobile tree stand further includes one or more integrated tilt wheels configured to allow for wheeled movement of the mobile tree stand while in a tilt position.
In some further aspects, the mobile tree stand further includes a base having two or more height adjusting elements, a top section including a hinged door allowing access to the water distribution circular opening, and/or two or more connectors to receive pull straps.
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, rotatable shoe cleats, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a tree stand, and more specifically to a mobile tree stand for live trees.
The present invention provides a tree stand designed for live trees. The stand is mobile by use of integrated wheels that allow for easy handling. A tilt wheel allows the stand to be tipped on an angle during movement similar to that of a furniture dolly. Further, the present invention is made from eco-friendly material, such as hemp, to allow roots to extend double the length allowing tree roots to grow as natural as possible, eliminates girdling of the roots which is common with traditional round pots. Still further, an opening and locking system will allow for easy operating, planting, and reduction of any mess.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in
The base 12 has approximately the same width W1 and length L1 dimensions to form approximately a square base. The base 12 further includes a flat bottom 20, side walls 22 and open top 24 adapted to receive a live tree 18 having a tree trunk 26 and root ball 28. Integrated into the base 12 are a plurality of wheels 30. These wheels are configured to allow for wheeled movement of the mobile tree stand 10.
In some embodiments, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, the base 12 includes two or more height adjusting elements 62. These elements 62 allow for the tree stand 10 to be placed in a level position.
The top section 14 has approximately the same width W2 and length L2 dimensions for form approximately a square and are configured to be removably secured to the base 12 creating a tree root cavity 32 when secured to the base 12. The tree root cavity 32 is configured to receive the root ball 28 of the live tree 18.
The top section 14 can be affixed to the base 12 in a water-tight manner to prevent liquid from within the stand 10 to leak outward. One such connection can be using various fasteners 15 such as screws or bolts. In some embodiments, as illustrated in
The top section 14 has an exterior surface 42 and an interior surface 44 and defines a top opening circular opening 34 having a first diameter D1. The first diameter D1 is sufficiently large enough to allow the tree trunk 26 of the live tree 18 to be located therein.
In some embodiments, the top section 14 includes two or more connectors 66 to receive pull straps 68. The pull straps 68 can assist with the movement of the stand 10.
In some embodiments, the top section 14 includes one or more hinged doors 64 that are hingedly connected to the top section 14 by way of hinges 68. In the open position, the hinged doors 64 allow access into the tree root cavity 32. In the closed position, the hinged doors 64 are secured by a latch 72.
In some embodiments, the base 12 and top section 14 are made from recyclable material such as hemp.
In some embodiments, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, plate 70 is secured to base 12 by a plurality of posts 74 extending between plate 70 and bottom 20, see
In some embodiments, stand 10 also includes a water distribution apparatus 16 having approximately the same configuration as the top section 14. Apparatus 16 is located proximate the interior surface 44 of the top section 14 creating a water reservoir 38 therebetween. The water reservoir 38 is configured to store water 39. Apparatus 16 has a plurality of water distribution openings 46 configured to allow the water 39 stored in the water reservoir 36 to pass therethrough into the tree root cavity 32 in the form of water droplets 41.
Apparatus 16 has a water distribution circular opening 48 having a second diameter D2 that is smaller than the first diameter D1 of the top opening circular opening 34 and located within the top opening circular opening 34 creating a water inlet 52 therebetween to allow water to be placed within water reservoir 38. The water distribution circular opening 48 is sufficiently large enough to allow the tree trunk 26 of the live tree 18 to be located therein.
Further embodiments of the invention include a cover (not illustrated) or tree skirt that covers the stand such that the stand 10 and wheels 30, 60 are hidden from view. This can assist with the aesthetics such as when the tree is in use as a Christmas tree during the holiday season. The cover can be a hard cover case make from firm material, including sustainable material. The cover could also be a soft cover made from cloth, sustainable material, or other suitable material. The cover can wrap around the tree truck while covering the stand 10.
Other embodiments can include a wireless component where live tree data can be obtained and transferred on a wireless network to and from the stand to a computer server, mobile application or software program. The data can then be reviewed and analyzed so that specific actions may be undertaken.
Other embodiments can include a tree planting clutch. The clutch includes a top part which has two prongs and a shaft that has interchangeable lengths and pegs that go into the ground. The shaft is used to stabilize and support the tree during the planting process by which it is planted into the ground. The peg can include various configurations to accommodate various planting terrains.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
