This invention relates to a safe and effective method and apparatus for obtaining a temperature of an animal without excessive handling, particularly a horse, comprising a temperature obtaining means embedded within a bit and a digital display for displaying the obtained temperature.
Many people bring cut evergreen trees into their home to use as Christmas trees during the holiday season, which require frequent watering. Often, watering is forgotten and the tree will begin to dry out. Watering after this occurs does little or no good. This creates a fire hazard as any ignition source will turn the dry tree into an inferno. Another cause of infrequent watering is that it is somewhat difficult to do, as it requires bending over, kneeling down, crawling and the like, which is an inconvenience for those with physical limitations such as the elderly or physically disabled. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which Christmas trees can be ensured an adequate amount of water that is easily replenished without the difficulties as described above. The development of the system herein described fulfills this need.
There have been attempts to provide self-watering systems for live cut trees. U.S. Pat. No. D 483,234 issued to Hansen discloses a tree watering ornament that appears to comprise a hinged open to an ornament that is attached to a limb and a tube component exiting the ornament. Unfortunately, this design patent does not appear to be similar in appearance to the disclosed system nor does it appear to disclose a tree stand with an integral irrigation means control by a ball valve mechanism.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,479 issued to Greenberg et al. discloses a Christmas tree watering apparatus that comprises a funnel, an upspout, two (2) lengths of pipe, and a downspout, all supported by a stand which rests on a floor. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to comprise a decorative ornament assembly that is connected by tubing to a tree stand base assembly and that possesses a ball valve mechanism to regulate the flow of water to the base to prevent overfilling of the base reservoir.
U.S. Pat. No. D 436,006 issued to DeMarino discloses an ornamental Christmas tree watering device that appears to take the shape of a cane. Unfortunately, this design patent does not appear to be similar in appearance to the disclosed system, nor does it appear to disclose a tree stand with an integral irrigation system comprising an ornament assembly into which water may be added that is in fluid communication with the tree stand.
U.S. Pat. No. D 417,596 issued to Crowder discloses a Christmas tree watering device that comprises a funnel like structure that appears to attach to a tree limb. Unfortunately, this design patent does not appear to be similar to the disclosed system, nor does it appear to be a tree stand with an integral irrigation means.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,926 issued to Granger discloses a funnel like watering device for a Christmas tree with an indicating mechanism attached at the top of the funnel to indicate the water level in the tree stand. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose a decorative ornament assembly that accepts and conducts water through attached tubing to a tree stand water reservoir and that utilizes a ball valve mechanism to regulate the flow of water into the stand reservoir.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,838 issued to Denbigh discloses a Christmas tree watering device that appears to comprise a funnel with a decorative element which attaches to a tree limb. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to comprise a decorative ornament assembly that is connected by tubing to a tree stand base assembly and that possesses a ball valve mechanism to regulate the flow of water to the base to prevent overfilling of the base reservoir.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,839 issued to Granger discloses a Christmas tree watering funnel with a float that activates an indicating light when the water level in the tree stand is depleted. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose a tree stand with an integral irrigation system comprising an ornament assembly, tubing, a base stand assembly and a valve to regulate water flow that prevents overfilling of a tree stand.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,997 issued to Rial discloses a system for watering a tree comprising an angular funnel attached to tubing that connects to a tree stand base. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to comprise a decorative ornament assembly that is connected by tubing to a tree stand base assembly and that possesses a ball valve mechanism to regulate the flow of water to the base to prevent overfilling of the base reservoir.
In light of the disadvantages as previously described in the prior art, it is apparent that there is a need for a tree stand with integral irrigation means which provides a securing and irrigating means to a live tree.
An object of the tree stand with integral irrigation means comprises a Christmas tree-style ornament-shaped reservoir with a flexible tube extending downwardly to transport a flow of water to a float valve assembly located within a base stand reservoir.
Another object of the tree stand with integral irrigation means provides control of a water level in a base stand reservoir, thereby avoiding overflowing.
A further object of the tree stand with integral irrigation means provides an irrigation means particularly useful for trees which are difficult to reach, or for people who have difficulty in bending over, kneeling, or crawling under a tree.
Still another object of the tree stand with integral irrigation means provides a variety of decorative colors and patterns suitable to holiday themes as well as surrounding décor.
Still a further object of the tree stand with integral irrigation means comprises various indicia similar to conventional ornaments depicting holiday symbols, artwork, and other appropriate decorative designs thereupon outer surfaces.
Yet another object of the tree stand with integral irrigation means comprises a manufacture using durable corrosion resistant metal and plastic materials.
Yet a further aspect of the tree stand with integral irrigation means comprises a valve assembly that is designed to allow water to drain downwardly into the base stand reservoir in a controlled manner without overflowing.
Yet still another aspect of the tree stand with integral irrigation means provides an ornament hook to provide an attachment means to secure the ornament assembly to a foliage portion of the tree in a normal manner.
An aspect of the tree stand with integral irrigation means comprises an ornament assembly further comprising an ornament-shaped reservoir, a top located reservoir orifice, an ornament lid, an ornament hook and an ornament hose fitting.
A further aspect of the tree stand with integral irrigation means comprises an ornament reservoir comprising a generally spherical or cylindrical shape that is in fluid communication with a tree base stand assembly via flexible tubing. The reservoir orifice provides a water receiving means being hung upon said tree at a convenient location on a side portion of said tree using an ornament hook.
Still another aspect of the tree stand with integral irrigation means comprises an ornament lid comprising a cylindrical or spherical profile providing an aesthetic top enclosure to said ornament assembly. The ornament lid provides a hinging attachment means to the ornament reservoir by an integrally molded ornament lid hinge.
Still a further aspect of the tree stand with integral irrigation means comprises an ornament hose fitting located along a bottom surface of the ornament reservoir and further comprising a water-tight cylindrical male fitting providing a fluid attachment being inserted into the flexible tubing portion.
Yet a further aspect of the tree stand with integral irrigation means comprises flexible tubing that provides an attachment means to a valve assembly at a lower end, routed internally to the tree, and secured vertically to a trunk portion of said tree via a plurality of common tie-wrap fasteners. The tubing provides a conduit means to a flow of water from said ornament reservoir to the base stand assembly.
Still another aspect of the tree stand with integral irrigation means comprises a base stand assembly comprising expected features and fixtures found on conventional tree and further comprising an enlarged oval or pear-shaped base stand reservoir being large enough to receive both a trunk portion of the tree and the valve assembly.
Yet another aspect of the tree stand with integral irrigation means comprises a valve assembly further comprising a lid, a standpipe, a float, and a valve housing. The lid extends horizontally around the standpipe portion to provide a partial cover and an attachment means to the base stand assembly. The standpipe provides a tubular attachment means to the aforementioned flexible tubing at a top opening portion. The valve housing provides a float-valve function via an internal spherical float.
Still yet another aspect of the tree stand with integral irrigation means comprises footpads comprising three (3) outwardly angled leg structures further comprising integral circular horizontal feet designed to establish a secure platform and providing vertical stability to the apparatus.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within
The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.
The present invention describes a tree stand with integral irrigation means (herein described as the “apparatus”) 10, which provides a securing and irrigating means thereto a live tree 50 such as a Christmas tree. The apparatus 10 comprises a tree ornament-shaped reservoir 21 with a flexible tube 46 extending downwardly therefrom to transport a flow of water thereto a float valve assembly 40 located within a base stand reservoir 31. The apparatus 10 provides control of a water level 55 therein a base stand reservoir 31, thereby avoiding overflowing. The apparatus 10 is particularly useful for trees which are difficult to reach, or for people who have difficulty in bending over, kneeling, or crawling under a tree 50.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus 10, it would be installed as indicated in
The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus 10 may be achieved by performing the following steps: placing the apparatus 10 upon a household floor or other flat surface; adjusting the plurality clamp bolts 35 outwardly by turning in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby maximizing a top open area on a base stand reservoir; inserting a tree 50 such as a Christmas tree thereinto the base stand orifice 31 therebetween the clamp bolts 35 and being secured via the spike anchor 37; tightening the clamp bolts 35 in alternating succession until the tree 50 is erect and stationary in a conventional manner; routing the flexible tubing 46 into a foliage portion of the tree 50 starting at an external location where an eventual position for the ornament reservoir 21 is desired; routing said flexible tubing 46 such that a plain end of said flexible tubing 46 is directed inwardly toward the tree trunk 50 thereat a downward slope, thereby assuring proper drainage; attaching said tubing 46 thereto said tree 50 using a plurality of tie-wraps 60 as needed; attaching the tubing 46 thereto a top opening portion of the standpipe 41 utilizing a secure friction-fit thereto; attaching the tubing 46 thereto the ornament hose fitting portion 26 of the ornament assembly 20 utilizing a secure friction-fit thereto; affixing the ornament assembly 20 securely thereto one (1) or more external branches of the tree 50 using the ornament hook 25; pouring a volume of water thereinto the apparatus 10 by lifting the ornament lid 23 and pouring water into the ornament orifice 22; continuing to add water until the water level 55 therein the base stand reservoir 31 forces the float portion 43 of the valve assembly 40 to seal off the flow of water into said base stand reservoir 31; pouring and adding water therein the ornament reservoir 21 periodically as required; removing the apparatus 10 after use therefrom the tree 50 by cutting and removing the tie-wraps 60; disconnecting and removing the flexible hose 46; storing the apparatus 10 until again needed; discarding the tree 50 in a normal manner; and, benefiting from the convenience and ease of providing a continuous water supply thereto one's tree 50 using the present invention 10.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/002,525 filed on Nov. 13, 2007, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2938304 | Thomas et al. | May 1960 | A |
3137969 | Sokol | Jun 1964 | A |
3715095 | Drablowski | Feb 1973 | A |
5111611 | Elder | May 1992 | A |
5349997 | Real | Sep 1994 | A |
5410839 | Granger | May 1995 | A |
5473838 | Denbigh | Dec 1995 | A |
5535547 | Brunengo | Jul 1996 | A |
5661926 | Granger | Sep 1997 | A |
5791083 | Giangrossi | Aug 1998 | A |
5938168 | Adams | Aug 1999 | A |
5987813 | Lasko | Nov 1999 | A |
D417596 | Crowder | Dec 1999 | S |
D436006 | DeMarino | Jan 2001 | S |
6568127 | Kalman et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
D483234 | Hansen | Dec 2003 | S |
20040083646 | Bielen | May 2004 | A1 |
20040261854 | Bolster | Dec 2004 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61002525 | Nov 2007 | US |