Adjustable tree collar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tree stand covers, such as tree skirts, do not effectively hide the tree stand and often require removal for water filling, and lack adjustability for various tree sizes.
Innovation Solution
A tree collar with an adjustable, annular shape and frusto-conical design that overlaps at its ends, featuring hooks and a prong for securement, allowing for customizable fit around the tree stand and enabling water filling without removal, made from materials like metal or wicker with integrated clasps and a belt system for adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional tree skirt is used to cover the tree stand, then the tree stand is partially concealed, but the coverage is ineffective and requires removal for water filling
Solution Approach 1:
The tree collar is divided into multiple functional segments: a collar body portion that provides concealment, and an opening portion that allows access to the water reservoir. This segmentation enables the collar to simultaneously hide the tree stand while permitting water filling without complete removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar incorporates adjustable fastening mechanisms (hooks, eyes, Velcro straps, or buttons) that allow the collar to be dynamically adjusted and secured at different positions around the tree stand, enabling both effective concealment and easy access for water filling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size tree skirt is used, then it may fit one tree size, but it cannot accommodate various tree sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed with adjustable fastening mechanisms that allow the circumference to be modified. Hooks and eyes, Velcro straps, or buttons enable the collar to be expanded or contracted to fit different tree diameters, providing versatility across various tree sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar's circumferential dimension is made variable through adjustable fastening systems. By changing the effective circumference parameter through different fastening configurations, the collar can adapt to accommodate trees of different sizes without requiring multiple fixed-size collars.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tree collar is designed with adjustable circumference, then it can fit various tree sizes, but it requires additional fastening components
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening components serve multiple functions: they provide adjustable circumference control, secure the collar firmly around the tree stand, and enable easy installation and removal. By designing fastening mechanisms that fulfill multiple requirements, the overall device complexity is minimized despite the adjustable feature.
4Ease of operation
If a tree skirt requires removal for water filling, then the structure can be simple, but it interrupts the decorative display
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is segmented into a main body portion and an opening portion. This segmentation creates a built-in access point that allows water to be poured into the reservoir without removing the entire collar, maintaining continuous decorative coverage while enabling convenient water filling.
Data Source
AI summary
A tree collar includes a sleeve formed into a frusto-conical shape and having an inner facing surface, an outer facing surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first end and a second end. The first and second ends overlap each other to adjust a diameter of the sleeve and a length of the band at the top edge is less than a length of the band at the bottom edge. A first clasp secures a portion of the top edge of the sleeve to a different portion of the top edge of the sleeve. A second clasp secures a portion of the bottom edge of the sleeve to a different portion of the bottom edge of the sleeve.