Christmas tree stand

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Christmas tree stands are inconvenient to use, often requiring multiple people to install and can be unstable, with difficulties in maintaining water levels and tree stability due to complex screw systems or the need for tree boring, and are either expensive or difficult to set up.

Innovation Solution

A Christmas tree stand with an expandable clamp and integrated water basin, where the clamp biases closed around the tree trunk, allowing single-person installation and easy water level monitoring through a trough, and featuring a frustoconical base with angled tracks for secure and adjustable support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manually adjusted screws are used to secure the tree, then the tree can be held upright and stable, but the installation requires multiple people and iterative adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetree stabilityVSAvoidinstallation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp mechanism automatically secures the tree when inserted into the stand, eliminating the need for manual screw adjustment. The tree's own weight and insertion force activate the clamping action through the biased engagement surfaces, making the system self-servicing rather than requiring human intervention for tightening and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the screw-threaded mechanical fastening system with a biased clamp mechanism using engagement surfaces and elastic deformation. This substitution eliminates the iterative tightening process while maintaining secure holding through continuous elastic force applied by the clamp against the tree trunk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If screws are positioned to obtain relative stability, then the tree remains upright, but the water reservoir becomes difficult to access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetree stabilityVSAvoidwater reservoir accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the tree-holding function from the water reservoir function. The clamp mechanism handles tree stabilization independently, while the water reservoir is positioned separately and accessible from the front of the stand. This segmentation allows both functions to be optimized independently without compromising accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If a foot pedal adjusted clamp is used, then single-person installation is enabled, but the device becomes much more expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation convenienceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex foot pedal mechanism entirely, extracting only the essential clamping function. The simplified clamp uses passive elastic biasing through engaged surfaces rather than active mechanical actuation, dramatically reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining single-person installation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive materials and construction methods for the clamp mechanism, using basic elastic deformation principles rather than precision-engineered adjustable components. This approach prioritizes cost-effectiveness while achieving the required functional performance for temporary holiday use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If the clamp is manually secured to the tree trunk, then the tree is held stable, but the installation process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetree stabilityVSAvoidclamp mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the clamp actively grasp the tree through complex mechanical means, the patent inverts the approach: the tree trunk itself engages with the biased clamp surfaces during insertion. The tree's downward motion into the stand activates the clamping force through the pre-loaded elastic surfaces, reversing the traditional active-passive relationship.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables quick, single-person installation and stable tree support for various trunk diameters and heights, with easy water management, reducing the risk of tree tipping and maintaining tree freshness.

Implementation Method 1

an expandable clamp which is opened as a Christmas tree is forcibly inserted therein, and then biased in a closed position around the tree trunk

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10694879B2Christmas tree stand

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 WACH RYAN ROBERT

AI summary

A tree stand for removably supporting a tree includes a base having a water basin. A plurality of spaced apart jaws are biased upwardly and inwardly of an axis of the base to form an expandable clamp. An end of a trunk of the tree forcibly expands the jaws against their bias as the trunk is inserted into the water basin. The jaws of the clamp engage an outer surface of the trunk as they are biased towards their closed position to hold the tree vertically upright and stable.