Fast-Acting Tree Stand Screw Assembly for Irregular Trunk Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tree stands for live Christmas trees face challenges in securely supporting non-uniform tree trunks, requiring complex adjustments of threaded bolts and often resulting in trial-and-error positioning, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A tree stand with a conical shape and fast-acting screw assemblies, featuring a sloping exterior wall, upright support members, and a spring-biased slide engager mechanism that allows for quick and secure trunk fixation with minimal rotation of bolts, accommodating a range of trunk diameters and irregular shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded bolts are used to secure the tree trunk, then the tree can be held firmly in the stand, but the positioning requires numerous rotations and trial-and-error adjustments which is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt is pre-positioned in a retracted state within the support member, with the threaded engagement surface already prepared and aligned. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for trial-and-error adjustments during tree installation, as the bolt is ready to engage immediately when the tree trunk is inserted.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt is designed to be movable between a retracted position (for easy installation) and an extended engaged position (for firm securing). This dynamic capability allows the bolt to adapt to different tree trunk positions and diameters, reducing adjustment time while maintaining reliable securing.
2Reliability
If multiple threaded bolts spaced uniformly around the tree trunk are used, then the tree can be secured securely, but the complexity of adjusting and positioning each bolt increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple bolts are integrated into a single support member structure, allowing them to be adjusted simultaneously rather than individually. This merging reduces the overall complexity of positioning and adjustment operations, as all bolts can be coordinated through a single operational sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolts are positioned asymmetrically relative to the support member geometry, with varying radial distances from the central axis. This asymmetric arrangement allows the bolts to naturally accommodate irregular tree trunk shapes and diameters, reducing the need for precise uniform positioning while maintaining secure mounting.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stand includes a broad base for stability, then the stand can support trees of various sizes, but the stacking height and shipping volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support members extend vertically from the base, utilizing the vertical dimension to provide adjustment range for different tree trunk diameters. This eliminates the need for an excessively broad base, as the vertical extension of support members provides the necessary adaptability while keeping the base compact for shipping.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are designed to be movable and adjustable in position, allowing the stand to adapt to various tree trunk diameters dynamically. This dynamic adjustability provides versatility without requiring a permanently large base structure, thus reducing stacking height and shipping volume.
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
The tree stand provides stable and secure upright support with reduced effort, allowing for easy assembly and operation, ensuring axial and lateral strength while minimizing loose parts and stacking height, thus simplifying the process of securing and maintaining a Christmas tree.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-biased slide engager mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A tree stand assembly (10) including a container defining a basin (20) and a plurality of securement assemblies (40) attached to the container. The securement assemblies are spaced from each other and define a space within the container for receiving the base of a tree trunk. Each securement assembly has a support member (42) having a passageway (43) in an upper portion thereof and a fast-acting screw assembly (100). Each fast-acting screw assembly includes an engager (60) having a threaded recess portion (62), and a bolt having (50) a threaded shank (52) designed to threadingly engage the recess portion threads when the bolt extends through the passageway. The engager has a normal or biased condition allowing the bolt to slide in an opposing second axial direction.