Spring-Biased Tree Stand for Single-Person Trunk Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Christmas tree stands often require two people to install and remove elongated objects due to complex mechanisms that stress cables and necessitate individual fastener manipulation, leading to wear and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A stand design featuring a base with fixed arms, a movable arm assembly biased towards the center, and rollers to engage the object, allowing single-person installation and removal with minimal cable stress, using springs and a foot pedal for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional threaded rods are used to engage the tree trunk, then the tree can be held securely, but installation requires two people and individual fastener manipulation is necessary
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple threaded rods are merged into a single integrated threading mechanism that engages all rods simultaneously with one rotational motion, eliminating the need for individual fastener manipulation and enabling single-person installation
2Reliability
If cable tensioning mechanisms are used to pull clamping arms inward, then the elongated object can be retained securely, but the cable experiences continuous stress leading to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The cable tensioning mechanism uses periodic action where the cable is only tensioned during insertion and removal operations, rather than maintaining continuous tension. The spring-loaded clamping arms provide retention force without cable stress during normal operation, extending cable life while maintaining secure object retention
Solution Approach 2:
Spring-loaded clamping arms provide self-service by automatically exerting retention force on the elongated object without requiring continuous cable tensioning, thereby eliminating ongoing stress on the cable and extending its service life
3Ease of operation
If spring-loaded clamping arms are used to engage the object, then single-person installation is enabled, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Spring-loaded clamping arms automatically engage and disengage the elongated object without manual intervention, enabling single-person operation while keeping the mechanism relatively simple through the use of basic spring-loaded pivotal arms
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 single-person installation and removal of elongated objects with reduced cable stress, ensuring durability and ease of use while maintaining secure object retention.
Implementation Method 1
A movable arm pivotally secured to the arm brace. The movable arm is biased towards a center of the stand
Implementation Method 2
The at least one roller is structured to engage an elongated object when the elongated object is inserted between the at least one fixed arm and the movable arm
Data Source
AI summary
A stand for Christmas trees and other elongated objects includes at least one fixed arm and a spring biased, movable arm assembly, each of which may include a plurality of rollers. When a Christmas tree or other elongated objects is pressed to downward between the fixed arm and movable arm assembly, spring pressure supplied by the movable arm assembly retains the elongated object within the stand. A release lever pulls the movable arm assembly away from the elongated object, facilitating removal of the object from the stand.