Tree stand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Christmas tree stands are difficult to deploy without causing injury and often damage the tree due to unsecured legs and the need for set screws that penetrate the trunk, requiring excessive strength and leading to potential damage and instability.
Innovation Solution
A Christmas tree stand with concentric cylinders and locking mechanisms that allow legs to rotate between retracted and deployed positions, featuring removable inserts with tree retention devices and a locking mechanism to secure the stand in place without penetrating the tree trunk, accommodating trees of varying sizes with interchangeable inserts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If set screws are used to secure the tree and lock the stand, then the stand can be locked in deployed position and the tree can be secured, but the legs cannot be locked until after the tree is placed, causing instability and potential injury during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the securing function into two separate mechanisms: (1) a locking mechanism that secures the legs to the base independently of the tree, and (2) a separate tree securing mechanism. This segmentation allows the legs to be locked in the deployed position before tree insertion, providing stability during the insertion process without requiring the tree to be in place first.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to lock the legs to the base in the deployed position before the tree is inserted into the stand. This preliminary action ensures that the stand is stable and secure during the tree insertion process, eliminating the risk of leg movement and potential injury that occurs with conventional designs where locking must wait until after tree insertion.
2Strength
If set screws are screwed into the base of the tree to support larger trees, then adequate support is provided, but the tree trunk is damaged and excessive hand strength is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tree-damaging function from the support mechanism by removing the set screws that penetrate the tree trunk. Instead, it uses a separate tree securing mechanism that clamps or holds the tree without penetration, thereby providing support for larger trees while eliminating damage to the tree trunk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary tree securing mechanism that acts between the stand structure and the tree trunk. This intermediary component provides the necessary support force for larger trees without directly penetrating or damaging the tree, unlike the conventional set screw approach that requires screwing into the trunk base.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single stand design is used for all tree sizes, then device simplicity is maintained, but the stand cannot adequately support trees of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal stand design where the base and locking mechanism serve multiple functions: they provide structural support and leg locking for all tree sizes, while the tree securing mechanism adapts to different trunk diameters. This multi-functionality allows a single stand design to support trees of varying sizes without requiring completely different stand structures for each tree type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates adjustable or flexible elements in the tree securing mechanism that can dynamically adapt to different tree trunk sizes. This dynamic capability allows the same stand structure to securely hold both small and large trees, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed designs.
4Ease of operation
If the stand structure is simplified for easy storage, then the stand can be easily stored in retracted position, but the legs cannot be locked in deployed position before tree insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the leg assembly into collapsible sections that can be easily stored in a retracted position, while incorporating a locking mechanism that independently secures the legs in the deployed position. This segmentation allows the stand to maintain both ease of storage and reliability during deployment, as the locking mechanism ensures stability regardless of the collapsible nature of the legs.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to lock the legs in the deployed position as a preliminary action before tree insertion, ensuring that even though the legs are collapsible for storage, they become rigid and stable when deployed. This preliminary locking action guarantees reliability during the critical tree insertion phase.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for mounting decorative objects, such as Christmas trees, is disclosed. The system can include a base and a plurality of inserts. The base can comprise a plurality of feet that have a retracted position for ready storage and a deployed position for supporting a tree. The base can further comprise a locking mechanism for locking the feet in the retracted position, the deployed position, or both. The base can further comprise an adapter for receiving one or more inserts. The inserts can comprise a consistent outer diameter, for insertion into the adapter, and a variety of inner diameters for use with a variety of tree diameters. The insert can be installed on the trunk of a tree and then installed into the adapter on the base simplifying the tree erection process.