Christmas Tree Stand Clamping Structure for Fast Stable Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Christmas tree stands are labor-intensive and time-consuming to assemble, expensive to construct, and have high transport costs due to their complex design, while also failing to provide optimal stability and water retention for the tree.

Innovation Solution

A simplified Christmas tree stand design featuring a circular shell with detachable holding elements and a cylindrical container with through-threads and cams, allowing for easy assembly and adjustment, along with a fixing ring and thrust bolts for secure tree fixation, and optionally weighted feet for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional Christmas tree stands use complex assembly structures with multiple components (pivot axes, clamping devices, cable pull mechanisms), then the holding and clamping forces are optimized, but the assembly work becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding and clamping forcesVSAvoidassembly work
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The stand is divided into modular components: a base unit with water reservoir and a separate tree-holding mechanism with adjustable arms. This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining functional effectiveness for providing holding and clamping forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complex cable pull and ratchet mechanisms are extracted and replaced with a simplified direct-adjustment system. The essential function of providing clamping force is retained through simpler mechanical means such as adjustable arms with direct manual positioning, eliminating unnecessary intermediate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional stands use high construction to provide sufficient stability to the tree trunk, then stability is improved, but transport costs increase due to higher construction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of tree trunkVSAvoidtransport costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The stand employs dynamically adjustable arms that can be positioned and locked at various heights and angles. This dynamic adjustability allows the same lightweight structure to provide stable support for trees of different heights and weights, eliminating the need for fixed high construction in all cases and reducing overall material requirements and transport costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If conventional stands use permanent welding connections between housing cover and housing base to create sealed water retention, then water retention is improved, but assembly complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater retentionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing cover and housing base are designed with integrated sealing features that combine the structural support and water retention functions into a unified assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate permanent welding operations, as the components are designed to work together as a single sealed unit through simplified connection methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing components are designed with multi-functionality, where the same structural elements serve both mechanical support and water retention purposes. This universal design approach allows a single assembly process to achieve both structural integrity and sealed water containment, reducing overall assembly complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2348926B1Tree stand
Publication Date: 2012.08.22 FHS INT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2348926B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2348926B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2348926B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An improved stand for clamping rod-like parts, in particular Christmas trees, is characterized by the following features - a plurality of push pins (18, 18a, 18b) is provided in the circumferential direction of the stand, - the push pins (18, 18a, 18b) have elevations (21) spaced apart from one another, between which grooves (28) are designed, - the push pins (18, 18a, 18b) in each case penetrate a passage opening (20) of an adjustable support device (2), - the push pins (18, 18a, 18b) are preloaded in the direction of holding elements (17, 17a, 17b) by a spring loaded system (23), - a fixing and/or locking means (25) is provided, in which passage openings (26, 26a, 26b) located offset in the circumferential direction are designed, which are at least partially aligned with the passage openings (20, 20a, 20b) in the adjustable support device (2) and through which push pins (21, 21a, 21b) pass.