GB2420969A

GB2420969A - A stand

Info

Publication number: GB2420969A
Application number: GB0522081A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Burkhard Brand
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-12-13
Filing date: 2005-10-31
Publication date: 2006-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2025-10-31
Also published as: GB2420969B; GB0522081D0; DE202004019321U1

Abstract

A stand for the vertical mounting of the trunk of a Christmas tree, wherein the stand has a foot member (1) on which a fixing spike (3) is arranged with its longitudinal axis (4) extending approximately vertically in the deployment position for connecting to the underside of the trunk, and whereby the fixing spike (3) has a thread on its external periphery, said thread having at least one upper thread flank (5) and one lower thread flank (6), wherein, in planes running radially to the longitudinal axis (4) of the fixing spike (3), the upper thread flank (5) has a smaller inclination angle to the longitudinal axis (4) than the lower thread flank (6).

Description

1 2420969 A stand The invention relates to a stand, in particular but not

exclusively, for the vertical mounting of the trunk of a Christmas tree, wherein the stand has a foot member on which a fixing spike is arranged with its longitudinal axis extending approximately vertically in the deployment position for connecting to the underside of the trunk, and whereby the fixing spike has a thread on its external periphery, said thread having at least one upper thread flank and one lower thread flank.

DE 200 03 200 Ui discloses a stand of this type for a Christmas tree. The stand has a foot member with a base plate lying on the floor in the deployment position, on the upper side of which base plate, a truncated conical coupling element is provided, which is oriented with its axis of rotation approximately perpendicular to the plate.

The coupling element is detachably connectable to a coupling counterelement which has on its underside a conical internal concavity adapted to the coupling element, and on its Opposing upper end bears a fixing spike, which, with the coupling counter-element placed on the coupling element, is arranged approximately in straight extension of the rotation axis of the coupling element. The fixing spike is designed as a threaded spike with a thread on its external periphery and having a point on its free end with which it may be screwed into the underside of the trunk of a Christmas tree. The coupling counter-element connecLed in this manner to the Christmas tree is then placed onto the coupling element of the foot member in order to mount the Christmas tree. This stand has the disadvantage that screwing the fixing spike into the tree trunk is relatively time-consuming and laborious. The danger also exists that tFe user of the stand could be injured by the relatively s}irp, screw-like fixing spike. It is also unfavourable tLt between the coupling counterelement and the coupling eJ:ment, no - or oniy very small - tensional forces can be trmnsmitted. The coupling counter-element can therefore become detached from the base plate, in particular, on mounting of the Christmas tree, so that the danger exists thet accidents could take place.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a stand of the aforementioned type which enables simple and r1pid mounting on the trunk of a Christmas tree or similar item requiring to be mounted. The connection between the trunk or item and the stand should also be able to transmit tensional forces.

This aim is achieved in that, in planes radial to the lc rigitudinal axis of the fixing spike, the upper thread f] snk has a smaller inclination angle to the longitudinal a>cs than the lower thread flank. In this context, an upper thread flank should be understood to mean a thread flank whise external surface has on upwardly facing component in the deployment position. A lower thread flank should be understood to mean one whose external surface faces downwardly or has a downwardly facing component in the deployment position.

In advantageous manner, on mounting of the Christmas tiee, the fixing spike may be introduced into a conical accommodating recess previously introduced into the uiierside of the Christmas tree trunk or like item to be mcunted, until the fixing spike comes to rest on mutually ofposed peripheral regions facing away from one another on the internal wall of the accommodating recess. A subsequent short twisting movement of the stand or of the fixing spike relative to the trunk, which may amount to a half to three- quarters rotation, the fixing spike may be rapidly and easily screwed into the trunk. A form-fitting connection thereby comes about between the fixing spike and the trunk, which enables the transmission of tensional forces in the longitudinal direction of the fixing spike. The tension- resistant connection avoids, in particular, the danger that the stand accidentally becomes detached from the trunk and falls off on mounting of the Christmas tree. The conical accomsriodating recess may be introduced into the trunk by boring and/or milling into the trunk, for example, by means of a suitahl.e apparatus which enables a rotating boring and/or milling tool to be guided in the longitudinal direction of the trunk towards and away from it.

Introduction of the accommodating recess may be undertaken, in particular, by a dealer who sells Christmas trees commercially, so that the Christmas trees may then easily be mounted by the customers of the dealer with the aid of the stand according to the invention. it should also be pointed out that the stand is also suitable for vertical 2G mounting of other elongate items such as, for example, a sun shade.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the thread increases from the free end of the fixing spike towards the foot member. The fixing spike may then he introduced more easily into the accommodating recess of the trunk on mounting of the stand. The cross- sectional dimensions of the accommodating recess are preferably matched to the cross-sectional dimensions of the fixing spike such that when it is screwed into the trunk, it comes into contact over an area on its external periphery with the internal wall of the accommodating recess. Eor this purpose, the accommodating recess preferably has approximately the same vertex angle as an

LI

envelope surface formed by the external limit line between the upper thread flank and the lower thread flank, which delimits the fixing spike.

It is advantageous if the thread has an approximately saw-tootF form in planes running radially to the longitudinal axis of the fixing spike. In the deployment position, the lower thread flank having the larger inclinaton angle in relation t. the longitudinal axis engages behind the inner wall of the accommodating recess provided in the trunk, preferably in hook-like manner, when the fixing spike is screwed inLo the accommodating recess.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the inclination angle of the lower thread flank is at least 45 , optionally at least 60 , in particular at least 75 and preferably at least 900. In particular, an inclination angle of at least 900 enables the transmission of large forces between the fixing spike and the trunk in the connecting position of the fixing spike. The inclination angle is understood to mean the angle enclosed within the material of the fixing spike between the external surface of the thread flank and a line running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fixing spike in a plane running radiaLly to the longitudinal axis.

It Is advantageous if the inclination angle of the upper thread flank is in the range of l 37' to 7 37', in particular in the range of 2 37' to 6 37' and preferably in the range of 3037r to 5 37' . The stand may then be mounted faster arid more easily on the Christmas tree or like item to be mounted.

In a suitable embodiment of the invention, the width of Lhe upper thread flank in a plane running radially to the longit:udinal axis of the fixing spike is at least 5 mm, in particular at least 7 mm and preferably at least 9 mm.

- -. 5 This measure also enables easy and fast mounting on the trunk. The fixing spike can also be economically manufactured.

At its free end, the diameter of the fixing spike is in the range of 10 mm to 13 mm, in particular in the range o 11 mm to 12 mm and preferably approximately 11.5 mm and wtdens towards the opposing end of the fixing spike connected to the foot member to a value in the range of 14 mm to 18 mm, in particular in the range of 15 mm to 17 mm and preferably 16 mm. A fixing spike of this type enables a stable secure, force-fitting and formfitting connection to be made between the stand and the accommodating recess provided in the Christmas tree trunk. Furthermore, an aecommodating recess with suitable dimensions may be introduced into the trunk with commercially available milling and/or boring tools.

In the longitudinal direction of the fixing spike, the thread has a length of at least 40 mm and preferably at least 50 mm. These dimensions allow secure mounting of the stand on commercially available Christmas tree trunks.

The fixing spike is formed blunt at its free end and has, in particular, approximately the form of a truncated cone. As a result, the fixing spike can be safely handled on assembly of the stand on the tree trunk.

It is advantageous if the foot member has a cut and bent member made from sheet metal, which is reinforced at a strengthening site with a preferably plate-shaped strengthening element, whereby the fixing spike is arranged on the strengthening element and is preferably welded to it. This means that the stand can be manufactured in economical manner by serial production. The strengthening element is preferably welded to the cut and bent member.

The foot member suitably has an internal concavity for accommodating a supply of water, whereby the strengthening element is arranged on the base of the internal cavity. The Christmas tree mounted on the stand then has its trunk immersed in the water supply and can therefore be kept for longer.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described in greater detail with the aid of the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a radial section through a stand for a Christmas tree, wherein the stand has a screw nail-like fixing spike for connecting to the trunk of the Christmas tree, Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the stand shown in Fig. 1, Figs. 3 and 4 show side views of a fixing spike, and Fig. 5 shows a partial crosssection along a radial plane of the fixing spike, revealing a thread provided on the external surface of the fixing spike.

A stand shown in Fig. 1 for vertical mounting of the trunk of a Christmas tree has a foot member 1 which has a stand surface 2 on its underside for placing on a floor or similar surface. The foot member 1 has a fixing spike 3 which projects from the upper side of the foot member 1 facing away from the stand surface 2 and is arranged with its longitudinal axis 4 approximately perpendicular to the stand surface 2. In Fig. 2, it can be seen that in plan view of the Christmas tree stand, the fixing spike 3 is arranged approximately centrally on the foot member 1.

In order to hold the Christmas tree in a vertical position, the fixing spike 3 may be inserted into an accommodating recess adapted to it and set into the underside of the Christmas tree trunk. The accommodating recess is designed conical and narrows from its lowest end to the deepest point of the accommodating recess. The accommodating recess is preferably arranged centrally in the cross-section of the trunk and oriented with its longitudinal axis approximately in the longitudinal direction of the trunk.

It can be seen from Figs. 3 to 5 that the fixing spike 3 has on its external surface an asymmetric thread with an upper thread flank 5 and a lower thread flank 6, each of which are oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis 4 of the fixing spike 3. In a plane running radially to the longitudinal axis 4, corresponding to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 5, the inclination angle a relative to the longitudinal axis 4 of the upper thread flank 5 is smaller than the corresponding inclination angle of the lower thread flank 6. The inclination angle is taken to be the angle enclosed within the material of the fixing spike 3 between the external surface of the relevant thread flank 5, 6 and a line running parallel to the longitudinal axis 4 in the radial plane. In the case of the upper thread flank 5, this angle is preferably approximately in the range of 3 to 6 , and in the case of the lower thread flank 6, it is preferably approximately in the range of 80 to 1000. As is readily apparent in particular from Fig. 4, the thread has an approximately saw-tooth form in a plane running radially to the longitudinal axis 4 of the fixing spike 3.

It Is apparent from Figs. 3 and 4 that in a partial region oL the fixing spike 3, starting from the free end of the fixing spike 3, the diameter of the thread increases somewhat towards the foot member 1. The envelope surface of the thread formed by the external limit line stretched between the upper thread flank 5 and the lower thread flank 6 lies approximately on the outer surface of a cone whose vertex angle is preferably in the range of 40 to 6 . The width of the external surface of the upper thread flank 5 in a plane running radially to the longitudinal axis 4 of the fixing spike 3 is approximately in the range of 8 mm to mm.

As Figs. 3 and 4 show particularly clearly, the fixing spike 3 has a flattening on its free end. The diameter of the fixing spike 3 is approximately 11.5 mm at its free end and broadens towards the opposing end connected to the foot member 1 to a value of preferably approximately 16 mm. The thread ends at a distance from the foot member 1.

The foot member has a cut and bent member 7 made of sheet metal, which is reinforced in the region of the fixing spike 3 by an approximately plateshaped strengthening element 8, which is welded onto the upper side of the cut and bent member 7 facing away from the stand surface 2. The fixing spike 3 is provided approximately centrally on the strengthening element 8 and welded to it. The longitudinal axis 4 of the fixing spike 3 is arranged approximately perpendicular to the plane defined by the strengthening element 8.

It is apparent in Fig. 1 that the cut and bent member 7 has an internal concavity 9 for accommodating a water supply. The strengthenLng element 8 is arranged on the base of the internal concavity 9.

Claims

Claims 1. A stand for mounting the trunk of a Christmas tree, wherein the

stand has a foot member on which a fixing spike is arranged with its longitudinal axis extending approximately vertically in the deployment position for connecting to the underside of the trunk, and whereby the fixing spike has a thread on its external periphery, said thread having at least one upper thread flank and one lower thread flank, wherein, in planes running radially to the longitudinal axis of the fixing spike, the upper thread flank has a smaller inclination angle to the longitudinal axis than the lower thread flank.
2. A stand according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the thread increases from the free end of the fixing spike towards the foot member.
3. A stand according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thread has an approximately saw-tooth form in planes running radially to the longitudinal axis of the fixing spike.
4. A stand according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the inclination angle of the lower thread flank is at least 45 .
5. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the inclination angle of the lower thread flank is at least 600.
6. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the inclination angle of the lower thread flank is at least
7. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the inclination angle of the lower thread flank is at least 90 .
8. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the inclination angle of the upper thread flank is in the range of l037 to 7o37
9. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the inclination angle of the upper thread flank is in the range of 2 37' to 6 37'
10. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the inclination angle of the upper thread flank is in the range of 3 37' to 5 37'
11. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the upper thread flank in a plane running radially to the longitudinal axis of the fixing spike is at least 5 mm.
12. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the upper thread flank in a plane running radially to the longitudinal axis of the fixing spike is at least 7 mm.
13. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the upper thread flank in a plane running radially to the longitudinal axis of the fixing spike is at least 9 mm.
14. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein at it's free end, the diameter of the fixing spike is in the range of 10 mm to 13 mm.
15. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein at it's free end, the diameter of the fixing spike is in the range of 11 mm to 12 mm.
16. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein at it's free end, the diameter of the fixing spike is approximately 11.5 mm.
17. A stand according to any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein, the spike widens towards the opposing end of the fixing spike linked to the foot member to a value in the range of 14 mm to 18 mm.
18. A stand according to any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein, the spike widens towards the opposing end of the fixing spike linked to the foot member to a value in the range of 15 mm to 17 mm.
19. A stand according to any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein, the spike widens towards the opposing end of the fixing spike linked to the foot member to 16 mm.
20. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein, in the longitudinal direction of the fixing spike, the thread has a length of at least 40 mm.
21. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein, in the longitudinal direction of the fixing spike, the thread has a length of at least 50 mm.
22. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixing spike is formed blunt at its free end and has, in particular, approximately the form of a truncated cone.
23. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the foot member has a cut and bent member made from sheet metal, which is reinforced at a strengthening site with a preferably plate-shaped strengthening element, and that the fixing spike is arranged on the strengthening element and is preferably welded to it.
24. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein foot member has an internal cavity for accommodating a supply of water, and that the strengthening element is arranged on the base of the internal cavity.
25. A building kit for creating an arrangement comprising a Christmas tree and a stand attached to its trunk according to any preceding claim, wherein the trunk has a conical accommodating recess extending approximately in the longitudinal direction of the trunk at its end remote from the tip of the Christmas tree, the dimensions of said accommodating recess being matched to the dimensions of the fixing spike such that the trunk and the fixing spike are connectable to each other in form-fitting manner by pushing together and subsequent twisting relative to each other.
26. A stand substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.
27. A building kit substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.