DE20109209U1 - Christmas tree stand - Google Patents

Description

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June 1, 2001
Klaus Krinner K3 5169GBMT1 LE/NO/gzk

Documents for registration of the present utility model application Christmas tree stand

The invention relates to a stand for clamping rod-shaped components, in particular Christmas trees.

A large number of stands for hanging Christmas trees are already known from the state of the art, which are equipped with various types of devices for supporting or holding the Christmas trees in the stand. Many of these devices are complicated to use or do not give the Christmas tree the necessary support, so that the Christmas tree does not remain in the vertical position desired by the user.

A particularly user-friendly clamping and holding device for Christmas tree stands is known in which pivotally mounted holding elements in the form of claws interact with a force transmission element in the form of a steel cable. The force transmission element is actuated by means of a clamping device in the form of a releasable latch device to clamp the holding elements. This form of clamping and holding device is very easy and safe for a user to handle. The clamping device, which acts on the holding elements via the force transmission element, moves the holding elements into the holding position with a defined holding force, whereby all holding elements can be moved force-free in the direction of the Christmas tree trunk by means of the force transmission element until all holding elements rest there and are then pressed against the Christmas tree trunk with essentially the same holding force.

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However, there is the problem that it is difficult to set up vertically, especially with small Christmas trees or thin Christmas tree trunks, as the holding elements only grip the trunk after a certain amount of time and as long as the tree is unguided, i.e. loose in the support element of the stand, it can easily slip. If the trunk is not positioned exactly in the middle, the holding elements cannot fit evenly and there is a risk that the tree will not be gripped by all the holding elements and may therefore be set up crookedly or not sufficiently secured.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a stand for clamping rod-shaped components, in particular Christmas trees, or a centering device for such a stand, in which the rod-shaped component is correctly positioned within the holder even before clamping and by means of which rod-shaped components with a particularly small diameter can also be clamped easily and in a vertical position.

The object of the present invention is achieved by a stand for clamping rod-shaped components with the features according to claim 1 and by a centering device with the features according to claim 14. Appropriate further developments are defined in the respective dependent claims.

According to the invention, a stand for clamping rod-shaped components, in particular Christmas trees, has a receiving element and a clamping and holding device. The receiving element has a centering device for centering the rod-shaped component, wherein at least one flexible element is provided which projects radially into a receiving opening of the receiving element in such a way that a centering effect is generated on the rod-shaped component when it is inserted into the receiving element in cooperation with the flexible element in relation to a center point of the stand. As a result, even components with a very small diameter are always clamped in the direction of the center point.

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of the stand even before the actual holding device engages the component and grasps it for setting up. This prevents Christmas tree stands with a small diameter in particular from being positioned outside the center of the stand and the holding device therefore not clamping the tree trunk correctly or at an undesirable location. The rod-shaped component is guided into the desired position as soon as it is inserted into the receiving element.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the flexible element is designed in such a way that it rests at least partially on the circumference of the rod-shaped component and is displaced by the component when the component (the trunk) is inserted. This generates bending forces against the center of the stand and the component is guided in the direction of the center by the simplest means by the counterforces (e.g. a centering mandrel inside the stand). In addition, Christmas tree stands are clamped in the desired position of the stand even with a very thin diameter of the trunk. A further advantage here is that even with thicker trunks (thickness in relation to the diameter of the receiving opening), the trunk is always lowered down to the lower part of the receiving opening. By lowering the trunk completely, e.g. onto a centering mandrel, the distance from the lower end of the trunk to the point of application of the holding elements of the holding device of the stand also increases. In this way, trunks are fixed much better. If the stand is also filled with water, it has the advantage that the trunk always remains at a sufficient height in the water and, due to the lid effect of the centering element, less water can evaporate, meaning that most of the available water is available for the tree to absorb.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the flexible element is movable in the horizontal plane or horizontally and vertically movable.

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bar. In a horizontally movable version, the stand can be designed to be particularly flat.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, several centering flaps are provided as a movable element, which are pre-tensioned in the vertical direction via joints and springs so that they are folded away when inserted by the component. This prevents the centering element from losing its functionality after a certain time, e.g. due to material fatigue. According to an alternative embodiment in this regard, the flexible element is a flexible centering sleeve that is made of one or more pieces. This creates a conical centering surface when inserted, which centers the component comprehensively in the direction of the center of the stand.

In a further preferred embodiment, the centering device has a ring whose outer circumference corresponds essentially to the outer circumference of the receiving element, and tongue-shaped sections arranged as flexible elements via respective webs on the inner circumference of the ring are provided. The tongue-shaped sections can be designed to be spaced apart from one another or to overlap one another. The centering device is thus provided by a structurally simple and inexpensive element. The material taper on the webs ensures the flexibility of the flexible elements, which can be adapted accordingly by choosing a suitable material (one-piece plastic, various molded plastics, etc.). The flexible elements are resiliently connected to the ring of the centering device via the respective webs. This has the advantage that when rod-shaped components whose diameter is larger than that of the opening defined by the flexible elements, the flexible elements give way and are pressed downwards so that the opening widens. The tongue-shaped design of the elements also makes it possible for the holding elements to be placed between the flexible elements.

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elements of the stand's holding device (such as pivoting holding claws) can be arranged and their function is not impaired.

Through holes, in particular with four equally spaced through holes, are preferably provided on the ring as fastening devices for fastening the centering device to the receiving element of the stand. Alternatively, however, the ring can also be connected to the housing or the receiving element of the stand via a clip connection or any other known fastening means.
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In an expedient development of the stand according to the invention, the ring, the webs and the flexible elements are formed integrally with one another. The centering device is preferably made of plastic, which can be easily shaped using known manufacturing processes, e.g. the two-component technique.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible elements are designed in the form of ring segments or circular segments. As a result, the receiving opening is essentially covered except for a central opening for inserting the component or stem, which prevents a component from being inserted into the receiving opening from the side and thus possibly not being grasped at all by the holding elements. The flexible elements can be designed to be spaced apart from one another or to overlap.

The stand according to the invention serves for vertically clamping a rod-shaped component or a part with at least one essentially rod-shaped section, such as parasols, flagpoles, traffic signs, but above all Christmas trees. The combination of the clamping and holding device and the centering device offers optimal support for a rod-shaped component accommodated in the stand, even if the rod-shaped component only has a small diameter. In addition, the

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The centering device on the stand makes it even easier for the user to clamp a rod-shaped component. The opening delimited by the flexible elements of the centering device specifies the position in which the rod-shaped component is to be inserted and also offers an initial fixation for it. Because the elements are flexible, rod-shaped components of a wide variety of diameters can be inserted into the stand, because when rod-shaped components are inserted into the stand that have a larger diameter than the opening delimited by the flexible elements, the flexible elements give way and bend downwards so that the opening widens. The centering device also offers an initial hold for a rod-shaped component that has just been inserted into the stand before the clamping and holding device has been activated. Once the clamping and holding device has been brought into the closed position to hold the rod-shaped component, it and the centering device work together optimally to hold even particularly thin Christmas tree trunks securely in a vertical position, for example.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holding elements and the flexible elements are arranged radially offset from one another.

The centering device is preferably made of plastic, but other materials are also possible. The centering device can also be formed integrally with the receiving element. However, it can also be a separate element, which is advantageous if old stands are to be upgraded with a centering device. It then has fastening devices, in particular holes, in order to be able to be fastened to the receiving element or screwed onto it.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping and holding device is provided with at least one force transmission element that interacts with holding elements. The holding elements are pivotably mounted on the receiving element via support elements between a

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open position for receiving the rod-shaped component and a closed position for holding the rod-shaped component. For example, at least one flexible wire rope can be provided as the force transmission element, which is guided over deflections and exerts a pivoting/tensioning movement on the vertically pivotable holding elements.

According to the invention, the centering device for stands for clamping rod-shaped components has at least one flexible element which projects radially into a receiving opening of a stand in such a way that it produces a centering effect on a rod-shaped component received in the receiving element when it is inserted into the stand with respect to a center point on the stand in cooperation with the element. This centering element not only makes it easier to insert particularly thin rod-shaped components into a stand and to receive and support them therein, but the flexibility of the element also means that rod-shaped components with a larger diameter than that of the opening defined by the centering element can be received and supported therein. The centering element is preferably a flexible element which rests against the circumference of the component in some areas and, by bending downwards towards the center of the stand, generates bending forces and retaining forces which press the component into a center. Effective centering is thus ensured in a structurally simple manner.

The invention is explained below using an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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The drawings show:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view through a clamping module of the stand according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the clamping module of the stand according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a centering device arranged on a housing base;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the centering device shown in Fig. 3 and arranged on a housing base;

Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of a stand with horizontally movable centering elements of the centering device according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a clamping module of the stand according to the invention. The clamping module 1 has a receiving element 3 into which the rod-shaped component 2 is inserted. In the middle at the bottom of the receiving element 3 there is a mandrel 15 onto which the rod-shaped component 2 is placed. As an alternative to the mandrel 15, several mandrels or a rough surface can also be provided. In the latter case, the centering device 8 largely replaces the function of the mandrel 15. The receiving element 3 is arranged in the middle of the housing base 11. In addition to the housing base 11, the housing of the stand also comprises a housing cover that can be placed on top of it, which is not shown here. On the outer circumference of the receiving element 3, four support elements 7 are arranged evenly spaced from one another around the circumference. The support elements 7 are each connected to holding elements 5 in an articulated manner via pivot axes 16, so that the holding elements 5 can be pivoted from an open position into a closed position in which they are in engagement with the rod-shaped component 2. A clamping and holding device 4 comprises a latch 17, the force transmission element 6 in the form of a steel cable connected to the latch 17 and the holding elements 5 designed as claws and connected to the force transmission element 6. By actuating the clamping device 4, the holding elements 5 move evenly and essentially force-free towards the outer contour of the rod-shaped component 2 to be clamped until all the holding elements 5 rest on its surface and thus fix the rod-shaped component 2 in a vertical position in the stand. A further fixing

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The centering device 8 provides additional support for the rod-shaped component 2, particularly for those with smaller diameters. The centering device 8 is placed on the receiving element 3. Four flexible elements 9 of the centering device 8 protrude radially into the opening of the receiving element 3 and delimit it. If, as in the case shown here, the diameter of the rod-shaped component 2 is larger than the opening delimited by the flexible elements 9, the flexible elements 9 bend downwards to expose a widened opening space corresponding to the diameter of the rod-shaped component 2. The flexible elements 9 rest against the outer circumference of the rod-shaped component 2. This provides additional support for the rod-shaped component 2, which is already in effect before the clamping device 4 is actuated to move the holding elements 5 into the closed position.

Fig. 2 shows the clamping module 1 shown in Fig. 1 in a top view. The receiving element 3 is arranged in the middle of the housing base 11. The centering device 8 is fastened to the receiving element 3 by means of screws which are screwed through through holes 13 in a ring 12 of the centering device 8. Alternatively, the ring 12 can also be fastened to the housing or the receiving element 3 of the stand via a clip connection or the like. The simplified assembly of the individual parts shortens the production time and reduces the number of individual parts. The ring 12 has four webs 14 formed on it which are evenly spaced from one another. The flexible ring segment-like flexible elements 9 are formed on the webs 14. The flexible elements 9 delimit a central and expandable receiving opening 10 into which the rod-shaped component 2 can be inserted. The ring 12, the webs 14 and the flexible elements 9 are integrally formed with one another and are made of plastic. The flexibility can be achieved by choosing the plastic together with the web-shaped taper so that the ring is still sufficiently rigid. Alternatively, different types of plastic can be used, which are molded onto one another or are advantageously manufactured using two-component technology.

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The flexible elements 9 are evenly spaced from one another. The holding elements 5 are arranged on the receiving element 3 at the respective spacings, i.e. offset by approximately 45° to the positions of the respective webs 14 of the flexible elements 9, and can be actuated via the force transmission element 6 by means of the clamping device 4. According to another embodiment (not shown in the drawing), the holding elements 5 are arranged such that in a completely closed position they are almost completely sunk below the ring 12 inside the stand. This has the advantage of a compact shape for packaging during shipping and sale.

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the centering device 8 without the clamping device 4, which is arranged on the receiving element 3, which in turn is located centrally on the housing base 11. The housing base 11 is formed integrally with the receiving element 3. Furthermore, an essentially circumferential wall 18 is provided on the housing base 11, which is also formed integrally with the housing base 11 and has a recess 19 at the position at which the latch 17 (not shown in the drawing) of the clamping device 4 is to be arranged. The centering device 8 comprises a ring 12 with four holes 13 for screwing or fastening the centering device 8 to the receiving element 3. As in Fig. 2, four flexible ring-segment-like flexible elements 9 are resiliently connected to the ring 12 via respective webs 14, so that the receiving opening 10 defined by the flexible elements 9 can be expanded.

Fig. 4 shows a side view of the centering device 8 shown in Fig. 3 with housing base 11 and receiving element 3. The essentially circumferential wall 18, which is formed integrally with the housing base 11, is formed with a recess 19 at the position provided for the latch 17 (not shown in the drawing). The circumference of the centering device is equal to the circumference of the receiving element 3.

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In Fig. 5, a second embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in side view. The flexible elements 9 are wedge-shaped slides which project radially and are acted upon by springs into the receiving space of the receiving element 3. In this embodiment, the flexible elements 9 can only be moved horizontally.

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List of reference symbols Clamping module 1 rod-shaped component 2 Recording element 3 Clamping and holding device 4 Holding elements 5 Power transmission element 6 Support elements 7 Centering device 8th flexible elements 9 Receiving opening 10 Case back 11 ring 12 drilling 13 web 14 mandrel 15 Swivel axis 16 Latch 17 surrounding wall 18 Recess 19

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Claims (18)

1. Stand for clamping rod-shaped components ( 2 ), in particular Christmas trees, with a receiving element ( 3 ) and a clamping and holding device ( 4 ), characterized in that the receiving element ( 3 ) is provided with a centering device ( 8 ) for centering the rod-shaped component ( 2 ), wherein the centering device ( 8 ) has at least one flexible element ( 9 ) which projects radially into a receiving opening ( 10 ) of the receiving element ( 3 ) in such a way that a centering effect is generated on the rod-shaped component ( 2 ) in relation to a center point of the stand when it is inserted into the receiving element ( 3 ) in cooperation with the element ( 9 ). 2. Stand according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible element ( 9 ) during insertion rests at least partially on the circumference of the rod-shaped component ( 2 ) such that it is displaced by the component ( 2 ). 3. Stand according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flexible element ( 9 ) is movable in the horizontal plane. 4. Stand according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flexible element ( 9 ) is horizontally and vertically movable. 5. Stand according to claim 2, characterized in that a plurality of centering flaps are provided as the flexible element ( 9 ), which are pre-tensioned via joints and springs such that they are folded away when inserted through the component ( 2 ). 6. Stand according to claim 2, characterized in that a flexible centering sleeve is provided as a flexible element ( 9 ), which forms a conical surface through the inserted, rod-shaped component ( 2 ) and a resulting evasive movement of the sleeve, which center the component ( 2 ) with respect to the center of the stand. 7. Stand according to claim 2, characterized in that a plurality of tongue-shaped sections are provided on the inner circumference of a ring ( 12 ) as a flexible element ( 9 ), which are arranged resiliently on the ring ( 12 ) via respective webs ( 14 ). 8. Stand according to claim 7, characterized in that the ring ( 12 ) has a substantially identical outer circumference as the receiving element ( 3 ), and that fastening devices ( 13 ) are provided for fastening the centering device ( 8 ) to the receiving element ( 3 ). 9. Stand according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the ring ( 12 ), the webs ( 14 ) and the flexible elements ( 9 ) are formed integrally with one another. 10. Stand according to one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the flexible elements ( 9 ) are designed like ring segments. 11. Stand according to claim 7, characterized in that the centering device ( 8 ) substantially covers the receiving opening ( 10 ). 12. Stand according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the centering device ( 8 ) is formed integrally with the receiving element ( 3 ). 13. Stand according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the centering device ( 8 ) is formed integrally with a housing of the stand. 14. Stand according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping and holding device ( 4 ) has at least one force transmission element ( 6 ) interacting with holding elements ( 5 ) and the holding elements ( 5 ) are mounted on the receiving element ( 3 ) via support elements ( 7 ) so as to be pivotable between an open position (receiving position) for receiving the rod-shaped component ( 2 ) and a closed position (holding position) for holding the rod-shaped component ( 2 ), characterized in that the flexible elements ( 9 ) and the holding elements ( 5 ) are arranged radially offset from one another. 15. Centering device ( 8 ) for stands for clamping rod-shaped components ( 2 ), wherein at least one flexible element ( 9 ) is provided which projects radially into a receiving opening ( 10 ) of the stand ( 3 ) such that a centering effect is produced on the rod-shaped component ( 2 ) in relation to a center point of the stand when it is inserted into the stand in cooperation with the element ( 9 ). 16. Centering device ( 8 ) according to claim 15, characterized in that the flexible element ( 9 ) rests at least partially on the circumference of the rod-shaped component ( 2 ) such that it is displaced by the component ( 2 ) during insertion. 17. Centering device ( 8 ) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the flexible element ( 9 ) is movable in the horizontal plane. 18. Centering device ( 8 ) according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that a ring ( 12 ) is provided and that as a flexible element ( 9 ) several tongue-shaped sections on the inner circumference of the ring ( 12 ) are arranged resiliently on the ring ( 12 ) via respective webs ( 14 ).