Christmas-tree stand with water-level-detecting circuitry providing flasher outlet and recordable sound playback

• US 20070157511A1
• Filed: 07/21/2004
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Solak
• Original Assignee: David Solak
• Inventors: Solak, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,886,483 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/40.500
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 27/008 Component parts, e.g. dispensing fittings, level indicators
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2033/122 involving electricity
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2033/1293 including water feeding or water level monitoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/0881 comprising means related to watering of the tree
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/12 Christmas tree stands sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/2238

Abstract

An electronic device to warn of a low water level, particularly in a Christmas tree water reservoir base. A flashing unit provides an affect to an outlet where the strand of lights on the tree or another lighted device will turn on and off until the water is filled into the base again. A message will be played at intervals through a speaker in an ornament, possibly hung on the tree. The message is recorded by pressing a button then speaking into a microphone. Messages are limited only to the human imagination. The lights will stop flashing and the message will stop playing when the water is filled into the reservoir base. The circuitry is housed separately away from the base to prevent shock.

Claims

1. A electronic device for warning of low water in a base comprising:

a. a power supply to provide current to a flasher unit and timing circuit, and

b. a regulated power supply to provide current to a voice recorder, and

c. a relay to turn the flasher unit on and off through a float switch, and

d. a voice recorder circuit triggered by a relay controlled by the timing circuit, and

e. a microphone to record sound into the voice recorder circuit, and

f. a record button to press and allow the recording of sound through the microphone into the voice recorder circuit, and

g. a relay controlled by the flashing unit mentioned in claim a., claim c., whereas

h. the relay opens and closes upon the closure of the relay mentioned in claim c. and

i. a outlet that is controlled by the flasher through a relay switching 110 to 120 VAC, and

j. a housing to enclose the circuitry and protect it from damage

2. A reservoir base to hold the tree in a vertical position, hold water and house a float switch, comprising:

a. a length of wire with a plug to connect the float switch to the circuitry, and

b. a multiple of threaded supports to hold the tree in place, and

c. a opening between the water base and the float switch mentioned in claim 1.c and 2.a

3. A ornament comprising:

a. a decorative shape, housing

b. a speaker to relay sound and recorded messages, and

c. a length of wire to connect the speaker in the ornament and the voice recorder circuitry