TRUNK MOUNTED CHRISTMAS TREE WATER LEVEL MEASURING AND ALARM DEVICE

• US 20110214345A1
• Filed: 03/03/2011
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Luster Leaf Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Marc Rasschaert
• Inventors: Rasschaert, Marc
• Granted Patent: US 9,265,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/40.5
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2033/1286 comprising watering means, e.g. a water reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/12 Christmas tree stands sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/2238
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/0007 for discrete indicating and measuring G01F23/02 - G01F23/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/00 Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A trunk mounted Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device includes a housing configured to be mounted to the tree trunk of a Christmas tree through at least one variable length attaching strap. A first water level sensor rod extends down from the housing and configured to extend into a water reservoir of a tree stand supporting the Christmas tree at a low water level. Another sensor rod may extend to a high water level. The housing including a power supply and at least one water level alarm configured to activate when the sensor rod(s) indicate a water level in the water reservoir below the low water level or, optionally, above the high water level. The housing further includes a light sensor and an alarm override wherein the alarm is overridden when the light sensor indicates the presence of less than a preset threshold of light around the housing.

Claims

1. A Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device comprising:

a housing configured to be mounted to a Christmas tree;

a power supply within the housing;

a attaching mechanism for mounting the housing to the Christmas tree;

at least one water level sensor extending down from the housing and configured to extend into a water reservoir of a tree stand supporting the Christmas tree and configured to define a low water level within the reservoir;

a water level alarm within the housing configured to activate at least when the one water level sensor indicates that the water level in the water reservoir is below the low water level;

a light sensor within the housing; and

an alarm override within the housing, wherein the water level alarm is overridden and will not activate regardless of the water level in the reservoir when the light sensor indicates the presence of less than a preset threshold of light around the housing.

2. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device according to claim 1 wherein the attaching mechanism includes a pair of attaching straps configured to secure the housing to the trunk of the Christmas tree.

3. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device according to claim 1 further including at least a second water level sensor extending down from the housing and configured to extend into a water reservoir of a tree stand supporting the Christmas tree and configured to define a high water level within the reservoir.

4. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device according to claim 3 wherein the water level alarm within the housing is further configured to activate at least when the second water level sensor indicates that the water level in the water reservoir is higher than the high water level.

5. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device according to claim 3 wherein the first and second water level sensors are user adjustable to provide user definable low and high water levels within the reservoir.

6. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device according to claim 3 wherein the alarm includes and audible alarm in the form of a Christmas carol or birds chirping

7. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device according to claim 3 further including a Christmas tree watering device coupled to the tree.

8. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device Christmas tree watering device according to claim 7 wherein the Christmas tree watering device comprises:

A trunk mounting base configured to be coupled to the trunk of a Christmas tree at a desired vertical height;

Trunk attachment members securely attaching the base to the trunk of the tree;

A funnel support arm adjustably coupled to the base in a telescoping fashion;

A support arm locking member to secure the funnel support arm in a desired position;

A funnel supported on the funnel support arm; and

Flexible tubing coupled to the funnel and extending through the funnel support arm and the trunk mounting base and adapted to extend to the water holding container of the Christmas tree stand.

9. A Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device comprising:

a housing configured to be mounted to the Christmas tree;

a power supply within the housing;

an attaching mechanism for mounting the housing to the Christmas tree;

A first water level sensor extending down from the housing and configured to extend into a water reservoir of a tree stand supporting the Christmas tree and configured to define a low water level within the reservoir;

a second water level sensor extending down from the housing and configured to extend into a water reservoir of a tree stand supporting the Christmas tree and configured to define a high water level within the reservoir; and

a water level alarm within the housing configured to activate at least when the water level sensors indicates that the water level in the water reservoir is below the low water level or above the high water level.

10. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device according to claim 9 wherein the water level alarm includes an audible alarm and the device further including a light sensor within the housing, and an alarm override within the housing, wherein the water level alarm is overridden and will not activate regardless of the water level when the light sensor indicates the presence of less than a preset threshold of light around the housing.

11. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device according to claim 9 wherein the first and second water level sensors are formed as rods which are user adjustable providing user definable high and low water levels.

12. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device according to claim 9 wherein the alarm includes and audible alarm in the form of a Christmas carol or birds chirping

13. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device according to claim 12 further including a Christmas tree watering device coupled to the tree.

15. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device Christmas tree watering device according to claim 13 wherein the Christmas tree watering device comprises:

A trunk mounting base configured to be coupled to the trunk of a Christmas tree at a desired vertical height;

Trunk attachment members securely attaching the base to the trunk of the tree;

A funnel support arm adjustably coupled to the base in a telescoping fashion;

A support arm locking member to secure the funnel support arm in a desired position;

A funnel supported on the funnel support arm; and

Flexible tubing coupled to the funnel and extending through the funnel support arm and the trunk mounting base and adapted to extend to the water holding container of the Christmas tree stand.

16. A Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device comprising:

a housing configured to be mounted to the trunk of a Christmas tree;

an attaching mechanism including at least one strap for mounting the housing to the truck of the Christmas tree;

A first water level sensor in the form of a sensor rod extending down from the housing and configured to extend into a water reservoir of a tree stand supporting the Christmas tree and configured to define a low water level within the reservoir;

a second water level sensor in the form of a sensor rod extending down from the housing and configured to extend into a water reservoir of a tree stand supporting the Christmas tree and configured to define a high water level within the reservoir; and

a water level alarm within the housing configured to activate at least when the water level sensors indicates that the water level in the water reservoir is below the low water level or above the high water level.

17. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device according to claim 16 further including a light sensor within the housing, and an alarm override within the housing, wherein the water level alarm is overridden and will not activate regardless of the water level when the light sensor indicates the presence of less than a preset threshold of light around the housing.

18. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device according to claim 17 further including a Christmas tree watering device coupled to the tree.

19. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device according to claim 18 wherein the alarm includes an audible alarm in the form of a Christmas carol or birds chirping.

20. The Christmas tree water level measuring and alarm device according to claim 19 wherein the first and second water level sensors are user adjustable to provide user definable low and high water levels within the reservoir.