Christmas tree waterer

• US 4,930,252 A
• Filed: 02/09/1989
• Issued: 06/05/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timothy J. Davis, Vernon E. Krause
• Original Assignee: Timothy J. Davis, Vernon E. Krause
• Inventors: Davis, Timothy J., Krause, Vernon E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VAN PATTEN, MICHELE
• Application Number:
  US07/307,919
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: 47/79, 47/40.5, 47/62
• US Class Current: 47/40.5
• 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 33/12 Christmas tree stands sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/2238

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for supplying water to a conventional tree stand. A water level monitor is selectively positioned within the reservoir of the tree stand and is electrically connected to a solenoid valve so that water will be supplied from a water reservoir to the tree stand when the water level within the tree stand drops to a predetermined level. A float within the monitor drops with the water level, triggering a reed switch and activating the solenoid valve so that water can flow from a reservoir to the tree stand.

Claims

1. In combination:

a tree stand having a water reservoir;

an upstanding water supply support means having upper and lower ends;

a water container positioned on the upper end of said support means and having a horizontally disposed bottom wall positioned above the lower end of the support means, and an upstanding side wall means, said bottom wall having an opening formed therein;

a normally closed electrically operated water valve means positioned below said bottom wall and having an inlet side in operative fluid communication with said opening;

a water level monitor positioned within said reservoir;

an electrical control means operatively connected between said water level monitor and said water valve means, for opening said water valve means when the water in said reservoir drops to a first predetermined level;

said electrical control means adapted to open said water valve means when the water in said reservoir drops to a predetermined level and to close said water valve means when the water in said reservoir raises to a second predetermined level.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein a flexible water tube means extends from the discharge side of said water valve means to said reservoir, to supply water to said reservoir upon activation of said water valve means.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said monitor is selectively vertically positioned within said reservoir.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall of said water container is approximately the same height as the upper end of said tree stand, such that water within said water container will flow by gravity to said tree stand when said water valve is open.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said water level monitor is adapted to sense said first predetermined level and said second predetermined level of water in said reservoir.

6. In combination:

a tree stand having a water reservoir;

an upstanding water supply support means having upper and lower ends;

a water container positioned on the upper end of said support means and having a horizontally disposed bottom wall positioned above the lower end of the support means, and an upstanding side wall means, said bottom wall having an opening formed therein;

a normally closed electrically operated water valve means positioned below said bottom wall and having an inlet side in operative fluid communication with said opening;

a water level monitor positioned within said reservoir;

an electrical control means operatively connected between said water level monitor and said water valve means, for opening said water valve means when the water in said reservoir drops to a first predetermined level;

said control means adapted to open said water valve means when the water in said reservoir drops to a predetermined level, and including means for closing said water valve means after a predetermined time period.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said predetermined time period is about 20 seconds.