Tree skate

Abstract

The present invention is a tray apparatus providing mobility of a Christmas tree in a tree stand. The invention comprises a pan for placing the tree stand and a releasably attached handle. The improved mobility provided by the smooth, low-friction pan and removable handle of the present invention assists in decoration of the tree by allowing rotation for placing lights and ornaments, or other decorating tasks, as well as to present a favored side toward a desired area of the room in which it is placed. The tree may also be decorated in any convenient location and then moved laterally into the desired final position. In addition to the relatively frictionless movement provided by the pan, it also provides a basin to contain any water that spills from the stand, to catch needles, to hold presents, and to protect the floor or carpet.

Claims

1. A tray apparatus configured to facilitate the mobility of a tree stand, said tree stand configured to support a tree, said apparatus comprising: a pan having a diameter at least slightly larger than said tree stand, said pan having a bottom face having a substantially frictionless surface, an upper face for receiving said tree stand, and upwardly bowed peripheral edges creating a side wall having an inner face and outer face; an elongated, rigid handle member; a pair of circular hook devices positioned on at least a portion of said outer face of said side wall; a cylindrical t-shaped end on said rigid handle member; and wherein said circular hook devices and said t-shaped end are configured for releasable engagement with one another.

2. A tray apparatus configured to facilitate the mobility of a tree stand, said tree stand configured to support a tree, said apparatus comprising: a pan having a diameter at least slightly larger than said tree stand, said pan having a bottom face having a substantially frictionless surface, an upper face for receiving said tree stand, and upwardly bowed peripheral edges creating a side wall having an inner face and outer face; an elongated, rigid handle member; a pair of substantially flat hook devices positioned on at least a portion of said outer face of said side wall; a flat, t-shaped end on said rigid handle member; wherein said flat hook devices and said t-shaped end are configured for releasable engagement with one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a tray apparatus according to the present invention

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pan of a tray apparatus according to the present invention

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a tray apparatus according to the present invention exhibiting one possible configuration of the releasably attached handle, particularly showing the cylindrical t-shaped end 36 and compatible hooks 32.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of one possible configuration of the releasably attached handle wherein the cylindrical t-shaped handle 36 and compatible hooks 32 are engaged

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a tray apparatus according to the present invention exhibiting a second possible configuration of the releasably attached handle, particularly showing the flat, t-shaped end 46 and the compatible substantially flat hook devices 42.

(6) FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second possible configuration of the releasably attached handle wherein the flat, t-shaped end 46 and compatible hooks 42 are engaged

(7) FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a tray apparatus according to the present invention exhibiting a third possible configuration of the releasably attached handle, particularly showing a handle attachment piece 52 and a compatible end 56 on the handle.

(8) FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a third possible configuration of the releasably attached handle wherein the handle attachment piece 52 compatible handle end 56 are engaged

(9) FIG. 9 illustrates a tray apparatus according to the present invention being used in association with a Christmas tree.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(10) Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

(11) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray apparatus 10 having a pan 20 to contain a tree stand and a handle 30 used to assist in movement of the apparatus, stand, and tree. In the preferred embodiment, the pan 20 is designed much like a common frying pan, having a diameter slightly larger than that of the average-sized tree stand, generally between three feet and four feet, although any sized pan capable of containing the tree stand is suitable for the present invention. The peripheral edges of the pan 20 are bowed up to form side walls 24. The walls 24 serve as retaining means that may retain water spilled from the tree stand, tree needles, or any other article that is desired to be kept off the floor or carpet on which the tree is placed. The pan 20 is shallow in depth, defined by the height of the side walls 24, as shown in the figures. The height of the side walls 24 is preferably at least one inch, although any wall height capable of retaining the tree stand, water, needles, etc may be appropriate for the present invention.

(12) The pan 20 is preferably made of a material with two surfaces, at least one of the surfaces substantially lacking ribs, grooves, or other friction-creating elements. This smooth surface is configured as the bottom face 22 of the pan 10, which is smooth to lessen friction between the tray and the floor or carpet, thereby increasing ease of mobility. The tree stand is placed on an upper face 26 of the pan, within the area contained between the side walls 24.

(13) To further assist in the mobility of the pan 20, as well as the tree stand and tree, the present invention comprises a handle member 30 extending from the outer surface of the side wall 24 on the pan 20, as shown in FIG. 1. The handle 30 is useful during decorating the tree as a means of rotating the tree for placing lights or ornaments on the tree. It is also useful for moving the tree into a desired final placement in a room, as shown in FIG. 9. The handle 30 is preferably a rigid member with an accessory 31, at the end opposite of attachment to the pan 20, that is configured for grasping the handle member and using it to control movement of the tray 10. As shown in the figures, the accessory 31 may be a substantially d-shaped accessory with an aperture through which a user may grasp the handle, although any configuration allowing for grasping the handle member 30 may be used. The handle 30 is preferably releasably attached to the pan 20, thus able to be removed after the tree has been moved to its desired position.

(14) Various means of releasable attachment have been contemplated for the present invention. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, a pair of circular hook-shaped devices 32, with gap positioned in a downward direction, are fixed to a portion of the side wall 24. The compatible handle 34 has a cylindrical t-shaped end 36. The handle is releasably attached to the pan by placing the t-shaped end 36 below the hook devices 32, pulling the handle 34 up, whereby snapping the t-shaped end 36 into engagement with the hook devices 32, as shown in FIG. 4.

(15) In a second embodiment of the releasably attached handle, as shown in FIG. 5, a pair of substantially flat hook devices 42 are fixed to a portion of the side wall 24. The opening of the hook 42 is positioned in an upward direction. The compatible handle 44 has a flat, t-shaped end 46 which can be placed in a position above and relative to the opening of the hook 42 and moved in a downward direction to slide the flat t-shaped end 46 into place for engagement with the hook 42, as shown in FIG. 6.

(16) In a third embodiment of the releasably attached handle, as shown in FIG. 7, the connecting end 56 of the handle 54 is configured for compatibility with a handle attachment 52 fixed to a portion of the side wall 24. The lower portion of the connecting end 56 is placed in position relative to the lower portion of the handle attachment piece 52. The handle 54 is then rotated up to snap the upper portions of the handle attachment piece 52 and connecting end 56 into engagement, as shown in FIG. 8.

(17) Any means of releasable attachment may be used for this purpose, it is not limited to these disclosed embodiments.

(18) A method for use of the tray apparatus 10 is also contemplated, comprising the steps of providing the apparatus 10 described above, placing a tree in a tree stand and the tree stand on the upper surface 22 of the pan 20 of the apparatus. Then, the tree may be rotated for decoration or placement, and/or may be moved laterally along the floor to a desired final position in a room or an area, as shown in FIG. 9. The method also comprises removing and attaching the rigid handle 30 by means of releasable attachment.

(19) The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.