Abstract: A ratcheting auger bracing device having a support frame with spaced-apart elongated side bars and first and second end bars connecting the side bars, and a pair of pivotable braces each having a proximal hinge end secured pivotally to and around the end bars of the support frame, a distal end bar, and a pair of opposed arms connecting the distal end bar to the proximal hinge end. The opposed arms are angled downwardly, acing the shaft of the auger section, to provide improved operation of the ratcheting auger bracing device in muddy operation conditions. An elevating frame provides an elevating base and legs that elevate the support frame and the hinged pair of pivotable braces at a distance above the ground level, and positions the hinged ends of the pivotable braces a distance above the ground level that avoids or prevents mud that may pool around the well hole.

Abstract: An archery aid for a compound bow includes a tri-pod base; a mounting frame including a connection element for coupling the bow to the archery aid; and an assembly connecting the mounting frame to the tri-pod base. A dampening system dampens for/aft forces on the archery aid. A method of stabilizing an arrow in flight includes mounting a compound bow to an archery aid, the archery aid including a tri-pod base; and shooting the arrow from the compound bow mounted to the archery aid. The archery aid dampens the shot by minimizing kicking.

Abstract: A self-adjusting apparatus is provided for clamping and supporting a substantially cylindrical element. When an element is placed in the self-adjusting apparatus, the element is supported at about 90° from the surface on which the apparatus sits. This is achieved with an integrated clamping mechanism and, preferably, with a self-centering mechanism comprising flexure springs and a retaining-center pin. The clamping mechanism applies a substantially radial force on the element that is directly proportional to the substantially cylindrical element's weight, and can be less than the weight of the element, preventing damage to the element. The present invention can include a liquid management system for when the apparatus supports a tree trunk. The liquid management system can include a reservoir, a funnel for filling the reservoir, a capillary wick and mat that provides water to the tree even when it is above the level of water in the reservoir.

Abstract: An artificial Christmas tree stand comprises a receptacle, at least three equally spaced legs radially extending therefrom, an equal plurality of braces pivotally extending upwards from the legs' lengths, and outer struts and corresponding inner struts that travel a track in the braces' lengths. The legs pivot downwards 90° to collapse the stand for storage. The brace is extendable about a height of the tree trunk so that its claws can engage the trunk at a manually manipulated height. The braces essentially support the trunk upright as opposed to the conventional receptacle.

Abstract: A stowable device for ejecting fluids onto the underside and wheel regions of a vehicle includes a base member joined at one end to a handle member such that the angle between the members can be controllably varied and retained at a desired angle. A source of fluid is coupled through flexible tubing terminating in a fluid jet disposed adjacent the base member distal end. The desired angle is determined by a length of cord extending from base to handle member. The exposed cord length is user-controllable by lockably spooling excess cord length into a rotatable spool reservoir attached to the handle member. User-adjustment of the desired angle also determined handle height above ground. Alternatively, the desired angle (and handle height above ground) is user-determined by adjusting effective length of a rigid rod.

Abstract: A stand for a tree comprises a base for receiving a trunk of the tree, wherein the base provides a top portion, and a plurality of attachment points positioned along a periphery of the top portion. The stand further comprises a plurality of bracing supports. Each bracing support comprises a first end, wherein said first end is coupled to one of the plurality of attachment points, and a second end, wherein said second end is equipped to engage the trunk of the tree.

Abstract: A stand for holding pole or trunk-shaped articles, in particular Christmas trees, comprising one or more support arrangements on the base plate for supporting and holding the retaining elements, the support arrangement comprises, for each retaining element, bearings, open transversely to the axial direction, into which the pivot pins or hollow shafts, laterally protruding over the respective retaining element, can be positioned, for fixing the pivot pins or hollow shafts of the retaining elements a thrust bearing is provided, the thrust bearing is supported, at least indirectly, on the base plate, in particular on the at least one support arrangement or on a separate retaining device connected to the base plate, and the thrust bearing is provided or formed on the interior and lower face of the housing cover and/or on a separate component underneath the interior and lower face of the housing cover.

Abstract: Tree stand in which a tensioning device can move a plurality of retaining elements that are arranged about the axis of the receiving area of the stand, by means of a flexible force transmission element that can be loaded with tension, out of a loose position in which the trunk can be adjusted into a support position in which the retaining elements are positioned largely force-free on the trunk, then into an alignment position in which the retaining elements hold the trunk so that it can be aligned, finally into a retaining position in which the trunk is clamped upright, whereby the lower retaining force of the plurality of retaining elements, which force is required in the alignment position, is produced by an elastic buffer element allocated to the force transmission element.

Abstract: The tensioning device of a tree stand has a tension lever, a ratchet wheel and a tensioning body coaxial therewith, and a lever catch that is movably guided on the tension lever like a ratchet or one-way coupling and that is detachably mechanically linked to the ratchet wheel and that when the tension lever is actuated to create tension engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel such that a part connected to elements for retaining the tree is wound on the tensioning body, thus securely clamping the tree. The tensioning device furthermore has a first catch for engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel and blocks the latter's rotation in the sense of unwinding of the tensioning body. For each release actuation of the tension lever, the first catch disengages from the teeth of the ratchet wheel, whereby thereupon a second catch blocks the release when the second catch strikes the blocking flank of the tooth of the ratchet wheel in the release direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for temporarily securing a fishing rod in position while fishing, during the interval between fish strikes, having a fixed hollow tubular holder for the rod handle inserted in one end of the holder, the holder having an opening on the top, and having a clamp hingedly attached to one end of the opening, the clamp and opening being of a form allowing the user to secure the rod handle within the holder, by pressing down upon the clamp; and to free the rod handle from the holder by simply pulling up on the clamp.

Abstract: An arrangement for supporting a tree comprising a bracket and a pair of elongate bands each including a plurality of circular openings. The bands being extendable in loops from the bracket around a tree. The bracket has a pair of band receiving openings to receive free ends of the respective bands. A respective mounting opening is provided a short distance from each of the receiving openings. A pair of tangentially extending housings are respectively adjacent each of the openings to receive anchored ends of the respective bands. Inclined projections extend into each housing from an upper wall thereof to retain the band by engagement of the projections through respective retention openings in the bands. Bands can be tightened by location of a tool extending through a retention opening towards the anchored end of the respective band extending from the housing and also through a retention opening in the free end of the band through the respective mounting, such that a lever action can be applied with the tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved holding device for receiving pole-shaped objects, especially trees, christmas trees for example. The inventive device has a plurality of holding elements (4–4c; 104–104c), each having a swivel axis (7–7c; 114–114c) associated thereto. The holding elements and swivel axes can be moved towards and away from the axis of symmetry and/or central axis (115), and the holding elements (4–4c; 104–104c) and the swivel axes (7–7c; 114–114c) associated thereto can be moved by a clamping device (2; 102), against the force of a spring device (10; 13).

Abstract: A foot support for profiled sections has a base member; a receptacle for the profiled section arranged in the base member; and several tensioning levers having a horizontal pivot axis and arranged about an axis of symmetry. The tensioning levers are pivotable between a rest position and a clamping position about the horizontal pivot axis. The tensioning levers have a lower lever arm positioned below the horizontal axis and an upper lever arm positioned above the horizontal pivot axis. A foot-actuated actuating element that acts on a force-transmitting element, acting on the tensioning levers for moving them into the clamping position, is provided. The force-transmitting element is a vertically adjustable ring that, when carrying out a downward movement, contacts the lower lever arms of the tensioning levers such that the lower lever arms are pivoted outwardly and the upper lever arms are pivoted inwardly into the clamping position.

Abstract: The auger stand includes a vertical cavity (a “holding container”) adapted to receive the auger, and to hold it in a substantially vertical position which facilitates the connection and disconnection to and from a tractor. When the auger is held upright in a vertical position, a single operator may connect the boom assembly and the drive shaft of the auger assembly to appropriate connections carried by the tractor. This can be done without lifting the weight of the auger as would be necessary if the auger is placed in a horizontal position when disconnected. After use, the auger may be disconnected from the tractor and maintained in an upright position, relieving the operator from the task of having to lower the auger to the ground.

Abstract: A support apparatus (10) for trees (12) comprising a mounting part (14) in the form of a plurality of brackets (16) interconnected by ties (24), engageable around the tree (12), and a ground engaging member (32) extendible from each bracket (16) at an inclination to the tree (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a stand, particularly a stand for the substantially vertical erection of trunks of Christmas trees with adaptation to different sizes and characteristics of the trunks of Christmas trees, with a housing, with a receiving region for the trunk, with a clamping apparatus and with swivel-mounted holding elements, said holding elements being adapted to be swivelled by means of a force-transmission element and the clamping apparatus from and to the longitudinal axis of the trunk of the Christmas tree between an open position, receiving position, for receiving the trunk and a closed position, holding position, for holding the trunk. The housing is of one-part design and the holding elements are mounted on the one-part housing.

Abstract: A collapsible support frame is formed of an inner tube, an outer tube, and a plurality of support legs. The support legs are fastened to the inner tube and the outer tube. The inner tube is rotatably fitted into the outer tube. The folding and the unfolding of the support legs are attained by turning the inner tube an angle. The inner tube has a hollow interior for holding a Christmas tree, a flag pole, and the like.

Abstract: This is a hinge base construction for light poles which provides a non-corrosive hinge connection between the pole and the fixed base member. The connection includes non-corrosive elements to preserve the pivotal relationship between the stationary base and the pole mounting member.

Abstract: A Christmas tree stand which comprises a receptacle and a two-piece base is provided. The receptacle is placed over the trunk of a tree and a clamping assembly is used to secure the tree within the receptacle. The receptacle is then inserted into a top portion of the base. The top portion of the base is moveable with respect to a bottom portion of the base. A movement assembly is provided which enables one person to easily move the top portion with respect to the bottom portion. Additionally, the top portion of the base includes a cavity for holding water.

Abstract: A tree stand for receiving and supporting a tree, such as a live, cut Christmas tree, comprises a receptacle for receiving the trunk of the tree and a base for supporting the receptacle when the tree is received therein. The receptacle includes a clamping assembly for securing the trunk of the tree in the receptacle, while the base includes a locking assembly for locking the tree in place once it is moved to the desired vertical position. An actuator such as a foot pedal is provided for operating the locking assembly so that the user can position the tree by hand while standing on his feet with the foot pedal depressed and then lock the tree in place simply by releasing the pedal.

Abstract: An improved Christmas tree stand comprises a receptacle for receiving the trunk of a tree and a base for receiving the receptacle and tree. The base includes an upper shell which can be easily swiveled to any position with respect to a lower shell so as to position a tree vertically in any desired portion without shimming.

Abstract: A self-adjusting portable tree stand including a rigid annular base; a rigid canister positioned above and in axial alignment with the base; a plurality of rigid elongated holding members with each holding member having a lower end pivotally coupled to the base and tip end with a plurality of teeth formed thereon to create a jaw and with the jaws positioned above the opening of the canister; a coupling mechanism for coupling the canister to the holding members; and a spring mechanism for urging the jaws open prior to insertion and subsequent to removal of a trunk of the tree that is positioned within the canister in an upright orientation.

Abstract: Outdoor or indoor stand for supporting decorative trees, such as Christmas trees. In this stand, the bottom of a tree trunk is inserted into a cylindrical support vessel medially and orthogonally mounted on the top surface of a base plate. The lower and upper portions of the tree trunk are held by first and second abutment portions. Each of the first and second abutment portions and a support arm portion comprises three members that are separately produced but assembled into and handled in a unit. The stand prevents possible sway of the tree such as due to outside impact, firmly supports any thickness of tree trunk and achieves easiness to handle.

Abstract: This support stand (10) includes an elongate member (12), supporting a microphone (M) at the upper end, a base member (14) receiving the lower end of the elongate member (12) in sliding relation and three legs (20) pivotally connected to the base member (14). Each of the legs (20) includes an inner end engageable with the elongate member (12) to clamp said member in a support position and to clamp said member in a collapsed position. The support stand also includes a tilt assembly (80) providing a sliding member (82) mounted to one of the legs (20a) and having an inner end (90) movable into engagement with the base member (14) to tilt the elongate member ( 12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible stand adapted to support a Christmas tree. The stand includes a vertical support member having first and second opposed ends and a plurality of supporting legs, each of the legs being pivotally connected proximate one of the ends for pivotal movement between a first storage position and a second supporting position. A plurality of intermediate members are each associated with a supporting leg, each of the intermediate members being pivotally connected at a first point to the vertical support member, and contain means for pivotally connecting each of the intermediate members to a respective supporting leg.

Abstract: A Christmas-tree stand (2) features a foot-piece (4) with a connected holder (6) to which fastening components (14, 16, 18 and 20) are attached. In the example case, these components are swinging clamps which are pressed against the outer surface of the tree trunk by a clamping device (46). The pressure of the clamping device (46) is applied to the fastening components (14, 16, 18 and 20) via a steel cable (66), for example, which encircles them and is attached to the clamping device (46). The cable (66) moves the fastening components (14, 16, 18 and 20) toward the trunk with adjustable and evenly distributed force.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a mounting mechanism for releasably mounting a drawer unit under a work surface, wherein the drawer unit comprises a drawer enclosed in a drawer casing. The mounting mechanism comprises an elongated mounting bracket that is mounted transversely on the underside of the work surface. A mating upper drawer casing flange on the drawer casing faces the mounting bracket flange and fits over the mounting bracket flange when the drawer casing is mounted. A releasable retaining means holds the drawer casing flange in overlapping relationship with the mounting bracket flange. Additional drawer units may be releasably mountable on the underside of each drawer unit immediately above it.

Abstract: A tripod assembly for receiving and holding a standard carrying a load such as a chair, a camera, etc., having a bearing ring with a tapered inner diameter for receiving and carrying the load bearing standard; first, second, and third legs rotatably carried by downwardly extending hinge eyes from said bearing ring and terminating in one end in foot pads and in another end in hinge eyes for cooperation with the downwardly extending hinge eyes and a squared edge for communication with linear recesses in the bottom portion of said bearing ring.