US5201140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote Christmas tree watering apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-12-12
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Granted: 1993-04-13
•
Expires: 2010-12-12
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a remote Christmas tree watering system. Incorporated in the system is a traditional Christmas tree stand having a chamber, a plurality of support legs, and means, such as eye bolts for holding the Christmas tree within the chamber. The chamber further includes a spigot at its bottom surface for accepting a hose. The hose is attached at its other end to a reservoir remote from the Christmas tree stand. By this, the remote reservoir can continuously provide water to the Christmas tree stand, without the need to climb under the Christmas tree. In addition, a decorative outer enclosure, such as a gift wrapped box, can be positioned around the remote reservoir to add to the aesthetically pleasing nature of the scene. Further, the reservoir can be completely emptied and reconnected to the Christmas tree stand to drain the remaining water from the Christmas tree stand when it is time to remove the Christmas tree from the Christmas tree location, thus obviating the known drawbacks of carrying a Christmas tree stand with water in it. In a second preferred embodiment, the hose attached to the spigot is attached to the upper end of the chamber of the Christmas tree stand such that a visible indication of the water level within the stand is given by viewing the water level within the hose, the hose being clear.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald P. Voorhis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:00
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G33/00; A47G33/04; A47G33/12; A47G2033/1286; A47G2033/1293
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A watering apparatus comprising: a first reservoir including at a top end an open section and at an opposite end a spigot for accepting one end of a hose; a second reservoir positioned remote from said first reservoir, said hose allowing a fluid material to travel between said first reservoir and said second reservoir; and a cap assembly selectively detachable from said second reservoir and having a spigot for accepting the opposite end of said hose, said cap assembly further having means for preventing the fluid material from flowing through said hose from said first reservoir when said hose is not connected to said second reservoir.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A watering apparatus comprising: a first reservoir including at a top end an open section and at an opposite end a spigot for accepting one end of a hose; a second reservoir positioned remote from said first reservoir, said hose allowing a fluid material to travel between said first reservoir and said second reservoir; and a cap assembly selectively detachable from said second reservoir and having a spigot for accepting the opposite end of said hose, said cap assembly further having means for preventing the fluid material from flowing through said hose from said first reservoir when said hose is not connected to said second reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second reservoir further includes a decorative outer enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first reservoir includes a plurality of leg members, said leg members being selectively attachable to said first reservoir.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first reservoir is cylindrical and has a diameter of approximately 61/2 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said plurality of legs are selectively attachable to said first reservoir by means of a T-shaped tongue on the legs and a T-shaped groove located at a base portion of said first reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said spigot of said second reservoir includes a disk portion for securing said cap assembly to said second reservoir by means of an outer threadable cap, said spigot further including a first end for accepting said hose in a force fit and a second end having a plug for positioning within said spigot to prevent flow of said fluid material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said cap assembly includes a valve, said valve being positionable from a first position to prevent flow of fluid through said hose to a second position enabling flow of fluid through said hose.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second reservoir includes a pressure equalizing orifice.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first reservoir includes a bottom surface, and further wherein the spigot of the second reservoir is positioned at a lower position than the bottom surface of the first reservoir.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
164 words
A Christmas tree watering apparatus comprising: a Christmas tree stand defining a chamber and including an opening into said chamber for accepting a Christmas tree, a bottom portion of said chamber including means for selectively engaging a plurality of legs, said bottom portion further including an orifice in communication with the chamber of said Christmas tree stand; a remote reservoir including a first opening in communication with an internal chamber of the remote reservoir, said first opening including a threaded orifice and a cap assembly threadably engageable with said orifice, said cap assembly including a spigot; a hose having a first end and a second end, said first end of said hose connected to said orifice of said Christmas tree stand and said second end of said hose connected to said first opening in communication with the internal chamber of said remote reservoir through said spigot in said cap assembly; and a decorative outer enclosure, said outer enclosure selectively positionable around said remote reservoir.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
164 words
A Christmas tree watering apparatus comprising: a Christmas tree stand defining a chamber and including an opening into said chamber for accepting a Christmas tree, a bottom portion of said chamber including means for selectively engaging a plurality of legs, said bottom portion further including an orifice in communication with the chamber of said Christmas tree stand; a remote reservoir including a first opening in communication with an internal chamber of the remote reservoir, said first opening including a threaded orifice and a cap assembly threadably engageable with said orifice, said cap assembly including a spigot; a hose having a first end and a second end, said first end of said hose connected to said orifice of said Christmas tree stand and said second end of said hose connected to said first opening in communication with the internal chamber of said remote reservoir through said spigot in said cap assembly; and a decorative outer enclosure, said outer enclosure selectively positionable around said remote reservoir.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The Christmas tree watering apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said orifice in communication with the chamber of said Christmas tree stand is a spigot attached to a bottom surface of said Christmas tree stand, said first end of said hose being forced fit onto said spigot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
The Christmas tree watering apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said cap assembly further includes a valve positionable between a first position and a second position, said first position allowing flow of fluid material between said hose and said internal chamber of said remote reservoir, and said second position preventing flow of fluid material between said hose and said internal chamber of said remote reservoir.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The Christmas tree watering apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said cap assembly includes a plug positionable within said spigot of said cap assembly to prevent flow of fluid material between said hose and the internal chamber of said remote reservoir.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The Christmas tree watering apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said Christmas tree stand includes means for selectively engaging said legs, spike means for rigidly positioning said Christmas tree and eye bolt means for engaging said Christmas tree.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The Christmas tree watering apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said means for selectively engaging said legs are T-shaped tongues and grooves.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The Christmas tree watering apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising means for preventing flow of a fluid material between said remote reservoir and said hose.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The Christmas tree watering apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said decorative outer enclosure includes a bow.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The Christmas tree watering apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said remote reservoir includes a handle and a second opening in communication with the internal chamber of the remote reservoir.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
109 words
A watering apparatus comprising: a first reservoir including at a top end an open section and at an opposite end a first opening for accepting one end of a hose; a second reservoir positioned remote from said first reservoir, said second reservoir including a cap assembly selectively detachable from said second reservoir, said cap assembly including a second opening for accepting the opposite end of the hose, said hose allowing a fluid material to travel between said first reservoir and said second reservoir; and means for preventing the fluid material from flowing through said hose from said first reservoir when said hose is not connected to said second opening.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
109 words
A watering apparatus comprising: a first reservoir including at a top end an open section and at an opposite end a first opening for accepting one end of a hose; a second reservoir positioned remote from said first reservoir, said second reservoir including a cap assembly selectively detachable from said second reservoir, said cap assembly including a second opening for accepting the opposite end of the hose, said hose allowing a fluid material to travel between said first reservoir and said second reservoir; and means for preventing the fluid material from flowing through said hose from said first reservoir when said hose is not connected to said second opening.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said second reservoir further includes a decorative outer enclosure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said first reservoir includes a plurality of leg members, said leg members being selectively attachable to said first reservoir.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said first reservoir is cylindrical and has a diameter of approximately 61/2 inches.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said plurality of legs are selectively attachable to said first reservoir by means of a T-shaped tongue on the legs and a T-shaped groove located at a base portion of said first reservoir.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
71 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said second opening of said second reservoir includes a disk portion for securing said cap assembly to said second reservoir by means of an outer threadable cap, said second opening further including a first end for accepting said hose in a force fit and a second end having a plug for positioning within said second opening to prevent flow of said fluid material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said cap assembly includes a valve, said valve being positionable from a first position to prevent flow of fluid through said hose to a second position enabling flow of fluid through said hose.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said second reservoir includes a pressure equalizing orifice.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said second opening of the second reservoir is positioned at a lower position than the bottom surface of the first reservoir.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The watering apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a substantially clear hose operable to provide an indication of the amount of fluid material within at least a portion of said watering apparatus.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-04-12 | 1996-10-12 | 1997-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-12 | 2000-10-12 | 2001-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-12 | 2004-10-12 | 2005-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |