Christmas Tree Stand

Abstract

A Christmas tree stand includes a spike that is driven into the lower end of a Christmas tree trunk; a ball joint is removably attached to the spike that is releasably gripped by a ball clamp positioned within a tree support housing. A user positions the tree in a vertical orientation and pivots a lever on a side of the housing to lock the ball clamp against the ball joint thereby anchoring the tree in the selected position.

1 . A Christmas tree stand comprising:
 a spike configured to be driven into a lower end of a Christmas tree trunk, said spike having an upper portion and a lower portion;   a ball joint securable to said spike;   a housing having an interior chamber with a releasable ball clamping mechanism received therein for gripping said ball joint to anchor said tree in an upright position.   
   
   
       2 . The Christmas tree stand according to  claim 1  wherein the upper portion of said spike has a non-circular cross-sectional configuration. 
   
   
       3 . The Christmas tree stand according to  claim 2  wherein said ball joint includes:
 a panel having an upper surface and a lower surface;   a bulb depending from the lower surface for insertion into said ball clamping mechanism;   an axial channel extending from said panel to a predetermined distance within the bulb, said channel dimensioned and configured to tightly receive the upper portion of said spike to tightly secure said ball clamp thereto.   
   
   
       4 . The Christmas tree stand according to  claim 1  wherein said spike includes a transverse passageway for receiving a drive tool to assist a user with installing and removing the spike. 
   
   
       5 . The Christmas tree stand according to  claim 1  wherein said ball clamping mechanism comprises:
 a pair of arcuate gripping members received within the interior chamber of said housing;   a reciprocal, foot-actuated lever that expands and contracts said gripping members to releasably engage said ball joint.