Adapter for a pole-type member support device and method therefor

Abstract

An adapter for a pole-type member support device has a conical-shaped base member and a cylindrical-shaped vertical support member. The vertical support member has a top opening through which a portion of a pole-type member may be inserted for securing the pole-type member in an upright position. The base member is tapered so that the top section of the adapter is larger than a bottom section. The adapter is configured to be positioned in a receptacle region of existing pole-type member support devices. When the adapter is positioned in a pole-type member support device, the assembled adapter and pole-type member support device is configured for stable placement on a surface to hold a pole-type member, including an artificial Christmas tree, some other type of artificial tree, an umbrella, a tiki torch, or some other elongated pole-type member upright for an extended period of time.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adapter for a pole-type member support device comprising:
 a conical-shaped base member having a circular-shaped top surface, a sidewall, and a circular-shaped bottom surface, the base member tapered so that a top section of the base member is larger than a bottom section; and   a cylindrical-shaped vertical support member extending upwardly from the top surface, the support member adapted to receive a portion of a pole-type member for holding the pole-type member in an upright position;   wherein the adapter is configured to be positioned in a receptacle region of a pole-type member support device.   
     
     
         2 . The adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of openings positioned on the top surface of the base member. 
     
     
         3 . The adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of feet positioned on the bottom surface of the base member. 
     
     
         4 . The adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of openings positioned on the sidewall of the base member. 
     
     
         5 . The adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising an upper reinforcement region positioned in an interior portion of the base member, a lower reinforcement region positioned in the interior portion of the base member, and a hollow region interposed between the upper reinforcement region and the lower reinforcement region. 
     
     
         6 . The adapter of  claim 5 , wherein the upper reinforcement region and the lower reinforcement region are comprised of metal casting material. 
     
     
         7 . The adapter of  claim 5 , wherein the upper reinforcement region and the lower reinforcement region are comprised of metal mesh material. 
     
     
         8 . An adapter for a pole-type member support device comprising:
 a conical-shaped base member having a circular-shaped top surface with a plurality of openings thereon, a sidewall having a plurality of openings thereon, and a circular-shaped bottom surface having a plurality of feet thereon, the base member tapered so that a top section of the base member is larger than a bottom section; and   a cylindrical-shaped vertical support member extending upwardly from the top surface, the support member adapted to receive a portion of a pole-type member for holding the pole-type member in an upright position;   wherein the adapter is configured to be positioned in a receptacle region of a pole-type member support device.   
     
     
         9 . The adapter of  claim 8 , further comprising an upper reinforcement region positioned in an interior portion of the base member, a lower reinforcement region positioned in the interior portion of the base member, and a hollow region interposed between the upper reinforcement region and the lower reinforcement region. 
     
     
         10 . The adapter of  claim 9 , wherein the upper reinforcement region and the lower reinforcement region are comprised of metal casting material. 
     
     
         11 . The adapter of  claim 9 , wherein the upper reinforcement region and the lower reinforcement region are comprised of metal mesh material. 
     
     
         12 . A pole-type member support assembly comprising, in combination:
 a pole-type member support device, wherein the pole-type member support device comprises:
 a conical-shaped receptacle having an opening formed in a top section thereof, the receptacle tapered so that the top section of the receptacle is larger than a bottom section; 
 a channel formed around an outer perimeter of the top section of the receptacle; and 
 a base member for holding the receptacle; and 
   an adapter configured to be positioned in the receptacle region of the pole-type member support device, wherein the adapter comprises:
 a conical-shaped base member having a circular-shaped top surface, a sidewall, and a circular-shaped bottom surface, the base member tapered so that a top section of the base member is larger than a bottom section; and 
 a cylindrical-shaped vertical support member extending upwardly from the top surface, the support member adapted to receive a portion of a pole-type member for holding the pole-type member in an upright position. 
   
     
     
         13 . The pole-type member support assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the adapter further comprises a plurality of openings positioned on the top surface of the base member. 
     
     
         14 . The pole-type member support assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the adapter further comprises a plurality of feet positioned on the bottom surface of the base member. 
     
     
         15 . The pole-type member support assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the adapter further comprises a plurality of openings positioned on the sidewall of the base member. 
     
     
         16 . The pole-type member support assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the adapter further comprises an upper reinforcement region positioned in an interior portion of the base member, a lower reinforcement region positioned in the interior portion of the base member, and a hollow region interposed between the upper reinforcement region and the lower reinforcement region. 
     
     
         17 . The pole-type member support assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the upper reinforcement region and the lower reinforcement region in the base member of the adapter are comprised of metal casting material. 
     
     
         18 . The pole-type member support assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the upper reinforcement region and the lower reinforcement region in the base member of the adapter are comprised of metal mesh material. 
     
     
         19 . The pole-type member support assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the pole-type member support device further comprises a support arm slideably coupled within the channel for securing the adapter in the receptacle region of the pole-type member support device. 
     
     
         20 . The pole-type member support assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the pole-type member support device further comprises a locking device adapted to be inserted into and withdrawn from the opening formed in the top section of the receptacle for securing the adapter in the receptacle region of the pole-type member support device.