Multi-Function Automatic Revolving Christmas Tree Base

Traditional Christmas trees are inserted in a base and cannot revolve or turn. Flashing of lamps alone is monotonous and lacks the effect of animation. This item has been invented by the inventor based on his many years experience. This base serves to provide an multi-function automatic rotation-changing Christmas tree base, so that the Christmas tree can keep changing the rotation direction by means of the driving mechanism and two-way exchanging unit to increase the special effects of animation. Another purpose of this invention is to install two conductive copper collars on the revolving cylinder to connect the Christmas tree lamps to the outside power source, and to avoid winding and knotting the power cords together when the Christmas tree is turning in a single direction.

This invention refers to a multi-function automatic rotation-changing base for a Christmas tree, especially a base equipped with two-way exchanger mechanism. A revolving cylinder driven by a DC motor is fitted on the base. The rotation of the revolving cylinder by means of a driving guide rod at the side wall activates the two-way exchange mechanism changes the polarities of the input current from the DC motor and to change the direction of rotation of the revolving cylinder, so that when the Christmas tree is inserted inside the revolving cylinder, it will revolve according for special effects.

FIG. 1 shows the appearance and construction of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows the transmission of the invention.

FIGS. 3.1-3.3 show the construction of the two-way exchanging mechanism of the invention.

FIGS. 4.1-4.4 show another construction view of the two-way exchanging mechanism.

FIG. 5 shows the construction of revolving cylinder add a revolving-tray of the invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the driving mechanism of this invention is installed between the base plate (1) and the bridge (2) in the shape od a reversed "U", with two ends fixed on the edge of the base plate (1), its top is fitted with a central hole for the outer connection with the power input hole (4) and the power selection switch (3), while the round revolving cylinder (5) is inserted in the central hole of the bridge (2) and protrudes from the bridge (2), on the top of the protruding wall is a slot (6). The above mentioned driving mechanism (as shown in FIG. 2) is composed of a DC motor (7) and three sets of worm, worm gear speed reducer gear assembly, in which the first worm (8) is installed on the output driving shaft of DC motor (7). While the first worm gear (8A) is toothed with the worm (8), the second worm (9) is installed on the driving shaft of the worm gear (8A) and toothed with the second worm gear (9A), and the driving shaft of the second worm gear (9A) is fitted with a third worm (10) which is on the wall of the revolving cylinder (5) below the bridge (2) and toothed with the worm gear (10A). When the speed of the second worm (9), second worm gear (9A), the third worm (10) and worm gear (10A) is reduced for transmission, it will slow down the rotation of the revolving cylinder (5). FIG. 1 also shows that the outer wall of the revolving cylinder (5) is fitted with the conductive copper collars (11) in connection with the outer power source through two contact pieces (12). The two conductive copper collars (11) extend upwards from the wall of revolving cylinder (5) and connect to a socket (13) along the conductive wire, so there is no worry of the problem of winding or knotting cords together when the Christmas tree is turning in a single direction. In addition, the above mentioned Christmas tree is fixed by the slot (6) and fitted on the top with a protruding block (14) inserted in the revolving cylinder (5). FIGS. 3.1-3.3 show that the two-way exchanging mechanism of this invention is a magnetic activating two-way exchanging mechanism, composed mainly of a power selecting board (20), a motherbord cartridge (21), a magnetic guiding plate (22) and a dependent or driven guide rod (23), etc., in which the power selecting board (20) and the magnetic force guiding plate (22) are separated and located at the upper and lower surfaces of the upper layer of the motherbord cartridge respectively and jointly joined at one point, in which the front end of the power selecting board (20) is fitted with two protruding parts on the left and right; each protruding part is fitted with a small iron piece (201) and (202). At the rear end of the power selecting board (20) are two copper pieces (203) (204) which are connected to the input terminal of the DC motor (7) through the conductive wire. At the front end of the upper layer of the motherboard cartridge (21) are left and right protruding parts each is inserted with one armature (211) and (212), whereas at the rear end of the upper layer of the motherboard cartridge (21) are three sets of U-shaped sopper pieces (213), (214) and (215), in which the right and left U-shaped copper pieces (213) and (215) are in connection with each other whereas with one pole of the battery, and the middle U-shaped copper piece (214) is in connection with the other polarity of the battery. On top of the magnetic guiding plate (22) is a protruding block inserted with other armature (221) and located between the two protruding parts of the two ammatures (211) and (212) at two sides of the motherboard cartridge (21) and the power selecting plate (20), while one end of the magnetic force guiding plate (22) is fitted with a semi-circle opening (222). The dependent or driven guiding rod (23) is jointed on the lower surface of the motherboard cartridge (21) with one end fitted with the round protruding post (231) and inserted in the semi-circle opening (222) corresponding to the said magnetic force guiding plate (22), while the other end of the dependent or driven guide rod (23) is located beside the revolving cylinder (5). Because the armature (221) on top of the magnetic force guiding plate (22) will approach one of the two armatures (211) and (212) on top of the motherboard cartridge (21) due to the magnetic attraction, as illustrated in FIGS. 3.1-3.3, the armature (221) will approach the armature (211), so the protruding block in front of the magnetic force guiding plate (22) will push the power selecting board (20) to the left side and fix its position by attracting the small iron piece (201) and armature (211) at the protruding part in front of the power selecting board (20); then the copper piece (203) in the rear end of the power selecting board (20) will move to the right and contact the U-shaped copper piece (214) at the middle of the upper layer of the motherboard cartridge (21); meanwhile the copper piece (204) will also move to the right and contact the copper piece (215). At this time, one end of the dependent or driven guide rod (23) is nearer to the front end of the motherboard cartridge (21), and the DC motor (7) will turn in counter-clockwise direction by the transmission of the revolving cylinder (5). When the driving guiding rod (15) the wall side of the revolving cylinder (5) contact the driven guide rod (23) and push the rear end of the motherboard cartridge (21). It will drive the magnetic force guiding plate (22) to the right, before the front armature (221) turns to its middle point, the small iron piece (201) in front of the power selecting board (20) is still in contact with the armature (211), so the corresponding positions are not changed. After the armature (221) in front of the magnetic force guiding plate (22) passes its middle point, the power selecting board (20) will be pushed to the right causing the separation of the copper piece (203) and (204) from the U-shaped copper pieces (214) and (215), respectively; therefore, the DC Motor (7) and the driven revolving cylinder (5), the driving guiding rod (15) and the driven guide rod (23) will temporarily stop. However, the passing of armature (221) over its middle point will cause the armature (221) to be attracted immediately to the armature (212) and push the power selecting board (20) to the right and cause the copper pieces (203) and (204) in contact with the U-shaped copper pieces (213) and (214) respectively. At this moment, the polariries of the input end of the DC motor (7) will be exchanged, so that the revolving cylinder (5) changes its rotation to the counter-clockwise directions. Therefore, each time when the revolving cylinder (5) turns to the driving guide rod (15), it will be pushed by the driven guide rod (23) and will change its rotation, so the revolving cylinder (5) can keep changing its rotation direction.

The two-way excnanging mechanism of this invention can also be of the spring type as illustrated in FIGS. 4.1-4.4 with the same functions. The cartridge body (30) is a rectangulat box structure. The power selecting board (31) is jointed on the upper layer of the cartridge body (30). In the front end of power selecting board (30) are two protruding parts (311) and (312), whereas at its rear end are fitted with with copper pieces (313) and (314) connected with the two input terminals of the DC motor (7), respectively. The rear upper layer of cartridge body (30) are fitted with three sets of U-shaped copper pieces (301), (302) and (303), with the left and the right U-shaped copper pieces (301) and (303) in connection with one polarity of the battery, and the middle U-shaped copper piece (302) in connection with the other polarity of the battery. Inside the cartridge body (30) is a level partition (32); its rear is fitted and intersecting with a fixing rod (321) which is fixed. The guiding plate (33) is joined with the lower center of the level partition (32); its front is pierced with a moving rod (331) which is also fixed. The top of the moving rod (331) passes through the slot (304) at the upper layer of the cartridge body (30) and can be in contact with the two protruding parts (311) and (312) at the front of the power selecting board (31). Between the moving rod (331) and the fixing rod (321) is the connection of two springs (34). The driven guide rod (35) is fixed and joined at the lower layer of the cartridge body (30), with one end protruding post (351) in contact with the semi-circle opening (332) of the guiding plate (33). Therefore, when the driven guide rod (35) is pushed by the driving guide rod (15) on the revolving cylinder (5), it will move to one side through the protruding post (351) driving the power selecting board (31). Its relevant mechanism is the same as that of the magnetic exchanging mechanism, so when the two copper pieces (313) and (314) at the rear of the power selecting board (31) and the three sets of U-shaped copper pieces (301), (302) and (303) at the rear end of the upper layer of cartridge body (30) so change their corresponding positions, so the polarities of the DC motor (7) will be changed automatically to reverse the rotation direction.

Besides, as FIG. 5 shows that a revolving tray (100) is equipped on the top of the outer rim; it can keep changing the rotation directions. All kinds of ornaments can be put on the revolving tray (100); this will achieve the effect of ornaments to the Christmas tree, the greatest merit is to be able to put the Christmas tree on the revolving tray (100). Since it can change the directions of rotation, it is no worry of the winding and knotting of the power cords, and this achieves the effect of using a real or artificial Christmas tree. Moreover, this invention is not only for the use of a Christmas tree base but also for the use of the double-revolving base of toy or lamp's ornaments; it has multi-function usage; This is actually a muti-function invention. In conclusion, this invention achieves the purpose of changing its rotation directions by means of the two-way exchanging mechanism and the changing direction of the DC motor to increase its animation; meanwhile, without the use of two-way exchanging mechanism, the Christmas tree can turn in a single direction without the problem of winding or knotting power cords. It is indeed an innovative and practical invention.