At a glance
| Patent number | CN208370491U (application CN201820724409) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Combined support standpipe device for garden trees (一种园林树木支护立管组合装置) |
| Patent owner | Sichuan Jiumi Dustless Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (四川九陌无尘生物科技有限公司) |
| Inventor | Zheng Xitian |
| Filing date | 2018-05-16 |
| Grant date | 2019-01-15 |
| Status (China) | Lapsed - terminated for non-payment of annual fees (recorded 2023-05-26) |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 4 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN208370491U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - a tree support with a base plate; a mounting block on it with a pivot shaft; a connecting ring turning on the shaft; positioning holes in the ring and block with a sliding positioning pin; a connecting tube on the ring joined through a sleeve to a support tube; a support ring at the top with a hinged limit clip, and a slot in the ring where the clip closes.
Claim 2 - fixing holes in the base plate with fixing posts in them. Claim 3 - the sleeve is an inner tube turning on the connecting tube and an outer tube turning on the support tube. Claim 4 - a limit hole in the support ring at the slot, with a limit post in it.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China, and it lapsed for non-payment of annual fees (recorded in 2023). It no longer restricts anyone - in China or elsewhere.
Before production, keep in mind:
- Other patents may exist. Tree stakes, tree props and branch supports are sold by several garden brands, and some later filings in other countries cite this patent. Use your own styling and have a freedom-to-operate (FTO) search done by a US patent attorney before volume production.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Size | Prop lengths and ring diameters for saplings, shrubs or branches - to be confirmed in design |
| Materials | Galvanized or powder-coated steel, aluminum, or glass-fiber reinforced plastic |
| Ring lining | Rubber or foam padding to protect bark |
| Height adjustment | Twist-lock as in the patent, or push-button / clamp lock |
| Anchoring | Ground pins, screw anchors, or a base for hard surfaces |
| Color & branding | Green, brown or black finish; logo on the base plate |
| Packaging | Single props, multi-packs, contractor bundles |
Things to plan for (US market)
- Corrosion - outdoor parts need a coating that survives several seasons in soil and rain.
- Bark protection - pad the ring so the tree is not damaged as it grows; give instructions for checking and loosening.
- Labels - country of origin; check coatings against California Proposition 65.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - sizes, material and quantity.
- Design - hinge, telescopic lock, ring and base details.
- Prototype - samples for load, angle-lock and outdoor-exposure tests.
- Pilot run - small batch to check fabrication and coating.
- Production - volume production, packaging and shipping.
Quantities & timeline
The parts are tubes, stamped plates and simple hinges; tooling is modest. Send us your sizes, material, quantity and target price and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
