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Description  |
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FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to tree stands and more particularly to elevated
tree stands for mounting on vertical support means.
When hunting deer and other animals it has always been important for the
hunter to be at a concealed location which is commonly known as a stand.
As the hunting of deer and other big game has become more popular, it has
been noted that these animals rarely will sense danger from an elevated
position since their natural predators do not attack from above.
Once recognizing the advantages of hunting from elevated positions, various
means for reaching these locations and being comfortable in what are known
as tree stands have been developed. These include steps which either screw
into a tree or pole or clamp around the same. Also tree climbing spikes
that are attached to the boots of the hunter, similar to linemen utility
pole climbing spikes, have been used. The screwing of steps to live trees
as well as the use of climbing spikes can injure the trees and on
occasion, by penetrating the bark of the tree, pine beetles and other
insects can invade the interior and can even kill the same.
Tall ladders have also been used, often folding for easy transport. These
ladders can either be connected to the tree or can be self supporting with
three or more legs. These devices, however, are difficult to transport,
particularly through thick brush, are relatively expensive, and can be
dangerous to ascend and descend primarily because there are no safety
harnesses or belts associated therewith.
Climbing tree stands have been developed which have various means for
encircling a tree or other vertical support, usually with a pair of such
means being used together where the upper one is moved up and then the
lower member follows until the desired height is reached.
Once at the desired height, however, the hunter must determine in which
direction to face and moving to a different direction can not be readily
accomplished. Also safety belts are a necessity for a majority of stands
since the hunter is not otherwise prevented from slipping and falling
either after firing his gun, falling asleep, or simply a misstep. A fall
from 30 or 40 feet, of course, can result in serious injury or even death.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
After much research and study into the above mentioned problems, the
present invention has been developed to provide an improved stand which
can be readily transported to its use site, can be assembled for tree or
pole climbing and, once in position, gives the user thereof a view and
shooting radius of 360.degree. remaining seated. Safety is assured by
guardrails which double as a gun supports for making more accurate shots.
In addition to the above, the present invention incorporates an anti-fall
device which, should the stand become disengaged from its support, will
prevent what is known as the free fall phenomena where the stand does not
re-engage said support as it drops.
A waterproof cover as well as a camouflage blind curtain are also provided
for greater comfort and stealth of the user.
Once a deer or other large game have been killed, the stand can be readily
and safely lowered to the ground. Wheels are then attached and the device
can serve as a game carrier.
DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART
The following references represent the closest prior art of which the
inventor is aware and is intended to meet the requirements of 37 CFR 1.98
for Information Disclosure Statements.
List of References
Cabela's Fall Hunting Preview 1992, pages 90 through 93.
Gander Mountain Fall Mid-Season Catalog, pages 204 and 206 through 211.
The Cabela's Fall Hunting Preview Catalog discloses a number of tree
climbing stands such as Tree Climber, EC-40453-004; Cottonwood Tree Stand,
EC-41431-000; The Osage, EC-40412-008; The Back Adjuster, EC-40414-002.
Also on page 92 is shown Summit Climbing Tree Stand EC-45512-001 and
Port-A-Climb Tree Stand EC-45514-000.
Also various seat configurations are shown by the various references
including the Cottonwood Tree Stand E-41431-000 on page 91 of Cabela's
Catalog which shows a seat that can be either faced toward the tree or
faced away from the tree. Also railings are shown for safety purposes as
well as gun rests such as the Sentinel Tower EC-40413-0012. This stand
also has an optional blind EC-45239-101.
Additional climbing tree stands are disclosed in the Gander Mountain
Catalog. Of particular interest is the Trophy Lite Climbing Tree Stand
195K9318 which shows both how the climbing tree stand works as well as a
seat that either faces the tree or faces away from the tree as clearly
illustrated on page 207. On page 208 the Cottonwood Tree Stand is again
shown but with inserts that show the hunter facing away from the tree and
facing toward the tree, item 195K9520.
Finally, two game carriers are shown on page 204, namely item 195K7500 and
195K7501. The former having a single wheel while the latter having two
opposed wheels.
OBJECT OF INVENTION
In view of the above it is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved climbing tree stand with protective means that eliminates the
need for safety straps.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an elevated tree
stand with a swivel mounted rotating seat that allows shooting in a
360.degree. radius in one smooth movement without seat adjustments being
necessary.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination
climbing tree stand, safety guardrails, camouflage enclosure and a swivel
mounted rotating seat for a compact 360.degree. shooting radius.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a climbing tree stand
that can be transported on either two, four or six wheels and can double
as a game carrier.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination tree
stand and game carrier with at least six wheels that can be readily turned
due to a differential in the height of the end wheels relative to the
center wheels.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tree stand that is
readily assemblable and disassemblable as well as being readily portable.
Another object of the present invention is to provide in a tree stand, a
swivelable, rotatable seat for 360.degree. viewing.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
and obvious from a study of the following description and accompanying
drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved tree stand of the present
invention in use position but without the swivel seat mount thereon;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the stand of the present invention with its
rotating swivel seat shown in various positions;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention in use with the user
facing to the right;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the stand of the present invention in use
with the user facing to the left;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the stand of the present invention
showing the anti-freefall device;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken through lines 6--6 of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the stand of the present invention
with the transport wheels mounted thereon; and
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the stand of the present invention with the
blind and roof attachments in place.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
With further reference to the drawings, the improved tree stand of the
present invention, indicated generally at 10, includes a base frame
portion, indicated generally at 11, a vertical support or tree engaging
portion, indicated generally at 12, a guard rail portion, indicated
generally at 13, and a seat assembly indicated generally at 14.
The base frame 11 includes two generally parallel side frames 15 and 16
secured at their ends, by weldment or other suitable means, to front and
rear frames 17 and 18. These end frames are hollow so that wheel axles can
be passed therethrough as will hereinafter be described in greater detail.
A pair of uprights 19 and 20 are secured, by weldment or other suitable
means, to the corner junctures of each of the side frames 16 and 15 and
rear frame 18.
Support frames 21 and 22 are secured at one end, by weldment or other
suitable means, to the corner junction between side frames 15 and 16 and
front frame 17. The other end of the respective support frames are
secured, by weldment or other suitable means, to the upper ends of
respective uprights 19 and 20 as can clearly be seen in FIG. 1.
A central cross frame 23 is secured at opposite ends to side frames 15 and
16, by weldment or other suitable means. The area outlined by cross frame
23, rear frame 18 and a portion of side frames 15 and 16 define an access
opening 24 for entering and exiting the stand when it is mounted on a
vertical support.
The area between cross frame 23, front frame 17 and the portions of side
frames 15 and 16 therebetween is covered with a suitable material such as
expanded metal for light weightness and see through ability. This expanded
metal is secured to the respective frames, by weldment or other suitable
means, to form an expanded metal platform 25.
A railing support tube 26 and 27 are provided adjacent each of the
respective uprights 19 and 20 and are secured thereto and to rear frame 18
by weldment or other suitable means.
A pair of generally horizontally disposed rail/handle engaging tubes 28 and
29 are provided on the upper surface of the front frame 17 and are secured
thereto by weldment or other suitable means.
A generally U-shaped rail/handle is provided with inwardly extending end
portions 31 and 32 for pivoting engagement with tubes 28 and 29 mounted on
front frame 17.
Adjacent the outermost portions of rail/handle 30 from end frame 17 are a
pair of rail support flanges 33 and 34. Rear rail uprights 35 and 36 are
adapted to the telescopically placed in rail support tubes 26 and 27,
respectively. Side guard rails 37 and 38 are adapted to be secured,
respectively, to support flanges 33 and 34 by suitable means such as quick
release pins 39 and 40. Since pins of this type are well known to those
skilled in the art, further detailed discussion of the same is not deemed
necessary.
On the ends of side rails 37 and 38, opposite their connections to flanges
33 and 34, are pivot joints 41 and 42, respectively. These pivot joints
are also connected to the upper ends of rear rail uprights 35 and 36,
respectively, whose opposite ends are mountingly disposed within engaging
tubes 26 and 27 as clearly shown in FIG. 1.
When the respective side rails 37 and 38 are disconnected from rail support
flanges 33 and 34, and rear rail uprights 35 and 36 are removed from their
respective rail support tubes 26 and 27, the paired side and rear rails
can be folded parallel to each other for easy storage.
Generally U-shaped safety stops 43 and 44 are secured to the interior edges
of support frames 21 and 22, respectively. Safety bars 45 and 46 are
adapted to be slidingly received by the respective safety stops 43 and 44.
Quick release pins 47 and 48 are adapted to be inserted into openings 49
and 50 of safety bars 45 and 46, respectively.
The ends of safety bars 45 and 46, opposite openings 49 and 50, are secured
to a behind tree angle bar 51 by suitable means such as bolts 52 and 53.
Threaded rods 54 and 55 are secured to and outwardly project from support
frames 21 and 22, respectively. Sleeves 56 and 57 are secured, by weldment
or other suitable means, to the opposite ends of angle bar 51 and are
adapted to slide over their respective threaded rods 54 and 55. Pairs of
nuts 58 and 59 are provided on opposite ends of sleeves 56 and 57 so that,
once the tree stand 10 of the present invention is disposed at the desired
height, said pairs of nuts can be adjusted up and down their respective
threaded rods 54 and 55 to level the stand with the base frame portion 11
being disposed generally horizontally.
Stop means, such as nuts 60 and 61, are provided on the outer ends of each
of the threaded rods 54 and 55 so that the angle bar 51 cannot be
accidentally threaded off the ends thereof.
A plurality of teeth 62 aide provided on stand support engaging plate 63
which is secured, by weldment or other means, to rear frame 18. The bind
between angle bar 51 and engaging plate 63 will drive teeth 62 into the
upright support 64 on which the stand 10 is mounted. The more weight
placed on the stand, particularly the outer extremities thereof, the
tighter the binding hold between bar 51 and plate 63 will be thus assuring
that the stand provides a steady, safe platform for the user 65 thereof.
An upper frame member 66 is secured to the upper ends of uprights 19 and 20
by weldment or other suitable means. A pair of axially aligned, generally
vertically disposed sockets are provided. The upper socket 67 is secured,
by weldment or other suitable means, to the central portion of upper frame
66. A reinforcing bail 68 is also secured to upper frame member 66 and to
socket 67, by weldment or other suitable means; to make certain that said
socket does not separate from said upper frame member during use of the
stand of the present invention.
A lower socket 69 is secured, by weldment or other suitable means, to the
central portion of rear frame 18.
A seat bracket, indicated generally at 70, is composed of a generally
horizontal disposed upper member and an angly disposed lower member 72.
The upper and lower members join and are secured to seat socket 73. A
reinforcing, generally vertically disposed member is also provided.
Axially aligned, downwardly disposed pivot rods 73 and 76 are provided on
the ends, opposite seat socket 73 of upper and lower members 71 and 72,
respectively, and are adapted to pivotively engaged upper and lower
sockets 67 and 69.
Seat 77 includes a mounting base 78 with a downwardly disposed rod 79 which
is adapted to rotatively engage seat socket 73 of seat bracket 70.
From the above it can be seen that seat 77 can pivot from side to side, as
clearly illustrated in FIG. 2 as well as rotate about the vertical axis of
seat rod 79. This pivoting and rotating movement allows the user 65 of the
stand 10 to move to the right side of the stand when rotating his seat to
the left, and move to the left side of the stand when rotating his seat to
the right. Thus it can be seen that 360.degree. view and aiming radius is
achieved with no more effort than turning around on a piano stool.
Because of the pivoting movement of seat bracket 70, a much smaller space
is required between guard and gun rest rails 37 and 38 than would be
required if a piano type stool was fixed in the center of the stand. The
reason, obviously, for this is that when the seat is pivoted to one side
of the stand, the legs of the user can move freely on the other side of
the stand, and vice versa.
To transport the stand 10 of the present invention to its use site as well
as using it as a game carrier, either two, four or six wheels can be used.
Obviously the heavier the load and the softer the ground being traversed,
the greater number of wheels will make the transport easier.
Axially aligned horizontally disposed sleeves 80 and 81 are mounted, by
weldment or other suitable means, to the bottom central portion of frames
15 and 16.
Three axle configurations can be provided for use in conjunction with the
stand of the present invention. The first axle 82 is adapted to pass
through hollow rear frame member 18. This rear axle has a quick release
means, such as a quick release pin 83, in at least one end thereof so that
said axle can be pushed through one rear wheel 84, through the frame
member 18, through the second rear wheel 84, and secured in place by the
pin 83. By the same token, the wheels and rear axle can be removed by
simply pulling the pin 83, removing the first wheel and then pulling the
axle out of the rear frame member.
If only the rear wheels 84 are connected to stand 10, handle 85, mounted by
weldment or other suitable means, to front frame 17 can be grasped and
such stand transported in a manner similar to a wheel supported golf bag.
A central axle 86 is provided and is adapted to be passed through sleeves
80 and 81 in the same mounting and dismounting manner as that described
for axle 82 and its associated wheels 84. With the central axle 86 and its
associated wheels 87 in place, a four wheel carrier is provided and with
rail/handle 30 disposed in the position shown in FIG. 7, the stand 10 of
the present invention can be transported in a manner similar to pulling a
child's wagon.
A front axle 88 is provided and is adapted to pass through front frame 17
and is mounted in the same manner as rear axle 82 and central axle 86 with
said front axle carrying front wheels 89. Since six wheel, three axle
vehicles that are not articulated are difficult to turn, particularly
sharp turns such as turns that are required to maneuver through woods and
around trees, the central axle and its associated wheels are mounted to
the bottom of frame 11 while the front and rear axles are mounted through
said frame. This arrangement makes the central wheels 87 disposed in a
plane lower than the plane that front and rear wheels 89 and 84 are in.
Thus it can be seen, as illustrated in FIG. 7, that the six wheel
configuration of the present invention can be readily turned by simply
balancing the front and rear wheels off the ground and turning the stand
on the central wheels. This allows the stand 10 be pivoted effectively
about a vertical pivot point that passes through the center of the central
axis 86. In other words, the stand can be pivoted within its own length
which, of course, is as maneuverable as a vehicle can get.
Upwardly projecting brackets 90 and 91 are secured to support frames 21 and
22, respectively, and have openings therein which engage outwardly
projecting ends 92 and 93 of generally U-shaped foot rest extension 94.
During transport, this foot rest extension can be pivoted from its use
position to a position juxtapose to support frames 21 and 22.
Brush guards 95 and 96 are provided on opposite sides of side frames 15 and
16 and are held in place by brush guard supports 97 and 98 as can clearly
be seen in the Figures. The central wheels 87 are disposed inside the
brush guards. These brush guards, of course, help prevent brush and other
foreign matter from getting between the wheels and the adjacent frame to
bind such wheels.
Most climbing tree stands rely on the binding moment between an upper angle
member and lower engaging plate to hold the stand in place. Should the
user 65 of the stand be moving around and for some reason either take his
weight off the stand or tip the front up so that the engaging plate 63
becomes disengaged from the upright support, the stand may freefall. There
have been instances where stands have fallen not just a few feet before
binding action is re-established, but have fallen all the way to the
ground, sometimes a distance of 30 or more feet.
To prevent accidental freefall as described above, a roller 99 having a
greater diameter in its ends than at its middle, similar to a boat trailer
keel roller, is mounted on an elongated shaft 100. The ends of this shaft
are mounted on roller brackets 101 and 102. Each of these brackets has an
associated adjustable tensioning means, such as springs 103 and 104,
connected thereto. Finally, a hook 105 and 106 is associated with springs
103 and 104 respectively, each of said hooks being adapted to engage rear
frame 18 of base portion 11. Adjustments in tension are made by selecting
different openings 1/2 inch in brackets 101 and 102 for engagement of
springs 103 and 104
From FIGS. 5 and 6 it can be seen that springs 103 and 104 urge, through
brackets 101 and 102, roller 99 against the upright support or tree 64.
The tension is not so great that the stand cannot be easily moved upwardly
and downwardly when the engaging plate 63 is intentionally pulled from
engagement with said upright 64. On the other hand, should accidental
disengagement of plate 63 from support 64 occur, the tension of the
springs 103 and 104 pulling against roller 99 will cause the engaging
plate 63 to re-engage the support thereby preventing, or at least limiting
to a very short distance, an unintentional free fall.
When it is desired to hide the user 65, or during cold or inclimate
weather, a blind 107 can be mounted on rails 37, 38 and rail/handle 30.
This blind normally is a fabric material having a tree type camouflage
fabric printed thereon.
Should shielding from rain, snow or sun be desired, a camouflaged top
fabric 108 is provided with a stiffener 109 in one end thereof with the
opposite end having straps 110 that secure to rail/handle 30. A tree or
upright support encircling member, such as strap 111, is provided which
releasably attaches to stiffener 109. To use the top 108, straps 110 are
simply attached to rail/handle 30 and strap 112 encircles supporting tree
64. To remove the top 108 and the blind 107, the attaching process is
simply reversed.
The improved tree stand of the present invention utilizes the well-known
stand-up/sit-down climbing method with the tree stand 10, as described
above, being the upper portion with a lower foot engaging portion (not
shown) being used to stand on prior to moving the stand. This method of
tree climbing with the stand is well illustrated in the Gander Mountain
Reference Number 95K9318 on Page 207 for the Trophy Lite Climbing Tree
Stand. Since this climbing method and the lower foot platform are well
known to those skilled in the art, further detailed discussion of the same
is not deemed necessary.
To use the improved tree stand of the present invention, either two, four
or six wheels are mounted on the base frame portion 11 as hereinabove
described. The stand is then transported through the woods to the location
where the same is to be set up and the wheels are removed.
Quick release pins 49 and 50 are then removed from safety bars 45 and 46
and end nuts 60 and 61 are threaded off shafts 54 and 55. Also, the outer
nuts of paired sleeve nuts 58 and 59 are removed so that angled bar 51 can
be removed from the stand. The engaging plate 63 is then placed adjacent
the tree or other upright support 64 and angle bar 51 is replaced on the
stand in reverse order from that described for removing the same. The
railings 37 and 38 and railing/handle 30 are put in place as described
above. The stand is now assembled as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.
If desired, the anti-freefall roller 99 can be connected to rear frame 18
as hereinabove described.
The standard foot stand (not shown), such as that shown in item 195K9318 of
the Gander Mountain reference, is mounted on the tree or other upright 64
below the stand 10. The seat 77 is, of course, removed from sleeve 73 of
the seat bracket 70 and said seat bracket is pivoted either back against
one of the support frames 21 or 22 or can be lifted completely from
sleeves 67 and 69 so that opening 24 is clear.
The user then places his body in said opening while standing on the foot
stand (not shown) and raises the stand 10 to approximately waist high by
tipping the front slightly upwardly. He thereafter sits on platform 25 and
pulls the foot stand (not shown) up to a position just below stand 10. He
then stands up on said foot stand (not shown) and raises the stand 10 once
again to waist high. By repeating this process, the user 65 can climb to
the desired height. It should be noted that the repeating tipping of the
stand out of engagement with the support 64, sliding it up, and again
putting pressure on the front portion thereof to bindingly lock the same
in place is the accepted stand-up/sit-down climbing method.
Once the desired height has been reached, the stand extended through
opening 24 and seat bracket 70 is placed in sleeves 67 and 69 (if not
already so engaged) and the seat rod 79 is placed in sleeve 73 so that the
seat 77 is in the position shown in the various Figs.
If desired, the blind 107 can be deployed about railings 37 and 38 and
railing/handle 30. Also, the top 108 can be stretched from rail/handle 30
with strap 111 encircling the tree or the support 64 as shown in FIG. 8.
If the user 65 wishes to face away from the tree 64, he can so align seat
77. If he wishes to turn to the left, he pivots or swivels the bracket 70
to the right so that the seat is adjacent rail 37. The seat can then be
rotated to the left with plenty of room for the legs and feet of the said
user. On the other hand, if the user wishes to look to the right side of
the tree 64 he pivots the bracket 70 to the left adjacent rail 38 and
rotates the seat 77 as far as desired to the right.
All of the above-described swiveling and rotating can be done very slowly,
smoothly and quietly so as not to spook any game that may be nearby. This
effectively gives the user 65 a 360.degree. view without ever having to
leave seat 77.
Whenever it is desired to leave the stand 10 of the present invention, user
65, using the foot stand (not shown) described above, can walk the stand
down the tree 64 until ground level is reached The angle bar 51 is then
removed from around said tree.
Quick release pins 39 and 40 are removed from rail flanges 33 and 34 and
rails 35 and 36 are removed from rail support tubes 26 and 27. Rails 35
and 37 are then folded down juxtaposed to each other as are railings 36
and 38. These railings are then stored on the stand for transport. The
foot rest 94 can then folded back juxtaposed to support frames 21 and 22
if desired. The axles that were used in the transport of the stand to its
use location are then re-inserted into the base frame 11 and the
appropriate wheels mounted thereon.
The next handle 85 or 30 is grasped, depending on the wheel configuration,
to move the stand from the woods. If game has been killed, it can be
placed on the stand prior to transport out of the woods and the stand thus
becomes a game carrier.
From the above it can be seen that the present invention provides a
relatively simple and yet highly efficient climbing tree stand that allows
the user to smoothly and quietly move from one position to another without
leaving his seat while at the same time effectively giving him a
360.degree. field of view. The present invention is also readily
transportable to and from its use location and it can be also used as a
game carrier without modification.
The terms "front" and "rear," "side," etc. have been used herein merely for
convenience to describe the present invention and its parts as oriented in
the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that these terms are in no
way limiting to the invention since such invention may obviously be
disposed in different orientations when in use.
The present invention may, of course, be carried out other specific ways
than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and
essential characteristics of such invention. The present embodiments are
therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not
restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency
range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.
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