Patent ID: 6481529
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
An apparatus for aiding an operator in attaining an elevated position in a tree and for providing support for the operator while in the elevated position, the apparatus comprising:an upper support assembly including: an upper support frame having upper and lower extremities and comprising: substantially parallel and opposing first and second upper support arms; and a transverse rail disposed at the lower extremity of the upper support frame, and between and joined to the first and second upper support arms at a first angle relative to a plane coinciding with the first and second upper support arms, wherein the first and second upper support arms incline upwardly from the transverse rail; an upper cantilever frame rigidly attached to the upper support frame between the first and second upper support arms and above the transverse rail; an upper tree-engagement cleat rigidly attached to the upper cantilever frame and substantially centered between the first and second upper support arms and disposed above the transverse rail, the upper tree-engagement cleat for contacting a trunk of the tree at at least two upper engagement locations; an upper tree-engagement strap for attaching at one end thereof to the first upper support arm, wrapping around the trunk of the tree, and attaching at another end thereof to the second upper support arm, the upper tree-engagement strap for pulling the upper extremity of the upper support frame toward and adjacent the trunk of the tree, thereby causing the upper support frame to be cantilevered on the upper cantilever frame, such that the lower extremity of the upper support frame is suspended outward from the trunk of the tree; and a seat attached to the transverse rail and the upper cantilever frame, and suspended therefrom in a seating position in which the seat is at a level below the upper tree-engagement cleat when the upper support assembly is engaged with the tree, whereby, when the operator is seated in the seat, the seat supports the operator's weight at a point substantially below the two upper engagement locations where the upper tree-engagement cleat engages the trunk of the tree, such that the operator's weight maintains tension on the upper tree-engagement strap and causes the upper tree-engagement cleat to be pressed into the trunk of the tree; and a lower support assembly disposed below the upper support assembly, the lower support assembly including: a lower support frame having upper and lower extremities and comprising: substantially parallel and opposing first and second lower support arms; and a transverse platform disposed between and joined to the first and second lower support arms at a second angle relative to a plane coinciding with the first and second lower support arms; a lower cantilever frame rigidly attached to the lower support frame adjacent the upper extremity, and between the first and second lower support arms; a lower tree-engagement cleat rigidly attached to the lower cantilever frame and substantially centered between the first and second lower support arms and disposed above the transverse platform, the lower tree-engagement cleat for contacting the trunk of the tree at at least two lower engagement locations; and a lower tree-engagement strap for attaching at one end thereof to the first lower support arm, wrapping around the trunk of the tree, and attaching at another end thereof to the second lower support arm, the lower tree-engagement strap for pulling the upper extremity of the lower support frame toward and adjacent the trunk of the tree, thereby causing the lower support frame to be cantilevered on the lower cantilever frame, such that the lower extremity of the lower support frame is suspended outward and away from the trunk of the tree; the transverse platform suspended substantially below the at least two lower engagement locations where the lower tree-engagement cleat engages the trunk of the tree when the lower support frame is cantilevered on the lower cantilever frame, whereby, when the operator stands on the transverse platform, the transverse platform supports the operator's weight at a point substantially below the two lower engagement locations where the lower tree-engagement cleat engages the trunk of the tree, such that the operator's weight maintains tension on the lower tree-engagement strap and causes the lower tree-engagement cleat to be pressed into the trunk of the tree.