Abstract:
A combination treestand and game carrier enables ready conversion between the operating modes. A kit enables modification of pre-existing treestands to be configured into a game carrier.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to sports equipment, and more particularly to hunting support equipment, and even more particularly to a combination treestand and game carrier, and corresponding methods and kits. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Conventional treestands enable a hunter or game watcher to sit or stand on an elevated platform. Some treestands include detachable ladder sections that can be assembled in the field to form a contiguous ladder. The assembled ladder  210 , as shown for example in  FIG. 1 , the can be supported on a tree by a strap  212  and a rigid brace  214 . A platform  216  extends from the top of the ladder and includes a seat  218  and footrest  220 . The seat extends approximately at a right angle from the ladder and is attached to strap  212 . 
         [0003]    On many treestands that have detachable ladder sections, the ladder sections are configured to be carried on the hunter&#39;s back. Often, treestands are not permanently attached to a tree, but rather are disassembled and removed at the end of each hunting season or even more frequently. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A combination treestand and game carrier is capable of being assembled into a tree stand configuration and a game carrier cart configuration. The combination in the tree stand configuration comprises: a rigid ladder assembly formed of discrete, disenagageable ladder units; a footrest located proximate a top of the ladder; a seat located above the foot rest; posts for receiving wheels; and a contact surface capable of contacting a tree located proximate the seat. The combination in the game carrier configuration forming a platform or carting game comprises: the ladder units disengaged and arranged mutually parallel; wheels coupled to the posts for enabling rolling of the combination in the cart configuration; and a handle located opposite the wheels to enable pushing or pulling of the cart. 
         [0005]    Preferably the seat, the footrest, and the contact surface are formed on a unitary top unit that mates to one of the ladder units such that the top unit forms at least a portion of a chassis for the game carrier configuration. The footrest may include a foot contact portion and a support such that an aperture is formed between the foot contact portion and the support, wherein the aperture receives at least one of the ladder units while the combination is in the cart configuration to retain an end thereof. In this case, the ladder units may be more narrow than the frame of the top unit. Alternatively, the ladder units and the frame of the top unit have approximately the same width such that the foot platform extends through the ladder units to retain the ladder units in the game carrier configuration. The handle may include a cord that at least partly retains the ladder units. 
         [0006]    A method of using the combination includes assembling the ladder units and mounting to a tree and disassembling the combination, including disengaging the ladder units, and assembling the components into a game carrier, as described herein. 
         [0007]    A kit for modifying a pre-existing treestand to enable the treestand to be configured into a game carrier, comprises: a brace; fasteners for attaching the brace to a pre-existing treestand; a post rigidly extending from the brace; wheels for mounting on the post and for rotation thereon, the wheels capable of supporting the treestand in a game carrier configuration; and fasteners for retaining the wheels on the posts. The kit may also include a handle for retaining disengaged ladder units and capable of grasping for pulling the game carrier. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a treestand illustrating an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the treestand embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a game carrier formed from the components of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a portion of the game carrier of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of a treestand illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a photo of a portion of the second treestand embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a view of components of the second treestand embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a side photograph of the game carrier formed from the components of the second treestand embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is another view of wheel assemblies for each of the first embodiment and second embodiment game carriers; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of components for a wheel assembly kit for modifying a treestand according to another aspect of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of components for a wheel assembly kit for modifying a treestand having a different configuration from that of  FIG. 10 ; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a perspective photograph of a prior art treestand. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    A first embodiment of a combination treestand and game carrier is configured to be readily assembled into its treestand configuration, indicated by reference numeral  30  and shown in  FIG. 1 , and then broken down and assembled into its cart or game carrier configuration, indicated by reference numeral  40  and shown in  FIG. 3 . The component parts may be configured to form both treestand  30  and the cart  40  by a hunter remotely in a forest, preferably without tools. The same reference numerals are used to identify the parts, where applicable, in the treestand mode  30  and game carrier mode  40 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a treestand  30  in its assembled state with the tree removed for clarity.  FIG. 2  shows portions of treestand  30  in an exploded view for clarity. Treestand  30  includes individual ladder units  1  and a top unit  2 . The lowermost ladder unit  1  may have feet for engaging the ground. Other (optionally) than at its bottommost end, each ladder unit  1  includes a means for attachment to an adjacent ladder unit. For example, where the ladder frames are formed of square tubing, one end of a mating part may be deformed to be insertable into its mating part. Alternatively, the present invention encompasses any means of attaching one ladder unit part to another to form a continuous ladder. Further, the present invention encompasses ladder units  1  that are fully separable, hinged together, attached via shock cords, or any other configuration and still be encompassed within the definition of removable or disengageable, as those terms are used herein. 
         [0022]    Top unit  2  includes a pair of opposing frame members  3 , a footrest or foot platform  6 , and a seat  15 . Frame members  3  are on opposing sides of foot platform  6  and seat  16 . Each frame member  3  includes an approximately vertical frame member  3   a  and an approximately horizontal frame member  3   b,  as oriented in the treestand mode. Vertical frame member  3   a  extends upwardly from the uppermost portion of the top ladder unit  1 . Foot platform  6  extends transversely between vertical frame members  3   a . Preferably, an inboard side of foot platform  6  is attached at each side to frame members  3   a.  A pair of platform supports  7  are oblique to vertical frame members  3   a  and extend from the frame members  3   a  to an inboard side (that is, nearest the tree) of foot platform  6  for structural support of platform  6 . 
         [0023]    Frame members  3   a  and  3   b  preferably form an approximately right angle such that horizontal frame members  3   b  extend to the tree (not shown in the Figures for clarity). A bar  4  having teeth or barbs extends approximately horizontally between the distal ends of frame members  3   b  for engaging the tree. Seat  15  extends between frame horizontal members  3   b.  In the embodiment of treestand  30 , ladder units  1  are narrower than frame  3 , which has the known advantage of increasing portability and diminishing weight. 
         [0024]    The assembly may be secured to the tree by any means, including conventional stabilizing ropes or straps  5  that extend from an attachment point on the ladder unit  1  around the tree to the distal ends of frame members  3 , a lower strap  8  that extends around the tree, and a rigid brace  9  that extends between one of the ladder units  1  and the tree. 
         [0025]    Treestand  30  also includes posts  13  for attaching wheels  10 . Preferably, posts  13  extend outwardly from each side of top unit  2  and the wheels are removed while the components are assembled in treestand mode  30 . Preferably, a brace  14  extends obliquely between frame members  3   a  and  3   b  on each side of treestand to provide a mount for posts  13 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4  to illustrate the components configured in the cart mode, game carrier  40  has the ladder units  1  disengaged from one another and placed one on top of another. Preferably, top unit  2  is turned approximately 90 degrees from its treestand configuration  30  with frame member  3   b,  which had been horizontal, pointing upward. One of ladder units  1   a  is still coupled to top unit  2  to form a chassis for cart  40 . Alternatively, the top ladder unit  1 A may be permanently affixed to top unit  2  (not shown in the Figures). Other ones of the ladder units  1  are located on top of the chassis. 
         [0027]    Foot platform  6  includes a transverse support  20  that extends between frame supports  3   a  and forms an aperture  21  with foot platform  6 . The ladder units  1  are inserted into and located in aperture  21  for retaining ladder units at one end. At the opposite end (that is, the handle end) ladder units may be held together by any means, including quick connect D-rings  12  as shown in  FIG. 3 . A handle  16  preferably is a cord that extends between ends the ends of the chassis frame and includes a handgrip. The cord may also hold the front ends of ladder units  1  together. 
         [0028]    Wheels  10 , which for a conventional treestand height preferably are 20 inch or 24 inch spoke wheels, are installed onto posts  13  and held into place by an O-ring  11  and hinged, D-clip  12 . The present invention encompasses other means for attaching the wheels or other components. For example, spring loaded O-rings or lynch pins may be used in place of wherever D-clips are mentioned herein. 
         [0029]    As is clear from the figures, treestand  30  may be easily broken down by disengaging ladder units  1  and affixing wheels  10  onto posts  13  by hardware  11  and  12 . As described above, a ladder unit  1   a  and top unit  2  form a chassis, and loose ladder units  1  may be laid on top of the chassis and inserted through aperture  21  in platform  6  at one end. Handle  16  may then be grasped by a user to lift the unit and pull it as a cart even if loaded with heavy game. The top portion of the chassis provides a platform on which game may be placed and wheeled. Upstanding frame  3  or teeth  4  and footrest  6  may also form a portion of the platform for carrying game. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  7  illustrate a second embodiment treestand  50  that includes individual ladder units  1 ′ and a top unit  2 ′. The lowermost ladder unit  1 ′ may have feet for engaging the ground. 
         [0031]    Top unit  2 ′ includes a pair of opposing frame members  3 ′, a footrest or foot platform  6 ′, and a seat  15 ′. Frame members  3 ′ are on opposing sides of foot platform  6 ′ and seat  16 ′. Each frame member  3 ′ includes an approximately vertical frame member  3   a ′ and an approximately horizontal frame member  3   b ′, as oriented in the treestand mode. Vertical frame member  3   a ′ extends upwardly from the uppermost portion of the top ladder unit  1 ′. Foot platform  6 ′ is oriented and supported as described above for first embodiment platform  6 . Foot platform  6 ′ is continuous and does not require an aperture, as explained below. Barbed bar  4 ′ and seat  15 ′ are as described above for first embodiment platform  6 . The assembly includes a strap  5 ′, and lower strap  8 ′, and a rigid brace  9 ′ as described above for first treestand embodiment  30 . 
         [0032]    Frame members  3   a ′ and  3   b ′ preferably form an approximately right angle such that horizontal frame members  3   b ′ extend to the tree (not shown in the Figures for clarity). In the embodiment of treestand  50 , ladder units  1 ′ and frame members  3 ′ have approximately the same width. 
         [0033]    Treestand  50  also includes posts  13 ′ for attaching wheels  10 ′. Preferably, posts  13 ′ extend outwardly from each side of top unit  2 ′ and the wheels are removed while the components are assembled in treestand mode  50 . Preferably, a brace  14 ′ extends obliquely between frame members  3   a ′ and  3   b ′ on each side of treestand to provide a mount for posts  13 ′. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 8  to illustrate the components configured in the cart mode, game carrier  60  has the ladder units  1 ′ disengaged from one another and placed one on top of another. Preferably, top unit  2 ′ is turned approximately 90 degrees from its treestand configuration  50  with frame member  3   b ′, which had been horizontal, pointing upward. One of ladder units  1   a ′ is still coupled to top unit  2  to form a chassis for cart  60 . Alternatively, top unit may have a ladder unit permanently affixed (not shown in the Figures). Other ones of the ladder units  1 ′ are located on top of the chassis. 
         [0035]    Foot platform  6 ′ is upright in the orientation shown in  FIG. 8  and narrower than the space between the frames of ladder units  1 ′. Ladder units  1 ′ preferably are placed over platform  6 ′. At the opposite end (that is, the handle end), ladder units  1 ′, D-rings  12 ′, and handle  16 ′ are as described above for treestand embodiment  30 . Wheels  10 ′, O-ring  11 ′, and hinged, D-clip  12 ′ are as described for treestand embodiment  30 . 
         [0036]    Treestand  50  may be easily broken down by disengaging ladder units  1 ′ and affixing wheels  10 ′ onto posts  13 ′ by hardware  11 ′ and  12 ′. Ladder unit  1   a ′ and top unit  2  form a chassis, and loose ladder units  1 ′ may be laid on top of the chassis and over foot platform  6 ′ for retention of the ends of ladder units  1 ′. Handle  16 ′ may then be grasped by a user to lift the unit and pull it as a cart even if loaded with heavy game. 
         [0037]      FIG. 10  illustrates components of a wheel kit assembly  70  that may be used to modify a treestand. Reference numerals for first treestand embodiment  30  and game carrier  40  will be used to describe kit  70 , and it is understood that kit  70  is not limited to any particular treestand configuration. 
         [0038]    Kit  70  includes a brace  114  includes a structural brace  114 , a post  113  that protrudes from brace  114 , a wheel assembly  110 , hardware for attaching the wheel  110  to post  113 , and hardware for attaching brace  114  to a treestand. The hardware for attaching wheel  110  to post  113  includes an O-ring  110  and a D-clip  114 , which are generally as described above for first and second embodiment game carriers  40  and  60 . The hardware for attaching brace  114  to a pre-existing treestand includes a pair of bolts  117  with corresponding washers and nuts. Because it is preferably to provide a pair of wheels for the game carrier configuration, kit  70  preferably includes two of each of the components listed above. 
         [0039]    When a treestand, especially a pre-existing treestand, is intended to be modified by kit  70 , locations on the treestand for holes to receive bolts  117  are determined. For the treestand shown in  FIG. 10 , locations on the horizontal and vertical frame members are determined. For the treestand shown in  FIG. 11 , which has an angled section between its horizontal and vertical frame members suitable for accepting brace  114 , location of holes may be simplified. 
         [0040]    Bolts  117  are inserted into the holes in the treestand and through corresponding holes in brace  114  to attached brace  117  in its desired location. Wheel  110  may be attached to post  113  as described above for game carriers  40  and  60 . 
         [0041]    Aspects of the present invention are illustrated by description of the above embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the particular structure or function described herein, but rather broadly encompasses any structure and function stated in the claims or following logically from the description.