Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a tree climbing apparatus consisting of two movable platforms, each of which is secured to the tree trunk by a flexible strap that has a non-scratching cover that will not harm the bark of the tree. Each of the flexible straps has a construction that includes an elastic stiffener that causes the flexible strap to be self-straightening when one end of the flexible strap is removed from the platform.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a tree climbing apparatus for use in hunting, and in particular to a tree climbing apparatus which has non-scratching flexible straps that do not damage the bark of the tree.  
           [0002]    There are presently a wide variety of climbing devices for trees and poles which are commercially available. All of these devices are attached and/or supported about the tree or pole by means of straps, rods, bars, or a combination thereof.  
           [0003]    One such tree climbing apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,925. Although this patent purports to be an improvement over the prior art, it still has the disadvantage that it is attached to the tree or pole by a cable which will still scratch or cut the bark of the tree when being used.  
           [0004]    There is a need for a tree climbing apparatus with a flexible strap that does not damage the bark of the tree.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    A tree climbing apparatus comprising:  
           [0006]    a) a first platform adapted to engage the tree trunk while the user is standing thereon, and movable along the tree trunk while the user is not standing thereon, the first platform having a first flexible strap removably attachable thereto, the first flexible strap having a non-scratching surface that does not scratch the tree trunk while in use; and  
           [0007]    b) a second platform adapted to engage the tree trunk while the user is sitting thereon, and movable along the tree trunk while the user is not sitting thereon, the second platform having a second flexible strap removably attachable thereto, the second flexible strap having a non-scratching surface that does not scratch the tree trunk while in use.  
           [0008]    A principle object and advantage of the present invention is that it is attached to the tree by a flexible strap that has a non-scratching cover that will not damage the trunk of the tree.  
           [0009]    Another principle object and advantage of the present invention is that the flexible strap is self-straightening when one end of the flexible strap is removed from the apparatus. This assists the user in making adjustments to the flexible straps while the tree is being climbed. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the lower platform of the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the lower platform of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a support arm of the lower platform.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the upper platform of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the upper platform of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a support arm of the upper platform.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the components of the flexible straps of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is a cross-section along approximately the lines  9  of FIG. 8.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b  are elevational views showing the use of the present invention., 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]    The tree climbing apparatus of the present invention is generally shown in the Figures as reference numeral  10 .  
         [0021]    The tree climbing apparatus  10  further comprises a first platform  12  adapted to engage the trunk T of a tree while the user is standing on the first platform  12 , as best seen in FIG. 10 a . The first platform  12  is movable along the tree trunk T when the user is not standing on the first platform  12 , as best seen in FIG. 10 b.    
         [0022]    The first platform  12  has a first flexible strap  14  removably attachable thereto. The first flexible strap  14  has a non-scratching surface  15  that does not scratch the tree trunk T while in use. Preferably, the non-scratching surface is made of a resilient material, most preferably rubber.  
         [0023]    As seen in FIG. 3, the first platform  12  further comprises a pair of support arms  16  adapted to releasably engage each end of the first flexible strap  14 . The support arms  16  preferably engage the first flexible strap  14  by means of a plurality of apertures  18  in the support arms  16 , the first flexible strap having a clip  20  at each end which can be releasably attached to one of the plurality of apertures  18 . In this manner, the first flexible strap  14  is adjustable to accommodate tree trunks T with varying diameter.  
         [0024]    Preferably, the first flexible strap  14  is self-straightening when detached from the support arms  16 . That is, the construction of the first flexible strap  14  is such that it resists being bent into a loop to be attached to the support arms  16 , and when one end of the strap  14  is released from the support arms  16 , the strap  14  straightens back to an unbent configuration. To accommodate this feature, the first flexible strap  14  preferably has an elastic stiffener  102  enclosed therein, as will be discussed in greater detail below.  
         [0025]    The apparatus  10  further comprises a second platform  40  adapted to engage the tree trunk T while the user is sitting on the second platform  40 , as best seen in FIG. 10 b . When the user is not sitting on the second platform  40 , the second platform  40  is movable along the tree trunk T, as in FIG. 10 a.    
         [0026]    The second platform  40  has a second flexible strap  42  removably attachable thereto. The second flexible strap  42  has a non-scratching surface  15  that does not scratch the tree trunk T while in use. Preferably, the non-scratching surface is made of a resilient material, most preferably rubber.  
         [0027]    As seen in FIGS.  5 - 7 , the second platform  40  further comprises a pair of support arms  44  adapted to releasably engage each end of the second flexible strap  42 . The support arms  44  preferably engage the second flexible strap  42  by means of a plurality of apertures  46  in the support arms  44 , the second flexible strap  42  having a clip  48  at each end which can be releasably attached to one of the plurality of apertures  46 . In this manner, the second flexible strap  42  is adjustable to accommodate tree trunks T with varying diameter.  
         [0028]    The support arms  44  may preferably be enclosed in a cover  50  both to prevent sunlight shining on the support arms  44  and to prevent any inadvertent noise caused by the hunter banging against the support arms  44 . Preferably, the cover  50  is closable about the support arms  44  as by Velcro or other fastener.  
         [0029]    Preferably, the second flexible strap  42  is self-straightening when detached from the support arms  44 . That is, the construction of the second flexible strap  42  is such that it resists being bent into a loop to be attached to the support arms  44 , and when one end of the strap  42  is released from the support arms  44 , the strap  42  straightens back to an unbent configuration. To accommodate this feature, the second flexible strap  42  preferably has an elastic stiffener  102  enclosed therein, as will be discussed in greater detail below.  
         [0030]    The second platform  40  further comprises a seat  60  and a movable backrest  62 . A bench  64  is provided at the end of the second platform  40  distant from the tree trunk T.  
         [0031]    Backpacking straps  80  (FIG. 7) may be attached either to the first platform  12  or to the second platform  40  for portability. The platforms  12 ,  40  may be bound together for transport, for example by a rope.  
         [0032]    Construction details of the first flexible strap  14  and the second flexible strap  42  are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. As can be seen the straps  14 ,  42  preferably comprise a tough, flexible inner strap  100 ; an elastic stiffener  102 ; an inner cover  104  enclosing the inner strap  100  and the elastic stiffener  102 ; and an outer cover  106  enclosing the inner cover  104 . This combination of materials prevents the straps from being abraded by rough tree trunks and also allows the straps to be self-straightening.  
         [0033]    Each platform  12 ,  40  has tree blades  90  for gripping the trunk T.  
         [0034]    Boot straps  110  may be attached to the first platform  12  as shown in FIG. 10 b.    
         [0035]    A user climbs a tree trunk T using the apparatus  10  as follows. At ground level, the user takes both platforms  12 ,  40  and mounts them onto the tree trunk T with the straps  14 ,  42  as shown in FIG. 1. Each strap  14 ,  42  is inserted into the support arms  16 ,  44  and the straps  14 ,  42  are locked to the support arms  16 ,  44  by inserting the clips  20 , 48  into a desired aperture  18 ,  46 .  
         [0036]    Next, the user steps through the second platform  40  and stands on the platform  12  facing the tree as shown in FIG. 10 a . The user attaches the boot straps  110  to his feet.  
         [0037]    Standing on the first platform  12 , the user raises the second platform  40  to a comfortable below chest height (FIG. 10 a ). The users pulls the second strap  42  into the tree trunk T and sits down on the bench  64 , pushing the tree blades  90  into the tree trunk T.  
         [0038]    Next (FIG. 10 b ), the user pushes his toes down to release the first platform  12  from the tree trunk T and raises the second platform  12  by raising his legs. At a comfortable sitting position, the user lifts up with his toes, pulling the tree strap  14  into the tree, then stands on the first platform  12  pushing the tree blades  90  into the trunk.  
         [0039]    The user repeats the above steps until he reaches the desired height on the tree.  
         [0040]    The user may then secure the second platform  40  to the trunk T using a cam strap  120  that can be tightened securely about the tree trunk T.  
         [0041]    The back rest  62  is then moved against the tree trunk T for comfort. The back rest  62  may also be secured to the trunk T by another strap  122 .  
         [0042]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.