Abstract:
A pulley system for a tree stand is positioned in tree at a desired point. A bracket for the pulley system supports securing device and a pulley assembly as part of the pulley system. The tree stand is attached to a rope in the pulley system. Then the rope and pulley cooperate to lift the stand to a desired position for mounting.

Description:
[0001]    This invention relates to a pulley system and more particularly to a pulley system for a tree stand for use in hoisting the tree stand up the tree and positioning it at the desired height in the tree so that the tree stand may be properly positioned without the need for a hunter to physically carry the tree stand up the tree. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In hunting, a tree stand can give a hunter a great vantage point for spotting target animals at greater distances. A tree stand can also help to conceal the hunter and the hunter&#39;s scent from target animals on the ground. 
         [0003]    In order to provide a proper platform on which to stand, the platform must provide a suitable surface area where a hunter may rest his or her feet. The surface area requirement lease to at least a bulky system and to the above and possibly a heavy system. Either the size or the weight can cause a problem with the tree stand. Yet, size or weight are the obvious results of the device being sturdy and suitable for use in hunting. 
         [0004]    Furthermore, safety issues with the installation of removable tree stands do exist. The hunter must use a climbing stick or screw in pegs to reach the top of the tree. In the prior art, the hunter had to carry the tree stand, usually on his shoulder or one hand, up the tree, thus leaving only one hand to maneuver while using the climbing stick or screw in pegs. This multitasking creates at least one dangerous situation, because the hunter can risk a fall of ten feet or greater. Also, the cumbersome tree stand creates a difficulty in balancing while the hunter is climbing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Among the many objective of the present invention is the provision of a pulley system for a tree stand that allows the tree stand to be hoisted into the tree by either one or more hunters. 
         [0006]    Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a pulley system for a tree stand that eliminates the safety concerns associated with carrying a tree stand up a climbing ladder, screw in pegs, or other climbing apparatus. 
         [0007]    Moreover an objective of the present invention is a system that is not cumbersome to carry up a ladder. 
         [0008]    A still further objective of the present invention is the provision of a pulley system for a tree stand that is suitable for use with a wide variety of tree stands. 
         [0009]    Moreover, an objective of the present invention is the provision of a pulley system for a tree stand which is easy to use. 
         [0010]    Also, an objective of the present invention is the provision of a pulley system for a tree stand which is easy to transport. 
         [0011]    A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a pulley system for a tree stand which allows the tree stand to be positioned in the tree by a single hunter or a plurality of hunters. 
         [0012]    A still further objective of the present invention is the provision of a pulley for a tree stand which can be strapped around the trunk of the tree or screwed into the trunk of the tree. 
         [0013]    These system and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as awhole) are met by providing a pulley system for a tree stand which allows the hunter to hoist the tree stand up into the tree without the need to physically carry it up the tree. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of pulley system  100 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of pulley system  100  attached to tree  102  and tree stand  104 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of pulley system  100  attached to tree stand  104 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  depicts a front view of pulley assembly  116  of pulley system  100 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts a back view of pulley assembly  116  of pulley system  100 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  depicts a top view of pulley assembly  116  of pulley system  100 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  depicts a side view of pulley assembly  116  of pulley system  100 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  depicts an exploded perspective view of pulley assembly  116  of pulley system  100 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  depicts a perspective view of pulley system  100  using a fixed screw to support the housing  106 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  depicts a box diagram of pulley system  100 . 
       
    
    
       [0024]    Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    The subject of the present invention solves these safety concerns by providing a pulley system for hoisting a tree stand up into a tree. This pulley Referring to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 3 , the structure of pulley system  100  can be clearly seen. Pulley system  100  has strap  108  which securely holds pulley system  100  in the desired position on tree  102 . The desired position is the height at which the hunter wants to be above the ground. The hunter places strap  108  around tree  102  at the desirable height where tree stand  104  is to be placed. 
         [0026]    Pulley system  100  also has a pulley assembly  116  which moves tree stand  104  up tree  102 . Rope  110  weaves through pulley assembly  116 . Rope  110  also attaches to tree stand  104  at attachment end  114 . Thus, pulley system  100  is able to hoist tree stand  104  into tree  102 . 
         [0027]    Pulley system  100  also has rope  110  which attaches to tree stand  104  so that it may be hoisted up tree  102 . Rope  110  has an attachment end for securely connecting it to tree stand  104 . The hunter secures attachment end  114  of rope  110  and wraps it around tree stand  104  and secures the connection with attachment mechanism  112 . Attachment mechanism can be any suitable mechanism such as a clasp or a knot. 
         [0028]    Adding  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 8  to the consideration the structure of pulley assembly  116  can be clearly seen. Mounting bracket  118  has two bracket apertures  120 . Strap  108  weaves through each bracket aperture  120  to form a secure attachment to mounting bracket  118 . 
         [0029]    Mounting bracket  118  has mounting stub  124  attached to it. Mounting stub  124  cooperates with mounting rod  122  in a male to female relationship which causes mounting stub apertures  132  and mounting rod apertures  126  to evenly align. Mounting stub aperture  134  and first mounting rod aperture  128  receive standard bolt  138  to form a secure and stable connection between the pair. 
         [0030]    Second mounting rod aperture  130  receive eye bolt  140 . Eye bolt  140  hooks on pulley loop  142  so that pulley  144  is able to hang from the mounting rod  122  and mounting stub  124  combination. Rope  110  wraps around pulley  144 . 
         [0031]    Adding  FIG. 9  to the consideration, an alternate embodiment of pulley system  100  can be clearly seen. In this embodiment, strap  108  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) is replaced by mounting screw  146 . Mounting screw  146  attaches to the back of mounting bracket  118  through mounting aperture  148 . Mounting screw  146  can be screwed into tree  102  to securely attach pulley system  100  in the desired position. Mounting screw  146  can be any suitable screw including a T-screw. 
         [0032]    Mounting bracket  118  has mounting stub  124  (as shown in  FIG. 8 ) attached to it. Mounting stub  124  cooperates with mounting rod  122  in a male to female relationship which causes mounting stub apertures  132  (as shown in  FIG. 8 ) and mounting rod apertures  126  to evenly align. Mounting stub aperture  134  and first mounting rod aperture  128  receive standard bolt  138  to form a secure and stable connection between the pair. 
         [0033]    Second mounting rod aperture  130  receive eye bolt  140 . Eye bolt  140  hooks on pulley loop  142  so that pulley  144  is able to hang from the mounting rod  122  and mounting stub  124  combination. Rope  110  wraps around pulley  144 . 
         [0034]    With the consideration of  FIG. 10 , pulley system  100  has a housing  106  with a securing device  150  for securing the housing  106  to the tree  102 , so that pulley assembly  116  may be used. Securing device  150  may use any suitable devices, which fasten together, and may be separated as desired. Typically buckles, snaps and a hook and loop assembly work as securing device  150 . Further appropriate securing devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,498, to Menoni incorporated herein by reference. Securing device  150  also includes and adjustment mechanism  152  for tightening or loosening securing device  150  as desired. 
         [0035]    Pulley assembly  116  attaches to tree stand  104  through attachment end  114  of flexible pulley material  154 . In the previous embodiments, flexible pulley material  154  is rope  110 . However, flexible pulley material  154  may also be a cable, strap, or any other flexible material suitable for use with pulley system  100 . Attachment end  114  has attachment mechanisms  112  which can be a buckle, clasp, hook and loop assembly, or any other suitable devices which may be tightened and loosened. 
         [0036]    This application—taken as a whole with the specification, claims, abstract, and drawings—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure. 
         [0037]    Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and apparatus can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.