Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a tree stand transporting system and method. In one aspect of the disclosure, the tree stand transporting system includes a vertical support member extending in a generally vertical direction and including a generally horizontally extending hitch connecting portion configured to be received in a receiver hitch on a vehicle. The vertical support member can have a plurality of holes defined in its sidewalls to allow selective placement of an upper support bracket and a lower support bracket using fasteners, such as bolts or pins. The brackets are configured to facilitate securing of the tree stand for transport. Selective placement of the brackets facilitates adaptation of the transport system for a wide variety of tree stand configurations.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/231,988, filed Aug. 6, 2009, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to hunting equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices, systems and methods for transporting tree stands. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Tree stands, used for hunting a variety of animals, were originally simple designs constructed of wood or lumber. These stands were permanent, large, difficult to build, and not portable. 
         [0004]    Relatively small portable tree stands were then developed. These small portable tree stands were configured to hang on a tree, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,083. These hanging-type stands used foot pegs that screwed or dug into the tree. In addition to these types of tree stands being relatively easy to transport, a carrier for use with all terrain vehicles was designed as shown in U.S. Pat. D350,934. However, it was found that these hanging-type stands were difficult to hang on trees, have a very small platform, a very small seat, and are dangerous to sit in and/or standup in, even when wearing the recommended safety restraints. 
         [0005]    Given the drawbacks of the hanging-type portable stands, larger tree stands were developed. These larger stands, fitting up to two people, are supported by a free-standing scaffold and have a ladder attached to the front, thereby providing easy access. These larger stands also possess more comfortable seating and are safer to use. While billed as portable, these larger tree stands are far larger and more difficult to move than the hanging-type stands, so hunters often risk leaving them at a given location permanently. Alternatively, hunters may attempt to transport them on small trailers, drag them, move by pickup when possible, or sit on an all terrain vehicle with the platform around them while driving through the woods. None of these transport methods is practical, and worse, is often dangerous. Therefore, there is a need for an improved device, system and method for transporting conventional tree stands. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A tree stand transporting system, device and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, the tree stand transport system includes a vertical support member extending in a generally vertical direction. The vertical support member includes a generally vertically extending portion and a generally horizontally extending hitch connecting portion configured to be received in a receiver hitch on a vehicle. A first support bracket can be disposed on the vertical support member. A second support bracket can also be disposed on the vertical support member. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a method of transporting a tree stand includes inserting a horizontally extending portion of tree stand support member into the receiver hitch of the vehicle. A tree stand is disposed on a first support bracket fastened to the tree stand support member. The tree stand can also be disposed on a second support bracket fastened to the tree stand support member. 
         [0008]    In a further embodiment, a tree stand transporting system includes a vertical support member extending in a generally vertical direction and including a generally horizontally extending hitch connecting portion configured to be received in a receiver hitch on a vehicle. The vertical support member can have a plurality of holes defined in its sidewalls to allow selective placement of an upper support bracket and a lower support bracket using fasteners, such as bolts or pins. The brackets are configured to facilitate securing of the tree stand for transport. Selective placement of the brackets facilitates adaptation of the transport system for a wide variety of tree stand configurations. 
         [0009]    The above summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, or describe each embodiment, aspect, implementation, feature or advantage of the invention. The detailed technology and preferred embodiments for the subject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention. It is understood that the features mentioned hereinbefore and those to be commented on hereinafter may be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tree stand carrier according to an example embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a tree stand carrier coupled to an all-terrain vehicle according to an example embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a tree stand carrier coupled to an all-terrain vehicle according to an example embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a support bracket of a tree stand carrier according to an example embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a support bracket of a tree stand carrier according to an example embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a support bracket of a tree stand carrier according to an example embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7A  is a top view and  FIG. 7B  is a side view of a tree stand carrier according to an example embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8A  is a top view,  FIG. 8B  is a side view and  FIG. 8C  is a front view of a vertical member of a tree stand carrier according to an example embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10A  is a top view,  FIG. 10B  is a side view and  FIG. 10C  is a front view of a support bracket of a tree stand carrier according to an example embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11A  is a perspective view,  FIG. 11B  is a top view,  FIG. 11C  is a side view and  FIG. 11D  is an end view of a receiver hitch assembly according to an example embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular example embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    In the following descriptions, the present invention will be explained with reference to various example embodiments; nevertheless, these example embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific example, embodiment, environment, application, or particular implementation described herein. Therefore, descriptions of these example embodiments are only provided for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present invention. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a tree stand transporter  100  in one embodiment comprises a vertical support member  102  extending in a generally vertical direction with a generally horizontally extending hitch connecting portion  104 . The vertical support member  102  is a tubular member having a square cross section. Although other shapes may be used without departing fro the scope of the invention. The vertical support member has a plurality of holes  106  defined therein on corresponding sides, to which an upper support bracket  108  and a lower support bracket  110  are mounted using fasteners, such as bolts or pins. The plurality of holes  106  facilitate adjustment of locations of the upper  108  and lower  110  brackets to adapt the transporter  100  for use with a variety of tree stand configurations and with a variety of vehicles. A hole  112  is defined in the sidewalls of the hitch connecting portion  104  to facilitate connection with a receiving hitch on a vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle  114  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a tree stand  115  is shown secured to the tree stand transporter  100  as depicted in  FIG. 2 . The tree stand platform portion  117  is supported by upper  108  and lower  110  brackets. Tree stand scaffold sections  119  are supported by the upper bracket  108 . A tether  121  may be used to further secure the lower portions of the scaffolding sections  119  to the lower bracket  110  and the receiver hitch. 
         [0024]    Several different configurations of the upper and lower brackets may be provided as part of a system or kit so that the tree stand carrier can be adapted to carry a wide variety of different tree stand sizes and configurations. A given bracket configuration may be used as either an upper bracket or a lower bracket depending on the configuration of the tree stand to be transported. Also, one or of the upper or lower brackets may be omitted depending on the tree stand configuration. A set of assembly and use instructions may also be provided as part of a kit. 
         [0025]    A first embodiment of a bracket  118  is shown in  FIG. 4 . First bracket  118  comprises a horizontally oriented bracket body  120  comprised of a section of tubing. One end of the body  120  has mounting plates  122  disposed on opposing side surfaces, thereby defining a mounting groove or channel for mounting on the vertical support member. Holes  124  are provided in the mounting plates  122  that correspond to the holes  106  in the vertical member. A fastener, such as a pin or a bolt is placed through the corresponding holes  124  in the mounting plates and vertical member  102  to secure the bracket  118  in place. An engagement member  126  is disposed on an opposing end of the body  120 . The engagement member  126  is configured to contact the tree stand. In this configuration, the engagement member  126  is generally L-shaped so as to present a vertically extending stop surface and a horizontally extending support surface that intersect at an approximate right angle. 
         [0026]    A second bracket embodiment  128  is shown in  FIG. 5 . Second bracket  128  comprises a horizontally oriented bracket body  130  comprised of a section of tubing. One end of the body  130  has mounting plates  132  disposed on opposing side surfaces, thereby defining a mounting groove or channel for mounting on the vertical support member  102 . Holes  134  are provided in the mounting plates  122  that correspond to the holes  106  in the vertical member. A fastener, such as a pin or a bolt is placed through the corresponding holes  134  in the mounting plates  132  and vertical member  102  to secure the bracket  128  in place. An engagement member  138  is disposed on an opposing end of the body  130  and configured to contact the tree stand. In this configuration, the engagement member  138  presents a vertically extending stop surface and a horizontally extending support surface that intersect at an approximate right angle. In top plan view, the engagement member  138  is in a slight V-shape, with the oblique angle formed between the respective halves of the V-shape diverging as they extend towards the vehicle. 
         [0027]    A third bracket embodiment  140  is shown in  FIG. 6 . Third bracket  140  comprises a horizontally oriented bracket body  142  comprised of a section of tubing. One end of the body  142  has mounting plates  144  disposed on opposing side surfaces, thereby defining a mounting groove or channel for mounting on the vertical support member  102 . Holes  146  are provided in the mounting plates  144  that correspond to the holes  106  in the vertical member  102 . A fastener, such as a pin or a bolt is placed through the corresponding holes in the mounting plates  144  and vertical member to secure the bracket  140  in place. A scaffold support plate  148  is disposed on the top of the body  142 . The scaffold support plate is generally planar. An engagement member  150  is disposed on an opposing end of the body  142  and configured to engage the tree stand. In this configuration, the engagement member  150  presents a vertically extending stop surface and an inwardly horizontally extending support surface that intersects at an approximate right angle, thereby forming an inset  152  between an end of the body  142  and the horizontally extending surface of the engagement member  150 . It is understood that the configurations of the brackets may be changed from the examples provided herein to adapt to various types of tree stands without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B,  8 A,  8 B and  8 C, another embodiment of a tree stand carrier is shown. Tree stand carrier  200  comprises a vertical support member  202  extending in a generally vertical direction with a curved lower portion terminating in a horizontally extending hitch connecting portion  204 . The vertical support member  202  is a tubular member having a square cross section. It is understood, however, that other shapes and styles of members may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. The vertical member  202  has a plurality of holes  206  provided on corresponding sides, to which an upper support bracket  208  and a lower support bracket  210  are mounted using fasteners, such as bolts or pins. The plurality of holes  206  facilitate adjustment of locations of the upper  208  and lower  210  brackets to facilitate use with a variety of tree stand configurations and with a variety of vehicles. Holes  212  are defined in the sidewalls of the hitch connecting portion  204  to facilitate connection with a receiving hitch on a vehicle. 
         [0029]    The tree stand carrier  200  may be configured to accept a variety of different tree stands by varying the relative placement and configuration of the support brackets. Referring to  FIGS. 7A ,  9 A,  9 B and  9 C, a first bracket  224  embodiment is shown. The first bracket embodiment  224  comprises a horizontally oriented central body portion  214  and support plates  216  disposed laterally on either side of the body  214 . A vertical member mounting channel is formed by the bounding of the plates  216  and body  214 . A retention groove is defined in a retention plate portion  218  formed on an end opposing the mounting channel. The retention groove  218  is configured to receive and restrain a portion of the tree stand. 
         [0030]    The first bracket embodiment  224  also may have an extension arm engagement portion  220  protruding outwardly from the retention plate  218 . A fastener  222 , such as a portion of threaded bolt with a threaded cap, is disposed in a lateral direction so that mounting holes from an engagement arm can be secured over the threaded portion and secured in place with the cap or nut. A plurality of fastening holes  226  may be defined in various portions, such as the support plates  216 , in order to facilitate securing with bungee cords, rope, ties or other securing means that a user may wish to employ. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  10 C, a second bracket  228  embodiment is shown. The second bracket  228  comprises a horizontally oriented central body portion  230  and support plates  234  disposed laterally on either side of the body  230 . A vertical member mounting channel is defined by the bounding of the plates  234  and body  230 . A mounting hole  232  is defined on either side of the mounting opening to facilitate securing of the bracket  228  to the vertical member. An engagement groove is defined in an engagement plate portion  236  formed on an end opposing the mounting channel. The engagement groove  236  is configured to receive and restrain a portion of the tree stand. 
         [0032]    The second bracket  228  also has a frame engagement member  238  extending upwardly from body  230 . The frame engagement member  238  in top plan view is in a slight V-shape with each joined at an oblique angle and diverging as it extends toward the vehicle. A plurality of fastening holes  240  may be defined in various portions, such as the support plates  234 , in order to facilitate securing with bungee cords, rope, ties or other securing means that a user may wish to employ. It is understood that the configurations of the brackets may be changed to adapt to various types of tree stands without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0033]    The various tree stand carrier components may be constructed of steel. In one embodiment, 12-gauge steel is used and portions of the brackets are welded together. However, it is contemplated that the various components can be constructed of high strength plastic, carbon fiber, composites, fiberglass or a hybrid of multiple materials. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 11A ,  11 B,  11 C and  11 D, a receiver hitch  300  according to one embodiment is shown. The receiver hitch  300  is typically bolted or welded to a strong portion of a vehicle, such as a frame or a differential housing. The receiver hitch  300  comprises a receiver tube  302  disposed on a receiver bolt plate  304 . The receiver tube  302  has an opening in an end facing away from the vehicle and is sized and shaped to accept a receiver hitch extension of corresponding size and shape. The bolt plate  304  is secured to the vehicle. A tow loop  306  extends upwardly from the tube  302  at an oblique angle with respect to the plate  304 . The tow loop  306  may be used to connect fastening devices, such as rope, straps and bungee cords that a user may utilize to secure the tree stand to the tree stand transporter. The receiver hitch  300  in one embodiment is constructed of steel and the component parts are welded together. 
         [0035]    In use, the tree stand transporter or carrier in particular embodiments attaches to a standard two-inch receiver hitch located on an all terrain vehicle or other type of vehicle. The tree stand is taken down, the ladder sections are hung on the transporter, the platform is hung on the transporter, the tree stand components are secured and then the user safely and efficiently transports the tree stand through fields, woods, swamps and water as necessary to reach a desired destination. 
         [0036]    The tree stand transporter frees up stowage space inside of the vehicle and also permits a hunter to use a vehicle to transport a tree stand that otherwise would not be able to fit the stand inside of the vehicle. 
         [0037]    The tree stand transporter or carrier system of particular embodiments also permits hunters to assemble portions of tree stands and transport those partially assembled portions to a desired location, rather than taking the unassembled stand pieces (often still in their original box) into the woods and performing all assembly there. The ability to avoid significant on-site assembly of individual pieces eliminates the risk of piece loss, frustration, time loss and tool carrying that would otherwise be required. The tree stand transporter or carrier system of particular embodiments also eliminates the need to make multiple trips to the hunting location, such as in the woods, during booth setup and take down procedures. 
         [0038]    While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and equivalent arrangements can be made thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, such scope to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products. 
         [0039]    For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.