Abstract:
A screwable hoisting apparatus to aid in elevating objects is described. The apparatus is embedded into a tree with one hand while the tree climber is free to use his other hand to secure himself to the tree. A method for using the same is disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a hoist useful for safely raising and lowering items from a tree. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many out door enthusiasts enjoy tree climbing. For some of these enthusiasts, such as hunters, it is essential to secure a safe and effective perch in trees. Having an elevation advantage provides hunters an enhanced view over more terrain than if they were standing on the ground. In many cases, a hunter perched in a tree evades detection by the animals he wishes to observe. Thus, an elevated perch is often an effective means to successfully hunt game animals. 
         [0003]    During construction of a tree perch, it is often necessary to elevate objects and items to the desired height. Often a tree climber must carry objects and items while ascending the tree. It is dangerous for the tree climber to both carry and climb. The tree climber uses one hand or some portion of his upper limbs to secure the items and objects for hauling during the ascent and uses the other hand to aid in the ascent up the tree. This precarious situation often results in dropping items and objects, potentially damaging them. The tree climber risks falling from the tree during his ascent. 
         [0004]    Once a tree climber attains his desired, elevated height in the tree, the tree climber must often use both hands to attach or assemble the items or objects he has hauled up the tree. This creates additional, serious problems regarding safety. A harness, for securing the tree climber to the tree, is sometimes employed to provide some measure of safety. However, a harness often requires one or both hands to secure it, thereby limiting the hauling ability of the tree climber. Further, many tree climbers do not use a harness because of perceived time constraints or their desire not to haul and carry such a piece of equipment to the tree. 
         [0005]    There exists a need for an apparatus effective for elevating items and objects during the course of tree climbing and performing tasks at heights in trees. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for safely hoisting various items and objects up a tree or other object penetrable by a screw. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the current invention comprises a hoist apparatus comprising a pulley, a boring tool and a cable. The pulley comprising a grooved wheel for carrying a line and a block within which the wheel turns. The boring tool comprising a shaft and a crank. The shaft comprises a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion. The first end of the shaft forms a pointed screw. The intermediate portion of the shaft comprises a first diameter, two, spaced-apart, circumferential raised portions thereon, each raised portion having a diameter larger than the first diameter with the region therebetween having a second diameter which is smaller than the raised portions. The crank for rotating the shaft is disposed on the second end of the shaft. The cable has a first end and a second end, the first end having a loop, the loop having a diameter larger than the second diameter, and the second end attached to the block. The crank comprises an arm and a handle. The arm has a first end and a second end. The handle has a first end and a second end. The first end of the arm is perpendicularly attached at the second end of the shaft, and the first end of the handle is perpendicularly attached to the second end of the arm. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the second end of said handle has a notch therein adapted for receiving said cable between the loop of the cable and the second end of the cable attached to the block. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the shaft, the arm, and said handle are integrally formed. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the spaced-apart, circumferential raised portions comprise disks. In another embodiment of the present invention, the disks have the same diameter. In another embodiment of the present invention, the loop in said cable is formed from said cable. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the hoist further comprises a line for being carried by said pulley. 
         [0010]    Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective side view of one embodiment of the hoist apparatus. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective top view of an embodiment of the hoist apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following, the same reference characters refer to the same or similar elements in all figures. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of the present invention. The hoist apparatus comprises a pulley  40  housed inside a block  10 . The pulley  40  is located in the inner portion  20  of the block  10 . There exists many means of attachment known in the art of attachment whereby a block is attached to a cable. Such knowledge and methods of attachment art are included and incorporated into this invention. The cable  70  has a first end  90 , a second end  800  and a width. The first end  800  of the cable  70  has a first loop  110 . The second end  800  of the cable  70  has a second loop  100 . The second loop  100  on the second end  800  of the cable  70  is attached to the loop  50  on the outer surface  30  of the block  10 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of the invention wherein the rope  60  has a first end  61 , a second end  62 , and an intermediate portion  63 . In  FIG. 1 , a portion of the intermediate portion  63  of the rope  60  is disposed between the inner portion  20  of the block  10  and the pulley  40 .  FIG. 1  depicts a carabineer  65  attached to the first end  61  of the rope  60 . A carabineer is one means of attaching the rope to the items and objects to be hoisted. Many different means of attaching items and objects are contemplated within the scope of the present invention, including but not limited to clasps, hooks and buckles. It is contemplated within the scope of this invention that the second end of the rope is tied in a knot such that the second end of the rope cannot be pulled entirely through the pulley. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  also depicts the shaft portion  200  having a tapered first end  210 , an intermediate section  500  and a second end  220 . The tapered first end  210  has a pointed, threaded screw  230  formed thereon. The pointed, threaded screw  230  on the first end  210  allows the shaft portion to screw or rotate the first end  210  of the shaft  200  into trees or other objects penetrable by a screw. 
         [0018]    The intermediate section  500  of the shaft  200  comprises a first diameter and two, spaced-apart, circumferential raised portions  240 A and  240 B. There is a non-elevated region  600  along the intermediate section  500  of the shaft  200  between the two, spaced-apart, circumferential raised portions  240 A and  240 B. The distance between the two, spaced-apart circumferential raised portions  240 A and  240 B is sufficiently large enough for the cable to fit therebetween. In  FIG. 1 , the first loop  110  of the first end  90  of the cable  70  is attached to the shaft  200  at the non-elevated region  600  of the shaft  200  between the two, spaced-apart, circumferential raised portions  240 A and  240 B. The diameters of the two, spaced-apart, circumferential raised portions  240 A and  240 B are larger than the inside diameter of the first loop  110  of the first end  90  of the cable  70 . This prevents the cable from detaching, once it is attached to the shaft portion  200 . 
         [0019]    The cross sectional diameter of the non-elevated region  600  along the intermediate section  500  of the shaft  200  between the two, spaced-apart, circumferential raised portions  240 A and  240 B is smaller than the inside diameter of the first loop  110  of the first end  90  of the cable  70 . This allows the shaft to rotate and penetrate a tree or other object penetrable by a screw without rotating the cable and entangling or winding the cable around the shaft. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  also depicts a crank  250  having an arm portion  260  and a handle  270 . The arm  260  has a first end  280  and a second end  290 . The handle  270  has a first end  300  and a second end  310 . The arm  260  is generally perpendicular to both the shaft  200  and handle  270 . The shaft  200  and the handle  270  are generally parallel, but not co-linear. The first end  280  of the arm  260  is adapted for attachment to the second end  220  of the shaft portion  220 . The second end  290  of the arm portion  260  is adapted for attachment to the first end  300  of the handle portion  270 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  depicts the second end  220  of the shaft  200  integrally formed with and attached to the first end  280  of the arm  260  of the crank  250 .  FIG. 1  also depicts the second end  290  of the arm  260  of the crank  250  integrally formed with and attached to the first end  300  of the handle  270  of the crank  250 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  depicts a notch  330  in the second end  310  of the handle  270  of the crank  250 . The notch  330  has width, which is at least as wide as the width of the cable  70 . In at least one embodiment, the end  310  of the handle  270  is bent towards the arm of the crank. The notch  330  provides a location for the cable  70  to be secured and attached to the handle of the crank. The cable is thereby extended away from the tree, such that the items and objects being hoisted up the tree will not come into contact with the tree as they are elevated. 
         [0023]    In practice, a climber climbs to a desired height and commences rotating the crank and screwing the shaft into the tree or other object penetrable by the screw. The shaft is screwed into the tree with one hand and the climber uses his other hand to secure himself to the tree. As the shaft portion is screwed into an object, the cable is not fitted through the notch, but rather left hanging from the shaft. The cable does not rotate as the shaft is screwed into the tree. Upon having screwed the shaft portion into a tree or other object penetrable by the screw, the cable is inserted into the groove at the second end of the handle portion. The climber then descends and the pulley is then utilized to elevate and hoist objects to the pulley via the line. The rope can then be tied off, thereby securing the hoisted objects at the height of the pulley. 
         [0024]    It is believed that the apparatus of the present invention, and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described, being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiments thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.