Device for attaching to a tree and stabilizing a bowman attached thereto who is hunting game

A strap surrounding a trunk. A support is held a strap against the trunk. A mechanical linkage is attached to the support. A brake is furnished to the mechanical linkage. A frame is attached to the linkage for maintaining a person in position. A belt attached to the frame to be wrapped around a person for preventing a falling of the person. The mechanical linkage can comprise a distance adjustment mechanics allowing a change in distance between the support and the frame. An adjustable mechanical impedance can oppose forces exerted on the mechanical linkage for effecting a change in distance between the support and the frame. The adjustable mechanical impedance can be furnished by an adjustable friction brake.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for attaching to a tree. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for attaching to a tree and stabilizing a bowman attached thereto who is hunting game.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A bow hunter will usually sit or stand at the rear of a tree stand with his back against the tree. When a deer appears, the hunter will step forward on the platform of the tree stand to ready himself for a shot. With the tree no longer at the hunter's back as a reference, the hunter could loose his sense of balance.

Numerous innovations for hunter supports have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present Invention.

A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,466 to Hall teaches a portable bench which is particularly suited for use by a shooter that comprises top and front and rear leg assemblies pivotally connected thereto. The leg assemblies fold inwardly to provide a pocket for carrying a seat, which is releasably connected to the leg assemblies when they are folded outwardly at the point of use. The bench top is inclined and is vertically and angularly adjustable. The bench top has a lateral recess which overlies the seat for accommodating the upper body of the shooter when seated on the seat. An adjustable gun rest is provided at the font of the bench top for supporting the forearm of the shooter's gun.

A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,391 to Klipp teaches a gun rest and sports equipment holder for use on railings of a tree stand, fence, porch deck, or the like that includes a portable bracket with attaching clamp, a cradle for a gun rest and an optional adaptor for holding spotting telescopes and cameras is adjustable for various viewing heights and azimuth angles by the attending hunter or sportsman and serves to stabilize the aiming of long barrel firearms, spotting scopes or cameras.

A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,514 to Rezmer teaches a safety harness especially for hunters who use tree stands. The harness comprises a web belt with a buckle for the hunter. Attached to the belt try a “D”-ring is a safety rope, which is fastened, around the three and back onto the “D”-ring by an cammed-hook assembly to secure the hunter from falling. The harness is easily portable and is usable both as a climbing harness and as a tether while the hunter is on the tree stand.

A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,817 to Parker teaches an adjustable firearm support for use in adjusting the eights of a firearm. The firearm support Includes a substantially horizontally disposed tube having an armrest movably attached to one end thereof and a gun cradle movably attached to an opposite end thereof. A telescopic stand is pivotally and slidably coupled to the tube by a clevis and facilitates providing vertical support for the tube. The stand, in turn, may be releasably clamped to the stationary object. The clevis is rotatably engageable with the tube so as to permit the tube to be rotated in a horizontal plane. The clevis is further pivotal so as to permit the tube to be pivoted in a vertical plane. The firearm support is not limited in its application to adjusting firearm sights but may be set up at a hunting site, and attached to a tree stand or other solid object, for use in providing a steady rest when sighting and firing a game. When not in use, the firearm support is capable of being broken down into a compact and light-weight assembly so as to be easily transported and stored.

A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,024 to Arizpe-Gilmore teaches a foldable rotary hunting seat, comprising a seat and a seat back articulately coupled to the seat so as to allow to be folded when folding the seat; said seat and seat back being made of a rigid material; a plate bearing centrally coupled to a lower surface of the seat; four leg sockets, equally coupled to a lower surface of the plate bearing and four legs, each loosely coupled to a leg socket, so that the seat can rotate on said plate bearing when it is assembled and placed in a hunting position; a weapon support arm articulately coupled to the seat, to maintain the weapon support arm in a hunting position and allow to be folded when folding the seat; and a variable height weapon retaining fork rotary coupled to the upper vertical end of the support arm.

It is apparent that numerous innovations for hunter supports have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a device for attaching to a tree and stabilizing a bowman attached thereto who is hunting game that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a device for attaching to a tree and stabilizing a bowman attached thereto who is hunting game that is simple and Inexpensive to manufacture.

STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a device for attaching to a tree and stabilizing a bowman attached thereto who is hunting game that is simple to use.

BRIEFLY STATED, YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a device for attaching to a tree and stabilizing a bow hunter attached thereto that includes a tree-attaching portion and a bow hunter-attaching portion. The tree-attaching and bow hunter-attaching portions each include an intermediate tube a pair of intermediate bushings, a pair of outboard tubes, two pair of outboard bushings, a pair of intermediate friction washers, a tube, two pair of outboard washers, a rod, first and second knobs, a thrust bearing, and a pair of arms. The tree-attaching portion further includes a tree mount and a seat for sitting upon by the bow hunter while leaning on the tree and waiting for the game to appear. The bow hunter-attaching portion further includes a cross arm, a block, a shaft, a nut, a washer, a sleeve, a cable, and a belt. The belt includes a pair of sleeves, a pair of rubber tubes, a pair of throughbores, and eyelets. The cable extends along the outermost surface of the belt until the ends thereof reach an innermost pair of the throughbores in the belt, at which time, the ends of the cable pass therein and out an outermost pair of the throughbores in the belt, and are maintained thereat, by collars that are fixedly attached to the ends of the cable so as to allow the cable to move with the belt for allowing the bow hunter to turn right and left by virtue of the cable moving in the sleeve of the bow hunter-attaching portion.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING

20device of present invention for attaching to tree22and stabilizing bow hunter24attached thereto who is hunting game2522tree24bow hunter25game26tree-attaching portion for attaching to tree2228bow hunter-attaching portion for attaching to bow hunter2430tree mount of tree-attaching portion2632web of tree mount30of tree-attaching portion2633upper extreme of web32of tree mount30of tree-attaching portion2634pair of flanges of tree mount30of tree-attaching portion2635lower extreme of web32of tree mount30of tree-attaching portion2636pair of free edges of pair of flanges34of tree mount30of tree-attaching portion26, respectively37intermediate point of web32of tree mount30of tree-attaching portion2638at least one throughslot in each flange of pair of flanges34of tree mount30of tree-attaching portion2640at least one strap of tree mount30of tree-attaching portion26for encircling, and replaceably affixing tree mount30to, tree2242seat of tree mount30of tree-attaching portion26for sitting upon by bow hunter25while leaning against tree22and waiting for game25to appear44angle iron of seat42of tree mount30of tree-attaching portion2646free edge of seat42of tree mount30of tree-attaching portion2648pair of braces of tree mount30of tree-attaching portion2650intermediate tube of tree-attaching portion2652pair of ends of intermediate tube50of tree-attaching portion2653threaded blindbore in intermediate tube50of tree-attaching portion2654pair of intermediate bushings of tree-attaching portion2656pair of outboard tubes of tree-attaching portion2657pair of ends of each outboard tube of pair of outboard tubes56of tree-attaching portion2658two pair of outboard bushings of tree-attaching portion2659slot in each outboard tube of pair of outboard tubes56of tree-attaching portion2660pair of intermediate friction washers of tree-attaching portion2662tube of tree-attaching portion2663pair of ends of tube6264two pair of outboard washers of tree-attaching portion2665threaded intermediate blindbore in tube62in tree-attaching portion2666rod of tree-attaching portion2667pair of threaded outboard blindbores in tube62in tree-attaching portion2668pair of ends of rod66of tree-attaching portion2669intermediate screw of tree-attaching portion2670first knob of tree-attaching portion2671pair of stop screws of tree-attaching portion2672second knob of tree-attaching portion2673pair of resilient sleeves of tree-attaching portion26for preventing noise from occurring when pair of stop screws71of tree-attaching portion26engage extremes of slot59in each outboard tube of pair of outboard tubes56of tree-attaching portion26that would scare away game2574thrust bearing of tree-attaching portion26for facilitating rotation of second knob72of tree-attaching portion26relative to first knob70of tree-attaching portion26by avoiding friction76pair of arms of tree-attaching portion2678ends of pair of arms76of tree-attaching portion2680intermediate tube of bow hunter-attaching portion2882pair of ends of intermediate tube80of bow hunter-attaching portion2884blindbore in intermediate tube80of bow hunter-attaching portion2886pair of intermediate bushings of bow hunter-attaching portion2888pair of outboard tubes of bow hunter-attaching portion2890pair of ends of each outboard tube of pair of outboard tubes88of bow hunter-attaching portion2892slot in each outboard tube of pair of outboard tubes88of bow hunter-attaching portion2894two pair of outboard bushings of bow hunter-attaching portion2896pair of intermediate friction washers of bow hunter-attaching portion2898tube of bow hunter-attaching portion28100pair of ends of tube98of bow hunter-attaching portion28102threaded intermediate blindbore in tube98of bow hunter-attaching portion28104pair of threaded outboard blindbores in tube98of bow hunter-attaching portion28106intermediate screw of bow hunter-attaching portion28108pair of stop screws of bow hunter-attaching portion28110pair of resilient sleeves of bow hunter-attaching portion28for preventing noise from occurring when pair of stop screws108of bow hunter-attaching portion28engage extremes of slot92in each outboard tube of pair of outboard tubes88of bow hunter-attaching portion28that would scare away game25112two pair of outboard washers of bow hunter-attaching-portion28114rod of bow hunter-attaching portion28116pair of ends of rod114of bow hunter—attaching portion28118first knob of bow hunter-attaching portion28120second knob of bow hunter-attaching portion28122thrust bearing of bow hunter-attaching portion28for facilitating rotation of second knob120of bow hunter-attaching portion28relative to first knob118of bow hunter-attaching portion28by avoiding friction124pair of arms of bow hunter-attaching portion28126ends of pair of arms124of bow hunter-attaching portion28128cross arm of bow hunter-attaching portion28129throughbore extending centrally through cross arm128of bow hunter-attaching portion28130block of bow hunter-attaching portion28132rearwardmost surface of block130of bow hunter-attaching portion28134groove extending centrally and longitudinally in rearwardmost surface132of block130of bow hunter-attaching portion28136pair of ends of block130of bow hunter-attaching portion28137midpoint of block130of bow hunter-attaching portion28138forwardmost surface of block130of bow hunter-attaching portion28for generally conforming to waist of bow hunter24140throughbore in block130of bow hunter-attaching portion28142shaft of bow hunter-attaching portion28144pair of ends of shaft142of bow hunter-attaching portion28.146nut of bow hunter-attaching portion28148washer of bow hunter-attaching portion28150sleeve of bow hunter-attaching portion28152cable of bow hunter-attaching portion28153pair of ends of cable152of bow hunter-attaching portion28154belt of bow hunter-attaching portion28for encircling waist of bow hunter24155outermost surface of belt154of bow hunter-attaching portion28156pair of sleeves of belt154of bow hunter-attaching portion28157pair of ends of belt154of bow hunter-attaching portion28158pair of rubber tubes of belt154of bow hunter-attaching portion28159conforming track in forwardmost surface132of block130of bow hunter-attaching portion28160two pair of throughbores in belt154of bow hunter-attaching portion28162eyelets in belt154of bow hunter-attaching portion28collars of bow hunter-attaching portion28.164collars of bow-hunter attaching portion28

Second Embodiment

220device of present invention for attaching to tree22and stabilizing bow hunter24attached thereto who is hunting game25226tree-attaching portion230tree mount of tree-attaching portion226234pair of flanges of tree mount230of tree-attaching portion226238two throughslots in each flange of pair of flanges234of tree mount230of tree-attaching portion226, respectively240two straps of tree mount230of tree-attaching portion226for better holding tree mount230of tree-attaching portion226to tree22

Third Embodiment

320device of present invention for attaching to tree22and stabilizing bow hunter24attached thereto who is hunting game25326tree-attaching portion364tree stand for engaging tree22and having bow hunter24stand thereon366tree mount of tree stand364367upper extreme of tree mount366of tree stand364368lower extreme of tree mount366of tree stand364370platform of tree stand364for having bow hunter24stand thereon372free edge of platform370of tree stand364374pair of braces of tree stand364.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly toFIGS. 1 and 2, the device of the present invention is shown generally at20for attaching to a tree22and stabilizing a bow hunter24attached thereto who is hunting game25.

The overall configuration of the device20can best be seen inFIG. 3, and a such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The device20comprises a tree-attaching portion26for attaching to the tree22and a bow hunter-attaching portion28that is operatively connected to the tree-attaching portion26for attaching to the bow hunter24.

The specific configuration of the tree-attaching portion26can best be seen inFIGS. 3-5,6A,7, and8, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The tree-attaching portion26comprises a tree mount30that is vertically-oriented and channel shaped; and as a result thereof, has a web32with an upper extreme33, a lower extreme35, and an intermediate point37which is intermediate the upper extreme33thereof and the lower extreme35thereof, and a pair of flanges34that extend rearwardly from the web32thereof to a pair of free edges36, respectively.

The pair of free edges36of the pair of flanges34of the tree mount30are serrated for biting into, and providing a better grip to, the tree22.

Each flange34of the tree mount30has at least one throughslot38that extends vertically and aligningly therethrough.

The tree mount30further comprises at least one strap40that extends through the throughslot38in each flanges34thereof for encircling, and replaceably affixing the tree mount30to, the tree22.

The tree mount30further comprises a seat42that is horizontally-oriented and extends forwardly from, and is affixed by an angle iron44to, the upper extreme33of the web32thereof, to a free edge46for sitting upon by the bow hunter25while leaning against the tree22and waiting for the game25to appear.

The tree mount30further comprises a pair of braces48that extend incliningly upwardly forwardly from the intermediate point37of the web32thereof to the free edge46of the seat42thereof, and are in alignment with the pair of flanges34thereof.

The tree-attaching portion26further comprises an intermediate tube50that is horizontally-oriented and affixed to, with a length shorter than, the web32of the tree mount30, is disposed just below the angle iron44of the tree mount30, and has a pair of ends52thereof and a blindbore53that is midway between the pair of ends52thereof and is disposed farthest away from the web32of the tree mount30.

The tree-attaching portion26further comprises a pair of intermediate bushings54that extend fixedly into the pair of ends52of the intermediate tube50thereof, respectively.

The tree-attaching portion26further comprises a pair of outboard tubes56that coaxially straddle, and are rotatably connected to, the intermediate tube50thereof, each of which having a pair of ends57and a slot59that faces the web32of the tree mount30, extends vertically midway between the pair of ends57thereof, and has extremes that determine limits of rotation.

The tree-attaching portion26further comprises a pair of outboard bushings58that extend fixedly into the pair of ends57of each outboard tube56thereof, respectively.

The tree-attaching portion26further comprises a pair of intermediate friction washers60, each which is disposed between an intermediate bushing54thereof and an adjacent outboard bushing58thereof.

The tree-attaching portion26further comprises a tube62that is slender, elongated, and extends through the intermediate tube50thereof, the pair of intermediate bushings54thereof, the pair of outboard tubes56thereof, the two pair of outboard bushings58thereof, and the pair of intermediate washers60thereof, and has a pair of ends63.

The tube62of the tree-attaching portion26further has a threaded intermediate blindbore65that is midway between the pair of ends63thereof and which aligns with the threaded blindbore53in the intermediate tube50thereof.

The tube62of the tree-attaching portion26further has a pair of threaded outboard blindbores67that are disposed in proximity to the pair of ends63thereof, opposite to the threaded intermediate blindbore65therein.

The tree-attaching portion26further comprises an intermediate screw69that passes freely into the blindbore53in the intermediate tube50thereof and threadably into the threaded intermediate blindbore65in the tube62thereof so as to prevent rotation of the tube62thereof in the intermediate tube50thereof.

The tree-attaching portion26further comprises a pair of stop screws71that pass freely into the slot59in each outboard tube56thereof and threadably into the pair of threaded outboard blindbores67in the tube62thereof, respectively, and provide stops for rotation of the pair of outboard tubes56thereof relative to the tube62thereof.

The tree-attaching portion26further comprises a pair of resilient sleeves73that receive the pair of stop screws71thereof and ride in the slot59in each outboard tube56thereof for preventing a noise from occurring when the pair of stop screws71thereof engage the extremes of the slot59in each outboard tube56thereof that would scare away the game25.

The tree-attaching portion26further comprises two pair of outboard washers64, each pair of which abuts against the outermost bushing58of each outboard tube56thereof, wherein an innermost pair thereof are friction washers.

The tree-attaching portion26further comprises a rod66that extends rotatably through the tube62thereof, and has a pair of the ends68that extend past the two pair of outboard washers64thereof.

The tree attaching portion further comprises a first knob70that is fixedly attached to, for rotation with, one end68of the rod66thereof, wherein the other end68of the rod66thereof is threaded.

The tree-attaching portion26further comprises a second knob72which threadably engages the other end68of the rod66thereof, and whose rotation determines amount of tension between the pair of outboard tubes56thereof and the intermediate tube50thereof for relative pivoting by virtue of amount of compressibility applied to the friction washers.

The tree-attaching portion26further comprises a thrust bearing74that has the other end68of the rod66thereof pass therethrough, and is disposed adjacently between the second knob72thereof and an adjacent outboard washer64thereof for facilitating rotation of the second knob72thereof relative to the first knob70thereof by avoiding friction.

The tree-attaching portion26further comprises a pair of arms76that are parallel to each other, slender, elongated, and extend perpendicularly outwardly from the pair of outboard tubes56thereof, respectively, directly opposite to the slot59in each outboard tube56thereof, to ends78.

The specific configuration of the bow hunter-attaching portion28can best be seen inFIGS. 3,6, and9-12, anal as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28comprises an intermediate tube80that is horizontally-oriented and affixed to the ends78of the pair of arms76of the tree-attaching portion26, and is disposed parallel to the intermediate tube50of the tree-attaching portion26.

The intermediate tube80of the bow hunter-attaching portion28has a pair of ends82that align with an outermost end57of each outboard tube56of the tree-attaching portion26, respectively, and a blindbore84that is midway between the pair of ends82thereof and is disposed between the pair of arms76of the tree-attaching portion26.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a pair of intermediate bushings86that extend fixedly into the pair of ends82of the intermediate tube80thereof, respectively.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a pair of outboard tubes88that coaxially straddle, and are rotatably connected to, the intermediate tube80thereof, each of which having a pair of ends90and a slot92that extends vertically midway between the pair of ends90thereof, and has extremes that determine limits of rotation.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a pair of outboard bushings94that extend fixedly into the pair of ends90of each outboard tube88thereof, respectively.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a pair of intermediate friction washers96, each which is disposed between an intermediate bushing86thereof and an adjacent outboard bushing94thereof.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a tube98that is slender, elongated, and extends through the intermediate tube80thereof, the pair of intermediate bushings86thereof, the pair of outboard tubes88thereof, the two pair of outboard bushings94thereof, and the pair of intermediate washers96thereof, and has a pair of ends100.

The tube98of the bow hunter-attaching portion28further has a threaded intermediate blindbore102that is midway between the pair of ends100thereof and which aligns with the blindbore84in the intermediate tube80thereof.

The tube98of the bow hunter-attaching portion28further has a pair of threaded outboard blindbores104that are disposed in proximity to the pair of ends100thereof, opposite to the threaded intermediate blindbore102therein.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises an intermediate screw106that passes freely into the blindbore84in the intermediate tube80thereof and threadably into the threaded intermediate blindbore102in the tube98thereof so as to prevent rotation of the tube98thereof in the intermediate tube80thereof.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a pair of stop screws108that pass freely into the slot92in each outboard tube88thereof and threadably into the pair of threaded outboard blindbores104in the tube98thereof, respectively, and provide stops for rotation of the pair of outboard tubes88thereof relative to the tube98thereof.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a pair of resilient sleeves110that receive the pair of stop screws108thereof and ride in the slot92in each outboard tube88thereof for preventing a noise from occurring when the pair of stop screws108thereof engage the extremes of the slot92in each outboard tube88thereof that would scare away the game25.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises two pair of outboard washers112, each pair of which abuts against the outermost bushing94of each outboard tube88thereof, wherein an innermost pair thereof are friction washers.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a rod114that extends rotatably through the tube98thereof, and has a pair of ends116that extend past the two pair of outboard washers112thereof.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a first knob118that is fixedly attached to, for rotation with, one end116of the rod114thereof, wherein the other end116of the rod114thereof is threaded.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a second knob120which threadably engages the other end116of the rod114thereof, and whose rotation determines amount of tension between the pair of outboard tubes88thereof and the intermediate tube80thereof for relative pivoting by virtue of amount of compressibility applied to the friction washers.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a thrust bearing122that has the other and116of the rod114thereof pass therethrough, and is disposed adjacently between the second knob120thereof and an adjacent outboard washer112thereof for, facilitating rotation of the second knob120thereof relative to the first knob118thereof by avoiding friction.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a pair of arms124that are parallel to each other, slender, elongated, and extend perpendicularly outwardly from the pair of outboard tubes88thereof, respectively, directly opposite to the slot92in each outboard tube88thereof, to ends126.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a cross arm128that is slender, elongated, and extends transversely and rotationally from the end126of one arm124thereof to the end126of the other arm124thereof, is disposed parallel to the intermediate tube80thereof, and has a throughbore129that extends centrally therethrough, in line with the pair of arms124thereof.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a block130that extends along, and rotates with, the cross arm128, and is disposed farthest away from the intermediate tube80thereof.

The block130has a rearwardmost surface132that is flat with a groove134that extends centrally and longitudinally therein and which conforms to, and receives, the cross arm128, a pair of end136, a midpoint137that is midway between the pair of ends136thereof, a forwardmost surface138that extends concavely from one end136thereof to the other end136thereof for generally conforming to the waist of the bow hunter24, and a throughbore140that extends through the midpoint137thereof, from the forwardmost surface138thereof to the rearwardmost surface132thereof.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a shaft142that extends in the throughbore140in the block130and in the throughbore129in the cross arm128, and has a pair of ends144.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a nut146that threadably engages one end144of the shaft142, adjacent the cross arm128, and captures a washer148there between.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a sleeve150that extends perpendicularly across the other end144of the shaft142, forms a T-shape therewith, and is disposed outboard of the forwardmost surface132of the block130.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a cable152that extends movably through the sleeve150, and has a pair of ends153.

The bow hunter-attaching portion28further comprises a belt154for, encircling the waist of the bow hunter24, and which is operatively connected to the cable152, and has an outermost surface155and a pair of ends157.

The belt154further has a pair of sleeves156formed from material folded unto itself that extend longitudinally along the outermost surface155thereof, straddle, and form a track for, the cable152, and ride in a conforming track159in the forwardmost surface132of the block130when the belt154moves relative thereto.

The belt154further has a pair of rubber tubes158that extend through, and add rigid flexibility to, the pair of sleeves156.

The belt154further has a pair of throughbores160that are disposed in proximity to each end157thereof, and are longitudinally aligned.

The belt154further has eyelets162that reinforce the two pair of throughbores160therein.

The cable152extends along the outermost surface15.5of the belt154until the ends153thereof reach an innermost pair of the throughbores160in the belt154, at which time, the ends153thereof pass therein and out an outermost pair of the throughbores160in the belt154, and are maintained thereat by collars164that are fixedly attached to the ends153of the cable152so as to allow the cable152to move with the belt154for allowing the bow hunter24to turn right and left by virtue of the cable152moving in the sleeve150.

As shown inFIG. 13, the at least one throughslot38in each flange34of the tree mount30of the device220can be two throughslots238that are vertically aligned, and accordingly, the at least one strap40is two straps240for better holding the tree mount230to the tree22.

As shown inFIG. 14, the device320further comprises a tree stand364that is integrally formed with the tree-attaching portion326for engaging the tree22and having the bow hunter24stand thereon.

The tree stand364comprises a tree mount366that is vertically oriented and channel shaped, and depends, from an upper extreme367thereof, integrally from the lower extreme35of, and is wide as and as deep as, the tree mount30of the tree-attaching portion26, to a lower extreme368thereof.

The tree stand364further comprises a platform370that is flat and extends pivotally forwardly from the lower extreme368of the tree mount366thereof, to a free edge372for having the bow hunter24stand thereon.

The tree stand364further comprises a pair of braces374that extend from the upper extreme367of the tree mount366thereof diagonally to the free edge372of the platform370thereof.

FIG. 15shows the stabilizing arm404attached to a mounting plate401, wherein the mounting plate401can be attached to any structure such as for example the wall401. The mounting plate402is attached with screws403to the wall401. The stabilizing arm404at a first end can rotate around an axis405, wherein the axis405is fixedly attached to the mounting plate402by a weld408.

FIG. 16shows a stabilizing arm404without a seat for a workman. A clamp409is furnished attached to the axis405for clamping to a step or a ladder rung410of a ladder. The stabilizing arm404rotates around the axis405. A first end of a connecting arm451is hingedly connected to a second end of the stabilizing arm404to allow for rotation of the connecting arm451around the second end of the stabilizing arm404. A second end of the connecting arm451is hingedly attached around rotation axis407to the brace413supporting the belt412.

FIG. 17shows the use of the stabilizing system for a workman standing on a ladder411. The stabilizing arm404is attached to a rung410of the ladder411with the attaching bracket409. A standing support platform431is attached to the ladder411to support the feet of the workman.

FIG. 18shows an attachment of the stabilizing system for a workman to a ladder411. The attachment to a rung410of the ladder411is performed through mounting plate409. Friction washers414are furnished for the rotation axis405between stabilizing arm404and a tube attached to the mounting plate409by welds408, for rotation axis406between stabilizing arm404and connecting arm451and for rotation axis407between connecting arm451and brace413. Tension adjusting knobs453are furnished at the ends of tubular parts attached to the stabilizing arm404or to the connecting arm451. A brace413is rotatably attached to the connecting arm451. A belt412in turn is attached to the brace413.

FIG. 19shows a detail view of the construction around the stabilizing arm404and around the connecting arm451. A brake pad adjusting screw419is provided in outer tube418for adjusting the braking force exerted by brake pad420between a mounting structure or mounting brace432and the stabilizing arm404. A bushing415is furnished for spacing the stabilizing arm404on axis405. A brake pad adjusting screw425is provided in outer tube424for adjusting the braking force exerted by brake pad426between the stabilizing arm404and the connecting arm451. A brake pad adjusting screw430is provided in outer tube429for adjusting the braking force exerted by a brake pad between the connecting arm451and the brace413. Screw416serves to attach a first end of the stabilizing arm404to an inner tube417. Screw422serves to attach the connecting arm451to an inner tube423. Tube element421serves as a bushing to space the connecting arm451on the axis406. Screw428attaches the second end of the connecting arm451to an inner tube. Tubing element427serves as a bushing and spaces the connecting arm451on the axis407. The brace413is attached to the outer tube429.

FIG. 26shows an alternate method of attaching an individual to a connecting arm451. A belt412is used, where the belt412slides through a U-bolt455(FIG. 20). The U-bolt455is connected to the connecting arm451. Support nuts457define the position of the U-bolt relative to the curved brace413. A tubular frame429of the connecting arm451is seated on the curved brace413. Nuts and a retaining plate459hold the tubular frame429tight against the curved brace413.

According to a further embodiment shown inFIGS. 21 and 27, a friction bushing463is employed, wherein the friction bushing463is clamped between two pieces of tubing, namely an inner piece of tubing465and an outer piece of tubing467. The size of the friction is adjusted by a screw471, wherein the screw471connects two planar extensions of the outer tubing467. Tightening the screw471squeezes the bushing463between the inner piece of tubing465and the outer piece of tubing467. The friction washers of the present application can be substituted by friction bushings463. In particular, the piston type stabilizing arm described below can incorporate the friction bushing463. The tension is adjusted by changing the squeezing force exerted on the friction bushing between an inner piece of tubing and an outer piece of tubing.

FIG. 22shows an embodiment with a piston type stabilizing arm473. A platform475for supporting a person from below is attached to a tree or pole461. A pole attachment means485is attached to the pole461for supporting a rotation axis477. The rotation axis477is fixedly supported by the tree or pole461. A cylinder479has a first end rotatably attached to the rotation axis477. A bushing481is furnished at a second end of the cylinder479. The bushing481can be clamped tighter to adjust tension around a first end of the piston type stabilizing arm473. A tension adjusting screw483can be adjusted for changing the tension around the first end of the piston type stabilizing arm473. The piston type stabilizing arm473is hingedly attached with a second end to the curved brace413supporting and buffering the horizontal motions of the person to be protected.

FIG. 23shows a view from the top of the piston type stabilizing arm. The attachment means485is attached to the tree or pole461. A holding support487is attached to the attachment means485. The holding support can include a bushing or a bearing for allowing rotation of the rod or tube connection between the two the piston type stabilizing arms473. The holding support487supports the U-shaped double piston type stabilizing arm473. The two piston type stabilizing arms can perform a linear motion in the two cylinders479subject to the frictional brake furnished by the friction bushing481.

Another type of friction brake employed in accordance with the present invention a slide and two brake pads are employed. An adjusting screw can be used to squeeze the two brake pads together while the slide is in the middle between two brake pads.FIG. 24shows a construction employing brake pads and a slide. Similar to the embodiment shown inFIG. 16, a stabilizing arm404and a connecting arm451are employed. A slide489is rotatably attached with a second end to the connecting arm451. Brake pads493are attached to the attachment means485. The slide489is movable between two brake pads493. A tension adjusting screw495is provided for the brake pads493to allow adjustment of the friction exerted by the brake pads493onto the slide489. The slide489is guided with a first end through between two brake pads493.

FIG. 25shows a top view onto the construction employing brake pads493and slides489.

The braking system of the present invention serves for slowing or stopping a motion of a person supported on a pedestal type structure in a horizontal direction. The braking system of the present invention absorbs the energy or momentum of a person on pedestal usually by means of friction and by generation of frictional heat.

The stabilizing system with braking of the present invention is not limited to hunters supported by trees or telephone workers located on poles or support lifts, and can also be used for example by utility workmen, by construction workers or by anybody working on a building or a structure.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a device for attaching to a tree and stabilizing a bow hunter-attached thereto who is hunting game, however, it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that, various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.