Adjustable platform assembly for attaching to tree

An adjustable platform assembly attaches to a tree to provide a hunting dog perch or a seat for a hunter. The assembly includes a tree hugging subassembly having first and second padded tree engaging members connected together by a hinge, and strap fasteners connected to outer side edges of the tree engaging members for securing the assembly to a tree. A first frame member is attached to the tree hugging subassembly and is pivotally adjustable about a first axis that extends generally perpendicular to the tree and perpendicular to a first plane. A second frame member is attached to the first frame member and is adjustable about a second axis that extends generally parallel with the first plane. A platform attached to the second frame member can be adjusted to a desired horizontal orientation by adjusting the first and second frame members about the first and second axes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to portable seats for attaching to trees and, in particular, to an adjustable platform that can be attached to a tree for use as a hunter's seat or an elevated perch for a hunting dog.

2. Description of the Related Art

Platform assemblies for attaching to trees are known in the prior art. For example, hunting stands are commonly used to provide a comfortable seat for a hunter while observing wildlife. Such hunting stands and tree seats are typically attached to a tree trunk or tree branch using a strap or other suitable structure that surrounds the tree.

However, most tree stands and tree seats require a straight, vertical tree to provide a level seat. If a tree is slanted away from true vertical, the attached seat will also have that same slanted orientation.

A variety of tree stands and tree seats have been developed to accommodate trees that are leaning away from true vertical. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,582,168, 6,102,158, 6,196,354, 6,571,916, and 8,230,972 disclose various tree seats and tree stands that are adjustable to accommodate slanted trees.

There is a need in the industry for an improved platform assembly for attaching to non-vertical, slanted trees.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an adjustable platform assembly that attaches to a tree to provide an elevated hunting dog perch or a seat for a hunter. The assembly includes a tree hugging subassembly having first and second padded tree engaging members connected together by a hinge, and first and second strap fasteners connected to respective outer side edges of the tree engaging members for securing the assembly to a tree. A first frame member is attached to the tree hugging subassembly and is pivotally adjustable about a first axis that extends generally perpendicular to the tree and perpendicular to a first plane. A second frame member is attached to the first frame member and is adjustable about a second axis that extends generally parallel with the first plane. A platform attached to the second frame member can be adjusted to a desired horizontal orientation by adjusting the first and second frame members about the first and second axes.

According to a broad aspect of the present invention, an adjustable platform assembly is provided for attaching to a tree, comprising: a tree hugging subassembly comprising a first tree engaging member and a first strap fastener for securing the first tree engaging member to a tree; a first frame member attached to the first tree engaging member, the first frame member being pivotally adjustable relative to the first tree engaging member about a first axis that extends generally perpendicular to an axis of the tree and perpendicular to a first plane; a second frame member attached to the first frame member, the second frame member being adjustable relative to the first frame member about a second axis that extends generally parallel with the first plane; and a platform attached to the second frame member, whereby the platform can be adjusted to a desired orientation by adjusting the first frame member relative to the first tree engaging member and by adjusting the second frame member relative to the first frame member.

According to another broad aspect of the present invention, an adjustable platform assembly is provided for attaching to a tree, comprising: a tree hugging subassembly comprising first and second tree engaging members connected together by a hinge, and first and second strap fasteners connected to respective outer side edges of the tree engaging members for securing the tree hugging subassembly to a tree; a first frame member attached to the tree hugging subassembly, the first frame member being pivotally adjustable relative to the tree hugging subassembly about a first axis that extends generally perpendicular to the tree and perpendicular to a first plane; a second frame member attached to the first frame member, the second frame member being adjustable relative to the first frame member about a second axis that extends generally parallel with the first plane; and a platform attached to the second frame member, whereby the platform can be adjusted to a desired orientation by adjusting the first frame member relative to the tree hugging subassembly and by adjusting the second frame member relative to the first frame member.

Numerous other objects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described an embodiment of the present invention, simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various obvious aspects without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An adjustable platform assembly10according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 1 to 9of the accompanying drawings.

The adjustable platform assembly10comprises a tree hugging subassembly11, a first frame member12, a second frame member13, and a platform14. The tree hugging subassembly11is used to attach the adjustable platform assembly10to a tree15. The first and second frame members12,13are made to allow the angle of the platform14relative to the tree hugging subassembly11to be adjusted to accommodate tree trunks or tree branches that are non-vertical.

The tree hugging subassembly11has first and second tree engaging members16,17connected together by a hinge18. The tree engaging members16,17can be made of a rigid plate material that is bent into an arcuate shape to accommodate a curvature of the tree15. Each of the tree engaging members16,17has a generally arcuate shaped surface19on a side facing the tree15. The arcuate shaped surface19is covered by a padded material20, such as neoprene, foam rubber or other suitable soft resilient material, for engaging the tree15to prevent damage to the tree.

First and second strap fasteners21,22are connected to respective outer side edges23,24of the tree engaging members16,17for securing the tree engaging members16,17to a tree. The strap fasteners21,22each have a first hook25connected to the side edge23of the first tree engaging member16, and a second hook26connected to the side edge24of the second tree engaging member17. The strap fasteners21,22each have a ratchet mechanism27for tightening the straps21,22around the tree15. The strap fasteners21,22are spaced apart from each other to provide a secure coupling of the assembly10to the tree15.

In an alternative embodiment illustrated inFIG. 9, the strap fasteners21′,22′ are permanently secured to the side edges23′,24′ of the tree engaging members16′,17′ by looping the straps21′,22′ through slots23s,24sin the side edges23′,24′. The ends of the straps21′,22′ can be overlapped and sewed to make the loops permanent.

The first frame member12comprises a section of square tubing having a first bore28adjacent one end and a pair of second bores adjacent the other end. The first frame member12is attached to the first tree engaging member16by a threaded member30that extends through the first bore28in the first frame member12into a threaded receiver31fixed on the first tree engaging member16. A hand grip30his provided on one end of the member30to allow adjustments to be made without using a wrench.

The threaded receiver31has an outer surface32that mates with a corresponding surface33in the bore28of the first frame member12to lock the first frame member12against rotation about a first axis (i.e., the axis of the threaded member30). The outer surface32of the threaded receiver31can be hexagon shaped, as illustrated, or it can be a splined surface or other multi-sided shape.

The first frame member12can be pivotally adjusted about the first axis30by loosening the threaded member30from the threaded receiver31until the outer surface32of the threaded receiver31uncouples with the corresponding surface33of the first frame member12. With the first frame member12uncoupled from the outer surface32of the threaded receiver31, the first frame member12can be rotated relative to the first tree engaging member16about the first axis30, which extends generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tree15. Once the desired angular position is found (seeFIGS. 6 and 7), the first frame member12is again mated with the outer surface32of the threaded receiver31to lock the first frame member12against rotation, and the threaded member30is threaded into the threaded receiver31to secure the first frame member12together with the first tree engaging member16.

A first plane12A is defined by a face of the first frame member12. The first axis30extends perpendicular to the first plane12A. A second plane is defined by the planar section indicated by line8-8inFIG. 6. The second plane is perpendicular to the first plane12A and contains the first axis30.

The second frame member13comprises a section of square tubing having a pair of sidewall extensions or flanges34extending from one end with a plurality of bores for attaching to the first frame member12. The second frame member13is attached to the first frame member12by a first pin35that extends through a first set of aligned bores in the first and second frame members12,13, and a second pin36that extends through a second set of aligned bores in the first and second frame members12,13.

The second set of aligned bores includes a plurality of bores37in the second frame member13that can be selectively aligned with a bore in the first frame member12to provide a plurality of discrete adjusted positions of the second frame member13relative to the first frame member12(seeFIGS. 4 and 5). The second frame member13is adjustable relative to the first frame member12about a second axis (i.e., the axis of the first pin35), which extends generally perpendicular to the second plane defined by the line8-8inFIG. 6. The first and second axes30,35are spaced apart from each other.

The platform14is attached to the second frame member13and can be adjusted to a generally horizontal position or other desired orientation by adjusting the first frame member12about the first axis30relative to the tree hugging subassembly11, and by adjusting the second frame member13about the second axis35relative to the first frame member12. The platform14can have a paw-shaped surface, as illustrated, or it can have a more conventional shape, such as a round or rectangular seat. The paw-shaped surface is particularly suited for use as a hunting dog perch, such as in wetlands for duck hunting, to provide a dry location for a hunting dog to sit.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.