Portable tree stand/camp stool

A combination camp stool and tree stand has a chain and wedge bar combination that creates stable mounting on living trees without damaging the tree. The platform of the stand affords ample room and comfort for the occupant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention herein is for a tree stand/camp stool combination that is 
lightweight, simple in operation and rigidly attachable to a tree or other 
vertical wooden for use as a rest or perch. It is desirable to have such a 
perch, especially in hunting where it is advantageous to be elevated for 
ease of viewing of the quarry and for camouflage. 
PRIOR ART 
There are several tree stands disclosed in the art for similar purposes. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,113,057 discloses a seat for attachment to a tree where 
the seat initially lies flat against the tree while a flexible support is 
wrapped around the tree. The seat is then rotated to the horizontal 
position, and support rods under the seat are engaged into the tree. As 
the seat is pivoted, piercing points engage the tree and push the seat 
outward, tightening the flexible support. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,482 depicts a folding tree seat that is secured to a 
tree or pole with a chain, a platform resting against the tree at a lower 
level. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,368,725 has a tubular frame with cleats that dig into the 
tree at a level lower than a wrap-around chain which secures the frame to 
the tree. The tubular frame also serves as a backpack for transport. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,927,733 has a pivotable tubular frame having a canvas seat 
attached. The tubular frame is attached to the tree by a tie belt and 
secured with rubber stabilizers. A fold-down frame member also converts 
the stand into a chair or stool. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
The present invention provides a lightweight, rigidly constructed, 
comfortable combination tree stand and camp stool that is easily 
transportable from site to site. The framework construction provides rigid 
structure in place. The means for attachment to trees and the like 
provides steady, comfortable support to the user. The unit may be attached 
to a tree quickly and remove as quickly, the attaching technique being 
designed to be, at the same time, completely stable and have no harmful 
effects to the tree to which it is attached. 
The design of the stand/stool is of lightweight but durable materials. The 
framework may be either of aluminum or light steel. The platform may be of 
a durable plywood material of 3/8 inch to 3/4 inch thickness, preferable 
1/2 inch to 5/8 inch marine-type plywood. A soft felting material is 
preferred for the top section for traction purposes. Heavy canvas material 
is used as seating material. 
The gripping cleats are designed for sufficient but restricted penetration 
and work in conjunction with a wedge bar. The latter provides a tight, 
gripping fit against a tree or pole and limits the depth of penetration of 
the cleats.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
FIG. 1, the stand is shown comprising a horizontal platform 1 fixedly 
attached to two braces 2 by screws 16. The braces 2 have ends 18 that are 
cut to rest against tree 3 so that the reaction force from the tree lies 
approximately radially outward. 
The stand is further supported against the tree 3 by a chain 8 attached at 
point 28 (FIG. 6) to wedge bar 7, wrapped around the tree and secured to 
chain hook 10. A support frame 5 is pivotally attached on both sides of 
platform 1 by hinges 14. A bracing strut 11 may be attached to the 
platform 1 by latch means 13, described later herein. 
The first step in mounting the tree stand to a tree or similar object is 
shown in FIG. 2. The stand in its folded condition (see FIG. 5) is laid 
against the tree at the desired height, and chain 8 is wrapped around the 
tree and secured to hook 10 in the tightest link of the chain. 
The bottom end of platform 1 is then lifted outward and pivoted around 
pivot 14 until the platform 1 is substantially horizontal and latch means 
13 can engage bracing strut 11 to the platform 1, as shown in FIG. 3. Ends 
18 of braces 2 are then pressed against the tree. 
As support frame 5 is rotated outward from the tree 3, cleats 17 in wedge 
bar 7 engage the tree 3 to secure it in place and prevent the platform 
from rotating about the tree. The leverage action as the tree stand pivots 
onto the cleats 17 tightens the chain 8 around the tree, embedding the 
cleats 17 in the tree. The wedging action of the pivot will be explained 
further with respect to FIGS. 6 and 6A. 
FIG. 4 depicts the tree stand in open position mounted on a tree and with 
the seat canvas 4 extended for sitting. If desired, a mat 20 of 
appropriate material, such as felting or lightweight carpet, can be 
attached to the upper side of platform 1 to provide a nonskid, silent 
surface in place and a soft support when the seat is being transported via 
straps 15. 
As shown in FIG. 3, the seat frame 5 is also rotatable about its base at 
pivot 12 and can be rotated out of the way to permit full usage of 
platform 1 for standing. Additionally, seat frame 5 can be pointed 
downward so that moisture will not collect in the seat. As can be noted 
from FIG. 5, both support frame 5 and seat frame 6 fold neatly within 
themselves for efficient, comfortable transporting. It is especially 
helpful to wrap the chain 8 within the seating material and secure the 
chain 8. A leather thong 9 may be wrapped around the seat material and 
bound chain 8 and secured for travel or storage. 
The tree stand/camping stool is shown in its carrying position. Carrying 
straps 15 are shown around the shoulders of the transporter in a manner 
that has the stand riding comfortably on the transporter's back. Chain 8 
is wrapped in canvas seating material 4 and secured by leather tie 
wrapping 9. 
In FIGS. 6 and 6A, the action of the wedge bar against a tree or other 
support 3 is explained in more detail. The wedge bar 7 and cleats 17 may 
be formed from a single piece of material. The cleats are bent inwardly at 
approximately a radial direction when viewed relative to a tree. The flat 
end 19 of the cleat rests against the tree as the seat is being readied 
for opening. (See FIG. 2. ) 
As the seat is rotated outward, the chain 8 is tightened, and cleats 17 dig 
into the outer bark of the tree due to the pivotal action around hook 10 
and corresponding chain attachment 28 positioned below the wedge bar 7. 
The penetration of the cleats is suppressed by contact with the tree of 
the notched segment 23, thereby avoiding penetration into the inner bark 
or cambium of the tree and damage to the tree. The notched segment 23 is 
designed also to exhibit substantial frictional forces against the tree 
and inhibit any lateral movement about the tree. When the platform braces 
are in place, the wedging action of the wedge bar 7, chain 8 and cleats 17 
is sustained. 
In FIG. 7, a detail of a preferred latching mechanism 13 is shown. Bracket 
26 is attached to platform 1 in a conventional manner. Reinforcing strut 
11 has attached at its lower end a dowel 22, the attachment again being 
conventional but sturdy manner. An opening 27 is provided in bracket 26 of 
sufficient size to accept dowel 22. When the platform is in a horizontal 
position, strut 11 is aligned with bracket 26 so that the dowel 22 is 
inserted therein. A sleeve 24 around strut 11 then is moved downward to 
encompass the upper section 29 of bracket 26 and the lower section of 
strut 11 and thus lock the strut securely to platform 1. A slot 25 may be 
provided in sleeve 24 to enable the sleeve to move further down bracket 26 
and dowel 22. It is observed that strut 11 is in tension when the stand is 
positioned in a tree, and in compression when the stand is used as a 
self-supporting camp stool. 
Weight of the stand is important, and the materials of construction should 
be lightweight but sufficiently strong enough to support the stresses 
placed upon the stand during usage. One embodiment has a platform 1 of 1/2 
inch to 5/8 inch marine plywood with framing of light steel tubing 
appropriately bent. It is recognized that different materials of 
construction may be used within the scope of this invention and that 
different embodiments may be suggested to those skilled in the art by the 
discussion herein. The scope of the invention is set out in the following 
claims.