Tree stand locating device

A tree stand locating device including a first housing unit that has a front face, a rear face, and a pair of side panels. The first housing unit has an alarm clock mechanism with a clock body. The side panels of the first housing unit each have a pile-type fastener assembly attached. The rear panel has a cover section positioned along a lower portion. Included is a second housing unit that is coupled to the first housing unit along a bottom panel. Provided is a strap that has the interior surface of the first end and the second end each with a pile-type fastener assembly thereon for coupling the pile-type fastener assembly of each side panel of the first housing unit. A light mechanism is positioned within the second housing unit and activated when a preset time on the clock arrives. Lastly, a switch mechanism directs the time counted to send a current to the light mechanism, when the first housing unit is hung from the limb above a tree stand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a tree stand locating device and more 
particularly pertains to providing illumination of a tree stand when the 
device is hung over a limb near the stand, and the illumination mechanism 
is activated by a timing means. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The use of light and clock combinations is known in the prior art. More 
specifically, light and clock combinations heretofore devised and utilized 
for the purpose of viewing time displays are known to consist basically of 
familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding 
the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been 
developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 347,634 to Lobo discloses a combined 
radio, alarm clock and light. U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,145 to Branch, O'connor, 
and Thurston discloses a travel convenience and security device. U.S. Pat. 
No. 5,121,096 to Moore and Wilson discloses a position locating device. 
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 326,726 to Swain, Jr. discloses a combined night light 
and alarm clock. U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,672 to Loisch and Harriger discloses 
a timing control apparatus. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,395 to Rittenhouse 
discloses a tree stand for hunters. 
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and 
requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe tree stand 
locating device that allows hunters to locate their tree stand or hunting 
area before daybreak by hanging the device over the branch of a tree and 
presetting the clock to activate the light mechanism. 
In this respect, the tree stand locating device according to the present 
invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs 
of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily 
developed for the purpose of providing illumination of a tree stand when 
the device is hung over a limb near the stand, and the illumination 
mechanism is activated by a timing means. 
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a 
new and improved tree stand locating device which can be used for 
providing illumination of a tree stand when the device is hung over a limb 
near the stand, and the illumination mechanism is activated by a timing 
means. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this 
need. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of light 
and clock combinations now present in the prior art, the present invention 
provides an improved tree stand locating device. As such, the general 
purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in 
greater detail, is to provide a new and improved tree stand locating 
device and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none 
of the disadvantages. 
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a generally 
rectangular first housing unit that has a front face, a rear face, and a 
pair of side panels. The first housing unit has an alarm clock mechanism. 
The alarm clock mechanism has a clock face for displaying the time as 
counted by the clock. The clock face is displayed at the front face of the 
first housing unit. The clock mechanism has a clock body positioned within 
the first housing unit. The side panels of the first housing unit, each 
have a pile-type fastener assembly attached. Each pile-type fastener 
assembly covers about eighty-five percent of a length of each side panel. 
The rear panel has a cover section that is positioned along a lower 
portion. The cover section may be removed from the rear panel to expose a 
battery compartment within the first housing unit. The battery compartment 
is capable of housing two batteries for energizing the clock mechanism. 
Also, a generally rectangular second housing unit is coupled to the first 
housing unit along a bottom panel. The second housing unit has a plurality 
of opaque walls. The second housing unit has a base common with the bottom 
panel of the first housing unit. Included is an elongated strap that has a 
first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion. The strap has a 
width of about one inch and a length of about twelve inches. The strap has 
an interior surface, with the interior surface of the first end and the 
second end each having a pile-type fastener assembly. The pile-type 
fastener assemblies of the first and second end are capable of coupling 
with the pile-type fastener assemblies of the first housing unit. The 
strap allows the first and second housing units, with the clock mechanism, 
to hang from a tree limb when the strap is coupled to the first housing 
unit. A light mechanism is positioned within the second housing unit. The 
light mechanism has a bulb extending into the second housing unit and a 
bulb base that is coupled with the base of the second housing unit. The 
bulb has a current wire that extends therefrom and is coupled to the lock 
mechanism. The light mechanism is activated by a current that is passed 
into the bulb when a preset time on the clock arrives. Lastly, a switch 
mechanism extends from the rear face of the first housing unit and is 
fixedly attached to the clock body of the clock mechanism. The switch 
directs the display of time counted on the clock face. The switch directs 
the time counted to send a current to the light mechanism for 
illumination, whereby the light mechanism, when activated, provides an 
ultra-bright beam for emitting through the opaque walls of the second 
housing unit, when the first housing unit is hung from the limb above a 
tree stand. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that 
follows may be better understood and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, 
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter 
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention 
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its 
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the 
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the 
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being 
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood 
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose 
of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon 
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved tree stand-locating device which has all of the advantages of the 
prior art light and clock combinations and none of the disadvantages. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
tree stand locating device which may be easily and efficiently 
manufactured and marketed. 
It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
tree stand locating device which is of durable and reliable constructions. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved tree stand locating device which is susceptible of a low cost of 
manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly 
is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby 
making such tree stand locating device economically available to the 
buying public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved tree stand locating device which provides in the apparatuses and 
methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while 
simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated 
therewith. 
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a tree 
stand locating device for providing illumination of a tree stand when the 
device is hung over a limb near the stand, and the illumination mechanism 
is activated by a timing means. 
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved tree stand locating device including a first housing unit that 
has a front face, a rear face, and a pair of side panels. The first 
housing unit has an alarm clock mechanism with a clock body positioned 
within. The side panels of the first housing unit each have a pile-type 
fastener assembly attached. The rear panel has a cover section positioned 
along a lower portion and removable. Included is a second housing unit 
that is coupled to the first housing unit along a bottom panel. Provided 
is a strap that has a first end, a second end, and an interior surface. 
The interior surface of the first end and the second end each have a 
pile-type fastener assembly thereon for coupling the pile-type fastener 
assembly of each side panel of the first housing unit. A light mechanism 
is positioned within the second housing unit and capable of being 
activated by a current passing into a bulb when a preset time on the clock 
arrives. Lastly, a switch mechanism extends from the clock body through 
the rear face of the first housing to direct the time counted to send a 
current to the light mechanism, when the first housing unit is hung from 
the limb above a tree stand. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, 
the preferred embodiment of the new and improved tree stand locating 
device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and 
generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. 
The present invention, the tree stand locating device 10 is comprised of a 
plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include 
a pair of housing units, a strap, a clock mechanism, and a light 
mechanism. Such components are individually configured and correlated with 
respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective. 
Specifically, the present invention includes a generally rectangular first 
housing unit 12. The first housing unit has a front face 14, a rear face 
16, and a pair of side panels 18. The first housing unit is formed of a 
rigid thermoplastic material. The housing unit is sized so as to fit in a 
shirt or coat pocket. The first housing unit has an alarm clock mechanism 
22 positioned within. The clock mechanism is a commercially available 
quartz clock that has hands and numerical indicia. The clock mechanism has 
a clock face 24 that displays the time as counted by the clock, as shown 
in FIG. 2. The clock face is displayed at the front face of the first 
housing unit. The clock mechanism has a clock body 26 that is positioned 
within the first housing unit, as depicted in FIG. 6. 
The side panels 18 of the first housing unit 12, each have a pile-type 
fastener assembly 32 attached, as shown in FIG. 5. Each pile-type fastener 
assembly covers about eighty-five percent of a length of each side panel. 
The rear panel 16 has a cover section 34 that is positioned along a lower 
portion 36 of the rear panel. The cover section has a plurality of risers 
38 to assist in cover movement. The cover section may be removed from the 
rear panel to expose a battery compartment 42 within the first housing 
unit. The battery compartment, as shown in FIG. 6, has a wire 44 going 
into the clock mechanism. The battery compartment is capable of housing 
two 1.5 volt AA batteries for energizing the clock mechanism 22. 
As best illustrated in FIG. 2, a generally rectangular second housing unit 
48 is provided. The second housing unit is coupled to the first housing 
unit 12 along a bottom panel 50. The second housing unit is formed of a 
thermoplastic resin or polymer. The second housing unit has a plurality of 
opaque walls 52. The second housing unit has a base 50 common with the 
bottom panel of the first housing unit 12, as shown in FIG. 6. The second 
housing unit, generally is equal in width and length to a width and length 
of the first housing unit. 
Additionally, an elongated strap 56 is provided. The strap has a first end 
58, a second end 62, and an intermediate portion 64. The strap, of FIG. 3, 
has a width of about one inch and a length of about twelve inches. The 
strap is formed of a semi-rigid and flexible plastic. The strap may be 
formed from a flexible metal. The strap has an interior surface 68. The 
interior surface of the first end and the second end each have a pile-type 
fastener assembly 70. The pile-type fastener assemblies of the first and 
second end are capable of coupling with the pile-type fastener assemblies 
32 of the first housing unit 12. The strap allows the first and second 
housing units, with the clock mechanism therein, to hang from a tree limb 
72, when the strap is coupled to the side panels of the first housing 
unit. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the strap supports the housing units 
in the tree. 
Included is a light mechanism 76. The light mechanism is positioned within 
the second housing unit 48. As shown in FIG. 6, the light mechanism has a 
bulb 78 that extends into the second housing unit, and a bulb base 80 that 
is coupled with the base 50 of the second housing unit. The bulb has a 
current wire 82, that extends from the bulb base and couples to the lock 
mechanism 22. The bulb base is formed of polyvinylchloride or similar 
plastic, that has a high heat resistance. The light mechanism is activated 
by a current passing into the bulb, through the wire, when a preset time 
on the clock arrives. 
Lastly, a switch mechanism 86 extends from the rear face of the first 
housing unit 12. The switch, as shown in FIG. 4, has an inner turn knob 90 
and an outer turn 92, each fixedly attached to the clock body of the clock 
mechanism 22. The outer turn knob of the switch is capable of directing 
the display of the time counted on the clock face. The inner turn knob of 
the switch is capable of directing the time to be preset to a time counted 
to send a current to the light mechanism for illumination. When the preset 
time arrives, the light mechanism is activated and provides an 
ultra-bright beam that emitting through the opaque walls of the second 
housing unit, when the straps hold the first housing unit from the limb of 
a tree stand 94. 
The present invention is a tree stand locating device that has an 
automatically signal light that will help hunter's locate their hunting 
stand in the dark. The clock mechanism of the device is a standard quartz 
alarm clock, that is connected to a microlight that replaces the alarm of 
the clock. The bulb of the light is mounted within an opaque or plastic 
second housing and can be replaced when necessary. To use the device, 
simply set the alarm of the clock. When the set time arrives, the light 
automatically comes on and will remain on for thirty minutes before 
shutting off. The light may be manually turned off by turning the inner 
turn knob of the device. The first and second housing units of the device 
are plastic housing units that are water resistant and come with a hanging 
strap. The strap is attached to the housing units with pile-type fastener 
assemblies. The device is easily hung from a tree limb near the attached 
tree stand by using the strap. The device of the present invention is easy 
to use as an alarm clock. It is battery powered, and the light is useful 
in dim light before dawn, in fog, in snow, or rain. The device is very 
helpful in marking the location of the hunter's tree stand if the hunter 
has to leave the stand during the daylight hours and return after dark. 
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same 
should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further 
discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.