Abstract:
A ladder locking designed intended to prevent access to a tree stand and an attached ladder includes a two-piece interlocking frame, top and bottom hooks to engage rungs of the ladder, and a locking bar. The frames include a mesh covers having a width greater than the tree stand ladder. The frame is secured to the ladder by the top and bottom hooks, which provide opposing hangers hooked over and clamping ladder rungs. A bottom of the frame includes a locking bar which insertingly engages between the two frame sections and secured with a padlock. The frame is placed over a ladder and locked to prevent unwanted persons from ascending the ladder.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Dec. 15, 2009, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to tree stands and ladder guards, and in particular, to tree stand ladder locking device for the purpose of restricting access to a tree stand by preventing use of the ladder. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Over the years, modern advances in hunting equipment have enhanced the sport, providing hunters with increased success. Although many of these products are high-technology devices, some products are amazingly simple. An example of such a product is a tree stand which allows the hunter to hunt from an elevated location while being visually hidden in the confines of a tree. These tree stands typical utilize a ladder to access the elevated platform and are often left in place from day to day, or even hunting season to hunting season. However, this practice unfortunately leaves them open to unauthorized use by other hunters as well as access to children to may attempt to climb as well. This obviously poses both a security and safety risk for the tree stand owner. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide ladder guards. While these attempts may achieve their purported objective each suffers from one (1) or more disadvantage or deficiency related to design or utilization. Particularly, these attempts include guards which must be permanently attached to the ladder, are designed for particular ladder designs and not adaptable to different styles of ladders, have large hinged sections which are not easily transportable, or have elaborate construction with many piece parts which are difficult to install. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has therefore recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a device in which a tree stand and its ladder access can be secured to prevent unauthorized access. In accordance with the invention, it is an object of the present disclosure to solve these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing a ladder lock that provides hunters who hunt from tree stands an effective means of securing their tree stand and preventing access by others. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing a cover assembly to block a forward facing surface of a ladder and a locking panel assembly which is adjustably coupled to a bottom end of the cover assembly. The cover assembly includes top hooks affixed to a top edge to engage an upper ladder rung. The locking panel assembly includes bottom hooks affixed to a bottom edge to engage a lower ladder rung. A plurality of position alignable apertures is provided in the assemblies for adjusting a position of the locking panel relative to the cover assembly. A locking bar is insertingly fastened between the cover assembly and the locking panel assembly for locking the device at a prescribed length. 
     The cover assembly includes a cover assembly outer frame and a first mesh section affixed around a perimeter of the cover assembly outer frame. The lower locking panel assembly includes a locking panel outer frame and a second mesh section affixed only to a lower end of the locking panel outer frame. The second mesh section has an unconnected top and sides which allows it to deflect as the locking panel assembly is connected to the cover assembly. 
     The plurality of position alignable apertures include at least one first locking bar aperture completely through opposing sides of each cover side frame member parallel to the front facing surface and a plurality of second locking bar apertures completely through opposing sides of each locking panel side frame member parallel to the front facing surface. Prescribed and selected pairs of the plurality of second locking bar apertures align with the first locking bar apertures for adjusting the position of the locking panel relative to the cover assembly. The locking bar insertingly engages the aligned pairs of the plurality of second locking bar apertures and the first locking bar apertures. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a tree stand ladder locking device, according to a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front exploded view of the tree stand ladder locking device, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a close-up view of a rear side of a cover assembly of the tree stand ladder locking device, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a section view of a cover assembly of the tree stand ladder locking device taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 2 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a close-up view of a rear side of a lock assembly of the tree stand ladder locking device, according to the preferred embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 4   b  is a section view of the lock assembly of the tree stand ladder locking device taken along section line B-B of  FIG. 2 , according to a preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  tree stand ladder locking device 
               20  cover assembly 
               22  cover side frame member 
               24  cover cross frame member 
               26  cover upper frame member 
               28   a  first metal mesh section 
               28   b  second metal mesh section 
               30  first rung hook 
               32  guide 
               34  first locking bar aperture 
               50  locking panel assembly 
               52  locking panel side frame member 
               54  locking panel lower frame member 
               58  second rung hook 
               59  extension member 
               60  second locking bar aperture 
               70  locking bar 
               71  padlock aperture 
               80  padlock 
               100  tree stand ladder 
               102  tree stand 
               105  ladder rung 
               110  tree 
               120  weld 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4   b . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4   b , depicting a tree stand ladder locking device (herein described as a “device”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure describes a ladder lock which restricts access to a ladder portion  100  of a tree stand  102 . The device  10  includes an upper cover assembly  20  and a lower locking panel assembly  50 , each including respective tubular metal frames covered with sturdy metal mesh sections. The panels further include respective top hooks  30  and bottom hooks  58  to secure the device  10  to tree stand ladder rungs  105 . The device  10  is secured to the ladder rungs  105  by inserting a locking bar  70  and applying a lock  80 . In use, a user hangs the device  10  over the tree stand ladder rungs  105  and utilizes the locking bar  70  to secure it in place, thereby preventing unauthorized persons from ascending the ladder  100 . 
       FIG. 1  shows an environmental view of the device  10 . The upper cover assembly  20  and the lower locking panel assembly  50  each have tubular frames and are covered with a first metal mesh section  28   a  which is affixed to the frame, preferably by welding. The upper cover assembly  20  includes a pair of cover side frame members  22  and the lower locking panel assembly  50  includes a pair of locking panel side frame members  52 , the side frame members  22 ,  52  extend along vertical outer edges and are constructed of differently sized rectangular tubing, so as to allow insertion and telescoping engagement with each other to provide an adjustable combined length for the device  10 . The device  10  is preferably introduced having a variety of available overall lengths based upon particular tree stand  102  designs and a user&#39;s preference. 
     The cover assembly  20  further includes a pair of downward-facing first rung hooks  30  which are ruggedly affixed to the frame of the cover assembly  20  along a top edge. The first rung hooks  30  are downwardly bent to engage and captivate a prescribed tree stand ladder rung  105 , preferably located near a top of the tree stand ladder  100 . In a similar manner, the locking panel assembly  50  includes an affixed pair of upwardly-facing second rung hooks  58  welded to a bottom horizontal edge. The second rung hooks  58  are upwardly bent to engage and captivate a respectively positioned tree stand ladder rung  105 , preferably located at a bottom of the tree stand ladder  100  near a ground surface. In this manner, the device  10  is joined and secured to cover a front facing surface of the tree stand ladder  100 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a front exploded view of the device  10 . The upper cover assembly  20  and lower locking panel assembly  50  are secured together by the horizontal locking bar  70  (see  FIG. 2 ). The upper cover assembly  20  includes the one-piece, rectangular welded frame having the pair of parallel cover frame side members  22 , a cover cross frame member  24 , a cover upper frame member  26 , and the first metal mesh section  28   a  welded to a front surface of the frame members  22 ,  24 ,  26 . The locking panel assembly  50  includes the one-piece, “U”-shaped welded frame having the pair of parallel locking panel side frame members  52  joined along a bottom edge by a locking panel lower frame member  54 . The locking panel assembly  50  is covered along a front surface with a welded second metal mesh section  28   b.    
     Each cover side frame member  22  includes an opposing first locking bar apertures  34  which aligns with corresponding pairs of second locking bar apertures  60  formed or machined into the locking panel side frame members  52 . Upon insertion of the locking panel side frame members  52  into respective cover side frame members  22  and subsequent engagement of the hooks  30 ,  58  onto the tree stand ladder rungs  105 , the locking bar  70  is inserted coincidentally through the first locking bar apertures  34  and an aligned pair of second locking bar apertures  60  to secure the upper cover assembly  20  to the lower locking panel assembly  50 . The locking bar  70  is an “L”-shaped solid steel rod approximately one-half (½) to one (1) inch in diameter further including a lock aperture  71  drilled or formed through a straight end of the locking bar  70 . The lock aperture  71  receives a pad lock  80  to secure the device  10  to the tree stand  102  once the locking bar  70  has been completely inserted through both cover side frame members  22  and locking panel side frame members  52 . 
     The cover frame members  22 ,  24 ,  26 , locking panel frame members  52 ,  54 , and the metal mesh sections  28   a ,  28   b  are preferably made of durable metal materials such as aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel, or the like. Furthermore, the metal mesh sections  28   a ,  28   b  are preferably commercially available open pattern sheet stock having a plurality of openings made using common processes such as punching, welding, machining, or the like. The expanded metal lattice sheeting which form the mesh sections  28   a ,  28   b  is intended to both reduce wind resistance upon the flat surface of the device  10  and minimize the overall weight of the device  10 . 
       FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show a rear close-up and a section view of the cover assembly  20 . The pair of first rung hooks  30  are formed steel bars approximately two (2) inches in width and one-half (½) inch thick and are securely welded to a top surface of the cover upper frame member  26  and extend inwardly toward the tree stand ladder rungs  105 . The first rung hooks  30  form an inverted “U”-shape so as to captivate the tree stand ladder rung  105  therewithin. The cover side frame members  22  further include a pair of welded “U”-shaped guides  32  which are welded to opposing inward facing surfaces to provide a guiding channel to receive the second metal mesh section  28   b  when the locking panel side frame members  52  are inserted within the cover side frame members  22 . The guides  32  prevent the wire mesh sections  28   a ,  28   b  from sliding over each other or otherwise interfering during insertion and length adjustment of the device  10  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
       FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show a rear close-up and a section view of a lock assembly  50 . The second rung hooks  58  provide similar materials and function as the aforementioned first rung hooks  30 ; however, the second rung hooks  58  are welded to a top surface of the locking panel lower frame member  54  and are upwardly bent to form the “U”-shape. The second rung hooks  58  include an additional formed extension member  59  which extends upwardly from the locking panel lower frame member  54 . The extension member  59  provides added surface area onto which the vertical section of the second metal mesh section  28   b  is welded. The second metal mesh section  28   b  is affixed to front-facing surfaces of the locking panel lower frame member  54  and the extension members  59 . The second metal mesh section  28   b  extends upwardly between the opposing locking panel side frame members  52 . A small gap is defined between the second metal mesh section  28   b  and the locking panel side frame members  52  of approximately one (1) inch to provide clearance for the cover side frame members  22  to receive the locking panel side frame members  52  during assembly of the device  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the second metal mesh section  28   b  is affixed to the locking panel lower frame member  54  and the extension members  59  by a plurality of welds  120 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only one particular configuration has been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the invention, the preferred embodiment can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the device  10  having a desired overall length; transporting the device  10  to an existing tree stand  102 ; separating the cover assembly  20  from the locking panel assembly  50  by removing the padlock  80  and locking bar  70 ; lifting the cover assembly  20  upwardly against a ladder  100  of the tree stand  102  until the first rung hooks  30  engage a desired tree stand ladder rung  105 ; inserting the locking panel side frame members  52  into respective cover side frame members  22  until the second rung hooks  58  engage a desired tree stand ladder rung  105 ; aligning the first locking bar apertures  34  with a desired aligned pair of second locking bar apertures  60 ; inserting the locking bar  70  through the aligned apertures  34 ,  60 ; installing a padlock  80  into the padlock aperture  71  of the locking bar  70 ; and, benefiting from securing a tree stand  102  against use by unauthorized persons by utilizing the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.