Abstract:
A portable hoist apparatus that can be quickly, easily and recurrently mounted on a tree or other pillar-like structure, which causes very little or no damage to the pillar-like structure, includes a hoist member having a base, a boom projecting from the base, and a support flange; and an adjustably tensionable strap for engaging the support flange and attaching the hoist member to the pillar-like structure. The portable hoist apparatus may be used by hunters to easily lift a tree stand to a desired position on a tree, or by utility workers to easily raise tools or other heavy or awkward objects up along a utility pole.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) on U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/050,012 entitled PORTABLE PILLAR-MOUNTABLE HOIST, filed May 2, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention pertains to a hoisting device that is attachable to a tree trunk, pole or similar pillar-like structure to allow objects to be lifted upwardly along the tree trunk, pole or similar pillar-like structure, and to a method of lifting objects upwardly along a tree trunk, pole or similar pillar-like structure without causing substantial damage to the tree, pole or similar pillar-like structure. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Lifting heavy objects and/or objects having an awkward shape up along a pole or tree can be difficult and dangerous. Telephone linesmen, Power Company personnel, and other utility workers may resort to use of hydraulic lifting equipment when there is a need to raise heavy or bulky objects upwardly along a utility pole. However, there may be occasions in which such equipment could be impractical or unavailable on an economical and/or timely basis. Similarly, individuals without access to hydraulic lifting equipment may on occasion have a need for raising objects upwardly along a tree or pole. For example, hunters can often find it difficult to carry a tree stand up a tree and mount the tree stand on the tree. 
         [0004]    A purpose of the invention is to provide a device and method that allows objects to be safely, easily and economically lifted up a tree, pole or other pillar-like object. Desirably, the device is extremely compact and extremely light in weight so that it can be easily carried by a person, such as in a pocket or pouch, and can be easily attached on a tree, pole or other pillar-like object. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the invention, a hoist member that is attachable to a pillar, such as with a strap is provided. The hoist member includes a base having a pillar engaging side and an opposite lifting side, a boom projecting from the lifting side of the base, and at least one support flange extending from the boom side of the base. The support flange is configured to be engaged by an upper edge of a strap, allowing the hoist member to be securely retained on the pillar. 
         [0006]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a hoist system that is attachable to a pillar is provided. The hoist system includes a hoist member as described above, and an adjustably tensionable strap for attaching the hoist member to a pillar. 
         [0007]    In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a method of lifting an object upwardly along a pillar is provided. The method includes providing a hoist system as described above, attaching a pulley to a distal end of the boom, looping a rope around the pulley, attaching an object to be lifted to one section of the rope, and pulling another section of the rope downwardly to raise the object. 
         [0008]    These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention being used on a tree. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the hoist member shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a fragmentary front elevational view of the hoist member of  FIG. 1 , showing in greater detail a pulley assembly connected to the hoist member. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of a strap assembly used in accordance with the invention to securely retain the hoist member on a tree or other pillar-like structure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a strap assembly suitable or securing the hoist member to a tree or other pillar-like structure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a photograph showing a tree stand having a cross-member supported on the boom of the hoist member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    The invention disclosed herein provides a portable device that can be easily carried by a person and easily attached to a tree, pole or other pillar-like object to allow heavy and/or awkward or bulky loads to be safely and easily lifted upwardly along the tree, pole, or other pillar-like object. 
         [0016]    The invention will generally be described with respect to its use for mounting a tree stand on a tree, such as for hunting. However, it is believed that the invention has many other applications, and may be particularly beneficially employed by utility workers having a need to raise certain objects upwardly along a pole that cannot necessarily be easily carried by a worker climbing the utility pole, but for which hydraulic lifting equipment constitutes excessive means for achieving the desired lift. 
         [0017]    As used herein, the term “pillar-like object” and “pillar” are used synominously to refer to various vertically oriented elongate structures encompassing trees, utility poles, architectural columns, and similar structures. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a hoist system  10  in accordance with the invention mounted on a tree  12  to allow a load  14  to be lifted upwardly along the tree trunk  12 . The hoist system includes a hoist member  16 , and a strap assembly  18 . 
         [0019]    Hoist member  16  includes a base  20  comprised of a metal sheet. While a suitable sheet metal material and gauge or thickness may be selected based on the desired load capability of the hoist system, 16 gauge ( 1/16 inch thick) carbon steel is adequate for loads up to at least 100 pounds, which is well in excess of the weight of most tree stands or other objects that a hunter may typically want to lift upwardly along a tree. Base  20  includes a pillar or tree engaging side  22  and an opposite lifting side  24  ( FIG. 4 ). Base  20  may be relatively flat, or it may be slightly curved to generally conform to the shape or curvature of a typical tree that is suitable for mounting a hunting stand. 
         [0020]    Projecting from base  20  is a boom  26 . Boom  26  preferably projects slightly upwardly away from base  20 . Boom  26 , may be made of the same material as base  20  to facilitate welding of boom  26  to base  20 . Boom  26  may be made by bending metal sheet (e.g., carbon steel) to form a generally inverted U-shaped channel, which may be cut or stamped, prior to bending, to include downwardly depending tabs  28  at a distal end of boom  26 . As with base  20 , boom  26  may be formed of 16 gauge ( 1/16 inch thick) carbon steel sheet to provide an adequate margin of safety for lifting a load up to at least 100 pounds. As previously mentioned, and as well known in the art, different materials (e.g., stronger materials) and/or different thicknesses may be used, as needed, to accommodate heavier or lighter loads. 
         [0021]    In the illustrated embodiment, support flanges  30 ,  31  are formed by bending prongs  32 ,  33  of base  20  downwardly so that they project away from base  20  at approximately a right angle (about 90 degrees). However, this angle is not critical, and could be less or more. Similarly, a single flange, or more than two flanges, may be used, the purpose of support flanges  30 ,  31  being to support hoist member  16  on an upper edge of a strap  34  as strap assembly  18  is being tensioned, and to prevent hoist member  16  from slipping downwardly between strap  34  and a pillar or tree  12  when a load is applied to the hoist assembly. 
         [0022]    While the angle of support flanges  30 ,  31  with respect to base  20  is not critical, an approximately right angle is beneficial for allowing a tree stand to be temporarily positioned at a desired location for installation on a tree by supporting the tree stand on top of boom  26  and/or against flanges  30 ,  31 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , a cross-member  70  of tree stand  72  is supported or balanced on boom  26  to allow a person to use both hands to install (e.g., strap) tree stand  72  to tree  74 . This is facilitated by the angle between boom  26  and base  20  of hoist member  16 , i.e., an angle formed by having boom  26  project slightly upwardly as it projects away from base  20 . A suitable angle from horizontal for boom  26  (when base  20  is vertically oriented) is about 5° to about 20°. 
         [0023]    A pulley assembly  36  is mounted near a distal end  38  of boom  26 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Illustrated pulley assembly  36  (best illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) includes a pulley  40  rotatably supported on or journaled to a pulley support bracket  42  by a pulley pin or axle  44 . A pulley support rod  46  extends through tabs  28  at the distal end of boom  26  to support pulley assembly  36 . Pulley support rod  46  may, for example, be comprised of a bolt held by a nut  47 . Pulley assembly  36  also includes a linkage  48  for connecting pulley support bracket  42  to pulley support rod  46 . Linkage  48  includes a ring  50  that encircles pulley support rod  46 , and a swivel connector  52  that allows pulley  40  and pulley support bracket  42  to be rotated around a generally vertical axis as it is suspended from the distal end of boom  26 . 
         [0024]    A rope  66 , cord, cable or the like may be threaded around the upper bearing surface of pulley  40 . The expression “rope” as used herein will refer to any flexible rope-like element that may be threaded around the upper bearing surfaces of pulley  40  and used for lifting a load  14 . Generally, for weights up to about 100 pounds, the load can be lifted manually and tied to a stationary object, such as the branch of another tree. However, for hoist systems designed to accommodate greater weights, or if otherwise desired, the rope can be connected to a vehicle, manual winch, powered winch, etc., to raise the load. 
         [0025]    Strap assembly  18  includes strap sections  34 ,  35  with a ratchet assembly  58  connecting the strap sections  34 ,  35  together. At ends of straps  34 ,  35  opposite the ends attached to racket assembly  58 , rubber-coated metal J-hooks  60  (e.g., carbon steel hooks) are connected to the straps. Suitable ratchet assemblies that may be employed are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,682,053 and 7,281,701, which are incorporated by reference. 
         [0026]    Although it is preferred that the strap assembly include a hand-operated ratchet mechanism  58  for easily tensioning strap assembly  18 , it is envisioned that other tensioning means and/or strap locking mechanisms may be employed. 
         [0027]    Strap sections  34 ,  35  are preferably comprised of durable, weather-resistant woven fabrics comprised of nylon, polypropylene, and/or polyester filaments. Heavy duty straps of this type are commercially available and are commonly employed for strapping loads in trailer trucks, vans and the like. 
         [0028]    The hoist system of the invention is installed on a tree, pole or other pillar-like structure by first wrapping strap assembly  18  around the pillar-like structure and connecting the ends of the strap assembly  18  together, such as by interlocking J-hooks  60  together and loosely adjusting the tension on strap assembly  18  to allow hoist member  16  to be slid under and supported by strap assembly  18  through engagement of support flanges  30 ,  31  with an upper edge of one of strap sections  34 ,  35 . Thereafter, strap assembly  18  is tensioned to provide secure attachment of hoist member  18  to the pillar-like structure. A rope  66  may be looped around an upper bearing surface of pulley  40  to allow a load  14  to be raised upwardly along the pillar-like structure. 
         [0029]    Because the hoist system of this invention employs only a tensionable strap assembly  18  for holding hoist member  16  on a tree or other pillar-like structure, mounting of hoist system  10  to a tree, utility pole, or the like does not cause any, or very little damage to the tree, utility pole or other pillar-like structure. The hoist system of the invention also reduces the risk of damage to equipment or injury to personnel during harvesting of the tree or recycling of a utility pole, by eliminating the possibility that hardened metal fasteners will be left concealed below the surface of a tree or pole. 
         [0030]    The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.