Abstract:
A tree stand, for attaching onto a tree and creating an elevated platform thereon, comprising a platform having a pair of side members, a pair of seat supports pivotally attached to the platform, a bracing system for fixing an angle between the platform and side members, and a pair of upper levelers and a pair of lower levelers. The lower levelers extend from the side members and adjust to the contours of the tree. The upper levelers extend from the seat supports and further aid adjustment to the contours of the tree. The bracing system is adjustable to adjust the angle between the platforms and seat supports. A seat assembly is mounted to the seat supports and provides height adjustment to the user. The adjustability of the upper levelers, lower levelers, and bracing system help ensure that a horizontal platform can be achieved despite trees of varying configurations and lean angles.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a self leveling tree stand. More particularly, the invention relates to a tree stand which provides a portable platform which may be quickly and easily mounted in a tree, and which has several leveling adaptations to create a level platform despite the formation and lean angle of the tree. 
     Tree stands are often used by hunters, nature observers, photographers, and campers to achieve a higher vantage point than could be obtained while at ground level. Once securely mounted in a tree, the stand gives the user to ability to see for further distances as well as see terrain which would otherwise be obscured by undergrowth. When used for hunting in particular, the stand provides the hunter with an advantage, since the senses of many wild animals are naturally attuned to dangers at ground level, making it less likely that the hunter will be detected by the game. 
     Various stands are available on the market which will provide a comfortable and safe platform when used on a tree having a certain angle and a certain configuration. However, it is well known that trees grow in an infinite number of configurations. Many of these configurations are either incompatible with these tree stands, or may be used with these tree stands with less than ideal results. 
     Generally when using a tree stand, it is desirable that the platform and seat is perfectly level. A level tree stand gives the user the greatest sense of security and perhaps the greatest amount of actual safety. 
     Accordingly, several attempts have been made in the prior art to provide a “leveling” tree stand—which has provisions for leveling the stand in circumstances which would otherwise leave the platform extending at a non-horizontal angle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 36,276 to Smith, discloses a tree stand which allows adjustment of the bracing cables in attempt to level the platform under certain conditions. U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,868 to Anthony et al. discloses a portable tree stand which allows adjustment of the seat and platform with respect to each other, but provides little adaptability to the tree itself. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,016,733 to Bradley and 6,363,941 to Richard, both discloses tree stands which use a centrally located cradle, coplanar with the platform, to help adjust the angle of the platform. 
     While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a tree stand which is quickly and easily attachable to various trees having different configurations and lean angles to provide an elevated platform for the user. Accordingly, the tree stand has provisions for attaching to the tree and adjusting the stand for optimum comfort and safety of the user. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a tree stand which has a platform that is easily leveled to a horizontal position. Accordingly, the tree stand has both upper and lower levelers, located both coplanar with the platform and at the seat mount—maximizing the ability of the tree stand to adjust to trees of various sizes and configurations. Further, the stabilizing cables are adjustable to provide relative adjustment of the platform with respect to the seat mount. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a tree stand which maximizes the comfort of the user. Accordingly, a seat is provided which is adjustable to the taste of the user. In addition, a bow holder may be provided for the convenience of the user. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a stand which is portable and is easily transportable to a remote location for use. Accordingly, the tree stand folds compactly and may be carried by the user like a back pack. 
     The invention is a tree stand, for attaching onto a tree and creating an elevated platform thereon, comprising a platform having a pair of side members, a pair of seat supports pivotally attached to the platform, a bracing system for fixing an angle between the platform and side members, a pair of upper levelers, and a pair of lower levelers. The lower levelers extend from the side members and adjust to the contours of the tree. The upper levelers extend from the seat supports and further aid adjustment to the contours of the tree. The bracing system is adjustable to adjust the angle between the platforms and seat supports. A seat assembly is mounted to the seat supports and provides height adjustment to the user. The adjustability of the upper levelers, lower levelers, and bracing system help ensure that a horizontal platform can be achieved despite trees of varying configurations and lean angles. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows. 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view, illustrating the tree stand, per se. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view, illustrating interconnection of various components of the seat assembly, and attachment with the seat mounting supports. 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view, illustrating the tree stand folded flat, ready for transport. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, illustrating the tree stand in use, mounted to a forward leaning tree. 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, illustrating the tree stand in use, mounted to a tree having a reverse lean, wherein the tree stand has been adapted to accommodate the tree. 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view, illustrating two of the levelers independently adjusted to meet the contours of the tree. 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, illustrating the tree stand fully folded, and being worn by the user. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a tree stand  10  having a front  10 F and a rear  10 R, having a platform  12 , a pair of seat supports  14 , a seat assembly  16 , and a bracing system  18 . The platform  20  comprises a framework, comprising side members  22 , a front member  24 , and a rear member  26 . Several cross members  28  extend between the side members, in the region between the front member  24  and rear member  26 , and extend parallel to the front member  24  and rear member  26 . The side members  22  are angled toward each other, such that the rear member  26  is significantly shorter than the front member  24 . The components that make up the framework of the platform  20  are typically rectangular cross-sectional tubing which are all arranged to be substantially coplanar. 
     The seat supports  14  are hingeably mounted to the rear member  26 , and are capable of extending perpendicularly upward from the rear member  26 , as shown in FIG. 1, and are capable of laying flat against the platform  20 , as illustrated in FIG.  3 . The seat supports  14  are tubular, and are preferably of rectangular cross section, having inner sides  14 A which face each other, and outer sides  14 B which face away from each other. The seat assembly  16  is mounted to the seat supports  14  opposite from the platform  20 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, the tree stand  10  has a pair of upper levelers  30  and a pair of lower levelers  40  at the rear  10 R. The upper levelers  30  include an upper stanchion  32  and a sleeve  34 . The upper levelers  30  are sized for close, slidable movement within the sleeves  34 . The sleeves  34  are each preferably mounted on the inner sides  14 A of the seat supports  14 . 
     The lower levelers  40  include a lower stanchion  42 , and are sized for movement within the side members  22 . Accordingly, the side members  22  are tubular and each have an open end  22 A at the rear  10 R which allows close, slidable movement of the lower stanchions  42  therein. 
     Each upper stanchion  32  and lower stanchion  42  has a contact end  32 C, and a plurality of transverse bores  35  spaced along the stanchions  32  and  42 . The sleeves  34  and side members  22  each have a matching bore  36 , which may be selectively aligned with one of the transverse bores  35  of its associated stanchion, and secured with a pin  38  to fix the relative position of one of the upper stanchions  32  and its associated sleeve  34 , or one of the lower stanchions  42  and its associated side member  22 . Accordingly, the combination of transverse bores  35 , matching bores  36  and pins  38  allows the relative position of each of the stanchions  32  and  42  to be adjusted. 
     The bracing system  18  provides structural support between the platform  20  and the seat supports  14  and helps maintain an angle between the platform  20  and seat supports  14 . In particular, the bracing system  18  includes a pair of bracing cables  50  which are each attached between one of the side members  22  near the front  10 F and one of the seat supports  14 . To facilitate attachment and adjustment of the bracing cables  50 , a platform bracing plate  52  is attached to each side member  22 , and a seat support bracing plate  54  is attached to each seat support  14 . The seat support bracing plates  54  are preferably attached on the outer sides  14 A of the seat supports  14 . Each of the seat support bracing plates  54  and platform bracing plates  52  have a gated cutouts  56 . Each of the gated cutouts  56  have a plurality of slots  58 . Each end of each of the bracing cables  50  has a coupling  58  which extends in the gated cutouts  56 , and selectively rests within one of the slots  58 , where a strong structural bond between the bracing cables  50  and plates  52  and  54  is achieved. The various slots  58  of the gated cutouts  56  allow the point of connection of the bracing cables  50  to be adjusted vertically on the seat support bracing plates  54  and horizontally on the platform bracing plates  52 . Being that the bracing cables  50  are of fixed length, such adjustment allows the relative angle of the platform  20  with respect to the seat supports  14  to be adjusted. 
     The coupling  58  is shown in simplified form, comprising a pair of parallel washers or eyelets, connected by a rod, which sandwich one of the plates  52  and  54  therebetween and allow easy adjustment into the various slots  58 . However, in actual practice, a more secure scheme would be employed, perhaps involving a washer extending against one side of the plate, a bolt to extend transversely through the slot, and a wing nut to fasten against the other side of the plate to fix the position of the coupling  58  within the slot. 
     FIG. 2 details the seat assembly  16 , wherein a seat carrier  60  includes a pair of parallel seat mounting members  62  which are rigidly attached by a crossbar  64 . The seat mounting members  62  each have a seat mounting member top  62 T and a seat mounting member bottom  62 B, wherein the crossbar  64  extends between the seat mounting members  62  near the seat mounting member top  62 T. In addition, the seat mounting member bottoms  62 B extend into the seat supports  14  where they are sized for close, slidable movement therein. Further, transverse bores  65  are present along the seat mounting members  62 , and a matching bore  66  is located on each of the seat supports  14 . The transverse bores  65  are selectively alignable with the matching bores  66 , and then fastenable with a seat adjustment bolt  68  to fix the relative vertical position of the seat assembly  16 . 
     The seat assembly  16  includes a seat  70 , having a bottom  72 , and a pair of parallel brackets  72  extending longitudinally along the bottom  72 . The brackets  72  engage the seat mounting member top  62 T and are fastened thereto by a long bolt  74  which extends through the brackets  72  and through a pair of the transverse bores  65  in the seat mounting members  62 . The brackets  72  are positioned to still allow the seat  70  to pivot upwards, wherein the seat  70  extends substantially parallel to the seat mounting members  62  and to the seat supports  14 . 
     Referring to FIG.  1  and FIG. 4, a strapping mechanism  80  is secured between each of the seat support bracing plates  54 . The strapping mechanism  80  facilitates attachment to a tree  100 . The strapping mechanism  80  may be a chain  82  having links  83 , as illustrated, or may be a ratcheting strap, a chain and ratcheting strap combination, or any other device which is capable of securing to one of the seat supports  14 , extending around the tree  100 , and securing to the other of the seat supports  14 . In the embodiment shown, where the chain  82  is employed, the seat support bracing plates  54  each have a downturned protuberance  84  which allows the chain  82  to be attached by extending through one of the links  83  of the chain. Upward tension on the chain  82 , exerted by the tree  100  in response to the weight of and on the tree stand  10  keeps the chain  82  tightly against the downturned protuberance  84 , and allows the chain  82  to support the weight of the tree stand  10  and the weight of the user. 
     Referring now to FIG.  4  and FIG. 5, various examples of the tree stand  10  in use are provided. In particular, FIG. 4 shows the tree stand  10  attached on a tree  100 , wherein the tree  100  is leaning toward the stand  10 . In this embodiment, the lower stanchions  42  are extended to meet the tree  100 , and the upper stanchions  32  are in a somewhat retracted position. In addition, the bracing cables  50  are adjusted so that the platform  20  is substantially perpendicular to the seat supports  14 . As a result of these adjustments, the platform  20  extends at a safe and comfortable horizontal angle. 
     However, in FIG. 5, the tree stand  10  is attached on a rear leaning tree  100 A. If the tree stand  10  were configured in the same manner as in FIG. 4 on this rear leaning tree  100 A, the platform  20  would be pitched severely toward the rear  10 R. Accordingly, the lower stanchions  42  are fully retracted, and the upper stanchions  32  are nearly fully extended to meet the contours of the rear leaning tree  100 A. Further, the bracing cables  50  are adjusted to allow the platform  20  and seat supports  14  to form an obtuse angle, which thereby once again allows the platform  20  to extend at a horizontal angle. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, in order to better conform to the contours of the tree  100 , the tree stand  10  both angles the side members  22  toward each other and provides two separately adjustable lower stanchions  42 —one extending from each of said side members  22 . Because the upper stanchions and lower stanchions are independently adjustable, the greatest degree of adjustability is provided, to accommodate trees of different sizes. 
     Referring to FIG.  3  and FIG. 7, the tree stand  10  is easily folded for compact storage and transport. In particular, since the bracing cables simply prevent the angle between the platform  20  and seat support from over-extending, they do not prevent the seat support from folding inward toward the platform  20  to an angle of nearly zero degrees. Accordingly, although in FIG. 3 the bracing cables  50  have been removed for clarity, they need not be removed before folding the tree stand  10  as shown. In addition, in FIG. 3, the seat has been removed, to allow the seat supports  14  to fold flat, and to keep the seat from extending beyond the front member  24 . However, the seat  70  is easily attached between the downturned protuberances, as shown in FIG.  7 . Then, through the use of straps  88 , the tree stand  10  is easily donned by a user  120 , and worn upon his back  125 . 
     In conclusion, herein is presented a tree stand which may be compactly stored and transported, and which will quickly and easily deploy and adjust to trees of different configurations and having different lean angles to create an elevated platform thereon. The invention is illustrated by example in the various drawing figures contained herein. Numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.