Patent Publication Number: US-9902601-B1

Title: Tree stand hoist

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/288,464, filed on Jan. 29, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to hoists, and, in particular, to hoists that are temporarily erected against a tree and are used to hoist a tree stand. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Tree stands are often used by hunters and nature watchers to provide an elevated position in a forested region, either to provide the user with a better field of view or to partially conceal the user from wildlife on the ground. 
     Hoists have been used to assist the user to lift tree stands into trees. Known prior art hoists are heavy and cumbersome, and may take more than one person to assemble and to hoist the stand into the tree. Oftentimes, users like to keep the locations of their tree stand as a secret from others so that the others will not encroach on their selected location. Hoists that require multiple people to assemble and use defeat such intentions. 
     It would be beneficial to provide a tree stand hoist that is portable and light enough to be carried and erected by a single person. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention is a collapsible tree stand hoist having a support structure having a ground end and a frame end. The support structure is formed from a plurality of assembled members. A generally “U-shaped” frame is hingedly attached to the frame end of the support structure. The frame includes a flexible member releasably secured to at least one end of the frame. A pulley is attached to the flexible member. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention is a tree stand hoist including a generally U-shaped frame assembly. The frame assembly has an apex and first and second opposing ends. A vertical support assembly is connected to the U-shaped frame at the apex. A flexible member has a first flexible member end connected to the first end of the frame assembly and a second flexible member end releasably connectable to the second end of the frame assembly. A pulley is coupled to the flexible member and extends between first flexible member end and the second flexible member end. 
     In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a collapsible tree stand hoist comprising a generally U-shaped frame assembly, a vertical support assembly connected to the U-shaped frame, and a flexible member having a first flexible member end connected to the first end of the frame assembly and a second flexible member end releasably connectable to the second end of the frame assembly. A pulley is coupled to the flexible member and extending between the first flexible member end and the second flexible member end. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a tree stand hoist according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a releasably locking assembly used with the tree stand hoist shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the tree stand hoist shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a bottom perspective view of the tree stand hoist shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the tree stand hoist shown in  FIG. 1  in a disassembled condition; and 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a support structure for use with the hoist shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. The embodiments illustrated below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. These embodiments are chosen and described to best explain the principle of the invention and its application and practical use and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention. 
     Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. The same applies to the term “implementation.” 
     As used in this application, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. 
     Additionally, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. 
     Unless explicitly stated otherwise, each numerical value and range should be interpreted as being approximate as if the word “about” or “approximately” preceded the value of the value or range. 
     The use of figure numbers and/or figure reference labels in the claims is intended to identify one or more possible embodiments of the claimed subject matter in order to facilitate the interpretation of the claims. Such use is not to be construed as necessarily limiting the scope of those claims to the embodiments shown in the corresponding figures. 
     It should be understood that the steps of the exemplary methods set forth herein are not necessarily required to be performed in the order described, and the order of the steps of such methods should be understood to be merely exemplary. Likewise, additional steps may be included in such methods, and certain steps may be omitted or combined, in methods consistent with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     Although the elements in the following method claims, if any, are recited in a particular sequence with corresponding labeling, unless the claim recitations otherwise imply a particular sequence for implementing some or all of those elements, those elements are not necessarily intended to be limited to being implemented in that particular sequence. 
     Referring to the Figures, a tree stand hoist  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Hoist  100  includes a plurality of support members  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  105 ,  106  that can be connected to each other to extend to a height of about 16 feet. In an exemplary embodiment, each support member  102 - 106  has a length of about 4′-3″, although those skilled in the art will recognize that each support member  102 - 106  can be a different length. Further, support members  102 - 106  can be different lengths from other support members  102 - 106 . While five support members  102 - 106  are shown in  FIG. 1 , those skilled in the art will also recognize that a different number of support members can be used. By way of example only,  FIG. 3B  shows only four support members  102 - 105 . 
     Each of members  102 - 106  is a tubular member having a bottom end  107  with an inner diameter “ID” and a top end  108  with an outer diameter “OD” that is smaller than inner diameter “OD” such that bottom end  107  of one member  103 - 106  can be inserted over top end  108  of another of member  102 - 105  to “stack” members  102 - 105  on top of each other, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In an exemplary embodiment, top end  108  can be about 6 inches long, so that the effective length of each member  102 - 106 , when stacked on top of each other, is about 4 feet. When all five members  102 - 106  are stacked as shown in  FIG. 1 , hoist  100  has a length of about 16 feet. 
     Optionally, members  102 - 106  can include a releasable locking mechanism to releasably secure adjacent members  102 - 106  to each other. By way of example only, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a biased pin  160  can be located at top end  108  of each of members  102 - 106 , and a through-opening  162  in side wall at bottom end  107  of each of member  102 - 106  can be sized to allow pin  160  to extend therethrough, thereby securing adjacent members  102 - 106  to each other. Pushing pin  160  inward in the direction of arrow “A” in  FIG. 2  and into its respective member  102 - 106  allows a user to separate adjacent members  102 - 106  from each other to dismantle hoist  100  for transport and/or storage. Still optionally, a rubber foot  109  can be releasably inserted into bottom end  107  of lowest support member  102  to provide friction with the ground “G” and to help stabilize hoist  100  against ground G. 
     Top end  108  of support member  106  supports a generally U-shaped assembly  110  that extends outwardly from top support member  106  at an assembly connection  112  at an apex  111  of U-shaped assembly  110 . When U-shaped assembly  110  is connected to top support member  106 , U-shaped assembly  110  and top support member  106  form an angle β of between 30 degrees and about 60 degrees. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , U-shaped assembly  110  is constructed from a plurality of members  114 ,  116 ,  118 . Member  114  is a central member that includes assembly connection  112  and has a support member  120  that extends generally orthogonally from connection  112 . Each end  122 ,  124  of support member  120  bends at an angle δ relative to support member  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, angle δ can be about 45 degrees, although those skilled in the art will recognize that angle δ can be other values as well. 
     Member  116  is a first arm member that has an end  126  that is releasably attachable to end  122  and member  118  is a second arm member that has an end  128  that is releasably attachable to end  124 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . End  126  fits into end  122  and end  128  fits into end  128  in a manner similar to end  180  fitting into end  107  with respect to support members  102 - 106  as discussed above. Optionally, locking pins  160  may be provided on ends  126 ,  128  to releasably lock ends  126 ,  128  into ends  116 ,  118 , respectively. Each of members  116 ,  118  has a length L 1 . In an exemplary embodiment, length L 1  is about 10 inches, although those skilled in the art will recognize that L 1  can be other lengths as well. 
     Ends  126 ,  128  are each bent at an angle ε with respect to their member  116 ,  118 . In an exemplary embodiment, angle ε is about 45 degrees, although those skilled in the art will recognize that angle ε can be other values as well. 
     When angles δ and ε are each 45 degrees, member  116  extends generally parallel to member  118 . Additionally, members  116 ,  118  are each orthogonal to member  120 . When assembled as shown in  FIG. 2 , U-shaped assembly  110  has an interior width W of about 24 inches and a length L 2  of about 28 inches in order for U-shaped member  110  to be able to fit around the perimeter of a tree trunk. 
     A securing line  130  has a first end that is fixedly secured to a free end  127  of member  116  and a second end that is releasably securable to a free end  129  of member  118  so that securing line  130  extends between arm members  116 ,  118  and can be wrapped around the trunk of the tree prior to lifting U-shaped member  110 . Securing member  130  is a flexible member, such as a chain, a rope, a cable, or other suitable flexible member or material. 
     A pulley  132  is attached to securing line  130  so that a lifting line  140  can be inserted through pulley  132 . Lifting line  140  is sufficiently long so that a first end  142  can be tied to a tree stand (not shown) with a rope  131  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) and a second end  144  can be grasped by a user and pulled in order to lift tree stand up and into the tree. Pulley  132  is slidingly attached to securing line  130  so that pulley  132  can slide along the length of securing line  130  as needed. 
     Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 1 , support member  105  includes a hook  150  that supports a tie line  151 . Still optionally, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , instead of hook  150 , clips  152 ,  154  can be fit over members  116 ,  118 , respectively and, after hoist  100  is set against a tree, tie line  151  can be strung between clips  152 ,  154  and around the tree to secure hoist  100  to the tree. 
     The separate members  102 - 106 ,  114 - 118  allow a user to carry hoist  100  in a bag (not shown) or other carrying device and remove the members  102 - 106 ,  114 - 118  from the bag for assembly at the tree in which the user desires to erect his/her tree stand. 
     To use hoist  100 , the user selects a tree with no branches for about the first 20-25 feet from the ground. The user then assembles and slips U-shaped assembly  110  around the tree trunk so that the trunk is between member  116  and member  118 . The user then ties securing line  130  to free end  129  of member  118 . 
     Next, the user connects top support member  106  to assembly connection  112  and connects other members  105 ,  104 ,  103 ,  102 , sequentially, and as need, underneath member  106 . At this point, with all of support members  102 - 105  connected, the top of hoist  100  extends about 20 feet from the ground. 
     The user ties first end  142  of lifting line to the tree stand and pulls on second end  144  of lifting line  140 , lifting tree stand up to the tree. When the stand is up, the user climbs up the tree stand, pausing at the optional hook  150 , reaching around either side of the tree and grasping each end of tie line  151 , pulling the ends around either side of the tree and tying the ends together, securing hoist  100  to the tree. The user then continues climbing up the tree stand. 
     Hoist  100  can be dissembled for ease of transport.  FIG. 3B  shows hoist  100  broken down into pieces, forming a kit for transport. The kit can be inserted into a bag (not shown) and assembled immediately prior to use. Similarly, after use, hoist  100  can be disassembled for transport. 
     While support members  102 - 106  are shown in use with hoist  100 , those skilled in the art will recognize that other types of supports can be used. By way of example only, a telescoping support assembly  210  can be used, as shown in  FIG. 4 . Support assembly  210  can use a plurality of legs telescopically fit within adjacent legs. While  FIG. 4  shows only three legs  212 ,  214 ,  216 , those skilled in the art will recognize that more legs can be used. Each of legs  212 ,  214 ,  216  is releasably secured to an adjacent support by a locking lever assembly  220 . Locking lever assembly  220  is well known, such as is used to releasably secure the legs of a camera tripod. 
     While locking lever assembly  220  is shown, those skilled in the art will recognize that other types of securing mechanisms, such as, for example, wing nuts with compression fittings, as are commonly used to releasably secure the members of cymbal stands, can also be used. 
     It will be further understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.