Patent Publication Number: US-2018027799-A1

Title: Tree stand

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a non-provisional application claiming priority under 35 USC 119 from co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/367,172 filed on Jul. 27, 2016 by Andre T. D&#39;Acquisto and entitled TREE STAND, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Tree stands are commonly used during hunting and wildlife observation. Such tree stands generally include a platform supported against the trunk of a tree. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example tree stand mounted to a tree. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of an example support extension of the tree stand of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an end view of the example support extension of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a first side view of an example arm of the example support extension of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the example arm of  4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a second side view of the example arm of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary perspective view of an end portion of the example arm of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of an example cross brace of the support extension of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 9  is an end view of the example cross brace of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a fragmentary perspective view of an example imperforate strap of the tree stand of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the example imperforate strap of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the example imperforate strap of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view of a portion of the example strap of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an example 1 st  connector of the example tree stand of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 15  is a first side view of the example connector of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a second side view of the example connector of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of the example connector of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 18  is a first side view of a second connector of the example tree stand of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 19  is a second side view of the second connector. 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of the example 2 nd  connector. 
         FIG. 21  is a sectional view of a portion of the tree stand of  FIG. 1  illustrating the example 1 st  connector in an unlocked or open state. 
         FIG. 22  is a sectional view of a portion of the tree stand of  FIG. 1  illustrating the example 1 st  connector in a locked state. 
         FIG. 23  is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the tree stand of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 24-27  are perspective views illustrating the example tree stand of  FIG. 1  in different stages of deployment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an example tree stand  20  is mounted to a trunk of an example tree  22 . Tree stand  20  has a construction that facilitates the use of a metal or other flexible strap to wrap around the tree  22 , wherein the strap of the tree stand  20  has an enhanced durability and wear. As will be described hereafter, tree stand  20  releasably connects its platform to the strap without perforations or openings through the strap. As a result, the strap has enhanced durability. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “imperforate” with respect to the strap means that the strap lacks any perforations, apertures or openings that completely extend through the thickness of the strap and that are completely surrounded by the material of the strap. For example, in imperforate strap may comprise a strap that is solid throughout. An “imperforate strap” may comprise an imperforate band, having a uniform width along a majority, if not all of its length, wherein the band lacks notches or cutouts along the edges, but wherein additional structures, such as protuberances, may be welded, bonded, adhered otherwise formed on the face of the imperforate band. An “imperforate strap” may comprise notches or cutouts extending into an edge of the strap. An “imperforate strap” may comprise a band having aperture openings extending completely through the thickness of the band and which are completely surrounded by the material of the band, wherein the strap further comprises structures that fill the apertures in the band such that completed strap is imperforate. 
     As shown by  FIG. 1 , tree stand  20  comprises platform  24 , support extension  26 , struts  28  (transparently shown in broken lines), imperforate strap  30  and connectors  34 . Platform  24  comprises a panel or other rigid support upon which a person may stand or sit. In one implementation, platform  24  comprises a web or a perforated member. In other implementations, platform  24  may be solid. Platform  24  comprises a tree engaging portion  38  which abuts against and contacts the side of tree  22 . In one implementation, the tree engaging portion  30  comprises a claw-like structure or tree gripping structure. 
     Support extension  26  comprises a bracket-like structure extending from platform  24  between platform  24  and imperforate strap  30 . Support extension  26  is rigid. In the example illustrated, support extension  26  is pivotally connected to platform  24  at one end and releasably connected to strap  30  at the other end. Support extension  26  may have a variety of different sizes, shapes and configurations. 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate one particular example of support extension  26 . In the example illustrated, support extension  26  comprises a pair of arms  50  spaced apart and interconnected by a cross brace  52 . 
       FIGS. 4-7  illustrate one of arms  50  in more detail. As shown by such figures, each arm  50  comprises an elongate square tubular member having an interior  56  sized and shaped to receive an end portion of strap  30 . Each arm  50  further comprises multiple apertures including slot  58 , cam opening  60  and a series of spaced detents  64 . Slot  58  can extend along an interface of each of arms  50  and facilitates connection of a corresponding strut  28  to arm  50 . In the example illustrated, each strut  28  has a bolt received within slot  58 , wherein the positioning of strut  28  at either end of slot  58  may be secured by tightening a not or head and wherein loosening of another head facilitates sliding of strut  28  within slot  58  to facilitate pivoting of arms  50  and strut  28  towards platform  24  such that arms  50  and struts  28  are more parallel to one another for compact storage and transport. For use, struts  28  may be slid within slot  58  to the more extended position shown in  FIG. 1  and tightened in the position shown. 
     Cam opening  60  extends through the tubular structure of each of arms  50 . Opening  60  receives a portion of one of connectors  34 . In the example illustrated, cam opening  60  comprises a circular bore extending through a top face of the tubular structure of arm  50 , guiding rotation of the receive connector  34 . In other implementations, depending upon the configuration of connector  34 , cam opening  60  may have other sizes or shapes or may be omitted. 
     Detents  64  extend along an interface of each of arms  50 . In the example illustrated, detents  64  comprise a series of spaced apertures or holes extending completely through the inner wall of the tubular structure of arm  50 . As will be described hereafter, each of detents  64  is sized to receive a corresponding protuberance extending from strap  30 . In other implementations, detents  64  may comprise cavities or pieces that only partially extend through the inner wall of the tubular structure of arm  50 . For example, detents  64  may comprise cavities, craters, grooves, serrations or the like. In one implementation, detents  64  have a center to center pitch that matches the center to center pitch of protuberances extending from strap  30 . In one implementation, detents  64  have a center to center pitch of at least 15 cm and less than or equal to 50 cm. In another implementation, detents  64  have a center to center pitch of less than or equal to 35 cm. In yet other implementations where releasable connection to strap  30  is facilitated in other fashions, detents  64  may be omitted. 
     Cross brace  52  comprise a member extending between and interconnecting arms  50 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate cross brace  52  in more detail. In the example illustrated, cross brace  52  has a concave profile  70  which is to face the tree  22  when strap  30  wraps about tree  22 . In the example illustrated, the concave profile  70  is curved or rounded, approximating the curved or rounded diameter of tree  22 . Concave profile  70  facilitates positioning of extension  26  into closer proximity with the sides of tree  22 . 
       FIGS. 10-13  illustrate imperforate strap  30  in more detail. As shown by such figures, imperforate strap  30  comprises an elongate flat band  80  and a series of protuberances  82  projecting from a face  84  of band  80 . In one implementation, band  80  has a thickness of less than or equal to 15 cm and a length of at least 1000 cm. In one implementation, the thickness and width of band  80  as well as its shape is such that band  80  may be slidably received within the interior  56  of the tubular structures forming arms  50 . In one implementation, band  80  comprises a metal such as aluminum. In another implementation, band  80  comprises spring steel. In implementations where band  80  comprises spring steel, strap  30  is spring biased or resiliently biased such that protuberances  84  press outwardly, towards detents  64  of the arms  50  receiving the end portions of strap  30 . Because band  30  is formed from a metal, band  30  is less prone to drying out, cracking, where or the like. Band  30  is also more durable and maybe more easily fabricated as compared to rubber belts. In other implementations, band  30  may be formed from a rubber material, a polymer material or other materials 
     Protuberances  82  are arranged in a series along band  80  on face  84 . Protuberances  82  are sized, shaped and located so as to be receivable within detents  64 . In one implementation, protuberances  82  have heights so as to be completely received within detents  64 , allowing face  84  of band  80  to contact or abut the side face of the interior  56  of arms  50 . In one implementation protuberances  82  have a height of less than or equal to 6 cm. In one implementation, protuberances  82  are welded to face  84  of band  80 , wherein band  80  itself, prior to the mounting of protuberances  82 , is imperforate. In such implementations, the welded protuberances  84  further strengthen strap  30 . In yet other implementations, protuberances  82  may be joined to band  80  in other fashions. For example, in some implementations, protuberances  82  may project through openings in band  80 , substantially or completely filling such openings in band  80  such that strap  30 , as a completed structure, is imperforate. 
     In the example illustrated, strap  30  comprises at least five protuberances  82 . In one implementation, protuberances  82  have a center to center pitch which corresponds to the center to center pitch of detents  64 . In one implementation, protuberances  82  have a center to center pitch of at least 15 cm and less than or equal to 50 cm. In another implementation, protuberances  82  have a center to center pitch of less than or equal to 35 cm. In yet other implementations where releasable connection to strap  30  is facilitated in other fashions, protuberances  82  may be omitted. Although illustrated as cylindrical bosses, in other implementations, protuberances  82  may have other sizes, shapes and configurations. 
       FIGS. 14-17  illustrates an example right connector  34 R.  FIGS. 18-20  illustrate an example left connector  34 L. Connectors  34 R and  34 L are substantially identical to one another except that such connectors have oppositely oriented notches. Each of such connectors  34  is supported by one of arms  50 . In the example illustrated, each of such connectors  34  is received within connector aperture  60  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) of each arm  50 . Each of connectors  34  comprise a cam mechanism which includes an outer circumferential camming surface  100  and an opposite cutout or notch  102 . In the example illustrated, each of connector  34  further comprises a threaded end portion  108  and a lever  110 . 
       FIGS. 21-23  illustrate securement of one of connectors  34  to one of arms  50  and further illustrate the connector  34  in an open state and a locked state. As shown by such figures, each of connectors  34  passes through openings  60  and is retained by nut  114  secured to threaded portion  108 . Nut  114  extends on a first bottom side of arm  50  while lever  110  extends on a top face are side of arm  50 . As shown by  FIGS. 21 and 22 , cam surface  100  and notch  102  are located such that strap  30  is sandwiched between either cam surface  100  or notch  102  and the interior side  118  of interior  56  of arm  50 . In the example illustrated, connector  34  is rotatable to an open position shown in  FIG. 21 , wherein notch  102  faces strap  30 , allowing strap  30  to move inwardly, in the direction indicated by arrow  122 , and to be received within notch  102 , facilitating withdrawal of protuberances  82  from detents  64 . As shown by  FIG. 22 , connector  34  is rotatable to a locked position in which notch  102  faces away from strap  30  and in which the cam surface  100  faces and presses against the back face  124  of strap  30  to urge and retain protuberances  82  within their corresponding detents  64 . In the example where strap  30  comprise spring steel, strap  30  is resiliently biased such that protuberances  82  are resiliently biased into detents  64  even when connector  34  is in the open state shown in  FIG. 21 . However, the resilient spring force of strap  30  may be overcome to allow strap  30  to be extended or retracted with respect to arm  50 . 
       FIGS. 24-27  illustrate one example employment of tree stand  20 .  FIGS. 24-27  illustrate various positions of platform  20  during such deployment. In each of the views, connector  34  illustrated in the locked states. To vary the extent to which strap  30  is received within arms  50 , and thereby adjust the position and orientation of platform  24  relative to tree  22 , connector  34  may be temporarily moved to the unlocked position or state, allowing strap  30  to be manually pressed against the spring force and to be slid within tubes  50  to align different sets of protuberances  82  with the detents  64  of the arms  50 . Once in a desired length, connector  34  once again moved (rotated) to the locked state or position. 
     The Figures illustrate but one example of tree stand  20 . In other implementations, tree stand  20  may utilize other configurations for the imperforate strap  30 . In each of such implementations, strap  30  is imperforate. For example, in other implementations, strap  30  may omit protuberances  82 , but may instead comprise a series of detents or notches extending into the edge (the minor dimension) of band  80 . In such an implementation, each of connectors  34  may additionally or alternatively comprise a radially extending pin or projection that is movable into and out of one of the detents or notches in the edge of band  80 . In one implementation, the radially extending pin or projection is rotatable into (a locked position) and out of (and unlocked position) a selected one of the notches or detents in the edge of band  80 . 
     Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to example implementations, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. For example, although different example implementations may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example implementations or in other alternative implementations. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the example implementations and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements.