Patent Publication Number: US-6668976-B2

Title: Adjustable tree stand

Description:
This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/947,254 filed Sep. 5, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,642. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a tree stand of the type used by hunters to ascend a tree and provide an elevated seat thereon, and in particular to a tree stand that can be adjusted as the hunter ascends or descends the tree to provide a level and secure platform. 
     (2) Description of the Prior Art 
     Tree stands used to provide an elevated seat for hunters are well known in the prior art. One type of stand, known as a climbing tree stand, is constructed of a seating section and a standing section. The sections are attached to a tree with the seating section being above the standing section. The hunter then raises the sections in an alternating fashion to elevate the stand to the desired height on the tree. 
     Stand sections are releasibly secured to the tree by flexible attaching members that extend around the tree from one side of the stand section to the other side. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,182,792; 5,234,076; and 5,097,925 are all examples of climbing tree stands using flexible cables as attaching members. While cable has various advantages over other attaching means, these prior art disclosures require insertion of one or both ends of a support cable into relatively narrow support arm tubes, and then inserting a pin through a hole in the side of the tube and a hole in the end of the cable in order to secure the cable in place. Threading a cable inside a narrow tube while at the same time attempting to locate a cable attachment point is cumbersome in daylight, and nearly impossible at night. What is needed is an improved way to attach a cable to a tree stand section without having to thread the cable into a tube. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a tree-climbing device for improving the ease and safety of tree climbing. The invention relates especially to a tree stand that can be readily adjusted to changes in trunk diameter when ascending or descending the tree, providing a secure platform that can be adjusted to a horizontal position to accommodate changes in tree trunk diameter. 
     Generally, the tree stand of the present invention is comprised of a standing section and a seating section. The standing section includes a frame with an inner end and an outer end connected by side members, and a platform supported on the frame. A tree gripper or gripping section, normally a V-shaped, toothed member, extends inwardly from the inner end of the frame. The seating section is similarly constructed with a frame having inner and outer ends connected by side members, and a tree gripping section extending inwardly from the inner end of the frame. Instead of a standing platform, the seating section includes a seat, which may be fixed or moveable, supported by the frame. 
     Tree stands of the above general configuration are known in the art. The present invention is specifically directed to a unique means for attaching tree stands of this general configuration to a tree so that the stand is securely attached, yet readily adjustable to accommodate changes in the tree diameter when the tree is being ascended or descended. More specifically, each frame section of the present tree stand includes support or attachment members on each side of the frame, and a cable or other lashing member that is extendable around the tree trunk from one attachment member to the other, and releasibly attachable to one of the attachment members by a unique attachment means. 
     At least one of the attachment members, preferably both attachment members, includes a an exterior side, e.g., the top side or outer side, with a plurality of first mating elements adapted to mate with a corresponding second mating element adjacent one end of the lashing member. As used herein, the term “lashing member” is intended to include elongated flexible, straps or bands that are of a sufficient length to extend around an average tree from one side of attachment member to the other. Exemplary lashing members include cables, cords, ropes, woven straps, etc. Preferably, the lashing member is a twisted wire cable with a smooth sleeve, such as a wear-resistant plastic sleeve. 
     One of the mating elements is in the form of a projection, while the other mating element is a recess, the term including a hole, with the projection element being removably insertable into the recess. The projection element is moveable within the recess from an insertion position to a locked position when said cable is tensioned. In the locked position, the projection is prevented from being removed from the attachment member. Preferably, the attachment member has outer and inner walls, the recesses are holes, and the projection includes a flange, cap or other component that abuts the inner wall of the attachment member when the projection is in the locked position. 
     Normally, the attachment members will be attached on either side of each frame. The attachment member may be inclined towards the inner end of the standing section frame. The attachment member may be a rectangular tube with four sides, each side having an exterior and an interior surface. Preferably, the attachment member is a solid bar with outer and inner surfaces. The attachment member preferably includes a plurality of equidistant mating elements extending axially along the outer surface of the attachment member. 
     In a preferred embodiment, each attachment member is an inclined solid bar with inner and outer surfaces, and a plurality of axially aligned holes extending between the bar inner and outer surfaces. The lashing member is a cable with an attachment handle at each end. Each attachment handle includes at least one projection that is insertable into a hole in the attachment member, with the projection being moveable within the hole between an insertion position and a locked position when the cable is tensioned. 
     The projection may include a distal end with flange or cap adapted to engage the inner surface of the attachment member when the projection is in the locked position. Preferably, each of the holes has an insertion end of a first given width and a locking end of a second given width, and the projection includes an end cap with a third given width, with the third given width being less than said first given width and greater than said second given width, whereby the end cap prevents removal of the projection from the hole when the projection is in the locked end of the hole. 
     In order to hold the projection in the locked position during use of the tree stand, even if the tension on the cable is temporarily relieved, such as when the stand is being moved to a different position on the tree, each attachment handle preferably also includes a latch member to hold the projection in the locked position, with the attachment member including a latch recess, such as a latch hole, to receive the latch member. The latch member may include an inner end for insertion into the recess, and an outer end with a gripping element to manipulate the latch member. The latch pin may include an extended position and a retracted position, with a spring to urge the latch member to its extended position and hold the latch in the recess during use. 
     To minimize the projection of the attachment handle and cable from the attachment member, and thereby reduce the risk of snagging, the outer surface of the attachment member may include an axially aligned trough, e.g., a semi-circular trough, to receive the attachment handle and the cable. The holes may be in the bottom of the trough. For example, the trough may be on the outer side of the attachment member. 
     In operation, a climber places the tree gripping section of the standing section against a tree trunk. Next a lashing member, typically a cable is extended or looped around the tree trunk to be climbed. Usually, one end of the cable is already attached to the inner end of one attachment member. The climber tensions the cable by pulling on a handle terminating the unsecured end of the cable. Next, a first mating member on the unattached attachment member is selected such that when mated with a second mating member on the handle the cable remains under tension. A plurality of first mating members on the attachment member generally takes the form of holes. The second mating members or member on the handle generally take the form of a projection or flanged stud. 
     Next, the climber inserts the handle projection into the insertion end of the selected hole. In order to lock the attachment handle to the attachment member, the climber moves the handle projection within the hole from the insertion end to the locked end. In a preferred embodiment the climber would further secure the cable to the attachment member by releasing a spring urged pin into a latch recess while the handle projection is in the locked position. This action latches the cable to the attachment member even in the event that the tension on the cable is relaxed. At this point the standing section is capable of supporting the climber&#39;s weight and can safely be stood upon. 
     Next, the climber places the seating section waist high and directly above the standing section making sure that the seating section tree gripping section is engaging the tree trunk. As with the standing section, one end of the cable normally is already attached to the inner end of one of the seating section support arms. Similar to the procedure described for the standing section, the climber loops or extends the free end of the seating section cable around the tree trunk. The climber then tensions the cable by pulling on a handle terminating the unsecured end of the cable. To hold the tension the climber selects the appropriate hole on the remaining attachment member, positions the handle projection within the insertion point of the hole and then moves the handle projection to the locked position. In order to further secure the cable to the attachment member the climber releases a spring-urged latch pin into a latch recess. The seating section is now ready to safely hold the climber&#39;s full weight. 
     To ascend the tree, the climber places his or her feet in a restraint extending across the standing section platform. The climber then rests his or her weight on the seat of the seating section while using his or her feet and legs to pull the standing section upward. The climber then stands and, using his or her hands, raises the seating section to a waist high position. The climber then sits and again raises the standing section with his or her feet and legs. 
     Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a tree stand comprising a seating section including a seating section attachment member; a standing section including a standing section attachment member; a seating section lashing member having first and second ends; and a standing section lashing member having first and second ends, each of the attachment members having an exterior side with a plurality of spaced, aligned, first mating elements, and at least one end of each lashing member including a second mating element attachable to a first mating element, one of the mating elements being a recess, and the other of the mating elements being a projection insertable into the first mating element. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tree stand comprising a seating section including a frame with inner and outer ends, sides connecting the ends, and first and second seating section elongated attachment members adjacent the seating section sides and extending toward the seating section inner end; a standing section including a frame with inner and outer ends, sides connecting the ends, and first and second standing section elongated attachment members adjacent the standing section sides and extending toward the standing section inner end; a seating section lashing member having a first end attachable to the first seating section attachment member and a second end attachable to the second seating section attachment member; and a standing section lashing member having a first end attachable to the first standing section attachment member and a second end attachable to the second standing section attachment member, each of the seating section and standing section attachment members having an exterior side with a plurality of spaced, aligned holes, and each end of each lashing member including at least one projection insertable into one of the holes. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tree stand for use in climbing a tree comprising a seating section including a frame with inner and outer ends, sides connecting the ends, and first and second seating section elongated attachment members adjacent the seating section sides and extending toward the seating section inner end; a standing section including a frame with inner and outer ends, sides connecting the ends, and first and second standing section elongated attachment members adjacent the standing section sides and extending toward the standing section inner end; a seating section cable having first ends with handles at each of the ends; and a standing section cable having first ends with handles at each of the ends, each of the seating section and standing section attachment members having an exterior surface with a plurality of spaced, aligned, attachment holes and a plurality of spaced, aligned, latch holes alternating with the attachment holes, each of the handles including at least one projection insertable into one of the attachment holes, and a latch pin insertable into one of the latch holes. 
     Still another aspect of the invention is to provide a tree stand comprising a seating section including a frame with inner and outer ends, sides connecting the ends, and first and second seating section elongated attachment bars adjacent the seating section sides and inclined toward the seating section inner end; a standing section including a frame with inner and outer ends, sides connecting the ends, and first and second standing section elongated attachment bars adjacent the standing section sides and inclined toward the standing section inner end; a seating section cable having first and second ends with handles at each of the ends; and a standing section cable having first and second ends with handles at each of the ends, each of the seating section and standing section attachment bars having outer and inner faces with a plurality of spaced, aligned attachment holes extending between the faces, and a plurality of spaced, aligned latch holes alternating with the attachment holes, each of the handles including a pair of flanged projections insertable into adjacent attachment holes in an attachment bar, and a latch pin insertable into a latch hole between the adjacent holes. 
     These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tree stand showing the seating section and standing section. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an attachment member from FIG. 1 depicting an attachment handle and lashing member in the locked position. 
     FIG. 3 is the reverse view of an attachment member like that of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a detailed perspective view of an attachment handle. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional end view of an attachment handle in the locked and latched position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, terms such as horizontal, upright, vertical, above, below, beneath, and the like, are used solely for the purpose of clarity in illustrating the invention, and should not be taken as words of limitation. The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating the invention and are not intended to be to scale. 
     Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, a tree stand  10  comprises a standing section  12  and a seating section  14 . Standing section  12  includes a frame with an inner end  16  and an outer end  18  connected by side members  20  and  22 . A platform  24  for standing is supported on the standing section frame. A tree gripping section  26 , normally a V-shaped, tooth member, extends inwardly from inner end  16 . A restraint  28  for a climber&#39;s feet extends across platform  24 . Furthermore, the outer ends of two support or attachment members,  30  and  32  on each side of the frame connect to side members  20  and  22  near outer end  18 , and rise on an incline towards inner end  16 . Connecting members  34  and  36  join side members  20  and  22  to the inner ends of attachment members  30  and  32 , respectively. Standing section  12  also includes a lashing member  38  having first and second ends with attachment handles  39  releasibly attachable to a plurality of mating elements  31  and  33  axially aligned along attachment members  30  and  32 . 
     Seating section  14  includes a frame with an inner end  40  and an outer end  42  connected by side members  44  and  46 . A tree gripping section  48 , normally a V-shaped, tooth member, extends inwardly from inner end  40 . The outer ends of two attachment members  50  and  52  on each side of the frame connect to side members  44  and  46  near outer end  42 . Both of side members  50  and  52  rise on an incline towards inner end  40 . Connecting members  54  and  56 , join side members  44  and  46  to the inner ends of attachment members  50  and  52  respectively. Side members  46  and  44  support a seat  58 . Seating section  14  also includes a lashing member  60  having first and second ends terminated by at least one attachment handle  59  releasibly attachable to a plurality of mating elements  51  and  53  axially aligned along attachment members  50  and  52 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, attachment member  32  is a solid bar having the shape of an elongated, axially aligned, semi-circular trough. The plurality of mating elements  33  aligned along attachment member  32  as shown in FIG. 1 is represented again in greater detail in FIG. 2 illustrated in singular form as a hole  33 . Each hole  33  has an enlarged insertion end of a first given width and a smaller locking end of a second given width, with the second given width being less than the first given width. The locking end of hole  33  is towards the inner end of attachment member  32 . Latch recess holes  35  alternate with holes  33 . 
     Attachment handle  39  is secured to the end of lashing member  38 . FIG. 2 depicts attachment handle  39  in the locked position. In this position handle  39  is partially recessed inside the trough of attachment member  32  helping prevent handle  39  from accidentally becoming snagged by foreign objects. Referring now to FIG.  3  and FIG. 4, an attachment handle  70 , identical to attachment handles  39  and  59  shown in FIG. 1, includes flanged or capped studs  74  and  76  located opposite a knob  78  which connects to one end of latch pin  74 . FIG. 3 shows the flanges or caps of studs  72  and  76  in the locked position on attachment member  50 . The width of the flange or cap of each stud is greater than the width of the locking end of each hole  33 . Thus each flange is prevented from detachment when in the locked position. The tip of latch recess pin  74  prevents studs  72  and  76  from moving from the locked position to the insertion position in the event cable tension is lost. FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of attachment handle  70  locked and latched onto attachment member  50 . A spring  80  urges latch pin  74  into a latch recess identical to latch recess  57 . 
     In operation, a climber places tree-gripping section  26  of the standing section  12  against a tree trunk. Next lashing member  38  preferably a cable is extended or looped around the tree trunk to be climbed. Usually, one end of the cable is already attached to the inner end of one attachment member. The climber tensions cable  38  by pulling on a handle  39 , and inserts handle projections  72  and  76  into the insertion ends of a pair of adjacent holes  51 . The climber then tensions cable  38  to move attachment handle projections  72  and  76  within holes  51  from the insertion position to the smaller locking ends of holes  51 . The climber then inserts pin  74  into a latch recess  57  while projections  72  and  76  are in their locked position, securing cable  38  even if the tension on cable  38  is relaxed. At this point standing section  12  is capable of supporting the climber&#39;s weight and can be stood upon safely. 
     Next, the climber places seating section  14  waist high and directly above standing section  12  making sure that seating section tree gripping section  48  is engaging the tree trunk. As with standing section  12 , one end of the cable normally is already attached to the inner end of one of seating section support arms  50  and  52 . Similar to the procedure described for standing section  12 , the climber loops or extends the free end of the seating section cable  60  around the tree trunk. The climber then tensions the cable by pulling on handle  59 . To hold the tension, the climber selects appropriate holes  51  on the attachment member  52 , and positions handle projections similar to  72  and  76  within the insertion ends of holes  51 . The climber then moves the handle projections to their locked position and secures the projections in place by inserting the latch. Seating section  14  is now ready to safely hold the climber&#39;s full weight. 
     To ascend the tree, a climber places his or her feet in a restraint  28  extending across standing section platform  12 . The climber then rests his or her weight on seat  58  of seating section  14  while using his or her feet and legs to pull standing section  12  upward to meet seating section  14 . After that, the climber stands and using his or her hands raises seating section  14  to a waist high position. The climber then sits and again raises standing section  12  with his or her feet and legs. 
     Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims.