Abstract:
A portable step including a strap assembly, a step assembly and a locking system. The strap assembly includes a strap and a buckle that can be locked in place using a locking system. The step assembly includes a base portion and a step portion. The strap assembly and base portion may be secured to a tree. The step portion is removable allowing the base portion and strap assembly to be left secured to a tree so that others may not take or use the portable step, yet allowing the user to return to easily reattach the step portion to the base portion of the step assembly allowing reuse of the portable step.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to the field of portable climbing devices. More particularly, this invention relates to a portable step that provides a removable step and a locking system. The present invention overcomes problems with tree climbing devices that damage trees or that can be easily used by or taken by others.  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The desire to climb objects, trees in particular, to gain a higher viewpoint has been an object of many. Hunters, in particular, prefer the advantage of an elevated position to view and capture their prey. Many trees and poles lack usefully placed steps or stepping platforms to facilitate easy climbing.  
         [0003]     Many devices have been used to make tree climbing easier. Many devices cause damage to trees, such as screws and spikes. Most require significant time to install and properly position. During a hunting season, hunters typically like to use the same tree a number of times over several weeks. A hunter will usually setup any equipment needed for the desired hunt a day or more prior to hunting season, and leave the equipment in place for a few days or weeks. This may include putting a tree stand in place and providing climbing steps to get up to the tree stand. However, leaving the climbing device in place invites theft of the device or use by someone else. Therefore, the hunter is forced to remove and re-install the climbing device each time the climber re-visits the same tree.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0004]     One aspect of the invention includes a portable step having a strap assembly and a step assembly. The strap assembly is removably attachable to a climbable object. The strap assembly is long enough to circumscribe the object and is attachable to the object by circumscribing the object. The step assembly has a base portion and a step portion. The base portion is attached to the strap assembly and the step portion is removably attachable to the base portion. The step assembly has a climbing position and a non-climbing position. The climbing position includes an attached step portion and provides a step. The non-climbing position detaches the step portion.  
         [0005]     Another aspect of the invention includes a base portion having a beveled top.  
         [0006]     Another aspect of the invention includes a base portion having a stem for inserting into a channel with the stem and the channel having at least two mating surfaces.  
         [0007]     Another aspect of the invention includes a step assembly having at least one locking lip and at least one locking edge.  
         [0008]     Another aspect of the invention includes a strap assembly having a buckle including a buckle base and a hook with the buckle base having a cam, and the cam securing one end of a strap of the strap assembly.  
         [0009]     Another aspect of the invention includes a locking system.  
         [0010]     Another aspect of the invention includes a locking system having a plurality of holes in a strap of the strap assembly and an opening in a buckle of the strap assembly.  
         [0011]     Another aspect of the invention includes a strap assembly having a strap and a buckle.  
         [0012]     One aspect of the invention includes a portable step having a strap assembly, a step assembly, and a locking mechanism. The strap assembly is removably attachable to a climbable object. The strap assembly is long enough to circumscribe the object and is attachable to the object by circumscribing the object. The step assembly has a climbing position and a non-climbing position. The climbing position provides a step. The locking system is attached to the strap assembly so that the strap assembly is securable to the climbable object. The strap assembly is lockably securable to the object while the step assembly is in either the climbing position or non-climbing position.  
         [0013]     Another aspect of the invention includes a locking system having a plurality of openings in a strap of the strap assembly and an opening in a hook of a buckle of the strap assembly.  
         [0014]     Another aspect of the invention provides that the step assembly has a base portion and a step portion with the base portion attached to the strap assembly. The step portion is removably attachable to the base portion. The climbing position includes an attached step portion and provides a step. The non-climbing position includes a detached step portion.  
         [0015]     One aspect of the invention includes a portable step having an object securing means, a locking means, and an incapacitating means. The object securing means is for attaching the portable step to an object so that the object can be climbed. The locking means is for securing at least a portion of the portable step to the object to prevent other users from removing the portable step from the object. The incapacitating means is for making the portable step unusable by other users by detaching at least a portion of the portable step from the object.  
         [0016]     Another aspect of the invention includes an object securing means having a strap and a buckle.  
         [0017]     Another aspect of the invention includes a locking means having a locking system and an opening in a strap.  
         [0018]     Another aspect of the invention includes an incapacitating means having a removable step portion.  
         [0019]     Another aspect of the invention includes an object securing means having a strap and a buckle, a locking means having a locking system and an opening in a strap, and an incapacitating means having a removable step portion. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a three dimensional drawing of a portable step in a non-climbing position.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a three dimensional drawing of portion of a portable step in a climbing position.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a three dimensional drawing of a buckle without an attached strap.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a three dimensional drawing of a step portion of a step assembly of a portable step.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is three dimensional drawing of a base portion of a step assembly of a portable step.  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is three dimensional drawing of a portion of a portable step showing a locking system and lock. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0026]     Generally, one embodiment of the device consists of a portable step  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6 .  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the portable step  10  includes a strap assembly  20  attached to a base portion  52  of a step assembly  50 . The portable step is designed to attach to an object to be climbed, such as a tree. Step assembly  50  is shown in a non-climbing position  120  without step portion  54  of step assembly  50 . (See  FIG. 2  for climbing position  110  including step portion  54  of step assembly  50 ) (The portable step may also include a locking system  96  and a lock  98  as shown in  FIG. 6 .)  
         [0028]     Strap assembly  20  includes a strap  22  and a buckle  30 . Strap  22  is preferably a nylon strap, however, other materials known in the art, such as natural fibers, or other synthetic fibers could also capably provide at least some of the characteristics of proper strength, elasticity, and wear resistance, depending on width and thickness. Strap  22  is preferably perforated with a plurality of openings or strap holes  23  along the length of at least a portion of strap  22 . Strap holes  23  provide attachment points for a locking system  96  and lock  98  (See  FIG. 6 ) so that the portable step  10  may be secured to an object. Strap  22  also may include an enlarged end  1   24 , such as a double or triple thickness of strap  22  sewn together. Enlarged end  1   24  is thick enough so that it will not pass through the buckle  30 . Enlarged end  1   24  ensures that strap assembly  20  remains together and available for use as well as enhances the security features of the portable step  10 . Alternatively, strap  22  may include a strap holes comprised as one or more loops  122 , either in addition to or as an alternative strap hole  23 . (See  FIG. 6 ). Strap  22  preferably consists of a long portion  24  and a short portion  26 . A first end  25  of long portion  24  is attached to base portion  52  of step assembly  50 . A second end  27  of long portion  24  is attached to buckle  30  by attaching the second end  27  to buckle  30 . Preferably, buckle  30  is attached to step assembly  50  by short portion  26  of strap  22 . Short portion  26  may be permanently sewn to hook  40  of buckle  30  at one end and the step assembly  50  on the opposite end. Alternatively, buckle  30  may be directly attached to base portion  52  of step assembly  50 , eliminating the need for short portion  26  of strap  22 .  
         [0029]     Step assembly  50  includes a base portion  52  and a step portion  54 . (See  FIG. 2 ) Base portion  52  of step assembly  50  is preferably permanently attached to strap  22 , but alternatively, may be removably attached to strap  22  or strap assembly  20 . Step portion  54  (See  FIG. 2 ) is removably attached to base portion  52  of step assembly  50 .  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , strap assembly  20  is attached to step assembly  50 . Buckle  30  includes a buckle base  34  and hook  40 . Buckle base  34  includes a cam  38  that is pivotally attached to buckle base  34  by pin  35 . Buckle base  34  includes a latch  36  at one end of buckle base  34  and a cam plate  37  at the other end of the buckle base  34 . Cam plate  37  and latch  36  are connected by arms  39 a and  39 b. Pin  35  is attached to arms  39 . Cam  38  rotates about pin  35  so that cam  38  pinches long portion  24  of strap  22  against cam plate  37  when rotated in one direction and releases strap  22  when rotated in the opposite direction. Cam  38  and cam plate  37  of buckle  30  releasably attaches strap  22  to buckle  30 .  
         [0031]     Hook  40  includes a C-portion  42  at one end and a strap connector  44  at the other end. Hook  40  removably attaches to buckle base  34  by C-portion  42  of hook  40  partially circumscribing about latch  36  of buckle base  34 . Hook  40  includes lock opening  46 , preferably located in C-portion  42  of hook  40 .  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , buckle  30  is shown with out strap  22 . Buckle  30  includes buckle base  34  and hook  40 . Buckle base  34  includes a cam  38  that is pivotally attached to buckle base  34  by pin  35 . Buckle base  34  includes a latch  36  at one end of buckle base  34  and a cam plate  37  at the other end of the buckle base  34 . Cam plate  37  and latch  36  are connected by arms  39 a and  39 b. Pin  35  is attached to arms  39 .  
         [0033]     Hook  40  includes a C-portion  42  at one end and a strap connector  44  at the other end. Hook  40  removably attaches to buckle base  34  by C-portion  42  of hook  40  partially circumscribing about latch  36  of buckle base  34 . Hook  40  includes lock opening  46 , preferably located in C-portion  42  of hook  40 . Strap connector  44  attaches one end of short portion  26  of strap  22  to hook  46  of buckle  30  by looping strap  22  through slotted opening  45  and permanently sewing or attaching the strap  22  back onto the strap  22 .  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , step portion  54  of step assembly  50  is shown. Step portion  54  may be comprised of metal or plastic or other suitable materials. Step portion  54  includes an inner stem  56 , an outer stem  58 , and a step  60 . Inner stem  56  and outer stem  58  are attached by cross member  62 . Outer stem  58  is connected to step  60 . Preferably, inner stem  56 , outer stem  58 , cross member  62 , and step  60  are integral. Alternatively each piece could be separately molded or formed and attached to each other using fasteners, adhesives or the like. Inner stem  56  has an inner surface  64 , an outer surface  66  and a beveled end  68 . Outer stem  58  has an inner surface  70  having a vertical reach  74 a from the cross member  62  to a locking stop  72 . Step  60  includes cleats  76  and a step end stop  78  to provide more secure footing. Additionally, step  60  may include gussets  80  and cutouts  82  to improve strength and reduce weight of the device.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , base portion  52  of step assembly  50  is shown. Base portion  52  may be comprised of metal or plastic or other suitable materials. Base portion  52  receives and supports step portion  54 . Base portion  52  includes an inner stem channel  84  and outer stem channel  86 , both running vertically from substantially the top to the bottom of the base portion  52 . Inner stem channel  84  and outer stem channel  86  are separated by a support  85 . Inner stem channel  84  has an inner surface  88  and an outer surface  90 . Outer stem channel  86  has a facing surface  92  with a vertical reach  74   b  and locking edges  94   a  and  94   b.  Inner stem  56  of step portion  54  is received by inner stem channel  84  with outer surface  66  of inner stem  56  mating with inner surface  88  of inner stem channel  84  and inner surface  64  of inner stem  56  mating with outer surface  90  of inner stem channel  84 . At least a portion of the sides  87 a and  87 b of inner stem channel  84  snuggly fit against at least a portion of the sides of inner stem  58  to provide a more secure fit.  
         [0036]     Outer stem  58  is received by outer stem channel  86  with inner surface  70  of outer stem  58  mating with facing surface  92  of outer stem channel  86  and cross member  62  of step portion  54  mating with support  85  of base portion  52  with inner surface  70  of outer stem  58  having a vertical reach  74   a  from the cross member  62  to locking stop  72  mating with vertical reach  74   b  of outer stem channel  86 . Locking edges  94   a  and  94   b  of outer stem channel  86  snuggly fit against the sides  59   a  and  59   b  of outer stem  58 . Alternatively, locking edges  94  may wrap or snap around gussets  80  and into cut outs  82  to provide a more secure fit. When inner stem  56  is inserted into inner stem channel  84  it easily inserts into base portion  54  due to beveled edge  68  of inner stem  56 . When fully inserted, into inner stem channel  84 , locking lip  72  of outer stem  58  snaps into a locked position, locking step portion  54  into the base portion  52 . Locking step portion  54  into a locked position ensures that step portion  54  will not accidentally release from base portion  52 . The locking edges and snug fitting sides also reduce side to side movement resulting in a more stable step for the climber.  
         [0037]     Base  52  also includes strap openings  100   a  and  100   b,  a beveled top  102 , and strength supports  104 . Beveled top  102  of base portion  52  is beveled or sloped so that others will not be able to use base portion  52  as a step without step portion  54 .  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , Buckle  30  may include a locking system  96  that allows strap assembly  20  to be secured to an object to be climbed, such as a tree. Locking system  96  includes a plurality of holes  23  in strap  22  and lock opening  46  in hook  40 . Alternatively, locking system  96  may include base opening  99  in buckle base  34 . A lock  98  may be looped through strap opening  23  and either or both of hook opening  46  and base opening  99 . Strap  22  also may include an enlarged end  1   24 , such as a double or triple thickness of strap  22  sewn together. Enlarged end  1   24  is thick enough so that it will not pass through the buckle  30 . Enlarged end  1   24  ensures that strap assembly  20  remains together and available for use as well as enhances the locking system of portable step  10 . Alternatively, strap  22  may include strap hole  23  comprised as one or more loops  122 , either in addition to or as an alternative strap hole  23 . Alternatively, lock  98  may be looped through loop  22  and either or both of hook opening  46  and base opening  99 .  
         [0039]     To set up portable step  10 , first wrap long portion  24  of strap  22  around the object to be climbed, such as a tree, hook the hook  40  of buckle  30  to buckle base  34  of buckle  30  by placing C-portion  42  substantially around latch  36 . Next loop loose end  27  of long portion  24  of strap  22  under cam plate  37  and then between cam plate  37  and latch  36 . Next loop strap  22  between cam plate  37  and cam  38 , around cam  38  and back towards latch  36  and hook  40 . If desired, lock strap  22  to buckle  30  using the closest strap opening  23 . Loop lock  98  through strap opening  23  and through either or both of hook opening  46  and base opening  99 .  
         [0040]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the present embodiment provides a quick and secure ascent and descent from an object to be climbed, such as a tree. The embodiment includes a strap assembly  20 , and a step assembly  50 . The step assembly  50  includes a base portion  52  and a step portion  54 . Strap assembly  20  and base portion  52  may be secured and left on a tree without damage to the tree and without someone else either using or taking the portable step  10 . Step portion  54  of step assembly  50  is taken with the climber when not in use, leaving base portion  52  securely fastened to the tree. When the climber wants to use portable step  10 , the climber reattaches step portion  54  to base portion  52  of step assembly  50 . Step portion  54  has an outer stem  56  that slides into inner stem channel  84  on base portion  52  and snaps securely into place to ensure that it doesn&#39;t inadvertently slip out of base portion  52 . Locking strap assembly  20  in place reduces the chance that portable step  10  will be stolen or removed. If it is removed, the device is likely to be damaged, such as cutting of strap  22  or breaking or bending of the base portion  52  or buckle  30 , rendering it useless.  
         [0041]     Sportsmen may set a series of portable steps early in the hunting season and return to use the same portable steps without having to transport heavy equipment and set up each time. They can easily lock the portable steps in place the first time they set it up and simply remove step portions  54  as they descend from a tree stand, for example. The next time they want to use the portable steps, they can simply reinsert the lightweight step portions  54  into each step as they ascend the tree.  
         [0042]     The step assembly has a climbing position  110 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , and a non-climbing position  1   20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Climbing position  110  includes attached step portion  54  and non-climbing position  1   20  does not include step portion  54  or step portion  54  is detached from step assembly  50 . Climbing position  110  provides a step  112 .  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , a portable step  10  includes an object securing means, such as strap assembly  20  for attaching portable step  10  to an object, such as a tree, so that the object can be climbed. Object securing means may also include ropes, nails screws, fasteners, adhesive, or any other means to secure a base portion to an object to be climbed. The portable step includes a locking means, such as locking system  96 , for securing at least a portion of the portable step to the object to prevent other users from removing the portable step from the object. Locking means may also include locks integral with buckle  30 , padlocks, combination locks, fasteners, ratchets, alarms, or systems designed to facilitate such locking means. Incapacitating means, such as removing step portion  54 , for making the portable step unusable by other users by detaching at least a portion of the portable step from the object. Incapacitating means may include beveled tops or repositioning of a portion of the device into a non-use position.  
         [0044]     While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.