Abstract:
A portable tree stand step providing assistance to hunters when entering and exiting hunting tree stands includes a rope fastened to a lower frame of the tree stand. The rope forms a pair of flexible stepping loops that hang downwardly and into which the hunter can step, thereby allowing the hunter to enter the tree stand. Additionally, each stepping loop of the portable tree stand step is supplied with a foot pad and a length adjustment mechanism, allowing the hunter to position and securely step upon the foot pad when entering the stand.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to portable tree stands, and in particular, to a length adjustable step that is attachable to portable tree stands for use in hunting. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Over the years, modern advances in hunting equipment have enhanced the sport, providing hunters with increased success. Although many of these products are high-technology devices, some products are amazingly simple. An example of one (1) of these products is the tree stand. A tree stand is used to form a stable surface in a tree upon which the hunter may sit or even stand. It allows the hunter to remain elevated and nearly invisible to his prey for long periods of time in relative comfort. 
     However, access into and out of such tree stands rely on the hunter climbing or “hugging” the tree in order to access the elevated seat. While perhaps not a problem for young hunters, disabled or elderly hunters have a difficult time. While ladders, step stools and the like can be used, these items are heavy and must be transported into and out of the hunting spot perhaps forcing multiple trips. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which a hunting tree stand may be more easily accessed without the disadvantages as described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of these disadvantages, the inventor has recognized a lack in the art and observed that there is a need for an attachable step and a method of attachment for use with portable tree stands. The development of the present invention, which will be described in greater detail herein, substantially departs from conventional solutions to provide a new portable tree stand step and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     In accordance with features and aspects of one exemplary embodiment consistent with the principles of the present disclosure, a portable tree stand step is provided that can include a length of rope having a first end, an opposing second end, and a center disposed between the first end and the second end. A first slide fastener is connected to the rope first end having a plurality of apertures to receive and frictionally retain the rope. A second slide fastener is connected to the rope second end also having a plurality of apertures to receive and frictionally retain the rope. A first foot pad is attached to the rope between the first end and the center. The first footpad includes a generally rectangular section of flexible strap material, a pair of apertures disposed through opposing ends of the strap material, and a grommet fastened to a perimeter of each of the pair of apertures. A second foot pad is attached to the rope between the second end and the center. The second footpad also includes a generally rectangular section of flexible strap material, a pair of apertures disposed through opposing ends of the strap material, and a grommet fastened to a perimeter of each of the pair of apertures. The first end is configured to loop around a first side of a lower frame of a portable tree stand and is securable to the first slide fastener. The second end is configured to loop around an opposing second side of the lower frame of the portable tree stand and is securable to the second slide fastener. The rope center is configured to loop around a middle location of the lower frame of the portable tree stand to define a first step and a second step. The first foot pad is disposed at a middle portion of the first step and the second footpad is disposed at a middle portion of the second step. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a portable tree stand step depicted in-use as attached to a portable tree stand, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an environmental view of the portable tree stand step depicted in-use, in accordance with the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the portable tree stand step depicted as attached to the portable tree stand, in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  portable tree stand step 
               20   a  first step 
               20   b  second step 
               21  rope 
               22   a  first side attachment loop 
               22   b  second side attachment loop 
               24  center attachment loop 
               26   a  first knot 
               26   b  second knot 
               26   c  center knot 
               30   a  first foot pad 
               30   b  second foot pad 
               32  grommet 
               35  length adjustment fixture 
               100  tree stand 
               102  lower frame 
               105  hunter 
               110  tree 
               115  ground surface 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of certain embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     It can be appreciated that, although such terms as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one (1) element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It also will be understood that, as used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one or more stated elements, steps or functions without precluding one or more unstated elements, steps or functions. Relative terms such as “front” or “rear” or “left” or “right” or “top” or “bottom” or “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one (1) element, feature or region to another element, feature or region as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. It should also be understood that the sizes and relative orientations of the illustrated elements are not shown to scale, and in some instances they have been exaggerated for purposes of explanation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , depicting a portable tree stand step, identified generally by reference to a device  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the device  10  generally provides an attachable step to assist hunters  105  as they climb into and out of a tree stand  100 . 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which depict the device  10  in progressive in-use states. The device  10  is preferably made of a section of flexible rope  21  forming a length-adjustable first step  20   a  and second step  20   b . The steps  20   a ,  20   b  are fastened to front end of a lower frame  102  of the tree stand  100 . During use, the tree stand  100  is commonly positioned at approximately from waist height to shoulder height above a ground surface  115 . The steps  20   a ,  20   b  support a hunter&#39;s boot at an approximate knee-high position above the ground surface  115  to allow the hunter to step onto and off from the tree stand  100 . The flexible nature of the device  10  allows the steps  20   a ,  20   b  to adjust to a suitable size and shape to receive a large hunting boot while the hunter  105  climbs into the stand  100 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 3 , the device  10  includes a first step  20   a  which is formed by a first side attachment loop  22   a  and a first foot pad  30   a . In a similar manner, the second step  20   b  is formed by a second side attachment loop  22   b  and a second foot pad  30   b . The length of flexible rope  21  creates the steps  20   a ,  20   b  and side attachment loops  22   a ,  22   b  and is preferably approximately three-eighths inch (⅜ in.) in diameter. The rope  21  is fabricated using traditional materials such as hemp, nylon, or the like. The side attachment loops  22   a ,  22   b  provide for attachment of the respective steps  20   a ,  20   b  to opposing sides of the lower frame  102  of the tree stand  100 . Each side attachment loop  22   a ,  22   b  includes a length adjustment fixture  35  which provides for independent adjustment of the length of each side attachment loop  22   a ,  22   b , to varying a distance at which the respective first foot pad  30   a  and second foot pad  30   b  are suspended above the ground surface  115 . 
     Opposing ends of the rope  21  are looped around opposing sides of the lower frame  102  of the tree stand  100 . Each end of the rope  21  is routed through a respective length adjustment fixture  35  to produce an arresting friction attachment and is secured using a respective first knot  26   a  and second knot  26   b . The length adjustment fixture  35  is preferably a slide fastener similar to a fastening device used on tents, awnings, and the like which utilize devices such as runners, toggles, and the like to adjustably secure the ends of the rope  21  to the body of the rope to adjust each step  20   a ,  20   b  at a desired height. 
     The rope  21  is also attached to the lower frame  102  at an intermediate frontal position by forming a center attachment loop  24  at a midpoint of steps  20   a ,  20   b . The center attachment loop  24  is secured tightly to the lower frame  102  using a center knot  26   c . Although the steps  20   a ,  20   b  are illustrated here at approximately the same suspended length, it can be appreciated that one step  20   a ,  20   b  can be positioned above or below the other step  20   a ,  20   b , thereby providing the hunter  105  with a two-step method of climbing onto the tree stand  100 . 
     The footpads  30   a ,  30   b  are generally flat, rectangular sections of heavy-duty nylon strapping material approximately six inches (6 in.) to eight inches (8 in.) in length by approximately two inches (2 in.) in width. Each foot pad  30   a ,  30   b  includes a pair of integral metal grommets  32  positioned adjacent to each opposing end. The rope  21  is routed through the grommets  32  along a bottom surface of the footpads  30   a ,  30   b  to form the stepping loop of each step  20   a ,  20   b  where the footpads  30   a ,  30   b  provide a stable centralized stepping surface. It is further envisioned that the materials used to make the various parts of the device  10  be of a black or camouflage color to avoid being noticed by game animals. 
     The lightweight nature of the device  10  allows easy carrying by the hunter  105  or alternatively to remain attached to the tree stand  100 , if desired, during the trek into and out of a hunting area. The use of the device  10  provides hunters  105  who hunt from tree stands  100  a method of easily accessing the stand  100  and is envisioned to be especially useful for hunters  105  having physical limitations or weakness in their legs. 
     It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only certain particular configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the device  10  can be installed and utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training in general accordance with  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 3 . It can be appreciated that the steps required to install and utilize the device  10 , as described, can performed in alternative order and as such should not be viewed as a limiting factor. 
     The method of installing and utilizing the device  10  can be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the device  10  having a desired camouflage color; installing the footpads  30   a ,  30   b  upon interior portions of the rope  21  corresponding to the position of respective loop steps  20   a ,  20   b , if not previously installed, by routing the rope  21  through the grommets  32 ; attaching the device  10  to an installed tree stand  100  positioned between waist height and chest height by forming the center attachment loop  24  by looping an intermediate portion of rope  21  around a front middle portion of the lower frame  102  and securing thereto using a center knot  26   c ; attaching ends of the rope  21  to opposing sides of the lower frame  102  to form the steps  20   a ,  20   b ; securing the side attachment loops  22   a ,  22   b  around the sides of the lower frame  102  by routing ends of the rope  21  around the lower frame  102  and through apertures of the respective length adjustment fixtures  35 ; affixing the length adjustment fixture&#39;s  35  in position upon the rope  21  by tying respective first  26   a  and second  26   b  knots; adjusting a hanging length of each step  20   a ,  20   b  individually by sliding the respective length adjustment fixtures  35  along the length of the rope  21  to increase or decrease the length of the respective side attachment loop  22   a ,  22   b  until obtaining a desired length of each step  20   a ,  20   b ; utilizing the device  10  to enter the tree stand  100  by inserting one foot into one of the steps  20   a ,  20   b ; inserting a remaining foot into the remaining step  20   a ,  20   b ; and, stepping up onto the tree stand  100 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.