Abstract:
A mobile hunting stand is provided that is suitable for use by both able and disabled persons. The present invention comprises a towed mobile base having a plurality of stabilizing leg members for use during set-up of the hunting stand. Located on the base is the actuation equipment, a hydraulic cylinder, pump and battery, for a lift mechanism. The lift mechanism is connected to a platform which may be raised above the mobile base for use in hunting, bird watching or otherwise as an observation post.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention generally relates to hunting equipment. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for the temporary positioning of a site from which to hunt. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mobile hunting stand suitable for use in generally clear or heavily wooded areas. Most particularly, the present invention relates to a mobile hunting stand capable of raising a user a limited distance above the ground while eliminating the need for climbing and simultaneously reducing the threat of falling.  
         [0002]     Wild game hunters in North America, particularly those hunting deer and turkey have found that stationary hunting techniques are often the most effective. As a result, numerous apparatus have been developed to aid in camouflaging both the hunter and his/her position while awaiting the passage of their quarry. Among the most common of these is the tree stand. Tree stands provide a user a raised location from which to observe a wide area. Unfortunately, however, tree stands are inherently dangerous to use as they require the user to scale a large tree while either tethered to their equipment on the ground (and then to pull it up using ropes) or to scale the tree while hauling all of the equipment with them. Numerous injuries occur each year from hunters falling during ascent or descent from hunting stands and still others are injured from falls out of the tree stands which limit the safety gear associated therewith to reduce the weight of the stand itself. Still further, many hunters are injured each year from gunshot wounds due to dropped rifles and other accidents related directly to the use of tree stands.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention recognizes and addresses various of the foregoing limitations and drawbacks, and others, concerning present hunting stands and the dangers associated therewith. Therefore, the present invention is primarily directed to the provision of a mobile hunting stand suitable for use in generally clear or heavily wooded areas and on generally level or uneven terrain. Additionally, the present invention is directed to such a hunting stand that may be used by both able and disabled persons.  
         [0004]     It is, therefore, a principle object of the subject invention to provide a mobile hunting stand. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a hunting stand suitable for use by both able and disabled persons. In such context, it is still a more particular object of the present invention to provide a mobile hunting stand capable of eliminating the need for climbing stairs, a ladder, or a tree to reach a raised platform. Still further, in such context, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile hunting stand capable of being disengaged and reestablished in another location within minutes and with a minimum of additional equipment.  
         [0005]     Still further, it is a principle object of this invention to provide a mobile hunting stand capable of being hydraulically raised. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a hunting stand comprising a platform that may be raised from a generally stored position to an extended position at least twelve feet above the ground. In such context, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hydraulically raised hunting stand utilizing a scissors-lift configuration for raising such stand.  
         [0006]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a mobile hunting stand suitable for conversion to a mobile hunting blind through the attachment of various pieces of material to cover corresponding pieces of the hunting stand. In such context, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a mobile hunting stand comprising an interlocking frame for supporting the various material pieces that camouflage the stand.  
         [0007]     Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile hunting stand suitable for being towed by another vehicle, including an ATV or other three- or four-wheeled motorcycle. In such context, it is an object of the present invention to provide leg extensions for providing stability to such hunting stand when disconnected from such a towing vehicle.  
         [0008]     Additional objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in, or will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from, the detailed description as follows. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated and discussed features and materials hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, by virtue of present reference thereto. Such variations may include, but are not limited to, substitutions of the equivalent means, features, and materials for those shown or discussed, and the functional or positional reversal of various parts, features, or the like.  
         [0009]     Still further, it is to be understood that different embodiments, as well as different presently preferred embodiments, of this invention, may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features, elements, or their equivalents (including combinations of features or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detailed description).  
         [0010]     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following descriptions and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and, together with the descriptions, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0011]     In one exemplary embodiment, there may be provided a mobile hunting stand for use by both able and disabled persons. Such stand may be comprised of a scissor-lift type mechanism mounted on a towed base having a plurality of four-wheeled axles and a plurality of extendable leg members for providing static stability to such base when not connected to a towing vehicle. Such base may also house the necessary equipment for operation of such scissor-lift type platform, including, but not limited to, a scissor-lift, a hydraulic cylinder, a lift mechanism for operation of both the scissor-lift and the hydraulic cylinder, a battery, and alternatively a solar panel for recharging such battery.  
         [0012]     The stand may further comprise a single flat-bottomed platform that may be comprised of wood planking, metal or a grate system. Preferably, such flooring should be non-slip or be provided with a covering having a sufficient friction of coefficient to reduce slippage of a user&#39;s feet during foul weather conditions. Additionally, such platform may be provided with a safety railing at least three feet in height. A gate in the safety railing may be provided at the rear of the platform, which may also be formed of a hinged ramp for use by those users requiring handicapped access to the platform. The platform may be of any size sufficient to accommodate standard manual or motorized wheelchairs but its width is limited by the nature of its intended use and the need to be able to operate in heavily wooded areas.  
         [0013]     In operation, the mobile hunting stand would be towed to a desired site and the plurality of extendable leg members would be lowered to sufficiently balance and support the base. It would then be removed from the towing vehicle. Depending on the intended usage, the stand may be outfitted with its camouflage panels, including a covering, from the ground, thus enhancing safety. The user or users may then climb onto the platform and utilizing the hydraulic actuators activate the scissor-lift mechanism to raise the platform to a desired height. From this raised position, the users may then hunt in relative safety and comfort. The hunting stand may alternatively be used as a hunting blind while retained in the lowered or a semi-raised position. While raised, the hunting stand may additionally be tethered to a nearby tree to aid in increasing the safety of the raised stand. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side plan view of one exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a stowed position;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing the present invention in a fully raised position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing the present invention in a stored position with the ramp extended; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the hunting platform of the present invention including waterproof camouflage cloth coverings for conversion of the present invention to a hunting/observation blind. 
     
    
       [0019]     Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention described and shown.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are fully represented in the accompanying drawings. Such examples are provided by way of an explanation of the invention, not limitation thereof. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Still further, variations in selection of materials and/or characteristics may be practiced, to satisfy particular desired user criteria. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the present features and their equivalents.  
         [0021]     As disclosed above, the present invention is particularly concerned with a mobile hunting stand  10  comprising a mobile base  12 , a lift mechanism  14  and a hunting platform  16 . The mobile base  12  is designed to be towed by a plurality of vehicle types (but primarily all-terrain vehicles or ATVs are envisioned) to its location of intended use. The base  12  is provided with at least two two-wheeled axels  18  sufficient to support the base  12  and associated equipment  14 ,  16  and  19  during the transportation of the stand  10 .  
         [0022]     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mobile hunting stand  10  of the present invention is transported as a permanent fixture on a mobile base unit  12 . The mobile base  12  is both wider and longer than the hunting platform  16 . In the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, while stored, the hunting platform  16  is generally centered on the mobile base  12  and is located such that its rearward end corresponds to the rearward end of the mobile platform  12 . Such an arrangement allows for a space within the mobile platform  12  forward of the stowed hunting platform  16  for the inclusion of an electrical system  19  for operation of the hydraulic motors that serve to raise and lower the hunting platform  16 .  
         [0023]     Further, the mobile base  12  maintains the hunting platform  16  in a somewhat elevated relationship so as to maintain a storage compartment  20  underneath such stowed hunting platform  16  for receipt of the lift mechanism  14 . The mobile base  12  is provided with a standardized towing ball/mount  22  for connection of the mobile base  12  to a towing vehicle (not shown). In order to provide stability to the mobile base  12  during use of the lift mechanism  14  and hunting platform  16 , a plurality of extendable legs  24  is provided. One of each of such extendable legs is located at each corner of the mobile base  12 . Such plurality of extendable legs  24  are lowered during setup of the hunting stand  10  and may be secured using spikes or other methods to further anchor the mobile base  12  in place.  
         [0024]     The electrical system  19  used to operate the hydraulic motors responsible for raising and lowering the hunting platform  16  is comprised of a rechargeable battery  26  which may alternatively be charged by the towing vehicle&#39;s battery or through the use of an available solar panel  28  mounted directly on top of the battery  26  within the mobile base  12 . The battery  26  provides power to the hydraulic motors which drive the hydraulic pistons of the lift mechanism  14 .  
         [0025]     The lift mechanism  14 , preferably a scissor-lift mechanism, comprises a series of inter-related crossed structural members  30  rotatably affixed to the nearest other member  30  substantially at their ends so as to allow them to is act upon each other with a compressive force such that the members  30  are rotated from the horizontal toward the vertical. The series of inter-related members  30  have a first end secured to the mobile base  12  and a second end secured to the underside of the hunting platform  16 . Hydraulic cylinders and pistons  32  connected nearer the inter-related member&#39;s  30  first end serve to initiate the compressive force acting on the lift mechanism  14  to raise the hunting platform  16  to a desired height above the ground for use during hunting/observation. The hydraulic portion of the lift mechanism  14  is sized so as to allow for the provision of at least two generally normal sized adult males to be located on said hunting platform  16  and still retain the capability to lift the hunting platform  16  to its maximum height of at least twelve feet.  
         [0026]     The hunting platform  16  may be formed using any known structural material of sufficient strength and design to support its occupants. One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the use of angle iron to form a basic structural outline of the platform  16  and the further use of wooden or metal planking or a grate system for the flooring of the platform  16 . It is preferred but not required that a non-slip coating or surface treatment be included on the flooring material to enhance the safety of the stand  10  for its users. Further, the platform  16  is provided with a safety railing  34  to further enhance the safety of the occupants of the platform  16 , particularly while in a raised position.  
         [0027]     The hunting platform  16  is further provided with a series of foot operated pedals  36  connected to the hydraulic motors for operative control of the stand  10  while within the platform  16 . In the unlikely event that such controls fail, the platform  16  may be outfitted with an emergency rope ladder  38  for use by the occupants of a raised platform  16  for egress. Further, should the hydraulics portion of the lift mechanism  14  fail, the inter-related crossed structural members  30  would slowly lower the raised hunting platform  16  due to their inability to maintain such platform  16  in its raised position. Finally, to prevent the undesirable static destabilization of the present invention  10  while the hunting platform  16  is raised, the platform  16  maybe provided with a pair of straps  40  for securement about a near-by tree. The straps  40  may be designed so as to be functionally individual units for securement about separate trees or to cooperate with each other for securement of the raised platform  16  to an individual tree. Such built-in safety enhancements further serve to protect the users during operation of the present invention  10 .  
         [0028]     As it is a desired criteria of the present invention to be useful to those who are disabled, as best seen in  FIG. 3 , the rear portion of the safety railing  34  may be provided with a hinge and a lock mechanism so as to allow for its use as a ramp  42  for ingress and egress to the stowed platform  16 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ramp  42  is of sufficient length that it may be lowered for admittance of wheelchair-bound or other disabled users while the hunting platform  16  is in its stowed position within the mobile base  12 . The ramp  42  would be hinged along its bottom to the base of the hunting platform  16 .  
         [0029]     Finally, the present invention is additionally envisioned as a blind for both hunting and/or observation of wildlife. To aid in achieving such activity, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural framework of the hunting platform  16  is provided with a plurality of connecting members  44  for the addition of a series of camouflage panels  46  designed to aid in reducing the visibility of the stand  10 . The connecting members  44  may be, by way of example and not limitation, snaps, buttons, hook and loop fastener, such as VECRO™, or hooks and grommets, or any other known methodology for attaching a facing to a structure. Additionally, the inclusion of a lightweight framework  48  (as used in erecting a tent) may be provided to further raise the camouflage covering  46  above the top of the safety railing of the raised platform  16  and/or to provide a cover over such platform  16 . Still further, the camouflage panels  46  may be sufficient to cover the lower portion of the stand  10  while the hunting platform  16  is in its raised position. Finally, the camouflage panels  46  may be made of any known material, but in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such panels  46  are constructed of either a heavyweight canvas-like material or an extremely lightweight fabric similar to that used in the construction of commercially available tents. In either event, it is preferred that the material used is waterproof.  
         [0030]     Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described using specific terms and devices, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than of limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of various other embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred version contained herein.