Abstract:
A climbing tree stand apparatus provides upper and lower platforms that are independently movable up the tree by the hunter alternatively sitting and standing on one or the other of the platforms. In order to adjust the angular position of a selected platform relative to the tree, an easily accessible adjustable anchor point is provided. This anchor point enables a cable associated with each platform to be lengthened or shortened in order to maintain the orientation of the platforms in a nearly horizontal position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,263, filed Apr. 22, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/392,855, filed Jul. 1, 2002, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable 
   REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to elevated hunting platforms, particularly tree climbing devices such as those that are commonly employed by deer hunters. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved climbing tree stand having upper and lower platforms, either or both having an adjustment system that enables a user to quickly and safely adjust the position of either or both of the platforms relative to the tree being climbed. The present invention enables a hunter to always maintain his or her tree stand climbing platforms in as close to a horizontal position as possible, during climbing and even with changes in tree diameter due to natural tree taper. 
   2. General Background of the Invention 
   Hunters commonly employ a climbing tree stand when hunting certain game animals such as white tailed deer, mule deer, hogs, elk, and the like. These climbing tree stands enable a hunter to hunt from a position that is 10–40 feet above the ground to hopefully avoid detection by the game animal. Game animals such as deer have a very keen sense of smell. Deer also have very good eyesight. Hunting from an elevated position can assist the hunter when hunting such game animals. 
   Several climbing tree stands are commercially available. Some of these designs have been patented. One of the most popular designs is sold by Ol&#39; Man Tree Stands, Inc. of Hattiesburg, Miss. One of the Ol&#39; Man designs is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,076 issued to Louk and entitled “Tree Stand”. An improvement to the basic &#39;076 patent can be seen in a later U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,348 wherein the tree stand converts between selected positions that are suited to either bow hunting or rifle hunting. 
   The Louk U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,234,076 and 5,921,348 each employ flexible cables that extend about a tree during use and which have end portions that attach to upper and lower platform or frame sections of the stand. In the Louk &#39;076 and &#39;348 patents, the ends of the cables have eyelets that are contained within hollow bar members of the frame sections. Each of the cable eyelets is locked to a selected position with locking pins. The locking pins pass through holes in the hollow bar members of the frame and then through the cable eyelets. The pins thus affix the length of the cable at a selected position, depending upon the diameter of the tree being climbed. Adjustment while climbing is difficult or impossible because a hunter must manipulate three items simultaneously: the platform, the cable, and the locking pin. Any one of these can become unsecured during an attempted adjustment. 
   Some climbing stands employ rigid metal straps that extend around the tree such as those shown and described in the Amacker U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,090,504 and 5,316,104. 
   API Outdoors of Tallulah, La. manufactures and sells a tree stand that uses a flexible chain that extends about the tree to secure each platform. Otherwise, locking pins like the Louk devices present the same problem for any adjustment. The Yerger U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,492 discloses a safety belt for a climbing tree stand that includes a chain. Another Yerger patent 6,206,138 uses a chain as part of the climbing cable mechanism. 
   Many commercially available tree stands are sold by Cabela&#39;s, Inc. of Sidney Nebr. These various tree stand designs can be seen at the Cabela&#39;s website (www.cabellas.com). Bass Pro Shops also sells numerous climbing tree stand designs. The various climbing tree stands that are sold by Bass Pro Shops can be seen at their website (www.basspro-shops.com). 
   One of the problems that has long plagued the art relates to the adjustment of a climbing tree stand relative to the tree selected. When a hunter selects a particular area for a hunt, there may be only a few tall straight trees that are suitable for the attachment of a climbing tree stand. A hunter typically does not have a wide range of selections as to the diameter of the tree if a particular spot is to be hunted. The cable must be adjusted before the hunter begins to ascend the tree for the hunt. Often, the hunter is placing the stand on the tree in total darkness. This is quite common with early morning hunts because the hunter wants to be in position before daylight. 
   Trees are typically tapered, having a wider base and a narrow top. This presents a problem to the hunter that is using a tree climbing stand employing cables. As the hunter climbs the tree, the position of the cables relative to the stand platform frame portions remains fixed, causing the inclination of the tree stand platforms relative to the tree to change with changing tree taper. Ideally, the platforms are horizontal and form a right angle (90°) with the tree. When the platform angle is not at or near ninety degrees, the hunter is basically standing or sitting on an inclined rather than horizontal surface. Typically, as the tree narrows, the climbing platforms form greater and greater obtuse angles with that portion of the tree that extends above the platforms. 
   Prior art tree stands use locking pins or bolts to lock the cable to the stand. These locking cables are virtually impossible to adjust during climbing. To remove one of the locking pins creates a potentially disastrous situation wherein the user could drop the locking pin, rendering the stand inoperable and trapping the hunter twenty or thirty feet above ground level. Further, the hunter is at risk of falling because one hand must support a portion of the platform that is not supporting the hunter while the other hand attempts to make the adjustment. Few safe hunters ever attempt such an adjustment during climbing. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A tree stand platform apparatus includes one or two platforms that can be attached to a tree during use. When two platforms are used, the apparatus provides a climbing tree stand that enables a hunter to climb a tree with the apparatus and assume a position that is elevated for hunting. The apparatus includes a first platform with foot attachments for enabling a connection to be made between the first platform and a user&#39;s feet. A second platform is positioned above the first platform during use when climbing a tree. Each platform has a flexible cable that enables connection to the tree being climbed, wherein the cable has two free ends, one end attached to the left side of a platform, the other attached to the right side of a platform. The cable extends about a tree being climbed during use relative to the platform to which the cable is attached. An adjustment enables a user to adjust the length of the cable that extends from the platform to the tree, the adjustment being free of any separate locking pin. The adjustment enables a user to adjust the length of the cable that extends from the platform to the tree and can include at least one knot tied to the cable at a selected position that is spaced away from the tree, the knot providing a stop to limit the length of the cable that extends from the platform to the tree. The present invention also provides an improved method of climbing a tree with a climbing tree stand wherein a user can easily adjust the position of the tree stand platforms relative to the tree without requiring manipulation of: 1) the platform; 2) the cable; 3) a separate locking member. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the climbing tree stand secured to a tree just prior to its use by a hunter to climb a tree; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the hunter in operative position and just prior to initiating a climb; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing a hunter during climbing wherein the lower platform is fixed and the upper platform is being elevated; 
       FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing a hunter during climbing with the apparatus and wherein the upper platform is fixed and the lower platform is being elevated; 
       FIGS. 5–5A  are partial perspective views of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the lower platform portion thereof; 
       FIGS. 6–6A  are partial perspective views of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the upper platform portion thereof; 
       FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9  are fragmentary perspective views of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating adjustment of the cable for changing the angular position of a platform relative to the tree being climbed; 
       FIG. 9A  is an enlarged view of one end portion of a cable that secures a platform to the tree and illustrating the adjustable connection that is made for changing orientation of a selected platform relative to the tree during climbing; 
       FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12  are fragmentary perspective views illustrating the adjustable connection that is formed between one end portion of a cable and a platform; 
       FIGS. 13 ,  14  and  15  are fragmentary perspective views illustrating the sequence of forming the adjustable connection that is formed between one end portion of a cable and a platform; 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 17A  and  FIG. 17B  is a fragmentary perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the cleat portion thereof; 
       FIG. 18  is a partial perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating an alternate cleat for use therewith; 
       FIG. 19  is a partial perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and showing an alternate cleat for use therewith; 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, showing the lower platform connected to a tree using an eyelet and knot; and 
       FIG. 21  is a fragmentary perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, showing the lower platform connected to a tree using an eyelet and knot. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1–4  show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  10 . Climbing tree stand apparatus  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1–4 , attached to a tree  14  that is to be climbed by a hunter  13 . The hunter  13  attaches his or her feet to the lower platform  12  while holding the upper platform  11  with his or her hands as shown in  FIGS. 2–4 . 
   Climbing is accomplished by alternatively locking the upper  11  or lower  12  platform to the tree by engaging the tree with a central portion  24  of cable  22  and simultaneously locking or engaging a blade  16 ,  34  or another contact point provided on each of the platforms  11 ,  12  into the tree. That engaged position of the lower platform can be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 . Each of the upper and lower platforms  11 ,  12  attaches to the tree in the same fashion with the selected platform  11 ,  12  having a blade  16 ,  34  or another contact point that digs into the tree or engages the tree while the central portion  26  of the cable  22  encircles and holds the platform  11  or  12  to the tree  14 . 
   In general, this concept of using upper and lower platforms having cables that encircle a tree and having blades, teeth or other contact point(s) that engage the tree is well known in the art. For example, climbing tree stands that feature upper and lower platforms can be seen in the prior Amacker U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,316,104 and 5,090,504 as well as the prior Louk U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,234,076 and 5,921,348, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
   One of the problems that faces a hunter during the climbing of a tree is that of proper platform position relative to the tree. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the platforms  11 ,  12  desirably form an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the tree  14  being climbed. The upper platform  11  has a seat that is desirably horizontal during use. The lower platform  12  has a deck for standing that is desirably horizontally positioned. However, since trees are tapered, as the hunter elevates the platforms  11 ,  12  during climbing, the taper of the tree causes the platform to assume a position that is not always horizontal. This presents an unstable, uneven platform for the hunter making it difficult to stand on the bottom platform  12  such as during shooting a rifle or a bow. Likewise, if the upper platform  11  is not at a generally 90 degree angle with respect to the tree, the hunter is in an awkward, uncomfortable position. If the hunter angles the platform  11  or  12  initially to form an acute angle with the tree, climbing is awkward as the platforms  11 ,  12  are not perfectly horizontal until fully elevated, assuming that the hunter estimates the initial starting angle with a high degree of success. 
   The present invention provides a solution to this problem by enabling the hunter to quickly and easily adjust the length of the cable  22  that encircles the tree  14  and therefore insure at all times that the platform  11  or  12  will be generally horizontally positioned and forming an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the tree  14  being climbed. 
   The lower platform  12  provides a frame  15  having decking or flooring  17  that enables a hunter to stand upon the lower platform  12 . The flooring  17  can be expanded metal, transverse bars or the like. A blade  16  or blades or other contact point are provided on the frame  15  as shown in  FIG. 5  for engaging the tree  14  being climbed. The blades  16  can be toothed, spiked, straight or smooth. Foot attachments  18  enable a hunter  13  to attach his or her feet to the lower platform  12  so that it can be lifted when the hunter  13  supports his or her weight with hands as shown in  FIG. 4 . This enables the hunter  13  to hold onto the upper platform  11  while lifting the lower platform  12 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Elastic straps  19  can be provided for helping the hunter  13  hold his or her feet in the straps  18 . Typically, the elastic straps  19  would be fastened behind the hunter&#39;s shoes at the heel area. 
   Each of the frames  11  and  12  provides left and right upwardly extending struts  20 . These struts  20  can be rigidly attached to the remaining portion of the frame  15 ,  31  by welding or can be pivotally attached such as those shown in the Louk U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,076, incorporated herein by reference. Each of the upwardly extending struts  20  provides an eyelet  21  through which cable  22  extends. The cable  22  can provide a flexible cover  23  to prevent abrasion and chaffing for that portion of the cable  22  that extends through the eyelets  21  and around the tree  14 . Cable  22  can be of a rope material (eg. Kevlar®, Spectra®). 
   Cable  22  provides a first end portion  24 , a second end portion  25  and a central portion  26 . The central portion  26  extends from the platforms  11 ,  12  around the back of the tree  14  opposite the hunter  13  as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 . The first end portion  24  of cable  22  is attached to frame  15  or  31  providing an anchor point  27  as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   An adjustable anchor point  28  is provided at second end portion  25  of cable  22 . This second end portion  25  and the adjustable anchor point  28  enables a hunter  13  to change the length of the cable  22  that extends from first end portion  24  and anchor point  27  about the tree  14  and then to anchor point  28 . The anchor points  27 ,  28  are preferably provided at the outer end portions  30 ,  33 , of the platforms  12 ,  11 . The frame  15  thus provides an inner end  29  and an outer end  30 . The platform  31  provides an inner end  32  and an outer end  33 . It should be understood that the cable  22 , flexible cable cover  23 , and anchor points  24 ,  25  can be of the same diameter, length, and material for upper platform  11  and lower platform  12 . 
   An eyelet  37  is provided at anchor point  25  through which cable  22  extends as shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  9 A and  10 – 15 . The adjustable anchor point  28  can be in the form of knot  38 , as shown in  FIGS. 7–9 ,  9 A and  10 – 15 . In  FIG. 9A , arrows  39 – 45  illustrate the path of rope  22  after it passes through eyelet  37 . 
   For purposes of illustration, the cable  22  as it passes through eyelet  37  can be described as having a number of sections  46 – 49 . The section  46  in  FIGS. 7–12  is that portion of the cable  22  that is approaching the eyelet  37  from tree  14  in the direction of arrow  39 . Cable section  47  is that portion of the cable that extends from eyelet  37  over half hitch section  48  and around frame  31  as illustrated by arrows  40 ,  41  in  FIG. 9A . The half hitch section  48  extends from a position under rope section  47 , forms a loop and extends under cable section  47  immediately adjacent to eyelet  37  as shown in  FIG. 9A . Cable section  49  is that section of cable that extends from frame  31  and away from cable section  48 , the section  49  being the extreme free end of the cable  22 . 
     FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate the simple adjustment that needs to be made in order to change the length of the cable  22  that extends from the first anchor point  27  around the tree  14  to the second anchor point  28 . The hunter  13  simply loosens the knot  38  by pulling on the rope section  47 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Of course, this operation is performed when the hunter supports his or her weight on the other platform, that is the platform that is not being adjusted. For example, if the lower platform  12  is to be adjusted, the hunter sits upon the seat  35  of the upper platform  11  (or stands), and lifts the lower platform  12  upwardly to the hunter  13  using his or her feet. The hunter  13  then loosens the cable section  47  and adjusts the length of the half hitch or loop cable section  48  and then pulls on the rope section  46  as shown in  FIG. 8 , to retighten the knot  38 . If the hunter  13  desires to adjust the length of the cable  22  that extends between the anchor points  27 ,  28  of the upper platform  11 , this operation is repeated wherein the hunter supports his or her weight with the lower platform  12  by standing on it and simply lifts the upper platform  11  with his or her hands while the hunter  13  maintains a standing position. The adjustment can then be made as described above with respect to the lower platform  12 .  FIGS. 13–15  show an initial tying of cable  22  to frame  15  or  31  to preliminarily form knot  38 , such as when replacing cable  22 . 
   In  FIGS. 20 and 21 , another knot arrangement is shown for attaching the cable  22  in an adjustable fashion to either of the selected platforms  11  or  12 . In  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the lower platform  12  is shown attached to tree  14  using a cable  22 , as with the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1–15 . In  FIGS. 20 and 21 , a simplified anchor  28 A is shown that does not require the loop cable section  48  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 10–15 . As with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1–15 , the lower platform  11  provides a frame  15  to which eyelet  37  is attached. Cable  22  is shown approaching eyelet  37  in  FIGS. 20 and 21 . 
   In order to complete the adjustable anchor  28 A, the cable  22  is passed through eyelet  37 , routed over the front  30  portion of frame  15  of platform  12  as shown in FIG.  21 . To further describe the adjustable anchor  28 A, the cable  22  as it approaches and attaches to frame  15  is designated with various cable sections  86 ,  87 ,  88 ,  89 . The cable section  86  as indicated by arrow  90  is that portion of the cable  22  that spans between the tree  14  and the eyelet  37 . The cable section  87  is that portion of the cable that has passed through eyelet  37  and which extends under the front  30  portion of frame  15  of lower platform  12 , as indicated by arrow  91  in  FIG. 21 . The cable section  88  as indicated by arrow  92  is that portion of the cable  22  that passes under cable section  88  and next to eyelet  37  at a position spaced away from tree  14 . The cable section  89  as indicated by arrow  93  is that portion of the cable  22  that extends from cable section  87  and eyelet  37  to cable free end  94 . 
   When a hunter wants to adjust the position of platform  12  relative to tree  14 , the hunter simply lifts the platform  12  upwardly using the foot straps  18  in the case of the lower platform  12  while sitting on the upper platform  11 . This releases tension on the cable  22 . A hunter simply loosens the adjustable anchor  28 A and then pulls on the cable section  89  in order to shorten the distance that the cable spans between tree  14  and eyelet  37 . This procedure is reversed if the hunter wants to elongated the cable  22  that spans between tree  14  and eyelet  37 . Because the cable section  88  passes under the cable section  87 , the cable section  88  is tightly wedged against the eyelet  37  when the hunter stands upon platform  17  preventing any slippage of the adjustable anchor  28 A. 
   An alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral  10 A is shown in  FIG. 16 . In  FIG. 16 , the upper platform  50  shown is similar to the upper platform  11  of the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 1–15 . In  FIG. 16 , the platform  50  has a frame  51  that includes sides  52 ,  53 , a tree engaging inner end portion  54  having blades  55  or a like tree engaging or tree gripping surface. The inner portion  54  spans between the sides  52 ,  53  as shown in  FIG. 16 . An outer end portion  56  spans between the sides  52 ,  53 . The frame  51  can be of welded steel, welded aluminum or other structural material such as fiberglass or carbon fiber. A pair of upwardly extending generally vertically positioned struts  57 ,  58  extend upwardly and form a connection with left and right diagonally extending members  59 ,  60 . Gusset plates can be provided at  61 ,  62  spanning between a side  52  or  53  and a diagonally extending member  59  or  60  as shown. Upper platform  50  has a seat  73 . A lower platform would be used in combination with upper platform  50  to complete a tree climbing stand, with foot straps such as is shown and described with respect to the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 1–15 . The lower platform is not shown, but would have the same cable, frame, and other components of platform  50 , but have flooring and foot straps like those shown in  FIGS. 1–5  and  5 A. 
   The side  59  can be provided with a hollow bore  63  that can be occupied by an end portion of cable  64  that is in the form of an eyelet  65 . This enables the eyelet  65  to be secured at a selected position by placing a cotter pin or other locking pin member  66  through one of the adjustment holes  67  in the inclined member  59 . The other inclined member  60  provides an open-ended bore  68  that can be occupied by an end portion of cable  64  that extends through the bore  68  and exits the bore  68  at position  69  shown in  FIG. 16 . In this fashion, a section of the cable  64  is exposed, the exposed section being designated by the numeral  70  in  FIG. 16 . The exposed section  70  passes through a cleat  71  that can be any of a number of commercially available cleats or any cleat device or like locking device that enables the hunter  13  to pull on the exposed section of cable  70  adjusting the position of the cable section  70  relative to the cleat  71  and thus adjusting the position of the cable  64  in relation to the tree  14  being climbed and with respect to the frame  51 . A hunter thus pulls in the direction of arrow  76  in  FIG. 17A  as the hunter simultaneously lifts up on the frame  51  to relieve any tension in the cable  64 . When the hunter then loads the frame by pushing down on the frame  51  or by sitting in the seat  73 , tension is applied to the cable  64 , the tensioned position being indicated by the numeral  70 A in  FIG. 17B . In this position, the cleat  71  tightly grips the rope or cable  64  preventing any slippage. Other forms of cleats are shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19  that could be used with the apparatus o the present invention. In  FIG. 18 , a cleat  73  is provided that has a plurality of diagonally extending raised gripping surfaces  74  that hold a rope section  70  that is placed in between the opposed walls  75 ,  75  of the cleat  73 . Such a cleat  73  as shown in  FIG. 18  is commercially available, sold under the mark Camcleat and available at marine retailers such as Boater&#39;s World and West Marine. 
   In  FIG. 19 , the exposed end  70  of cable  64  is placed between the cams  77 ,  78  of cleat  79 . The cleat  79  can be a commercially available sailing cleat that is manufactured under the mark Ronstan and sold by marine retailers such as West Marine and Boaters World. Cleat  79  allows the cable section  70  to move in the direction of arrow  80 . Cams  77 ,  78  mounted on pivot pins  81  are spring loaded or biased to rotate toward each other. Each cam  77 ,  78  has teeth  82  to grip the cable  70  when tension is applied to the cable  70  such as when the hunter loads the platform frame  51  during climbing, sitting or standing. 
   A cleat can thus be used in place of the eyelet  21  and knot  38  shown in  FIGS. 7–12  as an alternate embodiment of the method and apparatus of the present invention to adjustably secure an end portion  70  of the cable  64  while the stand  11 A is attached to the tree in the operating positions of  FIGS. 1–4 . The cleats  71 ,  73 ,  79  would be attached to mounting plate  83  in about the same position as the eyelet  21  as an example. Such a cleat could be any marine or sailing cleat, such as, for example any of those cleats sold by Spinlock Limited of 41 Birmingham Road, Cowes Isle of Wight, England and disclosed in their catalog entitled “Spinlock—Deck Solutions Guide from the Experts in Rope Handling, 2002”. Such Spinlock® cleats  71  can also be seen at the web site, www.spinlock.co.uk. Such a cleat  71  enables the hunter to pull on and manipulate an end portion  70  of the cable  64  in order to change the length of the cable that is under tension during use, and thus change the angle that the platform  11 ,  12  or  50  forms with the tree. 
   Other cleats  73 ,  74  can be employed (as examples) to enable adjustment of the length of cable that extends from the selected platform  11  or  12  or frame  15 . A single cleat could be attached to one side of a platform  11  or  12  as shown, or two cleats could be employed on opposing sides of a platform  11  or  12 . If a single cleat is used on one side of a platform  11  or  12 , the other side of the platform could be anchored to the frame without adjustability, or could be adjustably connected to the frame using a locking pin that attaches to an eyelet at the end of the rope or cable, like the cable and locking pin adjustment used in the Louk patents listed above, and shown in  FIG. 16 . 
   In addition to the eyelet and cleats shown and described herein, other anchors, such as a winch, ratcheted winch, ratcheted sprocket, ratchet, grip, could be employed to attach the free end of a cable to the platform  11  or  12  or  50  when the user is able to grasp, manipulate, apply tension to or otherwise adjust the cable  22  or  64  and change its length according to the method of the present invention. If a chain is used in place of a cable  22  or  64 , a cleat that grips the chain could be employed so that the hunter pulls on a free end of the chain that is exposed and the cleat (or winch, ratchet, grip) then is used to secure the chain once its position is correctly adjusted to ensure that the platform  11  or  12  or  50  is generally horizontally positioned. 
   PARTS LIST 
   The following is a list of suitable parts and materials for the various elements of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
           10  climbing tree stand     10 A climbing tree stand     11  upper platform     12  lower platform     13  hunter     14  tree     15  frame     16  blade     17  flooring     18  foot attachment     19  elastic strap     20  upwardly extending strut     21  eyelet     22  cable     23  flexible cover     24  first end portion     25  second end portion     26  central portion     27  anchor point     28  adjustable anchor point     28 A adjustable anchor point     29  inner end     30  outer end     31  frame     32  inner end     33  outer end     34  blade     35  seat     36  backpacking straps     37  eyelet     38  knot     39  arrow     40  arrow     41  arrow     42  arrow     43  arrow     44  arrow     45  arrow     46  cable section     47  cable section     48  cable section     49  cable section     50  upper platform     51  platform frame     52  right side     53  left side     54  inner end portion     55  tree engaging blade     56  outer end portion     57  vertically extending strut     58  vertically extending strut     59  diagonally extending member     60  diagonally extending member     61  gusset plate     62  gusset plate     63  bore     64  cable     65  eyelet     66  locking pin     67  opening     68  bore     69  position     70  exposed end portion     71  cleat     72  bore     73  cleat     74  diagonally extending ridge     75  cleat side     76  arrow     77  cleat     78  cam     79  base     80  arrow     81  pivot pin     82  teeth     83  mounting plate     84  retainer stop     85  opening     86  cable section     87  cable section     88  cable section     89  cable section     90  arrow     91  arrow     92  arrow     93  arrow       

   The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.