Tree Climbing Device And Stand

Abstract

This invention relates to a tree climbing device including a number of frame sections and a pair of platform sections pivotally and slidably secured to the frame sections. The frame sections can be secured to a tree or other vertical structure and the platform sections can be sequentially vertically slid along the frame sections and engaged with the frame sections to enable an individual to climb the tree along the frame sections while being supported by the platform sections.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/753,264, filed on Jan. 16, 2013, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a device for assisting an individual in climbing a tree or other vertical structure, and for providing a support on the tree at the desired location where the individual can sit or stand on the support in an elevated position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the past a variety of different types of devices have been developed to enable individuals to climb trees and to provide the individual with a location to stand on the tree in an elevated position.

[0004] These devices, take various forms, each with a different level of effort required to use the device to climb the tree and properly position the device on the tree to provide the elevated stand for the individual.

[0005] Initially, there are devices that are formed with two separate platform members, with each platform secured around the tree or vertical structure. The platforms are sequentially moved upwardly along the tree in order to enable the individual to utilize the platforms to climb the tree to the desired location, which requires a significant amount of time and exertion on the part of the individual to achieve. At that point, the upper platform serves as a seat for the individual, while the lower platform provides a footrest for the individual.

[0006] There are also devices that incorporate the seat and footrest into a single structure. These types of devices require the individual to climb the tree in a conventional manner and place a hanger, such as a chain or cable, around the tree at the desired location, which requires a significant amount of exertion from the individual. Once the hanger is placed where desired, the device can be secured to the hanger in a suitable manner, such as by engaging a hook or similar structure on the device with the hanger to retain the device in the tree.

[0007] In addition, there are devices that are formed as a ladder having a platform portion as the upper end that can be positioned against the tree or vertical structure. The ladder is placed on the ground and pivoted to position the platform portion against the tree, where a cable, strap or other securing device can then be positioned around the tree to hold the ladder in the desired position. This type of device, once positioned, enable the individual to scale the ladder in a conventional manner and secure the platform portion to the tree.

[0008] However, while each of these types of tree climbing allows the individual to climb and position themselves in an elevated position with respect to a tree, all of the devices require that the individual be able to physically lift the devices into the proper position on the tree, whether by constructing the device and placing it against the tree, or by lifting the device along the tree into the desired location. Further, in each ease, the device must be secured to the tree or other vertical structure by a strap or other member that wraps around the tree. As such, the devices are very limited for use with trees or other structures having branches or limbs extending outwardly therefrom, as the devices cannot be readily moved around or over the branches.

[0009] Accordingly, the prior art does not satisfy the needs and solutions required for devices of this type, such that it is desirable to develop a tree climbing device that enables an individual to climb a tree or other vertical structure in a manner that does not require extreme physical exertion and that can be used on trees or other structures having outwardly protruding branches or limbs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device is provided for use in climbing a tree or other vertical structure that also provides a platform to hold the individual utilizing the device in an elevated position on the tree. The device includes a frame formed of separable frame sections that are releasably attachable to one another and that can be secured to the tree. Each frame section includes engagement structures thereon that can be engaged by complementary structures located on a pair of platform sections to which the feet of the individual are secured. The engagement of the complementary structures enables the individual to "walk" up the frame sections to climb the tree or other structure to which the frame sections are secured. Once the desired height has been reached, the individual can position the platform sections in a planar configuration on the frame sections to form a stand for supporting the individual at that position.

[0011] According to another object of the present disclosure, the frame sections can be secured to one another as the individual is ascending along those frame sections already secured to the tree.

[0012] According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the frame sections have a reduced profile such that they can be used on trees having branches extending outwardly therefrom without interference from the branches.

[0013] According to still a further aspect of the present disclosure, a separate seat can be attached to the frame sections at the desired location to form a seat on the device adjacent the platform formed by the platform sections.

[0014] Numerous additional objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the present disclosure.

[0016] In the drawings:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of the device constructed according to the present disclosure attached to a tree;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a rear isometric view of a first embodiment of a frame section of the device of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the a number of stacked sections of the device of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a transport configuration of the device of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a pair of platform sections of the device of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the platform sections of FIG. 5 connected to the frame sections;

[0023] FIG. 7 is a partially broken away, side elevation view of the platform section and frame section of FIG. 6;

[0024] FIG. 8 is a partially broken away, top plan view of the platform section and frame section of FIG. 6;

[0025] FIG. 9 is partially broken away, isometric view of one rail of the frame section of the device of FIG. 6;

[0026] FIG. 10 is top plan view of the frame section rail of FIG. 9;

[0027] FIGS. 11A-11C are perspective view of the device of FIG. 6;

[0028] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the frame section of the device of FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 13 is a partially broken away, front plan view of the frame section of FIG. 12;

[0030] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the platform section of the device of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 15 is a partially broken away side elevation view of the platform section of FIG. 14 engaged with the frame section of FIG. 12;

[0032] FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of a third embodiment of the platform section and of the frame section of the device of FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 17 is a front plan view of the frame section of FIG. 16;

[0034] FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the frame section of FIG. 17;

[0035] FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the frame section of FIG. 17;

[0036] FIGS. 20A-208 are isometric views of alternative gear configurations for use on the frame section of FIG. 17; and

[0037] FIG. 21 is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the frame section and of the platform section of the device of FIG. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] With reference now to the drawing figures in which like reference numbers represent like features throughout the application, a tree stand and climbing device constructed according to the present invention is indicated at 10 in FIG. 1. The device 10 includes a frame 12 formed of a number of interconnectable sections 14 and a pair of platform sections 16, and optionally a separate seat 17 releasably connectable to the frame 10 adjacent the platform section 16 in a manner similar to or different than that for the platform sections 16. The sections 14 of the frame 12 when secured to one another are secured to the tree 18 in order to enable an individual to climb to a desired height with respect to the tree 18.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, in one embodiment the sections 14 are each formed to be generally rectangular in shape with a pair of vertical rails 20 joined by a pair of horizontal rails 22 adjacent each end. The sections 14 also include braces 24 connected between the vertical rails 20 and horizontal rails 22 to provide increased strength to the sections 14. The braces 24 can also be optionally oriented rearwardly from the horizontal rails 22 to engage the tree 18. The vertical rails 20, and optionally the horizontal rails 22, can be formed to be hollow (FIG. 10) to decrease the weight of the sections 14 while also providing the sections 14 with the capacity to be releasably engaged with one another. In one embodiment, pegs 21 extending outwardly from either the upper or lower ends of the vertical rails 20 of a section 14 are insertable within the open lower or upper end of the vertical rails 20 of an adjacent section 14 to join the adjacent sections 14 to one another. In addition, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame sections 14 can be arranged with one another in a stacked configuration for easy transport and/or storage of the frame sections 14, as in carrying case 26.

[0040] Looking now at FIGS. 1 and 9-10, the vertical rails 20 of each frame section 14 are formed with a front plate 28 disposed on the forward facing surface of each section 14. The plates 28 each include a number of apertures 30 formed therein that are spaced along the length of the plate 28. The apertures 30 can extend only through the plate 28, but in the illustrated embodiment extend through the plate 28 and into the hollow center of the vertical rails 20.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, in a first embodiment, the platform sections 16 are each formed with a central portion 32 on which a step 34 is positioned at one end, and a bracket 36 joined to the central portion 32 at the opposite end. The step 34 is formed to provide a suitably large support surface for the foot of an individual using the device 10. Additionally, the step 34 includes a type of securing mechanism 51 (FIGS. 11A-11C) to enable the individual's foot to be securely held on the step 34, such as a strap, clip, or other suitable device.

[0042] Opposite the step 34, the bracket 36 includes a lower portion 38 extending below the central portion 32 and an upper portion 40 projecting upwardly from the central portion 32. The lower portion 38 in the illustrated embodiment is formed with a generally triangular shape to provide added strength and stability to the platform section 16, and includes a tab 42 projecting rearwardly from the lower portion 38 as best shown in FIG. 7. The tab 42 is dimensioned to be received within the apertures 30 in the front plate 28 in order to engage the platform section 16 with the frame section 14 and hold the platform section 16 in the desired location along the frame section 14.

[0043] Looking now at FIG. 8. the upper portion 40 includes a pair of arms 44 extending rearwardly from the upper portion 40 and a pair of inwardly extending stops 46. The arms 44 and stops 46 form a channel 48 therebetween within which the front plate 28 can be positioned. Also the stops 46 are spaced from one another a sufficient difference to enable the vertical rail 20 to pass therebetween without contacting either stop 46. In this configuration, the upper portion 40 of the bracket 36 maintains the platform section 16 on the frame section 14 when the tab 42 is not engaged within one of the apertures 30, while allowing the platform section 16 to slide along or otherwise be moved with respect to the frame section 14.

[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 11A-11C, in use, initially a frame section 14 is secured to a tree 18 in a suitable manner, such as by straps 50. The platform sections 16 are then engaged with the front plates 28 and vertical mils 20 by sliding the front plates 28 into the channel 48 and sliding the platform sections 16 to the bottom of the frame section 14 (FIG. 11A). The individual then secures their feet to the platforms sections 16 using straps 51, and proceeds to disengage one platform section 16 from the front plate 28, such as by moving or pivoting the platform 16 to remove the tab 42 from within the aperture 30. The individual, While resting his or her weight on the platform 16 still engaged with the frame section 14, can then raise the platform 16 relative to the front plate 28 and re-engage the platform 16 by inserting the tab 42 into the corresponding aperture 30 in the front plate 28 (FIG. 11B). The same process is then done with the remaining platform section 16, with the process being repeated in an alternating fashion until nearing the top of the frame section 14. At this point, as best shown in FIG. 11C, a second frame section 14 can be engaged with the first frame section 14, such as by pegs 21 inserted into the hollow vertical rails 20 of each section, to provide access to higher elevations on the tree 18. This process can be repeated until the individual has reached the desired location on the tree 18. At that point, the platform sections 16 can be secured to the frame section 14 in different positions to provide the individual with a footrest and seat formed by the platform sections 16.

[0045] Looking now at FIGS. 12-15, a second embodiment of the frame section 114 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame section 114 is formed as a single extruded piece with a rear brace 150 secured to the frame section 114 and adapted to engage the exterior of a tree 18, and a pair of channels 152 extending vertically along the frame section 114 opposite the brace 150. The frame section 114 can also include other bores 154 extending therethrough parallel to the channels 152 to reduce the overall weight of the frame section 114 without significantly reducing the strength of the frame 114. A row of apertures 156 are disposed on either side of each channel 152 along the length of the frame section 114.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the platform section 116 includes a T-shaped insert 158 that is positioned within the channel 152 and is slidable therealong. A pivot pin 160 extends outwardly from the insert 158 and pivotally connects the central portion 132 and/or step 162 to the insert 158. A lower portion 164 of the central portion 132/step 162 includes a pair of tabs 166 that are selectively engageable within the apertures 156 on either side of each channel 152 and optionally within the insert 158 to enable the step 162 to be sequentially engaged with and moved vertically with respect to the channels 152 and the frame section 114. The engagement of the tabs 166 with the apertures 156 and the pivoting of the central portion 123/step 162 relative to the insert 158 enables the platform section 116 to be moved vertically along the channel 152 of the frame section 114 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 16-19, in a third embodiment of the frame section 214, the front plates 228 include a linear gear 270 disposed thereon, with a number of teeth 272 extending along the length of the gear 270. The teeth 272 are engaged by complementary teeth 274 disposed on the lower portion 276 of the bracket 278 of the platform section 216. The lower portion 276 also includes a pair of rearwardly extending arms 244 that have stops 246 disposed thereon opposite the lower portion 276. The arms 244 are of a sufficient length to position the stops 246 within a pair of slots, channels or other similar structures located on the sides of the vertical rails 220 of the frame section 214. The stops 246 can also be positioned on either side of the plate 228 secured to the vertical rails 220 similar to plate 28 in the first embodiment on which the teeth 272 of the linear gear 270 can be positioned. Thus, when the teeth 274 on the platform section 216 are disengaged from the teeth 276 on the frame section 214, the arms 244 and stops 246 maintain the platform section 216 in operable engagement with the frame section 214, while allowing the platform section 216 to slide or otherwise be moved vertically with respect to the frame section 214.

[0048] When the platform section 216 is pivoted relative to the frame section 214 around the stops 280, the teeth 274 are disengaged from teeth 272, allowing the platform section 216 to slide upwardly along the frame section 214 until the teeth 274 are re-engaged with teeth 272 by pivoting the platform section 216 towards the frame section 214. Additional frame sections 214 can be attached to the sections 214 on the tree in the manner described previously to enable the individual to reach higher elevations on the tree.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 20A-20B, the linear gear 270 and teeth 272 can be integrally formed with the frame section 214 (FIG. 20A), or can be mounted thereto (FIG. 20B), and may be formed from various suitable materials, such as a metal, a plastic or a rubber material.

[0050] Looking now at FIG. 21, in a fourth embodiment of the frame section 314, instead of the plates 28, the vertical rails 320 joined by horizontal rails 322 to form the frame section 214 include a number of outwardly extending projections 390, that in the illustrated embodiment project outwardly generally perpendicular to the frame section 314.

[0051] The corresponding platform section 316 is formed with a lower portion 388 including a sleeve 392 having an inner diameter slightly larger than that of the projections 390, such that the sleeve 392 can be slid and positioned over the projections to hold the platform section 316 on the frame section 314. The individual using the device 10 can move the platform sections 316 upwardly along the frame section 314 by sequentially sliding one of the platform sections 316 off of the corresponding projection 390 and moving it upwardly to align the sleeve 392 with a projection 390 located vertically up the frame section 314. The individual can repeat this process to ascend the device 10 to the desired position by adding frame sections 314 as necessary in the manner described previously. In each of the embodiments of the invention, the frame sections 14, 114, 214 and 314 are each formed with a simple and open construction, and of any suitable material, such as a metal or plastic that is preferably lightweight and rigid, such that the frame sections 14, 114, 214 and 314 can be positioned over and around branches and other irregularities in the shape of the tree without impairing the ability of the frame section 14, 114, 214 and 314 to be used to elevate the position of the individual with respect to the tree. The generally open center of the frame section 14, 114, 214 and 314 enables the 14, 114,214 and 314 to allow the irregularity to extend into the open center while the frame section 14, 114, 214 and 314 can be disposed around the irregularity.

[0052] To reduce the amount of the weight of the device 10, the frame sections 14, 114, 214 and 314 can be formed with additional apertures or weight reducing cut-outs, which can also be employed for the platform sections 16, 116, 216 and 316, which can be formed to be hollow or with a mesh-like like structure to provide the desired amount of support with an overall lighter weight.

[0053] In addition, while the vertical rails in each of the frame sections 14, 114, 214 and 314 are secured to one another by pegs (not shown) inserted into the open spaced defined within the vertical rails of each frame section 14, 114, 214 and 314, other suitable securing mechanisms are also contemplated as being able to be used, such as clamps, pins, or any other device capable of releasably securing the frame sections 14, 114, 214 and 314 to one another.

[0054] Various other alternatives are contemplated is being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.

Claims

1. A tree climbing device comprising: a) at least one frame section adapted to be secured to a tree; and b) at least one platform section pivotally and slidably secured to the at least one frame section.

2. The device of claim l wherein the at least one platform section is engageable with the at least one frame section.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the at least one frame section comprises: a) a pair of vertical rails; and b) a pair of horizontal extending between and joining the vertical rails to one another, wherein the at least one platform section is engageable with at least one of the pair of vertical rails.

4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a pair of engagement plates disposed on the pair of vertical rails, each plate including a number of spaced apertures therein, each aperture engageable with a tab disposed on the at least on platform section.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the apertures extend completely through the plate and into the adjacent vertical rail.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the at least one platform section comprises: a) a pair of arms extending outwardly from the at least one platform section on either side of one of the plates secured to one of the vertical rails; and b) a pair of stops secured to the pair of arms opposite the at least one platform sections, the pair of stops extending perpendicular to the pair of arms to define a channel within which the plate is positioned while allowing the at least one platform section to pivot with respect to the plate and the vertical rail.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the at least one platform section comprises a pair of platform sections, each platform section secured to the plate on one of the vertical rails.

8. The device of claim 3 wherein the pair of vertical rails are hollow to define open upper and lower ends of each vertical rail, and wherein the device further comprises a number of pegs insertable into the open upper and lower ends to secure a number of adjacent frame sections to one another.

9. The device of claim 3 further comprising a number of braces connected between the vertical rails and the horizontal rails to define a generally open central area within the at least one frame section.

10. The device of claim 2 wherein the at least one platform section is mounted within a channel formed in the at least one frame section.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the channel includes apertures disposed on opposite sides of the channel.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the at least one platform section includes an insert pivotally secured to the at least one platform section and slidably positioned within the channel in the at least one frame section.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the at least one platform section includes a pair of tabs engageable within the apertures disposed on opposite sides of the channel in the at least one frame section.

14. The device of claim 10 wherein the at least one frame section includes a brace secured to the at least one frame section opposite the channel.

15. The device of claim 2 further comprising a linear gear disposed on the at least one frame section that is engageable by the at least one platform section.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the at least one platform section includes a number of teeth engageable with the linear gear on the at least one platform section.

17. The device of claim 15 wherein the at least one platform section comprises: a) a pair of arms extending outwardly from the at least one platform section on either side of one of the vertical rails; and b) a pair of stops secured to the pair of arms opposite the at least one platform sections, the pair of stops extending perpendicular to the pair of arms into a channel defined within vertical rail to allow the at least one platform section to pivot with respect to the vertical rail.

18. The device of claim 3 wherein the at least one frame section includes a number of outwardly extending projections.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the at least on platform section includes a sleeve engageable with the projections on the at least one frame section.

20. A method of climbing a tree comprising the steps of: a) providing the device of claim 1; b) engaging the at least one frame section with the tree; c) engaging the at least one platform section with the at least one frame section; and d) pivoting the at least one platform section with respect to the at least one frame section to disengage and vertically move the at least one platform section with respect to the at least one frame section.