Hunter's Portable Tree Stand

The invention relates to a platform assembly and more specifically to one that is portable and has structure so it may be detachably secured to the trunk of a tree for supporting a hunter thereon.

It is often desirable for hunters to position themselves in an elevated position above the terrain upon which they are hunting. The hunter's view of the surrounding terrain is greatly increased and his field of aim is invariably increased, especially in a wooded area. Additionally, the hunter is far less likely to be seen by the hunted game if he is at a height elevated from the ground level.

There have been various types of hunter's stands heretofore designed and examples of these similar structures may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 3,318,415; 3,392,802; 3,419,108 and 3,513,940. However, the tree stand of the instant invention includes structural and operational features which renders it a more stable support, more readily folded in a compact state, easier to erect and disassemble from an associated tree trunk, and also having means for adjusting the angle the platform assembly makes with the trunk of a tree even when the hunter is standing thereon.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel hunter's portable tree stand that is lightweight and which can be folded into a compact state.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel hunter's portable tree stand that has means for adjusting the angle the platform assembly makes with the trunk of a tree even when the hunter is standing thereon.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a novel hunter's portable tree stand that is economical to manufacture and market.

Applicant's novel hunter's portable tree stand is formed from an elongated platform assembly formed of a frame whose interior is covered by an expanded metal panel. A pair of laterally spaced support arm assemblies have their front ends pivotally secured to the front end of the platform assembly. A V-shaped clamping yoke has its opposite ends detachably connected to the rear ends of the respective support arm assemblies. A pair of laterally spaced upright brace members have their top ends pivotally secured to the adjustment sleeve and the bottom of the upright bracer to the rear end of the platform assembly and their top ends are connected to the rear end of the support arm assemblies.

The support arm assemblies have an elongated adjustment sleeve that is internally threaded at both of its ends and they each receive an externally threaded rod or screw. By turning the adjustment sleeve in one direction support arm assemblies are lengthened and by turning the adjustment sleeve in the opposite direction the support arm assemblies are shortened. These changes allow for adjusting the angle that the platform assembly makes with the trunk of a tree even when the hunter is standing thereon.

A V-shaped brace is secured to the rear end of the platform assembly for stabilizing it against the curved surface of a tree trunk. An elongated safety belt has its opposite ends secured to laterally spaced points on the V-shaped clamping yoke and it grabs the tree trunk around its front to provide additional safety for the hunter.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view illustrating applicant's novel hunter's portable tree stand supported on the trunk of a tree; and

FIG. 2 is a partial side perspective view of the rear end of one of the support arm assemblies and it shows the manner in which it is secured to the V-shaped clamping yoke and one of the upright brace members.

Applicant's novel hunter's portable tree stand will now be described by referring to FIGS. 1-2 of the drawing. The tree stand is generally designated numeral 10.

Tree stand 10 has an elongated platform 12 formed from laterally spaced side members 13 and 14, front cross member 15 and rear cross member 16. An expanded metal panel 18 covers the interior of this framework. A sleeve 20 is secured to the front end of cross member 15.

A pair of laterally spaced support arms 24 have elongated adjustment sleeves 25 having a knurled outer surface. The adjustment sleeve 25 constitutes means for adjusting the angle of the platform 12 with respect to the tree trunk in this embodiment. Each adjustment sleeve 25 has a forward end and a rearward end, and is internally threaded at each end. Externally threaded forward rod 26 has a first end secured to square tubing member 28 that has a laterally extending pivot pin 29 extending from its forward end that is in turn received in one end of sleeve 20. A second end of the forward rod 26 is threadably engaged in the forward end of the adjustment sleeve 25. An externally threaded (rearward) rod 32 has a first end secured in square tubing member 33 and a second end which is threadably engaged in the rearward end of the adjustment sleeve 25. The angle the platform 12 makes with respect to the tree trunk may be adjusted by shortening or lengthening the support arms 24. To lengthen the support arms, thus pivoting the front end of the platform generally downwardly, the adjustment sleeves 25 are rotated about their longitudinal axes in a first direction such that portions of the second ends of the rods 26, 32 are forced out of the adjustment sleeves. To shorten the support arms 24, thus pivoting the front end of the platform generally upwardly, the adjustment sleeves 25 are rotated about their longitudinal axes in a second direction, opposite the first direction, such that portions of the second ends of the rods 26, 32 are drawn into the adjustment sleeves. Someone with ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate that the screw threads in the forward end of the sleeve 25 and on the forward rod 26 are opposite those in the rearward end of sleeve 25 and on the rearward rod 32 (i.e., left handed threads versus right handed threads). This is necessary in order for the rods 26, 32, which are threadably engaged in opposite ends of the adjustment sleeve 25, to be simultaneously forced out of or drawn into the adjustment sleeve upon its rotation. It has been found that the adjustment sleeve may be easily rotated in either direction although the platform supports the weight of the hunter.

A tubular collar 35 telescopes over threaded rod 32. A pair of locking nuts 36 secure tubular collar in a predetermined position. Adjustable upright brace members 40 have their bottom ends secured to the rear end of platform 12. The top end of upright brace member 40 is connected to tubular collar 35 by a pivot pin 44 that passes through legs 46 extending outwardly from tubular collar 35. The position of the collar 5 may be adjusted by turning the locking nuts 36 in opposite directions on the rod 32.

V-shaped clamping yoke 50 has its opposite ends detachably secured to the respective square tubing members 33. This structure may have protruding members 52 that pass through slots 53 to make the clamping yoke easily removable so it may be passed around the trunk of the tree. Another form of structure would have aligned apertures in the ends of clamping yoke 50 and square tubing 33 through which a pin may be inserted to secure them together. A cutout portion is formed on the inner edge of V-shaped clamping yoke 50 to form a pair of teeth 56 that would bite into the trunk of the tree and make it more secure.

A safety belt 60 has its opposite ends secured to predetermine points on the V-shaped clamping yoke and safety belt 60 would pass around the front of the tree trunk to provide additional safety for the hunter standing thereon.

V-shaped brace 70 is secured to rear cross member 16 and it has a pair of downwardly extending legs 72 that aid to stabilize the rear of the platform assembly against the trunk of the tree.