Stand

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus including a front loader having a plurality of steps, a framework connected to the front loader at a first framework front loader connection portion, and support legs rotatably coupled to the framework.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Typical tree stands used to raise a person above the ground for hunting and the like have several drawbacks. First, they require a tree having a specific diameter and having few or no branches below a specific height. Further, typical tree stands are heavy, and typical tree stands tend to fall after being secured around a tree due to slipping between the tree stand and the tree or due to mechanical failures including failures of the strap mechanisms used to secure the tree stand to the tree. Tree stand accidents are a leading cause of hunting-related deaths and injuries nationwide.

[0002] What is desired is a device that overcomes these drawbacks, is safer, and is easy / convenient to transport, set up, reposition, and / or remove with minimal effort and, if present, minimal hand tools. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide devices and methods that address the above needs.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus including a front ladder having a plurality of steps, a framework connected to the front ladder at a first framework front ladder connection, and support legs rotatably coupled to the framework.

[0004] The present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following drawings, which are provided as illustrative of specific embodiments of the present application and are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In the discussion herein and in the claims, the term "about" indicates that the recited value can vary somewhat (as long as that variation does not result in a failure of the process or device). For example, with respect to some elements, the term "about" can refer to a variation of ±0.1%, and with respect to other elements, the term "about" can refer to a variation of ±1% or ±10%, or any point in between.

[0007] As used herein, the term "substantially" or "substantial" is a broad term used in its ordinary sense, which includes, without limitation, that which is mostly (but not necessarily completely) specified, and is equally applicable when used in a negative sense to denote a complete or almost complete absence of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, a "substantially" flat surface means either completely flat or nearly flat to the extent that it has the same effect as if it were completely flat.

[0008] As used herein, terms such as "a", "an", and "the" are not intended to refer only to singular entities, but include general classes for which specific examples may be used for illustration.

[0009] As used herein, terms defined in the singular are intended to include those defined in the plural and vice versa.

[0010] References in the specification to "one embodiment," "a particular embodiment," "some embodiments," or "an embodiment" indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0011] For purposes of the following description, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in the figures of the drawings. The terms "overlying," "on," "positioned on," or "positioned atop" mean that a first element is present over a second element, with intervening elements interfacing between the first and second elements. The terms "in direct contact with" or "attached to" mean that a first and second element are connected without any intervening elements at the interface of the two elements.

[0012] Any reference in this specification to a range of numbers includes explicitly each numerical value (including fractions and integers) included within that range. By way of illustration, a reference in this specification to a range of "at least 50" or "at least about 50" includes integers such as 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, etc., and fractions such as 50.1, 50.2, 50.3, 50.4, 50.5, 50.6, 50.7, 50.8, 50.9, etc. By further illustration, a reference in this specification to a range of "less than 50" or "less than about 50" includes integers such as 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, etc., and fractions such as 49.9, 49.8, 49.7, 49.6, 49.5, 49.4, 49.3, 49.2, 49.1, 49.0, etc.

[0013] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, an embodiment of which, apparatus 100, is shown in FIG. 1. Apparatus 100 includes a front ladder 2, and the front ladder 2 includes a plurality of steps 4. These plurality of steps 4 can be operably attached to the side of the front ladder 2 in any suitable manner, such as through bolts, rivets, straps, screws, snaps, notches, welding, soldering, adhesives, and combinations thereof. Alternatively / in addition to the operable attachment, the plurality of steps 4 can be integrally formed with the side of the front ladder 2.

[0014] Also, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 includes a framework 6, and the framework 6 is connected to the front loader 2 at the first framework front loader connection portion 8. The framework 6 is shown in one configuration in this figure, but can be of any suitable shape and structure capable of supporting both the weight of the front loader 2, the support legs 10, and at least one adult human sitting directly on top of (or sitting on an element attached to the framework 6 such as a seat) the framework 6. This first framework front loader connection portion 8, although shown in more detail in other figures, includes any suitable connection (for example, the front loader 2 is integrally formed with the framework 6, etc.), and also includes any suitable mechanical connection, such as through joints, hinges, bolts, rivets, straps, screws, snaps, notches, welding, soldering, adhesives, and combinations thereof.

[0015] The apparatus 100 further includes support legs 10, and the support legs 10 are attached to the framework 6 through a rotatable connection mechanism 11. This rotatable connection mechanism 11 can be a hinge or any other suitable structure that allows rotation of the support legs 10 compared to the framework 8. As used herein, the term hinge refers to a jointed or flexible device that connects a part (the support leg 10) to a stationary component (the framework 6) and allows pivoting or swiveling of the part (the support leg 10). Hinges include, but are not limited to, metal pivotable connectors (such as those used to fasten a door to a frame), spring-loaded hinges, and living hinges. A living hinge allows pivoting movement of one member relative to another connected member.

[0016] The framework 6, the ladder 2, and the support legs 10 can be formed from the same or different materials selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, carbon-based materials, synthetic materials such as elastomers, nylon, rubber, and combinations thereof.

[0017] The other reference numerals in FIG. 1 will be explained in relation to other figures below, and consistent reference numerals represent consistent components.

[0018] As seen in FIG. 2, the framework 8 includes a framework base 12 and a framework support 18. The framework base 12 and the framework support 18 can be integrally formed as one piece of material, or they can be two or more pieces of material joined in any suitable manner, such as joints, hinges, bolts, rivets, straps, screws, snaps, notches, welding, soldering, adhesives, and combinations thereof. The framework base 12 includes a first end 14 (substantially corresponding to the right hand side of the device 100) and a second end 16 (substantially corresponding to the left hand side of the device 100 as shown in FIG. 3).

[0019] The framework support 18 includes a first framework support 20 and a second framework support 22 (shown in FIG. 3). The first framework support 20 and the second framework support 22 can be operably attached to the framework base 12 in any suitable manner, such as joints, hinges, bolts, rivets, straps, screws, snaps, notches, welding, soldering, adhesives, and combinations thereof. Also, the first framework support 20 can be operably attached near the first end 14 (as seen in FIG. 2), and the second framework support 22 can be attached near the second end 16 (as seen in FIG. 3).

[0020] As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first framework support 20 can include a first framework support first arm 28 and a first framework support second arm 30. The first framework support first arm 28 can be closer to the first framework front ladder connection 8 than the first framework support second arm 30, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0021] The first framework support first arm 28 and the first framework support second arm 30 can extend vertically from the first framework support 20 and can be operably attached to the first framework support in any suitable manner, such as by joints, hinges, bolts, rivets, straps, screws, snaps, notches, welding, soldering, adhesives, and combinations thereof. Optionally, the first framework support first arm 28 and the first framework support second arm 30 can be a single piece of material connected to the first framework support 20 at either end. In this optional configuration, the area where the first framework support first arm 28 and the first framework support second arm 30 meet can be used, for example, to rest the user's arm during use of the device 100.

[0022] Similar to the first framework support 20, the second framework support 22 can include a second framework support first arm 32 and a second framework support second arm 34, as shown in FIG. 3. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the second framework support first arm 32 is closer to the first framework front ladder connection 8 than the second framework support second arm 34.

[0023] The second framework support first arm 32 and the second framework support second arm 34 are configured to be positioned in the same manner as the first framework support first arm 28 and the first framework support second arm 30.

[0024] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the first framework support second arm 30 can include a first rotatable connector 32. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the second framework support second arm 34 can include a second rotatable connector 36. The first rotatable connector 32 and the second rotatable connector 36 can be any suitable structure configured to secure another element and allow that element to rotate in a plane substantially parallel to the height dimension of the device 100.

[0025] In addition, as seen in FIG. 2, the first framework support first arm 28 can include a first connector 38, and the first connector 38 includes a first sliding element 38 and a first peg 40. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the second framework support first arm 32 can include a second connector 44, and the second connector 44 includes a second sliding element 46 and a second peg 48.

[0026] The first sliding element 38 and the second sliding element 46 are each configured to partially or entirely surround the peripheral portions of the first framework support first arm 28 and the second framework support first arm 32, respectively.

[0027] Further, the first sliding element 38 and the second sliding element 46 are each configured to slide along the length of the first arm 28 of the first framework support and along the length of the first arm 32 of the second framework support. The first sliding element 38 and the second sliding element 46 are each configured to be fixable at a point along the length of the first arm 28 of the first framework support and at a point along the length of the first arm 32 of the second framework support. The first sliding element 38 and the second sliding element 46 can be fixed to the first arm 28 of the first framework support and the first arm 32 of the second framework support, respectively, in any suitable manner, such as by applying pressure to the first arm 28 of the first framework support and the first arm 32 of the second framework support from a screw supported by the first sliding element 38 and the second sliding element 46. Alternatively or in addition to screw pressure, one or more holes can be present along the lengths of the first arm 28 of the first framework support and the first arm 32 of the second framework support, and spring-loaded pins attached to either the first sliding element 38 or the second sliding element 46 can be adapted to enter the one or more holes, and thus maintain the positions of the first sliding element 38 and the second sliding element 46.

[0028] The first peg 40 and the second peg 48 of the first connector 38 and the second connector 44 extend in directions substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of the first arm 28 of the first framework support and the first arm 32 of the second framework support, respectively.

[0029] As can be seen in both FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus 100 can include a bar 48 that has a first end 50 (shown in FIG. 2) and a second end 52 (shown in FIG. 3). The first end 50 of the bar is operably attached to the first rotatable connector 32 in any suitable manner. The second end 52 of the bar is operably attached to the second rotatable connector 36 in any suitable manner.

[0030] The bar 48 can be configured to rotate about the first rotatable connector 32 and / or the second rotatable connector 36, and can be configured to rotate clockwise in the perspective of FIG. 2 until the bar 48 contacts the first peg 42. In the perspective of FIG. 3, the bar 48 can be configured to rotate counterclockwise about the first rotatable connector 32 and / or the second rotatable connector 36 until the bar 48 contacts the second peg 48. Thus, the bar 48 is configured to rotate and contact the first peg 42, the second peg 48, or both the first peg 42 and the second peg 48.

[0031] During use, the height of the first peg 42 and / or the second peg 48 can be changed by sliding the first connector 38 and / or the second connector 44 along the lengths of the first framework support first arm 28 and the second framework support first arm 32. Thus, even if the user is in the seat 54 (the seat 54 itself is supported by the framework base 12), the user can adjust the height of the first peg 42 and / or the second peg 48 to a desired height (e.g., a desired height for placing a weapon and / or firearm, etc.). However, the user can adjust the height of the first peg 42 and / or the second peg 48 to a desired height to support any instrument and / or the user himself / herself (e.g., the user's elbow or arm, etc.).

[0032] The seat 54 can be any suitable structure having a back piece or just a bottom portion as shown in the figure, and the bottom portion is configured to support the seated user, who is typically an adult human, but can also be a younger human and / or humans of various heights and weights (ranging from about 40 pounds to about 400 pounds or more, and heights ranging from about 3 feet to about 7 feet or more).

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the device 100 can also include a connection element 56 having a connection element length. This connection element 56 can be made of any suitable material (such as a chain, cord, rope, cable, strap, etc.) that can have a first end 58 operably attached to the front ladder 2 at any suitable location (such as the first point 60 of the connection element, etc.). Also, this connection element 56 can have a second end 62 operably attached to the support leg 10 at any suitable location (such as the second point 64 of the connection element, etc.).

[0034] The connection element 56 is configured to prevent the first point 60 of the connection element from moving farther from the second point 64 of the connection element than the connection element length. For example, if the connection element 56 is 4 feet in length, when the support leg 10 is rotated clockwise so as to move away from the front ladder 2, when the first point 60 of the connection element reaches 4 feet or about 4 feet from the second point 64 of the connection element, the movement of the support leg 10 is stopped.

[0035] In addition, the apparatus 100 can include a strap 66 (and optionally a strap 66' that is the same as or similar to the strap 66). The strap 66 can be composed of any material having a first end 68 and a second end 70, such as a chain, cord, rope, cable, strap, etc. The first end 68 can be operably attached to any part of the framework base 12 (or any other suitable part of the apparatus 100, including parts of the front ladder 2, support legs 10, and / or the framework 8), and the second end 70 is configured to be attached to an anchoring element 72. As seen in FIG. 3, the anchoring element 72 is a screw-type anchor, but in other embodiments, the anchoring element 72 can be a natural feature, such as a part of a rock and / or a tree, as well as other mechanical anchors, such as piles, weights, and / or any suitable ground anchor, etc.

[0036] The strap 66 can be configured to reduce and / or prevent movement of the apparatus 100 in the rotational direction (clockwise or counterclockwise in the perspective of FIG. 1), and to prevent the apparatus 100 from tilting in a predetermined direction (left or right in the perspective of FIG. 1) when the user is seated on the framework 8 and / or the seat 54.

[0037] Another view of the apparatus 100 is shown in FIG. 5, specifically an enlarged view of a part of the support leg 10. Optionally, the support leg 10 can be configured to have an adjustable length. This optionally adjustable length can compensate for various terrains, enabling the framework 8 to be substantially level even when the terrain on which the apparatus 100 is placed is not substantially horizontal.

[0038] This adjustability in length is due to adjustment mechanism 84. The adjustment mechanism 84 can be a hook and / or a peg, or any suitable element that can extend through the holes of the outer sleeve 80 of the support leg 10 and the inner sleeve 82 of the support leg 10. The outer sleeve 80 is fixedly and rotatably connected to the framework 8 in the rotational direction. On the other hand, the inner sleeve 82 can slide up vertically in the direction of arrow 88 (shortening the support leg 10) and down vertically in the direction of arrow 89 (lengthening the support leg 10) inside the outer sleeve 80. To fix the support leg at a specific length, the adjustment mechanism 84 rotates in the direction of arrow 90 and extends through the outer sleeve 80 and through the opening 86 of the inner sleeve 82. The inner sleeve 82 can include one or more openings 86 along the length of the inner sleeve 82.

[0039] The described embodiments and examples of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and are not intended to represent all embodiments or examples of the present disclosure. Although the basic novel features of the present disclosure as applied to various specific embodiments have been shown, described, and pointed out, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and detail of the illustrated devices and in their operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and / or method steps that perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same result are within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, it should be recognized that the structures and / or elements and / or method steps shown and / or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the present disclosure may be incorporated into any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a matter of general design choice. Further, various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the following claims, both literally and in terms of equivalents legally recognized.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0040] 2 Front Ladder 4 Steps 6 Framework 8 First Framework Front Ladder Connection Part 10 Support Legs 11 Rotatable Linkage Mechanism 12 Framework Base 14 First End 16 Second End 18 Framework Support 20 First Framework Support 22 Second Framework Support 28 First Framework Support First Arm 30 First framework support, second arm 32 First rotatable connector, second framework support, first arm 34 Second framework support, second arm 36 Second rotatable connector 38 First connector, first sliding element 40 First peg 42 First peg 44 Second connector 46 Second sliding element 48 Second peg, bar 50 First end 52 Second end 54 Seat 56 Connecting element 58 First end 60 Connecting element, first point 62 Second end 64 Connecting element, second point 66 Strap 66’ Strap 68 First end 70 Second end 72 Anchoring element 80 Outer sleeve of support leg 10 82 Inner sleeve of support leg 10 84 Adjustment mechanism 86 Opening 88 Arrow 89 Arrow 90 Arrow 100 Device

Claims

1. A front rider including a plurality of steps, A framework connected to the front rider at a first framework front rider connection portion, A support leg rotatably connected to the framework, An apparatus comprising.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the framework includes a framework base and a framework support, and the framework base includes a first end and a second end.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the framework support includes a first framework support and a second framework support.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first framework support is attached near the first end, and the second framework support is attached near the second end.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first framework support includes a first arm of the first framework support and a second arm of the first framework support, and the first arm of the first framework support is closer to the first framework front rider connection portion than the second arm of the first framework support. The second framework support includes a first arm of the second framework support and a second arm of the second framework support, and the first arm of the second framework support is closer to the first framework front rider connection portion than the second arm of the second framework support.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second arm of the first framework support includes a first rotatable connector, and the second arm of the second framework support includes a second rotatable connector.

7. The first arm of the first framework support includes a first connector, the first connector includes a first sliding element and a first peg, the first sliding element is configured to slide along the length of the first arm of the first framework support, and the first sliding element is configured to be fixed at a point along the length of the first arm of the first framework support. The first arm of the second framework support includes a second connector, the second connector includes a second sliding element and a second peg, the second sliding element is configured to slide along the length of the first arm of the second framework support, and the second sliding element is configured to be fixed at a point along the length of the first arm of the second framework support. The device according to claim 6.

8. The device further includes a bar, the bar includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the bar is operably attached to the first rotatable connector, and the second end of the bar is operably attached to the second rotatable connector. The device according to claim 6.

9. The device further includes a bar, the bar includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the bar is operably attached to the first rotatable connector, and the second end of the bar is operably attached to the second rotatable connector. The device according to claim 7.

10. The bar is configured to rotate and contact the first peg, the second peg, or both the first peg and the second peg. The device according to claim 9.

11. The framework base is configured to support a seat. The device according to claim 2.

12. The device further includes a connection element of a connection element length, the connection element including a first end and a second end, the first end of the connection element being operably attached to the front ladder at a first point of the connection element, and the second end of the connection element being operably attached to the support leg at a second point of the connection element. The device according to claim 1.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the connection element is configured to prevent the first point of the connection element from moving further away from the second point of the connection element than the connection element length.

14. The device further includes a strap, the strap including a first end and a second end, the first end being operably attached to the framework base, and the second end being configured to be attached to an anchoring element. The device according to claim 2.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the support leg is configured to have an adjustable length.

Images