Concave Tree Step Geometry to Resist Rolling Under Side Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional tree steps used in saddle hunting are prone to rolling or sliding when subjected to side pressure, causing foot fatigue and potential injury due to their design not accounting for ergonomic foot angles and inadequate frictional contact with the tree.
Innovation Solution
A tree step with a unitary body featuring concave and flat surfaces linked at a right angle, incorporating raised blocks and protrusions to enhance frictional contact with the tree, and a strap for secure attachment, designed to resist movement under side pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tree steps are used in saddle hunting, then the hunter can ascend and position on the tree, but the steps are prone to rolling or sliding under side pressure causing instability and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The step is designed with a concave surface that mirrors the convex curvature of the tree, creating a complementary fit that prevents rolling and sliding. This curved geometry engages a larger surface area of the tree, providing stable frictional contact even when the hunter applies side pressure at angles while leaning out for shots.
Solution Approach 2:
The step features an asymmetric design with a concave surface facing the tree and a flat top surface for foot contact. This asymmetry allows the step to resist side pressure effectively while providing a stable, comfortable platform for the hunter's foot, eliminating the rolling issue that affects symmetric traditional steps.
2Ease of operation
If traditional flat steps are used, then manufacturing is simple, but they do not mirror the hunter's foot angle causing foot fatigue and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The step incorporates a flat top surface specifically designed to mirror the angle of the hunter's foot while leaning onto the step. This localized geometric feature provides ergonomic comfort exactly where needed (at the foot contact point) without requiring complex geometry throughout the entire step structure, maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Weight of moving object
If lightweight plastic steps are used, then carrying load is reduced, but frictional contact with the tree is insufficient under side pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The concave surface geometry maximizes the contact area between the step and the tree's convex surface. This increased surface engagement provides sufficient frictional contact to resist side pressure even though the step is made of lightweight plastic material, eliminating the need for heavier materials to achieve stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tree step provides enhanced stability and comfort by mirroring the hunter's foot angle, reducing foot fatigue and preventing rolling or sliding, even under sheering forces, while being lightweight and non-damaging to trees.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the first surface and the second surface is for contacting the convex, rounded surface of a tree... the tree step resists movement or rolling when secured to the tree
Data Source
AI summary
A tree step for use in climbing a tree while mobile hunting, and as part of a ring of steps while saddle hunting, which can be useful for resisting slippage and movement when a hunter applies side pressure to the step. In general, the tree step includes a unitary body having at least one concave surface for contacting the convex surface of a tree trunk. The concave surface of the tree step can provide a large surface area of contact with the tree. The step also includes a second surface coming together with the first surface at a bend in the unitary body. A strap portion of the unitary body connects and supports the contact surfaces, and includes a hole or opening therethrough for threading a strap or rope.