Ladder Stand Stability via Dual Strap Inversion and Rotating Rail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ladder stands face challenges such as instability due to uneven tree contact, difficulty in installation around tree branches, and lack of height adjustability in 'shooter's rails', which can obstruct user access and pose storage risks.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution includes a ladder stand design with two straps that wrap around a tree and connect at the back, allowing for horizontal force application and improved stability. Additionally, an activity rail assembly is rotatably attached to the chair, offering adjustable and stowable positions for enhanced user safety and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing ladder stands use a single strap to tighten the blade against the tree, then the installation is simpler, but the contact with the tree becomes uneven or twisted resulting in instability
Solution Approach 1:
The single strap is divided into two separate straps that wrap around the tree independently. Each strap can be positioned and tightened separately to accommodate uneven tree surfaces, preventing twisted contact while maintaining installation simplicity through individual adjustment.
2Device complexity
If existing ladder stands apply downward force on the upper attachment point, then the attachment mechanism is simpler, but the stand shifts down the tree and becomes unstable during climbing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying downward force on the upper attachment point, the straps are configured to apply upward force by wrapping around the tree and connecting below the blade element. This inverted force direction prevents the stand from shifting downward during climbing while maintaining a relatively simple attachment mechanism.
3Device complexity
If shooter's rails are made fixed or non-adjustable, then the structure is simpler, but the rail obstructs user access and cannot be stowed when not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The shooter's rail is made adjustable in height and position rather than being fixed. This allows the rail to be moved to non-obstructing positions when not in use, improving user accessibility while maintaining a relatively simple rail structure that can be dynamically repositioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: providing shooter support when needed, and being movable to non-obstructing positions when not needed. This multi-functionality allows a single simple structure to adapt to different usage scenarios without requiring complex mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A tree stand includes an activity rail assembly rotatably attached to a chair. The activity rail assembly is rotatable among a first stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented upright, a second stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented downwardly, and one or more deployed positions between the first stowed position and the second stowed position. The activity rail assembly is extendable and retractable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the activity rail assembly is in the first position, a horizontal activity rail portion is closer to the chair than when the activity rail assembly is in the second position. The tree stand may further include a platform to support the chair, and, optionally, a ladder portion to support the platform.