Adjustable Tree Stand Bracket for Crooked Trunk Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tree stand mounting systems face challenges in securely attaching to tree trunks of varying diameters, straightness, and symmetry, particularly when the trunks are crooked, due to the need for robust materials and adjustability while supporting significant human weight and preventing sliding.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable bracket system with a rotatable crossmember and secondary crossbeam assembly, along with pivotable cleats and straps with manual adjustment mechanisms, allows for better conformance to crooked tree trunks by providing multiple degrees of freedom for positioning and gripping, ensuring secure attachment and easy mounting/unmounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed bracket system is used to secure tree stands, then the structure is simple and robust, but it cannot accommodate crooked tree trunks or varying diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket system incorporates a rotatable crossmember that can be rotated to different angles to accommodate crooked tree trunks. The crossmember rotates about a vertical axis, allowing the bracket to adapt dynamically to varying trunk orientations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is divided into separate functional components: a main body, a rotatable crossmember, and pivotable cleats. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, providing adaptability without requiring complete structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If robust materials and fixed connections are used, then the tree stand can support heavy loads, but it cannot be adjusted to different tree trunk sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The cleats are designed to pivot relative to the crossmember, allowing them to adjust their angle and position to conform to different tree trunk surfaces. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the robust fixed connections to adapt to varying trunk sizes and shapes while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket system is designed to be pre-assembled with all adjustment mechanisms in place before mounting to the tree. This allows the user to make adjustments to accommodate different tree trunk configurations during the initial mounting process, making subsequent installation and removal easier.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustment mechanisms are added to accommodate various tree trunk configurations, then adaptability improves, but the device becomes more complex and harder to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation of the crossmember and the pivoting of the cleats are combined into a coordinated adjustment system. The crossmember rotation about the vertical axis and the cleat pivoting about horizontal axes work together to provide comprehensive adaptability to crooked tree trunks, reducing the need for separate independent adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable crossmember serves multiple functions: it positions the cleats at different angles, accommodates varying trunk diameters, and allows adjustment for crooked configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of separate adjustment mechanisms needed in the system.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method of attaching a tree stand or other structure along a tree trunk. The apparatus includes a plurality of independently operable features that can be used together or by-themselves with a backbone-type base. The base can support a seat, foot rest, combination of the same, or other structures. One of the independently operable features is a cross member or beam that rotates at the backbone. This can adjust to a tree trunk that diverges to one side or the other from vertical and from the backbone. Another feature is a second cross member that nest in or pivot at one end out of the primary cross beam. This can adjust to a tree trunk that diverges away from the backbone. Another feature is a combination V- or C-shaped cleats or claws and spaced apart around separate vertical pivot axes, with concave sides towards the trunk, at the cross-beam or beams. One cleat is wider and fixed. This assists in gripping a tree trunk that is crooked either side-to-side relative the backbone or diverges away from the backbone and vertical. These features can assist in plumbing a backbone relative to vertical regardless of tree trunk shape at the area of mounting.