Tree climbing and support apparatus, improved for optimal climbing and portability

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved apparatus for engaging and climbing columnar structures such as trees and poles that includes improved structural support members and an improved foot climber assembly. The size and shape of the structural components have been optimized for strength and portability. The improved tree-gripping surfaces have a curved shape, an increased thickness, and a series of substantially parallel ridges along the outer surface for stronger and more stable gripping ability. Softer stops and tighter locks are provided between components for quiet assembly and operation in sensitive habitats. The geometry of the apparatus positions the hunter's weight to maintain a strong and safe tree-gripping lever action in order to prevent the apparatus from slipping down the tree. The flexible seat permits the user to remain safe, comfortable, and motionless for long periods. The user can climb and descend the tree with the assistance of the apparatus.

1 . An apparatus for engaging a columnar structure having a central axis and for supporting a person on said structure at a height above the ground, said apparatus comprising: 
 a first openable frame section for surrounding said structure, said first frame section comprising a first pair of side rails rigidly connected by a lower cross brace and a removable upper cross brace, said upper cross brace including a plurality of gripping ridges disposed along its length to frictionally engage said pole when said apparatus is subjected to a downward force eccentric to said axis;    a second frame section telescopically mounted to said first frame section by a second pair of side rails slidably receivable within said first pair of side rails and connected by a cross member, for selective extension of said cross member away from said pole; and    a flexible seat suspended between said first frame section and said cross member of said second frame section.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of gripping ridges disposed along the length of said upper cross brace are configured to frictionally release said pole when said apparatus is subjected to a upward force eccentric to said axis.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said lower cross brace of said first frame section comprises: 
 a lower rail connecting said first pair of side rails in spaced-apart relation intermediate the length of said first pair of side rails; and    a pair of diagonal cleats, each extending from said lower rail to each one of said side rails, each of said diagonal cleats including a plurality of gripping ridges disposed along its length to frictionally engage said pole when said apparatus is subjected to a downward force eccentric to said axis.    
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of gripping ridges disposed along the length of each of said diagonal cleats are configured to frictionally release said pole when said apparatus is subjected to a upward force eccentric to said axis.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said upper cross brace comprises: 
 a hollow I-shaped core defined by a horizontally-oriented base wall having a first thickness, a lower and upper side wall having a first height, and a top wall having a central flat section and two adjacent downwardly-curved end sections,    each of said sections spanning approximately one third of said top wall, said end sections creating an arch adjacent said flat section and having a height approximately equal to one half of said first height,    said side walls having a thickness approximately thirty percent greater than said first thickness, said central flat section having a thickness approximately thirty percent greater than said first thickness.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said end sections creating an arch adjacent said flat section have a height approximately equal to one quarter of said first height, and said side walls have a thickness approximately twenty percent greater than said first thickness, and said central flat section has a thickness approximately twenty percent greater than said first thickness.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein each of said elongate cleats comprises: 
 an L-shaped cleat body comprising a straight leg and a hooked leg joined at a corner, said straight leg having a first thickness, said hooked leg having a linear section and a curved section,    said hooked leg having a thickness approximately one-and-a-half times thicker than said first thickness.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said straight leg further comprises a flat section having a nominal thickness and a thickened section at the free end of said straight leg, said thickened section having a thickness approximately two times thicker than said nominal thickness.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of said side rails comprises: 
 a hollow D-shaped core defined by a vertically-oriented flat wall having a first thickness, a top wall and a bottom wall, each of which is joined to said flat wall at a rounded corner, and a curved wall joining said top and bottom walls,    said top and bottom walls having a thickness of approximately two times said first thickness, said curved wall having a thickness of approximately three-quarters of said first thickness.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said top and bottom walls have a thickness of approximately one-and-a-half times said first thickness, and said curved wall has a thickness of approximately half of said first thickness.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said top and bottom walls have a thickness approximately twenty percent thinner than said first thickness, and said curved wall has a thickness of approximately half of said first thickness.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said cross brace and said cross member each comprise: 
 a hollow D-shaped core defined by a flat wall having a first thickness, a top wall and a bottom wall, each of which is joined to said flat wall at a rounded corner, and a curved wall joining said top and bottom walls,    said top and bottom walls having a thickness of approximately two times said first thickness, said curved wall having a thickness of approximately three quarters of said first thickness.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said top and bottom walls have a thickness of approximately one-and-a-half times said first thickness, and said curved wall has a thickness of approximately half of said first thickness.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said top and bottom walls have a thickness approximately twenty percent thinner than said first thickness, and said curved wall has a thickness of approximately half of said first thickness.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said top and bottom walls have a thickness approximately equal to said first thickness, and said curved wall has a thickness approximately one third greater than said first thickness.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for engaging a columnar structure having a central axis and for supporting a person on said structure at a height above the ground, said apparatus comprising: 
 a first openable frame section for surrounding said structure, said first frame section comprising a first pair of side rails rigidly connected by a lower cross brace, a pair of diagonal cleats, and a removable upper cross brace,    each of said diagonal cleats extending from said lower cross brace to each one of said side rails and including a plurality of gripping ridges disposed along its length to frictionally engage said pole when said apparatus is subjected to a downward force eccentric to said axis; and    a second frame section telescopically mounted to said first frame section by a second pair of side rails slidably receivable within said first pair of side rails and connected by a cross member, for selective extension of said cross member away from said pole; and    a flexible seat suspended between said first frame section and said cross member of said second frame section.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said plurality of gripping ridges disposed along the length of each of said diagonal cleats are configured to frictionally release said pole when said apparatus is subjected to a upward force eccentric to said axis.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said removable upper cross brace of said first frame section includes a plurality of gripping ridges disposed along its length to frictionally engage said pole when said apparatus is subjected to a downward force eccentric to said axis.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of gripping ridges disposed along the length of said upper cross brace are configured to frictionally release said pole when said apparatus is subjected to a upward force eccentric to said axis.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said upper cross brace comprises: 
 a hollow I-shaped core defined by a horizontally-oriented base wall having a first thickness, a lower and upper side wall having a first height, and a top wall having a central flat section and two adjacent downwardly-curved end sections,    each of said sections spanning approximately one third of said top wall, said end sections creating an arch adjacent said flat section and having a height approximately equal to one half of said first height,    said side walls having a thickness approximately thirty percent greater than said first thickness, said central flat section having a thickness approximately thirty percent greater than said first thickness.    
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein said end sections creating an arch adjacent said flat section have a height approximately equal to one quarter of said first height, and said side walls have a thickness approximately twenty percent greater than said first thickness, and said central flat section has a thickness approximately twenty percent greater than said first thickness.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein each of said elongate cleats comprises: 
 an L-shaped cleat body comprising a straight leg and a hooked leg joined at a corner, said straight leg having a first thickness, said hooked leg having a linear section and a curved section,    said hooked leg having a thickness approximately one-and-a-half times thicker than said first thickness.    
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said straight leg further comprises a flat section having a nominal thickness and a thickened section at the free end of said straight leg, said thickened section having a thickness approximately two times thicker than said nominal thickness.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein each of said side rails comprises: 
 a hollow D-shaped core defined by a vertically-oriented flat wall having a first thickness, a top wall and a bottom wall, each of which is joined to said flat wall at a rounded corner, and a curved wall joining said top and bottom walls,    said top and bottom walls having a thickness of approximately two times said first thickness, said curved wall having a thickness of approximately three-quarters of said first thickness.    
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said top and bottom walls have a thickness of approximately one-and-a-half times said first thickness, and said curved wall has a thickness of approximately half of said first thickness.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said top and bottom walls have a thickness approximately twenty percent thinner than said first thickness, and said curved wall has a thickness of approximately half of said first thickness.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said cross brace and said cross member each comprise: 
 a hollow D-shaped core defined by a flat wall having a first thickness, a top wall and a bottom wall, each of which is joined to said flat wall at a rounded corner, and a curved wall joining said top and bottom walls,    said top and bottom walls having a thickness of approximately two times said first thickness, said curved wall having a thickness of approximately three quarters of said first thickness.    
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein said top and bottom walls have a thickness of approximately one-and-a-half times said first thickness, and said curved wall has a thickness of approximately half of said first thickness.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein said top and bottom walls have a thickness approximately twenty percent thinner than said first thickness, and said curved wall has a thickness of approximately half of said first thickness.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein said top and bottom walls have a thickness approximately equal to said first thickness, and said curved wall has a thickness approximately one third greater than said first thickness.  
     
     
         31 . An apparatus for engaging a columnar structure having a central axis and for supporting a person on said structure at a height above the ground, said apparatus comprising: 
 a first openable frame section for surrounding said structure, said first frame section comprising a pair of first side rails rigidly connected by a lower cross brace and a removable upper cross brace, each of said first side rails including a first button stop;    a second frame section telescopically mounted to said first frame section by a pair of second side rails slidably receivable within said pair of first side rails and connected by a cross member, for selective extension of said cross member away from said pole, each of said second side rails including a second button stop fastened to said second rail body such that said second button stop rests against said first button stop when said cross member is extended away from said pole; and    a flexible seat suspended between said first frame section and said cross member of said second frame section.    
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , further comprising: 
 a locking screw extending through the wall of said first rail body and positioned to frictionally engage the exterior wall of said second rail body when tightened.    
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , further comprising: 
 said second frame section further including a third button stop;    a third frame section telescopically mounted to said second frame section by a pair of third side rails slidably receivable within said pair of second side rails and connected by a foot rest, for selective extension of said foot rest away from said pole, each of said third side rails including a fourth button stop fastened to said third rail body such that said fourth button stop rests against said third button stop when said foot rest is extended away from said pole.    
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , further comprising: 
 a locking screw extending through the wall of said second rail body and positioned to frictionally engage the exterior wall of said third rail body when tightened.    
     
     
         35 . An apparatus for climbing a columnar structure having a central axis, said apparatus comprising: 
 a pair of climbing frames, namely an upper climbing frame and a lower climbing frame, each of said frames comprising a pair of seat rails, an intermediate cross brace connecting said pair of seat rails in spaced-apart relation on a front side of said structure, and a removable upper cross brace releasably attached to said pair of seat rails on a rear side of said structure, each of said cross braces including a side at least partially facing said structure; and    a plurality of gripping ridges disposed lengthwise along said side of at least one of said cross braces to frictionally engage said structure when said apparatus is subjected to a downward force eccentric to said axis.    
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said plurality of gripping ridges are configured to frictionally release said pole when said apparatus is subjected to a upward force eccentric to said axis.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said lower climbing frame further comprises a cross member connecting said pair of seat rails in spaced-apart relation on a front side of said structure.  
     
     
         38 . A pair of climbing frames for engaging and climbing a columnar structure having a central axis, each of said climbing frames comprising: 
 a pair of side rail components;    at least one intermediate cross brace component connecting said pair of side rail components in spaced-apart relation on a front side of said structure; and    a removable upper cross brace component releasably attached to said pair of side rail components on a rear side of said structure,    wherein each of said components is constructed of a metal alloy material, wherein said pair of climbing frames is configured structurally to support a person weighing up to 300 pounds, and wherein said pair of climbing frames together weigh less than 20 pounds.    
     
     
         39 . The climbing frames of  claim 38 , wherein the cross-sectional area of said metal alloy material for each of said components measures less than 0.70 square inches.  
     
     
         40 . The climbing frames of  claim 38 , wherein said removable upper cross brace comprises: 
 a hollow I-shaped core defined by a horizontally-oriented base wall having a first thickness, a lower and upper side wall having a first height, and a top wall having a central flat section and two adjacent downwardly-curved end sections,    each of said sections spanning approximately one third of said top wall, said end sections creating an arch adjacent said flat section and having a height approximately equal to one half of said first height,    said side walls having a thickness approximately thirty percent greater than said first thickness, said central flat section having a thickness approximately thirty percent greater than said first thickness.    
     
     
         41 . The climbing frames of  claim 40 , wherein said end sections creating an arch adjacent said flat section have a height approximately equal to one quarter of said first height, and said side walls have a thickness approximately twenty percent greater than said first thickness, and said central flat section has a thickness approximately twenty percent greater than said first thickness.  
     
     
         42 . The climbing frames of  claim 38 , wherein at least one of said intermediate cross braces comprises: 
 a lower rail connecting said first pair of side rails in spaced-apart relation intermediate the length of said first pair of side rails; and    a pair of diagonal cleats, each extending from said lower rail to each one of said side rails, each of said elongate cleats comprising: 
 an L-shaped cleat body comprising a straight leg and a hooked leg joined at a corner, said straight leg having a first thickness, said hooked leg having a linear section and a curved section,  
 said hooked leg having a thickness approximately one-and-a-half times thicker than said first thickness.  
   
     
     
         43 . The climbing frames of  claim 42 , wherein said straight leg further comprises a flat section having a nominal thickness and a thickened section at the free end of said straight leg, said thickened section having a thickness approximately two times thicker than said nominal thickness.  
     
     
         44 . The climbing frames of  claim 38 , wherein each of said side rails comprises: 
 a hollow D-shaped core defined by a vertically-oriented flat wall having a first thickness, a top wall and a bottom wall, each of which is joined to said flat wall at a rounded corner, and a curved wall joining said top and bottom walls,    said top and bottom walls having a thickness of approximately two times said first thickness, said curved wall having a thickness of approximately three-quarters of said first thickness.    
     
     
         45 . The climbing frames of  claim 44 , wherein said top and bottom walls have a thickness of approximately one-and-a-half times said first thickness, and said curved wall has a thickness of approximately half of said first thickness.  
     
     
         46 . The climbing frames of  claim 44 , wherein said top and bottom walls have a thickness approximately twenty percent thinner than said first thickness, and said curved wall has a thickness of approximately half of said first thickness.  
     
     
         47 . The climbing frames of  claim 38 , wherein each of said cross braces comprises: 
 a hollow D-shaped core defined by a flat wall having a first thickness, a top wall and a bottom wall, each of which is joined to said flat wall at a rounded corner, and a curved wall joining said top and bottom walls,    said top and bottom walls having a thickness of approximately two times said first thickness, said curved wall having a thickness of approximately three quarters of said first thickness.    
     
     
         48 . The climbing frames of  claim 47 , wherein said top and bottom walls have a thickness of approximately one-and-a-half times said first thickness, and said curved wall has a thickness of approximately half of said first thickness.  
     
     
         49 . The climbing frames of  claim 47 , wherein said top and bottom walls have a thickness approximately twenty percent thinner than said first thickness, and said curved wall has a thickness of approximately half of said first thickness.  
     
     
         50 . The climbing frames of  claim 47 , wherein said top and bottom walls have a thickness approximately equal to said first thickness, and said curved wall has a thickness approximately one third greater than said first thickness.  
     
     
         51 . An elongate upper brace for an apparatus configured to engage and climb a columnar structure, said upper brace comprising: 
 a hollow I-shaped core defined by a horizontally-oriented base wall having a first thickness, a lower and upper side wall having a first height, and a top wall having a central flat section and two adjacent downwardly-curved end sections,    each of said sections spanning approximately one third of said top wall, said end sections creating an arch adjacent said flat section and having a height approximately equal to one half of said first height,    said side walls having a thickness approximately thirty percent greater than said first thickness, said central flat section having a thickness approximately thirty percent greater than said first thickness.    
     
     
         52 . The elongate upper brace of claim  51 , wherein said end sections creating an arch adjacent said flat section have a height approximately equal to one quarter of said first height, and said side walls have a thickness approximately twenty percent greater than said first thickness, and said central flat section has a thickness approximately twenty percent greater than said first thickness.  
     
     
         53 . An elongate cleat for an apparatus configured to engage and climb a columnar structure, said cleat comprising: 
 an L-shaped cleat body comprising a straight leg and a hooked leg joined at a corner, said straight leg having a first thickness, said hooked leg having a linear section and a curved section,    said hooked leg having a thickness approximately one-and-a-half times thicker than said first thickness; and    a plurality of ridges disposed lengthwise along the outer surface of said curved section, said ridges positioned to frictionally engage the outer surface of said columnar structure.    
     
     
         54 . The elongate cleat of claim  53 , wherein said straight leg further comprises a flat section having a nominal thickness and a thickened section at the free end of said straight leg, said thickened section having a thickness approximately two times thicker than said nominal thickness.