Tree stand having an aluminum mesh platform and associated manufacturing process

Abstract

A tree stand including a frame member having a top portion, an aluminum mesh attached to the top portion of the rectangular frame member, wherein the aluminum mesh has die-cut, diamond-shaped openings. The method of manufacturing a platform for this tree stand includes cutting an aluminum sheet into a predetermined shape, die cutting holes into the aluminum sheet, applying pressure on the die-cut aluminum sheet, positioning the die-cut aluminum sheet over a frame member, and welding the die-cut aluminum sheet to the frame member, thereby constructing a platform for a tree stand.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A tree stand comprising: 
 a frame member having a top portion; and    an aluminum mesh attached to said top portion of said rectangular frame member, wherein said aluminum mesh has die-cut, diamond-shaped openings.    
     
     
         2 . The tree stand as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said aluminum mesh was reduced in thickness after exposure to pressure.  
     
     
         3 . The tree stand as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said aluminum mesh is attached to said top portion of said rectangular frame through welding.  
     
     
         4 . The tree stand as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a plurality of cross members attached to said frame member.  
     
     
         5 . The tree stand as set forth in  claim 1 , further including at least one support member, having a first portion and a second portion, wherein said first portion of said at least one support member is pivotally attached to said frame member.  
     
     
         6 . The tree stand as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said second portion of said at least one support member is attached to a seat.  
     
     
         7 . The tree stand as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a first support member, having a first portion and a second portion, wherein said first portion of said first support member is pivotally attached to said frame member and a second support member, having a first portion and a second portion, wherein said first portion of said second support member is pivotally attached to said frame member.  
     
     
         8 . The tree stand as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a first support member, having a first portion and a second portion, wherein said first portion of said first support member is pivotally attached to said frame member by a first U-shaped channel piece and a second support member, having a first portion and a second portion, wherein said first portion of said second support member is pivotally attached to said frame member by a second U-shaped channel piece.  
     
     
         9 . The tree stand as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said second portion of said first support member is attached to a seat and said second portion of said second support member is attached to said seat.  
     
     
         10 . The tree stand as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein a first support cable is attached to said second portion of said first support member and is attached to said frame member and a second support cable is attached to said second portion of said second support member and is attached to said frame member.  
     
     
         11 . The tree stand as set forth in  claim 7 , further including a bracket attached between said first support member and said second support member to provide attachment to another structure.  
     
     
         12 . A method for manufacturing a platform for a tree stand comprising: 
 cutting an aluminum sheet into a predetermined shape;    die cutting holes into said aluminum sheet;    applying pressure to said die-cut aluminum sheet;    positioning said die-cut aluminum sheet over a frame member; and    welding said die-cut aluminum sheet to said frame member, thereby constructing a platform for a tree stand.    
     
     
         13 . The method for manufacturing a platform for a tree stand as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said step of applying pressure utilizes a plurality of rollers that apply pressure to said die-cut aluminum sheet.  
     
     
         14 . The method for manufacturing a platform for a tree stand as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said predetermined shape of said cut aluminum sheet is rectangular.  
     
     
         15 . The method for manufacturing a platform for a tree stand as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said die-cut holes are in the form of slits.  
     
     
         16 . The method for manufacturing a platform for a tree stand as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said die-cut holes are rhombus-shaped after said step of applying pressure on said die-cut aluminum sheet.  
     
     
         17 . The method for manufacturing a platform for a tree stand as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said die-cut holes are diamond-shaped after said step of applying pressure on said die-cut aluminum sheet.  
     
     
         18 . The method for manufacturing a platform for a tree stand as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said step of applying pressure on said die-cut aluminum sheet reduces a thickness of said die-cut aluminum sheet by at least twenty-five percent.  
     
     
         19 . The method for manufacturing a platform for a tree stand as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said step of applying pressure on said die-cut aluminum sheet reduces a thickness of said die-cut aluminum sheet by at least one-third.  
     
     
         20 . The method for manufacturing a platform for a tree stand as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said step of welding said die-cut aluminum sheet to said frame member utilizes carbon dioxide as a shielding gas.  
     
     
         21 . The method for manufacturing a platform for a tree stand as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said step of applying pressure utilizing a plurality of rollers that apply pressure to said die-cut aluminum sheet involves an application of at least 100 metric tons of pressure per square meter.  
     
     
         22 . The method for manufacturing a platform for a tree stand as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said step of applying pressure utilizing a plurality of rollers that apply pressure to said die-cut aluminum sheet involves an application of at least 180 metric tons of pressure per square meter.  
     
     
         23 . The method for manufacturing a platform for a tree stand as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said step of welding said die-cut aluminum sheet to said frame member utilizes aluminum mangamess as a welding wire.