Hunting safety strap bracket

Abstract

A triangular tree bracket is vertically strapped to a tree trunk above a tree stand for a hunter with an outer end of the bracket positioned vertically above the hunter in the center of the tree stand. A safety strap attached to the end of the tree bracket hangs vertically downward connecting to the hunter. The hunter is able to turn 360° while attached to the safety strap hanging vertically from the tree bracket. A plate having a horizontal arched array of teeth extends laterally from a top and a bottom end of the bracket and into contact with and piercing the tree trunk. Straps are cinched around the tree trunk hooked to the ends of the plate to secure the bracket to the tree with the teeth piercing the tree trunk.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A tree bracket device for a safety strap used with a tree stand used by a hunter, the tree bracket device mountable on a trunk of a tree above the tree stand, the tree bracket device comprising: 
 a bracket comprising a rigid structural frame having a rigid vertical member and a rigid horizontal member rigidly connected to the vertical member, the vertical member having a laterally extending means to engage the tree trunk rigidly connected to the vertical member at a top end and a bottom end, and the horizontal member extending away from the tree trunk, the bracket being capable of mounting on the tree trunk above a tree stand for a hunter;    a safety strap attaching means attached to the horizontal member at a position vertically above the hunter positioned centrally on the tree stand;    a safety strap capable of being attached to the safety strap attaching means and capable of hanging vertically downward to attach to the hunter, the safety strap and the bracket being capable of supporting the hunter and capable of allowing the hunter to turn 360°;    a securing means for binding the vertical member to the tree trunk at a top end and a bottom end to force the means to engage the tree trunk against the tree trunk for engagement to maintain the vertical member in contact with the tree trunk.    
     
     
         2 . The tree bracket device of  claim 1  wherein the means to engage the tree trunk comprises a top plate rigidly attached at a top end of the vertical member and a bottom plate rigidly attached at a bottom end of the vertical member, the pair of rigid plates each having a horizontal arched array of tree gripping elements facing away from the vertical member toward the tree trunk.  
     
     
         3 . The tree bracket device of  claim 2  wherein the tree gripping elements comprise a concave arched array of pointed teeth formed in each of the pair of plates, the teeth capable of engaging and piercing the tree trunk.  
     
     
         4 . The tree bracket device of  claim 1  wherein the bracket further comprises a rigid angled member between a distal end of the horizontal member relative to the tree and the bottom end of the vertical member to create a bracket triangular in shape.  
     
     
         5 . The tree bracket device of  claim 4  further comprising a first interior rigid element rigidly attached between the angled member and the horizontal member and a second interior rigid element rigidly attached between the angled member and the vertical member to strengthen the bracket.  
     
     
         6 . The tree bracket device of  claim 5  wherein each of the interior rigid element is capable of supporting a safety strap wrapped around the angled member above each of the interior rigid elements.  
     
     
         7 . The tree bracket device of  claim 1  wherein the securing means for binding the vertical member to the tree trunk comprises a pair of flexible strap members each having an attaching means at each end, the strap members capable of encircling the trunk of the tree with the attaching means attached to the laterally extending means to engage the tree trunk, the securing means being capable of securing the bracket to the tree trunk with the tree gripping elements engaging the tree trunk.  
     
     
         8 . The tree bracket device of  claim 7  wherein the pair of flexible tension members comprise straps having cinching means to tighten the straps around the tree trunk and the vertical member.  
     
     
         9 . The tree bracket of  claim 7  wherein the laterally extending means to engage the tree trunk comprises a plate having an arched array of teeth to engage the tree trunk, the plate having a hole adjacent to each end and the attaching means at each end of each flexible strap member comprises a hook capable of engaging the hole in the laterally extending means.  
     
     
         10 . The tree bracket device of  claim 1  wherein the safety strap attaching means comprises an eye bolt secured to the distal end of the horizontal member and the safety strap is provided with a locking hook for engaging the eye bolt.