Tree stand rope grip apparatus and method

Abstract

A rope anchor which provides a means for a climber to lift a payload is disclosed. The rope anchor has a means for fixing its height in relation to the object being climbed and a v-shaped slot oriented vertically and having its wider end opened upward. A rope being used to lift the payload may be wedged in the slot for anchoring and removed, adjusted, and re-anchored to lift the payload. A hole through the rope anchor allows a light pulley system to be used as well. The rope in the pulley system is then anchored in the v-shaped slot as the payload is hoisted aloft.

1 . A rope anchor for assisting a climber to hoist a payload after having climbed an object, said anchor comprising: 
 a) a plate extending from said object, said plate having a first end and a second end, said first end abutting said object, and said second end extending from said object;    b) a v-shaped slot extending from an edge of said plate into said plate, said v-shaped slot having an acute interior angle and being large enough to accommodate a rope; and    c) means for maintaining the elevation of said rope anchor.    
   
   
       2 . The rope anchor of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said means for maintaining the elevation of said rope anchor is a loop shaped to allow insertion of a safety belt, said loop being attached to said plate at said first end.    
   
   
       3 . The rope anchor of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said means for maintaining the elevation of said rope anchor is a screw attached to said plate at said first end, said screw being capable of penetrating said object having been climbed.    
   
   
       4 . The rope anchor of  claim 3  wherein: 
 said plate is of sufficient size and has portions shaped to form a handle to facilitate the turning of the screw by hand without the use of a tool.    
   
   
       5 . The rope anchor of  claim 1  wherein: 
 on the same edge of said plate from which said v-slot extends into said plate, at said second end said edge extends substantially beyond the rest of said edge of said plate.    
   
   
       6 . The rope anchor of  claim 1  wherein: 
 an aperture passes through said plate.    
   
   
       7 . The rope anchor of  claim 6  wherein: 
 said aperture is sized and located to facilitate the mounting of a rope and pulley system, or other accessories.    
   
   
       8 . The rope anchor of  claim 1  wherein: 
 sections of said plate are bent or creased.    
   
   
       9 . A method of raising a payload after having climbed an object, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) attaching a rope to said payload;    b) climbing an object while carrying a section of said rope in slack condition;    c) obtaining a desired elevation;    d) fixing a rope anchor to said object at said elevation, said rope anchor comprising a plate extending from said object, said plate having a v-shaped slot in one edge;    e) wedging said rope into said v-shaped slot;    f) grasping said rope below said rope anchor;    g) raising said rope while also removing said rope from said v-shaped slot;    h) re-wedging said rope at a point along said rope closer to said payload, and;    i) repeatedly raising and re-wedging said rope until said payload has reached a desired elevation.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein: 
 a) said rope anchor has a loop integral to said rope anchor;    b) a belt is placed through said loop, and    c) said belt is placed firmly about said object to fix said rope anchor.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein: 
 a) said rope anchor has a screw formed integral to said rope anchor, and    b) said screw is driven into said object to fix said rope anchor.    
   
   
       12 . A method of raising a payload after having climbed an object, said method comprising the steps of; 
 a) attaching a rope and pulley system to said payload;    b) climbing an object while carrying the free end of said rope and pulley system in slack condition;    c) obtaining a desired elevation;    d) fixing a rope anchor to said object at said elevation, said rope anchor comprising a plate extending from said object, said plate having an aperture there through, and a v-shaped slot in one edge;    e) attaching the free end of said pulley through said aperture in said plate;    f) wedging said rope into said v-shaped slot;    g) grasping said rope below said rope anchor;    h) raising said rope while also removing said rope from said v-shaped slot;    i) re-wedging said rope at a point along said rope closer to said payload, and;    j) repeatedly raising and re-wedging said rope until said payload has reached a desired elevation.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 a) said rope anchor has a loop integral to said rope anchor;    b) a belt is placed through said loop, and    c) said belt is placed firmly about said object to fix said rope anchor.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 a) said rope anchor has a screw formed integral to said rope anchor, and    b) said screw is driven into said object to fix said rope anchor.