Climbing apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed is a durable, lightweight, nonslip, camouflage, structurally superior climbing treestand that is inexpensive and simple to manufacture, may be easily compacted for transportation, and includes one or more of arm/weapon rests, interchangeable grips, tactile and visual indicators, safety harnesses, nonslip, adjustable belts, and receptacles for bumpers, sockets, and the like. Also disclosed is a parabolic belt capable of firmly gripping a tree trunk to prevent slippage when used in conjunction with interchangeable or permanent platform grips. Tactile and visual indicators allow a user to ensure that the belt is optimally installed even in conditions in which the user may not view such indicators. Bumpers and safety harnesses are incorporated to prevent falls from heights through trees, tree limbs, and the like. Interchangeable sockets allow the user to customize the treestand to meet the user's needs (e.g., photography, hunting, snacking, etc.).

1 . (canceled)  
   
   
       2 . An apparatus for aiding an operator in attaining a final elevated position in a tree and for providing support for said operator comprising: 
 at least one base platform including at least two base platform sidewalls;    at least one climbing platform including at least two climbing platform sidewalls; and    at least two belts, wherein a first of said belts is removably coupled to said base platform sidewalls and a second of said belts is removably coupled to said climbing platform sidewalls;    wherein at least one of said base platform and said climbing platform are manufactured from fiber reinforced plastic.    
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said fiber is selected from the group consisting of glass, wood, metal, precoated fibers, uncoated fibers, and pelletized fibers.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , 
 wherein said base platform and said base platform sidewalls are manufactured as a first unit via molding; and    wherein said climbing platform and said climbing platform sidewalls are manufactured as a second unit via molding.    
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said molding is at least one of the group consisting of thermoplastic injection molding, thermoset injection molding, resin transfer molding, blow molding, rotational molding, thermoforming, structural foam molding, and compression molding.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said belts include at least one of the group consisting of a parabolic shape, a center indicator, and at least one length indicator.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , 
 wherein at least one of said belts includes at least one core; and    wherein said core is at least one of the group consisting of a band core and a cable core.    
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , 
 wherein at least one of said belts is coupled to at least one of the group consisting of said first unit and said second unit via an attachment mechanism; and    wherein at least one of the group consisting of said attachment mechanism and said belts is collapsible to facilitate at least one of the group consisting of transportation and storage.    
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the group consisting of said first unit and said second unit includes at least one elliptical recess.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the group consisting of said first unit and said second unit includes at least one receptacle capable of accepting at least one of the group consisting of a grip, a bumper, a weapon, a weapon rest, an arm rest, and a socket.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said grips are selected from the group consisting of marring grips and non-marring grips.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein attachment of said bumpers to at least one of the group consisting of said base platform and said climbing platform provides at least one of the group consisting of reduction of noise created by said operator, operator comfort, and damage protection for said apparatus.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein attachment of said sockets to at least one of the group consisting of said base platform and said climbing platform facilitates at least one of the group consisting of supporting a weapon, supporting a drink, supporting food, supporting a camera, supporting a video recorder, and containing small objects.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , said apparatus further comprising: 
 at least one harness;    wherein said harness minimizes at least one of the group consisting of said operator falling from said final elevated position, said operator falling from an intermediate elevated position, dropping of said base platform by said operator, and dropping of said climbing platform by said operator.    
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said operator is suspended from said harness during at least one of the group consisting of attachment of said climbing platform, attachment of said base platform, detachment of said climbing platform, and detachment of said base platform.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a security indicator;    wherein said security indicator is at least one of the group consisting of a serial number, a UPC code, and a nametag; and    wherein said security indicator is integral to at least one of the group consisting of said first unit and said second unit.    
   
   
       17 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said fiber reinforced plastic is combined with at least one of the group consisting of sand, silica, and an abrasive material to create a non-slip surface for at least one of the group consisting of said base platform and said climbing platform.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said fiber reinforced plastic is combined with at least one of the group consisting of a dye and a coloring agent.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein said combining camouflages at least one of the group consisting of said base platform and said climbing platform.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of one of the group consisting of said first unit and said second unit is in the shape of at least one of the group consisting of branches, twigs, and leaves.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the group consisting of said first unit and said second unit includes at least one floor aperture to prevent accumulation of at least one of the group consisting of rain, snow, sleet, leaves, and debris.  
   
   
       22 . An apparatus for aiding an operator in attaining a final elevated position in a tree and for providing support for said operator comprising: 
 at least one base platform including at least two base platform sidewalls;    at least one climbing platform including at least two climbing platform sidewalls;    at least two base platform arms removably coupled to said base platform sidewalls;    at least two climbing platform arms removably coupled to said climbing platform sidewalls; and    at least two belts, wherein a first of said belts is removably coupled to said base platform arms and a second of said belts is removably coupled to said climbing platform arms;    wherein at least one of said base platform, said climbing platform, said base platform arm, and said climbing platform arm are manufactured from fiber reinforced plastic.    
   
   
       23 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , 
 wherein each of said base platform arms is coupled to one of said base platform sidewalls by passing a first shank of a first fastener through a first slide located in said base platform sidewalls and tightening said first fastener to said base platform arm until a first head of said first fastener renders said base platform arm immovable; and    wherein each of said climbing platform arms is coupled to one of said climbing platform sidewalls by passing a second shank of a second fastener through a second slide located in said climbing platform sidewalls and tightening said second fastener to said climbing platform arm until a second head of said second fastener renders said climbing platform arm immovable.