Platform assembly

Abstract

A platform assembly adapted for securement to a support. The platform assembly includes a base having a front end and a rear end, and a brace adapted to be secured to the support. The rear end of the base is pivotally secured to the brace. At least one flexible strap supports the front end of the base at a selective angle relative to the base.

1 . A platform assembly adapted for securement to a support, the platform assembly comprising 
 a base having a front end and a rear end,    a brace adapted to be secured to the support, the rear end of the base being pivotally secured to the brace, and    at least one flexible strap supporting the front end of the base at a selected angle relative to the brace.    
   
   
       2 . A platform assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the flexible strap is adjustable in length for selectively adjusting the angle of the base with respect to the brace.  
   
   
       3 . A platform assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said at least one flexible strap comprises a buckle for use in selectively adjusting the length of the strap.  
   
   
       4 . A platform assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said at least one flexible strap comprises spaced apart opposite ends each secured to the base adjacent the front end, the strap being secured to the brace between opposite ends for slidably engaging the brace as the length of the strap is being adjusted.  
   
   
       5 . A platform assembly as set forth in  claim 4  further comprising a pair of connecting members pivotally secured to the base adjacent the front end, said spaced apart opposite ends of the strap being secured to the connecting members to pivotally secure the ends of the strap to the base.  
   
   
       6 . A platform assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said brace includes an engagement bar extending therebetween generally adjacent the top of the post, wherein the strap loops around the bar to slidably secure the strap to the brace.  
   
   
       7 . A platform assembly as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the strap has a generally V-shaped configuration, the strap engaging the engagement bar at an apex of the V-shaped configuration.  
   
   
       8 . A platform assembly as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said platform assembly further comprises a securement device adapted to extend around the support and having opposite ends capable of being secured to the brace, at least one of the ends of the securement device being detachably secured to the brace.  
   
   
       9 . A platform assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the strap comprises two flexible webs in generally face to face engagement, the two flexible webs being located where the strap engages the brace.  
   
   
       10 . A platform assembly as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the strap has a greater thickness where it engages the brace than at the opposite ends of the strap.  
   
   
       11 . A platform assembly as set forth in  claim 1  comprising two straps each having a front end secured to the base generally at the front end, and a rear end secured to the brace, each strap being adjustable in length for adjusting the angle of the base with respect to the brace.  
   
   
       12 . A platform assembly as set forth in  claim 11  further comprising two pairs of connecting members, each pair being pivotally secured to the base and the brace, each strap being secured to a corresponding one of the pairs of connecting members for pivotally securing the strap to the base and brace.  
   
   
       13 . A platform assembly as set forth in  claim 11  wherein each strap comprises at least one buckle for selectively adjusting the length of the strap.  
   
   
       14 . A platform assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the strap comprises a buckle for adjusting the length of the strap to change the angle of the base relative to the brace and a safety stop to prevent the strap from detaching from the buckle.  
   
   
       15 . A platform assembly as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said safety stop comprises a portion of the strap folded upon itself and secured together to form a loop.  
   
   
       16 . A platform assembly as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising at least one connecting member secured to the base generally adjacent its front end, the flexible strap being secured to the at least one connecting member.  
   
   
       17 . A tree stand for securement to a tree comprising 
 a base having a front end and a rear end, the base being sized and shaped for supporting an adult human in a standing position,    a brace, the rear end of the base being pivotally secured to the brace,    a securement device having opposite ends adapted for connection to the brace and being adapted to pass around the trunk of the tree to secure the brace to the tree, and    at least one flexible strap supporting the front end of the base, the flexible strap being adjustable in length for selectively adjusting an angle of the base with respect to the brace for use in leveling the base.    
   
   
       18 . A tree stand as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said at least one flexible strap comprises spaced apart opposite ends each secured to the base adjacent the front end, the strap being secured to the base between opposite ends for slidably engaging the brace as the length of the strap is being adjusted.  
   
   
       19 . A tree stand as set forth in  claim 17  comprising two straps each having a front end pivotally secured to the base generally at the front end, a rear end secured to the brace, each strap being adjustable in length for adjusting the angle of the base with respect to the brace.  
   
   
       20 . A platform assembly adapted for securement to a support, the platform assembly comprising 
 a base having a front end and a rear end,    a brace adapted to be secured to the support, the rear end of the base being pivotally secured to the brace, and    at least one flexible member attached to the base and the brace for supporting the front end of the base;    an adjustment device for adjusting a length of the flexible member without detaching the flexible member from either the base or the brace.