Elevating Tree Stand

Abstract

A portable, elevating stand is constructed of a platform movably connected to a generally columnar upright support having a height along which movement of the platform is constrained. Connection between the platform and upright support may be through a linkage assembly comprising channels in which are positioned flange portions of the upright support, such flange portions being located along a majority of the height of the upright support. The platform assembly may be driven by a portable electric motor, including the use therefor of an hand-held electric drill, which is carried onto the platform assembly prior to use of the elevating stand. A method of raising and lowering a portable, elevating stand includes carrying onto the platform assembly a portable motor, engaging the motor with a means for raising or lowering the platform assembly, and operating the motor to effect raising or lowering of the platform assembly.

1 . A portable, elevating stand comprising: 
 a generally columnar upright support having a height, said support including at least two flange portions projecting therefrom along at least a majority of said height;    a platform assembly on which a user may stand or sit, said platform assembly being movably connected to said at least two flange portions of said support; and    a means for raising and lowing said platform along said height of said column.    
   
   
       2 . The portable, elevating stand of  claim 1  wherein said at least two flange portions are comprised by a unitary plate portion mounted flush against a flat side of a tube portion of said generally columnar upright support.  
   
   
       3 . The portable, elevating stand of  claim 2  wherein said platform assembly includes at least two channels, each of said channels being sized and shaped to slidably engage at least one of said at least two flange portions; and wherein said channels are slidably engaged with said at least two flange portions, thereby constraining said platform assembly to move generally along said height of said column.  
   
   
       4 . The portable, elevating stand of  claim 3  wherein said channel is constructed through the connection, in a stacked arrangement, of a main support plate, a spacer plate, and a flange keeper plate.  
   
   
       5 . The portable, elevating stand of  claim 2  wherein said tube portion has a square or rectangular cross section.  
   
   
       6 . The portable, elevating stand of  claim 1  wherein said generally columnar upright support comprises one of an I-beam, an angle iron, two angle irons attached back-to-back to form a shape generally described by a T, or a structure the shape of which is generally described by a double-T.  
   
   
       7 . The portable, elevating stand of  claim 1  wherein said means for raising and lowering is a winch mounted on said platform assembly so as to be raised and lowered along with said platform assembly.  
   
   
       8 . The portable, elevating stand of  claim 7  further comprising a hand-held electric drill connected to said winch through a gear set.  
   
   
       9 . The portable, elevating stand of  claim 1  further comprising a brake mechanism including one of a locking pin or a brake plate.  
   
   
       10 . The portable, elevating stand of  claim 1  further comprising a brake mechanism including one of a wedge or a cam.  
   
   
       11 . The portable, elevating stand of  claim 1  wherein said upright support is comprised of at least two components of generally similar structure that are joined at a joint.  
   
   
       12 . A portable, elevating stand comprising: 
 an upright support having a height;    a platform assembly on which a user may stand or sit, said platform assembly being movably connected to said upright support along said height thereof;    a winch mounted on said platform assembly, said winch including a cable that traverses a distance from a drum of said winch to an attachment near a top of said support; and    a hand-held electric drill operably engaged with said winch in a manner such that operation of said drill operates said winch and thereby effects at least one of the raising or lowering of said platform assembly along said height of said support.    
   
   
       13 . The portable, elevating stand of  claim 12  wherein said upright support comprises at least two flange portions projecting therefrom along at least a majority of said height; and wherein said platform assembly is movably connected to said support only through connection to said at least two flange portions.  
   
   
       14 . The portable, elevating stand of  claim 13  wherein said support comprises a tube portion having a square or rectangular cross-section to which is attached flush against a flat side thereof a plate portion comprising said at least two flange portions, the shape of said support being that of a box-T.  
   
   
       15 . A method of raising and lowering a portable, elevating stand comprising: 
 providing a portable, elevating stand comprising 
 a generally columnar upright support having a height;  
 a platform assembly on which a user may stand or sit, said platform assembly being movably connected to said support; and  
 a means for raising or lowing said platform along said height of said column;  
   carrying a portable, electric motor and power source onto said platform;    engaging said motor with said means for raising and lowering; and    operating said motor engaged with said means for raising and lowering to effect raising or lowering of said platform.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said portable, electric motor is comprised by a hand-held drill, and wherein said power source is a battery or fuel cell.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said means for raising and lowering is a winch.