Adjustable tree stand system

Abstract

An adjustable tree stand for mounting and supporting a hunter in a tree a distance above the ground. The tree stand system includes a tree-engaging frame with a pair of spaced apart, normally upright members each having opposed, upper and lower ends and a cross member located between the upright members. In addition, the system includes a seat assembly, a platform, a pair of spaced cable members and a strap connected to the upright members of the frame. The seat assembly is mounted on the frame and has a seat for a hunter to sit on. The assembly is generally movable between an operative and a folded position, providing a supporting structure with a pair of supper, spaced components that project generally horizontally rearwardly for engagement with the tree when the seat assembly is in the operative position. The seat assembly includes an elongated, longitudinally extensible and retractable strut interconnecting the cross member and the seat for supporting the seat in a generally horizontal orientation when the strut is extended to a desired position. The platform is pivotally mounted to the lower ends of the upright members and the cable pair interconnects the platform and the frame allowing for movement between a folded, stored position and a operational position where the cables tensionally hold the platform. The platform also has a pair of lower, spaced components that project generally horizontally rearwardly for engagement with the tree when the platform is in the operational position. The strap connects the upright members of the frame and is adapted to embrace the tree trunk, holding the upper and lower spaced components against the tree, whereby the components and strap secure the tree stand to the tree during use.

1 . An adjustable tree stand system for mounting on a tree for supporting a hunter a distance above a ground surface, the adjustable tree stand comprising: 
 a tree-engaging frame having a pair of spaced, normally upright members, each presenting opposed, upper and lower ends, and a cross member intermediate said ends spanning said members,    a seat assembly mounted on said frame and having a seat for a hunter, said assembly being movable between an operative and a folded position, and provided with a supporting structure presenting a pair of upper, spaced components that project generally horizontally rearwardly for engagement with a tree when the seat assembly is in said operative position,    said seat assembly including an elongated, longitudinally extensible and retractable strut interconnecting said cross member and said seat for supporting said seat in a generally horizontal orientation when said strut is extended to a desired position,    a platform pivotally mounted to said lower ends of said upright members,    a pair of spaced cable members interconnecting said platform and said frame for movement between a folded, stored position and an operational position where said cables are in tension to hold the platform,    said platform being provided with a pair of lower, spaced components that project generally horizontally rearwardly for engagement with a tree when the platform is in said operational position, and    a strap connected to said upright members of the frame and adapted to embrace a trunk of a tree to hold said upper and lower spaced components in engagement with the tree, whereby said components in cooperation with said strap secure the tree stand to a tree during use.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said stand is comprised of a lightweight, weather resistant material adapted for transport and use in an outdoor environment.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a pair of carrying straps attached to the platform for transporting said stand while said stand while in a folded, stored position.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said supporting structure further comprises: 
 a front boundary secured to the tree engaging frame with said strut, and    a rear boundary mechanically connected to said upright members, whereby said front and rear boundaries are adapted to support said seat.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein said seat assembly further comprises: 
 a top bracket which spans the upright members, and    a hinge connection mounted on said top bracket for rotation of the seat assembly about the tree engaging frame.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein said front boundary is comprised of tubular metal having an arcuate shape extending away from the rear boundary.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said tree engaging frame further comprises a rotateable connecting structure which permits said strut to rotate about said cross member.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said seat assembly is comprised of a continuous rigid, tubular member curved radially curved with severed edges.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said platform is further comprised of a generally rectangular support surface.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said support surface comprises a lattice structure.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said tree engaging frame further comprises: 
 a bottom bracket adapted for connecting said platform to said frame, and    a rotateable connection structure associated with said bottom bracket and adapted for pivotal rotation of said platform about said frame.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said pair of lower, spaced components further comprise: 
 a plurality of mechanical fasteners, and    a plurality of preconfigured slotted openings on said components adapted for receiving the mechanical fasteners wherein said lower spaced components are longitudinally extensible and retractable.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said strut further comprises: 
 a plurality of locking pin mechanisms, and    a plurality of preconfigured slot openings adapted for receiving the locking pin mechanisms whereby the strut is secured in one of an extended and a retracted position.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said strut further comprises: 
 an inner channel member having an outer end and an inner end with a plurality of slotted openings,    a outer channel member having an outer end and an inner end having a slotted opening, said outer channel member inner end adapted to receive said inner channel member inner end, and    a locking pin mechanism received at the aligned junction of said inner and outer channels.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said platform further comprises: 
 a cable anchor located on said platform, and    a plurality of slotted cable openings in said cable anchor adapted to receive said cable members support said platform.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said tree engaging frame further comprises: 
 a side bracket adapted for mechanically securing said cable member to said tree engaging frame,    an outwardly projecting tab on said side bracket which extends outwardly from said upright member, and    an elongated opening on said outwardly projecting tab adapted to receive said strap.    
   
   
       17 . An tree stand adjustment system for adjustably mounting a tree stand on a tree for supporting a hunter a distance above a ground surface, the tree stand adjustment system comprising: 
 a tree-engaging frame having a pair of spaced, normally upright members,    a seat assembly mounted on said frame and having a seat for a hunter, said assembly being movable between an operative and a folded position, and provided with a supporting structure presenting a pair of upper, spaced components that project generally horizontally rearwardly for engagement with a tree when the seat assembly is in said operative position,    said seat assembly including an elongated, longitudinally extensible and retractable strut with a plurality of preconfigured slotted openings in said strut interconnecting said cross member and said seat for supporting said seat when said strut is extended to a desired position selected from said preconfigured openings,    a platform pivotally mounted to said lower ends of said upright members, said platform having a pair of cable anchors with a plurality of preconfigured slotted cable openings on each anchor,    a pair of spaced cable members interconnecting said platform and said frame at said cable anchors for movement between a folded, stored position and an operational position where said cables are in tension to hold the platform,    said slotted cable openings being configured in complementary positions to said strut preconfigured slotted openings whereby when said strut is retracted a number of slotted openings and said cable members are retracted said number of slotted openings, said seat assembly and said platform complementarily rotate,    said platform being provided with a pair of lower, spaced components that project generally horizontally rearwardly for engagement with a tree when the platform is in said operational position, and    a strap connected to said upright members of the frame and adapted to embrace a trunk of a tree to hold said upper and lower spaced components in engagement with the tree, whereby said components in cooperation with said strap secure the tree stand to a tree during use.