Tree stand

Abstract

A tree stand including a retaining collar. The collar has a pair of hingedly connected body segments for encircling a tree trunk and a number of clamps for grasping the tree trunk encircled by the body segments. At least one of the clamps is attached to each of the body segments. A number of braces is releasably fastened to the body segments of the collar and radiate outwardly from the collar. A number of decking plates, upon which one or more hunters can stand, is releasably fastened to the braces and is supported by the braces. A number of chairs, upon which an equal number of hunters can sit, is releasably fastened to the decking plates.

1 . A tree stand, comprising:
 a retaining collar including:
 a pair of hingedly connected body segments for encircling a tree trunk; and, 
 a plurality of clamps for grasping the tree trunk encircled by said body segments,
 at least one of said clamps being attached to each of said body segments; 
 
   a plurality of braces being releasably fastened to said body segments of said collar and radiating outwardly therefrom;   a plurality of decking plates, upon which one or more hunters can stand, being releasably fastened to said braces and being supported thereby;   a plurality of chairs, upon which a plurality of hunters can sit, being releasably fastened to said decking plates.   
   
   
       2 . The tree stand according to  claim 1  wherein each of said body segments respectively has a pair of vertical channels with a bridge plate being disposed between said vertical channels, said bridge plate being provided with an internally threaded opening in its center, and each of said clamps includes:
 a thumbscrew including:
 a threaded rod being screwed into said threaded opening, said rod having an outer end and inner end with said inner end being provided with a pair of closely spaced, radial shoulders; and, 
 a knob being affixed to said outer end of said threaded rod; 
   a carrier plate being carried on said threaded rod between said shoulders;   a carriage having a pair of spaced-apart jaws being connected together by a crosspiece in a U-shaped arrangement, said jaws having inner ends being slidably disposed within said vertical channels, said inner ends of said jaws being provided with teeth for gripping a tree trunk, said inner ends of said jaws being affixed to said carrier plate, and said crosspiece being provided with a passage through which said threaded rod extends and freely rotates.   
   
   
       3 . The tree stand according to  claim 1  wherein said collar further includes a pair of abutting ribs with one of said ribs being affixed to each of said body segments, each of said ribs being provided with a plurality of keyhole slots that are aligned with one another when said ribs abut; and said tree stand further comprises a key for locking said ribs in abutment with one another, said key including:
 a locking bar adapted for positioning against said ribs; and,   a plurality of pins being affixed to, and extending from, said locking bar, each of said pins being adapted for passage through said keyhole slots when aligned with one another, and each of said pins having an enlarged head at the free end thereof.   
   
   
       4 . The tree stand according to  claim 1  wherein each of said braces is provided with a socket in the top thereof and each of said decking plates has a pin for insertion into said socket. 
   
   
       5 . The tree stand according to  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of handrail members being releasably attached to said decking plates.