Hunting stand accessory device

Abstract

An accessory shelf device mountable on the safety rail assembly of a hunting and observation stand. The accessory shelf device is expandable along its length to adjust to differently sized safety rail assemblies. The accessory shelf device may include a pivotal mount for attachment to the safety rail assembly allowing the device to be selectively rotated out of the area within the safety rail assembly. The accessory shelf device of the present invention may also include an adjustable gun rest assembly. The accessory shelf device of the present invention is also scalable so that two accessory shelf devices can be quickly and easily combined into a side-by-side configuration for use with larger hunting and observation stands that feature two or more seats.

1 . An accessory shelf device for a hunting or observation stand having a safety rail assembly, said device comprising:
 a center assembly;   first and second wing assemblies slidably coupled to said center assembly and extending from opposing ends of said center assembly;   
     wherein, said first and second wing assemblies are of sufficient length so that when extended from said center assembly they are mountable to opposing lateral sides of said safety rail assembly. 
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of said wing assemblies comprises a prong member slidably coupled to said center assembly. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said center assembly comprises a first and second tubular members arranged in a substantially parallel configuration and joined at their respective corresponding ends by lateral cross members, wherein said tubular members are dimensioned to slidably couple with said prong member of said wing assemblies. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said center assembly comprises a bottom member defining a planar surface between said tubular members. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 2  further comprising a pad demountably attached to said center assembly and slidably captured between said tubular members. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein one of said wing assemblies further comprises a pivotal mount for attachment to the safety rail assembly. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said pivotal mount includes a hinge element having one end fixably attached to said one of said wing assemblies and an opposing end demountably attached to said safety rail assembly, said opposing end including two holes for receiving a U-bolt, which captures a portion of said safety rail assembly between said opposing end and a pressure plate. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a coupling mechanism for selectively securing one of said wing assemblies to said center assembly. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein said coupling mechanism comprises a bolt extending through a hole formed in the center assembly and a corresponding hole formed in a prong of said wing assembly. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 8  wherein said coupling mechanism comprises a screw mechanism attached to said center assembly and capable of applying a compressive force to a prong of said wing assembly. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a gun rest assembly, said gun rest assembly including a horizontal member extending between two vertical members, wherein each of said vertical members is captured within a coupling mount attached to said device. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein said coupling mount includes an adjustable quick-release screw mechanism. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said horizontal member of said gun rest assembly is encased in a pad. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for a hunting or observation stand having a safety rail assembly, said apparatus comprising:
 a first accessory shelf device comprised of a first center assembly and a first wing assembly slidably coupled to said first center assembly and extending from an end of said first center assembly;   a second accessory shelf device comprised of a second center assembly and a second wing assembly slidably coupled to said first center assembly and extending from an end of said second center assembly; and   a spanner bar slidably coupled to said first and second center assemblies;   
     wherein said first and second accessory shelf devices are of sufficient length so that when couple with said spanner bar they are mountable to opposing lateral sides of said safety rail assembly. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein each of said accessory shelf devices further includes a gun rest assembly demountably attached to said respective center assembly, said gun rest assemblies each comprising a horizontal member extending between two vertical members, wherein each of said vertical members is captured within a coupling mount attached to said respective center assembly. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein said coupling mount includes an adjustable quick-release screw mechanism. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein one of said wing assemblies further comprises a pivotal mount for attachment to the safety rail assembly. 
   
   
       18 . A gun rest assembly for a hunting or observation stand having a safety rail assembly, said apparatus comprising:
 a cross bar support member attached to opposing lateral sides of said safety rail assembly, and   a horizontal member extending between two vertical members;   
     wherein each of said vertical members is captured within a coupling mount attached to said cross bar support member. 
   
   
       19 . The gun rest assembly of  claim 18  wherein said coupling mount includes an adjustable quick-release screw mechanism. 
   
   
       20 . The gun rest assembly of  claim 18 , wherein said cross bar support member further comprises a pivotal mount for attachment to the safety rail assembly.