Tree Climbing Device And Stand

Abstract

This invention relates to a tree climbing device including a number of frame sections and a pair of platform sections pivotally and slidably secured to the frame sections. The frame sections can be secured to a tree or other vertical structure and the platform sections can be sequentially vertically slid along the frame sections and engaged with the frame sections to enable an individual to climb the tree along the frame sections while being supported by the platform sections.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A tree climbing device comprising:
 a) at least one frame section adapted to be secured to a tree; and   b) at least one platform section pivotally and slidably secured to the at least one frame section.   
     
     
         2 . The device of claim l wherein the at least one platform section is engageable with the at least one frame section. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the at least one frame section comprises:
 a) a pair of vertical rails; and 
 b) a pair of horizontal extending between and joining the vertical rails to one another, wherein the at least one platform section is engageable with at least one of the pair of vertical rails. 
 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  further comprising a pair of engagement plates disposed on the pair of vertical rails, each plate including a number of spaced apertures therein, each aperture engageable with a tab disposed on the at least on platform section. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the apertures extend completely through the plate and into the adjacent vertical rail. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the at least one platform section comprises:
 a) a pair of arms extending outwardly from the at least one platform section on either side of one of the plates secured to one of the vertical rails; and 
 b) a pair of stops secured to the pair of arms opposite the at least one platform sections, the pair of stops extending perpendicular to the pair of arms to define a channel within which the plate is positioned while allowing the at least one platform section to pivot with respect to the plate and the vertical rail. 
 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the at least one platform section comprises a pair of platform sections, each platform section secured to the plate on one of the vertical rails. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the pair of vertical rails are hollow to define open upper and lower ends of each vertical rail, and wherein the device further comprises a number of pegs insertable into the open upper and lower ends to secure a number of adjacent frame sections to one another. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 3  further comprising a number of braces connected between the vertical rails and the horizontal rails to define a generally open central area within the at least one frame section. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the at least one platform section is mounted within a channel formed in the at least one frame section. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the channel includes apertures disposed on opposite sides of the channel. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the at least one platform section includes an insert pivotally secured to the at least one platform section and slidably positioned within the channel in the at least one frame section. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the at least one platform section includes a pair of tabs engageable within the apertures disposed on opposite sides of the channel in the at least one frame section. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the at least one frame section includes a brace secured to the at least one frame section opposite the channel. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 2  further comprising a linear gear disposed on the at least one frame section that is engageable by the at least one platform section. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the at least one platform section includes a number of teeth engageable with the linear gear on the at least one platform section. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the at least one platform section comprises:
 a) a pair of arms extending outwardly from the at least one platform section on either side of one of the vertical rails; and 
 b) a pair of stops secured to the pair of arms opposite the at least one platform sections, the pair of stops extending perpendicular to the pair of arms into a channel defined within vertical rail to allow the at least one platform section to pivot with respect to the vertical rail. 
 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the at least one frame section includes a number of outwardly extending projections. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the at least on platform section includes a sleeve engageable with the projections on the at least one frame section. 
     
     
         20 . A method of climbing a tree comprising the steps of:
 a) providing the device of  claim 1 ;   b) engaging the at least one frame section with the tree;   c) engaging the at least one platform section with the at least one frame section; and   d) pivoting the at least one platform section with respect to the at least one frame section to disengage and vertically move the at least one platform section with respect to the at least one frame section.