Tree stand system

Abstract

A tree stand system is provided for facilitating installing, orienting, and securing a tree within a tree stand. The tree stand system may include a hub that is attachable to a tree trunk. The tree stand system may also include a hub receptacle for adjustably supporting the hub in the tree stand.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tree stand system comprising:
 a hub constructed and arranged to be attached to a tree trunk; and   a base constructed and arranged to be removably positioned within a reservoir of a tree stand, the base including a hub receptacle constructed and arranged to adjustably support the hub on the base.   
     
     
         2 . The tree stand system of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a through hole constructed and arranged to accommodate a structure located within the reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . The tree stand system of  claim 1 , wherein the hub further comprises a plurality of grooves constructed and arranged to engage a surface of the tree trunk when the hub is attached thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The tree stand system of  claim 1 , wherein the hub includes a shoulder or channel that forms a gap between the tree trunk and the hub when the hub is attached to the tree trunk. 
     
     
         5 . The tree stand system of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a guide surface at least partially surrounding and angled down towards the hub receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The tree stand system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of adjustment members, each adjustment member constructed and arranged to be adjusted between a retracted position and one or more extended positions to adjust a size and/or configuration of the base relative to the reservoir. 
     
     
         7 . The tree stand system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of adjustment members comprises at least three adjustment members. 
     
     
         8 . The tree stand system of  claim 1 , further comprising a spacer constructed and arranged to elevate the base above a bottom surface of the reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . The tree stand system of  claim 8 , wherein the spacer comprises a through hole constructed and arranged to accommodate a feature located within the reservoir. 
     
     
         10 . The tree stand system of  claim 1 , wherein the hub is attached to the tree trunk using a fastener. 
     
     
         11 . The tree stand system of  claim 10 , wherein the fastener includes a nail passing through the hub. 
     
     
         12 . The tree stand system of  claim 1 , wherein the hub has a semispherical configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The tree stand system of  claim 1 , wherein the hub complements a shape of the hub receptacle. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 attaching a hub to a tree trunk;   positioning a base within a reservoir of a tree stand, the base including a hub receptacle constructed and arranged to adjustably support the hub on the base;   inserting the tree trunk into the tree stand; and   positioning the hub within the hub receptacle.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising adjusting an orientation of the tree trunk with the hub positioned within the hub receptacle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising guiding the hub toward the hub receptacle on a guide surface that at least partially surrounds and is angled down towards the hub receptacle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising moving the hub along the guide surface towards the hub receptacle. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising adjusting one or more of a plurality of adjustment members relative to the base between a retracted position and an extended position to adjust the size and/or configuration of the base relative to the reservoir. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising positioning a spacer between the base and a bottom surface of the reservoir to elevate the base above the bottom surface of the reservoir. 
     
     
         20 . A tree stand system comprising:
 a tree stand including a reservoir that is constructed and arranged to receive a tree trunk therein;   a hub receptacle located at a bottom portion of the reservoir, the hub receptacle constructed and arranged to support a hub attached to a tree trunk; and   a guide surface at least partially surrounding and angled in a downward direction towards the hub receptacle to guide the hub towards the hub receptacle.   
     
     
         21 . The tree stand system of  claim 20 , wherein the guide surface includes an inwardly oriented concave surface. 
     
     
         22 . The tree stand system of  claim 20 , wherein the tree stand includes one or more retaining members to secure a tree trunk in the reservoir.