Self leveling tree stand

Abstract

A tree stand, for attaching onto a tree and creating an elevated platform thereon, comprising a platform having a pair of side members, a pair of seat supports pivotally attached to the platform, a bracing system for fixing an angle between the platform and side members, and a pair of upper levelers and a pair of lower levelers. The lower levelers extend from the side members and adjust to the contours of the tree. The upper levelers extend from the seat supports and further aid adjustment to the contours of the tree. The bracing system is adjustable to adjust the angle between the platforms and seat supports. A seat assembly is mounted to the seat supports and provides height adjustment to the user. The adjustability of the upper levelers, lower levelers, and bracing system help ensure that a horizontal platform can be achieved despite trees of varying configurations and lean angles.

1. A tree stand, for use on a tree, comprising:
 a platform, comprising a front member, a rear member, and a pair of side members, the front member extending between the side members, the rear member extending between the side members, the side members angled toward each other such that the front member is longer than the rear member, the side members having an open end near the rear member;  
 a pair of seat supports, each having a seat support top, the seat supports pivotally attached to the rear member opposite from the seat support top such that the seat supports are capable of varying an angle formed with the platform;  
 a seat assembly, including a seat, mounted to the seat support tops such that seat is adjustable in height with respect to the platform; and  
 a pair of lower levelers, including a pair of lower stanchions, each of the lower stanchions extending into a respective one of the open ends of one of the side members such that each of said lower stanchions is independently adjustable with respect to said side member to meet varying contours of the tree;  
 a pair of upper levelers, each upper leveler including a sleeve and an upper stanchion mounted for slidable movement within the sleeve, each sleeve mounted to a respective one of the seat supports, the upper levelers each adjustable to accommodate varying contours of the tree; and  
 a strapping means, for supporting the tree stand upon the tree by extending from one of the seat supports, around the tree, and then to the other of the seat supports.  
 
     
     
       2. The tree stand as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a stabilizing system, for maintaining the angle between the platform and seat supports, having:
 a pair of seat support bracing plates, each seat support bracing plate attached to one of the seat supports;  
 a pair of platform bracing plates, each platform bracing plate attached to one of the side members; and  
 a pair of bracing cables, each bracing cable extending between one of the seat support bracing plates and one of the platform bracing plates.  
 
     
     
       3. The tree stand as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the seat support bracing plates and platform bracing plates each have a gated opening, each gated opening having a plurality of slots, and wherein each bracing cable has a coupling on each end which is capable of securing within the slots, the couplings in the seat support bracing plates may be moved to adjust a vertical position within said seat support bracing plates, the couplers in the platform bracing plates may be moved horizontally to adjust a horizontal position within said platform bracing plates, so as to adjust the angle between the platform and seat supports. 
     
     
       4. The tree stand as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the seat supports are tubular having an open upper end, and wherein the seat assembly further comprises:
 a seat carrier having a pair of parallel seat mounting members and a cross bar extending between the seat mounting members, the seat mounting members are spaced to extend into the seat support and are capable of telescopic height adjustment within the seat support; and  
 a seat, having a bottom, having a pair of parallel brackets extending longitudinally along the bottom, the brackets fastened to the seat mounting members.  
 
     
     
       5. The tree stand as recited in  claim 4 , wherein each of the upper stanchions and lower stanchions have a plurality of transverse bores, and wherein the sleeves and the side members each have a matching hole, such that the matching holes and transverse bores are selectively alignable to allow a pin to extend therethrough to fix the positions of the sleeves and upper stanchions and the side members and lower stanchions. 
     
     
       6. The tree stand as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the seat mounts are of rectangular cross section, having inner sides which face each other and outer sides which face away from each other, wherein the sleeves are mounted to the inner sides, and wherein the seat support bracing plates are mounted to the outer sides. 
     
     
       7. The tree stand as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the seat support bracing plates each have a downturned protuberance, and wherein the strapping means is a chain having links, and wherein one of the links of the chain extend into each of the protuberances. 
     
     
       8. A tree stand, for use on a tree, comprising:
   a seat support disposed generally along a longitudinal axis;        a strapping mechanism operatively attached to the seat support member for operatively attaching the seat support to a tree;        a seat operatively attached to a top portion of the seat support;        a platform operatively pivotally attached to a bottom portion of the seat support, said platform having a top portion for permitting a person to stand thereon;        at least one member operatively attached to the seat support and to the platform to hold the platform transversely disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the seat support;        an upper leveler mechanism operatively attached to said seat support and engageable with said tree for adjusting the position of the seat support between a first position and a second position with respect to the tree, said first position being closer to the tree than the second position thereof; wherein said upper leveler mechanism includes a first and second sleeve and a respective first and second upper stanchion each mounted for selective movement within the respective first and second sleeve, each of the first and second sleeves being operatively attached to the seat support, the first and second upper stanchions each being independently adjustable with respect to a respective first and second sleeves to accommodate varying contours of the tree;        a locking mechanism for selectively and operatively locking the upper leveler mechanism in a selected one of the first or second positions thereof; and        a lower leveler for operating, at a minimum, as a fulcrum to allow the seat support to pivot at a point against the tree as the upper leveler mechanism is used to adjust the top portion of the seat support closer to or farther from the tree.     
     
     
       9. The tree stand of  claim 8  including an independent locking mechanism for each sleeve whereby the first stanchion can be in a different locked position with respect to the second stanchion. 
     
     
       10. The tree stand of  claim 9  wherein the independent locking mechanism can be used to lock the first stanchion with respect to the sleeve in more positions than just said first and second positions thereof. 
     
     
       11. The tree stand of  claim 8  wherein there is a second member operatively attached to the seat support and to the platform to hold the platform transversely disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the seat support. 
     
     
       12. The tree stand of  claim 8  wherein said lower leveler includes a first and second lower sleeve and a respective first and second lower stanchion each operatively mounted for selective sliding movement with respect to the respective first and second lower sleeve, each of the first and second lower sleeves being operatively attached to the seat support, the first and second lower stanchions each being independently adjustable with respect to a respective first and second lower sleeves to accommodate varying contours of the tree. 
     
     
       13. A tree stand, for use on a tree, comprising:
   a seat support disposed generally along a longitudinal axis;        a strapping mechanism operatively attached to the seat support member for operatively attaching the seat support to a tree;        a seat operatively attached to a top portion of the seat support;        a platform operatively pivotally attached to a bottom portion of the seat support, said platform having a top portion for permitting a person to stand thereon;        at least one member operatively attached to the seat support and to the platform to hold the platform transversely disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the seat support;        a leveler mechanism operatively attached to said seat support and engageable with said tree for adjusting the position of the seat support between a first position and a second position with respect to the tree, said first position being closer to the tree than the second position thereof;        wherein said leveler mechanism includes a first and second sleeve and a respective first and second stanchion each mounted for selective movement within the respective first and second sleeve, each of the first and second sleeves being operatively attached to the seat support, the first and second stanchions each being independently adjustable with respect to a respective first and second sleeves to accommodate varying contours of the tree;        a locking mechanism for selectively and operatively locking the leveler mechanism in a selected one of the first or second positions thereof; and        a leveler for operating, at a minimum, as a fulcrum to allow the seat support to pivot at a point against the tree as the leveler mechanism is used to adjust the seat support closer to or farther from the tree.     
     
     
       14. The tree stand of  claim 13  wherein said leveler includes a first and second lower sleeve and a respective first and second lower stanchion each operatively mounted for selective sliding movement with respect to the respective first and second lower sleeve, each of the first and second lower sleeves being operatively attached to the seat support, the first and second lower stanchions each being independently adjustable with respect to a respective first and second lower sleeves to accommodate varying contours of the tree. 
     
     
       15. The tree stand of  claim 13  wherein said lower leveler includes a first and second lower sleeve and a respective first and second lower stanchion each operatively mounted for selective sliding movement with respect to the respective first and second lower sleeve, each of the first and second lower sleeves being operatively attached to the seat support, the first and second lower stanchions each being independently adjustable with respect to a respective first and second lower sleeves to accommodate varying contours of the tree.