Combination Hunting Stand and Cart

Abstract

Herein disclosed is a platform apparatus which attaches to the top of a conventional ladder or extension ladder, and a wheeled apparatus which attaches to said ladder, thus forming a single composite apparatus. Said composite apparatus can then operate as a cart for transporting itself, equipment and other loads to and from usage locations, and said composite apparatus can operate as an elevated platform when attached to a tree or similar elevated surface.

Claims

1. Apparatuses which can be attached to a conventional ladder or extension ladder in order to enable said ladder operate as both a cart when said ladder is on the ground, and as an elevated platform when said ladder is placed against a tree or similar elevated surface; comprising: a platform apparatus, capable of being attached to the top of said ladder, making it possible to sit or stand at the top of said ladder when said ladder is placed against a tree or similar elevated surface; a wheel apparatus, capable of being attached to said ladder, making it possible to transport the ladder as one would a cart.

2. A platform apparatus from claim 1 comprising: a platform appliance having a structure with an upper surface acting as a platform, a lower surface, a front surface and a rear surface; a ladder attachment appliance secured to lower front surface of said platform appliance, and possessing adjustable brackets to enable attachment of said platform apparatus to the top of said ladder, allowing operation with ladders of variable dimensions; a tree attachment appliance attached near the rear surface of said platform apparatus, shaped to permit attachment a variety of diameters of tree or similar surface, and possessing a plurality of appendages to enable secure attachment of said platform apparatus to said tree or similar surface; and

3. A wheel apparatus from claim 1 comprising: a ladder attachment appliance having an adjustable framed structure capable of adapting to ladders of varying width, and of being secured to said ladder, with adjustable securements enabling said appliance to be attached at varying locations along the length of said ladder; and a plurality of wheels and axles attached to said ladder attachment appliance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0037] FIG. 1

[0038] #1—Ladder

[0039] #2—Platform Apparatus

[0040] #3—Wheel Apparatus

[0041] FIG. 2

[0042] #1—Ladder

[0043] #2—Platform Apparatus

[0044] #3—Wheel Apparatus

[0045] FIG. 3

[0046] #2—Platform Apparatus

[0047] #4—Platform Apparatus Handle

[0048] #5—Platform Apparatus Frame

[0049] #6—Ladder Attachment Upper Bracket

[0050] #7—Ladder Attachment Lower Bracket

[0051] FIG. 4

[0052] #1—Ladder

[0053] #3—Wheel Apparatus

[0054] #8—Wheel Apparatus Wheel

[0055] #9—Ladder Attachment Bracket

[0056] #10—Wheel Apparatus Axle

[0057] #11—Ladder Attachment Mechanism

[0058] FIG. 5

[0059] #1—Ladder

[0060] #2—Platform Apparatus

[0061] #4—Platform Apparatus Handle

[0062] #5—Platform Apparatus Frame

[0063] #6—Ladder Attachment Upper Bracket

[0064] #7—Ladder Attachment Lower Bracket

[0065] FIG. 6

[0066] #2—Platform Apparatus

[0067] #4—Platform Apparatus Handle

[0068] #5—Platform Apparatus Frame

[0069] #6—Ladder Attachment Upper Bracket

[0070] #7—Ladder Attachment Lower Bracket

[0071] FIG. 7

[0072] #3—Wheel Apparatus

[0073] #8—Wheel Apparatus Wheel

[0074] #9—Ladder Attachment Bracket

[0075] #10—Wheel Apparatus Axle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0076] In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of Platform Apparatus 2 and a Wheel Apparatus 3 fabricated from aluminum tubing and aluminum plates welded together and attached to a Ladder 1 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0077] FIG. 1 shows the present invention attached to a Ladder 1, enabling said ladder attached to the present invention to be operated as a hand cart.

[0078] FIG. 2 shows the present invention attached to said Ladder 1, enabling said ladder connected to the present invention to be operated as an elevated platform. The present invention is positioned so that the Platform Apparatus 2 is attached securely to a surface in a tree, a pole, a wall or similar elevated location.

[0079] FIG. 3 shows Platform Apparatus 2. Platform Apparatus Frame 5 is formed from welded aluminum tubing and aluminum plate. To the side of Platform Apparatus Frame 5 which contacts an elevated surface is attached a plurality of Platform Apparatus Handle 4. To the side of Platform Apparatus 5 which contacts said ladder is attached a plurality of Ladder Attachment Upper Bracket 6. To each Ladder Attachment Upper Bracket 6 is attached a Ladder Attachment Lower Bracket 7 in such a way that said plates can shift position relative to each other, enabling the Platform Apparatus 2 to be attached to ladders of varying dimensions. Platform Apparatus 2 is attached to Ladder 1 using said plurality of Ladder Attachment Lower Bracket 7.

[0080] FIG. 4 shows a detail of Platform Apparatus 2 in operation as an elevated platform. Ladder Attachment Upper Bracket 6 is attached near the side of Platform Apparatus Frame 5 contacting said ladder. Ladder Attachment Lower Bracket 7 is attached to Ladder Attachment Upper Bracket 6. Ladder 1 is attached to Ladder Attachment Lower Bracket 7. A plurality of Platform Apparatus Handle 4 is attached to said elevated surface.

[0081] FIG. 5 shows a rear view of Platform Apparatus 2 more clearly illustrating the plurality of Platform Apparatus Handle 4 and plurality of Ladder Attachment Lower Bracket 7.

[0082] FIG. 6 shows an overhead view and side view of said Wheel Apparatus 2. Said apparatus is fabricated from aluminum structural bar stock welded to aluminum structural angle extrusions to form a Ladder Attachment Bracket 9 to which is attached a plurality of Wheel Apparatus Axle 10. To said Wheel Apparatus 3 is attached a plurality of Wheel Apparatus Wheel 8. Wheel Apparatus 3 is then attached to said Ladder 1 using Ladder Attachment Mechanism 11 in such a way that Ladder 1 can now be operated as a hand cart as shown in FIG. 1.

[0083] The present invention can then be used as an elevated platform by positioning said ladder in contact with said elevated surface, as shown in FIG. 2. If said ladder is capable of extending, additional elevation of the Platform Apparatus 2 can be achieved by extending Ladder 1, then positioning said ladder in contact with said elevated surface.

[0084] FIG. 7 shows a detailed overhead and side view of said Wheel Apparatus 3 with said ladder not displayed. Ladder Attachment Bracket 9 can be clearly seen connected to a plurality of Wheel Apparatus Wheel 8 and a plurality of Wheel Apparatus Axle 10. Note that Ladder Attachment Bracket 9 can be adjusted to attach to ladders of varying dimensions.

[0085] In another embodiment the present invention could be fabricated from steel or other metal tubing, steel or other structural angle metal, wood or plastic or composites.

[0086] In another embodiment the present invention could be fabricated from molded plastic.

[0087] In another embodiment the present invention could be fabricated with a plurality of more than two wheels that could be attached to Ladder 1.

[0088] In another embodiment the present invention could be fabricated with non-rigid folding joints so that both the Platform Apparatus 2 and the Wheel Apparatus 3 could be made to fold or otherwise collapse for ease of storage and ease of shipment.

[0089] In another embodiment the present invention could include a plurality of apparatus attached to Platform Apparatus 2 to be used for storage.

[0090] In the working prototype, the material used is welded steel structural tubing, structural plate, structural bar stock and structural angle extrusions.

[0091] In the best mode, the present invention is fabricated by welding aluminum structural tubing, structural plate and aluminum structural bar stock to form a rigid Platform Apparatus 2, and welding aluminum structural bar stock and aluminum structural angle extrusions and attaching axles and wheels to form Wheel Apparatus 3.