Abstract
A locking tree stand comprising a basin with a plurality of bolt mounts configured to accommodate locking bolts to slide into position. When a tab on the bolt mount is closed a threaded portion of the locking bolt comes in contact with a grip on the tab, preventing the bolt from sliding freely within the bolt mount. The bolt may slide on the thread base where a spring extends from, causing an arm from the spring to push the tab away from the locking bolt, when a locking tab is in an unlocked position. A foot pad may also be attached to the locking screw to provide a greater contact surface between the locking bolt and the trunk of a tree. The footpad may also include a plurality of nubs to provide greater grip between the footpad and the tree trunk.
Claims
1. A locking tree stand comprising: a locking bolt comprising: a grip; a threaded portion coupled to the grip; and a head coupled to the threaded portion distal to the grip; and a basin comprising: an outer wall; an inner wall; an upper edge coupled to the outer wall and the inner wall, the upper edge comprising: a plurality of bolt mounts each comprising: a thread base positioned between a first opening proximal to the outer wall and a second opening proximal to the inner wall, a space between the first opening and the second opening forming a channel configured to accommodate the locking bolt within a top surface of the thread base; a spring extending from a bottom surface of the thread base, the spring comprising a spring arm that extends above the top surface of the thread base; and a tab coupled apically to each of the plurality of bolt mounts and configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position the tab is configured to couple with the threaded portion of the locking bolt and depress the spring arm such that the spring arm is substantially parallel to the top surface of the thread base; and an inner base coupled to the inner wall distal to the upper edge.
2. The locking tree stand of claim 1 wherein the tab further comprises a locking lip at a first end proximal to the outer wall of the basin, the locking lip configured to couple with the bolt mount when the tab is in a locked position, the tab configured to slide between the locked position and an unlocked position with the bolt mount while the tab is in the closed position.
3. The locking tree stand of claim 1 wherein the locking bolt further comprises a footpad removably coupled to the head of the locking bolt wherein the footpad is larger than the head of the locking bolt.
4. The locking tree stand of claim 3 wherein the footpad further comprises a plurality of nubs distal to the head of the locking bolt.
5. The locking tree stand of claim 1 wherein the basin is substantially circular and wherein the plurality of bolt mounts are disposed circumferentially along the upper edge.
6. The locking tree stand of claim 5 wherein the plurality of bolt mounts are at substantially regular intervals about the circumference of the upper edge.
7. The locking tree stand of claim 1 wherein the tab couples with the threaded portion of the locking bolt via one or more thread grips extending from a bottom surface of the tab.
8. A locking tree stand comprising: a locking bolt comprising: a grip; a threaded portion coupled to the grip; a head coupled to the threaded portion distal from the grip; and a footpad removably coupled to the head and being larger than the head; and a basin comprising: an outer wall; an inner wall; an upper edge coupled to the outer wall and the inner wall, the upper edge comprising: a plurality of bolt mounts each comprising: a thread base positioned between a first opening proximal to the outer wall and a second opening proximal to the inner wall, a space between the first opening and the second opening forming a channel configured to accommodate the locking bolt within a top surface of the thread base; a spring extending from a bottom surface of the thread base, the spring comprising a spring arm that extends above the top surface of the thread base; a tab coupled apically to each of the plurality of bolt mounts and configured to rotate between an open and closed position, wherein a ridge extending from the top of the tab is configured to slide between a locked position and an unlocked position, the tab further comprising a locking lip wherein in the closed position the tab is configured to couple with the threaded portion of the locking bolt and depress the spring arm such that the spring arm is substantially parallel to the top surface of the thread base; and an inner base coupled to the inner wall distal to the upper edge.
9. The locking tree stand of claim 8, wherein the tab further comprises a locking lip at a first end proximal to the outer wall of the basin, the locking lip configured to couple with the bolt mount when the tab is in a locked position, the tab configured to slide between the locked position and an unlocked position with the bolt mount while the tab is in the closed position.
10. The locking tree stand of claim 8, wherein the spring further extends from the bottom of the thread base.
11. The locking tree stand of claim 8, wherein the spring arm is configured to engage with the bottom of the tab such that the spring arm is substantially non-parallel to the top surface of the thread base when the ridge extending from the top of the tab is in the unlocked position.
12. The locking tree stand of claim 8, wherein the tab is configured to depress the spring arm such that the spring arm is substantially parallel to the top surface of the thread base when the ridge extending from the top of the tab is in the locked position.
13. The locking tree stand of claim 11, wherein the spring arm is configured and arranged to angle the tab substantially less than 90 degrees from the top surface of the thread base when the ridge extending from the top of the tab is in the unlocked position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures.
(2) FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of an implementation of a locking tree stand with four locking bolts.
(3) FIG. 2 depicts a bottom perspective view of an implementation of a locking tree stand.
(4) FIG. 3 depicts a side view of an implementation of a locking tree stand with four locking bolts.
(5) FIG. 4 depicts a top view of an implementation of a locking tree stand with four locking bolts.
(6) FIG. 5 depicts a top perspective view of an implementation of a locking tree stand with three locking bolts.
(7) FIG. 6 depicts a side view of an implementation of a locking tree stand with three locking bolts.
(8) FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of an implementation of a bolt mount with a locking bolt inserted and the tab in a closed position.
(9) FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of an implementation of a bolt mount with a locking bolt inserted and the tab in an open position.
(10) FIG. 9 depicts a cross-sectional view of an implementation of a bolt mount with a locking bolt inserted with the spring arm depressed by the bottom of the tab while the tab is in a closed position.
(11) FIG. 10 depicts a cross-sectional view of an implementation of a bolt mount with a locking bolt inserted with the spring arm engaging the tab away from the top surface of the thread base while the tab is in an open position.
(12) FIG. 11 depicts a top perspective view of a bottom thread base with a spring extending from the bottom of the thread base while a spring arm extends above the top surface of the thread base.
(13) Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(14) In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.
(15) The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for securing a tree in an upright position via a series of locking bolts. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a locking tree stand with a basin 100 having four bolt mounts and a locking bolt 110 inserted into each bolt mount 108. In many embodiments the basin 100 has an outer wall 101, an upper edge 102, and an inner wall 109. The basin 100 may serve to hold water or any other suitable liquid to hydrate the tree held by the tree stand. In some embodiments, the basin 100 may optionally comprise a drain plug (not shown). In these and other embodiments the upper edge 102 has a plurality of bolt mounts 108 disposed along its surface. A tab 103 is disposed on the apical side each of the bolt mounts 108. The tab 103 can be moved between an open and closed position and is depicted in a closed position in FIG. 1. In many embodiments when the tab 103 is in a closed position it comes in contact with the threaded portion 105 of the locking bolt 110 and prevents the locking bolt 110 from sliding within the bolt mount 108. In these and other embodiments the grip 104 of the locking bolt 110 can be twisted by a user to screw in or unscrew the locking bolt 110. In many embodiments a footpad 106 may be coupled to the head of the locking bolt 110 providing a larger contact surface with the trunk of a tree. In these and other embodiments the footpad 106 may further have a plurality of nubs 107 at one end providing a higher friction contact surface with the tree.
(16) Referring now to FIG. 2, a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a locking tree stand with a basin 100 is shown. In many embodiments the basin 100 has a generally conical shape with a wider bottom surface 201 than the upper edge 102, however it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be applied to a variety of shapes and sizes of base.
(17) Referring now to FIG. 3 an elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of a locking tree stand with a basin 100 is shown. In some embodiments four bolt mounts 108 and locking bolts 110 are used. In these and other embodiments the bolt mounts 108 have a first opening proximal to the outer wall 101 of the basin 100 and a second opening proximal to an inner wall 109 of the basin 100. The first and second opening form a channel through which the locking bolt 110 may be inserted. In many embodiments the openings are aligned such that the locking bolt 110 rests substantially parallel to the bottom surface 201, however depending on the type of tree or footpad alternative angles may be useful.
(18) Referring now to FIG. 4 a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a locking tree stand with a basin 100 is shown. In many embodiments the bolt mounts 108 may be regularly spaced along the upper edge 102 of the basin 100. On the basin 100 the four bolt mounts 108 around the circumference of upper edge 102 are placed at approximately 90-degree intervals, resulting in four evenly spaced locking bolts 110 for supporting a tree trunk. In many embodiments the basin 100 may also have an inner base 401 coupled to the inner wall 109 to allow water to be contained within the basin 100.
(19) Referring now to FIG. 5-6 an exemplary embodiment of a locking tree stand with a basin 500 is shown. In this embodiment an outer wall 501, an upper edge 502, and an inner wall 509 are analogous to the outer wall 101, upper edge 102, and inner wall 109 of the basin 100 in FIG. 1. In many embodiments of the basin 500 three of a bolt mount 508 having a tab 503 are disposed at approximately 120-degree intervals. In many embodiments the number of bolt mounts 508 may be varied as seen here, with three bolt mounts 508 instead of the four on basin 100. In some embodiments the number of bolt mounts 508 may vary outside of the number shown in basin 500 and basin 100. Additionally, FIG. 5 provides a clear view of the first opening 511 and second opening 512 through which the locking bolt 110 is inserted. In most embodiments the locking bolt 110 can slide through the first opening 511, passing through a channel formed within the bolt mount 508, and out of the second opening 512.
(20) Referring now to FIG. 7 a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a bolt mount 700 with a locking bolt 110 inserted and tab 103 in the closed position is shown. In many embodiments when the tab 103 is in a closed position, a locking lip 701 may be coupled with the mount base 702. When the locking lip 701 is coupled in this position the tab 103 is prevented from moving between an open and closed position unless the tab 103 is slid away from the mount base 702 in order to decouple the locking lip 701 from the mount base 702. In many embodiments when the tab 103 is in the closed position, a pair of thread grips 703 are in contact with the threaded portion 105 of the locking bolt 110. In many embodiments when the tab is in the closed position the thread grips 703 prevent the locking bolt 110 from sliding freely within the channel created by the first and second opening of the bolt mount 700. In some embodiments the grip of the locking bolt 110 may be turned in this position to cause the locking bolt 110 to screw in or out of the bolt mount 700 in order to position the foot pad 106 and nubs 107 such that they come in contact with the tree trunk. In some embodiments an additional thread grip 704 is disposed at the second opening of the bolt mount. In other embodiments thread grip 704 may be the only grip that sits in the groove of the threaded portion 105 of the locking bolt, while the pair of thread grips 703 press against the elevated sections of the threaded portion 105 to ensure it remains in contact with the thread grip 704 and cannot freely slide within the channel of the bolt mount 700.
(21) Referring now to FIG. 8 a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a bolt mount 700 with a locking bolt 110 inserted and tab 103 in the open position is shown. In many embodiments when the tab 103 is slid into a position where the locking lip 701 is decoupled from the mount base 702, the tab 103 can be lifted such that the pair of thread grips 703 are no longer in contact with the threaded portion 105 of the locking bolt 110. In these and other embodiments when the tab 103 is in this open position the locking bolt 110 can slide freely within the channel. In many embodiments while the foot pad 106 is coupled to the locking bolt 110 the locking bolt 110 cannot be fully removed from the bolt mount 700. In these and other embodiments when the foot pad 106 is decoupled from the locking bolt 110 and the tab 103 is in the open position, the locking bolt 110 can be fully removed from the bolt mount 700.
(22) Referring now to FIG. 9, a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bolt mount 700 with a locking bolt 110 inserted and a tab 103 in the closed position is shown. In many embodiments when the tab 103 slides into the closed position, a spring 706 is in contact with the threaded portion 105 of the locking bolt 110. The spring 706 extends from the bottom of the thread base 705 and engages with the bottom of the tab 103 and the top of the threaded portion 105 of the locking bolt 110. In these and other embodiments when the tab 103 is in the closed position the locking bolt 110 cannot slide freely within the channel. In many embodiments the tab 103 can slide into the locked position using the ridge 708 extending from the top of the tab 103.
(23) Referring now to FIG. 10, a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bolt mount 700 with a locking bolt 110 inserted and tab 103 in the open position is shown. In many embodiments when the tab 103 is not fully secured and located in the closed position, a spring arm 707 of the spring 706 is angled away from the threaded portion 105 of the locking bolt 110. The spring 706 extends from the bottom of the thread base 705 and engages with the bottom of the tab 103 to keep the tab 103 in a position that is non-parallel to the threaded portion 105 of the locking bolt 110 which serves as a visual cue to the user to recognize that the locking bolt 110 has not been secured and is still free to move freely within the channel. In these and other embodiments when the tab 103 is in the open position the locking bolt 110 can slide freely within the channel. In many embodiments the tab 103 can slide into the locked position using the ridge 708 extending from the top of the tab 103.
(24) Referring now to FIG. 11 a top perspective view of the thread base 705 with a spring 706 extending from the bottom of the thread base 705. The thread base 705 forms a base where the locking bolt 110 is inserted and rests substantially parallel to the bottom surface. In many embodiments the locking bolt 110 may be inserted on the thread base 705 and the threaded portion 105 of the locking bolt 110 may also come in contact with the spring arm 707 of the spring 706. In many embodiments the spring arm 707 may be coupled to the tab 103 and the top of the threaded portion 105 of the locking bolt 110 when the tab 103 is in the closed position.
(25) In places where the description above refers to particular implementations of systems and methods for a locking tree stand, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these implementations may be applied to other to systems and methods for a locking tree stand.
