Telescopic Seat Assembly for a Hunting Tree Stand

Abstract

A hunting tree stand includes a telescopic seat arrangement, so that the height of the seat may be adjusted by hand, without requiring tools, to any desired height, and a biasing element so that a user can more easily raise the height of the seat.

Claims

1. A tree stand for hunting and observing game, said tree stand comprising: a standing surface; a support structure having an upper end and a lower end, said support structure attached to said standing surface on said lower end; a seat assembly including a seat member attached adjacent a first end of a seat post, wherein a second end of said seat post telescopically engages said upper end of said support structure so that said seat member may be raised and lowered; a securing mechanism positioned on said support structure, said securing mechanism being used to temporarily maintain said seat member in position at a desired height, wherein said securing mechanism may be manually operated by hand; and a biasing element affixed to said support structure and applying force to said seat assembly to urge said seat member away from said support structure automatically when the height is not maintained by said securing mechanism.

2. The tree stand set forth in claim 1, wherein said support structure is pivotally attached to said standing surface.

3. The tree stand set forth in claim 1, wherein said seat member is pivotally attached to said seat post.

4. The tree stand set forth in claim 1, wherein said securing mechanism allows for infinite adjustment of the height of said seat.

5. The tree stand set forth in claim 4, wherein said securing mechanism includes a seat post clamp to engage and secure said seat post.

6. The tree stand set forth in claim 5, wherein said seat post clamp includes an elongated action arm which disengages said seat post clamp when actuated.

7. The tree stand set forth in claim 1, wherein said securing means includes a locking button assembly.

8. The tree stand set forth in claim 7, wherein said locking button assembly includes a spring biased button disposed on said seat post and at least one hole defined by said support structure.

9. The tree stand set forth in claim 1, wherein said securing mechanism includes a locking pin that is temporarily inserted into aligned holes defined within said seat post and said support structure.

10. The tree stand set forth in claim 9, wherein grommets are disposed about a perimeter of said holes in said support structure to reduce noise while the locking pin is being inserted or removed from said holes.

11. The tree stand set forth in claim 1, further including a ladder disposed between said standing surface and the ground.

12. The tree stand set forth in claim 11, wherein said ladder is removably attached to said standing surface.

13. The tree stand set forth in claim 11, wherein said ladder is collapsible.

14. The tree stand set forth in claim 1, wherein said biasing element comprises a gas spring.

15. The tree stand set forth in claim 1, wherein said biasing element comprises a metal spring.

16. A tree stand for hunting and observing game, said tree stand comprising: a standing surface; a support structure having an upper end and a lower end, said support structure attached to said standing surface on said lower end; a seat assembly including a seat member attached adjacent a first end of a seat post, wherein a second end of said seat post telescopically engages said upper end of said support structure so that said seat member may be raised and lowered; a securing mechanism positioned on said. support structure, said securing mechanism being used to temporarily maintain said seat member in position at a desired height, wherein said securing mechanism may be manually operated by hand; and a biasing element affixed to said seat assembly and applying force to said support structure to urge said seat member away from said support structure automatically when the height is not maintained by said securing mechanism.

17. The tree stand set forth in claim 16, wherein said biasing element comprises a gas spring.

18. The tree stand set forth in claim 16, wherein said biasing element comprises a metal spring.

19. A tree stand for hunting and observing game, said tree stand comprising: a standing surface; a support structure having an upper end and a lower end, said support structure attached to said standing surface on said lower end; a biasing element housing affixed to said support structure; a seat assembly including a seat member attached adjacent a first end of a seat post, wherein a second end of said seat post telescopically engages said biased element housing and wherein a biasing element operatively engages said seat post so that said seat member may be urged away from said standing surface automatically; and a securing mechanism positioned on said biasing element housing, said securing mechanism being used to temporarily arrest movement of said seat post relative to said housing and maintain said seat ember in position at a desired height, wherein said securing mechanism may be manually operated by hand.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a telescopic seat assembly for a hunting tree stand, showing a seat member that is fixed by a seat post clamp in a contracted position with respect to the support structure and standing platform generally associated with a user in a conventional seated position;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a telescopic seat assembly for a hunting tree stand, showing a seat member fixed by a seat post clamp in an elevated position with respect to the support structure and standing platform generally associated with a user in a leaning or elevated seated position;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of one embodiment of a telescopic seat assembly for a hunting tree stand, showing a seat member fixed by a locking button in a contracted position with respect to the support structure and standing platform generally associated with a user in a conventional seated position;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a side view of one embodiment of a telescopic seat assembly for a hunting tree stand, showing a seat member fixed by a locking button in an elevated position with respect to the support structure and standing platform generally associated with a user in a leaning or elevated seated position;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a side view of one embodiment of a hunting tree stand having a telescopically adjustable seat assembly, wherein the hunting tree stand is shown in a collapsed position;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a side view of one embodiment of a telescopic seat assembly for a hunting tree stand, showing a seat member fixed in an elevated position with respect to the support structure and standing platform and a user in a leaning or elevated seated position;

[0022] FIG. 7 is a side view of one embodiment of a telescopic seat assembly for a hunting tree stand, showing a seat member fixed in a contracted position with respect to the support structure and standing platform and a user in a conventional seated position;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a telescopic seat assembly for a hunting tree stand, showing a telescopic seat assembly for a hunting tree stand, wherein the adjustment mechanism for raising and lowering the seat is shown in the magnified inset, and includes a seat post clamp that allows infinite adjustment of the height of the seat;

[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a telescopic seat assembly for a hunting tree stand including a ladder to allow access from the ground and to provide additional support and stabilization;

[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a telescopic seat assembly for a hunting tree stand having a collapsible ladder which is removable from the hunting tree stand to make transport and storage easier.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a telescopic seat assembly for a hunting tree stand having a biasing element within a housing attached to the support structure to urge the seat upward when unsecured and a clamp and action arm assembly securing mechanism attached to the housing for the biasing element to secure the seat at a desired height;

[0027] FIG. 12 is a side view of one embodiment of a telescopic seat assembly for a hunting tree stand with a portion of the support structure cut away to allow the gas spring biasing element interacting with the seat post within the support structure to be seen; and

[0028] FIG. 13 is a side view of one embodiment of a telescopic seat assembly for a hunting tree stand with a portion of the support structure cut away to allow the metal spring biasing element interacting with the seat post within the support structure to be seen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The present invention includes, in a first embodiment, a collapsible hunting tree stand 10 that includes a telescopic seat arrangement so that the seat may be positioned at a height associated with a normal, i.e. conventional, seated position or the seat may be in an elevated seating/leaning position. The tree stand 10 includes, in a preferred embodiment, a standing platform 12, a support structure 14 pivotally engaged with the standing platform, and a seat assembly 15 telescopically engaged with the support structure 14. The seat assembly 15 includes a seat member 16 affixed to a seat post 18 which telescopically engages support structure 14. The seat assembly 15 may be disposed at any desired height, including a contracted position to allow a user to sit normally thereupon, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 7, or an elevated position to allow a user to sit or lean thereupon, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6.

[0030] The tree stand 10 may be affixed or secured to a tree using any suitable means, including cinch straps 20, fixed straps, chains, or any other suitable method. Additionally, a ladder 30 may be combined with combined with the means for securing the tree stand 10 to a tree to provide additional support and easy access to the tree stand 10, as in FIGS. 9 and 10. Various methods for securing tree stands to trees are discussed in the references cited herein, and are hereby incorporated by reference. A pair of flexible support cables 28 may be attached between the support structure 14 and the standing platform 12, in order to maintain the support structure 14 and the standing platform 12 at a generally right angle during use.

[0031] The tree stand 10 is preferably collapsible, as shown in FIG. 5, although it is contemplated that most of the components may also be fixed with respect to each other. In the collapsible embodiment, the support structure folds 14 down so that it is parallel with the standing platform 12. The seat assembly 15 may also fold into a position that is generally parallel with the standing platform 12. In an embodiment having a ladder 30, it is also foreseen that the ladder 30 may be removable and/or collapsible to facilitate transport and storage along with the tree stand 10 as in FIG. 5A. Advantageously, the tree stand 10, optionally including a ladder 30, may be transported and stored in the collapsed state, and may be moved into the operational state for use in a tree. It is contemplated that any pivoting mechanism described herein may have securing means to temporarily lock the components in place, either in the operational position, or in the collapsed position, and such securing means are well-known in the art.

[0032] In use, when the tree stand 10 is secured to a tree, the standing platform 12 is generally parallel to the ground, and the support structure 14 is oriented in a generally vertical position. The ladder 30, if one is utilized, is disposed between the standing platform 12, providing additional support and easier access to the tree stand 10 as in FIG. 9. The seat assembly 15 may be disposed in a contracted position, to provide a conventional seating position for a hunter, as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, the seat assembly 15 may be disposed in an elevated position, to provide an elevated seating or leaning position for a hunter, as shown in FIG. 6. The hunter may either sit on the seat member 16 in this position, so that most of his weight is supported by the seat member 16, or the hunter may simply lean on the seat member 16, thereby splitting his weight between his legs/feet on the standing platform 12 and his buttocks on the seat member 16.

[0033] If a hunter is seated on the seat member 16 in a contracted position and then sees a deer or other game in the distance, he may elevate the seat member 16 up and then sit or lean thereupon, so that he is in a better position to take a shot at the game when the game comes close enough for the hunter to take a shot. In a preferred embodiment, the tree stand 10 includes a biasing element 17, such as a gas spring, metal spring, or the like, which pushes the seat assembly 15 upwardly to an elevated position, away from the standing platform 12, when a hunter removes his weight from the seat member 16 and the seat post 18 is unsecured relative to the support structure 14, as shown in FIGS. 11-13. The biasing element 17 may be attached to the support structure 14 along an outer portion, as in FIG. 11, or disposed within the support structure 14, as in FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0034] A securing mechanism 22 is used to keep the seat member 16 disposed at a desired height, as shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 6-11. The securing mechanism 22 may take many forms, but in one embodiment includes a seat post clamp 24, similar to seat post clamps commonly used to adjust the height of bicycle seats. The seat post clamp 24 is attached to the seat post 18, and when the seat member 16 is in a desired position, the seat post clamp 24 may be tightened to frictionally engage against the seat post 18 of the seat assembly 15, which provides an infinitely adjustable seat. When the seat post clamp 24 is tightened against the seat post 18, the seat post 18 is prevented from being further telescopically inserted into the support structure 14, so that the seat member 16 is locked at a desired height. In order to adjust the height of the seat, the hunter simply loosens the seat post clamp 24 allowing the seat member 16 to be raised or lowered, as desired. This arrangement allows the seat to be adjusted to any desired position, as opposed to other adjustment mechanisms that may only provide a limited number of height positions to choose from.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the seat post clamp 24 may be engaged and disengaged via use of an action arm 25, similar to adjustment on an office chair, as in FIGS. 11-13. When utilized a biasing element 17, a user may adjust the seat member 16 upwardly by removing their weight from the seat member 16 and actuating the action arm 25 (e.g. pulling the arm 25 upwardly) to release the seat post clamp 24, allowing the seat member 16 to automatically raise to an elevated position and then releasing the action arm 25 to retighten the seat post clamp 24. Conversely, a user may adjust the seat member 16 downwardly by actuating the action arm 25 to release the seat post claim 24 and placing weight on the seat member 16 until the seat member is at a desired height and then releasing the action arm 25 to retighten the seat post clamp 24.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment, the securing mechanism 22 includes a locking button assembly 26. The locking button assembly 26 may include a spring biased button disposed along the seat post 18 which engages one of a number of holes in a portion of the support structure 14 to hold the seat member 16 at a desired height. In order to elevate the seat member 16, a hunter pushes the button to disengage it from the hole in the support structure 14 and pulls the seat member 16 upwards until the button engages a higher hole in the support structure 14. Likewise, to lower the seat member 16, the hunter pushes the button to disengage it from the hole in the support structure 14 and pushes the seat member 16 down until the button engages a lower hole in the support structure 14. It is also contemplated that other securing means, such as a locking pin and hole arrangement, may be used to keep the primary seat in a vertical position, and such securing means are well-known in the art.

[0037] Preferably, the securing mechanism 22 does not require tools to make height adjustments to the seats, and all adjustments may be made by hand.

[0038] In another embodiment, the securing mechanism 22 includes a locking pin that may fit through holes in the seat post 18 and support structure 14. In this embodiment, the seat is adjusted by removing the locking pin, raising or lowering the seat until the hole in the seat post lines up with one of the holes in the support structure or sleeve, and then inserting the locking pin through the aligned holes to secure the seat in place. Optionally, grommets of rubber, nylon, plastic, or the like may be placed around the perimeter of the holes in the support structure. This arrangement reduces the noise level during the adjustment operation by preventing the inevitable metal-on-metal clanging as the metal locking pin fits through aligned holes in the metal support structure and seat post.

[0039] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.