US20100032238A1

US20100032238A1 - Method and apparatus for climbing trees

Info

Publication number: US20100032238A1
Application number: US12/185,928
Authority: US
Inventors: Bradley L. Northburg; Gordon L. Northburg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-08-05
Filing date: 2008-08-05
Publication date: 2010-02-11

Abstract

A climbing device having a main support member with a pair of ancillary support members connected to and extending outwardly at an angle from the main support member. The main support member has a brace at one end and a stop at the opposite end. A pair of cable supports are pivotally attached to the ancillary supports. The cable supports have slots that receive stops on a cable to releasably attach the cable to the climbing device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed toward a tree climbing device and more particularly a tree climbing device that is easier to use.
Tree climbing devices are well known in the art. Examples of tree climbing devices, typically used by hunters, include climbing sticks, sit and climb devices, ladder stands, and safety harness. While these devices assist individuals when climbing trees, they are difficult to use, time consuming, and dangerous particularly for older individuals and individuals who are not in the best physical condition. Thus, a need exists in the art for a device that addresses these deficiencies.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a tree climbing device that is easier to use.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a tree climbing device that is more safe to use.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a tree climbing device which allows the climber to have a much higher degree of movement of the climber's body during repositioning of the support platform.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a tree climbing device which allows many angles of movement.
A still further objective of the present invention is to provide a tree climbing device that is less time consuming to use.
These and other objectives will be apparent to one skilled in the art based on the following disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a climbing device;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a climbing device;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a climbing device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a strap; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of the climbing device, strap and platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The tree climbing device 10 has a main support member 12. At one end of support member 12 is a brace 14 that engages a tree 16 when in use. Preferably, the brace is L-shaped having a horizontal member 18 that digs into the tree during climbing, and a vertical member 20. Also, positioned at the brace end 14 is an angled flange 15 that is attached to the top of support member 12 and extends upwardly toward the brace 14 such that it engages tree 16. The flange 15 helps to prevent device 10 from slipping down the tree 16 when the device 10 is not under load. At the opposite end of the member 12 is a stop 22. Preferably the stop is formed by a flange that extends upwardly from the support member 12 to prevent a strap 24 from slipping off the end of the support member 12.
Extending outwardly from the main support 12 are a pair of ancillary supports 26. The ancillary supports 26 are welded to the main support 12 and are angled upwardly and toward brace 14. Alternatively, the ancillary supports 26 are welded to an extension 27 that is welded to the main member 12. The angled position of the ancillary supports 26 allows for an easier release of the tree climbing device 10.
Pivotally attached to the end of each ancillary support 26 is a cable support 28. The cable support 28 preferably is attached to the ancillary support 26 with a pivot pin 30 and has a cable retaining slot 32 having an elongated longitudinal section 34 and an arcuate section 36. A cable 38, having a plurality of stops 40 connected to the cable 38 is removably attached to the cable supports 28. The stops 40 are sized such that they are smaller in diameter than the arcuate section 36 of the slot 32 and larger in diameter (or width) than the longitudinal section 34 of the slot 32 such that the stop 40 will fit through the arcuate section 36 and be retained within the longitudinal section 34. The cable 38 is of sufficient length to fit around a tree 16 and a plurality of cable stops 40 are connected to the cable 38 so that the length of the cable 38 may be adjusted in relation to the device based upon the diameter of the tree 16.
The strap 24 hangs over the support member 12 and is retained by stop 22. The ends of the strap 24 are looped and retained by a cam buckle 42 such that the length of the strap 24 may be adjusted. Attached to the loops are clips 44 such as caribeaners. The clips 44 are removably connected to lineman loops 46 on a conventional harness 48.
To use, one begins by attaching a conventional platform 50 to a tree 16. Once attached, the harness 48 is tethered to the tree and the user climbs onto the platform 50. The tree climbing device 10 is then attached to the tree 16 by connecting the cable 38 to the cable support 28 at one end, wrapping the cable 38 around the tree 16, and connecting the cable 38 to a second cable support 28 at the opposite end. The angle of the cable 38 and the weight of the device 10 causes brace 14 and flange 15 to engage the tree 16 in a secure manner.
Once secured the strap 24 is placed over the support member 12 and the clips 44 are connected to the lineman loops 46 of the harness. The length of the strap 24 is adjusted or cinched to take up any slack. To release the platform 50, a user lifts their legs placing load on the device 10 and lifts the outer edge of the platform 50 so that it releases from the tree 16. The platform 50 is then raised in relation to the tree 16 and relocked. The user then steps upon the platform 50 releasing the load from the device 10. Once the load is removed, the device 10 is released from the tree 16 by lifting the end with the stop 22 upward in relation to the tree. The tree climbing device 10 is then raised in relation to the tree 16 and relocked by letting the support member 12 fall to a generally horizontal position as the brace 14 engages the tree. This process is repeated until the desired position on the tree is reached.
Thus, a tree climbing device has been disclosed that at the very least meets all of the stated objectives.

Claims

1. A tree climbing device, comprising:

a main support member having a brace at one end and a stop at the opposite end; and

a pair of ancillary supports connected to and extending outwardly from the main support.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising an angled flange extending upwardly from the main support toward the brace.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the ancillary supports extend upwardly from the main support toward the brace.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a pair of cable supports pivotally connected to the ancillary supports.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the ancillary supports are connected to the main support by an extension.

6. A method of climbing a tree, comprising the steps of: attaching a platform to a tree;

attaching a climbing device having a main support member with a pair of ancillary support members to a tree;

connecting a strap hung over the main support member to a harness worn by a user;

placing a load on the climbing device;

releasing and repositioning the platform;

placing a load on the platform; and

releasing and repositioning the climbing device.