Abstract: A tree climbing stand is made of two assemblies, the seat assembly and the platform assembly. Each has folding support arms which support a V-bar gripper. The V-bar gripper is made of hollow aluminum to maximize strength and reduce weight. Each V-bar gripper has a pair of clutch mechanisms in a housing assembly. The clutch mechanisms use cams to precisely adjust the grip on the tree and do it silently. The housing assemblies also serve to lock the entire unit together in a backpack mode.

Abstract: A hunter's tree stand is provided with a lightweight composite platform and a flexible steel truss belt encircling and engaging the supporting tree. One end of the belt and the belt length adjustment member has supporting links at opposite sides of the platform. These links are movable from an automatically locked, collapsed position to a raised and automatically locked operative position extending upwardly and forwardly from the platform. The belt and belt adjustment member are supported by pivotal attachment to respective links carrying a sliding guide slot. The guide slot receives a compression spring actuated cylinder plunger biased to engage holes at opposite of the guide length. The cylinder plunger is recessed through the platform supporting angle into the sides of the composite platform and allows lateral movement of the supporting lengths and the encircling belt, thus eliminating the need for universal joints.