Abstract: A novel tree stand comprising a frame adapted to lie vertically along the trunk of a tree, having a sleeve attached at the top end to receive a seat; a sleeve attached at the bottom end to receive a footrest; a pair of wings rotatably attached to the frame; and a load-holding ratcheting tie strap which, when attached to both wings and tightened around the back of the tree, holds the wings back against the tree, thus bracing the frame so it does not swivel in place or move down the tree. The wings rotate backwards to fit any tree, and preferably have, upon the side that touches the tree, bumps, teeth or grooves that dig into the tree's surface to further ensure non-slippage. The frame preferably has one or more mounting plates for added stability, as well as, at various places: holes, hooks, handles or other holding means on either side for cable supports for a footrest.

Abstract: A tree stand with a foot climber section having tree grippers, and a foot rest; a seat climber section with a rear end and a front end, tree grippers, tubular side members with front and rear ends, and inserts slidably in the side members between extended and retracted positions; and a seat releasibly attachable to the inserts when the inserts are in the extended position, and releasibly attachable to the seat climber tubular side members when the inserts are in the retracted position.

Abstract: A tree climbing apparatus which includes a climbing platform for supporting a hunter on a tree and a cooperating foot platform for engaging the tree beneath the climbing platform and intermittently supporting the hunter while the climbing platform is caused to ascend the tree. The front ends of a pivoting cable adjusting guide bar and a pivoting cable retention guide bar, respectively, are slidably mounted for lateral and medial displacement on opposite sides of each platform at the front end thereof. One end of a support cable or chain is attached to an adjusting handle slidably and adjustably mounted on the cable adjusting guide bar and the opposite end of the support cable is extended around the tree and removably secured to the cable retention guide bar.

Abstract: A treestand platform is strung in a manner at least similar to the stringing of a sports racket, such as a tennis racket, and a treestand having such a platform. The platform might comprise a peripheral frame supporting and delimiting a tension surface formed by a plurality of crossed string sections. The strung surface may be sufficiently resilient to yield very slightly under load, but is sufficiently tenacious that such slight yielding occurs without breakage or permanent deformation. The stringing provides a platform that is both strong and lightweight. The stringing also provides a platform that has a downward visibility comparable to transparency, and which is substantially noiseless during treestand transport, assembly, erection and use, and any other handling.

Abstract: A tree stand and/or climbing device of multiple designs preferably using industrial machinery style belts to provide maximum strength and gripping power. The belts are preferably made of tough rubber compounds and inlaid with various high strength fibers and other materials. The belts preferably have a uniform teeth pattern, which provide flexibility and allow the belt to conform to uneven surfaces on a tree. The teeth and flexible nature of the industrial belts provide a way for securing the belts and adjusting the length for a wide-range of tree diameters. Dual or multiple belt or fastening device designs allow individuals to climb past limbs or other obstacles and maneuver around forks in trees. The belts used are very quiet, light in weight, and will not reflect light. In combination with the locking devices, the stands and climbing devices provide simple methods of adjusting belt or fastening device length and securing the climbing devices to the structure to be climbed.

Abstract: A deer stand includes a foot platform, a seat platform, and stanchions which join the foot platform to the seat platform. The foot platform, the seat platform and the stanchions are preferably formed primarily from welded metal tubes to provide the deer stand with a rugged, durable unitary welded construction. To fasten the deer stand to a tree, the seat platform has an eye bolt and a J bolt attached to opposite sides of the seat platform. A chain is attached to the eye bolt. Two pairs of spikes extend from the seat and foot platforms, respectively, for engagement with a tree. The deer stand is attached to a tree by tilting the deer stand so that the spikes of the seat platform engage with the tree at an angle with respect to the tree. The chain is then wrapped about the trunk of the tree and linked to the J bolt so that the chain encircles and is as taut as possible about the tree.

Abstract: A combination hunting blind 2 and shooting or rifle rest 10 can be mounted on an elevated tree stand 4 by a hunter or occupant of the tree stand. The hunting blind 2 comprises the rifle rest 10 with a camouflage partition deployed around the front and the sides. The rifle rest 10 comprise a collapsible frame 26 the includes upright front posts 28, 30 and side horizontal rails 40, 42 attached to a front rail 32 by hinges whose axes are mutually perpendicular. The posts and side rails can be folded up so that they extend substantially in the same direction as a central section 34 of a C-shaped front rail 32. The rifle rest 10 is mounted on the tree stand 4 by a base support 14 that is bolted to the front edge of the tree stand. The posts 28, 30 are mounted on studs 20, 22 on the base support 14 and the side rails 40, 42 can be fastened to the tree by a rope ratchet or cargo strap 46 and stabilized by screws 56.

Abstract: A bow holder including a base having a mounting plate and a first tubular sleeve affixed thereto. A carrier extends from the base and has a rod selectively slidably positioned within the first tubular sleeve. The carrier also has a first leg extending downwardly from the rod. A platform, having a slot for receiving the bottom of a bow, is cantilevered on the carrier. The platform has a second tubular sleeve at its rear end selectively slidably positioned upon the first leg and a third tubular sleeve at its front end. A prop extends upwardly from the front end of the platform. The prop has a second leg selectively slidably positioned within the third tubular sleeve and a U-shaped member affixed atop the second leg for engaging the lower limb of a bow and supporting the bow in an upright orientation.

Abstract: A tree stand safety belt facilitates climbing of a tree with a climbing tree stand without interfering with climbing movement of the tree stand, and while allowing the belt to be curled up when not in use. The belt body is made of a flexible web of cloth-like material, such as polyester or nylon webbing, and has first and second ends. An attachment device, such as a clip, is provided at the second end, and a loop is typically formed at the first end that allows the second end to pass through it. A stiffening element, such as a chain, is provided at a central portion of the belt between the first and second ends, for example sandwiched between a strip of webbing stitched to the belt body and the belt body itself. During use the belt is connected by a releasable attachment device (such as a spring clamp) to a side support or tree engaging element of the upper frame of a tree stand.

Abstract: A shelf is mountable on a crank-shaped support that threads into the trunk of a tree, preferably in association with a hunter's tree stand. The crank-shaped support forms a threaded lag bolt at one end, perpendicular to an intermediate crank arm. At the opposite end of the crank arm from the lag bolt, an elongated mounting portion protrudes outwardly relative to the tree. When the lag bolt is threaded into the tree trunk, the crank arm depends vertically. The shelf part has a receptacle such as a square tube along the underside of a planar shelf part that receives the mounting portion of the crank-shaped support. Complementary non-round cross sections of the mounting portion and the tube hold the planar member horizontal to support items in convenient reach of the hunter. The planar shelf part can have an upwardly protruding rim around its perimeter or at least partly bounding the available surface and confining the items.

Abstract: A stabilizing device for stabilizing a ladder stand against a tree or post. The stabilizing device includes a first strut having a base member adapted to engage a tree or post and be secured thereto by a flexible strap and a clevis formed at the opposite end of the first strut for securing the first strut to a lower rung of a ladder stand. The stabilizing device includes a second strut pivotally connected to the first strut adjacent the base member and including a clevis for securing the opposite end of the second strut to a rung spaced four or five rungs away from the lower rung of the ladder stand to which the first strut is connected. The struts may include telescoping extension members for varying the effective lengths of the struts. The stabilizing device resists a tendency for a ladder stand to tilt away from a tree or post during an ascent or descent of the ladder stand by a person using same.

Abstract: A portable tree stand assembly includes a support bracket structure, a seat, a platform and a seat and platform position adjustment arrangement. The support bracket structure is attachable to a supporting tree. The support bracket structure has an upper end portion and a lower end portion. The seat is pivotally mounted to the upper end portion of the support bracket structure. The platform is pivotally mounted to the lower end portion of the support bracket structure. The seat and platform position adjustment arrangement interconnects the seat and platform to a middle portion of the support bracket structure extending between and interconnecting the upper and lower end portions thereof. The seat and platform position adjustment arrangement is adjustable to movably place and retain the seat and platform in a substantially parallel relation to one another and in respective level positions for a range of lean angles of the supporting tree to which the support bracket structure is attached.

Abstract: A climbing tree stand for hunting or other outdoor activity includes a platform and tubular frame members connected thereto and at least partly supporting the platform. A yoke is connected to the platform for engaging the tree and a cable couples the platform to the tree with the ends of the cable carrying a series of nuts securely mounted thereadjacent. Cleats are positioned at the tubular frame members for releasably securing the cable ends using the nuts on the cables. The cleats include keyhole-shaped openings and moveable covers for covering the openings. The yoke includes two sections which are oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other to partly straddle the tree.

Abstract: A system for sportsmen when hunting at an elevated location in a tree without harming the supporting tree including a base plates The base plate has an interior face positioned in contact with the exterior surface of a supporting tree and an exterior exposed face. The base plate has laterally spaced apertures adjacent to its edges. A threaded machine bolt has a diameter over the majority of its length and has an interior edge secured to the exterior surface of the base plate and an enlarged cylindrical exterior end. A coupling assembly is formed of two sections. Each section has an interior link permanently secured to an associated aperture in the base plate and has free ends. A locking assembly removably couples the base plate-coupling assembly to a tree. A support assembly has a downwardly extending auxiliary plate positionable over the base plate with an opening there through.

Abstract: A portable climbing apparatus comprising segments which can be stacked end to end to form a ladder and which can be nested together for easy transportation.

Abstract: A portable tree stand capable of being erected and levelled within a leaning tree is provided. The stand comprises a tree engaging support member which is pivotally connected to the frame of the stand. This arrangement allows the seat and platform of the stand to be adjusted to a level position when erected in a leaning tree where the direction of the lean of the tree is sideways with respect to the erected stand. A back rest is also provided to give support to the hunter.

Abstract: A gun and beverage support system for supporting a weapon and a beverage while the hunter is sitting or standing within a tree stand. The inventive device includes an elongated base having a pair of outer eyelets and a pair of inner eyelets, a strap removably attachable to the eyelets, a plate attached to the base, a beverage holder attached to the plate, an upper spike and a lower spike attached to the plate, and a first hook and a second hook attached to the elongated base for removably receiving a rifle or bow. The beverage holder comprises a support member extending from the plate with a ring secured to the upper surface of the support member. The strap is preferably constructed of an elastic material for fitting various diameters of trees. The inner eyelets are utilized for narrower trees while the outer eyelets are utilized for broader trees. The upper spike and the lower spike penetrate the tree for preventing shifting or other movements of the elongated base.

Abstract: A portable tree stand assembly includes a support bracket structure, a seat, a platform and a seat and platform position adjustment arrangement. The support bracket structure is attachable to a supporting tree. The support bracket structure has an upper end portion and a lower end portion. The seat is pivotally mounted to the upper end portion of the support bracket structure. The platform is pivotally mounted to the lower end portion of the support bracket structure. The seat and platform position adjustment arrangement interconnects the seat and platform to a middle portion of the support bracket structure extending between and interconnecting the upper and lower end portions thereof. The seat and platform position adjustment arrangement is adjustable to moveably place and retain the seat and platform in a substantially parallel relation to one another and in respective level positions for a range of lean angles of the supporting tree to which the support bracket structure is attached.

Abstract: A tree stand safety belt facilitates climbing of a tree with a climbing tree stand without interfering with climbing movement of the tree stand, and while allowing the belt to be curled up when not in use. The belt body is made of a flexible web of cloth-like material, such as polyester or nylon webbing, and has first and second ends. An attachment device, such as a clip, is provided at the second end, and a loop is typically formed at the first end that allows the second end to pass through it. A stiffening element, such as a chain, is provided at a central portion of the belt between the first and second ends, for example sandwiched between a strip of webbing stitched to the belt body and the belt body itself. During use the belt is connected by a releasable attachment device (such as a spring clamp) to a side support or tree engaging element of the upper frame of a tree stand.

Abstract: A portable, foldable toilet apparatus for attaching to a tree trunk, and including a tree trunk gripping frame section and a pair of longitudinal seat members pivotally connected to the gripping frame section for pivotal movement from a folded position within the gripping frame section to an open horizontal cantilevered position extending forwardly of the gripping frame section for supporting the weight of a person sitting thereon.

Abstract: A power driven tree stand including an elevator assembly having a pair of parallel primary rails and a pair of parallel secondary rails. A primary axle couples the primary rails and a secondary axle couples the secondary rails. A pair of primary tires are rotatably received on the primary axle. A pair of secondary tires are rotatably received on the secondary axle. A pair of parallel support rails have free first ends and second ends pivotably coupled by pins to the exterior ends of the primary rails and a plurality of tubular cross bars there between for receiving a wheelchair thereupon.

Abstract: Adjustable upper straps extend from the four corners of a collapsible seat assembly and terminate at a central O-ring. A groin strap extends from the central ring to a portion of the seat assembly. A tree ascender strap is also connected to the central ring, and has a latchable hook which can be used to encircle the trunk of a tree and secure the climber as he climbs. A back strap and shoulder strap extend from the central ring and help to restrain a hunter within the assembly both while climbing and while in an elevated position in the tree. A main lead securing strap extends from an extension strap connected to the central ring and has a buckle which allows it to be secured around a tree above the head of the hunter. The main lead securing strap is looped through itself in such a way that the strap chokes the tree trunk within itself to prevent slipping on trees with smooth bark.

Abstract: An archer's bow rest is used with a support structure and supports an archer's bow. The bow rest includes a cup member and a brace. More particularly, the cup member is connected with the support structure and defines a recess that is adapted to removably receive an end of the archer's bow. In one aspect, the cup member further includes a generally J-shaped member and a ring member. The J-shaped member has a first leg, a bite portion, and a second leg, with the first and second legs extending in the same general direction from the bite portion. In another aspect, the ring member is connected with each of the first and second legs, whereby the ring member, the first leg, the bite portion, and at least a portion of the second leg define the recess. At least one of the ring member and the J-shaped member may be constructed of an elongated pliable member.

Abstract: A comfortable, quiet, and safe, lightweight seat which is designed for hunters, birdwatchers, hikers, and tourists to be used with any upright object such as a tree, column, or pole. The soft, flexible, sling-type seat is set up in one motion by means of a spring-braced clip and requires no adjustments since the seat automatically levels itself and automatically tightens its support around the upright object by means of a readily sliding suspending cord, and is easily tilted to any position by the user due to its balanced fulcrums. When not in use it can be neatly rolled up and placed in pocket, knapsack, or handbag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a harness system for "climbing" tree stands to assist users in climbing, sitting in and descending trees. The invention has a standoff integrated with or attachable to the climbing tree stand for: (a) receiving a tree strap, (b) retaining a tree strap from inadvertent contact with the tree while the user climbs, sits in, and descends the tree, and (c) quickly releasing a tree strap from the climbing tree stand part.The system also has a harness part. The harness part has (a) a thigh strap for bearing a user's weight about the user's thigh; (b) a waist strap for bearing a user's weight about the user's waist (the waist strap is attachable to the thigh strap); and (c) a tree strap for bearing a user's weight. The tree strap has a first end, a middle and a second end. The first end is attachable to the waist strap; the second end is passable around the trunk of the tree and slideably attachable to the middle of the tree strap; the middle is releasably attachable to the standoff.

Abstract: A tree ladder attachment for attachment to a tree to permit a user to climb up the tree. The tree ladder attachment includes a vertical bar with a horizontal bar coupled to a lower end of the vertical bar. The ends of an elongate flexible member are coupled to an upper end of the vertical bar. The flexible member forms a loop for wrapping around a tree trunk to hold the vertical bar to the tree trunk. A cross bar is connected to the horizontal bar by a pair of extension bars. A ladder comprising a spaced apart pair of elongate flexible rails and a plurality of spaced apart rungs is depended from the cross bar.

Abstract: An adapter for converting a conventional ladder to a tree stand ladder which comprises a substantially flat horizontal platform having a pair of vertical connecting members extending downwardly and from one end of the platform, each connecting member has a port for receiving a top portion of the lateral members of a ladder with a ladder locking device forming a connection between the connecting members and the top portion of the lateral support members of the ladder. The other end of the horizontal platform is provided with a curved portion for mating with a tree or pole while a ratchet type locking strap is used to secure the tree stand ladder adapter along with a ladder to a tree or pole while a second securing strap is provided near a lower or middle part of the ladder securing a middle or lower portion of the ladder to the tree if desired.

Abstract: A portable tree climbing device with platform capable of supporting a user above ground level. The main climbing platform incorporates a secured seat frame assembly which can also assume a secured upright position or collapse flat relative the platform body. The seat frame secures a seat with a folding backrest which is capable of complete 360 degree rotation relative to the platform body. A tree stand comprised of a main climbing platform and climbing aid whose angle members can be secured in either the upright, working position or collapse both flat and in overall length while in the transporting position. A tree stand where the main angle members secure an upright position by the use of slidable, pivotally connected linkages and spring loaded detent pins. A tree stand which utilizes a ridged and formed tree encircling member which is telescopically secured to the main angle members.

Abstract: A climbing device for a tree or other vertical columnar member having a platform fashioned from fiber-reinforced composite material. The platform is a one-piece structure having a peripheral skin with bi-directionally oriented reinforcing fibers and longitudinally extending reinforcing fibers. The back bar is also fashioned from fiber-reinforced composite material having a peripheral skin with bi-directionally oriented reinforcing fibers and longitudinally extending reinforcing fibers. Fiber-reinforced members include a foam core for shape retention. The manufacturing process permits use of T-shaped joints in fiber-reinforced structures.

Abstract: A hoist is provided that aids in construction and/or maintenance tasks at elevated heights. The hoist is equipped with a centrally located stabilizer through which a steel cable connected to an electrically operated winch is routed. The hoist is raised and lowered through the use of a control station located within reach of the seat.

Abstract: A climbing tree stand for hunting or other outdoor activity includes a platform and tubular frame members connected thereto and at least partly supporting the platform. A yoke is connected to the platform for engaging the tree and a cable couples the platform to the tree with the ends of the cable carrying a series of nuts securely mounted thereadjacent. Cleats are positioned at the tubular frame members for releasably securing the cable ends using the nuts on the cables. The cleats include keyhole-shaped openings and moveable covers for covering the openings. The yoke includes two sections which are oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other to partly straddle the tree.

Abstract: A backpack has a pair of vertical posts, a base connected to the posts, and an extension that is slidable within the base. Various accessories such as tree claws and clamps for holding guns and bows are attachable to the base and extension. By sliding the extension within the base, the distance between the tree claws or clamps can be adjusted. A seat having a concave undersurface is pivotally connected to the post. When in a folded mode, the seat nests between the posts, and the seat undersurface bears against the back of the person to thereby make the backpack comfortable to carry.

Abstract: A climbing tree stand includes a detachable, reversible seat assembly suspended from the body support structural frame. The seat assembly itself has a seat bottom portion and a back support portion connected to the seat and operable to bear against a transverse portion of the structural frame. A pair of straps attached to the bottom of the seat bottom portion carry hooks at their ends which hooks engage sides of the frame assembly so as to suspend the seat assembly below the frame assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable adapter for a tree stand has an adjustably moveable contact member mounted on one of two cross members for varying the effective distance between the two cross members on opposite sides of a tree trunk to adjust the tree stand for changing tree trunk diameters. A strut moves the contact member away from one of the cross members toward the other cross member to fit on smaller diameter portions of a tree trunk. Moving the cross member in the opposite direction with the strut accommodates larger tree trunk diameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable storage enclosure which can be used as a seat. The device includes a storage enclosure defining a storage cavity, and an access opening thereto. A door is mounted on the storage enclosure. The door is movable from a position at which it covers the access opening to a position at which it permits access to the storage cavity. A belt is attached to the storage enclosure. The belt is adjustable from a first position at which the belt can be secured about a wearer's waist to a second position at which the belt can be secured around a generally vertical support, such as a tree or utility pole. The apparatus of the present invention is designed so that the wearer can remove the storage enclosure from the wearer's waist, attach the storage enclosure to the generally vertical support by the belt, and use the storage enclosure as a seat.

Abstract: The invention is an arrow rest attachment for a tree stand comprising a pair of identical elongated beams, each having a clamp at one end and concave arrow supports along the top surface. Both supports are clamped to the frame of a tree stand's seat, allowing arrows to rest horizontally between them. They may also include a slot at the end opposite the clamp, dimensionally suited to tightening and loosening the nuts normally used on a tree stand.

Abstract: A portable tree seat for temporary mounting to a tree includes a frame which has an upright stanchion and a lower fork mounted thereto for partly straddling a tree. An upper lug is mounted to an upper portion of the upright stanchion and a generally U-shaped armrest frame is mounted to the upright stanchion. A seat bottom is suspended from the armrest frame and a lanyard is coupled to the upper lug and adapted to be draped about and secured about the tree to suspend the frame from the tree. With this construction, the portable tree seat is suspended by the lanyard and is stabilized by the fork partly straddling the tree.

Abstract: A hunting stand including a platform and a plurality of leg assemblies each mounted to corners of the platform and adapted to pivot about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis which intersect adjacent the corresponding corner of the platform. The leg assemblies are adapted to be secured to a recipient surface for maintaining the platform in a fixed horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A treestand is provided which is constructed of two platforms. Both platforms have a supporting frame, one covered with an open grid member, for standing, while the other has a seat for comfortable seating. The seating platform may be mounted to a tree or the like in one of two positions. One position locates the front end thereof in a downward direction. This opens the front end for use in bow hunting. The other or second position is inverted, with the front end located in an upward direction so that it defines a rest surface for rifle hunting. Each platform is supported by a flexible cable that extends from one side of the outer end of the platform, through a side support around the tree to another pivital side support and is connected to the other side of the outer end. The cable itself is adjustable in length to accommodate different diameter trees.

Abstract: A raising and lifting device comprises a shank member and an elevating device. The shank member has a first leg with a threaded portion for threaded attachment to a tree or similar structure; a second leg attached to the first leg substantially normal thereto; and a third leg attached to the second leg substantially normal thereto at the end of the second leg opposite the first leg. The elevating device is secured to the third leg. The elevating device comprises a pulley secured to the shank, around which a rope or similar device may be passed to raise a tree blind or other load up a tree or similar structure by pulling.

Abstract: An accessory kit which allows the tree stand to be used as a game carrier without interfering with the normal functioning of the tree stand. The kit includes a pair of support members that are pivotally mounted to the tree stand frame. Each support member rotatably supports a wheel at its free-swinging end, thus allowing the wheel to move between retracted and deployed positions. A pair of locking braces extend between the tree stand frame and each support member to fix the wheels in the deployed position. The wheels are retracted by detaching one end of each locking brace from the respective support member and then folding the locking braces. The support members are folded over the locking braces. The support members can be releasably pinned to the brackets supporting the locking braces to fix the wheels in the retracted position. A pair of handle bars can be attached to the hinged ends of the support members to use the tree stand as a game carrier.

Abstract: A new Lever Mounted Deer Stand for offering a quick and easy attachment of a tree stand to a tree. The inventive device includes a tree stand, a tension clamp means, and a penetrating means. In use, the present invention is a method comprising the steps of tranporting the device to a desired location, leaning the device up against a tree, climbing a ladder of the device, wrapping the tree with a chain, hooking a tension lever means with the chain, clamping the tree with the tension lever means, forcing a penetrating means into the tree, rehooking the tension lever means with the chain, and repeating said clamping, forcing, and rehooking steps until the penetrating means is fully inserted into the tree and the chain is tight.

Abstract: This invention relates to a removable load supporting stand for temporary attachment to a tree trunk or the like for use while hunting for example. According to the invention a stand is provided including a platform extending laterally outwardly from the tree trunk. The platform has a load supporting portion between opposing sides. Engaging means on an inward portion of the platform function to releasably engage an adjacent segment of the tree trunk. A chain at each of it's ends is secured to an opposing side of the platform. The chain releasably encompasses the tree trunk upward of the segment and defines a plane transverse an axis of the tree trunk. The chain is flexible in the plane and resistant to flexure perpendicular to the plane. Biasing means engage the chain and urge the chain in a direction of the plane to disengage the tree trunk.

Abstract: A new convertible tree stand for converting a tree stand into a game carrier. The inventive device includes a platform portion having a generally circular configuration. The platform portion has an aperture through a central portion thereof for receiving a tree therein. The platform portion is comprised of a pair of separable sections. The separable sections are coupled together by opposed male and female hinges. A ladder portion extends upwardly through the platform portion for coupling with the tree. The ladder portion includes an upper vertical portion having a pair of cleats disposed on an interior surface thereof for engaging the tree. The pair of cleats have a rope member extending around the tree. The upper vertical portion has a seat portion pivotally coupled to a front surface thereof. A lower end of the upper vertical portion has an upper horizontal portion extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A new Adjustable Tree Stand for enabling a person to pivot in the treestand to get into a position for an accurate shot. The inventive device includes an elongated support pole, apparatus for mounting the support pole to a tree, leveling devices for leveling the support pole both horizontally and vertically, and a seat assembly pivotally attached to the support pole for pivoting movements through a predetermined arc. The seat assembly includes an apparatus for defining a plurality of intermediate seat assembly positions within the arc and a friction brake device for stabilizing the pivoting movements of the seat assembly.

Abstract: A post step gripping device, includes a flat planar platform for receiving the feet of a user, a horizontal support shaft attached by brackets and an intermediate support member to a first end of the platform, a pair of opposite arms pivotally attached to and slidably movable along the support shaft for attaching the device to a post, and a brace mounted to the bottom of the platform and a pair of angled plates attached to the pivotal connection of the arms to the support shaft for securing the platform in a substantially transverse position relative to the post. The brace, the angled plates and the arms operate in conjunction with the weight of the platform and/or the weight of the user standing on the platform to secure the device to the post. The device may also include a step member pivotally attached to an opposite second end of the platform and having a substantially U-shaped bar for receiving a foot of the user.

Abstract: A rotatable tree stand that allows a hunter or wildlife photographer to comfortably and safely shoot or photograph approaching wildlife. The tree stand has two primary components. The first is an upper support which contains the seat structure and an assembly for attaching the seat structure to the tree, comprised of an upper brace and lower brace. The second is a lower support which contains a platform and an assembly for attaching the platform to the tree. The supports engage opposite sides of a tree trunk in offset transverse planes of the trunk, thereby allowing a cantilevering action when the seat structure is occupied allowing the downward force of gravity to act through the braces and in opposing directions against the tree trunk, thereby firmly gripping the tree. The platform is positioned directly below the seat structure, such that, when the user is situated within the seat structure, his feet can rest comfortably on the platform.

Abstract: A portable collapsible platform having a platform, with a mounting edge, a support frame swingably mounted to the mounting edge of the platform and being swingable between a more or less nested portable position closely adjacent the platform, and an extended more or less vertical position, attachments for attaching the support frame to a structure above the ground, flexible strain elements extending between the support frame and the platform to hold the platform, when it is extended, generally horizontal, and, teeth on the mounting edge of the platform, for engaging the structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foot platform device which is adapted to support a hunter within a tree. In use, the foot platform is first strapped to a tree. The hunter then supports himself with the aid of both a chest strap and the foot platform. In the preferred embodiment, the foot platform includes an upper foot rest and a lower larger footrest. Furthermore, each of these foot rests are angled relative to the other components of the foot platform.

Abstract: A tree stand comprising a stand portion adapted for releasable attachment to a loop formed from an elongated flexible member that is placed in circumferential relationship with a tree or post.