Abstract: An anchor system for watercraft includes: a hub including a receiving contour; a skirt removably securable to the hub along a receiving contour of the hub, wherein: the skirt at least partially surrounds an inner recess and includes a gap such that such that the skirt is not circumferentially continuous; and the skirt is configurable in an open position and a closed position, wherein when the skirt is in the open position the gap is wider than when the skirt is in the closed position. The inner recess of the skirt has a radius that is larger than a complementary radius of the receiving contour of the hub when the skirt is in the open position. When in the closed position, the radiuses are substantially the same, such that the skirt is secured to the hub when the skirt is in the closed position.

Abstract: An anchor system for watercraft includes: a hub including a receiving contour; a skirt removably securable to the hub along a receiving contour of the hub, wherein: the skirt at least partially surrounds an inner recess and includes a gap such that such that the skirt is not circumferentially continuous; and the skirt is configurable in an open position and a closed position, wherein when the skirt is in the open position the gap is wider than when the skirt is in the closed position. The inner recess of the skirt has a radius that is larger than a complementary radius of the receiving contour of the hub when the skirt is in the open position. When in the closed position, the radiuses are substantially the same, such that the skirt is secured to the hub when the skirt is in the closed position.

Abstract: A winch wherein a rope or cable is self-feeding onto a sheave by a spring that is biased so as to push a rope into contact with a grooved outer surface of the sheave. One end of the spring is pivotally supported on a frame that supports the sheave for rotation about its central axis, while the opposite end of the spring is freely flexible. A supporting block is provided for the free end of the spring to support and minimize or prevent damage to the spring. The block has an angled surface for urging the rope away from the sheave, thus, together with a stripper member, assisting removal of the rope from the sheave at a point at which the rope exits the sheave.

Abstract: A winch wherein a rope or cable is self-feeding onto a sheave by a spring that is biased so as to push a rope into contact with a grooved outer surface of the sheave. One end of the spring is pivotally supported on a frame that supports the sheave for rotation about its central axis, while the opposite end of the spring is freely flexible. A supporting block is provided for the free end of the spring to support and minimize or prevent damage to the spring. The block has an angled surface for urging the rope away from the sheave, thus, together with a stripper member, assisting removal of the rope from the sheave at a point at which the rope exits the sheave.

Abstract: A cam lock device for flexible ropes, cords or similar elongated materials has a pivotable cam element with a convexly curved, preferably knurled periphery and an eccentrically located pivot point supporting it on a base. A stationary cam surface integral with the base faces the cam element and includes at least one curved surface projecting towards the cam element for wedging the elongated material between the cam element and the stationary cam surface. A retaining edge above the stationary cam surface is spaced from the base a sufficient distance to allow pivoting of the cam element in a channel between the base and the edge. A pivot pin through the pivot point is supported on opposite ends thus stably supporting the cam element.

Abstract: A ratchet-type tensioning mechanism for a rope or cord has a rotatable sheave with faces having improved outwardly extending serrations which include alternating primary and secondary projections. The secondary projections are located in valleys between pairs of primary projections. A releasable ratchet mechanism permits rotation of the sheave in one direction but not the other. The projections are positioned at regular intervals around the circumference of the sheave and located so that a primary projection on one face of the sheave faces a secondary projection in a valley on the opposite face of the sheave.

Abstract: A ladder having pivotable folding riser sections, includes at least one pair of elongated riser components connected by a folding joint. The components have mating contacting ends abutting each other at an angle 45.degree. from the linear axis of the components. A reinforcing member concentric with said components is positioned across the joint, and a pivotable connection is formed by hinge members connected to each of the ladder components which are pivotally connected to each other by means of a hinge pin located exteriorally of the components. The invention also provides pivoting stand off members and a strap tightening mechanism for providing tightening tension equally on both ends of the strap which thus is not caused to move laterally during tightening.

Abstract: A sheave for advancing a rope by application to said sheave of rotational forces includes a central hub with opposed sheave surfaces each of the opposed surfaces being provided with alternating projections and valleys. The projections of the first one of the surfaces being aligned with a valley of the opposed second surface, each of the projections having a generally flat outer surface which is provided with rounded edges, the valleys being tapered in width toward the hub of the sheave and having a generally flat floor surface, the center of each the valley having a ridge projecting from the floor surface, the ridges each being of a height extending above its associated valley floor surface that is substantially less than the height of the projections.

Abstract: A ladder having pivotable folding riser sections, includes at least one pair of elongated riser components connected by a folding joint. The components have mating contacting ends abutting each other at an angle 45.degree. from the linear axis of the components. A reinforcing member concentric with said components is positioned across the joint, and a pivotable connection is formed by hinge members connected to each of the ladder components which are pivotally connected to each other by means of a hinge pin located exteriorally of the components. The invention also provides pivoting stand off members and a strap tightening mechanism for providing tightening tension equally on both ends of the strap which thus is not caused to move laterally during tightening.

Abstract: A ratchet-type tensioning mechanism for a rope or cord has a rotatable sheave with faces having radially extending serrations. A releasable ratchet mechanism permits rotation of the sheave in one direction but not the other. A plurality of serrations circumscribes the sheave, which is closely fitted within a curved surface within a housing within which the sheave is rotatably mounted. The curved surface forces the rope into the sheave and maintains it in non-slippiong contact therewith. An opening in the side of the housing can be provided to permit hand rotation of the sheave. The device optionally may include a ratcheting lever arm which engages the wheel and affords leveraged tensioning the rope.

Abstract: An improved apparatus supports weight on an upright structure. The apparatus has a frame with a weight bearing surface and a mechanism attached to the frame that grips the structure to hang the frame on the structure free of contact with the ground. The gripping mechanism can be easily attached to and removed from the structure by the user from a position on the ground. The force that gripping mechanism exerts to hold the frame in place upon the structure is directly proportional to the weight borne by the frame.

Abstract: An elastic tie down comprises an elastic tube that carries a slack rope inside thereof. The tube is tightly crimped directly to the rope, so that pulling the rope ends stretches the tube and imparts elastic qualities to the tie down. In a modified embodiment, an annular insert is placed into the ends of the tube, and the rope passes through the insert. The tube and insert are clamped, causing the insert to collapse to grip the rope. The present invention also includes abutments crimped to the rope for cooperating with bushings placed within the tube ends. The bushings are split and have inwardly converging surfaces that terminate in grooves. Tension applied to the rope ends causes the abutments to contact the bushing converging surfaces and force the bushings apart and into a tight grip with the tube and with solid rings surrounding the tube over the respective bushings. The invention further includes split sleeves held in place in the tubing ends with wedges. A passage through the sleeves receives the rope.

Abstract: A bow stand enables a hunter standing on a tree stand to temporarily store the bow in a generally vertical attitude. The bow stand includes first and second U-shaped brackets mounted to the tree stand platform. Both brackets are pivotable between folded configurations in facing contact with the platform and open configurations. In the open configurations, the first bracket lies parallel to the platform and overhangs the front edge, and the second bracket lies in a generally vertical plane below the first bracket. The brackets are shaped to receive a bow inserted vertically through both brackets and to hold the bow in place on the platform.

Abstract: An improvement to a cam lock mechanism suitable for use in a wide variety of rope and belt tightening apparatus including boat anchor systems and tree seats and climbing aids to insure the positive engagement of the cam locking device employs a transverse rib which substantially spans the rope receiving gap between the ears on the cam wheel bracket.

Abstract: A tree saw uses a flexible sapling or tree limb as a handle extension to permit a person to cut tree branches beyond his normal reach. The tree saw comprises a foldable saw having a pair of swingable rings mounted to the back of the saw handle. A fulcrum is secured to the handle back surface intermediate the rings. The limb is inserted through the rings and over the fulcrum. The limb is bent into a concave shape. One of the rings is swung along the limb as far as possible. When the limb is released, its natural elasticity tends to straighten it and thereby force it into tight and rigid connection with the rings and fulcrum.

Abstract: An elastic tie-down comprises as inelastic rope having enlargements thereon that are captured by an elastic sleeve. The elastic sleeve is shorter than the spacing between the rope enlargements. Pulling the rope ends causes the rope enlargements to bear against the sleeve ends and stretch the sleeve. The rope ends are provided with hooks. The length between the hooks is adjustable without affecting the elastic properties of the tie-down by a clip that slidably receives the standing end of one of the rope ends extending from the sleeve. The clip also secures the rope end, thereby creating an adjustable sized loop in the rope. A hook is slidably received over the rope in the loop. Sliding the clip along the rope standing end varies the size of the loop and thereby alters the length between the two hooks independently of the tension in the elastic sleeve.

Abstract: A tree step aids persons to climb trees. The tree step comprises a handle and an arm that pivot between a closed side-by-side configuration and an open configuration of 90.degree.. The handle defines a rectangular opening for accepting the head of a lag screw. A concave recess in the opening proximate the handle free end is engageable with the screw shank. After a lag screw is driven into the tree, the handle opening is passed over the screw head and pulled downwardly so that the opening recess engages the screw shank. A leaf spring fastened to the handle has a U-shaped portion that captures the lag screw head when the screw shank is engaged in the concave recess to thereby prevent upward movement of the handle relative to the screw. The screw may be started into the tree by placing the screw to extend longitudinally from the handle with the screw head inserted in the opening and retained therein by the leaf spring. In that mode, the tree step acts as a screwdriver for starting the screw.

Abstract: A cam lock suitable for use in a wide variety of rope and belt tightening apparatus including boat anchor systems and tree seats and climbing aids including a cam wheel with various spring and bushing arrangements and a lever for remote control.