Combination hunting stand, blind and dressing apparatus

Abstract

A combination hunting stand, blind and animal hoist apparatus employs a design that is durable and relatively lightweight for easy assembly and disassembly. The apparatus has a bottom two-arm attached frame and a top two-arm attached frame for securing to a tree or other essentially vertical member. Attached to the top two-arm frame is a first pulley at an opposite end of the two-arm frame away from the tree. A seat structure is provided for affixing to a surface of the bottom two-arm attached frame to allow a hunter to sit while waiting for game. A 3-arm frame adjoined to an end of the second two-arm attached frame for supporting a blind from where a hunter may be hide while waiting for game. A winch affixed to a bottom surface of the top two-arm frame and a pulley arm frame with a second pulley affixed to an end of the bottom two-arm attached frame is provided for use with the apparatus so a hunter may move and dress caught game.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a combination hunting stand and blind that may be converted into a dressing apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tree stand apparatus, separate blind apparatus, both of which may be utilized to convert into a pulley and winch system for hoisting game animals.

2. Description of Related Art

The use of hunting stands is known in the prior art, with or without the use of a blind. Hunting stands generally consist of three types: those which are attached to vertical members, such as a tree, those that have their own support to stand on their own with the use of one or more legs, or those that combine the support of legs and the support of a vertical member. Hunting stands which are to be attached to a tree generally have included such technology as heavy duty ratchet straps or similar material to go around a tree and tighten the frame of a stand to the tree, often further including a frame member or means having sufficient friction to maintain the stand in a tree. Other means for securing a tree stand to a tree include any bolt, screw, or nail that would secure the frame safely to a tree. Most hunting stands also include a platform that is the functional focus for the user and is substantially perpendicular to the tree or other mounting surface.

The use of portable hunting stands is also well known in the art. Stands may be made of strong, light weight materials that can optionally be disassembled and transported easily. Hunting blinds are commonly made of linen, cloth, or synthetic material that cover the user and stand to camouflage the user and stand.

The use of a pulley system optionally including a powered or hand winch is also common in the art, particularly for the use of hoisting an animal. Many such pulley or hoisting systems may include one or more pulley wheels and a winch, or two or more pulley wheels without a wench.

While there is a great deal of prior art relating to hunting stands and blinds, none of the prior art contemplates any of the embodiments of the present invention or the combination of the elements above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a first apparatus that is easily assembled and installed onto a tree stand for hunting, with an second apparatus for assembly of a blind to be installed above the first apparatus, where the first and second apparatuses may be both utilized to convert into a animal hoist by way of a pulley and winch system. The structure may be fully collapsed into a storable condition. Optionally, the assembly should be no greater than about 40 pounds in total weight when disassembled with the largest piece being no longer than about 24 inches in length.

One embodiment of the present invention is to provide a portable hunting stand that may be disassembled with ease. The stand will be designed for installation in a tree, with the combination of a first angled frame and securing means to the tree, such securing means to include a ratchet style strap, bolt, screw or other securing means. The stand is adaptable for insertion of a seat for the user. A second angled frame with similar securing means as that of the first, will be utilized to secure above the first frame in the tree. A 3-sided rectangular frame may be inserted for support of a hunting stand blind to hang down to cover at least part of the seat on the first angled frame and camouflage the user.

Another embodiment of the present invention is to provide a portable animal hoist for game animals. The same first angled frame would instead be installed upside down on a tree, with the same securing means sufficiently securing the frame to the tree. Instead of installing the seat, a powered or hand winch would be installed on the opposite side of where the seat would be installed, to create a pulling means to hoist up an animal. The same second angled frame would remain in position, above the first frame, but would have a pulley system installed in the place of the 3-sided rectangular frame. A cord, wire, rope or other similar means would be run up from the ground, where an animal may be attached, through the pulley system and down to the winch for the driving force to raise the animal off the ground.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an all in one portable and light weight hunting stand, blind, and hoisting device for the hunting of game animals, especially deer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is the first angled frame, as it would be secured upright to a tree;

FIG. 2 is the first angled frame of FIG. 1 with the addition of a seat;

FIG. 3 is the second angled frame in place above the first angled frame and seat;

FIG. 4 is the second angled frame with the 3-sided rectangular frame installed into the second frame, in place above the first angled frame and seat;

FIG. 5 is the second angled frame with the 3-sided rectangular frame installed into the second frame in place above the first angled frame and seat, covered by the blind with dashed lines marking the seat;

FIG. 6 is the first angled frame in the upside down position with a winch attached and the second angled frame above; and

FIG. 7 is the first angled frame with winch installed in place of the seat on the opposite side of the first angled frame, with a rope or cord that runs from the winch to a first pulley on second angled frame above and then through a second pulley on pulley arm frame attached in place of the 3-sided rectangular frame, said rope running from the second pulley towards the ground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows out the embodiment of the invention as for potential use as a hunting stand. The first angled frame 102 is a tree attaching element that comprises a two arm frame, with each arm meeting at an angle of approximately 30° 105 and with the open end of the angled arms fitted to rest upon a vertical member, such as a tree 101. There may optionally be a third 106 arm between the two arms to support the angle and apparatus. Once the first angled frame 102 is fitted upright as in FIG. 1 against a tree 101, the apparatus should essentially form an equilateral triangle with the tree, where the approximate 90° angle is created between the upper arm that should rest horizontally with the ground and the vertical tree and the approximate 30° angle 105 is away from the tree leaving an approximately 60° angle between the lower arm and the tree.

The first angled frame 102 is secured to the tree with a ratchet strap 103 or other similar securing means at the approximate 90° angle arm, where the securing means could include and bolt screw or other apparatus that is secured directly into the tree, or a string, rope or other material similar to a ratchet strap that would circle around the upper arm of the tree to secure the tree attaching element to the tree. A ratchet style strap tightener would permit adjustment according to the circumference of the tree. The bottom arm of the first angled frame 102 should rest against the tree by force of gravity but may optionally include a means to create friction 107 between the bottom arm and the tree at the approximate 60° angle, including, but not limited to rubber, tar or other adhesive, or any material that has a high friction coefficient similar to sand paper.

FIG. 2 adds details the invention with a seat 201 attached to the first angled frame 102. In this position, the first angled frame 102 serves as support for the seating member 201 to be attached to the upper arm at a securing point 104 that is away from the tree and close to the approximate 30° angle 105 of the first angled frame 102. The securing point 104 may be made by any means including, but not limited to a sleeve, joint, locking mechanism, magnet, or sleeve and pin combination. The seat 201 has an inserting means of a sleeve 202 that will insert into the securing point 104 and be optionally locked into place with a pin, bolt, cotter pin, screw, or equivalent.

FIG. 3 represents the addition of a second angled frame 302 in place above the first angled frame 102 and seat 201. The second angled frame 302 is attached upright in the same way as the first angled frame 102; with similar ratchet strap 303 and means to create friction 307 where the arms of the second angled frame 302 are at approximately 30° 305. The second angled frame 302 additionally has a first pulley wheel 309 attached to the end at the 30° angle 305 away from the tree 101. This pulley 309 serves as part of the hoisting means for an animal, but is not generally used when the first angled frame 102 and second angled frame 302 are used in combination as a hunting stand and blind. Furthermore, the second angled frame 302 has a securing point 304 similar to the securing point 104 on the first angled frame 102, but will be utilized for the hunting blind and pulley system rather than for the seat 201. Another similar characteristic between the second angled frame 302 include an optional center support arm 306 for support of the angle 305.

FIG. 4 represents the second angled frame 302 with the 3-sided rectangular frame 401 installed into the second frame 302 at the securing point 304, in place above the first angled frame 102 and seat 201. The 3-sided rectangular frame 401 is adapted to fit securely to or within the second angled frame 302 at the securing point 304 and may be secured by the same securing means for the seat 201 to by way of an inserting means of a sleeve 202 that inserts into the securing point 104 and may be optionally locked into place with a pin, bolt, cotter pin, screw, or equivalent.

Furthermore, the 3-sided rectangular frame 401 may be adapted with various hinges 402, 403 and 404 so that the frame 401 may be folded for easy transport. The purpose of the 3-sided rectangular frame 401 is to support and act as a frame for a hunting blind 501 as is represented in FIG. 5, blind with dashed lines marking the seat 201 and 3-sided rectangular frame 401 in this figure. In addition to hinges, alternative fasteners may be used, such as pins and bolts. A blind is intended for use as camouflage from prey.

FIG. 6 represents another embodiment of the invention, the first angled frame 102 in the upside down position with a winch 704 attached and the second angled frame 302 above. The first angled frame 102 may be secured by the same ratchet strap 103, but requires the means to create friction 107 to be the higher point on the tree 101 since force from the wheel of the winch 706 will pull upward on the first angled frame 102. The winch 704 inserts into the securing point 104 on the opposite side of where the seat 201 would be inserted but is secured by the same means.

FIG. 7 is the full representation of another embodiment, with the first angled frame 102 with winch 704 installed in place of the seat 201 on the opposite side of the first angled frame 102, with a rope or cord 707 that runs from the winch to a first pulley 309 on second angled frame 302 above and then through a second pulley 703 on pulley arm frame 702 attached in place of the 3-sided rectangular frame 401, said rope 707 running from the second pulley 703 towards the ground. One end of the rope 707 is attached and drawn in by the wheel 706 of the winch 704 and the other end of the rope 707 would be attached to an animal killed during hunting for the purposes of dressing, cleaning, moving the animal, or some other use. The rope 707 may be interchanged with a cord, wire, or similar material so long as it has the tension strength to raise an animal. Furthermore, the inserting member 704 of the pulley arm frame 702 is installed into the second angled frame 302 at the securing point 304 in the same manner as the 3-sided rectangular frame 401 would be installed or inserted and secured, where a pin, bolt, screw, cotter pin, or equivalent 705 may secure the pulley arm frame 702.

The frames of the hunting stand structure and arms may be made of metal, carbon-fiber, wood, or other equivalent material. The blind may be made of any material or fabric, synthetic or otherwise, that allows the blind to be draped across the 3 sided rectangular frame.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A combination hunting stand, blind and animal hoist apparatus, comprising:

a first two-arm attached frame adapted for securing to a vertical member by a first securing means;

a second two-arm attached frame adapted for securing to a vertical member by a second securing means, the second two-arm frame which has a first pulley at an opposite end of the two-arm frame away from the vertical member;

a seat structure disposed on a surface of the first two-arm attached frame;

a 3-arm frame adjoined to an end of the second two-arm attached frame for supporting a blind;

a winch affixed to a bottom surface of the second two-arm frame; and

a pulley arm frame with a second pulley affixed to an end of the first two-arm attached frame.

2. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is collapsible down to a size manageable for easy transport by a single human.

3. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first two-arm attached frame and second two-arm frame have arms that are attached at an angle of approximately 30°.

4. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vertical member is a tree, fence post, or pole inserted into the ground.

5. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the securing means is a ratchet strap, cord, rope, or wire.

6. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first two-arm attached frame and second two-arm frame may be attached to a tree such that one arm of both the first two-arm attached frame and second two-arm frame is relatively perpendicular to the vertical member.

7. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 1, wherein either the seat structure or the winch may be attached to a first two-arm attached frame sleeve that is relatively parallel to the vertical member when the first two-arm attached frame is secured to the vertical member.

8. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 7, wherein the seat structure is attached by way of a seat sleeve that inserts into or around the first two-arm attached frame sleeve.

9. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 8, wherein the seat sleeve is secured to the first two-arm attached frame sleeve by way of securing apparatus, including bolt, cotter pin, or screw.

10. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 7, wherein the winch is attached by way of a winch sleeve that inserts into or around the first two-arm attached frame sleeve, on a side opposite from which the seat sleeve is inserted.

11. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the winch sleeve is secured to the first two-arm attached frame sleeve by way of securing apparatus, including bolt, cotter pin, or screw.

12. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 1, wherein either the 3-arm frame or the pulley arm frame may be attached to the one arm of the second two-arm attached frame that is relatively perpendicular to the vertical member.

13. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 12, wherein the 3-arm frame is attached by way of a 3-arm frame sleeve that inserts into or around the one arm of the second two-arm attached frame that is relatively perpendicular to the vertical member.

14. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 13, wherein the 3-arm frame sleeve is secured to the second two-arm attached frame sleeve by way of securing apparatus, including bolt, cotter pin, or screw.

15. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 13, wherein the 3-arm frame supports a blind made of any material or fabric, synthetic or natural, which allows the blind to be draped across the 3-arm frame

16. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pulley arm frame is attached by way of a pulley arm frame sleeve that inserts into or around the one arm of the second two-arm attached frame that is relatively perpendicular to the vertical member.

17. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 13, wherein the pulley arm frame sleeve is secured to the second two-arm attached frame sleeve by way of securing apparatus, including bolt, cotter pin, or screw.

18. The combination hunting apparatus of claim 13, wherein a rope, wire or cord is attached to the winch, and run through the first pulley and then through the second pulley towards the ground to raise an animal off the ground.