HUNTING STAND ACCESSORY DEVICE

Abstract

An accessory shelf device mountable on the safety rail assembly of a hunting and observation stand. The accessory shelf device is expandable along its length to adjust to differently sized safety rail assemblies. The accessory shelf device may include a pivotal mount for attachment to the safety rail assembly allowing the device to be selectively rotated out of the area within the safety rail assembly. The accessory shelf device of the present invention may also include an adjustable gun rest assembly. The accessory shelf device of the present invention is also scalable so that two accessory shelf devices can be quickly and easily combined into a side-by-side configuration for use with larger hunting and observation stands that feature two or more seats.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to hunting and observation stands and more particularly pertains to an accessory shelf used in conjunction with hunting and observation stands. The disclosed accessory shelf may further include an adjustable gun rest incorporated therein.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of hunting and observation stands is known in the prior art. Hunting and observation stands are typically utilized as elevated hunting platforms by deer hunters and other sportsmen when hunting large game such as deer or elk. Hunting from an elevated hunting or observation stand provides the sportsman with numerous advantages, such as the ability to observe an unobstructed view of a larger area, increasing the hunter's chance for success. In addition, the chance of a hunter being sighted or scented by an animal is greatly reduced. Further, and perhaps more important, the hunter is removed from the line of fire of other ground-based hunters and by firing at a downward angle, any bullets which miss or pass through their target are directed into the ground. Accordingly, a hunter in an elevated hunting and observation stand is typically safer and more successful than a ground-based hunter.

A variety of proposals have previously been made in the art of hunting and observation stands. More specifically, hunting and observation stands previously devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of numerous objectives and requirements.

Known prior art hunting and observation stands include U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,435; U.S. Des. No. 452,331; U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,283; U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,248; U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,611; U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,520; U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,398 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,490.

Hunting and observation stands typically include a base support structure, which elevates and supports a horizontal platform onto which the hunter may sit or stand. The base support structure may be a free-standing frame assembly or a frame structure designed for use in conjunction with a tree. The base support structure typically includes a ladder which assists the user in climbing up the base support structure to the elevated platform. A seat or bench may also be mounted or attached to the platform enabling the user to sit in a more comfortable position. In addition, many new designs incorporate a safety rail to prevent accidental falls from the platform. Safety rail assemblies are typically secured to, and extend upward from, the platform. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,435 includes a safety rail assembly 32 comprising a vertical rail 33 extending upward from each corner of the platform, and horizontal rails 34 extending between the rails 33. The rails 33, 34 are preferably lightweight angle or tubular members.

Hunting and observation stands are usually designed as lightweight, temporary or semi-permanent structures, allowing them to be easily carried long distances and assembled with minimal effort and tools. Due to size and weight constraints, the platforms are typically small and space is at a premium. While an elevated seat attached to the platform allows a user to utilize the remaining platform area to store miscellaneous gear and equipment, oftentimes it is hard or inconvenient to access and susceptible to being accidentally knocked off the platform. This is especially so during periods of reduced visibility such as at night or twilight. While some equipment, such as cameras, binoculars and range finders, can be worn around the neck or attached to a hunter's apparel, such a solution often proves inconvenient at best and hazardous at worst. In particular, when the hunter attempts to shoulder his rifle to take a shot he must first reposition his accessory equipment on his body so that it does not interfere with the rifle.

Moreover, current hunting and observation stands provide no support for the hunter when taking a shot. Hunters must shoot from a sitting or standing position with little or no stabilizing support. When shooting at a target at a long range, slight movements of the gun barrel translate into large deviations from the target. Hence, accuracy and precision of gun barrel movement becomes critical to providing skillful long range shooting. Thus, with current hunting and observation stands the effective range of most firearms is greatly reduced.

While the previously mentioned safety rail assemblies are adequate for preventing a hunter from falling off the platform, they are typically set too low and positioned too far away from the hunter to provide any adequate shooting support. Moreover, safety rail assemblies are typically fixed to the platform and allow no adjustment.

Thus, a need exists for a device which safely provides improved accessibility of accessory equipment to users of current hunting and observation stands. Further, a need exists for a device which provides improved stability and support to the hunter when taking a shot from current hunting and observation stands.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of prior art hunting and observation stands by providing an accessory shelf device that mounts on the safety rail assembly. The accessory shelf device is expandable along its length to adjust to differently sized safety rail assemblies. The accessory shelf device may also be pivotally attached to the safety rail assembly allowing the device to be selectively rotated out of the area within the safety rail assembly. The pivotal mount may further include an adjustment mechanism, which allows the position of the accessory shelf device to be adjusted along the lateral rails of the safety rail assembly while remaining attached to the safety rail assembly.

In one embodiment, the accessory shelf device comprises a center shelf assembly having two slidably coupled wing assemblies extending from opposing ends of the center shelf assembly. The accessory shelf device further includes means for fixably coupling each of the wing assemblies to the center shelf assembly. In one embodiment, the coupling means are simply bolts extending through corresponding holes formed in the wing assemblies and the center shelf assembly. In a preferred embodiments the coupling means may include adjustable screw mount mechanisms.

The accessory shelf device may also include hooks for hanging accessory equipment on. The accessory shelf device may further include a movable pad for supporting a user's elbow. The pad is designed to be slidably captured within the center shelf assembly allowing the position of the pad to be adjusted laterally along the length of the center shelf assembly.

The accessory shelf device of the present invention may further include an adjustable gun rest assembly. In one embodiment, the gun rest assembly includes a horizontal member extending between two vertical members disposed on opposing ends of the horizontal member. The horizontal member may be encased in a pad or cushion constructed of flexible, resilient materials such as high-density foam-rubber. Each of the vertical members is captured with coupling mechanisms attached to the accessory shelf device so that the elevation of the horizontal member relative to the accessory device may be selectively adjusted. As before, the coupling mechanisms may comprise simply bolts extending through corresponding holes formed in the center shelf assembly and the vertical members of the gun rest assembly or adjustable screw mount mechanisms.

The accessory shelf device of the present invention is also scalable so that two accessory shelf devices can be quickly and easily combined into a side-by-side configuration for use with larger hunting and observation stands that feature two or more seats.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the accessory shelf device of the present invention attached to a typical safety rail system of a platform of a current hunting and observation stand;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the accessory shelf device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a close-up perspective view of a pivotal mount and adjustment mechanism of the accessory shelf device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable mounting mechanism of the accessory shelf device of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is perspective view of two accessory shelf devices of the present invention mounted side by side in a two-seat embodiment of a current hunting and observation stand.

Where used in the various figures of the drawing, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,” “height,” “width,” “length,” “end,” “side,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawing and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the accessory shelf device 10 is shown mounted on the safety rail system of a typical hunting and observation stand. The hunting and observation stand includes a base support structure (not shown), which elevates and supports a horizontal platform 2 onto which the hunter may sit or stand. As depicted in FIG. 1, the hunting and observation stand further includes an elevated seat or bench 4 mounted to the platform 2, which enables the user to sit in a more comfortable position. The hunting and observation stand also includes a safety rail assembly comprised of vertical rails 6 extending upward from near each corner of the platform 2, and a horizontal rail 7 extending between the vertical rails 6.

The accessory shelf device 10 comprises a center assembly 20 having two slidably coupled wing assemblies 30, 40 extending from opposing ends of the center assembly 20. Thus, the accessory shelf device 10 is expandable along its length for adjustment to differently sized safety rail assemblies. The horizontal rail 7 is typically dimensioned so that it circumscribes the outer perimeter of the horizontal platform 2. The first 30 and second 40 wing assemblies are of sufficient length so that when extended from the opposing ends of the center assembly 20 they are mountable to opposing lateral sides 8, 9 of the horizontal rail 7 of the safety rail assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, the accessory shelf device 10 is pivotally attached to one of the opposing lateral sides 8, 9 of the horizontal rail 7 of the safety rail assembly allowing the device 10 to be selectively rotated out of the area within the safety rail assembly. The pivotal mount 50 may further include an adjustment mechanism, which allows the position of the accessory shelf device 10 to be adjusted longitudinally along the length of lateral sides 8, 9 of the horizontal rail 7 while remaining attached to the safety rail assembly.

The accessory shelf device 10 may also include hooks 21 for hanging accessory equipment on. The accessory shelf device 10 may further include a movable pad 29 for supporting a user's elbow. The pad 29 is designed to be slidably captured within the center assembly 20 allowing the position of the pad 29 to be adjusted laterally along the length of the center assembly 20.

The accessory shelf device 10 may further include an adjustable gun rest assembly 60. In one embodiment, the gun rest assembly 60 includes a horizontal member 62 extending between two vertical members 64 disposed on opposing ends of the horizontal member 62. As depicted in the Figures, the horizontal member 62 is encased in a pad or cushion 66 constructed of flexible, resilient materials such as high-density foam-rubber. Each of the vertical members 64 is captured within coupling mount 68 attached to the accessory shelf device 10 so that the elevation of the horizontal member 62 relative to the center assembly 20 may be selectively adjusted.

With reference now to FIG. 2, an exploded view of one embodiment of the accessory shelf device 10 is depicted. The accessory shelf device 10 includes a center assembly 20 comprised of two tubular members 22a, 22b arranged substantially parallel to one another and joined at their respective, corresponding ends by two lateral cross members 23. The center assembly 20 further includes a bottom member 24 attached to the underside of the center assembly 20. The two tubular members 22a, 22b include openings on each of their opposing ends for receiving the prongs of the U-shaped wing assemblies. Thus, as depicted in FIG. 2, the left or first wing assembly 30 is comprised of two prong members 32a, 32b joined at one end by a lateral cross piece 33. Likewise, the right or second wing assembly 40 is comprised of two prong members 42a, 42b joined at one end by a lateral cross piece 43. The cross-section of the prongs is dimensioned so as to correspond with the inner cross-cross section of the openings on the tubular members 22a, 22b of the center assembly 20. Thus, the wing assemblies 30, 40 are slidably coupled with the center assembly 20 by inserting the prongs in the corresponding openings in the ends of the tubular members 22a, 22b.

The prongs of the first 30 and second 40 wing assemblies are of sufficient length so that when extended from the opposing ends of the center assembly 20 they are mountable to opposing lateral sides 8, 9 of the horizontal rail 7 of the safety rail assembly. By slidably adjusting the position of the prongs captured within the tubular members 22a, 22b the length of the accessory shelf device 10 may be expanded and contracted as necessary to fit across differently sized safety rail assemblies.

It is further observed that the wing assemblies 30, 40 may be interchangeable with one another. Thus, as depicted in FIG. 2, the left or first wing assembly 30 could be inserted on the right side of the center assembly 20 and the right or second wing assembly 40 could be inserted on the left side of the center assembly 20.

The accessory shelf device 10 further comprises coupling mechanisms for fixably coupling each of the wing assemblies 30, 40 in the center assembly 20. In one embodiment, the coupling mechanisms comprise a bolt 2 extending through a hole 28 formed in the center assembly 20 and corresponding hole 41 formed in the respective wing assembly. As depicted in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each prong may include a series of holes 41 spaced along its length so as to permit incremental adjustment of the position of wing assembly within the center assembly 20.

In another embodiment, the coupling mechanisms may comprise adjustable quick-release screw mechanisms. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the screw mechanisms each comprise a housing 25 attached to a tubular members 22 of the center assembly 20. The housing 25 further comprises a female bolt 25a fixably attached to the housing 25. By rotating male screw 26 through the bolt 25a compressive force is applied to the corresponding wing assembly prong through a hole formed in the tubular member 22. In an alternate variant of this embodiment, a corresponding hole may be formed in the wing assembly prong to receive the threaded end of the male screw 26.

The accessory shelf device 10 may further comprise pivotal mounts 50 for pivotally attaching the device 10 to a lateral side of the safety rail assembly. For example, as shown in the Figures and in particular FIG. 3, the pivotal mounts 50 each comprise a hinge mechanism 52 having one end attached to the U-shaped end of a wing assembly 40 and the other end attached to the lateral side 8 of the horizontal rail 7 of the safety rail assembly. The hinge mechanism 52 is attached to the lateral side 8 of the horizontal rail 7 by means of U-bolt 54 extending through corresponding holes in the hinge mechanism 52 and a pressure plate 56 positioned on the opposing underside of the horizontal rail 7 of the safety rail assembly. Nuts 57 rotatively coupled to the U-bolt 54 apply compressive force when tightened to the pressure plate 56 effectively capturing the horizontal rail 7 between the pressure plate 56 and the hinge mechanism 52.

It will be further observed that the embodiment of the pivotal mount 50 just described also includes an adjustment mechanism, which allows the position of the accessory shelf device 10 to be adjusted longitudinally along the length of lateral rails 8, 9 while remaining attached to the safety rail assembly. The nuts 57 may be loosened so as to relieve compressive force of the pressure plate 56 and hinge mechanism 52 on the horizontal rail 7 thereby permitting the accessory shelf device 10 slide along the length of lateral rails 8, 9 while remaining attached to the safety rail assembly.

The accessory shelf device 10 may further include a movable pad 29 for supporting a user's elbow. The pad 29 is designed to be slidably captured within the center assembly 20 allowing the position of the pad 29 to be adjusted laterally along the length of the center assembly 20. In a preferred embodiment, the pad 29 is dimensioned so as to be snugly captured between the tubular members 22a, 22b and resting on the planar surface defined by the bottom member 24. The pad 29 is constructed of flexible, resilient materials such as high-density foam-rubber so as to provide cushion and stability to the user's elbow.

The accessory shelf device 10 may also include an adjustable gun rest assembly 60. In one embodiment, the gun rest assembly 60 includes a horizontal member 62 extending between two vertical members 64 disposed on opposing ends of the horizontal member 62. As depicted in the Figures, the horizontal member 62 is encased in a pad or cushion 66 constructed of flexible, resilient materials such as high-density foam-rubber. Each of the vertical members 64 is captured within a coupling mount 68 attached to the accessory shelf device 10 so that the elevation of the horizontal member 62 relative to the center assembly 20 may be selectively adjusted. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling mount 68 comprises an adjustable quick-release screw mechanisms as previously described. It is further understood that the gun rest assembly 60 depicted in the Figures is suitable for attachment to the safety rail assembly independent of the accessory shelf device disclosed in the Figures. For example, the gun rest assembly 60 may be detachably mounted to a rigid cross bar support member, i.e., a center assembly 20 having a width sufficient to span the opposing lateral sides of the safety rail system. In one embodiment, the both ends of the rigid cross bar support member are secured to opposing lateral sides of the safety rail system. In another embodiment, one end of the rigid cross bar support member includes a pivotal mount for pivotally attaching said rigid cross bar support member to the safety rail system.

The accessory shelf device 10 of the present invention may be constructed of any strong and resilient material capable of providing sufficient rigidity, strength and durability for its intended purpose. Thus, it is understood that center assembly 20, wing assemblies 30, 40 and the adjustable gun rest assembly 60 may be constructed of tubular and/or solid metal, wood, plastic or composite material or any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the center assembly 20 is constructed of 1¼″ square steel tubing with expanded metal comprising the bottom member 24, while the wing assemblies 30, 40 are constructed of 1″ square steel tubing.

The accessory shelf device of the present invention is also scalable so that two accessory shelf devices can be quickly and easily combined into a side-by-side configuration for use with larger hunting and observation stands that feature two or more seats. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, two accessory shelf devices 110A, 110B are joined in a side-by-side configuration. While the hunting and observation stand depicted in FIG. 5 is of a larger dimension, its basic components are essentially the same as previously discussed. Thus, the hunting and observation stand shown in FIG. 5 includes a base support structure (not shown), which elevates and supports a horizontal platform 102 onto which two hunter may sit or stand. As depicted in FIG. 5, the hunting and observation stand further includes two elevated seats or benches 104a, 104b mounted to the platform 102, which enable the users to sit in a more comfortable position. The hunting and observation stand also includes a safety rail assembly comprised of vertical rails 106 extending upward from near each corner of the platform 102, and a horizontal rail 107 extending between the vertical rails 106. By removing the right wing assembly from a first accessory shelf device 110A, and the left wing assembly from a second accessory shelf device 110B a spanner bar 170 may be inserted into the corresponding openings of the center assemblies 120a, 120b thereby joining the two accessory shelf devices 110A, 110B in a side-by-side configuration.

As previously noted in the single embodiment, the two accessory shelf devices 110A, 110B are expandable along their length for adjustment to differently sized safety rail assemblies. The horizontal rail 107 is typically dimensioned so that it circumscribes the outer perimeter of the horizontal platform 102. Each of the accessory shelf devices 110A, 110B is expandable utilizing the remaining wing assembly so as to be mountable to opposing lateral sides 108, 109 of the horizontal rail 107 of the safety rail assembly.

In addition, one of the accessory shelf devices may be pivotally attached to an opposing lateral sides 108, 109 of the horizontal rail 107 of the safety rail assembly allowing the combined assembly be selectively rotated out of the area within the safety rail assembly. The pivotal mount 150 may further include an adjustment mechanism as previously described, which allows the position of the combined accessory shelf assembly to be adjusted longitudinally along the length of lateral sides 108, 109 of the horizontal rail 109 while remaining attached to the safety rail assembly.

Thus, in the combined accessory shelf assembly depicted in FIG. 5, each hunter is safely seated in a position that is unobstructed by the other hunter. Moreover, the separate adjustable gun rest assemblies 160a, 160b permit each hunter to custom fit their shooting position to his or her individual physical requirements without interfering with the physical requirements of the other hunter.

The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

It will now be evident to those skilled in the art that there has been described herein an accessory shelf device that greatly improves the utility and safety of current hunting and observation stands.

Although the invention hereof has been described by way of a preferred embodiment, it will be evident that other adaptations and modifications can be employed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the square tubing depicted in the Figures could, in an alternative embodiment, comprise round tubing. The terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation; and thus, there is no intent of excluding equivalents, but on the contrary it is intended to cover any and all equivalents that may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An accessory shelf device for a hunting or observation stand having a safety rail assembly, said device comprising: wherein, said first and second wing assemblies are of sufficient length so that when extended from said center assembly they are mountable to opposing lateral sides of said safety rail assembly.

a center assembly;

first and second wing assemblies slidably coupled to said center assembly and extending from opposing ends of said center assembly;

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each of said wing assemblies comprises a prong member slidably coupled to said center assembly.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said center assembly comprises a first and second tubular members arranged in a substantially parallel configuration and joined at their respective corresponding ends by lateral cross members, wherein said tubular members are dimensioned to slidably couple with said prong member of said wing assemblies.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said center assembly comprises a bottom member defining a planar surface between said tubular members.

5. The device of claim 2 further comprising a pad demountably attached to said center assembly and slidably captured between said tubular members.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein one of said wing assemblies further comprises a pivotal mount for attachment to the safety rail assembly.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said pivotal mount includes a hinge element having one end fixably attached to said one of said wing assemblies and an opposing end demountably attached to said safety rail assembly, said opposing end including two holes for receiving a U-bolt, which captures a portion of said safety rail assembly between said opposing end and a pressure plate.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a coupling mechanism for selectively securing one of said wing assemblies to said center assembly.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said coupling mechanism comprises a bolt extending through a hole formed in the center assembly and a corresponding hole formed in a prong of said wing assembly.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein said coupling mechanism comprises a screw mechanism attached to said center assembly and capable of applying a compressive force to a prong of said wing assembly.

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising a gun rest assembly, said gun rest assembly including a horizontal member extending between two vertical members, wherein each of said vertical members is captured within a coupling mount attached to said device.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said coupling mount includes an adjustable quick-release screw mechanism.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein said horizontal member of said gun rest assembly is encased in a pad.

14. An apparatus for a hunting or observation stand having a safety rail assembly, said apparatus comprising: wherein said first and second accessory shelf devices are of sufficient length so that when couple with said spanner bar they are mountable to opposing lateral sides of said safety rail assembly.

a first accessory shelf device comprised of a first center assembly and a first wing assembly slidably coupled to said first center assembly and extending from an end of said first center assembly;

a second accessory shelf device comprised of a second center assembly and a second wing assembly slidably coupled to said first center assembly and extending from an end of said second center assembly; and

a spanner bar slidably coupled to said first and second center assemblies;

15. The device of claim 14, wherein each of said accessory shelf devices further includes a gun rest assembly demountably attached to said respective center assembly, said gun rest assemblies each comprising a horizontal member extending between two vertical members, wherein each of said vertical members is captured within a coupling mount attached to said respective center assembly.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein said coupling mount includes an adjustable quick-release screw mechanism.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein one of said wing assemblies further comprises a pivotal mount for attachment to the safety rail assembly.

18. A gun rest assembly for a hunting or observation stand having a safety rail assembly, said apparatus comprising: wherein each of said vertical members is captured within a coupling mount attached to said cross bar support member.

a cross bar support member attached to opposing lateral sides of said safety rail assembly, and

a horizontal member extending between two vertical members;

19. The gun rest assembly of claim 18 wherein said coupling mount includes an adjustable quick-release screw mechanism.

20. The gun rest assembly of claim 18, wherein said cross bar support member further comprises a pivotal mount for attachment to the safety rail assembly.