TREE STEP INCLUDING AN INTEGRATED SHANK
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a tree step including an integrated shank. In one embodiment, the tree step includes: a threaded tree attacher having a tapered, threaded free end; a bracing member extending transversely from the tree attacher; a step extending transversely from the bracing member; a support member extending transversely from the step; and a driver attachment member extending transversely from the support member and having a free end terminating in an integrated shank. The longitudinal axis of the tree attacher and the longitudinal axis of the integrated shank are coaxial with one another and with a rotational axis, which is the axis about which the tree step rotates when being attached to a tree.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/979,284, filed on Apr. 14, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUNDHunters, particularly bow hunters, often rely on hunting from a tree stand at an elevated position to gain an advantage on an animal. To access a tree stand, it is necessary for the hunters to climb trees. It is commonplace for hunters to climb a tree to access a tree stand using tree steps that screw into the trunk of the tree and act as footholds (and handholds, in certain cases).
Certain existing tree steps must be screwed into the tree trunks by hand. In other words, these existing tree steps require the use of manual force to rotate the tree step and screw it into the tree trunk. This is a repetitive, exhausting routine that must be performed for numerous tree steps as the hunter ascends the tree. This is also a dangerous routine, as it requires the hunters to generate enough force to manually screw the tree steps into the tree trunk at locations that get progressively higher off the ground, all while balancing themselves on existing tree steps and holding onto the tree. This is also a time-consuming routine, as hunters routinely spend hours hanging the requisite number of tree steps and, eventually, a tree stand.
There is a continuing need for new and improved tree steps that solve the above-described problems.
SUMMARYVarious embodiments of the present disclosure provide a tree step including an integrated shank that solves the above-described problems. More specifically, in one embodiment, the tree step includes: a threaded tree attacher having a tapered, threaded free end; a bracing member extending transversely from the tree attacher; a step extending transversely from the bracing member; a support member extending transversely from the step; and a driver attachment member extending transversely from the support member and having a free end terminating in an integrated shank. In this embodiment, the tree attacher and the bracing member are substantially perpendicular, the bracing member and the step are substantially perpendicular, the step and the support member are substantially perpendicular, and the support member and the driver attachment member are substantially perpendicular.
In this embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher and the longitudinal axis of the driver attachment member are coaxial with one another and coaxial with a rotational axis, which is the axis about which the tree step rotates when being attached to a tree. Additionally, in this embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the step is parallel to, and offset from, the rotational axis. Further, in this embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the bracing member, the longitudinal axis of the support member, the rotational axis, the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher, the longitudinal axis of the step, and the longitudinal axis of the driver attachment member are coplanar.
In operation of this embodiment, to attach the tree step to a tree, a user first attaches the tree step to a driver, such as a drill. Thereafter, to attach the tree step to the tree, the user engages the tree with the free end of the tree attacher and, while applying force toward the tree via the driver, activates the driver such that the driver rotates the tree step about the rotational axis and screws the threaded portion of the tree attacher into the tree. The driver screws the threaded portion of the tree attacher into the tree until the bracing member engages or contacts the tree, at which point the user deactivates the driver and detaches the tree step from the driver. If necessary, the user then adjusts (such as by rotating) the tree step such that the bracing member is in a substantially vertical orientation and extending transversely from the tree attacher toward the ground.
Once the tree step is attached to the tree, the user may step on the step of the tree step. When the user steps on the step, the bracing member, which engages or contacts the tree, supports or braces the tree step against the tree such that the tree step does not pull out of the tree or sag under the user's weight. The support member prevents the user's foot from slipping outward and off of the tree step.
The integrated shank of the tree step of the present disclosure thus enables the user to quickly and easily use a driver to screw the tree step into the tree, which eliminates the need to manually screw the tree step into the tree and speeds installation of tree steps.
Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the Figures.
Referring now to the drawings,
In this example embodiment, the tree attacher 15 and the bracing member 20 are substantially perpendicular, though it should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the tree attacher 15 and the bracing member 20 are not perpendicular. Further, in this example embodiment, the bracing member 20 and the step 25 are substantially perpendicular, though it should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the bracing member 20 and the step 25 are not perpendicular. Additionally, in this example embodiment, the step 25 and the support member 27 are substantially perpendicular, though it should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the step 25 and the support member 27 are not perpendicular. Further, in this example embodiment, the support member 27 and the driver attachment member 30 are substantially perpendicular, though it should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the support member 27 and the driver attachment member 30 are not perpendicular.
In this example embodiment, the components of the tree step are generally cylindrically shaped, though it should be appreciated that such components may take any suitable shape, such as, but not limited to, a rectangular shape, a tubular shape, an oval shape, or a triangular shape. It should also be appreciated that, in this example embodiment, the components of the tree step are integrally formed with one another, though it should be appreciated that the components of the tree step are not integrally formed with one another in other embodiments.
In this example embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher 15 and the longitudinal axis of the driver attachment member 30 are coaxial with one another and coaxial with a rotational axis 50, which is the axis about which the tree step 10 rotates when being attached to a tree, as described below. Additionally, in this example embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the step 25 is parallel to, and offset from, the rotational axis 50 (and, therefore, the longitudinal axes of the tree attacher 15 and the driver attachment member 30). Further, in this example embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the bracing member 20, the longitudinal axis of the support member 27, the rotational axis 50, the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher 15, the longitudinal axis of the step 25, and the longitudinal axis of the driver attachment member 30 are coplanar.
It should be appreciated that the integrated shank may be any suitable type of shank such as, but not limited to: (a) a straight shank, (b) a brace shank, (c) a hex shank, (d) a Special Direct System (SDS) shank, (e) a triangle shank, (f) a Morse taper shank, or (g) a square shank. It should also be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, the shape of the driver attachment member changes due to the particular type of shank that is employed. In other words, the shape of the driver attachment member changes when transitioning to the integrated shank at the free end.
It should be appreciated that the tree step may be made of any suitable material that is sufficiently rigid, strong, and durable, such as metal (e.g., steel or aluminum); high-strength plastic (such as that suitable for use by a 3D printer); and the like.
In certain embodiments, the outer surface of at least a portion of the step is roughened and/or grooved to enable better traction between a user's footwear and the step. In other embodiments, the outer surface of at least a portion of the step includes a coating (such as a rubber coating or a foam coating) that increases the coefficient of friction of the material of the step to enable better traction between a user's footwear and the step.
In operation, to attach the tree step 10 to a tree, a user first attaches the tree step 10 to a driver. In one example embodiment, as shown in
Thereafter, to attach the tree step 10 to the tree, the user engages the tree with the free end of the tree attacher 15 and, while applying force toward the tree via the drill 35, activates the drill 35 such that the drill 35 rotates the tree step 10 about the rotational axis 50 and screws the threaded portion of the tree attacher 15 into the tree. The drill 35 screws the threaded portion of the tree attacher 15 into the tree until the bracing member 20 engages or contacts the tree, at which point the user deactivates the drill 35 and detaches the tree step 10 from the drill 35. If necessary, the user then adjusts (such as by rotating) the tree step 10 such that the bracing member 20 is in a substantially vertical orientation and extending transversely from the tree attacher 15 toward the ground.
Once the tree step 10 is attached to the tree, the user may step on the step 25 of the tree step 10. When the user steps on the step 25, the bracing member 20, which engages or contacts the tree, supports or braces the tree step 10 against the tree such that the tree step 10 does not pull out of the tree or sag under the user's weight. The support member 27 prevents the user's foot from slipping outward and off of the tree step.
In this example embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher 115, the longitudinal axis of the step 125, and the longitudinal axis of the driver attachment member 130 are coaxial with one another and coaxial with a rotational axis 150, which is the axis about which the tree step 110 rotates when being attached to a tree, as described below.
In operation, to attach the tree step 100 to a tree, a user first attaches the tree step 100 to a driver, as described above, such that the driver is configured to rotate the tree step 100 about the rotational axis 150. Thereafter, to attach the tree step 100 to a tree, the user engages the tree with the free end of the tree attacher 115 and, while applying force toward the tree via the driver, activates the driver such that the driver rotates the tree step 100 about the rotational axis 150 and screws the threaded portion of the tree attacher 115 into the tree. The driver screws the threaded portion of the tree attacher 115 into the tree until the bracing member 120 engages or contacts the tree, at which point the user deactivates the driver and detaches the tree step 100 from the driver. If necessary, the user then adjusts (such as by rotating) the tree step 100 such that the bracing member 120 is in a substantially vertical orientation and extending transversely from the tree attacher 115 toward the ground. It should be appreciated that the user reverses the above-described process to detach the tree step 100 from the tree.
Once the tree step 100 is attached to the tree, the user may step on the step 125 of the tree step 100. When the user steps on the step 125, the bracing member 120, which engages or contacts the tree, supports or braces the tree step 100 against the tree such that the tree step 100 does not pull out of the tree or sag under the user's weight. The support member 127 prevents the user's foot from slipping outward and off of the tree step.
In this example embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the base 201 (and, therefore, the longitudinal axes of the tree attacher 215, the step 225, and the integrated shank 230) is coaxial with a rotational axis 250, which is the axis about which the tree step 200 rotates when being attached to a tree, as described below. Additionally, in this example embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the bracing member 220 is substantially perpendicular to, and coplanar with, the rotational axis 250 and the longitudinal axis of the body 201.
In operation, to attach the tree step 200 to a tree, a user first attaches the tree step 200 to a driver, as described above, such that the driver is configured to rotate the tree step 200 about the rotational axis 250. Thereafter, to attach the tree step 200 to a tree, the user engages the tree with the free end of the tree attacher 215 and, while applying force toward the tree via the driver, activates the driver such that the driver rotates the tree step 200 about the rotational axis 250 and screws the threaded portion of the tree attacher 215 into the tree. The driver screws the threaded portion of the tree attacher 215 into the tree until the bracing member 220 engages or contacts the tree, at which point the user deactivates the driver and detaches the tree step 200 from the driver. If necessary, the user then adjusts (such as by rotating) the tree step 200 such that the bracing member 220 is in a substantially vertical orientation and extending transversely from the tree attacher 215 toward the ground. It should be appreciated that the user reverses the above-described process to detach the tree step 200 from the tree.
Once the tree step 200 is attached to the tree, the user may step on the step 225 of the tree step 200. When the user steps on the step 225, the bracing member 220, which engages or contacts the tree, supports or braces the tree step 200 against the tree such that the tree step 200 does not pull out of the tree or sag under the user's weight. The support member 227 prevents the user's foot from slipping outward and off of the tree step.
In this example embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the base 301 (and, therefore, the longitudinal axes of the tree attacher 315, the step 325, and the integrated shank 330) is coaxial with a rotational axis 350, which is the axis about which the tree step 300 rotates when being attached to a tree, as described below. Additionally, in this example embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the bracing member 320 is substantially perpendicular to, and coplanar with, the rotational axis 350 and the longitudinal axis of the body 301.
In operation, to attach the tree step 300 to a tree, a user first attaches the tree step 300 to a driver, as described above, such that the driver is configured to rotate the tree step 300 about the rotational axis 350. Thereafter, to attach the tree step 300 to a tree, the user engages the tree with the free end of the tree attacher 315 and, while applying force toward the tree via the driver, activates the driver such that the driver rotates the tree step 300 about the rotational axis 350 and screws the threaded portion of the tree attacher 315 into the tree. The driver screws the threaded portion of the tree attacher 315 into the tree until the bracing member 320 engages or contacts the tree, at which point the user deactivates the driver and detaches the tree step 300 from the driver. If necessary, the user then adjusts (such as by rotating) the tree step 300 such that the bracing member 320 is in a substantially vertical orientation and extending downward from the tree attacher 315. It should be appreciated that the user reverses the above-described process to detach the tree step 300 from the tree.
Once the tree step 300 is attached to the tree, the user may step on the step 325 of the tree step 300. When the user steps on the step 325, the bracing member 320, which engages or contacts the tree, supports or braces the tree step 300 against the tree such that the tree step 300 does not pull out of the tree or sag under the user's weight. The support member 327 prevents the user's foot from slipping outward and off of the tree step.
In this example embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the base 401 (and, therefore, the longitudinal axes of the tree attacher 415, the step 425, and the integrated shank 430) is coaxial with a rotational axis 450, which is the axis about which the tree step 400 rotates when being attached to a tree, as described below. Additionally, in this example embodiment, the bracing member 420 is substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis 450 and the longitudinal axis of the body 401.
In operation, to attach the tree step 400 to a tree, a user first attaches the tree step 400 to a driver, as described above, such that the driver is configured to rotate the tree step 400 about the rotational axis 450. Thereafter, to attach the tree step 400 to a tree, the user engages the tree with the free end of the tree attacher 415 and, while applying force toward the tree via the driver, activates the driver such that the driver rotates the tree step 400 about the rotational axis 450 and screws the threaded portion of the tree attacher 415 into the tree. The driver screws the threaded portion of the tree attacher 415 into the tree until the bracing member 420 engages or contacts the tree, at which point the user deactivates the driver and detaches the tree step 400 from the driver. Since the bracing member 420 is disc-shaped in this example embodiment, the user need not adjust the tree step 400 after attachment to ensure that it is in a proper orientation for use. It should be appreciated that the user reverses the above-described process to detach the tree step 400 from the tree.
Once the tree step 400 is attached to the tree, the user may step on the step 425 of the tree step 400. When the user steps on the step 425, the bracing member 420, which engages or contacts the tree, supports or braces the tree step 400 against the tree such that the tree step 400 does not pull out of the tree or sag under the user's weight. The support member 427 prevents the user's foot from slipping outward and off of the tree step.
The foothold support includes: (a) a first component 521 extending transversely from the bracing member 520 the first component 521 including (i) a first end connected to the second end of the bracing member 520, and (ii) an opposing second end; (b) a second component 525 extending transversely from the first component 521, the second component 525 including (i) a first end connected to the second end of the first component 521, and (ii) a second end; and (c) a third component 526 extending transversely from the second component 525, the third component 526 including (i) a first end connected to the second end of the second component 525, and (ii) a second end connected to the first end of the support member 527.
In this example embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher 515 and the longitudinal axis of the driver attachment member 530 are coaxial with one another and coaxial with a rotational axis 550, which is the axis about which the tree step 500 rotates when being attached to a tree, as described below. Additionally, in this example embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the second component 525 of the foothold support is parallel to, and offset from, the rotational axis 550 (and, therefore, parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axes of the tree attacher 515 and the driver attachment member 530). Further, in this example embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the bracing member 520, the longitudinal axis of the support member 527, the rotational axis 550, the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher 515, and the longitudinal axis of the driver attachment member 530 are coplanar. Additionally, in this example embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the first component 521 of the foothold support and the longitudinal axis of the third component 526 of the foothold support are substantially perpendicular to, and coplanar with, the longitudinal axis of the second component 525 of the foothold support. Further, the longitudinal axis of the first component 521 of the foothold support is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bracing member 520, and the longitudinal axis of the third component 526 of the foothold support is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support 527.
As shown in
In operation, to attach the tree step 500 to a tree, a user first attaches the tree step 500 to a driver, as described above. Thereafter, to attach the tree step 500 to a tree, the user engages the tree with the free end of the tree attacher 515 and, while applying force toward the tree via the driver, activates the driver such that the driver rotates the tree step 500 about the rotational axis 550 and screws the threaded portion of the tree attacher 515 into the tree. The driver screws the threaded portion of the tree attacher 515 into the tree until the bracing member 520 engages or contacts the tree, at which point the user deactivates the driver and detaches the tree step 500 from the driver. If necessary, the user then adjusts (such as by rotating) the tree step 500 such that the bracing member 520 is in a substantially vertical orientation and extending transversely from the tree attacher 515 toward the ground. It should be appreciated that the user reverses the above-described process to detach the tree step 500 from the tree.
Once the tree step 500 is attached to the tree, the user may attach the foothold 540 to the foothold support (if not already attached), and step on the foothold 540 of the tree step 500. When the user steps on the foothold 540, the bracing member 520, which engages or contacts the tree, supports or braces the tree step 500 against the tree such that the tree step 500 does not pull out of the tree or sag under the user's weight. The support 527 prevents the user's foot from slipping outward and off of the tree step.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A tree step comprising:
- a tree attacher having a longitudinal axis,
- a bracing member connected to and extending transversely from the tree attacher;
- a step connected to and extending transversely from the bracing member,
- a support member connected to and extending transversely from the step, and
- a driver attachment member connected to and extending transversely from the support member, the driver attachment member including an integrated shank and having a longitudinal axis that is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher, the integrated shank being insertable into and engageable by a chuck of a driver.
2. The tree step of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis of the driver attachment member and the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher are coaxial with a rotational axis about which the tree step is rotatable when the integrated shank is engaged by the chuck of the driver.
3. The tree step of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the step is parallel to, and offset from, the longitudinal axis of the driver attachment member and the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher.
4. The tree step of claim 3, wherein the longitudinal axis of the step, the longitudinal axis of the driver attachment member, and the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher are coplanar.
5. The tree step of claim 1, wherein the bracing member includes a first end connected to the tree attacher and a second opposing end connected to the step.
6. The tree step of claim 5, wherein a longitudinal axis of the step, the longitudinal axis of the driver attachment member, the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher, and a longitudinal axis of the bracing member are coplanar.
7. The tree step of claim 1, wherein the support includes a first end connected to the step and a second opposing end connected to the driver attachment member.
8. The tree step of claim 7, wherein a longitudinal axis of the step, the longitudinal axis of the driver attachment member, the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher, and a longitudinal axis of the support are coplanar.
9. The tree step of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the step, the longitudinal axis of the driver attachment member, the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher, a longitudinal axis of the bracing member, and a longitudinal axis of the support are coplanar.
10. The tree step of claim 1, wherein the integrated shank is one selected from the group consisting of: (a) a straight shank, (b) a brace shank, (c) a hex shank, (d) a Special Direct System shank, (e) a triangle shank, (f) a Morse taper shank, and (g) a square shank.
11. The tree step of claim 1, wherein the tree attacher is at least partially threaded.
12. The tree step of claim 1, wherein the tree attacher, the bracing member, the step, the support member, and the driver attachment member are integrally formed with one another.
13. A tree step comprising:
- a tree attacher having a longitudinal axis,
- a bracing member connected to and extending transversely from the tree attacher;
- a step having a longitudinal axis and connected to and extending transversely from the bracing member,
- a support member connected to and extending transversely from the step, and
- a driver attachment member connected to and extending transversely from the support member, the driver attachment member including an integrated shank and having a longitudinal axis that is coaxial with and coplanar with the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher and that is coplanar with and offset from the longitudinal axis of the step, the integrated shank being insertable into and engageable by a chuck of a driver.
14. The tree step of claim 13, wherein the longitudinal axis of the driver attachment member and the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher are coaxial with a rotational axis about which the tree step is rotatable when the integrated shank is engaged by the chuck of the driver.
15. The tree step of claim 13, wherein the longitudinal axis of the step, the longitudinal axis of the integrated shank, and the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher are parallel.
16. The tree step of claim 13, wherein the bracing member includes a first end connected to the tree attacher and a second opposing end connected to the step.
17. The tree step of claim 16, wherein the longitudinal axis of the step, the longitudinal axis of the integrated shank, the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher, and a longitudinal axis of the bracing member are coplanar.
18. The tree step of claim 13, wherein the support includes a first end connected to the step and a second opposing end connected to the driver attachment member.
19. The tree step of claim 18, wherein the longitudinal axis of the step, the longitudinal axis of the integrated shank, the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher, and a longitudinal axis of the support are coplanar.
20. A tree step comprising:
- a tree attacher having a longitudinal axis,
- a bracing member having a longitudinal axis and connected to and extending transversely from the tree attacher;
- a step having a longitudinal axis and connected to and extending transversely from the bracing member,
- a support member having a longitudinal axis and connected to and extending transversely from the step, and
- a driver attachment member having a longitudinal axis and connected to and extending transversely from the support member, wherein: (a) the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher and the longitudinal axis of the driver attachment member are coaxial; (b) the longitudinal axis of the tree attacher, the longitudinal axis of the bracing member, the longitudinal axis of the step, the longitudinal axis of the support member, and the longitudinal axis of the driver are coplanar; and (c) the integrated shank is insertable into and engageable by a chuck of a driver.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 6, 2015
Publication Date: Oct 15, 2015
Inventor: Bradly W. Bussewitz (Swisher, IA)
Application Number: 14/679,635