FOLDING CLIMBING STIRRUP
A folding stirrup for use with a climbing tree stand utilizes a peg pivotally mounted to a bracket attached to the support arms of the stand such that the peg may be selectively moved between a stowed position and a working position wherein a user's feet maybe inserted between the platform, the peg, and the support arm to manipulate the platform.
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This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/309,339 entitled FOLDING CLIMBING STIRRUP, filed on Mar. 16, 2016.
FIELD OF INVENTIONThis invention relates to tree stands and more particularly to climbing tree stands used by hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to position themselves at an elevation above the terrain in a readily available tree. In greater particularity, the present invention relates to an improvement in the climbing stirrups used in such climbing tree stands.
BACKGROUNDClimbing tree stands feature two separate members operating cooperatively yet independently of each other, with the user's feet operating the lower device usually called a foot climber, and the user's arms operating the upper unit or stand. Climbing tree stands have incorporated some form straps or webbing for securing the user's feet to climbing tree stand platforms. U.S. Pat. No. 7,588,123, owned by the assignee of this application and incorporated herein by reference, disclosed a significant advance in solving the problems with such straps which required the user to be physically able to bend over and lift the strap to insert one's feet. The present invention advances the art by providing the same advantages over straps as the above patented invention by enabling the user to engage his feet with the climbing stirrup for upward or downward movement on the tree and to displace the stirrup from any interference with his feet while he is in a stationary position in the tree stand.
Referring to the drawings which are appended hereto and which form a portion of this disclosure, it may be seen that:
The objects of my invention can be achieved in the embodiment shown, by providing a traditional tree stand 10. The climbing tree stand 10 includes a rigid platform indicated at 11 and a cable attachment indicated at 27. The rigid platform 11 includes a peripheral frame 13 and a series of slats, such as slats 15. The peripheral frame 13 extends across the width of the platform 11 and rearwardly along a pair of side frame members. The platform 11 includes a rear horizontal brace 17 extending between the side frame members. Side frame members and rear horizontal brace 17 connect to a serrated tree engaging blade 19, which is used to engage the tree in a known manner.
Two upwardly inclined arms 21 for supporting the platform assembly adjacent a tree are hingedly attached at 23 to peripheral frame 13. Upwardly inclined arms 21 terminate in cable retention cleats 27 which may be slotted clasps or sockets for receiving and securing a cable or other strap to the platform 11 and encircling the tree in a well-known manner. A V-shaped vertical frame 25 extends between the brace 17 and the cable retention cleats 27 of the upwardly inclined arms 21. The peripheral frame 13, slats 15, brace 17, and arms 21 may be made from 18 gauge steel tubing, 13/16 inches square or any other suitable material. The individual pieces of platform 11 may be welded together and then powder coated (painted) to avoid corrosion.
My folding climbing stirrups 30 are attached to the arms 21 as shown in
Referring to
It will be noted that flange 51 is thickened in the area proximal aperture 39 and only extends partially around the first end of web 47. When peg 40 is connected to bracket 31 by bolt 41, the peg can rotate between the two positions shown in
While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain embodiments thereof, and many details have been put forth for the purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.
Claims
1. A folding stirrup for use with a climbing tree stand, wherein the tree stand includes inclined arms connecting the outer portion of a platform portion of the stand with the tree, comprising:
- a. A bracket adapted for securement to one of said inclined arms and
- b. A peg pivotally secured to said bracket for selective movement between a stowed position parallel to said one of said inclined arms and a work position perpendicular to said one of said inclined arms.
2. A folding stirrup as defined in claim 1, wherein said bracket includes at least one wall having an upper portion formed in an arc with said peg pivotally secured to said one wall and including a flange along at least one side of said peg, said flange engaging said upper portion to constrain the pivotal movement of said peg relative to said bracket.
3. A folding stirrup as defined in claim 2 wherein said bracket comprises said at least one wall, an integral connecting base and a second wall parallel said at least one wall and spaced therefrom to receive said inclined arm therebetween, said at least one wall and said second wall having aligned apertures therein for receiving a connector passing through said apertures and said inclined arm.
4. A folding stirrup as defined in claim 3 wherein said peg is secured to said at least one bracket by said connector passing through said apertures and a pivot aperture formed proximate a first end of said peg.
5. A folding stirrup as defined in claim 4 wherein said peg has an elongated web portion bounded in part by said flange, said first end of said peg defined by a face of said elongated web being coextensive in width with said at least one wall and a second end of said peg defined by said face of said elongated web having a width less than said at least one wall, with said flange extending from a point on said upper portion along an outer margin of said elongate web about said second end of said peg on both sides of said second end.
6. A folding stirrup as defined in claim 5 wherein said flange extends perpendicular to each face of said web such that rotational movement of said peg about said bolt in a first direction is limited by abutment of said flange formed on said second end with said at least one wall when in said work position and rotation of said peg about said bolt in an opposite direction is limited by abutment of said flange formed on said first end with said at least one wall when in said stowed position.
7. A folding stirrup as defined in claim 5 further comprising a protuberance formed on said face of said web in said first end of said peg and a receptacle for said protuberance formed on said at least one wall, wherein said protuberance is selectively moved into registration with said receptacle by movement of said peg in said first direction to said work position.
8. A folding stirrup for use with a climbing tree stand, wherein the tree stand includes inclined arms connecting the outer portion of a platform portion of the stand with the tree, comprising:
- a. A bracket including a first wall and a second wall integrally connected to a base portion for receiving one of said inclined arms there in and adapted for securement to said one of said inclined arms and
- b. A peg pivotally secured to said bracket for selective movement between a stowed position parallel to said one of said inclined arms and a work position perpendicular to said one of said inclined arms, said peg defined by an elongated web having a flange extending perpendicular thereto about a portion of the periphery thereof such that such that rotational movement of said peg in a first direction is limited by abutment of said flange with said first wall when in said work position and rotation of said peg in an opposite direction is limited by abutment of said flange with said first wall when in said stowed position.
9. A folding stirrup as defined in claim 8 further comprising a protuberance formed on said face of said web and a receptacle for said protuberance formed on said first wall, wherein said protuberance is selectively moved into registration with said receptacle by movement of said peg in said first direction to said work position and into abutment with an edge of said first wall when in said stowed position.
10. A folding stirrup as defined in claim 9 wherein said peg includes a first end defined by a face of said elongated web being coextensive in width with said at least one wall and a second end defined by said face of said elongated web having a width less than said first wall, with said flange extending from a point on said first end along an outer margin of said elongate web about said second end of said peg on both sides of said second end.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 5, 2017
Publication Date: Sep 21, 2017
Applicant: EBSCO Industries Inc. (Birmingham, AL)
Inventor: Douglas Thornburg (Muscle Shoals, AL)
Application Number: 15/449,987