Patent Application
20230413803
The present invention relates to covers for ladder stands and to methods of deploying same. In particular, the invention relates to camouflage covers for ladder stands designed to conceal same and to methods for deploying same.
Hunters gain an advantage over their prey by perching up higher than ground level. Deer, turkeys and other animals are less likely to see, smell or otherwise sense a hunter who is above the animals' sightline. Hunters commonly use a free standing deer stand, which is a seat with long legs and a ladder providing access to the seat from the ground. If an appropriate tree is available, hunters use various mechanisms to climb the tree and attach a seat to the tree. Another option is to use a ladder tree stand which consists of a ladder and a seat which attaches securely to a tree trunk at the seat level.
A ladder tree stand user may wish to camouflage the lower ladder portion of the tree stand, to hide it from animals and people. Ladders on existing tree stands may be painted or otherwise coated with a camouflage design.
In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a cover for the ladder portion of a ladder tree stand. In one instance, the cover of the present invention folds down flat before installation, and is unfolded and pulled up the ladder as the hunter ascends the ladder, then the top edge of the cover is secured at the seat level so that the ladder remains covered for so long as the hunter remains up on the seat.
In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a ladder cover for a ladder, ladder stand, or ladder stick, the ladder cover comprising: a ladder cover, wherein the ladder cover has a length that is suitable to cover substantially all of the height of the ladder, ladder stand, or stick ladder to be covered, the ladder cover comprising: a flexible cover portion formed from a suitable fabric or other flexible material, wherein the length of the flexible cover portion is at least as long as the height of the ladder, ladder stand, or stick ladder it is intended to cover; and a plurality of hoops that are all sewn, or otherwise attached, to one surface of the flexible cover portion, wherein the plurality of hoops are located at suitable intervals from a bottom edge to a top edge of the ladder cover such that all of the plurality of hoops are oriented to be substantially parallel with the bottom and top edges of the ladder cover, wherein each of the plurality of hoops is formed to have a desired geometric shape and size that fits horizontally around the ladder, ladder stand, or ladder stick, and wherein both the flexible cover portion and all of the plurality of hoops each individually have an opening or gap therein such that when the opening or gap of the flexible cover portion is aligned with all of the openings or gaps of the plurality of hoops a slit or gap running vertically along the entire height of the extended ladder cover is formed.
In another embodiment, the ladder cover of the present invention relates to a ladder cover where each of the plurality of the hoops are made of wire, plastic or other material which is flexible but retains a desired shape.
In still another embodiment, the ladder cover of the present invention relates to a ladder cover where the flexible cover portion has a plurality of bottom holes suitable to secure the bottom of the flexible cover portion to the ground with stakes.
In still another embodiment, the ladder cover of the present invention relates to a ladder cover where the flexible cover portion has a plurality of grommet reinforced bottom holes suitable to secure the bottom of the flexible cover portion to the ground with stakes.
In still another embodiment, the ladder cover of the present invention relates to a ladder cover where the flexible cover portion has a plurality of top holes suitable to secure the top of the flexible cover portion to any suitable attachment point at the top of the ladder, ladder stand, or stick ladder.
In still another embodiment, the ladder cover of the present invention relates to a ladder cover where the flexible cover portion has a plurality of grommet reinforced top holes suitable to secure the top of the flexible cover portion to any suitable attachment point at the top of the ladder, ladder stand, or stick ladder.
In still another embodiment, the ladder cover of the present invention relates to a ladder cover where the flexible cover portion has a plurality of top holes suitable to secure the top of the flexible cover portion to one or more of a seat, an arm rest, a gun rail, or other top portion of the ladder, ladder stand, or stick ladder.
In still another embodiment, the ladder cover of the present invention relates to a ladder cover further comprising a plurality of cords designed to permit the raising and lowering of the flexible cover portion via at least one of the plurality of bottom holes and/or the plurality of top holes.
In still another embodiment, the ladder cover of the present invention relates to a ladder cover where the plurality of cords each have a length that is approximately twice as long as the height of the ladder, ladder stand, or stick ladder and/or flexible cover portion.
In still another embodiment, the ladder cover of the present invention relates to a ladder cover where the plurality of cords are designed to be attached to the top of the ladder via a ring and bolt.
In still another embodiment, the ladder cover of the present invention relates to a ladder cover where the ring and bolt can further be securely connected to the top of the ladder.
In still another embodiment, the ladder cover of the present invention relates to a ladder cover where the plurality of hoops are spaced about 12 inches apart along the entire length, or height, of the flexible cover portion.
As noted above, in one embodiment, the present invention is a cover 10 for the ladder portion of a ladder tree stand. In one embodiment, cover 10 (see, for example,
Regarding ladder 20, or an equivalent stick ladder 22, ladder 20 is commonly attached to the trunk of a suitable tree 3 via any suitable attachment means including, but not limited to, one or more support bar and cam strap combinations 8. As would be apparent, typical ladder, or stick ladders, use a plurality of attachment points 8 spaced out along suitable intervals along the complete height of the ladder 20, or stick ladder 22. In one embodiment, any suitable attachment means for attaching ladder 20, or its equivalent, to the trunk of tree 3 is spaced out every 3 feet, 4, feet, 5, feet, 6, feet, 7, feet, or even every 8 feet or more along the complete height of ladder 20. In another embodiment, regardless of how many attachment points 8 are spaced along the height of ladder 20, there is also an attachment point 5 for tree 3 at the top of ladder 20. In one embodiment, attachment points 8 can also double as support points that ensure ladder or stick ladder 22, is securely anchored to tree 3. As would be apparent to those of skill in the art, the number of attachment points, or support points, 8 depends on the height, weight, and/or width of ladder 20, or stick ladder 22. As such, any suitable number of attachment points, or support points, 8 can be used in conjunction with ladder 20, or stick ladder 22, so as to securely anchor ladder 20, or stick ladder 22, to tree 3. Accordingly, the number of attachment points, or support points, 8 used in conjunction with ladder 20, or stick ladder 22, is not critical to the operation of the present invention. Additionally, it should be noted that stick ladder 22 can also have one or more spacers (not shown) that are located between various points of the center of stick ladder 22 and the trunk of tree 3. Such spacers act to bias stick ladder 22 a suitable distance from the trunk of tree 3 so that there is suitable space between stick ladder 22 and the trunk of tree 3 for a user to have room for their feet when climbing stick ladder 22. Again, any suitable number of spacers having a desired shape can be used in conjunction with stick ladder 22. Accordingly, the number of any one or more spacers used in conjunction with stick ladder 22 is not critical to the operation of the present invention.
As such, cover 10 of the present invention is not limited to any one specific length but can be any suitable height including, but not limited to, about 6 feet tall, about 7 feet tall, about 8 feet tall, about 9 feet tall, about 10 feet tall, about 11 feet tall, about 12 feet tall, about 13 feet tall, about 14 feet tall, about 15 feet tall, about 16 feet tall, about 17 feet tall, about 18 feet tall, about 19 feet tall, about 20 feet tall, about 21 feet tall, about 22 feet tall, about 23 feet tall, about 24 feet tall, about 25 feet tall, about 26 feet tall, about 27 feet tall, about 28 feet tall, about 29 feet tall, or even about 30 feet tall or more. Here, as well as elsewhere in the specification and claims, individual numerical values can be combined to form additional, or even new/non-disclosed, numerical ranges.
In another embodiment, due to the material used to form cover 10, cover 10 can be designed to be adjustable to a range of ladder heights such as about 6 feet tall to about 8 feet tall, about 7 feet tall to about 9 feet tall, about 8 feet tall to about 10 feet tall, about 9 feet tall to about 11 feet tall, about 10 feet tall to about 12 feet tall, about 11 feet tall to about 13 feet tall, about 12 feet tall to about 14 feet tall, about 13 feet tall to about feet tall, about 14 feet tall to about 16 feet tall, about 15 feet tall to about 17 feet tall, about 16 feet tall to about 18 feet tall, about 17 feet tall to about 19 feet tall, about 18 feet tall to about 20 feet tall, about 19 feet tall to about 21 feet tall, about 20 feet tall to about 22 feet tall, about 21 feet tall to about 23 feet tall, about 22 feet tall to about 24 feet tall, about 23 feet tall to about 25 feet tall, about 24 feet tall to about 26 feet tall, about 25 feet tall to about 27 feet tall, about 26 feet tall to about 28 feet tall, about 27 feet tall to about 29 feet tall, or even about 28 feet tall to about 30 feet tall. Here, as well as elsewhere in the specification and claims, individual numerical values can be combined to form additional, or even new/non-disclosed, numerical ranges.
In still another embodiment, due to the material used to form cover 10, cover can be designed to be adjustable to a range of ladder heights such as about 6 feet tall to about 10 feet tall, about 8 feet tall to about 12 feet tall, about 10 feet tall to about 14 feet tall, about 12 feet tall to about 16 feet tall, about 14 feet tall to about 18 feet tall, about 16 feet tall to about 20 feet tall, about 18 feet tall to about 22 feet tall, about 20 feet tall to about 24 feet tall, about 22 feet tall to about 26 feet tall, about 24 feet tall to about 28 feet tall, or even about 26 feet tall to about 30 feet tall. Again, here, as well as elsewhere in the specification and claims, individual numerical values can be combined to form additional, or even new/non-disclosed, numerical ranges.
In one embodiment, hoops 11 are attached to cover 10 at the bottom and top edges, and then at approximately every 6 inch interval, every 8 inch interval, every 10 inch interval, or even every 12 inch interval between the bottom and top edges along the entire height of cover 10. Standard ladder stands range from 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches) wide, while stick ladders are typically 6 or so inches wide. Hoops 11 must be wide enough to accommodate whatever width the ladder 20, or stick ladder 22, might be, and able to freely slide up the ladder. In one embodiment, hoops 11 are at least 6 inches wide, 8 inches wide, 10 inches wide, 12 inches wide, 14 inches wide, 16 inches wide, 18 inches wide, 20 inches wide, 22 inches wide, 24 inches wide, 26 inches wide, 28 inches wide, 30 inches wide, 32 inches wide, 34 inches wide, 36 inches wide, 38 inches wide, inches wide, 42 inches wide, 44 inches wide, 46 inches wide, or even 48 inches wide. Again, here, as well as elsewhere in the specification and claims, individual numerical values can be combined to form additional, or even new/non-disclosed, numerical ranges. In another embodiment, hoops 11 can be any width so long as hoops 11 are wide enough to surround the ladder 20, or stick ladder 22, to be covered and are able to pass freely up and down such ladder 20, or stick ladder 22.
Cover 10 is designed to encircle and surround ladder 20, and has an opening, gap, or slit 19 that extends along the entire height of cover 10. In one embodiment, opening, gap, or slit, 19 works in conjunction with hoops 11 that are formed in a C-shape or U-shape (or any other suitable geometric shape) that has a gap, opening, or space present in hoops 11 such that opening 24 in each individual hoop 11 is able to be aligned with opening, gap, or slit 19 in the fabric or other flexible material that forms cover 10 and that extends essentially entire height of cover 10 (see
In another embodiment, cover 10 can have a portion located at one end, typically the end that is staked to the ground that has a small non-gapped portion that forms a cup like bottom in cover 10. In use, opening, gap, or slit 19 is oriented in such a manner so as to be positioned between the backside of ladder 20 and tree 3 (i.e., the side of ladder 20 that is closest to tree 3) so as to permit cover 10 to slide past and fit around any support bar which can extend from the middle of any given ladder step 2, or even ladder 20, to tree 3. Given the design thereof, cover 10 is able to expand and collapse vertically like an accordion.
Cover 10, when fully elongated, extends from the ground at the bottom of ladder 20 up to seat level 6 with an appropriate seat 4. In one embodiment, seat 4 can have a foot rest 7 and is supported, if so desired, by one or more support beams 9. Cover is installed in its collapsed form, by placing cover 10 around ladder 20 at ground level G. When installing cover 10, collapsed cover 10 can be placed on ground G first and the bottom of ladder 20 then placed inside of cover 10 (see
A plurality of holes 14b, which may or may not have reinforcing grommets, are located around the bottom edge of cover 10, so that cover 10 can be secured via any suitable device, (for example, via stakes 15) to ground G through holes 14b. In one embodiment, the bottom edge of cover 10 has at least two, at least three, at least four, or even five or more holes 14b designed to permit cover 10 to be secured to ground G. In one alternative embodiment, a second plurality of holes 14t, which may or may not have reinforcing grommets, are located around the top edge of cover 10, so that cover 10 can be secured via any suitable device, (for example, via stakes 15) to ground G through holes. In one embodiment, ropes, or cords, 12 are attached to the top edge of cover 10 via the plurality of holes 14t (with, or without, grommets). In another embodiment, holes 14t can be replaced with any other desired attachment including, but not limited to, attachment slits in the top of the material of cover 10, attachment loops formed in the top most hoop 11, etc. In another embodiment, any suitable number of ropes, or cords 12 can be utilized including, but not limited to, three, four or even five ropes, or cords 12. When a hunter is ready to climb up to seat 4, the hunter steps inside cover 10 on ground G, and attaches ropes, or cords, 12 to their belt loops, or any other convenient place. The hunter may alternatively hold onto ropes, or cords, 12. Then, when the hunter climbs up the ladder 20, cover 10 is lifted and extends up ladder 20 behind the hunter, covering ladder 20. For safety, the hunter should allow the cover to stay below his or her feet at least 30 centimeters (a foot), so there is no tripping hazard.
When the hunter reaches the top, he or she pulls cover 10 up to the desired seat level 6 of seat 4, disconnects ropes, or cords 12 from their belt loops and secures ropes, or cords, 12 to attachment rings 13 located on either side of seat 4. Alternatively, if cover 10 has a second plurality of holes 14t, the hunter may utilize the combination of holes 14t and attachment rings 13 to secure cover 10 in the desired extended orientation. The hunter can alternatively tie ropes, or cords, 12 to convenient places at the top of ladder 20 or secure the free ends of ropes, or cords, 12 to seat 4, or the structure that forms seat 4, for example with rings 13 as shown in
While seated, the hunter's feet and some portion of the hunter's legs remain inside the cover. When the hunter wishes to climb down ladder 20, he or she unties or disconnects ropes, or cords, 12 from the uppermost hoop 11 or, if present, holes 14t, and either lets cover 10 fall to ground G on its own, or attaches ropes, or cords, 12 to the their belt loops, or some other suitable attachment point, so that cover 10 descends with the hunter.
In one embodiment, if ropes, or cords, 12 are long enough, the hunter can leave ropes, or cords, 12 hanging loosely from the uppermost hoop 11 or, if present, holes 14t, and the ends of ropes, or cords, 12 will hang down far enough such that the hunter can still reach ropes, or cords, 12 when the hunter has descended to the ground, and has collapsed cover 10 at the bottom of ladder 20 by climbing down ladder 20. The hunter can then, if so desired, pull on ropes, or cords, 12 to pull cover 10 back up to the top of ladder 20 and secure ropes, or cords, 12 to ladder 20 or holes 14b at the bottom of cover so that ladder 20 is covered and camouflaged when the hunter is not sitting at the top of ladder 20. Given the above, ropes, or cords, 12 can be of any suitable length depending on the overall height of cover 10 as disclosed above. In another instance, ropes, or cords, 12 are at least four feet, five feet, six feet, seven feet, eight feet, nine feet, or even 10 feet longer than the maximum height of cover 10. In still another embodiment, the length of ropes, or cords, 12 is at least 1.5 times the extended height of cover 10, at least 2 times the extended height of cover 10, or even at least 2.5 times the extended height of cover 10.
The invention can be used in the same way to cover and camouflage a stick ladder 22, as shown in
Clause 1: A ladder cover for a ladder, ladder stand or ladder stick, the ladder cover having a length, a width, a top edge, a bottom edge, an outside surface, an inside surface, and right and left sides, the ladder cover comprising: a flexible cover portion formed from a suitable fabric or other flexible material, wherein the length (or height) of the flexible cover is at least as long as the height of the ladder it is intended to cover; and a plurality of hoops sewn, or otherwise attached, to the inside surface of the flexible cover portion, wherein the plurality of hoops are located at suitable intervals from the bottom edge to the top edge of the cover, with each hoop being oriented to be substantially parallel with the bottom and top edges of the cover and the ground, wherein each of the plurality of hoops is formed to have a desired geometric shape (e.g., a circle, rectangle, oval or other shape) and size that fits horizontally around the ladder.
Clause 2: The ladder cover of clause 1, wherein each of the plurality of hoops having an opening designed to be located behind the ladder when the cover is installed on the ladder in a vertical concealable position.
Clause 3: The ladder cover of any of clauses 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of the hoops are made of wire, plastic or other material which is flexible but retains a desired shape.
Clause 4: The ladder cover of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the cover portion has a plurality of bottom holes for securing the cover portion of the ladder cover to the ground at the bottom edge of the cover portion with stakes.
Clause 5: The ladder cover of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the cover portion has a plurality of grommet reinforced bottom holes for securing the cover portion of the ladder cover to the ground at the bottom edge of the cover portion with stakes.
Clause 6: The ladder cover of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the cover portion has a plurality of top holes for securing the cover portion of the ladder cover to any suitable top portion of the ladder, or ladder stand.
Clause 7: The ladder cover of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the cover portion has a plurality of grommet reinforced top holes for securing the cover portion of the ladder cover to any suitable top portion of the ladder, or ladder stand.
Clause 8: The ladder cover of any of clauses 6 or 7, wherein the top holes are designed to be secured to one or more of a seat, an arm rest, a gun rail, or other top portion of the ladder.
Clause 9: The ladder cover of any of clauses 4-8, further comprising a plurality of cords designed to permit the raising and lowering of the cover portion via at least one of the plurality of bottom holes and/or the plurality of top holes.
Clause 10: The ladder cover of clause 9, wherein the plurality of cords each have a length that is approximately twice as long as the height of the ladder and/or cover portion.
Clause 11: The ladder cover of clause 10, wherein the plurality of cords are designed to be attached to the top of the ladder via a ring and bolt.
Clause 12: The ladder cover of clause 11, wherein the ring and bolt can further be securely connected to the top of the ladder.
Clause 13: The ladder cover of any of clauses 1-12, wherein the plurality of hoops are spaced about 30 centimeters apart along the entire height of the cover portion.
Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain embodiments detailed herein, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and the present invention is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/354,171, filed on Mar. 15, 2019, which is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/643,687, filed on Mar. 15, 2018, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62643687 | Mar 2018 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16354171 | Mar 2019 | US |
| Child | 18221750 | US |
