FOLDING CLIMBING STIRRUP

Abstract

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.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This 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.

BACKGROUND

Climbing 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings which are appended hereto and which form a portion of this disclosure, it may be seen that:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of my improved stirrup shown in position on a climbing platform of a tree stand.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the bracket portion of my invention;

FIG. 3 is an opposite side elevation view of the bracket portion of my invention;

FIG. 4 is front view of the bracket portion of my invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the bracket portion of my invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the peg portion of my invention; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of the peg portion of my invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 FIG. 1. Note that in FIG. 1, I show one stirrup in a stored position and the other in an operative or foot engaging position. Referring to FIG. 2 through 5, note that the stirrups 30 include a mounting bracket 31 made of opposing walls 33 and 35 integral with a connecting base 37. As may be seen in FIG. 1, the mounting brackets connect to the arms 21 of the rigid platform 11. The portion 43 of walls 33 and 35 distal base 37 are curved in an arc which, in the embodiment shown, has a 0.615 inch radius. It is to be understood that this specific size may vary depending on the overall size of the product and arms to which it is attached. An aperture 39 is formed in each wall 33 and 35 to receive a mounting bolt 41 there through. Bolt 41 passes through a selected mounting hole in arm 21 and receives a nut, not shown, thereon to secure the bracket 31 to the respective arm 21. Circumscribing aperture 39 on wall 35 is a boss 44 that reinforces the wall about the head of bolt 41. A gusset 45 is formed on the outside of wall 35 and continues beneath the lower surface of base 37 to provide reinforcement to the bracket 31. A detent aperture 55 is formed in each wall 33 below aperture 39. Bracket 31 is preferably made from toughened nylon resin such as Dupont® Zytel® ST801 or equivalent material and is injection molded.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, each stirrup 30 also includes a peg 40, also made from the same toughened nylon resin and formed with an elongated web 47 which is about ⅛ inch thick and partially bounded by a flange 51 which extends generally perpendicularly from each face of the web 47. Web 47 includes a first end coextensive in width and height with wall 33 and a second end having a width less than wall 33, with said flange 51 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. An aperture 49 is formed in web 47 to accept bolt 41 there through and thus connect the peg 40 to either wall 33 or 35 of bracket 31. A protuberance 53 is formed on each surface of web 47 at a distance from aperture 49 such that the protuberance 53 may engage detent aperture 55 when bracket 31 and peg 40 are appropriately aligned.

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 FIG. 1, namely a stowed position aligned with the arm 21 to which the stirrup 30 is attached and a working position perpendicular to the arm 21 to which the stirrup 30 is attached. In the stowed position, the thickened end of flange 51 abuts against wall 33 of bracket 31 and prevents the peg 40 from rotating upwardly. Also in the stowed position, protuberance 53 is frictionally engaged with the edge of wall 33 to resist gravitational movement of peg 40 downwardly. The user may move the peg 40 to the work position by pushing downward on the peg to disengage the protuberance to rotate the peg until protuberance 53 registers in detent aperture 55 and the thinner end of flange abuts the bracket. At this point the peg is in the working position and will not move beyond this position, such that the user may insert his feet between pegs 40, arms 21 and platform 11 to facilitate raising and lowering platform 11. To return the peg to the stowed position, the user simply uses his foot to push the peg forwardly and upwardly, thereby disengaging the protuberance 55 from the detent aperture 55 and urging the peg to the stowed position. Accordingly, the user never has to bend over to utilize his hands to engage his feet with any straps and the stirrups can be removed from any interference with the surface of the platform, thus providing the user with greater area for the placement of his feet while in the stand.

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 andb. 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 andb. 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.