Patent Application
20080156588
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a ladder module apparatus for attaching to a tree. The apparatus is adapted to assist a user in climbing to a desired position in the tree, such as a tree stand or blind. More particularly, the present invention relates to a ladder module apparatus having two main body portions which are pivotally connected to permit folding and unfolding of the apparatus, for easy transportation of the apparatus. In addition, apparatus of this type tend to be used in remote locations requiring that the apparatus be safe, durable, reliable, simple and easily transportable.
2. Description of the Background Art
When hunting ground-dwelling game, such as deer and the like, it is desirable for a hunter to avoid notice by the quarry. Towards that end, a hunter of such ground-dwelling game will often place himself above the normal field of perception of the quarry by placing a platform or hunting stand in a tree, from which the hunter may wait, undetected and observe and/or shoot the quarry.
The tree stand used by a hunter is often a portable device which is transported by the hunter to the desired location in the wilderness, and set up to the desired elevation in the tree. Depending on the location of the tree stand and local regulations, it may be necessary to remove the tree stand. For example, on private property, the tree stand may remain in place for the entire hunting season, while on public land, it may be a requirement that a tree stand be removed after a certain period of time. In either situation, it is desirable to limit the number of trips made to this location by the hunter since the game or quarry in the area may become aware, through scent or noise, that there is human activity in the area.
Modular ladder systems are often used in conjunction with tree stands, to enable the hunter access to and from the tree stand which is situated in an elevated position in the tree. To be elevated from the ground is a beneficial position for the tree stand user since the user is out of the normal visual perception of the quarry and human scent will be more difficult for the quarry to detect.
Tree stands can be used for many purposes, such as hunting, but can also be used by others, such as photographers or naturalists, for the observation of wild animals while remaining undetected. The elevated position gives the user the advantage of line of sight, or being able to see farther and being prepared for the animal when it gets closer to the tree stand location.
Once a tree stand is located, the user will need access to the elevated position. There are several ways that the tree stand user can gain access to the stand, a conventional ladder may be placed against the tree, and tree pegs can be installed into the tree trunk or some other modular ladder system installed. Each of these methods has a disadvantage. For example, the conventional ladder is not designed for use on uneven ground or designed for use against an uneven surface such as a tree. Tree pegs cause damage to the tree since the pegs are essentially large nails that are driven into the trunk. Other modular ladder systems often rely upon the ladder hooking over a branch of the tree for stability or are cumbersome and awkward to transport. In addition, the desired position may be at a height that a conventional ladder can reach. It may be necessary to provide more than one ladder apparatus to reach the desired position.
Since the tree stand or other blind is usually placed at an elevation that would cause substantial injury to the user if there were to be a fall, safety is an important issue when using the ladder apparatus and tree stand. Usually, the tree stand is used in a remote location and first aid may be far away. Therefore, the equipment that is used must be safe, simple and easily transportable. Falling from a ladder or tree stand would result in injuries, but most hunting deaths are the result of heart attacks. Long hikes with heavy equipment can put stress on the hunter. Therefore, the lighter and more compact the ladder apparatus, the better. In addition, when in the tree stand and on the ladder, it is highly recommended that the user employ a full body harness tethering the user to the tree.
Several different modular ladders and ladder systems are known for use by hunters or naturalists. Examples of some of the known modular ladder systems include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,983 to Norton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,466 to Prejean, U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,623 to Skyba, U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,399 to Wayne-Prejean, U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,580 to Jenkins, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,001 to Skyba, U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,626 to Jenkins, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,035 to D'Acquisto and U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,975 to Skipper.
At times, modular ladders of a type having a main central shaft portion with rungs extending transversely outwardly from the central shaft are referred to in the art as “climbing sticks”. The two Skyba references mentioned above disclose climbing stick type ladders having a central shaft with a pivot joint to permit folding of the ladder apparatus with a locking collar that slides over the joint to lock it in place.
Although the known devices have some utility for their intended purposes, a need still exists in the art for an improved “climbing stick” type ladder apparatus which can be folded into a compact configuration for storage and transport, and which can be expanded into a full-size configuration for use, yet which also includes improved stabilizing structures at both ends. In particular, there is a need for an improved “climbing stick” type ladder apparatus which will overcome the shortcomings encountered in the known art.
In an illustrative embodiment hereof, a pivotally foldable ladder module apparatus includes an upper body segment and a lower body segment which are pivotally connected to one another. The apparatus may also include a locking fastener, usable to temporarily fix the position of the lower body segment relative to the upper body segment. The apparatus may also include an adjustable strap attached to a central shaft of the upper body segment, to permit fastening of the apparatus to a tree. The ladder module apparatus is pivotally movable between an extended position and a folded position which is used for storage and transport.
Each segment of the apparatus includes a central shaft and a pair of tree contacting bracket members for aligning the apparatus with a tree. When the apparatus is in the folded, collapsed position, the tree-contacting bracket members are displaced from one another, and the respective central shafts are spaced apart from one another and are oriented substantially parallel to one another.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a climbing stick type ladder apparatus including a central pivot joint as well as improved stabilizing structures at upper and lower ends thereof.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a kit of components that is compact while stored and then erected on site. The kit comprising a ladder apparatus of durable construction, reliably made, simple to set up and is easily transportable.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a ladder apparatus that easily cooperates with other like ladder apparatus to form a series of ladders up a tree to the tree stand or desired position.
Although the known climbing sticks have some utility in the art for their intended purposes, a need still exists in the art for an improved ladder apparatus climbing stick. In particular, there is a need for an improved ladder apparatus which is compact, easily transportable, cooperates with like ladder apparatus, is durable, and has improved stability.
A preferred embodiment of the invention of a climbing stick type ladder apparatus and method of using it will be better understood when consideration is given to the detailed description of the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements bear like reference numerals and where:
It should be understood that only structures considered necessary for clarifying the invention are described herein. Other conventional structures, and those of ancillary and auxiliary components of the system, are assumed to be known and understood by those skilled in the art.
Referring now to the drawings, particularly
The ladder apparatus 10 is pivotally movable between an open, unfolded and extended position, best seen in
Each of the upper and lower body segments 12, 14 includes a central shaft 20, 30 respectively, and a pair of tree contacting bracket members, first and second bracket members 21, 22 on upper segment 12 and third and fourth bracket members 31, 32 on the lower segment 14. The brackets 21, 22, 31, 32 are provided to align, support and stabilize the ladder apparatus 10 with the tree T. In addition, when the ladder apparatus 10 is employed and attached to a tree T, the brackets 21, 22, 31, 32 not only stabilize the ladder apparatus 10 but space the rungs 26, 27, 24, 25, 34, 35 from the tree which allows a user of the ladder apparatus 10 to “feel” the rungs 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35 with his feet. Often, the user will not be able to see the rungs 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35 whether because of darkness or the position of the ladder apparatus 10. This gives the user the ability to easily find and remain on the rungs 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, and 35 and provide a safer ladder apparatus 10. When the apparatus 10 is in the folded collapsed position, the bracket members 21, 22, 31, 32 are displaced from one another, and the respective central shafts 20, 30 are spaced apart from one another, and are oriented substantially parallel to one another.
As noted above, the upper body segment 12 includes an upper central shaft 20, provided to be oriented substantially vertically in use, as shown in
The tree contacting bracket members 21, 22 of the upper segment 12 comprise arms that extend forwardly and outwardly forming a substantially V-shape from a top portion of the central shaft 20, and define an upper trunk receiving space 23 therebetween.
The upper body segment 12 also includes a pivot boss 28 integrally attached to the bottom portion of the central shaft 20 and extending forwardly thereon. The pivot boss 28 has at least one hollow bore formed therethrough to receive a pivot bolt 80. The upper body segment 12 further includes a strap support structure, best seen in
The lower body segment 14 includes the lower central shaft 30, as noted above, and also includes a third set of step rungs, fifth and sixth rungs 34, 35 extending outwardly in opposite directions from a bottom portion of the central shaft 30. The lower body segment 14 also includes tree contacting bracket members comprising arms, third and fourth bracket members 31, 32, extending forwardly and outwardly from a bottom portion of the central shaft 30 and defining a lower trunk receiving space 33 therebetween. When folded, the lower trunk receiving space 33 receives a portion of the upper central shaft 20 as can be seen in
The lower body segment 14 further includes a pair of parallel spaced apart connector flanges 36, 38 extending forwardly and upwardly from a top portion of the lower central shaft 30, and these connector flanges may be interconnected by a bight 37 (
Referring now to
The main shaft 50 also has a notch 54 formed in an end portion thereof opposite the head 52. A small through hole is bored transversely through the head 52, and this through hole receives one portion 57 of a first triangular end portion 55 of the connection member 56 therethrough.
The connection member is substantially U-shaped, and has a second triangular end portion 58 at an end opposite the first triangular end portion 55. In order to temporarily lock the locking fastener in place, a cross piece 59 of the second triangular end portion is placed into the notch 54 of the main shaft 50. It will be understood that other locking fasteners may be used besides the fastener 15.
It should be understood that a ladder apparatus 10 according to the invention is not generally used alone as a single unit, but rather, multiple ladder apparatus 10 may be used to fasten sequentially to a tree, in order to allow a user to climb to the desired position in the tree. In addition, if desired, these multiple ladder apparatus may be used in conjunction with a tree stand mounted at a vertical elevation from the ground, where the tree stand is used for hunting, or for observation of wildlife. In addition, it may be possible to “climb” the ladder apparatus 10 up a tree instead of employing multiple ladder apparatus 10 under certain conditions. For example, the presence of a large branch or other location where a user could safely wait, would allow the user to reposition the ladder apparatus 10 higher up the tree T to get to the desired location.
Although the invention has been described herein with respect to a number of specific embodiments, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate, rather than to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will realize that many modifications of the preferred embodiment could be made which would be operable. All such modifications, which are within the scope of the claims, are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application No. 60/882,924 filed 30 Dec. 2006.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60882924 | Dec 2006 | US |
