Patent Application
20120118669
The present invention relates to a portable step device that can be used in a variety of applications. In one embodiment of the invention, a portable step device can be used in the course of installing steps for a hunting stands.
Hunting stands are widely used today by hunters. Hunting stands can be open or enclosed platforms that are elevated above the ground, giving the hunter an improved view for hunting game. The stands are typically constructed on trees or artificial poles, and steps must be installed on the tree or pole to enable the user to get to the stand located at an elevated position on the tree or pole. Typically, the steps are mounted onto the tree or pole in a staggered orientation, in which the first step is mounted close to the base of the tree, the second step is mounted in an upward and diagonal orientation from the second step, the third step is mounted in an upward and diagonal orientation from the second step, and this staggered pattern is repeated until reaching the desired height at which the stand is mounted.
Such a staggered orientation accommodates the natural climbing motion of the user, however, when originally installing the steps on the tree or pole this staggered orientation results in the installer having to be in an unbalanced and uncomfortable position as one foot must rest at a significantly higher height than the other foot while attempting to install the next steps located above the step or steps he's currently standing on. This unbalanced orientation continues as the hunter works his way up the tree or pole.
Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a step device that can be used by a person installing steps or a tree stand to keep the person's feet on a substantially level horizontal plane. Another object of the present invention is to provide a step device that is easily transportable. As used throughout this application the term “tree stand” refers generally to all types of elevated hunting stands, whether mounted on trees, poles or any other elevating structure. Likewise the term “tree step” refers generally to any type of structure, whether used on a tree, pole or other elevating structure, on which a person can place a foot on for support.
These and other objects of the present invention can be achieved in the preferred embodiments of the invention described below, in which one embodiment comprises a portable step device comprising a stirrup comprising a base section for placing a foot thereon, and an upper section connected to the base section and extending over the foot when placed on the base. A first adjustable line is connected to the stirrup for extending upwardly from the base section, and has attachment means for attaching the first line to an object above the stirrup. A second adjustable line is connected to the stirrup for extending substantially parallel from the base section, and has attachment means for attaching the second line to an object positioned substantially on a same horizontal plane as the stirrup.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the stirrup is substantially triangular and comprises first, second and third sides. The upper section of the stirrup comprises the first and second sides, and the first and second sides define a vertex where the first and second sides meet. The base section comprises the third side, and the third side is connected to the first and second sides. The first adjustable line can be connected at the vertex defined by the first and second sides, and the second adjustable line is connected to the first side.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first adjustable line can be attached in a fixed position at the vertex.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the second adjustable line can be freely moveable along the first side.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a first buckle can be connected to the first line for adjusting the length of the first line.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a second buckle can be connected to the second line for adjusting the length of the second line.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a first plurality of loops can be attached to the first line, and a second plurality of loops can be attached to the second line to provide a means for adjusting the length of the effective length of the first and second lines.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first line attachment means comprises a loop formed at an end of the first line.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the second line attachment means comprises a loop formed at an end of the second line.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first line and second lines can be ropes and/or straps.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the stirrup can be made of a high tenacity polyester fiber, nylons, a fiber filled composite, an engineering plastic or a suitable metal material.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first and second lines can be made of a high tenacity polyester fiber such as the fiber sold by Samson under the name TENEX-TEC, nylons, high molecular weight polyethylene such as the fiber sold under the name SPECTRA, high performance polyester such as the fibers sold under the name VECTRAN or DACRON, or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene such as the fiber sold under the name DYNEEMA.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a portable step device comprises a triangular stirrup for supporting a foot of a user, the stirrup having first, second and third sides, in which the first and second sides define a vertex where the first and second sides meet. A first adjustable line is connected to the stirrup proximate the vertex of the first and second sides, in which the first adjustable line is extendable in an upwardly direction from the stirrup, and includes attachment means for attaching the first line to an object above the stirrup. A second adjustable line is connected to the stirrup, in which the second adjustable line is extendable in a substantially parallel direction from the stirrup, and includes attachment means for attaching the second line to an object positioned substantially on a same horizontal plane as the stirrup.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first adjustable line can be attached in a fixed position at the vertex.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the second adjustable line is moveable along the first side.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of installing steps on a tree includes the steps of providing a portable step comprising a stirrup comprising a base section for placing a foot thereon, and an upper section connected to the base section and extending over the foot when placed on the base. A first adjustable line is connected to the upper section for extending upwardly from the base section, and has attachment means for attaching the first line to an object above the stirrup. A second adjustable line is connected to the stirrup for extending substantially parallel from the base section, and has attachment means for attaching the second line to an object positioned substantially on a same horizontal plane as the stirrup. First and second tree steps are mounted on a tree, and the first step is proximate the base of the tree, and the second step is mounted above and substantially diagonal to the first step. The first adjustable line is attached to the second step, and the second adjustable line is attached to the first step. The length of the first line and the second line are adjusted such that the stirrup is positioned substantially on the same horizontal plane as the stirrup. The user's positions one foot on the first tree step, and positions the other on the stirrup.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a third tree step is mounted above the first step substantially in a same vertical plane as the first step, and a fourth tree step is mounted above the second and third steps, in substantial vertical alignment with the second step.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first line is removed from the second step, the second line is removed from the first step, the first adjustable line is attached to the third step, the second adjustable line is attached to the second step. The length of the first line and the second line are adjusted such that the stirrup is positioned substantially on the same horizontal plane as the second step.
A portable step according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
The stirrup 12 includes a base section comprised of the third side 18 on which a user's foot is to be placed, and an upper section comprised of the first and second sides 14, 16 that extend over the user's foot and help keep it on the base section 18. The stirrup 12 is preferably made of a strap comprised of high strength fiber, such as the high-tenacity polyester fiber sold by Samson under the name TENEX-TEC, a fiber filled composite, an engineering plastic or a suitable metal material. Four or more layers of the strap can be wrapped over on each other and stitched together to make the base 18 hard and stiff.
The first and second adjustable lines 24, 26 are preferably made of a high strength fiber, such as the high-tenacity polyester fiber sold by Samson under the name TENEX-TEC, nylons, high molecular weight polyethylene such as the fiber sold under the name SPECTRA, high performance polyester such as the fibers sold under the name VECTRAN or DACRON, or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene such as the fiber sold under the name DYNEEMA. Break testing conducted on the portable step 10 indicates that it can withstand a peak load of 9,940 pounds.
The first rope 24 is connected at the vertex 15 of the first and second sides 14, 16 by a first loop 34 woven at the first end of the rope 24. The rope 24 is held in place proximate the vertex 15 by a retaining layer 13 sewn on the undersurface of the sides 14, 16 of the upper section of the stirrup 12. The second rope 26 is connected to the first side 14 of the upper section of the stirrup 12 by a first loop 36 woven at the first end of the rope 26. In an alternative embodiment, the second rope 26 can be sandwiched within the layers of the base 18. In yet another alternative embodiment, the first rope 24 and the second rope are connected to the stirrup by being sandwiched within the layers of the base 18.
As shown in
The first rope 24 has a second loop 44 formed at the second end of the rope 24, by an adjustable eye split 54 woven on the rope 24, such as is used in Whoopie slings. As such, the length of the rope 24 can be adjusted by pulling the dead end 64 of the rope through the adjustable eye split 54, as shown in
In a preferred method of using the portable step 10, the portable step 10 is used in the course of installing tree steps on a tree for a hunting stand, in which the tree steps are to be installed in a staggered orientation, in which the first step 70 is mounted close to the base of the tree “T”, the second step 72 is mounted in an upward and diagonal orientation from the second step, and this staggered pattern is repeated until reaching the desired height of the tree “T”. As shown in
The user can adjust the length of the ropes 24, 26, either to shorten or lengthen as needed, such that the stirrup 12 lies in substantially the same horizontal plane as the first tree step 70, and along substantially the same vertical plane as the second tree step 72, as shown in
A portable step according to another preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
The stirrup 112 includes a base section 128 attached to the upper surface of the third side 118, on which a user's foot is placed. The first and second sides 114, 116 extend over the user's foot, and help keep the foot on the base 128.
The first strap 124 has four loops 131,132,133,134 attached thereon, and likewise, the second strap 126 has four loops 141,142,143,144 attached thereon. As shown in
For example, if maximum length in strap 124 is desired, loop 134, the loop farthest from the stirrup 112, is positioned over the tree step 72. If the minimal amount of length is desired, loop 131, the loop closest to the stirrup 112, is positioned over the tree step. Preferably, the user selects loops that will result in the first strap 124 hanging in substantial vertical alignment with the stirrup 112 and the second tree step 72, and substantial horizontal alignment with the first tree step 70, as shown in
A portable step and a method of using same are described above. Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from its scope. The above description of the preferred embodiments and best mode of the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation—the invention being defined by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
