The instant disclosure relates to a tree climbing stick.
Climbing sticks are an aide to assist climbing a tree primarily to a fixed position. They include multiple independent sections with two or three steps, secured to a tree, and allow the user to climb to the desired height.
Climbing sticks come in a variety of step distances which is dependent on the users preference. A two-step climbing stick with a 20″ step distance, for example, will allow the user to ascend 40″ per stick, (20″ to the first step and 20″ to the second step). A typical hunting height is twenty feet and would require six climbing sticks. In order to reduce the number of climbing sticks transported and installed, an additional step made from webbing or rope, called an aider, can be used to add length to the climbing stick. Because the aider is typically not an integral part of the climbing stick it needs to be installed each use which is time consuming or wrapped up when transported which is bulky. Having an integral aider that is the same step distance as the stick step distance adds an extra 20″ in this example and allows the user to achieve the typical 20′ hunting height with only 4 climbing sticks.
Additionally, the transportation and installation of the climbing sticks is something important to hunters and often overlooked by manufacturers. Having the climbing sticks nest within one another with materials that don't make metallic sounds that also limit axial motion and are retained with integral clips is an advantage. Typically, the first climbing stick is installed to the tree and the rest are individually fastened to the user's climbing belt, making for a noisy complicated climb. Having an integral retaining clip allows the user to keep the remainder of the sticks stacked on top of one another as they ascend the tree.
In one embodiment, a tree climbing stick comprising a retractable aider is provided. A stick body comprises an elongated member comprising an upper end, a lower end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end of the stick body. The stick body comprises an interior opening extending through the lower end along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis. A first standoff is attached to and extends away from the stick body in a first direction. A second standoff is attached to and extends away from stick body in the first direction. The second standoff is spaced from the first standoff, and the first and second standoffs are adapted to engage a tree and maintain the stick body in a spaced relationship with the tree. A step is attached to the stick body and extends outwardly from the stick body. The step comprises a step interior opening extending through at least a portion of a length of the step. A retractable aider step comprises a loop extending below the step and through the step interior opening and a pull handle coupled to the loop within at least one of the stick body interior opening and the step interior opening. The pull handle extends from at least one of the steps and the stick body, and the aider step is adapted to be extended by a user pulling the loop and to be retracted by the user pulling the pull handle.
In another embodiment, a tree climbing stick is adapted to be stacked and secured to a second tree climbing stick. A stick body comprises an elongated member comprising an upper end, a lower end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end. A connection member comprises a button coupled to and extending from the stick body in a first direction and a clip extending from the stick body in a second opposite direction. A first standoff is attached to and extends away from the stick body in the second direction. A second standoff is attached to and extends away from stick body in the second direction. The second standoff is spaced from the first standoff. The first and second standoffs are adapted to engage a tree and maintain the stick body in a spaced relationship with the tree. A first step is attached to the stick body and extends outwardly from the stick body. The first step is disposed distally along the stick body longitudinal axis relative to the first standoff. A second step is attached to the stick body and extends outwardly from the stick body. The step is disposed distally along the stick body longitudinal axis relative to the second standoff. The clip of the connection member is adapted to secure a button of a second tree climbing stick. The first and second standoffs are adapted to nest with a respective first and second standoff of the second tree climbing stick when the tree climbing stick is coupled with the second tree climbing stick.
In this embodiment, a second tree climbing stick can be provided. The second tree climbing stick comprises a second stick body comprising a second elongated member having a second upper end, a second lower end, and a second longitudinal axis extending through the second upper end and the second lower end. A second connection member comprises a second button coupled to and extending from the second stick body in a third direction and a second clip extending from the stick body in a fourth direction opposite the third direction. A second stick first standoff is attached to and extends away from the second stick body in the fourth direction. A second stick second standoff is attached to and extends away from second stick body in the fourth direction. The second stick second standoff is spaced from the second stick first standoff and the second stick first and second standoffs are adapted to engage a tree and maintain the second stick body in a spaced relationship with the tree. A second stick first step are attached to the second stick body and extend outwardly from the second stick body. The second stick first step is disposed distally along the second stick body second longitudinal axis relative to the second stick first standoff. A second stick second step is attached to the second stick body and extends outwardly from the second stick body. The second stick second step is disposed distally along the second stick body second longitudinal axis relative to the second stick second standoff. The second button is adapted be engaged by the clip of the connection member, and the first and second standoffs are adapted to nest with the respective second stick first and second standoffs of the second tree climbing stick when the tree climbing stick is coupled with the second tree climbing stick.
In another embodiment, a tree climbing stick is provided comprising an integral button and clip connection member. In this embodiment, a stick body comprises an elongated member comprising an upper end, a lower end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the upper end and the lower end. A connection member comprises an integral button and clip device coupled to the stick body. The integral button and clip device comprises a button extending from the stick body in a first direction, and a clip extending around and away from the stick body in a second opposite direction. A first standoff is attached to and extends away from the stick body in the second direction. A second standoff is attached to and extends away from stick body in the second direction. The second standoff is spaced from the first standoff, and the first and second standoffs are adapted to engage a tree and maintain the stick body in a spaced relationship with the tree. A first step is attached to the stick body and extends outwardly from the stick body. The first step is disposed distally along the stick body longitudinal axis relative to the first standoff. A second step is attached to the stick body and extends outwardly from the stick body. The second step is disposed distally along the stick body longitudinal axis relative to the second standoff. The clip of the integral button and clip device is adapted to engage a button of a second tree climbing stick.
The foregoing and other aspects, features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from reading the following description and claims, and from reviewing the accompanying drawings.
The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known embodiment. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the invention described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof.
As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a” component can include two or more such components unless the context indicates otherwise. Also, the words “proximal” and “distal” are used to describe items or portions of items that are situated closer to and away from, respectively, a user or operator such as a surgeon. Thus, for example, the tip or free end of a device may be referred to as the distal end, whereas the generally opposing end or handle may be referred to as the proximal end.
All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other.
Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
The term “substantially” or “generally” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation which could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related.
The climbing stick 10 comprises a pair of steps 30, 32 disposed at opposing ends of the stick body 12. The steps 30, 32 are used for both stepping upon and gripping by a person using the climbing stick to climb a tree and may also be referred to as a handhold. In this embodiment, the steps 30, 32 comprise generally tubular members that are disposed in a generally perpendicular orientation to the stick body 12 as shown in
The climbing stick 10 further comprises a pair of standoffs 40 attached to the stick body 12. In this embodiment, for example, each standoff 40 comprises a bracket 42 and a pair of feet 44. The standoffs 40 extend away from the first, tree-facing side 20 of the stick body 12 and are adapted to engage the tree and maintain the stick body in a spaced relationship with the tree. The bracket defines an opening between the feet adapted to receive a curved portion of a tree trunk between the feet of the standoff. In the embodiment shown in
The climbing stick also comprises a button 50 attached to and extending from the stick body 12. The button 50 is utilized for attachment of the climbing stick to a tree by extending a tether 52 (e.g., a rope or cable) around the tree and securing the tether to the button 50. The button may further comprise a clip adapted to engage the stick body of an adjacent climbing stick when stacked and secured together so as to stabilize stacked climbing sticks and mute sound from their abutment when they are secured together, such as shown in
The climbing stick further comprises a retractable aider step 60. In this embodiment, for example, the aider step comprises a cable or rope 62 that is adapted to be at least partially extended from or retracted within the stick body 12 and/or the lower step 30. The aider step further comprises a generally tubular aider step member 64 disposed about a bottom portion of a loop 66 of the cable or rope 62. The generally tubular aider step member 64 may be rigid or generally flexible, but is adapted to maintain a width of the aider step at the bottom portion of the cable or rope and provides a step surface for a user's footwear. The member 64 may also comprise a plurality of protrusions or another friction enhancing surface to reduce the tendency of the user's footwear from slipping on the member 64. By spreading the bottom loop 66 of the aider step, the generally tubular aider step member 64 maintains the aider step in a generally open configuration from the lower step 30 to the generally tubular aider step member 64 (e.g., rubber tubing). The open configuration makes it easier for a user to find the aider step during use (e.g., climbing a tree in the dark while looking upward). The aider step, in one embodiment comprises substantially the same length as the distance between the bottom and top steps 30 maintaining a consistent step distance when in use. The generally tubular aider step member 64 may also comprise a generally flexible material that may frictionally engage at least a portion of the lower step in a fully retracted position to reduce or eliminate noise generated by the abutment of the aider step 60 and the lower step 30, such as while being carried by a hunter.
The stick body, in one embodiment, comprises carbon fiber. In other embodiments, the stick body may comprise aluminum, steel or titanium tubing. However, other materials may also be used. In one embodiment, the button comprises a steel round weld nut such as sold by McMaster Carr and may be coupled with a clip secured with a bolt or other connector. The button and/or split pin may comprise steel or another metal material in some embodiments.
In one embodiment, the aider step cord and tether comprises an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene cord, such as a rope made from a Dyneema™ material produced by Avient Corporation and sold under the tradename Amsteel Blue™ by Samson Rope technologies. Other materials may include, for example, paracord (parachute cord) or a fiber called Spectra solid sold under the name DynaGlide™. The aider step outer tubing may comprise an EPDM rubber air hose or a neoprene hose. The pull cord for retracting the aider step may comprises an Amsteel Blue™ or spectra rope or other material that allows for coupling to the aider step loop and smoothly wrap around the button pin or other internal structure of the climbing stick. In one embodiment, for example, the aider step pull cord comprises a 12 strand Amsteel Blue™ rope with a locked brummel loop. These materials, however, are merely examples and other materials may be used.
In operation, the aider step 60 is extended from the climbing stick 10 housing by pulling the aider step member away 64 from the lower step 30 until the continuous loop 66 is fully extended from the housing and the pull rope 68 is fully extended within the housing as shown in
In another embodiment, a single continuous loop may extend over a button pin disposed within the stick body of the climbing stick and extend out through the bottom step of the climbing stick to form an integral pull rope. In this embodiment, pulling the end of the continuous loop retracts a lower portion of the continuous loop within the housing of the climbing stick and brings the aider step formed by that continuous loop up to the lower step of the climbing step. In this embodiment, the continuous loop and pull rope shown in
The climbing sticks 100, 110 stack in an aligned position in which the exterior dimensions of the first climbing stick 100 and the second climbing stick 110 are generally aligned so that the sticks 100, 110 are arranged in a compact manner. In this embodiment, the steps and brackets of the climbing sticks 100, 110 are aligned with each other and neither climbing stick extends beyond the outer dimensions of the adjacent climbing stick.
In one embodiment, for example, a first bracket 102 of the first climbing stick 100 defines a first opening 101 disposed between a first pair of bracket members 104 and a first pair of feet 106 of the bracket 102. A second bracket 112 of the second climbing stick 110 similarly defines a second opening 111 disposed between a second pair of bracket members 114 and a second pair of feet 116 of the second bracket 112. An interior surface 108 of the first bracket 100 is generally complementary to an outer surface 119 of the second bracket 110 such that the second bracket 112 nests and stacks within the opening of 101 the first bracket 102. In one embodiment, for example, the interior surface 108 of the first bracket 102 has an angled surface that is generally the same as an angled outer surface 119 of the second bracket allowing the second bracket 110 to slide within the opening 101 of the first bracket 102. Further, an outer dimension of the proximal end of the bracket 112 of the second climbing stick 110 is generally the same as an inner dimension of the proximal end of the opening 101 defined by the first bracket 102 of the first climbing stick 100.
As shown in
The relative location of the tree bracket and feet disposed inwardly of the steps of the climbing sticks abut the steps of the adjacent, stacked climbing sticks and restricts axial movement of the stacked climbing sticks with respect to each other.
In this embodiment, the integral button and clip device 160 comprises an integral device including a button 164 comprising an opening 166 for a pin 168 to secure the device to a stick body 180 of a climbing stick. The integral button and clip device 160 may, for example, be formed of a single material (e.g., molded as a single piece). In one embodiment, the pin 168 is secured to the integral button and clip device 160 and the stick body 180 by a press fit. In this embodiment, the pin may comprise a split pin designed to stay in place when inserted into a bore. The integral button and clip device 160 further comprises a pair or resilient flanges 170, 172 that extend beyond the opposing side of the stick body 180. The pair of flanges 170, 172 comprise curved interior surfaces 171, 173 that flare outwardly as shown in
In one embodiment, the clip or integral button and clip device comprises a carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic. In other embodiments, the clip or integral button and clip device comprises a polymer such as nylon or a metal material such as a forged metal. Three-dimensional plastics or other materials may also be used.
The integral step and standoff device 200 further comprises a tree bracket 210 comprising a pair of bracket members 212 and a pair of bracket feet 214 that collectively define an opening 216 adapted to stack and nest with another standoff member of an adjacent, stacked climbing stick, such as shown in
The end brackets 284, 286 each comprise an opening 294 adapted to fit over a respective end 302, 304 of a top step 300 of a climbing stick. As shown in
To remove the angled shelf 282, the pin 294 is removed. One of the end brackets 286 is pulled away from a respective end 304 of the top step 300 of the climbing stick overcoming the compressive force of the elastic cord 292. The end bracket 286 is then rotated away from the end 304 of the top step 300 allowing the opposite end bracket 284 of the angled shelf to be removed from the opposing end 302 of the top shelf.
As shown in
In one embodiment, for example, a first climbing stick may be installed in the tree by a user standing on the ground by wrapping a rope 328 around the tree and securing the rope 328 to a button of the climbing stick 320. The aider step 326 of the climbing stick 320 is extended providing a first step 328 in addition to the lower and upper steps 330, 332 of the climbing stick body. Then, standing on the upper step 332 of the first climbing stick 320, a second climbing stick 322 is installed onto the tree by wrapping a second rope 334 around the button of the second climbing stick 322, and the second aider step 336 is extended. Finally, the user climbs onto the second climbing stick 322 and installs a third climbing stick 324 onto the tree above the second climbing stick, and the third aider step 346 is extended. Standing on the top step of the second climbing stick 322 or lower step 338 of the third climbing stick, a shelf can be installed onto the top step of the third climbing stick. The user may then tether himself to the tree with his feet resting on the shelf installed on the third climbing stick.
The three climbing sticks shown in
Number | Date | Country | |
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63432712 | Dec 2022 | US |