Patent US4987972A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4987972A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tree climbing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-05-10
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Granted: 1991-01-29
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Expires: 2009-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A climbing tree stand having two separate climbing assemblies, the lower assembly having a collapsible chair such that the leg members of the chair can be positioned flush with the surface of the platform of the lower climbing assembly or set in an upright position. The position of the chair is interchangeable while the tree stand is in place on the tree, and does not obstruct the platform when in the collapsed position. The chair is freely rotatable in any direction. The upper climbing assembly provides a safety harness to prevent the user from accidentally falling.
Inventors
- 👤 James K. Helms
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:41
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01M; A01M31/00; A01M31/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
An apparatus for climbing a tree or like vertical structure and providing an horizontal platform capable of supporting a human, comprising two separate climbing assemblies, an upper climbing assembly and a lower climbing assembly, used in conjunction to perform the tree climbing operation; said upper climbing assembly comprising two opposed gripping members in non-planar relationship, adapted to engage said tree between said gripping members; and further comprising a substantially rectangular frame having an unobstructed interior portion; said lower climbing assembly comprising two opposed gripping members in non-planar relationship, adapted to engage said tree between said gripping members; further comprising a collapsible seating assembly having pivoting leg members and a seat rotatably attached to said leg members, where said seating assembly can be maintained in either an upright or collapsed position; and further comprising a substantially planar platform, said platform having a gap adapted to receive said leg members when said seating assembly is collapsed, whereby the upper surface of said leg members and said platform are even and no portion of said seating assembly obstructs any portion of said platform; where said seating assembly is set in the collapsed position during the climbing operation, and can be interchangeably set in either the upright or collapsed position when said apparatus is in use as an horizontal platform.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
216 words
An apparatus for climbing a tree or like vertical structure and providing an horizontal platform capable of supporting a human, comprising two separate climbing assemblies, an upper climbing assembly and a lower climbing assembly, used in conjunction to perform the tree climbing operation; said upper climbing assembly comprising two opposed gripping members in non-planar relationship, adapted to engage said tree between said gripping members; and further comprising a substantially rectangular frame having an unobstructed interior portion; said lower climbing assembly comprising two opposed gripping members in non-planar relationship, adapted to engage said tree between said gripping members; further comprising a collapsible seating assembly having pivoting leg members and a seat rotatably attached to said leg members, where said seating assembly can be maintained in either an upright or collapsed position; and further comprising a substantially planar platform, said platform having a gap adapted to receive said leg members when said seating assembly is collapsed, whereby the upper surface of said leg members and said platform are even and no portion of said seating assembly obstructs any portion of said platform; where said seating assembly is set in the collapsed position during the climbing operation, and can be interchangeably set in either the upright or collapsed position when said apparatus is in use as an horizontal platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1, where the collapsible seating assembly of said lower climbing assembly further comprises a telescoping brace member having an inner post and an outer post, where said inner post slides within said outer post to lengthen or shorten said telescoping brace member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 2, where the telescoping brace member has apertures to receive a detent pin, whereby the telescoping brace member can be locked in one position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, where the upper climbing assembly further comprises a detachable safety harness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1, where one of the opposed gripping members of the upper climbing assembly and one of the gripping members of the lower climbing assembly are removable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 5, where the removable gripping members have fastening members adapted for attachment of a chain.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1, where the opposed gripping members of the upper climbing assembly are substantially even with or above the frame, and where the opposed gripping members of the lower gripping assembly are substantially even with or below the platform.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3885649A
Cited
US3955645A
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US4168765A
Cited
US4369858A
Cited
US4667773A
Cited
US4802552A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-28 | 1994-07-30 | 1995-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-28 | 1998-07-30 | 1999-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-28 | 2002-07-30 | 2003-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |