US20040149871A1

US20040149871A1 - Ultimate 440: portable lock-on deer hunting stand

Info

Publication number: US20040149871A1
Application number: US10/431,675
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas Authement
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-13
Filing date: 2003-05-09
Publication date: 2004-08-05

Abstract

This is a unique Lock-On Deer Hunting Tree Stand that provides a hunter with a true 440-degree plus hunting and shooting advantage, without having to stand or get out of their seat. It places the hunter at full advantage of approaching game from any direction. The seating mechanism glides quietly and effortlessly, on Teflon/Polyethylene bushing, to allow the hunter to gain additional cover from the tree on which the stand is mounted. Eliminates missed opportunities due to game approaching from the wrong side of a hunter, especially bow hunters. Ambidextrous works equally well for right or left-handed hunters. Excellent for Bow or Gun Hunters.

Equipped with an “easy-up” lifting system, one person is able to raise the platform and main support mount assemblies to the desired height and position on the tree, where it can be secured in place with three heavy duty ratchet straps. Once this is accomplished the chair assembly can be lifted by the same means or can be pulled directly from the platform. The chair assembly with support pivot arm is designed to give the hunter a 180-degrees of movement covering roughly four feet of area and at the same time allows the hunter the ability to swivel 360-degrees on the chair mounted at the end of the support pivot arm. This combination allows a full point-to-point 440-degree visual and shooting radius. The platform is a roomy three-foot by six-foot (3′×6′) area which offers the hunter the square footage of a conventional box stand, and yet provides added security with the available floor space. The platform has been load tested at five hundred (500) pounds. The weight load is evenly distributed through four quick connect stabilizers that fasten between the platform and the main support mount. The stabilizers are anchored and secured with locking pins. Side-to-side movement on the platform is eliminated by the use of a wrap-around end-to-end ratchet strap, which connect from rear corners of the platform to the tree.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This unique deer stand was designed by a 22 year Bow Hunter. Having hunted in virtually every hunting condition, and out of most hunting stands known to man, and having experienced all of the many frustrations caused by hunting stand restrictions of movement, or shooting limitations, the “ULTIMATE 440” was conceived. This stand was designed specifically to allow the hunter a distinct advantage over game, which could approach the hunting area from any direction, without the restrictions of movement imposed by most other stands. This stand eliminates those shots that were once lost to the hunter due to the game approaching from the wrong side, and the hunter being unable to torque themselves around to make a clean shot. This stand allows the hunter, either bow or gun, to enjoy a full 440-degree shooting radius in the most comfortable, extremely secure lock-on stand ever invented.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The “Ultimate 440” is a Lock-On Deer Hunting Tree Stand that provides a hunter with a true 440-degree plus hunting and shooting advantage, without having to stand or get out of their seat. The Stand's lightweight yet sturdy construction makes it easy to assemble at any desired height. It places the hunter at full advantage of approaching game from any direction. The seating mechanism glides quietly and effortlessly, on Teflon/Polyethylene bushing, to allow the hunter to gain additional cover from the tree on which the stand is mounted. This combination allows a full point-to-point 440-degree visual and shooting radius. The platform is a roomy three-foot by six-foot (3′×6′) area which offers the hunter the square footage of a conventional box stand, and yet provides added security with the available floor space. The platform has been load tested at five hundred (500) pounds. Eliminates missed opportunities due to game approaching from the wrong side of a hunter, especially bow hunters. Ambidextrous works equally well for right or left-handed hunters. Excellent for Bow or Gun Hunters.

Specifications:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Main Support Mount (frontal view) [0004]
FIG. 2: Platform Assembly (top view) [0005]
FIG. 3A: Chair Support Pivot Arm Assembly [0006]
FIG. 3B: Chair Swivel/Hinge Illustration [0007]
FIG. 3C: Chair Support Pivot Arm and Main Support Mount Attachment Assembly [0008]
FIG. 4: “Easy-Up” Lifting System [0009]
FIGS. [0010] 5A and 5B: Enclosure Cage Frame
FIG. 6—Photographs: [0011] 1A, B & C: Platform Assembly FIG. 2 with Stabilizers 41; and Main Support Mount Attachment FIG. 1 and Platform Assembly FIG. 2 illustrated
FIG. 7—Photographs: [0012] 2A, B & C: Main Support Mount Attachment FIG. 1 and Platform Assembly FIG. 2 attached to tree
FIG. 8—Photographs: [0013] 3A, B & C: Ultimate 440 mounted to tree; illustrating chair & chair mount

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1: Main Support Mount (Frontal View) [0014]
Is the [0015] central body 10/connecting location 2 & 9 where the platform FIG. 2, stabilizers (FIGS. 6, 7 & 8) 41 and chair assemblies FIGS. 3A & 3C are all connected to fit together FIGS. 2, 3C, & 6 all the components of the deer stand. It is secured to the tree with three ratchet straps connected to top 3, middle 4, and bottom 13 ratchet strap brackets.
FIG. 2: Platform Assembly (Top View) [0016]
The platform FIG. 2 is constructed of ¾″ square-[0017] tubing 39 frame, capped with expanded aluminum flooring 40. The platform frame design has a ½ radius cutout 16 for the chair support pivot arm 23 to swing a full 180-degrees 28 freely. The frame 23 has a rectangular shape with the foremost outer corners rolled back at about 45-degrees eliminating wasted floor space, and enhancing your close-up bow shooting ability. The furthest width FIG. 2 is three feet and the furthest length FIG. 2 is six feet (3′×6′). The platform FIG. 2 is equipped with ½″ round tubing cage hangers 15 located on the front and sides just inside the frame, used for supporting “Enclosure Cage Frame” FIGS. 5A & 5B. The frame 42, at the center of the backside, directly behind the ½ radius cutout for the pivot arm, supports the platform at the connecting point 2 to the “Main Support Mount” FIG. 1. Once in place, two locking pins FIG. 6, 42 are utilized to insure that the “Platform” FIG. 2 and “Main Support Mount” FIG. 1 do not separate. Four stabilizers as seen FIGS. 6, 7 & 8 # 41 also support the “Platform” FIG. 2 that connects “Platform” FIG. 2 to the lower portion of the “Main Support Mount” FIG. 1. The stabilizers 41 are hinge designed and secured with locking pins 11 to the lower portion 12 of the Main Support Mount FIG. 1. The wrap around end-to-end ratchet strap hooks to each of the rear corners 44 of the Platform FIG. 2, after a full wrap around the tree then tightened to just beyond snug. This eliminates any side-to-side movement of the platform FIG. 2.
FIG. 3A: Chair Support Pivot Arm Assembly [0018]
The [0019] chair 20 mounts to a plate 19 which stores an insert 17, made of 1″ square tubing for a Rifle Rest. This plate attaches to a 360-degree swivel bracket 27. This bracket is mounted on the end of the Support Pivot Arm plate 23, which is mounted at or near a 55-degree angle; this allows the chair 20 to swivel a full 360-degrees 27. The lower end of the Pivot Arm 23, is constructed of round schedule 40 tubing 24 that is machined and fitted with a ⅛″ to {fraction (3/16)}″ thick Teflon/Polyethylene bushing 25. This end of the Pivot Arm 23 is designed to hinge from the Main Support Mount FIG. 1 with a 1″ solid aluminum pin 5. The pin 5 drops through a fixed housing (top bracket anchor) 4 that is machined with minimal clearance 25 and stops in the base plate 6. The pin 5 is machined with 0.010″-0.020″ clearance. The fixed housing 4 (top bracket anchor) has a security-locking pin 3 that locks the hinge pin 5 in place.
FIG. 3B: Chair Swivel/Hinge Illustration [0020]
The [0021] chair 20 mounts to a plate 19 which stores an insert 17, made of 1″ square tubing for a Rifle Rest. This plate attaches to a 360-degree swivel bracket 27. This bracket is mounted on the end of the Support Pivot Arm plate 23, which is mounted at or near a 55-degree angle; this allows the chair 20 to swivel a full 360-degrees 27. The lower end of the Pivot Arm 23, is constructed of round schedule 40 tubing 24 that is machined and fitted with a ⅛″ to {fraction (3/16)}″ thick Teflon/Polyethylene bushing 25. This end of the Pivot Arm 23 is designed to hinge from the Main Support Mount FIG. 1 allowing the hinge arm 23 a full 180 degrees 28 range of motion.
FIG. 3C: Chair Support Pivot Arm and Main Support Mount Attachment Assembly [0022]
Illustrates the attachment of the Chair Support Pivot [0023] Arm Assembly 23, to the Main Support Beam 10. The Main Support Mount's (FIG. 1) Attachment Assembly (FIG. 3C) is comprised of a number of integrate parts that comprise the Assembly. At the lower end of the Assembly is a Pin Base Plate 6 which the Hinge Pin 5 comes to rests on as it is slipped through the Top Bracket 4. The Top Bracket 4 is further strengthened and stabilized by a Reverse Upper Gusset Bracket 29. The Pin Base Plate 6 is further strengthened and stabilized by a Pin Base Plate Gusset Bracket 8. The base end 24 of the Chair Support Pivot Arm Assembly 23 inserts between the Top Bracket 4 and the Hinge Pin Base Plate 6. Once these two components are properly aligned, insert the Hinge Pin 5, through the Teflon/Polyethylene Bushing 25 in the base end 24 of the Pivot Arm Assembly 23. Once the Pin 5 is securely in place and properly seated in the Base Plate 6, simply align the pilot holes 3 & 4 in the Top Bracket Anchor 4, and insert Safety Lock Pin 3. This will lock the pin 5 firmly and safely in place, thereby securing the Chair Support Pivot Arm 23 to the Main Beam 10.
FIG. 4: “Easy-Up” Lifting System [0024]
A lock-on “T” shaped [0025] tow bar 32, designed to bite into the tree when pressure is applied, with a pulley 33, rope 34 and a quick-snap color coded bridle for simple hook-up and lifting. The Tow Bar FIG. 4 is secured to the tree with a ratchet strap as illustrated in FIG. 6 & FIG. 7 photograph A, attached to T-Bar 32 on opposite ends after being wrapped around the tree.
FIGS. [0026] 5A and 5B: Enclosure Cage Frame
Is constructed of a ¾″ [0027] square tubing 38, which is pinned 37 at the contact points 35, 35A & 36 of the outer perimeter of the Frame 38, which hangs on the Platforms FIG. 2 ½″ round tubing cage hangers 15 with support post 36. The Frame 38 is approximately 30″ tall and supports the camouflage netting for concealment. Drop Hinge type pins 37 are used to secure the Enclosure Frame (FIG. 5) to the ULTIMATE 440 platform FIG. 2 once the Stand is fully assembled and secured in the desired hunting location.

Claims

1. The “Ultimate 440” is a Lock-On Deer Hunting Tree Stand.

2. This unique deer stand was designed by a 22 year Bow Hunter

3. It provides a hunter with a true 440-degree plus hunting and shooting advantage, without having to stand or get out of their seat.

4. The Stand's lightweight yet sturdy construction makes it easy to assemble at any desired height.

5. The “Ultimate 440 is comprised of: FIG. 1: Main Support Mount (frontal view); FIG. 2: Platform Assembly (top view); FIG. 3A: Chair Support Pivot Arm Assembly; FIG. 3B: Chair Swivel/Hinge Illustration; FIG. 3C: Chair Support Pivot Arm and Main Support Mount Attachment Assembly; FIG. 4: “Easy-Up” Lifting System; and FIGS. 5A and 5B: Enclosure Cage Frame complete with camouflage netting for ultimate concealment.

6. It places the hunter at full advantage of approaching game from any direction.

7. The seating mechanism glides quietly and effortlessly, on Teflon/Polyethylene bushing allowing for easy and quiet movement into an ideal shooting position.

8. It allows the hunter to gain additional cover from the tree on which the stand is mounted.

9. It eliminates missed opportunities due to game approaching from the wrong side of a hunter, especially bow hunters.

10. This stand was designed specifically to allow the hunter a distinct advantage over game, which could approach the hunting area from any direction, without the restrictions of movement imposed by most other stands.

11. It is Ambidextrous in that it works equally well for right or left-handed hunters.

12. Excellent for Bow or Gun Hunters.