Leveling device for use with a tree stand, tree stand incorporating same, and method of using same

Abstract

A leveling apparatus, for use with a tree stand, allows a user to angularly adjust a position of the tree stand on an inclined tree, to bring platforms of the tree stand into a horizontal orientation. The apparatus includes a fork member having a shaft portion with a threaded bore formed therein and a working end opposite the shaft portion. The working end of the fork member has a toothed structure for contacting a tree trunk. The apparatus also includes a mounting member including a sleeve having an open end which slidably receives the shaft portion of the fork member therein. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for moving the fork member in relation to the sleeve member, to facilitate leveling of a tree stand attached to the mounting member. A tree stand incorporating the leveling apparatus, and a method of using the apparatus are also described.

1 . An adjustable leveling apparatus for use with a tree stand, said leveling apparatus comprising: 
 a fork member having a shaft portion and a working end opposite the shaft portion, said working end having toothed structure thereon for engagingly contacting a tree trunk,    a mounting member, comprising: 
 a sleeve having an open end which slidably and telescopically receives the shaft portion of the fork member therein, said mounting member, said sleeve having a hollow passage formed therein and having a longitudinal axis; and  
 a bracket fixedly attached to the sleeve for use in attaching the mounting member to a tree stand; and  
   an adjustment mechanism interconnecting the fork member and the mounting member for slidably moving the sleeve member in relation to the fork member.    
   
   
       2 . The leveling apparatus of  claim 1 , 
 wherein the shaft portion of the fork member has a threaded bore formed therein;    wherein the mounting member comprises a substantially vertical plate attached to the sleeve and oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, said plate having a through hole formed therein which communicates with the hollow passage of the sleeve;    and wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustment stud having a transverse medial flange thereon and having a first end portion with male threading thereon and configured to fit into the threaded bore of the shaft portion, said adjustment stud having a second end portion opposite the first end portion, said second end portion configured to fit through the through hole of the mounting member's vertical plate.    
   
   
       3 . The leveling apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a handle member which fits on a tip of the second end portion of the adjustment stud.  
   
   
       4 . The leveling apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a grommet which fits into the through hole of the mounting member's vertical plate, and which receives part of the second end of the adjustment stud therein.  
   
   
       5 . The leveling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises a top wall having a bore formed therein, wherein a retainer nut is welded to the top wall of the sleeve in a manner such that respective openings of the bore and the retainer nut are concentrically aligned with one another, and further comprising a locking stud which fits into the retainer nut and which can be tightened against the shaft of the fork member to temporarily fix the position of the fork member in the sleeve.  
   
   
       6 . An adjustable leveling apparatus for use with a tree stand, said leveling apparatus comprising: 
 a fork member having a shaft portion with a threaded bore formed therein and a working end opposite the shaft portion, said working end having toothed structure thereon for engagingly contacting a tree trunk,    a mounting member, comprising: 
 a sleeve having an open end which slidably and telescopically receives the shaft portion of the fork member therein, said sleeve having a hollow passage formed therein and having a longitudinal axis; and  
 a bracket fixedly attached to the sleeve for use in attaching the mounting member to a tree stand; and  
   an adjustment mechanism interconnecting the fork member and the mounting member for slidably moving the sleeve member in relation to the fork member.    
   
   
       7 . The leveling apparatus of  claim 6 , 
 wherein the mounting member comprises a bracket having a substantially L-shaped cross-section, said bracket comprising a substantially vertical plate attached to the sleeve and oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, said plate having a through hole formed therein which communicates with the hollow passage of the sleeve;    and wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustment stud having a transverse medial flange thereon and having a first end portion with male threading thereon and configured to fit into the threaded bore of the shaft portion, said adjustment stud having a second end portion opposite the first end portion, said second end portion configured to fit through the through hole of the mounting member's vertical plate;    and wherein the apparatus further comprises a handle member which fits on a tip of the second end portion of the adjustment stud outside of the sleeve.    
   
   
       8 . The leveling apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a grommet which fits into the through hole of the mounting member's vertical plate, and which receives part of the second end of the adjustment stud therein.  
   
   
       9 . The leveling apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the sleeve comprises a top wall having a bore formed therein, wherein a retainer nut is welded to the top wall of the sleeve in a manner such that respective openings of the bore and the retainer nut are concentrically aligned with one another, and further comprising a locking stud which fits into the retainer nut and which can be tightened against the shaft of the fork member to temporarily fix the position of the fork member in the sleeve.  
   
   
       10 . A kit of components capable of being assembled to form an adjustable leveling apparatus for use with a tree stand, said kit comprising: 
 a fork member having a shaft portion with a threaded bore formed therein and a working end opposite the shaft portion, said working end having toothed structure thereon for engagingly contacting a tree trunk,    a mounting member, comprising: 
 a sleeve having an open end which slidably and telescopically receives the shaft portion of the fork member therein, said sleeve having a hollow passage formed therein and having a longitudinal axis; and  
   a bracket fixedly attached to the sleeve for use in attaching the mounting member to a tree stand wherein the mounting member, said bracket having a substantially L-shaped cross-section and comprising a substantially vertical plate attached to the sleeve and oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, said plate having a through hole formed therein which communicates with the hollow passage of the sleeve;    an adjustment stud having a transverse medial flange thereon and having a first end portion with male threading thereon and configured to fit into the threaded bore of the shaft portion, said adjustment stud having a second end portion opposite the first end portion, said second end portion configured to fit through the through hole of the mounting member's vertical plate, and    a handle member which fits on a tip of the second end portion of the adjustment stud.    
   
   
       11 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the sleeve comprises a top wall having a bore formed therein, wherein a retainer nut is welded to the top wall of the sleeve in a manner such that respective openings of the bore and the retainer nut are concentrically aligned with one another, and further comprising a locking stud which fits into the retainer nut and which can be tightened against the shaft of the fork member to temporarily fix the position of the fork member in the sleeve.  
   
   
       12 . A tree stand, comprising: 
 a main frame section;    a flexible mounting member operatively the main frame section for use in attaching the tree stand to a tree trunk;    a seat section operatively attached to a top portion of the main frame section;    a foot support platform operatively attached to a bottom portion of the main frame section; and    an adjustable leveling apparatus attached to the main frame section of the tree stand, where said leveling apparatus is the apparatus of  claim 1 .    
   
   
       13 . A tree stand, comprising: 
 a main frame section;    a flexible mounting member operatively the main frame section for use in attaching the tree stand to a tree trunk;    a seat section operatively attached to a top portion of the main frame section;    a foot support platform operatively attached to a bottom portion of the main frame section; and    an adjustable leveling apparatus attached to the main frame section of the tree stand, where said leveling apparatus is the apparatus of  claim 7 .    
   
   
       14 . A method of leveling a tree stand, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) operating an adjustment member to push a mounting member of a leveling apparatus outwardly relative to a fork member of the apparatus, where the mounting member is affixed to a frame of a tree stand, where movement of the mounting member changes an angular orientation of the tree stand in relation to a tree on which the tree stand is mounted;    b) tightening a locking member to temporarily fix the position of the mounting member in relation to the fork member.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the adjustment member is operated by rotating an adjustment stud with a handle member, where an end portion of the adjustment stud opposite the handle member has male threads thereon which are threadably engaged in a threaded bore of the fork member.