Foothold for climbing tree stands

Abstract

A climbing tree stand includes a platform, a pair of support arms attached to the platform, and a pair of stirrup-like devices attached to the platform or the support arms and extending generally over the platform. The pair of stirrup-like devices are substantially rigid, and each comprises a molded plastic body. In one embodiment, the substantially rigid stirrup-like devices are attached to the support arms of the climbing tree stand and generally are curved downwardly towards the platform.

1 . A foot engaging member for use with a climbing tree stand assembly including a platform and a support member attached to the platform, comprising:
 a mounting portion for attachment to the climbing tree stand assembly; and   a rigid tail portion having a curved elongate body and extending away from the mounting portion.   
     
     
         2 . The foot engaging member of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is configured to be attached to the support member of the climbing tree stand assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The foot engaging member of  claim 2 , wherein the tail portion is configured to extend generally downwardly toward the platform of the tree stand assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The foot engaging member of  claim 1 , wherein the foot engaging member comprises substantially rigid molded plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The foot engaging member of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is configured to secure the foot engaging member to either the support member or to the platform. 
     
     
         6 . The foot engaging member of  claim 5 , wherein the mounting portion is secured to the support member with a fastener. 
     
     
         7 . A climbing tree stand assembly comprising:
 a platform;   a pair of support arms attached to the platform; and   a pair of rigid footholds attached to the platform or the support arms and extending generally over the platform.   
     
     
         8 . The climbing tree stand assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the pair of footholds each comprise a curved elongate body portion and a clamping portion for attaching to either the platform or the support arms. 
     
     
         9 . The climbing tree stand assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the curved elongate body portions extend generally over the platform. 
     
     
         10 . The climbing tree stand assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the footholds each comprise a molded plastic body. 
     
     
         11 . In a climbing tree stand including a platform and a pair of support arms attached to the platform, the climbing tree stand for use by a user, the improvement therein comprising:
 a pair of rigid foothold devices attached to the platform or the support arms.   
     
     
         12 . The improvement of  claim 11  wherein the rigid foothold devices extend generally between the support arms and the platform. 
     
     
         13 . The improvement of  claim 11  wherein the rigid foothold devices comprise a curved elongate body portion and an attachment portion for attaching to either the platform or the support arms. 
     
     
         14 . The improvement of  claim 13  wherein the rigid foothold devices comprise a molded plastic body. 
     
     
         15 . The improvement of  claim 13  wherein the attachment portion of the rigid foothold devices comprises a yoke for fastening to one of the support arms.