Tree stands, ladders, and associated systems and methods

Abstract

A tree stand system is provided. The tree stand system may include a tree stand. The tree stand may include a frame post, a platform portion engaged with the frame post, and a seat portion engaged with the frame post. Further, the tree stand may include an upper engagement device and a lower engagement device each configured to engage a structure. One of the upper engagement device and the lower engagement device may define a convex edge configured to extend toward the structure to allow the tree stand to roll against the structure to select a horizontal angle that the tree stand faces. The tree stand system may further include one or more of a ladder, a hoisting apparatus, and an accessory. The accessory may include a bow holder accessory or a hunting device accessory.

1 . A tree stand system, comprising:
 a tree stand, including:
 a frame post; 
 a platform portion engaged with the frame post; 
 a seat portion engaged with the frame post; and 
 an upper engagement device and a lower engagement device each engaged with the frame post, the platform portion, or the seat portion, and arranged to engage a structure so as to secure the tree stand to the structure; and 
   a hoisting apparatus arranged to be engaged between the structure and the tree stand so as to raise or lower the tree stand in relation to an elevated position along the structure for the tree stand to be secured to the structure at the elevated position via the upper and lower engagement devices.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the hoisting apparatus comprises a rotatable drum member having a flexible tensile member engaged therewith, the tensile member being engaged between the drum member and the tree stand, and being responsive to rotation of the drum member so as to coil about or uncoil from the drum member to raise or lower the tree stand in relation to the elevated position. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the hoisting apparatus comprises a mounting bracket having the drum member rotatably mounted therein, the mounting bracket further including a structure-engaging device arranged to mount the mounting bracket to the structure above the elevated position. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the hoisting apparatus comprises an actuation member operably engaged with the drum member and arranged to receive an input, the actuation member being responsive to the input to rotate the drum member to coil or uncoil the tensile member with respect thereto so as to raise or lower the tree stand. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the hoisting apparatus comprises a gear reduction arrangement operably engaged between the actuation member and the drum member. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the gear reduction arrangement being arranged to have a reduction ratio of about  30 : 1 . 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the input to the actuation member is provided by a rotational device. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the rotational device is a drilling device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tensile member comprises a woven member. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the woven member comprises a rope, a strap, a cable, a webbing, or combinations thereof 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a first engagement device of the upper and lower engagement devices defines a convex edge configured to extend toward the structure to allow the tree stand to roll against the structure to select a horizontal angle that the tree stand faces 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein a second engagement device of the upper and lower engagement devices, the second engagement device being different from the first engagement device, is engaged with a linkage arranged to move the second engagement device toward or away from the structure and to adjust a horizontal angle of the second engagement device with respect to the structure 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the linkage comprises first and second rods each being extensible in parallel with each other and with respect to the frame post, the platform portion, or the seat portion, wherein the first and second rods have distal ends pivotably engaged with opposed ends of the second engagement device, and wherein each of the first and second rods is independently adjustable in length between the second engagement device and the frame post, the platform portion, or the seat portion. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the second engagement device is extensible between the distal ends of the first and second extensible rods to facilitate unequal parallel extensions of the first and second rods. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second engagement device defines one or more receiving edges configured to at least partially surround the structure and secure the tree stand at the horizontal angle selected. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the convex edge and the one or more receiving edges each define a plurality of teeth. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tree stand further comprises an upper tie down mechanism configured to extend around the structure, the upper engagement device and the upper tie down mechanism each being engaged with the frame post at a same height therealong. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the tree stand further comprises a lower tie down mechanism engaged with the frame post between the upper tie down mechanism and the platform portion. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper engagement device is positioned above the platform portion and the lower engagement device is positioned below the platform portion. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tree stand further comprises an accessory mount engaged with the frame post behind the seat portion. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the accessory mount comprises first and second mounting bars extending substantially parallel to one another. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising an accessory configured to engage the accessory mount and extend to a position in front of the seat portion, wherein the accessory is hunting device accessory or a bow holder accessory. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tree stand further comprises a second frame post engaged with the platform portion and a second seat portion engaged with the second frame post. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the tree stand further comprises a cross-member extending between the frame post and the second frame post, and wherein the upper engagement device is engaged with the cross-member. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tree stand further comprises a ladder and a forward step operably engaged with the platform portion, the forward step being disposed between the platform portion and the ladder. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more climbing sticks, each climbing stick comprising a central frame and a plurality of steps engaged with the central frame, wherein each of the steps comprises a first section and a second section, the first section and the second section being substantially identical and oppositely disposed about the central frame. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the first section and the second section each define a plurality of inner protrusions cooperatively surrounding the central frame.