# US 2023/0054422 A1 · Ladder stand and activity rail assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0054422 A1 - Document ID: US20230054422A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/046,459 - Filed: 2022-10-13 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-20 - Assignees: Ardisam, Inc. - Applicants: Ardisam, Inc. - Inventors: Bryant HAAKENSON; Michael FURSETH; Scott NICKELL; Blake OTTO - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230054422A1 ## CPC - A01M 31/02: Shooting stands - A01M 31/025: {Hunting blinds, i.e. camouflage} - E06C 1/34: Ladders attached to structures, such as windows, cornices, poles, or the like ({E06C9/12 takes precedence}; ladders permanently fastened to buildings E06C9/00, {e.g. climbing irons E06C9/04}) - E06C 7/06: Securing devices or hooks for parts of extensible ladders - E06C 7/16: Platforms on, or for use on, ladders, e.g. liftable or lowerable platforms (aspects relating to the lifting B66F) - E06C 7/182: {situated at the top of the ladder} - E06C 7/188: {Accessories for temporary stabilising a ladder, e.g. temporary attaching devices (ladder feet or struts E06C7/42, ladder heads E06C7/48)} - A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS - E06C: LADDERS (E04F11/00 takes precedence; step-stools A47C12/00; adaptation of ladders to use on ships B63B, to use on aircraft B64; scaffolding E04G) ## Abstract A tree stand includes an activity rail assembly rotatably attached to a chair. The activity rail assembly is rotatable among a first stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented upright, a second stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented downwardly, and one or more deployed positions between the first stowed position and the second stowed position. The activity rail assembly is extendable and retractable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the activity rail assembly is in the first position, a horizontal activity rail portion is closer to the chair than when the activity rail assembly is in the second position. The tree stand may further include a platform to support the chair, and, optionally, a ladder portion to support the platform. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A stand comprising: a platform; a chair supported on the platform; and an activity rail assembly rotatably attached to the chair, the activity rail assembly having a horizontal activity rail portion; wherein: the activity rail assembly is rotatable among a first stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented upright, a second stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented downwardly, and one or more deployed positions between the first stowed position and the second stowed position; and the activity rail assembly is extendable and retractable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the activity rail assembly is in the first position, the horizontal activity rail portion is closer to the chair than when the activity rail assembly is in the second position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, wherein the platform comprises a slot positioned to receive a portion of the activity rail assembly, and wherein when the activity rail assembly is in the second stowed position, the portion of the activity rail assembly is positioned in the slot. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, wherein the activity rail assembly comprises a telescoping mechanism for extending and retracting the activity rail assembly between the first and second positions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, wherein the activity rail assembly comprises a means for locking the activity rail assembly in the first position, in the second position, or in a third position between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, further comprising: a retaining element supported by the chair, wherein the retaining element is movable between a first retaining element position in which the retaining element does not support the activity rail assembly, and a second retaining element position in which the retaining element supports the activity rail assembly in one of the one or more deployed positions; and a track element supported by the chair, wherein the retaining element is movable along the track element between the first and second retaining element positions, and wherein when the retaining element is in the first retaining element position, the retaining element is clear of a pathway of the activity rail assembly between the first stowed position and the second stowed position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The stand of claim 5, wherein the track element is curved or bent. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The stand of claim 5, wherein the retaining element comprises a knob. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, further comprising a ladder portion, wherein the platform is supported on the ladder portion. ### Claim 9 A seating structure, comprising: a chair; a platform, wherein the platform supports the chair; and an activity rail assembly rotatably attached to the chair, the activity rail assembly having a horizontal activity rail portion and a mechanism for extending and retracting the activity rail assembly; wherein: the activity rail assembly is rotatable among a first stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented upright, a second stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented downwardly, and one or more deployed positions between the first stowed position and the second stowed position; and the activity rail assembly is extendable and retractable, via the mechanism, between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein when the activity rail assembly is in the retracted position, the horizontal activity rail portion is closer to the chair than when the activity rail assembly is in the extended position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The seating structure of claim 9, wherein the platform comprises a slot positioned to receive a portion of the horizontal activity rail portion, and wherein when the activity rail assembly is in the second stowed position, the portion of the horizontal activity rail portion is positioned in the slot. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The seating structure of claim 9, further comprising a retaining element supported by the chair, wherein the retaining element is movable between a first retaining element position in which the retaining element does not support the activity rail assembly, and a second retaining element position in which the retaining element supports the activity rail assembly in one of the one or more deployed positions. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The seating structure of claim 11, wherein the retaining element is movable to one or more additional retaining element positions in which the retaining element supports the activity rail assembly in a plurality of alternative deployed positions of the one or more deployed positions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The seating structure of claim 9, further comprising: a track element supported by the chair and extending between a first location on a side of the chair and a second location different from the first location; and a knob slidably engaged with the track element and being movable along the track element between the first location and the second location, and wherein when the knob is in the second location, the knob does not obstruct a pathway of the activity rail assembly, and wherein when the knob is in the first location, the knob supports the activity rail assembly in one of the one or more deployed positions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The seating structure of claim 13, wherein the track element is curved or bent. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The seating structure of claim 9, wherein the mechanism for extending and retracting the activity rail assembly comprises a telescoping mechanism. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The seating structure of claim 15, wherein the activity rail assembly comprises a clamp positioned to lock the telescoping mechanism to hold the activity rail assembly in the retracted position, in the extended position, or in an intermediate position between the retracted and extended positions. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The seating structure of claim 9, wherein the activity rail assembly comprises: a first tube rotatably attached to the chair on a first side of the chair; a second tube rotatably attached to the chair on a second side of the chair opposite the first side; a third tube telescopically positioned at least partially inside the first tube and configured to slide within the first tube; a fourth tube telescopically positioned at least partially inside the second tube and configured to slide within the second tube; and a means for locking the fourth tube relative to the second tube; wherein the horizontal activity rail portion extends between the third tube and the fourth tube. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The seating structure of claim 9, further comprising a ladder portion, wherein the platform is supported on the ladder portion. ### Claim 19 A seating structure, comprising: a chair; a track element supported by the chair and extending between a first location on a side of the chair and a second location different from the first location; and an activity rail assembly rotatably attached to the chair, the activity rail assembly having a horizontal activity rail portion and a mechanism for extending and retracting the activity rail assembly; wherein: the activity rail assembly is rotatable among a first stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented upright, a second stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented downwardly, and one or more deployed positions between the first stowed position and the second stowed position; the activity rail assembly is extendable and retractable, via the mechanism, between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein when the activity rail assembly is in the retracted position, the horizontal activity rail portion is closer to the chair than when the activity rail assembly is in the extended position; and the seating structure further comprises a knob slidably engaged with the track element and being movable along the track element between the first location and the second location, and wherein when the knob is in the second location, the knob does not obstruct a pathway of the activity rail assembly, and wherein when the knob is in the first location, the knob supports the activity rail assembly in one of the one or more deployed positions. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The seating structure of claim 19, further comprising a platform, wherein the platform supports the chair. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The seating structure of claim 20, further comprising a ladder portion, wherein the platform is supported on the ladder portion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The seating structure of claim 20, wherein the platform comprises a slot positioned to receive a portion of the horizontal activity rail portion, and wherein when the activity rail assembly is in the second stowed position, the portion of the horizontal activity rail portion is positioned in the slot. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The seating structure of claim 19, wherein the mechanism for extending and retracting the activity rail assembly comprises a telescoping mechanism. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The seating structure of claim 23, wherein the activity rail assembly comprises a clamp positioned to lock the telescoping mechanism to hold the activity rail assembly in the retracted position, in the extended position, or in an intermediate position between the retracted and extended positions. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The seating structure of claim 19, wherein the activity rail assembly comprises: a first tube rotatably attached to the chair on a first side of the chair; a second tube rotatably attached to the chair on a second side of the chair opposite the first side; a third tube telescopically positioned at least partially inside the first tube and configured to slide within the first tube; a fourth tube telescopically positioned at least partially inside the second tube and configured to slide within the second tube; and a means for locking the fourth tube relative to the second tube; wherein the horizontal activity rail portion extends between the third tube and the fourth tube.