Ladder stand

Apparatus for securely engaging an upright columnar member for supporting a user above the ground, at a height beyond the user's reach when the user is standing on the ground comprising:

• a ladder;
• a platform secured to said ladder for accommodating the body of a user above the ground, said platform having a gripping device for securing said platform to the columnar member at a height beyond the user's reach when the user is standing on the ground;
• said gripping device comprising a first jaw member for confronting a first side of said columnar member, said first side being the side from which said platform extends outwardly therefrom, a second jaw member for gripping a second side of said columnar member, said second side being substantially opposite to said first side, wherein said first and second jaws only partially encircle the columnar member so as to define an opening through which said columnar member may be engaged or disengaged;
• an adjustment device including a resilient member for automatically moving one of said jaws towards the other jaw so as to engage said columnar member there between;
• a releasable locking member for fixing movement of said jaws, said locking member being remotely actuatable by the user while standing on the ground;
• a member for remotely actuating said locking member;
• whereby the user can secure the jaws of said apparatus and said platform to the columnar member before ascending said ladder and can thereafter release the jaws and platform from said columnar member after descending to the ground to disengage the apparatus from said columnar member.