DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In the following detailed description, the tower structure system (i.e., the tower and the tower support member) in accordance with the features of the present invention is described in conjunction with its various applications. In this context, however, it should be noted that those of ordinary skill in the art will contemplate alternative applications of the subject matter according to the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not meant to be limited to only the applications described and illustrated herein.

[0027] FIG. 1 clearly illustrates one of the most basic advantages of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a truck generally referenced as 10 , having a cargo area generally referenced as 11 . A tower structure system in accordance with the features of the present invention is in position within cargo area 11 and is releasably secured to the cargo area 11 in a manner such that full cargo space capacity is permitted. Due to the manner by which the tower generally referenced by 12 is mounted on the truck side rails 15 and 16 , the major advantages of the present invention over prior art systems are achieved. As illustrated, the tower portion 12 of the tower structure system is non-permanently secured to truck 10 . Tower 12 is secured to a tower support member generally referenced by 12 A which is secured to truck 10 . The tower support member 12 A consists of front and rear channel members 19 and 20 , respectively, in combination with angle beam members 21 and 22 . Each end portion 17 of each of the channel members 19 and 20 is in contiguous relation to a device 18 that is slidable with regard to the channel members and adapted to be secured to each channel member 19 and 20 at their end portions 17 . Each device 18 , preferably in the form of a plate member, is firmly secured and extends from each of the angle beam members 21 and 22 , e.g., by welding the device to the angle beam members 21 or 22 . Each angle beam member 21 or 22 is structured so as to be force-fit against one of the truck cargo side rails 15 or 16 . In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, each angle beam member 21 and 22 is formed of a right angle of about 90°, and is force-fit against an upstanding side rail 15 or 16 of the cargo area by securing the internal surface portion of each angle beam member against the inside and upper surfaces of each side rail member 15 or 16 , as illustrated in FIG. 1 . Each device 18 is preferably in the form of an upstanding plate member which lies in contiguous relation against the channel members 19 and 20 , respectively. Each channel member 19 and 20 includes a plurality of openings (holes) 26 . Holes 26 also extend through each of the channel members 19 and 20 . When each angle beam member 21 and 22 is in its proper position, i.e., force-fit against the truck cargo side rail members 15 and 16 , then an opening (hole) 26 on each upstanding plate member 18 is matched with a matching opening 26 on each channel member 19 and 20 , and a threaded bolt fastener 28 is firmly positioned within a set of openings to firmly secure the tower support member to an individual truck cargo area to which the tower structure system in accordance with the features of the present invention is desired to be secured. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , each leg member 29 of tower 12 is secured to a channel member 19 and 20 by clip devices 30 . The clip devices 30 can be any of various types of clip devices that can secure each of the tower legs 29 to channel members 19 and 20 , but are devices that preferably form a U-shaped channel so that each clip device can locate and position a leg member 29 of tower 12 in place. Each clip 30 is retained in position by, for example, clevis pins which secure each of the vertical legs 29 of tower 12 to clip devices 30 .

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates tower 12 in a folded position (i.e., a position used for storing tower 12 including tower support member 12 A when not in use). As shown, tower 12 includes a foldable seat member generally referenced by 31 and a safety bar 33 which can rotate so as to be able to fit about the upper body portion of a user, and thereby help to prevent a user from falling out of the tower when seated therein. Tower 12 includes a plurality of cross bars 32 which serve as the ladder feature of the tower, i.e., enabling a user to climb up or down the tower, when the tower is in an extended and usable position as shown in FIG. 3 .

[0029] Tower 12 is illustrated in an extended and ready-to-use position secured to tower support member 12 A in FIG. 3 . All that is required is that tower support member 12 A be secured to the cargo area of a truck. As shown, tower 12 includes an A-frame ladder portion 34 ; a folding seat member 31 which includes a rear back support member 35 and a seat support member 37 ; a safety support rail 33 which helps prevent the user from falling out of the seat member 31 and which rotates so as to enable the user to climb down from the tower; a footrest member 39 ; and a tray-type storage member 40 .

[0030] Various other options can be included with tower 12 , depending upon the particular use of the tower, i.e., for hunting, for wild game and bird watching, for photography, for general surveillance purposes, etc. For example, items such as a cooler tray, tool tray, cup holder, gun rack, bow and arrow rack, camera holding device, etc. are just a few examples of the various options that can be included. The portable folding observation tower 12 as shown in FIG. 3 is able to be secured to a support member 12 A in accordance with the features of the present invention, which then enables tower 12 to be mounted on any standard pickup truck 10 (see FIG. 1 ) without any modification to the truck. When tower 12 is in its folded position (see FIG. 2 ), one can transport the tower and its support member in the truck cargo and still be left with full cargo capacity. When in an up or extended or “in use” position (see FIG. 3 ), and positioned in the truck cargo (see FIG. 1 ), tower 12 extends about ten to twelve feet of height into the air above the truck and still leaves the truck with full cargo capacity. However, it is within the scope of the present invention that the tower 12 can extend to various other heights. Once the tower assembly is assembled and the tower is to be secured or mounted on the truck in a ready-to-use position, no bolting or unbolting is required. The user simply clamps or unclamps the tower structure from or to the truck, as needed.

[0031] The portable observation tower as defined herein is easily mounted and removed from a pickup truck to which it is easily secured, and is also completely collapsible and removable. The observation tower with its support member in accordance with the unique features of the present invention is designed to fit within and used with any standard pickup truck, short or long bed, step or flare side. The tower system can be shipped in a completely disassembled condition, and assembled at the location where it will be used. When assembled, the tower system (tower 12 and tower support member 12 A) can be installed on the side rails 15 and 16 of a pickup truck (see FIG. 1 ). When in transport, the tower system can be locked in a collapsed position, thereby removed from any obstacles that may be encountered by the tower if it was in a totally upright (ready for use) position. When in use, the tower is locked in the upright position for a comfortable, stable, elevated seating platform with a footrest, backrest, and a steady rest for birdwatching, hunting, surveillance, or any other observation type requirements it may serve.

[0032] One preferred method for assembling the observation tower along with its support members is described herein below with reference to FIG. 4 . The process of assembling the tower can begin by positioning (i.e., mounting) each of the two angle beam members 21 and 22 onto the side rails 15 and 16 of truck 10 , which can best be seen in FIG. 1 . Thereafter, front and rear channel members 19 and 20 are positioned on angle beam members 21 and 22 and secured in place by aligning an opening 26 (see FIG. 1 ) on the channel members with an opening 26 on plate member 18 and inserting a threaded bolt fastener through both openings to secure the support member 12 A for the tower in place. Thereafter, the seat and backrest section 31 is secured to that part of the tower structure 41 that forms the rear part of the ladder 34 (see FIG. 3 ) for the tower to form a stepladder and folding platform. That portion of the tower structure which includes the ladder steps 32 and a footrest member 39 is then secured to the folding seat member 31 , forming a basic tower structure. The four leg members 29 of the tower structure are then secured to the channel members 19 and 20 by clip devices 30 (see FIG. 1 ). Thereafter, the safety rail 33 is then mounted to the folding seat member 31 . An optional removable storage platform or a removable tabletop could then be secured to the tower.

[0033] The tower system in accordance with the features of the present invention allows for the use of the pickup truck cargo space to carry a full cargo load while the tower system lies in place within the truck, i.e., in either an upright or collapsed position. The tower system, including both the tower structure 12 itself and the support structure 12 A which enables the tower to be releasably secured to the truck, can be removed from the pickup truck in a fully assembled condition for storage, or disassembled to save storage space.

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates one particular example of a mechanism illustrating how the support member 12 A can be releasably secured to the body of a truck. Illustrated in cross section is an angle channel member 22 , preferably a right angle member, which is shown secured to the body side section 16 of a truck by a clamp screw arrangement 40 . To prevent the channel member 22 from damaging the truck body when it is forced into contact with the truck cargo side wall 16 , a rubber mat 41 is preferably positioned between the angle channel member 22 and the truck body 16 during the time that the angle channel member 22 is clamped by the clamp screw 40 to the truck body 16 .

[0035] The present invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.