ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 20 -- United States Patent no. 12,527,315, issued on Jan. 20, was assigned to HBTek Inc. (Lannon, Wis.).

"Tree engaging structure for a treestand or climbing stick" was invented by Mario Trafficante (Sussex, Wis.) and Daniel M. Infalt (Helenville, Wis.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A climbing system includes a treestand a plurality of climbing sticks. The treestand includes a monolithic platform formed from strengthened material. Each of the climbing sticks includes a frame having a plurality of weight-reduction apertures formed therethrough. Tree engaging structures include ramped surfaces to facilitate smooth downward sliding on a tree. Methods of manufacturing a tree...