ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 6 -- United States Patent no. 12,460,478, issued on Nov. 4, was assigned to HBTek Inc. (Lannon, Wis.).

"Climbing stick with wrap-around step and tree engaging structure" 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...