A contoured saddle assembly includes a saddle with a closed loop formed by an upper strap, a lower strap, a first lateral strap and a second lateral strap. Each of the upper and lower straps has a forward edge lying in a forward plane and rearward edge lying in a rearward plane. A panel comprising a flexible material is attached to and extends from the first lateral strap to the second lateral strap. A receiving section of the panel traverses a space between the upper and lower straps. The receiving section has a concavely shaped interior surface facing the forward plane. A belt strap is attached to the saddle adjacent to the upper strap and a pair of leg straps each has an attached end attached to the saddle.

A tree climbing stick includes a tubular post having upper and lower end portions. Upper and lower standoff-step components include mounting collars which are disposed about the upper and lower end portions. Retaining plugs are disposed into the upper and lower end portions opposite the mounting collars and support the end portions and cooperate to prevent the end portions from moving inward or outward to maintain a tight fit of the joint in use when subjecting to bending loads.

A tree climbing stick includes a tubular post having upper and lower end portions. Upper and lower standoff-step components include mounting collars which are disposed about the upper and lower end portions. Retaining plugs are disposed into the upper and lower end portions opposite the mounting collars and support the end portions and cooperate to prevent the end portions from moving inward or outward to maintain a tight fit of the joint in use when subjecting to bending loads.

A single and multiple body belt for use by linemen and others engaged in operations on poles or similar structures having at least a primary body belt, which can be disposed below and detachably connected to a secondary body belt in the multiple body belt configuration. The primary body belt and the secondary body belt each have at least one pair of D-rings. The D-rings, which may differ in size, are separated enough to allow a wearer to distinguish between devices that are normally solely attached to one pair of primary D-rings. The body belts (or other portions) may also have an adjustability section through which a belt strap is woven to either extend or shorten the length of the respective belt strap. The adjustability section allows a lineman to further adjust the tightness of the belt (or other portions) around his or her waist to provide improved support and safety.

A single and multiple body belt for use by linemen and others engaged in operations on poles or similar structures having at least a primary body belt, which can be disposed below and detachably connected to a secondary body belt in the multiple body belt configuration. The primary body belt and the secondary body belt each have at least one pair of D-rings. The D-rings, which may differ in size, are separated enough to allow a wearer to distinguish between devices that are normally solely attached to one pair of primary D-rings. The body belts (or other portions) may also have an adjustability section through which a belt strap is woven to either extend or shorten the length of the respective belt strap. The adjustability section allows a lineman to further adjust the tightness of the belt (or other portions) around his or her waist to provide improved support and safety.

A tree climbing stick nesting system includes a plurality of tree climbing stick assemblies each including a stick body. A step and a standoff are each attached to the stick body. A coupler is attached to the stick body and releasably secures together a pair of the tree climbing stick assemblies to define secured tree sticks such that longitudinal axes of the secured tree sticks are orientated parallel to each other. The coupler includes a first mating member and a second mating member. The first mating member of one of the tree climbing stick assemblies is vertically engageable with the second mating member of another one of the tree climbing stick assemblies when the stick bodies of the secured tree sticks are vertically orientated.

A tree climbing stick nesting system includes a plurality of tree climbing stick assemblies each including a stick body. A step and a standoff are each attached to the stick body. A coupler is attached to the stick body and releasably secures together a pair of the tree climbing stick assemblies to define secured tree sticks such that longitudinal axes of the secured tree sticks are orientated parallel to each other. The coupler includes a first mating member and a second mating member. The first mating member of one of the tree climbing stick assemblies is vertically engageable with the second mating member of another one of the tree climbing stick assemblies when the stick bodies of the secured tree sticks are vertically orientated.

A tree stand lifting system and method are provided. The system includes a base member, a first strap assembly, and a base pole assembly. The base pole assembly has a first end portion that is rotatably coupled to the base member such that the base pole assembly is rotatable from a first position to a substantially vertical position relative to the base member. The base pole assembly has a first plurality of teeth. The system includes a carriage assembly that is removably coupled to the base pole assembly, and an electric drive unit that is coupled to the carriage assembly. The electric drive unit has a gear assembly and an electric motor. The gear assembly has a main drive gear that rotates and operably engages at least a portion of the first plurality of teeth of the base pole assembly to move the carriage assembly on the base pole assembly.

A tree stand lifting system and method are provided. The system includes a base member, a first strap assembly, and a base pole assembly. The base pole assembly has a first end portion that is rotatably coupled to the base member such that the base pole assembly is rotatable from a first position to a substantially vertical position relative to the base member. The base pole assembly has a first plurality of teeth. The system includes a carriage assembly that is removably coupled to the base pole assembly, and an electric drive unit that is coupled to the carriage assembly. The electric drive unit has a gear assembly and an electric motor. The gear assembly has a main drive gear that rotates and operably engages at least a portion of the first plurality of teeth of the base pole assembly to move the carriage assembly on the base pole assembly.

A climbing apparatus includes a mast having a plurality of mast segments operable to vertically stack one after another. Each segment includes a stand-off to abut against a climbing object and form a space for receiving a strap to secure the mast to the climbing object. The apparatus includes a platform assembly having a (i) a platform, (ii) a seat spaced apart from the platform, and (iii) a frame connecting the seat to the platform. An upper trolley is provided for independent mobility up and down along the mast. The upper trolley includes a first brake connected to a handle operable to actuate movement of the trolley. A lower trolley is provided and is operable for independent mobility up and down along the mast relative to the upper trolley. The lower trolley includes a second brake and is connected to the frame of the platform assembly.