Patent Publication Number: US-9409055-B1

Title: Tree climbing support

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/394,425, filed Oct. 19, 2010, and of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/510,196, filed Jul. 21, 2011, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to climbing apparatuses, and more particularly, to hand-holds or foot supports for scaling trees, poles, and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The ability to safely and efficiently climb or scale trees, wooden poles such as telephone or powerline poles, and similar structures or surfaces is useful for reaching elevated hunting blinds, servicing utility wires, and the like. Although ropes and ladders are sometimes used for climbing, it is also known to install transportable steps that can be driven into a tree or pole to provide hand holds or foot supports to aid in climbing. Typical screw-in steps, for example, are forced against a tree or pole while turning the entire step, which can be particularly difficult or dangerous to accomplish because it typically requires the use of two hands. This may be especially difficult or dangerous when the user has already climbed part way up the tree or pole. Other known devices include tree-climbing “sticks” that are typically strapped to a tree, and that include a plurality of steps for use in scaling the tree. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a climbing support or apparatus, such as a tree climbing step or an apparatus including a plurality of steps, that can be readily installed by one person and/or by using only one hand. This may be accomplished without applying an axial force to a fastener simultaneously with a rotating force. The climbing support can typically be installed in two steps: (i) driving the support against a tree or pole so that the support is temporarily supported at the outer surface of the tree or pole, and then (ii) turning a threaded fastener to secure the support to the tree or pole. The climbing supports may be configured for use with a storage rack that permits a user to store a plurality of climbing supports on their person, and remove individual climbing supports from the storage rack for installation as the user progressively scales the tree or pole. Optionally, a climbing support apparatus having two or more steps may be attached to a tree or pole using one or more fasteners and, optionally, a spike configured to be thrust into the tree. One or more standoffs can be used to space the steps away from the tree or pole so that the apparatus is easier to use. 
     According to one form of the present invention, a climbing support for use in climbing a tree or pole includes a body, a fastener movably disposed at the body, and a projection supported at the body and spaced from the fastener. The body has an upper support surface and a tree-facing surface, the tree-facing surface defining a bore for movably receiving the fastener. The fastener includes a tip portion spaced from a head portion, the head portion configured to facilitate rotation of the fastener. The fastener is supported at the body in a manner such that at least part of the tip portion projects from the tree-facing surface of the body when a force is applied to the tip portion in the direction of the tree-facing surface, so that during normal use, the fastener&#39;s tip portion cannot be fully retracted into the bore. The body can be engaged by a user&#39;s hand or by a tool, and the tip portion of the fastener and the projection can be manually driven against the outer portion of a tree or pole with the hand or tool. The tip portion of the fastener and the projection cooperate to initially support the body at the tree or pole, and the projection limits rotation of the body relative to the tree or pole as the user rotates the fastener to drive the tip portion further into the tree or pole to secure the body at the tree or pole. 
     In one aspect, the fastener includes a projection that selectively engages the body to limit longitudinal movement of the fastener in the bore when the fastener is moved a predetermined distance, whereby at least part of the tip portion of the fastener is prevented from retracting fully into the bore. Optionally, the tip portion of the fastener is at least partially threaded. 
     In another aspect, the body defines an opening below the upper support surface, the opening configured as at least one of (i) a hand-hold, (ii) a foot support, and (iii) a tool support. Optionally, and when the opening is configured as a tool support, the climbing support may be combined with a tool having a handle portion and a fastener-engaging portion. The opening of the body is configured to releasably couple to the fastener-engaging portion of the tool so that the tool can be grasped at the handle portion and used to drive the climbing support against the tree or pole. The fastener-engaging portion of the tool is configured to receive the head portion of the fastener to rotatably drive the fastener. 
     In yet another aspect, a biasing element is disposed along the fastener and configured to engage a portion of the body. The biasing element urges the body against the tree or pole when the tip portion of the fastener is driven at least partially into the outer portion of the tree or pole, which maintains the projection in engagement with the tree or pole as the fastener is rotated, thereby limiting or preventing rotation of the body with the fastener. 
     Optionally, the body includes an outwardly-facing surface that is spaced from the tree-facing surface, and which faces in generally the opposite direction of the tree-facing surface. The bore in the upper end portion of the tree-facing surface of the body also extends through the outwardly-facing surface, and the head portion of the fastener is at least initially spaced outwardly from the outwardly-facing surface. A biasing element is disposed along the fastener and held in compression between the head portion of the fastener and the outwardly-facing surface of the body. The biasing element urges the body and spike in the direction of the tree or pole when the tip portion of the fastener is initially driven at least partially into the outer portion of the tree or pole. 
     In another aspect, the biasing element is a coil spring with an inboard end disposed against the outwardly-facing surface, and an outboard end disposed against the head portion of the fastener. 
     In a further aspect, the head portion of the fastener includes a non-circular portion for engagement by a tool, such as a ratchet wrench, an open or closed end wrench, a screwdriver, a hex key wrench, pliers, or the like. 
     In a still further aspect, the climbing support is configured for use in combination with a support rack, where the opening of the body receives a portion of the support rack. A plurality of the climbing supports can be stored at the support rack to facilitate installation of the climbing supports. 
     In yet another aspect, the tree-facing surface of the body includes an upper portion for supporting the fastener, and a lower portion for supporting the projection. The upper portion includes an upper end that projects forwardly of the rest of the upper portion, and that also projects forwardly of the lower portion. For example, the upper portion may be sloped so that the upper end projects forwardly. The upper end acts as a fulcrum when the fastener is tightened into a tree or pole, to draw the projection into the tree or pole substantially simultaneously with the tightening of the fastener. 
     In another aspect, the projection is a standoff member that engages the tree or pole and maintains a space between the body and the tree or pole when the fastener is tightened. Optionally, the standoff member includes a generally C-shaped portion that is rotatably coupled to the body and repositionable between a substantially horizontal orientation for engaging the tree or pole, and a substantially vertical orientation for transport. Optionally, the body defines one or more apertures for receiving a portion of the standoff member when in the substantially vertical orientation. A biasing element may be provided to bias the standoff toward the body. 
     In still another aspect, the body is an elongate member defining the tree-facing surface and at least one step portion that extends outwardly from the elongate member and defines the upper support surface. Optionally, a plurality of step portions are provided in vertically spaced arrangement and on alternating sides of the elongate member. Optionally, the step portions are pivotable to a transport position or configuration, in which the step portions are substantially aligned along the elongate member. 
     In a further aspect, a biasing element is provided at the body for axially driving the fastener into the tree or pole. The biasing element may be an elastic cord with opposite ends that are attached to the body, and a middle portion that engages the fastener at the head portion. The elastic cord is arranged so that drawing the fastener away from the tree or pole stretches the elastic cord, and releasing the fastener causes the elastic cord to drive the fastener axially into the tree or pole. 
     According to another form of the present invention, a climbing support apparatus includes an elongate body, a step member extending outwardly from the elongate body, a fastener, and a standoff member. The fastener is movably coupled to the elongate body and has a tip portion and a head portion. The tip portion is drivable into a tree or pole and is securable at the tree or pole in order attach the climbing support apparatus thereto. The standoff member is coupled to the elongate body and is configured to engage the tree or pole and to maintain a space between the elongate body and the tree or pole when the fastener is secured. 
     In one aspect, the climbing support includes a crank arm operatively coupled to the head portion of the fastener for rotatably driving the fastener into the tree or pole. Optionally, the crank arm includes a gripping portion and is pivotable relative to the fastener between a use position and a stowed position. The elongate body may optionally define an opening for receiving the gripping portion of the crank arm when the crank arm is pivoted to the stowed position. 
     In another aspect, the climbing support further includes a pivotably mounted spike at a lower end portion of the elongate body. The spike is positionable in a straight configuration in which the spike is oriented substantially longitudinally with the elongate body to extend substantially straight out from the lower end portion thereof, so that the apparatus with spike can be thrust in a spear-like manner. The spike is also positionable at an angled configuration in which the spike projects toward the tree or pole when the elongate body is substantially parallel to the tree or pole. 
     In a further aspect, the climbing support includes a deployment mechanism for selectively locking or engaging the spike in its angled position. The deployment mechanism includes a movable lock element and a coupler element for linking the lock element to one of the steps. The lock element is configured to selectively engage and disengage the spike when the spike is in the angled configuration, so that the lock element limits pivoting movement of the spike in at least one direction when the lock element engages the spike. The coupler element is coupled to one of the step members, and the coupler element translates in response to moving the step member between the transport configuration and a use configuration, to thereby engage and disengage the spike with the lock element. 
     Thus, the climbing support of the present invention provides a step or hand hold that facilitates one-handed or at least one-person installation and/or provides a compact climbing support assembly or apparatus that is readily secured to a tree or pole. The climbing support may be initially set into or against the tree or pole by first thrusting or driving the climbing support against the tree or pole to engage a threaded fastener tip and/or a projection or spike, to temporarily hold the climbing support in place. Once the climbing support is initially set, the fastener can be rotated, such as with a wrench or crank arm or other tool, in order to secure the climbing support at the tree or pole. The spike or projection maintains proper alignment of the climbing support as torque is applied to the fastener, and may provide additional stabilization and support for the climbing support and a user positioned thereon. 
     These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the invention will become more apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a climbing support in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation of the climbing support of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a partially-exploded side elevation of the fastener of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation of another climbing support in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation of the body portion of the climbing support of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the climbing support of  FIG. 1 , positioned at a support rack, and including a tool for rotatably driving the fastener of the climbing support; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the climbing support, tool, and support rack of  FIG. 5 , shown with the tool and climbing support installed on the support rack; 
         FIG. 7A  is a side and partial sectional elevation of the climbing support of  FIG. 1 , which is shown being thrust toward the side of a tree; 
         FIG. 7B  is a side and partial sectional elevation of the climbing support of  FIG. 3 , which is shown being thrust toward the side of a tree; 
         FIG. 8  is a side and partial sectional elevation of the climbing support and tree of  FIG. 7A , with the climbing support shown initially supported at an outer surface of the tree; 
         FIG. 9  is a side and partial sectional elevation of the climbing support and tree of  FIG. 7A , with the climbing support shown fully engaged and supported at the tree; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another climbing support in accordance with the present invention, which is shown positioned against the side of a tree or pole; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged side elevation of an attachment portion of the climbing support of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another climbing support in accordance with the present invention, which is shown positioned against the side of a tree or pole; 
         FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the climbing support and pole of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a front elevation of the climbing support and pole of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevation of the climbing support and pole of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 16  is another front elevation of the climbing support of  FIG. 12 , showing internal components in phantom; 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevation of the climbing support of  FIG. 16 , showing internal components in phantom; 
         FIG. 18  is a side sectional view of the climbing support, taken along section line XVIII-XVIII in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a front elevation of the climbing support of  FIG. 16 , shown in a transport configuration and with fasteners omitted; 
         FIG. 20  is a side elevation of the climbing support of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the climbing support of  FIG. 19 , with fasteners shown prior to installation; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of another climbing support in accordance with the present invention, which is shown positioned against the side of a tree or pole; 
         FIG. 23  is another perspective view of the climbing support of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a side elevation of the climbing support and tree or pole of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a rear elevation of the climbing support of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 26  is an enlarged rear elevation of a lower portion of the climbing support in the region designated XXVI in  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a rear perspective view of the climbing support of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 28  is an enlarged rear perspective view of a lower portion of the climbing support in the region designated XXVIII in  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 29  is a side elevation of a lower portion of the climbing support of  FIG. 22 ; and 
         FIGS. 30A-30D  are step-by-step sequential views depicting an installation method for the climbing support of  FIG. 22 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a climbing support or tree climbing step  10  includes a step body  12 , a rotatable fastener  14 , and a projection in the form of a spike  16 . Step body  12  includes an upper support surface  18  for use as a foot support or hand-hold by a climber, and a tree-facing surface  20 . Step body  12  defines an opening  22  that can be used as a hand-hold during installation of the climbing step. Tree climbing step  10  may be grasped by a climber placing their fingers through opening  22 , so that the climbing step can be manually driven or thrust against a tree, a pole, or the like. This permits the climbing step to be initially set against the tree or pole and temporarily retained by initial engagement of fastener  14  and spike  16 . The fastener  14  can then be turned to bore further into the tree or pole, while spike  16  limits or prevents rotation of step body  12 , to thereby secure the climbing step  10  for use in supporting the weight of a climber. To simplify the remaining description, the term “tree” will be used hereafter to refer to any readily-penetrable surface, including wooden or wood-like poles, or planar or polygonal surfaces or the like. 
     Upper support surface  18  of step body  12  includes a plurality of projections or traction lugs  24 , and an upstanding end portion  26  that extends above the height of traction lugs  24  to help prevent a climber&#39;s hand or foot from slipping off the end of the upper support surface  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, traction lugs  24  are elongated rectangular bars that engage a climber&#39;s footwear or hand to reduce the risk of slipping. It will be appreciated that substantially any shape of traction lug may be used, or none at all, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Tree-facing surface  20  of step body  12  includes an upper end portion  20   a  near upper support surface  18 , and a lower end portion  20   b  spaced below upper end portion  20   a . In the illustrated embodiment, upper end portion  20   a  is sloped so that its upper end, where it meets with upper support surface  18 , is positioned forwardly of the rest of upper end portion  20   a , and so that its upper end is positioned forwardly of lower end portion  20   b . In this arrangement, the upper end of upper end portion  20   a  acts as a fulcrum, as will be described below. 
     Step body  12  defines a bore  28  ( FIG. 2 ) that extends through upper end portion  20   a , and receives at least part of a tip portion  14   a  of fastener  14 . An outwardly-facing surface  30  of step body  12  defines a part of opening  22 , with bore  28  extending through and between upper end portion  20   a  of tree-facing surface  20  and outwardly-facing surface  30  to form a through-hole that receives and supports a portion of fastener  14 . A blind lower bore  32  extends through the lower end portion  20   b  of tree-facing surface  20 , and is substantially parallel to bore  28 . Lower bore  32  extends partially through lower end portion  20   b  but ends short of any opening into opening  22 . Lower bore  32  receives and supports spike  16  so that the spike projects outwardly from lower end portion  20   b  of tree-facing surface  20  ( FIG. 2 ). Thus, fastener  14  and spike  16  are positioned in respective bores  28 ,  32 , and each extends or projects outwardly from a respective portion of tree-facing surface  20  of step body  12 . 
     The opening  22  in step body  12  is sized to receive a part of a climber&#39;s hand so that the climber&#39;s fingers and/or a portion of the palm can be inserted through opening  22  to facilitate the climber&#39;s grip of the step body  12  at a lower portion  34  of body  12 , which defines the lower part of opening  22  and thus acts as a handle. In the illustrated embodiment, opening  22  includes opposed, rack-receiving recesses  22   a  to facilitate placing tree climbing step  10  on a storage rack, as will be described below. 
     Step body  12  further includes a rearward or outboard portion  36  that supports a rear portion  14   b  of fastener  14 . Outboard portion  36  of body  12  defines a bore  38  for receiving rear portion  14   b  of fastener  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, bore  38  includes a forward reduced-diameter portion  38   a  and a rearward increased-diameter portion  38   b , with an outwardly-facing shoulder or lip  39  marking the transition between the two ( FIG. 2 ). Forward portion  38   a  of bore  38  directly supports fastener  14  so that the fastener can rotate and longitudinally translate around and along its longitudinal axis. The rearward increased-diameter portion  38   b  has a greater diameter than fastener  14  to provide space for a biasing element  40  in the form of a coil spring. Step body  12  is typically made from cast or machined metal, such as aluminum alloy, steel, or the like. However, it will be appreciated that substantially any sufficiently strong material may be used, including certain types of polymeric resins, fiber-reinforced or metal-reinforced plastics, or the like. 
     Coil spring  40  is disposed between rearward portion  14   b  of fastener  14  and rearward increased diameter portion  38   b  of bore  38  in outward portion  36  of body  12 . The depth of the rearward increased-diameter portion  38   b  of bore  38  may be adjusted or selected according to the size of coil spring  40  and/or the desired amount of compression of the spring, as will be described below. Coil spring  40  is disposed along the shaft of fastener  14  at rearward portion  14   b , and is at least partially received in the rearward increased-diameter portion  38   b  of bore  38 , in the outboard portion  36  of step body  12 . Coil spring  40  may be at least somewhat free to slide along fastener  14  and rearward portion  38   b  of bore  38 , but once fastener  14  has been at least partially axially driven into a tree or pole ( FIG. 8 ), spring  40  is held in compression between head portion  48  and an outwardly-facing surface such as shoulder  39  ( FIG. 2 ). Optionally, a biasing element or spring could be disposed substantially anywhere along the fastener, and held in compression or in tension (depending on the location and manner in which it engages the body), to achieve substantially the same effect of biasing the body toward the tree once the tip portion of the fastener has been driven in to initial engagement with the tree. 
     As described above, fastener  14  includes tip portion  14   a , which is at least partially threaded and received in bore  28 , and rearward portion  14   b , which is received in bore  38 . Tip portion  14   a  includes a sharpened tip  42  and a continuous spiral thread  44 , which may continue substantially all the way to sharpened tip  42 , or which may terminate before reaching sharpened tip  42 , as shown. Sharpened tip  42  allows the tip portion  14   a  of fastener  14  to readily penetrate the outer surface of a tree or tree bark by simply thrusting the fastener against the tree, without need for initially rotating the fastener. Spiral thread  44  allows fastener  14  to be substantially rotated to draw at least the fastener&#39;s tip portion  14   a  further into the tree. Similarly, spike  16  includes a sharpened tip  46  to facilitate penetration of the tree. Fastener  14  and spike  16  are typically made of metal, such as steel, so that they can be repeatedly driven into wood or similar surfaces without bending or loosing significant sharpness of their respective tips. 
     Located at rearward portion  14   b  of fastener  14  is a head portion  48  that, in the illustrated embodiment, is a hexagonal bolt head having a diameter that is greater than that of the shaft of fastener  14 . Optionally, the head portion may be substantially any feature that facilitates rotation of the fastener via a tool, such as any non-circular outer surface, or a non-circular recess or cavity for receiving a tool such as a hexagonal wrench, a screwdriver, or the like. Optionally, the head portion could facilitate manipulation by hand, such as by including a pair of radially extending projections or wings (i.e., similar to a wing nut) of sufficient size to enable a climber to grasp the head portion and apply sufficient torque to rotate the fastener by hand and drive it into the tree or pole. In the illustrated embodiment, head portion  48  is positioned outboard of the outward portion  36  of step body  12 , although it will be appreciated that the head portion could be positioned elsewhere along the shaft of fastener  14 , such as along a mid portion that is accessible through opening  22  in step body  12 . 
     A pair of radial projections  50  ( FIGS. 1-2A ) are disposed along the mid-section of fastener  14 , in the region of opening  22  of step body  12 . Projections  50  prevent tip portion  14   a  of fastener  14  from retracting fully into bore  28  as the climbing step  10  is thrust against a tree ( FIG. 8 ). Radial projections  50  are sized so that they cannot pass through the forward reduced diameter portion  38   a  of bore  38 . In the illustrated embodiment, radial projections  50  are the opposite end portions of a cylindrical shaft  52  having a length greater than the diameter of fastener  14 , the cylindrical shaft  52  being disposed in a bore  54  that extends laterally through the fastener  14  ( FIG. 2A ). Once fastener  14  has been axially slid into bore  38  to a position as shown in  FIG. 2 , the cylindrical shaft  52  is inserted into the lateral bore  54  of fastener  14  and aligned so that its opposite ends form the radial projections  50 . The cylindrical shaft  52  may then be permanently or removably mounted in lateral bore  54 , such as by welding, brazing, with an adhesive, with screw threads, by press-fitting or interference-fitting, or the like. Once cylindrical shaft  52  is in place in lateral bore  54  along fastener  14 , the fastener is effectively locked at step body  12 , since the radial projections cannot be drawn through the forward reduced diameter portion  38   a  of bore  38 , the radial projections cannot be drawn through the bore  28 , and the head portion  48  cannot be drawn through any of the bores in step body  12 . 
     The respective diameters of bore  28  and forward reduced-diameter portion  38   a  of bore  38  are approximately equal to, or slightly greater than, the diameter of fastener  14 , so that the fastener can move freely except as limited by head portion  48  and radial projections  50 . Radial projections  50  are positioned along fastener  14  so that they will contact a forward-facing inner surface  56  of step body  12  ( FIG. 8 ), which defines a portion of opening  22  opposite outwardly-facing surface  30 . When fastener  14  moves axially rearwardly relative to step body  12 , radial projections  50  contact forward-facing inner surface  56  to limit any further axial rearward travel of the fastener, so that at least a portion of the tip portion  14   a  (including sharpened tip  42 ) of fastener  14  still projects from upper end portion  20   a  of tree-facing surface  20  of the step body  12 . Once radial projections  50  contact the forward-facing inner surface  56 , sharpened tip  42  of fastener  14  is approximately aligned directly above sharpened tip  46  of spike  16 , so that the spike and fastener may be initially driven approximately the same distance into the outer surface of a tree or pole as the climbing step is thrust against the tree ( FIG. 8 ). 
     The alternative tree climbing step  110  may be substantially similar to tree climbing step  10  described above, including a step body  112 , a fastener  114 , and spike  116 , an upper support surface  118 , a tree-facing surface  120 , etc. ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). Step body  112  defines an opening or recess  122  that is sized and shaped to receive a fastener-engaging head portion  170   a  of a tool  170  ( FIG. 3 ). In the illustrated embodiment, tool  170  is a ratchet wrench with a handle portion  170   b  for applying a torque to the fastener  114  via fastener-engaging head portion  170   a  ( FIGS. 3 and 7B ). Head portion  170   a  includes a hexagonal socket or recess  172  ( FIG. 3 ) for receiving the head portion  148  of fastener  114 . Head portion  170   a  of tool  170  further includes a direction-control switch  174  that extends from one side or the other of head portion  170   a  according to whether the tool  170  is set for tightening or loosening the fastener  114 . The opening or recess  122  in step body  112  includes additional recesses  122   a  for receiving switch  174  in either position. However, it will be appreciated that the tool-receiving opening or recess could be sized and shaped to receive substantially any tool head. 
     Head portion  170   a  of tool  170  may be inserted from either side (i.e., laterally) of step body  112  and into opening  122  ( FIG. 3 ). In this arrangement, with head portion  170   a  of tool  170  received in opening  122  of step body  112 , the combined tree climbing step  110  and tool  170  may be wielded like a hammer, with handle portion  170   b  of tool  170  acting as the hammer handle, and with tree climbing step  110  acting as the hammer head, as will be described below. Although not shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , it will be appreciated that tree climbing step  110  may include numerous other features or aspects of tree climbing step  10 , including an opening or slot for receiving a rack, a coil spring or other biasing element at the rearward portion of the fastener, and radial projections along the fastener shaft, for example. 
     The tree-climbing steps described above may be made of substantially any sufficiently strong material that is resistant to corrosion in the presence of outdoor weather, tree sap, etc. For example steel, aluminum alloy, or fiber-filled resinous plastic may be used. If desired, the tree-climbing steps can be finished or molded in bright colors for high visibility, or in muted tones or camouflage patterns for blending in to the natural surroundings. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a storage arrangement is shown for use in combination with tree climbing step  10  and tool  170 , although it will be appreciated that alternative tree climbing step  110  could also be adapted for use in the same storage arrangement. A support rack  180  includes a step-supporting portion  182 , a mounting portion  184 , and a tool-supporting portion  186 . Step-supporting portion  182  includes a pair of spaced rods  182   a  aligned substantially vertically and joined to one another at their upper ends by an upper cross bar  182   b , with a pair of generally horizontal base members  182   c  coupled to respective ones of the vertical rods  182   a . Another pair of generally vertical rods  188 , each corresponding to a respective horizontal base member  182   c , couple the step-supporting portion  182  to the mounting portion  184  of support rack  180 . Mounting portion  184  includes a pair of inverted U-shaped portions  184   a , each coupled to a respective one of the vertical rods  188  via a respective horizontal rod portion  190 . Each inverted U-shaped portion  184 A of mounting portion  184  is open at its bottom end to receive a wearer&#39;s belt or waistband, so that support rack  180  and a plurality of tree climbing steps  10  in stacked arrangement can be carried in a hands-free manner by a climber. 
     Tool-supporting portion  186  of support rack  180  is a generally planar horizontal plate that is coupled to and spans between each horizontal rod portion  190 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Tool-supporting portion  186  defines an opening  186   a  that is large enough to receive the handle portion  170   b  of tool  170 , but small enough so that the tool  170  can be supported by its head portion  170   a  at the tool-supporting portion  186  of support rack  180 . Opening  186   a  of tool supporting portion  186  is spaced sufficiently from substantially vertical rods  188  so that the handle portion  170   b  of tool  170  does not interfere with the stacking of tree climbing steps  10  along the step supporting portion  182 . 
     The vertical rods  182   a  of step-supporting portion  182  are sized and spaced to be received in the respective rack-receiving recesses  22   a  of opening  22  in step body  12 . The space defined between vertical rods  188  and vertical rods  182   a  is such that the portion of step body  12  between rack-receiving portions  22   a  and upper support surface  18  is received between the vertical rods  188 ,  182   a . In the illustrated embodiment, the center of gravity of tree climbing step  10  is located at or near the rack-receiving portions  22   a  of opening  22 , so that the tree climbing step  10  will generally balance in substantially horizontal alignment when resting on horizontal base members  182   c  of step supporting portion  182 , such as shown in  FIG. 6 . It will be appreciated that a plurality of tree climbing steps  10  may be stacked, one atop the other, along the step-supporting portion  182  of support rack  180 , and worn on a climber&#39;s belt so that the climber can remove the tree climbing steps  10 , one at a time, allowing the steps to be installed on a tree as the climber ascends. 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides a climbing support, such as a tree climbing step, that can be installed one-handed, such as by a climber while progressively scaling a tree. As will be described in greater detail below, the tree climbing step is initially driven or thrust against the outer surface of the tree, in a direction that is generally orthogonal to the tree, to at least partially embed the respective tips of the fastener and the spike in the tree&#39;s outer surface. This temporarily supports the climbing step at the tree, which permits the climber to release his/her grasp of the climbing step, retrieve the tool such as a ratchet wrench, and rotatably drive the fastener using the tool (or using the climber&#39;s bare hand or a gloved hand) to fully secure the step at the tree by tightening the fastener. This draws the tree climbing step tightly against the outer surface of the tree, so that the step can bear the weight of the climber. 
     As noted above, the initial step of installing the climbing support of the present invention is to first manually drive or thrust the step against the outer surface of a tree  194 , which includes an inner wood or fiber portion  196  and an outer bark portion  198  ( FIG. 7A ). Tree climbing step  10  is configured to be grasped at the opening  22  in body  12  and to be thrust or driven against the tree  194 , typically in an overhand stabbing motion ( FIG. 7A ), although virtually any other motion could be used, depending on the location and preference of the climber. This sets the climbing step  10  at least partially into the bark portion  198  with the tip portion  14   a  of the fastener  14  and the spike  16  at least partially embedded in the bark  198  ( FIG. 8 ). It will be appreciated that the alternative tree climbing step  110  may be initially set into tree  194  using a similar motion, but by grasping the handle portion  170   b  of tool  170  to wield the combined tool and climbing step as a hammer, thereby obtaining a leverage advantage in setting the climbing step  110  against the tree  194 . Once the tree climbing step  110  is initially set into the tree, the climber can remove the tool  170  from step body  112  and use it to rotate the fastener  114 . 
     Once the tree climbing step  10  (or alternative step  110 ) is initially supported at the tree  194 , coil spring  40  urges step body  12  against the bark  198 , which helps to maintain spike  16  in engagement with the bark  198  to limit or prevent rotation of step body  12  as the climber applies torque to head portion  48  of fastener  14 . This torque (indicated by curved arrows in  FIG. 8 ) drives tip portion  14   a  further into the tree, and into the wood portion  196 , to draw climbing step  10  tightly against tree  194  ( FIG. 9 ). Tightening the fastener  14  causes the upper end of upper end portion  20   a  of tree-facing surface  20 , which projects further toward the tree than the rest of tree-facing surface  20 , to act as a fulcrum, thus helping to draw spike  16  further into the tree  194  as the fastener is tightened. The tightening of fastener  14  also compresses spring  40  until head portion  48  is drawn tightly against the outward portion  36  of step body  12 , at which point further tightening of the fastener  14  may draw at least the upper and lower end portions  20   a ,  20   b  of tree-facing surface  20  into the bark  198 , depending on the bark&#39;s softness. 
     Thus, the tree climbing step of the present invention can be installed along a tree, wooden pole, or the like, in a one-handed manner, by initially setting the climbing step into the tree, typically with an overhand motion, and then using a single hand to rotate the fastener to tightly secure the step at the tree. Once the climbing step is fully secured, the lower portion of the step body and the opening may be used as hand-hold and/or foot-hold, and the upper support surface may also be used as a hand-hold or foot-support as a climber scales a tree or other surface to which the climbing step is attached. It will be appreciated that the climbing step can also be removed in a one-handed manner, by initially loosening the fastener until it mostly or entirely disengages the tree, and then manually pulling the climbing step away from the tree to disengage the spike. 
     Optionally, and with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a tree climbing apparatus or assembly  210  includes an elongate body  212  that supports a plurality of steps or step portions  214  defining upper support surfaces for a user to grasp or step upon. Tree climbing apparatus  210  can be mounted to a tree or pole  216  via a fastener  218  having a threaded tip portion  218   a  and a head portion  218   b . A standoff  220  projects or extends perpendicularly outwardly from each opposite end  212   a ,  212   b  of the elongate body  212  and engages the tree  216  with a generally C-shaped tree-engaging portion or yoke  220   a  ( FIG. 10 ). Standoffs  220  spaces elongate body  212  and steps  214  outwardly away from the tree  216  to provide adequate room between the tree  216  and the steps  214  and elongate body  212 , so that a user can readily grasp these components of the tree climbing apparatus with the hands and place a foot solidly on each step  214 . Standoffs  220  also limit or prevent rotation of elongate body  212  during rotation of fastener  218 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, fastener  218  is permanently or semi-permanently mounted in a bore  222  in a middle region  212   c  of elongate body  212 , and can be manually axially driven into the tree  216  without the use of tools, as described below. A generally C-shaped housing or fastener-support member  224  extends outwardly from elongate body  212  away from tree  216 , in the vicinity of bore  222 , and supports fastener  218  with the fastener&#39;s head portion  218   b  positioned outwardly of support member  224 . As fastener  218  is rotatably driven into tree  216 , head portion  218   b  will be drawn closer to fastener-support member  224 , typically until making contact, so that further rotation of the fastener causes head portion  218   b  to apply a force to the support member  224 , which thereby urges the tree-climbing apparatus  210  toward the tree. The tightening of the fastener  218  also urges C-shaped portions  220   a  of standoffs  220  into tighter contact with the tree, so that the apparatus  210  is held tightly against the tree with little or no movement during use, and with fastener  218  and standoffs  220  all providing both vertical support and lateral support for elongate body  212  and steps  214  as the fastener and standoffs engage the tree  216 . 
     Fastener  218  includes a generally smooth shaft portion  218   c  between tip portion  218   a  and head portion  218   b  ( FIG. 11 ). Shaft portion  218   c  is received in bore  222  of elongate body  212 , and also in a bore  226  in fastener-support member  224 . Shaft portion  218   c  supports or includes a flange or washer or clip  228  (such as a C-clip that engages a circumferential groove in the shaft portion of the fastener). Clip  228  has a greater diameter than shaft  218   c  and bore  226  so that the movement of fastener  218  is limited by the clip  228  in one direction and by the head portion  218   b  in the other direction when they contact fastener-support member  224  at bore  226 . A coil spring  230  is disposed around shaft portion  218   c  between clip  228  and fastener-support member  224 , and is compressible by grasping head portion  218   a  and pulling fastener  218  rearwardly away from elongate body  212 , so that tip portion  218   a  is drawn away from the tree  216 . By releasing the fastener, the energy stored in spring  230  is released to propel or drive fastener  218  toward the tree  216 , to thereby embed at least part of the tip portion  218   a  into the surface of the tree. With the fastener tip portion  218   a  at least partially embedded, fastener  218  can be rotated by applying torque to head portion  218   b  with a tool, until head portion  218   b  is tightened against fastener-support member  224  sufficiently as to substantially preclude vertical or lateral movement of the tree-climbing apparatus  210  as it is being scaled by a climber. 
     Thus, tree-climbing apparatus  210  may be installed along a tree by orienting the apparatus  210  generally vertically along the tree  216 , setting the standoffs  220  against the tree&#39;s outer surface, and driving the fastener  218  into the tree. The fastener  218  is driven into the tree by grasping head portion  218   a , drawing the fastener away from the tree to compress spring  230 , and releasing the head portion  218   b  so that the fastener&#39;s tip portion  218   a  is driven some distance into the tree by spring  230 . The fastener  218  is then rotated to further drive it into the tree until standoffs  220  are urged tightly against the tree and the climbing apparatus  210  is secure. Optionally, multiple tree-climbing apparatuses  210  may be positioned one atop the other to facilitate climbing a tree of substantially any height. The tree-climbing apparatus  210  may be readily removed from the tree simply by loosening the fastener  218 , and without reaching around the tree to loosen straps or other attachment devices. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12-21 , another tree-climbing apparatus or assembly  310  is similar in many respects to apparatus  210 , described above, but is configured for improved portability and compactness. Like tree-climbing apparatus  210 , tree-climbing apparatus  310  includes an elongate body  312  with a plurality of steps or step portions  314  spaced vertically from one another and on alternating sides of the elongate body  312 . Tree-climbing apparatus  310  is attachable to a tree or pole  316  in a similar manner as apparatus  210 , and includes fasteners  318  and standoffs  320  for this purpose. 
     To facilitate storage, compactness, and portability when the apparatus is not in use, steps  314  are pivotably mounted to elongate body  312  via respective fasteners  322 , and are formed with channels  324  ( FIGS. 12, 13, and 21 ) that face inwardly to receive elongate body  312  when pivoted upward to a storage or transport position ( FIGS. 19-21 ). Channels  324  face upwardly when steps  314  are pivoted to a horizontal use position ( FIGS. 12-16 ). Steps  314  are generally U-shaped in cross section to define the upwardly-facing channels  324  in the use position, with upper support surfaces for supporting a user&#39;s hand or foot. Steps  314  include a bottom plate portion  314   a  that contacts elongate body  312  to limit the pivot angle of each step  314  so that step surfaces  314   b  are generally horizontal when in the use position. Optionally, fasteners  322  may be adjusted (tightened or loosened) to adjust the degree of frictional resistance to pivoting movement of steps  314  to elongate body  312 , so that each step  314  will tend to remain in either its transport position or its horizontal use position until it is intentionally repositioned by the user. Friction elements such as resinous plastic washers or the like may be positioned along each fastener, between surfaces of each step  314  and elongate body  312 , to facilitate frictional adjustments. 
     Standoffs  320  are rotatable from a use position in which generally C-shaped tree-engaging portions  320   a  are oriented in a substantially horizontal plane, perpendicular to elongate body  312  ( FIGS. 12-18 ), to a storage or transport position in which the tree-engaging portions  320   a  are oriented in a substantially vertical plane, parallel to elongate body  312  ( FIGS. 19-21 ). Thus, when steps  314  and standoffs  320  are in their respective storage or transport positions, the tree-climbing apparatus  310  is only slightly wider overall than the width of elongate body  312 . As best shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , standoffs  320  are mounted to elongate body  312  by respective fasteners  326  that extend through the elongate body and into a hollow tubular horizontal extension  320   c , which houses a spring  328  that is disposed around fasteners  326  and held in compression. Springs  328  bias the standoffs  320  toward the elongate body  312  in both the use and storage positions, but allow standoffs  320  to be manually pulled away from elongate body  312  for rotation. 
     Standoffs  320  further include body-receiving bracket portions  320   b , located opposite C-shaped tree-engaging portions  320   a , and which are also generally C-shaped. Bracket portions  320   b  receive a portion of elongate body  312  when the standoffs  320  are in the use position, such as shown in  FIGS. 12, 15, and 17 . Bracket portions  320   b  thus prevent the standoffs  320  from rotating to the storage position unless the standoffs are first manually pulled away from elongate body  312 , against the biasing force of springs  328 , to disengage the elongate body  312  from the bracket portions  320   b . Once the standoffs  320  are rotated to the storage/transport position of  FIGS. 19-21  and released, springs  328  bias standoffs  320  toward elongate body  312  so that bracket portions  320   b  rest against the tree-facing surface of elongate body  312 , but with the elongate body  312  remaining disengaged from the channels defined by the bracket portions  320   b . Standoffs  320  may then be manually rotated toward the use position, with or without first pulling the standoffs  320  away from elongate body  312 , until bracket portions  320   b  are substantially aligned with elongate body and springs  328  are permitted to bias the standoffs  320  back into engagement with elongate body  312  positioned in the channels defined by bracket portions  320   b.    
     The fasteners  318  of apparatus  310  are configured to be readily removable from elongate body  312  when desired, such as for safer transport of the apparatus without sharp fastener tips projecting out from the elongate body. Fasteners  318  include threaded tip portions  318   a  and head portions  318   b , with middle portions  318   c  that are received in a bore  330  (or in a pair of corresponding bores since, in the illustrated embodiment, elongate body  312  is tubular). A generally C-shaped collar plate  332  includes a center channel  332   a  ( FIGS. 19-21 ) that receives fastener middle portion  318   c  near head portion  318   b . A flange or washer or C-clip  334  ( FIG. 21 ), which has a larger diameter than fastener middle portion  318   c , is positioned on middle portion  318   c  and spaced sufficiently from head portion  318   b  so that collar plate  332  can be positioned between head portion  318   b  and C-clip  334 . 
     An elongate elastic cord or biasing element  336  has opposite end portions  336   a ,  336   b  that are attached inside of the tubular elongate body  312  with fasteners  337  ( FIGS. 17 and 18 ), and a middle loop portion  336   c  that exits elongate body  312  through bores  338  located on either side of the bore  330  for fastener  318 . End portions  336   a ,  336   b  are accessible through openings  312   a  ( FIGS. 12, 15, 17, 20, and 21 ) in elongate body  312 , so that elastic cord  336  can be readily replaced if desired. Respective bearing surfaces or roller members  340 , which are mounted inside of elongate body  312  at each bore  338 , guide elastic cord  336  around an approximately 90-degree bend between end portions  336   a ,  336   b  and middle loop portion  336   c , to limit or prevent abrading the cord on the edges of bored  338  ( FIGS. 17 and 18 ). Collar plate  332  is coupled to (or threaded onto) middle loop portion  336   c  of elastic cord  336 , and may only loosely or frictionally engage the cord, or may be clamped tightly onto the cord so that the collar plate cannot slide along the cord. 
     Elastic cord  336  biases fastener  318  so that tip portion  318   a  is urged away from elongate body  312 , such as shown with reference to the upper fastener and elastic cord in  FIGS. 12, 15, 17, and 18 . Fastener  318  may be pulled or drawn in the opposite direction, with head portion  318   b  drawn away from elongate body  312 , such as shown with reference to the lower fastener and elastic cord in  FIGS. 12, 15, 17, and 18 , by grasping any one or combination of fastener  318  (particularly head portion  318   b ), collar plate  332 , and/or the middle loop portion  336   c  of elastic cord  336 . For example, it may be convenient for a user to insert one or more fingers through the portion of loop portion  336   c  located outboard of collar plate  332 , for pulling back on the cord  336 , which draws fastener  318  rearwardly due to the engagement of collar plate  332  between the fastener&#39;s head portion  318   b  and C-clip  334 . 
     When elastic cord  336  is released, its stored energy biases fastener  318  toward tree  316  due to engagement of cord  336  with collar plate  332 , and engagement of the collar plate  332  with C-clip  334 . Fastener  318  is thus rapidly accelerated or propelled toward the tree  316  so that tip portion  318   a  impacts and at least partially embeds into the tree. In this way, the sharpened and threaded tip portion  318   a  of fastener  318  can be easily initially driven into the tree  316  using only one hand, and without pounding using a hammer or other tool, or the user&#39;s hand. Fastener  318  may then be rotated to drive its threaded tip portion  318   a  further into the tree  316  until tree-climbing apparatus  310  is sufficiently secured to the tree. It will be appreciated that when fastener  318  is somewhat loosened so that collar plate  332  is not tightly pinched between fastener heat portion  318   b  and elongate body  312 , collar plate  332  may be readily disengaged from fastener  318 , which allows for full removal of the fastener  318  from apparatus  310  if desired ( FIG. 21 ). 
     Thus, the tree climbing apparatus can be installed along a tree, wooden pole, or the like, in a one-handed manner, by initially setting the apparatus against the tree, and then using a single hand to draw a fastener rearwardly against the biasing force of a spring, elastic cord, or other biasing member, and then releasing the fastener so that it impacts the tree at high velocity to embed the fastener tip at least partially in the tree, followed by rotating the fastener to tightly secure the apparatus at the tree. Once the climbing apparatus is fully secured, the steps may be used as hand-holds and/or foot-holds as a climber scales a tree or other surface to which the climbing apparatus is attached. Standoffs may be provided to increase the space between the steps and the tree, and the standoffs and steps may be repositionable between use configurations and more compact storage or transport configurations. It will be appreciated that the climbing apparatus can be installed and removed by a user positioned at one side of a tree or pole, without need for the user to reach around or walk around the tree or pole during installation or removal. Optionally, a plurality of tree climbing apparatuses can be installed one above the other, to enable a climber to reach substantially any desired distance along the tree or pole. 
     Other tree-climbing apparatuses are envisioned that simplify installation, such as to further facilitate installation by a single user. Referring now to  FIGS. 22-30D , another tree-climbing apparatus or assembly  410  is similar in many respects to apparatus  310 , described above, but is configured for simplified installation at a tree or pole. Like tree-climbing apparatus  310 , tree-climbing apparatus  410  includes an elongate body  412  with a plurality of steps or step portions  414   a - c  spaced vertically from one another and on alternating sides of the elongate body  412 , the steps defining upper support surfaces for supporting a user&#39;s hand or foot. Tree-climbing apparatus  410  is attachable to a tree or pole  416  via a fastener  418  at the upper end portion of body  412 , and via a lower mounting spike  424  at the lower end portion of body  412 . A standoff  420  at fastener  418  maintains spacing between elongate body  412  and tree  416 , and also stabilizes tree-climbing apparatus  410  and limits or prevents rotation of the apparatus as the fastener is being rotated. Standoff  420  includes a generally C-shaped tree-engaging portion  420   a , a body-receiving bracket portion  420   b  having opposite tabs or projections that are positioned on either side of elongate body  412  when in the use position, and a hollow tubular horizontal extension  420   c , which houses a spring or biasing element that urges standoff  420  against elongate body, in a substantially similar manner as standoff  320  with spring  328 , described above. 
     To facilitate storage, compactness, and portability when the apparatus is not in use, steps  414   a - c  are pivotably mounted to elongate body  412  via respective fasteners  422  ( FIGS. 24, 26-28, 30A, and 30B ), and are substantially similar to steps  314 , as described above, such that their structure need not be repeated herein. Upper step  414   a  and middle step  414   b , which are positioned at the upper and middle regions or portions of body  412 , respectively, are substantially identical to the steps  314  of tree-climbing apparatus  310 , while the lowermost step  414   c  is slightly modified to interact with a deployment mechanism  426  ( FIGS. 25-28 ) that is associated with lower mounting spike  424 , as will be described below. Standoff  420  is also rotatable by about 90-degrees to a storage configuration in which the opposite tabs or projections of bracket portion  420   b  are received in respective horizontal apertures or slots  427  formed in elongate body  412 , located above and below standoff  420  ( FIG. 27 ). 
     Tree-climbing apparatus  410  includes a crank arm  428  that is pivotably coupled to a proximal end portion of fastener  418 , which protrudes from elongate body  412  ( FIGS. 22-25, 27 , and  30 A- 30 D). Crank arm  428  includes a gripping portion  430  to facilitate grasping by a user, so that the crank arm  428  and fastener  418  can be turned together about the fastener&#39;s longitudinal axis to drive the fastener into the tree  416  ( FIG. 30C ), or to remove the fastener when detaching the apparatus. An opening  432  in elongate body  412  is sized to receive gripping portion  430  when crank arm  428  is pivoted about 180-degrees from its use position to its stowed position, such as shown in  FIGS. 22 and 24 . 
     Deployment mechanism  426  permits spike  424  to be secured in a fully-extended configuration in which the spike extends substantially straight out from the lower end portion of elongate body  412  ( FIGS. 29 and 30 ), to an angled use position in which spike portion  424   a  can engage the tree  416  when elongate body  412  is aligned substantially parallel to the tree  416  to support at least some of a user&#39;s weight while keeping the lower end portion of the body  412  spaced from the tree ( FIGS. 22, 24, 26, 28, 30B, and 30D ), and to a collapsed or stowed position in which spike  424  is positioned substantially inside of elongate body  412 . Spike  424  is pivotably coupled to elongate body  412  via a pivot bolt  434 . A biasing element in the form of a coil torsion spring  436  is disposed around pivot bolt  434  to engage mounting portion  424   b  of spike  424  and bias the spike  424  away from the angled use position (or the collapsed or stowed position) and toward the straight extended configuration (i.e. in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in  FIG. 29 ). 
     A lock plate  438  that spans the width of elongate body  412  engages ratchet tabs  440  to selectively prevent spike  424  from rotating or pivoting from the angled use position to the stowed position, as best shown in  FIG. 28 . Lock plate  438  includes opposite edge portions that are received in respective longitudinal slots  442  formed in sidewalls  443  of elongate body  412 , which are of sufficient length to enable lock plate  438  to move a limited distance up and down relative to elongate body  412 . Lock plate  438  is coupled to an actuation plate  444  via a fastener  446  (such as a rivet, bolt, weld, or the like), which in turn is actuated (moved) by an actuator link  452  controlled by lower step  414   c , as will be described below. 
     Lock plate  438  is urged downwardly by a biasing element in the form of a coil spring  448  that is held in compression between a mounting tab  450 , which is internal to elongate body  412 . When lower step  414   c  is moved to its lowered or deployed position as shown in  FIG. 28 , step  414   c  also urges lock plate  438  downwardly, via a coupler rod  452 , in the same direction as the biasing force of spring  448 . Coupler rod  452  is pivotably coupled at its upper end portion to lower step  414   c  at a step actuator post  454 , which is spaced radially outwardly from fastener  422 . Coupler rod  452  further includes a lower mounting portion  452   a  that is coupled to actuation plate  444  via a fastener  456  to complete the coupling between lower step  414   c  and lock plate  438 . In the illustrated embodiment, lower mounting portion  452   a  defines a slot or channel that receives fastener  456 , which permits adjustment of the distance between lock plate  438  and actuator post  454  and/or permits actuation plate  444  to move along a small range of distance relative to actuator post  454  without moving lower step  414   c . It will be appreciated that coil spring  448  also biases lower step  414   c  toward its deployed position ( FIG. 28 ), by acting through actuation plate  444 , coupler rod  452 , and step actuator post  454 . 
     Coupler rod  452  and lock plate  438  are moved up and down with the movement of lower step  414   c  between it stowed position (e.g.,  FIG. 30A ) and its deployed position (e.g.,  FIG. 26 ), respectively. Step actuator post  454  is disposed in a curved slot  458  in a rear wall  460  of elongate body  412  ( FIG. 26 ), which permits lower step  414   c  to pivot about its fastener  422 . Actuator post  454  rotates with lower step  414   c  about fastener  422 , and generally moves upwardly as lower step  414   c  is moved from its deployed position toward its stowed position, which draws lock plate  438  upwardly out of engagement with ratchet tabs  440  of the mounting portion  424   b  of spike  424 . 
     Optionally, it is envisioned that coupler rod  452  could be replaced with a stiff but somewhat flexible actuator cable, rod, spring, or the like, which is sufficiently rigid to hold lock plate in engagement with ratchet tabs  440  when lower step  414   c  is deployed, but which is also sufficiently flexible that it will bend or buckle or compress under sufficient compressive load. For example, a user could grasp lock plate  438  (such as where its edge portions protrude through slots  442  in sidewalls  443  of elongate body  412 ) and lift the lock plate against the biasing force of spring  448  to buckle or bend the actuator cable (or other actuator element) that is used in place of coupler rod  452 . This would allow a user to adjust the angle of spike  424  relative to elongate body  412  (at least slightly), even when the apparatus  410  is installed along a tree and lower step  414   c  is deployed. 
     Accordingly, tree-climbing apparatus  410  may be readily and securely installed at the tree or pole  416  by a single user, in a relatively short period of time, and in just a few steps, such as shown in  FIGS. 30A-30D . Tree-climbing apparatus  410  is initially configured for grasping the apparatus and thrusting it toward the tree  416  (as in the manner of a spear), with spike  424  in its straight configuration aligned with elongate body  412 , so that spike portion  424   a  will be at least partially embedded into the tree ( FIG. 30A ). Standoff  420  is configured with a generally C-shaped tree-engaging portion  420   a  that is aligned for receiving a portion of the tree  416 , and crank arm  428  is in its use position. 
     Once spike portion  424   a  is set into the tree  416 , the upper portion of elongate body  412  is pushed toward the tree  416  by the user ( FIG. 30B ), which pivots elongate body  412  about pivot bolt  434  against the biasing force of torsion spring  436 , which would otherwise bias spike  424  into alignment with elongate body  412  as shown in  FIG. 30A . Fastener  418  engages tree  416  ( FIG. 30B ) and may be at least partially embedded therein as the user pushes the elongate body  412  toward the tree  416 . For example, the user may push the upper portion of the elongate body  412  toward the tree  416  with sufficient speed and force that upon impact with the tree, at least the tip portion of the fastener  418 , including a portion of the fastener threads, will be embedded through the bark layer and partly into the underlying wood (xylem). Optionally, the user may push the elongate body  412  toward the tree  416  more gently, and apply sufficient force to the elongate body  412  (and, thus, fastener  418 ) to enable the fastener  418  to bore into the tree upon rotation of crank arm  428 . 
     Crank arm  428  is grasped by the user at the gripping portion  430  and is rotated to apply torque to fastener  418  until a bracket portion  420   b  of standoff  420  is drawn snugly against tree  416 , which stabilizes tee-climbing apparatus  410  (and especially its upper portion) against side-to-side and vertical movement. Spike  424  remains imbedded in the tree  416  during tightening of the fastener  418 , so that elongate body  412  typically pivots at least slightly relative to spike  424  as the upper portion of the elongate body  412  is drawn toward tree  416  by the fastener. 
     Once fastener  418  and the C-shaped tree-engaging portion  420   a  of standoff  420  are fully engaged, crank arm  428  may be positioned with gripping portion  430  at the top of its circular travel path so that crank arm  428  may be pivoted about 180-degrees downwardly with gripping portion  430  received in opening  432 , such as shown in  FIG. 30D . Upper step  414   a  and middle step  414   b  may be pivoted to their deployed positions if this has not already been done, and lower step  414   c  is pivoted to its deployed position, which urges lock plate  438  downwardly into contact with ratchet tabs  440  of the spike&#39;s mounting portion  424   b . This contact prevents spike  424  from rotating further upwardly relative to elongate body  412 , such as under loads applied by a person climbing and supporting their weight on steps  414   a - c . Thus, with lower step  414   c  deployed, spike  424  is capable of supporting at least a portion of the weight of the tree-climbing apparatus  410  and a user positioned thereon, so that the loads are distributed between fastener  418 , standoff  420 , and spike  424 . 
     Optionally, one or more tree-climbing apparatuses  410  may be installed in vertical arrangement to allow the user to climb higher into a tree than would otherwise be possible with a single tree-climbing apparatus. Once a first apparatus is fully installed at the tree  416  as described above, additional apparatuses may be installed by a user whose weight is supported on the first apparatus, although for safety and ease-of-use reasons, it may be desirable to for the user to secure themselves using a safety strap attached to the tree or the previously-installed climbing apparatus. 
     Tree-climbing apparatus  410  may be removed from tree  416  following the above-described steps in substantially the reverse order, by first pivoting the crank arm  428  to the use position and rotating it to remove the fastener  418  from tree  416 . The elongate body  412  can be pivoted away from the tree regardless of whether or not lower step  414   c  has been raised to is stowed configuration, since the engagement of lock plate  438  with the ratchet tabs  440  of spike mounting portion  424   b  does not limit or prevent pivoting movement of spike  424  toward its straight configuration in-line with elongate body  412 , such as shown in  FIG. 30A . Once fastener  418  is disengaged from tree  416 , a sufficiently strong tug or pull on elongate body  412  will dislodge spike portion  424   a  from tree  416  to fully disengage the tree-climbing apparatus  410  from the tree. 
     Once tree-climbing apparatus  410  has been removed from the tree  416 , steps  414   a - c  are typically pivoted upwardly to their respective stowed positions to provide a narrower profile for the apparatus. In addition, standoff  420  may be drawn a sufficient distance from elongate body  412  to disengage its bracket portion  420   b  and permit rotation of the standoff  420  about 90-degrees to align its C-shaped tree-engaging portion  420   a  generally vertically and with the opposite ends of bracket portion  420   b  received in horizontal slots  427  of elongate body  412  and retained therein by the spring contained in horizontal extension  420   c . In this way, the overall width of tree-climbing apparatus  410  is approximately equal to the width of elongate body  412 . This reduces the space needed for long-term storage of the tee-climbing apparatus  410 , as well as the space needed in a vehicle, such as the bed of a pickup truck or other vehicle, when transporting one or more tree-climbing apparatuses to a climbing site. 
     It will be appreciated that numerous design variations may be carried out without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the tee-climbing apparatus could be provided with two or more threaded fasteners with respective crank arms, either in place of or in addition to a spike that is set into the tree as described above. In addition, two or more standoffs may be provided to further add stability to the apparatus when installed along a tree or pole. 
     The tee-climbing apparatuses described above may be made primarily from steel, such as sheet steel that is cut and formed (e.g., bent, welded, etc) to the desired shapes, and optionally painted, powder-coated, or epoxy-coated as a final finish, which could optionally be a camouflage pattern, for example. However, it will be appreciated that numerous other sufficiently strong and corrosion-resistant materials may be suitable, such as high-strength aluminum alloy, or even certain high-strength composite materials or the like. 
     Thus, the tree climbing apparatus can be installed by a single user along a tree, wooden pole, or the like, in a one-handed manner, by initially thrusting a spike at the lower end of the apparatus into the tree, urging a fastener at the upper end of the apparatus into the tee and rotating the fastener to tightly secure the apparatus at the tree. Once the climbing apparatus is fully secured, the steps may be used as hand-holds and/or foot-holds as a climber scales a tree or other surface to which the climbing apparatus is attached. A standoff located at the fastener increases the space between the steps and the tree, and provides added stability to the device upon tightening the fastener to engage the standoff with the tree or pole. The standoff and the steps may be repositionable between use configurations and more compact storage or transport configurations. 
     Changes and modifications in the specifically-described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.