Coupling system

Abstract

An exemplary coupling system described herein enables an individual to mount various accessories to a tree or stable column. According to one exemplary embodiment, the coupling system includes a set of corresponding mating members which have various attached accessories. Consequently, the system provides a convenient, portable, and inexpensive means to exploit the advantages of a tree for the purposes of hunting and/or nature watching.

1 . A tree mounting coupling system, comprising: 
 a shank member including a cylindrical body, a stop member disposed along said cylindrical body, a head portion formed on a first end of said cylindrical body, and an engagement section defined by said stop member and said head portion; and    a plate member including a body, wherein said body defines a head reception orifice, wherein said head reception orifice includes a first portion sized to receive said head portion of said shank member and a second portion sized to slideably receive said engagement section while creating an interference with said head portion.    
   
   
       2 . The tree mounting coupling system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an accessory coupled to one of said shank or said plate member;    wherein said accessory includes one of a tree step, a tree stand, an accessory holder, a camera holder, a ladder column, or a pulley system.    
   
   
       3 . The tree mounting coupling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a threaded portion formed on a second end of said cylindrical body.  
   
   
       4 . The tree mounting coupling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a conical threaded portion coupled to said plate member.  
   
   
       5 . A step system comprising: 
 a shank member including a cylindrical body, a stop member disposed along said cylindrical body, a head portion formed on a distal end of said cylindrical body, and an engagement section defined by said stop member and said head portion;    a plate member including a body, wherein said body defines a head reception orifice, wherein said head reception orifice includes a first portion sized to receive said head portion of said shank member and a second portion sized to slideably receive said engagement section while creating an interference with said head portion; and    a weight bearing member, wherein said weight bearing member is coupled to one of said shank member or said plate member.    
   
   
       6 . The step system of  claim 5 , further comprising an accessory coupled to one of said shank or said plate member; 
 wherein said accessory includes one of a tree step, a tree stand, an accessory holder, a camera holder, a ladder column, or a pulley system.    
   
   
       7 . The step system of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of protrusion members coupled to said plate member, wherein said protrusion members comprise a body defining a pin receiving orifice formed in each of said protrusion members; and    a plurality of pin members, at least one pin member traversing each of said protrusion members via said pin receiving orifice and said weight bearing member to form a hinge member.    
   
   
       8 . The step system of  claim 7 , further comprising a spike member coupled to a proximal side of said weight bearing member.  
   
   
       9 . The step system of  claim 8 , further comprising a spike receiving member, wherein said spike receiving member is defined by said plate member such that said spike member passes through said spike receiving member to a proximal side of said plate member.  
   
   
       10 . The step system of  claim 5 , further comprising a threaded portion formed on a distal end of said cylindrical body.  
   
   
       11 . The step system of  claim 5 , further comprising a conical threaded member coupled to said plate member.  
   
   
       12 . The step system of  claim 11 , wherein said weight bearing member is coupled to said shank member.  
   
   
       13 . The step system of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a column member;    a proximal end of said shank member being coupled to said column member.    
   
   
       14 . The step system of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of support members disposed along a length of said column member.  
   
   
       15 . The step system of  claim 14 , further comprising a base plate coupled to said column member.  
   
   
       16 . A tree step system, comprising: 
 a conical threaded member including a cylindrical body, a thread stop member disposed along said cylindrical body, a head portion formed on a distal end of said cylindrical body, and an engagement section defined by said thread stop member and said head portion;    a weight bearing member, having a spike member attached to the proximal end of said weight bearing member    a plate member including a body, wherein said body defines a head reception orifice, wherein said head reception orifice includes a first portion sized to receive said head portion of said shank member and a second portion sized to slideably receive said engagement section while creating an interference with said head portion,    a plurality of protrusion members coupled to said plate member, wherein said protrusion members comprise a body defining a pin receiving orifice formed in each of said protrusion members; and    a plurality of pin members, at least one pin member traversing each of said protrusion members via said pin receiving orifice and said weight bearing member to form a hinge member.    
   
   
       17 . The tree step system of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 an accessory coupled to one of said shank or said plate member wherein said accessory includes one of a tree step, a tree stand, an accessory holder, a camera holder, a ladder column, or a pulley system