Brackets for tree stands

1 . A bracket system for at least partially supporting a tree stand on a support structure, the bracket system comprising a bracket element and two strap receiving elements, wherein the bracket element comprises:

a first panel, wherein the first panel comprises a tree-stand engagement portion, wherein the tree-stand engagement portion comprises a tree-stand engagement element for receiving a portion of the tree stand;

a second panel extending transversely from the first panel and directly attached to the first panel, wherein the second panel comprises a first strap receiving portion for engaging or receiving a first strap receiving element of the two strap receiving elements;

a third panel extending transversely from the first panel and directly attached to the first panel, wherein the third panel comprises a second strap receiving portion for engaging or receiving a second strap receiving element of the two strap receiving elements; and

at least one structural engagement portion positionable to engage the support structure;

wherein:

each of the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel is planar;

the first panel is positioned between the second panel and the third panel;

for the first strap receiving element of the two strap receiving elements, the first strap receiving element comprises a shaft and a shoulder, the shoulder is wider than the shaft, the shaft is attached to, or attachable to, the first strap receiving portion; and

when the shaft is attached to the first strap receiving portion, the shoulder is spaced apart from the first strap receiving portion to form a strap receiving area between the shoulder and the bracket element.

2 . The bracket system of claim 1 , further comprising a means for restraining the bracket element to the support structure.

3 . The bracket system of claim 2 , wherein the means for restraining the bracket element to the support structure comprises a strap.

4 . The bracket system of claim 3 , wherein the means for restraining the bracket element to the support structure further comprises a strap tensioning device.

5 . The bracket system of claim 4 , wherein the strap tensioning device comprises at least one of: a ratchet, a buckle, a clamp, or a D-ring.

6 . The bracket system of claim 1 , wherein the shoulder comprises a shoulder washer.

7 . The bracket system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one structural engagement portion comprises at least one of: a contoured surface, plurality of teeth, or a plurality of ridges.

8 . The bracket system of claim 1 , wherein the tree-stand engagement element comprises an opening for receiving the portion of the tree stand.

9 . The bracket system of claim 8 , wherein the opening comprises a slot.

10 . The bracket system of claim 9 , wherein the slot comprises an elongated portion and a rounded portion in communication with the elongated portion.

11 . The bracket system of claim 8 , wherein the opening comprises a keyhole shape.

12 . The bracket system of claim 1 , wherein the tree-stand engagement element comprises three tree-stand engagement elements, wherein each tree-stand engagement element comprises a slot configured to receive the portion of the tree stand.

13 . The bracket system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one structural engagement portion extends along a plane orthogonal to an intersection between the first panel and the second panel.

14 . The bracket system of claim 1 , wherein:

the bracket element further comprises one or more fourth panels extending transversely from the first panel;

the one or more fourth panels extend transversely relative to the second panel and the third panel; and

the one or more fourth panels comprise the at least one structural engagement portion.

15 . The bracket system of claim 1 , wherein the bracket element comprises a single body bent to form the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel.

16 . A tree stand system comprising:

a tree stand, wherein the tree stand comprises a platform, a lower structure engagement portion attached to the platform and extending rearwardly relative to the platform, a post pivotably connected to the platform toward a lower end of the post, an upper structure engagement portion attached to the post toward an upper end of the post opposite the lower end, and a mounting element projecting rearwardly from the post between the lower end of the post and the upper end of the post; and

a bracket system, wherein the bracket system is configured to support the tree stand on a support structure;

wherein:

the bracket system comprises a bracket element, a strap, a strap tensioning device, and two strap receiving elements, wherein the two strap receiving elements are attached to the bracket element or attachable to the bracket element;

the bracket element comprises a structural engagement portion and a tree-stand engagement portion, wherein the structural engagement portion is positionable to engage the support structure, and wherein the tree-stand engagement portion comprises a tree-stand engagement element for receiving the mounting element of the tree stand;

the bracket element comprises one or more front panels, an upper panel extending transversely and rearwardly from the one or more front panels, and a lower panel extending transversely and rearwardly from the one or more front panels;

the one or more front panels comprise the tree-stand engagement portion and are configured to support the two strap receiving elements; and

the upper panel or the lower panel comprises the structural engagement portion, and

the tree-stand engagement element comprising a slot in the one or more front panels.

17 . The tree stand system of claim 16 , further comprising two additional slots in the one or more front panels for receiving the mounting element of the tree stand.

18 . The tree stand system of claim 16 , wherein the bracket element comprises a single body bent to form the one or more front panels, the upper panel, and the lower panel.

19 . The tree stand system of claim 16 , wherein each strap receiving element of the two strap receiving elements comprises a shaft and a shoulder, wherein the shoulder is wider than the shaft, and wherein the shaft is attached to, or attachable to, the one or more front panels to form a strap receiving area between the shoulder and the one or more front panels.

20 . A bracket system for supporting a tree stand on a support structure, the bracket system comprising:

a bracket element, a strap, a strap tensioning device attached to the strap for adjusting tension in the strap, and two strap receiving elements extending from the bracket element for receiving the strap, wherein:

the bracket element comprises a front panel positioned between a first side panel extending from the front panel and a second side panel extending from the front panel, an upper panel extending rearwardly from the front panel and transversely relative to the first side panel and the second side panel, and a lower panel extending rearwardly from the front panel and transversely relative to the first side panel and the second side panel;

the upper panel comprises an upper structural engagement portion for engaging a surface of the support structure;

the lower panel comprises a lower structural engagement portion for engaging the surface of the support structure;

a first strap receiving element of the two strap receiving elements comprises a first shaft and a first shoulder attached to the first shaft, wherein the first shaft is attached to the first side panel and extends forwardly from the first side panel, and wherein the first shoulder is spaced apart from the bracket element to form a first strap receiving area;

a second strap receiving element of the two strap receiving elements comprises a second shaft and a second shoulder attached to the second shaft, wherein the second shaft is attached to the second side panel and extends forwardly from the second side panel, wherein the second shoulder is spaced apart from the bracket element to form a second strap receiving area;

a first end of the strap comprises a first loop positionable over the first shoulder and in the first strap receiving area;

a second end of the strap comprises a second loop positionable over the second shoulder and in the second strap receiving area; and

the front panel comprises a plurality of openings for receiving and restraining a portion of the tree stand, wherein each opening of the plurality of openings comprises a slot having an elongated portion and a rounded portion wider than the elongated portion.

21 . The bracket system of claim 20 , wherein:

at least one of the first side panel or the second side panel is spaced apart from the upper panel to form an upper gap therebetween; and

at least one of the first side panel or the second side panel is spaced apart from the lower panel to form a lower gap therebetween.

22 . A bracket system for at least partially supporting a tree stand on a support structure, the bracket system comprising a bracket element and two strap receiving elements, wherein the bracket element comprises:

a first panel, wherein the first panel comprises a tree-stand engagement portion, wherein the tree-stand engagement portion comprises an opening for receiving a portion of the tree stand;

a second panel extending transversely from the first panel and directly attached to the first panel, wherein the second panel comprises a first strap receiving portion for engaging or receiving a first strap receiving element of the two strap receiving elements;

a third panel extending transversely from the first panel and directly attached to the first panel, wherein the third panel comprises a second strap receiving portion for engaging or receiving a second strap receiving element of the two strap receiving elements; and

at least one structural engagement portion positionable to engage the support structure;

wherein each of the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel is planar; and

wherein the first panel is positioned between the second panel and the third panel.