“Tree winch” portable game hoist

{
  "publication_number": "US6695688B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "“Tree winch” portable game hoist",
  "abstract": "The invention is a portable game hoist (12) designed for suspending large animals such as deer, hogs, and the like from a tree, pole, or post for immediate processing in the field. The game hoist consists of a vertical support member (16) connected at an obtuse angle to a horizontal lifting arm (14) via a main bracket (18 c), a hand winch (24 a) for lifting the animal, and a means of attaching the hoist to a tree. The hoist is lightweight, yet sturdy and simple to use. The game hoist can be easily folded for transportation or storage by removing a removable bolt or ball pin (30). Tightening up on the hand winch secures the game hoist in the folded position. In the folded position, the game hoist can be transported under the seat of a truck, on the rack of a four-wheeler, or in the bottom of a boat. The hoist can also be carried by hand or across the shoulder using a chain (20). A companion to assist in the use of the game hoist is not necessary, as it is light in weight and simple to use.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A portable, collapsible hoisting device, being in the open and closed positions, used for hoisting deer and game animals in the field for immediate processing, the structure comprising; A. a vertical support member having an upper and lower end B. a hand winch rigidly attached to the lower end of said vertical support member C. a main bracket rigidly attached to the upper end of said vertical support member D. a horizontal lifting arm having ends distal and proximal to said vertical support member, pivotally attached to said main bracket E. a front bracket rigidly affixed to the distal end of said horizontal lifting arm F. an outer axle bolt secured through said front bracket G. an inner axle bolt secured through said main bracket H. said horizontal lifting arm in the open position and a means of readily securing the lifting arm in the open position I. a hoist line attached to said hand winch at one end and continuing over the inner and outer axle bolts at the other end J. a lifting eye at the end of said hoist line opposite said winch and a means of securing said lifting eye to the object to be lifted.",
    "2. The game hoist of claim 1, further including a cinch strap at the bottom of said vertical support member to help secure the structure to said tree, pole of post.",
    "3. The game hoist of claim 1, further including a chain, a pair of mounting hooks, and a means of securing the hoist to a tree, pole, or post using said chain and said mounting hooks.",
    "4. The game hoist of claim 1, further including said chain, a mitered mounting slot cut in top of main bracket, and a means of securing the hoist to the tree using said chain and said mounting slot cut into said main bracket.",
    "5. The game hoist of claim 1, further including said horizontal lifting arm formed of telescoping members as to increase the reach of the horizontal arm.",
    "6. The game hoist of claim 1, further including a winch handle with an exaggerated offset as to prevent contact between said tree, pole, or post and said winch handle.",
    "7. The game hoist of claim 1, further including a removable knob on the winch to allow for removal of said winch handle for storage.",
    "8. The game hoist of claim 1, further including said chain and a method of storing said chain inside the vertical member.",
    "9. The game hoist of claim 1, further including said chain and a method of storing said chain inside the horizontal arm.",
    "10. The game hoist of claim 1, further including a gambrel and a means of attaching said gambrel to said lifting eye.",
    "11. The game hoist of claim 1, whereas said horizontal lifting arm and said vertical support members are manufactured from a material selected from a group consisting of metal, metal alloy, carbon-graphite, fiberglass, epoxy, wood, wood composite, plastic and plastic composite.",
    "12. The game hoist of claim 1, further including said inner axel bolt and said outer axel bolt having a bushing to prevent wear of said hoist line.",
    "13. The game hoist of claim 1, further including said inner axel bolt and said outer axel bolt having a pulley to prevent wear of said hoist line.",
    "14. The game hoist of claim 1, whereas said main bracket is manufactured from a material selected form a group consisting of metal, metal alloy, carbongraphite, fiberglass, epoxy, wood, wood composite, plastic and plastic composite.",
    "15. The game hoist of claim 1, whereas the relationship between the location of the inner and outer axel bolts, said pivot bolt and the winch allow the invention to be secured in the closed position by tightening the winch.",
    "16. The game hoist of claim 1, further including a handle rigidly attached to the top of said horizontal lifting arm for carrying the invention.",
    "17. A method of securing the game hoist of claim 1 in the closed position comprising the following steps: A. removing said removable bolt or ball pin and pivoting said horizontal lifting arm on said pivot bolt until distal end of the horizontal arm rests inside the drum of said hand winch parallel or near parallel to said vertical support member B. securing the invention in the closed position by tightening said hand winch.",
    "18. A main bracket that provides the following functions: A. support for said horizontal lifting arm B. a pair of cleats that prevent the invention from sliding down the tree C. an anchor point for said chain D. a pivot point on which said horizontal support member can be folded E. an anchor point on which the horizontal support member can be readily secured in the open position."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Not Applicable\n\nNot Applicable\n\n1. Field of Invention\n\nThe invention relates to wild game hoists, more specifically, those hoists that are lightweight, portable, and easily used in the field for the immediate dressing of wild game.\n\n2. Background of the Invention\n\nHunters often fell their game in remote areas. The meat, if not quickly processed and cooled, can spoil. Therefore, there is a need for a device that will allow one to quickly and easily raise the animal above dirt and debris for processing in the field. Hunters often carry with them, besides their weapon, extra clothing, camping equipment, and devices that might aid them in their pursuit of wild game. Therefore, it is important that any game hoist be light in weight, compact, and easily transported by the hunter.\n\nThe portable game-hoisting devices available to hunters are one of three types. The first being those that are designed to be mounted to a vehicle such as a truck or a four-wheeler. U.S Pat. Nos. 4,806,063; 5,662,451; 5,791,858; 5,975,831; 6,109,855; 6,138,991; 6,152,175; 6,155,771; and 6,250,483 are all examples of this type of game hoist as are U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 2001/0043852 A1; 2002/0045417 A1; 2002/0168258 A1; 2003/0000906 A1; and 2002/0173262. These types of hoist are of no value to the hunter unless a vehicle is readily available, thus limiting its use to only those areas accessible by vehicle. Many hunters do not have the luxury of affording off-road vehicles of the type necessary to reach remote areas. Also, many state, nationally, and privately owned lands do not permit use of off-road vehicles.",
  "cpc": [
    "A22B 5/06"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A22B 5/06"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "James Edward Owen",
    "Alva Eugene Owen"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2003-03-04",
  "publication_date": "2004-02-24",
  "grant_date": "2004-02-24",
  "priority_date": "2002-11-01",
  "application_number": "US-37947903-A",
  "family_id": "31498419",
  "cited_by_count": 56,
  "citations": [
    "US3854168A",
    "US6062974A",
    "US5562534A",
    "US5820455A",
    "US6045442A",
    "US6202868B1"
  ]
}