Device for Lifting and Transporting Large Game with a Vehicle or All-Terrain Vehicle

Abstract

A device that attaches to the trailer hitch of a vehicle or rack of an all-terrain vehicle, ATV, to lift and transport large game. This device uses a stationary main lift frame assembly attached to a trailer hitch mounting bracket or ATV mounting rack bracket. The assembly has a custom two-reel winch with a fixed reel and a longitudinally adjustable reel to provide two-point lifting of the animal. This arrangement provides ease of attaching and stability in carrying the load.

Claims

1. A game animal lifting sport assembly comprising: a lift frame member a winch assembly attached to said lift frame member, said winch assembly comprising a winch, a rotating axle having a first end and a second end attached to said winch, a first reel attached to said first end of said rotating axle, and a second reel attached to said rotating axle, so that when said winch is rotated, said axle and said reels rotate together with said winch; a first strap connected to said first reel; a second strap attached to said second reel; and means for removably attaching said game animal lifting and transport assembly to a vehicle.

2. The game animal lifting and transport assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said second reel is adjustable, so that it may slide longitudinally along said axle and be removably secured in any desired position.

3. The game animal lifting and transport assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for removably attaching said game animal lifting and transport assembly to a vehicle comprises a tubing frame having an L-shape, wherein a first end of said tubing frame is adapted to received into a trailer hitch receiver of a vehicle, and wherein a second end of said tubing frame slides telescopically into a vertical mounting tube attached to said lift frame member.

4. The game animal lifting and transport assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for removably attaching said game animal lifting and transport assembly to a vehicle comprises a horizontally oriented U-shaped ATV mounting bracket attached to a vertical support, and wherein said vertical support is adapted to telescopically engage with a vertical mounting tube attached to said lift frame member.

5. The game animal lifting and transport assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said lift frame member comprises a pair of horizontal supports having first and second ends, and a pair of outer vertical supports having a top and bottom end, wherein said ends of said outer vertical supports are connected to said ends of said horizontal supports to form a generally rectangular shape, and wherein said lift frame member further includes a vertical mounting tube attached to a central portion of said lifting frame member.

6. The game animal lifting and transport assembly set forth in claim 5, further including at least two U-shaped loops attached to said horizontal supports, wherein said U-shaped loops may be used to attach said straps thereto.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a removable attachment for a vehicle for lifting and transporting game animals and the like;

[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a removable attachment for a vehicle for lifting and transporting game animals and the like;

[0023] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a removable attachment for a vehicle for lifting and transporting game animals and the like;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a photograph of one embodiment of a removable attachment for a vehicle for lifting and transporting game animals and the like, wherein the attachment is connected to a truck;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a photograph of one embodiment of a removable attachment for a vehicle for lifting and transporting game animals and the like, wherein the attachment is connected to a truck, and wherein a deer is attached thereto;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a photograph of one embodiment of a removable attachment for a vehicle for lifting and transporting game animals and the like, wherein the attachment is connected to an ATV; and

[0027] FIG. 7 a photograph of one embodiment of a removable attachment for a vehicle for lifting and transporting game animals and the like, wherein the attachment is connected to an ATV, and wherein a deer is attached thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Overview

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates the primary view of the lifting mechanism. The winch lifting system 1 comprises, in a first embodiment, a lift frame member 2 having one stationary reel 28 combined with an adjustable reel 3. In this embodiment, the lift frame member 2 includes a pair of horizontal supports 20 connected to a pair of outer vertical supports 22, and preferably forms a generally rectangular shape with curved corners.

[0029] The two reels and winch 24 are attached to the lift frame member 2 at opposed upper corners of the frame member 2. The two reels are designed for a double end strap to be attached for lifting the game from a two point contact, so that one strap attaches to each reel. A rotating axle 26 connects the two reels, so that they rotate at the same rate, and the adjustable reel may slide in a longitudinal direction along the rotating axle, and optionally, may be removably locked into any desired position along said axle, in order to accommodate game animals of various sizes. This assembly lifts the game evenly off is the ground in a horizontal position. The double ended straps provide a secure harness type connection to the game, such as a deer. Four U shaped loops 4 are attached to the frame for extra strap connection points. A vertical mounting tube 5 is connected to the center of the frame 2 that slide over the mounting brackets.

[0030] FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 show one embodiment of the lift that is adapted for mounting of the lift system 1 to a hitch mount. The tubing frame 6 attaches to a trailer hitch mount in the typical manner, and the lift frame member 2 attaches to the tubing frame 6 by sliding the vertical mounting tube 5 over the tubing frame 6, aligning holes between the tubing frame 6 and the vertical mounting tube 5, and sliding a pin through the aligned holes. The mounting end 7 of the tubing frame 6 slides into to the trailer hitch mount of the vehicle, and a pin may be used to slide through aligned holes in the trailer hitch mount of the vehicle and the mounting bracket hitch 7. Although these telescoping components are described as being removably attached together using a pin through aligned holes, it should be understood that other mounting means and securing means may be used to removably attach these components together, as is well-known in the art.

[0031] In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, an ATV mounting bracket 30 for an ATV rack includes a vertical post 8. The ATV mounting bracket 30 is in a generally U-shaped configuration that fits around the perimeter of a rear ATV rack. The distal ends 9 of the ATV mounting bracket 30 may be attached to the sides of the rear ATV rack via screws, bolts, or any other suitable attachment means.

[0032] The terms used in the present application are merely used to describe particular embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context. In the present application, it is to be understood that the terms such as including or having, etc., are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof may exist or may be added. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to particular embodiments and dimensions, the embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the invention. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. It is to be understood that the inventive concept is not to be considered limited to the constructions and dimensions disclosed herein.