ANIMAL RETRIEVAL DEVICE

Abstract

An animal retrieval device is disclosed. The animal retrieval device incorporates an elongate flexible member with a rigid member to create a powerful pulling apparatus used for retrieving harvested game from remote areas. The device is fully adjustable to fit all types of harvested game, sportsman size, and multiple users. No hardware is needed to assemble or use. The device packs away easily into hunting gear or can be carried on a belt. Being light in weight, the device provides minimal load to the sportsman and is readily carryable. The device utilizes both the grip strength of a rigid conforming handle and a strap to distribute the force. The comfort and simplicity of design render the device unique and desirable as an addition to hunting gear.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/843,121, filed Sep. 8, 2006, hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a dragging device and more particularly to a harvested animal retrieval device capable of being carried by a sportsman for transporting a harvested animal from remote bush or wooded areas to a transporting vehicle or a hunting camp, for example.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of different game dragging devices exist with a number of distinct structural features. In most instances, the devices require various mechanical mechanisms or fasteners and are difficult to secure or attach a game animal thereto. The pulling force required to move a harvested animal can be quite large, and typical drags available on the market are hard on the hands putting heavy stress into the grip of the hand and fingers, as well as the wrist. A game retrieval device which requires few or no mechanical adjustments; is simple in construction; has an ergonomic construction of the handle; conforms to sportsmen of different sizes; and distributes a force of a drag to minimize fatigue on a hand is lacking.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,763 to Cornelius discloses a deer dragging device having a large handle and a nylon rope in a continuous loop. All the pulling force is undesirably concentrated on the grip or fingers of the hand of the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,755,454 to Cary discloses a deer dragging device which includes multiple straps that can become tangled. Further, the device is complicated to utilize in hunting locations such as the bush, for example. The device includes a loop for attaching around the back of the hand; however, without the incorporation of a handle along with the strap, the loading on to the hand/wrist becomes excessive.

None of the above inventions, taken either singly or in combination, discloses or remotely suggests the instant invention.

It would be desirable to produce a harvested animal retrieval device capable of easily being carried by a sportsman; can be used for transporting a harvested animal from a hunting location to a desired location; and may be readily and economically manufactured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Harmonious with the present invention, a harvested animal retrieval device capable of easily being carried by a sportsman; can be used for transporting a harvested animal from a hunting location to a desired location; and may be readily and economically manufactured, has surprisingly been discovered.

In one embodiment, an animal retrieval device comprises a handle having a hollow interior and an aperture formed therein in communication with the hollow interior; and a strap disposed in the hollow interior of the handle, a first end of the strap adapted to be attached to an animal and a second end of the strap extending through the first aperture and adapted to be connected to an arm of a user to transfer at least a portion of a force required to drag the animal to the arm.

In another embodiment, an animal retrieval device comprises a handle formed from a lightweight material, the handle having a hollow interior, a first aperture formed in a first end thereof, and a second aperture formed in a second end thereof, the first aperture and the second aperture in communication with the hollow interior; and a flexible strap extending through the first aperture of the handle and the second aperture of the handle to form a primary loop, the primary loop adapted to be attached to an animal, and wherein the strap is adapted to be connected to an arm of a user to transfer at least a portion of a force required to drag the animal to the arm.

In another embodiment, an animal retrieval device comprises a curved handle formed from a lightweight material, the handle having a hollow interior, a first aperture formed in a first end thereof, a second aperture formed in a second end thereof, and a third aperture formed at a position intermediate the first end of the handle and the second end of the handle, the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture in communication with the hollow interior; and a strap formed from a flexible material, extending through the first aperture of the handle and the second aperture of the handle to form a primary loop, the primary loop adapted to be attached to an animal, and wherein the strap extends from the hollow interior of the handle through the third aperture and back through the third aperture into the hollow interior of the handle to form a secondary loop, the secondary loop adapted to be connected to an arm of a user to transfer at least a portion of a force required to drag the animal to the arm.

It is an object of the invention to produce a game retrieval device for transporting big game from the bush, forests, or other terrain to a desired location, such as a vehicle or a camp, for example.

It is another object of the invention to produce a device which is simple to use and substantially impervious to weather conditions and mechanical wear and tear.

It is a further object of the invention to produce a device with no mechanical fasteners required to secure to game or to oneself.

Still another object of the invention is to produce a device that will distribute the large force of dragging game across the sportsman's hand via the grip and the back of the hand, thereby reducing stress.

Another object of the invention is to produce a device that is lightweight and easily packs away or is carried on one's game belt during the hunt so as to be readily retrievable once game is harvested.

Another object of the invention is to produce a device that is readily adjustable to different sizes of sportsmen.

Another object of the invention is to produce a device that is affordable and versatile, so that multiple sportsmen can attach the device to larger game and retrieve the game from forests or bush, while doing so within the sportsman's comfort stance. A large and small stature sportsman can retrieve a large bodied game together with the aid of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged top plan view of a handle for an animal retrieval device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the handle illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an animal retrieval device according to an embodiment of the invention shown assembled; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front plan view of a fastener used to affix the animal retrieval device illustrated in FIG. 3 to a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a handle 12 of an animal retrieving device 10 as shown in FIG. 3. The handle 12 includes a curved hollow member 14, although the member 14 can be formed into other shapes, such as a substantially straight shape, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the member 14 is formed from a non-conducting, lightweight material such as a polymer, carbon fiber, graphite, and the like, for example. The member 14 includes a first open end 16 and a second open end 20. Aperture 24 is formed in the member 14 intermediate the ends 16, 22. Optionally, the handle 12 may include a soft material disposed therearound for maximizing a grip and a comfort during use of the animal retrieving device 10. Additionally, the handle 12 may include an anti-slipping material disposed therearound for maximizing a grip during use of the animal retrieving device 10. Alternatively, the entire handle 12 may be formed from the anti-slipping material.

A high strength strap 26 made from a lightweight, flexible, durable, weather proof material, as shown in FIG. 3, is fed through the open ends 16, 20 of the handle 12, the strap 26 is preferably flexible in sub-freezing temperatures and stable in temperatures above 100° F. Once fed through the apertures 16, 20 of the handle 12, the strap 26 is stitched or otherwise fastened to itself to form a continuous primary loop 28 of a desired overall length at a first end 29 of the strap 26. A secondary loop 30 is formed at a second end 31 of the strap 26 by pulling a portion of the strap 26 through the aperture 24, wherein the strap 26 is pulled far enough to permit the secondary loop 30 to be disposed over a hand of a user.

In use, game is harvested and appropriate field dressing is applied as is known in the art. The animal retrieving device 10, which can be stored readily in a pouch or on a belt loop is grasped by the user. Optionally, a fastener 32 as shown in FIG. 4 such as a pin which stores the animal retrieving device 10 in a compact position, is removed from the animal retrieving device 10, allowing the strap 26 to drape freely for use. The fastener 32 may also be used to facilitate affixation of a gaming license to the game. The handle 12 is grasped in one hand of the user, and the primary loop 28 of the strap 26 is stretched and wrapped around antlers or other extremities of the game. The handle 12 is then pulled away from the game to remove slack from the strap 26. The user then inserts one hand through the secondary loop 30. The secondary loop 30 is secured to the hand of the user by pulling on the portions of the strap 26 emerging from the handle 12 through either or both of the open end 16 and the open end 20.

The game is then pulled from its position to a desired position, such as a vehicle or a camp, for example. As the game is pulled, the load of the game is distributed onto the wrist, hand, fingers, and arm of the user, which relieves stress from the fingers and maximizes an ease of a recovery of the game to the desired position.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

Claims

1. An animal retrieval device comprising:

a handle having a hollow interior and an aperture formed therein in communication with the hollow interior; and

a strap disposed in the hollow interior of the handle, a first length of the strap adapted to be attached to an animal and a second length of the strap extending through the aperture of the handle and adapted to be connected to an arm of a user to transfer at least a portion of a force required to drag the animal to the arm.

2. The animal retrieval device according to claim 1, wherein the handle is curved in shape.

3. The animal retrieval device according to claim 1, wherein the handle is formed from a substantially lightweight material.

4. The animal retrieval device according to claim 3, wherein the material is one of a polymer, a carbon fiber, and a graphite.

5. The animal retrieval device according to claim 1, wherein the handle includes spaced apart open ends in communication with the hollow interior thereof.

6. The animal retrieval device according to claim 5, wherein the aperture in communication with the hollow interior of the handle is located at a position intermediate the spaced apart ends of the handle.

7. The animal retrieval device according to claim 6, wherein the strap extends through the open ends to form a primary loop adapted to be attached to the animal.

8. The animal retrieval device according to claim 7, wherein the strap extends from the hollow interior of the handle through the aperture and back through the aperture into the hollow interior of the handle to form a secondary loop, the secondary loop adapted to be connected to the arm of the user to transfer at least a portion of the force required to drag the animal to the arm.

9. The animal retrieval device according to claim 1, wherein the handle includes at least one of a soft material and an anti-slipping material disposed thereon.

10. The animal retrieval device according to claim 1, wherein the strap is formed from a flexible material, wherein the flexible material is usable in sub-freezing temperatures and temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

11. The animal retrieval device according to claim 1, further including a fastener for storing the animal retrieval device during non-use of the animal retrieval device.

12. An animal retrieval device comprising:

a handle formed from a lightweight material, the handle having a hollow interior, spaced apart open ends in communication with the hollow interior; and

a strap formed from a flexible material, the flexible material being usable in sub-freezing temperatures and temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, wherein the strap is disposed through the open ends of the handle to form a primary loop, the primary loop adapted to be attached to an animal, and wherein the strap is adapted to be connected to an arm of a user to transfer at least a portion of a force required to drag the animal to the arm.

13. The animal retrieval device according to claim 12, wherein the handle is curved in shape.

14. The animal retrieval device according to claim 12, wherein the material is one of a polymer, a carbon fiber, and a graphite.

15. The animal retrieval device according to claim 12, wherein the handle includes an aperture in communication with the hollow interior of the handle and formed at a position intermediate the ends of the handle.

16. The animal retrieval device according to claim 15, wherein the strap extends from the hollow interior of the handle through the aperture and back through the aperture into the hollow interior of the handle to form a secondary loop, the secondary loop adapted to be connected to the arm of the user to transfer at least a portion of the force required to drag the animal to the arm.

17. The animal retrieval device according to claim 12, further including a fastener for storing the animal retrieval device during non-use of the animal retrieval device, wherein the fastener can be used to secure a game tag to the animal during use of the animal retrieval device.

18. An animal retrieval device comprising:

a curved handle formed from a lightweight material, the handle having a hollow interior, spaced apart open ends, and an aperture formed at a position intermediate the ends of the handle, the open ends and the aperture in communication with the hollow interior; and

a strap formed from a flexible material, the flexible material being usable in sub-freezing temperatures and temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, wherein the strap is disposed through the open ends of the handle to form a primary loop, the primary loop adapted to be attached to an animal, and wherein the strap extends from the hollow interior of the handle through the aperture and back through the aperture into the hollow interior of the handle to form a secondary loop, the secondary loop adapted to be connected to an arm of a user to transfer at least a portion of a force required to drag the animal to the arm.

19. The animal retrieval device according to claim 18, including a fastener for storing the animal retrieval device during non-use of the animal retrieval device, wherein the fastener can be used to secure a game tag to the animal during use of the animal retrieval device.