Abstract:
A multi-functional lightweight hunting accessory that provides a chair with adjustable back rest, storage for hunting gear and a platform for use as a commode. The chair transforms to become a game cart for transporting a game carcass across various terrain. The cart utilizes the half pipes of the chair base to create a trough which cradles a game carcass between its sides in an inverted position. Two wheels and an axle, which store in the container, assemble through the axle housing. A handle and handle extension stored in the axle housing combine to provide the hunter&#39;s towing point. A compact design utilizing a broad handle, low center of gravity and few parts produces a light weight and easily maneuverable game cart.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is in the field of multi-functional hunting equipment that transforms into a seat, pack and commode to a game cart for transporting heavy game from a kill area to a vehicle area. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hunting wild game involves a great deal of time in the out of doors. Transporting gear to the hunting area, finding a comfortable place to sit or answer the call of nature is always a challenge. When a large game animal is killed, after field dressing, the hunter must drag the animal back to a vehicle or preferably go back to retrieve a game cart. The first option requires a great deal of effort while the second requires twice the time he may not have due to nightfall. Reacquiring (finding) the carcass, left while retrieving a game cart, is also very problematic in many areas. 
     The game carts commercially available today, from retailers such as Cabela&#39;s, are single purpose devices normally left in a person&#39;s vehicle until needed long distances away. The carts are relatively large and not easily moved to the kill site. 
     What is desired, therefore, is a compact, lightweight, multi-functional device that will be initially carried, backpacked or wheeled into the hunting area. It would then provide any of its functions as circumstances dictate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory designed for containing and moving gear into a hunt site. Upon arrival it provides a comfortable chair and a place for biologic emptying. Its transformation into a game cart takes place when the hunter creates a trough on wheels that is suitable for moving a large game carcass from kill site to vehicle. The chair-pack-commode functions would be useful for non hunting activities. 
     Advantages of the invention stem from its compact size and light weight. It is easily stored in the trunk of a car or the back seat. From there it moves to the hunt area with little effort by either carrying, backpacking or wheeling. Its wide dual pneumatic wheels and low center of gravity make it easy to maneuver and control in rugged or swampy terrain. 
     A chair in accordance with the present invention is composed of half pipes (semi-circular cross sections) of rolled metal which when assembled as a cylinder with end caps form a container. The top cap serves as the seat while the bottom cap contains the gear stored inside. A second seat with hole and hinged along it&#39;s diameter, acts as a toilet seat when necessary and folds to fit within the container. A strap with ratchet wheel secures the half pipes that form the cylinder as well as secures the handle and handle extensions in their storage position in the axle housing. Thereafter, it is used to secure the game carcass within the cart for transport. 
     Embodiment I uses three half pipes of which the base half pipe has an axle housing affixed perpendicular to its long axis midway along the parallel length. Transformation into a game cart occurs when (1) the strap is removed, (2) the inner half pipe is slid forward toward the leading part of the cart (defined as the end of the cart with a handle indicating the direction being pulled) and (3) the outer half pipe is removed from it&#39;s mating channel in the base half pipe turned 180 degrees and slid into the open hem (formed by hemming of the base half pipes straight edges) of the base half pipe at the rear end. (4) The handle extensions are moved forward affixed and (5) the handle is removed from the axle housing and (6) inserted into the handle extensions and secured. (7) The axle is placed into the axle housing and (8) the two wheels affixed. When used for wheeling gear into the field, the strap is loosened and steps 5,6,7 and 8 are performed. The strap is then re-tightened. 
     Embodiment II uses two half pipes of which the base half pipe has an axle housing affixed perpendicular to its long axis near the top (closest to the seat cover) along it&#39;s parallel length. The base half pipe and the outer half pipe are rotatably affixed together at their upper outside edges to form the cylinder. A channel is provided along both straight sides of the base half pipe to accept the outer half pipe when in a cylinder orientation. Transformation into a game cart occurs when (1) the strap is removed, (2) the handle and handle extensions are removed from the axle housing and (3) the outer half pipe is rotated about it&#39;s pivot 180 degrees and comes to rest against the axle housing forming a trough. (4) The handle extensions are fitted through the handle extension brackets and the axle housing, secured with strap and ratchet wheel and (5) the handle is inserted into the handle extensions and secured. (6) The axle is placed in the axle housing and (7) the two wheels are installed. When used as a container for wheeling gear into the field, the strap is loosened. The handle is removed from the axle housing, inserted and secured in the handle extensions. The axle and wheels are installed and the strap and ratchet wheel secures the handle extension in the axle housing and the half pipes in the cylinder orientation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       Multi-Functional Hunter&#39;s Accessory 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the exemplary multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory in the chair mode in accordance with embodiment I of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the exemplary multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory in the role as a wheeling transport device for hunting gear in accordance with embodiment I of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the exemplary multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory assembled as a game cart in accordance with embodiment I of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the exemplary multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory with game carcass secured in accordance with embodiment I of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the exemplary multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory in the back pack position in accordance with embodiment I of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of exemplary multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory portraying the open hem and channel located along the parallel edges of the base half pipe in accordance with embodiment I of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of exemplary multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory with commode seat in place in accordance with embodiment I of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the exemplary multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory in the chair mode in accordance with embodiment II of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the exemplary multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory in the role as a wheeling transport device for hunting gear in accordance with embodiment II of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the exemplary multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory assembled as a game cart in accordance with embodiment II of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of exemplary multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory with commode seat in place in accordance with embodiment II of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of exemplary multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory with strap and ratchet in place securing the handle and handle extensions in the axle housing and the outer half pipe within it&#39;s channel in the base half pipe with embodiment I of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     IDENTIFICATION BY NUMBER 
     Multi-Functional Hunter&#39;s Accessory 
     Multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory will be abbreviated “M-fha” 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 M-fha embodiment I 
               
               
                 11 
                 Base half pipe em I 
               
               
                 13 
                 Axle housing em I &amp; II 
               
               
                 14 
                 Axle em I &amp; II 
               
               
                 15 
                 Wheels em I &amp; II 
               
               
                 16 
                 Inner half pipe em I 
               
               
                 17 
                 Outer half pipe em I 
               
               
                 18 
                 Handle extension em I 
               
               
                 19 
                 Handle em I 
               
               
                 20 
                 Seat em I &amp; II 
               
               
                 21 
                 Bottom end cap em I &amp; II 
               
               
                 22 
                 Strap with ratchet wheel em I &amp; II 
               
               
                 23 
                 Centering pin em I 
               
               
                 24 
                 Hitch pins em I &amp; II 
               
               
                 25 
                 Commode seat em I &amp; II 
               
               
                 29 
                 Handle extension bracket em I &amp; II 
               
               
                 31 
                 Back pack straps em I &amp; II 
               
               
                 40 
                 M-fha embodiment II 
               
               
                 41 
                 Base half pipe em II 
               
               
                 43 
                 Outer half pipe em II 
               
               
                 44 
                 Handle extension em II 
               
               
                 45 
                 Handle em II 
               
               
                 46 
                 Pivot bolt em II 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An exemplary multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory  10  (embodiment I) in accordance with the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1-7  and  12 . The multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory  10  in the cylinder position  FIG. 1  provides a chair with adjustable back support and storage that allows for the organization and transport of gear. This is done with light weight materials that allows the multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory  10  to be carried like a pail or back packed  FIG. 5  into the hunt area. The hunter who wishes to wheel his gear to the hunt site can remove the seat  20  to expose two wheels  15 , an axle  14 , a commode seat  25 . By removing the axle  14 , installing it through the axle housing  13  and securing the wheels  15  onto the axle  14 , the container can be filled with gear. After filling with gear and the seat  20  replaced, the strap and ratchet wheel  22  is loosened  FIG. 12  and the handle  19  removed from it&#39;s storage location in the axle housing  13  then placed into the handle extensions  18  and secured with hitch pins  24 . The strap and ratchet wheel  22  is re-tightened and the multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory  10  is ready to wheel to the hunt site.  FIG. 2  When the need for the commode arises, the seat  20  is removed, the commode seat  25  opens and replaces the seat  20 . The handle  19  is removed by pulling the hitch pins  24  and placed back in the axle housing  13 .  FIG. 7 . 
     When transformation to a game cart is required, the seat  20  is removed, the gear, wheels  15 , axle  14 , commode seat  25  and the bottom end cap  21  are removed. The strap  22  is loosened and removed allowing removal of the handle  19  and the sliding forward of the handle extensions  18 . The handle extensions are fixed in place with hitch pins  24  at the handle extension brackets  29 . The handle  19  is affixed in the handle extensions  18  with hitch pins  24 . The outer half pipe  17  is removed from it&#39;s channel in the base half pipe  11 . The inner half pipe  16  is slid forward (upward) half its length within the open hem  FIG. 6  in the base half pipe  11 . The outer half pipe  17  is rotated 180 degrees and slid into the open hem of the base half pipe&#39;s  11  lower end. A centering pin  23  is threaded into a hole in the bottom trough of the base half pipe  11  to act as a stop for the inner half pipe  16  and the outer half pipe  17 . The axle  14  is installed in the axle housing  13  and the wheels  15  are affixed to the axle on each side.  FIG. 3  The seat  20  is affixed to the handle  19  above the connection to the handle extensions  18  to serve as support for the game carcass&#39;s head. The strap with ratchet wheel  22  is used to secure the carcass in the game cart&#39;s trough in an inverted position.  FIG. 4   
     An exemplary multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory  40  (embodiment II) with the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 8-11 . The multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory  40  in the cylinder position  FIG. 8  provides a chair with adjustable back support and a storage that allows for organization and transport of gear. This is done with light weight material that allows the multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory  40  to be carried like a pail or back packed into the hunt area. The hunter who wishes to wheel his gear to the hunt site can remove seat  20  to expose two wheels  15 , an axle  14  and commode lid  25 . Removing the axle  14 , installing it through the axle housing  13  and affixing the wheels  15  is followed by the strap and ratchet wheel  22  being loosened and the handle  45  removed from it storage location in the axle housing  13 . It is secured in the handle extensions  44  with hitch pins  24  and the strap  22  is then re-tightened. After the gear is stored and the seat  20  replaced, the hunter can wheel his gear to the hunt site.  FIG. 9   
     When transformation to a game cart is required, the seat  20  is removed and the gear, axle  14 , wheels  15 , commode seat  25  are emptied out. The bottom end cap  21  is removed and the strap  22  loosened and removed. The handle  45  and handle extensions  44  are removed from their storage location in the axle housing  13 . The outer half pipe  43  is rotated 180 degrees about the pivot  46  until the circumference comes to rest against the axle housing  13 . The handle extensions  44  are fitted through the handle extension brackets  29  and the axle housing  13  and secured to the handle extension brackets  29  with hitch pins  24 . The handle  45  is inserted into the handle extensions  44  and secured with hitch pins  24 .  FIG. 10 . When loading the game cart, the seat cover  20  is affixed to the base of the handle  45  above it&#39;s connection to the handle extensions  44  to support the game carcass&#39;s head and the strap  22  is tightened about the carcass to keep it in the trough. 
     Materials of construction for the parts of multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory embodiment I and II must be light in weight in order for transport into the field to require minimum effort. The half pipes  11 , 16 , 17  and  43  can be made of aluminum or a composite like fiberglass. Because of the strength made possible by the interlocking half pipes in multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory embodiment I, metal would be the preferred choice. The half pipes in embodiment II could function as metal or a composite. The axle housing  13  would ideally be constructed of a metal like aluminum. Handles  19  and  45  and handle extension  18  and  44  can be constructed of aluminum tubing, fiberglass or hardwood such as hickory. 
     Attachments of parts like the axle housing  13  to base half pipe  11  or  41  is accomplished with welding when aluminum is used. It provides a rigid connection that is light and strong. Attachment of the handle extension brackets  29  can be done with bolts and locking nuts, rivets or welding. 
     Wheels  15  of choice are of the wide pneumatic type with inner and outer bearings to allow smooth rolling over rugged and swampy terrain. With a wheel diameter slightly over half of that of the container and located well outboard of the trough that is created, the game cart has a low center of gravity and very stable ride. Additionally the wheels may be replaced by other ground contacting structures for moving the game cart across various terrain, such as a skid or other structures for sliding across the ground. 
     The size of multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory embodiment I &amp; II in the figures provided suggests a container of about 12 gallons in volume. This provides a suitable height for sitting when that feature is used. It also allows for a great deal of gear storage in addition to the wheels.  15  and axle  14  The trough provided when either embodiment is in the game cart orientation is long enough and broad enough for all but the largest deer-like animals. While impractical as a chair or commode, a much larger embodiment of multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory embodiment II could be envisioned with capacity of 55 gallons or more. Outfitted with an appropriate size axle housing  13 , axle  14  and wheels  15 , it could be used to store and transport duck decoys or other items requiring this volume. 
     Balance front to rear is about 50/50 for multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory embodiment I  10  due to the axle housing  13  being centered on the base half pipe. Multi-functional hunter&#39;s accessory embodiment II  40  has about a 60/40 front to rear balance ratio since the axle housing  13  is slightly to the rear of center when in the game cart orientation 
     The color of both embodiments would be non-reflective. Ideally a camouflage pattern would be applied to avoid spooking wildlife as the hunter moves it through the woods. 
     The handles  19  and  45  are provided large enough for two hunters to pull against when required. They can be tubing bent to the shape shown or solid lengths of material joined to form the U shape with commercial elbows and angles used in plumbing.