Abstract:
A curved gambrel with an asymmetrical design, having an incline end on one distal end and a hooked end on the other. The gambrel will hold a mass, for example, the hocks of the animal, on the incline end and hooked end for skinning and quartering. When the inclined mass is removed from the incline end, which is much easier than removing from a hook, the remaining hooked mass will hang securely from the hooked end.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a portable tool for hanging or dressing game, in particular, a gambrel for hanging, moving or dressing carcasses. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The use of gambrels is well known to butchers and to those who hunt, because a gambrel is used to lift, move or suspend a carcass for dressing, typically by affixing the gambrel through the legs of the game. Most gambrels consist of a simple cross piece with a high point in the middle for lowering the effective center of gravity to allow the hocks of the animal to hang in a balanced manner. A typical gambrel is suspended by a rope, tie, chain or other means, and used to separate the carcass&#39; hocks to allow easy access for quartering. Once quartered, the legs are removed from the gambrel. 
         [0003]    The prior art shows gambrels of symmetrical design. Many gambrel designs are inclined, having a slight incline at each distal end. While the inclined end allows a hunter to easily slide the first hock from the gambrel, this creates an unstable condition wherein the remaining section of carcass, without the counter balance of the first hock which has been removed, simply slides from the opposite inclined distal end. 
         [0004]    Another symmetrical gambrel design, provides hooks at each distal end. By supplying a hook on both ends, the remaining carcass is held in place when the first hock is removed, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,555 issued to Blasi, which discloses a gambrel with two hooks on either end, each having a knob to give a blunt end and further hold the meat in place. The problem with having hooks at each distal end is that it is much harder to secure the pre-sectioned carcass, which is many times quite heavy, onto the gambrel by navigating the curves of each hook. It requires much work to lift, navigate and remove the carcass from the end of the hook with the weight of a carcass on both ends. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,169,928 issued to Saley, discloses a collapsible gambrel with detachable cross member. The important feature is that the hooks for the hocks swing freely from the ends. This makes it harder to hoist the meat from the gambrel as the hooks are free to move with the meat. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,227,698 issued to Braun, discloses a collapsible beef tree, which is mounted on two distinct runners. The problem to be addressed is the sliding of the hocks together and the easy transfer of the meat from the hooks. The present invention is much simpler, while accomplishing a similar result. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,942 issued to Lyon, discloses a portable gambrel which utilizes loops to hold and suspend the legs of the animal. These can be dangerous as the fingers of the user can be trapped or pinched in the loops. It also requires the leg to be lifted to a point where the loop becomes slack. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,077 issued to Rowe, discloses a gambrel with a swinging hook which allows half the meat to be removed at a time without the other portion falling to the ground (see  FIG. 4 ). It is still more difficult to remove the first portion of meat, which would require lifting and hefting as opposed to simply sliding off as disclosed in the invention. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,426 issued to Mayhew, discloses a release gambrel. This allows the quick release of both legs or hocks, but not one at a time. It is also a more complex structure with moving parts. The present invention is much simpler. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,666 issued to Mullis, discloses a combination hanging and dragging gambrel type hunting aid. The hooks can have their position adjusted from an inside to an outside orientation. Strictly as a gambrel, it is expected to work much as any other instances of the prior art. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,374 issued to Teinert, discloses a self adjusting gambrel, which spreads out to accommodate various sizes of animal. The disclosure does not show the feature of being able to hold the remaining portion of the meat after the first portion is removed. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The current invention consists of an asymmetrical device for a gambrel comprising an incline end on one side and a hooked end on the other. The gambrel will hold mass, typically the hocks, or hind quarters, of the animal on the incline end and the hooked end while skinning and quartering. The first hind quarter is removed from the incline end, which is much easier than removing from a hook, allowing the second hind quarter to securely hang from the hooked end. The current invention is made of a sturdy material; typically steel, to enable the suspension of heavy game. 
         [0013]    It is therefore an advantage of the invention to provide an asymmetrical gambrel for hanging or balancing two masses, such as the hind quarters of a harvested animal. 
         [0014]    It is another advantage of the invention to transport the harvested animal across the ground. 
         [0015]    It is another advantage of the invention to suspend the harvested animal above the ground. 
         [0016]    It is another advantage of the invention to provide a way to remove the first hind quarter with minimum effort. 
         [0017]    It is another advantage of the invention to provide a way for the second hind quarter to hang securely after the first hind quarter has been removed. 
         [0018]    It is another advantage of the invention to be made of a sturdy material to enable the suspension of heavy game. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a gambrel of the current invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a gambrel of the current invention in use; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a gambrel of the current invention in use further in the process. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  discloses an embodiment of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the gambrel  10  consists of a frame member  24 , made of steel or similar strong material, providing a fulcrum  16  near its peak, forming an obtuse angle between the hooked segment  34  and the incline segment  36 . An inclined end  12  is formed at the distal end of the incline segment  36 , forming an inclined rest  14  where the end  12  and segment  36  meet. A hooked end  18  is formed at the distal end of the hooked segment  34 , forming a hooked rest  20  along the hooked end  18 . 
         [0024]    An enclosing member  40 , made of steel or similar strong material, is connected between the hooked segment  34  and incline segment  36  of the frame member  24 , forming an enclosure  38 . A suspending device  26 , which can be a rope, chain, cable, cord, strap or any other device used for suspending an item, maybe inserted through the enclosure  38 , thereby allowing the gambrel  10  to be hung. The triangular shape of the enclosure  38  allows the suspending device  26  to slide along the frame member  24  or enclosing member  40  depending on the distribution of mass between the inclined end  12  and the hooked end  18 . A suspension point  42  is defined as the point along the frame member  24  or enclosing member  40 , at which the suspending device  26  exerts most of its upward force. A suspension axis  44  is formed between the suspension point  42  and the source of gravity. 
         [0025]    The gambrel  10  is used to suspend a mass  28  using the inclined end  12  and hooked end  18 . The inclined mass  30  is the part of the mass  28  inserted onto the inserted end  12 . Hooked mass  32  is the part of the mass  28  inserted onto the hooked end  18 . The inclined end  12  is used as a mounting point for the inclined mass  30 , which, by gravity, slides to the position of the inclined rest  14  when the mass  28  is hoisted or moved. The hooked end  18  is used as a mounting point for the hooked mass  32 , which, by gravity, slides to the position of the hooked rest  20  when the mass  28  is hoisted or moved. 
         [0026]    The inclined end  12 , as shown, is a straight piece of frame that angles toward the fulcrum  16 , and the hooked end  18  is in the shape of an open hook facing upwards. In one method of use, the asymmetrical design of the gambrel  10  allows removal of the inclined mass  30 , while keeping the hooked mass  32  attached to the hooked end  18 . 
         [0027]    Other embodiments may include various shapes and angles of the inclined end  12  or the hooked end  18 . The inclined end  12  may be any segment or extension from the incline segment  36  where an axis parallel to the suspension axis  44  only crosses the inclined end  12  at one point along the inclined end  12  while the gambrel  10  is substantially balanced or at rest while suspended. The hooked end  18  may be any segment or extension from the incline segment  36  where an axis parallel to the suspension axis  44  crosses the hooked end  18  at more than one point along the hooked end  18  when the gambrel  10  is substantially balanced or at rest while suspended. Other embodiments can include a plurality of inclined ends  12  at the end of the incline segment  36  and a plurality of hooked ends  18  at the end of the hooked segment  34  consistent with the parameters and purposes described herein. 
         [0028]    In the preferred embodiment as shown, a support member  22 , made of steel or similar strong material, is connected between the hooked segment  34  and incline segment  36  of the frame member  24  for added support. The support member  22  is optional as needed. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows how a mass  28 , an animal carcass in particular, may be suspended using the gambrel  10 . In one method of use, the inclined end  12  is inserted through a hock of the animal carcass. The hooked end  20  is inserted through another hock of the animal carcass. A suspending device  26  such as a rope, hook, cable or other similar device, is attached between a hoist and through the enclosure  38  and the animal carcass is lifted, hoisted, or moved into position for skinning or butchering. As butchering commences, sections of the carcass  28  are removed for further processing. This is generally referred to as quartering. This is best accomplished by removing the inclined mass  30  from the inclined rest  14  first by sliding it from the inclined end  12 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows how the weight of the hooked mass  32  is supported by the hooked rest  18 , which rotates into place before or during the removal of the inclined mass  30 . Without the hooked rest  18  attached to the hooked mass  32 , the carcass would slide from the gambrel  10  to the ground, as the inclined mass  30  is being removed. 
         [0031]    It is readily shown from the forgoing figures that the present invention is quite versatile as needed for the many situations found in the general harvest of animals on the field or farm. Mass, as used in this disclosure includes carcass, but may in some instances involve a live animal, depending on the circumstances. 
         [0032]    For the purposes of illustration of the preferred embodiment in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the term inclined mass  30  refers to a hock that is mounted on the inclined end  12  of the gambrel  10 . The term hooked mass  32  refers to a hock that is mounted on the hooked end  20  of the gambrel  10 . It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that either hock of a carcass can be used as a hooked mass  32  or inclined mass  30 , and that the terminology for a mass as “inclined” and “hooked” are used to describe which end of the gambrel  10  each mass is interfaced. 
         [0033]    The term “mass” can include any part of an object used to suspend it. Furthermore, it should be noted that those skilled in the art could appreciate alternative embodiments of the present invention that suspend masses and objects, including an animal carcass, for the purposes described herein. The preferred embodiment employs an obtuse angle between the incline segment  36  and the hooked segment  34 , although those skilled in the art may appreciate other configurations of a frame member  24  that would allow the gambrel  10  to support, form or balance an inclined end  12  and a hooked end  14  as herein described. 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
       [0034]    Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. The invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
         [0035]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequent appended claims.