Abstract:
A collapsible wheeled game transport cart is disclosed. The game transport cart includes carrying straps that are used to transport the cart when it is unloaded and collapsed. Straps for securing game to the game transport cart may be provided, and the cart is easily navigated over rough and wooded terrain. A collapsible kickstand may be provided that facilitates loading, transporting and unloading of game.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/256,539 filed Nov. 17, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to game transport carts, and more particularly relates to collapsible wheeled game transport carts having carrying straps, game securing straps and kickstands. 
         [0003]    BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
         [0004]    The use of game transporting devices is known. While many prior configurations have been devised for the purpose of transporting game carcasses, each possesses disadvantages that may be overcome by the present invention. Some of the earlier devices are generically referred to as carts, while others are combinations of devices useful to a hunter, such as a combined tree stand and cart, or a combined ladder and cart. Common disadvantages of these devices include bulky construction making the carts heavy and large in size and not easily transportable into remote areas, complexity of assembly making the carts more difficult to deploy in the dark or in adverse outdoor weather conditions, lack of means for carrying the carts when unloaded, and excessive handle weight when transporting loaded carts. 
         [0005]    An example of a collapsible game transporting device is described in published U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0130112, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides wheeled devices for use by hunters in transporting heavy game from remote areas with rough and wooded terrain, e.g., where there is limited or no motor vehicle access. A simple, collapsible, lightweight, wheeled game transporting device with carrying straps is provided that is easily carried into a remote area when empty and facilitating removal of a game carcass out of a remote area when deployed. The game transporting cart includes carrying straps and is small in size and light in weight so that it is easily carried as a backpack when collapsed. A simple collapsible design is provided that may easily be assembled in the dark or in adverse outdoor weather conditions. Straps for securing a game carcass to the game transporting cart may be provided, and the cart is easily navigated over rough and wooded terrain. A collapsible kickstand may be provided as part of the game transporting cart that facilitates loading, transporting and/or unloading of game. 
         [0007]    An aspect of the present invention is to provide a collapsible game transport cart comprising a base, a lower section attached to the base, an upper section hinged to the lower section, a wheel mounted on the base, and at least one shoulder strap connected to a least one of the lower and upper sections, wherein the lower and upper sections are movable in relation to each other from an extended position to a collapsed position, and the at least one shoulder strap is structured and arranged to be carried over a shoulder of a user when the lower and upper sections are in the collapsed position. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a collapsible game transport cart comprising a base, a lower section attached to the base, an upper section hinged to the lower section, a wheel mounted on the base, and a collapsible kickstand attached to the upper section of the cart. 
         [0009]    These and other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a collapsible wheeled game transport cart including shoulder straps and game-securing straps in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a back view of the collapsible wheeled game transport cart of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a back view of a collapsible wheeled game transport cart similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with the addition of a shoulder harness in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a collapsible wheeled game transport cart in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a collapsible wheeled game transport cart in a collapsed configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a back view and  FIG. 7  is a side view of the collapsed wheeled game transport cart of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a bottom isometric view of a portion of a collapsible wheeled game transport cart including kickstands in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a back view of a collapsible wheeled game transport cart including shoulder harnesses in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]      FIGS. 1-9  illustrate collapsible wheeled game transport carts in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The collapsible game transport cart  10  includes a lower section  12  and an upper section  22  forming a two-section foldable frame. In  FIGS. 1-4, 8 and 9 , the lower and upper sections  12  and  22  are in their extended or deployed positions for hauling game. In  FIGS. 5-7 , the lower and upper sections  12  and  22  are in their folded or collapsed positions for carrying the unloaded cart. 
         [0019]    The lower section  12  includes a first side rail  14  and second side rail  16  attached to a base  17  comprising a skid plate. A collapsible bottom support plate  18  is pivotally attached to the skid plate base  17 . As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the collapsible bottom support plate  18  may be folded or collapsed against the skid plate  17  to provide a low-profile, compact configuration for transport purposes. 
         [0020]    The upper section  22  includes a first side rail  24  and second side rail  26  with a central game support bar  28  extending therebetween. Handles  25  and  27  are provided at the upper ends of the first and second side rails  24  and  26 . In the embodiment shown, the handles  25  and  27  comprise a substantially straight bar or tube that is angled with respect to their respective first and second side rails  24  and  26 . This arrangement provides an ergonomic hand grip configuration for transporting game while providing a relatively low side profile for carrying the game transport cart  10  in its collapsed configuration. 
         [0021]    The lower and upper sections  12  and  22  are hinged together by means of a lower section crossbar  31  extending between the first and second lower side rails  14  and  16 , an upper section crossbar  32  extending between the first and second upper side rails  24  and  26 , and hinges  33  mounted on the crossbars  31  and  32 . As shown by comparing  FIGS. 1-4  with  FIGS. 5-7 , the hinges  33  allow the lower and upper sections  12  and  22  to fold into a collapsed configuration approximately one-half the height of the extended or deployed position. For example, the collapsed height of the cart may be from 40 percent to 60 percent of the extended height of the cart, such as about 50 percent of the extended height. This bi-fold arrangement provides a cart that is suitably sized for transporting relatively large game such as deer, while providing a collapsed height that may be conveniently carried as a backpack. In addition to a convenient carrying height, the collapsed cart  10  has a low side profile which facilitates carrying of the collapsed cart without excessive bulkiness. 
         [0022]    In the fully collapsed state, the game cart  10  may thus be reduced to approximately one-half of its extended length and the frame resembles that of a backpack frame. As more fully described below, game securing straps may be used to secure the cart  10  in the fully collapsed position, and carrying straps enable the cart  10  to be carried as a backpack. Due to its light weight, e.g., less than 12-15 pounds, the cart  10  is easily transportable in the collapsed configuration. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-7 , the game transport cart  10  may include a first shoulder strap  40   a  and second shoulder strap  40   b  attached to the central game support bar  28  of the upper section  22 . A first shoulder strap buckle  42   a  is provided at the end of the first shoulder strap  40   a , and a second shoulder strap buckle  42   b  is provided at the end of the second shoulder strap  40   b . In the embodiment shown, the first and second shoulder strap buckles  42   a  and  42   b  are provided as engageable female and male components, however, any other suitable type of buckle or fastener arrangement may be used. 
         [0024]    As further shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-7 , first and second opposing shoulder strap buckles  45   a  and  45   b  are attached to the lower section crossbar  31 . As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , when the cart is in the collapsed position for carrying as a backpack, the first shoulder strap buckle  42   a  engages with the first opposing shoulder strap buckle  45   a , and the second shoulder strap buckle  42   b  engages with the second opposing shoulder strap buckle  45   b . In this configuration, the first and second shoulder straps  40   a  and  40   b  may be placed over a user&#39;s shoulders for carrying purposes similar to a backpack. The first and second shoulder straps  40   a  and  40   b  may be slidably mounted on the central game support bar  28  in order to allow for adjustment of their positions depending on the size of the user. The first and second opposing shoulder strap buckles  45   a  and  45   b  may be slidably mounted on the lower section crossbar  31  to allow for size adjustments. In the embodiment shown, the first and second shoulder straps  40   a  and  40   b  are adjustable and padded in order to increase wearer comfort. However, any other suitable type of padded or non-padded shoulder straps may be used. Thus, the present invention provides two parallel backpack-style shoulder straps attached in a vertical configuration for transportation into and out of remote hunting areas while in the folded state. The backpack style straps may be fully adjustable to fit the user. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the game transport cart  10  may include straps for securing game when loaded on the cart. In the embodiment shown, first and second upper game securing straps  44   a  and  44   b  are slidably mounted on the first and second upper side rails  24  and  26 . The first and second upper game securing straps  44   a  and  44   b  may be releasably engaged with each other by a buckle  46 . As further shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , first and second lower game securing straps  48   a  and  48   b  are slidably mounted on the first and second lower side rails  14  and  16 . A buckle  49  may be used to releasably secure the ends of the first and second lower game securing straps  48   a  and  48   b  together. The upper game securing straps  44   a  and  44   b  and lower game securing straps  48   a  and  48   b  may be positioned along their respective side rails at selected locations that facilitate game securement during transport. In addition, during game transport, the first and second shoulder straps  40   a  and  40   b  may be used to further secure game to the cart. For example, the first and second shoulder straps  40   a  and  40   b  may be releasably connected to each other by means of the shoulder strap buckle  42   a ,  42   b  in order to secure the neck or head of a deer or other large game, while the upper game securing straps  44   a  and  44   b  and lower game securing straps  48   a  and  48   b  may be used to secure the body of the game. 
         [0026]    In the fully extended and deployed state, the game cart  10  may have a ladder-like frame on which game can be loaded and supported. The extended frame may be essentially trapezoidal in shape, with the side rails  14 ,  16  and  24 ,  26  being spaced closer together at the distal end where the wheel  20  is attached and tapering to a wider spacing at the proximal end, e.g., where the handles  25  and  27  are located. When the frame is extended and game is mounted on the frame, the hinges  33  are rigidly locked into position by the weight of the game and the frame acts as one unit to provide support for the game. The handles  25  and  27  can be held at any height, and thus the cart  10  is automatically adaptable to a user of any height. The handles  25  and  27  perform equally well for a person restraining the cart from behind as it is lowered down a slope. The components of the game transport cart  10  may be made of any suitable materials, e.g., the base, side rails and crossbars may be made of strong and lightweight materials such as steel, aluminum or the like. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates another strap arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a shoulder harness  41  including a buckle  43  may be attached at its ends to the first and second upper side rails  24  and  26 . During game transport, the shoulder harness  41  may rest on the back of a user&#39;s neck and extend under the user&#39;s armpits to help shift some of the weight of the game from the handles  25  and  27  to the user&#39;s upper torso. The shoulder harness  41  may be padded and transfers the weight of the game animal from the hands of the user onto the body of the user. For example, the shoulder harness strap  41  may be about 2 inches wide and approximately 60 to 80 inches in length when fully extended. The padded portion may be approximately 18 inches in length and 4 inches wide, and may slide freely along the strap. The shoulder harness  41  may be configured with a sewn closed loop on one end and an adjustable loop on the opposite end, e.g., through the use of a tri-glide style metal buckle. The shoulder harness  41  may be fully adjustable for the height of any user. 
         [0028]      FIG. 9  illustrates a further strap arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, first and second game hauling straps  60   a  and  60   b  are attached to the central game support crossbar  28  of the upper section  22 . The first and second game hauling straps  60   a  and  60   b  include first and second shoulder loops  62   a  and  62   b . During game transport, the user&#39;s arms may be inserted through the first and second loops  62   a  and  62   b  such that the loops rest on the user&#39;s shoulders. This arrangement helps shift weight of the game from the handles  25  and  27  to the user&#39;s shoulders during transport of the loaded cart. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 4 and 8  illustrate collapsible kickstands  50  mounted on the game transport cart  10  in accordance with embodiments of the invention. As most clearly shown in  FIG. 8 , the collapsible kickstand  50  includes first and second kickstand legs  51  and  52 . A first kickstand mounting channel  54   a  is mounted on the first upper side rail  24 , and a second kickstand mounting channel  54   b  is mounted on the second upper side rail  26 . A first kickstand mounting bracket  55  is attached to the first kickstand mounting channel  54 . The first kickstand leg  51  is rotatably mounted on the first kickstand mounting bracket  55  by a pivot mounting  57 . The second kickstand leg  52  is rotatably mounted on the second kickstand mounting bracket  56  by a second pivot mounting  58 . A first foot cap  59   a  is mounted on the end of the first kickstand  51 , and a second foot cap  59   b  is mounted on the end of the second kickstand leg  52 . The kickstand legs  51  and  52  may be pivoted into their extended or deployed positions shown in  FIG. 8  in order to support the upper section  22  at an angled position above the ground when game is being loaded onto the cart. For example, when the kickstand legs  51  and  52  are extended, the side rails  14 ,  16 ,  24  and  26  may be oriented at an angle of from 5° to 40°, or from 10° to 30°, measured from the horizontal ground. The elevated position provided by the kickstand  50  facilitates initial lifting of the loaded transport cart during hauling operations. The kickstand  50  may thus be used to elevate the game cart  10  from the ground to ease the initial lifting of the weighted cart, as well as to allow the user to rest with less effort. The collapsible kickstand legs  51  and  52  may fold backwards, toward the wheeled end of the frame, to allow for compact stowage. 
         [0030]    The present invention provides a maneuverable and rugged game transport cart with carrying straps that is light in weight and collapsible and can be carried as a backpack. Further, the cart is simple and easy to assemble, and includes carrying straps that provide integral means for securing game for increased stability when fully loaded. The cart may particularly be used for the transport of deer or other like-sized game out of remote hunting areas, but its use is not restricted to such uses. 
         [0031]    Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.