Protective lifting system for outdoor use

A protective lifting system includes first and second mounting hooks each having, respectively, a line and pulley connection eyelet ring mounted thereon and a mounting bar connection eyelet ring mounted thereon which extends generally perpendicular to the shank section of the mounting hook, a pulley device mounted on the second mounting hook, a lift line having a first end connected to the first mounting hook and a second end which extends through the pulley device, a mounting bar operative to engage the mounting bar connection eyelet ring on the first and second mounting hooks to lift the hooks into an elevated supported position, the lift line being operative to lift an object to a safe elevated position by drawing the second end of the lift line through and away from the pulley device thereby decreasing the length of the lift line extending between the first and second mounting hooks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention is directed to food and backpack hanging systems for use by campers and other outdoorsmen and, more particularly, to a protective lifting system for objects for suspending the objects in an elevated position which includes first and second mounting hooks each having, respectively, a line and pulley connection eyelet ring mounted thereon and a mounting bar connection eyelet ring mounted thereon which extends generally perpendicular to the shank section of the mounting hook, a pulley device mounted on the second mounting hook, a lift line having a first end connected to the first mounting hook and a second end which extends through the pulley device, a mounting bar having a topmost engagement section which is operative to engage the mounting bar connection eyelet ring on the first and second mounting hooks to lift the hooks into an elevated position for engagement on a supporting object with the lift line extending therebetween, the lift line being operative to lift an object to be protected and supported thereon by drawing the second end of the lift line through and away from the pulley device thereby decreasing the length of the lift line extending between the first and second mounting hooks whereby the object is lifted into an elevated position supported between the first and second mounting hooks.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Each year, untold numbers of people visit wilderness areas for hunting, fishing, hiking, and many other outdoor activities. While these visits are, for the most part, exciting and enjoyable, visits and stays in wilderness areas also bring certain risks into play which are not encountered in ordinary daily life. Specifically, when visiting wilderness areas, persons must be aware that animals will often take an interest in their activities, particularly if the animals become aware of foodstuffs, toiletries or garbage which are being carried by the persons visiting the wilderness area. For example, one of the largest and potentially most dangerous animals frequently encountered in wilderness areas is the bear, particularly black bears, and these intelligent and curious animals spend a great deal of time exploring for food. This activity can bring them into close contact with humans, particularly since bears mainly rely on their sense of smell to locate foodstuffs and therefore the foodstuffs being carried by persons in wilderness areas may become targets of bears in order to satisfy their hunger.

In particular, hikers and campers often encounter bears in wilderness areas, and it is necessary for these persons to take precautions when entering the bears' habitat. Most commonly, hikers and campers store their food, toiletries, and garbage in either bear resistant containers or in what are commonly referred to as “food hangs.” While hikers and campers would ideally carry bear resistant containers for their food, toiletries, and garbage with them, most bear resistant containers are bulky and heavy and are difficult to transport during hiking and camping. Therefore, the majority of hikers and campers use food hangs which usually consist of a long rope or cable which is draped over separate trees spaced at least twenty to thirty feet apart and which are at least fifteen feet high. The hiker/camper would then throw the rope over the first tree, transport the rope to the second tree and throw the rope over the second tree, then attach the food bag to the center of the rope where it is approximately equidistantly spaced from the two trees, then the ends of the rope would be pulled to lift the bag or pack containing the food, toiletries and/or garbage up into the air to suspend the bag or pack between the trees. The ends of the rope would then be secured to the tree by an appropriate means such as a knot or other such tie-off and the food hang would thus be completed.

It is easy to see, however, how the ordinary method of preparing and completing a food hang is a cumbersome and time-consuming process. For example, one must extend the rope over two selected trees, with all the attendant difficulties inherent in performing such an action, due to the numerous branches, twigs and leaves which are in the way when the rope is being thrown over a particular selected branch. Furthermore, one must be sure that the securing knots which are tying the rope in the selected position do not slip or give way which would result in the hanging food bag dropping to the ground. Also, one must ensure that the branch selected is of sufficient strength to support the hanging bag, and because of the method by which the rope is thrown over the branch, it may be difficult to select and accurately throw the rope over an appropriate branch unless one is quite skilled in the art of rope throwing. Therefore, there is a need for an improved object lifting and hanging system which addresses and corrects many of the deficiencies found in the prior art devices and systems.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved protective lifting system for objects for suspending objects in an elevated position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved protective lifting system for objects which may be quickly and easily used in virtually any location in the wilderness and which may be used by most any hiker, camper, hunter, or fisherperson who is concerned about and wants to avoid keeping food, toiletries and/or garbage on the ground near their camping or resting location.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved protective lifting system for objects for suspending the objects in an elevated position which includes first and second mounting hooks which may be quickly and easily placed on spaced elevated supporting objects such as trees with a lift line extending between the first and second mounting hooks and through a pulley device on the second mounting hook such that merely by drawing the lift line through the pulley when the first and second mounting hooks are mounted on the supporting objects, the lift line will lift the object secured thereto in a simple and efficient manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective lifting system for objects for suspending the objects in an elevated position which utilizes an extendable or longitudinally extended mounting bar which releasably connects to a mounting bar connection eyelet ring, one mounted on each of the first and second mounting hooks for lifting the first and second mounting hooks into an elevated position engaging the supporting object, thus permitting quick and efficient placement of the first and second mounting hooks on the supporting objects.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective lifting system for objects for suspending the objects in an elevated position which will generally prevent fraying and degradation of the supporting rope, cord or cable which results from frictional contact between the rope, cord or cable with the tree or other such supporting object commonly used for support of food hangs.

Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a protective lifting system for objects for suspending objects in an elevated position which is relatively simple and durable in construction and is safe, efficient and effective in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a protective lifting system for objects for suspending the objects in an elevated position which includes a first mounting hook having a generally arcuate engagement hook section and a generally straight connecting shank section having a line connection eyelet ring mounted thereon and a mounting bar connection eyelet ring mounted on one of the shank section and the line connection eyelet ring, the mounting bar connection eyelet ring extending generally perpendicular to the shank section and a second mounting hook having a generally arcuate engagement hook section and a generally straight connecting shank section having a pulley connection eyelet ring mounted thereon and a mounting bar connection eyelet ring mounted on one of the shank section and the line connection eyelet ring, the mounting bar connection eyelet ring extending generally perpendicular to the shank section. A pulley device is mounted on the pulley connection eyelet ring of the second mounting hook, the pulley device including a pulley body and a pulley wheel rotatably mounted thereon and a lift line having a first end connected to the line connection eyelet ring of the first mounting hook and a second end extends through the pulley device over the pulley wheel. A mounting bar is included, the mounting bar having an extended shaft and a topmost engagement section for releasably engaging the mounting bar connection eyelet rings of the first and second mounting hooks to lift the first mounting hook into an elevated position where the engagement hook section engages a supporting object and lift the second mounting hook into an elevated position where the engagement hook section engages a supporting object, the first and second mounting hooks being spaced from one another with the lift line extending therebetween. Finally, the lift line is operative to lift an object to be protected and supported thereon by drawing the second end of the lift line away from the pulley device supported on the pulley connection eyelet ring of the second mounting hook thereby decreasing the length of the lift line extending between the line connection eyelet ring of the first mounting hook and the pulley device supported on the pulley connection eyelet ring of the second mounting hook whereby the object is lifted into an elevated position supported between the first and second mounting hooks via connection to the lift line.

The protective lifting system for objects for suspending the objects in an elevated position of the present invention as thus described provides many improvements over those devices and systems found in the prior art. For example, because the present invention utilizes mounting hooks for securement of the system to the supporting objects, the mounting connection of the device to those supporting objects is far more secure than that obtainable by merely passing the supporting cable or cord over the supporting object. Also, because the first and second mounting hooks of the present invention include mounting bar connection eyelet rings which extend generally perpendicular to the shank section of the mounting hooks, it is a relatively simple matter to engage the mounting bar connection eyelet rings with a mounting bar including a topmost engagement section to lift the first and second mounting hooks into a support position engaging the supporting object instead of having to throw a rope or cord over the selected supporting object in a precise location to ensure that the supporting line is properly supported by the supporting object. Finally, because the present invention includes a pulley device mounted on the second mounting hook through which the lift line extends, wear and tear from frictional contact between the lift line and the supporting object is eliminated, thus greatly increasing the usable life span of the lift line and significantly decreasing the chances that the lift line will break at an inopportune time, such as during the lifting of or supporting of an object by the lift line. It is therefore seen that the present invention provides a substantial improvement over those devices and systems found in the prior art which attempt to perform similar functions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The protective lifting system10for objects for suspending the objects in an elevated position is shown best inFIGS. 1-3as including a first mounting hook20which includes an arcuate hook section22, a line connection eyelet ring24mounted on the shank end of the mounting hook20and a mounting bar connection eyelet ring26which is mounted on the line connection eyelet ring24. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting bar connection eyelet ring26would extend perpendicularly to the line connection eyelet ring24and hence perpendicular to the hook section22of first mounting hook20. This makes it easier for the mounting bar connection eyelet ring26to be engaged by a mounting bar70as will be described later in this disclosure.

A second mounting hook30is also included in the present invention, the second mounting hook30including a hook section32generally identical to first mounting hook20, a pulley connection eyelet ring34generally identical to line connection eyelet ring24of first mounting hook20and a mounting bar connection eyelet ring36which is generally identical to mounting bar connection eyelet ring26of first mounting hook20. In effect, first and second mounting hooks20and30would be generally identical to one another, although it is not specifically necessary that the mounting hooks be identical, as there may be situations where having differently sized and shaped mounting hooks would be beneficial in mounting the first and second mounting hooks20and30on selected supporting objects.

Mounted on second mounting hook30and depending downwards therefrom is a main pulley40which, in the preferred embodiment, would be a standard type pulley including a pulley body42and pulley wheel44rotatably mounted therein, the main pulley40being mounted on the pulley connection eyelet ring34of second mounting hook30by a pulley mount clasp46or any other appropriate connecting or mounting device. It is preferred that the main pulley40be constructed of weather-resistant materials which generally do not require lubrication to ensure proper rotation of the pulley wheel44on pulley body42, although the precise size, shape and type of main pulley40used in connection with the present invention is not critical so long as the functionality of the main pulley40is neither significantly degraded nor destroyed.

The lift line50which extends between the first and second mounting hooks20and30would preferably be a weather-resistant rope or cord, although a lightweight metal cable may also be used for the lift line50so long as the intended purpose of providing an easily manipulated and stored length of lift line50which will support a significant amount of weight thereon is maintained. In the preferred embodiment, the lift line50would include a first end which would be connected to the line connection eyelet ring24of first mounting hook20and the second end which would extend through the main pulley40around pulley wheel44and therethrough, as shown best inFIGS. 1 and 3. The end of the lift line50may then be connected to a lifting ratchet device60which, in the preferred embodiment, would be a rope ratchet or the like which is of a standard design and includes an outer body62, a line gripping wheel63rotatably mounted within the outer body62and a ratchet mechanism64with a release lever65, the ratchet mechanism64operatively connected to the line gripping wheel63as follows. The lift line50passes through the rope ratchet outer body62around the line gripping wheel63such that when the lift line50is pulled, the line gripping wheel63rotates and the ratchet mechanism64keeps the line gripping wheel63from rotating backwards, allowing easy, one-hand tensioning of the lift line50. Pushing the release lever65up disengages the ratchet mechanism64and releases the line gripping wheel63for reversed rotation thereof so that the lift line50may be detensioned. Of course, use of the lifting ratchet device60is not critical with the present invention, and in fact it may be a far simpler matter for the user of the present invention to merely draw the lift line through the main pulley40to tighten the lift line50, then secure the end of the lift line50to an appropriate support location. However, one of the benefits of the use of the lifting ratchet device60, which would preferably operate in a standard rope ratchet manner, is that persons of limited size and strength may quickly and easily lift even quite heavy objects up into the air via the present invention, and further, the use of the lifting ratchet device60eliminates the requirement of securing the end of the lift line50once the object has been lifted into the air. It is thus seen that use of the lifting ratchet device60renders use of the present invention a far simpler and more efficient process.

The present invention would be used in the manner shown inFIGS. 2 and 3and would include the following steps. First of all, the first mounting hook20would be lifted into the air via connection to the mounting bar70, which includes V-shaped engagement notch72, to the mounting bar connection eyelet ring26, as shown inFIG. 2. The first mounting hook20would then be positioned on a selected tree100with the hook section22of the first mounting hook20extending over the selected branch104of tree100which would be used to support the first mounting hook20thereon. In a similar manner, second mounting hook30would be mounted on another tree102, as shown inFIG. 3, with the hook section32of second mounting hook30extending over a selected branch106of the second tree102. It is preferred that the trees100and102be spaced apart from one another at least twenty to thirty feet, as the ideal location for the pack200to be suspended would be at least ten to fifteen feet away from the main trunk of the tree. Furthermore, it is preferred that the selected branches104and106be at least fifteen to twenty feet in height in order to ensure that the supported pack200will be positioned at least fifteen feet above the ground surface, as recommended by bear and wildlife experts. In any event, once the first and second mounting hooks20and30are placed on their respective trees100and102, the lift line50would extend between the first and second mounting hooks20and30as shown by the solid line ofFIG. 3where the pack200is still resting on the ground surface. The second end of the lift line50would then be inserted into the lifting ratchet device60and the ratchet device tie-down66would be connected to the tree102to secure the lifting ratchet device60in the selected location as shown inFIG. 3. The lifting ratchet device60would then be operated as described previously thus drawing lift line50through the lifting ratchet device60therefore pulling the lift line50through main pulley40over pulley wheel44towards the lifting ratchet device60. This decreases the length of the lift line50which extends between the first and second mounting hooks20and30, thus pulling the pack200upwards into the air to be suspended between the trees100and102. Once the lift line50has been drawn through the main pulley40and the lifting ratchet device60the desired amount, the pack200is suspended above the ground between the trees100and102on lift line50, as shown by the dotted lines ofFIG. 3. All of the objects stored in the pack200are thus protected from unauthorized incursion by wildlife, and therefore the persons utilizing the present invention may feel relatively safe and secure that their food, toiletries and/or garbage are protected from unauthorized incursion.

To lower the pack200back to the ground surface, the release lever65of the lifting ratchet device60would be disengaged to release the ratchet mechanism64and allow the lift line50to run out through the lifting ratchet device60thus lowering the pack200. Once the pack200is lowered to the ground surface, the protective lifting system10of the present invention may be removed from the trees100and102merely by reversing the procedures previously described. The elements of the present invention may then quickly and easily be stored in the backpack or carrying sack of the persons using the invention, and the invention may then be used in another location.

It is to be understood that numerous additions, modifications and substitutions may be made to the protection system10of the present invention which fall within the intended broad scope of the appended claims. For example, the precise size, shape and construction materials used in connection with the first and second mounting hooks20and30, main pulley40and lifting ratchet device60may be modified or changed so long as the intended functional features of those elements are neither significantly degraded nor destroyed. Furthermore, the particular type of cord, rope or cable used for the lift line50may be modified or changed depending on the weight of the pack or bag to be supported thereby and the weight and size constraints desired by the user of the present invention, so long as the functional aspects of the lift line50remain generally intact. Also, the precise size and shape of the mounting bar70may be modified or changed so long as the intended functional feature of the mounting bar70, particularly that it is operative to lift the first and second mounting hooks20and30into their support position, is maintained. For example, the mounting bar70may be a telescoping aluminum pole having an extendable shaft which will permit the user of the present invention to mount the first and second mounting hooks20and30in many different locations at many different heights. Finally, it should be noted that the use of the lifting ratchet device60is preferred in connection with the present invention, as it makes lifting of the pack200into the air a far easier and safer procedure, although it should be noted that the exact design of the lifting ratchet device60is not critical to the present invention so long as the intended functional features are maintained.

There has therefore been shown and described a protective lifting system10for suspending objects in an elevated position which accomplishes at least all of its intended objectives.