A hoist mechanism for raising an animal carcass off the ground includes a pair of strap assemblies. Each strap assembly includes a first ratchet portion attachable to a support member and a loop assembly for grasping a portion of the animal carcass. A handle is provided on each ratchet strap to raise a portion of the carcass off the ground. By alternately raising different portions of the carcass a given distance above ground level, the carcass can ultimately be raised to a position where it can be positioned on a support surface, for example to a rack that is provided on a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a system for hoisting a game animal onto a wheeled vehicle for example after the animal has been killed in a remote area. The system includes two strap assemblies that are attachable to the remote vehicle and the animal in such a manner so as to allow a single person to raise the animal onto the vehicle.

2. Description of Related Art

There are several different types of hoist mechanisms that have been proposed for hoisting game animals onto vehicles. For example in U.S. 2010/0111658 a cradle mechanism and a crank mechanism is provided at the rear of a vehicle for raising the game and placing it on the vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,748 proposes a powered lift assembly including a rack and an electric cable winch.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,240 discloses an arrangement for dragging game along the ground from a remote area that includes a pair of loop portions for engaging the feet of the animal.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes two strap assembles each of which has a first end adapted to be attached to an off road vehicle and a second end that includes a loop portion that encircles the carcass. The first end includes a racketing mechanism. The two strap assembles are connected as disclosed and the carcass is raised in a step by step process by a single person in a manner disclosed herein so that the carcass can eventually be raised to a position where it can be supported by a rack assembly or other support which is typically found on an off road vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIG. 1, an embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail.

The strap assembly1includes an S-shaped hook member5which is adapted to be secured to the rack of an off road vehicle. Any type of attachment device could be used in lieu of hook5. A first strap section6made of a flexible material is secured to the hook member5by forming a loop for example. The distal end of the strap portion6is suitably attached to a conventional ratchet mechanism7that includes teeth that are arranged to allow a second strap9to move upward toward the rack but prevent the strap from moving in a downward direction as is well known in the art. Strap member9includes a handle8formed on the proximal portion of the strap.

The distal end of the strap9is attached to a first swivel mechanism34that includes two D-shaped rings rotatably connected by a shaft13. A releaseable clamping mechanism20is attached to D-shaped ring12and has a third strap portion18connected to a rotating element of the clamping mechanism20. Strap portion18is suitably attached to a second ratchet mechanism22similar to ratchet mechanism7.

A fourth strap portion17is connected to the ratchet22and extends outwardly from the ratchet mechanism to a handle21at a first end of strap portion17. The other end of strap17is attached to the D ring12. Strap17may include flexible handles15and16secured thereto. Straps17,18, and ratchet22form an adjustable loop60.

Thus the distal portion17of one of the strap assembles may be positioned around the carcass40of the animal as shown inFIG. 2while a second strap assembly can be positioned. about the carcass in a second position.

The device may be used in the following manner. The distal portion including strap portion18and17are positioned around the body section of the animal's carcass. Handles21are pulled until section17and18are tightly engaging the animal's carcass. The proximal end5of the strap assembly is attached to rack41which is typically mounted on the off road vehicle. At this point the operator can grasp handle8of strap portion9to raise the carcass of the animal a given amount. The ratchet7will prevent the strap portion9from moving backward. Next the operator of the device can grasp handle14of strap portion9or handle19of the strap portion18, and by lifting, raise the other end of the carcass a given amount off the ground. While lifting, the operator can pull the distal portion8of strap9to keep the carcass at the given amount off the ground.

This process can be repeated several times until the carcass is raised to a level where it can be rolled onto the support rack of the off road vehicle, by using straps15or16.

As shown inFIG. 1, an auxiliary strap33may also be provided that includes a ratchet strap35that passes through ratchet mechanism31and terminates with a handle portion.34. A hook32can be attached to the ratchet mechanism31.

FIG. 3illustrates a ratchet mechanism that may be used in conjunction with this invention, although any known mechanism may also be used.

The racket mechanism has a main body portion which includes a front slot55through which strap9passes. A pivotably mounted pawl52has griping elements54at one end. The pawl52is urged into contact with the upper surface of strap9by a coil spring57no that strap9is movably held in place. Strap9exits housing51via a slot56formed in the lower portion53of the ratchet housing. The hook5and strap portion6can be attached to the ratchet mechanism51and one end thereof by a loop58formed at one end of strap portion6.