Vehicle winch game loader

A vehicle winch game loader. The device includes a central support including a first pulley connected to an upper end thereof. A rear support is connected to the upper end of the central support. A front support includes a rear end connected to a lower end of the central support and a front end having a second pulley connected thereto. The front support extends in a direction opposite the rear support. A crossbar is connected to the lower end of the central support, wherein the crossbar is oriented perpendicular to the front support. A rear end of the rear support is configured to frictionally engage a rear end of a vehicle when the crossbar and the front support are supported on an upper surface of a front end of the vehicle. The device may be utilized to load game or other objects onto the vehicle using the vehicle's winch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to game loaders and lifters. More specifically, the present invention provides a vehicle winch game loader that is configured to freely rest on a vehicle and utilize the vehicle's winch to load game or other objects onto a deck of the vehicle.

Many individuals utilize all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) for work or recreational purposes. ATVs and other similar utility vehicles typically include a rear deck which can support cargo for transport. However, it can be difficult for a single individual to lift large or heavy objects onto the rear deck by themselves. For example, individuals that hunt game such as deer often wish to load the game onto their ATV, but it can be very difficult to lift and load a game animal without help from others. Individuals may injure themselves when attempting to load the ATV. Without additional assistance, a game animal or other heavy object may have to be left behind. In order to address these concerns, it is desirable to provide a vehicle winch terrain loader that utilizes a vehicle's winch to easily load game or other objects onto the vehicle.

Devices have been disclosed in the known art that relate to game lifters and loaders for vehicles. These include devices that have been patented and devices that have been disclosed in published patent applications. However, these devices have several drawbacks. For example, the devices in the known art must be secured or fastened to a vehicle prior to operation, which can be a difficult and time-consuming task. Additionally, the lifting devices in the known art are typically large and bulky, which makes them difficult to store or transport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of game loaders and lifters now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a vehicle winch game loader wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when lifting game or other cargo onto a vehicle for transport. The present vehicle winch game loader includes a central support including a first pulley connected to an upper end thereof. A rear support is connected to the upper end of the central support. A front support includes a rear end connected to a lower end of the central support and a front end having a second pulley connected thereto. The front support extends in a direction opposite the rear support. A crossbar is connected to the lower end of the central support, wherein the crossbar is oriented perpendicular to the front support. A rear end of the rear support is configured to frictionally engage a rear end of a vehicle when the crossbar and the front support are supported on an upper surface of a front end of the vehicle.

One object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle winch game loader that includes all of the advantages of known art devices and none of the disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle winch game loader that may be utilized to automatically load game or other objects onto a vehicle using the vehicle's winch.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle winch game loader that does not require fastening to the vehicle to function properly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the vehicle winch game loader. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for loading game or other cargo onto a vehicle. The figures e intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a front perspective view of the vehicle winch game loader and a side view of the vehicle winch game loader, respectively. The vehicle winch game loader10includes a central support11having an upper end12and a lower end13. A front end26of a rear support24is connected to the upper end12of the central support11. The rear support24extends outwardly and downward from the central support11at an angle. The rear end25of the rear support24is configured to frictionally engage an upper portion of the vehicle. A front support17includes a rear end18connected to the lower end13of the central support11.

In an exemplary use of the vehicle winch game loader10, the front support17rests on a front deck of a vehicle, and the rear support25rests on a rear deck of the vehicle, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. The vehicle winch game loader10further includes a crossbar14connected to the lower end13of the central support11. The crossbar14provides lateral support to the vehicle winch game loader10when it is supported on a vehicle. In the shown embodiment, the central support11connects to a midpoint of the crossbar14, such that the opposing ends15,16of the crossbar14extend from opposing sides of the central support11in equal lengths. This positioning of the crossbar14provides for the maximum amount of lateral support.

A first pulley20is connected to the upper end12of the central support11, and a second pulley20is connected to a front end19of the front support17. Each pulley wheel is configured to spin freely. A cable22is supported by the pulleys20. A first end21of the cable22is configured to connect to a winch, and a second end23of the cable22includes a connector27thereon. In the shown embodiment, the connector27comprises a hook. In alternate embodiments, alternate connectors27may be utilized, such as a clamp, bracket, fastening mechanism, or the like.

Referring now toFIG. 3, there is shown a front perspective view of the vehicle winch game loader in use with an all-terrain vehicle101. The front support17and the crossbar15are supported on a front deck103of the ATV101, while the rear end25of the rear support24and frictionally engages a rear deck102of the ATV. The rear support24can rest within an indentation on the rear deck102, or can otherwise be retained on the rear deck102via friction. In either scenario, frictional engagement between the rear deck102and the rear support24keeps the vehicle winch game loader in place during operation, such that no additional fastening mechanisms are required to secure the vehicle winch game loader to the ATV.

Referring now toFIG. 3, there is shown a front perspective view of the vehicle winch game loader in use with an all-terrain vehicle101. The front support17and the crossbar15are supported on a front deck103of the ATV101, while the rear end25of the rear support24frictionally engages a rear deck102of the ATV. The rear support24can rest within an indentation on the rear deck102, or can otherwise be retained on the rear deck102via friction. In either scenario, frictional engagement between the rear deck102and the rear support24keeps the vehicle winch game loader in place during operation, such that no additional fastening mechanisms are required to secure the vehicle winch game loader to the ATV.

The cable22is affixed to a winch installed on the front end of the ATV101beneath the front deck103. For vehicles that include a winch on a rear end thereof, the vehicle winch game loader can be reoriented such that the rear support24engages the front deck103and the front support17engages the rear deck102. In the shown embodiment, the length of the rear support24is greater than the length of the front support17, which allows the rear support24to extend past the ATV's seat and rest on the rear deck102.

Referring now toFIG. 4, there is shown a rear perspective view of the vehicle winch game loader in use with an all-terrain vehicle. In the shown embodiment, the vehicle winch game loader is used with an all-terrain vehicle (ATV)101. When the winch is activated to retract the cable22and raise an attached object201, the tension in the cable22is distributed by the pulleys20such that a downward force is applied to the vehicle winch game loader, holding it in place on the ATV101without any additional fasteners.

In the illustrated embodiment, the connector comprises a hook27that is pivotally connected to the cable22, such that the orientation of the hook27can be easily adjusted when securing the hook27and cable22around a cargo201to be loaded. In operation, the cable22can be wrapped around a cargo201to be loaded onto the ATV101and the hook27attached to the cable, such that the cable22forms and maintains a loop around the cargo201. The cargo201may be a game animal, tree limb, camping supplies, or any other type of object or objects that an individual wishes to transport on the ATV101.

In the shown embodiment, the vehicle winch game loader further includes a spacer31. The spacer31is configured to removably secure to a rear edge105of the rear deck102via frictional engagement therewith. The spacer31prevents the cable22or cargo201from scraping and potentially damaging the rear deck102or other rear portions of the ATV. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacer31includes a curved outer surface. The curved outer surface of the spacer31allows the cable22to more easily slide thereon when lifting the attached cargo201. Overall, the vehicle winch game loader is configured to rest on the ATV101and provide a means for raising cargo201onto the ATV101for transport utilizing the vehicle's winch.