Abstract:
A method for lifting an object onto an ATV includes: rotating a component of a crank, wherein an object located near the ATV is lifted via an elongated flexible component responsive to the rotation of the component of the crank; rotating the object relative to a vertical axis not intersecting the object, wherein the object is positioned over the ATV responsive to the rotation of the object; and rotating the component of the crank, wherein the object is lowered onto the ATV responsive to the rotation of the component of the crank.

Description:
[0001]     An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) typically comprises a small, open motor vehicle having one seat and three or more wheels (e.g., 4 wheels) fitted with relatively large tires, and designed chiefly for recreational use over road-less, rugged terrain. Examples of ATVs, among others, are the FourTrax™ and TRX™ models manufactured by Honda™. ATVs are often used by hunters who ride the ATVs to woods or forests where they hunt animals. Once a hunter hunts an animal, the animal may be manually loaded onto a load carrying device (e.g., metal basket) of the ATV (e.g., a person grabs the animal with both hands and lifts it onto the load carrying device). However, some animals may be too heavy to be carried onto the load carrying device of the ATV without risking injury to the person trying to carry the animal. Therefore there exists a need for systems and methods for addressing these and/or other problems associated with loading objects onto ATVs.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0002]     Systems and methods for lifting an object onto an ATV are provided. An embodiment of a system for lifting an object onto an ATV includes: an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), said ATV having at least three wheels configured to support the ATV and to contact terrain located below the ATV, and having at least one engine configured to provide torque to at least one of said at least three wheels; and a lift that is attached to a rear component of the ATV, said lift being configured to enable an object to be lifted from the terrain onto said ATV, said lift including: at least one crank; and an elongated flexible component that is in contact with the crank; and wherein said lift is configured to raise and lower said object via the elongated flexible component responsive to operation of the crank; and wherein said lift is configured to enable rotating said object around a vertical axis prior to said object being lifted onto said ATV, said vertical axis not intersecting said object while said object is rotating around said vertical axis.  
         [0003]     An embodiment of a method for lifting an object onto an ATV includes: rotating a component of a crank, wherein an object located near the ATV is lifted via an elongated flexible component responsive to the rotation of the component of the crank; rotating the object relative to a vertical axis not intersecting the object, wherein the object is positioned over the ATV responsive to the rotation of the object; and rotating the component of the crank, wherein the object is lowered onto the ATV responsive to the rotation of the component of the crank. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]     Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
         [0005]      FIG. 1A  is one embodiment of the lift system according to this invention.  
         [0006]      FIG. 1B  is another embodiment of the lift system according to this invention with the addition of support via a stabilization and a diagonal beam, and the addition of a locking mechanism on the load connector.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2A  is the lift system with stabilization via a stabilization shaft.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2B  is a rear-view of an embodiment of the lift system with two stabilization shafts.  
         [0009]      FIGS. 3A-3G  depict a non-limiting example of the lift system invention and its operation.  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  depicts a non-limiting example of the connection system between the ATV and the lift system.  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  depicts a non-limiting example of the lift system&#39;s connection to the base which allows for rotation of the lift system.  
         [0012]      FIG. 6A  depicts a front view of a non-limiting example of the plate used to connect the storage device on the ATV to the base on the lift system.  
         [0013]      FIG. 6B  depicts a side view of a non-limiting example of the plate used to connect the storage device on the ATV to the base on the lift system.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6C  depicts a front view of a non-limiting example the plate attached to the storage device on the ATV.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6D  depicts a side view of a non-limiting example the plate attached to the storage device on the ATV.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6E  depicts a side view of a non-limiting example of the stabilization beam configured between the vertical shaft on the lift system and the storage device on the ATV.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6F  depicts a top view of a non-limiting example of the stabilization beam between the vertical shaft on the lift system and the storage device on the ATV.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7A  depicts a front view of a non-limiting example of the stabilization shafts on the lift system in a disengaged position.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7B  depicts a side view of a non-limiting example of the stabilization shafts on the lift system in a disengaged position.  
         [0020]      FIG. 7C  depicts a front view of a non-limiting example of the stabilization shafts on the lift system in an engaged position.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7D  depicts a side view of a non-limiting example of the stabilization shafts on the lift system in an engaged position.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  depicts a non-limiting example of a crank and pulley system configured on the lift system.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  depict respective views of an embodiment of vertical shafts used in the lift system shown in  FIG. 1A .  
         [0024]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  depict respective views of an embodiment of upper shafts used in the lift system shown in  FIG. 1A .  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  depicts a non-limiting example of a sling that may be used in conjunction with lift system depicted in  FIG. 1A .  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  depicts a method to operate the lift system to engage the system, attach to a load, bring the load to its storage, and disengage.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]     As will be described in greater detail herein, an embodiment of the present invention comprises an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and a lift system that is attached to the rear of the ATV. According to an embodiment of the invention, an ATV includes a lift system configured to lift objects onto the ATV. The lift system may be connected to an ATV via a hitch of the ATV. Part of the lift system is configured to rotate while the ATV remain substantially stationary. In one embodiment, the lift system is configured to lift a load located behind the ATV, and to then place the load onto a load carrying device of the ATV. The lift system may enable the load to be lifted via a crank and pulley combination.  
         [0028]     Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. Note that modifications to these embodiments may be made within the scope of the invention.  
         [0029]     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1A  depicts an embodiment of an ATV system  100  which includes an ATV  101  and a lift system  102 . The ATV  101  is an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) which includes a load carrying device  104  and a hitch  103  to connect external devices to the ATV  101  such as the lift system  102 .  
         [0030]     The lift system  102  is configured to lift a load to the ATV  101  and may be attached to the hitch  103  via a base  110 . The lift system  102  may comprise, for example a metal or a metal alloy including, for example, iron or aluminum. Components of the lift system  102  may be connected together via, for example, soldering and/or nut and bolt connections.  
         [0031]     The lift system  102  includes a base  110  that is connected to a vertical shaft  111 . The vertical shaft  111  rotates along an axis  120  to allow a portion of the lift system  102  to rotate for the purpose of positioning such portion of the lift system  102  above a load that is to be loaded onto the ATV  101 . A crank  115 , which attaches to the vertical shaft  111 , is operated by having its handle turned around an axis  121 . An upper shaft  112  connects on the top of the vertical shaft  111  and also rotates along with the vertical shaft  111  on axis  120 . A load connector  113  is supported by the upper shaft  112  and is connected to the crank  115  to allow the load connector  113  to move up and down with the rotation of a handle of the crank  115 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 1B  depicts another embodiment of the ATV system  100  with the addition of a support shaft between the ATV  101  and the lift system  102 , and a support shaft between the vertical shaft  111  and the upper shaft  112 . These additional support shafts enable the lift system  102  to engage heavier loads. A stabilization beam  114  attaches to the vertical shaft  111  (e.g., through a ring connector— FIG. 6E and 6F ) and to the load carrying device  104  (e.g., via welding or a nut and bolt connection) to provide for additional support. A diagonal beam  116  is connected (e.g., welded) between the upper shaft  112  and the vertical shaft  111 . Also, a locking mechanism  117  may be incorporated into the load connector  113  to secure a load attached to the ATV system  100 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 2A  depicts stabilization shaft(s)  201  configured to provide stabilization and support to the ATV system  100 . The ATV system  100  may include one or more stabilization shaft(s)  201 . The stabilization shaft(s)  201  connects to the lift system  102  via the base  110  (e.g., via welding or a detachable connection). The stabilization shaft(s)  201  is engaged when the ATV  101  is stationary and ready to lift the load.  FIGS. 2B, 7A ,  7 B,  7 C, and  7 D depict a non-limiting example of two stabilization shafts.  
         [0034]      FIG. 2B  depicts a rear view profile of the stabilization shaft(s)  201  configured in this example with two beams in an engaged position. The two stabilization shafts  201  are connected to the base  110  (e.g., via a nut and bolt connection) and are configured to extend outwards diagonally to the ground.  
         [0035]      FIGS. 3A through 3G  depict a non-limiting example of the operation of the ATV system  100 .  FIG. 3A  depicts a load  301  to be lifted with the ATV system  100 . In this example, the ATV system  100  is stationary next to the load  301  and the stabilization shafts  201  are engaged.  
         [0036]      FIG. 3B  depicts a lowering of the load connector  113  to the load  301  by rotating a handle of the crank  115  about axis  121 . The load connector  113  is attached (directly or indirectly) to the load  301 . The load connector  113  may be indirectly attached to the load  301  via a harness (not shown).  
         [0037]      FIG. 3C  depicts a lifting of the load  301  attached to the load connector  113  by rotating a handle of the crank  115  about axis  121  (e.g., in an opposite direction as that used to lower the load connector  113 ).  
         [0038]      FIG. 3D  depicts a movement of the load  301  into position over the load carrying device  104  by rotating the upper shaft  112  about axis  120 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 3E  depicts lowering of the load  301  into the load carrying device  104  on the ATV  101  by rotating the crank  115  about axis  121 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 3F  depicts rotating the upper shaft  112  back towards the rear (e.g., by rotating it  180  degrees along axis  120 ).  
         [0041]      FIG. 3G  depicts retracting the upper shaft  112  and the vertical shaft  111  to enable operation of the ATV  101  with the lift system  102  attached to the hitch  103 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 4  depicts a non-limiting example of means for connecting the lift system  102  to the ATV  101 . The base  110  of the lift system  102  is attached to the hitch  103  of the ATV  102  via a nut  401  and a bolt  402 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 5  depicts a non-limiting example of means of connecting the base  110  to the vertical shaft  111  in such a manner to allow rotation of the vertical shaft  111  about axis  120 . A pin  501  is attached to a plate  503  (e.g., welded) and the pin  501  fits inside the vertical shaft  111 . The vertical shaft  111  is attached to a plate  502  (e.g., welded) and the plate  502  contains a hole to allow the pin  501  to fit inside. The base  110  is attached to a plate  503  (e.g., welded). The plate  502  makes contact with the plate  503  during operation of the lift system  102 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 6A  depicts a front view of a non-limiting example of a plate  601  configured to connect the stabilization beam  114  to the load carrying device  104 . The plate  601  is shown as a rectangular plate with four holes. A plate connector  603  extends out from the center of the plate  601  and contains a hole to allow for a nut and bolt connection from the stabilization beam  114 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 6B  depicts a side view of a non-limiting example of a plate  601  configured to connect the stabilization beam  114  to the load carrying device  104 . The plate  601  is shown with the plate connector  603  configured in the middle of the plate  601 . A bolt  602  connects to the holes in the plate  601  and is attached to the plate  601  by the nuts  604 . In this particular example, two circular bolts  602  are connected around the railing of the load carrying device  104  and into the holes of the plate  601  and finally are connected with the nuts  604 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 6C  depicts a front view of a non-limiting example of the connection of the plate  601  to the load carrying device  104 - 1 . The load carrying device  104 - 1  is shown in this example with an upper bar  611 , a middle bar  612 , and a lower bar  613 . The plate  601  is configured by attaching it to the middle bar  613  (e.g., nut and bolt).  
         [0047]      FIG. 6D  depicts a side view of a non-limiting example of the connection of the plate  601  to the load carrying device  104 - 1 . The plate  601  attaches to the middle bar  613  of the load carrying device  104 - 1  via the bolt  602  and the nut  604 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 6E  depicts a non-limiting example of the stabilization beam  114  configured to connect between the vertical shaft  111  and the load carrying device  104 . A ring  620  attaches around the vertical shaft  111  and the ring  620  connects to the stabilization beam  114  (e.g., flange connector via nut and bolt). The ring  620  fits over the vertical shaft  111  to allow the vertical shaft  111  to rotate about axis  120  while the ring  620  remains stationary. On the other end, the stabilization beam  114  is configured to connect to load carrying device  104  via a bolt  610 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 6F  depicts a top-view of a non-limiting example of two horizontal stabilization beams  114  configured to connect between the load carrying device  104  and the vertical shaft  111 . In this example, each of the stabilization beams  114  is configured to attach directly to the ring  620  (e.g., screw into the flange)  
         [0050]      FIG. 7A  depicts a front view of a non-limiting example of two stabilization shafts  201  in a disengaged position. A stabilization shaft connector  701  and  702  attach to the base  110  (e.g., welded). Each of the stabilization shaft connectors  701  and  702  are hollow to allow for insertion of the stabilization shaft(s)  201  and contain a pin hole to support the insertion of a pin  710  to lock the stabilization shaft(s)  201  when engaged. Two example stabilization shafts  201 - 1  and  201 - 2  are shown configured with four holes to allow for the stabilization shafts  201 - 1  and  201 - 2  to be lowered or raised either when engaging or disengaging the ATV system  100 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 7B  depicts a side view of a non-limiting example of two stabilization shafts  201 - 1  and  201 - 2  in a disengaged position. The stabilization shaft connectors  701  and  702  are attached (e.g., welded) to the base  110  on opposite sides.  
         [0052]      FIG. 7C  depicts a front view of a non-limiting example of two stabilization shafts  201 - 1  and  201 - 2  in an engaged position. Each of the stabilization shafts  201 - 1  and  201 - 2  are inserted into the stabilization shaft connectors  701  and  702 . The pin  710  is inserted to lock the stabilization shafts  201 - 1  and  201 - 2  in place.  
         [0053]      FIG. 7D  depicts a side view of a non-limiting example of two stabilization shafts  201 - 1  and  201 - 2  in an engaged position. The pin  710  is shown configured in both the stabilization shaft connectors  701  and  702 , locking the two stabilization shafts  201 - 1  and  201 - 2  in place.  
         [0054]      FIG. 8  depicts a non-limiting example of pulleys  802  and  803  attached to the lift system  102 . A crank base  801  is attached to the vertical shaft  111  and includes the crank  115 . A link  804  (e.g., rope or chain) is routed via the pulleys  802  and  803  between the crank  115  and the load connector  113 . Rotating a handle of the crank  115  moves the link  804  (e.g., rope or chain) along the pulleys  802  and  803  to allow lowering or raising of the load connector  113 . The load connector  113  may be, for example, a clasp that includes a locking mechanism  117 .  
         [0055]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  depict respective views of an embodiment of vertical shafts  111  used in the lift system  102  ( FIG. 1A ). As shown in  FIG. 9 , the lift system  102  includes two vertical shafts  111  (vertical shafts  111 - 1  and  111 - 2 ). The vertical shaft  111 - 1  is configured to fit at least partially within the vertical shaft  111 - 2 . The vertical shaft  111 - 1  and the vertical shaft  111 - 2  have holes  901  that accommodate a pin  902 . The height of the lift system  102  may be adjusted by removing the pin  902 , sliding the shaft  111 - 2  up or down, and then reinserting the pin  902  into a set of holes  901  corresponding to a desired height.  
         [0056]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  depict respective views of an embodiment of upper shafts  112  used in the lift system  102  ( FIG. 1A ). As shown in  FIG. 10 , the lift system  102  includes two upper shafts  112  (upper shafts  112 - 1  and  112 - 2 ). The upper shaft  112 - 1  is configured to fit at least partially within the upper shaft  112 - 2 . The upper shaft  112 - 1  and the upper shaft  112 - 2  have holes  1001  that accommodate a pin  1002 . The width of the lift system  102  may be adjusted by removing the pin  1002 , sliding the shaft  112 - 1  sideways, and then reinserting the pin  1002  into a set of holes  1001  corresponding to a desired width.  
         [0057]      FIG. 11  depicts a non-limiting example of a sling  1100  that may be used in conjunction with lift system  102  ( FIG. 1A ). The sling  1100 , may comprise any suitable flexible material or combination of materials such as, for example, nylon, plastic, rubber, among others. The sling  1100  includes an opening  1101  that may be used to enable the sling  1100  to be connected to the link  804  ( FIG. 8 ) (e.g., via the load connector  113 ), as well as openings  1102  and  1103  that may be used to enable the sling to be connected to respective legs of an animal that is to be loaded onto the load carrying device  104 . The openings  1102  and  1103  are configured to tighten as force is exerted on the sling by objects in the openings  1102  and  1103 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 12  depicts a method  1200  for operating the ATV system  120 . The method  1200  includes: engaging a stabilization shaft(s) on a lift system to provide for ground support (step  1201 ), rotating a component of a crank (e.g., a handle in the case of a manually operated crank) to lower a load connector until it reaches a load located near the rear of the ATV system  120  (step  1202 ), attaching a load connector (e.g., a sling, a clasp, a clip, or a hook) to a load (step  1203 ), rotating the component of the crank to raise the load (step  1204 ), rotating the load while it is attached to the load connector such that it is subsequently located over a load carrying device of the ATV system (step  1205 ), rotating the component of the crank to lower the load onto the load carrying component (step  1206 ), disconnecting the load connector from the load (step  1207 ), rotating the component of the crank to raise the load connector (step  1208 ), disengaging the stabilization shaft(s) (step  1209 ), and (optionally) compressing the lift system vertically and/or horizontally (step  1210 ) (e.g., reducing the height and/or width of the lift system).  
         [0059]     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples, among others, of the implementations, setting forth a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the disclosure and present invention.