Abstract:
A tool and method of using are disclosed for field dressing big game. The tool has a tip sized for insertion into the anus of the animal and a set of barbs extending a radial distance beyond the tip. The tip and the barbs are mounted to a shank and handle. Inserting the tip and barbs into the rectum causes radial stretching of the rectal wall, and rotation of the tool causes ensnarement of the rectum on the barbs. The tool is retracted from the anus, pulling a section of rectum external, to be closed for the prevention of leakage of bodily waste matter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-in-part of Design application Ser. No. 29/257,590 filed Apr. 6, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. D, 539,868 which is a Divisional Application of Ser. No. 11/095,127, now abandoned filed Mar. 31, 2005, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of tools and methods for dressing big game in the field. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the sport of hunting, for example deer hunting, after bringing down the animal, the hunter frequently dresses the animal in the field. Dressing a slain animal involves skinning the carcass and separating the meat from the visceral organs. A particular problem arises in the area of the anus, where the rectal portion of the lower intestine connects to the outer skin of the animal. The traditional method of dealing with this area is to cut around the anus with a knife to separate the anus and the rectum from the skin. The skin is then slit along the lower abdomen to open the body. This process presents the problem of damaging the intestinal wall, thereby allowing solid waste matter to enter the body cavity. When this happens, the meat that is contacted by the bodily waste material becomes contaminated and is not fit for consumption. In addition, the process of cutting around and separating the anus from the surrounding skin with a knife is arduous and time consuming. 
     One method and apparatus for cleanly removing the anus and extracting the rectum for safely tying and securing against contaminating leakage of solid waste is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,949 to Moody. The Moody invention provides an annular cutter device that is rotated around the animal&#39;s anus and pushed to cut a plug of flesh. A strip on the side of the cutter is then pressed radially inward to grip the cut plug, and the cutter is pulled out to extend the rectum from the body cavity. The rectum is then tied snugly to prevent leakage of waste matter while the abdomen is cut open and the viscera removed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a tool for dressing big game, for example deer, in the field by pulling the rectum outwardly without cutting the flesh around the anus. The tool has a forwardly protruding tip portion surrounded by a set of barbs that extend radially beyond the tip. The tip and barbs are mounted to the distal end of a shank that has a handle mounted at its proximal end. In use, the tip is inserted into the anus of a slain animal as the handle is pushed to move the barbs into the body cavity. Once the barbs are beyond the anus, the handle is rotated sufficiently to cause the exposed points of the barbs to ensnare the wall of the rectum. The handle is then pulled back to remove the barbs and the tip of the tool from the body cavity of the animal, extracting a length of intestine. The exposed intestine is tied or clamped to prevent accidental spilling of body waste materials during the balance of the eviscerating and skinning process. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is best understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which like elements are identified by similar reference numerals and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of the field dressing tool of the present invention according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the field dressing tool of the present invention according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the first embodiment taken in the direction indicated by line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the second embodiment taken in the direction indicated by line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the rear portion of a slain large animal with the present invention tool positioned for use. 
         FIG. 6  is the view of  FIG. 5  with the present invention tool inserted into the anus of the slain animal. 
         FIG. 7  is the view of  FIG. 6  with the present invention tool withdrawn from the anus of the slain animal with a portion of intestine. 
         FIG. 8  is the view of  FIG. 7  with the present invention tool holding a section of withdrawn and tied intestine of the slain animal. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a side elevation of the invention big game dressing tool  10  is illustrated according to the first preferred embodiment. Tool  10  is formed substantially symmetrically about axis  14 . Tool  10  has a tip  12  that is substantially cylindrical in shape with a hemispherical portion at a first end thereof that is distal from a handle  22 . A series of substantially triangular barbs  16  are formed in angularly dispersed positions around tip  12  to extend radially outwardly from the rear portion of tip  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, tool  10  is formed with four barbs  16  (see  FIG. 3 ), although different numbers of barbs  16  are contemplated within the scope of the invention. Tip  12  has a diameter D, and barbs  16  extend on opposite sides of axis  14  to a width W that is greater than diameter D. Diameter D is preferably sized for being inserted into the anus of a slain animal, for example a deer. In the preferred embodiments described herein, width W is at least twice as great as diameter D. 
     Referring further to  FIG. 1 , a shank  18  is substantially a coaxial extension of tip  12  along axis  14 . Shank  18  terminates in handle  22  that is formed transverse to axis  14 . In the first preferred embodiment, tip  12  and shank  18  share a hollow, cylindrical bore  24  so as to reduce the weight of tool  10  without significant sacrifice of rigidity. Handle  22  may be hollow or solid, depending on the material used. Shank  18  is formed sufficiently long to allow insertion of tip  12  and barbs  16  into the anus of the slain animal by at least 3-4 inches while the handle is being held by the user outside the body of the animal. It is preferred that tool  10  is manufactured by the process of plastics injection molding, with the choice of plastics resin to be determined by the manufacturer. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , tool  10   a  is formed with a tip portion  12  and barbs  16  similar to that described above in reference to  FIG. 1 . Shank  26  is connected coaxially to tip  12  at the proximal end thereof. Shank  26  is formed as an orthogonal cross of ribs  28   a - 28   d , as seen more clearly in  FIG. 4  described below. Shank  26  connects at its proximal end to handle  30 , formed in cross section (not shown) in the form of the letter “H.” In a further embodiment of tool  10 , the handle is a linear extension of shank  26 , and may have a transverse hole for gripping or carrying. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a cross section of tool  10  is shown in the direction indicated by line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . The relation between the diameter D of hollow shank  18  and the width W across the tips of barbs  16  is clearly shown. Bore  24  extends through shank  18  and tip  12  (see  FIG. 1 ). In the preferred embodiment, barbs  16  extend radially outward from shank  18 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the cross section of tool  10   a  as indicated by line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  with shank  26  having a plurality of ribs  28   a - 28   d  formed in orthogonal assembly. As described above with respect to barbs  16 , different numbers of ribs  28  may be employed, preferably not less than 3 for reasons of rigidity. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the method of use of big game field dressing tool  10  is illustrated in sequential steps. A side elevation view of the rear portion of a slain large animal, such as a deer, is illustrated in each figure with selected internal organs depicted in dashed lines. The animal&#39;s rectum  40 , being the last section of intestine, connects to the anus  42  at the animal&#39;s rump. The internal end of rectum  40  continues as intestines that ultimately terminate at the stomach (not shown). Tool  10  is positioned in  FIG. 5  in alignment with anus  42  with its tip  12  adjacent to anus  42 . Tool  10  is to be pushed in the direction indicated by arrow A until tip  12  and barbs  16  have passed anus  42  and entered rectum  40  to be in the position shown in  FIG. 6 . A bladder  46  and a urethra ( 44 A in the case of a buck or  44 B in the case of a doe) are shown as an additional source of waste contamination, although they are not direct objects of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , rectum  40  is stretched radially to accommodate and engage barbs  16  therein. Tool  10  is next rotated as indicated by arrow B through an angle of approximately 180°. Since barbs  16  are formed along a series of perpendicular planes that pass through axis  14  of tool  10  (see  FIG. 1 ), rotation of tool  10  can be either clockwise or counterclockwise. In an alternate version of the invention, barbs  16  may be formed along a series of planes that are tangent to the periphery of tip  12 , in which case tool  10  must be rotated in a direction to cause barbs  16  to hook into rectum  40 . With the extended sharp points of barbs  16  stretched over the membrane comprising rectum  40 , rotation of tool  10  causes barbs  16  to dig into and ensnare the wall of rectum  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , tool  10  is withdrawn in the direction indicated by arrow C from the animal&#39;s anus  42 , drawing a section of rectum  40 ′ outside anus  42 . In order to enable tying or clamping of rectum  40 ′, tool  10  is pulled out of anus  42  by a distance of 10-12 inches. Tool  10  is removed from the rectum by cutting the intestinal wall either before or after clamping is done, as described below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the extended section of rectum  40 ′ is then tied into a knot  48 . In an alternate method a clamp (not shown), for example a cord, is applied and pulled tight enough to prevent solid waste from escaping from rectum  40 ′ during the balance of the process of eviscerating the slain animal. Twisting rectum  40 ′ outside the body cavity of the animal prior to clamping serves to further prevent waste leakage. 
     With the intestines tied or clamped to prevent waste leakage, the process of dressing the slain animal proceeds. The extended section of rectum is repositioned in the body cavity either by pushing the extended section through the anus or pulling the extended section from within after the lower abdominal skin has been opened. The intestines and the balance of the digestive tract are then removed through the abdominal opening, together with the bladder and urethra. 
     While the description above discloses preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is contemplated that numerous variations and modifications of the invention are possible and are considered to be within the scope of the claims that follow.