Patent Publication Number: US-2011049315-A1

Title: Fish and Multipurpose Hanger

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/236,933 filed on Aug. 26, 2009, entitled “Fish Hanger” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a portable stand for hanging objects, such as fish and small animals, from trees. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,341,507 to Julian discloses a portable game support. The portable game support includes a frame made from horizontal, vertical and diagonal frame members. The horizontal frame member may have a D-ring with an attached pulley to assist in lifting an animal. The frame members may be formed from tubular metal. Further, the frame members include opposite ends with attachment points on the ends. The attachment points are U-shaped connectors which have overlap and compression sections. The compression sections include a connector port, or hole, through the section and the frame member. The connector can be a bolt, washers, a nut, or a bolt and a cotter pin. The frame disclosed herein is supported against a vertical object through a pair of horizontal support straps having a first and a second opposite ends. The Julian support, while both portable and foldable, appears to be best suited for larger game. The support requires straps at both the top and bottom to prevent rotation, which adds to cost, part count, and weight. Furthermore, the support does not offer storage for tools commonly used in preparing game. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,534 to McGough discloses a game hoist and skinning aid device. The device includes a support frame for supporting the dead body of animal such as deer and the like in a hoisted position off the ground. Further, the device includes a hand operated winch having a cable. The cable may pass over an upper pulley attached to the support frame to raise the animal carcass into position. The cable may also run through a lower pulley and then attached to the skin of the animal so that operation of the winch provides assistance in skinning the suspended animal carcass. The device disclosed herein may be attached to a tree, post or other vertical object. The McGough device, while effective an excellent solution for hanging large game, is impractical for use with smaller game and fish. The device is large and not intended to be transported. The structure is of a solid form and does not collapse, thus making it impractical for traveling hunters and campers. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,643 to Prysock discloses a fish support device. The device is adapted to be used for supporting fish during skinning, scaling or other cleaning operations. More specifically, the device includes a brace support structure with two upper downwardly-angled support arms supporting the outer end of a third horizontal support arm. The inner ends of all three arms are fastened to a vertical support member. Further, a hook suspends from a chain supported by the brace support structure is secured to a mouth or head portion of the fish to suspend the fish for convenient cleaning operations. While the Prysock support intends to be fixed to a tree, it&#39;s attachment is more of a permanent one. Bolts, as well as the spikes, must be driven into the tree. This requires additional tools and time. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,199,820 to Thomson discloses a support for hanging fish, game, and the like. The support hanger may be readily attachable to a stable support. Further, the support hanger facilitates the attachment of a fish thereto in such manner that the fish may be rotated about a vertical axis, to make possible cutting open, skinning or cleaning of the fish. More specifically, the support hanger includes an apertured bracket. 
     The bracket includes an outwardly extending portion thereon. The bracket further includes a second apertured outwardly extending portion. A headed hook is mounted within the aperture in the second outwardly extending portion of the bracket and is supported thereby for rotation of the hook about a vertical axis. The Thomson support is not adapted to be fixed to trees. Rather, it&#39;s intent is to be fixed to the same surface with permanent fastening means installed in the surface. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of game supports now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new support wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when hunting or camping. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a foldable, portable, lightweight support that can be used by hunters and campers to prepare game and hang objects, such as lanterns and trash bags, that must be elevated from the ground. The present invention folds down with the removal of one bolt. The folded size is compact enough to fit into a backpack. Only one strap is required to support the present invention. Two spikes at the base serve to prevent rotation, thus making a second strap unnecessary. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a support that has means for storing commonly used tools in a readily accessible location. The present invention has a magnetic tool support along with a hook on its lower end. The tools can be within arm&#39;s reach and can be removed with only one hand. The present invention also incorporates a hook for holding towels on. Towels are commonly required by a hunter when cleaning a carcass. The location of the towel hook ensures that towels are always within reach of the user. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  Shows a perspective view of the stand attached to a tree with a fish hung for preparation. 
         FIG. 2  Shows a front view of the towel hook and a cross sectional view of the main support. 
         FIG. 3  Shows a front view of the base of the stand with the magnetic tool holder. 
         FIG. 4  Shows a side view of the stand with the extension support attached. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of the stand  11  attached to a tree  17 . The stand is intended to be attached to any stationary object, such as a tree, as shown, or other objects, such as a pole. A vertical support  14  rests against the tree  17  and pivotably attaches to a main support  12  with a bolt. An angled support  13  connects the main support  12  with the vertical support  14  near their midsections. The angled support  13  will provide rotational fixity as well as stability to the main support  12 . At the upper, first end of the vertical support is an upper curved cross support  16 . The cross support  16  is sufficiently curved to conform with the tree  17 . At each end of the cross support are holes  19 . A strap  18  with hooks at each end wraps around the tree and attaches to each hole  19 . The strap  18  can be a ratchet strap, bungee cord, or other similar strap type device that can be tightened to hold the stand on the tree. 
     At the second end of the main support  12  is a bolt that a hanging hook  21  can be attached to. The hanging hook  21  can be a carbineer, as shown in the figures. A hanger  22  is attached to the hook  21  for hanging an object. The hanger  22  can be a rope, a rigid hook, a chain, or other similar devices. Objects that may be hung can include a small animal or a fish  23 , camping lanterns, trash bags, or other commonly used objects that a camper may want to keep elevated. 
     One of the two bolts that attach the angled support can be removed and the stand collapsed for transport or storage. With a bolt removed, the main support  12  can pivot down, approaching a parallel relationship with the vertical support  14 . 
     A towel support  20  can be attached to the top surface of the main support  12 .  FIG. 2  shows a front view of the towel support  20  inserted into a hole on the top surface of the main support  12 . The towel support  20  has a straight body  29  with a single hook  28  at its first end and a double hook  26 ,  27  at its second end. The first hook  27  in the double hook is inserted into the hole in the main support  12 . The second hook  26  in the double hook rests against the outer surface of the main support  12  to provide rotational fixity. A single fabric towel can be draped over the support or a roll of paper towels can be attached to the support. The single hook  28  at the first end prevents towels from sliding off. The towel support  20  is lifted out of the main support  12  for transport and storage. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a frontal view of the lower curved cross support  15 . Magnets  30  are attached to the upper surface of the cross support  15 . Tools  32 , 31  are held in place against the magnets so as to be readily accessible and clean. A hook  33  on the front surface of the cross support  15  in between the two magnets  30  can be used to hold additional objects, such as a non-metallic tool, a lantern, or additional garbage bags. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown an alternate embodiment of the stand, wherein an extension support can be attached to the second end of the main support  12 . The hanging hook  21  is removed and the extension member  24  is inserted into the second end of the main support  12 . The hook  21  is then attached to the second end of the extension support. The extension support is most useful when branches of a tree interfere with using the stand. In this circumstance, the extension support is used to extend the end of the stand out and away from the branches. 
     In use an individual straps the stand to a tree, pivots the main support up and fastens the angled support. If desired, the extension support can be inserted into the main support. An object is then hung from the hanging hook. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.