Abstract:
A dragging and gaffing device for dragging a game animal or for gaffing a fish, which includes a strap member connectable to a hook member. The device distributes the weight of the game animal or fish to ground allowing little or not horizontal lifting.

Description:
[0001]    The present patent application claims priority from and is a continuation in part of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60,421,158 filed Oct. 24, 2002. 
     
    
     
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a novel and unique dragging and gaffing device.  
           [0003]    More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for dragging game animals, such as deer, elk, bear, goats, hogs, etc., and for gaffing large fish.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    There is a need to provide the big game hunter and/or angler with a portable and comfortable dragging and/or gaffing device, which permits for comfortable one-man pulling and/or gaffing of the game or large fish.  
           [0005]    The prior, but not necessarily relevant, art is exemplified by: Blais U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,064; Bowerman U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,547; and Robertson U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,699.  
           [0006]    It is a desiradatum of the present invention to provide the novel and unique dragging and gaffing device mentioned hereinabove, while avoiding the animadversions of the existing devices and techniques.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention provides a dragging and gaffing device for dragging a game animal and for gaffing a fish or marine animal, comprising: a hook member configured in a predetermined shape having a tapered end portion and a second end portion; said hook member is provided with a predetermined opening between said tapered end portion and said second end portion; a strap member operably connectable to said hook member so that said strap member serves as a handle and an attachment to connect said hook member to an external pulling mechanism; and said device distributes the weight of said game animal or said fish or marine animal to ground requiring little or no lifting  
           [0008]    The present invention provides a novel dragging and gaffing device comprising a hook member configured in a predetermined pattern, and a strap member which serves as a handle and also as an attachment to connect the hook portion to an ATV or other pulling mechanism.  
           [0009]    It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel dragging and gaffing device as mentioned hereinabove, which is designed and engineered to provide a comfortable dragging mechanism.  
           [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide a dragging and gaffing device which permits one man to pull from the head of the game or large fish, and not from the hind legs or hind portion thereof.  
           [0011]    An additional object is to provide such a dragging and gaffing device which can be used on game with or without horns.  
           [0012]    Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a dragging and gaffing device as mentioned hereinabove, which distributes the weight to ground requiring little or no lifting.  
           [0013]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a dragging and gaffing device as mentioned above, which device is of stainless steel construction and includes an additional wrist strap for increasing comfort.  
           [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a dragging and gaffing device as mentioned above which comprises a multi-functional carefree tool.  
           [0015]    An additional object of the invention is to provide a dragging and gaffing device as described above, wherein the strap member serves as a handle, an attachment to connect the hook member to an ATV, an attachment to connect the hook member to a meat pole for hanging game, and as an attachment for attaching the hook member to a saddle horn for packing out meat. 
       
    
    
       [0016]    The foregoing features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons skilled in this particular area of technology and to others after having read the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the hook member in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 depicts the strap member secured to the hook member of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]    With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown the hook member  1  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The hook member  1  may be fabricated from any suitable material. Preferably, but not necessarily, the hook member  1  may be fabricated from ⅜ inch diameter stainless steel, which is fabricated to form a unique predetermined configuration.  
         [0020]    The hook member  1  comprises a sharp or tapered end portion  2  at the end of a hook portion  3  leading to a corner portion  4 , which in turn is connected to a hook portion  5 , connected to a hook portion  6  extending to a handle corner portion  7  that is connected to a handle portion  8 , extending to a handle corner portion  9 , which in turn is connected to an end portion  10 .  
         [0021]    Preferably, but not necessarily, the sharp or tapered end portion  2  has a tapered end in the range of a 30° to 45° taper.  
         [0022]    It should also be noted that there is a predetermined angle between hook portion  5  and hook portion  6 .  
         [0023]    Preferably, but not necessarily, the hook member is formed from a 13-inch long stainless steel rod having a ⅜ inch diameter. As such, the approximate distance between corner portions  4  and  7  is 5 inches; and the approximate distance between handle corner portions  7  and  9  is 4⅜ inches.  
         [0024]    It is important to note that there is provided a predetermined opening  11  between the tapered end portion  2  and the end portion  10 .  
         [0025]    With reference to FIG. 2, there is shown the strap member  12 , which preferably, but not necessarily, is fabricated from nylon. The end portions of the strap webbing are folded back and sewn at  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21  and  22  to provide loops  23  and  24  in the end of the webbing for insertion therethrough of the handle portion  8  of the hook member  1 .  
         [0026]    Preferably, but not necessarily, the strap member  12  is fabricated from a webbing which is approximately 21-inches in length, and approximately 2-inches in width. The stitching portions  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21  and  22  in forming the loops  23  and  24  to accommodate the passage therethrough of the handle portion  8  of the hook portion  1 .  
         [0027]    The tapered end portion  2  of the hook member  1  may be passed through the flesh of the nostril of the game or large fish, or on heavier game, in the roof of the mouth up through the cartilage of the game.  
         [0028]    The nylon strap member  12  acts as a handle, and also as an attachment to connect the hook member  1  to an ATV, and also to attach the hook member  1  to a meat pole to hang the game thereon, and also for attaching the hook member  1  to a saddle horn for packing out meat.  
         [0029]    It should be noted that the foregoing description is for illustrative purposes only, and not for limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be understood, that various modifications will occur to those persons skilled in this particular area of technology and to others without departing from the scope of the present invention.