Abstract:
A portable apparatus for eviscerating an animal comprising a base arranged for placement on a flat surface, a first upright section, and a second upright section. The base supports the upright sections in a spaced apart manner, sufficient enough to form a cross-sectional area defined by the base and upright sections to receive the animal in a lengthwise prone position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to devices and processes for field dressing deer and related animals. When hunting deer or other big game, it is advantageous to dress the animal before you leave the woods or hunting area and also to dress the deer rather quickly after killing the deer.  
         [0002]     Generally, there are two basic ways to situate the animal when dressing the animal: hoist the animal from a tree or other upright structure, or lay the animal on its back. Hoisting a deer may be a cumbersome undertaking, especially if the deer is of substantial size. Furthermore, you may be in an open field or other area where there are no trees around.  
         [0003]     The other option is to lay the animal on its back. However, to properly field dress or eviscerate an animal, the animal needs to be stationary, which normally requires either propping the animal up against a tree or other structure, or to have a second person hold the animal stationary. As previously stated, there may be no trees in the area where you are dressing the animal and, also, there may be no one close around to hold the deer while you are dressing the deer.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention is a portable apparatus for eviscerating an animal, especially when hunting and out in the field. The apparatus comprises a base that can be placed on the ground or other relatively flat surface. The base supports two upright sections in a spaced apart fashion. The base and the upright sections form a cross-sectional area, which is sufficient to receive the animal in a lengthwise prone position. Connecting means may be used to connect the upright sections and further contain the animal in the cross-sectional area. Thus, an animal, such as a deer or other game, may be laid on its back and eviscerated easily and efficiently by an individual person. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an eviscerating apparatus according to the present invention.  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  further retaining a deer.  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the apparatus of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  is a close-up sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  is a front planar view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  depicting different cross-sectional retaining areas for the apparatus.  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a partially compact position.  
         [0011]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a compact position.  
         [0012]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  being transported. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0013]     Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an animal eviscerating apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  comprises a base  12 , a first upright section  14  and a second upright section  16 . The upright sections  14 ,  16  preferably are designed alike, and like parts will be referred to with like reference numerals. For clarity, unless indicated, reference to the upright section  14  or  16  will also refer to the other upright section, including the specific elements or components of the upright sections. The upright sections  14 ,  16  comprise a first rod  18  and a second rod  20 . The rods  18  and  20  have a first end  18   a  and  20   a , and a second end  18   b  and  20   b , respectively. The first ends  18   a  and  20   a  are proximal to the base  12  and the second ends  18   b  and  20   b  are connected to a gripping section  22 . The gripping section  22  has a through passageway  24  and acts as a handle for grabbing the upright sections  14 ,  16  and to assist in removing and connecting the upright sections  14 ,  16  to the base  12 . The rods  18  and  20  preferably are spaced apart sufficiently enough from each other across the width of the base so that the upright sections  14 ,  16  are sufficiently balanced when connected to the base  12 . The intersection of the base  12  and the uprights sections  14 ,  16  define a cross-sectional area A, which provides an area for an animal (see  FIG. 2 ) to be retained.  
         [0015]     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the upright sections  14 ,  16  are connected to the base  12  by support means or holes  26 . The holes  26  allow the rods  18 ,  20  to be inserted into the base  12  and connected to the base  12 . The support means  26  may take any form that will allow the upright sections to be connected and supported by the base  12 . For instance, the support means  26  could comprise a plug-style structure, a clamp that would connect the upright sections  14 ,  16  to the base, or a hinge or pivot or any other device that will allow the upright sections  14 ,  16  to be locked in an upright section with respect to the base  12 . As shown, there is a plurality of holes  26  located on the base  12 , which allows the apparatus  10  to be adjusted for a plurality of predetermined cross-sectional areas A (see  FIG. 5 ), thereby accommodating animals of varying sizes.  
         [0016]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the apparatus  10  is shown restraining a deer  30  (shown in phantom). The deer  30  rests within the cross-sectional area A on its back  32  in a prone position, preferably with the base  12  centered about the torso  34  of the deer  30 . A strap  36  acts as connection means for joining the first upright section  14  with the second upright section  16  and, further restrains the deer  30  for the evisceration process. The strap  36  further defines the cross-sectional area A. The strap  36  passes through the passageways  24  and can be fastened to itself with fastening means  38  such as a hook and loop material, such as Velcro®, or other fastening means including, but not limited to, snaps, buckles, or other fastening devices. While it is preferable to have the strap  36  be a removable element of the apparatus  10 , it is understood that the strap  36  could be in the form of other connection means and still fall within the scope of the invention, such as a pivotal arm that is connected to one of the upright sections  14 ,  16 . Any structure that will join the first upright section  14  and the second upright section  16  to further define the cross-sectional area A and provide a structure for restraining the deer  30  during the evisceration process should be understood as being within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the apparatus  10 . As previously discussed, the upright sections  14 ,  16  are supported by the base  12  by inserting the first ends  18   a  and  20   a  of the rods  18  and  20  into the holes  26 . The holes  26  preferably extend completely through the base  12 , thereby allowing the ends  18   a  and  20   a  of the rods  18  and  20  to pass completely through the base  12 , as well (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). As will be shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , this is advantageous in further securing the apparatus  10  to the ground or other surface that the apparatus  10  is placed upon. The upright sections  14 ,  16  preferably intersect the base  12  perpendicular to the base  12 , which will provide the necessary support for holding the deer  30  in a prone position without putting undue pressure on the upright sections  14 ,  16 .  
         [0018]     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , a plurality of pin holes  40  are located on the rods  18 ,  20 . A pin, such as cotter pin,  42  releasably intersects the pin holes  40 . The pins  42  and the pin holes  40  allow adjustment of the height of the upright sections  14 ,  16  when they are inserted into the base  12 . The pin holes  40  preferably are parallel and aligned on the rod  18  relatively with corresponding pin holes  40  on the rod  20 , which assists in properly securing the upright sections  14 ,  16  when they are inserted into the base  12 . Likewise, the pin holes  40  on the upright sections  14 ,  16  are also preferably horizontally aligned with one another.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  also shows a plurality of screws  44  each having an eyelet  46 . The screws  44  are attached to the base  12  and act as retention means when the upright sections  14 ,  16  are to be stored. As will be shown further with respect to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the rods  18 ,  20  are inserted through the eyelets  46  for storage or transportation purposes when the apparatus  10  is not in use. The screws  44  are arranged preferably with at least two screws  44  in series, with each series corresponding to one of the rods  18 ,  20  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). As will be evident further with respect to  FIGS. 6 and 6 , when the rods  18 ,  20  are slid through the eyelets  46 , the pins  42  inserted into the pin holes  40  may further act as a locking mechanism to retain the upright sections  14 ,  16 . For instance, when the rods  18 ,  20  are inserted into the screws  44 , the pins  42  could reside in pin holes  40  in a manner to restrict the sliding movement of the rods  18 ,  20 . It is also understood that other devices, such as clamps, pins, snap fittings, or other retaining devices may replace the screws  44  and still fall within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  provides a close-up view of the upright sections  14 ,  16  intersecting the base  12 . As previously noted, the base  12  rests upon a relatively horizontal surface. Because the apparatus  10  is designed for outdoor use, the surface is probably earth, dirt, or a similar surface. As the rods  18 ,  20  are inserted through the holes  26 , the ends  18   a ,  20   a  come in contact with the surface. When the rods  18 ,  20  are further inserted through the holes  26 , the rods  18 ,  20  penetrate the surface, thereby providing securing means  48  for securing the apparatus  10  to the surface. Inserting the pins  42  into the holes  40  into a specific hole will determine how far the rods  18 ,  20  can be inserted into the ground or surface. The ends  18   a ,  20   a  preferably have a conical, pointed or spiked shape, which assists the rods  18 ,  20  in penetrating the ground when the ground may be frozen or very dense. By securing the apparatus  10  to the surface, it will make the evisceration process easier by holding the apparatus  10  in place. As shown in FIG.  4 , the securing means  48  are integral extensions of the rods  18 ,  20  of the upright sections  14 ,  16 . However, it is understood that the securing means  48  shown in  FIG. 4  is merely exemplary and the securing means  48  may be designed in other manners. For instance, the securing means may be a separate structure attached to other areas of the apparatus. Provided the structure will assist in securing the apparatus  10  to a surface, the structure would be understood to be securing means as disclosed in the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  shows the apparatus  10  with the upright sections  14 ,  16  inserted to the base  12  into the holes  26  at varying spatial orientations, which will provide varying cross-sectional areas A to accommodate animal of varying sizes. The holes  26  are preferably evenly spaced apart from the center of the base  12 , to thereby provide further balance for the apparatus  10  when eviscerating an animal. The apparatus may have more or fewer spatial orientations than shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0022]      FIGS. 6, 7 , and  8  depict the portability of the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  has a first base section  50  and a second base section  52 . A hinge  54  pivotally connects the sections  50 ,  52 . The hinge  54  allows the apparatus  10  to be folded in half, which makes the apparatus easier to transport. Preferably, the base sections  50 ,  52  are of the same relative size, with the hinge  54  centrally located between the sections  50 ,  52 . The upright sections  14 ,  16  are secured to the base sections  50 ,  52 , respectively by sliding the rods  18 ,  20  through the eyelets  46 . The support holes  26  are preferably evenly divided and arranged on each of the base sections  50 ,  52 , thereby allowing each of the upright sections  14 ,  16  to be supported on an individual base section  50  or  52 . The pins  42  interacting with the pin holes  40  further secure the upright sections  14 ,  16  to the base sections  50 ,  52 , which prevent the upright sections  14 ,  16  from sliding off of the base sections  50 ,  52  during transportation of the apparatus  10 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the strap  36  can also be arranged as a sling so that the apparatus  10  may be easily carried around a person&#39;s shoulder.  
         [0023]     The present invention provides a simple, portable device that allows a single individual to eviscerate or field dress a wild game without hoists or the like. The design is preferably made of lightweight, sturdy material, such as wood, aluminum, or plastic material, that will fully support and retain an animal, while being light enough for an individual user to carry.  
         [0024]     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, 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. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.