Abstract:
The present invention is for a motor driven paddle for mounting to the frame of a vehicle wherein the motor rotates a first shaft which is linked to a second shaft that is thereby rotated via such linkage. The second shaft has one or more paddles that may come into contact with the ground such that the device may be utilized to free, or move, the vehicle if it has lost traction such as by being mud-stalled. The device may be stowed when not in use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/115,611 filed 12 Feb. 2015, which is titled “ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE ACCESSORY”, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is for devices for extricating mud stalled vehicles, and more particularly to a device which may be attached to a vehicle and selectively engaged independently from the vehicle&#39;s wheels and drive system to pull or push the vehicle free from the encumbrance. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Riding ATVs is an extremely popular hobby for hunters, adventurers, and families of all sorts. One of, if not the most, favorite places/conditions to ride in is mud. Unfortunately, at some point, just about everyone gets trapped in the mud. Currently the only way to free the ATV is to either have someone pull you out (like with a tie strap, chain, or rope) with another vehicle or another ATV), (2) or use a winch to pull yourself out, or (3) manually dig out the ATV. Unfortunately, all three of these options require the person riding the ATV, or another person, to get dirty/muddy in order to get the ATV free of the mud. 
     What is needed is a selectively usable/engageable device which is attachable to the ATV so that it can be self-contained on the ATV and used when needed without needing the driver, or another person, to get dirty. Thus, you don&#39;t need someone/something to pull you out (like another ATV, mule, horse, etc.) and you don&#39;t need to get your winch cable out, extend the cable/rope, try to find something to tie the cable/rope around, and then power the winch to pull out the ATV. Further, it may be used even if there is no tree or other object nearby. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a vehicle extraction device, comprising a frame which is attachable to a vehicle&#39;s frame, a motor attached to the frame for rotating a first shaft, a second shaft which is linked to the first shaft by a linkage, one or more paddles attached to the second shaft and extending radially out therefrom, and wherein rotation of the first shaft causes the second shaft and the one or more paddles to rotate and wherein when the one or more paddles rotate, they impact ground or other surface below the vehicle and can propel the vehicle in one or more directions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention installed on an exemplary vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a first side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a second side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a rear view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6 ; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention having three paddles and wherein one of the paddles is engaged with the ground; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1  wherein the device is in an upright/disengaged position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     To promote an understanding of the principles of the present invention, descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention follow and specific language is used to describe the specific embodiments. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by the use of specific language. Alterations, further modifications, and such further applications of the principles of the present invention discussed are contemplated as would normally occur to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing an exemplary vehicle extraction device  10 , vehicle  12  (an all-terrain vehicle in this embodiment), mounting bracket  14 , device frame  16 , motor/winch housing (with motor/winch therein)  18 , first shaft/motor axle/winch axle  20 , linkage  22 , second shaft/paddle shaft/Paddle axle  24 , paddle(s)  26 , paddle connector plate  28 , bearing and mounting plate  30 , nuts/bolts/screws  32 , nuts/bolts/screws/axle anchors  36 . In this embodiment, a winch, or other motor, is utilized to cause a shaft to rotate (winch axle  20  in this embodiment) as this shaft rotates, it is linked with another shaft (paddle axle  24  in this embodiment). In this embodiment, linkage  22  is comprised of a first gear which is fixed to first shaft  20 , a second gear which is fixed to second shaft  24  and a chain which extends between the gears such that as first shaft  20  is rotated, it causes the first gear to rotate, which then causes the chain to move, causing the second gear to rotate, and, thus, second shaft  24 . Although this is an exemplary configuration, any number of variable linkages may be utilized. 
     Note that one or more gears or other means is in contact with winch axle  20  such that when axle  20  rotates, the gears (or other means) causes chain  22  (or other linkage members) to rotate, which, in turn, causes paddle axle  24  to rotate. Note that although the motor in the figures and in the illustrated embodiment causes a shaft to rotate, which then rotates a gear, other geometries may be utilized such as, for example, in which the gear is directly rotated by the motor or the motor directly drives the linkage (i.e., chain) to drive the second gear. Further, in another embodiment, the motor may directly, or indirectly, drive the second shaft (in such an embodiment, there may be only one shaft, i.e., “shaft”. 
     The illustrated embodiment may be attached to the front, rear or side of a vehicle. It is essential that the device be securely attached to the vehicle, and preferably to the frame either directly or indirectly, so that when the device is engaged, it is able to move the vehicle without damaging the vehicle itself or become disengaged from the vehicle. 
     The frame may be constructed of various geometries, but must be strong enough to maintain the relationship between the motor and the shaft(s) and/or gear(s) and allow the paddle(s) to rotate without encumbrance. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 . Illustrated are device  10 , frame  16 , motor/winch housing (with motor/winch therein)  18 , first shaft/motor axle/winch axle  20 , linkage  22 , second shaft/paddle shaft/paddle axle  24 , bearing and mounting plate  30 , nuts/bolts/screws  32 , and nuts/bolts/screws/axle anchors  36 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 . Illustrated are axle anchors  36  and frame  16 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a first side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 . Shown are an exemplary relationship between device  10 &#39;s frame  16  and various nuts/bolts/screws  32 , and nuts/bolts/screws/axle anchors  36 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a second side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 . Shown are an exemplary relationship between device  10 &#39;s frame  16  and various nuts/bolts/screws  32 , and nuts/bolts/screws/axle anchors  36 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 . Shown are vehicle extraction device  10 , vehicle  12 , mounting bracket  14 , device frame  16 , motor/winch housing (with motor/winch therein)  18 , first shaft/motor axle/winch axle  20 , linkage  22 , second shaft/paddle shaft/paddle axle  24 , paddle(s)  26 , paddle connector plate  28 , bearing and mounting plate  30 , and various nuts/bolts/screws  32 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a rear view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6 . Shown are vehicle extraction device  10 , vehicle  12 , mounting bracket  14 , device frame  16 , motor/winch housing (with motor/winch therein)  18 , first shaft/motor axle/winch axle  20 , linkage  22 , second shaft/paddle shaft/paddle axle  24 , paddle(s)  26 , bearing and mounting plate  30 , various nuts/bolts/screws  32 , and nuts/bolts/screws/axle anchors  36 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention having three paddles and wherein one of the paddles is engaged with the ground. Illustrated is an exemplary arrangement for vehicle extraction device  10  having a multiple paddle  26  configuration in which the angle between the paddles is approximately 120 degrees. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1  wherein the device is in an upright/disengaged position. Illustrated is an exemplary vehicle extraction device  10  with respect to a vehicle  12  wherein the device is in an upright condition for travel. Devices of the present invention may be adjustable from a vertical upright position to any suitable engaged position including, and even exceeding a horizontal condition. 
     A specific geometry for a paddle is illustrated as being generally planar though other geometries are also suitable in various embodiments including, but not limited to, blades, forks, fingers, claw-like and scooped. Similarly, the number of paddles is also variable from one to four (or more) depending on the use of the embodiment. In some embodiments, a single paddle may be sufficient and will be of the smallest profile. In some embodiments the paddles may be permanently attached to the second shaft such as by, for example, unitary construction, welding, gluing, bonding, etc. In some embodiments the paddles may be removable such as for transportation, servicing, adapted for a particular need, etc. Such paddles may be mounted/unmounted by any suitable means including, but not limited to, screwing, bolting, and slotting. In some embodiments, the paddle motion of the device may be similar to that of a paddle on a paddle boat. 
     Although various components of the present invention may be illustrated as being of a particular shape for convenience, such components may be of any suitable shape, configuration, orientation, etc. 
     While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments.