Abstract:
A lifting device has a base rack section, a middle section and a vehicle mounting section, each of three sections having hand grips and being movably secured together in order to promote the lifting or moving of a heavy item from one section to another. As that heavy item reaches the first section, the item may be transferred section to section sequentially, and finally to a desired location in or on a vehicle.

Description:
This invention relates to a lifting device, and more particularly, to a lifting device, which assists with the lifting of heavy items to a desired position for transport. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
   Transportation of heavy items is always a problem. Firstly, a heavy item must be lifted. Then that item must be placed in a desired position. After that desired position is reached, that heavy item may be transported. 
   Hunting is a popular pastime. It provides an opportunity to obtain food, and have a sporting activity. When hunting results in game, it is desirable to achieve the recovery of the game in an efficient manner. With smaller game, recovery is relatively simple, because it is easy to lift, transport and store such game. With larger game, lifting becomes a problem. 
   Whatever type of heavy item is desired to be lifted, it is many times desirable to have a device to assist in such lifting. That device is especially useful if it may be transferred to a variety of desired positions for use. To that end, the device must be strong, yet lightweight. Such a strong device supports the heavy item. The lightweight aspects promote ease of movement of the device from one desired location or position to another. Balancing strength and lightweight qualities offer great advantages. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
   Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of a strong, lightweight, lifting device. 
   A further objective of this invention is the provision of a lifting device, which is easily installed. 
   Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of a lifting device, which is strong. 
   A still further objective of this invention is the provision of a lifting device, which is easily moved from one location to another. 
   Another objective of this invention is the provision of a lifting device, which is easily transported. 
   Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of a lifting device, which is easily switched from one vehicle to another. 
   These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a lifting device having a base rack section, a middle section and a vehicle mounting section, each of three sections having hand grips and being movably secured together in order to promote the lifting or moving of a heavy item from one section to another. As that heavy item reaches the first section, the item may be transferred section to section sequentially, and finally to a desired location in or on a vehicle. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a lifting device  100  of this invention in a mounted completely folded position  102  mounted on an all-terrain vehicle  110 , while encompassing or securing a deer  112  thereon. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of a lifting device  100  of this invention in a completely open position  104  removably mounted on an all-terrain vehicle  110 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of a lifting device  100  of this invention in a partially lifted position  106  mounted on an all-terrain vehicle  110 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts perspective view of a lifting device  100  of this invention in a second lifted position  108  mounted on an all-terrain vehicle  110 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of a lifting device  100  of this invention in a third lifted position  118  on an all-terrain vehicle  110 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of lifting device  100  of this invention in an unmounted completely folded position  103 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a perspective, exploded view of lifting device  100  of this invention. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of a lifting device  100  of this invention in a completely open position  104  from the rear of all terrain vehicle  110 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts a block diagram for the lifting device  100  of this invention. 
   

   Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   For the lifting device, there are three sections connected by hinges. Typically, each section resembles the other sections. Two, four and larger numbers of sections are operable, but three sections are preferred. The sections are connected, but may move relative to each other. 
   A base rack section generally contacts the ground. The middle section is connected on one side to the base rack section by a pair of hinges or other connecting devices. The middle section is also connected on an opposing side to a vehicle mounting section. 
   Each of the sections has a base frame. Preferably, the base frame is substantially rectangular. To the base frame are attached a pair of raised parallel cross members. By raised is member extending above the plane of the frame. To each pair of parallel cross members are secured a pair of parallel gripping members, except for the vehicle mounting section, which requires only one gripping member. The gripping members are spaced sufficiently well for a person using the lifting device to move an object from the base rack section to the middle section, and then to the vehicle mounting section. A handgrip on the vehicle mounting section permits the object to be moved to the vehicle. 
   The frame for the base rack section has a slightly larger perimeter than the perimeter for the middle section and the vehicle mounting section. This variation facilitates the first positioning and ultimate lifting of the heavy item. 
   The parallel cross members are raised from the frame in any suitable fashion. They may be arcuate, trapezoidal or any other desired raised shape. 
   Preferably, the lifting device is made of weldable, tubular metal, having sufficient strength to stand the weight of the object being lifted, yet light enough to be easily transported. While solid rods are operable, the tubular structure is felt to strong yet lightweight. Other tubular material, such as plastic or fiberglass, having the desired strength is also operable. 
   Typically, the object being lifted is too heavy for a single person to lift high enough to reach the vehicle. That object, however, can be placed on the base rack section. Then the handgrips permit the moving of the object from the base rack section sequentially to the middle section and the vehicle mounting section. The mechanical advantage provided by lifting device of this invention permits that object to be placed at a desired point on the vehicle. Lifting device is then used to secure that object in position on the vehicle. 
   This lifting device may be attached to any vehicle having a bed or support for carrying heavy objects. Typical of those vehicles are all-terrain vehicles and pickup trucks. Such vehicles are especially useful in hunting larger game. That vehicle may go to the site of the downed game, with the lifting device in place and be used to carry the downed game to a desired location. Other uses than hunting are also possible. Any heavy object to be transported can be lifted to a vehicle by using the lifting device and only one person. Then that heavy object can be transported as desired. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , lifting device  100  of this invention is removably mounted on an all-terrain vehicle  110 . By moving the deer  112  onto the base rack section  120  while the base rack section  120  is on the ground  114 , one of parallel long sides  132  is used to lift base rack section  120 . Then first base gripping member  122  is gripped to move deer  112  onto the middle section  140 . Sequentially, deer  112  moves from middle section  140  to vehicle mounting section  156  and onto all-terrain vehicle  110  for transportation. 
   Further considering  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , a person  116  uses one of parallel long sides  132  to lift base rack section  120 . Then the grip moves to first base gripping member  122 , which is followed by the grip moving to second base gripping member  124 . From second base gripping member  124 , a person  116  moves to first middle section gripping member  142  as base rack section  120  is held in place at a desired position by hinges  168 . As person  116  moves to second middle section gripping member  144 , vehicle mounting section  156  comes into play. When person  116  moves to first vehicle mounting gripping member  162 , both the middle section  140  and base rack section  120  approach vehicle rack  117  of all-terrain vehicle  112 . As person  116  continues, the lift is complete, and complete securing position  102  is achieved. 
   On vehicle mounting section  156 , at least one vehicle mounting strap  166 , preferably two, are secured to base frame  126 , but oppositely disposed from hinges  168 . The vehicle mounting strap  166  can be tie downs with a J-hook on either end of adjustable straps or other suitable strap. Vehicle mounting strap  166  permits securing of the lifting device  100  to all-terrain vehicle  112  or another vehicle, such as a pick up truck ( FIG. 9 ). 
   With  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 8 , the structure of lifting device  100  becomes even more clear. Middle section  140  has a pair of hinges  168  on both sides thereof. To one pair of hinges  168  is attached base rack section  120 . To the opposing pair of hinges  168  is attached vehicle mounting section  156 . Each pair of hinges  168  permit base rack section  120  to fold over middle section  140  and vehicle mounting section  156 . Such folding over results in the unmounted completely folded position  103  as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   Each of base rack section  120 , middle section  140  and vehicle mounting section  156  has a base frame  126 . Base frame  126  has parallel long sides  132  and parallel ends  134  with arced connectors  136  completing base frame  126 . Base frame  126  may be molded as a unit or assembled by glue, welding, or other suitable fastening devices. 
   To the base frame  126  are attached a pair of parallel cross members  128 . To each pair of parallel cross members  128  are preferably secured a pair of gripping members on base rack section  120  and middle section  140 . More than two parallel gripping members may be secured to cross members  128 . Vehicle mounting section  156  preferably only has one gripping member, but may contain more if desired. The gripping members are spaced sufficiently well for a person  116  using the lifting device  100  to move an object from the base rack section  120  to the middle section  140 , and then to the vehicle mounting section  156 . 
   Such gripping members are numbered differently for each of base rack section  120 , middle section  140  and vehicle mounting section  156  in order to fully define the lifting procedure. More particularly, base rack section  120  has first base gripping member  122  and second base gripping member  124 . Middle section  140  has first middle section gripping member  142  and second middle section gripping member  144 . Vehicle mounting section  156  has a gripping member  162 . First base gripping member  122 , second base gripping member  124 , first middle section gripping member  142 , second middle section gripping member  144  and vehicle mounting gripping member  162  are preferably mounted perpendicular to cross members  128 . However, the gripping members may be mounted to cross members  128  at other angles than 90 degrees. 
   On base rack member  120  are weight supports  130 , which are optional. Such weight supports  130  may be made of metal, plastic or cloth and are preferably one, two, or three, in number. Supports  130  position the deer  112  or other objects on the base rack member  120 , thereby supporting the object away from the gripping handles. 
   With the consideration of  FIG. 9 , the flexibility of lifting device  100  becomes more clear. Any suitable vehicle  170 , with a carrying surface  182  can support lifting device  100 . The lifting device  100  can move an object from the base rack section  120  to the middle section  140 , and then to the vehicle mounting section  156  and onto that carrying surface  182 . 
   It becomes clear that lifting device  100  may be secured to any suitable vehicle  170 . Vehicle  170  may include, but is not limited to, a pickup truck a sport-utility vehicle and a vehicle with an exterior carrying surface or any of the accessible interior carrying surface. Releasable securing device  188  holds lifting device  100  on vehicle  170  at vehicle mounting section  156  as desired. Oppositely disposed from releasable securing device  188  on vehicle mounting section  156  is movable joining device  186 . Movable joining device  186  connects vehicle mounting section  156  to middle section  140 . Oppositely disposed from vehicle mounting section  156  another movable joining device  186  connects middle section  140  to base rack section  120 . 
   Movable joining device  186 , of course, includes hinges  168 . Yet, movable joining device  186  is required to permit movement between the sections. This can be done in any suitable fashion. For example, movable joining device  186  may include one or more straps of cloth, metal or plastic. Each movable joining device  186  may also be releasable so that sections can be nested, in order to provide easier storage for lifting device  100 . 
   This application—taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure. 
   Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.