Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of tools and methods for dressing big game animals in the field. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the sport of hunting big game animals, such as deer, the hunter will often field dress the animal after the kill. Field dressing refers to removing the animal&#39;s entrails. If the hunter intends to harvest the meat from the animal, it is important to field dress the animal as soon as possible after the kill to ensure rapid loss of body heat, prevent surface bacteria from growing, and maintain the overall quality of the meat. 
         [0003]    A particular problem in field dressing big game animals is in the area of the anus, where the rectal portion of the lower intestine connects to the outer skin of the animal. The traditional method of dealing with this area is to cut around the anus with a knife to separate the anus and the rectum from the skin. The skin is then slit along the lower abdomen to open the body. This process presents the problem of damaging the intestinal wall, thereby allowing solid waste matter to enter the body cavity. When this happens, the meat that is contacted by the bodily waste material becomes contaminated and is not fit for consumption. In addition, the process of cutting around and separating the anus from the surrounding skin with a knife is difficult and time consuming. 
         [0004]    One apparatus for cleanly removing the anus and extracting the rectum for safely tying and securing to prevent contaminating leakage of solid waste is disclosed in U.S. D539,868 to Luster. The Luster invention (also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the present disclosure) includes a tool having a forwardly protruding tip portion surrounded by a set of barbs that extend radially beyond the tip. The tip and barbs are mounted to the distal end of the shank that has the handle mounted at its proximal end. To use the tool, the tip is inserted into the anus of the slain animal as the handle is pushed to move the barbs into the body cavity. Once the barbs are beyond the anus, the handle is rotated sufficiently to cause the exposed points of the barbs to ensnare the wall of the rectum. The handle is then pulled back to remove the barbs and the tip of the tool from the body cavity of the animal, extracting a length of the intestine. The exposed intestine is tied or clamped to prevent accidental spilling of bodily waste materials during the balance of the field dressing process. 
         [0005]    The Luster invention constitutes a significant improvement over the state of the art. However, depending upon the length of the tool, the tip portion and barbs may be inserted too far into the intestine. In addition, when pushing the tool against the body cavity of the animal, its important to keep the handle pushed tight against the body, to allow proper use and function of the tool. It becomes difficult to turn the handle with user&#39;s finger tips while keeping the tool tight against the cavity. 
         [0006]    Another potential problem is that if the tool is fully inserted into the intestine of the animal, the user&#39;s hand that grips the handle will be in contact with the deer around the anus. This not only makes the tool more difficult to use and control, but runs the risk of contamination and spread of disease if the hunter is not wearing suitable gloves. 
         [0007]    Therefore, it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to improve upon the state of the art. 
         [0008]    It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a field dressing tool that prevents the tip portion and barbs from being inserted too far inside the intestine of the animal. 
         [0009]    Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a field dressing tool that is easy to use and avoids the user&#39;s hands coming into contact with the animal around the anus of the animal. 
         [0010]    A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved method of field dressing a big game animal that does not unnecessarily damage the intestinal wall of the animal. 
         [0011]    Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a method of field dressing a big game animal that avoids the risk of contamination and spread of disease when a hunter&#39;s hand comes into contact with a slain animal. 
         [0012]    Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved tool for field dressing a big game animal that is efficient in operation, economical to manufacture, and durable in use. 
         [0013]    One or more of these and/or other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow. These objects, features, or advantages of the present invention do not limit the invention, as the present invention can provide other features and advantages in different embodiments and in different contexts. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    According to one aspect of the present invention, an improved field dressing tool is provided. The tool generally includes a tip portion, a plurality of barbs extending radially and rearwardly from the tip portion, a shank extending from a rear portion of the barbs, a handle on the shank opposite the tip portion, and a barrier member extending from the shank between the tip portion and the handle and spaced apart from the handle. The barrier member effectively acts as a stop to limit the length of the tool that can be inserted into the intestine of the slain animal. Because the barrier member is also spaced apart from the handle, it provides a space to accommodate the user&#39;s hand while gripping the handle of the tool and may prevent the user&#39;s hand from directly contacting the animal around the anus. The design also allows the user to firmly grip the handle while keeping the barrier member snug against the animal, giving the user greater control of the field dressing tool. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for field dressing a big game animal is provided. The tip portion and barbs of a field dressing tool are inserted into the rectum of the animal so that the barbs cause the rectum to stretch radially. A barrier member on the tool remains on the outside of the animal and limits the length of the tool that can be inserted into the rectum. The handle of the tool is rotated, which causes the barbs to ensnare the rectum. The barbs and tip portion of the tool are then retracted from the animal to extend the portion of the rectum which is then closed to prevent the leakage of waste therefrom. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    While the specification concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following exemplary description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art field dressing tool. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the prior art field dressing tool in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the field dressing tool of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the field dressing tool shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the embodiment taken in the direction of line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the rear portion of a slain game animal with the preferred embodiment of the present invention tool positioned for use. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a view of  FIG. 6  with the tool inserted into the anus of the slain animal. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a view of  FIG. 7  with the tool withdrawn from the anus of the slain animal with a portion of the animal&#39;s rectum. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a view of  FIG. 8  with the tool holding a section of withdrawn and tied rectum of the slain animal. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0026]    The present invention will be described as it applies to its preferred embodiment. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to the described embodiment. It is intended that the invention cover all modifications and alternatives which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0027]    The present invention includes an improvement to the prior art field dressing tool  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The tool  10  is formed about axis  14 . Tool  10  has a tip  12  at a first end thereof that is distal from a handle  20 . A series of substantially triangular barbs  16  are formed in angularly dispersed portions around tip  12  to extend radially outwardly from the rear portion of tip  12 . As in  FIG. 1 , the tool  10  is formed with four barbs  16 , although different numbers of barbs can be used. The tip  12  has a diameter, and the barbs  16  extend in opposite sides of the axes  14  to a width that is greater than the diameter. The diameter of the tip  12  should be sized for being inserted into the anus of a slain animal, such as a deer. The barbs  16  having a width at least twice as great as the diameter of the tip  12  has been found suitable. 
         [0028]    A shank  18  is substantially a coaxial extension of tip  12  along the axis  14 . The shank  18  terminates in the handle  20  that is formed transverse to the axis  14 . The shank  18  is formed substantially long to allow insertion of the tip  12  and barbs  16  into the anus of the animal by at least 3-4 inches while the handle  20  is being held by the user outside the body of the animal. As shown in the figures, the shank  18  and tip portion  12  are formed as an orthogonal cross of ribs  22  and connects at its proximal end to the handle  20 , formed in cross section (not shown) in the form of the letter “H”. The handle  20  can also be a linear extension of the shank  18 . As an alternative, the tip portion  12  can take on a generally hemispherical shape. 
         [0029]    To field dress an animal, the tip  12  is inserted into the anus of the animal as the handle  20  is pushed to move the barbs  16  into the body cavity. Once the barbs  16  are beyond the anus, the handle is rotated sufficiently to cause the exposed points of the barbs  16  to ensnare the wall of the rectum. The handle  20  is then pulled back to remove the barbs  16  and the tip  12  of the tool  10  from the body cavity of the animal, thereby extracting a portion of the intestine. The exposed portion of the intestine is then tied or clamped to prevent accidental spilling of body waste materials. 
         [0030]    The improved tool for field dressing big game animals will now be described. The structure of the tool  30  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 . Similar to the prior art tool  10  previously described, the tool  30  of the present invention is formed on an axis  34  and includes a tip portion  32  that is distal from a handle  40 . The tip portion  32  can also have a generally hemispherical shape. Triangular barbs  36  are disposed around the tip  32  and extend radially outwardly from the rear portion of the tip  32 . A shank  38  extends from the tip portion  32  along the axes  34 . The shank  38  terminates in the handle  40  that is formed transverse to the axes  34 . The shank  38  and handle  40  are formed on an orthogonal cross of ribs  42 . 
         [0031]    As compared with the prior art tool  10 , the tool  30  of the present invention is longer in length and includes a barrier member  44  that extends away from the shank and is disposed between the opposite ends of the tool  30 . It is preferred that the barrier member  44  maintain a spaced-apart relationship with the handle  40  to allow the user&#39;s hand to comfortably fit between the handle  40  and the barrier member  44  while gripping the handle  40 . It is also preferred that the barrier member be positioned sufficiently rearward of the tip  32  and barbs  36  so that the tool can be inserted into the anus of the slain animal by approximately 3-6 inches while the handle is being held by the user outside the body of the animal. The barrier member  44  as shown is generally perpendicular to the shank  38  and has a planer surface extending therefrom. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that similar configurations at different angles and with some curvature could be used. The barrier member  44  acts as a stop to limit the length of the tool that can be inserted into the anus of the animal. In addition, the user can firmly grip the handle  40  while keeping the barrier member  44  snug against the animal, which gives the user greater control over the tool  30 . 
         [0032]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the barrier member can take various shapes and forms. The preferred embodiment shows a barrier member  44  that is an annular flange having a diameter approximately 3:2 times greater than the diameter or width of the shank  38 . However, the barrier member could take on other shapes and need not be a continuous structure. Important to the present invention is that the barrier member effectively limit the length of the tool  30  that is inserted into the anus of the animal. In its preferred form, the tool  30  as designed for field dressing deer has a length of approximately 8 inches with the barrier member  44  disposed 2 inches from the handle  40 . 
         [0033]    It is preferred that the tool  30  is manufactured by an injection molding process and that all of the parts of the tool are integrally formed, with the choice of plastics resin to be determined by the manufacturer. 
         [0034]    The method of using the field dressing tool  30  will now be illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 6-9 , which are side elevation views of the rear portion of a large game animal, here a deer  50 . Each of the figures show select internal organs depicted in dashed lines. The animal&#39;s rectum  52 , which is the last section of the intestine, connects to the anus  54  at the animal&#39;s rump  56 . The internal end of the rectum  52  continues as intestines that ultimately terminate at the stomach (not shown). The field dressing tool  30  is positioned in  FIG. 6  in alignment with anus  54  with the tip  32  adjacent to the anus  54 . The tool  30  is to be pushed in the direction indicated by arrow A until the tip  32  and barbs  36  have passed the anus  54  and entered the rectum  52  in the position as shown in  FIG. 7 . When the tool  30  is fully inserted into the rectum  52 , the barrier member  44  abuts the rump  56  of the deer  50  at the anus  54 . The barrier member effectively limits how far the tip portion  32  and barbs  36  can be inserted into the rectum  52 . This avoids causing unnecessary damage to the wall of the intestines. The barrier member  44  also maintains a spaced-apart relationship with the handle  40 , which allows the user to comfortably maintain a grip on and control over the tool  30 . It also avoids direct contact between the user&#39;s hand and the anus  54 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , rectum  52  is stretched radially to accommodate and engage barbs  36  therein. The barrier member  44  limits the length of the tool  30  that can be inserted through the anus  54  and into the rectum  52 . 
         [0036]    The tool  30  is next rotated as indicated by arrow B through an angle of approximately 180°. Because the barbs  36  are formed along a series of perpendicular planes that pass through the axis  34  of the tool  30 , rotation of the tool  30  can be either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. With the extended sharp points of the barbs  36  stretched over the membrane comprising the rectum  52 , rotation of the tool  30  causes the barbs  36  to dig into and ensnare the wall of the rectum  52 . 
         [0037]    Now referring to  FIG. 8 , the tool  30  is withdrawn in the direction indicated by arrow C from the animal&#39;s anus  54 , drawing a section of the rectum  52  outside of the anus  54 . To provide ample space to tie or clamp the end of the rectum  52 , the tool  30  is pulled out of the anus  54  by approximately 10-12 inches. The tool  30  is then removed from the rectum  52  by cutting the intestinal wall either before or after the clamping or tying is done, as described below. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , the extended section of the rectum  52  is tied into a knot  58 . As an alternative, a clamp (not shown) is applied and pulled tight enough to prevent solid waste from escaping through the rectum  52  during the remaining field dressing process. Twisting the rectum  52  outside the body cavity of the animal prior to clamping serves to further prevent waste leakage. 
         [0039]    Once the intestines are tied or clamped to prevent waste leakage, the field dressing process continues. The extended section of the rectum  52  is repositioned in the body cavity either by pushing the extended section through the anus  54  or pulling the extended section from within the body cavity after the cavity has been opened. The intestines and the balance of the digestive track are then removed through the abdominal opening along with the urinary track. 
         [0040]    The present invention contemplates numerous additions, alternatives, and options. That which has been disclosed is merely exemplary. The present invention is not to be limited to or by the specific embodiment disclosed herein. The invention is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto.

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