Wildlife carcass transport device

Abstract

Wildlife carcass transport device comprising a coupling adapter (10), a base frame (20), a load-bearing unit (30), a swivel joint (40) and a winch (50), wherein the coupling adapter (10) is configured for a coupling state and a decoupling state, wherein the coupling adapter (10) is configured in the coupling state to provide a fixed relative positional relationship to a vehicle trailer coupling and in the decoupling state to be removable from the vehicle trailer coupling, wherein the base frame (20) is fixedly connected to the coupling adapter (10), wherein the load-bearing unit (30) is pivotably arranged relative to the base frame (20) and has an animal carcass support (31) designed to receive a wild animal carcass lying down, wherein the pivot joint (40) has a longitudinally arranged pivot axis (41) and a locking mechanism (42) and is designed to pivotably couple the load-bearing unit (30) to the base frame (20) and to move the load-bearing unit (30) between a horizontal center position and a left and a right tilt position by means of a pivot about the pivot axis (41), wherein the locking mechanism (42) is designed to be releasably fixed in the center position, wherein the winch (50) is designed to pull a wild animal carcass onto the load-bearing unit (30) and wherein the wild animal carcass transport device is designed for a loading operating state and a transport operating state, wherein in the loading operating state the load handling unit (30) has one of the inclination positions and is designed to pull a wild animal carcass onto the load handling unit (30) by means of the winch (50), wherein in the transport operating state the load handling unit (30) has the middle position and is fixed there by means of the locking mechanism (42).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a wild animal carcass transport device, in particular for hunted wild animals of high weight.

[0002] In the prior art, aids for transporting killed wild animals in the form of a rear carrier are known. This allows transport outside the vehicle's interior, thus preventing soiling of the interior and enabling the transport of carcasses whose dimensions exceed the cargo space.

[0003] Such a rear carrier can be attached to a trailer hitch. The rear carrier typically has a closed or grid-like loading platform onto which a wild animal carcass can be placed.

[0004] A disadvantage here is the considerable effort required to lift the animal carcass onto the loading platform. Furthermore, the carcass usually has to be lifted over loading platform barriers such as walls or railings, which increases the effort required even more.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a wild animal carcass transport device that is robust and offers a high level of user comfort.

[0006] The problem is solved by the features listed in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0007] The inventive wild animal carcass transport device surprisingly proved to be a robust and easy-to-handle device that facilitates the recovery, loading and transport of wild animal carcasses.

[0008] The animal carcass transport device according to the invention comprises as basic components a coupling adapter, a base frame, a load-bearing unit, a swivel joint and a winch.

[0009] The coupling adapter is known as such from the prior art and serves for the detachable connection with a trailer coupling.

[0010] The coupling adapter is designed for a coupled state and a decoupling state. In the coupled state, the coupling adapter is designed to provide a mounting point on a vehicle trailer hitch, thus defining a positional relationship in all degrees of freedom relative to the trailer hitch and, indirectly, to the vehicle carrying the trailer hitch. In the decoupling state, the coupling adapter can be removed from the vehicle trailer hitch. Switching between the coupled and decoupling states is preferably done manually. The coupling adapter is preferably designed to fit a standard passenger car trailer ball coupling. However, other design variations of the coupling adapter are also possible, enabling coupling to other types of couplings on a vehicle.Where the following description specifies positional relationships to the vehicle, this refers to the intended coupling state.

[0011] The base frame, as a further basic component, is fixedly connected to the coupling adapter, in particular by welding, riveting, or bolting. It is also possible to design the coupling adapters as a section of the base frame. In the coupled state, the base frame is thus fixedly arranged relative to the vehicle in question and forms the basis for the other basic components. The base frame can, for example, be designed as a tubular profile or other profile.

[0012] The load-bearing unit, as another basic component, is pivotally mounted to the base frame. The load-bearing unit transfers the forces acting upon it, both during transport and, depending on the circumstances, optionally also during recovery and loading of the animal carcass, indirectly to the base frame via the pivot joint.

[0013] The load handling unit includes, in particular, an animal carcass support. This support is designed to accommodate a wild animal carcass lying down. The carcass support can advantageously be designed as a frame of transverse profiles, thus facilitating the sliding of the carcass during loading and simultaneously securing the load against forces acting along the vehicle's longitudinal axis due to acceleration or deceleration during driving. Furthermore, the load handling unit can be equipped with lashing eyes or other devices for securing the load in the form of the wild animal carcass.

[0014] The swivel joint, as the next basic component, has a longitudinally arranged pivot axis and a locking mechanism. The swivel joint is designed to pivot the load-bearing unit to the base frame around the pivot axis. Thus, in the coupled state of the coupling adapter, the pivot axis is essentially parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis.

[0015] The load-bearing unit, the pivot axis, and the base frame interact in such a way that the load-bearing unit can be moved between a horizontal center position and left and right tilted positions by means of a pivot about the pivot axis. Here, the term "horizontal" in the context of the present invention is not to be understood as an exact geometric category, but rather as a position of the load-bearing unit that is essentially parallel to the transverse plane of the vehicle.

[0016] The swivel joint has a locking mechanism. This locking mechanism is designed to fix the load-bearing unit in the central position. Preferably, the locking mechanism is a simple, spring-loaded mechanism that can be operated manually without tools. In advantageous embodiments, the locking mechanism can additionally allow locking in the tilt positions and optionally in other intermediate positions.

[0017] The winch is also a key component and is designed to pull the animal carcass onto the load-bearing unit. For a simple, robust, and reliable design, the winch is preferably manually operated with a crank. The winch is positioned appropriately, preferably on the load-bearing unit.

[0018] According to the invention, the wild animal carcass transport device is designed for both a loading operating state and a transport operating state.

[0019] In the loading operating state, the load-handling unit is in one of two tilt positions. In this position, the animal carcass transport device is designed to pull an animal carcass onto the load-handling unit using the winch. In the transport operating state, the load-handling unit is in the center position and is fixed in this position by means of the locking mechanism.

[0020] The animal carcass transport device according to the invention particularly advantageously enables a user-friendly and energy-saving application, especially if the heavy animal carcass, for example of more than 25 kilograms, is to be transported.

[0021] In particular, the intended use of the wild animal carcass transport device can be carried out as described below.

[0022] The user, usually a hunter, can drive his vehicle with the attached game carcass transport device as close as possible to the killed game carcass, preferably maneuvering in such a way that the game carcass lying on the ground is located to the side of the game carcass transport device.

[0023] The locking mechanism can then be manually operated to release the lock and tilt the load-bearing unit laterally towards the animal's body. For example, if the animal's body is on the left, the load-bearing unit will be tilted to the left.

[0024] The animal carcass can be loaded using the winch, which in this case is located on the right edge of the load-bearing unit. For this purpose, the end of the rope is attached to the carcass, and by operating the winch, the carcass is pulled up onto the inclined load-bearing unit until it is approximately in the middle.

[0025] In this position, the load is distributed approximately evenly across the pivot axis, allowing the user to manually pivot the load-bearing device, with the animal carcass resting on it, into the central position with minimal effort. The locking mechanism is preferably designed so that it engages automatically upon reaching the central position. The animal carcass can then be secured at a relatively comfortable working height and transported by vehicle. The vehicle interior remains protected from contamination.

[0026] Furthermore, unloading can be achieved in reverse with less effort: after transport, the locking mechanism is activated, the lock is released, and the load-bearing device is tilted to the desired side. The animal carcass can then be pulled sideways off the load-bearing device without significant force.

[0027] According to an advantageous further development, the wild animal carcass transport device is characterized in that the load-bearing unit has a winch mount and that the winch is designed for a detachable coupling in the winch mount.

[0028] Preferably, the winch mounting is a concave section in the load-bearing unit into which a corresponding convex section of the winch, for example a pin, engages. In particular, a locking mechanism to prevent the coupling from becoming detached may also be provided.

[0029] According to this training, the winch can be carried in the vehicle's trunk. Only when needed for loading is the winch inserted into its mounting bracket, allowing the animal carcass to be hoisted onto the load-bearing unit. Afterwards, the winch can be stowed back in the trunk. This method is advantageous because the winch does not obstruct the trunk lid's swing-out range and protects the winch from dirt and loss.

[0030] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the wild animal carcass transport device is characterized in that the load-bearing unit has a further winch mount, wherein the winch mount and the further winch mount are arranged on opposite sides, and that the winch is designed for a detachable coupling in the winch mount and in the further winch mount.

[0031] According to this further training, two winch mounts are arranged on the load-bearing unit, preferably opposite each other.

[0032] Using the winch mount on the right side, the winch can be positioned to pull a wild animal carcass, tilted to the left, from the left side onto the carcass support, and vice versa. The winch can be inserted into the appropriate winch mount as needed.

[0033] Optionally, the winch mounts can also be designed so that the winch can be oriented not only to the right or left, but also in other directions. This advantageously allows for the recovery of a wild animal carcass using the winch. This is particularly beneficial when, for example, terrain conditions prevent the vehicle from driving directly to the carcass.

[0034] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the wild animal carcass transport device is characterized in that the pivot axis to the animal carcass support has an orthogonal distance at its center which is at least 0.2 times half the width of the load-bearing unit.

[0035] This further development concerns the arrangement of the pivot axis relative to the animal carcass support and the resulting particularly advantageous movement geometry of the load-handling unit. Due to the distance, a lateral movement deflection is also achieved when the load-handling unit is pivoted into one of the two tilting positions. For example, in a left tilting position, the left edge of the load-handling unit is guided further to the left than in the center position. Preferably, the left edge then extends at least to the line of the left side of the vehicle, so that access to the load-handling unit and to the animal carcass for loading is not obstructed by the rear of the vehicle.

[0036] In a further advantageous embodiment, the wild animal carcass transport device is characterized in that the load-bearing unit has a pivotable left flap body on a left lateral edge section and a pivotable right flap body on a right lateral edge section, and that the flap bodies are unfolded in the loading operating state and form a sliding surface for the wild animal carcass, and that the flap bodies are folded in during the transport operating state and form a lateral barrier for the animal carcass resting on the carcass support.

[0037] The flaps are pivotally mounted at the edge of the carcass support. In the pivoted position, the flaps extend the support, resting on the ground at their respective angles to create a sliding surface. This prevents the carcass from becoming caught on the edge of the load-bearing unit during loading with the winch. Once the load-bearing unit is in the center position, the flaps can be folded upwards by approximately 90 degrees and locked in place, creating a lateral barrier that prevents the carcass from sliding sideways off the support.

[0038] The invention is described as an embodiment by reference to Fig. 1 Schematic side view in the middle position Fig. 2 Schematic overview in the middle position Fig. 3 Schematic side view in the right tilt position Fig. 4 Schematic side view in the left tilt position explained in more detail.

[0039] In this context, identical reference symbols in different figures refer to the same features or components. These reference symbols are used in the description even if they are not shown in the figure in question.

[0040] Fig. Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment in a schematic representation in a frontal side view in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle opposite the direction of travel.

[0041] The coupling adapter 10 is therefore located in the foreground. This can be operated by means of the manually operated control lever (without a separate reference symbol) and can thus be brought into the coupling state after being lifted onto the trailer coupling (not shown).

[0042] The base frame 20 is firmly bolted to the coupling adapter 10. In the present embodiment, the base frame is designed as a welded steel construction.

[0043] The load-bearing unit 30 is arranged on the base frame 20 and connected by the pivot bearing 40, which is not visible here. In the exemplary embodiment, the load-bearing unit is designed as a stable, flat aluminum construction with sliding rails mounted transversely to the pivot axis 41.

[0044] The load handling unit 30 is located in Fig. 1 in the horizontal center position and is secured in this position against pivoting by means of the locking mechanism 42.

[0045] The load-bearing unit 30 has a winch mount 32 on the right-hand side in the direction of travel and another winch mount 33 on the left-hand side in the direction of travel. Fig. 1 and Fig. In figure 2, the winch is not in use and therefore not shown.

[0046] Fig. Figure 2 shows a variant embodiment in a top view. In this embodiment, a right flap body is pivotably arranged on the right lateral edge section 36 of the animal carcass support 31, and a left flap body 35 is pivotably arranged on the left lateral edge section 34 of the animal carcass support 31. The flap bodies 34 and 35 can be folded down for loading, thus facilitating the sliding of the animal carcass. During transport, they can be folded up, thereby additionally securing the animal carcass against slipping, particularly under lateral acceleration forces resulting from cornering.

[0047] Fig. Figure 3 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 1 in the left tilt position and Fig. Figure 4 shows it in the right tilted position.

[0048] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 also schematically shows the location of the concealed pivot bearing 40, represented by a circle in a dashed line.

[0049] In the Fig. In the left-hand tilt position, the winch 50 is inserted into the winch receptacle 32 on the right side of the load-bearing unit 30, so that the animal carcass lying on the left can be hoisted onto the carcass support 31. In the left-hand tilt position, the load-bearing unit 30 is inclined with its left side towards the ground or touching it there. Conversely, in Fig. 4. The winch 50 is inserted into the further winch receptacle 33 on the left side of the load-bearing unit 30, so that the animal carcass lying on the right can be pulled onto the carcass support 31. In the right-hand tilted position, the load-bearing unit 30 is inclined with its right side towards the ground or touches it there.

[0050] In Fig. Figure 4 additionally shows, schematically as an exemplary embodiment, the positional relationship between the animal body support 31 and the pivot axis 31. Fig. Figure 4 shows the plane of the carcass support 31 as a dashed line and half the width of the load-bearing unit as a bracket. The double arrow represents the orthogonal distance to the pivot axis 41 at the center of the carcass support. In the exemplary embodiment, the orthogonal distance is approximately 0.25 times half the width of the load-bearing unit 30. This shifts the support line on the ground in the direction of the respective inclination position, thus facilitating access to the carcass and lifting it with the winch 50, and improving handling. Reference symbols used 10 coupling adapters 20 basic frames 30 load handling units 31 Animal carcass cover 32 winch mount 33 more winch recordings 34 left lateral edge section 35 left valve body 36 right lateral edge section 37 right valve body 40 Swivel joint 41 Swivel axis 42 Locking mechanism 50 winch

Claims

[1] Wild animal carcass transport device, comprising a coupling adapter (10), a base frame (20), a load-bearing unit (30), a swivel joint (40) and a winch (50), wherein the coupling adapter (10) is configured for a coupling state and a decoupling state, wherein the coupling adapter (10) is configured in the coupling state to provide a fixed relative positional relationship to a vehicle trailer coupling and in the decoupling state to be removable from the vehicle trailer coupling, wherein the base frame (20) is fixedly connected to the coupling adapter (10), wherein the load-bearing unit (30) is pivotably arranged relative to the base frame (20) and has an animal carcass support (31) designed to receive a wild animal carcass lying down, wherein the pivot joint (40) has a longitudinally arranged pivot axis (41) and a locking mechanism (42) and is designed to pivotably couple the load-bearing unit (30) to the base frame (20) and to move the load-bearing unit (30) between a horizontal center position and a left and a right tilt position by means of a pivot about the pivot axis (41), wherein the locking mechanism (42) is designed to be releasably fixed in the center position, wherein the winch (50) is designed to pull a wild animal carcass onto the load-bearing unit (30) and wherein the wild animal carcass transport device is designed for a loading operating state and a transport operating state, wherein in the loading operating state the load handling unit (30) has one of the inclination positions and is designed to pull a wild animal carcass onto the load handling unit (30) by means of the winch (50), wherein in the transport operating state the load handling unit (30) has the middle position and is fixed there by means of the locking mechanism (42). [2] Wild animal carcass transport device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the load handling unit (30) has a winch receptacle (32) and the winch (50) is designed for a detachable coupling in the winch receptacle (32). [3] Wild animal carcass transport device according to claim 2, characterized by, that the load-bearing unit (30) has a further winch receptacle (33), wherein the winch receptacle (32) and the further winch receptacle (33) are arranged laterally opposite each other and that the winch (50) is designed for a detachable coupling in the winch receptacle (32) and in the further winch receptacle (33). [4] Wild animal carcass transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pivot axis (41) to the animal body support (31) has an orthogonal distance in its center which is 0.2 times to 0.4 times half the width of the load-bearing unit (30). [5] Wild animal carcass transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the load-bearing unit (30) has a pivotable left flap body (35) on a left lateral edge section (34) and a pivotable right flap body (37) on a right lateral edge section (36), wherein the flap bodies (35, 37) are unfolded in the loading operating state and form a sliding surface for the animal carcass, and are folded in during the transport operating state and form a lateral barrier for the animal carcass resting on the carcass support (31).

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