GB2392884A

GB2392884A - A trailer for the transportation of game animal carcasses from points of kill

Info

Publication number: GB2392884A
Application number: GB0221298A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael James Gardiner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-09-13
Filing date: 2002-09-13
Publication date: 2004-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-13
Also published as: GB0221298D0; GB2392884B

Abstract

A trailer (2) for the transportation of game animal carcasses from points of kill, which trailer (2) comprises a base frame (4), a container frame (6) which fits on the base frame (4), a container (8) which fits on the container frame (6) and which is for holding the game animal carcasses, an end portion (10) which is mounted with respect to the base frame (4) such that the end portion (10) is positionable in an upright position to close the container (8) and in a down position to act as a ramp, winch means (12) for winching the game animal carcasses onto the trailer (2) via the end portion (10) when the end portion (10) is in the down position, wheels (14), and towing means (16) by which the trailer (2) is able to be towed, the container (8) being such that it contains the game animal carcasses and does not allow the game animal carcasses to contact parts of the trailer (2) that could contaminate the game animal carcasses during transport, the container (8) being made of a material that does not contaminate the game animal carcasses, and the trailer (2) being such that it is able to be dismantled into component parts and transported to the points of kill in a dismantled condition and assembled at the points of kill.

Description

A TRAILER FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF

GAME ANIMAL CARCASSES FROM POINTS OF KILL

This invention relates to a trailer for the transportation of animal carcasses and, more especially, this invention relates to a trailer for the transportation of game animal carcasses from points of kill.

Trailers for the transportation of animal carcasses which have been killed at a slaughter house are well known. In the case of game animal carcasses, normally known trailers are not suitable because the game animals are killed in the wild and often on terrain which is hilly, mountainous or marshy, and therefore not easily accessible.

There is a need for a purpose built trailer for the transportation of game animal carcasses from points of kill.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a trailer for the transportation of game animal carcasses from points of kill, which trailer comprises a base frame, a container frame which fits on the base frame, a container which fits on the container frame and which is for holding the game animal carcasses, an end portion which is mounted with respect to the base frame such that the end portion is positionable in an upright position to close the container and in a down position to act as a ramp, winch means for winching the game animal carcasses onto the trailer via the end portion when the end portion is in the down position, wheels, and towing means by which the trailer is able to be

towed, the container being such that it contains the game animal carcasses and does not allow the game animal carcasses to contact parts of the trailer that could contaminate the game animal carcasses during transport, the container being made of a material that does not contaminate the game animal carcasses, and the trailer being such that it is able to be dismantled into component parts and transported to the points of kill in a dismantled condition and assembled at the points of kill.

The trailer of the present invention is thus such that it facilitates the transportation of game animal carcasses from points of kill. Firstly the game animal carcasses are able to be transported in a manner which ensures that they are not contaminated. This is important with ever increasing legislation governing meat for human consumption. Secondly the trailer of the present invention is easily able to be got to the points of kill which are often in terrain which is difficult to access. The trailer can be taken to the points of kill in a dismantled condition in an appropriate vehicle, for example an all terrain vehicle. The trailer can then be assembled and towed to various points of kill in the same general location by hitching the trailer to an appropriate vehicle such for example as the all terrain vehicle or a smaller vehicle such for example as a quad bike or a snow cat.

The container is preferably made from aluminium. Other materials including plastics materials may be employed. Generally, the container should be made from a material which is easy to wash and keep clean from dirt and blood, this being in addition to the container being made from a material that does not contaminate the game animal carcasses.

The container frame and the base frame may be made of galvanised mild steel which is a material which could contaminate the game animal carcasses. This does not matter with the trailer of the present invention since the game animal carcasses are safely contained in the container.

Assembly and dismantling of the trailer may involve lifting the various component parts into and from other vehicles. In order to avoid persons such as game keepers lifting parts which are too heavy and therefore possibly injuring themselves, the trailer is preferably one in which the individual separable parts of the trailer are such that they are all below a predetermined weight, which weight is that adjudged to be liftable by a person in relative safety. Thus, for example, the individual separable parts may be of a predetermined weight that is in accordance with current health and safety regulations. By way of example only, it is mentioned that the individual separable parts may weigh less than 25 Ibs.

The base frame may be a two part base frame comprising a large frame part and a small frame part.

The towing means is preferably a tow hitch device. The tow hitch device is itself preferably a roll hitch. The roll hitch may enable the trailer to roll from side to side as it is being towed. Advantageously, the roll hitch is one which is able to operate over a weight range of O - 2 tons. Such a weight range is a relatively large weight range and one which is larger than is achievable by known roll hitch devices which normally can only operate over smaller weight ranges.

Also advantageously, the roll hitch device is one which comes apart into constituent pieces.

Preferably, the trailer is one in which the wheels are of such a distance apart that the trailer is able to be towed along narrow tracks without damaging the sides of the tracks as would occur with larger trailers. Thus the trailer of the present invention may be used in places that might be banned by local authorities for causing damage to areas of natural beauty.

In the United Kingdom, one such authority is the Forestry Commission.

Preferably, the wheels are approximately 32 inches apart.

Preferably, the end portion is pivotally mounted with respect to the base frame. The end portion may be otherwise mounted if desired.

The trailer may be one in which the container is able to be tipped.

The container and the container frame may be tipped with respect to the base frame, or the container may be tipped in any other suitable way. The trailer may include a jack for enabling the container to be tipped. The jack is preferably a ratchet jack because such jacks are inexpensive. Other jacks may however be employed if desired.

The trailer may include a cover. The cover may be made of tarpaulin or other suitable and appropriate materials including plastics materials.

The trailer may include skies, the skies being for use in snow-covered terrain. Skies may be such that they fit to the trailer in place of the wheels.

Alternatively, the skies may be such that they fit to the trailer with the wheels remaining in place, so that the benefit can then be obtained of both wheels and skies as may be required in rapidly changing conditions in rough terrain.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a trailer for the transportation of game animal carcasses from points of kill; Figures 2, 3 and 4 are top, side and end views respectively of a main frame which forms part of a base frame used in the trailer shown in Figure 1; Figures 5, 6 and 7 are underneath, end and top views of a small frame which forms part of the base frame shown in Figure 1; Figures 8 and 9 are end and side views respectively of a container forming part of the trailer shown in Figure 1; Figures 10, 11 and 12 are underneath, side and top views respectively of an end portion which forms part of the trailer shown in Figure 1; Figures 13 and 14 are side and end views respectively of a draw bar used in the trailer shown in Figure 1; Figures 15 and 16 are side and end views of a draw bar location block used in the trailer shown in Figure 1; Figures 17 and 18 are side and end views respectively of a draw bar pin used in the trailer shown in Figure 1; Figures 19 and 20 are side and end views of a draw bar washer used in the trailer shown in Figure 1; Figures 21 and 22 are side and end views respectively of a draw bar post used in the trailer shown in Figure 1;

Figures 23, 24 and 25 are front, end and side views respectively of a clamp component used in the trailer shown in Figure 1; Figure 26 shows an Alan key used for the clamp component shown in Figures 23, 24 and 25; Figures 27, 28 and 29 are side and two end views of a winch post forming part of the trailer shown in Figure 1; and Figures 30 and 31 are side and end views respectively of a wheel axle forming part of the trailer shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a trailer 2 for the transportation of game animal carcasses (not shown) from points of kill. The trailer 2 comprises a base frame 4, container frame 6 which fits on the base frame 4, and a container 8 which fits on the container frame 6 and which is for holding the game animal carcasses. The trailer 2 also comprises an end portion 10 which is mounted with respect to the base frame 4 such that the end portion is positionable in an upright position as shown in Figure 1 to close the container 8, and in a down position to act as a ramp. The trailer 2 still further comprises winch means 12 for winching the game animal carcasses onto the trailer 2 via the end portion 10 when the end portion 10 is in the down position. The trailer 2 also has wheels 14 and towing means 16 by which the trailer 2 is able to be towed.

The container 8 is such that it contains the game animal carcasses and does not allow the game animal carcasses to contact parts of the trailer 2 that could contaminate the game animal carcasses during transport. The

container 8 is made from a material that does not contaminate the game animal carcasses.

The trailer 2 is such that is able to be dismantled into its component parts as can be appreciated from Figure 1. The trailer 2 is thus such that it is able to be transported to the points of kill in a dismantled condition if this should be desired. The dismantled trailer 2 can then be assembled at the points of kill. Taking the trailer 2 to the points of kill in a dismantled condition may often be desirable to towing the trailer long distances, some of which distances may be over difficult terrain. Naturally, if desired, the trailer 2 can be towed to the points of kill in an assembled condition.

The container 8 shown in the drawings is made from aluminium but other materials may be employed. The aluminium is such that it enables the container 8 easily to be washed clean, for example from dirt and blood.

The base frame 4 and the container frame 6 are made from galvanised mild steel.

The trailer 2 is such that it has individually separable parts as can be appreciated from Figure 1. These individual separable parts are such that they are all below a predetermined weight, which weight is that adjudged to be liftable by a person in relative safety, for example in accordance with appropriate health and safety regulations. By way of example, it is mentioned that the individual separable parts may weigh less than 25 Ibs.

The base frame 4 is a two part frame comprising a large frame part 20 as shown in Figures 2 - 4, and a small frame part 22 as shown in Figures

5 - 7. The large frame part 20 has hooks 24. The small frame part 22 has a floor 26 which is formed by steel checker plate as shown in Figure 7.

The shape of the container 8 is further illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

As shown in Figure 8, the container 8 is provided with hooks 28. The container 28 is also provided with L-shaped brackets 30.

Figures 10 - 12 show the end portion 10 in detail. The end portion 10 may be regarded as a tail gate. The end portion 10 is pivotally mounted by hinges 32.

Figures 13 and 14 show the shape and construction of a drawbar 34 shown in Figure 1. Figures 15 and 16 show the shape and construction of a drawbar location block 36 shown in Figure 1. As can be seen, the drawbar location block 36 has a through bore 38 and transverse apertures 40.

Figures 17 and 18 show a drawbar pin 42 shown in Figure 1. The drawbar pin 42 has a head 44 and a shank 46.

Figures 19 and 20 show a washer 48 shown in Figure 1. The washer 48 has an aperture 50.

Figures 21 and 22 show in more detail the shape and construction of a winch post 52 shown in Figure 1. It will be seen that the winch post 52 has various apertures 54. The winch post 52 also has a hardened mild steel bush 56.

Figures 23 - 25 show the shape and construction of a clamp device 58 shown in Figure 1. Figure 26 shows the use of an Alan key 60 having a locking screw cap 62 which fits into a part 64 in the clamp device 58.

Figures 27 - 29 show in more detail the winch post 52 shown in Figure 1.

Figures 30 and 31 show the construction of a wheel axle 68. The wheel axle 68 has a reduced section 70 for receiving one of the wheels 14.

The trailer 2 may also use skies 72 for use in snow-covered terrain.

The trailer 2 is easily kept clean. The trailer 2 is also easily dismantled and assembled as may be desired. The trailer 2 facilitates the transportation of game animal carcasses from points of kill under conditions which are hygienic and which are able to meet various health and safety regulations. The trailer 2 is also such that it can be assembled and dismantled without involving the lifting of parts which are too heavy and could thus cause persons to injure themselves.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the container 8 may be of different shapes to that shown.

Claims

1. A trailer for the transportation of game animal carcasses from points of kill, which trailer comprises a base frame, a container frame which fits on the base frame, a container which fits on the container frame and which is for holding the game animal carcasses, an end portion which is mounted with respect to the base frame such that the end portion is posHionable in an upright position to close the container and in a down position to act as a ramp, winch means for winching the game animal carcasses onto the trailer via the end portion when the end portion is in the down position, wheels, and towing means by which the trailer is able to be towed, the container being such that it contains the game animal carcasses and does not allow the game animal carcasses to contact parts of the trailer that could contaminate the game animal carcasses during transport, the container being made of a material that does not contaminate the game animal carcasses, and the trailer being such that it is able to be dismantled into component parts and transported to the points of kill in a dismantled condition and assembled at the points of kill.

2. A trailer according to claim 1 in which the container is made of aluminium.

3. A trailer according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the container frame and the base frame are made of galvanised mild steel.

4. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims in which the individual separable parts of the trailer are such that they are all below a predetermined weight, which weight is that adjudged to be Ifflable by a person in relatively safety in accordance with health and safety regulations.

5. A trailer according to claim 4 in which the individual separable parts are less than 25 Ibs.

6. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims in which the base frame is a two part frame comprising a large frame part and a small frame part.

7. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims in which the towing means is a tow hitch device.

8. A trailer according to claim 7 in which the tow hitch device is a roll hitch.

9. A trailer according to claim 8 in which the roll hitch is such that is it able to operate over a weight range of O - 2 tons.

10. A trailer according to claim 8 or claim 9 in which the roll hitch is one which comes apart into constituent pieces.

11. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims in which the wheels are of such a distance apart that the trailer is able to be towed along narrow tracks without damaging the sides of the tracks as would occur with larger trailers.

12. A trailer according to claim 11 in which the wheels are approximately 32 inches apart.

13. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims in which the end portion is pivotally mounted with respect to the base frame.

14. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims in which the container is able to be tipped.

15. A trailer according to claim 14 and including a jack for enabling the container to be tipped.

16. A trailer according to claim 15 in which the jack is a ratchet jack.

17. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims and including a cover.

18. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims and including skies, the skies being for use in snow-covered terrain.