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US-12617440-B1 - Game cart

US12617440B1US 12617440 B1US12617440 B1US 12617440B1US-12617440-B1

Abstract

A wedge shaped game cart with handles and a fender over a single wheel. Struts support a forward end of the fender mounted on the handles forward of an axle for the wheel. An electric motor is mounted on the fender forward of the axle and is connected by a chain drive to a driven sprocket on the wheel. An idler sprocket for the chain drive when disconnected from the drive sprocket allows the cart to be manually pushed without engaging the motor and a cable selectively attached to the driven sprocket allows the cart to be pulled when connected to the drive sprocket.

Inventors

  • Bradley R. Emig

Assignees

  • Bradley R. Emig

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20231229

Claims (10)

  1. 1 . A game cart comprising a single wheel carried on an axle; first and second handles forming a frame upon which the axle is mounted at a front end of the first and second handles, said first and second handles separated a shoulder width at a rear end and a smaller distance at the front end; an L-shaped fender over the single wheel, said L-shaped fender mounted on the first and second handles adjacent the front end; first and second struts mounted on the first and second handles forward of the axle, said struts supporting a free end of the L-shaped fender; an electric motor mounted on the fender forward of the axle for driving the wheel, said motor operating a drive sprocket with a chain drive interconnecting the drive sprocket with a driven sprocket on the wheel; and, an idler sprocket for the chain drive when disconnected from the drive sprocket for disconnecting the wheel from the motor.
  2. 2 . The game cart of claim 1 with a cable attached to the driven sprocket.
  3. 3 . The game cart of claim 1 with a window in the fender for viewing the wheel.
  4. 4 . The game cart of claim 1 wherein batteries for operating the electric motor are positioned on the rear end of the frame under control of a switch.
  5. 5 . The game cart of claim 1 with an auxiliary harness configured to be worn by an operator with right and left rings for supporting the rear end of the first and second handles, said handles having depending fingers configured to pass through the rings.
  6. 6 . A game cart comprising a single wheel carried on an axle; first and second handles forming a frame upon which the axle is mounted at a front end of the first and second handles, said first and second handles separated a shoulder width at a rear end and a smaller distance at the front end, cross members between the first and second handles forming a platform for supporting a carcass of a game animal; an L-shaped fender over the single wheel with a window for viewing the wheel, said L-shaped fender mounted on the first and second handles adjacent the front end; first and second struts mounted on the first and second handles forward of the axle, said struts supporting a free end of the L-shaped fender; an electric motor mounted on a plate pivoted on the fender forward of the axle for driving the wheel and perpendicular to the axle, said motor operating a drive sprocket with a chain drive interconnecting the drive sprocket with a driven sprocket on the wheel; a threaded member for pivoting the plate configured for use in adjusting tension in the chain drive; and, an idler sprocket for the chain drive when disconnected from the drive sprocket for disconnecting the wheel from the motor.
  7. 7 . The game cart of claim 6 with a secondary threaded member for pivoting the plate and dampening vibration.
  8. 8 . The game cart of claim 6 with a cable attached to the driven sprocket.
  9. 9 . The game cart of claim 8 wherein the cable is attached to the driven sprocket with bolts.
  10. 10 . The game cart of claim 6 wherein the electric motor, drive sprocket and driven sprocket are configured to drive the wheel at a walking pace.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a motorized low center of gravity, one wheel game cart wherein the weight of a game carcass can be shifted on the handle frame towards the wheel and is partial balanced by a disengageable motor with the wheel serving as a point of support. Brief Description of the Prior Art A game cart can be a valuable tool for a big game hunter in a remote area where game may be more plentiful, particularly if the hunter is alone. After a successful hunt, the hunter must transport the harvested deer or other game from the hunting spot back to a base camp or a vehicle. Remote areas often feature uneven and challenging terrain and dragging a large and heavy animal is physically demanding. In addition dragging a deer over rough terrain can damage the meat, hide or antlers and may further leave a scent trail that can alert other wildlife in the area. Field butchering the animal and carrying out the quarters is another possibility but is prohibited in some areas. The above problem has not escaped the attention of other product developers but existing carts are cumbersome multi-wheeled devices that get caught in the undergrowth or have a high center of gravity when loaded. Most are not motorized and require two people for effective use and, if motorized, add the weight of the motor to the hunter's load. BRIEF SUMMARY OF VARIOUS PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved game cart that addresses the above shortcomings. Other objects and features of the invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. In accordance with the invention, a motorized game cart is provided with a single wheel carried on an axle. First and second handles form a frame upon which the axle is mounted at a front end. The first and second handles are separated a shoulder width at a rear end and a smaller distance at the front end providing a wedge shape that facilitates moving the cart through tall grass, brush, branches and the like. In an embodiment, an L-shaped fender is mounted on the first and second handles adjacent the front end which allows a hunter to load an animal with the heavy end abutted against the fender but with the body shielded from contact with the wheel. This position distributes the weight of the animal as far away from the hunter as possible. Further embodiments have first and second struts mounted on the first and second handles forward of the axle to support a free end of the L-shaped fender and provide a platform upon which an electric motor is mounted forward of the axle. The wheel is the pivot point of the cart and by positioning the motor opposite the game, the weight of the motor helps to counterbalance the weight of the game. In other structures the electric motor is mounted on a pivot and connected to a drive sprocket. A drive chain interconnects the drive sprocket with a driven sprocket on the wheel. The pivot is used to adjust tension in the drive chain and figures in disconnecting the electric motor from the wheel such that the cart may be hand pushed until assistance is needed thus conserving battery power. For use with the pivoted electric motor, an idler sprocket is provided for the chain drive when disconnected from the drive sprocket for disconnecting the wheel from the motor. In a preferred embodiment a cable is attached to the driven sprocket such that the cable may be attached to a fixed item such as a tree or wrapped around a rock and the electric motor can be used to pull the cart. This is a boon for a hunter working alone without the need for additional assistance. The invention summarized above comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated by the subjoined claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated, corresponding reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a hunter pushing a game cart with an electric motor mounted in front of the single wheel in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the game cart; FIG. 3 is a detail side view showing a motor drive sprocket engaged with a driven sprocket attached to the wheel; FIG. 4 is a front view of the motor drive sprocket engaged with the driven sprocket; FIG. 5 is a top view of the motor drive sprocket disengaged from the driven sprocket; FIG. 6 is a detail side view showing an idler sprocket and the motor driven sprocket disengaged from the driven sprocket; FIG. 7 is a front view showing a cable being attached to the driven sprocket; and, FIG. 8 is a detail of a ramp for use with the game cart. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings mo