TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hunting knife, and more particularly, to a hunting knife having an extended element for assistance in breaking the pelvic bone of an animal after a successful hunt.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The prior art hunting knifes used in field dressing a kill typically have only one blade that itself must be used to break the pelvic bone of the animal, e.g., deer, elk. The use of the blade for this purpose requires the user to exert force onto the pelvic bone to break it. Sometimes, the blade slips. In those instances, unwanted cutting can occur and possibly injury to the user. The unwanted cutting can cause internal organs to be punctured which can result in unwanted exposure of the game meat to the contents of the punctured organs.
Thus, there is a need to overcome these disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hunting knife having an extended element for assistance in breaking and splitting the pelvic bone of an animal after a successful hunt. Breaking and splitting the pelvic bone allows for the body cavity of the game animal to be opened to facilitate removal of the internal organs.
The extended element can be removably and/or adjustably connected to the knife so as to allow for removal and adjustment of the location of the extended element relative to the blade. The invention also includes novel sheaths for the knife.
In a preferred embodiment, the extended element includes a barb member.
Alternatively, the extended element can be retractably connected to the knife so as to retract into or adjacent to the handle.
The invention also relates to a method for using the knife of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the invention and for further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following Description of the Preferred Embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the knife including the extended element;
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the shank of the knife of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the knife of FIG. 1 showing the relative dispositions of the extended element and the blade;
FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the extended element of the knife of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a section view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 illustrating the dimensions of the blade and the extended element;
FIG. 6 illustrates a method for using the knife of FIG. 1 on an animal so as to break the pelvic bone.
FIG. 7 illustrates a sheath of the present invention for containing the knife of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a sheath of the present invention for containing the knife of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1-6, knife 20 of the present invention includes a handle 22, a shank 24, a blade 26 and an extended element 28. The blade 26 is connected to the handle 22 by any known connection including, but not limited to the use of bolts 30 in the handle 22. Bolts 30 can extend through handle 22 and tong 32 of blade 26.
As shown in FIG. 2, the shank 24 can be connected to knife 20 by any known connection, including but not limited to providing a tight fit between a slot 34 and the blade 26. The shank 24 preferably includes a connecting portion 36 for connecting the extended element 28 to the knife 20. Connecting portion 36 preferably includes a plurality of apertures 38 for receiving one or more securing members 40, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 6 and 7. Securing members 40 can serve to connect the shank 24 to the extended element 28.
The securing members 40 are preferably shoulder bolts that are adjustable to secure the extended element 28 to the shank 24.
As shown in FIG. 3, extended element 28 is preferably connected to knife 20 such that the longitudinal axis 42 of extended element 28 is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 44 of knife 20.
As shown in FIG. 4, extended element 28 can include an edge 48 that is sharp. Extended element 28 can also include one or more barbs 50. Barbs 50 can serve to help grip the pelvic bone of the animal when using knife 20.
As shown in FIG. 5, blade 26 can include an edge 52 that is sharp and helps define receiving slot 46. Receiving slot 46, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, can receive a portion of the pelvic bone that is desired to be broken, as shown in FIG. 6. As used herein, the phrase “generally parallel” is defined to include parallel as well as any angle sufficient to form a receiving slot 46.
As shown in FIG. 6, pelvic bone 54 includes a seam 56. Knife 20 can be used to break bone 54, preferably along seam 56.
Extended element 28 can also be connected to knife 20 by means of attachment to either the handle 22 or the blade 26. Moreover, the entire knife of the present invention can be formed of one piece of material. Thus, the above enumeration of portions of the knife using referencing numerals is not intended to convey that the separate portions of the knife 20 need be separate pieces.
A method for using the knife 20 of the present invention includes the following steps. The knife 20 is contacted to the pelvic bone 54 of an animal such that the blade 26 is disposed above the bone and the extended element 28 is disposed below the bone. Preferably, blade 26 is aligned with seam 56. Likewise, extended element 28 is preferably aligned with seam 56. A user of knife 20 can grab the handle 22 of knife 20. By pulling up on the handle 22 of the knife 20, the blade 26 can be forced down on the bone 54, preferably along seam 56. Force can simultaneously be exerted upward on bone 54 by the extended element 28, preferably along seam 56. As a result of such action, bone 54 can be broken.
As shown in FIG. 7, knife 20 can be disposed within a sheath 58. Sheath 58 is designed to cover blade 26 and extended element 28. Sheath 58 includes receiving chamber 60. Receiving chamber 60 is defined by the interior surface 62 of sheath 58. Sheath 58 is preferably made of leather. Receiving chamber 60 includes blade column 64 and extended element column 66. Blade column 64 is designed so as to receive blade 26. Extended element column 66 is designed to receive extended element 28. Sheath 58 preferably includes a latch 67. Latch 67 can be releasably connected to sheath 58 to help keep knife 20 within sheath 58.
As shown in FIG. 8, knife 20 can be disposed in a sheath 68 when extended element 28 has been detached or disconnected. Sheath 68 includes a chamber 70. Chamber 70 is defined by the interior surface 72 of sheath 68. Sheath 68 is preferably made of leather. Sheath 68 also include pouch 74. Pouch 74 is connected to the outer surface 76 of sheath 68 and defines a pocket 78. Pocket 78 is designed to receive extended element 28 as it is removed or disconnected from knife 20. Pouch 74 is preferably connected to sheath 68 at an angle as compared to chamber 70. Sheath 68 preferably includes a latch 80. Latch 80 can be releasably connected to sheath 68 so as to help keep extended element 28 within pocket 78.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing Description of the Preferred Embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Patent Application
20060070502
