GB2511128A

GB2511128A - A hanger

Info

Publication number: GB2511128A
Application number: GB201303369A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen John Rowe
Original assignee: Napier Ltd
Current assignee: Napier Ltd
Priority date: 2013-02-26
Filing date: 2013-02-26
Publication date: 2014-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2033-02-26
Also published as: GB2511128B; GB201303369D0

Abstract

A hanger for use with a motor vehicle having a vertically opening tailgate. The hanger 10 comprises an elongate support member 16 for connection between the releasable latch 20 and locking ring of a tail gate locking mechanism. A head member abuts the tail gate 14 and is mounted to on the elongate support member. A hook 18 is connected to the head member and provides the connection to the releasable latch, as well as a hook from which loads, such as game, is suspended. The hook has first and second load transfer surfaces. The head member may be pivotally mounted to the proximal end of the elongate support member. The head member may have a protrusion engagable with a recess in which the releasable latch is located.

Description

A HANGER

The present invention relates to a hanger designed to be affixed within the open tail gate of a vehicle and provide a hook from which items may be suspended. It finds particular application for hunters, where it can be used as a game hanger for field dressing large animals such as deer.

Hunters of animals such as deer, will eviscerate the carcass in the field, before returning to base. This can be done on the ground, but it is common to take a portable game hoist or io hanger to lift the game off the ground during this process. This keeps did and pests away from the meat. Some hunters also find it more convenient to gut the game when off the ground, rather than to do it with the game lying on the ground.

There are numerous devices for hanging game in the field. Some, such as that disclosed in is US 7,806,755 are portable, free standing supports. Others, such as that disclosed in US 7,544,032 are for mounting on the tow bar of a vehicle. However, where the hanger fits too closely to an estate car, it is not possible to open the tail gate while the hanger is in use.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a novel approach to a hanger. The hanger of the present invention is particularly useful with an estate car with an upwardly opening tail gate. In use it is located within the tail gate and interacts with it to hold open the tail gate, whilst also providing a secure hanger from which loads, including game, may be suspended.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a hanger comprising an elongate support member having a proximal end and a distal end, a hook having a hook portion, an engagement portion for engaging a releasable latch in a vehicle tail gate locking mechanism, the engagement portion having a first load transfer surface, and, intermediate the engagement portion and the hook portion, a second load transfer surface; a head member, having an upper support surface and an opposing side, the head member being mounted to the proximal end of the elongate support member, the hook being located relative to the head member with its engagement portion adjacent the upper support surface of the head member and the hook portion being on the opposing side of the head member, the second transfer surface of the hook abutable against the elongate support member at a lateral load transfer surface at or close to its proximal end.

The locking mechanism for an upwardly opening tail gate of a vehicle usually comprises a releasable latch in the tail gate and a locking ring in the boot of the car. Safety standards require this locking mechanism, to withstand high forces in the event of impact. As a result, the releasable latch has high strength. The present invention makes use of that strength to suspend a load from the releasable latch, linked to a support to prevent the tail gate from closing when the load is suspended.

Preferably, the head member is pivotably mounted to the proximal end of the elongate support member. The pivotable mounting enables the hanger to be fitted to a number of different vehicles, allowing for the different dimensions of the tail gates when opened and for the different shapes of the tail gates and orientations of the vehicle locks. In contrast, a fixed io mounting would be designed for a specific vehicle.

Preferably the head member has a protrusion engageable with a recess in which the releasable latch is located. This feature will assist with locating the hanger at the latch and minimising slippage between the hanger and the tail gate in any direction.

is Suitably, the head member is provided with a passage through it or groove in it to accommodate the hook. The hook may have an intermediate section between the hook portion and the engagement portion, the intermediate portion being of greater depth than the thickness of the head member and whereby the hook portion is moveable between a first position where the engagement portion is spaced from the head member and a second position where the engagement portion is adjacent the head member. Where this is provided, the user is able to slide the engagement portion away from the head member in order to observe the engagement of the hanger with the tail gate locking mechanism.

Generally, the hook will be substantially "J" shaped, with the head of the "J" forming the engagement portion of the hook, which is adapted to engage with the releasable latch of the tail gate locking mechanism, and the foot of the J" forming the hook portion.

In one embodiment at least the proximal end of the elongate support member is hollow and is provided with an insert in the top of the elongate support member, the insert providing the lateral load transfer surface. Alternative, arrangements are also possible, including where the elongate support member has a front surface having a cut out. In that case, the lower edge of the cut out will provide the lateral load transfer surface.

The head member may have a recess in the opposite surface adapted to receive the elongate support member. Additionally, the recess may additionally have a channel to accommodate a pin about which the head member and elongate support member are pivotable relative to each other. Suitably, at least part of the channel has a key-hole shaped cross section, with an entrance to channel narrower than the width of the channel, the entrance thereby restraining the pin within the channel.

Preferably, the distal end of the elongate support member is engageable with a supporting surface on the vehicle. This may be inside the boot of the vehicle. This could be achieved s by using friction between the distal end and the boot of the vehicle. Preferably, the distal end is provided with a connection to a point within the boot of the vehicle to which it can be secured, to prevent slippage. In a preferred form, the distal end of the elongate support member may have a location member for engagement with a locking ring of the tail gate lock.

io The elongate support member may comprise telescopic sections, which will enable the hanger to be adapted to the size of the opening of the tail gate for different vehicles. The telescopic sections may include locking elements to hold each telescopic section relative to the adjacent telescopic section in an open configuration when in use and to be releasable to collapse the sections after use.

is According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling a hanger as discussed above, which comprises the steps of opening a vertically opening tail gate, and in any order, engaging the engagement member of the hook with the releasable latch of the tail gate locking mechanism, and engaging the distal end of the elongate support member with a surface of the vehicle. Where the elongate support member is telescopic, then there will be an additional step, either before or after the hanger has been engaged with the vehicle, of extending the telescopic sections and locking them in place relative to each other.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle with a hanger as discussed above located between the releasable latch of a locking mechanism for a vertically opening tail gate and a support surface on the vehicle, or more preferably, with the locking ring of the tail gate locking mechanism.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the following figures: Fig 1 shows a vehicle with hanger according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig 2 shows the hanger of Fig 1 in partial cross section; Fig 3 shows a perspective view of the head member of the hanger; Fig 4 shows a view of the head member along line IV-IV in Fig 3; Fig 5 shows the insert and pin for the proximal end of the hanger of Fig 2; Fig 6 shows a cross section of the head member along the line VI-VI in Fig 4; Fig 7 shows a close up of the proximal end of the hanger of Fig 2; Fig 8 shows a close up of the distal end of the support member of the hanger of Fig 2; Fig 9 shows side view of the distal end of the support member.

With reference to Fig 1, the hanger 10 of the present invention is for use with of a vehicle 12 having an upwardly opening tail gate 14. When open, the tail gate extends beyond the rear bumper of the vehicle. Tail gates usually have a releasable latch on the upwardly opening io section of the tail gate. When the tail gate is closed, this latch usually engages with a locking ring in the vehicle boot.

In the embodiment shown in Fig 1, the hanger 10 comprises an elongate support member 16 having a hook 18. The elongate support member 16 has proximal and distal ends 38,90 is which respectively connect to the locking mechanism 20,22 of the tail gate, as explained in further detail below. Once assembled, loads may be attached to the hanger 10. Fig 1 shows game 24 attached to a grambrel 26 and suspended from the hook 18 for dressing.

However, the invention is not limited to hanging game and other loads may be suspended.

Turning to Fig 2, the elongate support member 16 of the hanger 10 is telescopic. comprising a proximal section 28 and a distal section 30. In the present embodiment, each has a square cross section and is a hollow tube. These could also be of circular or other cross section. The proximal section 28 is of smaller cross section than the distal section 30 and fits within the distal section 30. Mouldings 32 are fitted to the upper end of the distal section 30 to guide the proximal section 28 into and out of the distal section 30. The lower end of the proximal section 28 is pierced with a series of holes 34. A pin 36 (shown in fig 1) is releasably engageable with the holes 34 once the telescopic sections have been set to the correct length for the user's vehicle. The pin 36 extends on either side of the proximal section 28, either end of the pin 36 engaging with the mouldings 32 at the upper end of the distal section 30 to prevent the proximal section 28 from sliding back into the distal section 30. The mouldings 32 may have pin location recesses in their top surface (not shown) to accommodate the pin.

A shaped insert 40 is located at the proximal end 38 of the elongate support member 16.

The insert has a pin 42 protruding on either side to form lugs. The proximal end 38 of the elongate support member 16 and a head member 46 are pivotably engaged with each other about the pin 42. There is a channel 48 through the head member 46 to accommodate the hook 18.

Turning to Fig 3, the head member 46 in the present embodiment is generally trapezoidal in profile. It has an upper support surface 50 and an opposing side 52. A protrusion 54 is formed on the upper support surface 50 and has an upper surface 56. The channel 48 through the head member emerges in the upper surface 56 of the protrusion 54.

The protrusion is shaped for engagement with a recess 44 in which the locking mechanism 1° 20 of the tail gate is located. The hanger 10 of the present invention can be formed without the protrusion. In that event, the channel 48 for the hook will emerge in the upper support surface 50 of the head member. However, the protrusion 56 improves the location and secure engagement between the hanger 10 and the vehicle 12, including minimising sideways movement of the hanger, across the tailgate 14. The upper support surface 50 is abuts the tailgate 14 at a mating surface 45 adjacent the recess 44 of the locking mechanism 20 and the protrusion engages with the recess 44.

The opposing side 52 of the head member 46 is shown in Fig 4. The opposing side 52 is provided with a recess 58 to receive the proximal end 38 of the elongate support member 16. The recess 58 is generally cruciform in profile, having an elongate channel 60 and arm channels 62 transverse to the elongate section 60. The elongate channel 60 of the recess 58 is deeper than arm channels 62. Small restraining protrusions 64 are moulded in the arm channels 62, adjacent the elongate portion 60, near the surface of the opposing side 52.

These protrude part of the way across the opening to the arm channels 62 and, at that point, give the arm channels a key shaped cross section as shown in Fig 6.

The insert 40 for the proximal end 38 of the support member 16 is shown in Fig 5. This comprises a rounded head 66 and a neck 68. The head 66 has a bore 70 which accommodates the pin 42. The pin 42 is longer than the depth of the insert 40 and will protrude on either side of the head 66 to form lugs. Alternatively, the insert 40 and pin 42 this can be formed as a single piece, with pins 42 extending on either side of the head 66.

The insert 40 is located at the proximal end of the elongate support member 16, with the neck 68 being inserted into the hollow tube of the support member 16 and the head standing proud of the tube. The insert 40 snap fits into the head member 46, with the pin 42 fitting into the arm channels 62 and the head 60 being located in the elongate channel 60. The head member 46 is pivotable with respect to the elongate support member 16 about the pin 42. The elongate channel 60 is shaped to accommodate the head 60 as it changes its position as the head member 46 rotates about the pin 42. The restraining protrusions 64 are small enough to enable the releasable snap fit of the head member 46 and support member 16, but protrude sufficiently far to retain the pin 42 in the arm channels 62 (see fig 6) and prevent accidental dislodgement.

The shape of the tail gate and orientation of lock will vary between vehicles. The pivotable connection between the head member 46 and the elongate support member 16 permits the hanger 10 to be used with many different vehicles, as it enables the head member to be self-io adjusting. This is discussed in more detail below.

The head member 46 can be moulded out rubber. This will allow some give as the head member is adjusted into position under the influence of the load.

is Fig 7 shows a close up of the hanger 10 in position, in cross section. The tail gate 14 has a releaseable latch 20, which forms part of the tail gate locking mechanism. This is located in a recess 44, adjacent to which is mating surface 45. Vehicle safety standards require this latch to be very strong. This is strong enough to hang loads, including game.

The hook 18 is substantially "J" shaped. It has a hook portion 74, an intermediate portion 76 and an engagement portion 78.

The head of the "J" forms the engagement portion 78 which is designed to engage with the releasable latch 20 in the tail gate 14. It has a first load transfer surface 82, to transfer the weight of a load from the hook to the releasable latch 20. This transfers the weight of the game 24 into the vehicle 12. Suitably the hook is metal, and has sufficient strength to carry the load.

The load exerts a force in the direction of Arrow D and would cause the tail gate to close.

However, the elongate support member 16 prevents the tail gate from closing. The elongate support member 16 is positioned at an angle to the vertical, running from a point close to the tail gate releasable latch 22, to the locking ring 20. This allows space for the load to hang vertically from the releasable latch 22, in a space which is further from the interior of the vehicle 12 than the support member 16. The elongate support member 16 requires sufficient strength to keep the tail gate open. Typically, this is less than the strength that it would require if it were to suspend the load. It may be made from metal and have a nylon insert.

S

The upper support surface 50 of the head member 46 engages with the mating surface 45 of the tail gate 14. It provides an area over which the forces between the tail gate 14 and the elongate support member 16 are spread.

The intermediate portion 76 of the hook 18 passes through a channel 48 in head member 46. The intermediate portion 76 is longer than the thickness of the head member 46. Fig 7 shows the hook in a second position where the engagement portion 78 is close to the head member 46. The greater length of the intermediate portion 76 enables the hook 18 to be io pushed through the head member 46 to a first position where the engagement portion 78 is spaced from the head member 46. The clearance of the engagement portion 78 above the top of the head member 46 enables the user to observe the engagement of engagement portion 78 with the releasable latch 20. The protrusion 54 is then inserted into the recess 44 in the tail gate 14, as the head member 46 is pressed up against the tail gate 14, and the is hook 18 is moved towards its second position.

The hook 18 has a second load transfer surface 84, which is located in the intermediate portion 76. When a load, such as a deer, is attached to the hook 18, the weight will cause the hook to move towards the vertical, so that the load is suspended immediately below the releasable latch 20. In effect, the lower part of the hook will move in the direction of Arrow A, until the second load transfer surface 84 abuts lateral load transfer surface 86 on the insert 40. The force which is exerted on the lateral load transfer surface 86 will be transmitted from the insert 40 and pin 42, into the head member 46, causing the head member 46 to adjust in the direction of Arrow A (further into the vehicle) and, where necessary, to pivot relative to the elongate support member 16, about the pin 42. This ensures that the hook 18 can be accommodated to hang vertically from the releasable latch 20. The ability of the head member 46 to slide and pivot in this way, enables the hanger 10 to accommodate the precise geometry of the locking mechanism of a number of different vehicles.

The distal end 90 of the elongate support member 16 engages with a supporting surface 94,22 in the vehicle. This may be with the inside 94 of the boot. It may also be with the locking ring 22 of the tail gate locking mechanism.

A location member 92 is attached to the end of the distal section 30 of the elongate support member 16. In Fig 8, the distal end 90 of the elongate support member 16 engages the locking ring 22 of the tail gate locking mechanism, rather than resting on supporting surface 94. As shown in fig 8, this may be means of a pin 96 which engages through the locking ring 22.

Alternatively, the location member 92 may comprise two arms 98 defining a recess 100. The arms are designed to fit either side of the locking ring 22 and accommodate the ring within the recess 100. However, the skilled person will appreciate that many other constructions for this part of the hanger will also be effective. This could rely upon friction between the distal end 90 of the elongate support member 16 and the lining of the boot, or it could abut against an edge of a recess in the boot. Alternatively, the distal end may be designed to be io located at a point where it can be secured, such as to the locking ring 20. The point to which the distal end is secured could include a towing bar.

Assembly of the hanger 10 of the present invention is straight forward. The tail gate 14 of the vehicle 12 is opened. The hook 18 is slid from its second position to its first position, so is that the engagement portion 78 is spaced from the top of the head member 46. The engagement member 80 of the hook 18 is engaged with the releasable latch 20 of the tail gate locking mechanism. The proximal and distal sections 28,30 of the elongate support member 16 are adjusted relative to each other to the size required for the selected vehicle.

The pin 36 is inserted through the hole 34 adjacent the mouldings 32. The distal end 90 of the elongate support member 16 engages the locking ring 22 of the tail gate locking mechanism. Some users may prefer to alter the order of these steps.

Once game has been killed, a gambrel 26 can be inserted into the legs and the carcass 24 hung from the hanger 10, as shown in Fig 1.

Once the game has been dressed and removed, the tail gate hanger is removed from its location and stowed before the tail gate is secured and the vehicle is driven off. The pin 36 is removed to allow the proximal section 28 to slide into the distal section 30. The location member 92 is unclipped from the locking ring 22. The tail gate opening mechanism is engaged to open the releasable latch 20 so as to release the hook 18. Again, the order of these steps may be changed.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

S

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A hanger 10 comprising an elongate support member 16 having a promixal end 38 and a distal end 90, s a hook 18 having a hook portion 74, an engagement portion 78 for engaging a releasable latch 22 in a vehicle tail gate locking mechanism, the engagement portion 78 having a first load transfer surface 82, and, intermediate the engagement portion 78 and the hook portion 74, a second load transfer surface 84; io a head member 46, having an upper support surface 56 and an opposing side the head member 46 being mounted to the proximal end 38 of the elongate support member 16, the hook 18 being located relative to the head member 46 with the engagement portion 78 adjacent the upper support surface 56 of the head member and the hook portion 74 being on the opposing side 52 of the head member 46, the second transfer surface 84 of the hook 18, abutable against the elongate support member 16 at a lateral load transfer surface 86 at or close to its proximal end 38.
2. A hanger according to claim 1 wherein the head member 46 is pivotably mounted to the proximal end 38 of the elongate support member 16.
3. A hanger according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the head member 46 has a protrusion 54 engageable with a recess 44 in which the releasable latch 20 is located.
4. A hanger according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the head member 46 has a passage 48 through it or groove in it to accommodate the hook 18.
5. A hanger according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hook 18 has an intermediate section 76 between the hook portion 74 and the engagement portion 78, the intermediate portion 76 being of greater depth than the thickness of the head member 46 and whereby the hook portion is moveable between a first position where the engagement portion 78 is spaced from the head member 46 and a second position where the engagement portion 78 is adjacent the head member 46.
6. A hanger according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hook 18 is substantially "J" shaped, with the head of the "J" forming the engagement portion 78 s of the hook, being adapted to engage with the releasable latch 20, and the foot of the "J" forming the hook portion 74.
7. A hanger according to claim 6 wherein at least the proximal end 38 of the elongate support member 16 is hollow and there is provided an insert 40 in the end of the elongate support member 16, the insert providing the lateral load transfer surface 82.
8. A hanger according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the head member 46 has a recess 58 in the opposing side 52 adapted to receive the proximal end 38 of the elongate support member 16.
9. A hanger according to claim 8 wherein the recess 58 additionally has a channel 62 to accommodate a pin 42 about which the head member 46 and elongate support member 16 are pivotable relative to each other.
10. A hanger according to claim 9, wherein at least part of the channel 62 has a key-hole shaped cross section, with an entrance to channel 62 narrower than the width of the channel, the entrance thereby restraining the pin within the channel 62.
11. A hanger according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the distal end 90 of the elongate support member 16 is engageable with a supporting surface 94,22 on the vehicle 12.
12. A hanger according to claim 11 wherein the distal end 90 of the elongate support member 16 has a location member 96,98 for engagement with a locking ring 22 of the tail gate lock.
13. A hanger according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate support member 16 comprises telescopic sections 28,30.
14. A method of assembling a hanger according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of opening a vertically opening tail gate 14, engaging engagement member 80 of the hook 18 with the releasable latch 20, and engaging the distal end 90 of the elongate support member 16 with a surface 94,22 of the vehicle.
15. A vehicle 12 with a hanger 10 according to any one of claims ito 13 located between a releasable latch 20 of a locking mechanism for a vertically opening tail gate and a support surface 94,22 on the vehicle 12.
16. A hanger substantially as disclosed herein.