# US 5,707,281 A · Game carcass spreader

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- Number: US 5,707,281 A
- Document ID: US5707281A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/761,613
- Filed: 1996-12-06
- Granted: 1998-01-13
- Earliest claimed: 1996-12-06
- Inventors: Garry Edward Hicks
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5707281A

## CPC

- A22B 5/06: Slaughtering stands or spreaders for cattle
- A22B: SLAUGHTERING

## Abstract

An improved animal carcass spreader which comprises a crossbar with spreader arms mounted thereon. The spreader arms are curvilinear members having end portions with spikes mounted thereon for spreading the ribs of an animal. One of the spreader arms is fixedly mounted at the distal end of the crossbar, while the opposing spreader arm is slidably mounted. The slidable spreader arm is provided with a handle and a ratchet lever. The ratchet lever permits travel of the slidable spreader arm only in a direction away from the fixed spreader arm unless said ratchet lever is manually disengaged by squeezing the ratchet lever towards the handle and a raised stopper is provided to prevent the ratchet lever from sliding completely off the crossbar.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A game carcass spreader comprising:
a first rib-engaging means for spreading apart the ribcage of a large game animal;
a second rib-engaging means for spreading apart the ribcage of a large game animal;
means for slidably engaging said first and second rib-engaging means which comprises a bar having a length and a width and a top side and a bottom side;
means for holding said first rib-engaging means in a fixed position on said bar;
means for moving said second rib-engaging means along said bar in relationship to said first rib-engaging means;
means for holding said second rib-engaging means in a selected position with respect to said first rib-engaging means;
said first and second rib-engaging means are positioned adjacent said top side of said bar; and
said means for holding said second rib-engaging means in a selected position with respect to said first rib-engaging means is attached to said means for moving said second rib-engaging means along said bar; and
said means for holding said second rib-engaging means in a selected position comprises a first portion pivotably attached, to said means for moving said second rib-engaging means along said bar, above said top side of said bar, and a second portion which directly engages said bottom side of said bar when said means for holding said second rib-engaging means is in said selected position,
whereby said second portion will frictionally engage said bottom side of said bar and prevent said second rib-engaging means from moving toward said first rib-engaging means.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The game carcass spreader as defined in claim 1, wherein said first rib-engaging means comprises a spreader arm which is fixedly attached to said means for slidably engaging said first and second rib-engaging means.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The game carcass spreader as defined in claim 1, wherein said second rib-engaging means is a spreader arm which is slidably attached to said means for slidably engaging said first and second rib-engaging means.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The game carcass spreader as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for slidably engaging said first and second rib-engaging means is a bar which is fixedly attached to said first rib-engaging means, and slidably attached to said second rib-engaging means.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The game carcass spreader as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for attaching said spreader arm is a bolt which is fixedly attached to said first rib-engaging means so as to pass through a bottom portion of said first rib-engaging means and to pass through said bar.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The game carcass spreader as defined in claim 1, wherein said second rib-engaging means is a spreader arm which has a hole through which said crossbar is slidably disposed.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The game carcass spreader as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for gripping said second rib-engaging means is a manually operable hand grip.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The game carcass spreader as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for varying the distance between said first and second rib-engaging means is a pivotally mounted ratchet lever which locks in place when released.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The game carcass spreader as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for providing traction on the ends of the first and second rib-engaging means is a plurality of spiked protrusion means for engaging the rib ends of a large game animal.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The game carcass spreader as defined in claim 1, wherein said first spreader arm is a unitary part of said crossbar.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The game carcass spreader as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for preventing said second rib-engaging means from sliding off the end of said bar is a raised stopper provided on both sides of said bar.