Precision taxidermy and field-use micro cutting system

#In general, this invention relates to the field of taxidermy cutting instruments, namely, those instruments which are used in the cutting and mounting of animals. Specifically, it relates to such instruments as they can be used for professional taxidermy purposes as well as portable instruments such as may be appropriate for field use. It also provides novel methods through which taxidermy functions can be achieved. These functions can include field dress cutting and actions appropriate to the preparation and preservation of the results of hunting activities.

#Taxidermy is a field which likely has been in existence since man first learned how to hunt. Certainly its techniques and instruments have been the subject of improvement for many years. Throughout this century a number of improvements have been created which relate to the specific instruments used in taxidermy-type of applications. Over 40 years ago, M. V. Cromoga invented a skinning knife. This device was designed to address some known problems such as the device becoming fouled with hair, flesh or pieces of skin during the taxidermy process. The Cromoga invention, U.S. Pat. No. 2,906,021 shows that for many years those in the art had known some of the problems unique to and experienced by the taxidermy field.

#Similarly, over 25 years ago, improvements were made on even that basic design. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,839,788 to Addis, improvements were addressed. More fundamentally however, as both the Cromoga and Addis inventions demonstrate, a variety of specialized tools may be needed to efficiently achieve the results desired. Perhaps what makes this field somewhat unique with respect to others which require some sort of cutting instrument, is the fact that in taxidermy applications, a variety of specific types of actions are required. These can range from splitting to trimming, to shaping, and the like. Each of these actions, and indeed each animal and location on the animal, can have specific requirements and unique challenges. For instance, in the act of splitting—that is, the separation of the epidermis from the dermis, or perhaps the upper portion of the viscera from the lower portion of the viscera—it can be a challenge to not only cut cleanly and uniformly, but also to be able to avoid damage to the meat or other anatomy below that which is desired to be cut.

#FIG. 1 is a side view of the cutting instrument being held in the hand and in the “Eagle™” position.

#FIG. 2 is a side view of the cutting instrument as shown in FIG. 1 without being it held in the hand.

#FIG. 3a is an end view of the folded instrument.

#As can be easily understood, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both taxidermy techniques as well as instruments to accomplish the task. In this application, the techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various instruments described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the instrument as intended and described. In addition, while some device designs are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods, but also can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.

#The basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in many different ways. FIG. 1 shows a device or cutting system according to the present invention as it is designed to be used and held. This side view shows how the cutting instrument (1) can be held by one hand with the finger through the finger hole (5). This finger hole (5) can exist as part of a frame (2) which can be established with respect to the business end, namely, the cutting surface such as exists on the blade element (3).

#As may be readily appreciated from FIG. 2, the finger hole (5) can create a central rotational point or axis (13) about which rotation may need to be controlled. This can be accomplished through the use of thumb rest (6) and rotational restraining element (64). Each of these are discussed later. Through the finger hole (5), the frame member (2) presents a spatial relation to the cutting surface when the cutting instrument (1) is used. As can be seen, the frame member (2) can be designed as a single hole and tailless frame member. By tailless, it can be seen that the device does not present a separate substantial protrusion such as may have been previously viewed as necessary to control the device.