Patent Application
20190166824
The present invention generally relates to a device and method for calling game and, more particularly, to a device that emulates a variety of sounds produced by many types of wildlife game.
Hunters typically employ a variety of different devices and methods for calling wild game into range to be shot by a rifle, bow, or other weapon. Typically, the sounds produced by these calls use a reed, or other type of vibration device, placed within a longitudinal passage. The hunter then forces air from the hunter's lungs through the passage to vibrate the reed or sound making device to produce a tone emulating a moose, elk, deer, water fowl, or wild turkey.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a game call includes an elongated cage portion having an open side and a plurality of sides wherein each of the plurality of sides includes at least one laterally positioned rib portion. A plate is movably coupled to the elongated cage portion on the open side wherein the plate includes at least one laterally positioned step. A first plurality of flaps is coupled to the at least one laterally positioned rib portion of the elongated cage portion. A second plurality of flaps is coupled to the at least one laterally positioned step of the plate. At least one cloth loop couples the elongated cage portion to the plate so the first plurality of flaps and the second plurality of flaps may pass over each other to simulate a rustling foliage sound.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a game call includes an elongated plastic cage having an open side and a plurality of sides wherein each of the plurality of sides includes at least one laterally positioned rib portion. A wooden plate is movably coupled to the elongated plastic cage on the open side wherein the wooden plate includes at least one laterally positioned step. A first plurality of plastic flaps is coupled to the at least one laterally positioned rib portion of the elongated plastic cage. A second plurality of plastic flaps is coupled to the at least one laterally positioned step of the wooden plate. At least one cloth loop couples the elongated plastic cage to the wooden plate so the first plurality of plastic flaps and the second plurality of plastic flaps may pass over each other to simulate a rustling foliage sound.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for calling game includes providing a game call. The game call includes an elongated cage portion having an open side and a plurality of sides wherein each of the plurality of sides includes at least one laterally positioned rib portion. Tree rubbing knobs are coupled to a corner edge of the elongated cage portion. A plate is movably coupled to the elongated cage portion on the open side wherein the wooden plate includes a laterally positioned step. A spring and a hammer are coupled to an outer face of the plate. A first plurality of flaps are coupled to the laterally positioned rib portion of the elongated cage portion. A second plurality of flaps is coupled to the laterally positioned step of the plate. One or more cloth loops couple the elongated cage portion to the plate. The game is called using one or more of the following techniques. The plate is moved along the elongated cage portion so the first plurality of flaps and the second plurality of flaps pass over each other to simulate a rustling foliage sound. A wood slapper is snapped down on the plate to simulate a branch breaking sound. The tree rubbing knobs rub against a tree to simulate an antler rubbing sound. The plate is struck with a hand to simulate a second branch breaking sound.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments.
For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in
As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.
Referring to
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In some aspects, the elongated cage portion 14 may be made a variety of different materials, for example, wood, metal, plastic, thermoplastic resin, thermoset resin, rubber, ceramic, glass, rock, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the elongated cage portion 14 may be made from a plastic material. The one or more laterally positioned rib portions 26 may run parallel to each other perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated cage portion 14 and may have a variety of different widths or thicknesses. In some aspects, the number of laterally positioned plurality of rib portions 26 may include from two up to 20 rib portions 26 (including all integers in the range). In some aspects, the number of laterally positioned rib portions 26 and their related design may be manipulated for maximum noise distribution from the various sound generating mechanisms produced from the game call 10. One or more support members 106 (shown in
The first and second plurality of flaps 38, 42 may be made from a variety of different materials including, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyether, polymer blends, thermoplastics, thermosets, other plastic material, or a combination thereof used to make a thrashing and/or rustling foliage or rustling leaves sound. Both the positioning and the material used for the first and second plurality of flaps 38, 42 may be varied by the user to customize the sound made by the game call 10.
The spring 50 and hammer 54 coupled to the outer face 58 of the plate 30 may be varied or adjusted to tune the simulated sound of the breaking branches. In some aspects, the strength and/or position of the spring 50 may be adjusted to control the strength and sound of the snap. In other aspects, the size and corresponding thickness of the hammer 54 may be adjusted to control the strength and sound of the snap. Depending on the design and desired applications of the game call 10, the number of spring 50 and hammer 54 calls may be varied and may be, for example, two, three, four, or more. Additionally, when two or more spring 50 and hammer 54 setups are applied to the game call 10, each of the setups may be independently varied by adjusting the spring 50 and/or hammer 54, as explained above, to vary the options of snapping branch sounds. In some aspects, the game call 10 may be adjusted or fitted with two or more different spring 50 and hammer 54 combinations where each spring 50 and hammer 54 combination has an adjustable and different branch snapping sound.
Depending on the design and desired applications of the game call 10, the number of laterally positioned steps 34 formed into the plate 30 may include from two up to 20 steps 34 (including all integers not listed in the provided number of steps). One or more support members 106 (shown in
In some aspects, the plate 30 may be made a variety of different materials, for example, wood, metal, plastic, thermoplastic resin, thermoset resin, rubber, ceramic, glass, rock, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the plate 30 may be made, fabricated, cast, or formed from a wood or wooden material. In aspects where the plate 30 is made of wood, the thickness, dimensions, and type of wood may be varied to adjust the sound of the snapping branch sound when the spring 50 and hammer 54 mechanism is used in combination with it.
The tree rubbing knobs 66 and/or rib knobs 70 may be designed to simulate an antler rubbing sound when the tree rubbing knobs 66 and/or rib knobs 70 are rubbed against a tree, log, or other surface found in a hunting environment. Both the tree rubbing knobs 66 and/or rib knobs 70 can be made from the same material or materials as the elongated cage portion 14. In some aspects, each of the rib portions 26 may have either two tree rubbing knobs 66 or rib knobs 70. The main difference between the tree rubbing knobs 66 and the rib knobs 70 are the size of the bump positioned on the corner edges 72 of the elongated cage portion 14.
Referring now to
The game call 10 may be used to provide several different calls or sounds that represent various noises that animals may produce in the wild. For example, the game call 10 may simulate a leaf-like noise, a thrashing sound, a rustling foliage sound, a branch breaking sound, an antler rubbing sound, a foot stomping sound, a shaking tree sound, a shaking bush sound, or combinations thereof. In some aspects of the device, the game call 10 may not make any grunting, bleating, or other additional vocal sounds made by the vocal system of the wild game or animal itself. In such an embodiment, the game call 10 may be used to call in, attract, distract, lure, or bait in a variety of large and small game including, for example, moose, elk, deer, mule deer, water fowl, wild turkey, or any combination thereof using non-vocal animal sounds. The formation of the various vocal calls and non-vocal sounds that can be made using the game call 10 will be described more fully below.
Referring now to
The one or more finger portions 78 can be made from the same material or materials as the elongated cage portion 14. The size and spacing of the one or more finger portions 78 can be varied to couple with the plate 30 to provide a variety of grinding noises that can be combined with the thrashing/rustling foliage sounds produced.
Referring now to
In some aspects, the plate side member 74 may include a separate piece or portion coupled directly to the plate 30, but in other aspects, the plate side member 74 may be a portion of the plate 30 wherein both the plate side member 74 and the plate 30 make up a single piece. In some aspects, the plate 30 and plate side member 74 may be formed, cast, manufactured, or carved from a single piece of material, for example, wood. The wood used to make the plate 30 and/or plate side member 74 may be, for example, white pine, pine, cedar, oak, poplar, maple, mahogany, cherry, or a combination thereof. The type of material(s) used to make the plate 30 can influence the sounds produced by the game call 10. Various plates 30 made of various materials may be interchangeable on the game call 10.
Referring now to
The cloth loops 46 may create the thrashing and/or rustling foliage sound or a more general leaf noise when cycled during the back and forth motion of the plate 30 relative to the elongated cage portion 14. The cloth loops 46 controls the travel of the game call 10 when cycled back and forth and keeps the plate portion 30 coupled to the elongated cage portion 14. In some aspects, the cloth loops 46 may have a cloth surface (e.g. cotton, polyester, nylon, silk, denim, chambray, flannel) and a plastic interior (e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyether, thermoplastics, thermosets) to form a combined material that crinkles and makes a thrashing and/or rustling foliage or rustling leaves sound.
Referring now to
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The wood slapper 122 may be used in some aspects as an alternative or in combination with the spring 50 and hammer 54. The wood slapper 122 may be coupled to the outer face 58 of the plate 30 using the spring 50 or other tensioned part that can be adjusted to simulate the sound of breaking branches. The plate 30 may be additionally made from wood or other composite. In other aspects, the size and corresponding thickness of the wood slapper 122 may be adjusted to control the strength and sound of the snap. Depending on the design and desired applications of the game call 10, the number of wood slapper 122 calls may be varied and may be, for example, one, two, three, four, or more. Additionally, the connection, dimensions, and/or type of wood used for the wood slapper 122 may be varied to alter or vary the snapping branch sounds produced by the game call 10.
Referring to
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The descriptions outlining and teaching the game call 10 shown and described in
Referring now to
Next, step 208 includes simulating a call or noise made by an animal in the wild. Step 208 may accomplished by using any one or more of the following techniques or additional steps. It should be understood that the various noise-making steps of the method 200 may be performed individually and without the addition of the remaining noise-making steps. Additionally, the various noise-making steps described herein with respect to method 200 can be performed in any sequence or permutation of sequences.
Step 212 includes moving the plate 30 back and/or forth along the elongated cage portion 14 so the first plurality of flaps 38 and the second plurality of flaps 42 may pass over each other to simulate the thrashing and/or rustling foliage sound. The plate 30 may be pushed at a variety of different pressures to change the underlying grinding sounds provided by the one or more finger portions 78. In addition, the speed of the moving the plate 30 back and/or forth relative to the elongated cage portion 14 can change the intensity and volume of the thrashing and/or rustling foliage sound as desired by the user. In some aspects, the stroke length of the back and/or forth motion can change the intensity and volume of the thrashing and/or rustling foliage sound as desired by the user.
Step 216 includes snapping the hammer 54 or wood slapper 122 down on the plate 30 to simulate a branch breaking sound. As previously discussed, more than one wood slapper 122 and/or spring 50 and hammer 54 combination may be mounted to the plate 30 to provide different intensity and/or volume of branches breaking. The user may alternate making the branch breaking sound(s) between the two or more wood slapper 122 and/or spring 50 and hammer 54 setups available on the game call 10 or may predominately use just one of the wood slapper 122 or spring 50 and hammer 54 setups.
Step 220 includes rubbing the one or more tree rubbing knobs 66 and/or one or more rib knobs 70 against a tree, branch, log, or other wooded surface to simulate the antler-rubbing sound. The positioning/spacing of the tree rubbing knobs 66 and/or rib knobs 70 and the force with which they are pushed against the wooden surface by the user will vary the antler rubbing sound produced. In some aspects, the game call 10 may have exclusively tree rubbing knobs 66 or rib knobs 70, and in other aspects, the game call 10 may have both tree rubbing knobs 66 and rib knobs 70. As described above, the difference between the tree rubbing knobs 66 and the rib knobs 70 are their respective size with the tree rubbing knobs 66 being larger than the rib knobs 70. In some aspects, a plurality of different sizes may be used for the tree rubbing knobs 66 to complement the rib knobs 70.
Step 224 includes striking the plate 30 with a hand of the user to simulate a second branch breaking sound. Striking the plate 30 may be initiated by the user by hitting the plate 30 anywhere on its outer face 58. The force and positioning of the hit can vary the sound of the simulated branch breaking. The second simulated branch breaking sound produced from striking the plate 30 with the hand may sound different from the simulated branch breaking sounds produced from the spring 50 and hammer 54 setups described above. In some aspects, the second branch breaking sound may have a lower volume and may be a more subtle sound than the simulated branch breaking sounds produced from the spring 50 and hammer 54.
Step 228 includes an additional step of removing the first and second plurality of flaps 38, 42 and/or plurality of scrubber portions and replacing them with a replacement or substitute second set of first and second plurality of flaps 38, 42 and/or a replacement or substitute plurality of scrubber portions that include different materials to alter the simulated thrashing and/or rustling foliage sounds. In some aspects, the game call 10 may be adjusted by replacing some of its components or parts to adjust or change the sounds the game call 10 produced. For example, the first and second plurality of flaps 38, 42, the plurality of scrubber portions, the spring 50 and hammer 54 setups, the plate 30, the one or more cloth loops 46, or any combination thereof may be changed or slightly modified to change the simulated sounds produced. In some aspects, the first and second plurality of flaps 38, 42 and/or plurality of scrubber portions may be repositioned or have their respective materials changed to customize the sounds made by the game call 10.
Referring again to step 208, any one or combination of calls may be used on the game call 10. In some aspects, the game call 10 may be considered a variable game call or a multi-call game call. For example, in some aspects the simulated sound may exclusively be the thrashing or rustling foliage sound, may exclusively be the branch breaking sound, may exclusively be the antler rubbing sound, or may exclusively be a hoof or foot stomping sound. In alternative aspects, the simulated sound(s) may be any simultaneous or sequential combination of 2, 3, and/or 4 options that may be incorporated on the game call 10. For example, the thrashing or rustling foliage sound may be combined simultaneously or sequentially with the branch breaking sound as desired by the user.
It is understood that the descriptions outlining and teaching the game call 10 previously discussed, which can be used in any combination, apply equally well to the method 200 for calling game.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described device and other components may not be limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the device disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.
This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/594,803 filed on Dec. 5, 2017, entitled TREE THRASHER BOX CALL, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62594803 | Dec 2017 | US |
