Patent Application
20060119095
The present invention relates to a measurement device and scoring system for use in scoring game turkeys according to established scoring standards.
Hunting has been an American past time for centuries. Originally hunting was a necessity for the procurement of food, but over time has developed into a sport that is enjoyed not only in America but also throughout the world. With the transition of hunting into a sport, a system for comparing the game animal is required.
The scoring system used to rate turkeys has been universally adopted to correspond to physical attributes. For determining the game turkey's “total score” first measurements are taken, which include the turkey's weight, beard length, and right and left spur length. Each measurement is then converted to a point total and tabulated to give the turkey's “total score.” The point standards are based on the current turkey scoring standards implemented by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and universally followed by hunters.
Currently, scoring of the game turkey is difficult and cumbersome. Typically, a user is required to use a flexible measuring tape, a scale, and a scratch pad for recording the various measurements. The user then must look up the conversion factors for converting the measurements to the NWTF point standards for scoring. After the measurements are converted the point totals are tabulated and the “total score” is determined. Because of the numerous steps in this conventional process and the difficulty that a user may encounter if they attempt to measure the turkey alone, an accurate score is difficult to obtain.
It is therefore desired to have a turkey scoring system or card that includes the following features: 1) provides all the tools required for obtaining length measurements; 2) incorporates easy to follow scoring guides; 3) includes point conversion means based on the universal standards for tabulating the score of the turkey; 4) is a simplified scoring system that is easy to use; and, 5) can be easily transported by the user for use in calculating the “total score” of a game turkey.
The present invention relates to a turkey scoring card that allows a user to easily score a turkey. The scoring card incorporates a system that includes at least one scoring sheet member, which provides all the required measurement conversions to easily tabulate a turkey's total score. The scoring system includes a sheet member with scale indicia for use in measuring the turkey's beard length and spur lengths. The scale indicia are configured to include the conversion to points that are universally adopted for scoring a turkey based on the NWTF standards. The scoring system also includes instruction indicia that provide step-by-step instructions for the user on how to properly obtain the turkey's measurements, convert the measurements to points, and tabulate the points to determine the turkey's total score. To assist in determining the spur lengths of the turkey, an elongated flexible member is removeably attached to the scoring card. The removeable attachment allows the user to easily measure the length of the right and left spurs and determine the points scored. The scoring card further includes conversion indicia for easily converting the turkey's measurements to points and tabulation indicia for use in recording the points scored for each measurement and totaling the points to determine the turkey's total score.
The scoring card is configured to be foldable and can be collapsed to allow the user to easily transport the scoring card and therefore allows the user to score the turkey while still in the field. Further, the scoring card is composed of material that allows the scoring card to be used in various environmental conditions including rain and snow.
The present invention relates to a turkey scoring card or system so that a turkey can be easily scored based on universal turkey scoring standards. The scoring system includes at least one scoring sheet member that includes indicia and an elongated flexible member.
The sheet member 22 will preferably include a first side 24 (
Optionally, the sheet member will include a conversion mechanism for converting the beard length, the spur lengths, and weight measurements to the points used by the NWTF for scoring a turkey. The conversion mechanism will operate by converting the measurements taken from the turkey into the point system used by the NWTF. Preferably, the conversion mechanism will be conversion indicia 27 and 29 that is incorporated into the scale indicia 26 and 28. Optionally, the conversion mechanism can be a chart or any means for displaying the points corresponding to each measurement. Optionally, the conversion mechanism is a rotatable or slideable conversion mechanism that allows easy measurement conversions to points.
The sheet member will include instruction indicia 30. The instruction indicia 30 will outline for the user how to properly tabulate the turkey's score. The instruction indicia 30 will provide a step-by-step guide to assist the user in gathering the needed scoring measurements or points and how to tabulate the points once they are obtained. The instruction indicia 30 will preferably incorporate the scoring standards used by the NWTF, and previously discussed.
The sheet member 22 will optionally include weight conversion indicia 32. The weight conversion indicia 32 will assist the user in easily converting the turkey's weight, specifically the ounces, into the points used to score the turkey.
The instruction indicia 30 will include scoring tabulation indicia 34. The tabulation indicia 34 will provide a place for the user to input the scores obtained from the turkey, including the weight score, the beard score, the right spur score, and the left spur score. Preferably, the tabulation indicia 34 will include a total score line, which assists the user in totaling the score for the turkey. Optionally, the tabulation indicia 34 will include a place to record the date, location, and type of turkey.
The sheet member 22 is composed of any material known in the industry. Preferably, the sheet member 22 is a plastic-coated paper. The plastic-coated sheet member 22 facilitates the use of the turkey scoring system 20 of the present invention, by allowing it to be used in various environmental conditions, including rain and snow. The plastic-coated sheet member 22 also allows the user to record scores and later erase the scores entered in the tabulation indicia 34 enabling the user to repeatedly use the tabulation indicia 34 and the turkey scoring system 20. Optionally, the sheet member can be composed of paper, plastic, wood, metal, fabric, coated foam, cardboard, and combinations thereof.
Preferably, the sheet member 22 is configured to be foldable (
The turkey scoring system 20 also includes an elongated flexible member 36. The elongate flexible member is configured to assist the user in measuring the length of the spur. The member 36 is composed of any material known in the art that is flexible and allows the member 36 to be used to assist in determining the length of the turkey's spurs. The member 36 is greater than one (1) inch in length. Preferably, the member 36 is between 3 inches and 10 inches. The length of the member 36 is long enough to easily measure the length of each turkey spur. Preferably, the member is composed of plastic, metal cable, string, fabric, nylon, and combinations thereof. Optionally, the member 36 will include scale indicia for use in measuring the length of the turkey's spurs.
The member 36 is attached to the sheet member 22 by any means known in the art. Preferably, the member 36 is removeably attached to the sheet member 22 by any means known in the art. The removeably attached member 36 can be attached by reusable tape, reusable glue, a slot in the sheet member 22, a button, a clip, a snap, and combinations thereof.
Optionally, at least one end 38 of the member 36 is fixedly attached to the sheet member 22 by any means known in the art. The fixedly attached end 38 can be attached by tape, glue, a ring, a rivet, and combinations thereof. The fixedly attached end 38 ensures that the member 36 is always connected to the turkey scoring system and will not be lost. Optionally, at least one end 40 of the member 36 is removeably attached to the sheet member 22 by any means known in the art. The removeably attached end 40 can be attached by reusable tape, reusable glue, a slot in the sheet member 22, a button, a clip, a snap, and combinations thereof.
The sheet members 122, 123, and 124 will include the indicia as described in the preferred embodiment, including scale indicia 126 and 128, conversion indicia 150, instruction indicia 130, weight conversion indicia 132, and tabulation indicia 134.
The sheet members 122 through 124 are composed of any material known in the industry. Preferably, the sheet members 122 through 124 are plastic-coated paper. The sheet members 122 through 124 are configured according to the specifications outlined above for the sheet member 22.
The turkey scoring system 120 also includes an elongated flexible member 136. The elongated flexible member 136 is configured according to the specifications outlined above for the elongated flexible member 36. Preferably, the member 136 is removeably attached to the turkey scoring system 120 by any means known in the art. The member 136 can be attached by reusable tape, reusable glue, a slot in the sheet, a button, a clip, a snap, and combinations thereof. Optionally, at least one end 138 of the member 136 is fixedly attached to the turkey scoring system 120. The fixedly attached end 138 can be attached by tape, glue, a ring, a rivet, and combinations thereof. Further, end 140 of the member 136 is removeably attached to the turkey scoring system 120 by any means known in the art. The removeably attached end 140 can be attached by reusable tape, reusable glue, a slot in the sheet, a button, a clip, a snap, and combinations thereof.
The sheet member 222 will further include openings 242 and 244. The openings 242 and 244 are holes in the sheet member 222 that allow the conversion indicia 240 on the sheet members 224 and 226 to be viewed by the user. The conversion indicia 240 allows the user to easily convert the length measurements taken from the turkey to the points used for scoring. The user rotates the sheet members 224 or 226 until the desired measurement and conversion points appear in the openings 242 or 244.
The sheet members 222, 224, and 226 will include the indicia as described in the preferred embodiment, including scale indicia 230 and 232, instruction indicia 234, weight conversion indicia 236, and tabulation indicia 238.
The sheet members 222, 224, and 226 are composed of any material known in the industry. Preferably, the sheet members are plastic-coated paper.
The sheet member 222 is configured to be foldable. The sheet member 222 is foldable to allow the length of the sheet members to be reduced for easy transportation.
The turkey scoring system 220, also includes an elongated flexible member 246. The elongated flexible member 246 is configured according to the specifications outlined above for the elongated flexible member 36. The member 246 is attached to the turkey scoring system 220 by any means known in the art and previously discussed above.
Thus, there has been shown and described a turkey scoring system that fulfills all objects and advantages sought therefore. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. It is apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, variations, modification, other uses, and applications to the turkey scoring system are possible, and also such changes, variations, modifications, other uses, and application which do not depart from the sprit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.
