Amusement devices: toys – Sounding
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-05
2001-04-03
Rimell, Sam (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Sounding
C446S418000, C446S207000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210251
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to game calls and more particularly to calls for game birds and related methods, each call being similar to the actual wing of a game bird and which substantially replicates, during use, the sound of a flapping wing of a game bird.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of game calls and game attractants have existed over the years. The main purpose of a game call is to simulate the sound of the game being pursued by the hunter. Perhaps the largest number of traditional game calls attempt to simulate the vocal sounds of the game animal or bird being pursued. Such vocal simulating game calls come in many different types and styles.
Another traditional type of game calls relate to devices that simulate other sounds made by game animals, such as the rattling of antlers. Actual antlers are sometimes used. In addition, synthetic antlers have been used to simulate the sounds of two animals sparring with their horns or antlers.
Still many other types of game calls have existed. Hunters have attempted to simulate, for example, the urination of a moose in a body of water by emptying a vessel of water into a lake or other body of water. Visual decoys of many different varieties have been utilized in the past. Olfactory attractants have been utilized to simulate the smells of animals. All of these devices have the effect of attracting game animals or game birds.
There remains a need, however, to develop additional ways of attracting game birds, particularly wild turkeys. Wild turkeys perform numerous rituals during the breeding season. As the game birds perform their rituals, they tend to make noises with their wings, such as by flapping their wings against the ground, branches, tree trunks, and other foliage in the surrounding area. Game birds may also use their wings to scratch in the leaves while feeding. These sounds tend to attract other similar game birds.
There remains a need, therefore, to provide a device that simulates the sounds of a game bird, particularly the wing sounds of a game birds. As with all game calls, such a device must be portable, easy to use, and effective for attracting game birds.
A difficulty with respect to the concept of providing a device for simulating the wing sounds of a game bird relates to the actual assembly of such a device. If actual feathers are to be utilized, there must be an effective method to arrange and secure the feathers in the device so that the device can be utilized effectively to simulate the wing sounds of a game bird.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing deficiencies of traditional game calls are overcome by a feathered game call apparatus according to the present invention. The feathered game call comprises an array of feathers arranged in a manner similar to those of an actual game bird. The feathered game call further comprises a handle having a gripping portion for manually manipulating the call and a feather-receiving portion. The array of feathers is grouped closely together so as to resemble an actual wing of a game bird. Each feather comprises a stem end and a tip end. The feathers are preferably arranged in a side-by-side manner. Each stem forms an acute angle with respect to an adjacent stem so that the feathers are flared outwardly in a cantilevered, fan-shaped fashion and extend from one side of the handle. The orientation of the small end feather may be turned inwardly in respect to the other feathers to capture more air under the wing and better replicate actual wing sounds of a game bird.
In a preferred embodiment, each stem is placed and retained in a recess or blind bore. Each stem-retaining site may comprise a feather stem retainer in the form of one or more spikes which may pierce or penetrate the associated stem. Alternatively, the stem-retaining site may include a feather stem retainer in the form of a transverse wall segment which compressively bites against the stem. In either preferred embodiment, the feather stem retainers prevent inadvertent separation of feathers from the handle and rotational movement of the feathers relative to the handle. The retainers also serve to maintain proper alignment of the feathers during the assembly or manufacturing process. The handle may comprise two clam shell pieces releasably fastened together. The invention may further comprise still other structures to prevent movement of the feathers relative to the handle portion.
The invention also comprises novel methods of making and using the feathered game call apparatus embodying principles of the present invention.
With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object to provide a novel game call which overcomes or alleviates problems of traditional game calls.
It is another object to provide a game call which is substantially similar to an actual wing of a game bird.
A further object is the provision of a game call which simulates the noise made by the flapping of a wing of an actual game bird.
Another object is the provision of a game call comprising an array of feathers and a handle by which the call is manually gripped and manipulated.
Still another object is the provision of a game bird wing-simulating game call comprised of a handle and an array of feathers.
Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a feathered game call apparatus comprising a multiple piece clam shell handle and a fan-shaped array of sequential nested feathers where the handle comprises a gripping portion and a feather-receiving and securing portion.
Another object is the provision of a game call comprised of an array of feathers, the stems of which are securely connected to a handle at spaced feather-receiving and retaining sites.
A further object is the provision of a game bird wing-simulating game call comprising a flared array of nested feathers secured seriatim in feather stem-receiving sites located along one side of a gripping handle.
An additional object is the provision of a turkey wing game call comprising a feature which substantially prevents feather rotation in respect to a feather-receiving site in a handle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a feathered game call apparatus that has the appearance of an actual turkey wing.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a feathered game call apparatus that is constructed so as to arrange the feathers in a manner highly similar to that of an actual wing of a game bird.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a feathered game call apparatus that arranges a plurality of feathers in an array so as to provide a tight construction so that the feathers are grouped closely together to push a substantial volume of air when a flapping motion is simulated.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a feathered game call apparatus that can be cost effectively mass produced.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the invention that follows taken with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2443430 (1948-06-01), Nigro
patent: 2679711 (1954-06-01), Learnard
patent: 5064725 (1991-11-01), Acker
patent: 5437935 (1995-08-01), Fredeen
patent: 2204748 (1988-11-01), None
Primos Wilbur R.
Primos, Jr. James A.
Foster & Foster
Primos, Inc.
Rimell Sam
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