Package and article carriers – Carried by animate bearer – Article held by receiver
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-07
2001-10-30
Elkins, Gary E. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Carried by animate bearer
Article held by receiver
C224S222000, C224S240000, C224S251000, C224S679000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308876
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to the field of hunting accessories. More particularly the invention pertains to apparatus for storing, carrying and protecting a variety of game calls, or the like, while not in use or while in the field, by a hunter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hunters frequently use game calls to attract turkeys, ducks, geese or other game birds. Three common calls used by turkey hunters are the box call, the push button yelper and the slate/glass call. The box call usually comprises an elongated wooden or plastic open top box. A separate piece of wood or plastic which is longer than the box is attached over the open top by a fixed pivot and spring mechanism on one end. This mechanism allows the top piece to pivot from side to side and be dragged across the top rim of the open box. This causes various vibrational modes of the box to imitate sounds of a turkey. The push button yelper usually comprises a smaller wooden or plastic box which fits in the palm of the hand. It has a secondary bottom with holes for sound resonance. A pointed, cone-like, device is attached to the secondary bottom. This device points up toward the open top of the call. A spring tensioned stick runs at an angle through opposite ends of the box and has a flat piece of wood or plastic attached to it. When the stick is pushed, the flat piece of wood or plastic drags across the pointed cone and makes the desired sounds of a turkey. The slate/glass call is usually comprised of a slate or glass plate affixed to the top of a shallow, wooden or plastic pot/bowl. Holes in either the pot itself or in a secondary, spaced apart bottom, result in resonance of turkey sounds when a striker or stick made of various material such as wood or plastic is dragged or pushed across the slate or glass plate.
In the field, a turkey hunter may wish to carry one or more of these calls. Similarly duck, goose, and other game hunters may carry several calls. The calls are often carried or activated by hand which allows only one hand for control of the hunter's firearm or bow. If carried in a vest or pocket, the call will likely have to be removed before sitting down to avoid damage or accidental engagement which could result in unintentional or unnatural sounds that alert game to a hunters presence. Many calls are made of precision crafted wood to procure specific sounds or notes and are vulnerable to damage from rain. Wooden as well as plastic calls can be damaged if dropped or sat on, not only while hunting but during transportation to and from hunts. Hunters often transport calls wrapped in clothes in a suitcase or wrapped in rags in an ammo box. When in the field, many hunters ride all terrain vehicles (ATV) or other four-wheel drive vehicles across bumpy, rugged terrain. This calls for the hunter to hold the game call in one hand while driving with the other, which is unsafe. Otherwise the call must somehow be wrapped and secured to the vehicle.
Thus, there clearly exists a need for hands-free carrying of game calls both for safety purposes and for ease of coordination. This need is even greater for younger adolescent hunters. Many younger hunters are new to carrying a weapon afield and may feel unsure of their ability to carry both a firearm and a game call by hand.
The call carrier system of the present invention was developed to address the above described problems and to allow safe and convenient storage, transportation and carrying of the assorted turkey or other game calls by hunters of all degrees of skill.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a call carrying system which is rugged, inexpensive, convenient to use and which is adaptable to a plurality of calls. In a preferred embodiment, a tubular receptacle for storing and carrying a variety of turkey game calls including a box call, push button yelper and the slate/glass call, either independently or in combination, as well as duck and goose calls or other calls. The tube is made of sturdy plastic or other rigid material and has a permanent bottom end and slip-on end cap to provide a means of closure. The tube is lined with a cushioned material which holds the game call in place, preventing movement of the game call while inserted inside the tube. The rigidity of the tube helps to prevent damage to the game call from external blows such as being dropped or being sat on. The material used for the tube and end cap is preferably waterproof and protects the game call from the effects of inclimate weather.
The tube is beneficial firstly for storing and protecting a game call in a closet or gun chest during non-use as well as during transportation of calls to and from hunts. In the field, the tube can be carried hands-free, either vertically or horizontally on a hunters belt by means of an attached clip-type or belt loop apparatus. The tube can also be positioned vertically on the outer thigh by an elongated belt loop strap and one or more straps around the thigh, which are fastened directly to the tube or to a rigid carrying sleeve which the tube slips into. The thigh method also allows for hands free carrying and avoids obstructions from other items attached to the belt and from longer than waist length coats. The tube can also be attached by brackets to the handlebars or racks on an ATV, or to the overhead area, inside of doors, underside of seats or virtually anywhere in any vehicle used for hunting or to travel to and from hunting.
1. A separate tube sized for carrying the box call is an elongated rectangular shaped tube with fitted cushioned lining and a removable end cap. The box call is inserted and pushed into the open end of the tube until flush with the opening rim. The end cap is slid onto either the open end for closure, or onto the bottom of the tube when the call is in use. Most box calls are of similar size and shape, thus, the exterior shape of the tube can remain basically consistent. However, slight variations of the shape and thickness of the cushioned lining may be made to accommodate some models and for fitting custom made calls. The tube can also be fitted with a screw-on, u-shaped bracket, which when attached to the outer surface of the tube, will allow a box call having a bottom plate to slide in and down, and be secured in place on the outside of the tube for one-handed operation. Box calls made without a bottom plate could have a plate attached aftermarket by an owner for use in the u-shaped bracket.
2. A second separate tube for carrying the push button yelper is of a similar design as for the box call, only slightly shorter and with a different shaped, cushioned lining to accommodate the shape of the body of the yelper and the push button stick or striker rod. The end cap is slid onto either the open end for closure or onto the bottom of the tube when the call is in use. Most push button yelper calls are of similar size and shape, thus, the exterior shape of the tube remains basically consistent. However, slight variations of the shape and thickness of the cushioned lining may be made to accommodate some models and for fitting custom made calls. Push button yelper calls can be operated with one hand while only partially removed from the tube. The push button yelper may also have an aftermarket bottom plate attached to it if feasible, for use with a screw-on, u-shaped bracket. When the u-shaped bracket is attached to the outer surface of the tube, it will allow the yelper call to be secured in place on the outside of the tube for one-handed operation.
3. A third separate tube for carrying the slate and/or glass call comprises a more square and thinner tube, sized for the call and also has a cushioned lining to secure and protect the call. The slate or glass call slides into the open top and is pushed downward into the tube. The end cap is slid onto either the open end for closure or onto the bottom of the tube when the call is in use. This tube may have a small rigid ring-type protrusion molded on the thin edge of the tube. The stick/striker for the call is slid into the ring and securely hel
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