Firearms – Implements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-20
2001-06-05
Johnson, Stephen M. (Department: 3641)
Firearms
Implements
C446S193000, C446S197000, C446S207000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240671
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to air pressure operated game callers and weapon mounted callers, and more particularly to a kit containing the requisite components for making bellows operated game callers and conveniently mounting same to the weapon. The invention also relates to a method for making a game caller for inconspicuous operation using elements of the kit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Game callers may be employed to attract wild animals toward the hunter's stand or blind, to frighten them in the direction of other hunters, or to stop their motion for an alert mode that provides a stable target. There are many devices in use today to influence such movements of wild game animals. Typically, such devices produce sound to attract the wild game that include deer, moose, elk, wild fowl and waterfowl, or even turkeys. Rattling horns, both large and small are commonly used to create sounds that will attract deer.
Large horns have one major advantage—volume. They can be heard for long distances, or in thick cover. However, they also have disadvantages, mostly in carrying them around. Horns can be hung on a thong looped around the hunter's neck, but large antlers clatter on everything else that is carried from binoculars to a rifle. While most hunters own a horn or game caller that simulates a particular wildlife call as it exists in nature, they are presented with the problem that they cannot sound the caller while simultaneously aiming to fire at the prey. As such, many hunters seek conversion of their present caller to a bellows operated grunter or game call that is easier to use, particularly for beginners.
Experienced hunters realize that in order to bag game such as trophy deer, and prior to counting the antler points, long hours of patiently awaiting unpredictable wanderings of the animal, in inclement weather, early and late hours of the day, perserverance through hunger and thirst without movement, may be required. Such efforts should not be lost because the caller made the deer skittish and frightened the animal out of range.
Deer can hear small horns at surprising distances. The hunter need only to “tickle” the small horns several times to attract deer. Some bow hunters rattle an aluminum arrow against the wooden riser of the bow to call in bucks. Still other hunters use “rattling bags,” small bags full of bone chips or other hard material, that simulate the light ticking of tines. They can be worked with one hand, with very little movement.
Still, many other hunters prefer a grunt call for close work, partially because it provides another type of sound. Unlike a rattling bag, a small grunt call doesn't even need one hand to work, leaving both hands free for your rifle or bow. Many calls are mouth-operated by blowing into them. Some calls require hunters to grunt vocally with their throats as they blow into the caller.
Sometimes it helps to provide other sound effects. Some of these devices are treadle operated by stepping on them with ones foot.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,237,615, granted Dec. 9, 1980, P. A. Bracknell, discloses a sight mount for an archery bow embodying a bracket to be mounted upon a bow.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,451, granted Jul. 10, 1990, to Leady provides an adjustable game call device having a trombone-like tuning member in sliding contact with a single point on a reed that the user positions axially to change the effective length of the reed, thereby varying the pitch of the sounds made by the caller.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,396, granted Jan. 23, 1992, to P. Shepley, et al., teaches of an accessory mount for a removable rigid securement of an accessory to an archery bow. The accessory mount provides for the mounting of a quiver to store more arrows, an overdraw mechanism or a sight.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,304, granted May 30, 1995, to R. K. Pardue, discloses a mounting jig that is removable and coupleable to a hunting bow, adapted to receive a removable turkey caller.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,590, granted Jul. 11, 1995, to F. M. Abbas, discloses an apparatus for calling game animals when the user is hunting with an archery bow. A game attracting call is sounded when the user either draws or blows air through a conduit which is connected to the bow mounted game caller.
There are many problems associated with using the apparatus described. Many of the devices require two hands to operate the device; some only one hand. There are calls that must be held in the mouth which can cause fatigue to the hunter holding the device. A foot operated apparatus is awkward at best, therefore does not find much application in deer hunting. Others may emit undesirable sounds at inappropriate times, thereby “spooking” the prey. The nature of the hunt requires that a hunter will be able to silently operate the caller device even with a fully drawn bow or while a gun is being aimed and ready.
What is needed is a small, lightweight, reliably operated caller that can be mounted to a hunting weapon, such as to a hunting bow or firearm, to attract deer and other wild game. Since most hunters own a mouth-operated grunter or other caller device, a kit with a bellows attachable to a grunter for hands-free caller operation would enhance opportunities to bring down large prey like deer or moose as well as small prey such as pheasant, turkeys, ducks and the like. In this regard, this invention fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is therefore directed to a kit containing the necessary elements for hunters to manufacture a bellows operated game caller using their own preferred grunter or other encased reed sounding device. The invention also discloses a method of manufacturing a pressure operated caller apparatus from an ordinary game caller generally owned by most hunters.
A first example of such pressure operated caller includes an air-filled, expansible bladder having a material jacket attachable to a grunter or other game caller device for use with the kit.
A second example of such a pressure operated caller provides an expansible bladder that is attachable to a grunter or other reed operated caller by use of the kit, wherein the bladder is filled with a resilient, interstitial material and surrounded by a material jacket, for rapid and silent recover of the bladder to its original shape after it is squeezed or compressed.
In another example of such a pressure operated caller, the bladder comprises a material stock that is coated with latex or other elastic to form an air-tight and expansible bladder that is likewise attachable to a grunter having an encased reed for use with the kit.
The kit is preferably provided with a means to secure the grunter or other game caller device in air-tight connection to the bladder; and further, with a means for removably attaching the entire caller system made from the kit to an archer's bow, rifle or other weapon.
The present invention is a kit to make an air pressure operated apparatus for calling game animals, such as deer, moose, elk, ducks and turkeys while hunting with a bow or a firearm. Its use is not limited to mounting or attaching to an archery bow, but can find application in mounting to a firearm as well.
The game attractor consists of a grunter or other game caller device that is made to be sounded by blowing air through a conduit, past a reed that vibrates, creating a simulated deer grunting sound or other game animal sound. Using a caller in this manner, which is attachable to the hunter's bow, crossbow or firearm, frees the arms and hands of the archer to sound the device while holding a drawn bow.
An expansible air bladder, that is preferably fabricated from a sheet vinyl material, is attached to the sounding device. This serves as source of air pressure that when squeezed or compressed, forces the air through the caller and across the reed. Internal to the jacketed bladder is a cushioning fill material comprised of a resilient filamentous polyester type fiber that restores the bladder to its original shape, while allowing air to be again silently filling the bladde
Johnson Stephen M.
Taddeo Joseph H.
LandOfFree
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