Abstract:
A bait for attracting animals and configured for screwing into the ground is provided. The bait includes a shaft portion having a center portion having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being at opposite ends along a longitudinal direction of the center portion, and a helical protrusion extending from the center portion, the helical protrusion being adapted for engaging the ground and drawing the center portion into the ground as the center portion is rotated; and a head portion attached to the second end of the center portion. Wherein the shaft portion and the head portion are a food for the animals.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Disclosed Embodiments 
         [0002]    The disclosed embodiments relate to attracting animals. 
         [0003]    2. Introduction 
         [0004]    Many people attract wild animals for observation, food, sport, or other reasons. As an aid in pursuing these and other interests, baits are sometimes used to attract the animals. Many types of baits are available including liquid scents, salt blocks, pelletized food, and other attractants. These baits have disadvantages that, in most, if not all, cases, include quick dissipation and a lack of ability to stand up to weather. 
         [0005]    As a result, there is a need for a bait that resists degradation from weather and is not quickly consumed or carried off by the animals. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Particular embodiments of the invention are directed to a bait for attracting animals and configured for screwing into the ground. The bait includes a shaft portion having a center portion and a helical protrusion; and a head portion. The center portion has a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being at opposite ends along a longitudinal direction of the center portion. The helical protrusion extends from the center portion, the helical protrusion being adapted for engaging the ground and drawing the center portion into the ground as the center portion is rotated The head portion is attached to the second end of the center portion. The shaft portion and the head portion are a food for the animals 
         [0007]    Particular embodiments of the invention are directed to a bait for attracting animals and configured for screwing into the ground. The bait has a threaded shaft portion; and a head portion attached to the threaded shaft portion. The threaded shaft portion and the head portion are a food for the animals, and the threaded shaft portion is configured such that it is drawn into the ground when it is rotated relative to the ground. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The following figures form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the disclosed features and functions, and should not be used to limit or define the disclosed features and functions. Consequently, a more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments and further features and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a view of a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a section view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a third embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show an example of a method for installing an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of the invention in an installed state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
         [0017]    Various embodiments of the disclosed embodiments may be discussed in detail below. While specific implementations may be discussed, it should be understood that this be may be done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art may recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. 
         [0018]    The disclosed embodiments comprise a variety of embodiments, such as a method and apparatus and other embodiments that relate to the basic concepts of the disclosed embodiments. 
         [0019]    As explained above, the problem with many available baits is that they are quickly consumed by the animals or are easily carried off by the animals. Both of these problems result in fewer return visits by the animals to the location at which the bait was originally set. 
         [0020]    To address these problems, the invention provides a bait that is inserted into the ground in such a way that it is difficult for an animal to remove the bait and carry it away. Also, the bait stands up well to weather because the majority of the bait is in the ground and the composition of the bait is somewhat water resistant. 
         [0021]    The drawings show exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows an example of a bait  10  in accordance with the invention. Bait  10  has a head  100  and a shaft  200 . Shaft  200  has a center section  210  and a helical thread  240 . In this example, thread  240  protrudes from center section  210  in a helical manner from a first end  220  to a second end  230 . Head  100  is attached to center section  210  at second end  230 . In this example, head  100  includes a hole  110  that passes completely through head  100 . Hole  110  can receive a tool that facilitates installation of bait  10  into the ground (described in more detail below). 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . As can be seen from  FIG. 2 , the entirety of bait  10  is formed in one piece. In particular embodiments, the entirety of bait  10  is formed from a single material. The material from which bait  10  is formed is a material that the target animal considers food and is attracted to. One example of the material is a mixture of corn chips, sugar, corn syrup, and other natural flavorings. In an exemplary manufacturing process of bait  10 , these ingredients are mixed together, heated, poured into a mold, and allowed to set. The mold is then removed producing a solid structure made entirely of the material. This finished product is strong enough to be screwed into the ground without breaking (described in more detail below). 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In this example, head  100  is round, however other head configurations are also possible. For example,  FIG. 4  shows a head  100 ′ that is round except for two flat sides  120  that oppose each other. Flat sides  120  can be gripped by a tool, such as, for example, a large wrench or clamp, to facilitate installing bait  10  into the ground.  FIG. 5  shows a head  100 ″ that includes an engagement area  130  for receiving a tool, such as, for example, a large bit that resembles a phillips head screwdriver. While  FIGS. 3-5  show particular examples of features for receiving particular tools, it is noted that other shapes and configurations can also be used. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 6-8  show an example of an installation method of the invention.  FIG. 6  shows a hole making tool  400  being inserted into the ground  300  and moved back and forth and around (as illustrated by arrows A) to create a hole, for example a conical hole, in the ground. Hole making tool  400  can be, for example, a large screwdriver, a piece of reinforcing steel, or other tool.  FIG. 7  shows bait  10  being screwed into the hole formed in  FIG. 6  in the ground  300 .  FIG. 7  shows a rotation tool  410  inserted in hole  110  to provide leverage for twisting bait  10  in the direction shown by arrow B. Bait  10  is rotated repeatedly and, if necessary, pushed toward the ground so that thread  240  engages the ground and pulls bait  10  downward. Although  FIG. 7  shows the use of rotation tool  410 , it is noted that such a tool may not be necessary and bait  10  can possibly be screwed into the ground by hand without the use of the tool.  FIG. 8  shows bait  10  fully installed in the ground with only head  100  extending above the ground. 
         [0026]    In the installed position shown in  FIG. 8 , any animals attracted by bait  10  will only have access to head  100  until such time as head  100  has been eaten or clawed away. Experience has shown that once head  100  has been eaten or clawed away, the animals will continue to dig in the ground to uncover shaft  200  so that they can continue to feed on bait  10 . This results in a bait that draws animals to the same location for a longer period of time than traditional baits. Also, because (1) the material from which bait  10  is made is at least somewhat water resistant, and (2) because the majority of bait  10  is underground, bait  10  is far more weather resistant than traditional baits. 
         [0027]    It is noted that the proportions and relative sizes of the elements of the examples shown in the figures are exemplary only and are not limiting. Different sizes and proportions of the elements can be used as long as bait  10  is strong enough and shaped properly to allow insertion into the ground. One example of bait  10  has a head  110  that is 3½ inches in diameter and 2 inches tall, a shaft that is 10½ inches long with an upper end having a diameter of 2½ inches and a helical thread that encircles center section  210  6½ times. These dimensions represent just one example of a possible embodiment of the invention. For example, the helical thread can encircle the center section more or fewer times. 
         [0028]    An example of a rotation tool that engages hole  110  for facilitating rotation of bait  10  into the ground has a plate configured to be positioned above head portion  100  and a rod attached to the plate that extends into hole  110 . Two or more ears extend up from the plate to provide places to be pushed on to rotate the plate and, in turn, bait  10 . 
         [0029]    Although the above description may contain specific details, they should not be construed as limiting the claims in any way. Other configurations of the described embodiments of the disclosed embodiments may be part of the scope of the disclosed embodiments. For example, the principles of the disclosed embodiments may be applied to each individual user where each user may individually deploy such a system. This be enables each user to utilize the benefits of the disclosed embodiments even if any one of the large number of possible applications do not need the functionality described herein. In other words, there may be multiple instances of the disclosed system each processing the content in various possible ways. It does not necessarily need to be one system used by all end users. Accordingly, the appended claims and their legal equivalents should only define the disclosed embodiments, rather than any specific examples given.