Abstract:
A device for generating sounds associated with movements of animals, the device including a movable member operatively associated with a motion generation system and configured to be set in a desired motion by the motion generation system, a hub associated with the movable member, and at least one extension extending from the hub for contact with a desired contact medium to generate sounds associated with movement of animals.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. Application Ser. No. 11,277,444 filed 24 Mar. 2006, and entitled GAME ATTRACTANT, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Application Ser. No. 10/419,445 filed 21 Apr. 2003, entitled GAME ATTRACTANT (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,029,362 issued on 18 Apr. 2006).  
     
    
     FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention relates to the field of hunting aids. More particularly, this invention relates to a device for generating natural background noises for enhancing the effectiveness of game calls in attracting game.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Calls simulating an animal noise are often used for attracting game to a hunter. For example, hunters of turkeys often use a call that mimics the vocal sounds of a female turkey in an attempt to attract a male turkey.  
         [0004]     It has been observed that the effectiveness of such vocal calls may be improved if sounds associated with movement of a turkey are provided in conjunction with the vocal sounds, such as by moving a fallen tree branch against the ground to mimic the sound of a turkey rustling through leaves as during feeding.  
         [0005]     As will be appreciated, it is often inconvenient and difficult for a hunter to remain concealed and still while manipulating a tree branch. Also, the movement of the tree branch will immediately proximate the hunter, which is undesirable for concealment purposes.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     With regard to the foregoing, the present disclosures relates to devices for generating sounds associated with movements of animals.  
         [0007]     In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a movable member operatively associated with a motion generation system and configured to be set in a desired motion by the motion generation system, a hub associated with the movable member, and at least one extension extending from the hub for contact with a desired contact medium to generate sounds associated with movement of animals.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a game attractant device according to a preferred embodiment.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0011]      FIGS. 3-5  show a preferred hub having a variety of preferred embodiments.  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  shows an alternate hub to which extensions may be selectively connected.  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  shows a game attractant device according to an alternate preferred embodiment.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]     With initial reference to  FIG. 1 , the invention relates to a game attractant device  10  for generating sounds associated with movements of animals. The device  10  is particularly suitable for remotely generating sounds to mimic the sound of a turkey rustling through grass, leaves or other ground debris as during feeding.  
         [0015]     The device  10  includes a motion generation system  12 , a movable member  14 , a hub  16 , and extension members  18 .  
         [0016]     The motion generation system  12  is preferably provided by a motor  20 , preferably an electric motor powered by a power source, such as AA size battery  22  connected to the motor  20  by wiring  24 . Other power sources may also be used, such as a solar power cell. The motor  20  may be of single speed or may include electronic controllers or the like for adjusting and/or varying its rotational speed as may be desired. For use in generating sounds mimicking a turkey or turkeys feeding, the motor  20  preferably has a rotational speed of from about 5 to about 50 rpms. The motor  20  includes a shaft  26  that rotates under the power of the motor  20 . However, it will be understood that the motor  20  may be configured for imparting other motions, such as translational and reciprocal motion.  
         [0017]     The motor  20  and the battery  22  are preferably located within a housing  28 , such as a plastic housing having a removable cover for accessing the battery  22 . The wiring  24  is preferably connected to an on/off switch associated with the motor  20  and partially extending through the housing  28  for access by a user. As will be appreciated, a remotely activatable switch, such as an infrared switch may be utilized instead of the mechanical switch  30 . Also, a timing or other control device may also be incorporated to periodically control the operation of the motor  20 . For example, the motor  20  may be periodically controlled to start or stop motion and/or change the speed thereof.  
         [0018]     The movable member  14  may be provided by the shaft  26  of the motor  20 , provided that the shaft is of sufficient length. However, in a preferred embodiment, the shaft  26  is relatively short and resides within the housing  28  and the movable member  14  is provided by an elongate shaft  32  having and end  34  configured for releasably connecting to the shaft  26  of the motor  20 . For example, the shaft  32  may have a quick release  36 , such as a ball detent, for engaging a bore  38  of the shaft  26 , or vice versa. The shafts  26  and  32  may connect in other ways, such as by threading and the like. The housing  28  includes a suitable aperture or port  40  for passage of the shaft  32 . This is advantageous to enable portability so that the movable member  14  does not protrude for transport and the device may be compactly carried.  
         [0019]     The hub  16  is preferably a wheel-shaped plastic member having a central bore  42  configured for mounting adjacent an end  44  of the shaft  32 . The hub  16  is preferably configured for releasably connecting to the shaft  32 . For example, the end  44  of the shaft  32  may have a quick release  46 , such as a ball detent, for engaging the bore  42  of the hub  16 , or vice versa. The hub  16  may also connect in other manners, such as by threading on the end of the shaft  32 .  
         [0020]     The hub  16  may be formed on the shaft  32  or be a simple structure for connecting the extension members  18  thereto, such as bores formed on the shaft  32  or adhesive placed on the shaft  32  or the hub  16  may be defined as by portions of the extension members  18  which may be wrapped around the shaft  32 . Thus, it will be understood that the hub  16  is structure which enables connection, either directly or indirectly, of the extension members to the shaft. However, it is preferred that the hub  16  be a separate structure readily detachable from the shaft to facilitate portability and quick change of the extension members  18 , as described more fully below.  
         [0021]     The extension members  18  are elongate structures configured for contacting dirt, grass, leaves or other debris on the ground to generate a rustling sound that mimics the sound of a turkey rustling or scratching through a water puddle, dirt, grass, leaves or other ground debris as during feeding. In one preferred embodiment, the extension members  18  are substantially permanently attached to the hub  16 . However, as described in connection with  FIG. 6 , the extension members  18  may be removably attachable to the hub  16  to enable a user to select among the number and type of the extension members  18  used.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a preferred configuration of the extension member  18 , having a pair of spring wires  50  extending from opposite locations thereon. The free ends of the wires  50  are preferably bent into a circular tip to provide a blunt end. Alternatively, the wires  50  may be formed of other resilient material that yields under light pressure but yields back to substantially original shape when the force is removed, such as a resilient plastic. This construction is desirable for rustling non-fixed objects, such as leaves, sand, gravel, dirt, and the like, without sweeping them from the site.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  shows an alternate embodiment of extension members  18 ′. The extension members  18 ″ may be provided as by a member  54 , preferably a rigid stick or wire or the like, or a flexible line or cord attached to the hub  16 . Multiple flexible lines  56 , such as monofilament lines, are attached to the fee end, with small beads or the like formed on the ends of the lines. The members  18 ″ are particularly suitable for making rustling noises in sand, dirt, and leaves.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  shows an alternate embodiment of a hub  16 ′ that is substantially similar to the hub  16 , except an outer rim  60  thereof is configured for removably attaching one or more of the extension members  18 ,  18 ′, or  18 ″, For example, the rim  60  may include a plurality of apertures  62  configured for receiving, preferably in a friction fit, an end of the extension members. The rim  60  may also be provided as by an elastomeric material or a foam material, such as Styrofoam, into which the ends of the extension members may be penetrated. If desired, the ends of the extension members may be shaped in a point.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  shows an alternate embodiment of a game attractant device  10 ′ that is substantially similar to the device  10 , except that hub  66  thereof is oriented substantially parallel to the ground. To orient the extension members  18 ,  18 ′, and  18 ″ to contact water, the ground, or debris thereon, the extension members preferably include a bend B, preferably about 60 degrees.  
         [0026]     The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.