Scent shooter

A scent shooter apparatus is disclosed. The scent shooter may include a projectile launcher. A vessel may be coupled to the projectile launcher and configured to hold a pellet and release the pellet during operation of the apparatus. The apparatus may include a piercer mounted on the vessel. The piercer may be disposed to pierce the pellet during operation of the apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to hunting equipment, and more particularly, to a scent shooter.

One technique employed by hunters is to draw game out by dousing an area with chemicals that attract wildlife. For example, game can be lured into a particular area by using pheromones or other natural scents such as animal urine that the game can detect.

Some current methods of covering an area with these chemicals include manually pouring or spraying, however, these techniques can mean that a hunter physically traverses the same area so that the hunter's motion scares potential game away or may leave behind his own scent that the game can detect. Some other techniques include using breakable pellets that contain attractive scent as a lure. The pellets can be shot or launched toward an area so that the hunter may be an undetectable distance away, for example, approximately 240 ft. However, some pellets do not break on impact and are wasted, lost in the brush.

As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus that improves the release of scent from a pellet that can be discharged from a distance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a scent discharging apparatus, comprises a handle; a projectile launcher coupled to the handle; a vessel coupled to the projectile launcher, the vessel configured to hold a pellet and release the pellet during operation of the apparatus; and a piercer mounted on the vessel, the piercer disposed to pierce the pellet during operation of the apparatus

In another aspect of the present invention, a scent shooter apparatus, comprises a slingshot including a pair of slings attached to a fork and a handle; a partially enclosed shell coupled to the pair of slings; an internal compartment slidably disposed within the shell, the internal compartment configured to carry a pellet; and a piercer coupled through the outer shell and internal compartment, the piercer disposed to pierce the pellet as the internal compartment is slid within the outer shell.

In another aspect of the present invention, a scent shooter apparatus, comprises a handle; a pair of forks coupled to the handle; a pair of elastic slings coupled to the pair of forks; a rigid vessel coupled between the pair of elastic slings, the vessel configured to hold a pellet; and a spring-loaded piercer coupled to the vessel, wherein the piercer is disposed to pierce the pellet as the vessel is drawn toward a user extending the slings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a scent shooter that can launch a projectile, for example, a pierced scent filled pellet, into an area distant from a user providing improved chances of a distant area being doused with an attractant for game. Additionally, exemplary embodiments of the present invention, control the timing of the piercing so as to control and mitigate spillage of the scent near the hunter.

Referring now to the Figures, an apparatus is shown that can pierce a scent filled pellet just prior to launch.FIGS. 1-3show a scent shooter10that includes a handle20and a vessel50. The scent shooter10, in some exemplary embodiments, may be a slingshot including the handle20, a pair of forks40coupled to the handle20, and a pair of elastic slings60attached to the forks40. The vessel50may be rigid and coupled to and between proximal ends65of the slings60.

Referring toFIGS. 3,7, and8, an exploded view of the scent shooter10is shown and in particular, the vessel50according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention carrying a scent filled pellet99. The vessel50may include an outer shell51and an internal compartment54.

The outer shell51may be a unitary rigid piece or may be two separate halves51a;51bforming an elongated cup shape with an open front end57and a substantially enclosed back end59. The outer shell51may include indents or slots52(shown as respective indent halves52aand52b) along side walls58. A projection53(formed by interlocking elements53aand53b) may be disposed on the back enclosed end59.

The internal compartment54may be substantially semi-spherical and sized to carry the pellet99within its interior. An exterior surface of the internal compartment54may include a pair of rails56disposed on opposite sides of the internal compartment54exterior. The rails56may each support a depressible tab55. The tabs55may include a grip surface67that may include, for example, ridges.

A piercer75, for example, a tack, a pin, or a blade, may be mounted on the vessel50. The piercer75may be disposed to pierce the pellet99inside the internal compartment54. In one exemplary embodiment, the piercer75may be coupled through the outer shell51and through the internal compartment54. The piercer75may be spring loaded onto the vessel50. In one exemplary embodiment, a coiled spring76may be mounted onto the piercer75between an interior of the outer shell51and the exterior of the internal compartment54.

The scent filled pellet99may be spherical and substantially hollow except that it may be filled with a fluid95. The scent filled pellet99may be a thin-skinned capsule made from, for example, a gelatin. The fluid95may be, for example, animal urine or other animal lure scents or masks.

In operation, a user may insert the pellet99into the internal compartment54. The user may apply finger pressure to the tabs55when drawing the elastic slings60and vessel50back prior to launching the pellet99. One may appreciate that the tabs55mounted on the rails56may slide along the indents52of the outer shell51. The ridges on the grip surface67may aid the fingers of the user providing control during the draw and preventing slippage. As a user slides the tabs55rearward, the finger pressure applied to the pellet99simultaneously draws the internal compartment54and pellet99rearward within the outer shell51. Thus, in one exemplary use, as the user begins to encounter resistance from the slings60, the pellet99may be drawn rearward toward the piercer75and pierced just prior to launching. Once the pellet99is released, the coiled spring76may push the internal compartment54back into a default position within the outer shell51.

Referring back toFIGS. 1-6, the handle20may include features to provide ease of handling and ease of dispensing the scented pellets99. The handle20may include a curved rear surface26and a plurality of finger grips24on a front surface. The handle20may include an internal wall29defining a hollow chamber. The internal wall29may be large enough to fit scented pellets99so that the pellets99may move freely when stacked inside the handle20. A valve30assembly may be disposed at the top of the handle20over the internal wall29. The valve assembly30may include a spring loaded trigger35. The trigger35may be depressed to reveal and release the contents of the internal wall29. The handle20may also include a pair of lengthwise grooves27that may run from the top of the handle20down to the bottom and may accommodate fitted coupling of fork legs28to the handle20.

The scent shooter10may include a yoke74coupling the vessel50to the handle20by way of fasteners79. A pair of yoke locks72may be disposed between the yoke74and the vessel50. The pair of yoke locks72may be positioned between the tabs55and the underlying yoke74surface. The yoke locks72may be configured to surround the front end57of the outer shell51and lock the outer shell51onto the yoke74. It may also be appreciated that the yoke locks72may be configured to provide a stop for the tabs55as the internal compartment may reset to its default position after a launch. The yoke74may also include a pair of loops73on distal ends of the yoke74. The elastic slings60may each be fastened to respective loops73.

While the foregoing was described within the context of employing a slingshot, it will be understood that features and elements of the foregoing disclosure may describe other projectile launchers. Additionally, while other projectile launchers may not have been illustrated, those skilled in the art may appreciate that some of the foregoing features may be employed alone within other projectile launcher types. For example, the vessels described may be employed on a cross-bow type launcher or a pneumatic gun.