Abstract:
A bait cover to control the exposure of bait to wildlife by providing a selected quantity of bait on a ground surface and positioning the bait cover, comprising a movable cover in sufficient proximity to the bait such that the movable cover covers the bait in a first position and exposes the bait sufficiently for wildlife to feed on in a second position; a swing arm connected to the movable cover; and a controller connected to the base end of the swing arm to control movement of the swing arm and the movable cover between a covered and uncovered position, wherein the controller includes an automatic timer to control operation of the bait cover.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/577,930, filed Dec. 20, 2011, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to the practice of baiting wild game as part of hunting. In particular, this disclosure relates to baiting wild game with bait piles wherein the bait is provided to wild life for a specific time period. 
         [0003]    It is widely known by hunters that baiting has an advantage over traditional hunting methods. Baiting not only increases the chances of seeing wild life but also increases the chances of harvesting wild game such as deer. 
         [0004]    Generally in states where baiting is legal, hunters set out large piles of bait in order to attract as many targets as possible over the duration of a hunt. Increasing the traffic of targets will lead to increased yield when hunting. The general practice by hunters has been to set out a large enough pile of bait to ensure that wildlife is attracted. Once the pile is set out, any type of wild life is essentially free to graze the bait until the bait has been eaten. There is no control as to when the bait is available to the deer or the duration of time the bait is available to the deer. 
         [0005]    In some areas of the country, disease such as Chronic Wasting disease (CWD) is a problem. CWD can be transmitted through animal to animal contact as well as contamination of food sources by infected deer. Leaving open large piles of food for multiple deer or wildlife to graze greatly increases the chance of wildlife contacting each other thereby passing on the disease. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention comprises a bait cover which is used to control the exposure time of wildlife bait to wildlife. A selected quantity of bait is provided on a ground surface. The bait cover comprises a movable cover in sufficient proximity to the bait such that the movable cover covers the bait in a first position and exposes the bait sufficiently for wildlife to feed on in a second position. A swing arm is connected to the movable cover and a controller is connected to the base end of the swing arm to control movement of the swing arm and the movable cover between a covered and uncovered position. The controller can include an automatic timer to control operation of the bait cover. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic of the electrical components of the control device. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bait cover in a first position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the control device. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side view of control device and ground attachment mechanism. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is top view of the bait cover in a first position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the bait cover in a first position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    This disclosure describes an automatic bait cover and method of baiting that allows exposure of the bait for a controlled period of time. Specifically, when the hunter is observing the target spot, open-ended exposure of the bait is eliminated. The method described herein provides the bait at a selected time and also for a selected duration of time by covering the bait, thereby preventing the wildlife from further consuming the bait. An audible tone, or bell, is activated during operation to uncover the bait in order to get the attention of, and attract wildlife to the bait. Controlled exposure reduces potential disease transmission from contamination of uncovered piles of bait by limiting the duration of time that the bait is available, and thereby reducing the amount of time that wildlife such as deer congregate over the bait. 
         [0014]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present invention generally is a self-contained battery operated device that opens and closes a cover  30  based on a user settable timer  16 . The first main component is an enclosure box  10 . The enclosure box  10  is constructed of aluminum or other suitable metal and has a completely removable lid  12  for access to the internal parts. The enclosure box  10  includes the mechanical and electrical operating elements. The second main component is a cover  30 . The cover is made of plastic or other suitable lightweight material. The cover  30  is displaceable 180 degrees so as to open and close over an intended area. A piezoelectric beeper (not shown) or other suitable mechanical bell is activated while the cover  30  opens. The cover  30  and enclosure box  10  are connected by the third main component, a cover swing arm  26 . The invention is then secured to a chosen spot on the ground by two stakes  40  and  42  attached to the enclosure box  10 . 
         [0015]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4  and  5  the enclosure box  10  houses the electrical components. In more detail,  FIG. 1  illustrates the power circuitry associated with one embodiment of the invention. Power circuitry for the invention can include any suitable circuitry for providing power from the battery to the components in the enclosure box  10 . The enclosure box  10  holds a battery  14 , a timer  16 , a circuit relay board  18  and a gear motor  20 . The circuit relay board  18  has connections for the battery  14 , the timer  16  and the gear motor  20 . The battery  14  is wired to the timer  16  and the circuit relay board  18 . The timer  16  is also wired to the circuit relay board  18 . The gear motor  20  is wired to the circuit relay board  18 . The timer  16  controls the intervals at which the gear motor  20  will operate. Two separate limit switches  22  and  24  are wired between the timer  16  and the relay board  18  connection. The limit switches  22  and  24  act to turn off the operating gear motor  20  once the cover  30  is in the desired position. Limit switch  22  controls when the cover  30  is closing and limit switch  24  controls while the cover  30  is opening. Each limit switch  22  and  24  is connected to a limit switch connector (not shown) to seal the edge of the conduit from water or other elements. Alternatively, the timer  16  can be used to set a dwell time for the motor  20 . The motor would run for a set period of time and the cover  30  would come to rest when it reaches an open or closed position by disengagement of a clutch  28  where the motor  30  would shut off immediately after a predetermined duration. 
         [0016]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3   5  and  6 , the enclosure box  10  is then connected to the cover swing arm  26 . The enclosure box and cover swing arm can be constructed of aluminum or other suitable metal for durability. By use of the clutch  28 , the cover swing arm  26  is attached to the enclosure box  10 . The clutch  28  consists of two rotating shafts (not shown). One rotating shaft is connected to the gear motor  20  inside the enclosure box  10 . The other rotating shaft is connected to the swing arm  26 . The clutch  28  acts to connect the gear motor  20  and the enclosure box  10 , to the cover swing arm  26 . The clutch  28  transfers power from the gear motor  20  to the cover swing arm  26  and limits the torque created by rotation of the cover swing arm  26  and cover  30 . The manually set timer  20  initiates operation of the gear motor  20  through the relay board  18 . The gear motor  20  initiates motion of the cover swing arm  26  through the clutch  28 . The cover swing arm  26  can rotate up to 180 degrees as indicated by arrows  50 . The limit switches  22  and  24  stop the motor and rotation of the swing arm  26  when the cover  30  reaches an open or closed position as shown in  FIG. 4 . In the closed position, the bait pile is covered because the cover  30  is extended over the bait pile. In the open position, the cover is displaced 180 degrees to the opposite side of the enclosure box  10  from the bait pile, completely exposing the bait pile. 
         [0017]    Further illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the cover swing arm  26  is also connected to the cover  30 . The cover  30  when closed is significantly concave in relation to the ground  54  with a raised lip  32  on the outer diameter. The raised lip  32  portion of the cover connects to a top surface  56  of the cover  30  by an approximately 90 degree angular riser  34  to give height to the top surface  56  of the cover  30 . When the cover  30  is closed the top surface  56  extends over to cover the pile of bait. Simultaneously, the raised lip  32  on the outer diameter of the cover  30  makes contact with the ground. This ensures that the closed cover  30  encompasses a substantial size pile. In this instance, the ground is not limited to the earthen surface, but includes a ground surface, a material placed on the ground while underneath the bait, or a stump or other material or element in close proximity to the ground. In contrast, the cover  30  is fully open after 180 degree rotation of the cover swing arm  26  and the top surface  56  of the cover  30  is in contact with the ground surface and the pile of bait is uncovered. 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that the cover would be constructed of a lightweight material that will be easily movable, but durable enough to withstand outdoor elements and attack from animals. The cover may be constructed of a durable plastic. 
         [0019]    In still further detail as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the cover  30  is connected to a contoured end  36  of the cover swing arm  26 . The cover swing arm  26  has a distal portion  52  having a contoured surface  36  in a concave fashion that matches the contoured in a concave fashion surface of the cover  30 . The distal portion is attached to the concave surface of the cover  30  by nut  46  and bolt  48  or other suitable fastener. Additionally, a truss  38  is perpendicularly secured to the cover swing arm  26  at the edge of the cover  30 . Each lower end of the truss  38  is secured to the cover  30  by nut and bolt or other suitable fastener. The truss  38  provides stability for and additional attachment support of the cover swing arm  26  to the cover  30 . 
         [0020]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4  and further in  FIG. 6 , two aluminum or other suitable metal ground stakes  40  and  42  are attached to the underside of the enclosure box  10 . The enclosure box is welded to the top of an aluminum or other suitable metal bar  44 . The bar  44  extends outward from the sides underneath the enclosure box  10 . The stakes  40  and  42  are attached to each end of the bar  44  perpendicular to the swing arm  26 . Each stake  40  and  42  also extends into the ground to secure the enclosure box  10  and cover swing arm  26  in place. The stakes  40  and  42  also serve to resist torque of the enclosure box  10  or cover  30  during operation. 
         [0021]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.