Abstract:
A bait for attracting animals and configured for inserting into the ground. 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 protrusion extending from the center portion, the protrusion being adapted for engaging the ground as the center portion is inserted into the ground; and a head portion attached to the second end of the center portion. The shaft portion and the head portion are a food for the animals.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/826,879, filed Mar. 14, 2013. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosed Embodiments 
         [0003]    The disclosed embodiments relate to attracting animals. 
         [0004]    2. Introduction 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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 
       [0007]    Particular embodiments of the invention are directed to a bait for attracting animals and configured for inserting into the ground. 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 protrusion extending from the center portion, the protrusion being adapted for engaging the ground as the center portion is inserted into the ground; and a head portion attached to the second end of the center portion. The shaft portion and the head portion are a food for the animals. 
         [0008]    Particular embodiments of the invention are directed to a bait for attracting animals and configured for inserting into the ground. The bait includes a shaft portion having an engagement feature; and a head portion attached to the shaft portion. The portion and the head portion are a food for the animals, and the shaft portion is configured such that the engagement feature engages the ground and resists removal of the bait from the ground when the center portion is inserted into the ground. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    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: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a view of a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a section view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a third embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show an example of a method for installing an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of the invention in an installed state; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  shows a fifth embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  shows an example of a method for installing the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 9-11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    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. 
         [0021]    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. 
         [0022]    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. 
         [0023]    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. 
         [0024]    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. 
         [0025]    The drawings show exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         [0026]      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). 
         [0027]      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). 
         [0028]    Other examples of materials that can be used are salts, calcium, phosphorous, sodium bicarbonate, other minerals, synthetic urine, natural urine, sugar beet smash, proteins, and glandular materials and their secretions such as tarsal gland, interdigital gland, orbital gland, vaginal secretions, hormones and pheromones. In some embodiments, one or more of these ingredients is included in an amount up to about 30 percent of the total volume with the rest of the total volume being an inert ingredient such as corn chips, sugar, corn syrup, etc. 
         [0029]    In the example of sodium bicarbonate, the sodium bicarbonate can be heated to a temperature of approximately 250 degrees Fahrenheit and poured into a mold. 
         [0030]      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. The configuration shown in  FIGS. 3-5  (and other shapes and configurations) can also exist in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 9-11 , below. These configurations can facilitate the installation of the embodiments into the ground. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 6-8  show an example of an installation method for particular embodiments 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. 
         [0032]    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. 
         [0033]    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 10 1/2  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. 
         [0034]    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 . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 9-11  show an example of another embodiment of the invention. This example is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , except that the helical thread is replaced by one or more barbs. As shown in  FIG. 9 , a bait  1000  has a head  1100  and a shaft  1200 . Shaft  1200  has a center section  1210  and at least one barb  1240 ,  1250 ,  1260 . Head  1100  is attached to center section  1210  at second end  1230 . In this example, barbs  1240 ,  1250 ,  1260  extend from center section  1210  in an outwardly direction. Barbs  1240 ,  1260  extend such that spaces  1241 ,  1261  are formed between edges  1242 ,  1262  and center section  1210 . In a slightly different configuration, barb  1250  extends such that an upper surface of barb  1250  is parallel to an upper surface of head  110  so that no space is formed between edge  1252  and center section  1210 . Barbs  1240 ,  1250 ,  1260  are shown in this example to illustrate possible configurations and numbers of barbs. Any number of barbs can be used in any combination of configurations. For example, one, two or more barbs can be used, all of which have the configuration of barb  1240 , or one barb having the configuration of barb  1250  can be used. In some embodiments, the lowest barb is located near a first end  1220  of center section  1210  so that bait  1000  remains fixed to the ground until almost all of the bait is consumed. 
         [0036]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 . As can be seen from  FIG. 10 , the entirety of bait  1000  is formed in one piece. In particular embodiments, the entirety of bait  1000  is formed from a single material. Bait  1000  can be formed from the same materials as the embodiments discussed above. 
         [0037]    Although barbs  1240 ,  1250 ,  1260  are shown in  FIGS. 9-11  as completely encircling center section  1210 , the barbs can be interrupted or be formed as individual barbs that extend less than completely around center section  1210 .  FIG. 11  shows examples of a barb  1270  that extends less than completely around center section  1210  and barbs  1280  formed as individual spikes that extend from center section  1210 . However, the structural integrity and strength of the barbs should be such that the barbs will remain attached to center section  1210  during and after installation of bait  1000  into ground  300 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 12  shows a method of installing bait  1000  into ground  300 . In this example, bait  1000  is pushed in the direction of arrow C into ground  300 . As explained above, the configurations of head  100  shown in  FIGS. 3-5  can be used for head  1100 . These configurations can facilitate the insertion of bait  1000  into ground  300  by facilitating a twisting or rocking motion as bait  1000  is pushed into the ground. After bait  1000  is inserted to the desired depth, the ground may be pressed down or tamped down around bait  1000  to more securely fix bait  1000  into the ground. 
         [0039]    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.