Abstract:
A volume variable game call having a rotary air valve disposed between the reed section of the call and the horn section of the call.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to game calls, and even more particularly relates to hand-operated game calls for producing calls with variable volume levels. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the past, designers of game calls have endeavored to provide more realistic sounding calls. Some calls require extensive skill before they can be made to produce realistic sounds, while other calls, especially lip-blown tube calls, often require considerable hand movement around the end of the tube to change pitch, tone and volume. Some calls have incorporated a bellows to eliminate the requirement of blowing through the call. 
     While these calls may have advantages, they also have significant drawbacks. 
     Often a novice caller or a caller who wishes to refrain from the required cupping of hands etc. at the end of a lip-blown tube call, will resort to a hand-operated bellows call. However, these calls usually have a more limited range of realistic sounding calls that they can produce when compared with the more versatile and difficult to operate lip-blown calls. 
     Consequently, there exists a need for improvement of hand-operated bellows game calls with controls therein for varying the sound output. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable game call having realistic tones at variable volume levels. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to utilize a twisting airflow control valve inside the call. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a call which is easy to use and has a volume variability characteristic. 
     The present invention is a volume controllable game call which is designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features and achieve the already articulated advantages. The present invention is carried out in an “expertise-less” manner in a sense that the high level of expertise which was often required by an operator of a game call to generate sounds at varying sound levels has been greatly reduced. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is a game call having an internal air valve therein for regulating permissible airflow through the call. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may be more fully understood by reading the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of a game call of the present invention, wherein the dotted lines show the alignment of the exploded parts. 
     FIG. 2 is a simplified exploded perspective diagram of a game call of FIG. 1, wherein the dotted lines show the alignment of the exploded parts. 
     FIG. 3A is an end view of the game call of FIG. 1, in which the volume control is in a fully open position. 
     FIG. 3B is an end view of the game call of FIG. 1, in which the volume control is in a partially open position. 
     FIG. 3C is an end view of the game call of FIG. 1, in which the volume control is in a fully closed position. 
     FIG. 4 is an end view of the horn section of the present invention taken from the opposite end from FIGS. 3A,  3 B, and  3 C. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line  5 — 5  of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Now referring to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like matter throughout, and more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, which are partially exploded perspective views, of the present invention, generally designated  100 , showing a bellows  102 , a sound chamber  104  with a proximal sound chamber end  116  and a distal sound chamber end  118 . and a screw  112  Disposed on distal sound chamber end  118  is distal diaphragm  220  and distal sound chamber screw hole  222 . The opposing position of proximal diaphragm  114  with respect to distal diaphragm  220  is a well-known arrangement as used in prior art dual diaphragm calls. A stationary sleeve  106  is preferably coupled to sound chamber  104  in a rigid manner with no relative motion therebetween during operation. Stationary sleeve  106  has a proximal stationary sleeve opening  230  (which is aligned with distal diaphragm  220 ), a proximal stationary sleeve blocking plate  238 , and a proximal stationary sleeve screw hole  232 . Other than proximal stationary sleeve blocking plate  238  with proximal stationary sleeve screw hole  232  therein, stationary sleeve  106  is preferably a hollow tube. A horn  108  with a horn insert  250  coupled thereto or integrally a part thereof, is disposed in and adjacent to stationary sleeve  106 . Horn insert  250  is inserted into the stationary sleeve  106  so that proximal horn insert opening  240  and proximal horn insert blocking plate  248  are brought next to proximal stationary sleeve opening  230  and proximal stationary sleeve blocking plate  238 . Proximal horn insert blocking plate  248  has a proximal horn insert lateral stabilizing ridge  246  and a proximal horn insert screw hole  242 . Additionally, proximal horn edge  252  is brought into contact with stationary sleeve  106  when horn insert  250  is fully inserted in stationary sleeve  106 . 
     Now referring to FIGS. 3A,  3 B, and  3 C, there are shown several end views of the present invention taken from horn distal end  110  looking through the call  100  to distal diaphragm  220  and distal sound chamber end  118 . In FIG. 3A, the proximal horn insert opening  240  is aligned with the distal diaphragm  220  so as to allow full sound generation by the call  100 . In FIG. 3B, the proximal horn insert opening  240  is twisted to an intermediate position, so that only a portion of distal diaphragm  220  is aligned. In such cases, the volume of the sound generated is significantly reduced. In FIG. 3C, there is shown a configuration of proximal horn insert opening  240  and distal diaphragm  220  not shown when in a closed position, such that the volume is at its lowest point, because the proximal horn insert opening  240  is aligned with distal sound chamber end  118  and not with distal diaphragm  220 . It may be desirable to place limitations on how far the horn insert  250  can be rotated by including a stop, post or other rotational limiting feature. Dimples, detents or other features may be included which provide a tactile notice to the operator as the horn insert  250  is rotated past predetermined positions. The precise size, dimension and location of such features for producing tactile notification of and limitation of rotational position, are matters of designer&#39;s choice and are not discussed in detail because they will be determined by the particular need for the particular call designed. 
     Now referring to FIG. 4, there is a view of the horn  108  and horn insert  250  combination of the present invention, taken from the direction of proximal horn insert blocking plate  248 . The semi-circular lines are drawn to highlight the difference between proximal horn insert blocking plate  248  and proximal horn insert opening  240 . The actual call may or may not include any such ridges or markings. 
     Now referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a cross sectional partially exploded view of the call of FIG. 1, which further shows that sound chamber  104  preferably has several pieces associated with the retention of distal diaphragm  220  and proximal diaphragm  114 . 
     In operation, the apparatus of the present invention could function as follows: 
     The bellows  102  is manipulated to produce airflow through proximal diaphragm  114 , through sound chamber  104  and out distal diaphragm  220 , if proximal horn insert opening  240  is aligned with distal diaphragm  220 . If the operator wishes a lower volume of sound, then horn insert  250  is rotated for only partial alignment between proximal horn insert opening  240  and distal diaphragm  220 . When no sound or very low volume sound is desired, then horn insert  250  is rotated so that proximal horn insert opening  240  is aligned with distal sound chamber end  118  and not with distal diaphragm  220 . The horn  108  then permits propagation of whatever sound is generated through distal diaphragm  220  and proximal horn insert opening  240  while focussing its direction of propagation as desired. 
     The volume control valve of the present invention has been described in conjunction with a dual diaphragm bellows-operated call as often is used for turkey calls, because it is believed that many of the advantages of the present invention will be maximized when used in such calls. However, it should be understood that the benefits of the volume control of the present invention can be also enjoyed when applied to non-dual diaphragm calls and non-bellows calls, such as the ubiquitous lip-blown tube call. 
     It is thought that the apparatus of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing description and that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construct steps and arrangement of the parts and steps thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of their material advantages. The form herein described is merely a preferred exemplary embodiment thereof.