Abstract:
A deer attractant including: an expandable visual indicator; and a cover adapted to slide over the visual indicator. The device is transitionable between a first state and a second state, so that when the device is in the first state, the cover compresses and encloses the visual indicator, and when the device is in the second state, the visual indicator is expanded and exposed, thereby attracting the animal. The visual indicator is a compressible bellows that urges itself to expand when not compressed by the cover. The device includes a vocal call that produces an audio signal when the device transitions from the first state into the second state.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/156,714, filed Mar. 2, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to hunting and more specifically to a deer attractant. 
     Many products provide attractants such as scents, visual and vocal devices. These devices sometimes work but sometimes a deer will not respond if it does not see another deer where the sound is coming from. 
     It would be desirable to have a device that provides a visual indicator that could be combined with vocal devices to attract deer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a device for attracting an animal includes: an expandable visual indicator; and a cover adapted to slide over the visual indicator; wherein the device is transitionable between a first state and a second state, so that when the device is in the first state, the cover compresses and encloses the visual indicator, and when the device is in the second state, the visual indicator is expanded and exposed, thereby attracting the animal. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a device includes: an expandable bellows; a visual indicator on the bellows; a first tube adapted to slide over and cover the bellows; and a second tube to support the device, the second tube having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the first tube; wherein the first tube slides over the second tube to transition between a closed position and an open position, so that when the first tube is in the closed position, the first tube compresses and encloses the bellows and hides the visual indicator, and when the first tube is in the open position, the bellows is expanded and exposes the visual indicator. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of attracting an animal includes: sliding a cover over a visual indicator to compress and hide the indicator; and sliding the cover away from the visual indicator to release and expose the visual indicator, thereby attracting the animal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of an embodiment of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  as used in the open position; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged detail view of an embodiment of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  taken from  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged detail view of an embodiment of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  taken from  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged detail view of an embodiment of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  taken from  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a section view of an embodiment of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a section view of an embodiment of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9A  is a detail section view of an embodiment of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  vertical bellows in the lowered resting position; 
         FIG. 9B  is a detail section view of an embodiment of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  vertical bellows in the partially deployed position; and 
         FIG. 9C  is a detail view of an embodiment of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  vertical bellows in the fully deployed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The preferred embodiment and other embodiments, including the best mode of carrying out the invention, are hereby described in detail with reference to the drawings. Further embodiments, features and advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description or may be learned without undue experimentation. The figures are not drawn to scale, except where otherwise indicated. The following description of embodiments, even if phrased in terms of “the invention,” is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but describes the manner and process of making and using the invention. The coverage of this patent will be described in the claims. The order in which steps are listed in the claims does not indicate that the steps must be performed in that order. 
     An embodiment of the present invention generally provides a deer attractant. An embodiment may be called “The Flag” and provides a visual attractant which can be used alone or along with other vocal, visual and/or sent attractants. 
     An embodiment of a device for attracting deer includes a first section of support tubing, a lag bolt attached to bottom of the tubing, a second section of cover tubing, an end cap device to reduce the diameter of the second tubing, attached to the top of the second section, a third slide tubing section attached to the reducing end cap and protruding through the end cap, an end cap which seals to the top of the third section of tubing. A length of cord has one end of tied to the third section through the drilled hole, and a sewn vertical bellows or other visual indicator, with a first opening on the top and a second opening on the bottom, the first opening attached to the bottom of the second section on the inside. The second opening attaches to the top of the first section of tubing. The visual indicator is a “bellows” that urges itself to expand when it is not held compressed. 
     As depicted in the figures, an embodiment of the invention  10  includes support tubing  12 , which may be a tube or hollow shaft approximately 1 in. diameter and approx 4 ft long, with a lag bolt  14  at the end of the support tubing  12 . Lag bolt  14  may be approximately 0.5 in. diameter by approx 5 in. long (or similar device) attached to the bottom of support tubing  12  so that the two tubes have the same central axis. A larger cover tubing  16  may be a hollow tube or cylinder approximately 3 in. diameter by 20″ that is also aligned on the same central axis. The tubings  12  and  14  may be other shapes or sizes that slide over each other. 
     At the end of cover tubing  16  is end cap reducer  18 , which tapers from 3″ to ½″ to reduce the diameter of the cover tubing  16 . A third slide tubing  20  having a ½″ diameter pokes out through end cap reducer  18  at the top of cover tubing  16 . The third slide tubing  20  may be 0.5 in. by 40 inches long, and is attached to end cap reducer  18  with approximately 2 in. protruding. A 0.25 in. hole is drilled 1.0 in. from end protruding through end cap reducer  18 . 
     A length of cord  22  or cords may be approximately 0.1 in. by 25 ft. long, more or less. One end of cord  22  is tied to slide tubing  20  through the drilled hole. More than one cord may be attached. Additional cords may be tied to the loop made by the first cord. 
     A sewn vertical bellows  24 , similar to the shape of a football, approximately 18 in. long may be made of a thin slick white material such as garment liner having a 3 in. opening on the top and a 1 in. opening on the bottom. The 3 in. opening is attached to the bottom of larger cover tubing  16  on the inside by glue or mechanical means. 
     Clips  26  or other means for attaching an audio/vocal game attracting device  28  such as “The Can(R)” or similar device to cords  22  approx 1 ft. from the slide tubing  20  assembly. Clip  26  is a Velcro(R) or other hooks-and-loops strap that will hold game attracting device  28  with eyelets at either end to attach to cords  22 . When the cord is relaxed, the vocal attracting device will hang upside down to reset the device. When the cord is pulled upward, the vocal attracting device is turned upright which makes a vocal or audio representation of a female deer. In an embodiment, a cord  22  may be attached to slide tubing  20  assembly without clips  26  to operate the flag, without vocal presentation. Embodiments include a tube end cap  30 , which is a weather tight cap to seal the top end of slide tubing  20 . 
     To make an embodiment, the assembly of the larger cover tubing  16 , end cap reducer  18 , slide tubing  20 , and bellows  24  may be inserted onto support tubing  12  by sliding slide tubing  20  into support tubing  12 . Bellows  24  is attached to support tubing  12  just below the top of support tubing  12  so that cover tubing  16  will cover the bellows when the assembly is in the down or closed position. With lag bolt  14  screwed into the earth, pulling cords  22  will raise the cover tubing  16 , end cap reducer  18  and slide tubing  20 , exposing bellows  24  simulating the tail of a deer. All parts except items cords  22  and bellows  24  are painted with camo colors. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the game attracting device  28  is an accessory which enhances the function of the invention. Embodiments of this invention can also enhance the effectiveness of marketed products. Additional cords  22  provide extra functionality such as multiple game attracting devices  28  for a plurality of tones. Different size game attracting devices  28  may produce different tones. 
     In an embodiment, support tubing  12  attaches to lag bolt  14  one end and bellows  24  on the other. Cover tubing  16  attaches to end cap reducer  18  one end and bellows  24  on the other. Slide tubing  20  attaches through end cap reducer  18  on end and cords  22  on the same end. Clips  26  attach to cords  22 . Tube end cap  30  attaches to the top of slide tubing  20 . Support tubing  12  is a vertical shaft which functions as the backbone for the device. A lag bolt  14  in the end provides means for the assembly to be supported in a vertical direction by screwing it into the earth. Cover tubing  16  is a cover for the flag to be hidden when not deployed. End cap reducer  18  is a cap for reducing the large diameter of cover tubing  16  down to match the diameter of slide tubing  20 . Slide tubing  20  provides a sliding shaft for cover tubing  16  assembly to move freely up and down. Slide tubing  20  slides inside of support tubing  12 . Cords  22  provide a means to remotely operate the assembly from an elevated vertical stand. Bellows  24  is a bright white vertical bellows which is fully exposed when the device is extended and is hidden when the device is retracted. Clips  26  are devices to fasten an existing vocal call to cords  22 . 
     An embodiment of the invention can be made from ordinary hardware parts, or mass produced by commercial means. The shaft parts can be made from PVC, thin metal tubing, or any material suitable for making a relatively stiff tube. The flag can be made from a variety of materials but is preferably slick, to fold inward. The cord can be of almost any material with dark or camo color. Multiple cords made of different colors to help the hunter keep track of each function. The cans are commonly used by hunters and are available at most sports stores. 
     In an embodiment, a hunter would place the invention under a tree stand or any elevated concealment, attaching it by means of the lag bolt on the bottom in an upright position. Attach one (or multiple) cans to the clips on the cord(s) then attach the cord(s) to a convenient place on the stand. Give a call by lifting the cord approx 1 foot to make the can stand upright. When a deer is spotted, they will typically look to see if they see another deer, lift the cord up to expose the flag for a few seconds. This puts the buck at ease and confirms that he is seeing another deer. A few drops of buck lure around the invention may also improve your chances of a close encounter. 
     An embodiment of this invention may be used on various species and a silent signal between hunters. An embodiment of the invention has solid white flag part which is visible 360 degrees not just from one direction. An embodiment of the invention has a weather proof cover allowing it to remain on site for the season or permanently if desired. An embodiment of the invention has means for attaching vocal call(s) for enhanced attraction. An embodiment of the invention provides multiple functionally by combining a flag and/or vocal attraction.