Abstract:
An animal call rotating device that allows the user hands free manipulation of the calling device, thereby allowing the user to use both hands to hold and operate a weapon, camera, or other device. The holder can be secured to any part of a hunting stand, frame, shelter, or device.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application U.S. Ser. No. 60/756,310, entitled “Hands Free Animal Call Holder” and filed Jan. 5, 2006, which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to animal calls. More particularly, the present invention relates to an animal call holder. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hands free animal call holder. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Problem and Related Art 
         [0005]    Numerous types of game calls are known, including duck calls, deer calls, and turkey calls. The calls are designed to simulate a number of different animal sounds that may attract game. One type of game call is a weighted diaphragm call that generates animal sounds when air flow is directed over reeds or some other sound generating apparatus. These calls are often in casings that are cylindrical in shape, a few inches in diameter, and a few inches high. To operate these devices, the device is normally rotated, often 180 degrees (i.e., from upright to upside down), causing an internally weighted diaphragm to move and generate airflow over the sound generating apparatus. Traditional weighted diaphragm calls make the desired sound only when the call is turned upside down from its designed position. Thus, once the call is rotated 180 degrees and makes the desired sound, the call must be reset to its original position and then rotated to the same upside down position to repeat the noise. One typical example of this type of call known in the industry is the female deer “bleat” call. Weighted diaphragm calls are not the only type of calls that generate animal sounds upon a rotating motion, but they are generally the most used. 
         [0006]    Traditionally, the weighted diaphragm calls are taken by hunters or wildlife observers into their hunting stand or blind and used to simulate the animal calls. The user rotates the device by hand every time the user desires to create the animal sound. However, operation in this manner has at least two distinct drawbacks. First, most hunters and wildlife observers will have a gun, archery device, weapon, or camera in their hands while waiting for the game. When the user desires to make the animal sound, the user&#39;s arm and hand must move from their gun or camera to the call, rotate it (often 180 degrees), reset the call to its original position, place it in a secure place, and return their arms and hands the desired position, for example the gun. This creates a considerable amount of movement which may be detected by the game being hunted or observed. If the animal detects the movement, it may become frightened and run away. Second, by using a hand to rotate the device, the user&#39;s hand is occupied in operating the device rather than on the user&#39;s weapon, camera, or other device, that often requires two hands to properly operate. When hunting or observing game, a user may only have seconds to react to a situation. If the user&#39;s hand is rotating the game call when the opportunity presents itself, the user may miss the shot of a lifetime. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosure is directed to an animal call holder, and more particularly an animal call holder and mechanism that can operate the animal call hands free. This allows the user to keep both hands on the weapon or camera at all times, and minimizes the movement associated with operating the animal call. While the present invention is best used with weighted diaphragm calls, the present invention may be utilized with any type of game call that generates sound upon rotation. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment the invention comprises a foot pedal having a proximate end and a distal end, a base having a proximate end and a distal end, wherein the proximate end of the foot pedal and the proximate end of the base are connected at a pivot point, a rotating mechanism connected to the distal end of the foot pedal, wherein the rotating mechanism comprises a securing arm extending downward from the foot pedal, a curved connecting member having a first end and a second end, a rotating arm, and a rotatable shaft, wherein the first end of the curved connecting member is rotatably attached to the securing arm and the second end of the curved connecting member is rotatably attached to one end of the rotating arm, said rotating arm having a second end fixedly connected to a rotatable shaft, and an animal call holder connected to the rotatable shaft and configured to retain an animal call. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the invention comprises a foot pedal, a pedestal, said pedestal comprising a vertical member having a shaft aperture therein and a horizontal member, and wherein the foot pedal and said horizontal member of the pedestal are connected at a pivot point, a rotating mechanism connected to the foot pedal wherein the rotating mechanism includes a rotatable shaft positioned through the shaft aperture of the vertical member of the pedestal, and an animal call holder attached to the rotatable shaft of the rotating mechanism, whereby a downward force on the foot pedal causes the animal call holder to rotate. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the invention comprises a pedal having a first end and a second end, a pedestal having a first end and a second end, said pedal and pedestal connected at a pivot point, a rotating mechanism having a rotatable shaft operatively connected to the pedal such that vertical motion of the pedal rotates said rotatable shaft, and a game call holder connected to the rotatable shaft of the rotating mechanism. 
         [0011]    For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
         [0012]    These and other embodiments of the present invention will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment(s) disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a top view of one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side view of one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a separate view of the rotating mechanism in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The various embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5  of the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. Throughout the drawings, like numerals are used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
         [0020]    This invention may be provided in other specific forms and embodiments without departing from the essential characteristics as described herein. The embodiments described above are to be considered in all aspects as illustrative only and not restrictive in any manner. The following claims rather than the foregoing description indicate the scope of the invention. 
         [0021]    As described above and shown in the associated drawings, the present invention comprises an apparatus for rotating a game call. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications that incorporate those features or those improvements that embody the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the preferred embodiment of the invention contains a base (or pedestal)  19 , a foot pedal  12  connected to the base  19 , a rotating mechanism operatively connected to the foot pedal  12 , and a game call holder  15  connected to the rotating mechanism. The preferred embodiment includes a spring  11  that biases the foot pedal away from the base  19 . The base (or pedestal) preferably has a horizontal member and a vertical member, with the vertical member configured to receive a rotatable shaft that connects to the game call holder  15  (discussed further below). 
         [0023]    The game call holder  15  can be of any size and configuration sufficient to hold a game call. Preferably, the holder  15  is configured to accommodate calls of different sizes. Applicant&#39;s preferred embodiment includes a bracket generally in the shape of a half-circle. In this embodiment, the call is placed against the bracket and the call secured by a rubber strap  22 . The bracket may include a hook  21  or other protrusion on which to secure the ends of the strap  22 . Alternatively, one end of the strap could remain affixed to the device itself. The strap may be made of any type of material. 
         [0024]    In the preferred embodiment, when the foot pedal  12  is depressed against the spring  11 , the foot pedal  12  pivots around a hinge point  10 . The hinge point  10  is preferably at ends of the foot pedal  12  and base (or pedestal)  19 , although alternative placement is possible and within the scope of the invention. Just as an example, the foot pedal  12  could be placed in the middle of the base  19  (not depicted). This action causes a rotating mechanism operatively connected to the foot pedal  12  to rotate the game call holder  15 . While the lever designed to receive the force is generally referred to as a “foot pedal,” the invention can be operated using force applied in other ways, and the invention is not limited to operation by a user&#39;s foot. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, the rotating mechanism comprises a straight tooth rack  14  and a toothed gear  18 , configured to rotate a shaft  13 . In this embodiment, depressing the foot pedal  12  causes a straight tooth rack  14  to rotate the toothed gear  18 . The gear  18  is secured to a shaft  13  supported by a posts  24  and  26  on either side of the gear. The support post  26 , in some embodiments, can be part of the base (or pedestal), rather than a separate member. The game call holder  15  is attached to the end of the shaft  13 . As the foot pedal  12  is depressed, the length of the travel of the rack  14  is such that it causes the game call holder  15  (and thus the game call) to rotate, preferably 180 degrees. 
         [0026]    Another embodiment of an acceptable rotating mechanism is depicted in  FIGS. 3-5 . In this embodiment, the rotating mechanism comprises a securing arm  35  connected to the foot pedal (normally extending downward from the foot pedal), a curved connecting member  36  having a first end and a second end, a rotating arm  37 , and a rotatable shaft  38  wherein the first end of the curved connecting member  36  is rotatably attached to the securing arm  35  and the second end of the curved connecting member  36  is rotatably attached to one end of the rotating arm  37 , said rotating arm  37  having a second end fixedly connected to the rotatable shaft  38 . Alternative connection points can also be used rather than the ends of the rotating arm  37 . The animal call holder  15  is connected to the rotatable shaft  38 . When the foot pedal  12  is depressed, the securing arm  35  forces the curved connecting member  36  downward, thereby rotating the rotating arm  37 , and thus the rotatable shaft  38 . The securing arm  35  is preferably placed on the bottom of the foot pedal, but could be located in other positions, for example the side of the foot pedal  12 . The securing arm  35  may also be cast as part of the foot pedal  12  rather than a separate piece. 
         [0027]    Other rotating mechanisms are known in the art, and one of skill in the art will recognize that numerous rotating mechanism may be used. The type of rotating mechanism is not a limitation of the invention. 
         [0028]    The foot pedal  12  may also use a rough surface (for example, protrusions)  30  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) to increase the traction on the foot pedal  12 . The base  19  may also include sound dampening material on the lower surface to decrease the potential for noise when using the invention. 
         [0029]    The invention may also include an optional attachment mechanism. In many instances, a user may be in an elevated viewing or hunting location, often in the form of a ladder stand (combined ladder and platform), a climbing stand (two separate pieces, one for the user&#39;s feet and one to help the user climb), or a strap-on stand (a single platform often used in connection with separate screw in steps or other climbing device). Alternatively, the user may be in some type of structure or shelter. In these locations, it may be preferable to allow the user to secure the invention to the stand or structure itself to increase the stability of the device. This can be accomplished in any known method used in the art to attach a device to another surface. The manner of attaching the invention to a stand or other structure is not a limitation of the invention. 
         [0030]    Applicant has found that a spring-biased clamp  16  (see  FIG. 2 ) on the underside of the base  19  sufficiently secures the invention and allows easy removal of the call holder. In this embodiment, the clamp comprises a clamp base  23 , a hinge pin  25 , a lower clamp jaw  20 , and one or more springs  17 . The lower clamp jaw  20  is depressed on one side of the hinge pin  25  causing it to open. When released, the springs  17  will hold the clamp closed, securing the device to the solid fixture. The foregoing clamp is just one configuration of the attachment mechanism, and alternative attachment configurations known in the art can be used. Examples of alternative ways to attach the device include a bolt and nut configuration, hook and loop material, or even a sticky material on the underside of the base  19 .