Patent Publication Number: US-2013237122-A1

Title: Novelty deer head

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to novelty devices and more specifically to a novelty deer head that resembles a deer&#39;s head and makes sounds like a deer. 
     Novelty talking animals provide a humorous effect by producing sounds and animated movement. Such devices are generally intended for entertainment purposes, in contrast to highly lifelike decoys intended to be used in the field. Such novelty devices do not necessarily reproduce the sounds actually made by the simulated animal, e.g. a singing fish does not reproduce sounds actually made by real fish. 
     Deer may make characteristic sounds, which can be identified by hunters, such as snorting in response to a bad smell, or rattling of antlers as a threat. A novelty item that reproduced these deer-related sounds or movement would especially appeal to deer hunters. Such items could be placed in homes, to enhance social situations, or in commercial establishments such as hunting lodges or dens to enhance the appeal of the establishment. 
     It would be desirable to have a simulated deer head that makes humorous sounds or movement or both. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a device includes a simulated deer head; a base adapted to mount to a structure that retains the deer head; an activator that activates the device; and a sound generator that, when the device is activated, simulates sounds made by deer. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a device includes a head that models the head of an animal; a base adapted to mount to a structure that retains the head; an activator that activates the device; and a sound generator that, when the device is activated, simulates sounds made by the animal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  depicts a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The preferred embodiment and other embodiments, which can be used in industry and include the best mode now known 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 necessarily drawn to scale, except where otherwise indicated. The following description of embodiments, even if phrased in terms of “the invention” or what the embodiment “is,” 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 necessarily indicate that the steps must be performed in that order. 
     An embodiment of an animated novelty device may include a model of a deer&#39;s head and antlers and may simulate some of the sounds made by a live deer. The sounds emitted by the device may include a snorting and rattling of antlers. A snorting sound may simulate the sound made by a deer when it smells something it does not like, so as to provide a humorous effect. A rattling sound may simulate the sound made by a deer when it is aggressive, such as when in fear of attack or during mating season. An embodiment may be identified or associated with a humorous name, such as “Buckee” or “Buckee the nedneck deer.” 
     An embodiment of a model deer head may make sounds that deer make, such as, but not limited to, antler rattling, grunt sounds, and bad smell snorts. Embodiments may produce sounds from a recording. Embodiments may only make the sounds that a typical deer might make. Embodiments may rattle simulated antlers to provide a rattling sound. 
     An embodiment may move so as to enhance the humorous effect. A mouth may open and close, and the head may turn to the side or shake the antlers. Movement may correspond to the sounds produced, e.g., the mouth may open at the same time a snorting sound is emitted, and then close when the snorting sound terminates. 
     Embodiments may be made of plastic, wood, metal, or other materials. A base may be provided that attaches to a structure, such as a wall or pole, and a synthetic model of a deer head may extend from the base away from the structure. The deer head may be generally the same size as an actual stuffed deer head, giving the appearance of a trophy produced by taxidermy, or may be smaller. 
     The device may include a button or momentary switch that, when pushed, activates the device so as to make the sounds or movement. The device may be activated by other means, such as by remote control, by a microphone that detects appropriate signaling sounds such human clapping or speech, or by a motion detector that detects movement in the presence of the device. To use an embodiment, a user may install batteries and activate the device. Embodiments may include additional controls to effect settings options, e.g., to select which of a set of sounds or movements the device will make when activated (e.g. snort, rattle, or grunt). 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a novelty device  10  may include a simulated deer head  12  that extends from a mounting base  14 . Deer head  12  may have antlers  16  and a mouth  18 . Base  14  may have a label  20  that provides a name, such as, for example, “Buckee”. Embodiments may provide motion, where the antlers  16  shake for a rattling effect, or the mouth  18  opens and closes to correspond with playback of sound recordings. Embodiments of the head  12  may turn or bend in synchronization with the emitted sounds. Embodiments may model a desirable trophy, e.g. a mature buck with numerous points on its antlers. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of a novelty device  30  may include an electronics and actuator linkage compartment  32 , with actuator arms  34  and a speaker  36 . A momentary switch  38  or other activator, when closed, may complete a circuit with batteries  40 . When the circuit is closed, embodiments may play recorded sounds from the speaker  36 , and may also provide synchronous movement of the antlers or mouth or both. Embodiments may provide sounds resulting from the physical movement, such as a rattling sound produced by the movement of the antlers. 
     Embodiments of a deer head may be that of a white-tailed deer or other animal associated with hunting for trophies. These trophy animals generally are land-based, and large enough to attract the attention of sportsmen hunters, such as quadrupeds. Alternate embodiments may include commonly hunted land-based animals that produce humorous sounds other than deer, such as wild boar or turkeys. Embodiments may be placed in homes, hunting lodges, or dens, to provide a humorous effect. Embodiments may provide simulations of the sounds actually created by deer or other hunted animal, e.g. sounds made when the hunter has been detected by the animal, so as to provide a humorous effect to users.