Abstract:
A taxidermy method as claimed includes removing horns from a skull of a horned animal, boiling the skull to remove organic matter from the skull, removing dual portions of the skull from behind the respective eye sockets of the skull to form cut-out regions, tooling a mold using the boiled skull with cut-out regions as a positive die, and making a replica of the skull with cut-out regions in the mold.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/572,045 filed on 11 Jul. 2011 by the present inventor, which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to the field of taxidermy and more particularly to the mounting of animal horns or antlers. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    The general mounting for display of the head and antlers or just the antlers of horned animals onto a plaque (or other portable flat surface) is well known in taxidermy art. The use of kits for individuals to make their own mounts of the head and antlers or just the antlers of horned animals is also well known. The words “antler” and “antlers” are used throughout this document to mean antlers, horns, tusks or any other bony protuberances from an animal&#39;s head. Antlers can be used for display in two basic configurations: a) separate antlers which are either sawed of the skull of the animal or shed naturally, b) a whole skull or partial skull with intact antlers. I will refer to this last configuration as a “one-piece skull-and-antler set”. The amount of partial skull varies from the whole skull less the jawbone to a thin band connecting the antlers. A common one-piece skull-and-antler set is formed when a taxidermist or other skilled individual cuts a generally circular piece from the top of a skull that has the antlers intact—the exact dimensions of the amount of skull vary. 
         [0000]    Previously, the fabrication of antler mounts has been done in one of the following ways: 
         [0006]    just antlers—removing antlers off of the skull of an animal and fastening them individually directly to a plaque; 
         [0007]    bare one-piece skull-and-antler set—attaching a cleaned one-piece antlers-and-skull set directly or indirectly (for example with a brace, stand-off or neck) to a plaque; 
         [0008]    separate antlers and bare skull—removing the antlers off of the skull of an animal and fastening them to a real or replica animal skull which is then mounted, uncovered, directly or indirectly on a plaque; 
         [0009]    one-piece antler-and-skull-set and covered real skull—the one-piece antlers-and-skull set is optionally modified with structural materials, and covered with fabric, skin or some other covering that may simulate a life-like appearance, then fastened directly or indirectly to a plaque; 
         [0010]    remove antlers, cover real or replica skull, replace antlers—the antlers are removed off of the skull of the animal, the real cleaned skull is optionally modified with structural materials, the skull is covered with fabric, skin or some other covering which may simulate a life-like appearance, then the antlers are re-attached to the covered skull which is then fastened directly or indirectly to a plaque; or 
         [0011]    remove antlers, cover replica skull, attach antlers—the antlers are removed off of the animal skull, a replica skull is covered with fabric, skin or some other covering which may simulate a life-like appearance, then the antlers are attached to the covered replica skull, then the covered skull with antlers attached is fastened directly or indirectly to a plaque. 
         [0000]    While some of these methods and resulting products are literally ancient, there are several modern methods that incorporate improvements to these traditional methods in the taxidermy art. Even still, there is the constant market need for a simpler, more efficient, cheaper solution to mounting antlers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    In one embodiment of the present invention, antlers are attached directly to a plaque. A replica skull, which contains a strategically located and shaped cutout, is then fitted over the mounted antlers and secured to the plaque also, removing the need to attach the antlers directly to the skull. A plaque, replica skulls in various sizes and animal species, and fittings can be sold in kits for the consumer to add his or her own antlers. Another embodiment is a new method by which the uniquely shaped replica skull and mount are fabricated. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of one embodiment of an assembled improved mount 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded, partially cut away, side view of one embodiment of an improved mount 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of a natural partial animal skull after the natural antlers have been removed and the area smoothed. This is illustrative of an early stage in the fabrication process of a replica skull in one embodiment of an improved mount. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows a front view of one embodiment of an assembled improved mount 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of one embodiment of a modified replica skull 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of one embodiment of a modified replica skull 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  shows one embodiment of a process for fabricating a modified replica skull 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS.  1  Through  6   
     First Embodiment 
       [0020]    One embodiment of the inventive mount is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A plaque  10  or any potentially portable, substantially planar surface is adapted for use as a mount foundation. FIG.  1  shows plaque  10  lying horizontally to highlight the detail of other features but plaque  10  is intended to be hung or placed vertically. Plaque  10  may also have picture hanging hardware (not shown) or some other means by which it can be hung on a wall including, but not limited to: one or more hooks, nails, rings, rails, slots or holes. Plaque  10  can be made of any fairly rigid surface of any shape composed wholly or in part of materials including, but not limited to: wood, plastic, metal, leather, cardboard etc. The plaque  10  may also be adapted to fit into a rack or stand or have a hinged support leg to make it free-standing (not shown). 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  also shows animal antlers  18   a  with an antler base  18   c  that is part of the natural antler. Antlers  18   a  can be natural or artificial and are fastened to plaque  10 . Antler  18   b  and its corresponding base  18   d  are not shown in  FIG. 1  but the placement is generally symmetrical, as it would be in nature—the placement can be more fully seen in  FIG. 4 . Antlers  18   a  and  18   b  may be separate from each other and if natural they may be shed antlers or sawed off a skull. Antlers  18   a  and  18   b  may also be two sides to a single antler piece with a whole skull or part of a skull joining them. The present embodiment may be used with either separate antlers or a whole or partial skull with antlers attached. The present embodiment may also be used with artificial antlers for decorative purposes. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows antlers  18   a,  which may or may not be connected to antlers  18   b,  resting on plaque  10  at base of antlers  18   c.    FIG. 2  shows the exploded view of  FIG. 1  and shows antlers  18   a  connected to plaque  10  at base  18   c  by two screws  24   a  and  24   b.  Base  18   c  is the bottom part of the natural or artificial antler  18   a  and, similarly, base  18   d  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) is the bottom part of the natural or artificial antler  18   b  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). If shed or sawed off antlers are used, the base  18   c  may be slightly higher up on the antler  18   a.  Antlers  18   a  and  18   b  may be fastened to plaque  10  by any means, including, but not limited to: screws, nails, a bracket, a dowel and/or adhesives.  FIG. 1  also shows how the antlers  18   a  and  18   b  do not come out of the replica skull at exactly the angle they do in nature (which would be straight out if the natural skull was flat against plaque  10 ) but at an angle modified for mount compactness, stability, and greater aesthetic appeal. Antler bases  18   c  and  18   d  and/or any skull portion that is attached between them (not shown) can be cut at any angle to maximize aesthetic appeal. Additionally wedge shaped matter (not shown) may be inserted as needed between antler base  18   c  and  18   d  and plaque  10  to adjust the angle of the antlers  18   a  and  18   b  to maximize aesthetic appeal. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  also shows that plaque  10  is attached to a modified replica skull  20  by (see partial cut-out on plaque  10  on  FIG. 1 ) a bolt  16  which is attached to skull  20  and secured with a wing nut  12  which is connected through a straight hole  14   a  which opens into a conical hole  14   b  through plaque  10 . Conical hole  14   b  may be rounded and is intended to conceal wing nut  12  so that the back of plaque  10  can be mounted flush to a wall. This configuration is shown clearly in  FIG. 2 , the exploded view. Any other connecting means may be used including but not limited to fastening the bolt to plaque  10  and attaching bolt receiving means such as a nut to the skull  20 , or any number and configuration of bolts, nuts screws, dowels, adhesive, etc. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  also shows a modified replica skull  20 . Modified replica skull  20  is a model of a natural animal scull which has certain modifications. The modifications can either be made to the natural skull before the replica skull is made or the modifications can be made to the already formed replica skull. Modified replica skull  20  includes a cavity  22   a  (left side).  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  6  show cavity  22   a.    FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  show the symmetrical cavity  22   b  on the opposite side of skull  20 . The shape and placement of cavities  22   a  and  22   b  are approximately as shown but may differ slightly for different sized skulls and by the species of animal. Cavities  22   a  and  22   b  are shaped to fit over antlers  18   a  and  18   b  to maximize adjustability while minimizing gaps. Also visible in  FIG. 1  is nose area  28  on skull  20  which may or may not be built up with putty material such as MAGIC SCULPT by WESCO of Sacramento, Calif. Also visible in  FIG. 1  is modified tooth area  42  which is modified so that skull  20  will lie generally flat against plaque  10 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  shows, in one aspect of this embodiment, how antlers  18   a  attach to plaque  10  with two screws  24   a  and  24   b  at the antler base  18   c.    FIG. 2  shows, in one aspect of this embodiment, modified replica skull  20  with cavity  22   a  and built-in screw  16  which is attached to skull  20  at recess with bolt imbedding means  40  and modified tooth area  42  attach over antler  18   a  with bolt  16  which fits into straight hole  14   a  which is connected to conical hole  14   b  and fastened with wing nut  12 . As previously discussed, antlers  18   a  and  18   b  can attach to plaque  10  by any means and modified replica skull can also attach to plaque  10  by any means. As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the place where the base of antlers  18   c  and  18   d  are joined to plaque  10  is covered by modified replica skull  10  and hidden from view. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a natural skull  30  with its natural antlers (not shown) sawed off and the area where they were sanded down and smoothed.  FIG. 3  illustrates an early step in the fabrication method used to create a modified replica skull (reference  20  in FIGS.  1 , 2 , 4 , 5  and  6 ):  FIG. 3  also shows an unmodified nose area  32 , an unmodified cavity area  34 , and an unmodified tooth area  36  for comparison to the modified replica skull (reference  20  in FIGS.  1 , 2 , 4 , 5  and  6 ). 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  shows a front view of one aspect of this embodiment of an assembled mount.  FIG. 4  shows the symmetrical placement of antler, left side,  18   a  and antler, right side,  18   b  onto plaque  10 .  FIG. 4  shows how, in this aspect of this embodiment, a modified replica skull  20  is fitted over the antler base, left side  18   c  and antler base, right side  18   d  and hides where antlers  18   a  and  18   b  are attached to plaque  10 . As previously discussed, antler  18   a  and  18   b  can be connected to each other and affixed, in one piece, to plaque  10  with this connecting matter also hidden by replica skull  20 .  FIG. 4  also shows modified nose area  28 . Skull  20  can be left bare or be covered by fabric, leather, beads or any other decoration (not shown) and can be modified with replica eyes (not shown) and/or fur (not shown) for a realistic look. Plaque  10  is shown in  FIG. 4  as contoured but can take any shape.  FIG. 4  shows the mounted antlers  18   a  and  18   b  and the mounted modified replica skull  20  centered on the plaque but these could be located in any configuration and other items can be mounted on plaque  10  also, including but not limited to dried or artificial foliage, a placard listing the animal&#39;s species, hunter and location of kill, or other antlers and skulls, for example. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of the modified replica skull  20 .  FIG. 5  shows how barely perceptible the cavities  22   a  and  22   b  are from the top view which enhances the value of modified replica skull  20  in hiding the connection points where antlers  18   a  and  18   b  are connected to plaque  10 .  FIG. 5  also shows a top view of modified nose area  28 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of the modified replica skull  20 .  FIG. 6  shows the approximate shape and location of cavity  22   a.  The shape and location would vary slightly by size of animal and species but would be approximately proportionate to cavity  22   a  as shown. Cavity  22   b  is not shown in  FIG. 6  but is symmetrically located on the opposite side of modified replica skull  20 .  FIG. 6  also shows modified tooth area  42 , modified nose area  28  and an optional recess with bolt imbedding means  40 . 
       Operation 
     FIGS.  1 - 6   
       [0030]    As to the manner of usage and operation of the aspects detailed above of the first embodiment of the improved trophy antler mount, the same should be apparent from the description above and no further discussion will be provided. 
       Second Embodiment 
     FIGS.  1 ,  2 , and  4   
       [0031]      FIG. 1  can also be used to illustrate another embodiment of the improved trophy mount. One aspect of Embodiment 2 is a kit of parts comprised of plaque  10  and modified replica skull  20  and one or more sets of attachment means. Sets of attachment means include attachment means between plaque  10  and modified replica skull  20 , between plaque  10  and the wall or other surface and between plaque  10  and antlers  18   a  and  18   b.  Antlers  18   a  and  18   b  may optionally be included in the kit or be supplied by the kit user.  FIG. 1  shows attachment means between plaque  10  and modified replica skull  20  of bolt  16  and wing nut  12 .  FIG. 2  shows this more clearly.  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  show a hole, optionally pre-drilled or marked, with a straight bore  14   a  and a conical bore  14   b.  Hole  14   a / 14   b  may have any bore shape or angle. In the aspect of embodiment 2 shown in FIGS.  1 , 2  and  4 , the kit can include attachment means bolt  16  and wing nut  12  and hole  14   a / 14   b  may optionally be pre-drilled in plaque  10 . Any attachment means for use between modified replica skull  20  and plaque  10  are possible and may be included in a kit. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows attachment means between antlers  18   a  and  18   b  and plaque  10  of two screws  24   a  and  24   b.  Any other attachment means for use between antlers  18   a  and  18   b  and plaque  10  are possible. In the aspect of embodiment 2 shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the kit can include attachment means screws  24   a  and  24   b.  Optionally holes can be pre-drilled or marked in plaque  10  to receive screws  24   a  and  24   b.    
         [0033]    In the aspect of embodiment 2 shown in FIGS.  1 , 2  and  4 , the kit can include any attachment means to attach plaque  10  to a wall or other surface (not shown).  FIG. 2  shows one possible aspect of the way the kit of embodiment 2 can be assembled.  FIG. 4  shows one possible aspect of the way the kit of embodiment 2 appears when assembled. A template for where antlers  18   a  and  18   b  and antler bases  18   c  and  18   d  should be placed on plaque  10  relative to the particular replica of modified skull  20  that is included in the kit and/or other kit assembly instructions may be included in the kit. 
       Operation 
     FIGS.  1 - 6   
       [0034]    As to the manner of usage and operation of the aspects detailed above of the second embodiment of the improved trophy antler mount, the same should be apparent from the description above and no further discussion will be provided. 
       Third Embodiment 
     FIGS.  1 , 3 , 5 , 6 , and  7   
       [0035]      FIG. 7  illustrates a method of manufacture that can be used to manufacture components of embodiments 1 and 2.  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5  and  6  show aspects of components discussed in the operation of the method. 
       Operation 
     FIGS.  1 , 3 , 5 , 6 , and  7   
       [0036]    One aspect of embodiment 3 contains the following primary steps:
 
1) remove antlers from the skull of a antlered animal, 2) boil the skull to remove organic matter from the skull, 3) remove dual portions of the skull from behind the respective eye sockets of the skull to form dual cut-out regions (cavities), 4) tool a mold using the boiled skull with the cut-out regions as a positive die, 5) mold a replica of the skull with the cut-out regions (cavities) in the mold, and the result is 6) a finished replica skull with cut-out regions.
 
These steps will be discussed in detail:
 
         [0037]    Step 1) is to remove antlers from the skull of a antlered animal. The antlers are sawed off flush with the skull and the site is sanded smooth.  FIG. 3  illustrates what this looks like. 
         [0038]    Step 2) is to boil the skull to remove organic matter from the skull. 
         [0039]    Step 3) is to modify the cleaned skull so that it can be used to make a mold. Portions of the skull are cut out from behind the respective eye sockets to form dual cut-out regions. The shape and placement of the cut-outs (cavities) are substantially as shown in  FIG. 6 , ref num  22   a.    FIG. 6  shows the replica skull that is a result of one aspect of this process. The shape and location may vary slightly by size of animal and species replicated but would be approximately proportionate to cavity  22   a  as shown. Cavity  22   b  is not shown in  FIG. 6  but is symmetrically located on the opposite side of modified replica skull  20 . 
         [0040]    Another modification to the cleaned skull shown in  FIG. 3 , ref num  30  is the sawing off of the skull in the tooth area ( FIG. 6 , ref num  42 ) so that the skull will sit substantially flush to a flat surface. This is shown in  FIG. 1 , ref num  42 . Only enough skull is cut away to remove the teeth and the roots. A putty material to include but not limited to MAGIC SCULPT made by WESCO of Sacramento, CA, is used to smooth out and fill in any voids. Putty material is also used to modify nose area ( FIG. 3 , ref num  32 ) into modified nose area ( FIG. 5  ref num  28 ). Putty material is also used, as needed, to fill in the underside of the cleaned skull (not shown), the nasal passages (not shown), in front of the eyes (not shown) and any other places needed to improve aesthetic appearance (not shown). An optional recess with bolt imbedding means ( FIG. 6 , ref num  40 ) is carved in the bottom of the putty. 
         [0041]    Step 4) is to create a mold using the modified boiled skull. One aspect of embodiment 3 is to create a two-part casting system to make the modified replica skull ( FIG. 6 , ref num  20 ). Modified replica skull  20  can be made of any maliable substance including but not limited to plastic, clay, metal, or rubber and any molding system can be used. One system that can be used is POR-A-KAST made by PUMA Polymers LLC of Chattanooga, Tenn. (formerly a division of Pathway Polymers, bought by management in 2009). 
         [0042]    Step 5) is to mold a replica of the modified boiled skull. Using the molding system of step 4, above, the modified boiled skull is used as a positive die and a two piece rubber mold is made. In this system a plastic material is then poured in the mold and many replicas can be produced from the same mold. 
         [0043]    Step 6) is the termination of the process—the modified replica skull is finished.