Abstract:
A game call is provided having an elongated tube having an inlet and outlet. A diaphragm is disposed in the tube. The game call has a pump assembly with a plunger slidably received within the tube between the inlet and the diaphragm. The plunger is movable with respect to the diaphragm so that air passes over and vibrates the diaphragm when the plunger is moved toward the diaphragm.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/140,690, filed Jun. 24, 1999. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a game call for attracting wildlife during a hunt or for observation. More specifically, this invention relates to a hand operated game call having a pump that forces air across a diaphragm to create animal sounds. 
     Hunters employ a number of different devices and methods to attract wildlife including predators and game such as elk, turkeys and geese. One particularly effective device is a diaphragm made of a thin material such as latex that is capable of vibrating to produce an animal sound. The diaphragm is held within the hunter&#39;s mouth and air is forced between the hunter&#39;s tongue and the surface of the diaphragm to create sounds closely emulating the desired animal sound. A skilled hunter may produce a variety of sounds by using the diaphragm. For example, the sounds typically made by a female turkey (or hen) during the mating process are oftentimes employed to draw male turkeys (or gobblers) toward the hunter. Another typical sound used to attract gobblers is the sound of rival gobblers lurking in the area. When the turkey is drawn within a reasonable distance, the hunter discharges his weapon to complete the hunt. 
     While the diaphragm call is capable of producing the desired animal sounds, it presents a number of drawbacks. For instance, the technique is relatively difficult to perform without a great deal of practice and training. Likewise, it is particularly difficult to reproduce the desired sounds accurately. Additionally, it is uncomfortable for many hunters to hold the diaphragm within the hunter&#39;s mouth for large periods of time. The use of mouth calls also presents the risks of gagging or choking on the diaphragm. 
     Thus, the need remains in the game call industry for a hand operated diaphragm call capable of reproducing a number of different wildlife sounds. The primary objective of this invention is to meet this need. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a call with a hand operable pump for forcing air across a diaphragm to produce animal sounds. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a call that produces a variety of different animal sounds by varying the pressure between a diaphragm and a gasket located adjacent to the diaphragm. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device that accurately reproduces a variety of sounds associated with the targeted animals. 
     A further object is to provide a game call that is operable with one hand and eliminates the need for a mouth operable call. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact call that is easily carried by the user. 
     In accordance with these and other objects evident from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, a game call is provided which includes an elongated tube having an inlet and an outlet. A gasket is disposed within the tube and defines a passageway between the inlet and outlet of the tube. The gasket has a first surface directed toward the outlet and an opposing second surface directed toward the inlet. A diaphragm is positioned adjacent the first surface of the gasket and overlies at least a portion of the passageway. Air passes through the passageway and between the first surface of the gasket and the diaphragm to simulate an animal sound. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a game call is provided which includes an elongated tube having an inlet and outlet. A diaphragm is disposed in the tube. The game call has a pump assembly with a plunger slidably received within the tube between the inlet and the diaphragm. The plunger is movable with respect to the diaphragm so that air passes over and vibrates the diaphragm when the plunger is moved toward the diaphragm. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following description of the drawings, in which like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts in various views: 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a game call constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention demonstrating the handle of the pump in the locked position; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken along lines  2 — 2  of FIG. 1 with the handle of the game call in the unlocked position; 
     FIG. 3 is a exploded perspective view of the game call of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the gasket contact taken generally along lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the gasket contact of FIG. 4 with the cam in a first position; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the gasket contact of FIG. 4 with the cam in a second position; 
     FIG. 7 is an elevational view taken along lines  7 — 7  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is an elevational view taken along lines  8 — 8  of FIG. 5 demonstrating a preferred position of the diaphragm assembly relative to the air passageway; 
     FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the plunger taken along lines  9 — 9  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged elevational view of the game call within the area designated by the numeral  10  in FIG. 2 showing the plunger in the fully retracted position; 
     FIG. 11 is an elevational view of the plunger of FIG. 10 as the plunger is allowing intake of air. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings in greater detail, attention is first directed to FIG. 1, where a game call generally designated by numeral  10  is shown. Call  10  has a resonator (or horn)  12 , an elongated sound tube  14  and a handle  16 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-6, resonator  12  has a conical section  18  which merges into and is integrated with an outer sleeve  20 . With specific reference to FIG. 2, an inner sleeve  22  is formed within resonator  12  to define an annular recess between the outer sleeve and inner sleeve. The inner sleeve  22  terminates at a ring  24 . Outer sleeve  20  extends from conical section  18  beyond inner sleeve  22  and is threaded at the interior of the sleeve to mate with the sound tube  14 . Preferably, the resonator is made of plastic and is formed by a conventional molding process. 
     Sound tube  14  has a cam cap  26  and a body portion  28  which defines an air chamber. Preferably, the sound tube  14  is molded from the same plastic material as resonator  12 . A lanyard tie hole  29  is located on the exterior of cam cap  26 . The lanyard tie hole may be used to mount the game call to the hunter&#39;s gun or used to suspend the call from the hunter&#39;s neck by threading a loop through the lanyard tie hole. 
     With reference to FIGS.  2  and  4 - 6 , cam cap  26  includes a threaded sleeve  30  and a base wall  32  defining a cylindrical cavity  34  on the side of base wall  32  directed toward the resonator  12 . Sleeve  30  is sized for receipt within the annular recess defined by outer sleeve  20  and inner sleeve  22  of resonator  12 . With reference to FIG. 7, base wall  32  of cam cap  26  includes a rectangular slot  36  and an aperture  38  providing an air passageway from the body portion  28  to the cylindrical cavity  34 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 3-8, prior to securing threaded sleeve  30  of cam cap  26  to outer sleeve  20  of resonator  12 , a sealing member  40 , a gasket  42  and a diaphragm assembly  44  are placed within cylindrical cavity  34 . The sealing member  40  is placed within cylindrical cavity  34  and onto base wall  32 . The sealing member has an outer diameter generally equal to the inner diameter of cylindrical cavity  34  so that the sealing member contacts the walls of the chamber when properly positioned. As indicated by a phantom line  37  in FIG. 7, the inner diameter of the sealing member  40  does not obstruct aperture  38  of base wall  32  when properly placed within the cam cap  26 . In a preferred embodiment, the sealing member is made from a foam material or other resilient material capable of effectuating the connection of the components as described herein. Most preferably, the sealing member is made from a foam rubber material sold under the trademark PORON®. 
     Gasket  42  is generally disk shaped and has a diameter equal to the outer diameter of sealing member  40 . The gasket has an aperture  46  formed therethrough at a distance from the center of the gasket. The aperture  46  is the same size as the aperture  38  of base wall  32 . Apertures  46  and  38  are aligned when the gasket  42  is placed on sealing member  40  in cylindrical cavity  34 . The gasket  42  is also preferable made from the same material as sealing member  40 . Preferably, the foam gasket has a generally similar texture and suppleness as the human tongue. 
     Diaphragm assembly  44  includes a U-shaped metal frame  48  and a latex layer  50  held therein. With specific reference to FIG. 8, the diaphragm assembly  44  is placed over gasket  42  to cover at least a portion of aperture  38 , and most preferably to completely cover the aperture. The diaphragm assembly is similar to the type typically placed within a user&#39;s mouth to emulate animal sounds. Any of a number of different types of diaphragms having various constructional may be used in accordance with this invention. 
     Once the sealing member  40 , gasket  42  and diaphragm assembly  44  are in the proper position with respect to one another, the threaded sleeve  30  of cam cap  26  is received within the outer sleeve  20  of resonator  12 . With specific reference to FIGS. 6 and 8, as the outer sleeve  20  of the resonator  12  is tightened, the ring  24  of resonator  12  contacts the U-shaped frame  48  of the diaphragm assembly  44  and holds the assembly against the gasket  42 . 
     Cam cap  26  further includes a gasket contact assembly  52 . With specific reference to FIG. 2, gasket contact assembly  52  includes an adjustable dial  54 , a shaft  56  and a cam  58 . The shaft  56  is held within a housing  57  disposed on one side of elongated sound tube  14 . The housing  57  is formed completely around the length of shaft  56  within cam cap  26 , and cam  58  is secured to the end of the shaft extending beyond housing  57 . At the opening  59  of housing  57 , an O-ring  61  is placed between the shaft  56  and tube  14 . The adjustable dial  54  is secured to the shaft  56  on the outside sound tube  14 . The adjustable dial may include markings such as an arrow to indicate the position of the cam  58  relative to the gasket. Likewise, corresponding indicia may be located on the sound tube around the dial. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the cam  58  extends within slot  36  of base wall  32 . With further reference to FIG. 4, cam  58  has a first, flat surface  64  and an oblong, camming surface  66 . When cam  58  is rotated so that the flat portion  64  is directed in parallel relation with gasket  42 , the cam does not contact the gasket. When cam  58  is rotated in either direction with respect to the position at which the flat portion  64  is parallel to the gasket  42 , the camming surface  66  extends within cylindrical cavity  34  and into contact with gasket  42 . As shown in FIG. 4, when the cam initially contacts gasket  42 , the gasket is deflected slightly towards diaphragm assembly  44 , and the pressure between the diaphragm assembly  44  and the gasket is slightly increased. As shown in FIG. 6, when the gasket is rotated further, cam  58  more significantly deflects the gasket towards diaphragm assembly  44 , and the resilient forces of the latex layer  50  pull the latex layer more tightly against the gasket. 
     Body portion  28  is located on the end of the cam cap  26  opposite the resonator  12 . Preferably, the portion is integrally formed with the cam cap and has a slightly smaller outer diameter. At the end of the body portion opposite the cam cap  26 , an end cap  68  is fixed to the  20  sound tube  14 . End cap  68  includes a cap  70  overlying the end of the sound tube, an outer sleeve  72  having threads for engaging the interior of body portion  28 , and an inner sleeve  74 . An end bore  76  is defined by inner sleeve  74  and extends through cap  70 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a spring  78  is located within the body portion of sound tube  14 . The first end of the spring  78  is connected to a number of braces  80  located within the sound tube  14  near cam cap  26  and extending from base wall  32  and the shaft housing  57 . The braces  80  are preferably thin, integrally formed members that provide a level base for the spring. The braces may take any alternative form that supports the spring and allows for the flow of air through the sound tube. 
     A plunger  82  (FIG. 3) capable of sliding within body portion  28  is secured to the opposing end of spring  78 . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, the plunger  82  has a body  84  and a top  86  capping the body  84 . The spring  78  is held about body  84  at a first annular surface  87  extending radially from the body. A second annular surface  88  extends radially from plunger  82  at top  86 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the second annular surface  88  has a slightly smaller diameter than the inner diameter of body portion  28  and terminates in a squared edge  90  a small distance from the sound tube  14 . The first annular surface  87  has a smaller outer diameter than second annular surface  88 . With reference to FIGS. 9-11, first annular surface  87  has a tapered edge  92  and a plurality of notches  94  located about the periphery of the edge. The notches are preferably rounded, but may take any of a number of shapes for facilitating the flow of air around the first annular surface. The body  84  of plunger  82  has a tapered portion  96  between the squared edge of  90  of second annular surface  88  and the tapered edge  92  of first annular surface  87 . An O-ring  98  is positioned within the area defined by annular surfaces  87  and  88  and tapered portion  96 . As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the O-ring is free to move within the space bounded by the annular surfaces  87  and  88  and inner wall of the body portion  28 . With reference to FIG. 3, the O-ring  98  is flexible and may be forced around first annular surface  87  prior to placement of the plunger  82  into the sound tube  14  when assembling the call. 
     On the side of the plunger opposite spring  78 , a pump rod  100  is secured centrally to top  86  of plunger  82 . The pump rod  100  (shown in two parts in FIG. 3) is preferably made of stainless steel and is secured to the plunger  82  by frictionally fitting the rod within the top  86  of the plunger. The pump rod  100  extends through end bore  76  of end cap  68 , and a resilient washer  102  is placed about the shaft to dampen the impact of the plunger  82  against the end cap  68  when the game call is in operation as described below. 
     The handle  16  is secured to the pump rod  100  at the end opposite plunger  82 . The handle  16  is comprised of a rounded end  106  and a skirt  108  extending from the rounded end. Specifically, pump rod  100  is frictionally secured within a connection sleeve  104  which projects from end the rounded end  106  of handle  16 . The skirt  108  defines a hollow interior having a space of sufficient size to receive body portion  28  when handle  16  is moved toward the sound tube  14 . The handle  16  also includes a lock groove  110  at the terminal end of skirt  108 . The L-shaped lock groove  110  defines a channel for receipt of a handle lock pin  112  projecting radially from the exterior of the body portion  28 . Preferably, the handle is also molded from a plastic material. 
     In operation, the hunter rotates the handle  16  in a counterclockwise direction relative to the sound tube  14  so that handle lock pin  112  slides relative to lock groove  110  in the handle. When the handle lock pin  112  is cleared from the lock groove  100 , the compression in spring  78  forces the handle  16  away from the cam cap  26 . At this point, the user grasps adjustable dial  54  to rotate the cam  58  within slot  36 . With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, as the camming surface  66  contacts the gasket  42 , the gasket is deflected towards the latex layer  50  of diaphragm assembly  44 . Thus, the tension between the diaphragm assembly and the gasket is varied. The user may also tighten the resonator  12  onto cam cap  26  to vary the tension between the diaphragm assembly and gasket. Specifically, when the resonator  12  is tightened, the ring  24  of resonator  12  forces the periphery of diaphragm assembly  44  towards gasket  42  to increase the pressure between the latex layer and the gasket. The position of the diaphragm assembly with respect to the aperture  46  of gasket  42  may also be adjusted. However, as shown in FIG. 8, most desired sounds may be produced by placing the diaphragm assembly so that the aperture is near the middle of the diaphragm assembly with the aperture completely covered. 
     Once the adjustments are made, the user grasps handle  16  and forces it in the direction of body portion  28  which is received by skirt  108 . As shown in FIG. 10, during the pumping stroke, the O-ring  98  moves into contact with the second annular surface  88  of plunger  82  and into contact with the inner walls of the body portion  28 . The O-ring  98  acts as a check valve to provide a seal with the body portion so that air is forced toward cam cap  26 , through aperture  38  of base wall  32  and into cylindrical cavity  34 . At this point, the air is forced through aperture  46  of gasket  42 , between the latex layer  50  of diaphragm assembly  44  and gasket  42  and finally out through the conical section  18  of resonator  12 . As air passes over the latex layer  50  of gasket  42 , the desired animal sound is produced. The sound varies depending on the tension between the latex layer  50  and the gasket  42 . Typically, the sound produced by the call has a higher pitch as the tension between the diaphragm assembly and the gasket is increased. 
     When the push stroke is completed, the handle is forced away from the sound tube by spring  78  pushing against plunger  82 . As shown in FIG. 11, during the retraction of the handle  16 , O-ring  98  moves into contact with first annular surface  87  of plunger  82 . Air flows around the squared end  90  of second annular surface  88 , around O-ring  98  through notches  94  and back into the air chamber defined by body portion  28 . Thus, the plunger  82  is retracted to the position shown in FIG. 2 without creating a vacuum and pulling air in the direction away from the cam cap  26 . 
     The user may operate the call in a variety of different manners. For instance, instead of pushing the handle  16  toward the sound tube  14  to a position at which the plunger  82  nears the braces  80 , the handle may be operated in short strokes. Moreover, the user may hold the sound tube in his or her hand and contact the handle against a solid object such as the user&#39;s leg to produce short, abrupt sounds. For instance, the clucking sound of a turkey may be emulated in this manner. Also, the user may place his or her hand around the resonator in order to vary the sounds produced by the call. 
     When the call is not in use, the handle  16  is depressed toward the sound tube  14  and rotated so that the handle lock pin  112  is secured within the lock groove  110 . In this position, the game call is prevented from producing unwanted sounds. 
     The game call of the present invention is advantageous for a number of reasons. To vary the sound type, the user merely adjusts the position of the cam  58  relative to the gasket  42  or the position of the resonator  12  relative to the sound tube  14 . Since the adjustable dial  54  is used to precisely vary the position of the cam, the sounds may be accurately reproduced by inexperienced users. The quick and effective adjustments allow the user to emulate a progression of animal sounds until the targeted animal is induced in proximity to the user. Moreover, the user may use the call in conjunction with a mouth operated call to produce two different sounds simultaneously to create the effect of multiple animals. Also, the game call is compact and easily carried by the user. 
     From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 
     Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention, and not in a limiting sense.