U.S. patent application number 09/934677 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-27 for game calling device having adjustable pitch, intensity, tone and inflection.
Invention is credited to Oathout, David E..
Application Number | 20030060121 09/934677 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25465898 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030060121 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oathout, David E. |
March 27, 2003 |
GAME CALLING DEVICE HAVING ADJUSTABLE PITCH, INTENSITY, TONE AND
INFLECTION
Abstract
A game calling device includes a tubular member, a reed and an
elastic skin. The tubular member also has a mouthpiece end that
allows air to enter or exit and an outlet end that allows sound to
be emitted from the device. The reed vibrates in response to
passing air and is disposed within the tubular member. A control
rod makes movable contact with the reed, allowing the user to vary
the pitch, intensity, tong and/or inflection of the sound emanating
from the device.
Inventors: |
Oathout, David E.; (Caroga
Lake, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Family ID: |
25465898 |
Appl. No.: |
09/934677 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/208 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 34/26 20200201;
B63B 25/002 20130101; B63H 16/06 20130101; B63H 16/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/208 |
International
Class: |
A63H 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A game calling device comprising: a tubular member defining an
axial direction and having a mouthpiece end that allows air to
enter said tubular member, an outlet end that emits sounds, and an
opening in a wall of said tubular member between said mouthpiece
end and said outlet end; a reed that vibrates in response to
passing air, said reed being disposed within said tubular member
adjacent said mouthpiece end and said opening; an elastic skin
extending over said wall of said tubular member to at least
partially cover said opening; and a control rod located adjacent
the opening and between the elastic skin and the reed for making
selective movable contact with the reed, wherein air passing
through said mouthpiece end and past said reed vibrates the reed to
create sounds and the control rod modifies a vibrational length of
the reed by contacting a selected point of contact on the reed.
2. The game calling device of claim 1, wherein said tubular member
includes a barrel section connected to a downstream end of said
tubular member.
3. The game calling device of claim 2, wherein said tubular member
and said barrel section are connected by the elastic skin.
4. The game calling device of claim 2, wherein said tubular member
includes a plate member having an air channel extending in the
axial direction below the reed.
5. The game calling device of claim 4, wherein one end of said reed
is connected to said plate member and an opposite end of said reed
is free to vibrate.
6. The game calling device of claim 4, wherein said air channel
terminates at an upstream end delimited by an end wall of said
plate member that directs air towards said reed.
7. The game calling device of claim 4, wherein said plate member is
tapered in the axial direction.
8. The game calling device of claim 4, wherein said mouthpiece
includes a support member for supporting said reed and said plate
member for selective axial positioning in the axial direction
within the tubular member.
9. The game calling device of claim 4, wherein said reed is
maintained in contact with said plate member by an interference fit
between said plate member, said reed and said support member.
10. The game calling device of claim 1, wherein said control rod
has a roller on one end for making contact with said reed.
11. The game calling device of claim 1, wherein said elastic skin
urges the control rod against the reed.
12. The game calling device of claim 1, wherein said elastic skin
maintains the control rod in a desired position against the
reed.
13. The game calling device of claim 1, wherein the control rod
creates a protrusion in the elastic skin that provides a visual
indication of the vibrational length of the reed.
14. The game calling device of claim 10, wherein said control rod
has a handle on an opposite end from said roller to enable the user
to manipulate the control rod.
15. A game calling device comprising: a tubular member having a
mouthpiece end and an inlet end; a reed supported in the tubular
member in an axial direction of the tubular member and having a
fixed end and a vibrational length that vibrates in response to air
passing through the tubular member; and a control rod extending
axially within the tubular member and including a contact end that
makes movable contact with the reed and an opposite end that
extends in the axial direction toward the mouthpiece, wherein air
passing through said tubular member and past said reed vibrates the
reed to create sounds and the control rod modifies the vibrational
length of the reed by contacting a selected point of contact of the
control rod on the reed through axial manipulation of the control
rod by mouth.
16. The game calling device of claim 15, wherein the opposite end
of the control rod is a hooked end for manipulation.
17. The game calling device of claim 15, wherein said mouthpiece
includes a plate member having an air channel extending in an axial
direction below the reed.
18. The game calling device of claim 15, wherein one end of said
reed is connected to said plate member and an opposite end is free
to vibrate.
19. The game calling device of claim 15, wherein said air channel
terminates at an upstream end delimited by an end wall of said
plate member that directs air towards said reed.
20. The game calling device of claim 15, wherein said mouthpiece
includes a support member to support said reed and said plate
member for selective axial positioning in the axial direction
within the mouthpiece.
21. The game calling device of claim 20, wherein the control rod
extends through a hole in the support member.
22 The game calling device of claim 15, wherein the control rod
axially extends within the mouthpiece.
23. The game calling device of claim 15, wherein the control rod
extends outside the mouthpiece.
24. A method of varying sounds produced by a reed within a game
calling device, the game calling device having a tubular member
with a support member for supporting a reed and plate member for
channeling air to the reed, an outlet end that emits sounds from
the air entering the tubular member from a mouthpiece end and
exciting said reed, an opening in a wall of said tubular member
adjacent said mouthpiece end and said outlet end, said opening
being at least partially covered by an elastic member and a control
rod that makes movable contact with the reed, comprising the steps
of: conveying air through said mouthpiece end and past said reed,
thereby causing said reed to vibrate and to produce sounds that
emanate from said outlet end; selectively positioning the control
rod such that contact is made with the reed at a variable location
on the reed, thereby varying the sound emitted from the device; and
urging the control rod against the reed by positioning the control
rod in the opening and between the elastic member and the reed to
locate the control rod in a desired position on the reed.
25. A method of varying sounds produced by a reed within a game
calling device, the game calling device having a tubular member
with a mouthpiece having a support member for supporting a reed and
plate member for channeling air to the reed, an outlet end that
emits sounds caused by the air entering the tubular member and
exciting said reed, and a control rod that protrudes from the
mouthpiece and makes movable contact with the reed, comprising the
steps of: conveying air through said mouthpiece end and past said
reed, thereby causing said reed to vibrate and to produce sounds
that eminate from said outlet end; and selectively positioning the
control rod by mouth such that contact is made with the reed at
variable locations on the reed, thereby varying the sound emitted
from the device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to game calling devices, and
in particular, to a game calling device that can produce sounds
having varied pitch, intensity, tone and inflection.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Game calling devices for large mammals and predators are
known, in particular, devices known as "grunt tubes" are used to
simulate the grunts, snorts, bleats and other sounds produced by
White Tailed deer. White Tailed deer sounds are described by
Atkenson et al. In "Vocalizations of White Tail Deer," 120 The
American Midland Naturalist 195 (1988). Hunters and wildlife
enthusiasts use grunt tubes to attract deer and other animals.
[0005] Grunt tubes generally include a tubular member through which
air passes over a reed supported within the tubular member. The
passing air excites the reed and causes it to vibrate and to
produce sounds.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,946 to Oathout discloses such a game
caller in which the user can modify the sounds emanating from the
outlet end produced by air passing through the mouthpiece and over
the reed by selectively applying pressure to an elastic skin
stretched over an opening in the tubular member.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,020,675 to Boecker discloses a goose caller
in which the user depresses a pin to contact the reed and control
its vibration, thereby changing the pitch of the sounds produced by
the goose caller.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,451 to Leedy discloses an adjustable
game calling device having a trombone-like tuning member in sliding
contact with a single point on a reed that the user positions
axially to change the effective length of the reed.
[0009] The devices of the prior art, however, fail to provide the
user with the capability of varying the inflection, pitch,
intensity and/or tone of the sounds by manually adjusting the
device in a way that allows the sounds to be consistently
reproduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An object of the invention is to provide a game calling
device in which sounds having varied pitch, intensity, tone and/or
inflection can be produced consistently.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to produce a game calling
device that can produce varied sounds without manipulating the
device by hand.
[0012] Still another object of the invention is to provide a game
calling device having a control rod that can be manipulated by hand
to place pressure on the reed and produce varied sounds.
[0013] These and other objects are achieved by the game calling
device of the present invention. The game calling device includes a
tubular member, a reed, an elastic skin and a control rod. The
tubular member includes a mouthpiece end that allows air to enter
the tubular member, an outlet end that emits sounds, and an opening
in a wall of the tubular member between the mouthpiece end and the
inlet end. The reed vibrates in response to passing air and is
disposed within the tubular member adjacent the mouthpiece end and
the opening. The elastic skin extends over the wall of the tubular
member to at least partially cover the opening. The user can modify
the sounds emanating from the outlet end of the device by
selectively moving the control rod axially to contact the reed and
change the vibrational characteristics of the reed. For instance,
when the control rod is moved in such a way as to increase the
length of reed that may vibrate, a low pitched sound may result.
Conversely, decreasing the length of reed that may vibrate may
result in a higher pitched sound emanating from the device.
[0014] The tubular member preferably includes a mouthpiece for the
user to inhale or exhale air through the device. Within the tubular
member, a plate member having an air channel that extends along an
axis of the mouthpiece supports a reed connected to the plate
member at one end. The plate member preferably includes an upstream
end disposed adjacent the mouthpiece end. The reed preferably
includes an upstream end that is also disposed adjacent the
mouthpiece end and a downstream end. The downstream end of the reed
is connected to the downstream end of the plate member. The
upstream end of the reed is free to vibrate.
[0015] The upstream end of the plate member preferably includes an
end wall that forms an end to the air channel. The upstream end of
the plate member is preferably tapered. The reed is preferably
attached to the plate member. The game calling device preferably
includes a support member to which the reed and plate member are
attached. The support member supports the reed and the plate member
such that the reed and plate member do not contact the wall of the
tubular member.
[0016] The elastic skin preferably extends to at least partially
cover the opening. The opening preferably includes an upstream end,
a middle portion and a downstream end. The opening preferably
widens from the upstream end to the middle portion, and narrows
from the middle portion to the downstream end.
[0017] The game calling device of this invention has a control rod
that allows the user to control the vibration of the reed in such a
way as to vary the inflection of the sounds as well as their pitch,
intensity and tone.
[0018] In one embodiment, the control rod is manipulated manually
with a ball handle attached to one end. On the other end of the
control rod is a roller that makes contact with the reed. The
elastic skin urges the roller against the reed allowing the roller
to make continuous contact with the reed. The elastic skin also
allows the user to note the position of the roller on the reed by
visually inspecting the outer surface of the elastic skin.
[0019] In this embodiment, a barrel portion is connected to a
tubular member to enhance the sound created by the device. The ball
handle of the control rod is located on the downstream end of the
barrel and the control rod extends through the barrel into the
tubular member where it is connected to the roller. In this
embodiment, the user exhales into the device to excite the reed and
create sound. In other embodiments, a user may inhale to create air
flow through the device also creating sound. In this embodiment,
the user may adjust the quality of the sound manually with the
control rod and, once the desired sound quality is achieved, the
control rod may be left in that position to consistently reproduce
the sound.
[0020] In another embodiment, the game calling device of this
invention may be operated in a hands free mode. In this embodiment,
a tubular member has a mouthpiece connected to one end. Within the
mouthpiece is a support member that fixes the plate member and reed
within the device. A control rod extends from the opening of the
mouthpiece through a hole in the support member and ultimately
makes contact with the reed inside the tubular member. The control
rod of this embodiment may be manipulated by the teeth or tongue of
the user in a completely hands free mode of operation. The control
rod has a hooked end which extends from the mouthpiece and a
contact end opposite the hooked end for making contact with the
reed. The control rod may be of a semi-flexible or resilient
material and curved in such a way as to make contact with the inner
surface of the tubular member at the mid-section so as to slidably
maintain contact between the contact end of the control rod and the
reed over a full range of motion.
[0021] In this embodiment, the user inhales to create airflow
through the device exciting the reed. This may be particularly
advantageous during cold weather in that moisture from the user's
breath will not freeze on the device, which would cause the reed to
become immobile. In this embodiment, a screen or cover may be
placed over the outlet end of the tubular member to prevent the
user from inhaling insects or other foreign objects. One skilled in
the art will realize that the game calling device of this
embodiment may be configured to allow the user to exhale rather
than inhale to create the desired sound.
[0022] These and other features and advantages of this invention
are described in, or are apparent, from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The invention will be described in conjunction with the
following drawings in which like reference numerals designate like
elements and wherein;
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game calling device of
this invention having a manually operated control rod and a barrel
section that is connected to the tubular member;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the game calling device of
this invention having an elastic skin that covers the tubular
member as well as the barrel section;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment
of this invention that illustrates the inner workings of the
tubular member, the barrel section, and the manually operated
control rod;
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a manually operated control rod of the
game calling device shown in FIG. 3;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the game calling device of this invention that is capable of being
operated in a hands-free mode;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the game calling device
shown in FIG. 5 that has been rotated 90.degree. about the
longitudinal axis;
[0030] FIG. 7 is an overhead view of the hands free control rod
shown in FIG. 6.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a side view of the hands free control rod shown in
FIG. 7; and
[0032] FIG. 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece
for an embodiment of the game caller of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a game
calling device having a tubular member 16 connected to a barrel
section 14. The tubular section 16 has a mouthpiece 26 into which
the user exhales to excite a reed 18. The reed and its supporting
structure are located adjacent an opening 54 in the tubular member
16. Sound emanates from the outlet 28 of barrel 14 as the user
exhales into the mouthpiece 26 to vibrate the reed 18. One skilled
in the art will realize that the game caller of this invention may
be configured so as to allow the user to inhale or exhale to
vibrate the reed 18 and create the desired sound as well as vary
the inflection, pitch, intensity and tone of the sound.
[0034] A control rod 10 extends longitudinally through the barrel
section 14 and tubular member 16. The control rod 10 has a handle
12 on one end and a roller 20 on the opposite end which maintains
movable contact with the reed 18. A support member 32 (FIG. 3) is
fixed within the tubular member 16 and holds a plate member 30 and
reed 18 at a fixed location inside the tubular member 16. The
control rod 10 extends through a hole 52 located in the support
member 32.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows the game caller covered in elastic sheathing
24. The tubular member 16 is connected to the barrel 14 by the
elastic sheathing 24. The barrel section 14 is also covered by
elastic sheathing 22. The control rod 10 having the handle 12, such
as the illustrated ball handle, is protruding from the outlet 28.
In this embodiment, the sheathing 24 extends over the opening 54.
The sheathing 24 retains the barrel section 14 against the tubular
member 16 to create an integral unit. The sheathing 22 extends over
the entire barrel section 14 and assists in maintaining the barrel
section 14 in close contact with the tubular member 16. The
sheathing 22 and sheathing 24 also improve the user's ability to
grip the device.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the game calling device.
The plate member 30 and reed 18 are fixed in place by the support
member 32. The control rod 10 slidably extends through the hole 52
in the support member 32. Sound is created when air from the user
inhaling or exhaling through the mouthpiece 26 passes the reed 18
and plate member 30 and excites the reed 18, causing it to emit
sound. The quality of this sound can be varied by extending or
retracting the control rod 10, causing the roller 20 to make
contact with the reed 18 at varying locations along its length. The
sheathing 24 urges the roller 20 against the reed 18 so that the
roller 20 remains in contact with the reed 18. The sheathing 24
also holds the roller 20 stationary in the desired position.
Sliding the control rod 10 in an axial direction out of the device
causes a greater length of a non-fixed portion of the reed 18 to be
free to vibrate, creating a lower pitch sound. Conversely, sliding
the control rod 10 in the opposite axial direction reduces the
non-fixed length of the reed 18 that is free to vibrate, thus
producing a higher pitch sound. Once the user identifies a desired
sound quality to be produced by the game calling device of this
invention, the control rod 10 may be left at the corresponding
position for the desired sound because the sheathing 24 holds the
roller 20 stationary. In this way, the device need not be
continuously adjusted to reproduce a desired quality of sound.
[0037] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the control rod 10 of this
invention having ball handle 12 on one end and roller 20 on the
opposite end. This control rod 10 allows manual adjustment of the
sound quality by hand manipulation of the ball handle 12. The
roller 20 maintains continuous contact with the reed 18 and may
either slide or roll during operation. When the control rod 10 is
left unattended, the sheathing 24 holds the roller 20 in position
on the reed 18.
[0038] FIG. 5 is another embodiment of a game caller, which has a
tubular member 36 connected to a mouthpiece 34. A plate member 44
and reed 42 are fixed in a support member 38. A hands-free control
rod has a hooked portion 40 and a contact end 46 that maintains
slidable contact on the reed 42. The tubular member 36 has an inlet
49 that communicates with mouthpiece 34 and allows the user to
inhale air, exciting the reed 42. Mouthpiece 34 has opening 56 that
allows the user to draw air into the device and through the inlet
49. The hooked portion 40 of the control rod 48 allows the user to
manipulate the control rod with the user's tongue or teeth while
holding the game calling device in the user's mouth via the
mouthpiece 34. The control rod 48 extends axially through a hole 50
in support member 38. This allows for hands-free operation because
the user can: 1) hold the game caller in the user's mouth and
manipulate the control rod by tongue or teeth; and 2)
simultaneously hold a gun, camera or telescope with the user's
hands. The contact end 46 of the control rod 48 maintains
continuous slidable contact with the reed 42 due to the resilient
nature of the control rod 48 flexably interposed between the reed
42 and the inner surface of the tubular member 36.
[0039] FIG. 6 is an illustration of the game calling device of FIG.
5 rotated 900 about the longitudinal axis. The tubular member 36
has mouthpiece 34 connected on its downstream side. The plate
member 44 and reed 42 are fixed in place by support member 38. The
hands-free control rod 48 extends longitudinally through hole 50 in
support member 38 and makes slidable contact with the reed 42 via
its contact end 46. The hands-free control rod 48 can be
manipulated via its hooked end 40. In this embodiment, the user
inhales through opening 49 creating airflow over the reed 42
causing sound to be emanated. The airflow continues through the
opening 56 in the mouthpiece 34. One skilled in the art will
recognize that the components of this invention may be configured
to allow the user to operate the device by either inhaling or
exhaling.
[0040] FIGS. 7 and 8 show an example of the hands-free control rod
48 of the game caller. The contact end 46 maintains slidable
contact with the reed and hooked end 40 allows the control rod to
be manipulated by the user. As described above, the user may
operate the control rod 48 by manipulating the hooked end 40 with
either the user's tongue or teeth while simultaneously holding the
game caller in the user's mouth via the mouthpiece 34. The
hands-free control rod 48 is elastic and sufficiently curved to
maintain the contact end 46 in slidable contact with the reed 42.
While the hands-free control rod 48 of this embodiment extends
through the center portion of the opening of the mouthpiece 34, one
skilled in the art will recognize that the control rod 48 may
extend through an opening on the tubular member 36, or separate
opening on the side of mouthpiece 34, such that the control rod 48
could be operated from the outside of the mouthpiece.
[0041] FIG. 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the
mouthpiece. The support member 38 is maintained within the
mouthpiece 34 by an interference fit. Contained within the support
member are the plate member 44 and reed 42. The hands-free control
rod 48 fits slidably through hole 50 in the support member 38. In
this embodiment, air passing through the air channel 58 and plate
44 excites the reed 42 causing sound to emanate from the
device.
[0042] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, preferred embodiments of the
invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not
limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *