System for delivering game scent

Abstract

A game scent delivery system includes a plurality of projectiles having a game scent and a projector that is capable of projecting one of the projectiles to a desired location. The projector includes a projectile launching member, a projectile storage unit that has a sufficient size to store a predetermined number of the projectiles, and a single projectile dispensing unit. The single projectile dispensing unit is integral with the projectile storage unit and is capable of dispensing a single projectile of the plurality of projectiles to the projectile launching member while retaining all of the plurality of projectiles in the projectile storage unit, except for the single projectile.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO A PROVISIONAL APPLICATION

[0001] This patent application claims priority on the following Provisional Applications: Serial No. 60/270,383, filed on Feb. 21, 2001; Ser. No. 60/314,407, filed on Aug. 23, 2001; and Ser. No. 60/312,652, filed on Aug. 14, 2001, the entirety of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to hunting equipment and, more specifically, to a system for delivering game scent to a desired location2.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] One of the major problems facing hunters and photographers of wild animals is the difficulty of getting close the animals without being detected. Hunters and photographers commonly use animal attractants, such as game scents (e.g., doe urine and musk) as an attractant. The scents attract the animals to a desired area.

[0006] These scents are typically purchased in bottles and then applied to the desired location. Currently, the most common method of application for these scents is by physically going to the location to be hunted and applying the scent manually to rocks, trees, or shrubs in the hunting area. Alternatively, the scents may be dispersed from spray bottles or soaked into wicks and hung from branches. In those methods of scent application, the hunter is subjected to the objectionable smell of the attractant scents, in addition to contaminating the hunting area with human scent. Since most wild animals are repelled by human scent, this type of application lessens the effectiveness of the attractant scent.

[0007] One approach to overcoming these problems is by placing the scent product into a pellet of a size that may be fired from a gun, such as a carbon dioxide gas operated gun of the type used for shooting paint or dye pellets, typically referred to as “paint ball guns.” This method of delivering the attractant scent to the desired area eliminates the human scent contamination of the area and also eliminates the objectionable element of the attractant scent smell to humans. However, carbon dioxide powered guns give off a characteristic “popping” sound upon firing, which often scares off the game being attracted.

[0008] Another approach is to place liquid scent into hollow balls and shoot the balls into the desired area with a slingshot. This method is much quieter than using a carbon dioxide powered gun. However, the use of an existing slingshot requires the hunter to handle the ball containing the scent. This results in the hunter's scent being imparted onto the ball. Furthermore, the ball must impact a hard object, such as a rock or a tree, with enough force to break the ball open and allow escape of the scent. Such impaction will create a loud sound that can frighten game away. Also, if the ball fails to strike a hard object, or fails to strike it with sufficient force, it will be rendered useless. Typical slingshots do not employ a system for storing and easily loading projectiles. Thus, they require the hunter to carry an extra container for the projectiles and are also hard to load in the dark.

[0009] The above-described hollow balls are typically made of a non-biodegradable plastic. Thus, when a hunter or photographer uses them to attract game, if the user fails to clean up the remains of the balls after use, the area being hunted will become littered with the remains of the balls.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a system for delivering a game scent to a desired location that is quiet, easy to use and that does not impart the user's scent on the desired area and that does not require clean-up after use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which, in one aspect, is a game scent delivery system that includes a plurality of projectiles having a game scent and a projector that is capable of projecting at least one of the projectiles to a desired location. The projector includes a projectile launching member, a projectile storage unit that has a sufficient size to store a predetermined number of the projectiles, and a single projectile dispensing unit. The single projectile dispensing unit is integral with the projectile storage unit and is capable of dispensing a single projectile of the plurality of projectiles to the projectile launching member while retaining all of the plurality of projectiles in the projectile storage unit, except for the single projectile.

[0012] In another aspect, the invention is a scented projectile that includes a porous member and a game scent that is absorbed into at least a portion of the porous member.

[0013] In yet another aspect, the invention is a slingshot that includes a handle, a valve member, a fork, an elastic member and a pouch. The handle has a top end and an opposite bottom end that defines a bottom opening. The bottom opening is of a size to allow at least one of a plurality of projectiles to pass therethrough. The handle defines a channel extending upwardly from the bottom opening. The channel is of a size to allow a predetermined number of projectiles to fit therein. The handle also defines a hole adjacent to the bottom end and a first holding member is adjacent to the bottom end. The valve member has an axial center and defines a recess that is of a size that allows only a single projectile to fit in the recess. The valve member is pivotally coupled to the handle adjacent the bottom end so as to be able to rotate between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the recess is in communication with the channel so as to be capable of receiving a projectile within the recess. Whereas when the valve member is in the second position, the recess is disposed away from of the channel so as to prevent projectiles within the channel from leaving the channel. A knob extends outwardly from the axial center of the valve member through the hole defined by the handle. The knob provides a surface that allows a user to rotate the valve member from the first position to the second position. A spring couples the valve member to the handle and returns the valve member from the second position to the first position. The fork, includes a first tine and a spaced-apart second tine extending upwardly from the top end of the handle. The elastic member has a first end and a second end. The first end is affixed to the first tine and the second end is affixed to the second time. The pouch is centrally affixed to the elastic member and is capable of holding a projectile therein. A second holding member extends from the pouch and is shaped so as to be capable of engaging the first holding member so that the pouch is held in a position to receive a projectile from the opening defined by the bottom end of the handle.

[0014] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings. As would be obvious to one skilled in the art, many variations and modifications of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a slingshot according to the invention.

[0016] FIG. 1B is a cut-away perspective view of a slingshot according to the invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a handle for a slingshot, according to the invention.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of a pouch.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a door.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a valve member.

[0021] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of a bottom portion of the handle and a pouch, with the valve member in the first position

[0022] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of a bottom portion of the handle and a pouch, with the valve member in the second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of“in” includes “in” and “on.”

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, the game scent delivery system includes a plurality of scented projectiles 122 and a projector, such as a slingshot 100. Other types of projectors may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, examples of which include a spring-loaded gun and a tube or arm for flinging the projectiles 122 to a desired location. For most applications quietness in projecting the projectiles 122 is desirable. The projectiles 122 are porous members that have a game scent, or other animal attractant, that is absorbed into at least a portion of the porous member. Examples of suitable porous members include wood spheres, paper spheres, clay spheres (bisque spheres hold up better than unfired clay, but take longer to degrade) and spheres made of a mixture of paper or cellulose fibers and clay. If such a mixture is used, plaster may be added to the mix to make the projectiles last longer. The projectiles 122 may be spheres, or any other shape (e.g., cylinders) suitable for being launched by the projector.

[0025] The slingshot includes a handle 110, a valve member 130 at the bottom 114 of the handle 110, a fork 124 extending upwardly from the top 112 of the handle 110, an elastic member 140 attached to the fork 124 and a centrally disposed pouch 156 attached to the elastic member 140.

[0026] The handle 110 has a top end 112 and an opposite bottom end 114 that defines a bottom opening 116. The bottom opening 116 is of a size to allow at least one of a plurality of projectiles 122 to pass therethrough. The handle 110 also defines a channel 118 extending upwardly from the bottom opening 116. The channel 118 is of a size to hold a number of projectiles 122 therein. The valve member 130 meters projectiles 122 from the channel 118 to the pouch 156. The handle 110 also defines a top opening 162, which is in communication with the channel 118, through which projectiles 122 may be loaded into the channel 118. A door 164 (shown in greater detail in FIG. 4) is attached to the handle 110 via a hinge and covers the top opening 162.

[0027] The valve member 130, as shown in more detail in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B, has an axial center 132 and defines a recess 134 that is of a size that allows only a single projectile 122 to fit in the recess 134. The valve member 130 is pivotally coupled to the handle 110 adjacent to the bottom end 114 so as to be able to rotate between a first position (as shown in FIG. 6A) and a second position (as shown in FIG. 6B). While in the first position, the recess 134 is in communication with the channel 118 and can receive a projectile 122 within the recess 134. When in the second position, the recess 134 is disposed away from of the channel 118, allowing the projectile 122 to fall into the pouch 156, and the valve member 130 prevents projectiles 122 within the channel 118 from leaving the channel 118. The handle 110 defines a hole 120 adjacent to the bottom end 114 and a knob 138 extends outwardly from the axial center 132 of the valve member 130 through the hole 120 defined by the handle 118. The knob 138 provides a surface that allows a user to rotate the valve member 130 from the first position to the second position. A spring 135 that couples the valve member 130 to the handle 110 returns the valve member 130 from the second position to the first position.

[0028] Returning to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the fork 124 includes a first tine 126 and a spaced-apart second tine 128 extending upwardly from the top end 112 of the handle 110. The elastic member 140 has a first end 142 coupled to the first tine 126 and a second end 144 coupled to the second tine 128. The elastic member 140 may include a first portion 146 and a second portion 148. The first portion 146 terminates in the first end 142 and also a first central termination 152. Similarly, the second portion 148 terminates in the second end 144 and a second central termination 154. The first central termination 152 and the second central termination 154 are both coupled to the pouch 156. In one embodiment, both the first portion 146 and the second portion 148 include sections of rubber tubing.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the pouch 156 includes a projectile compartment 158 that is complimentary in shape to at least a portion of a projectile 122. This enables holding of the projectile 122 without the user having to put holding pressure on the pouch 156.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a first holding member 172, such as a detente, extends from the bottom end 114 of the handle 110, and a second holding member 170, such as a loop, extends from the pouch 156. The second holding member 170 is shaped so as to be capable of engaging the first holding member 172 so that the pouch 156 is held in a position to receive a projectile 122 from the opening 116. While a detente and a loop is shown, many other types of holding members could be employed. For example, a hook and loop fastener combination could be used. The holding members 170 and 172 allow the user to place the pouch 156 at the bottom end 114 of the handle 110, where the pouch 156 is held as the user turns the knob 138 to cause a projectile 122 to be delivered from the channel 118 to the pouch 156. A spring 135 causes the valve member 130 to return to the first position when the user lets go of the knob 138. This enables the user to hold the handle 110 with one hand and place the pouch 156 in a receiving position and then cause the valve member 130 to drop a projectile 122 into the pouch 156 with the other hand,. All this may be done without the user having to touch the projectile 122, which prevents getting the user's scent on the projectiles. In non-scent applications, such as using the slingshot 100 as a weapon, this system allows for more rapid firing of the slingshot 100. The shape of the pouch 156 and the holding members 170 and 172 also facilitate use of the invention in the dark or at other times when the user is unable to look at the pouch 156 while loading.

[0031] The game scent is any liquid scent that is attractive to the animals that the user wishes to lure. Doe urine is one example of a suitable scent for deer hunting applications. The porous members are soaked in the liquid scent long enough for a suitable amount of the scent to be absorbed. This time varies, depending on the concentration and type of the specific liquid scent being used and the type of porous member being used.

[0032] The above described embodiments are given as illustrative examples only. It will be readily appreciated that many deviations may be made from the specific embodiments disclosed in this specification without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims below rather than being limited to the specifically described embodiments above.

Claims

1. A game scent delivery system, comprising:

a. a plurality of projectiles comprising a game scent; and

b. a projector, capable of projecting one of the projectiles to a desired location, the projector including:

i. a projectile launching member;

ii. a projectile storage unit that has a sufficient size to store a predetermined number of the projectiles; and

iii. a single projectile dispensing unit that is integral with the projectile storage unit and that is capable of dispensing a single projectile of the plurality of projectiles to the projectile launching member while retaining all of the plurality of projectiles in the projectile storage unit, except for the single projectile.

2. The game scent delivery system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of projectiles comprises:

a. a porous member; and

b. a game scent that is absorbed into a portion of the porous member.

3. The game scent delivery system of claim 1, wherein the projector comprises a slingshot.

4. The game scent delivery system of claim 3, wherein the slingshot comprises a handle having a bottom end that defines an opening, the opening being of a size to allow at least one of the plurality of projectiles to pass therethrough, and wherein the projectile storage unit comprises a channel defined by the handle, extending upwardly from the opening, the channel being of a size to allow a predetermined number of projectiles to fit therein.

5. The game scent delivery system of claim 4, wherein the single projectile dispensing unit comprises:

a. a valve member, having an axial center, disposed adjacent to the bottom of the handle, the valve member defining a recess that is of a size that is complimentary to a projectile of the plurality of projectiles, the valve member having a first position in which the recess is disposed within the channel and is capable receiving a projectile therein, the valve member also having a second position in which the recess is disposed outside of the channel, the valve member pivotally coupled to the handle so as to be capable of rotating from the first position to the second position, the valve member shaped to prevent projectiles from exiting the channel except when the valve member is rotated from the first position to the second position, in which case a single projectile is ejected from the channel;

b. an actuator, coupled to the valve member, that allows a user to rotate the valve member from the first position to the second position; and

c. a spring, coupled to both the valve member and to the handle, for returning the valve member from the second position to the first position.

6. The game scent delivery system of claim 5, wherein the handle defines a hole adjacent the bottom end and wherein the actuator comprises a knob extending outwardly from the axial center of the valve member through the hole.

7. The game scent delivery system of claim 3, wherein the slingshot comprises a pouch, a portion of which is complimentary in shape to at least a portion of one of the projectiles.

8. The game scent delivery system of claim 7, wherein the handle comprises a first holding member adjacent the bottom end and wherein the pouch comprises a second holding member, the first holding member being shaped so as to be capable of engaging the second holding member so that the pouch is held in a position to receive a projectile from the opening defined by the bottom end of the handle.

9. A scented projectile, comprising:

a. a porous member; and

b. a game scent absorbed into a portion of the porous member.

10. The scented projectile of claim 9, wherein the porous member comprises a spherical object.

11. The scented projectile of claim 9, wherein the porous member comprises a wooden object.

12. The scented projectile of claim 9, wherein the porous member comprises a paper.

13. The scented projectile of claim 9, wherein the porous member comprises a clay.

14. The scented projectile of claim 9, wherein the porous member comprises a paper and clay mixture.

15. The scented projectile of claim 14, wherein the porous member further comprises a plaster.

16. The scented projectile of claim 9, wherein the game scent comprises a liquid attractant scent that is absorbed into a portion of the porous member.

17. A slingshot, comprising:

a. a handle having a top end and an opposite bottom end that defines a bottom opening, the bottom opening being of a size to allow at least one of a plurality of projectiles to pass therethrough, the handle defining a channel extending upwardly from the bottom opening, the channel being of a size to allow a predetermined number of projectiles to fit therein, the handle defining a hole adjacent to the bottom end, a first holding member adjacent the bottom end;

b. a valve member, having an axial center, the valve member defining a recess that is of a size that allows only a single projectile to fit in the recess, the valve member pivotally coupled to the handle adjacent the bottom end so as to be able to rotate between a first position, in which the recess is in communication with the channel so as to be capable of receiving a projectile within the recess, and a second position, in which the recess is disposed away from of the channel so as to prevent projectiles within the channel from leaving the channel, a knob extending outwardly from the axial center of the valve member through the hole defined by the handle, the knob providing a surface that allows a user to rotate the valve member from the first position to the second position, a spring coupling the valve member to the handle that returns the valve member from the second position to the first position;

c. a fork, including a first tine and a spaced-apart second tine extending upwardly from the top end of the handle;

d. an elastic member having a first end and a second end, the first end affixed to the first tine and the second end affixed to the second tine; and

e. a pouch, centrally affixed to the elastic member, that is capable of holding a projectile therein, a second holding member extending from the pouch, the second holding member being shaped so as to be capable of engaging the first holding member so that the pouch is held in a position to receive a projectile from the opening defined by the bottom end of the handle.

18. The slingshot of claim 17, wherein the elastic member comprises a first portion, terminating in the first end and including a first central termination, and a second portion, terminating in the second end and including a second central termination, the first central termination and the second central termination being coupled to the pouch.

19. The slingshot of claim 17, wherein the handle defines a top opening, in communication with the channel, that allows loading of projectiles into the channel.

20. The slingshot of claim 19, further comprising a door, hingedly attached to the handle and disposed to cover the top opening.

21. The slingshot of claim 17, wherein a portion of the pouch is complimentary in shape to at least a portion of a projectile.