Two in one turkey call

Abstract

An apparatus for both locating and calling turkeys during a hunt comprising a box member having a handle portion disposed on one end of the box member and an inner chamber portion. Upper edges of side walls of the box member act as sound rails. A lid member is engageable with the box member and the upper edges of the side rails. There is a striker member having a handle member and a stick member. The handle member of the striker rests in a groove formed in an end of the handle portion while the stick member is placed through an aperture in a wall member of the box member and sits in the inner chamber. The lid member is secured to the end of the box member. There is at least one insert disposed in a bottom portion of the box member for producing turkey sounds when scratched by the stick end of the striker.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a turkey call, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a unique turkey calling apparatus that utilizes both a box and striker call all in one by having a striker that fits completely in the box and inserts in the bottom of the box for producing sound for both locating and calling in turkeys during a hunt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many different turkey calls on the market today. Most of the turkey calls that are seen on store shelves are known “friction” calls due to the simple action used to simulate the sounds of the wild turkey. These calls produce sounds by striking one surface against another to create turkey talk. These calls are the “push button”, the “pot and peg” or “slate” calls and “box” calls.

The push button call is probably the easiest to master and is a small box that produces realistic hen yelps by merely pushing the end of the rod (or button) back and forth within the box. The call is simple but effective.

The slate or pot-and-peg calls are able to produce a wide range of turkey vocalizations and although there are accessories available to use these calls one handed they generally require a two handed operation by design. One hand holds the striker while the other hand holds the pot. The strikers friction on the surface creates realistic yelps, cuts, purrs or clucks.

Box calls are similar to slate calls in that most box calls require two-handed operation. These remain one of the oldest and most traditional methods used for calling turkeys.

Other types of calls are air-activated calls and diaphragm calls. Both of these types of calls require more patience and practice to master.

Thus, it would be advantageous if there were a single apparatus or device wherein different types of turkey call could be made without having to carry several devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for both locating and calling turkeys during a hunt. The apparatus comprises a box member having a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material, upper edges of side walls of the box member being sound rails. Such box member includes a handle portion that is disposed on one end of the box member, such handle portion having a cut out groove disposed on an outer end thereof and an inner chamber portion defined by an inner surface of an end wall of the box member, such end wall being disposed on an opposite end of the box member as the handle portion, an inner surface of the bottom of the box member, an inner surface of a wall member disposed closely adjacent an inner end of the handle portion and an inner surface of the side walls. An aperture is formed in a central portion of the wall member. A lid member is engageable with a top portion of the end wall of the box member and a top portion of the side walls. There is a removable striker member that has each of a handle member and a stick member, the handle member of the striker member engages the groove that is disposed on the outer end of the handle portion of the box member and the stick member engages the aperture disposed on the wall member. There is a means for securing the lid member to the box member and there is at least one insert that is inserted into a cavity formed in an outer portion of the bottom of the box member. Such at least one insert being inserted in the cavity in the bottom of the box member so as not to protrude from an outer surface of the bottom of the box member.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a turkey call that incorporates at least two different types of calls.

Another object of the present invention to provide a turkey call that is used as both box call and a scratch call.

Still another object of the present invention to provide a turkey call in which there are inserts disposed in the bottom of the box.

Yet another object of the present invention to provide a call box that has a handle portion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a turkey call wherein the handle member of the striker rests in a groove in the handle portion of the box.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly when such description is taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention showing the box member and the handle portion.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the lid member not connected to the box.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the striker member that was shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the box member showing the inserts disposed in the bottom.

FIG. 5a is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 without the striker member set in the apparatus.

FIG. 5b is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the striker member in place and the handle member of the striker resting on the groove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus, generally designated 10, for both locating and calling turkeys during a hunt. As seen in the drawing Figures the apparatus 10 comprises a box member 2 having a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material. Upper edges of side walls 4 of the box member 2 being sound rails 5. Such box member 2 includes a handle portion that is disposed on one end of the box member 2, such handle portion 6 has a cut out groove 8 disposed on an outer end thereof and an inner chamber portion 12 defined by an inner surface of an end wall 14 of the box member 2, such end wall 14 being disposed on an opposite end of the box member 2 as the handle portion 6, an inner surface of the bottom 16 of the box member 2, an inner surface of a wall member 18 disposed closely adjacent an inner end of the handle portion 6 and an inner surface of the side walls 4. An aperture 22 is formed in a central portion of the wall member 18. A lid member 24 is engageable with a top portion of the end wall 14 of the box member 2 and a top portion of the side walls 4. There is a removable striker member 26 that has each of a handle member 28 and a stick member 32, the handle member 28 of the striker member 26 when not in use engages the groove 8 that is disposed on the outer end of the handle portion 6 of the box member 2 and the stick member 32 engages the aperture 22 disposed in the wall member 18 and sits in the inner chamber 12. It should be noted that such handle member 28 of the striker member 26 not only engages such groove 8 on the handle portion 6 but is locked in place so that such striker member 26 does not fall out of the unit until removed by the user.

There is a means, generally designated 20, for securing the lid member 24 to the box member 2 and there is at least one insert 34 that is inserted into a cavity formed in an outer portion of the bottom 16 of the box member 2. Such at least one insert 34 being inserted in the cavity in the bottom 16 of the box member 2 so as not to protrude from the outer surface of the bottom 16 of the box member 2.

It is presently preferred that there are two inserts 34. One of the two inserts 34 is inserted in an end of the bottom 16 of the box member 2 that is closely adjacent the end wall 14. The other of the two inserts 34 is inserted in a bottom portion of the handle portion 6 of the box member 2 that is closely adjacent the outer end thereof.

It is also presently preferred that one of the inserts 34 is slate or a metal while the other insert 34 is aluminum or another metal. In this manner the user can create different turkey vocalizations by scratching each of the inserts 34.

As stated previously each of the two inserts is inserted into each of two cavities formed in the bottom portion 16 of the apparatus 10 so that the inserts 34 do not protrude from the bottom surface of box member 2 and the handle portion 6.

The lid member 24 is used to rub against the sound rails 5 (top portion of the side walls 4) of the box member 2 so as to produce turkey sounds. When used in this mode the apparatus 10 is being used as a box call. Whereas when the striker is used to scratch the surface of inserts 34 to produce other turkey sounds the apparatus 10 is being used as a scratch call. As is evident in the drawing Figures the top portion of the side walls 5 (sound rails) have an arcuate shape. This arcuate shape helps in producing the turkey sounds.

A portion of the stick end 32 of the striker member 26 rests inside the inner chamber portion 12 of the box member 2, while the handle member 28 of the striker 26 rests on the groove 8 of the handle portion 6 of the box member 2. To remove the striker 26 from the apparatus 10 one simply has to slide the striker member 26 out of the apparatus 10.

Also it is within the concept of the invention that different turkey sounds can be produced when the user places his/her hands on different places on the side walls 4 of the box member 2 when lid member 24 is rubbed against the sound rails of the box member 2.

It is also preferred that the means 20 for securing such lid member 24 to the top portion of the end wall 14 of the box member 2 is a screw 36.

The function of the turkey box according to the present invention is a two in one call. The primary function that is different from other calls is that the stick portion of the striker is inserted into the box portion (inner chamber) of the turkey call box while the striker handle portion sits in a groove in a handle portion of the box member. The other function of the apparatus are inserts of any turkey sounding materials that are placed in the bottom of the box portion (chamber) and handle portion at each end of the box call. This allows for the call to be multi-functional and capable of sounding like three or more turkeys. The call has unique features. The handle portion of the box has a distinctive groove cut out to allow the striker to rest in the handle portion and the striker will nor slip out.

The striker has two distinct portions itself, a handle member and a stick portion. The stick portion is used to scratch or strike the inserts on the bottom of the box. The striker slides through a hole at the handle end of the box which allows it to rest in the box. To call with the striker the hunter just slips the handle out, turns the box over and strikes (scratches) either of the two inserts to create a turkey sound. The two inserts stand alone because they will create turkey sounds that have never been heard due to the design. The design of the call is what creates the tones that the call is capable of producing.

The hunter can use this call to locate and call in turkeys during a hunt giving the call versatility. This capability eliminates confusion out in the field as the hunter will have all his calling equipment in one pocket of his vest. This sets this call apart from all others because the hunter can use either the scratch part of the call or the box alone. When hunters are on the move and locating turkeys they usually will prefer the box call, wherein turkey sounds are made by moving the lid against sound rails (top portion of the sides) of the box. When the hunters are stationary they can use any call available on the market depending on their preference and style of calling. The hunter can also create multiple sounds depending on where he places his hands on the box call of the present invention. The hunter can hold the call at one end verses the other and create sounds or the hunter can could hold the box directly at the sound board (rails) and create even different tones. Also, the hunter could hold the call box at the sound board and add a light pressure to the sides of the chamber to create even more tone or different turkey sounds.

The hunter can also hold the call and strike the inserts with the box call handle in different positions allowing the sound to be projected in different directional areas.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for both locating and calling turkeys during a hunt, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a box member having a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material, upper edges of side walls of said box member being sound rails, said box member including; (i) a handle portion disposed on one end of said box member, said handle portion having a cut out groove disposed on an outer end thereof; (ii) an inner chamber portion defined by an end wall of said box member disposed on an opposite end of said box member as said handle portion, an inner surface of said bottom of said box member, an inner surface of a wall member disposed closely adjacent an inner end of said handle portion and an inner surface of said side walls, (iii) an aperture formed in a central portion of said wall member;

(b) a lid member engageable with a top portion of said end wall of said box member and said top portion of said side walls;

(c) a removable striker member having each of a handle member and a stick member, said handle member of said striker member engageable with said groove disposed on said outer end of said handle portion of said box member and said stick member engageable with said aperture disposed on said wall member;

(d) a means for securing said lid member to said box member; and

(e) at least one insert inserted into a cavity formed in an outer portion of said bottom of said box member, said at least one insert being inserted in said cavity in said bottom of said box member so as not to protrude from an outer surface of said bottom of said box member.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes two inserts.

3. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein one of said two inserts is inserted in an end of said bottom portion of said box member closely adjacent said end wall.

4. The apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein another of said two inserts is inserted in a bottom portion of said handle portion of said box member closely adjacent said outer end thereof.

5. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein one of said inserts are selected from at least one of metal and slate.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein both of said inserts are metal.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein one of said inserts is aluminum.

8. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein one of said inserts is slate.

9. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein each of said two inserts is inserted into each of two cavities formed in said bottom portion of said apparatus so that said inserts do not protrude from said bottom surface of said box member and said handle portion.

10. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said lid member is used to rub against said sound rails of said box member so as to produce turkey vocalizations.

11. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein a portion of said stick end of said striker member rests inside said chamber portion of said box member.

12. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said stick end of said striker is used to scratch either of said inserts to produce different turkey sounds.

13. The apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein different turkey sounds can be produced when user places hands on different places on said side walls of said box member when lid member is rubbed against said sound rails of said box member.

14. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said removable striker member is removed from said apparatus by simply sliding said striker member out of said apparatus.

15. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said means for securing said lid member is a screw.

16. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said upper edges of said side rails have an arcuate shape.

17. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said handle member of said striker member is locked in place in said groove of said handle portion until removed by such user.