Game call

Abstract

A game call includes a thermoplastic body having a front edge with a cutout formed therein. An insert having a flexible diaphragm stretched across an open-ended frame is disposed in the cutout. The game call may be manufactured by providing a blank of thermoplastic material with a central cutout. The insert is placed on one half of the bank, and the other half of the blank is folded over to trap the insert. The halves of the blank are bonded to each other with heat and pressure or an adhesive.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001] This invention relates to a game call, particularly a game call intended to be held in a user's mouth. Many different types of game calls are used to produce sounds to attract game animals. One type of game call comprises a flexible diaphragm stretched across an open-ended frame. The call is placed against the roof of the user's mouth and then various techniques may be used to produce appropriate sounds by forcing air across the diaphragm.[0002] Because the diaphragm and the frame holding it are typically a small fraction of the size of the user's mouth, some means of retaining the call in the user's mouth is required. A commonly used method is to sandwich the edge of the frame between two layers of tape such as the kind used to secure bandages. Unfortunately, this tape does not stay molded to the shape of the user's mouth, causing discomfort. Furthermore, this tape becomes unsightly and unsanitary after use.[0003] It is therefor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0067] The call 10 may be molded or custom-fitted to the user's mouth as follows. First, the call 10 is heated to soften the body 14, or at least the outer portion 15. This may be done by placing the call 10 in boiling water. The time needed to heat the call 10 will vary depending upon the material used for the body 14 and the size and thickness of the body 14. For a body 14 of approximately 1.0 mm (0.040 in.) to about 1.5 mm (0.060 in.) thickness as described above, a heating time of a few seconds may be sufficient. The call 10 may then be placed in cold water or ice water to reduce its surface temperature adequately so that the user's mouth is not injured. During the heating and cooling process, the central member 235, or strap 123, if present, may be used to hold the call 10. When the body is appropriately softened, it is pressed against the roof of the user's mouth, with its front edge facing forward. This causes the outer portion 15 of the body 14 to be pressed downward into a shape which comfortably fits the hard palate of the user's mouth. An example of a call 10 molded into shape is shown in FIG. 6. When the body 14 cools, because of its thermoplastic properties, it retains this shape. The call 10 may then be used repeatedly. If a food-grade material is used, it may be cleaned so as to avoid unpleasant appearance and odor and prevent transmission of disease. If the call 10 is too large or an inappropriate shape for the user's mouth, the body 14 may be trimmed or cut down in size before or after the molding steps described above.

[0069] It is noted that the call 10 may also be manufactured with the body 14 having a shape with bent-down edges suitable to fit in the user's mouth as shown in FIG. 6, for example using the injection molding process described above. While not resulting in a custom fit as described above, this would eliminate the need to mold the call 10 to the user's mouth.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, this tape does not stay molded to the shape of the user's mouth, causing discomfort.

Furthermore, this tape becomes unsightly and unsanitary after use.

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