Feeding type lure for game hunting

Abstract

The invention relates to a game lure system designed for attracting large animals. The system comprises a durable and waterproof container divided by a partition into a food storage compartment and a main compartment. A hatch on the container is programmably controlled to open at pre-set times, allowing food to be accessed from the food storage to the main compartment. The timing and duration of the hatch's opening are controlled by a programmable control unit, which also activates a sound-producing device when the hatch opens, enhancing the lure's effectiveness by associating the sound with food availability. This programmable feature allows for the creation of a predictable feeding pattern, thereby habituating the targeted animals to the lure's location. The lure is also equipped with mounting brackets for easy installation and a top lid for maintenance and refilling. This invention provides an efficient and automated solution to attract large game with increased predictability and effectiveness.

Description

LURE FOR LARGE GAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to sport hunting but more particularly to alure for large game.2. Description of Related Art

[0002] Lures designed for attracting large game are a staple in wildlife management andhunting industries. Despite their widespread use, existing lures often lack sophisticatedmechanisms for controlled and automated food dispensing, which limits theireffectiveness and practicality. Traditional lures typically require manual intervention toreplenish food supplies and do not offer features that regulate the timing of foodavailability or provide auditory alerts to better train and habituate animals. Consequently,there is a significant need for innovations in this field that incorporate automated fooddispensing with programmable timing and sensory alerts, thereby increasing thepredictability and efficiency of attracting large gameBRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of theinvention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is notan extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key / critical elementsof the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to presentsome embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

[0004] An objective of the present invention is to provide a highly effective and user-friendly lure for large game that automates the process of attracting animals throughcontrolled food dispensation and sound emissions.

[0005] In order to do so, a lure for large game is provided, comprising a container with apartition that is configured to divide the container into a food storage compartment and amain compartment; a hatch on the container that is configured to open according to a pre-programmed schedule to allow access to food in the main compartment from the foodstorage compartment; and, a programmable control unit that controls the opening andclosing of the hatch based on the pre-programmed schedule.

[0006] In one embodiment, the container is box shaped with six faces and is constructedfrom a durable and waterproof material. In one embodiment, the partition within thecontainer is movable and is configured to dispense food from the food storagecompartment to the main compartment. In another embodiment, the movable partition isactuated by a motor assembly selected from the group consisting of a worm screw motorand a linear actuator. In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to activatea sound-producing device when the hatch opens. In yet another embodiment, theprogrammable control unit comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) which isprogrammable via software to select the timing and duration of the opening and closing ofthe hatch and partition. In another embodiment, the sound-producing device is a speakerthat is integrated into the container and connected to the PCB. In one embodiment, apower source located within the container is provided, wherein the power sourceprovides electrical power to the programmable control unit, a hatch motor assemblyconfigured to actuate the hatch, and the sound-producing device. In one embodiment, thehatch is configured to open for a short duration to limit access by non-target animals. Inone embodiment, mounting brackets on a backside of the container are provided forattaching the container to a support structure. In one embodiment, the support structureis a tree. In one embodiment, the container includes a top lid for accessing internalcomponents for maintenance and refilling the food storage compartment.

[0007] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and importantfeatures of the present disclosure so that the detailed description of the invention thatfollows may be better understood and so that the present contribution to the art can bemore fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention, which will be describedhereinafter, form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods andstructures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures forcarrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as set forth in the appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent whenthe following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,in which:

[0009] FIGS. 1A-B illustrate top front and top rear isometric views respectively ofthe lure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] FIGS. 2A-C are side and cutaway side views of the lure showing the partitionand the hatch mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] FIGS. 3A-B are side and cutaway side views of the lure showingcompartments and the hatch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIGS. 4 is a top view of the lure showing the interior electronics accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIGS. 5A-B are side views showing the lure installed on a tree and in useaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art tomake and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor ofcarrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparentto those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have beendefined herein to specifically provide a lure for large game.

[0015] It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms "a"or "an," as used herein, are defined as to mean “at least one.” The term "plurality," as usedherein, is defined as two or more. The term "another," as used herein, is defined as at leasta second or more. The terms "including" and / or "having," as used herein, are defined ascomprising (i.e., open language). The term "providing" is defined herein in its broadestsense, e.g., bringing / coming into physical existence, making available, and / or supplying tosomeone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time.These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art wouldconsider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In manyinstances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significantfigure.

[0016] Referring now to the accompanying Figures 1A through 5B, the present inventiondescribes a lure, specifically designed for attracting large game. In some embodiments, thelure comprises a box-like container 10 constructed with six faces from a material that isboth durable and waterproof, making it suitable for various environmental conditions.

[0017] Within the container 10, a food hopper compartment 11, includes a movablepartition 12. Advantageously, the partition is designed to control the dispensation of food14 into a main compartment 13. Activation of the partition 12 allows a predeterminedquantity of food to transfer into the main compartment 13. Subsequently, a hatch 16 opensto permit access to the food by a targeted animal, thereby facilitating controlled feedingsessions.

[0018] The operational mechanics of the hatch 16 are controlled by a programmablecontrol unit, more specifically by a printed circuit board (PCB) 18, which is responsible forboth opening and closing of the hatch. The PCB 18 is powered by a battery 22, securelyhoused within the container 10, ensuring uninterrupted functionality. In someembodiments, the hatch 16 is linked to a hatch motor assembly 24, typically configured asa motor-actuated worm screw, although alternative configurations such as a linearactuator are considered within the scope of this invention. It should be noted that otherconfiguration or assemblies for activating the hatch may be provided.

[0019] In some embodiments, the movable partition 12 is similarly actuated by a motorassembly, designed to provide reliable and repetitive movement. The PCB 18 is equippedwith software that enables users to program specific schedules for the operation of boththe partition 12 and the hatch 16, allowing the timing and duration of openings to beprecisely controlled.

[0020] Programming these operations is crucial for habituating animals to the lure, as itestablishes a predictable pattern of food availability. Additionally, in some embodiments,the lure 10 incorporates a speaker 20, also connected to the PCB 18. This speaker isactivated when the hatch 16 opens, emitting a sound that further reinforces the behavioralconditioning of the animals, encouraging them to associate the sound with the availabilityof food and thus appear at consistent times.

[0021] A critical feature of the present invention is the limited duration during which thehatch 16 remains open, which significantly reduces the risk of food theft by non-targetspecies such as squirrels and other rodents.

[0022] During use, the container's backside is fitted with mounting brackets 26, allowingfor secure attachment to a tree 28 or other suitable structures. In some embodiments, atop lid 30 provides convenient access for maintenance tasks related to the PCB 18 and forrefilling the food hopper compartment 11 with food 14.

[0023] Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in languagespecific to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention defined in theappended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, thespecific features are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimedinvention. In other words, the terminology and phraseology used in this description andthe abstract are for illustrative purposes and should not be considered limiting.Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have beendescribed, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled inthe art. Such variations and alternative embodiments are contemplated, and can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0024] It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such asleft, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counterclockwise, up,down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique,proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used forconvenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction ororientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and / ordirections / orientations between various portions of an object.

[0025] In addition, references to “first,” “second,” “third,” and so fourth membersthroughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) are not used to show a serial ornumerical limitation but instead are used to distinguish or identify the various membersof the group.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on December 17, 2024 (17.12.2024)

1. [Currently amended] A lure for large game comprising: a container with a partition that is configured to divide the container into a food storage compartment and a main compartment; a hatch on the container that is configured to open according to a pre-programmed schedule to allow access to food in the main compartment from the food storage compartment; the partition within the container is movable and is configured to dispense food from the food storage compartment to the main compartment; the movable partition is actuated by a motor assembly selected from the group consisting of a worm screw motor and a linear actuator; and a programmable control unit that controls the opening and closing of the hatch based on the pre-programmed schedule,

2. [original] The lure of claim 1 , wherein the container is box shaped with six faces and is constructed from a durable and waterproof material.

3. [cancelled]

4. [cancelled]

5. [original] The lure of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to activate a sound-producing device when the hatch opens.

6. [Amended] The lure of claim 5, wherein the programmable control unit comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) which is programmable via software to select the timing and duration of the opening and closing of the hatch and partition.

7. [Amended] The lure of claim 6, wherein the sound-producing device is a speaker that is integrated into the container and connected to the PCB.

8. [original] The lure of claim 1 , further comprising a power source located within the container that provides electrical power to the programmable control unit, a hatch motor assembly configured to actuate the hatch, and the soundproducing device.

9. [original] The lure of claim 1 , wherein the hatch is configured to open for a short duration to limit access by non-target animals,

10. [original] The lure of claim 1 , further comprising mounting brackets on the backside of the container for attaching the container to a support structure.

11. [Amended] The lure of claim 10, wherein the support structure is a tree.

12. [original] The lure of claim 1 , wherein the container includes a top lid for accessing internal components for maintenance and refilling the food storage compartment.

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