Artificial Licking Branch with Absorbent Patches

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hunters face inefficiencies in scouting and hunting due to the time-consuming process of finding and maintaining dead tree limbs for licking branches, which are temporary and prone to decomposition, disrupting their hunting experience.

Innovation Solution

A durable and flexible artificial licking branch made of polymeric material with cantilevered branch members and absorbent textile patches, designed for easy attachment to trees, mimicking natural branches to attract deer and facilitate scent deposition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hunters use dead tree limbs as licking branches, then the licking branch can be obtained naturally in the environment, but the process is time-consuming and the branches decompose or break down from inclement weather or wear and tear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of licking branchVSAvoidtime spent scouting for tree limbs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates an artificial licking branch that copies the essential function of a natural tree limb without requiring actual dead tree limbs. The artificial branch is made of durable materials that do not decompose, eliminating the need for hunters to scout and collect natural limbs while maintaining the licking function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from natural organic matter (dead tree limbs) to synthetic durable materials. This parameter change transforms the licking branch from a temporary natural object to a permanent artificial structure that does not decompose, solving both the durability and time-loss problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If hunters scout for dead tree limbs to use as licking branches, then they can create natural-looking branches, but this process divests hunters of valuable time that could be used to actually hunt

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of setting up licking branchVSAvoidhunting time available

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The artificial licking branch copies the functional purpose of natural branches without requiring the time-consuming process of scouting and collecting actual tree limbs. Hunters can immediately use the artificial branches without field trips, thereby preserving hunting time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The artificial licking branches are pre-manufactured and ready for immediate use, eliminating the need for hunters to perform the preliminary action of scouting, collecting, and preparing natural branches in the field. This preliminary preparation is done in advance during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If hunters use natural dead tree limbs, then the branches can be obtained from the environment, but they serve as short-term and temporary licking branches that naturally decompose

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural appearance of branchVSAvoidservice life of licking branch

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials that combine the visual appearance of natural tree limbs with the durability of synthetic materials. The artificial branches are designed to mimic natural branches in appearance while being constructed from materials that do not decompose, achieving both adaptability and long duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material composition parameter from purely natural organic materials to synthetic materials with enhanced durability. This parameter change maintains the visual adaptability needed for hunting while extending the service life from temporary to permanent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The artificial licking branch saves time by providing a long-term, durable solution for deer attraction and scent deposition, enhancing hunting efficiency by reducing the need for frequent replacements and mimicking natural environments effectively.

Implementation Method 1

an absorbent textile material patch disposed along a portion of the branch member length on each of the plurality of cantilevered branch members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

absorbent textile material patch disposed along a portion of the branch member length

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS11259519B2Artificial licking branch

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 HIGHTOWER PROD LLC

AI summary

An artificial licking branch comprising a unitary, portable, and handheld branch body of a polymeric material and a plurality of cantilevered branch members, each projecting outwardly away from the branch body and including an absorbent textile material patch disposed along a portion of the branch member length on each of the plurality of cantilevered branch members. The absorbent textile material is designed to absorb and store natural and synthetic preorbital deer scents or lures for the purpose of indicating deer presence to other deer and for improving hunters' scouting and hunting experience upon their being able to monitor the number and type of deer that physically interact with the artificial licking branch.