Lockable Friction Game Call with Single-Hand Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional friction game calls require two hands to operate, limiting the hunter's ability to keep a firearm or bow ready and are prone to inadvertent sound generation during transportation or storage, which can alert game animals to the hunter's presence.
Innovation Solution
A game call design featuring a push rod, friction plate, striker, and locking sleeve, allowing for single-hand operation and adjustable tension to control sound generation, with a locking mechanism to prevent unwanted sounds during non-use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional friction calls are designed to be hand-held with separate striker and calling surface, then the calling mechanism is simple and reliable, but two hands are required for operation which prevents the hunter from keeping firearm or bow ready
Solution Approach 1:
The striker and friction plate are integrated into a single movable assembly that can be actuated by one hand. The friction plate is mounted on the striker, and both are moved together by the push rod mechanism, allowing single-hand operation while maintaining the traditional friction calling mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The friction plate is nested on the striker, and the striker assembly is nested within the housing. The push rod moves the striker and friction plate assembly through the housing, creating a compact nested structure that enables single-hand operation without excessive complexity
2Speed
If the friction plate and striker are in constant contact to enable immediate sound production, then the calling response time is fast, but inadvertent operation occurs during transportation or storage generating unwanted sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The friction plate is designed to be rotatably biased into contact with the striker, creating a dynamic system that can transition between contact and non-contact states. The biasing member provides rotational force to engage the friction plate with the striker when needed, while the rotatable connection allows disengagement to prevent inadvertent operation
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member is pre-configured to apply rotational force that prepares the friction plate for contact with the striker. When the push rod actuates the assembly, the friction plate is already biased into position, enabling immediate sound production without requiring additional activation force
3Reliability
If the friction plate is made rough with abrasive treatment to increase friction for better sound production, then the sound quality improves, but the friction member wears down over time reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The surface characteristics of the friction plate are changed by applying a coating layer with different friction properties than the base material. This coating provides the necessary friction for sound production while being more durable than traditional abrasive treatments, extending the service life of the friction plate
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
Enables single-hand operation of the game call, reducing movement and noise, thereby improving the hunter's chances of successfully harvesting game while minimizing accidental sound production.
Implementation Method 1
The second biasing member is configured to rotate the friction plate into contact with the striker
Implementation Method 2
The calling surface is typically conditioned or treated (using sand paper, an emery cloth, a Brillo pad, a stone, or some other abrasive material) to increase the friction resulting from contact between the calling surface and the striker
Data Source
AI summary
A game call that includes a push rod, a friction plate, a striker, first and second biasing members, and a locking sleeve. The push rod includes distal and proximal end portions. The friction plate is mounted to the push rod. The first biasing member is configured to bias the push rod in a proximal direction. The second biasing member is configured to rotate the friction plate into contact with the striker. The locking sleeve is connected to the push rod and configured to fix an axial position of the friction plate relative to the striker.