US20060266776A1

US20060266776A1 - Armband diaphragm reed call case

Info

Publication number: US20060266776A1
Application number: US11/139,905
Authority: US
Inventors: Shawn Plakke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-28
Filing date: 2005-05-28
Publication date: 2006-11-30

Abstract

An armband has an attached array of one-hand accessible, quiet opening and closing diaphragm call reed storage pockets. The storage pockets may be an accordion envelope-shaped pocket with internal separators forming an array of storage pockets to hold diaphragm call reeds for hunting. A silent magnet and metal non-contacting closure and protruding tab enable silent one-handed opening and closing of the pocket. Alternately the pockets may be formed from elasticized material either cut with horizontal slits or sewn to the armband in overlapping strips to form an array of pockets with protruding diaphragm reed cells. Elasticized straps form an adjacent bottle pouch. An overlapping hook and loop end hooks through a loop end for an adjustable fastener. A short overlapping elasticized section adds tension to the armband.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to article carriers with an attaching means that extends circumferentially of a limb, and particularly to an armband that holds diaphragm reed hunting calls, said armband having a holder for a scent bottle, an accordion-type pocket with a magnetic closure or elasticized series of pockets for storing several diaphragm reed calls.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Keeping track of reeds for calling animals, such as elk when elk hunting can be frustrating. Searching for reeds when switching to different reeds for different calls can, and has led to lost reeds, because of fumbling around for them in pockets.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,171, issued Nov. 28, 1989 to Carlton, indicates an animal call device holder and assembly. An animal call holder and at least one flat animal call device form the assembly. The holder includes a container having a bottom portion formed of a flat closed bottom, and integral upraised sides, rear and front sloped upwardly rearwardly and defining a lower storage space therewith. The bottom portion may have a pocket clip attached thereto and/or loops and a neck lanyard. The container also has an openable lid hinged to the bottom portion. The lid may be flat or may include a closed flat top and integral closed depending sides, front and rear sloped downwardly forwardly and adapted to rest on the upper edges of the bottom portion and which define an upper storage space. The top may be vapor permeable but water resistant in order to dry out wet animal call devices in the holder. The top inside may bear strips upon which indicia identifying the call devices can be marked. The container has a rhomboidal appearance in side elevation, with the top displaced rearwardly of the bottom, so that the holder is easy to slip into and remove from a pocket. A rack is disposed in the bottom portion of the holder and includes a plurality of spaced parallel upwardly and rearwardly sloping plates connected to the bottom and/or sides of the bottom portion and defining pockets within which the lower portions of flat animal call devices are seated. The plates can have notched out upper central portions to facilitate gripping of the call devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,391, issued Oct. 19, 1999 to Hunt, describes an apparatus for securing a flexible tube-shaped game call about the upper arm of the user in a fashion which allows the user to operate the game call without using his or her hands and without taking his or her eyes off of the target. The game call is comprised of a resilient band which encircles the user's arm. Securing loops are fixed to the outer surface of the resilient band and receive and secure the game call. When the user raises his or her arm to sight a gun or pull back a bowstring, the game call is positioned in front of the user's mouth thereby allowing the user to operate the call with little effort.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,808, issued Mar. 29, 1988 to Turner, Jr., discloses a fowl call holder attachable about the wrist of a hunter wherein a flexible strap has a major portion and a minor portion. An elastic expandable strip is stitched at each end to said major and minor portion of the flexible strap, and an elastic all encircling strap loop resiliently snugly engages about the fowl call to retain it on the strap. Complemental Velcro adhesive surfaces on the major and minor portions of the flexible strap secure the strap about the wrist of the hunter with only minor expansion of the strap permitted by said elastic expandable strip between said major and minor portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,360, issued Sep. 9, 1997 to Conway, is for a holster for game calls which can be fastened around the stock of a gun or of a bow. The holster has an elongated body made of flexible material, with a plurality of pockets formed on one side. The pockets are preferably formed so as to open toward the center of the elongated body. A fastener, such as hook-and-loop material (Velcro®) allows the elongated body to be wrapped around the gunstock and the ends fastened to each other, so as to form a sleeve around the stock with pockets on the outside. If the pockets are formed to open toward the center of the elongated body, they will open upwards when the holster is fastened around the generally horizontal gunstock. Game calls can be inserted into the pockets, and removed easily without removing the gun from the shoulder of the hunter and without startling the game. A bow-hunting variation has the pockets turned 90.degree., so that they point toward one side of the elongated body, allowing the pockets to point upwards as the elongated body is fastened around the vertical bowstock.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,961,135, issued Nov. 22, 1960 to Hughes, Jr., is for a duck call holder having a hand-embracing band with a pivoting mounting thereon, for holding a tubular duck call.
U.S. Patent Application #20040093698, published May 20, 2004 by Herman, provides a clip device for securing a diaphragm hunting call and the like. The clip device is securable to an object, such as a garment or hat. The clip device comprises a main body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge, and a back edge. A supporting wall extends from the front edge in general direction away from the top surface. A clip mechanism extends from the supporting wall over the top surface for securing the clip device to an object. An item retaining mechanism extends substantially along the back edge for releasably securing the item within the lip portion adjacent and against the bottom surface of the main body.
U.S. Pat. No. D475,526, issued Jun. 10, 2003 to Gillespie, provides the ornamental design for a diaphragm turkey call wallet.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,000, issued Oct. 13, 1998 to Timberlake, puts forth a hands free game call holder that has a wrist strap made of a flexible material which is wrapped around the wrist of a hunter. A D-ring is attached to one end of the wrist strap. The other end of the wrist strap is looped thorough the D-ring and folded back and secured onto itself. A primary call holder and a secondary call holder are attached to the wrist strap. The primary and secondary call holders are wrapped or looped about a game call to securely hold a game call on the wrist strap. The primary call holder and the secondary call holder are in alignment and work in conjunction to securely hold a game call in a position accessible to the hunter while the hunter is holding a firearm or bow. Provisions are also included for a second set of primary and secondary call holders to be attached to the wrist strap for holding a second game call parallel to the first.
What is needed is something that would keep reeds readily available and in an easily accessible and convenient location, such as an accordion-type pocket holder for several game calling reeds with a silent magnetic closure on an armband with a partially elasticized hook and loop arm band closure that is easy to use to retrieve a desired reed with a single hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an armband holder for diaphragm reeds and other hunting accessories, which allows easy silent access to the reeds stored in organized pockets in the armband according to the desired call.
An object of the present invention is to provide an accordion-type pocket holder for several game calling reeds that would keep reeds readily available and in an easily accessible and convenient location on an armband, with a silent magnetic closure with a partially elasticized hook and loop armband closure that is easy to use to retrieve a desired reed with a single hand and adjustable to fit any size.
Another alternate object of the present invention is to provide a series of pockets for diaphragm reeds formed by elasticized material for silent easy access to each of the desired reeds.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sewn in elastic band to allow for movement and flexing of the wearers bicep.
One more object of the present invention is to provide a diaphragm reed call case with three separate compartments for storing different reeds.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a diaphragm reed call case which closes by using a small magnet (approx. ⅝″ each) on a front panel with a mating piece of metal on a back panel which do not touch allowing for silent operation, one handed opening and closing, and little chance for failure because magnets won't collect lint, weeds, or, other debris that would cause other types of closures to fail (come open).
In brief, the armband diaphragm reed call storage area may comprise a series of pockets formed in elasticized material with a specific location for each type of reed or a case designed like an accordion paper file with separate compartments that open to allow access to the reeds and the case closes with a small magnet (approx. ⅝″ each), allowing for silent operation, one handed opening and closing, and little chance for failure for both types of pockets. Magnets won't collect lint, weeds, or other debris that would cause other types of closures to fail (come open).
Also positioned on the armband next to the reed holder is an accessory pouch which can be used to hold anything a hunter finds helpful in the field: wind direction bottle (I.E. Smoke In A Bottle), game scent, or camouflage face paint) or anything a hunter would like to have readily available.
The armband is made of 2″ wide hook and loop material, (I.E. VELCRO®), that is adjustable to fit all different arm sizes, and can be worn on either arm for right or left handed hunters.
An advantage of the present invention is that it keep the reeds readily available and in an easily accessible and convenient location.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides silent operation so as not to disturb the game.
A further advantage of the present invention is that it allows for one handed opening and closing thereby providing convenience as well as cutting down on movement which might disturb game.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that the magnet closure affords little chance for failure because magnets won't collect lint, weeds, or other debris that would cause other types of closures to fail.
An additional advantage of the present invention is that it allows for movement and flexing of the wearers bicep.
One more advantage of the present invention is that it is adjustable to fit all different arm sizes, and can be worn on either arm for right or left handed hunters

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front of the armband of the present invention showing an accordion file type diaphragm reed call pocket closed by magnetic force, an elasticized accessory pouch, and adjustable attaching means;
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the top of the armband of FIG. 1 edge-on;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a pocket of the armband of FIG. 1, showing the pocket open;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a pocket of the armband of FIG. 1, showing the pocket closed;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a pocket of the armband of FIG. 1, showing the pocket open;
FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a pocket of the armband of FIG. 1, showing a diaphragm reed call which may be inserted in the pocket;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the armband of FIG. 1 mounted on an arm of a wearer with an exploded view of the details of the armband showing the pocket open to remove a diaphragm reed call;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a front of the armband of the present invention showing a series of diaphragm reed call pockets formed in elasticized material, an elasticized accessory pouch, and adjustable attaching means.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1-8, an armband diaphragm reed call case device 20 allows silent one-handed storing and retrieving of diaphragm reeds used in hunting. An armband 21 for encircling an arm of a wearer comprises an elongated horizontal band of material with an adjustable means for attaching the armband around an arm of a wearer, shown in place in FIG. 7.
In FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, the adjustable means for attaching the armband around an arm of a wearer comprises a vertical loop 28 at one end of the arm band and an self securing end portion 24A and 24B of the armband at an opposite end of the armband, the self securing portion having one mating element, such as hook material 24A, on an outer end section of the armband and the other mating element, such as loop material 24B, on an adjacent interior section of the armband. The self securing portion 24A and 24B is insertable through the vertical loop 28 and the self securing portion overlaps itself to connect the outer end section to the adjacent inner section at any desired point for an adjustable attaching means.
In FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, an elasticized length of material 23 is attached at each end to a section of the armband longer than the elasticized length of material so that the elasticized length of material is caused to stretch and create tension to tighten the armband around an arm of a wearer when the armband is attached.
In FIGS. 1-7, a series of diaphragm reed call storage pockets 26 comprises two expansible accordion fold-out sides 19 each attached to the armband along a back edge, a flat front panel 15, and preferably a flat back panel 14, corresponding in size and shape to the front panel and attached to the front panel at a bottom edge, each of two sides of the back panel attached one of the two accordion sides 19 at a back edge of each of the accordion sides, the back panel attached to the armband 21. The front panel 15 is attached between two front edges of the accordion sides 19 and attached to the back panel 14 or the armband 21 along a bottom edge so that the front panel may be alternately pulled away from the arm band along a top edge of the front panel with the accordion sides expanding outwardly at the top, is in FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, for easy access into the storage pocket to install or remove a diaphragm reed call 30, as in FIGS. 6 and 7, and alternately pressed back toward the armband to flatten the accordion sides and close the storage pockets 26 flat, as in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4.
In FIGS. 5 and 7, a series of flat separators 12 are positioned between the flat front panel 15 and the rear panel 14 or armband 21. Each of the two sides of each of the separators 12 is attached to one of the accordion sides 19 between the front panel and the armband to form separate storage areas within the storage pocket for receiving a diaphragm reed call 30 in each of the separate storage areas 1, 2, and 3.
In FIGS. 3-5, a means for silent closure of the pocket between the front panel 15 and the back panel 14 or armband 21 comprises a magnet 27 on one side of the silent closure means, such as the front panel 15, and a magnetically attractive component 29, such as a mating sized and shaped piece of metal, on the other side of the silent closure means, such as the back panel 14, in a mating position to the magnet so that upon pressing the front panel 15 toward the back panel 14 or armband 21, the magnet 27 attracts the magnetically attractive component 29 to hold the pocket closed without contact of the magnet and the magnetically attractive component to form a silent closure means.
A protruding tab 18A, preferably an elasticized strap with a center protruding flap, is attached on an outside of the front panel 15 for grasping the front panel to open and close the pocket to enable one-handed silent opening and closure of the pocket.
In FIG. 8, an alternate embodiment of the diaphragm reed call storage pockets 26A comprises a series of pockets 11 formed by elasticized material 25B either as a single piece of elasticized material sewn on the sides and bottom to the armband material with slits cut in the material and the edges bound or multiple pieces of overlapping elasticized material 25B with the overlaps forming the pockets.
In FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 8 an accessory pouch 25 is attached to the armband 21 adjacent to the pocket 26 for holding other hunting related items. The accessory pouch 25 comprises a horizontal elasticized strap attached at two ends to the armband and a vertical elasticized strap attached between a bottom of the horizontal strap and a bottom of the armband. A small horizontal elasticized band loop 18B at a top of the armband holds a neck of a bottle 40 inserted removably within the accessory pouch 25 with the elasticized bands stretched to hold the bottle securely therein. This pouch can be used to hold anything a hunter finds helpful in the field, such as a wind direction bottle, (I.E. Smoke In A Bottle), game scent, or camouflage face paint.
It is understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. An armband diaphragm reed call storage device for storing and retrieving diaphragm reeds used in hunting, the device comprising:

an armband for encircling an arm of a wearer, the armband comprising an elongated horizontal band of material with an adjustable means for attaching the armband around an arm of a wearer;

a series of diaphragm reed call storage pockets attached to an exterior of the armband, the storage pockets comprising an ordered array of separate storage pockets for organized storing and retrieving of a diaphragm reed call in each of the storage pockets so that a user is able to access each of the storage pockets with a single hand of the user, the storage pockets fabricated of material which does not make any sound upon retrieving and replacing a diaphragm reed call from one of the storage pockets;

a hunting accessory storage pouch for storing at least one additional hunting accessory attached to the armband adjacent to the series of diaphragm reed call storage pockets.

2. The storage device of claim 1 wherein the series of diaphragm reed storage pockets comprises two expansible accordion fold-out sides each attached to the armband along a back edge, a flat front panel attached between two front edges of the accordion sides and attached to the armband along a bottom edge so that the front panel may be alternately pulled away from the arm band along a top edge of the front panel with the accordion sides expanding outwardly at the top for easy access into the storage pocket and alternately pressed back toward the armband to flatten the accordion sides and close the storage pocket flat, at least one flat separator positioned between the flat front panel and the armband, the at least one separator having two sides, each of the two sides attached to one of the accordion sides between the front panel and the armband to form separate storage areas within the storage pocket for receiving a diaphragm reed call in each of the separate storage areas, a silent closure device between the front panel and the armband, the silent closure device being operable by a single hand of the user.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the silent closure device comprises a magnet on one side of the silent closure means and a magnetically attractive component on the other side of the silent closure means in a mating position to the magnet so that upon pressing the front panel toward the armband the magnet attracts the magnetically attractive component to hold the pocket closed without contact of the magnet and the magnetically attractive component to form a silent closure means

4. The device of claim 2 further comprising a protruding tab on an outside of the front panel for grasping the front panel to open and close the pocket to enable one-handed silent opening and closure of the pocket.

5. The device of claim 2 further comprising a back panel corresponding in size and shape to the front panel and attached to the front panel at a bottom edge, each of two sides of the back panel attached one of the two accordion sides at a back edge of each of the accordion sides, the back panel attached to the armband.

6. The device of claim 2 wherein the at least one flat separator comprises two separators between the accordion sides to form three separate storage areas within the pocket to house three diaphragm reed calls within the pocket with each of the diaphragm reed calls in one of the three separate storage areas.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the hunting accessory storage pouch comprises a horizontal elasticized strap attached at two ends to the armband and a vertical elasticized strap attached between a bottom of the horizontal strap and a bottom of the armband.

8. The device of claim 7 further wherein the hunting accessory storage pouch further comprises a small horizontal elasticized band loop at a top of the armband for holding a neck of a bottle inserted removably within the hunting accessory storage pouch with the elasticized bands stretched to hold the bottle securely therein.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the adjustable means for attaching the armband around an arm of a wearer comprises a vertical loop at one end of the armband and an self securing end portion of the armband at an opposite end of the armband, the self securing portion having one mating element of a hook and loop fastener on an outer end section of the armband and another mating element of a hook and loop fastener on an adjacent interior section of the armband, the self securing portion being insertable through the vertical loop and the self securing portion overlapping itself to connect the outer end section to the adjacent inner section at any desired point for an adjustable attaching means.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the adjustable means for attaching the armband around an arm of a wearer further comprises an elasticized length of material attached at each end to a section of the armband longer than the elasticized length of material so that the elasticized length of material is caused to stretch and create tension to tighten the armband around an arm of a wearer when the armband is attached.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the diaphragm reed call storage pockets comprise a series of pockets formed by a single sheet of elasticized material sewn on the sides and bottom to the armband material with spaced parallel slits cut in the elasticized material to form an array of diaphragm reed call storage pockets.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the diaphragm reed call storage pockets comprise a series of pockets formed by a series of overlapping horizontal strips of elacticized material sewn on the ends and bottom to the armband material forming the pockets.