Animal call, and methods of and apparatus for making same

摘要

An animal call device is assembled from at least two horseshoe-shaped frame members positioned and supported on opposite sides of one or more strips of pre-tensioned diaphragm material. The frame members have complementarily contoured facing surfaces, and one of the frame members has energy directing prongs adjacent corresponding apertures in the other of the frame members. Ultrasonic energy is applied to the pronged frame member. The prongs pierce the diaphragm material and contact the other frame member such that the ultrasonic energy melts the material of and about the prongs forming material joints through the diaphragm material. The joints combine with the contoured surfaces to retain the diaphragm material in place, even when several strips are assembled into the diaphragm. The manner of tensioning the diaphragm material includes a first longitudinal tensioning. Portions of the tensioned strip or strips are then clamped to a workframe and, prior to the assembly of the frame members, the diaphragm material is further stretched in a direction transverse to the first longitudinal tensioning. More than two frames may be assembled in a stack by first completing an assembly of two frames and then repeating the process by assembling an additional diaphragm and frame member to the already existing assembly. An outer cover may be added to the frame members to extend peripherally about the frames.