U.S. patent application number 11/588813 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-22 for spinning decoy device.
Invention is credited to Dennis Highby, Ronald D. Nelson, Gregg V. Severinson.
Application Number | 20070039227 11/588813 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34739496 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070039227 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Highby; Dennis ; et
al. |
February 22, 2007 |
Spinning decoy device
Abstract
A spinning decoy device for use by hunters to attract birds,
such as ducks and geese, has at least one decoy deployed in an
elevated position, and a motorized system for spinning the decoy(s)
so as to attract the birds. The motorized system, in a preferred
embodiment, spins the decoy(s) in a circular motion. To further add
realism to the device, the wings of each decoy are rotatable.
Inventors: |
Highby; Dennis; (Sidney,
NE) ; Nelson; Ronald D.; (Sidney, NE) ;
Severinson; Gregg V.; (Sidney, NE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BACHMAN & LAPOINTE, P.C.
900 CHAPEL STREET
SUITE 1201
NEW HAVEN
CT
06510
US
|
Family ID: |
34739496 |
Appl. No.: |
11/588813 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10755050 |
Jan 8, 2004 |
7137221 |
|
|
11588813 |
Oct 27, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
43/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01M 31/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
043/002 |
International
Class: |
A01M 31/06 20060101
A01M031/06 |
Claims
1. A spinning decoy device comprising: at least one bird decoy
deployed in an elevated position above at least one of the ground
and a water surface so as to move through the atmosphere without
contacting the at least one of the ground and the water surface;
motorized means for spinning said at least one bird decoy while in
said elevated position so as to attract birds flying above; said
motorized means including a motor and at least one arm attached to
said motor and rotated by said motor; and each said arm being
attached to a shaft which connects to and is rotated by said
motor.
2. (canceled)
3. A device according to claim 1, further comprising each said
decoy attached to said at least one arm by a tether.
4. A device according to claim 1, further comprising each said
decoy being solidly attached to said one arm.
5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said motor rotates each
said arm so as to spin each said decoy in a circular motion.
6. (canceled)
7. A device according to claim 1, further comprising post means for
positioning said motor at a desired height above said ground.
8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said post means comprises
a post to be placed in the ground and a bracket member connected to
said post and said motor is attached to said bracket member.
9-13. (canceled)
14. A spinning decoy device comprising: a post having one end
inserted into the ground; a motor attached to said post; at least
one arm attached to and being rotated about said post by said
motor; said motor having an output shaft and said at least one arm
being connected to said output shaft by a yoke; and at least one
bird decoy attached to said at least one arm, said at least one
bird decoy rotating about said post at an elevated height above the
ground.
15. The spinning decoy device of claim 14, wherein the yoke has two
diverging arms.
16. A device according to claim 8, further comprising: said bracket
member having a support member having a shape which corresponds to
a shape of the post; and said support member surrounding a portion
of the post and being attached to said post.
17. A device according to claim 16, wherein said support member is
substantially C-shaped.
18. A device according to claim 1, wherein each said arm is
attached to said shaft by a yoke and said yoke being attached to
said shaft by a pin.
19. A device according to claim 1, wherein each said arm is
adjustable in length.
20. The spinning decoy device according to claim 14, further
comprising: a bracket member to which said motor is attached, said
bracket member having a support member having a shape which
corresponds to a shape of the post; and said support member
surrounding a portion of the post and being attached to said
post.
21. The spinning decoy device according to claim 20, wherein said
support member is substantially C-shaped.
22. The spinning decoy device according to claim 20, wherein said
bracket member has two diverging legs, a base portion connecting
lower ends of said diverging legs, and a top plate welded to and
extending between said legs.
23. The spinning decoy device according to claim 15, wherein said
yoke is attached to said shaft by a pin.
24. The spinning decoy device according to claim 23, wherein each
said arm is adjustable in length.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (a) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a spinning decoy device to
be used by hunters and more particularly to a spinning decoy device
that has one or more decoys which are spun in a circular motion to
attract birds flying overhead.
[0003] (b) Prior Art
[0004] A wide variety of devices have been used by hunters to
attract birds such as waterfowl. These devices have included a
number of different devices for deploying decoys on a body of water
and imparting motion to the decoys. U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,313 to
Bauernfeind et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 2,547,286 to Sabin; U.S. Pat. No.
1,376,282 to Kauffman; U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,140 to Brock IV; U.S.
Pat. No. 2,726,469 to Becker; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,257 to
McCrory exemplify such devices.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,863 to Krug illustrates a duck decoy
system for simulating a landing duck.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,649 illustrates a decoy mobile.
[0007] Also known in the prior art is a motorized bird repellent
apparatus which causes a flying body imitating a raptor to scare
away birds. Such an apparatus is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.
5,956,880 to Sugimoto.
[0008] Despite the existence of these decoys, there still remains a
need for motion decoys which better attract birds flying
overhead.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a device to be used by hunters for attracting birds flying
overhead.
[0010] The foregoing object is attained by the spinning decoy
device of the present invention.
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, a decoy device is
provided. The decoy device broadly comprises at least one decoy
deployed in an elevated position, and motorized means for spinning
the decoy(s) so as to attract birds flying overhead. In a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, each decoy has rotatable wings
to further add to the realism of the device.
[0012] Other details of the spinning decoy device of the present
invention, as well as other objects and advantages attendant
thereto, are set forth in the following detailed description and
the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals depict
like elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates the spinning decoy device of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a motor mounting bracket used in the
device of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a support member which forms
part of the bracket of FIG. 2 taken along lines 3-3;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of a top plate of the bracket shown in
FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a yoke assembly used in the device of
FIG. 1; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a decoy used in the device of
FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a spinning
decoy device 10 in accordance with the present invention. The
device 10 includes a post or stake 12, a motor mounting bracket 14
connected to the post 12, a motor 16 attached to the bracket 14, an
arm arrangement 15 preferably having at least two arms 18 and 20,
which arm arrangement is connected to the motor 16, and at least
two decoys 22 connected to the respective arms 18 and 20. The post
or stake 12 preferably has a pointed end 26 for enabling the post
12 to be inserted into the ground 28. It may also be provided with
a triangular shaped portion 27 which adds stability to the
positioning of the post 12. The post or stake 12 may be formed from
any suitable material known in the art, preferably steel and may
have a plurality of attachable/detachable sections to provide
height adjustment.
[0020] While the drawings illustrate two decoys 22, the device 10
will operate just as well with one decoy 22 attached to one arm
driven by the motor 16.
[0021] While the present invention will be discussed in the context
of being placed over solid ground, it should be noted that the post
or stake 12 could be positioned in a body of water such as a
shallow pond or a marsh.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 2, the motor mounting bracket 14 is
illustrated. The bracket 14 has a support member 30 which is
substantially C-shaped as shown in FIG. 3. The support bracket is
shaped to correspond to the shape of the post 12 and to surround a
portion of the post 12. The support member 30 may be attached to
the post 12 using any suitable means known in the art. In a
preferred embodiment, a threaded collar 32 is welded to the support
member 30. The threaded collar receives a threaded wing nut that
puts pressure on top of the post 12 that pushes up against the
bracket 30 to hold the motor mounting bracket and the elements
attached to it in place.
[0023] The motor mounting bracket 14 further includes a shaped
bracket member 34 having diverging legs 36 and 38 and base portion
40 attached to the top of the support member 30, such as by
welding. Still further, the bracket 14 has a top plate 42 which is
welded to and extends between the legs 36 and 38. The top plate 42,
the legs 36 and 38, and the base portion 40 define a space 44 into
which the motor 16 is mounted.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 4, the top plate 42 has an aperture 46
for receiving an output shaft 48 of the motor 16. The top plate 42
also has a plurality of apertures 43 through which bolts 45 can
pass to secure the motor 16 in place.
[0025] The motor 16 may comprise any suitable electrical motor
known in the art. The motor 16 may have wires 80 and 82 for
connecting the motor to a power source (not shown) such as a
battery or other power pack. If desired, one of the wires may have
an on-off switch (not shown) connected to it.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 5, the arm arrangement 15 preferably
includes a yoke 88 which includes one or more arms 90 and 92
extending outwardly from a base portion 50. The base portion 50 is
attached to the motor output shaft 48 by a roll pin 52. Each of the
arms 90 and 92 may be formed from any suitable material known in
the art, preferably a steel material, and may have a solid or
hollow construction. Each of the arms 90 and 92 may have a fixed
length or may be adjustable in length. If the arms 90 and 92 are
adjustable in length, each arm may be formed from a plurality of
components joined together in any suitable manner known in the art.
The arms 18 and/or 20 may be attached to the arms 90 and/or 92 by
bolts, screws, or the like.
[0027] A decoy 22 is connected to the end of each arm 18 and 20
preferably by a tether 60. The tether 60 may be formed from any
suitable material known in the art which has the strength to
support the weight of the decoy 22 and the forces which are
generated when the arms 18 and 20 are rotated. Alternatively, each
decoy 22 may be solidly attached to a respective arm.
[0028] Each decoy 22 may have a body 62 formed from any suitable
material known in the art, such as a high strength plastic
material. Additionally, each decoy 22 has a pair of rotatable wings
64 and 66. As shown in FIG. 6, each of the wings 64 and 66 are
joined to an electric motor 68 by first and second shaft portions
70 and 72. The motor 68 may be any suitable battery powered motor
known in the art. Each decoy 22 may have a holder (not shown) for
holding one or more batteries and an electrical circuit for
connecting the batteries to the motor 68. The circuit may include
an on-off switch for starting and stopping the motor 68. The on-off
switch may be manually or remotely operated.
[0029] While the decoy 22 has been described as having a motor 68,
the motor may be omitted and the wings 64 and 66 may be rotated by
the movement of the air over the wings as the device 10 is
operated. In such an arrangement, the shaft portions 70 and 72 may
form a single unitary shaft structure.
[0030] Alternatively, instead of having a single motor 68, each of
the wings 64 and 68 may be driven by its own motor.
[0031] In operation, the post or stake 12 positions the decoy(s) 22
at a desired height above the ground 28 or above the surface of a
body of water. The motor 16 causes the shaft 48 to rotate which in
turn causes the arm(s) 18 and/or 20 to rotate about a vertical axis
defined by the post 12. This causes the decoy(s) 22 to spin in a
circular motion about the post 12. As the decoy(s) 22 spin, the
wings 64 and 68 rotate. The motion created by the device of the
present invention can be seen from a long distance by birds that
are flying in the area. Coupled with the rotation of the wings, a
realistic motion is created which can be used to attract birds,
such as ducks and geese, flying overhead.
[0032] If desired, portions of the wings 64 and 68 may be painted
with dark and light colors which create a well known flash effect
as the wings 64 and 68 rotate. This flash effect may be used to
attract birds flying overhead and bring them down where hunters can
shoot them.
[0033] The decoy device of the present invention is advantageous
because it creates a realistic motion which is likely to attract
birds flying overhead. Further, it is easy to assemble and use.
Still further, it can easily be disassembled and easily stored.
[0034] While the decoy device of the present invention has been
described as having two arms and two decoys, it should be apparent
that the device could have more than two arms attached to the shaft
portion 48 and more than two decoys.
[0035] The decoy(s) 22 may have any desired configuration. For
example, they may be manufactured to look like a duck or a
goose.
[0036] It is apparent that there has been provided in accordance
with the present invention a spinning decoy device which fully
satisfies the objects, means, and advantages set forth
hereinbefore. While the present invention has been described in the
context of specific embodiments thereof, other alternatives,
modifications, and variations will become apparent to those skilled
in the art having read the foregoing description. Accordingly, it
is intended to embrace those alternatives, modifications, and
variations as fall within the broad scope of the appended
claims.
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