Abstract:
A novel and improved turkey motion decoy and decoy mounting system is disclosed. The mounting system comprises a plurality of movable frames to support a decoy body and tail, to thereby provide a decoy capable of moving its body parts to imitate the realistic mating behavior of a turkey.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to hunting decoys in general and to a new and improved turkey motion decoy and decoy mounting system, in particular. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Decoys come in many designs and configurations and are well known and utilized in the prior art. For example, in turkey hunting applications, hunters commonly utilize a plurality of decoys, namely several hens and a gobbler that is displayed in a puffed-up fashion in front of the hens. Such a display is a challenge and enticement to other gobblers. Such turkey decoys comprise various mechanisms for triggering gobbler enticement, and are to a varying degree successful, however an improvement over what is available in the prior art is desired. For example, many such prior art turkey decoys are not very effective because they do not generate sufficient movement or flash to entice the gobbler. Other types of prior art turkey decoys generate an unnatural and erratic movement. This in turn, results in a presentation of the decoy that is not life-like, and thus unlikely to result in a gobbler approach. Thus, many of these prior art turkey decoys are neither efficient nor reliable and their use often results in unsatisfactory hunting results. In addition, many of these prior art turkey decoys are often complicated in construction, thereby making it difficult for novice users to utilize them. Such turkey decoys also have increased manufacturing costs due to their complexity. For these reasons, a turkey decoy meeting the following objectives would be highly desirable in the industry. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide an improved turkey decoy and decoy mounting system that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide an improved turkey decoy that provides for a more natural and lifelike movement. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved turkey decoy that is more visually appealing to the gobbler. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an improved turkey decoy that takes the form of a gobbler and is configured to imitate a gobbler&#39;s mating behavior, to entice other gobblers. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide an improved turkey decoy that increases the likelihood of gobbler approach. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide an improved turkey decoy and decoy mounting system that is reliable, efficient, and easy to use. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved turkey decoy and decoy mounting system that is simple in construction and thus capable of being manufactured at a reduced cost. 
     These and other objects of the invention shall become apparent from the ensuing figures and descriptions of the invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     
         
         
           
             A decoy mounting system, for a motion decoy, comprising a support; a body tilting feature comprising a pivotable decoy body mount frame for attachment of a decoy body; a tail flagging feature comprising a pivotable tail mount frame for attachment of a decoy tail; a calling feature comprising a call box; wherein said body mount frame, said tail mount frame, and said call box are operatively affixed to the pull cord; whereby said body mount frame and said tail mount frame are configured to pivot, and whereby said call box is configured to be engaged, in response to a force applied to the pull cord. 
           
         
       
    
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of this invention. However, it is to be understood that these embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive, nor limiting of the invention. They are but examples of some of the forms in which the invention may be practiced. 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the improved decoy mounting system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is another side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the improved decoy mounting system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an end perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the improved decoy mounting system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the improved decoy mounting system of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  depict a decoy body and decoy tail being mounted to the improved decoy mounting system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  depicts the pivotal movement of the decoy mount frame and decoy body. 
         FIG. 8  depicts the pivotal movement of the tail mount frame and decoy tail. 
         FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  9 C are perspective views of the improved decoy mounting system of the present invention.  9 A is the starting position.  9 B shows the activation of the body rotation feature and the tail flagging feature.  9 C shows the activation of the body tilting feature, and the calling feature, with the body rotated to the maximum angle. 
         FIGS. 10A ,  10 B, and  10 C correspond to  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  9 C, respectively, however are shown from the rear perspective. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An improved turkey motion decoy and decoy mounting system, collectively referenced by the numeral  1 , is disclosed. The invention is designed to provide a visually appealing and lifelike gobbler decoy to another gobbler to thereby increase chances of gobbler enticement and approach, in hunting operations. 
     The decoy mounting system  1  of the invention is relatively simple, yet durable, in construction. The decoy mounting system  1  can be designed to be of whatever size is suitable for the particular hunting situation. Mounting system  1  comprises a main frame  2  having an upper end  3  and a lower end  4 , said lower end comprising a stake  5  for anchoring main frame  2  into the ground. Main frame  2  can be a variety of widths and lengths, but should basically be manufactured in accordance with the decoy body to be supported and the ground conditions in concern. Stake  5  further comprises a spiral, beveled, or sloped tip to provide for a stake that can be utilized as an auguring device. Stake  5  includes a removable safety cap  6 , so that stake  5  does not cause injury to the user. 
     To provide additional grounding stability to decoy mounting system  1 , a strap  7  can be provided to system  1 . In a preferred embodiment, strap  7  will comprise two ends  7   a  and  7   b . At one end  7   a , strap  7  will be affixed to a horizontal bar  48  provided to main frame  2 , and at other end  7   b , strap  7   b  will comprise a screw  8  and compression plate  9  assembly, with said screw  8  configured to be rotated into the ground, to secure strap  7  thereto. 
     In a preferred embodiment, decoy mounting system  1  further comprises a decoy mount frame  10  pivotally attached to upper end  3  of main frame  2  via appropriate hinge pins or the like. As will be discussed further below, decoy mount frame  10  will be configured to be pivotally movable in and up-and-down manner, when a pull cord  33  is pulled and released. A biasing member  16 , such as a spring or a plastic strap, will be affixed at one end  16   a  to main frame  2 , and at other end  16   b  to decoy mount frame  10 . Biasing member  16  will push frame  10  back to starting position, when cord  33  is not pulled. Decoy mount frame  10  is preferably arc shaped, however may be any other shape or size, suitable to receive and mount the desired decoy body  11 . Decoy mount frame  10  preferably comprises a head section  10   a , a mid section  10   b , and an end section  10   c . In a preferred embodiment, decoy mount frame  10  may be permanently affixed to main frame  2  by welding or other such means; alternatively, it may be a detachable piece that can be readily secured to main frame  2  for easy assembly. 
     Decoy body  11  is preferably hollow, flexible and comprised of plastic. Decoy body  11  will generally comprise a head section  11   a , a mid section  11   b , and a backside section  11   c . Non-exhaustive commercially available examples of suitable decoy bodies  11  include the Feather Flex™ Turkey Decoys and Primos® Jake Mobile Turkey Decoys, although it is contemplated that other types of decoy bodies  11  compatible with the invention may also be utilized. Although the desired decoy body  11  in turkey-hunting applications will resemble a gobbler, it is contemplated that decoy mount frame  10  can be specifically configured to receive and mount a decoy body  11  that resembles a hen as well. 
     In a preferred embodiment, decoy body  11  will be detachably mounted to decoy mount frame  10  in a parallel fashion. In a preferred method of attachment, decoy body  11  will be provided with a first plurality of openings and decoy mount frame will be provided with a second plurality of openings, said second plurality of openings aligned with said first plurality of openings. Decoy body  11  will then be mounted in position on decoy mount frame  10  via a bolt assembly comprising bolts and locking washers. Bolts should have sufficient length to extend through aligned openings in decoy body  11  and decoy mount frame  10 , respectively. In a preferred embodiment, decoy mount frame  10  will further comprise an expander bar  15  affixed to its end section  10   c , such that when decoy body  11  is mounted in a parallel fashion upon decoy mount frame  10 , expander bar  15  will function to space the opposite walls of flexible decoy body  11 , to keep backside  11   c  of decoy body  11  spread apart for a puffed-up and full appearance. Expander  15  bar also functions to keep clearance for detachable decoy tail  20  movement, discussed below. 
     Continuing with a discussion of a preferred embodiment of the invention, decoy mount frame  10  may further comprise a tail mount frame  19  pivotally affixed to its end section  10   c . Tail mount frame  19  in turn will comprise an insertion slot  19   a , such that a detachable decoy tail  20  can be mounted to frame  19 . An illustrative example of a commercially available detachable tail that can be utilized with the present invention is RedHead™, available from Bass Pro, although any other type of compatible detachable tail may be utilized. As will be discussed further below, tail mount frame  19  will be configured to be pivotally movable in a side-to-side manner, when pull cord  33  is pulled and released. A biasing member  34 , such as a spring or a plastic strap, will be affixed at one end  34   a  to decoy mount frame  10 , and at other end  34   b  to tail mount frame  19 . Biasing member  34  will push frame  19  back to starting position, when cord  33  is released. Tail mount frame  19  is an optional feature of the invention, as decoy body  11  may already comprise a fixed tail, as in the case of a decoy body  11  resembling a hen. However, it is preferred that decoy body  11  and detachable decoy tail  20  be separate elements, capable of being moved separately, as will be discussed further below. 
     In a preferred embodiment, decoy mounting system  1  will further comprise a call box  44 . Call box  44  will preferably be attached to main frame  2 , and will further be operatively affixed to pivotal decoy mount frame  10 , such that when frame  10  pivots in response to a force applied to pull cord  33 , call box  44  will become engaged. The call can include hen clucking noises, or any other appropriate gobbler-enticing noise. 
     As mentioned above, decoy mounting system  1  will further comprise a pull-cord  33  having a user controlled end  33   a . Pull-cord  33  will preferably be routed through guide stakes  45  or pulleys situated along decoy mounting system. Pull-cord  33  will be operatively affixed to main frame  2 , decoy mount frame  10  and tail mount frame  19 . In a preferred embodiment, pull-cord  33  and main frame  2  should be configured such that when a manual or mechanical force is exerted on control end  33   a  of cord  33 , main frame  2  will partially rotate in response. This will herein be referred to as the body rotating feature. In a further preferred embodiment, pull-cord  33  and tail mount frame  19  should be configured such that when a force is exerted on control end  33   a  of cord  33 , tail mount frame  19  will pivot to a side position  102 , and when there is no longer a force on cord  33 , biasing member  34  will push tail mount frame  19  back to its starting position  103 . This will herein be referred to as the tail flagging feature. In a further preferred embodiment, pull-cord  33  and decoy mount frame  10  should be configured such that when a force is exerted on control end  33   a  of cord  33 , decoy mount frame  10  will pivot to an upwards position  100 , and when there is no longer a force on cord  33 , biasing member  16  will push decoy mount frame  10  back downwards to its starting position  101 . This will herein be referred to as the body tilting feature. As discussed above, call box  44  will be operatively affixed to pivotal decoy mount frame  10  such that when frame  10  pivots to upward position  100 , call box  44  will subsequently become engaged. This will herein be referred to as the calling feature. In a preferred embodiment, these features will be activated sequentially, as will now be discussed. 
     In yet a further preferred embodiment, cord  33 , main frame  2 , decoy and tail mount frames  10  and  19 , and call box  44  will be configured such that the amount of force exerted upon cord  33  will determine the timed activation of a particular feature. For example, a slight pull upon cord  33  may initially activate only the body rotating feature. A stronger pull may subsequently activate the tail flagging feature second and the body tilting feature third. An even stronger pull may activate all of the above three features sequentially, and the calling feature last. Of course, this described sequence can vary, depending on what is desired and invention can be configured to provide any other alternative sequence. It is also contemplated that cord  33 , main frame  2 , decoy and tail mount frames  10  and  19 , and call box  44  can be configured such that all four features are activated simultaneously. Alternatively, some features can be activated simultaneously while others are activated sequentially. 
     As can be seen from the foregoing discussion, decoy and decoy mounting system  1  of the present invention is relatively simple in construction, making it capable of being manufactured at a reduced cost. In constructing decoy mounting system  1 , the inventor contemplates using materials such as wood and metal, however it is anticipated that various other materials could also be suitable to construct the components of decoy mounting system  1 , so as to provide for a durable and reliable construction. The suitability of a certain material would depend on various factors such as the size and weight of the decoy body  11  to be mounted and the ground conditions in concern. 
     In a preferred method of operation, the user will first assemble decoy and decoy mounting system  1  in a quick and easy manner. The hunter will mount decoy body  11 , configured to resemble a gobbler, upon decoy mount frame  10  and decoy tail  20  upon tail mount frame  19 , in the manner discussed above. Main frame  2  of mounting system  1  will then be anchored into the ground at the desired location, via stake  5 . Strap  7  may then be secured to the ground for additional stability. This is accomplished via screw  8  of strap  7 , said screw  8  being rotated into the ground until compression plate  9  hits the soil. Once decoy and decoy mounting system  1  has been assembled, anchored, and strapped into place, one or more passive hen decoys may then be situated adjacent decoy body  11 . 
     The hunter will then initiate motion of decoy and decoy mounting system  1  with a manual or mechanical pull of cord  33 . In a first preferred embodiment of operation, a slight pull on cord  33  will activate only the body rotation feature. In this embodiment, main frame  2  will rotate slightly such that decoy body  11  is facing passive hen decoy(s). In a second preferred embodiment of operation, a stronger pull will subsequently activate the tail flagging feature. In this embodiment, tail mount frame  19 , and tail  20 , mounted thereupon, will pivot to a side position  102 , when cord  33  is pulled, and will be pushed back to starting position  103 , when cord  33  is released. In a third preferred embodiment of operation, an even stronger pull will subsequently activate the body tilting feature. In this embodiment, decoy mount frame  10  and decoy body  11 , mounted thereupon, will pivot to an upward position  100 , when cord  33  is pulled, and will be pushed back down to starting position  101  when cord  33  is released. In a fourth preferred embodiment of operation, and applying maximum force to cord  33 , call box  44  will become engaged, subsequent to the body tilting feature becoming activated. Thus, via controlled pull and release of cord  33 , decoy tail  20  will reciprocate between a left and right position, decoy body  11  will reciprocate between an up and down position, and call box  44  will intermittently emit appropriate sounds, such as a hen cluck. This will give the impression that the passive hen decoy is clucking and that the gobbler is flagging its tail feathers from side to side and tilting its body up and down. In this manner, the present invention will simulate the lifelike body and tail movements of a gobbler engaging in mating behavior. This behavior in turn will be viewed as a territorial challenge by other gobblers, inducing them to approach. 
     In summary, the decoy and decoy mounting system  1  of the present invention comprises a unique selection and assembly of components to impart distinct and effective movements such that its attractiveness to gobblers is enhanced. The invention looks, sounds, and moves convincingly like a turkey decoy, but at the same time, is versatile, inexpensive, and simple in construction. While the invention has been described in terms of its preferred embodiment, other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art from a review of the foregoing. Those embodiments as well as the preferred embodiments are intended to be encompassed by the scope and spirit of the following claims.