Abstract:
An owl, simulated animal and bird decoy for attracting wildlife, and particularly predators, crows and other predatory animals and birds, which decoy is characterized in a first embodiment by a simulated owl adapted for mounting on a stake, post or support inserted in the ground or on a tree limb, with a mechanical bird extending downwardly from the owl&#39;s talons. The mechanical bird is typically provided with movable, folding wings mounted on hinged wing mounts to facilitate extending one or both of the wings outwardly, and in folded configuration inwardly of the body, wherein the wings flap and/or vibrate by means of a battery-operated electric motor in the extended and/or folded configuration to simulate distress. In another embodiment the mechanical bird may be attached to or suspended from a tree limb with one or both of the wings extended or folded to simulate distress in the decoy. In still another embodiment a simulated animal is fitted with a battery-operated, eccentric vibrating device and is suspended from an owl or a fixed object such as a tree limb.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and incorporates by reference in its entirety prior filed copending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/852,169, filed Oct. 18, 2006. 
     
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An owl, simulated animal and bird decoy for attracting wildlife and particularly, predatory animals and birds, as well as foraging or waterfowl birds, including crows. The decoy is characterized by a simulated owl adapted for mounting on an upright pole, stake or other support extended into the ground or mounted on a stand in one embodiment, with a mechanical bird or simulated animal extending from or engaging the owl&#39;s talons to simulate capture of the bird or animal by the owl. In another embodiment the owl is positioned on a tree limb with the mechanical bird or animal extending from or engaging the owl&#39;s talon, for the same purpose. The mechanical bird is typically fitted with hinged wing mounts to facilitate extension and retraction or folding of one or both of the wings against the bird body and is provided with a switch and an internal electric motor and battery to facilitate flapping of the extended wings and vibration of the folded wings, to simulate distress. The simulated animal is typically fitted internally with an eccentric vibrating device which causes the animal to move and shake. In yet another embodiment of the invention the bird or animal may be suspended without the owl decoy from a limb of a tree with the bird wings folded or extended or one wing extended and the other folded, to simulate distress in the decoys. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an owl and bird decoy embodiment of this invention, with the simulated owl decoy mounted on an upright support and a mechanical bird decoy extending downwardly from the owl talons and having both mechanical bird decoy wings extended; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the owl and bird decoy, with the owl decoy mounted on the limb of a tree and the mechanical bird decoy extending downwardly from the talons of the owl decoy, with both mechanical bird decoy wings extended; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the owl and bird decoy illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with the owl decoy mounted on a support and the mechanical bird decoy extended downwardly from the owl talons, with one of the mechanical bird decoy wings extended and the other folded; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the owl and bird decoy illustrated in  FIG. 2 , with the owl decoy placed on a limb and the mechanical bird decoy extending downwardly from the owl&#39;s talons, with one mechanical bird decoy wing extended and the other folded; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the owl and bird decoy illustrated in  FIG. 3 , more particularly illustrating the owl decoy mounted in an upright support, with the mechanical bird decoy extending downwardly from the owl&#39;s talons and both of the mechanical bird decoy wings folded; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the owl decoy and mechanical bird decoy of this invention, with the owl decoy perched on a limb and the mechanical bird decoy extending downwardly from the owl&#39;s talons, with both of the mechanical bird decoy wings folded; 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a mechanical bird decoy without the owl decoy, suspended from the limb of a tree with both wings extended; 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the mechanical bird decoy illustrated in  FIG. 7 , with one wing extended and one wing folded; 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the mechanical bird decoy illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  with both wings folded; 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an owl and simulated animal decoy of this invention with the owl decoy mounted on an upright support and a simulated animal internally fitted with a vibrating device, extending downwardly from the owl talons; 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the owl and simulated animal decoy, with the owl decoy mounted on a limb of a tree and the simulated animal extending downwardly from a talon of the owl decoy; 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view, partially in section of a typical talon configuration of the owl decoy of this invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a typical eccentric vibrating mechanism or device for inducing vibration in the simulated animal decoy illustrated in  FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  14 - 16 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 14  is a front view of a simulated animal decoy with an internal eccentric vibrating device illustrated in phantom and suspended by an S-hook from a talon of the owl decoy; 
           [0018]      FIG. 15  is a front view of the simulated animal decoy illustrated in  FIG. 14  suspended by a monofilament loop from the talon of the owl decoy; 
           [0019]      FIG. 16  is a front view of the simulated animal decoy illustrated in  FIG. 15 , suspended by wire from a talon of the owl decoy; 
           [0020]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the simulated animal decoy illustrated in FIG.  16  with the eccentric vibrating device inserted therein and illustrated in phantom and with the simulated animal and eccentric device suspended from a limb of a tree, typically using a monofilament loop; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 18  is a front view of the simulated animal decoy illustrated in  FIG. 17  with the eccentric vibrating device inserted therein and illustrated in phantom and with the simulated animal and eccentric device suspended from a limb of a tree, using an S-hook. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, the owl and bird decoy embodiment of this invention is generally illustrated by reference numeral  1 . The owl and bird decoy  1  is characterized by a simulated owl  2 , having a owl body  3  and owl talons  4 , as illustrated. The owl body  3  is mounted on the top support end  7  of a top support  6  at the owl talons  4 , while the bottom support end  8  of the support  5  is either extended into the ground  9  as illustrated or mounted on a stand or brace (not illustrated). A mechanical bird  13  is disposed beneath the owl  2  and is attached or connected to one of the owl talons  4 , typically at the head  19  or beak  20  of the mechanical bird  13 , using a tether, tie or fastener (not illustrated) such as a length of monofilament fishing line. The head  19  of the mechanical bird  13  is attached to the bird body  17  as illustrated and simulated bird tail feathers  18  extend from the bird body  17 , while the extended wings  14  are mounted on the bird body  17  by means of hinged wing mounts  16 , as further illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The mechanical bird  13  is also provided with a direct current electric motor, batteries and a switch (not illustrated) in conventional fashion, to facilitate selective flapping of the extended wings  14  and simulate distress in the mechanical bird  13  and capture by the owl  2  in the owl and bird decoy  1 . 
         [0023]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2  of the drawings, the owl body  3  of the owl  2  is seated or perched on the limb  11  of a tree  10  in any convenient fashion, such that the mechanical bird  13  extends downwardly from one of the owl talons  4 , to which the head  19  or beak  20  of the mechanical bird  13  are typically attached or connected in any convenient manner, such as a screw, bolt or monofilament fishing line, in non-exclusive particular. The mechanical bird  13  is configured such that the extended wings  14  are oriented for flapping in the same manner as the extended wings  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , to indicate distress in the mechanical bird  13 . 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 3  of the drawings, the owl body  3  of the owl  2  is mounted on the top support end  7  of a support  6  and the mechanical bird  13  extends downwardly, typically from attachment to either the head  19  or beak  20 , to one of the owl talons  4 , using a suitable connector, tie or tether, as hereinafter described. In this configuration the mechanical bird  13  is characterized by an extended wing  14  and a folded wing  15 , the latter of which vibrates while the extended wing  14  flaps, to accentuate simulated distress in the mechanical bird  13 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 4  of the drawings, the owl body  3  of the owl  2  is mounted on a limb  11  of a tree  10 , with the mechanical bird  13  attached by means of a connector, such as a tie or tether to the head  19  or beak  20  and one of the owl talons  4 , as hereinafter described. In this configuration of the mechanical bird  13 , the extended wing  14  is allowed to flap while the folded wing  15  vibrates, to indicate accentuated distress in the mechanical bird  13  for the attraction of predators to the owl and bird decoy  1 . 
         [0026]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5  of the drawings, the owl body  3  of the owl  2  is mounted on the top support end  7  of a support  6 , while the bottom supporting  8  is extended into the ground  9 . When the mechanical bird  13  is positioned below the owl body  3  and is connected to an owl talon  4 , typically at the head  19  or beak  20  with both of the folded wings  15  in folded and vibrating configuration, the mechanical bird  13  is positioned to attract predators, as illustrated. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 6  of the drawings, the owl body  3  of the owl  2  is mounted on a limb  11  of a tree  10  and the mechanical bird  13  is configured with both folded wings  15  in vibrating configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the mechanical bird  13  is typically suspended from one of the owl talons  4  at the head  19  or the beak  20  by a suitable connector, such as a tie or tether, typically in the manner hereinafter described. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 7  of the drawings, in another embodiment of the invention a mechanical bird  13  is attached or tethered directly to the limb  11  of a tree  10 , typically using nearly invisible monofilament fishing line  12  of selected size and length, in non-exclusive particular, with the extended wings  14  projecting outwardly of the bird body  17  at the hinged wing mounts  16 . This orientation of the mechanical bird  13  facilitates flapping of the extended wings  14  by operation of the internal electric motor and battery (not illustrated), to simulate distress of the mechanical bird  13  suspended in the tree  10 . 
         [0029]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8  of the drawings, a mechanical bird  13  is attached to the limb  11  of the tree  10  using a suitable tie, tether or other connector such as the monofilament fishing line  12  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , with an extended wing  14  configured to flap, while the folded wing  15  is configured to vibrate and further indicate distress in the mechanical bird  13  to attract predators. 
         [0030]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 9  of the drawings, the mechanical bird  13  is likewise suspended from the limb  11  of a tree  10  and is configured with both folded wings  15  in vibrating, accentuated distress configuration, to attract predators. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 10  of the drawings, in another embodiment of the invention the owl decoy  2  of an owl and simulated animal decoy  21  is fitted to the support  6  at a top support end  7  and the bottom support end  8  of these support  6  is typically extended into ground  9 , as illustrated. A simulated animal  22  is configured to generally represent a fox, rabbit, squirrel, chipmunk, rat or the like, which is typically the prey of an owl, and suspended from one of the owl talons  4  of the owl  2 , typically using a connector or tether  28 . The connector or tether  28  may be wire, cord, or a length or loop of monofilament line of selected diameter and length, the latter of which is essentially invisible, in non-exclusive particular. The tether  28  is typically extended through a talon opening  5  in the owl talon  4  and connected to a vibrating ball  27 , at an eyelet  27   a . The simulated animal  22  is caused to vibrate, thus shaking the animal body  23  and the animal tail  25  responsive to operation of the internally-positioned vibrating ball  27 . In a typical embodiment the vibrating ball  27  is tightly inserted in a body cavity  24  shaped in the animal body  23  of the simulated animal  22 . Referring to  FIG. 13  of the drawings, the vibrating ball  27  is illustrated with the eyelet  27   a  for attachment of the connector or tether  28  to one of the owl talons  4  of the owl  2 . The vibrating ball  27  is typically conventional in design and is configured with an internally positioned eccentric (not illustrated) and a battery pack (also not illustrated), as well as a switch (also not illustrated) for actuating the eccentric and causing the ball to vibrate, which also causes the animal body  23  and the animal tail  25  to vibrate or shake and simulate the movements of prey captured by the owl  2 . 
         [0032]    As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the owl and simulated animal decoy  21  may be designed such that the vibrating ball  27  is located in the body cavity  24  of the animal body  23  of the simulated animal  22  and the simulated animal  22  and vibrating ball  27  then suspended from an owl  2  which is seated on a limb  11  of a tree  10 , typically in the same manner as the suspension and connection illustrated in  FIG. 10  of the drawings. Operation of the vibrating ball  27  thus causes the animal body  23  to vibrate along with the animal tail  25 , to attract predators. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 12  of the drawings, a typical owl talon  4  configuration is illustrated, wherein a talon slot  4   a  and talon hole or opening  5  may be provided in one or more of the owl talons  4  for extending the connector or tether  28  therethrough or receiving a screw or bolt fastener (not illustrated) therein, as desired, and connecting the respective decoys to the owl talons  4 . 
         [0034]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14  of the drawings, it will be appreciated that the vibrating ball  27  and simulated animal  22  can be suspended from the owl talon  4  using a connector or tether  28  which is shaped in the configuration of an S-hook. One end of the S-hook is typically extended through a talon opening  5 , while the opposite end is extended through the eyelet  27   a  on the vibrating ball  27 . 
         [0035]    As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , suspension of the simulated animal  22  from the owl  2  can be effected using the flexible connector or tether  28 , consisting of a monofilament fishing line loop, which is typically inserted in the talon slot  4   a  of the owl talon  4 , and extended through the eyelet  27   a , as illustrated. 
         [0036]    As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the simulated animal  22  can be suspended from the owl talons  4  typically using a piece of wire as the connector or tether  28 , one end of which wire may be extended through the talon slot  4   a  or the talon opening  5  located in the owl talon and the other end of which is attached to the eyelet  27   a  of the vibrating ball  27 . 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 17  of the drawings, it will be appreciated that the simulated animal  22  with the internally-located vibrating ball  27  can be suspended directly from a tree limb  11 , typically using a connector or tether  28  which is shaped in the configuration of a loop and is constructed of monofilament line or the like. 
         [0038]      FIG. 18  illustrates mounting of the simulated animal  22  and the enclosed or internal vibrating ball  27  on a tree limb  11  using an S-hook extending through the eyelet  27   a  and around the tree limb  11 . 
         [0039]    It will be appreciated from a consideration of the drawings that the owl decoy  2  and both the mechanical bird  13  and the simulated animal  22 , in various combinations, can be configured such that the owl  2  is mounted on a support  6  of any desired design and height, as well as on the limb  11  of a bush or tree  10 . Furthermore, the mechanical bird  13  and simulated animal  22  can be suspended from the owl talons  4  in any convenient fashion, typically by means of screws, bolts, wire, string, S-hooks, monofilament fishing line or the like, and typically from the head  19  or the beak  20 , in the case of the mechanical bird  13 , such that the flapping of the extended wings  14  and vibration of the respective folded wing(s)  15 , respectively, simulate an agitation or distress of the mechanical bird  13  in the owl talons  4 . This simulated distress of the mechanical bird  13  and vibrating simulated animal  22  is effective to attract predators such as coyotes, bobcats, wolves and the like, in non-exclusive particular, as well as birds such as crows and the like, to the various decoys for hunting purposes. 
         [0040]    It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that as illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 , the mechanical bird  13  can be suspended from a limb  11  of a bush or tree  10  by itself, with the respective extended wings  14  and folded wings  15 , respectively, likewise flapping and vibrating, for the same purpose. In like manner, the mechanical bird  13  can be tied or tethered directly to a limb  11 , rather than suspended, as desired. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the mechanical bird  13  can be constructed and painted to simulate various types of birds, including crows and waterfowl, such as ducks, geese and the like, to vary the decoy characteristics, depending upon the nature and kind of wildlife to be attracted. In like manner, the simulated animal  22  can be designed in shape and color patterns to simulate any prey of the owl, including a mouse, rat, squirrel, chipmunk, fox or the like. It will also be appreciated that the owl decoy  2  can be replaced by other predatory birds such as hawks, eagles and the like, in non-exclusive particular. 
         [0041]    While the preferred embodiments of the invention on have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications may be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.