Abstract:
The present invention relates to floating waterfowl decoys featuring a multiplicity of interchangeable multifunction feature keels that allow the user to equip the decoy with various animating, affixing, and retrieving systems.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to floating waterfowl decoys in general and to a type of floating duck decoy featuring a multiplicity of interchangeable multifunction feature keels that allow the user to equip the decoy with various animating, affixing, and retrieving systems, in particular. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Duck decoys are well known fodder for patentable innovations. Decoys with anchors, retractable tethering lines, motors and propellers, bubblers, wake simulators, and the like are well known. Decoys that maneuver in tandem with other decoys, whether independently or externally animated and guided, are well known to sportsmen. Of those that are independently animated and guided, some are constructed such that the functional elements are inside the body of the decoy (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 8,276,308—Semiautonomous Waterfowl Decoy System). Some are constructed such that the functional elements are installed in a keel or housing affixed to the base of the decoy (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 7,975,421—Remote Control Decoy). The latter type is generally preferable because it adds to the operational stability of the decoy in wind-blown ponds and moving streams. A few duck decoys are equipped with a means of interchanging keels (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,657—Adjustable Duck Decoy), however these interchangeable keels perform the same or similar functions as the ones they replace. For example, interchangeable keels of varying weights may be used in varying depths of water. Similarly, weighted keels may be available in different forms: lead weighted or water weighted—the latter being lighter to pack to a distant hunting spot. The main disadvantage of these devices is that if a user wants the decoy to perform another set of functions, the user must purchase another decoy. For example, if the user wants a decoy with a retractable tether and anchor, or wants a decoy that blows bubbles from the base, or wants a decoy that simulates diving to feed, or wants a decoy that autonomously travels to and fro on the surface of the water, the user must buy a new decoy. This is clearly wasteful and inefficient. What is needed then is a decoy with interchangeable keels, wherein each keel performs at least two distinct functions: 1) Adjustably weighting and thus stabilizing the decoy in the water; and, 2) At least one other animating, affixing, or retrieving function. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Generally, the present invention provides a waterfowl decoy molded or otherwise formed from a plastic, such as polyethylene, or wood, such as cork. The decoy is air-tight, either intrinsically because the material from which it is made comprises a multiplicity of air filled cavities, or the decoy is molded with air trapped inside one or more cavities. The decoy is painted in the usual manner to represent a particular type of waterfowl. The base of the decoy is generally flat and contains locking holes through which locking tabs extending from the top surface of the keel pass to secure the keel to the bottom of the decoy. The base of the decoy may contain other perforations accommodating accessory devices extending above the top surface of the keel. By this means, an accessory device may be included in the keel that is vertically larger than the keel itself. 
         [0005]    In a first embodiment, the keel is elongate, generally rectangular in transverse cross section, hollow, and molded of plastic such as polyethylene. At least part of the hollow interior of the keel is segregated from the rest of the interior of the keel and is externally accessible by means of a port with a cap and may be filled with various weighting substances such as lead shot, sand, or water. At least part of the balance of the hollow interior of the keel is segregated from the capped space and contains a spring-loaded rotary cord retracting system comprising a spool containing a suitable length of anchoring cord wherein the anchoring cord is affixed at one end to the central axis of the spool and at the other end to a suitable anchoring device such as a hook or a flat bar weight. A coiled spring is affixed to the spool such that as the anchoring cord is extended, the spring is wound progressively more tightly. Molded around the periphery of the spool, or otherwise formed as a part of it, is a ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel interoperates with a release pawl such that as the anchoring cord is extended and the spring is wound progressively more tightly, the release pawl blocks the teeth of the ratchet wheel such that the spring is prevented from winding the anchoring cord back onto the spool. By this means the user can extend the anchoring cord to any desired length and the anchoring cord will remain deployed at this length. The release pawl is attached to a release slide such that when the release slide is manually actuated, the release pawl is withdrawn from the teeth of the ratchet wheel, the spring is allowed to unwind, and the anchoring cord is wound onto the spool. 
         [0006]    This embodiment is used in the following manner: First, the user selects a suitable decoy to attract the type of waterfowl desired. Next, the user affixes the keel to the bottom of the decoy such that the locking tabs of the keel pass through and lock into the locking holes of the decoy. Next, the user deploys the anchoring cord to the desired length. Next the user places the decoy in the water letting the anchoring cord drop so that the hook or flat bar weight at the distal end secures the decoy in substantially the same position on the surface of the water. After use, the user retrieves the decoy and manually operates the release slide such that the release pawl is withdrawn from the teeth of the ratchet wheel, the spring uncoils, and the anchoring cord is wound onto the spool. Finally, the user removes the keel by releasing the locking tabs from the locking holes, thus readying the keel for attachment to a different decoy. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a bottom plan view showing a decoy of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view showing a decoy of the present invention with one embodiment of a multifunction feature keel design to allow the user to adjustably weight and stabilize the decoy and deploy and retract the anchoring line into the keel. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation with a partial cross-section showing a decoy with one embodiment of a multifunction feature keel design to allow the user to adjustably weight and stabilize the decoy and deploy and retract the anchoring cord into the keel with the slide lock moved rearward in the unlocked position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation with a partial cross-section showing a decoy with one embodiment of a multifunction feature keel design to allow the user to adjustably weight and stabilize the decoy and deploy and retract the anchoring cord into the keel with the slide lock moved forward in the locked position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a front elevation with a partial cross-section showing a decoy with one embodiment of a multifunction feature keel design to allow the user to adjustably weight and stabilize the decoy and deploy and retract the anchoring cord into the keel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Turning now to  FIGS. 1 through 5  the present invention provides a waterfowl decoy  10  molded or otherwise formed from a plastic, such as polyethylene or expandable polymeric beads, or wood, such as cork. Decoy  10  is air-tight, either intrinsically because the material from which it is made comprises a multiplicity of air filled cavities, or it is molded with air trapped inside larger closed cavities. Decoy  10  is painted in the usual manner to represent a particular type of waterfowl and may be decorated with feathers, jewels, and other materials to enhance the realism of the decoy. The base of decoy  10  is generally flat and contains locking holes  11  through which locking tabs  14  extending from the top surface of keel  13  pass to secure keel  13  to the bottom of decoy  10 . In this embodiment of the invention, locking tabs  14  are flexible plastic each with an outwardly projecting retaining tang such that the user slightly compresses each pair of locking tabs  14  to introduce them into locking holes  11 . When each locking tab  14  is fully inserted into its respective locking hole  11  each respective locking tab  14  expands to its original uncompressed configuration and simultaneously insinuates its projecting retaining tang inside an associated mating slot provided in the interior of decoy  10 . To release keel  13 , the user slightly compresses each pair of locking tabs  14  to release the retaining tangs from decoy  10  and withdraws keel  13  from decoy  10 . Ordinarily, the base of decoy  10  will contain other perforations  12  accommodating various accessory devices extending above the top surface of keel  13 . By this means, accessory devices may be included in keel  13  that are vertically larger than keel  13 . For example, in this exemplary embodiment perforation  12  passes through the molded outer shell of decoy  10  and, as a result, spool  18  projecting above keel  13  extends up into the hollow interior of decoy  10  when keel  13  is affixed to decoy  10 . 
         [0013]    In this exemplary embodiment, keel  13  is elongate, generally rectangular in transverse cross section, hollow and molded of plastic such as polyethylene. At least part of the hollow interior of keel  13  is segregated from the rest of the interior of keel  13  into a closed ballast chamber  15  that is externally accessible by means of cap  16 . Ballast chamber  15  may be filled with various weighting materials such as lead shot, sand, or water. While cap  16  may be sealed at the time of manufacture, it will be obvious that cap  16  may be removable, thus allowing the user to select the type and amount of ballast material placed inside keel  13 . At least part of the balance of the hollow interior of keel  13  is segregated from ballast chamber  15  and contains a spring-loaded rotary cord retracting system comprising spool  18  containing a suitable length of anchoring cord  19  wherein anchoring cord  19  is affixed at one end to the central axis of spool  18 . After passing from the hollow interior of keel  13  to the outside via port  20 , the other end anchoring cord  19  is tied to a suitable anchoring device such as a hook or flat bar weight  28 . Molded around the periphery of spool  18 , or otherwise formed as a part of it, is ratchet wheel  22 . Coil spring  23  is affixed to ratchet wheel  22  and wound around the central axis of spool  18  such that as anchoring cord  19  is extended coil spring  23  is wound progressively more tightly. Slide release  24  is attached to a release pawl comprised of base  25  and catch  27  slidably displaceable with respect to one another with spring  26  interposed inside both such that catch  27  is ordinarily displaced upwards so that the release pawl is at its maximum length. When slide release  24  is pushed forward, the release pawl is also moved forward such that catch  27  interoperates with ratchet wheel  22  so that anchoring cord  19  may be pulled from spool  18  and progressively tighten coil spring  23  while preventing it from winding anchoring cord  19  back onto spool  18 . By this means, the user can extend anchoring cord  19  to any desired length. To release catch  27 , the user pushes slide release  24  towards the back. This simultaneously moves catch  27  towards the back such that it no longer interoperates with ratchet wheel  22 . By this means coil spring  23  is freed to rewind spool  18  thus simultaneously rewinding anchoring cord  19  back onto spool  18 . If a hook is affixed to the distal end of anchoring cord  19  it may be stowed to keel  13  by passing one of its tines through hole  21 . Ordinarily, flat bar weight  28  is in the form of a thin flat bar bent into a substantially “J” shaped hook and perforated by hole  29 . Flat bar weight  28  is tied to distal end of anchoring cord  19  by means of passing anchoring cord  19  through hole  29  and knotting it, such that when anchoring cord  19  is fully wound back onto spool  18 , flat bar weight  28  may be stowed into weight retaining slot  17  formed in the top, front, and bottom surfaces of keel  13 . When stowed in this manner, flat bar weight  28  is held in place by means of slide release  24  when pushed forward. This secures flat bar weight  28  to keel  13  and prevents it from marring other decoys in a storage bag or box. 
         [0014]    Those having skill in the art will recognize that numerous alternative means of extending a cord from a spool and fixing the cord at a desired length while allowing for the subsequent automatic retraction of the cord back onto the spool are well known in the prior art. All such equivalent formulations and designs are included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. Similarly, those having skill in the art will recognize that numerous alternative means of affixing keel  13  to decoy  10  are well known in the prior art. In the exemplary embodiment, locking tabs  14  interoperate with locking holes  11  in the base of decoy  10  to accomplish this task, but other methods such as hook and ball or loop (Velcro®) fasteners, various types of screws, latches, hooks, cam lock fasteners, and magnets may be used. As above, all such equivalent formulations and designs are included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0015]    The exemplary embodiment of the invention is used in the following manner: First, the user selects a suitable decoy  10  to attract the particular type of waterfowl desired. Next, the user affixes keel  13  to the bottom of decoy  10  such that locking tabs  14  of keel  13  pass through and lock into locking holes  11  in the base of decoy  10 . In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, spool  18  passes through perforation  12  into the hollow cavity of decoy  10 . Since anchoring cord  19  exits from keel  13  closer to one end of keel  13  than the other, there is a natural tendency for an attached decoy  10  to move in the direction of the prevailing current or wind when decoy  10  is deployed in water. Therefore, the user may wish to configure some decoys  10  so that anchoring cord  19  exits from keel  13  closer to the head of decoy  10  and some decoys  10  so that anchoring cord  19  exits from keel  13  closer to the tail of decoy  10 . By this means, some decoys will appear oriented in one direction while the rest will appear oriented in the opposite direction without regard to the direction of the prevailing current or wind. This allows the user to create a more natural appearing group of decoys on the surface of the water. Next, the user pushes slide release  24  forward thus interposing catch  27  into the teeth of ratchet wheel  22 . Next, the user deploys anchoring cord  19  to the desired length and places decoy  10  in the water letting anchoring cord  19  drop such that the hook or flat bar weight  28  at its distal end secures the decoy in substantially the same position on the surface of the water. After use, the user retrieves decoy  10  and pushes slide release  24  to the rear. This moves catch  27  towards the rear such that it no longer interoperates with ratchet wheel  22 . By this means coil spring  23  is freed to rewind spool  18  thus simultaneously rewinding anchoring cord  19  back onto spool  18 . If a hook was attached to the distal end of anchoring cord  19 , it may be secured to keel  13  by means of passing one of its tines through hole  21 . If flat bar weight  28  was attached to the end of anchoring cord  19 , it may be secured to keel  13  by sliding it into weight retaining slot  17  while simultaneously pressing slide release  24  forward to lock flat bar weight  28  into weight retaining slot  17 . Finally, the user removes keel  13  by releasing locking tabs  14  from locking holes  11 , thus allowing keel  13  to be removed from decoy  10  and readying it for attachment to a different decoy. 
         [0016]    It will be readily evident to those having skill in the art that the exemplary embodiment of the invention is not the only embodiment that may be conceived. For example, it will be readily apparent that a variant of the invention in which keel  13  contains a battery, an electric air pump, and a means selectively supplying electric current to the air pump may be used to generate a stream of bubbles surrounding the base of decoy  10  when it is in the water. Similarly, it will be readily apparent that a variant of the invention in which keel  13  contains a battery, a sound generator, and a means selectively supplying electric current to the sound generator may be used such that decoy  10  continuously or intermittently generates the sound of a particular kind of waterfowl. Similarly, it will be readily apparent that a variant of the invention in which keel  13  contains a battery, an electric motor, a means of reducing the speed of the electric motor, such as a gear train, with its output shaft coupled to simulated feet extending laterally from keel  13 , and a means selectively supplying electric current to the electric motor may be used such that decoy  10  simulates paddling. Similarly, it will be readily apparent that a variant of the invention in which the keel  13  contains a battery, an electric motor with attached propeller, a servo control with attached rudder, and a remote control receiver to control the angle of the rudder and the speed of the electric motor may be used to propel an attached decoy  10  remotely by means of a remote control transmitter. Similarly, it will be readily apparent that a variant of the invention in which keel  13  contains a battery, a fluid pump, a reversible electric valve, an internal ballast chamber fluidically coupled to the fluid pump and the valve, and a means of selectively supplying electric current to the fluid pump and alternating the state of the valve may be used to cause to forward aspect the decoy  10  to submerge and subsequently refloat to simulate feeding. Further, in these alternative variants all or some of the functional characteristics of the exemplary embodiment may be included in keel  13  while some may be absent.