Waterfowl luring system

A waterfowl luring system provides directional motion to one or more waterfowl decoys. The system employs a motor or other force-generating device to rotate a platform to which one or more decoys are attached so that the decoys are moved in relation to rotation of the platform. In operation, the decoys are moved along a substantially circular flight path. The system is highly versatile and may be employed on dry land or in shallow as well as deep water environments.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to waterfowl decoys. More particularly, the present invention relates to a waterfowl decoy system which simulates natural directional movement of waterfowl.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Static decoys have been used for many years to attract wild game such as ducks and geese. Hunters have learned, however, that adding movement to a decoy enhances the decoy's ability to attract game. Consequently, there are a variety of motion-creating decoys now in use. For example, some animated decoys are designed to shake or vibrate on the surface of the water to simulate swimming or feeding activity. Other animated decoys are designed to simulate a waterfowl shaking off water or flapping its wings while sitting on the water, both of which are natural activities that can be observed in most types of waterfowl.

A particularly popular type of motion-creating decoy incorporates an electric motor to spin the wings of the decoy. In use, the decoy is mounted atop a post that protrudes from the ground and the wings of the decoy are spun by the motor to simulate a settling bird. Unfortunately, such decoys are incapable of adequately simulating the natural directional movements of real waterfowl. Additionally, use of such decoys is generally restricted to dry land or shallow water environments since the post must be inserted into the ground or otherwise anchored in place to provide a sturdy, stable platform for positioning and supporting the decoy.

What is needed, therefore, is a waterfowl decoy system that eliminates one or more disadvantages of prior art decoys.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention achieves its objections by providing an apparatus for luring waterfowl. The apparatus includes a rotatable platform and a force-generating unit, such an electric motor or jet propulsion device, for rotating the rotatable platform. A power source provides power to the force-generating unit to rotate the rotatable platform. One or more support arms are attached to the rotatable platform with each support arm including a lower end attached to the rotatable platform and an upper end positioned above the rotatable platform. A waterfowl decoy is attached to the upper end of each support arm with the decoy being positioned above the rotatable platform. The support arms are preferably flexible and bend when loaded by an attached decoy and/or by forces generated during operation of the apparatus. In operation, each decoy is moved along a substantially circular path above the rotatable platform as the rotatable platform is rotated by the force-generating unit, thereby providing a lure for waterfowl.

In one embodiment, the rotatable platform is secured to the output shaft of an electric motor and rotated by the motor. In another embodiment, the rotatable platform is rigidly attached to a buoyant housing and the housing is rotated.

The system is versatile and can be deployed in deep water, shallow water, or dry land environments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Turning now to the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like or similar parts throughout,FIG. 1illustrates an electric motor1having a rotatable shaft3extending vertically out of the top. The motor1has electrical connections2for a power source. The motor1functions as a force-generating unit which rotates a rotatable platform12as shown inFIG. 5.

A support arm4is shown inFIG. 2. Point A of the support arm4is attached to the rotatable shaft3by way of rotatable platform12so that when the shaft3rotates, the outer end of the arm (point B) revolves around the unit. Point B of said arm4would extend outward a predetermined distance from the motor1. It is also noted that, as shown inFIG. 2, support arm4is preferably resilient and flexes and bends under the weight of an attached decoy8and/or during operation of the system (FIG. 5).

FIG. 4shows a waterfowl decoy8which is preferably fabricated from a lightweight material and fashioned in the shape of a waterfowl bird in flight with its wings spread. As shown inFIG. 4, the decoy8includes a body portion14with wings16a,16bspread and extending from opposed sides at the body portion14so as to simulate flight.

Referring now toFIG. 5, an assembled decoy system11is shown with the support arm4ofFIG. 2securely fastened to shaft3of the motor1by way of rotatable platform12with a decoy8attached to the upper end B of the arm4. When the motor1is engaged, the platform12is rotated and the support arm4turns and the decoy8resembles a bird in flight. A counter-weight5is shown to give the system11balance when only one decoy8is used. The system11is versatile and can be used as shown inFIG. 5, mounted to a post, or mounted to a floating platform.

FIG. 6shows the assembled decoy system11ofFIG. 5mounted to a buoyant housing9. With motor1positioned aboard the buoyant housing9, an onboard power supply7is connected through the power wires2and controller6. The support arm4is secured to platform12which in turn is secured to motor shaft3. The decoy8is then attached directly to support arm4at point B. In operation, the decoy8has directional movement and will move in a circle as if in flight. The counter balance5helps keep the assembly stable while in motion when only one decoy8is used. The assembly could sit partially submerged to help stabilize itself as shown by the water level line.

As can be seen inFIG. 6, support arm4is preferably flexible and bends under the weight of the decoy8, which is believed to enable the arm4to better adjust to torque and centrifugal forces generated during operation of the system11and to achieve a more natural appearing flight of the decoy8.

The waterfowl luring apparatus of the present invention can employ multiple decoys8.FIG. 3shows an embodiment of a support arm configuration capable of imparting directional movement to two decoys8. For this particular configuration, two support arms4a,4bare secured to opposed ends of a rotatable platform12at attachment points A in balanced fashion. Since the two decoys8are balanced against one another, the counter weight5employed in the single decoy embodiment ofFIG. 5is eliminated. Platform12is preferably secured to the motor shaft3at or about its midpoint or center. As stated, this multiple support arm configuration can be used in place of the single support arm configuration ofFIG. 5to animate multiple decoys8.

In addition to the configuration ofFIG. 5, the rotatable platform12can be configured in a variety of ways to accommodate multiple decoys8in balanced fashion. For example,FIG. 8shows a generally rectangular-shaped, rotatable platform12′ suitable for use with a two-decoy system. The platform12′ is secured to the motor shaft3at point20, one support arm (such as arm4aofFIG. 3) is attached at point22aand a second support arm (such as arm4bofFIG. 3) is attached at point22b.

The rotatable platform12″ ofFIG. 9enables balanced use of three decoys8when the platform12″ is attached to the motor shaft3at point30and three support arms4are attached at points32a,32band32c.

FIG. 10shows a rotatable platform12′″ for balanced use with either two or four decoys8. With the platform12′″ secured to the motor shaft3at point40, one pair of support arms4can be attached in balanced fashion at points42aand42b. If desired, a second pair of support arms4can be attached at points44a,44b.

With reference again toFIG. 6, this figure shows a motor1attached to a buoyant housing9. Many types of buoyant housings could be used to support the device in the water, but a bucket or barrel type housing with a lid51(FIGS. 11 & 12) or some other form of closable access is preferred since it can also serve well as a container for transporting and storage. A power source7is mounted in or on the floating platform and electrical connections2are made to the motor1through a controller6. In the illustrated embodiment, a two-position ON/OFF switch is employed as the controller6. In an alternate embodiment, the controller6is configured to also enable the user to control the speed of the motor1and to thereby control the speed at which the decoy(s)8are moved along their substantially circular path. In a further alternative embodiment, a remote control mechanism is employed as the controller6so as to enable control of the device from a distance. A remote control mechanism has the particular advantage of allowing the user to switch off the motor1during periods of waterfowl inactivity and to thereby conserve power. A remote control mechanism also enables the user to remain hidden from observant waterfowl when controlling operation of the device.

If the buoyant housing9used is round like a bucket, then it could have hydrodynamic drag inducing elements10, such as those shown inFIG. 7, attached vertically to the outer surface of the housing9so as to counteract rotational torque and inhibit the tendency of the housing9to rotate in the water.

The buoyant housing9can be weighted as needed to cause it to sit in the water in a way that enhances stability. If only one decoy8is used, then a counter weight5could be used to help stabilize the unit as shown inFIG. 5. The motor1is preferably a gear driven electric motor that turns the shaft3an average of 30 RPMs. The shaft3extends vertically out of the motor1when the motor1is mounted adjacent the top portion of the buoyant housing9. A support arm4, such as the one shown inFIG. 2, is securely attached to the shaft3by way of rotatable platform12and extends out and up from the motor1. As shown inFIG. 6and as previously discussed, support arm4is preferably flexible and resilient and bends when loaded by the weight of the decoy8and by its own weight. Alternatively, the support arm4is made of a light but rigid material capable of supporting the weight of the decoy8to be attached to the upper end without bending or flexing. The support arm4should also be as small in diameter as possible so as not to draw attention of wary waterfowl.

The decoy8is preferably a light-weight, semi-rigid material that is fashioned into the shape of a duck or other waterfowl with its wings spread. There are some light-weight decoys8already on the market that are designed to sit atop a pole and shake in the wind, and these decoys8work well. The decoy8is attached to the upper end B of the support arm4. When the motor1is engaged, the motor shaft3will spin causing the support arm4to rotate and the decoy8on the end of the arm4will revolve around the buoyant housing9as if flying in a circle as settling waterfowl often do. By incorporating the buoyant housing9, the user is not limited to shallow waters like with some other mechanical decoys.

FIG. 11shows a multiple-decoy embodiment of the waterfowl luring apparatus ofFIG. 6. This embodiment shows use of hydrodynamic drag inducing elements10along with two or more decoys8attached to a rotatable platform12by way of support arms4. An anchor50may be connected to the buoyant housing9by way of line52to enhance the ability to maintain the device in a desired position in the water54. Directional movement of the decoys8is provided by a force-generating unit in the form of an electric motor1powered by a power source such as an onboard battery7. Operation of the device is preferably enabled by a controller6as described above.

In a further embodiment shown inFIG. 12, decoys8are secured to a rotatable platform12by way of support arms4. For this embodiment, however, the rotatable platform12is rigidly attached to the buoyant housing9and the housing9itself is rotated to impart directional motion to the decoys8. Rotation of the housing9is achieved by use of an appropriate force-generating unit, such as a water pump60or other suitable jet propulsion device attached to the outer surface of the housing9which causes the housing9to spin in the water54. Power source7provides the necessary power to operate the water pump60, and controller6controls its operation. Preferably, two water pumps60,60′ are employed in opposed relation so as to balance forces acting on the housing9. Alternatively, a single pump60is employed to provide for asymmetric thrusting of the housing9and a desired directional motion of the decoys8. If desired, a floatation device (such as an inflated inner tube62) is operably associated with the buoyant housing to enhance the buoyancy of the device. The inner tube62or other floatation device may be attached directly to the housing9, or the inner tube62may be secured in position by placing the inner tube62between the water54and a flange64formed along the upper portion of the housing9. An anchor50may be connected to the buoyant housing9by way of line52to enhance the ability to maintain the device in a desired position in the water54.

The foregoing description details certain preferred embodiments of the present invention and describes the best mode contemplated. It will be appreciated, however, that changes may be made in the details of construction and the configuration of components without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the description provided herein is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined by the following claims and the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.