Abstract:
A power module gear coupled to a wind operated fowl hunting decoy, which is normally wind powered, such that the decoy&#39;s wings will rotate during periods of no wind. The power module has a body that internally carries one or more batteries, controlled by a switch to operate a small motor in the head of the module on the shaft of which is a gear that engages a gear disposed on the decoy&#39;s wing shaft Gear alignment means and module mounting means are also provided. The module will also power wind operated garden ornaments by suitable mounting adaptation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This patent application relates to a power adaptor for use with wind operated duck decoys. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Every duck hunter knows that he or she must take steps to bring the ducks to the blind or other area where the hunter is lurking in order to make a kill. That is, it is necessary to lure the ducks to the hunter&#39;s whereabouts. One way to do so is through the use of duck decoys. One of the most common duck attractors is the Winduk™. The Winduk has a composite body with two opposed wings that spin on a metal shaft in the wind, when the wind is over 5 mph. The problem arises when there is little or no wind. The wings do not rotate and the lack of motion of the decoy fails to attract the birds to the hunter&#39;s whereabouts. Other decoys may have a metal body with wings. 
         [0003]    Applicant experienced this problem of no wind on numerous occasions, and of course he brought home no birds on such days. Thus he set out on how to overcome the lack of wind with his Winduk and other similar decoys. This invention is the result of his efforts and will supply power to both goose and duck decoys. 
         [0004]    Applicant also realized that the device he had invented can also be used as a power source for wind vanes, that is articles that have a series of vanes mounted on a shaft , which shaft is rotated by the wind. Two examples that come to mind are a windmill and a helicopter, both of which are often seen in models up to about 4 feet tall in gardens 
         [0005]    The invention accordingly comprises the device possessing the features properties and the relation of components which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims. 
         [0006]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    This invention is a power module that has a body which holds an on-off switch and retains a battery based power source to operate a motor disposed at the upper end of the body. The motor is coupled through a gear system to the wing shaft of the decoy to enable the wing shaft to rotate when the power is applied to the motor independent of the presence of wind. 
         [0008]    It is a first object to provide a power source for the operation of a Winduk or similar duck decoy. 
         [0009]    It is a second object to provide a battery operated motor that couples to the duck decoy whereby the wings of a rotating wing decoy will rotate without the benefit of wind. 
         [0010]    It is a third object to provide a handheld power system for Winduk brand duck decoy. 
         [0011]    It is a fourth object of this invention to provide a unique power module that couples to a gear system to provide power to an object. 
         [0012]    It is a fifth object to provide a power module for any vane carrying shaft apparatus which is intended to be rotated by wind power at such times as there is no wind. 
         [0013]    Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a right side closeup elevational view of the device of this invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a left side closeup elevational view of the power module of this invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a left front perspective view of the power module of this invention coupled to a rotatable shaft&#39;s gear. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a left front elevational view of the power module of this invention coupled to a Winduk&#39;s wing shaft. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a top view showing the modifications made to a winged duck decoy to enable the coupling of the power module of this invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a left front perspective view showing the device of this invention coupled to the wing shaft of a Winduk brand decoy wing shaft. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an elevational view showing the exterior and interior of the battery housing and power head of the device of this invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic view of this power module in a coupled position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic view of this power module showing the exterior &amp; interior of the battery housing &amp; motor head of the device of this invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of a garden windmill with the power module of this invention coupled thereto. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a duck decoy modified to accept the device of this invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0025]    The reader is urged to turn now to  FIG. 1  which is a right side elevational view of this invention  10 . Device  10  has a main body  11 , which as will be explained is used to carry batteries and a circuit board. Body  11  is tubular and intended to carry 1 or 2 AA size batteries according to the circuit design employed. Obviously circuitry utilizing a 9 volt battery or some other power source are envisioned as well. Disposed at a right angle or normal to the main body and integrated therewith is the power head  12  which contains the motor as seen best in  FIG. 3 . A shaft retainer  13  is disposed on one end of the power head. The purpose of the shaft retainer is to anchor or hold the shaft  23 , on which sits gear  19 , as may be seen in  FIG. 3 . The edge of the shaft  23  can be seen in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0026]    Disposed on the upper surface of the head  12  is clip  15 , which is a generally U-shaped spring clip for receiving a tubular member as will be described below. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1 , but is from a 180 degree different vantage point and is designated a right elevational view. In this view the on off switch  21 , disposed at or near the bottom of the main body can be seen. This switch is electrically connected to the circuitry for operating the device. Of course, the on-off switch  21  can be located at any other suitable position on the body as may be desired. If the edge of the shaft  23  seen in  FIG. 1  is deemed the distal end then the end seen in  FIG. 2  is designated the distal end of the shaft. Gear  19  is seen mounted in any conventional manner to the metal shaft  23 . If the gear is made of thermoplastic material, then a simple fusing as by heat or solvent application can achieve the task. Preferably a set screw disposed in shaft  23  will retain the gear, which may also be metal. 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 3 , the view here is a perspective view which includes the left side of the device. A tubular sleeve  46  is shown disposed in the U-shaped clip  15 . Wing shaft  44  of the prior art Winduk™ decoy is disposed through the central opening  53  of gear  48  and is connected on the other end, the unseen end of the right wing  40 A. This shaft as can be seen emanates from wing  40 B of the decoy. 
         [0029]    An optional stop  51  can be attached to or secured upon the wing shaft  44  of the decoy duck wing  40 B to help maintain the gear in position and to properly align the placement of the left wing  41  of the decoy relative to gear 48 . The two duck wings  40 A and  40 B can also be referred to as BLADES, since they are configured for rotation by the wind or applied power as in this invention. This wing shaft  44  passes through the hollow sleeve  46  and the decoy body member  42 , as will be discussed further in conjunction with  FIG. 5 . 
         [0030]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which is somewhat similar to  FIG. 3 , but from a different perspective. Here one gains a better insight into to gear system which consists of gear  19  which engages gear 48 . Note the distal end of the shaft upon which gear  19  is mounted. One can also better understand the shape of the body member  42  of the decoy, which is affixed to the decoy body  35  seen here in  FIG. 4  as well as in  FIG. 3 . Body member  42 , which is of course part of the prior art decoy is seen to be disposed in or attached to a base  35 . Any suitable base  35  may be employed to retain the decoy  14  in a position for blade rotation subsequent to the minor adaptation followed by the application of the power system of this invention. 
         [0031]    As has been inferred, the decoy  14 , per se, forms no part of the present invention. The Winduk™ decoy must be modified as is being discussed in order to operate with the power system of this invention. 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 5 , the body member  42  is seen disposed between the two sleeves  46  &amp; 47 . Whereas the left side of the body member  42  has a sleeve  46  and a spacer  50  , not visible in other FIGURES due to the angle of view, and the stop  51  for alignment purposes, the right side of the member  42  has the smaller sleevette  47  retained in place by a cotter pin  49  disposed through a suitable unnumbered aperture in the wing shaft  44  adjacent the outer end of the sleevette  47 . Sleevette  47  is disposed abutting the decoy body  35 . used to add balance to the shaft in light of the presence of sleeve  46 . Body member  42  seen in  FIG. 4 , is also seen here in  FIG. 5  in an edge view. 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 6 , the entire decoy  14  is seen. The aerodynamic blade  40 A is seen in its entirety as well as sleeve  46  with the addition of device  10  of this invention engaged via the spring clip  15  to the sleeve  46 . Here the mount  52  is shown in cutaway disposed in the mounting tube  54 . As can be appreciated the decoy can be a duck as noted or a swan, or a goose as may be available in the marketplace. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  relates to the internal aspects of this invention. Cover plate  33  which is a cast metal or molded plastic item is removably attached by a series of set screws—one of which  34 , is seen in FIG.  1 —at several convenient locations. Alternatively the cover plate can be snap fit to the body  11 , a technique well known in the plastic industry. 
         [0035]    An electrical positive contact  25  is seen at the bottom of the body distant from the head. A single battery , preferably an AA Lithium Ion battery is disposed within an internal concave recess  11 R, in the body  11 . A conventional coil spring negative contact  29  is disposed at a conventional location at the distal end of the battery. The two contacts are conventionally connected to the motor  31  through the on-off switch  21 , a simple circuit well known in the electronics field. When actuated, via switch  21 , the battery  27  supplies the power needed to operate the motor  31 . Reference is made specifically to  FIG. 9 , wherein an optional  2  battery power means,  55  is shown, with power flowing through switch  21 . Here two AA batteries are employed. 
         [0036]    Returning now to  FIG. 7 , it is seen that shaft  23  of the motor is connected to gear  19  such that the gear will rotate in one direction. It is within the skill of the art to provide means for the shaft to rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise and such is anticipated, since the direction of the rotation of the wings will be controlled by the direction of the wind. 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 8 , the body  11  is seen with the on-off switch  21  located at the bottom aligned in a plane with gear  19 . The switch  21  can be placed at any other convenient location if desired. Head cover  16  of head  12  is also seen to be attached by set screws  34  at convenient locations. The head  12  serves as a housing for the motor  31 . Motor shaft  23  is seen connected to tooth gear  19 . Gear 48  is disposed on a shaft not seen as such shaft is overlaid by spacer  50  to ensure a correct alignment with gear  18  for engagement therewith. This shaft not fully seen, is really the shaft  44  of the decoy shown in  FIG. 5 . A retainer  56  held by a set screw  57 , is also disposed on the shaft  44 . The retainer is employed to help secure gear  48  and the sleeve  46  disposed with in the yoke or clip  15  in proper alignment laterally. The yoke or clip may be a spring steel or flexible plastic member, sized to be removable, holds onto the sleeve while the shaft disposed there through rotates. 
         [0038]    Shaft  44  passes thought he hollow sleeve and the body member  42  which body member is attached to the decoy body, as is discussed supra. The right side of the decoy body is shown in  FIG. 5 , wherein the sleevette  47  held by the cotter pin also serve as alignment means to prevent the shaft  44  from sliding within the sleeve and sleevette. The balance of  FIG. 9  contains elements previously discussed. 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 10  a garden windmill  100 , having an interior  109  and a front wall  111  is seen. Here the shaft  101  has its rear edge disposed in a U shaped rest  120 . One merely urges the shaft forwardly away from the rest  120 , adds a sleeve  107  if not present, correctly locates and disposes the gear  103  at a suitable location on the shaft  101 . The user then engages the U-clip onto sleeve  107  and the gear  123  to mount the power module in place for operation. The set screw  105  retains the gear in place on the shaft adjacent the sleeve. 
         [0040]    In order to ensure that the clip is fabricated strongly enough to endure in wind rain and other weather conditions, it is suggested that the clip be at least ⅛th inch thick, &amp; ⅝th inch wide. Of course for the same reason, the battery power section in the body  11  and the head  12  and the switch  21  must be made water proof as by the use of rubber gaskets as is well known in the art. 
         [0041]    In order to have a decoy that simulates the wing movements of a real duck or other water fowl, they should rotate at a rate of about 200 rpm. While there will be some drag due to the weight and mass of the decoy wings, motors are available that will provide this speed of rotation of the shaft  23 . 
         [0042]    In one unit made specifically for the Winduk brand fowl decoy the body was 2.75 inches high by 0.75 inches in diameter. The power shaft was 0.125 inches in diameter. The motor housing was 1.33 inches long by about 1 inch in diameter. The gears for both the power module and the wing shaft of the decoy were both about 1 inch in diameter and made of a plastic such as Delrin®. 
         [0043]    Garden wind operated windmills and other wind operated ornamental displays can employ the same or larger modules. Scaling of the entire device and motor size determination are within the skill of the art. 
         [0044]    In conclusion, it is seen that it is easy to modify a conventional decoy to utilize the device of this invention. One merely separates the left wing on the shaft from the right wing and inserts the gear  48  after adding spacer  50 . The wing shaft is then re-installed into sleeve  46 . The U-clip is attached to the sleeve, such that the gear  19  engages gear  48 . 
         [0045]    As to a garden display such as the windmill of  FIG. 10 , the mode of adaptation to accept the power module of this invention is set forth supra, and as can be seen is substantially the same as the modification of a duck decoy. 
         [0046]    In order to ensure that the clip is fabricated strongly enough to endure in wind rain and other weather conditions, it is suggested that the clip be at least ⅛th inch thick, &amp; ⅝th inch wide. Of course for the same reason, the battery power section in the body  11  and the head  12  and the switch  21  must be made waterproof as by the use of rubber gaskets as is well known in the art. 
         [0047]    In order to have a decoy that simulates the wing movements of a real duck or other water fowl, they should rotate at a rate of about 200 rpm. While there will be some drag due to the weight and mass of the decoy wings, motors are available that will provide this speed of rotation of the shaft  23 . 
         [0048]    In one unit made specifically for the Winduk brand fowl decoy the body was 2.75 inches high by 0.75 inches in diameter. The power shaft was 0.125 inches in diameter. The motor housing was 1.33 inches long by about 1 inch in diameter. The gears for both the power module and the wing shaft of the decoy were both about 1 inch in diameter and made of a plastic such as Delrin®. 
         [0049]    Garden wind operated windmills and other wind operated ornamental displays can employ the same or larger modules. Scaling of the entire device and motor size determination are within the skill of the art. 
         [0050]    In conclusion, it is seen that it is easy to modify a conventional decoy to utilize the device of this invention. One merely separates the left wing on the shaft from the right wing and inserts the gear  48  after adding spacer  50 . The wing shaft is then re-installed into sleeve  46 . The U-clip is attached to the sleeve, such that the gear  19  engages gear  48 . 
         [0051]    As to a garden display such as the windmill of  FIG. 10 , the mode of adaptation to accept the power module of this invention is set forth supra, and as can be seen is substantially the same as the modification of a duck decoy. 
         [0052]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the device of this invention mounted in position to the wing of a Winduk brand decoy. Note however that in this view the device is mounted on the right wing, contrary to its positioning in other FIGURES. Thus it is seen that the device may be mounted on the left or right wings as may be desired with equally satisfactory results. The determination of where to mount the device may often be made on site where the hunter is positioned for hunting. All of the aspects of the device having been described previously, further discussion is deemed unnecessary. 
         [0053]    Since certain changes may be made in the described apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense