Abstract:
A hunting decoy with a body has a guidance fin being both movably positioned and releasably attachable below the body of the decoy. Water contact with the guidance fin permits the decoy to have a lifelike movement. Baffles applied to the guidance fin permit a more lifelike movement for the decoy.

Description:
This invention relates to a hunting decoy, and more particularly to a hunting decoy having a guidance fin mounted on the bottom thereof so that water currents will cause movement of the decoy. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In hunting, especially for water fowl, it is customary to use at least one decoy, and disperse any available decoy on water, in order to attract a desired water fowl into a desired range for a hunter. As the decoy increases in its quality, especially of a realistic appearance or movement, greater effectiveness of the decoy is achieved. Clearly, the purpose of the decoy is to attract water fowl to a desired area. With the decoys being more realistic, the decoys will be more effective in attracting the desired water fowl. 
     Typically, geese and ducks are hunted during a designated hunting season. The hunter will go to a water area, in which, water fowl are known to congregate. To assist in attracting geese or ducks or other water fowl to the area, one or more decoys resembling those birds are placed on the water. 
     It is now known that the more realistic decoys attract more birds. Many attempts are known to make the decoys more realistic. A key factor, for increasing the realism of the decoy, is providing movement to the decoy. 
     Such movement must be accomplished in a reasonable fashion without making deployment of the decoy more difficult. Yet movement inherently implies a mechanism, which leads to complexity of the decoy. As complexity of the decoy increases, a decline in ( 1 ) the ease of transportation of the decoys, ( 2 ) the dispersal of the decoys for hunting and ( 3 ) the retrieval of the decoys for the homeward-bound trip, greatly detracts from the use thereof. 
     Typically, movement for a decoy is accomplished by a mechanical or electrical device. Such devices add greatly to the complication of the decoy. Also, the electronics or mechanics, used to achieve the movement, require the use of grease, batteries, or other materials, which can have a polluting function. It is very desirable to avoid these problems. 
     It is very desirable to achieve the desired movement in the decoy, with a minimal increase in complexity for the decoy structure. Such a structure, while being desirable, is difficult to obtain. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of a hunting decoy with a guidance fin. 
     A further objective of this invention is the provision of a hunting decoy, which is easily dispersed for hunting. 
     Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of a hunting decoy to attract water fowl. 
     A still further objective of this invention is the provision of a hunting decoy, which is easily transported. 
     Another objective of this invention is the provision of a hunting decoy, which is easily retrieved. 
     Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of a hunting decoy, which has a moving part. 
     Still, another objective of this invention is the provision of a hunting decoy, with a simplified moving part. 
     Also, an objective of this invention is the provision of a hunting decoy, which avoids electrical movement. 
     These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a hunting decoy, having a body with a guidance fin being both movably positioned and releasably attachable below the body of the decoy. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a top perspective view of the guidance fin  100  of this invention in use on a hunting decoy  160  in water  166 . 
         FIG. 2  depicts a bottom plan view of the guidance fin  100  of this invention in use on a hunting decoy  160 . 
         FIG. 3  depicts a bottom plan view of the guidance fin  100  of this invention in use on a hunting decoy  160 , with the hunting decoy  160  shown in phantom. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an exploded perspective view of the guidance fin  100  of this invention in use on a hunting decoy  160 , with the hunting decoy  160  shown in phantom. 
         FIG. 5  an exploded perspective view of the guidance fin  100  of this invention. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a box diagram of the guidance fin  100  of this invention. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a top perspective view of large rudder with diagonal ribs  238  based on the guidance fin  100  of this invention. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a top plan view of large rudder with diagonal ribs  238  based on the guidance fin  100  of this invention. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a top perspective view of clamp  102  in combination with large rudder with diagonal ribs  238  based on the guidance fin  100  of this invention. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a top perspective view of small rudder with diagonal ribs  338  based on the guidance fin  100  of this invention. 
         FIG. 11  depicts a top plan view of small rudder with diagonal ribs  338  based on the guidance fin  100  of this invention. 
         FIG. 12  depicts a top perspective view of clamp  102  in combination with diagonal ribs  338  based on the guidance fin  100  of this invention. 
         FIG. 13  depicts a top perspective view of large rudder with vertical ribs  438  based on the guidance fin  100  of this invention. 
         FIG. 14  depicts a top plan view of large rudder with vertical ribs  438  based on the guidance fin  100  of this invention. 
         FIG. 15  depicts a top perspective view of clamp  102  in combination with of large rudder with vertical ribs  438  based on the guidance fin  100  of this invention. 
       Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, up, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front, may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar to directional terms are not to be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The words attach, connect, couple, and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct or intermediate connections, but may also include connections through mediate elements or devices. 
     These decoys may be formed from any suitable material. The main requirement for material is that it floats on water, receives appropriate decoy colors, and provides an appropriate decoy shape. Thus, the decoys can be made from metal, wood, synthetic resin or plastic, or combinations thereof. The resin or plastic may be solid or foamed. 
     To a decoy for use in hunting water fowl is attached a live motion device or a guidance fin on a bottom of the decoy. The guidance fin can be made from metal, wood, synthetic resin or plastic, or combinations thereof. The guidance fin includes a rudder connected to clamp body through a rudder shaft. The rudder is permitted to move about the rudder shaft through a restricted arc. As the water movement of the body of water on which the decoy is placed contacts and causes the rudder to move, the decoy achieves a lifelike movement, which encourages the desired water fowl to approach the range of a gun used by a hunter. 
     The guidance fin is especially suitable for a goose decoy. However, a smaller version of the guidance fin can be used effectively on a duck decoy. Also the size of the guidance fin can adjusted for any other appropriate game animal. The clamp body provides for easy attachment to, or removal of the guidance fin from, the decoy. Thus, the decoy with the guidance fin can easily be assembled at the hunting site for use thanks to the clamp body. The decoy can also have the guidance fin easily removed therefrom through the clamp body, which provides for ease of storage or transportation. 
     Baffles on the guidance fin create an even better random movement of the decoy as the water strikes the baffles. The baffles are believed to cause a more random water movement. This results in a more random movement of the decoy. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 4 , the guidance fin  100  is positioned on the hunting decoy  160 . The hunting decoy  160  may be for duck or a goose or another appropriate game animal. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the hunting decoy  160  may be positioned on a body of water  166 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , clamp body  102  holds guidance fin  100  on the bottom of hunting decoy  160  at its keel  162 . The hunting decoy  160  may be used alone or in combination with other hunting decoys  160 . Rudder  138  of guidance fin  100  provides lifelike movement to hunting decoy  160 . 
     The swing motion  180  of rudder  138  is depicted in  FIG. 2 . The position of swing stop pin  106  provides this limited range of movement to rudder  138 . In this fashion, the movement of the decoy  160  becomes more lifelike. 
     By adding  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  to the consideration, the structure of guidance fin  100  becomes more clear. Guidance fin  100  includes clamp body  102  holding rudder  138  onto to decoy  160  through rudder shaft  140 . Clamp body  102  is generally a rectangular U-shaped piece. A lock nut  104  is positioned on each arm  124  of clamp body  102  in line with each threaded aperture  110  within each arm thereof. 
     In this fashion, each grip screw  108  goes into threaded relation with both lock nut  104  and threaded aperture  110 . By passing therethrough, each grip screw  108  can contact keel  162  of decoy  160  to thereby lock clamp body  102  onto decoy  160 . 
     Rudder shaft  140  is secured to clamp body  102  at bearing cradle  122 . Bearing cradle  122  forms the base of U-shaped clamp body  102 . Adjacent bearing cradle  122 , at each arm  124  is a brace  126  to add strength to clamp body  102 . 
     Into rudder shaft  140  fits a swing stop pin  106  at stop pin aperture  178 . Below the swing stop pin  106  is bearing washer  120 . Bearing washer  120  rests in bearing cradle  122  as swing stop pin  106  has limited movement due its position between both arms  124  or braces  126 . 
     Rudder  138  fits on rudder shaft  140  at rudder collar  148  and into rudder sleeve  142 . Rudder fastener  144  fits through sleeve aperture  146  and rudder pin aperture  174  to hold rudder shaft  140  in place. Rudder pin aperture  174  is below stop pin aperture  178 . 
     Rudder  138  is preferably a flat, shaped piece of material, which is rigid or semi rigid. Rudder  138  has rudder sleeve  142 . Rudder sleeve  142  extends into strut section  152 , which provides the connection between wall section  150  of rudder  138  and rudder sleeve  142 . Wall section  150  is wider than strut section  152 . 
     At the end of keel  162  of decoy  160  is a tether  164 . A weight  170  is secured to the end of tether  164 . The weight  170  is oppositely disposed from the keel  162 . The weight  170  adds stability to the keel  162  and hence the decoy  160 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , decoy  160  has a keel  162 . To the keel  162  is mounted clamp body  102 . A bearing washer  120  and a swing stop pin  106  are between the keel  162  and clamp body  102 . From each side of the clamp body  102  extends a lock nut  104  and a grip screw  108 . Below the clamp body  102  are the rudder shaft  140  and the rudder  138 . The rudder  138  provides a lifelike movement for the decoy  160 . Such movement is due to the current or movement of the water on which, the decoy  160  rests. 
     Turning now  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , the guidance fin  100  is now large rudder with diagonal ribs  238 , with the addition of slanted baffles  300 . Slanted baffles  300  are preferably in the range of 35° to 40° from the vertical. Slanted baffles  300  provide extra contact with flowing water and produce a more lifelike movement of the decoy  160 . Clamp body  102  works in the same fashion on large rudder with diagonal ribs  238 , as it does on guidance fin  100 . 
     In a like manner with  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 12 , the guidance fin  100  is now small rudder with diagonal ribs  338 , with the addition of second slanted baffles  400 . Second slanted baffles  400  are preferably 40 to 50° from the vertical. Slanted baffles  400  also provide extra contact with flowing water and produce a more lifelike movement of the decoy  160 . Clamp body  102  works in the same fashion on small rudder with diagonal ribs  338  as it does on guidance fin  100 . 
     Furthermore, in  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 14 , and  FIG. 15 , the guidance fin  100  is now large rudder with vertical ribs  438 , with the addition of vertical baffles  500 . Vertical baffles  500  are disposed vertically on the guidance fin  100  and substantially perpendicular to decoy  160 . Vertical baffles  500  also provide extra contact with flowing water and produce a more lifelike movement of the decoy  160 . Clamp body  102  works in the same fashion on large rudder with vertical ribs  438  as it does on guidance fin  100 . 
     This application - - - taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined - - - provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure. 
     Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure. 
     What is claimed and sought to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is: