Patent Publication Number: US-9832988-B2

Title: Animated decoy spreader

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/023,792, filed Jul. 11, 2014, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/634,343, filed Feb. 27, 2015, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/807,839, filed Jul. 23, 2015. The foregoing applications are incorporated in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to hunting decoys, and more specifically, to animated decoy formations for water fowl. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hunters of water fowl have long sought methods by which they can lure ducks, geese, and other water birds closer to the hunter. Decoys have been implemented to give water fowl a sense of security in drawing near a body of water. The more realistic the decoy appears, the more effective it is. Decoys exist in embodiments that range from completely stationary to “flying”, but it is difficult to accurately simulate natural movements of fowl. The decoys that currently exist are stationary, are subject to limited or unnatural motion, or move with the use of complicated mechanisms and machinery, sometimes relying on electrical power, none of which are ideal for a task that necessarily takes place in water. The present invention provides a simple, water-compatible decoy system that allows the hunter to simulate the natural motion of water fowl with a plurality of decoys. 
     SUMMARY 
     This invention relates generally to hunting decoys, and more specifically, to animated decoy formations for water fowl. 
     One exemplary embodiment of the decoy spreader may include: a hub including at least one aperture; an arm arrangement, including a tubular member with a far end and a hub end, the hub end removably received by the aperture of the hub, and the tubular member being hollow from the far end to the hub end; and an elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the tubular member and the aperture of the hub. In a further embodiment, the arm arrangement may include a cylinder having a shorter length than the tubular member and being hollow from a first end of the cylinder to a second end of the cylinder, wherein the elastic cord is disposed through the hollow of the cylinder, the hollow of the tubular member, and the aperture of the hub. In another embodiment, the arm arrangement may include a third hollow segment having substantially the same length as the tubular member and located between the tubular member and the cylinder, wherein the elastic cord is disposed through the hollow of the cylinder, the hollow of the third segment, the hollow of the tubular member, and the aperture of the hub. In an alternate embodiment, the arm arrangement may include a third hollow segment having substantially the same length as the cylinder and located between the tubular member and the cylinder, wherein the elastic cord is disposed through the hollow of the cylinder, the hollow of the third segment, the hollow of the tubular member, and the aperture of the hub. In another embodiment, the third hollow segment may be of a length substantially different from the lengths of the tubular member and the cylinder, wherein the elastic cord is disposed through the hollow of the cylinder, the hollow of the third segment, the hollow of the tubular member, and the aperture of the hub. 
     In some embodiments, the arm arrangement may further include a connecting member located at the far end of the arm arrangement and capable of coupling with a decoy. In a further embodiment, the connecting member may be comprised of a wire, at one end of which is a catch into which the other end is inserted to form a closed loop, and an eyelet, wherein the elastic cord is disposed through the eyelet. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the hub of the decoy spreader may be comprised of a disk, including a top surface, a bottom surface, and an edge defining a cylindrical shape, wherein the edge includes at least one aperture. In another embodiment, the hub may be comprised of a channel with a first end on a first side of the hub and a second end on a second side of the hub, wherein the first end is a first aperture and the second end is a second aperture. In further exemplary embodiment, the decoy spreader may be comprised of a hub including a first channel and a second channel; a first arm arrangement, a second arm arrangement, a third arm arrangement, and a fourth arm arrangement; a first elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the first arm arrangement, the first channel, and the hollow of the second arm arrangement; and a second elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the third arm arrangement, the second channel, and the hollow of the fourth arm arrangement. 
     In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may include an anchor and a cord coupling the anchor with the hub. In a further embodiment, the decoy spreader may include an inelastic anchor cord disposed through a loop on the anchor and through a loop on a surface of the hub. In another embodiment, the cord coupling the anchor with the hub may be further disposed through a handle, wherein the handle is retained by the hunter such that the hunter can move the hub by tugging on the cord. In another embodiment, the cord coupling the anchor with the hub comprises may include an elastic anchor cord disposed through a loop on the anchor and through a loop on a surface of the hub. In a further embodiment, the decoy spreader may include an inelastic pull cord disposed through the loop on the surface of the hub and a handle. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the decoy spreader may be comprised of a hub including an aperture; a first arm arrangement, including a hollow tubular member with a far end and a hub end, the hub end removably received by the aperture of the hub; and a second arm arrangement, the second arm arrangement configured like the first arm arrangement; an elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the first arm arrangement, the aperture of the hub, and the hollow of the second arm arrangement. In a further embodiment, the decoy spreader may include: a hub including a first aperture and a second aperture; a first arm arrangement, a second arm arrangement, a third arm arrangement, and a fourth arm arrangement; a first elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the first arm arrangement, the first aperture, and the hollow of the second arm arrangement; and a second elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the third arm arrangement, the second aperture, and the hollow of the fourth arm arrangement. In another embodiment, the decoy spreader may include: a first connecting member located at the far end of the first arm arrangement and coupled with the first elastic cable; a second connecting member located at the far end of the second arm arrangement and coupled with the first elastic cable; a third connecting member located at the far end of the third arm arrangement and coupled with the second elastic cable; and a fourth connecting member located at the far end of the fourth arm arrangement and coupled with the second elastic cable. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the decoy spreader may be comprised of: a first hub and a second hub, each including at least one aperture; a first arm arrangement coupled with the first hub, including a hollow tubular member with a far end and a hub end, the hub end removably received by the aperture of the hub; a second arm arrangement configured like the first arm arrangement and coupled with the second hub; a first elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the first arm arrangement and the aperture of the first hub; a second elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the second arm arrangement and the aperture of the second hub; and a connector bar coupled with the far end of the first arm arrangement and the far end of the second arm arrangement. 
     In another embodiment, the hub may be comprised of a channel with a first end on a first side of the hub and a second end on a second side of the hub, wherein the first end is a first aperture and the second end is a second aperture. In a further embodiment, the decoy spreader may be comprised of: a first hub including a first channel; a second hub including a second channel; a first arm arrangement, a second arm arrangement, a third arm arrangement, and a fourth arm arrangement; a first elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the first arm arrangement, the first channel, and the hollow of the second arm arrangement; a second elastic cable, the second elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the third arm arrangement, the second channel, and the hollow of the fourth arm arrangement a connector bar, wherein the connector bar is coupled with the far end of the first arm arrangement and the far end of the third arm arrangement; and wherein the far end of the second arm arrangement is coupled directly with the far end of the fourth arm arrangement. In another embodiment, the decoy spreader may be comprised of: a first hub including a first channel and a second channel; a second hub including a third channel and a fourth channel; a first arm arrangement, a second arm arrangement, a third arm arrangement, a fourth arm arrangement, a fifth arm arrangement, a sixth arm arrangement, a seventh arm arrangement, and an eighth arm arrangement; a first elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the first arm arrangement, the first channel, and the hollow of the second arm arrangement; a second elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the third arm arrangement, the second channel, and the hollow of the fourth arm arrangement; a third elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the fifth arm arrangement, the third channel, and the hollow of the sixth arm arrangement; a fourth elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the seventh arm arrangement, the fourth channel, and the hollow of the eighth arm arrangement; a connector bar coupled with the far end of the fourth arm arrangement and the far end of the seventh arm arrangement; and wherein the far end of the first arm arrangement is coupled directly with the far end of the sixth arm arrangement. 
     In addition to the foregoing, various other systems and/or product embodiments are set forth and described in the teachings such as the text (e.g., claims, drawings and/or the detailed description) and/or drawings of the present disclosure. 
     The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, embodiments, features and advantages of the device and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent in the teachings set forth herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the animated decoy spreader. 
         FIG. 2 a    is a side view of the animated decoy spreader in an anchored position. 
         FIG. 2 b    is a side view of the animated decoy spreader in a displaced position. 
         FIG. 3 a    is a side view of the animated decoy spreader in an anchored position, shown in the feeding configuration. 
         FIG. 3 b    is a side view of the animated decoy spreader in a displaced position, shown in the feeding configuration. 
         FIG. 4 a    is a detailed view of the hub and arm arrangements for a first animated decoy spreader. 
         FIG. 4 b    is a detailed view of the hub in an alternate cable configuration. 
         FIG. 5 a    is a detailed view of the hub and arm arrangements for a second animated decoy spreader. 
         FIG. 5 b    is a detailed view of the hub in an alternate cable configuration. 
         FIG. 6 a    is a detailed view of the arm arrangements for a first animated decoy spreader, showing a protective element between two arm components. 
         FIG. 6 b    is a detailed view of the arm arrangements for a second animated decoy spreader, showing the cable as a chain. 
         FIG. 7 a    is an isometric view of the animated decoy spreader in a collapsed state. 
         FIG. 7 b    is an isometric view of the animated decoy spreader in a collapsed state, showing the tubular member as removably coupleable elements. 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a first animated decoy spreader coupled with a second animated decoy spreader by way of a connector bar. 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a first animated decoy spreader coupled with a second animated decoy spreader by way of a connector cord. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This invention relates generally to hunting decoys, and more specifically, to animated decoy formations for water fowl. Specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in  FIGS. 1-9  to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. The present invention may have additional embodiments, may be practiced without one or more of the details described for any particular described embodiment, or may have any detail described for one particular embodiment practiced with any other detail described for another embodiment. 
     Importantly, a grouping of inventive aspects in any particular “embodiment” within this detailed description, and/or a grouping of limitations in the claims presented herein, is not intended to be a limiting disclosure of those particular aspects and/or limitations to that particular embodiment and/or claim. The inventive entity presenting this disclosure fully intends that any disclosed aspect of any embodiment in the detailed description and/or any claim limitation ever presented relative to the instant disclosure and/or any continuing application claiming priority from the instant application (e.g. continuation, continuation-in-part, and/or divisional applications) may be practiced with any other disclosed aspect of any embodiment in the detailed description and/or any claim limitation. Claimed combinations which draw from different embodiments and/or originally-presented claims are fully within the possession of the inventive entity at the time the instant disclosure is being filed. Any future claim comprising any combination of limitations, each such limitation being herein disclosed and therefore having support in the original claims or in the specification as originally filed (or that of any continuing application claiming priority from the instant application), is possessed by the inventive entity at present irrespective of whether such combination is described in the instant specification because all such combinations are viewed by the inventive entity as currently operable without undue experimentation given the disclosure herein and therefore that any such future claim would not represent new matter. 
     The present invention is an animated decoy spreader. It is designed to allow hunters to simulate the natural swimming and feeding motions of water fowl. Past attempts to create moving decoys have led to decoys that are stationary with moving parts, decoys that go in only one direction, and decoys that rely on complex mechanical or electrical systems to move the decoy. In an environment that necessarily includes water, mechanical and electrical systems can be corroded or destroyed. The present invention is a simple machine using a pulley type motion in combination with elastic components to pull decoys to and fro while allowing for significant randomness in the motion of the decoys. This creates the appearance of a small flock of water fowl swimming and feeding on a body of water while overcoming the shortcomings of past attempts. 
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the decoy spreader may be comprised of a hub  100 . In one exemplary embodiment, hub  100  is a disk with a top surface  101 , a bottom surface  102 , and a cylindrical edge  103 . In another embodiment, hub  100  may be spherical, square, a cross or “x” shape, a star shape, or any other shape without altering the function of the hub. Hub  100  may be any manner of rigid or semi-rigid material, such as a metal, wood, rubber, plastic, etc., without altering the function of the hub. The primary function of hub  100  is to centrally locate the decoy arrangement. The secondary function of hub  100  is to sink into the body of water, rendering the hub and other portions of the decoy spreader invisible to birds. This will be discussed in further detail in another portion of the specification. 
     In some embodiments, hub  100  is further comprised of a first aperture  104  on a first side  105 . See  FIG. 4 a   . In some embodiments, aperture  104  may lead to a first channel  106 , which terminates at a second aperture  107  on a second side  108 . In some embodiments, first side  105  and second side  108  may be adjacent sides. In some embodiments, first side  105  may be 180 degrees, or directly opposite, from the second side  108 . In some embodiments, hub  100  may have a third aperture  109  on a third side  110 . In some embodiments, a third aperture  109  may lead to a second channel  111 , which terminates at a fourth aperture  112  on a fourth side  113  of hub  100 . In some embodiments, hub  100  may have a fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, etc. aperture, and each aperture may lead to at least one channel. This disclosure should not be construed as limiting the number of apertures or channels available in a hub. In some embodiments, hub  100  may have an eyelet  114 , a loop, a hole, a ring, or some other means by which the hub can be coupled with a cord, a string, or some other flexible material. In some embodiments, hub  100  may include a pull cord  115 . In one embodiment, pull cord  115  may be an elastic cord. In some embodiments, pull cord  115  may be an inelastic cord. In some embodiments, pull cord  115  may be a flexible material, such as fishing line, bungee material, rope, etc. In some embodiments, pull cord  115  may be a rigid material, such as metal, plastic, wood, etc. In some embodiments, pull cord  115  may be disposed through a handle. The function of pull cord  115  is to allow hub  100  to be moved through the body of water, which induces movement in the decoy array. Pull cord  115  can be any manner of material without impacting the function of the pull cord. 
       FIG. 2  is an environmental view of the animated decoy spreader. In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may be comprised of an anchor  116  which sits on the bottom of the body of water. In some embodiments, anchor  116  may be stuck into the bottom of the body of water, such as a rod inserted several inches into the ground. In some embodiments, anchor  116  may be disposed on a bank of the body of water. The function of anchor  116  is to locate hub  100  in a particular place in the body of water. In some embodiments, anchor  116  is coupled with hub  100  via anchor cord  117 , which may pass through a hub eyelet  114  and an anchor eyelet  118 . Anchor chord  117  may be an elastic or an inelastic flexible material, such as a fishing line or bungee type material. In one configuration, hub  100  is displaced via pull cord  115 , and then returned to the anchor location by anchor cord  117 . This allows the decoy arrangement to move to and fro in the water, simulating a natural swimming motion of water fowl. In another embodiment, anchor  116  is coupled with hub  100  with pull cord  115 . In this configuration, the decoy arrangement is pulled under the surface of the water by some amount, simulating the natural feeding motion of water fowl. See  FIG. 3 . 
     In some embodiments, the decoy spreader is further comprised of an arm arrangement  200 . See e.g.  FIG. 4, 6 . Arm arrangement  200  may be comprised of a tubular member  201 . Tubular member  201  has a hub end  202  and a far end  203 , and it is hollow from the hub end to the far end. In some embodiments, the far end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the far end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the far end may have rounded edges. In some embodiments, the far end may be configured to prevent destructive friction on a cable. In some embodiments, tubular member  201  may be composed of two or more separable portions of substantially equal length and substantially equal diameter, as depicted in  FIG. 7 b   . In some embodiments, the separable portions may be of unequal length. This allows the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a ferrule  212 . In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a male-female joint. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined in any manner by which they are removably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., without altering the function of tubular member  201 . In some embodiments, arm arrangement  200  may also include a cable  210 . In an exemplary embodiment, cable  210  is disposed through aperture  104  and through the hollow of tubular member  201 , coupling the tubular member with hub  100 . In some embodiments, cable  210  may include a protective element, as seen in  FIG. 6 a   . In some embodiments, cable  210  is inelastic. See  FIG. 6 b   . In another embodiment, cable  210  is elastic. In some embodiments, cable  210  may be comprised of more than one segment. In some embodiments, each segment may be elastic. In some embodiments, each segment may be inelastic. In some embodiments, some segments may be elastic while other segments are inelastic. The primary function of cable  210  is to couple arm arrangement  200  with hub  100  such that tubular member  201  is removably coupleable with aperture  104 . Cable  210  may be any flexible material without altering the function of the cable. 
     In some embodiments, arm arrangement  200  may be further comprised of a cylinder  204 . Cylinder  204  is hollow from a first end  205  to a second end  206 , and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubular member  201 . In another embodiment, cylinder  204  may be a shorter length than tubular member  201 . In some embodiments, cylinder  204  may be substantially the same length as tubular member  201 . In some embodiments, cylinder  204  may be longer than tubular member  201 . In some embodiments, cylinder  204  is located at the far end of tubular member  201 . In some embodiments cylinder  204  is located between hub  100  and tubular member  201 . In some embodiments, the first end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the first end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the first end may have rounded edges. The primary function of cylinder  204  is to create a joint in arm arrangement  200 . This permits hub  100  to float below the surface of the body of water while decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub and arm arrangement  200  from the view of passing fowl. The secondary function of cylinder  204  is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable  210  may be disposed through aperture  104 , through the hollow of tubular member  201 , and through the hollow of cylinder  204 , coupling the tubular member and cylinder with hub  100 . In some embodiments, cable  210  may include a protective element between tubular member  201  and cylinder  204 , as seen in  FIG. 6   a.    
       FIG. 4  is a detailed view two alternate embodiments of the animated decoy spreader. In one embodiment, arm arrangement  200  may have a connecting member  207 . In some embodiments, connecting member  207  may be an elastic material. In some embodiments, connecting member  207  may be a rigid material. In another embodiment, connecting member  207  is a loop  208 . Loop  208  may be a single member with a catch  209  at one end into which the opposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop. Loop  208  may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows the loop to open and close into itself. In some embodiments, connecting member  207  may be coupled with cable  210 . In some embodiments, cable  210  is disposed through a loop on connecting member  207  and then crimped to secure connecting member  207  to arm arrangement  200 . In some embodiments, connecting member  207  is coupled with cable  210  with a cement. In some embodiments, connecting member  207  is tied to cable  210  with a knot. In some embodiments, cable  210  may be a chain, a link of which may be coupled with connecting member  207  by passing through a loop on the connecting member or by weld. There are many methods by which connecting member  207  can be coupled with cable  210  without impacting the function of either member. 
     In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may be comprised of a second arm arrangement  300 . Arm arrangement  300  may be comprised of a tubular member  301 . Tubular member  301  has a hub end  302  and a far end  303 , and it is hollow from the hub end to the far end. In some embodiments, the far end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the far end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the far end may have rounded edges. In some embodiments, the far end may be configured to prevent destructive friction on a cable. In some embodiments, tubular member  301  may be composed two or more separable portions of substantially equal length and substantially equal diameter, as depicted in  FIG. 7 b   . In some embodiments, the separable portions may be of unequal length. This allows the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a ferrule  312 . In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a male-female joint. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined in any manner by which they are removably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., without altering the function of tubular member  301 . In some embodiments, arm arrangement  300  may also include a cable  310 . In an exemplary embodiment, cable  310  is disposed through aperture  107  and through the hollow of tubular member  301 , coupling the tubular member with hub  100 . In some embodiments, cable  310  is inelastic. In another embodiment, cable  310  is elastic. In some embodiments, cable  310  may be comprised of more than one segment. In some embodiments, each segment may be elastic. In some embodiments, each segment may be inelastic. In some embodiments, some segments may be elastic while other segments are inelastic. The primary function of cable  310  is to couple arm arrangement  300  with hub  100  such that tubular member  301  is removably coupleable with aperture  107 . Cable  310  may be any flexible material without altering the function of the cable. 
     In some embodiments, cable  210  and cable  310  may be a single cable. In this exemplary embodiment, cable  210  may be disposed through arm arrangement  200 , aperture  104 , channel  106 , aperture  107 , and arm arrangement  300 .  FIG. 4 a    is a depiction of this exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, cable  210  and cable  410  may be a single cable.  FIG. 4 b    is a depiction of this exemplary embodiment. 
     In some embodiments, arm arrangement  300  may be further comprised of a cylinder  304 . Cylinder  304  is hollow from a first end  305  to a second end  306 , and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubular member  301 . In another embodiment, cylinder  304  may be a shorter length than the tubular member  301 . In some embodiments, cylinder  304  may be substantially the same length as tubular member  301 . In some embodiments, cylinder  304  may be longer than tubular member  301 . In some embodiments, cylinder  304  is located at the far end of tubular member  301 . In some embodiments cylinder  304  is located between hub  100  and tubular member  301 . In some embodiments, the first end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the first end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the first end may have rounded edges. The primary function of cylinder  304  is to create a joint in arm arrangement  300 . This permits hub  100  to float below the surface of the body of water while decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub and arm arrangement  300  from the view of passing fowl. The secondary function of cylinder  304  is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable  310  may be disposed through aperture  104 , through the hollow of tubular member  301 , and through the hollow of cylinder  304 , coupling the tubular member and cylinder with hub  100 . In some embodiments, cable  310  may include a protective element between tubular member  301  and cylinder  304 , as seen in  FIG. 6   a.    
     In another embodiment, arm arrangement  300  may have a connecting member  307 . In some embodiments, connecting member  307  may be an elastic material. In some embodiments, connecting member  307  may be a rigid material. In another embodiment, connecting member  307  is a loop  308 . Loop  308  may be a single member with a catch  309  at one end into which the opposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop. Loop  308  may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows the loop to open and close into itself. In some embodiments, connecting member  307  may be coupled with cable  310 . In some embodiments, cable  310  is disposed through a loop on connecting member  307  and then crimped to secure connecting member  307  to arm arrangement  300 . In some embodiments, connecting member  307  is coupled with cable  310  with a cement. In some embodiments, connecting member  307  is tied to cable  310  with a knot. In some embodiments, cable  310  may be a chain, one link of which may be coupled with connecting member  307  by passing through a loop or by weld. There are many methods by which connecting member  307  can be coupled with cable  310  without impacting the function of either member. 
     In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may have a third arm arrangement  400 . Arm arrangement  400  may be comprised of a tubular member  401 . Tubular member  401  has a hub end  402  and a far end  403 , and it is hollow from the hub end to the far end. In some embodiments, the far end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the far end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the far end may have rounded edges. In some embodiments, the far end may be configured to prevent destructive friction on a cable. In some embodiments, tubular member  401  may be composed of two or more separable portions of substantially equal length and substantially equal diameter, as depicted in  FIG. 7 b   . In some embodiments, the separable portions may be of unequal length. This allows the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a ferrule  412 . In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a male-female joint. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined in any manner by which they are removably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., without altering the function of tubular member  401 . In some embodiments, arm arrangement  400  may also include a cable  410 . In an exemplary embodiment, cable  410  is disposed through aperture  109  and through the hollow of tubular member  401 , coupling the tubular member with hub  100 . In some embodiments, cable  410  is inelastic. In another embodiment, cable  410  is elastic. In some embodiments, cable  410  may be comprised of more than one segment. In some embodiments, each segment may be elastic. In some embodiments, each segment may be inelastic. In some embodiments, some segments may be elastic while other segments are inelastic. The primary function of cable  410  is to couple arm arrangement  400  with hub  100  such that tubular member  401  is removably coupleable with aperture  104 . Cable  410  may be any flexible material without altering the function of the cable. 
     In some embodiments, arm arrangement  400  may be further comprised of a cylinder  404 . Cylinder  404  is hollow from a first end  405  to a second end  406 , and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubular member  401 . In another embodiment, cylinder  404  may be a shorter length than tubular member  401 . In some embodiments, cylinder  404  may be substantially the same length as tubular member  401 . In some embodiments, cylinder  404  may be longer than tubular member  401 . In some embodiments, cylinder  404  is located at the far end of tubular member  401 . In some embodiments cylinder  404  is located between hub  100  and tubular member  401 . In some embodiments, the first end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the first end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the first end may have rounded edges. The primary function of cylinder  404  is to create a joint in arm arrangement  400 . This permits hub  100  to float below the surface of the body of water while decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub and arm arrangement  400  from the view of passing fowl. The secondary function of cylinder  404  is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable  410  may be disposed through aperture  109 , through the hollow of tubular member  401 , and through the hollow of cylinder  404 , coupling the tubular member and cylinder with hub  100 . In some embodiments, cable  410  may include a protective element between tubular member  401  and cylinder  404 , as seen in  FIG. 6   a.    
     In another embodiment, arm arrangement  400  may have a connecting member  407 . In some embodiments, connecting member  407  may be an elastic material. In some embodiments, connecting member  407  may be a rigid material. In another embodiment, connecting member  407  is a loop  408 . Loop  408  may be a single member with a catch  409  at one end into which the opposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop. Loop  408  may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows the loop to open and close into itself. In some embodiments, connecting member  407  may be coupled with cable  410 . In some embodiments, cable  410  is disposed through a loop on connecting member  407  and then crimped to secure connecting member  407  to arm arrangement  400 . In some embodiments, connecting member  407  is coupled with cable  410  with a cement. In some embodiments, connecting member  407  is tied to cable  410  with a knot. In some embodiments, cable  410  may be a chain, one link of which may be coupled with connecting member  407  by passing through a loop or by weld. There are many methods by which connecting member  407  can be coupled with cable  410  without impacting the function of either member. 
     In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may be comprised of a fourth arm arrangement  500 . Arm arrangement  500  may be comprised of a tubular member  501 . Tubular member  501  has a hub end  502  and a far end  503 , and it is hollow from the hub end to the far end. In some embodiments, the far end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the far end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the far end may have rounded edges. In some embodiments, the far end may be configured to prevent destructive friction on a cable. In some embodiments, tubular member  501  may be composed of two or more separable portions of substantially equal length and substantially equal diameter, as depicted in  FIG. 7 b   . In some embodiments, the separable portions may be of unequal length. This allows the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a ferrule. This ferrule is not labeled in  FIG. 7 b   , but it is identical to and interchangeable with the parts labeled. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a male-female joint. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined in any manner by which they are removably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., without altering the function of tubular member  501 . In some embodiments, arm arrangement  500  may also include a cable  510 . In an exemplary embodiment, cable  510  is disposed through aperture  112  and through the hollow of tubular member  501 , coupling the tubular member with hub  100 . In some embodiments, cable  510  is inelastic. In another embodiment, cable  510  is elastic. In some embodiments, cable  510  may be comprised of more than one segment. In some embodiments, each segment may be elastic. In some embodiments, each segment may be inelastic. In some embodiments, some segments may be elastic while other segments are inelastic. The primary function of cable  510  is to couple arm arrangement  500  with hub  100  such that tubular member  501  is removably coupleable with aperture  112 . Cable  510  may be any flexible material without altering the function of the cable. 
     In some embodiments, cable  410  and cable  510  may be a single cable. In this exemplary embodiment, cable  410  may be disposed through arm arrangement  400 , aperture  109 , channel  111 , aperture  112 , and arm arrangement  500 .  FIG. 4 a    is a depiction of this exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, cable  310  and cable  510  may be a single cable.  FIG. 4 b    is a depiction of this exemplary embodiment. 
     In some embodiments, arm arrangement  500  may be further comprised of a cylinder  504 . Cylinder  504  is hollow from a first end  505  to a second end  506 , and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubular member  501 . In another embodiment, cylinder  504  may be a shorter length than tubular member  501 . In some embodiments, cylinder  504  may be substantially the same length as tubular member  501 . In some embodiments, cylinder  504  may be longer than tubular member  501 . In some embodiments, cylinder  504  is located at the far end of tubular member  501 . In some embodiments cylinder  504  is located between hub  100  and tubular member  501 . In some embodiments, the first end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the first end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the first end may have rounded edges. The primary function of cylinder  504  is to create a joint in the arm arrangement  500 . This permits hub  100  to float below the surface of the body of water while decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub and arm arrangement  500  from the view of passing fowl. The secondary function of cylinder  504  is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable  510  may be disposed through aperture  104 , through the hollow of tubular member  501 , and through the hollow of cylinder  504 , coupling the tubular member and cylinder with hub  100 . In some embodiments, cable  510  may include a protective element between tubular member  501  and cylinder  504 , as seen in  FIG. 6   a.    
     In another embodiment, arm arrangement  500  may have a connecting member  507 . In some embodiments, connecting member  507  may be an elastic material. In some embodiments, connecting member  507  may be a rigid material. In some embodiments, connecting member  507  is a loop  508 . Loop  508  may be a single member with a catch  509  at one end into which the opposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop. Loop  508  may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows the loop to open and close into itself. In some embodiments, connecting member  507  may be coupled with cable  510 . In some embodiments, cable  510  is disposed through a loop on connecting member  507  and then crimped to secure connecting member  507  to arm arrangement  500 . In some embodiments, connecting member  507  is coupled with cable  510  with a cement. In some embodiments, connecting member  507  is tied to cable  510  with a knot. In some embodiments, cable  510  may be a chain, one link of which may be coupled with connecting member  507  by passing through a loop or by weld. There are many methods by which connecting member  507  can be coupled with cable  510  without impacting the function of either member. 
     The present invention may be comprised of a plurality of arm arrangements of similar configurations disclosed herein. This disclosure should not be construed as limiting the number of arm arrangements to four. The animated decoy spreader may in fact have any number of arm arrangements connected with the hub. 
     The present invention may be comprised of a second hub  600 . See  FIG. 5 . In one exemplary embodiment, hub  600  is a disk with a top surface  601 , a bottom surface  602 , and a cylindrical edge  603 . In another embodiment, the hub may be spherical, square, or any other shape without altering the function of the hub. Hub  600  may be any manner of rigid or semi-rigid material, such as metal, wood, rubber, plastic, etc., without altering the function of the hub. The primary function of hub  600  is to centrally locate the decoy arrangement. The secondary function of hub  600  is to sink into the body of water, rendering the hub and other portions of the decoy spreader invisible to birds in flight. This will be discussed in further detail in another portion of the specification. 
     In some embodiments, second hub  600  is further comprised of a first aperture  604  on a first side  605 . In some embodiments, aperture  604  may lead to a first channel  606 , which terminates at a second aperture  607  on a second side  608 . In some embodiments, first side  605  and second side  608  may be adjacent sides. In some embodiments, first side  605  may be 180 degrees, or directly opposite, from second side  608 . In some embodiments, hub  600  may have a third aperture  609  on a third side  610 . In some embodiments, a third aperture  609  may lead to a second channel  611 , which terminates at a fourth aperture  612  on a fourth side  613  of hub  600 . In some embodiments, hub  100  may have a fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, etc. aperture, and each aperture may lead to at least one channel. This disclosure should not be construed as limiting the number of apertures or channels available in a hub. In some embodiments, hub  600  may have an eyelet  614 , a loop, a hole, a ring, or some other means by which the hub can be coupled with a cord, a string, or some other flexible material. In some embodiments, hub  600  may include a pull cord  615 . In one embodiment, pull cord  615  may be an elastic cord. In some embodiments, pull cord  615  may be an inelastic cord. In some embodiments, pull cord  615  may be a flexible material, such as fishing line, bungee material, rope, etc. In some embodiments, pull cord  615  may be a rigid material, such as metal, plastic, wood, etc. The function of pull cord  615  is to allow hub  600  to be moved through the body of water, which induces movement in the decoy array. Pull cord  615  can be any manner of material without impacting the function of the pull cord. 
     In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may be comprised of an anchor  616  which sits on the bottom of the body of water. The function of anchor  616  is to locate hub  600  and decoy arrangement in a particular place in the body of water. In some embodiments, anchor  616  is coupled with hub  600  via anchor cord  617 , which may pass through a hub eyelet  614  and an anchor eyelet  618 . Anchor chord  617  may be an elastic or an inelastic flexible material. In one configuration, hub  600  is displaced via pull cord  615 , and then returned to the anchor location by anchor cord  617 . This allows the decoy arrangement to move to and fro in the water, simulating a natural swimming motion of water fowl. See  FIG. 2 . In another embodiment, anchor  616  is coupled with hub  600  with pull cord  615 . In this configuration, the decoy arrangement is pulled under the surface of the water by some amount, simulating the natural feeding motion of water fowl. See  FIG. 3 . 
     In some embodiments, the decoy spreader is further comprised of a fifth arm arrangement  700 . Arm arrangement  700  may be comprised of a tubular member  701 . The tubular member  701  has a hub end  702  and a far end  703 , and it is hollow from the hub end to the far end. In some embodiments, the far end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the far end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the far end may have rounded edges. In some embodiments, the far end may be configured to prevent destructive friction on a cable. In some embodiments, tubular member  701  may be composed of two or more separable portions of substantially equal length and substantially equal diameter, as depicted in  FIG. 7 b   . In some embodiments, the separable portions may be of unequal length. This allows the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a ferrule. This ferrule is not labeled in  FIG. 7 b   , but it is identical to and interchangeable with the parts labeled. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a male-female joint. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined in any manner by which they are removably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., without altering the function of tubular member  701 . In some embodiments, arm arrangement  700  may also include a cable  710 . In an exemplary embodiment, cable  710  is disposed through aperture  604  and through the hollow of tubular member  701 , coupling the tubular member with hub  600 . In some embodiments, cable  710  is inelastic. In another embodiment, cable  710  is elastic. In some embodiments, cable  710  may be comprised of more than one segment. In some embodiments, each segment may be elastic. In some embodiments, each segment may be inelastic. In some embodiments, some segments may be elastic while other segments are inelastic. The primary function of cable  710  is to couple arm arrangement  700  with hub  600  such that tubular member  701  is removably coupleable with aperture  604 . Cable  710  may be any flexible material without altering the function of the cable. 
     In some embodiments, arm arrangement  700  may be further comprised of a cylinder  704 . Cylinder  704  is hollow from a first end  705  to a second end  706 , and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubular member  701 . In another embodiment, cylinder  704  may be a shorter length than tubular member  701 . In some embodiments, cylinder  704  may be substantially the same length as tubular member  701 . In some embodiments, cylinder  704  may be longer than tubular member  701 . In some embodiments, cylinder  704  is located at the far end of tubular member  701 . In some embodiments cylinder  704  is located between hub  600  and tubular member  701 . In some embodiments, the first end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the first end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the first end may have rounded edges. The primary function of cylinder  704  is to create a joint in arm arrangement  700 . This permits hub  600  to float below the surface of the body of water while decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub and arm arrangement  700  from the view of passing fowl. The secondary function of cylinder  704  is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable  710  may be disposed through aperture  604 , through the hollow of tubular member  701 , and through the hollow of cylinder  704 , coupling the tubular member and cylinder with hub  600 . In some embodiments, cable  710  may include a protective element between tubular member  701  and cylinder  704 , as seen in  FIG. 6   a.    
     In another embodiment, arm arrangement  700  may have a connecting member  707 . In some embodiments, connecting member  707  may be an elastic material. In some embodiments, connecting member  707  may be a rigid material. In another embodiment, connecting member  707  is a loop  708 . Loop  708  may be a single member with a catch  709  at one end into which the opposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop. Loop  708  may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows the loop to open and close into itself. In some embodiments, connecting member  707  may be coupled with cable  710 . In some embodiments, cable  710  is disposed through a loop on connecting member  707  and then crimped to secure connecting member  707  to arm arrangement  700 . In some embodiments, connecting member  707  is coupled with cable  710  with a cement. In some embodiments, connecting member  707  is tied to cable  710  with a knot. In some embodiments, cable  710  may be a chain, one link of which may be coupled with connecting member  707  by passing through a loop or by weld. There are many methods by which connecting member  707  can be coupled with cable  710  without impacting the function of either member. 
     In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may be comprised of a sixth arm arrangement  800 . Arm arrangement  800  may be comprised of a tubular member  801 . Tubular member  801  has a hub end  802  and a far end  803 , and it is hollow from the hub end to the far end. In some embodiments, the far end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the far end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the far end may have rounded edges. In some embodiments, the far end may be configured to prevent destructive friction on a cable. In some embodiments, tubular member  801  may be composed of two or more separable portions of substantially equal length and substantially equal diameter, as depicted in  FIG. 7 b   . In some embodiments, the separable portions may be of unequal length. This allows the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a ferrule. This ferrule is not labeled in  FIG. 7 b   , but it is identical to and interchangeable with the parts labeled. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a male-female joint. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined in any manner by which they are removably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., without altering the function of tubular member  801 . In some embodiments, arm arrangement  800  may also include a cable  810 . In an exemplary embodiment, cable  810  is disposed through aperture  607  and through the hollow of tubular member  801 , coupling the tubular member with hub  600 . In some embodiments, cable  810  is inelastic. In another embodiment, cable  810  is elastic. In some embodiments, cable  810  may be comprised of more than one segment. In some embodiments, each segment may be elastic. In some embodiments, each segment may be inelastic. In some embodiments, some segments may be elastic while other segments are inelastic. The primary function of cable  810  is to couple arm arrangement  800  with hub  600  such that tubular member  801  is removably coupleable with aperture  607 . Cable  810  may be any flexible material without altering the function of the cable. 
     In some embodiments, cable  710  and cable  810  may be a single cable. In this exemplary embodiment, cable  710  may be disposed through arm arrangement  700 , aperture  604 , channel  606 , aperture  607 , and arm arrangement  800 .  FIG. 4 a    is a depiction of this exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, cable  710  and cable  910  may be a single cable.  FIG. 4 b    is a depiction of this exemplary embodiment. 
     In some embodiments, arm arrangement  800  may be further comprised of a cylinder  804 . Cylinder  804  is hollow from a first end  805  to a second end  806 , and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubular member  801 . In another embodiment, cylinder  804  may be a shorter length than tubular member  801 . In some embodiments, cylinder  804  may be substantially the same length as tubular member  801 . In some embodiments, cylinder  804  may be longer than tubular member  801 . In some embodiments, cylinder  804  is located at the far end of tubular member  801 . In some embodiments cylinder  804  is located between hub  600  and tubular member  801 . In some embodiments, the first end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the first end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the first end may have rounded edges. The primary function of cylinder  804  is to create a joint in arm arrangement  800 . This permits hub  600  to float below the surface of the body of water while decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub and arm arrangement  800  from the view of passing fowl. The secondary function of cylinder  804  is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable  810  may be disposed through aperture  604 , through the hollow of tubular member  801 , and through the hollow of cylinder  804 , coupling the tubular member and cylinder with hub  600 . In some embodiments, cable  810  may include a protective element between tubular member  801  and cylinder  804 , as seen in  FIG. 6   a.    
     In another embodiment, arm arrangement  800  may have a connecting member  807 . In some embodiments, connecting member  807  may be an elastic material. In some embodiments, connecting member  807  may be a rigid material. In another embodiment, connecting member  807  is a loop  808 . Loop  808  may be a single member with a catch  809  at one end into which the opposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop. Loop  808  may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows the loop to open and close into itself. In some embodiments, connecting member  807  may be coupled with cable  810 . In some embodiments, cable  810  is disposed through a loop on connecting member  807  and then crimped to secure connecting member  807  to arm arrangement  800 . In some embodiments, connecting member  807  is coupled with cable  810  with a cement. In some embodiments, connecting member  807  is tied to cable  810  with a knot. In some embodiments, cable  810  may be a chain, one link of which may be coupled with connecting member  807  by passing through a loop or by weld. There are many methods by which connecting member  807  can be coupled with cable  810  without impacting the function of either member. 
     In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may have a seventh arm arrangement  900 . Arm arrangement  900  may be comprised of a tubular member  901 . Tubular member  901  has a hub end  902  and a far end  903 , and it is hollow from the hub end to the far end. In some embodiments, the far end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the far end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the far end may have rounded edges. In some embodiments, the far end may be configured to prevent destructive friction on a cable. In some embodiments, tubular member  901  may be composed of two or more separable portions of substantially equal length and substantially equal diameter, as depicted in  FIG. 7 b   . In some embodiments, the separable portions may be of unequal length. This allows the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a ferrule. This ferrule is not labeled in  FIG. 7 b   , but it is identical to and interchangeable with the parts labeled. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a male-female joint. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined in any manner by which they are removably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., without altering the function of tubular member  901 . In some embodiments, arm arrangement  900  may also include a cable  910 . In an exemplary embodiment, cable  910  is disposed through aperture  609  and through the hollow of tubular member  901 , coupling the tubular member with hub  600 . In some embodiments, cable  910  is inelastic. In another embodiment, cable  910  is elastic. In some embodiments, cable  910  may be comprised of more than one segment. In some embodiments, each segment may be elastic. In some embodiments, each segment may be inelastic. In some embodiments, some segments may be elastic while other segments are inelastic. The primary function of cable  910  is to couple arm arrangement  900  with hub  600  such that tubular member  901  is removably coupleable with aperture  604 . Cable  910  may be any flexible material without altering the function of the cable. 
     In some embodiments, arm arrangement  900  may be further comprised of a cylinder  904 . Cylinder  904  is hollow from a first end  905  to a second end  906 , and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubular member  901 . In another embodiment, cylinder  904  may be a shorter length than tubular member  901 . In some embodiments, cylinder  904  may be substantially the same length as tubular member  901 . In some embodiments, cylinder  904  may be longer than tubular member  901 . In some embodiments, cylinder  904  is located at the far end of tubular member  901 . In some embodiments cylinder  904  is located between hub  600  and tubular member  901 . In some embodiments, the first end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the first end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the first end may have rounded edges. The primary function of cylinder  904  is to create a joint in arm arrangement  900 . This permits hub  600  to float below the surface of the body of water while decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub and arm arrangement  900  from the view of passing fowl. The secondary function of cylinder  904  is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable  910  may be disposed through aperture  609 , through the hollow of tubular member  901 , and through the hollow of cylinder  904 , coupling the tubular member and cylinder with hub  600 . In some embodiments, cable  910  may include a protective element between tubular member  901  and cylinder  904 , as seen in  FIG. 6   a.    
     In another embodiment, arm arrangement  900  may have a connecting member  907 . In some embodiments, connecting member  907  may be an elastic material. In some embodiments, connecting member  907  may be a rigid material. In another embodiment, connecting member  907  is a loop  908 . Loop  908  may be a single member with a catch  909  at one end into which the opposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop. Loop  908  may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows the loop to open and close into itself. In some embodiments, connecting member  907  may be coupled with cable  910 . In some embodiments, cable  910  is disposed through a loop on connecting member  907  and then crimped to secure connecting member  907  to arm arrangement  900 . In some embodiments, connecting member  907  is coupled with cable  910  with a cement. In some embodiments, connecting member  907  is tied to cable  910  with a knot. In some embodiments, cable  910  may be a chain, one link of which may be coupled with connecting member  907  by passing through a loop or by weld. There are many methods by which connecting member  907  can be coupled with cable  910  without impacting the function of either member. 
     In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may be comprised of an eighth arm arrangement  1000 . Arm arrangement  1000  may be comprised of a tubular member  1001 . Tubular member  1001  has a hub end  1002  and a far end  1003 , and it is hollow from the hub end to the far end. In some embodiments, the far end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the far end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the far end may have rounded edges. In some embodiments, the far end may be configured to prevent destructive friction on a cable. In some embodiments, tubular member  1001  may be composed of two or more separable portions of substantially equal length and substantially equal diameter, as depicted in  FIG. 7 b   . In some embodiments, the separable portions may be of unequal length. This allows the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a ferrule. This ferrule is not labeled in  FIG. 7 b   , but it is identical to and interchangeable with the parts labeled. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a male-female joint. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined in any manner by which they are removably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., without altering the function of tubular member  1001 . In some embodiments, arm arrangement  1000  may also include a cable  1010 . In an exemplary embodiment, cable  1010  is disposed through aperture  612  and through the hollow of tubular member  1001 , coupling the tubular member with hub  600 . In some embodiments, cable  1010  is inelastic. In another embodiment, cable  1010  is elastic. In some embodiments, cable  1010  may be comprised of more than one segment. In some embodiments, each segment may be elastic. In some embodiments, each segment may be inelastic. In some embodiments, some segments may be elastic while other segments are inelastic. The primary function of cable  1010  is to couple arm arrangement  1000  with hub  600  such that tubular member  1001  is removably coupleable with aperture  612 . Cable  1010  may be any flexible material without altering the function of the cable. 
     In some embodiments, cable  910  and cable  1010  may be a single cable. In this exemplary embodiment, cable  910  may be disposed through arm arrangement  900 , aperture  609 , channel  611 , aperture  612 , and arm arrangement  1000 .  FIG. 4 a    is a depiction of this exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, cable  710  and cable  1010  may be a single cable.  FIG. 4 b    is a depiction of this exemplary embodiment. 
     In some embodiments, arm arrangement  1000  may be further comprised of a cylinder  1004 . Cylinder  1004  is hollow from a first end  1005  to a second end  1006 , and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubular member  1001 . In another embodiment, cylinder  1004  may be a shorter length than tubular member  1001 . In some embodiments, cylinder  1004  may be substantially the same length as tubular member  1001 . In some embodiments, cylinder  1004  may be longer than tubular member  1001 . In some embodiments, cylinder  1004  is located at the far end of tubular member  1001 . In some embodiments cylinder  1004  is located between hub  600  and tubular member  1001 . In some embodiments, the first end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the first end may have a protective coating. In some embodiments, the first end may have rounded edges. The primary function of cylinder  1004  is to create a joint in arm arrangement  1000 . This permits hub  600  to float below the surface of the body of water while decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub and arm arrangement  1000  from the view of passing fowl. The secondary function of cylinder  1004  is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable  1010  may be disposed through aperture  604 , through the hollow of tubular member  1001 , and through the hollow of cylinder  1004 , coupling the tubular member and cylinder with hub  600 . In some embodiments, cable  1010  may include a protective element between tubular member  1001  and cylinder  1004 , as seen in  FIG. 6   a.    
     In another embodiment, arm arrangement  1000  may have a connecting member  1007 . In some embodiments, connecting member  1007  may be an elastic material. In some embodiments, connecting member  1007  may be a rigid material. In another embodiment, connecting member  1007  is a loop  1008 . Loop  1008  may be a single member with a catch  1009  at one end into which the opposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop. Loop  1008  may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows the loop to open and close into itself. In some embodiments, connecting member  1007  may be coupled with cable  1010 . In some embodiments, cable  1010  is disposed through a loop on connecting member  1007  and then crimped to secure connecting member  1007  to arm arrangement  1000 . In some embodiments, connecting member  1007  is coupled with cable  1010  with a cement. In some embodiments, connecting member  1007  is tied to cable  1010  with a knot. In some embodiments, cable  1010  may be a chain, one link of which may be coupled with connecting member  1007  by passing through a loop or by weld. There are many methods by which connecting member  1007  can be coupled with cable  1010  without impacting the function of either member. 
     The present invention may be comprised of a plurality of arm arrangements of similar configurations disclosed herein. This disclosure should not be construed as limiting the number of arm arrangements to four. The animated decoy spreader may in fact have any number of arm arrangements connected with the hub. 
     In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may be comprised of hubs  100  and  600 , and between one and eight arm arrangements. In one embodiment, hub  100  and hub  600  may each have two arm arrangements, and an arm arrangement of hub  100  may be coupled with an arm arrangement of hub  600 . For example, in one embodiment, a first half of the spreader may be comprised of hub  100  and arm arrangements  200  and  500 , and a second half of the spreader may be comprised of hub  600  and arm arrangements  800  and  900 . In a further embodiment, arm arrangement  200  may be combined with arm arrangement  800  by passing cable  210  and cable  810  through cylinder  204  and coupling both with connecting member  207 . In another embodiment, arm arrangements  200  and  800  are complete, and both are simply attached to a single decoy. It should be understood that the chosen arm arrangements are exemplary only, and that any arm arrangements extending from hub  100  and hub  600  may be coupled. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, arm arrangement  500  may be coupled with arm arrangement  900  with a connector bar  911 . See  FIG. 8 . In some embodiments, connector bar  911  may be of substantially the same length as tubular member  901 . In some embodiments, connector bar  911  may be longer than tubular member  901 . In some embodiments, connector bar  911  may be shorter than tubular member  901 . Connector bar  911  may be any rigid material, such as metal, plastic, wood, etc., without altering the function of connector bar  911 . In some embodiments, connector bar  911  may be composed of or more two separable portions of substantially equal length and substantially equal diameter. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a ferrule. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a male-female joint. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined in any manner by which they are removably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., without altering the function of connector bar  911 . In some embodiments, connector bar  911  may be used in place of pull cord  115  or  615 , such that only one pull cord remains. It should be understood that the chosen arm arrangements are exemplary only, and that any arm arrangements extending from hub  100  and hub  600  may be coupled. 
     In some embodiments, hub  100  may be coupled with hub  600  with a connector cord  619 . See  FIG. 9 . In some embodiments, connector cord  619  may be an elastic material. In some embodiments, connector cord  619  may be an inelastic material. Connector cord  619  may be any manner of flexible material. In some embodiments, connector cord  619  may be disposed through eyelet  114  and eyelet  614 . In some embodiments, connector cord  619  may be used in place of pull cord  115  or  615 , such that only one pull cord remains. In some embodiments, hub  100  may have coupled with it arm arrangements  200  through  500 . In some embodiments, hub  100  may have fewer than four arm arrangements. In some embodiments, hub  600  may have coupled with it arm arrangements  700  through  1000 . In some embodiments, hub  600  may have fewer than four arm arrangements. In some embodiments, hub  600  may have more than four arm arrangements. As stated elsewhere herein, this disclosure should not be construed as limiting the number of arm arrangements. 
     In an exemplary configuration, hub  100  may be coupled with hub  600  with a connector cord  619 . Hub  100  may be coupled with anchor  116  via elastic anchor cord  117 , and hub  100  may sit approximately directly above anchor  116 . Hub  600  may be coupled with pull cord  615 . Hubs  100  and  600  are displaced horizontally via pull cord  615 . Because cables  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510 ,  710 ,  810 ,  910 , and  1010  are flexible, the motion created in the decoys is nearly random. This effect is amplified if the cables are elastic. Moreover, because only one hub is being pulled via the pull cord, the second hub is able move more randomly, adding to the randomness of the motion of the decoys. When the tension on pull cord  615  is released, hubs  100  and  600  return to their original positions, again creating nearly random motion in the decoys and simulating the swimming motion of living water fowl. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, hub  100  is coupled with arm arrangements  200 ,  300 ,  400 , and  500 . Cables  210 ,  310 ,  410 , and  510 , and anchor cord  117  are elastic members, and anchor cord  117  is coupled with hub  100  and anchor  116 . Anchor  116  is placed on the bottom of the body of water, and hub  100  is initially located approximately directly above anchor  116 . Hub  100  is displaced horizontally via pull cord  115 . Because cables  210 ,  310 ,  410 , and  510  are elastic, the motion created in the decoys is nearly random. When the tension on pull cord  115  is released, hub  100  returns to a location approximately directly over anchor  116 , again creating a nearly random motion in the decoys, simulating living fowl swimming on the surface of the body of water. See  FIG. 2 . It should be understood that cables  210 ,  310 ,  410 , and  510  may be inelastic and create a similar effect. It should be understood that hub and arm arrangements chosen for this example can be interchangeable with any other hub or arm arrangement without altering the function of the spreader. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, hub  100  is coupled with only two arm arrangements, for example arrangements  200  and  400 . Anchor  116  is placed on the bottom of the body of water, and it is coupled with hub  100  via the pull cord, which passes through the hub eyelet  114  and anchor eyelet  118 , instead of directly to the hub as in the previous example. In this configuration, the hub is displaced vertically, which pulls the arm arrangements further into the water. This simulates the diving motion that water fowl exhibit when they feed. See  FIG. 3 . 
     The primary function of connecting hubs  100  and  600  is to create additional random motion in the decoy spreader, allowing for an even more natural simulation of water fowl swimming. In an exemplary embodiment, hub  100  is coupled with arm arrangements  200  through  500 , and hub  600  is coupled with arm arrangements  700  through  1000 . Cables  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510 ,  710 ,  810 ,  910 , and  1010  and anchor cord  117  are elastic members. Arm arrangement  200  is coupled with arm arrangement  800  via the decoy. Arm arrangement  500  is coupled with arm arrangement  900  via connector bar  911 . See  FIG. 8 . Hub  100  is coupled with anchor  116  via elastic anchor cord  117 , and hub  100  sits approximately directly above anchor  116 . Hub  600  is coupled with pull cord  615 . Hubs  100  and  600  are displaced horizontally via pull cord  615 . Because cables  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510 ,  710 ,  810 ,  910 , and  1010  are flexible, the motion created in the decoys is nearly random. This effect is amplified if the cables are elastic. Moreover, because only one hub is being pulled via the pull cord, the second hub is able move more randomly, adding to the randomness of the motion of the decoys. When the tension on pull cord  615  is released, hubs  100  and  600  return to their original positions, again creating nearly random motion in the decoys and simulating the swimming motion of living water fowl. It should be understood that either hub  100  or  600  could be connected to the anchor, that either anchor  116  or  616  could be used, and that either pull cord  115  or  615  could be used. It should also be understood that the arm arrangements from each hub coupled together could be any number of arrangements, given that the arm arrangements coupled via the decoy are proximate to the arm arrangements coupled by the connector bar. 
     In some embodiments, hubs  100  and  600  may be coupled with additional hubs, each additional hub having a plurality of arm arrangements. Each set of hub and arm arrangements adds to the randomness of the motion of the decoys, and this disclosure should not be construed as limiting the number of hubs to be coupled to complete an array. 
     In general, it should be noted that hubs  100  and  600  are interchangeable, and that any of the arm arrangements are interchangeable with one another. Numbering in the figures and this specification is for illustration only. 
     While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). 
     While preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of these preferred and alternate embodiments. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.