Patent Publication Number: US-2010115818-A1

Title: Decoy technology

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS, IF ANY 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/113,415, filed Nov. 11, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     37 C.F.R. §1.71(e) AUTHORIZATION 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the US Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX, IF ANY 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates, generally, to hunting systems, apparatus and methods. Particularly, the invention relates to hunting decoy systems, apparatus and methods. Most particularly, the invention relates to turkey hunting decoy systems, apparatus and methods. 
     2. Background Information 
     Existing technology in this field is believed to have significant limitations and shortcomings. For this and other reasons, a need exists for the present invention. 
     All US patents and patent applications, and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides an turkey hunting decoy system, apparatus and method which are practical, reliable, effective and efficient, and which are believed to fulfill the need and to constitute an improvement over the background technology. 
     In one aspect, the invention provides a wild turkey decoy for use in wild turkey hunting to attract wild turkeys. The decoy includes both static and dynamic decoy features. The decoy has a decoy body, an actuatable fan assembly removably connectable to the decoy body, and a support assembly connected to the decoy body. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides decoy apparatus comprising a decoy body, a fan assembly attached to the decoy body, the fan assembly including a longitudinally pivotable bracket and a laterally pivotable fan attached to the bracket; and means to actuate the fan assembly so that the bracket longitudinally pivots and the fan laterally pivots. 
     In a further aspect, the invention provides portable, wild turkey decoy apparatus, comprising:
         a. a decoy body;   b. a fan assembly attached to the decoy body, the fan assembly including a longitudinally pivotable bracket and a laterally pivotable fan attached to the bracket, wherein the bracket includes a base, a tail pivotally connected to the base, and a spring connected to the base and the tail that biases the tail with respect to the base, the spring normally biasing the tail away from the base, and wherein the fan includes a hub, a plurality of elongated struts pivotally connected to the hub, a flexible bag-style decoy member covering the struts and connected to at least one strut, and at least one spring connected to the hub and at least one strut that biases at least one strut with respect to the remaining struts, the spring normally biasing the struts away from one another;   c. at least one line communicatively connected to the bracket and connected to the fan, the line actuating the fan assembly so that the bracket longitudinally pivots and the fan laterally pivots, the line extending away from the body and being adapted to be pulled by a user of the decoy apparatus to longitudinally pivot the bracket and laterally pivot the fan; and   d. a support assembly connected to the body for securing the body to the environment       

     And in yet another aspect, the invention provides a realistic, collapsible full-body, full strut, jake decoy with a removable fan. It includes a string-activated mechanical tail that changes from the full strut open position to a fully closed down position by simply pulling the string. In use, the jake body and tail provoke aggressive mature tom turkeys to come in and challenge the decoy, providing the user with an optimum shot with either a firearm or bow and arrow. The string, preferably 100 feet or more, is managed via line caddy. The decoy system may be contained in a mesh carry bag preferably with orange safety accents, for transportation, deployment and take down, and off season storage. The decoy system includes a 2-piece stake and the mechanical jake tail is removable. 
     The aspects, features, advantages, benefits and objects of the invention will become clear to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the decoy of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the decoy. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the decoy. 
         FIG. 4  is a side, elevation view of the decoy, the opposite side being substantially similar thereto. 
         FIG. 5  is a front end view of the decoy. 
         FIG. 6  is a back end view of the decoy. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the decoy. 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the decoy. 
         FIG. 9  is a view of the decoy showing a fan in an initial state. 
         FIG. 10  is a view of the decoy showing the fan in a partially actuated, intermediate state. 
         FIG. 11  is a view of the decoy showing the fan in a fully actuated, end state. 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the bracket of the fan assembly of the decoy. 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a fan of the fan assembly. 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a support assembly of the decoy. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-8 , show a preferred embodiment of the decoy  10  of the present invention. The decoy  10  is intended to attract a certain species of animal, for example a wild turkey. The decoy  10  has both static and dynamic decoy features. 
     The decoy  10  includes primary elements of a decoy body  11 , a fan assembly  12  connected to the decoy body  11 , and a support assembly  13  connected to the decoy body  11  for contact with the environment. The decoy  10  is generally oriented with respect to a front  20 , back  21 , top  22  and bottom  23 . A longitudinal aspect of the decoy  10  is aligned from front to back. A lateral aspect runs from side to side, perpendicular to the longitudinal aspect. The embodiment of the body  11  shown has a length of approximately 21 inches, a width of approximately 9 inches and a height of approximately 12 inches. These dimensions are with respect to the maximum measurable dimensions. The body  11  has a mounting area  24  on its back, top area for placement of the fan assembly  12 . The mounting area  24  has a flat, horizontal bottom surface  78  which has are areas sufficient to mount elements of the fan assembly  12  and a substantially flat, vertical front side surface  79 . Vertical surface  79  acts as a vertical backstop for the fan assembly  12 . An actuator line aperture  25  is disposed in the bottom surface. 
     The embodiment of the decoy body  11  has a predetermined shape for mimicking the shape of an animal of interest, for example a wild turkey. In a most preferred embodiment, the wild turkey is a male or “tom” wild turkey. The body  11  is preferably constructed of a shell structure of a predetermined thickness and with predetermined outside dimensions and a generally hollow interior which is open at its bottom to minimize weight. The body  11  is preferably constructed of a lightweight, durable polymeric material. The body  11  exterior has a predetermined color and pattern arrangement also to mimic that of the animal of interest. Body, feather, and other features and patterns are preferably molded into the shell so that they are visible from the outside. 
     The fan assembly  12  is a dynamic, movable feature, in particular a fan tail of a male or “Tom” wild turkey, which is designed to create the illusion that the decoy  10  is alive and strutting. The fan assembly  12  embodiment preferably includes a bracket  40 , a fan  41 , a fan cover  42 , and an actuator  43 . The bracket  40  is connected to the body  11  at the mounting area  24 . The fan  41  is connected to the bracket. The fan cover  42  is preferably a flexible structure or assembly that mimics the look and feel of a wing or appendage of the subject decoy species, for example the rear tail fan of a male (Tom) wild turkey. The cover  42  is preferably constructed of fabric which has a color pattern designed to simulate the rear tail fan of the turkey. The fabric is preferably a synthetic material, but may be a natural material or a blend of natural and synthetic materials. The fan cover  42  is coupled to the fan  41 , preferably by covering it. Alternatively, it may be attached to one or both sides of the fan  41 . In a still further alternative embodiment, the fan cover  42  may consist of individual natural feathers affixed to the fan  41  either mechanically (by sewing or connectors for example) or adhesively. In the preferred embodiment shown, the fan cover  42  has a, flat, thin, bag-type configuration with two fabric faces (one face  26   a  is shown in  FIG. 3 ) surrounding a hollow interior. The top, curvilinear, outer edge  27  of each face is sewn together, as are the side, rectilinear outer edges  28 . The bottom edge of each face  26  has a semi-circular approximately matching the configuration of the hub  70 . The faces  26  are preferably coupled to the fan assembly via stitches  68   a - g  as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     The preferred embodiment of the actuator  43  is a flexible line having a predetermined length which is connected at one end to remaining elements of the fan assembly  12  and extends away from the decoy  10  to be held at its other end, or an intermediate position along the length of the line, by the user. The line is preferably string. The user actuates the fan assembly  12  by pulling on the line. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator line  43  includes a pair of proximal, first lines  44   a  and  b , and a distal second line  45 . The first lines  44   a/b  each (equally) have a predetermined, relatively short length of approximately 2 feet, and are disposed near the decoy  10  and as described in detail below. The lines  44   a  and  b  are disposed side by side. The second line  45  has a predetermined, relatively long length, preferably approximately 100 feet, and is connected to the distal ends of the first lines  44   a/b  by a connector  46 . The connector  46  is preferably a swivel type connector. The second line  45  extends to the user. The distal portion of the second line  45  is preferably managed by wrapping around a line caddy  33 . 
     The Referring also to  FIG. 12 , the bracket  40  movably connects the fan  41  to the body  11 . The embodiment of the bracket  40  shown is constructed and arranged of a base  50  and a tail member  51  which are movably connected by a spring actuator  52 . The base  50  preferably includes a base body  55  with an forward actuator pivot portion  56  and a rearward back portion  57  The tail member  51  has a bottom pivot portion  58  for coupling with the base  55 . A fan connection aperture  59  is disposed approximately in the middle of the tail  51  and a line guide  65  is disposed near its top end. The base body  55  is connected to the mounting surface  25 , preferably by rivets. The base body  55  has a line aperture  63  and a line guide  64  through which actuator lines  44   a/b  extend via aperture  25 . The spring actuator  52  preferably includes a spring  60 , a shaft  61  disposed through the central axis of the spring  60  and actuator portion  56 , and a connector  62  (for example a bolt). Referring also to  FIG. 9 , the spring  60  biases the tail member  51  in a normally vertical, upright position with respect to the base  50 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 13 , the fan  41  supports the fan cover with respect to the body  11 , and in cooperation with the bracket  40  and actuator  43 , under manual control of the user, realistically simulates the combination lateral (spreading and retraction) and longitudinal (raising and collapsing) motion of the rear tail fan of the turkey to mimic the strutting behavior of such turkey. The embodiment of the fan  41  shown is constructed and arranged of a hub  70 , struts  71   a - g , end strut shafts  72 , interior strut shafts  73 , springs  74   a  and  b , and connectors  75 . The hub  70  is preferably removably connected to the bracket tail member  51  by way of a wing nut and bolt  76  or similar fastener which extends through a aperture  77  of the hub  70  and aperture  59  of bracket tail  51  The struts  71   a - g  are elongated semi-flexible members which have a length of approximately 12 inches, width of approximately 0.5 inches and a thickness of approximately ⅛ th  inch. They are pivotally connected at their base of proximal end to the hub  70  via shafts (end struts  71   a  and  g  via end shafts  72 , and interior struts  71   b - f  via interior shafts  73 . Springs  74   a  and  b  are connected to the hub  70  and the end strut shafts  71   a  and  71   g  and normally bias the shafts  71   a  and  g  laterally outwardly (spread), as shown also for example in  FIG. 9 . End struts  71  and  71  g have hook eye connectors  66   a  and  b  for connection to the actuator  43  lines. The 
     Referring also to  FIG. 14 , the support assembly  13  holds the decoy  10  in a predetermined location specified by the user. The support assembly  13  is preferably a stake-type device that is inserted into the ground. However, it is within the purview of the invention that the support may be of another type for example a flat base device, including weighted or un-weighted, a wheeled device, or the like. The support assembly  13  embodiment shown includes a top support  30 , a bottom stake  31 , a slide connector  32 , the line caddy  33 , a line caddy bracket  34 , a pin  35  therefor, and a connector pin  36 . The connector  32  is connected to the interior of the body  11 . The top support  30  is connected to the connector via bracket  34 . In the embodiment shown, the bottom stake  31  is approximately 10 inches long and the top support is approximately 12 inches long such that it extends from the top of the interior of the body  11  to just outside the interior for ease of connection and disconnection with the stake  31 . In use, the bottom stake  31  is inserted into earth at a decoy  10  deployment location selected by the user and then it is mated with the top support  30 . The stake  31  has an alignment post  37  that mates with a complementary alignment slot (not shown) on the top support  30 . Stake  31  also preferably has a line alignment aperture  67  disposed at its top end. The stake  31  is connectable and disconnectible for easy deployment, collapsing, transportation and storage. 
     The function of the decoy  10  following deployment by way of the stake or other placement or support is best shown with reference to  FIGS. 9-11 . The decoy is shown in its normal or default arrangement in  FIG. 9  In this configuration, the fan assembly  12  is in a fully upright (vertically) and fully spread (laterally). As discussed above. The fan assembly is biased in this position by cooperating forces provided by springs  60  and  74   a/b . The actuator  43  lines  44   a  and  b  are attached at their proximal ends to connectors  66   a  and  g , respectively, on the fan  41  struts  71   a  and  g . The lines  44   a  and  b  run separately to line guide  65  on bracket  40 . From this point, the lines  44   a/b  run along side each other to line guide  64 , through corresponding apertures  63  and  25 , and down through line alignment aperture  67  in stake  31 . In this embodiment, the distal end of both lines  44   a  and  44   b  are connected to swivel connector  46 , which is joined to distal line  45 . 
       FIG. 10  shows the fan assembly  12  at its approximately 50 percent actuated state, being pulled downwardly along the longitudinal aspect of the decoy  10  and retracted laterally, by the user pulling on the actuator  43 . The line  43  pulls equally on each line  44   a/b  through guides  67 ,  63  and  65 . This pulls outside struts  71   a  and  g  pivotally towards each other. As the outside struts  71   a  and  g  come together the cover  42  pulls the interior struts  71   b - f  together via the stitch  68  or other attachments. 
       FIG. 11  shows the fan assembly  12  at its approximately fully actuated state, by continued pulling the actuator  43  lines by the user. In this arrangement, the fan  12  is substantially horizontal and pointing backwards relative to the body  11 , and it is laterally retracted. Upon release of the actuator  43 , the fan assembly  12  will automatically resume its normal configuration ( FIG. 9 ) or an intermediary position (as shown for example in  FIG. 10 ). The fan assembly  12  may be cyclically actuated many times. Actuation is fast and smooth, simulating the behavior of an actual tom turkey. 
     In summary, the invention provides a realistic, collapsible full-body, full strut jake decoy with a removable fan. It includes a string-activated mechanical tail that changes from the full strut open position to a fully closed down position by simply pulling the string. In use, the jake body and tail provoke aggressive mature tom turkeys to come in and challenge the decoy, providing the user with an optimum shot with either a firearm or bow and arrow. 
     The embodiments above are chosen, described and illustrated so that persons skilled in the art will be able to understand the invention and the manner and process of making and using it. The descriptions and the accompanying drawings should be interpreted in the illustrative and not the exhaustive or limited sense. The invention is not intended to be limited to the exact forms disclosed. While the application attempts to disclose all of the embodiments of the invention that are reasonably foreseeable, there may be unforeseeable insubstantial modifications that remain as equivalents. It should be understood by persons skilled in the art that there may be other embodiments than those disclosed which fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Where a claim, if any, is expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function it is intended that such claim be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof, including both structural equivalents and equivalent structures, material-based equivalents and equivalent materials, and act-based equivalents and equivalent acts.