Patent Publication Number: US-7716866-B2

Title: Avian decoy

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/350,973, filed Feb. 9, 2006, entitled “Avian Decoy,” now pending. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates, in general, to avian decoys, and primarily to standing duck and geese decoys, etc., adapted to rotate back and forth, side-to-side about a vertical axis. 
   2. Background Art 
   It is often desired to have a decoy spread (a plurality of decoys arranged on a field or the like) with one or more of the decoys providing a wind generated, side-to-side movement about a substantially vertical axis. The prior art discloses windsock-type decoys, or hard bodied decoys rotatably mounted on vertical stakes. 
   Such decoy spreads are typically set in the field well before daylight and the ease of setting up the individual decoys is critical. While windsock-type decoys are normally fixedly attached to stakes so they can be set up quickly as one piece units, stakes for hard bodied rotatable decoys are set up first and then the decoy bodies are set onto the top of the stakes, typically causing the user to align the top of the stakes with small holes in the bottom of the decoy bodies, which is difficult and time consuming. 
   Another problem with prior art decoys is that they typically include rigid leg portions which often break off during transport to and from the field and sometimes drag or become tangled when the decoys are set up in snow or fields with high vegetation, thus interfering with the movement of the decoy bodies. 
   Another problem with prior art decoys is the space required to transport and store hard bodied decoys. One solution is to make such decoys with separate head and body portions for easy transport and storage, but the user must be extra careful when attaching the head and body portions together to insure that the head portion is properly positioned on the body portion. 
   Nothing in the know prior art discloses or suggests the present invention. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides an avian decoy adapted to rotate back and forth about a vertical axis. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy-to-use, avian decoy, e.g., a standing duck or goose decoy, that has wind generated, side-to-side movement about a substantially vertical axis. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide such a decoy with a stake for supporting a decoy body, and means for guiding the upper end of the stake into the decoy body. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide such a decoy with movable leg stubs. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide such a decoy with movable leg stubs that can be folded inside the decoy body. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide such a decoy with means for limiting the rotation of the decoy body on the stake. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide such a decoy with directional lock means for preventing any rotation of the decoy body on the stake if and when desired. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide such a decoy with means for attaching and properly positioning a head portion on a body portion. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevational view of the avian decoy of the present invention showing a first embodiment of a stake thereof. 
       FIG. 2  is a somewhat diagrammatic top plan view of the decoy of  FIG. 1 , showing the range of motion of the decoy body thereof about a vertical axis in broken lines. 
       FIG. 3  is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevational view of the decoy of the  FIG. 1 , with portions thereof broken away for clarity, showing a first embodiment of a directional stop means thereof. 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the decoy of  FIG. 1 , with portions thereof broken away for clarity, showing the first embodiment of the directional stop means. 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view substantially as taken on line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  with portions thereof broken away for clarity and parts thereof shown in moved positions in broken lines. 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged sectional view of portions of the decoy of  FIG. 1 , with portions thereof broken away for clarity, showing the first embodiment of the directional stop means. 
       FIG. 7  is a somewhat diagrammatic sectional view substantially as taken on line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 , showing the range of motion of parts of the directional stop means thereof in broken lines. 
       FIG. 8  is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevational view of the avian decoy of the present invention showing second embodiments of the stake and directional stop means. 
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged sectional view of portions of the decoy of  FIG. 8 , with portions thereof broken away for clarity. 
       FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the decoy of  FIG. 8 , showing the range of motion of the decoy body thereof about a vertical axis in broken lines. 
       FIG. 11  is a sectional view substantial as taken on line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 12  is a somewhat diagrammatic, exploded view of a first embodiment of an accurately positionable, removable head portion of the decoy body of the avian decoy of the present invention, with portions thereof broken away for clarity. 
       FIG. 13  is a bottom plan view of the neck of the head portion of the decoy body of  FIG. 12  with portions thereof omitted for clarity. 
       FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the neck of the body portion of the decoy body of  FIG. 12  with portions thereof broken away for clarity. 
       FIG. 15  is a somewhat diagrammatic, assembled view of the accurately positionable, removable head portion of  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 16  is a somewhat diagrammatic, exploded view of a second embodiment of an accurately positionable, removable head portion of the decoy body of the avian decoy of the present invention, with portions thereof broken away for clarity. 
       FIG. 17  is a bottom plan view of the neck of the head portion of the decoy body of  FIG. 16  with portions thereof omitted for clarity. 
       FIG. 18  is a top plan view of the neck of the body portion of the decoy body of  FIG. 16  with portions thereof broken away for clarity. 
       FIG. 19  is a somewhat diagrammatic, assembled view of the accurately positionable, removable head portion of  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 20  is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevational view of the avian decoy of the present invention, similar to the decoy of  FIG. 1 , with portions thereof broken away for clarity, and showing a directional lock means for preventing any motion of the decoy body about a vertical axis. 
       FIG. 21  is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective view showing of portions of  FIG. 20  and showing the directional lock means in a fully engaged position. 
       FIG. 22  is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective view similar to  FIG. 21  but with portions of the directional lock means omitted for clarity. 
       FIG. 23  is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective view similar to  FIG. 21  but showing the directional lock means in a partially engaged position. 
       FIG. 24  is an enlarged sectional view of portions of the decoy of  FIG. 20 , with portions thereof broken away for clarity, and showing the directional lock means in a fully engaged position. 
       FIG. 25  is a somewhat diagrammatic sectional view substantially as taken on line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   An avian decoy of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-25  and identified by the numeral  11 . 
   The decoy  11  includes, in general, a decoy body  13 , a stake  15  for supporting the decoy body  13  on a support surface S such as the ground; and guide means  17  for guiding the stake  15  into the decoy body  13 . 
   The decoy body  13  includes a head portion  19  and a body portion  21 . The decoy body  13  may be constructed as a one piece, integral unit or may be constructed as a multi-piece construct with, for example, the head portion  19  and body portion  21  being constructed as separate units joined to one another via an attachment means  22  for removably attaching the head portion  19  to the body portion  21  and for properly positioning the head portion  19  on the body portion  21  in a manner as will hereinafter be fully disclosed. The decoy body  13  may be molded or otherwise constructed out of various materials such as plastic (e.g., polyvinyl chloride-PVC) in various shapes and sizes to have the appearance of a duck, goose, or the like. The actual construction, size, and appearance of the decoy body  13  may vary depending on the user&#39;s desires. Thus, the decoy body  13  may have the general appearance of a feeder goose, looker goose, active goose, etc., as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. The bottom of the decoy body  13  has an aperture  23  for receiving one end of the stake  15 . At least a portion of the decoy body  13  has a hollow interior  25  for receiving at least a portion of the guide means  17 , with the aperture  23  communicating with or opening into the hollow interior  25 . 
   First and second leg stubs  27  are preferably attached to the decoy body  13 , one on either sides of the aperture  23  to represent the avian legs. Each leg stub  27  is preferably movably attached to the decoy body  13 , and can preferably be folded inside the decoy body  13  (i.e., into the hollow interior  25 ). Each leg stub  27  includes a generally conical cylinder  29  molded or otherwise constructed out of various materials such as plastic (e.g., polyvinyl chloride-PVC) in various specific shapes and sizes to have the appearance of the leg of a duck, goose, or the like, and an elongated elastic cord  31  extending through a respective cylinder  29  and a small hole  33  in recesses  35  provided in the decoy body  13  adjacent the aperture  23 , with knots  37  tied in each end of the elastic cord  31  to thereby movably secure the cylinders  29  to the decoy body  13  (i.e., the elastic cords  31  will stretch to allow the cylinders  29  to be moved on the decoy body  13 ). The elastic cords  31  allows the decoy  11  to be tossed around without worrying that the leg stubs  27  will be damaged or broken off. If the leg stubs  27  are bumped they will bend and then spring back to the erect position. Further, the elastic cords  31  allow the leg stubs  27  to be manually folded inside the decoy body  13  as shown in broken lines in  FIG. 5 . Folding the leg stubs  27  inside the decoy body  13  is useful when using the decoy  11  is used in heavy snow or in fields with heavy stubble that might otherwise engage the leg stubs  27  and restrict motion of the decoy body  13 , etc. Slots  38  may be provided in opposite sides of the aperture  23  to allow a portion of the cord  31  to extend therethrough when the leg stubs  27  are folded inside the decoy body  13  (see  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  10 ). The leg stubs  27  give the illusion of real legs and feet. However, since the leg stubs  27  are shortened, they will not likely cause the decoy body  13  to hang up in heavy snow or in fields with tall vegetation, etc. 
   The stake  15  has an upper end  39  for rotatably supporting the decoy body  13  (see  FIGS. 6 and 9 ) and a lower end  41  for being anchored to the support surface S (see  FIGS. 1 ,  8  and  11 ). The stake  15  may be machined, cut or otherwise constructed out of various materials such as a rigid metal rod in various specific shapes and sizes to support the decoy body  13  and be easily anchored to the support surface S. The lower end  41  of the stake  15  may be pointed for being inserted or pushed into the support surface S (see, in general,  FIG. 1 ), or may have an enlarged base (e.g., may be bent into an opened, flat circle) for resting on top of the support surface S (see, in general,  FIGS. 8 and 11 ). 
   The guide means  17  is designed for guiding the upper end  39  of the stake  15  into proper position in the decoy body  13 . The guide means  17  preferably includes a funnel  43  for guiding the upper end  39  of the stake  15  into proper position. The funnel  43  is preferably positioned inside the decoy body  13 , within, for example, the hollow interior  25 . The funnel  43  may be molded or otherwise constructed out of various materials such as plastic (e.g., polyvinyl chloride-PVC) in various specific shapes and sizes. Preferably, the funnel  43  has an conical shaped inner surface or face  45  with a relatively large lower end  47  which tapers inwardly and to a relatively small upper end  49  so that when the upper end  39  of the stake  15  enters the aperture  23  in the bottom of the decoy body  13 , it will engage the inner face  45  of the funnel  43  at the relatively large lower end  47  and slide upward and inwardly along the inner face  45  to the relatively small upper end  49 . While the size of the funnel  43  may vary, for a typical size duck decoy the funnel  43  may have a diameter at the lower end  47  of approximately 3.5 inches (approximately 8.89 centimeters), and a diameter at the upper end  49  of approximately 0.75 inches (approximately 1.905 centimeters). 
   The funnel  43  is preferably fixedly attached to the decoy body  13  by way of, for example, a bolt  51  which extends through the back of the decoy body  13 , into the hollow interior  25  of the decoy body  13 , and through the upper end  49  of the funnel  43 , and a nut  53  which coacts with the bolt  51  to securely mount the funnel  43  at the desired location within the hollow interior  25  of the decoy body  13  (see  FIG. 6 ). Alternatively, the upper end  49  of the funnel  43  may have an internally threaded aperture  55  therein and the bolt  51  may screw directly into the threaded aperture  55  to secure the funnel  43  to the decoy body  13  (see  FIG. 9 ). In either case, a resilient washer  57  is preferably positioned between the upper end of the funnel  37  and the inner wall of the decoy body  13  to provide shock absorbency and the like. The washer  57  is preferably manufactured out of neoprene or the like. The washer  57  provides support and reduces side to side movement of the funnel  43 . As shown most clearly in  FIG. 3 , the decoy body  13  typically has an arch above where the funnel  43  is attached at a natural balance point of the decoy body  13 , and the washer  57  helps fill the inside void create by the arch. The funnel  43  is preferably mounted at the balancing point within the interior  25  of the decoy body  13  (i.e., the point where the decoy body  13  can be supported on the upper end  39  of the stake  15  in a normal, standing position). This balancing point can be found by supporting the decoy body  13  on a sharp pointed object that extends into the interior  25  and moving or adjusting the decoy body  13  until the decoy body  13  is perfectly balanced on the sharp pointed object. Then, a small hole  58  is made through the back of the decoy body  13  through which the shaft of the bolt  51  is extended (see  FIGS. 3 and 9 ). The funnel  43  can then be attached to the bolt  51  and will be mounted at the balancing point. 
   A pivot member  59  is preferably provided inside the decoy body  13  for rotatably coacting with the upper end  33  of the stake  15 . In the construction shown in  FIG. 6 , the pivot member  59  is formed by the lower end of the bolt  51 . More specifically, in the construction shown in  FIG. 6 , the lower end of the bolt  51  is sharped to a fine point to form the pivot member  59 , and the upper end  33  of the stake  15  preferably has a concave surface  60  for rotatably supporting the pivot peg  51  and, thus, the decoy body  13 . The sharped, fine point on the lower end of the bolt  51  that forms the pivot member  59  will reduce friction and allow for easy movement of the decoy body  13  about the pivot member  59 . In the construction shown in  FIG. 9 , the pivot member  59  is formed by a concave surface in the upper end  49  of the inner face  45  of the funnel  43 , and the upper end  39  of the stake  15  is completely rounded or semi-spherical for rotatably supporting the concave upper end  49  of the funnel  43  and, thus, the decoy body  13 . This roundness of the upper end  39  of the stake  15  allows the decoy body  13  to move freely on the stake  15  with no restriction. In both embodiments, the upper end  33  of the stake  15  is substantially blunt. Since most hunters put their decoys out in the field well before daylight, having the upper end  33  of the set-up stakes  15  substantially blunt improves the safety of the decoy spread in the event that someone might trip and fall on one or more up-right stakes  15 , etc. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the sharpened point of the lower end of the bolt  51  that forms the pivot member  59  is located within the hollow interior  25  of the decoy body  13  where it can hurt no one, leaving only the blunt, concave surface  60  of the upper end  39  of the stake  15  exposed during decoy set-up in the field, etc. 
   The decoy  11  preferably includes directional stop means  61  for limiting the rotation of the decoy body  13  on the stake  15 . The directional stop means  61  preferably includes a first stop member  63  attached to the stake  15 , and a coacting second stop member  65  attached to the decoy body  13  for engaging the first stop member  63  when the decoy body  13  has rotated a desired amount in a first direction on the stake  15  and for preventing further rotation of the decoy body  13  in that first direction. The first stop member  63  preferably includes an arm member  67  extending from the stake  15 . The second stop member  65  preferably includes a first bumper member  69  for engaging the arm member  67  when the decoy body  13  has rotated in a first direction a desired amount, and a second bumper member  71  for engaging the arm member  67  when the decoy body  13  has rotated in a second direction a desired amount. 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  6  and  7 , the arm member  67  of the first stop member  63  may consist of a single, elongated arm or finger extending outwardly from the stake  15 , and the funnel  43  of the guide means  17  preferably has a slot  73  therein for receiving the arm member  67  with a first side or side edge  75  of the slot  73  forming or defining the first bumper member  69 , and with a second side or side edge  77  of the slot  73  forming or defining the second bumper member  71 . In this embodiment of the stake  15 , the upper end  39  thereof (with the concave surface  60 ) and the arm member  67  may be molded or otherwise constructed out of plastic or the like as a one-piece, integral unit, fixedly attached to the shaft-like lower end of the stake  15  with glue or the like as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. As shown somewhat diagrammatically in  FIG. 7 , when the decoy body  13  fully rotates in a first direction (e.g., counter-clockwise), the arm member  67  will engage or bump against the first side edge  75  to prevent further rotation of the decoy body  13  in that first direction, and when the decoy body  13  fully rotates in a second direction (e.g., clockwise), the arm member  67  will engage or bump against the second side edge  77  to prevent further rotation of the decoy body  13  in that second direction. In this embodiment, both the first stop member  63  (i.e., the arm member  67 ) and the second stop member  65  (i.e., the first and second bumper members  69 ,  71 ) are positioned within the hollow interior  25  of the decoy body  13 . 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 , the arm member  67  of the first stop member  63  may consist of a pair of elongated arms or fingers extending rewardly from the stake  15  in a V-shaped manner (or may consist of a single elongated arm or finger extending rearward from the stake  15  and being generally V-shaped when view in plan), and the first and second leg stubs  27  form or define the first and second bumper members  69 ,  71 . In this embodiment, the arm member  67  may be molded or otherwise constructed out of plastic or the like as a one-piece, integral unit, and fixedly attached to the stake  15  via a friction fit or the like as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. As shown somewhat diagrammatically in  FIG. 10 , when the decoy body  13  fully rotates in a first direction (e.g., counter-clockwise), the arm member  67  will engage or bump against one leg stub  27  to prevent further rotation of the decoy body  13  in that first direction, and when the decoy body  13  fully rotates in a second direction (e.g., clockwise), the arm member  67  will engage or bump against the other leg stub  27  to prevent further rotation of the decoy body  13  in that second direction. The elastic cord  31  used to mount the leg stubs  27  to the decoy body  13  creates a spring that causes the decoy body  13  to bounce back in the opposite direction when the arm member  67  engages or bumps against either leg stub  27 , giving the decoy  11  a walking effect. In this embodiment, both the first stop member  63  (i.e., the arm member  67 ) and the second stop member  65  (i.e., the leg stubs  27 ) are positioned below the decoy body  13 . Further, if more decoy motion is desired, the arm member  67  can be slid down the stake  15  to a point when it does not engage either leg stub  27 . 
   A first embodiment of the attachment means  22  for removably attaching the head portion  19  to a separate body portion  21  and for properly positioning the head portion  19  on the body portion  21  is shown in  FIGS. 12-15 . A second embodiment of the attachment means  22  for removably attaching the head portion  19  to a separate body portion  21  and for properly positioning the head portion  19  on the body portion  21  is shown in  FIGS. 16-19 . In both embodiments, the attachment means  22  includes a first male member  79  and a first female member  81  for coacting with one another to attach the head portion  19  to said body portion  21 . In addition, the attachment means  22  includes a second male member  83  and a second female member  85  for coacting with one another to properly position the head portion  19  on the body portion  21 . The first and second male members  79 ,  83  are preferably on head portion  19 , while the first and second female members  81 ,  85  are preferably in the body portion  21 . Both of these attachment means  22  provide a double locking system for removably attaching the head portion  19  to a separate body portion  21  and for properly positioning the head portion  19  on the body portion  21 . 
   In the first embodiment of the attachment means  22  shown in  FIGS. 12-15 , the first male member  79  includes a first thread portion  87 , and the first female member  81  includes a second thread portion  89  for screwably coacting with said first thread-like member of the first male member.  79 . The first thread portion  87  may consist of one or more outwardly boss members extending outwardly from the body of the first male member  79  as clearly shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  15 ; and the second thread portion  89  may consist of slots in the wall of the first female member  81  as clearly shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  14  and  15 , and for coacting with the boss members of the first thread portion  87  so that the head member  19  can merely be screwed onto the body portion  21  with the boss members of the first thread portion  87  engaging the slots of the second thread portion  89  to thus attach the head and body portions  19 ,  21  together, and can merely be unscrewed from the body portion  21  to separate the head and body portions  19 ,  21  as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
   In the second embodiment of the attachment means  22  shown in  FIGS. 16-19 , the first male member  79  includes a snap-type projection  91 , and the first female member  81  consist simply of an aperture or hole  93  in the body portion  21  for receiving the snap-type projection  91  so that the head member  19  can merely be pushed down onto the body portion  21  with the snap-type projection  91  being forced into the hole  93  to thus attach the head and body portions  19 ,  21  together, and can merely be pulled away from the body portion  21  to separate the head and body portions  19 ,  21  as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
   In both embodiments of the of the attachment means  22 , the second male member  83  preferably includes a hemispherical ball  95 , and the second female member  85  preferably includes a hemispherical concavity  97  for receiving the hemispherical ball  95  of the second male member  83  to thereby lock the head portion  19  in the proper position on the body portion  21  as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. The hemispherical ball  95  preferably depend down from the head portion  19  while the hemispherical concavity  97  preferably depends into the body portion  21  as clearly shown in  FIGS. 12-19 . 
   The decoy  11  may include directional lock means  101 , as shown in  FIGS. 20-25 , for preventing any rotation of the decoy body  13  on the stake  15 . The funnel  43  of the guide means  17  preferably has a slot  103  therein opposite the slot  73  for defining or forming the directional lock means  101  in combination with the first stop member  63  of the directional stop means  61 . The slot  103  preferably has an upper end  105  that is approximately the same width as the cross sectional width of the arm member  67  of the first stop member  63 , and has a relatively wide (as compared to the upper end  105 ) lower end or mouth portion  107  at the lower end  47  of the funnel  43  for receiving and guiding the arm member  67  to the upper end  105  of the slot  73  when the decoy body  13  is inserted over the upper end  39  of the stake  15  with the arm member  67  positioned so as to enter the mouth portion  107 . The width of the mouth portion  107  preferably gradually increases as it approaches the lower end  47  of the funnel  43  to provide a relatively wide entrance for the arm member  67  (see  FIG. 22 ) and to guide the arm member  67  to the upper end  105  of the slot  103  as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. The funnel  43  may be molded or otherwise constructed out of various materials such as plastic, and the slot  103 , like the slot  73 , may be molded, cut, machined, or otherwise formed into the funnel  43 . 
   The operation and use of the decoy  11  is quite simple. If the decoy body  13  has separate head and body portions  19 ,  21 , the head portion  19  is merely screwed onto the body portion  21  (see  FIGS. 12-15 ) or pushed onto the body portion  21  (see  FIGS. 16-19 ), and rotated until the hemispherical ball  95  snaps into the hemispherical cavity  97  to insure proper positioning of the head portion  19  on the body portion  21 . The lower end  41  of the stake  15  is merely pushed or otherwise inserted in the support surface S (see  FIG. 1 ) or sat on top of the support surface S (see  FIG. 8 ) at the desired location with the longitudinal axis of the stake  15  arranged generally vertical. Next, the decoy body  13  is merely inserted over the upper end  39  of the stake  15  by placing the aperture  23  in the bottom of the decoy body  13  over the upper end  39  of the stake  15  so that the upper end  39  of the stake  15  will pass through the aperture  23  into the hollow interior  25  of the decoy body  13  as the decoy body  13  is lowered onto the stake  15 . As the decoy body  13  is so lowered, the upper end  39  of the stake  15  will engage the inner face  45  of the funnel  43  and the guide means  17  will guide the upper end  39  of the stake  15  into proper position in the decoy body  13  (e.g., with the pointed end of the bolt  51  rotatably supported on the concave surface  60  of the upper end  39  of the stake  15  as shown in  FIG. 6 ; or with the concave surface in the upper end  49  of the inner face  45  of the funnel  43  rotatably supported on the spherical upper end  43  of the stake  15  as shown in FIG.  9 ). With the pivot member  59  (i.e., the pointed end of the bolt  51  or the concave surface in the upper end  49  of the funnel  43 ) located generally at the “balance point” of the decoy body  13 , the stake  15  will support the decoy body  13  in a stable, upright position. The guide means  17  allows the hunter or other user of the decoy  11  to place the decoy body  13  on the stake  15  with ease in the dark. Thus when the hunter places aperture  23  in the bottom of the decoy body  13  over the stake  15  and drops the decoy body  13  downward, the funnel  43  guides the decoy body  13  onto the stake  15  until the upper end  39  of the stake  15  engages the pivot member  59 . This will also guide the arm member  67  either generally into the slot  73  (in the embodiment of the directional stop means  61  shown, for example, in  FIG. 4 ); or between the two stub legs  27  (in the embodiment of the directional stop means  61  shown, for example, in  FIG. 10 ). Wind W (see  FIGS. 2 and 10 ) will then cause the decoy body  13  to rotate back and forth an amount as indicated by the arrows  99  in  FIGS. 2 and 10  and as limited by the directional stop means  61  and based on the differences in width of the arm member  67  and the width of the slot  73  or distance between the stub legs  27 , so that the front of the decoy body  13  will face generally into the wind. Movement of the decoy body  13  on the stake  15  will be created with as little as 5 miles per hour wind. Slight changes in direction of the wind will cause the decoy body  13  to rotate on the stake  15 . The directional stop means  61  will allow the decoy body  13  to move in the wind but limits the rotation to basically keep the decoy body  13  facing into the wind. However, if it is desired to prevent any movement of the decoy body  13  about a vertical axis, about the upper end  39  of the stake  15 , etc., with the stake  15  is anchored to the support surface S, the decoy body  13  is merely inserted over the upper end  39  of the stake  15  with decoy body  13  positioned so that the slot  103  in the funnel  43  is aligned over the arm member  67  of the first stop member  63  so that the arm member  67  will first engage the mouth portion  107  of the slot  103  and then be guided thereby into the upper end  105  of the slot  103 , whereby any and all rotational movement of the decoy body  13  on the upper end  39  of the stake  15  will be prevented so that the decoy body  13  will not rotate about a vertical axis, etc., regardless of the wind, etc. Without the directional stop means  61  or directional lock means  101 , high winds could cause the decoy body  13  to spin in circles, creating a very un-natural look. 
   Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments and a preferred use therefor, it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention.