Patent Abstract:
A “full body” turkey decoy having one or more of a movable head and a movable neck is controlled remotely by the operator to produce a life-like animation of the decoy. The movable head bobs to the ground and the movable neck arches and straightens, simulating realistic activity. The movable components of the decoy are controlled remotely by means of one or more pull cords, with movement of the components achieved by the use of springs and counterweights.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 13/465,101, filed May 7, 2012 and currently pending, entitled Turkey Decoy, by Mitchell W. Beal, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to the field of game decoys. More particularly, the present invention is directed to turkey decoys having movement to simulate live wild turkeys. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0005]    Turkey decoys are well known in the art. They are used primarily by hunters to attract wild turkeys, though bird watchers also use them. They range from simple, two dimensional cardboard cutouts to realistic three dimensional designs with moving components intended to simulate live turkeys. 
         [0006]    Of the turkey decoys that use moving components to simulate live turkeys, most are either limited in the types of movement or limited in the control of the movement, or overly complex and too expensive. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,274,942, to Lanius (Jan. 4, 1994), discloses a turkey decoy having a head/neck component that pivots forward and backward and is activated by a string. U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,322, to Samaras (Jul. 25, 2000), discloses a turkey decoy with a movable head. The head is attached to the body by a hook and loop assembly, with movement achieved by naturally occurring wind. U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,440, to Summers, et al. (Mar. 23, 2004), discloses a robotic turkey decoy mounted on a movable self-propelled frame and having a fannable tail assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,943, to Loughman (Aug. 17, 2004), discloses a turkey decoy with a separate (unattached) rotating tail structure operated by a pull string. U.S. Pat. No. 7,287,352, to Kirby (Oct. 30, 2007), discloses a turkey decoy with a movable anterior portion (head/neck/shoulders) and/or a movable posterior portion (tail/haunch). Movement of either portion is accomplished by a motor and a remote electronic transmitting device. 
         [0007]    All of the foregoing designs are limited in the type of movement or the control of the movement. Decoys that depend on naturally occurring wind are useless when the wind does not blow. Decoys that are movable in just one portion do not accurately simulate a live bird. Decoys that require electronic devices to effect movement are too expensive and complicated. Decoys which do not utilize fanning simulated tails are not life-like enough. 
         [0008]    It is therefore shown that there is a need for a life-like turkey decoy that has multiple movable components to accurately simulate a live turkey while being remotely controlled by an operator, and being inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use and maintain. 
         [0009]    It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a life-like turkey decoy with multiple movable components. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a life-like turkey decoy with multiple movable components that are controllable by a remote operator. 
         [0011]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a life-like turkey decoy with multiple movable components that are independently controllable by a remote operator. 
         [0012]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a life-like turkey decoy that simulates a fannable tail. 
         [0013]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a life-like turkey decoy that uses real turkey feathers in a fannable tail. 
         [0014]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a life-like turkey decoy that is inexpensive to manufacture. 
         [0015]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a life-like turkey decoy that is easy to use and maintain. 
         [0016]    Other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the description that follows. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The present invention comprises a turkey decoy with separately movably head, neck, and tail assemblies, together with tail fanning capabilities, to mimic the activities of an adult turkey. The movement of the head, neck, tail, and tail fanning assemblies is accomplished by a remote operator, to minimize detection by the prey turkey while providing specific control to the movements of the decoy independently of environmental considerations, such as the lack of wind. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment the turkey decoy comprises a full body member representation of the torso of an adult turkey, together with a securing member adapted to secure the full body member to the ground. Movably coupled to the full body member are a neck member and a tail support member, with the neck member having a head member attached and the tail support member having a tail member attached. The head member is a representation of the head of an adult turkey, and the tail member is a representation of the tail of an adult turkey. The tail member may comprise a plurality of real or artificial turkey feathers and is capable of being fanned, i.e., having the feathers movable to either a spread out orientation or a compact orientation. 
         [0019]    The neck moving mechanism is counterweighted, keeping the neck member in a substantially upright position until movement is initiated by the operator. A cord attached to the neck moving mechanism allows the neck member to be moved downward, simulating a turkey bending its neck towards the ground. The cord may be moved by the operator pulling on it, or by an electric actuator moving it upon receipt of a communication signal. Release of the cord allows the counterweighted neck moving mechanism to return to the upright position. Optionally, the head member may be moved relative to the neck member, where a cord bends a spring connecting the head member to the neck member, simulating a turkey pecking at the ground. 
         [0020]    The tail support moving mechanism ordinarily keeps the tail member in a substantially downward position until movement is initiated by the operator. A cord attached to the tail support moving mechanism allows the tail support member to be moved upward, simulating a turkey raising its tail to attract a mate. The cord may be moved by the operator pulling on it, or by an electric actuator moving it upon receipt of a communication signal. Release of the cord allows the tail support moving mechanism to return to the downward position. Optionally, the tail fanning member may be moved, where a cord bends a spring connected to the feathers, causing the feathers to fan, simulating a turkey&#39;s mating display. 
         [0021]    One or more of the movements described above may be present in a given embodiment of the decoy of the present invention. Where more than one movement is present, the movements may be independently activated by the remote operator or integrated so they occur substantially simultaneously with each other. 
         [0022]    Other features and advantages of the present invention are described below. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective side view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of the embodiment of the device depicted in  FIG. 1 , with ghost lines to show the interior of the decoy. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of the embodiment of the device depicted in  FIG. 1 , with ghost lines to show movement of the decoy. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of the neck member of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the neck member depicted in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 4C  is a front view of the neck member depicted in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0029]      FIG. 4D  is a top view of the neck member depicted in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 5A  is a top view of the tail support member of yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5B  is a front view of the tail support member depicted in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 5C  is a side view of the tail support member depicted in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0033]      FIG. 5D  is a perspective front view of the tail support mechanism depicted in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0034]      FIG. 5E  is a perspective rear view of the tail support mechanism depicted in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0035]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of the tail support mechanism depicted in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0036]      FIG. 6B  is a front view of the tail support mechanism depicted in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  is a perspective side view of yet another embodiment of the device of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    The present invention discloses a “full body” turkey decoy  1  having one or more of a movable head, movable neck, or movable tail. See  FIG. 1 . The decoy  1  is comprised of a full body member  100 , a securing member  180 , a neck member  200 , a head member  240 , and a tail member  500 . 
         [0039]    The full body member  100  is a substantially life-size representation of the torso of an adult turkey, either male or female. The full body member  100  is substantially hollow and has an interior  110 . See  FIG. 2 . It may be made of molded plastic, vinyl, foam, or polyethylene. Its exterior may be painted with realistic coloration, and real or artificial feathers  510  may be attached to the exterior. The full body member  100  may be rigid or semi-flexible, but it must be able to hold its shape and moreover to contain internal components without distorting to any significant degree. Turkey decoys having these characteristics are well known in the art. 
         [0040]    The securing member  180  must be substantially rigid and may be constructed of metal, wood, plastic, composite materials, and the like. It has a distal end  184  suitably adapted to be inserted into the ground. The distal end  184  of the securing member  180  may be pointed to ease insertion into the ground. The full body member  100  is attached to the proximate end  182  of the securing member  180  by an attachment component  140 . The attachment component  140  may fixedly attach the full body member  100  to the securing member  180  or removably attach the full body member  100  to the securing member  180 . In one embodiment the securing member  180  is a stake. 
         [0041]    The neck member  200  is attached to the anterior portion  112  of the full body member  100 . The neck member  200  may be fixedly attached to the full body member  100  or it may be removably attached to the full body member  100 . 
         [0042]    The head member  240  is attached to the neck member  200 . See  FIG. 7 . The head member  240  may be fixedly attached to the neck member  200  or it may be movably attached to the head member  240 . The head member  240  preferably is a representation of the head of an adult turkey. It may be made of molded plastic, vinyl, foam, or polyethylene. Its exterior may be painted with realistic coloration, and real or artificial feathers  510  may be attached to its exterior. 
         [0043]    The tail member  500  is attached to the posterior portion  114  of the full body member  100 . See  FIG. 2 . The tail member  500  may be fixedly attached to the full body member  100  or it may be removably attached to the full body member  100 . The tail member  500  is a representation of the tail of an adult turkey. It comprises a plurality of feather members  510 . Each of the feather members  510  is a representation of a tail feather of an adult turkey. It may be made of a synthetic material, such as plastic or vinyl, or paper, or fabric. Such feather members  510  may be colored in the pattern of a natural turkey tail feather. In one embodiment natural feathers are used for the feather members  510 , preferably natural turkey tail feathers. Each feather member  510  comprises a vane  512  and a shaft  514 , with the shaft  514  integrated with the vane  512 . The shaft  514  has a distal portion  515  extending beyond the vane  512 . 
         [0044]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the decoy  1  further comprises a neck moving mechanism  300 . See  FIG. 4 . The neck moving mechanism  300  is suitably adapted to move the neck member  200  in relation to the full body member  100 . The neck moving mechanism  300  is further adapted to being controlled remotely by an operator. 
         [0045]    In one variant of this embodiment, the full body member  100  comprises a neck bracket  130  and the neck member  200  comprises a neck pivot rod  210 . The neck bracket  130  is located within and attached to the interior  110  of the full body member  100  within the anterior portion  112  of the full body member  100 . It may be constructed of any rigid material, such as plastic, metal, wood, and the like. See  FIG. 4 . 
         [0046]    The neck pivot rod  210  of this variant is substantially rigid and has a first end  212 , a second end  214 , and a central portion  216 . It may be constructed of any rigid material, such as plastic, metal, wood, and the like. The neck pivot rod  210  should have a bend in its central portion  216 , whereby the first end  212  of the neck pivot rod  210  forms an oblique angle with the second end  214  of the neck pivot rod  210 . Ideally the angle should be between 110 degrees and 160 degrees. Moreover, the first end  212  of the neck pivot rod  210  is oriented forward and substantially upward, while the second end  214  of the neck pivot rod  210  is oriented rearward and substantially downward. The head member  240  is attached to the first end  212  of the neck pivot rod  210 . See  FIG. 7 . 
         [0047]    The neck moving mechanism  300  of this variant comprises a neck pivot pin  310 , a neck counterweight  320 , and a neck control cord  330 . The neck pivot pin  310  is located within the central portion  216  of the neck pivot rod  210  and is suitably adapted to engage with the neck bracket  130 , such that the neck pivot rod  210  is capable of movement relative to the neck bracket  130  by pivoting about the neck pivot pin  310 . In one embodiment the central portion  216  of the neck pivot rod  210  comprises an aperture, said aperture passing through the thickness of the neck pivot rod  210  and being oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the neck pivot rod  210 . The neck pivot pin  310  is inserted into the aperture of the central portion  216  of the neck pivot rod  210  such that each end of the neck pivot pin  310  extends from the neck pivot rod  210 , with each end of the neck pivot pin  310  suitably adapted to engage with the neck bracket  130 . In this variant the neck bracket  130  is substantially circular and planar, and oriented substantially vertically within the full body member  100 . The neck bracket  130  has a central aperture, said aperture having a greater inside diameter than the thickness of the neck pivot rod  210 , so that the neck pivot rod  210  is inserted into and through the central aperture. A pair of through-apertures passing substantially through the width of the neck bracket  130  and intersecting the central aperture accommodates the ends of the neck pivot pin  310 . Alternatively, the neck moving mechanism  300  comprises a pair of neck pivot pins  310 , each located on opposite sides of the neck pivot rod  210 . 
         [0048]    The neck counterweight  320  in this variant is attached to the second end  214  of the neck pivot rod  210 . Any size counterweight that is suitable for moving the neck pivot rod  210  when the head member  240  is attached to the first end  212  of the neck pivot rod  210  is acceptable. In one alternative the second end  214  of the neck pivot rod  210  is threaded and the neck counterweight  320  is comprised of one or more metal nuts threaded onto the second end  214  of the neck pivot rod  210 . 
         [0049]    The neck control cord  330  in this variant has a first end  332  and a second end  334 , with the first end  332  of the neck control cord  330  attached to the neck pivot rod  210  at a location between the neck pivot pin  310  and the first end  212  of the neck pivot rod  210 . The neck control cord  330  may be made of any suitable material, such as twine, monofilament line, wire, cabling, and the like, or a combination of same. In alternative configurations, the neck pivot rod  210  may further comprise one or more neck control cord guides  340 . These neck control cord guides  340  are located on the neck pivot rod  210  at one or more locations between the neck pivot pin  310  and the first end  212  of the neck pivot rod  210 , on the underside of the neck pivot rod  210 . The neck control cord  330  engages with the one or more neck control cord guides  340  to facilitate movement of the neck pivot rod  210  when a force is applied to the neck control cord  330 . An example of a neck control cord guide  340  is an eyelet attached to the underside of the neck pivot rod  210 . The neck control cord  330  passes through the eyelet, with the eyelet keeping the neck control cord  330  along the neck pivot rod  210  from the first end  332  of the neck control cord  330  to the eyelet. 
         [0050]    In this variant, the operator controls the movement of the neck member  200  by applying or releasing a force, respectively, to the neck control cord  330 . The application of a force on the neck control cord  330  is suitably adapted to move the first end  212  of the neck pivot rod  210  in a substantially downward direction, simultaneously moving the second end  214  of the neck pivot rod  210  in a substantially upward direction. The release of a force from the neck control cord  330  allows the neck counterweight  320  to move the second end  214  of the neck pivot rod  210  in a substantially downward direction, simultaneously moving the first end  212  of the neck pivot rod  210  in a substantially upward direction. The applying or releasing of the force may be accomplished by the operator manually pulling on the neck control cord  330 . In such case the neck control cord  330  may be of considerable length, preferably of several dozen yards, to allow the operator to control the movement of the neck member  200  remotely and out of detection of intended prey turkeys. The applying or releasing of the force may alternatively be accomplished electronically. In such case the neck control cord  330  is relatively short and is attached to a small electronic actuator which is activated by a remote electronic signaling device. The operator transmits an electronic signal to the actuator which then applies a force to the neck control cord  330  or releases said force, as the case may be. Such electronic actuators and signaling devices are well known in the art, and may include infra red devices, radio frequency identification devices, radio transmitters, and the like. 
         [0051]    In a variant of this embodiment of the present invention, the neck pivot rod  210  is configured as described above. The neck moving mechanism  300  of this variant comprises a neck pivot pin  310  and a neck control cord  330 . The neck pivot pin  310  is located at the second end  214  of the neck pivot rod  210  and is suitably adapted to engage with the neck bracket  130 , such that the neck pivot rod  210  is capable of movement relative to the neck bracket  130  by pivoting about the neck pivot pin  310 . Alternatively, the neck moving mechanism  300  comprises a pair of neck pivot pins  310 , each located on opposite sides of the neck pivot rod  210 . In one embodiment the second end  214  of the neck pivot rod  210  comprises an aperture, as described above, to accommodate the one or more neck pivot pins  310 . 
         [0052]    There is no independent neck counterweight  320  in this variant; rather, the head member  240  acts as a counterweight. The neck control cord  330  in this variant is configured as described above. It is attached to the neck pivot rod  210  at a location between the neck pivot pin  310  and the first end  212  of the neck pivot rod  210 . In this variant, the operator controls the movement of the neck member  200  by applying or releasing a force, respectively, to the neck control cord  330 . The application of a force on the neck control cord  330  is suitably adapted to move the first end  212  of the neck pivot rod  210  in a substantially upward direction. The release of a force from the neck control cord  330  is suitably adapted to cause the weight of the head member  240  to move the first end  212  of the neck pivot rod  210  in a substantially downward direction. The applying or releasing of the force may be accomplished by the operator manually pulling on the neck control cord  330 , or by electronic means, as described above. In alternative configurations, the neck pivot rod  210  may further comprise one or more neck control cord guides  340 , as described above. 
         [0053]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the decoy  1  further comprises a head moving mechanism  400 . The head moving mechanism  400  is suitably adapted to move the head member  240  in relation to the neck member  200 , wherein the head member  240  is movably attached to the neck member  200 . The head moving mechanism  400  is further adapted to being controlled remotely by an operator. 
         [0054]    In one variant of this embodiment, the head moving mechanism  400  comprises a head spring  410  and a head control cord  430 . See  FIG. 4 . The head spring  410  has a first end  412  and a second end  414 . The head member  240  is attached to the first end  412  of the head spring  410 , and the head spring  410  is attached at its second end  414  to the neck member  200 . The head spring  410  can be any type of spring suitable for its purpose, which is to be capable of remaining suitably in an unbent orientation with the head member  240  attached, but also capable of being bent when a force is applied to its first end  412 . In the preferred embodiment the head spring  410  is made of metal. 
         [0055]    The head control cord  430  in this variant has a first end and a second end, with the first end of the head control cord  430  attached to the first end  412  of the head spring  410  or to the head member  240 . The head control cord  430  may be made of any suitable material, such as twine, monofilament line, wire, cabling, and the like, or a combination of same. 
         [0056]    In this variant the operator controls the movement of the head moving mechanism  400  by applying or releasing a force, respectively, to the head control cord  430 . The application of a force on the head control cord  430  is suitably adapted to cause a bending of the head spring  410  in a substantially downward direction. The release of a force from the head control cord  430  is suitably adapted to allow for the unbending of the head spring  410 , returning the head spring  410  to a substantially straightened orientation. The applying or releasing of the force may be accomplished by the operator manually pulling on the head control cord  430 . In such case the head control cord  430  may be of considerable length, preferably of several dozen yards, to allow the operator to control the movement of the head member  240  remotely and out of detection of intended prey turkeys. The applying or releasing of the force may alternatively be accomplished electronically. In such case the head control cord  430  is relatively short and is attached to a small electronic actuator which is activated by a remote electronic signaling device. The operator sends an electronic signal to the actuator which then applies a force to the head control cord  430  or releases said force, as the case may be. 
         [0057]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the decoy  1  further comprises a head moving mechanism  400  integrated with the neck moving mechanism  300 . In one variant of this embodiment, the neck moving mechanism  300  is configured as described above, comprising one or more neck pivot pins  310 , a neck counterweight  320 , and a neck control cord  330 , as described above, with the full body member  100  comprising a neck bracket  130 , as described above, and the neck member  200  comprising a neck pivot rod  210 , as described above. The head moving mechanism  400  comprises a head spring  410 , as described above, but also utilizes the neck control cord  330  rather than a separate head control cord  430 . In this variant the first end  332  of the neck control cord  330  is attached to the first end  412  of the head spring  410 . 
         [0058]    In this variant the operator controls the movement of the head moving mechanism  400  by applying or releasing a force, respectively, to the neck control cord  330 . The application of a force on the neck control cord  330  is suitably adapted to cause a bending of the head spring  410  in a substantially downward direction and the movement of the first end  212  of the neck pivot rod  210  in a substantially downward direction and the movement of the second end  214  of the neck pivot rod  210  in a substantially upward direction. The release of a force from the neck control cord  330  allows for the unbending of the head spring  410 , returning the head spring  410  to a substantially straightened orientation, and causes the neck counterweight  320  to move the second end  214  of the neck pivot rod  210  in a substantially downward direction while simultaneously moving the first end  212  of the neck pivot rod  210  in a substantially upward direction. As described above, the applying or releasing of the force may be accomplished by the operator manually pulling on the neck control cord  330 , or by electronic means. 
         [0059]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the neck member  200  is integrated with the full body member  100 , is substantially flexible, and is capable of being moved into a flexed orientation. The flexibility of the neck member  200  causes it to have a bias toward being in a straightened orientation. In this embodiment the neck moving mechanism  300  comprises a neck control cord  330 , with the first end  332  of the neck control cord  330  being attached to the neck member  200 . The operator controls the movement of the neck member  200  by applying or releasing a force, respectively, to the neck control cord  330 , whereby the application of a force on the neck control cord  330  causes a flexing of the neck member  200  in a substantially downward direction, and the release of a force from the neck control cord  330  causes the unflexing of the neck member  200 , returning it to a substantially straightened orientation. 
         [0060]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the decoy  1  comprises a tail support member  600  and a tail support moving mechanism  700 . See  FIG. 5 . The tail support member  600  is movably attached to the posterior portion  114  of the full body member  100 , and is suitably adapted to support the tail member  500  and to attach the tail member  500  to the full body member  100 . The tail support moving mechanism  700  is suitably adapted to move the tail support member  600  in relation to the full body member  100 , and is further adapted to being controlled remotely by an operator. 
         [0061]    In one variant of this embodiment, the full body member  100  comprises a tail bracket  160  and the tail support member  600  comprises a tail pivot rod  610  and a support body  620 . The tail bracket  160  is located within and attached to the interior  110  of the full body member  100  within the posterior portion  114  of the full body member  100 . It may be constructed of any rigid material, such as plastic, metal, wood, and the like. 
         [0062]    The tail pivot rod  610  of this variant is substantially rigid and has a first end  612 , a second end, and a central portion  616 . It may be constructed of any rigid material, such as plastic, metal, wood, and the like. The tail pivot rod  610  should be substantially straight. 
         [0063]    The support body  620  of this variant is attached to the first end  612  of the tail pivot rod  610 . The support body  620  is adapted to contain the tail member  500 . The support body  620  has a first planar member  622  and a second planar member  624 , with the two planar members  622 , 624  being oriented substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other. The planar members  622 , 624  are held together by a base member  626 . The planar members  622 , 624  and the base member  626  may be made of any rigid material, such as plastic, metal, wood, and the like. The planar members  622 , 624  may be of any suitable shape, but preferably are each semi-circular and of substantially the same size as the other. The tail member  500  is located between the planar members  622 , 624 , with the feather members  510  of the tail member  500  at least partially extending outward from between the planar members  622 , 624 . 
         [0064]    The tail support moving mechanism  700  of this variant comprises a tail pivot pin  710  and a tail control cord  730 . A tail counterweight  720  may also be used to facilitate movement of the tail support member  600 . The tail pivot pin  710  is located within the central portion  616  of the tail pivot rod  610  and is suitably adapted to engage with the tail bracket  160 , such that the tail pivot rod  610  is capable of movement relative to the tail bracket  160  by pivoting about the tail pivot pin  710 . In an alternative embodiment the tail pivot pin  710  is located within the second end of the tail pivot rod  610 . In one embodiment the tail pivot rod  610  comprises an aperture, said aperture passing through the thickness of the tail pivot rod  610  and being oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tail pivot rod  610 . The tail pivot pin  710  is inserted into the aperture of the tail pivot rod  610  such that each end of the tail pivot pin  710  extends from the tail pivot rod  610 , with each end of the tail pivot pin  710  suitably adapted to engage with the tail bracket  160 . In one variant the tail bracket  160  is substantially “U” shaped and planar, and oriented substantially horizontally within the full body member  100 . The arms of the “U” of the tail bracket  160  are spaced apart sufficiently to accommodate the thickness of the tail pivot rod  610 , so that the tail pivot rod  610  is located between said arms. A pair of apertures, one located in each arm, accommodates the ends of the tail pivot pin  710 . The tail pivot pin  710  may be connected to the tail bracket  160  by other means, such as by flanges attached to the tail bracket  160 . Alternatively, the tail support moving mechanism  700  comprises a pair of tail pivot pins  710 , each located on opposite sides of the tail pivot rod  610 . 
         [0065]    Where the one or more tail pivot pins  710  are located with the central portion  616  of the tail pivot rod  610 , a tail counterweight  720  may be attached to the second end of the tail pivot rod  610  to assist with the movement of the tail support member  600 . Any size counterweight that is suitable for moving the tail pivot rod  610  when the tail support member  600  is attached to the first end  612  of the tail pivot rod  610  is acceptable. In one alternative the tail counterweight  720  is a solid mass affixed to the second end of the tail pivot rod  610 . In another alternative the second end of the tail pivot rod  610  is threaded and the tail counterweight  720  is comprised of one or more metal nuts threaded onto the second end of the tail pivot rod  610 . 
         [0066]    The tail control cord  730  in this variant has a first end  732  and a second end  734 , with the first end  732  of the tail control cord  730  attached to the tail pivot rod  610  at a location between the one or more tail pivot pins  710  and the first end  612  of the tail pivot rod  610 . The tail control cord  730  may be made of any suitable material, such as twine, monofilament line, wire, cabling, and the like, or a combination of same. In alternative configurations, the tail pivot rod  610  may further comprise one or more tail control cord guides  740 . These tail control cord guides  740  are located on the tail pivot rod  610  at one or more locations. The tail control cord  730  engages with the one or more tail control cord guides  740  to facilitate movement of the tail pivot rod  610  when a force is applied to the tail control cord  730 . An example of a tail control cord guide  740  is an aperture formed through the tail pivot rod  610 . The tail control cord  730  passes through the aperture, with the aperture keeping the tail control cord  730  along the tail pivot rod  610  from the first end  732  of the tail control cord  730  to the aperture. An alternate example of a tail control cord guide  740  is an L-shaped channel, with one end of the channel having an opening at the first end  612  of the tail pivot rod  610  and the other end of the channel having an opening through the side of the tail pivot rod  610 . The tail control cord  730  passes through the channel, thereby being redirected ninety degrees. This configuration facilitates integration of the tail fanning moving mechanism  900  with the tail support moving mechanism  700 . 
         [0067]    In this variant, the operator controls the movement of the tail support member  600  by applying or releasing a force, respectively, to the tail control cord  730 . The application of a force on the tail control cord  730  is suitably adapted to move the first end  612  of the tail pivot rod  610  in a substantially upward direction. The release of a force from the tail control cord  730  is suitably adapted to allow the first end  612  of the tail pivot rod  610  to move in a substantially downward direction. The applying or releasing of the force may be accomplished by the operator manually pulling on the tail control cord  730 . In such case the tail control cord  730  may be of considerable length, preferably of several dozen yards, to allow the operator to control the movement of the tail support member  600  remotely and out of detection of intended prey turkeys. The applying or releasing of the force may alternatively be accomplished electronically. In such case the tail control cord  730  is relatively short and is attached to a small electronic actuator which is activated by a remote electronic signaling device, as described above with regard to the neck moving mechanism  300 . Alternatively, the tail counterweight  720  may be configured to create movement of the tail pivot rod  610  in the opposite direction. That is, the application of a force on the tail control cord  730  moves the first end  612  of the tail pivot rod  610  in a substantially downward direction while simultaneously moving the second end of the tail pivot rod  610  in a substantially upward direction. The release of a force from the tail control cord  730  causes the tail counterweight  720  to move the second end of the tail pivot rod  610  in a substantially downward direction while simultaneously moving the first end  612  of the tail pivot rod  610  in a substantially upward direction. 
         [0068]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the decoy  1  further comprises a tail fanning mechanism  800  and a tail fanning moving mechanism  900 . See  FIG. 6 . The tail fanning mechanism  800  is suitably adapted to move the individual feather members  510  of the tail member  500  in relation to each other such that the feather members  510  may be positioned in a fanned state and an unfanned state. The tail fanning mechanism  800  is attached to the tail support member  600 . The tail fanning moving mechanism  900  is suitably adapted to cause the tail fanning mechanism  800  to move the feather members  510  to a fanned state and to an unfanned state. The tail fanning moving mechanism  900  is further adapted to being controlled remotely by an operator. 
         [0069]    In one variant of this embodiment, the tail fanning mechanism  800  comprises a tail spring  810 . The tail spring  810  is comprised of a plurality of coils  818  and has a first end  812 , a second end  814 , and a central portion  816  located between the first and second ends  812 , 814 . The tail spring  810  is attached at its central portion  816  to the tail support member  600  and positioned in a substantially horizontal orientation. The tail spring  810  can be any type of spring suitable for its purpose, which is to be capable of remaining suitably in an unbent orientation in the absence of external forces but also capable of being bent at both ends when a force is applied to its ends. In the preferred embodiment the tail spring  810  is made of metal. 
         [0070]    In this variant each of the feather members  510  of the tail member  500  is attached to one of the plurality of coils  818  of the tail spring  810 , one feather member  510  per coil  818 , with each feather member  510  extending in a substantially upward orientation relative to the tail spring  810 . In the preferred embodiment the distal portion  515  of the shaft  514  of each feather member  510  is attached to a coil  818 . 
         [0071]    In this variant the tail fanning moving mechanism  900  comprises a first cord  910 , a second cord  920 , and a tail control cord  730 . The first cord  910  has a first end  912  and a second end  914  and is attached to the first end  812  of the tail spring  810  by its first end  912 . The second cord  920  has a first end  922  and a second end  924  and is attached to the second end  814  of the tail spring  810  by its first end  922 . Movement of the first cord  910  applies a force to the first end  812  of the tail spring  810 , bending the first end  812  of the tail spring  810  in a substantially downward direction, and movement of the second cord  920  applies a force to the second end  814  of the tail spring  810 , bending the second end  814  of the tail spring  810  in a substantially downward direction. The tail control cord  730  has a first end  732  and a second end  734 , with the first end  732  of the tail control cord  730  attached to the second ends  914 , 924  of the first and second cords  910 , 920 . The first cord  910 , the second cord  920 , and the tail control cord  730  may be made of any suitable material, such as twine, monofilament line, wire, cabling, and the like, or a combination of same. 
         [0072]    In this variant, the operator controls the fanning and unfanning of the feather members  510  of the tail member  500  by applying or releasing a force, respectively, to the tail control cord  730 . The application of a force on the tail control cord  730  is suitably adapted to simultaneously move the first and second cords  910 , 920 , causing the substantially simultaneous bending of the first and second ends  812 , 814  of the tail spring  810  in a substantially downward direction, thereby moving the feather members  510  attached to the tail spring  810  to a fanned state. The release of the force from the tail control cord  730  is suitably adapted to cause the substantially simultaneous unbending of the first and second ends  812 , 814  of the tail spring  810 , returning the tail spring  810  to a substantially unbent orientation, thereby moving the feather members  510  to an unfanned state. The applying or releasing of the force may be accomplished by the operator manually pulling on the tail control cord  730 . In such case the tail control cord  730  may be of considerable length, preferably of several dozen yards, to allow the operator to control the movement of the tail support member  600  remotely and out of detection of intended prey turkeys. The applying or releasing of the force may alternatively be accomplished electronically. In such case the tail control cord  730  is relatively short and is attached to a small electronic actuator which is activated by a remote electronic signaling device, as described above with regard to the tail support moving mechanism  700 . 
         [0073]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the decoy  1  further comprises a tail fanning mechanism  800  and a tail fanning moving mechanism  900  integrated with the tail support moving mechanism  700 . In one variant of this embodiment, the tail support moving mechanism  700  is configured as described above, comprising one or more tail pivot pins  710  and a tail control cord  730 , as described above, with the full body member  100  comprising a tail bracket  160 , as described above, and the tail support member  600  comprising a tail pivot rod  610 , as described above. The tail fanning mechanism  800  comprises a tail spring  810 , as described above. The tail fanning moving mechanism  900  comprises a first and second cord  910 , 920 , as described above, but utilizes the same tail control cord  730  as is used by the tail support moving mechanism  700 , rather than a separate tail control cord  730 . In this variant the first end  732  of the tail control cord  730  is attached to the second ends  914 , 924  of the first and second cords  910 , 920  of the tail fanning moving mechanism  900 . 
         [0074]    In this variant the operator controls the movement of the tail support moving mechanism  700  by applying or releasing a force, respectively, to the tail control cord  730 . The application of a force on the tail control cord  730  is suitably adapted to cause the movement of the first end  612  of the tail pivot rod  610  in a substantially upward direction, while simultaneously causing a bending of the ends of the tail spring  810  in a substantially downward direction, moving the feather members  510  to a fanned state. The release of a force from the tail control cord  730  is suitably adapted to allow the first end  612  of the tail pivot rod  610  to move in a substantially downward direction while simultaneously causing the unbending of the tail spring  810 , moving the feather members  510  to an unfanned state. As described above, the applying or releasing of the force may be accomplished by the operator manually pulling on the tail control cord  730 , or by electronic means. 
         [0075]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the decoy  1  comprises the neck moving mechanism  300 , the head moving mechanism  400 , the tail support moving mechanism  700 , the tail fanning mechanism  800 , and the tail fanning moving mechanism  900 , as described above. The neck moving mechanism  300  and the head moving mechanism  400  may be separately controlled or integrated with a single control. Similarly, the tail support moving mechanism  700  and the tail fanning moving mechanism  900  may be separately controlled or integrated with a single control. Each of these mechanisms may be configured as described above. As further described above, the applying or releasing of forces on the control means of the various mechanisms may be accomplished by an operator manually pulling on the various control cords, or by electronic means. 
         [0076]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the decoy  1  comprises the neck moving mechanism  300 , the tail support moving mechanism  700 , the tail fanning mechanism  800 , and the tail fanning moving mechanism  900 , as described above. The neck moving mechanism  300 , the tail support moving mechanism  700 , and the tail fanning moving mechanism  900  are integrated with a single control. See  FIG. 3 . Each of these mechanisms may be configured as described above, with the neck moving mechanism  300  being the variant whereby no neck counterweight  320  is used and the application of a force to the neck control cord  330  moves the first end  212  of the neck pivot rod  210  in a substantially upward direction. In this embodiment the second end  334  of the neck control cord  330  is attached to the tail control cord  730 ; the applying or releasing of forces on the tail control cord  730  thus simultaneously operates the neck control cord  330 . In an alternative to this embodiment, the second end  734  of the tail control cord  730  is attached to the neck control cord  330 ; the applying or releasing of forces on the neck control cord  330  thus simultaneously operates the tail control cord  730 . As further described above, the applying or releasing of forces on the control means of the various mechanisms may be accomplished by an operator manually pulling on the tail control cord  730  or the neck control cord  330 , as applicable, or by electronic means. 
         [0077]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the decoy  1  comprises the tail support moving mechanism  700 , as described above and the full body member  100  comprises a back member  1000 . The back member  1000  is located on the upper side of the full body member  100  between the anterior portion  112  and the posterior portion  114  of the full body member  100 . The back member  1000  is movable in relation to the remainder of the full body member  100 , adding to the realism of the decoy  1 . The back member  1000  comprises a plurality of ribs  1010 , each rib being substantially “U” shaped. The ends of each rib  1010  are pivotally attached to the full body member  100  on either side of the full body member  100 , such that each rib  1010  laterally spans the full body member  100 . The back member  1000  further comprises a lifting rod  1020 . The lifting rod  1020  is elongate and substantially flexible. It is located under the plurality of ribs  1010 , substantially along the longitudinal axis of the decoy  1 . The first end of the lifting rod  1020  is attached to the anterior portion  112  of the full body member  100  and the second end of the lifting rod  1020  is attached to the tail support member  600 . The lifting rod  1020  is bowed slightly upwards when the tail support member  600  is oriented substantially downward. The back member  1000  further comprises a back member cover  1030 . The back member cover  1030  is attached to the plurality of ribs  1010 . The back member  1000 , then, is seen to be formed of three layers: the back member cover  1030 , being the top layer, the lifting rod  1020 , being the lowest layer, and the plurality of ribs  1010  being the intermediate layer. The plurality of ribs  1010  are further oriented such that the bend of each rib  1010  extends rearward. In this embodiment, movement of the tail support member  600  causes the lifting and falling of the back member  1000 . That is, movement of the tail support member  600  in a substantially upward direction causes the lifting rod  1020  to flex upward. As the lifting rod  1020  flexes upward it presses against the plurality of ribs  1010 , causing them to pivot in a substantially upward direction. The pivoting of the ribs  1010  in an upward direction causing the back member cover  1030  to be moved in a substantially upward direction. Movement of the tail support member  600  in a substantially downward direction causes the lifting rod  1020  to straighten. The weight of the back member cover  1030  then presses the ribs  1010  in a substantially downward direction, allowing the back member cover  1030  to move in a substantially downward direction. In one embodiment the back cover member  1030  is comprised of a plurality of feather members. Thus, the raising and lowering of the back member cover  1030  simulates the ruffing of feathers on a live turkey. 
         [0078]    What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the turkey decoy  1  of the present invention, along with some it its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention in which all terms are meant in their broadest, reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Other embodiments not specifically set forth herein are therefore also within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0