Abstract:
A decoy comprising an outer body that resembles a creature of nature and an appendage that moves relative to the outer body. The outer body defining the outer limits of an inner cavity and including at least one opening. The appendage being joined to the decoy at an appendage joint spaced from the outer body and within the inner cavity, such that the appendage extends from the opening and moves relative to the outer body about a pivot point at least partially within the inner cavity.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/626,419 filed on Nov. 9, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention of this application concerns improved bird hunting decoys, and more particularly, to a decoy structure that produces realistic body movement. A hunting decoy according to the present invention, for example, can be shaped and colored to represent a water fowl such as a duck. However, the invention of this application has much broader applications and should not be limited to a specific type of decoy and/or hunting decoy.  
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE  
       [0003]     The invention of this application relates to animal figurines that can be used as hunting decoys. Lindaman U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,216,382 and 6,481,147 disclose hunting decoys, including a hollow decoy structure and a support stake support structure, and are hereby incorporated by reference for showing the same. Samaras U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,322 discloses a decoy with moving body parts and is also incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. Sroka U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,531 describes a bird decoy with motion associated with the decoy&#39;s head and neck and is also incorporated by reference herein for showing the same.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Decoys are known in various shapes and colors to resemble specific animals, a familiar example being game birds. The decoys may be attractive to the corresponding species of game animal or to a different species, as a result of various instincts. These include, for example, social herding or similar safety-in-numbers instincts, predation or other expectation of finding food, opportunities for procreation, the urge to maintain territorial exclusivity, establishment of a place in a hierarchical pecking order, etc.  
         [0005]     A decoy advantageously resembles a particular species accurately, at least as to attributes that a target species is inclined to notice. The decoy may be quite realistic, or may simply have critical attributes in common with the particular species it emulates, such as a comparable silhouette, color, movement, sound, odor, etc.  
         [0006]     Decoys that appear realistic to humans are more popular among hunters than those that are obviously artificial. The target species may be prone to respond, positively or negatively, to the same aspects as humans, or possibly other aspects. Visually, many animals are highly sensitive to motion.  
         [0007]     Visual mimicry is an important consideration, but not the only one. Decoys should be inexpensive to manufacture. The decoy should be compact or subject to packing in a manner that permits a hunter to carry a number of decoys into the field. The decoys should individually be very easy to deploy, quickly and silently, in any terrain that may be encountered, such as open grassland, woods or scrub vegetation.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,531 describes a bird decoy with motion associated with the head and neck. The decoy body is stationary. A one-piece head-and-neck portion is mounted to the body so that the head and neck may tilt when sufficient wind prevails. The decoy is helpful in that it moves, but it is not representative of a live animal, since the pivot point of the decoy is unnatural. This produces the appearance of displacement of an integrally rigid head and neck relative to the body. Further, the range of motion is limited based on the pivot point of the head and neck assembly, which makes the decoy of the &#39;531 patent appear unnatural. Further, the pivot point of the movement creates a condition where the head and neck assembly creates greater friction and, therefore, produces less movement in response to wind or other natural forces.  
         [0009]     A game animal is sensitive to motion and expects to see realistic motion in live animals. Suspicious, unrealistic motion detracts from the effectiveness of the decoy. A group of decoy bodies that spin on their axes in a relatively uncontrolled and mechanical way, facing in random directions at any given time, and possibly spinning through more than 180 or even 360 degrees is suspicious, even if the static shape and color of the decoys is highly realistic. Further, decoys with unnatural head motion will be less effective in operation. The motion of the head needs to be as representative as possible to the natural head and neck motion of the particular game animal to be effective.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention is applicable generally to visual decoys that are intended to approximate the appearance of a particular species, and preferably to exhibit realistic forms of motion. The decoys may represent any species and/or gender to which animals instinctively respond. With respect to this application, the discussion will be limited to water fowl and, in particular, ducks. However, this application has much a broader application and can be practiced in connection with a wide range of decoys and/or hunting decoys. For example, the invention can be applied to decoys representing animals that frequent dry land or water, mammals or birds, prey animals or predators, etc. Further, the invention of this application can be used in connection with predator animals to prevent damage from unwanted wildlife or any other use associated with simulating wildlife.  
         [0011]     In accordance with the present invention, a decoy is provided which advantageously produces lifelike motion by including an appendage that is joined to the decoy body at a point below the outer body surface such that the appendage, such as a head and neck assembly, can move relative to the decoy body at a pivot point at least partially below the outer body surface.  
         [0012]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, provided is an appendage mounting structure that can be used in connection with a general upwardly extending body cavity for use with both spring and non-spring head actuating mechanisms.  
         [0013]     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, provided is a damping mechanism that can be used to help restrict the movement of the decoy body and the decoy head. The damping device can be, for example, a rubber or polymer sleeve coaxial to and covering the spring mechanisms. In another embodiment, the damping or homing of the moving parts relative to the other components can be achieved by the shaped relationship between the moving parts such as by detents in one or more of the components of the movement joints or even the shape of the cavity opening.  
         [0014]     In accordance with even yet another aspect of the present invention, the decoy of the present invention can be designed to be used on both land and water.  
         [0015]     These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following discussion on embodiments of this application. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The foregoing will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out more fully hereinafter in connection with a written description of preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoy assembly according to one aspect of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoy assembly of another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoy assembly of yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a head cavity shown in  FIG. 3  with the weight in a first position;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the head cavity shown in  FIG. 3  with the weight in a second position;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoy assembly of yet a further embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoy assembly of another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoy assembly of a further embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoy assembly of even yet a further embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoy assembly of yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoy assembly of even yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoy assembly of a further embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoy assembly of another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoy assembly of yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 15  is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoy assembly of yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 17  is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoy assembly of a further embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 18  is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoy assembly of yet a further embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 19  is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines  19 - 19  of  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 20  is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines  20 - 20  of  FIG. 18 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 21  is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20 ; and,  
         [0038]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of an outer decoy body showing the head cavity.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]     Referring now in greater detail to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention,  FIG. 1  illustrates a decoy  10  assembly according to one aspect of the invention, specifically a duck decoy, shown in cross section through a medial plane.  FIG. 22  shows a front perspective view of body  20 . The assembly generally comprises a decoy body  20  and a head assembly  30  joined to body  20  by a pivoting assembly  32 . More particularly, body  20 , which can be made by any manufacturing technique known in the art including, but not limited to, blow molding, is a closed chamber body having a large closed chamber  22  that can include a flat bottom  24  which allows decoy  10  to be placed on the ground and/or, which will be discussed in greater detail below, on water.  
         [0040]     Body  20  includes a head cavity  28  that can extend between bottom  24  and a top body surface  34  which has an upper opening  38 . In this embodiment, cavity  28  is a closed, cupped shaped cavity with a side wall  40  extending between bottom  24  and opening  38 . While the bottom of cavity  28  is shown to be a portion of bottom  24  of body  20 , cavity  28  can include a separate bottom that is adjacent and/or spaced from bottom  24 .  
         [0041]     Head assembly  30  includes a head  50  and a neck  52 , and the assembly is pivotably joined to body  20  by pivoting assembly  32 . In this respect, assembly  32  includes a flexible member  54  extending between a base joint  60  on bottom  24  and a head joint  62  on head assembly  30 . Since base joint  60  is at or near bottom  24 , the point of pivotable motion of head assembly  30  is near bottom  24 , which produces a more realistic head motion. While not shown, the motion of the head assembly can be restricted by the size and/or shape of opening  38  which can be configured differently than walls  40 . As can be appreciated, motion of head assembly  30 , if excessive, can appear unnatural and can cause increased wear to the pivoting assembly and/or other components of decoy  10 .  
         [0042]     While not fully shown, body  20  and head assembly  30  can be configured and/or colored any way known in the art to produce a desired look without detracting from the invention of this application.  
         [0043]     In the following discussions concerning other embodiments of this application, reference to similar components as discussed above will include the same reference numbers as described above. However, as can be appreciated, use of like reference numbers does not mean that the particular component must be identical in all respects.  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , shown is decoy  70  having a decoy body  20  and a head assembly  30  with a similar pivoting assembly  32 . However, decoy  70  includes a shortened cavity  72  having a bottom  74  spaced from body bottom  24 . As a result, cavity walls  76  are shorter than those discussed above, and pivoting assembly  32  can include a shortened flexible member  78 . As can be appreciated, spacing the cavity bottom from the body bottom can be used to adjust the pivot point of the head assembly. However, as will be discussed in greater detail below, other methods can be used to change the pivot point of the head assembly without detracting from the invention of this application.  
         [0045]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , shown is decoy  90  having a decoy body  20  and a head assembly  30  including a pivoting assembly  92 . More particularly, pivot assembly  92  includes a pivoting or articulating connector  94  and a weighted arm  96  that work together to produce a desire motion. Pivoting connector  94  includes a loop  100  connected to body  20  and a loop  102  connected to head assembly  30 . While loops are shown, any known pivoting connector can be used without detracting from the invention of this application. Further, as can be appreciated, the connector, as will be discussed in greater detail below, can also be designed to allow the head assembly to be removed from the body. Pivoting assembly  92  includes a weight  106  and an arm  108  that space weight  106  sufficiently from pivot  94  to produce the desired home position of the head assembly. As can be appreciated, based on the spacing between joint  94  and weight  106 , a center of downward force  110  is produced, which controls the home position of the head assembly. However, wind and movement of water can easily cause motion in the head assembly. Decoy  90  can further include a mount  112  on head assembly  30  to better secure connect arm  108  thereto.  
         [0046]     Pivoting assembly  92  can also be adjustable. In this respect, weight  106  can move relative to arm  108 , and/or arm  108  can move relative to head assembly  30  to change downward force center  110  of the assembly. With special reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , shown is pivoting assembly  92  in a first position  92 A and a second position  92 B, respectively. The change in position between  92 A and  92 B, is a result of the rotation of weight  106  relative to arm  108 , along with the off-center connection between the weight and the arm. As a result, weight center  110 B is forward of weight center  110 A, thereby causing the home position of head assembly  30  to rotate forwardly about joint  94 . As can be appreciated,  92 A and  92 B represent only two adjustment points, and pivot assembly  92  can also be only partially rotated to produce less significant variations in the home position.  
         [0047]     As is discussed above, decoy  90 , as with other embodiments of the present invention, can include a removable head assembly so that different head configurations or designs can be used with the same decoy body, and/or the decoy can be stored more efficiently, as will be discussed in greater detail below. In this respect, ring  100  and/or ring  102  can be a hook or other detachable configuration and or can include any one of a number of clasps known in the art. As is also shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , joint  94  can include a hook  100  that is connected to a downward leg  120 , such that hook  100  and leg  120  are L-shaped. Further, hook  100  and leg  120  can be made from a wire. Further, leg  120  can have a detent  122 , such that leg  120  is frictionally receivable in a channel  124 . More particularly, channel  124  can have an opening or recess  126  shaped and/or sized to receive detent  122 , wherein, as leg  120  is pushed into channel  124 , detent  122  enters opening  126  and frictionally locks hook  100  relative to body  20 . Further, leg  120  and hook  100  can be removed from channel  124  by deforming detent  122 . Again, while one particular configuration of a removable assembly is shown, any known mechanism in the art can be used for joint  94  to allow the head assembly to be selectively removed.  
         [0048]     As is discussed above, the decoys of this application can also be used in water. In this respect, as is shown in  FIG. 6 , decoy  90  can be positioned in water  130 . In order to make the decoy more stable in water, decoy  90  can include a keel  132 , which can be a weighted keel. Other weighting systems known in the art are water chambers, which will be discussed below. These systems can be used to make sure decoy  90  maintains a more upright position. Keel  132  can also be a weighted keel, in that a keel base  134  is filled with a heavy material such as sand. Keel  132  is joined to decoy body  20  by a vertical strip  136  and can be joined to the body using any method known in the art. Further, as is also known in the art, keel  132  can also be detachable, so that decoy  90  can be used for both land applications and water applications. Further, while not shown, the decoy of this application can be configured to be used with a separate mounting apparatus, such as a mounting stake, for even further versatility. In order to better balance the decoy for use in water, and/or to compensate for weight  106  of pivot assembly  92 , keel  132  can also include a weight  140  that can be adjustable. In this embodiment, weight  140  is positioned on the rear of keel  132  and is sized to account for weight  106 .  
         [0049]     With reference to  FIG. 7 , and as is also discussed above, the body cavity can be reconfigured without detracting from the invention of this application. More particularly, decoy  150  includes a decoy body  152  having an opening  154  in upper surface  34  of the decoy. Body  152  further includes a bag  156  that produces a bag cavity  158  which is not dimensionally rigid. This configuration can produce a wider range of motion in head assembly  30 , in that pivot assembly  92  is virtually unobstructed by any side walls. Nonetheless, the use of a bag prevents water from entering buoyancy chamber  22 , which allows the decoy to remain buoyant in the water.  
         [0050]     With reference to  FIG. 8 , and as is also discussed above, the decoys of this application can be used for both land applications and water applications. Further, different components can be used interchangeably with different embodiments of this application, even though not shown with the particular embodiment. For example, decoy  10  can be used for water applications and can include keel  132 .  
         [0051]     With reference to  FIGS. 9-13 , decoys according to the present invention can include differing types of water chambers and/or buoyancy chambers that can be used to help stabilize the decoy in water applications, simplify design and/or manufacturing, and/or allow for more efficient storage of the decoy, and can be used for further reasons and/or benefits. In this respect, decoy  170  is shown to include a body  172  having a flow-through water chamber  174  and an air chamber  176  for a buoyancy chamber. Water is allowed to freely enter water chamber  174  by way of an opening  180  in the water chamber. Internal wall  182  can be used to separate the water from the air chamber to maintain a desired buoyancy of the decoy. As can be appreciated, the size of the water and air chambers is a function of a desired floating position of the decoy and can be altered without deviating from the invention of this application. Further, as is shown, water chamber  174  can be separated from cavity chamber  28  by a continuation of wall  40  to bottom  24 . As can be appreciated, water chamber  174  can be used to eliminate the need for keel  132 . Further, as is shown in  FIG. 10 , the decoy can include a shortened cavity wall  184 , such that the water can freely flow through cavity  186 .  
         [0052]     With reference to  FIG. 11 , decoy  190  is shown, which includes a flow-through cavity  192 . In this respect, decoy  190  has a decoy body  194  having both a top opening  38  and a bottom opening  196 , wherein water is free to flow through the cavity. Decoy body  194  can further include water chamber  174  that can be open to cavity  192  or can include a separate opening (not shown). Pivot mechanism  200  can be connected to the body by a cross member  202 , if the spring configuration is used, or can be jointed directly to the wall, for example, if the weighted configuration is used. The cross member can be joined to the body and/or a cavity wall  204  by any known method in the art.  
         [0053]     With reference to  FIG. 12 , decoy  220  is shown, which includes a decoy body  222  having a semi-dry chamber  224  and an air buoyancy chamber  226 . While water is capable of entering chamber  224 , there is no hole in the bottom portion of body  222  to allow the free flow of water into this chamber. As stated above, with respect to other embodiments of this application, keel  132  can also be used for this embodiment. As can be appreciated, based on the wind and other factors, water can be flat or can be choppy. As a result, water can enter through opening  38  into the decoy body for all embodiments. This water influences the buoyancy of the decoy and if the entering water is concentrated in one location, it can cause the decoy to tilt toward the position of the trapped water. By including a large semi-dry chamber, that water can be better dispersed naturally and will produce less tilting of the decoy.  
         [0054]     As can also be appreciated, molding individual chambers can increase the complexity of the molds and/or manufacturing techniques. As a result, and as is shown in  FIG. 13 , the air or dry chambers of the embodiments of this invention can be molded into the decoy body, or they can be a separate component. For example, decoy  220  can include a buoyant foam insert  230  that can be molded into body  222  or can be applied after body  222  is molded such as, but not limited to, by spraying an expandable foam into the body after the body is molded. Further, chamber  226  can be an inflatable chamber that is attached to or positioned within the body after molding and which can be used in connection with other manufacturing techniques to create a collapsible decoy. It should also be noted that the decoy can have an open bottom when a buoyancy chamber is used.  
         [0055]     With reference to  FIGS. 14-16 , shown are decoys which utilize a flow through or flooded chamber to produce a stabilizing effect on pivoting mechanism  92  and, thus, on the movement of the head assembly. This can be used to reduce the movement of the head assembly in windy conditions or the like. In this respect,  FIG. 14  shows a decoy  240  having decoy body  242  with an open chamber  242 . The same opening  180  can be used to allow the inflow of water  130 . Further, foam  230  can be used to maintain buoyancy. By flooding the chamber, the weighted portion can be at least partially submersed in water and is subjected to moving resistance by the water, which will have a damping effect. However, as can be appreciated, the configuration shown in  FIG. 14  can only be used with other flooded cavities. In yet another embodiment, the cavity can be selectively floodable. In this respect,  FIG. 15  shows decoy  90  which further includes a bottom opening  250  that is selectively closeable by a plug  252 . Therefore, the chamber can be flooded when desired or can be maintained substantially dry, based on the weather and/or other conditions. Further, based on the desired damping effect ( FIG. 16 ), weight  106  can include fins  260  and  262  to further dampen the motion of the head assembly.  
         [0056]     With reference to  FIGS. 17-21 , shown are decoys which utilize yet another support structure for the pivoting mechanism for the head assembly. While these embodiments show a flooded cavity, they can be utilized with a dry or semi-dry cavity sealed bottom or even partially opened bottoms or substantially opened bottom decoys and, therefore, the discussion will be limited to the pivoting mechanism. As can be appreciated, a rigid cavity design can be used with a flexible body to allow the decoy to collapse. This can include, but is not limited to, inflatable decoys with a rigid cup configuration.  
         [0057]      FIGS. 17 and 19  show a pivot mechanism  300  having a base arm  302  connected on both ends to chamber wall  304  by any known fastening mechanism, and the arm can even be molded into the chamber. Further, arm  302  can also be secured to chamber wall  304  at one point. For example, arm  302  can have self-locking mechanisms  306  molded into one or both ends, and wall  304  can include openings  305  shaped to receive the locking mechanisms such, that they can be pushed into but cannot be pulled out. Mechanism  300  can further include a spring base  310  mounted to arm  302  and shaped to receive the base of a flexible member  312 . The top of the flexible member  312  is joined to head assembly  30 . As with other embodiments, the head assembly can be designed to be selectively received by the flexible member to allow removal thereof for storage and/or the use of different head configurations. Further, the flexible member in the embodiments can be selectively replaceable to allow different motions to be used, based on the desired motion of the head and the weather condition. As discussed above, during more severe weather conditions, motion of the head may need to be restricted, which can include a damping mechanism extending about the flexible member, such as a polymer sleeve (not shown) and/or compressible inserts that can be positioned in the cavity (also not shown). By utilizing arm  302 , the base of the cavity is not needed (flooded chamber), and/or the base of the chamber does not need to be structurally sound, such as with an inflatable or other collapsible decoys. Further, openings  305  can be elongated openings to allow the base of the assembly to be moved up or down to allow use of differing flexible members and/or head assemblies to create different motions and/or appearances.  
         [0058]     With reference to  FIGS. 18, 20  and  21 , shown is pivot mechanism  350 , including a bar support  352  that is joined at either end to chamber wall  354 . As with the embodiments discussed above, support  352  can be joined by any mechanism known in the art, including self-locking tabs  356  that lock in openings  358  in wall  354 . Mechanism  350  further includes a flexible member mount  362  connected to bar  352 , which connects, at least selectively, a strip-like flexible member  364  to bar  352 . Flexible member  312  is connected to head assembly  30  at its opposite end. In this configuration, the head assembly is restricted to rocking motion in a vertical plane coplanar to the page about a horizontal axis extending out from the page. However, the positioning of this axis is below surface  34  of the decoy body, thereby creating a realistic head motion. In order to create motion in multiple planes, bar  352  can at least have ends which include a portion that allows the bar to at least partially rotate about an axis  370 . This can be used to create additional motion; Further, pivot mechanism  350 , which is also below surface  34 , can include a rotation limiter and/or centering device  380 . More particularly, bar  352  can include a locking portion  382  having a radially extending tab  384 . Wall  354  can include a lock aperture  386 , which can be formed in wall  354  and/or a separate component fixed to wall  354 . The tab of bar  352  extends into aperture  386 , wherein the wall of the aperture limits the rotation of the bar about axis  370 . Further, a biasing spring (not shown) can also be used to center the mechanism as is desired by the user.  
         [0059]     As with all embodiments, the flexible member can be any known flexible member including, but not limited to, a coil spring, a flat sheet spring or an elongated piece made from a flexible polymer.  
         [0060]     While considerable emphasis has been placed on the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.