Abstract:
An animal decoy is provided that is easy to assemble for field use and easy to transport. The animal decoy has three panels assembled to one another to extend outward at approximately equal angles from a central point. Each panel has a cutout in the body area in which a flexible link suspends a tail to be freely moved by a breeze. The panels are assembled by resilient straps to be folded for transport and storage and quickly unfolded for field use. A realistic decoy of the rear of an animal is seen when viewed from any angle, with a tail that moves in natural fashion.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the field of hunting decoys, and more particularly to deer decoys. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Animals communicate and convey emotions through what is commonly referred to as “body language.” In the case of many mammalian animals, including deer, the tail is a strong indicator of mood. When the animal is basically happy, the tail is active. When the animal is nervous, the tail is still, often held between the rear legs. In this manner, approaching animals receive non-verbal information from another animal in an area. If a large animal, e.g. a deer, is comfortably grazing, the tail is likely to be moving to indicate a safe environment and a happy mood. 
   Hunters use decoys to attract prey and improve the chance of having a successful hunt. Generally, the hunter treks a long distance into the woods for hunting. Since preferred prey are generally fairly large animals, the known decoys are large and difficult to transport. In certain cases, deer or similar decoys are made of multiple parts to be transported more easily. Such decoys require assembly for use and disassembly after use, which can be a time consuming task. Even when disassembled, the known large animal decoys are heavy and awkward to carry. Therefore, a need exists for a deer decoy that is easy to assemble and disassemble, lightweight and easy to carry. These criteria must be met while maintaining a high degree of decoy effectiveness. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The animal decoy of the present invention has three panels that are connected with straps. In transport condition, the three panels are folded into flat contact with one another. In condition for field use, the three panels are spread to extend out from a central connection hub. Each panel is in the form of one half the head and body of an animal, e.g. a deer, as seen from the rear. The three-panel field use assembly shows a rear profile of the animal from any viewing angle. The panels each have a cutout in the body portion sized to frame a tail that is hung therein by a flexible link, allowing the tail to swing naturally in a breeze. Cavities are provided on a tail suspender block to hold animal decoy scent. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is best understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which like elements are identified by similar reference numerals and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the animal decoy of the invention in fully assembled condition for field use. 
       FIG. 2A  is a top plan view of the animal decoy of  FIG. 1  in folded condition for transport or storage. 
       FIG. 2B  is a side elevation view of one panel of the animal decoy of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the animal decoy of  FIG. 1  taken in the direction indicated by line  3 - 3 . 
       FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a tail suspender of the invention. 
       FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a support cap of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded top plan view of a tail coupling and three tail panels of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of one panel of the tail. 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the tail coupling of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , animal decoy  10  is shown in top perspective view as being formed of three substantially planar panels  12   a ,  12   b  and  12   c . Each panel  12  is in the form substantially of one half an animal head and body as seen from behind. When two panels  12  are placed linearly next to one another, the appearance is of a complete deer head and body. Animal decoy  10  is preferably formed of three panels that are assembled at 120° angular spacing. With all three panels  12  being identical and thus assembled, a profile is seen of the rear of a full animal head and body from any viewing angle. While the description and drawing figures depict a deer, it is understood that the principles of the invention pertain to a variety of game animals. Panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  are attached to one another along mating edges by elastic connectors  16 , such as the self-locking plastic straps commonly used to bind a bundle of electrical wires together. A support  20  is connected by a support cap  22  that is configured to engage the lower edges of panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, support  20  is a hollow tube with a pointed lower end adapted for being driven into the ground for securely supporting animal decoy  10 . Alternate forms of support, e.g. a pedestal base, is considered within the scope of the present invention. 
   Each panel  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  is formed with a cutout  14  to create a cage-like opening when decoy  10  is assembled as shown. A tail suspender block  32 , to be described below, is mounted to the converging edges of panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  at the upper end of cutout  14 . A tail  30  is suspended in cutout  14  from tail suspender block  32  by a flexible link  34 , for example a loop of monofilament nylon fishing line, to allow tail  30  to freely move when contacted by a breeze. Tail  30  is also formed from three panels to appear three-dimensional and realistic when viewed from any angle. Tail  30  is smaller than cutout  14  to avoid contact with panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c , thus remaining free to sway and rotate. The location of cutout  14 , and therefore tail  30 , is the approximate anatomical position of a tail on an animal in relation to the head. Therefore, in field use, decoy  10  is placed in a forest setting with tail  30  suspended in cutout  14 . A breeze will cause tail  30  to swing from side to side, with the top of tail  30  connected to decoy  10  by link  34  and the bottom of tail  30  moving through an arc simulating natural tail movement. With tail  30  in swinging motion and decoy  10  stationary, a live animal approaching from any direction will perceive a content companion and will likely come closer to join in. Whereas the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes three body panels, it is recognized that an animal decoy having four or five panels would function similarly. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2A , panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  are depicted in folded condition for ease of carrying or storage. Panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  are in parallel contact with one another with connector  16  maintaining the integrity of the assembly. The inner edges of each panel  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  are formed at an angle X of approximately 60° to the plane of the major surfaces thereof to create a stable structure when panel  12   a  is rotated in the direction of arrow N and panel  12   c  is rotated in the direction of arrow M during assembly to form the configuration shown in  FIG. 3 . Connector  16  is assembled through panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  snugly enough to hold the panels closely together, while providing some slack and elasticity to allow the panels to be rotated as described. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2B , a single panel  12  is illustrated in side elevation view. It is noted that all panels  12  are substantially identical. A series of holes  18  are formed through panel  12  a selected distance from the linear edge thereof. Holes  18  are provided for receiving a series of connectors  16  (see  FIG. 2A ) to hold the three panels  12  together. Cutout  14  is formed in an shape to surround an animal&#39;s tail. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a cross sectional plan view of assembled decoy  10  is illustrated as taken in the direction of line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . Panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  are spread apart at equiangular orientations, being approximately 120° from one another. Panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  are held together with connector  16 . Connector  16  is under tension with panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  spread out as shown. Tail suspender block  32  is mounted to the edge of each panel  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  at the top of cutout  14  (see  FIG. 1 ). The angled edge of panel  12   a  engages the flat side surface of panel  12   c , with similar engagements between panels  12   c  and  12   b ,  12   b  and  12   a , leaving an open equilateral triangle between their mating edges. A hole  35  is formed through tail suspender block  32  for installation of link  34  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4A , a perspective view of tail suspender block  32  is shown with flexible link  34  extending from the lower surface thereof. Link  34  is preferably assembled to tail suspender block  32  by tying through hole  35  (see  FIG. 3 ) through the center of tail suspender block  32 . Three channels  38  are formed in the upper surface of tail suspender block  32 . Channels  38  are oriented at approximately 120° to one another and offset from the center of the circle to match the open triangle formed by the intersection of panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  (see  FIG. 3 ). The width of each channel  38  is sized to snugly hold panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c , respectively. An array of cavities  36 , e.g. three cavities, are formed in the upper surface of tail suspender block  32  to provide receptacles for holding a liquid or solid animal scent to enhance the decoy. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4B , support cap  22  is shown in perspective view. The upper surface of support cap  22  is formed with a series of three channels  28  that are oriented at approximately 120° to one another and offset from the center of the circle to match the open triangle formed by the intersection of panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  (see  FIG. 3 ). The width of each channel  28  is sized to snugly hold panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c , respectively. A plug  24 , in the form of a short rod or an open structure, e.g. a starburst, is provided on the lower surface of support cap  22  at a size for snugly fitting into the upper end of support  20  (see  FIG. 1 ). As assembled, support cap  22  is mounted to the lower edge of panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  and plug  24  is mounted snugly to the upper end of support  20 . Support  20  is then thrust into the ground to hold the animal decoy upright. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , tail  30  is illustrated in exploded top plan view. Tail  30  is made up of three tail panels  30   a ,  30   b  and  30   c  that are each assembled to a tail coupling  42 . Typical tail panel  30   a  is formed with an edge  31   a , e.g. a dovetail edge, for engaging a similarly shaped typical slot  44   a  in tail coupling  42 . Alternately, edge  31   a  of tail panel  30   a  is straight, slot  44   a  has straight sides, and the assembly is accomplished with adhesive. Whereas tail  30  is small compared to the total decoy  10  (see  FIG. 1 ), it is contemplated that once assembled, tail  30  will remain as a unit. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , typical tail panel  30   a  is shown in side elevation view. Tail panel  30   a  has a generally curved outer edge that is formed with feathering to simulate an animal&#39;s tail. The opposed edge  31   a  is substantially linear when seen in elevation. Edge  31   a  may be formed along the entire length of tail panel  30   a  or a shorter section thereof, to match the length of tail coupling  42  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , tail coupling  42  is shown in side elevation view from one aspect, the alternate two aspects, being offset by 120°, are similar. Slot  44   a , described above as shaped for engaging an edge of a tail panel, extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of tail coupling  42  from a first end to a second end thereof. Alternately, tail coupling  42  may be shorter than the entire length of typical tail panel  30   a  (see  FIG. 6 ), with engaging edge  31   a  of similar length. A hook or similar connector  46  is mounted into the top end of tail coupling  42 . Hook  46  is provided for hanging assembled tail  30  (see  FIG. 1 ) from link  34 , with link  34  being suspended from tail suspender  32 . 
   In order to create the appearance of a live animal, each of panels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  and tail panels  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c  are painted or otherwise colored appropriately. The total presentation of a properly colored animal head and body emitting an animal scent and having a swinging tail is clearly an invitation to a live animal to approach. 
   While the description above discloses preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is contemplated that numerous variations and modifications of the invention are possible and are considered to be within the scope of the claims that follow.