Animal replica

Abstract

An animal replica include a three-dimensional rendering of an animal having a first dimension approximating that of the animal and a second dimension of reduced scale to that of the animal. The three-dimensional rendering has a torso and head, with the head positioned in profile relative to the torso. The first dimension is a height dimension, and the second dimension is a length dimension about 15% of the animal length. The head approximates the three-dimensional head of the animal. The head has two ears, two eyes, a nose, and antlers, which can be removable. The torso includes one or two tails configured and arranged to move in response to wind. The animal replica has felt skin. The head and torso are a one-piece monolithic structure. The animal replica replicates a deer, weighs less than about three pounds, and can provide the same view from two sides.

Description

This invention relates to an animal replica.

BACKGROUND

Animal replicas for use as, for example, decoys and lawn ornaments, typically strive to be true three dimensional renditions of the animal or are photographic-like two dimensional likenesses.

SUMMARY

A quasi-three dimensional animal replica provides a life-like rendering of the animal while being less bulky than a true three dimensional rendition of the animal.

Aspects of the animal replica include a three-dimensional rendering of an animal having a first dimension approximating that of the animal and a second dimension of reduced scale to that of the animal.

Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The three-dimensional rendering has a torso and head, with the head positioned in profile relative to the torso.

The first dimension is a height dimension, and the second dimension is a length dimension about 15% of the animal length.

The animal replica includes one or more animal features, for example, two ears, which can be adjustable, two eyes, a nose, one or two tails, and antlers, which can be removable. The nose can include a light source. The one or two tails can be configured and arranged to move in response to wind. The animal replica preferably has a felt skin contoured and shaded to simulate the animal, and an extendable stake for staking the animal replica in the ground. The animal replica can include a hinge located at an interface of the neck and torso.

The animal replica replicates a deer, weighs less than about three pounds, and can provide the same view from two sides.

According to another aspect of an animal replica, a three-dimensional rendering of an animal has a first dimension approximating that of the animal and a second dimension of reduced scale to that of the animal. The three-dimensional rendering including a torso and head that are a one-piece monolithic structure.

According to another aspect of an animal replica, a three-dimensional rendering of an animal has a first dimension approximating that of the animal and a second dimension of reduced scale to that of the animal. The three-dimensional rendering includes head approximating the three-dimensional head of the animal.

According to another aspect of an animal replica, a three-dimensional rendering of an animal having a first dimension approximating that of the animal and a second dimension of reduced scale to that of the animal. The three-dimensional rendering including a tail configured and arranged to move from a rest position in response to wind.

According to another aspect, a method of making an animal replica includes forming a core to a three-dimensional rendering of an animal having a first dimension approximating that of the animal and a second dimension of reduced scale to that of the animal, and covering the core with felt.

Embodiments of this aspect may include that the core is solid.

Advantages include a decoy or lawn ornament that appear life-like when viewed from one or two sides, and is light weight and easy to carry.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animal replica.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the animal replica of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the animal replica of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a first side view of the animal replica of FIG. 1 taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an opposite side view of the animal replica of FIG. 1 taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the animal replica of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the animal replica of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an animal replica shown in a seated position.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the animal replica of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a back view of the animal replica of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a first side view of the animal replica of FIG. 8 taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an opposite side view of the animal replica of FIG. 8 taken along lines 12-12 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the animal replica of FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the animal replica of FIG. 8.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of an animal replica.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the animal replica of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a back view of the animal replica of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a first side view of the animal replica of FIG. 15 taken along lines 18-18 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is an opposite side view of the animal replica of FIG. 15 taken along lines 19-19 of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, an animal replica 10 is a three-dimensional rendering of an animal in the form of a body 12 depicting the animal, for example, a deer standing up. Body 12 includes a torso 14, neck 16, and head 18. The body 12 has a height dimension, H, and a width dimension, W, approximating the height and width of the animal (infant, youth or adult), and the torso 14 has a length dimension, L, of reduced scale to that of the animal. The length dimension is in the range of about 5 to 25% of the typical animal length, preferably about 15%. Animal replica 10 provides a life-like rendering of the animal with less bulk than a true three dimensional rendition of the animal.

Head 18 is shown turned in profile relative to torso 14, and includes two ears 20a, 20b, which can have adjustable angle and tilt, for example, by mounted the ears to a rotatable rod, two eyes 22a, 22b, and a nose 24. The neck 16 and head 18 have thicknesses, T1 and T2, and profiles that approximate that of the animal. To replicate a buck, head 18 includes antlers 26a, 26b. The antlers 26a, 26b can be removably received within openings 28a, 28b in the head 18 to allow conversion of the animal replica 10 between a buck and a doe.

Ears 20a, 20b can be, for example, real taxidermy molded ears or felt. Eyes 22a, 22b can be, for example, real taxidermy eyes, plastic or glass. Antlers 26a, 26b can be, for example, plastic, wood, or resin.

Torso 14 includes two truncated legs 30a, 30b and two tails 32a, 32b. By including two tails, the animal replica 10 appears the same whether viewed from the “front” or “back” (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Tails 32a, 32b are sewn to torso 14 along their upper edges 34 such that the tails move in response to wind. The wind overcomes the force of gravity to move the tail from its illustrated rest position with no need for electrical or mechanical intervention. Extending from leg 30b is a stake 36 for securing animal replica 10 in the ground. Stake 38 can be housed within leg 30b and slidable out of leg 30b for use.

Animal replica 10 has a felt skin with air brush 3-D graphics. The felt skin has a deer-like brown color with light and dark shading and white patches 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 at the neck 16, legs 30a, 30b, tails 32a, 32b, inside of the ears 20a, 20b, around the nose 24, and under the head 18, respectively, to simulate the colors of a deer. At the intersections 52a, 52b of the torso 14 and neck 16, body 12 is indented (see FIGS. 4 and 5) and darkly shaded to give the impression of depth. Rather than felt, the animal skin can be, for example, plastic, burlap, cotton, or nylon. The animal skin is preferably water proof and fade resistant.

Animal replica 10 is made from three layers. An inner, plastic core, e.g., of ABS, that is cut to the desired shape such that the head and torso are a one-piece monolithic structure, a middle layer of 1 inch pillow foam that is glued to either side of the inner core and beveled to about 45 degrees along the edges, and an outer layer of felt, for example, natural animal hair felt available from Walmart, which is glued to the middle layer. The core is preferably a solid core with no internal cavities. Animal replica 10 has an overall weight to facilitate carrying of the replica, for example, animal replica 10 weighs less than three pounds, preferably about 2.8 pounds.

As shown in FIG. 3, for ease of carrying, the animal replica can include a hinge 54 in the region of intersections 52a, 52b that allows the animal replica to be folded and unfolded. With the inclusion of hinge, while no longer being a monolithic structure, the head and neck are preferably not removable from the torso.

Referring to FIGS. 8-14, in an alternative embodiment, a quasi-three dimensional animal replica 110 has a three-dimensional body 112 depicting the animal, for example, a deer at rest. Body 112 includes a torso 114, neck 116, and head 118. The body 112 has a height dimension, H, and a width dimension, W, approximating the height and width of the animal (infant, youth or adult) when seated, and the torso 114 has a length dimension, L, of reduced scale to that of the animal. The length dimension is in the range of about 5 to 25% of the typical animal length, preferably about 15%. Animal replica 110 provides a life-like rendering of the animal with less bulk than a true three dimensional rendition of the animal.

As in the embodiment described above, head 118 is shown turned in profile relative to torso 114, and includes two ears 120a, 120b, which can have adjustable angle and tilt, two eyes 122a, 122b, and a nose 124. The neck 116 and head 118 have thicknesses, T1 and T2, and profiles that more closely approximate that of the animal than the length, L. The ears and eyes can be made from the same materials described above.

Torso 114 includes two tails 132a, 132b such that the animal replica 110 appears the same whether viewed from the “front” or “back” (see FIGS. 9 and 10). Tails 132a, 132b are sewn to torso 114 along their edges 134 such that the tails move from their illustrated rest positions in response to wind, as discussed above. Extending from torso 114 is an extendable stake 136 for securing animal replica 110 in the ground.

As in the embodiment above, animal replica 110 has a felt skin with air brush 3-D graphics. The felt skin has a deer-like brown color with light and dark shading and white patches 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, at the neck 116, tails 132a, 132b, inside of the ears 120a, 120b, around the nose 124, and under the head 118, respectively, to simulate the colors of a deer. An additional white patch 150 is located under and around each tail to give the impression of bent legs. The eyes can also be highlighted with a white patch 152. At the intersections 154a, 154b of the torso 114 and neck 116, body 112 is indented (see FIGS. 11 and 12) and darkly shaded to give the impression of depth. Rather than felt, the animal skin can be, for example, plastic, burlap, cotton, or nylon. The animal skin is preferably water proof and fade resistant.

Animal replica 110 can be formed from the same three layers discussed above. Animal replica 110 has an overall weight to facilitate carrying of the replica, for example, animal replica 110 weighs less than three pounds, preferably about 2 pounds.

The embodiments described above are particularly adapted for use as decoys. An alternative embodiment of an animal replica 210 shown in FIGS. 15-19 is particularly adapted for use as a lawn ornament. Animal replica 210 is similar to animal replica 10 described above, except that the tail 212 and white patches 214, 216 on the tail 212 and legs 218a, 218b are only included on the “back” side of the replica (FIG. 16). Animal replica 210 also has less life-like antlers 220a, 220b made from foam. To simulate Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, animal replica 210 has a red nose 222 with a flashing LED light that is solar powered by an integrated solar panel chip with circuit board 224 and rechargeable batteries located at the top of and positioned within the head 226, respectively. The circuit includes an auto dim sensor that turns the LED on at light. Animal replica 210 includes an extendable stake 218 located between the legs 218a, 218b, and can include ornaments such as a scarf 220 or bells around the neck 222. Only the intersections 224 of the torso 226 and neck 222 one the “back” side is indented (see FIGS. 18 and 19) and darkly shaded to give the impression of depth. The embodiment of FIG. 8 can similarly be provided as a lawn ornament with only a single tail.

A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, any of the embodiments can be used as decoys or ornaments. In particular, the decoys can include one tail and the ornaments two tails. Any of the embodiments can include a hinge. The animal replicas can depict animals other than a white tail deer, for example, mule deer, turkey, elk, and coyote. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An animal replica, comprising:

a three-dimensional rendering of an animal having a first dimension approximating that of the animal and a second dimension of reduced scale to that of the animal, the three-dimensional rendering including a torso and head with the head positioned in profile relative to the torso.

2. The animal replica of claim 1 wherein the first dimension is a height dimension.

3. The animal replica of claim 1 wherein the second dimension is a length dimension.

4. The animal replica of claim 3 wherein the length dimension is about 15% of the animal length.

5. The animal replica of claim 1 wherein the head comprises two ears.

6. The animal replica of claim 5 wherein the ears are adjustable.

7. The animal replica of claim 1 wherein the head comprises two eyes.

8. The animal replica of claim 1 wherein the torso comprises a tail.

9. The animal replica of claim 8 wherein the tail is configured and arranged to move in response to wind.

10. The animal replica of claim 1 wherein the torso comprises two tails.

11. The animal replica of claim 1 wherein the head comprises antlers.

12. The animal replica of claim 11 wherein the antlers are removable.

13. The animal replica of claim 1 further comprising an outer layer of felt.

14. The animal replica of claim 1 further comprising a hinge.

15. The animal replica of claim 14 further comprising a neck connecting the torso to the head, the hinge being located at an interface of the neck and torso.

16. The animal replica of claim 1 further comprising a stake.

17. The animal replica of claim 16 wherein the stake is extendable.

18. The animal replica of claim 1 weighing less than about three pounds.

19. The animal replica of claim 1 wherein the three-dimensional rendering provides the same view from two sides.

20. The animal replica of claim 1 replicating a deer.

21. The animal replica of claim 1 wherein the head comprises a nose with a light source.

22. An animal replica, comprising:

a three-dimensional rendering of an animal having a first dimension approximating that of the animal and a second dimension of reduced scale to that of the animal, the three-dimensional rendering including a torso and head, wherein the head and torso are a one-piece monolithic structure.

23. An animal replica, comprising:

a three-dimensional rendering of an animal having a first dimension approximating that of the animal and a second dimension of reduced scale to that of the animal, the three-dimensional rendering including head approximating the three-dimensional head of the animal.

24. An animal replica, comprising:

a three-dimensional rendering of an animal having a first dimension approximating that of the animal and a second dimension of reduced scale to that of the animal, the three-dimensional rendering including a tail configured and arranged to move from a rest position in response to wind.

25. A method of making an animal replica, comprising:

forming a core to a three-dimensional rendering of an animal having a first dimension approximating that of the animal and a second dimension of reduced scale to that of the animal, and

covering the core with felt.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the core is solid.