DECOY METHOD AND SYSTEM
Decoys that resemble animals, such as birds, for example, and methods of making such decoys are provided. In an embodiment, a decoy can include a rigid member, a non-rigid body comprising an inner portion and an exterior portion, and a fan configured to direct air toward the inner portion of the non-rigid body, wherein the non-rigid body and the fan are attached to the rigid member. In an embodiment, a decoy can also include a head and neck portion. In an embodiment, a solar panel and/or a battery can provide power for the fan. In an embodiment, the fan can be manipulated between, on, off, and modulate settings using a manually operated switch and/or a remote control. In an embodiment, the fan can be configured to rotate and/or move side-to-side while directing air toward the inner portion of the non-rigid body.
This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/544,054 filed Aug. 19, 2009, entitled “IMPROVED DECOY,” which, in turn, claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/098,996 filed Sep. 22, 2008, entitled “IMPROVED DECOY,” both of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.
UNITED STATES PATENT FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[Not Applicable]
MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE[Not Applicable]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDecoys that resemble birds are used in hunting. Currently available decoys have body portions that function like windsocks, fluttering in the wind, and thereby providing the appearance of movement and variation. However, on days when the wind is light or nonexistent, such decoys do not provide the desired appearance. Improved decoys, and methods of making decoys, that do not exhibit such shortcomings are desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONCertain embodiments of the present technology provide decoys that resemble animals, such as birds, for example, and include a fan configured to direct air through a non-rigid body. In certain embodiments, for example, the fan can be powered by solar energy and/or a battery.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)Below is a detailed description of embodiments depicted in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In certain embodiments, for example, the fan 110 can be similar to the fans used in computers. In certain embodiments, the fan can be configured to rotate while directing air toward the inner portion 106 of the non-rigid body 104. Rotation settings such as constant motion, wherein the fan constantly rotates, and delayed motion, wherein the fan position remains constant at certain positions, can be included. In certain embodiments, the fan can be configured to modulate between on and off settings, for example, spending a desired period of time on and a desired period of time off. For example, in certain embodiments, the fan may be configured to spend 3 to 4 seconds on and then 3 to 4 seconds off, and so on. In certain embodiments, the fan can be configured for lateral displacement, thereby moving from side-to-side while directing air toward the inner portion 106 of the non-rigid body 104. Lateral movement settings such as constant motion, wherein the fan constantly moves from side-to-side, and delayed motion, wherein the fan position remains constant at certain positions, can be included.
In certain embodiments, for example, the decoy 104 can include framing that provides the general shape of a bird's body or another animal's body. In such embodiments, the non-rigid body 104 can be secured to the framing such that airflow through the inner portion 106 of the non-rigid body 104 can still provide for movement of the non-rigid body 104.
In the embodiment shown in
In certain embodiments, for example, the fan 110 can be configured to be manipulated between an on setting, wherein the fan is turned on, and an off setting, wherein the fan is turned off, using a radio frequency transmitter and receiver. In such embodiments, the radio frequency receiver can be in electrical communication with the fan 110 and the radio frequency transmitter can be disposed with a remote control. Radio frequency signals can be transmitted from the transmitter in the remote control to the radio frequency receiver, thereby manipulating the fan 110 between the on and off settings. In certain embodiments, a remote control can also be used to control fan rotation and/or modulation as discussed above. In certain embodiments, a single remote control can actuate fans in more than one decoy. In other embodiments, the remote control can actuate one fan in a single decoy. In certain embodiments, a single remote control can be used to transmit control signals at different frequencies. This can allow a first set of decoys with receivers set at a first frequency to receive control signals sent at the first frequency, while a second set of decoys with receivers set at a second frequency can receive control signals sent at the second frequency. In certain embodiments, this can allow a user to separately control different groups in a set of decoys using a single remote control.
In the embodiment shown in
Certain embodiments of the present technology provide methods of making a decoy. Such methods can include making decoys such as those described above in connection with
While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.
Claims
1. A method of making a stationary waterfowl decoy comprising:
- directly attaching a non-rigid body and an electric fan assembly to a unitary one-piece vertical elongated rigid member, wherein the rigid member includes a first end, a second end and a vertical longitudinal axis, the second end securing into the ground so that the decoy is in a stationary position, wherein the rigid member extends above the fan assembly when attached, wherein the non-rigid body includes an inner portion and an exterior portion, and wherein the fan is configured to direct air toward the inner portion of the non-rigid body, thereby causing movement of the non-rigid body while the decoy remains in the stationary position.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the inner portion comprises an inflatable bladder.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-rigid body and the fan are removably attached to the rigid member.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising directly attaching a head and neck portion to the rigid member by securing the head and neck portion to the first end of the rigid member.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the head and neck portion is removably attached to the rigid member.
6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
- attaching a solar panel to the head and neck portion; and
- providing the solar panel in electrical communication with the fan to provide power for the fan.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the solar panel is disposed on the head and neck portion under a chin portion.
8. A stationary waterfowl decoy comprising:
- a unitary one-piece vertical elongated rigid member comprising a first end, a second end and a vertical longitudinal axis, the second end securing into the ground so that the decoy is in a stationary position;
- a non-rigid body comprising an inner portion and an exterior portion, the non-rigid body directly attached to the rigid member; and
- an electric fan assembly directly attached to the rigid member with the rigid member extending above the fan assembly, the fan assembly directing air toward the inner portion of the non-rigid body, thereby causing movement of the non-rigid body while the decoy remains in the stationary position.
9. The decoy of claim 8, wherein the inner portion comprises an inflatable bladder.
10. The decoy of claim 8, wherein the non-rigid body and the fan are removably attached to the rigid member.
11. The decoy of claim 8, further comprising a solar panel configured to supply power for the fan.
12. The decoy of claim 8, further comprising a head and neck portion directly attached to the rigid member by securing the head and neck portion to the first end of the rigid member.
13. The decoy of claim 12, wherein the head and neck portion is removably attached to the rigid member.
14. The decoy of claim 12, further comprising a solar panel disposed on the head and neck portion, the solar panel supplying power for the fan.
15. The decoy of claim 8, wherein the fan is configured to be manipulated between an on setting, wherein the fan is turned on, an off setting, wherein the fan is turned off, and a modulate setting, wherein the fan modulates between on and off settings at a specified interval of time.
16. The decoy of claim 15, wherein the rigid member extends beyond the non-rigid body.
17. The decoy of claim 15, wherein the rigid member comprises a stake and the second end comprises a pointed end configured to secure the rigid member to the ground.
Type: Application
Filed: May 26, 2011
Publication Date: Sep 15, 2011
Inventors: Willard Brestal (Naperville, IL), Harold Brestal (Naperville, IL), Matthew Hoppe (Little Chute, WI)
Application Number: 13/116,568
International Classification: A01M 31/06 (20060101); B23P 11/00 (20060101);