Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Decoys – Duck
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-22
2001-01-09
Ark, Darren W. (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Decoys
Duck
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170188
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to waterfowl decoy apparatus which is for the purpose of attracting waterfowl to a particular location. The apparatus incorporates movable wings and has particular application to installation at a water site. It can also be deployed at a land site. The principles of the invention can also be applied to apparatus simulating other types of birds, such as replicas of owls employed to ward off pigeons or other pests.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of decoys to attract waterfowl is an ancient practice. Typically, prior art decoys float on the surface of a body of water.
A relatively recent development in the art of waterfowl decoys has been to provide some means for moving all or part of the decoy, the objective being to provide a decoy which appears more natural to waterfowl such as ducks or geese.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,683, issued Sep. 22, 1998, discloses a battery powered apparatus to provide movable wings and feet on waterfowl decoys. The decoy floats on the surface of the water and incorporates wings which move back and forth.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,448, issued Jan. 30, 1990, discloses a bird decoy including a body and a flapping mechanism mounted therein moving a pair of wings which oscillate with respect to the body. The bird decoy is for positioning on the surface of a body of water.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,385, issued Nov. 4, 1986, discloses a waterfowl decoy which incorporates a pair of rotatable wings slidably and rotatably received and secured on the axle of a bracket carried by the waterfowl decoy. The wings rotate when subjected to a breeze.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,722, issued Apr. 2, 1991, discloses a game bird decoy cut from flexible sheet plastic foam material and mounted on a pole to simulate the silhouette of a bird approaching landing on water or land.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,780, issued Aug. 3, 1993, discloses a plastic shelled game bird decoy operable through a cord, wire, rope or the like to cause wing flapping or flagging movement.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,764, issued Sep. 8, 1992, discloses a decoy with a pair of flexible wings which fluctuate in a flapping action in response to air flow over the wings.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,466, issued Jun. 10, 1997, discloses an animal decoy apparatus including radio controlled upper appendages. In the case where the animal is a waterfowl, the appendages simulate wings.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,619, issued Jan. 26, 1999, discloses an animated decoy wherein the appearance of symmetrical lateral movement such as the flapping of a bird's wings is provided by a rotating vane which has a light side and a dark side. The patent suggests possible use of a motor to rotate the vane.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a waterfowl decoy apparatus incorporating a unique combination of structural elements which cooperate in a unique manner to provide a highly effective attractant to flying waterfowl, such as ducks or geese.
The apparatus provides for positioning of the decoy per se above the surface of a body of water so that damage to the decoy housing and mechanism employed therein is minimized. The animation of the decoy provides a display which attracts waterfowl to the location of the apparatus, the display being caused by rotating wings and water motion at the surface of the body of water where the apparatus is positioned. The apparatus is capable of being powered either by an electric motor or by the force of wind.
The apparatus may be readily broken down into individual structural components thereof for shipping or storage purposes.
The waterfowl decoy apparatus of the present invention includes a decoy housing having the configuration of a waterfowl's body and defining a housing interior.
Decoy wing members are rotatably connected to the decoy housing and extend outwardly from opposed sides of the decoy housing.
An electric motor is disposed within the housing interior along with a transmission means for operatively interconnecting the electric motor to the pair of decoy wing members.
Electric battery means is operatively associated with the electric motor to energize and cause operation of the electric motor. The transmission means, when operatively interconnecting the electric motor to the decoy wing members, causes rotation of the decoy wing members responsive to energization and operation of the electric motor.
The waterfowl decoy apparatus also includes an elongated support stand connected to the decoy housing and extending downwardly therefrom. The elongated support stand has a lower distal end for positioning in the earth under a body of water to support the decoy housing above the surface of the body of water.
REFERENCES:
patent: 282851 (1883-08-01), Danz, Jr.
patent: 843588 (1907-02-01), Ditto
patent: 2229175 (1941-01-01), Johnson
patent: 2575252 (1951-11-01), Berger
patent: 2576209 (1951-11-01), Berger
patent: 2692451 (1954-10-01), Deuster
patent: 4620385 (1986-11-01), Carranza et al.
patent: 4896448 (1990-01-01), Jackson
patent: 5003722 (1991-04-01), Berkley et al.
patent: 5105573 (1992-04-01), Mays
patent: 5144764 (1992-09-01), Peterson
patent: 5231780 (1993-08-01), Gazalski
patent: 5459958 (1995-10-01), Reinke
patent: 5636466 (1997-06-01), Davis
patent: 5809683 (1998-09-01), Solomon
patent: 5862619 (1999-01-01), Stancil
patent: 5884427 (1999-03-01), Lenz
patent: 5930969 (1999-08-01), Parr et al.
patent: 5974720 (1999-11-01), Bowling
patent: 6092323 (2000-07-01), McBride et al.
Ark Darren W.
Kroll Michael I.
LandOfFree
Apparatus for attracting waterfowl does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus for attracting waterfowl, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus for attracting waterfowl will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2556173