Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Decoys – Duck
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-26
2002-12-17
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Decoys
Duck
Reexamination Certificate
active
06493980
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to moving or motorized decoys for bird hunters. More particularly, our invention relates to battery-powered, duck decoys with movable, foldable wings, of the type classified in United States Patent Class 43, Subclasses 2 and 3.
II. Description of the Prior Art
Skilled bird hunters, particularly duck hunters, have long recognized the desirability of employing decoys for attracting game birds. Duck hunters typically deploy a variety of floating decoys colored like mallards, wood ducks, or other game birds. These may be spaced apart in a relatively large area proximate the blind or boat. Typically, a plurality of separate, spaced-apart, and anchored decoys are arranged in a natural pattern resembling a flock of landed ducks. For the scheme to work, it is important that a natural appearance is established. Hopefully the flying ducks will land proximate the hunters, being attracted by the decoys to an advantageous shooting position. Most decoys are carefully painted to closely resemble the target species. Some prior art decoys are deployed on land and some are anchored within water. Such prior art “static” decoys lack moving appendages.
Relatively more recently, it has been recognized that moving decoys, or decoys with articulate appendages, offer a significant improvement over the common “fixed” or static decoys. By emulating motion, modern dynamic decoys are more likely to attract game birds than older static designs. Real game birds, particularly migratory waterfowl including common mallards, wood ducks and the like, are constantly moving their bodies, flapping their wings and paddling their feet. It has been found that by emulating such motions in modern decoys, ducks are more likely to be attracted towards the hunter.
The advance in battery technology and developments in miniature motor technology has enhanced the opportunity to provide decoys with moving parts and appendages. Some modern decoys comprise battery-powered drive or propulsion systems enabling the decoy to move about in the water, attracting the attention of desirable game birds from afar. Some decoys provide movable wings or movable feet. Sometimes the feet are used for propulsion. Moving appendages can splash the water, and make other game-attractive movements and noises. Normally the battery packs, drive motors, and interconnected linkages are housed neatly within a hollow plastic shell that is ornamentally painted like the target bird.
The overall ornamental appearance of suitable dynamic decoys, as visibly externally to targeted birds, must be as close as possible to the real thing, notwithstanding the presence of internal or external motors propulsion drive systems, wing appendages or linkages and the like. At all times a successful dynamic decoy must make lifelike-movements that attract, rather than repel, the desired game birds. If properly generated, decoy movements can readily attract desired game birds, despite the fact that movements often startle or scare away game. Since movement can be perceived by game animals from a relatively distant location, proper game-emulative movements made by a decoy can attract birds from a distance much further away than mere floating or static decoys.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,466 issued to Davis illustrates a goose decoy containing a radio controlled motor to produce motion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,873 describes a duck decoy incorporating an electric motor coupled to wing appendages for producing a flapping motion thereof Various other patents have been granted in the past that incorporate either an electric motor or a string mechanism manipulated by the hunter to produce animation, such as wing and/or head movement.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,958 discloses a decoy having movable wings mounted on the side of the body that are manipulated from a remote location. The wings can be moved from a retracted position to an operative position in which the wings are made to move up and down in a flapping motion to simulate the actions of a live bird.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,909,859 discloses a decoy having movable wings which are attached through external linkage activation means within the hull. The decoy is remotely controlled by a squeeze bulb connected to a flexible line leading to the concealed hunter. The wings emulate the normal flapping motion of a live bird.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,896,448 and 5,960,577 show alternative wing designs that produce wing movement through diverse linkages.
Solomon in U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,683 discloses a duck decoy with wings projecting in a linear arrangement that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the duck body. Instead of revolving the wings about an the axis of the strut supporting them, the wings are reciprocated towards and away from one side to the other by converting rotary motion to reciprocating motion.
In contrast to Solomon above, U.S. Pat. No. 2,545,801 issued Mar. 20, 1951 provides a pair of external, rotatable wings attached to a drive axle penetrating the body transversely through the unit's longitudinal axis. The latter drive axle configuration is similar in conception to the decoy seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,936, which drives a pair of submerged feet on opposite sides of the body by an axle oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the decoy.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,385 drives a pair of oppositely disposed rotors or drums that are supposed to emulate natural wings. A transverse axle perpendicular to the major length of the decoy penetrates the body sides and supports the rotors. The “wings” are slidably mounted on the axle and project laterally outwardly away from the body.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,059,368 and 5,274,942 disclose decoys with movable heads
U.S. Pat. No. 2,752,715 discloses a decoy combining limited body movement with minor wing movements.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,722 discloses a decoy comprising a motor-driven propeller that enables locomotion. It is known to combine this type of decoy propulsion design with remote control radio equipment.
Although the prior art is literally replete with dynamic decoys with designs that are almost too numerous to mention, certain real world considerations pertaining to the effectiveness of modern dynamic decoys remain for consideration and resolution. A suitable decoy must be adequately powered with a suitable battery that provides enough power for several hours of continuous, substantially uninterrupted operation. The battery must be easily exposed for recharging and servicing. As this implies a rather heavyweight battery, a proper mounting means must be provided within the decoy body. The mounting construction must be properly designed to preserve the proper orientation of the bird. The weight distribution of internal parts must not interfere with the decoy's ability to readily easily assume a lifelike orientation when deployed. Further, an adequate decoy must assume a lifelike position and appearance, even when the batteries are dead, or the hunter chooses not to actuate the wings.
Further, modern hunting decoys are usually packaged in a convenient, plastic carrying case. Bulk and weight needs to be minimized. The wings (or other moving appendages) must be capable of folding or detachment so that minimal container volume is achieved. Once the hunter arrives at the blind, the wings should be easily deployed. Once attached to the drive mechanism, they should remain operational during the hunt without necessitating tedious adjustments or drastic field modifications. Additionally, suitable decoys must be designed for quick packaging at the end of the hunt. Since the laws of most states prohibit the hunter from leaving decoys out overnight, the “clean up” procedure must be repeated each evening, often in conditions of near darkness, so simplicity is the goal. In the early morning hours of predawn darkness, when avid duck hunters are deploying their decoys, the cold, low-light and moist conditions do not favor complex, difficult-to-assemble modular designs with poorly fitting parts and i
Richardson Barton D.
Richardson Johnny J.
American Plastics Inc.
Carver Stephen D.
Piascik Susan L
Poon Peter M.
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