Animal decoy

Abstract

The present invention includes a method for making a realistic three-dimensional animal decoy. The method includes steps of photographing an array of views of an animal that is to be the subject of the decoy. The photographic views are arranged to make a flattened, aerial view of the animal. A screen is prepared that receives the view. The screen is positioned over a three-dimensional vacuum mold, and, with application of heat and pressure, is permanently formed into a three-dimensional animal shell decoy that has photographically realistic features.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for making a three-dimensional decoy, comprising: 
 photographing an animal to obtain an array of photographic views of the animal;    arranging the array of photographic views to create a single, flattened photograph-based view of the animal;    transferring the single, flattened photograph-based view to a screen;    printing the view from the screen onto a polymeric sheet;    providing a three-dimensional decoy mold;    positioning the plastic sheet over the three-dimensional decoy mold; and    heating and pressing the sheet with energy effective to soften the sheet so that the sheet takes the shape of the decoy mold.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  and further including digitizing the array of photographic views.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polymeric sheet is a polyethylene sheet.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sheet is heated to a temperature of about 200° F.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  and further including cooling the decoy formed sheet.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  and further including removing the decoy formed sheet from the decoy mold.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the flattened view is formed with computer aided design.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sheet is bonded to a mold comprised of a material such as Styrofoam.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sheet is formed about the mold with a vacuum.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the flattened view is corrected to accommodate changes in sheet material such as stretching.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  and further including embossing a surface of the polymeric sheet.  
     
     
         12 . A decoy body formed by the method of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         13 . A decoy comprising a flexible, three-dimensional main body, the main body illustrated with animal features having photographic detail.  
     
     
         14 . The decoy of  claim 13  wherein the animal features are printed features.  
     
     
         15 . The decoy of  claim 13  wherein a surface of the main body is embossed with animal features.  
     
     
         16 . The decoy of  claim 13  wherein the animal features are selected from a group consisting of ducks, geese, pheasants, deer, moose, antelope, squirrels and elk and similar animals.  
     
     
         17 . The decoy of  claim 13  wherein the animal features include the animal in a swimming position or the animal in a resting position.  
     
     
         18 . A kit comprising a three-dimensional decoy main body that defines an orifice, the main body illustrated with animal features having photographic detail and a decoy head wherein the head terminates in a flange that is insertable in the orifice.  
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18  and further including a plurality of heads with flanges insertable in the main body orifice.  
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 18  wherein the decoy is a duck or a goose decoy.