Bird decoy

Abstract

A collapsible decoy 10 , including two generally planar side body panels 11, 12 allowing the decoy 10 to be collapsed into a substantially flat configuration and which are splayed when in the erected position, a head and neck portion 14 connected to at least one of the side body panels 11, 12 , and a means for retaining the side body panels 11, 12 , when in use, in the erected position.

1 . A collapsible decoy, including two generally planar side body panels allowing the decoy to be collapsed into a substantially flat configuration and which are splayed when in the erected position, a head portion and a neck portion connected to at least one of the side body panels, and a means for retaining the side body panels, when in use, in the erected position.  
     
     
         2 . A kit from which to construct a collapsible decoy, including two side body panels, a head portion and a neck portion, means for connecting the head and neck portion to at least one of the side body panels, and a means for retaining the assembled decoy in the erected configuration.  
     
     
         3 . A decoy according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the decoy includes a base.  
     
     
         4 . A decoy according to any preceding claim, wherein the decoy is buoyant.  
     
     
         5 . A decoy according to  claim 4 , wherein the base has sufficient buoyancy to enable the decoy to float.  
     
     
         6 . A decoy according to  claim 4  or  5 , wherein the decoy is self-righting when used in water.  
     
     
         7 . A decoy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the decoy includes separate floatation devices.  
     
     
         8 . A decoy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side body panels are constructed from plastic sheeting.  
     
     
         9 . A decoy according to  claim 3 , or any one of  claims 4  to  8  when dependent on  claim 3 , wherein the base is constructed from plastic sheeting.  
     
     
         10 . A decoy according to  claim 3 , or any one of  claims 4  to  9  when dependent on  claim 3 , wherein the planar side body panels and the base are interconnected.  
     
     
         11 . A decoy according to  claim 10  wherein the side body panels and the base are integrally connected.  
     
     
         12 . A decoy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head and neck portions are integrated.  
     
     
         13 . A decoy according to  claim 12 , wherein the integrated head and neck portion is of a two-dimensional silhouette arrangement, which is attached to at least one of the side body panels or other decoy body portion.  
     
     
         14 . A decoy according to  claim 12  or  13 , including a means for altering the position of the integrated head and neck portion relative to the side body panels.  
     
     
         15 . A decoy according to  claim 14 , wherein the altering means includes a pivotal connection between the integrated head and neck portion and at least one of the side body panels or other decoy body portion.  
     
     
         16 . A decoy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side body panels and the integrated head and neck portion are adorned with markings such that they resemble the bird species being represented.  
     
     
         17 . A decoy according to  claim 16 , wherein the markings include a matt textured surface portion.  
     
     
         18 . A decoy according to  claim 17 , wherein the matt textured surface portion includes a flocked surface portion.  
     
     
         19 . A decoy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side body panels include a moulded surface portion.  
     
     
         20 . A decoy according to  claim 12 , or any one of  claims 13  to  19  when directly or indirectly dependent on  claim 12 , wherein the integrated head and neck portion includes a moulded surface portion.  
     
     
         21 . A decoy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the decoy includes a keel or pedestal extending downwardly from the decoy.  
     
     
         22 . A decoy according to  claim 21 , wherein the keel is pivotally connected to the decoy, enabling the keel to be pivoted into a slot provided in the base when the decoy is in the erected configuration.  
     
     
         23 . A decoy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the decoy includes an anchoring means.  
     
     
         24 . A decoy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the decoy includes a biasing means for biasing the decoy into the erected and collapsed configurations.  
     
     
         25 . A decoy according to any one of the preceding claims, including a locking mechanism for retaining the decoy in the erected configuration.  
     
     
         26 . A decoy according to any one of the embodiments substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.