Decoy traversing and rotating system method and apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a system, method and apparatus for imparting a traversing motion and a rotation motion to a decoy. The system includes a first track portion, a second track portion securable to the first track portion and a sled for traversing along the tracks. A decoy is mounted on a pole rotatably secured to the sled. Two cables that are manually retractable by winding apparatus are each connected to a laterally extending arm of the pole so that the decoy is rotated to face the direction of traversal along the track. Retracting the first cable rotates the decoy in a first direction and to moves the sled in a first direction along the track section. Retracting the second cable rotates the decoy in an opposing direction and to moves the sled in the opposing direction along the track.

1 . A manually-operated decoy motion system for imparting a traversing and rotating motion to the decoy, the system comprising:
 a first track portion;   a second track portion securable to the first track portion;   a sled for traversing along the first track portion and the second track portion;   a decoy mounting pole rotatably secured to the sled and extending vertically therefrom;   an arm extending laterally from the mounting pole; and   a winding apparatus comprising a first spool and a second spool, each of the first and second spools operatively coupleable to the arm so that the decoy is rotated to face the direction of traversal along the track.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of ground anchors disposable through a portion of at least one of the first and second tracks to horizontally secure the track with respect to the ground. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second spools are operatively coupled to the arm of the pole with a respective first and second cable. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a carry strap securable to the first and second track portions when the track portions are in a stacked arrangement. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the carry strap includes a shoulder strap portion. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the carry strap includes a decoy carrying portion. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system weighs between 3.5 and 4.5 pounds. 
     
     
         8 . A decoy motion apparatus, comprising:
 a first track portion having a first channel;   a second track portion configured to mate with the first track portion, the second portion having a second channel that is aligned with the first channel when the track portions are mated;   a sled disposable in the first channel and the second channel, the sled including a vertically extending decoy mounting pole rotatably secured to the sled and an arm extending laterally from the mounting pole; and   a dual spool winding apparatus, including a first cable securable to the arm and a second cable attachable to the arm, each cable being independently manually retractable into the winding apparatus to impart both a rotation motion and a traversing motion to a decoy fastened to the mounting pole.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sled comprises a plurality of wheels to support the sled in a vertical direction against the first and second channels. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sled comprises a plurality of wheels to support the sled in a horizontal direction against the first and second channels. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each track portion has a protruding male end and a recessed female end, the female end being configured to securably receive the male end of an adjacent track portion. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second track portions are connected to one another by a hinge. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein a ring is disposed on a distal end of the arm. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising a carry strap securable to the first and second track portions when the track portions are in a stacked arrangement. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manually providing traversing and rotational movement to a decoy, the method comprising:
 horizontally securing a section of track to the ground;   disposing a sled on the track section   disposing a decoy on a vertically extending mounting pole rotataby mounted to the sled;   threading a first cable and a second cable from a winding apparatus through a first guide loop on a proximal end of the track section;   connecting the first cable to an arm extending horizontally outward from the pole;   threading the second cable through a second guide loop on a distal end of the track section;   connecting the second cable to the arm;   retracting the first cable via the winding apparatus to rotate the decoy in a first direction and to move the sled in a first direction along the track section; and   retracting the second cable via the winding apparatus to rotate the decoy in an opposing direction and to move the sled in the opposing direction.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising manually turning a first handle of the winding apparatus to retract the first cable and turning a second handle of the winding apparatus to retract the second cable. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising securing the winding apparatus to the ground in a location remote from the track section. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising mating a second section of track to the track portion. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising securing a carrying harness to the track portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 halting the retraction of the first cable; and   retracting the second cable sufficiently to at least partially rotate the decoy without causing the sled to traverse along the track.