Bird decoy

Abstract

A decoy, typically used for hunting fowl, having a hollow body including a head, a tail and a pair of feet. The decoy includes a pair of wings mounted to the body of the decoy for multi-axis movement. A drive mechanism typically including an electric motor and a power source is positioned within the hollow body. A pair of crank members connects to the electric motor and extends outwardly from the body. A pair of link members connect the wings to the crank members whereby rotation of the crank members enables cyclic movement defined by up/down and fore/aft motion of the wings.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A decoy comprising:
 a body member;   at least one wing attached to said body member;   means for mounting and securing said at least one wing to said body member, said mounting and securing means enabling cyclic movement defined by up/down and fore/aft motion of said at least one wing; and   a drive system connected to said at least one wing to impart cyclic movement to said at least one wing.   
     
     
         2 . The decoy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said means for mounting and securing further comprises at least one pivot pin having a longitudinal axis, said at least one pivot pin coupled to said body member and said at least one wing whereby said at least one wing rotates about said longitudinal axis of said at least one pivot pin and further pivots about an axis oblique with respect to said longitudinal axis of said at least one pivot pin. 
     
     
         3 . The decoy as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said means for mounting and securing further comprises at least one bushing having an aperture therein, said at least one pivot pin disposed in said aperture of said at least one bushing; and
 means for coupling said at least one bushing to said body member. 
 
     
     
         4 . The decoy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said means for mounting and securing further comprises at least one pivot pin having a longitudinal axis and an outer diameter secured to said at least one wing;
 a bushing member having an inner diameter moveably mounted to said at least one pivot pin and an outer diameter; and 
 a fastening member comprising a mounting portion and an attachment portion, said mounting portion comprising a passage having an inner diameter and a longitudinal axis, said inner diameter of said passage being greater than the outer diameter of said bushing whereby when said outer diameter of said bushing member is located in said inner diameter of said passage such that said pivot pin pivots about an axis oblique with respect to the respective longitudinal axis of said passage of said mounting portion and said pivot pin also rotates about said longitudinal axis of said pivot pin, said attachment portion of said fastening member is used to secure said fastening member to said body member. 
 
     
     
         5 . The decoy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one wing has a longitudinal axis; and
 wherein said means for mounting and securing said at least one wing to said body member moves said longitudinal axis of said at least one wing in at least two directions, each of said at least two directions appearing to intersect the longitudinal axis of said at least one wing when the longitudinal axis of said at least one wing is viewed in two dimensions from the side. 
 
     
     
         6 . The decoy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one wing has a longitudinal axis; and
 wherein said means for mounting and securing said at least one wing to said body member moves said longitudinal axis in a direction along more than one axis when viewed from its end. 
 
     
     
         7 . The decoy as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said longitudinal axis of said at least one wing moves along two axes, each of said axes oblique with respect to one another. 
     
     
         8 . The decoy as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said longitudinal axis of said at least one wing moves along multiple axes, the combination of multi-axis movement results in the end of the longitudinal axis of said one wing moving in a substantially circular manner when viewed from the end of the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The decoy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said drive system comprises:
 a motor; 
 a crank member connected to said motor, said crank member having one end extending from one side of said body member and an opposite end extending from an opposite side of said body member; 
 a link member having one end connected to said one end of said crank member and an opposite end connected to said at least one wing such that movement of said crank member causes movement of said at least one wing. 
 
     
     
         10 . The decoy as claimed in  claim 9  further comprising a resilient member disposed between said one end of said crank member and said link member. 
     
     
         11 . The decoy as claimed in  claim 9  further comprising a bearing member interposed said one end of said link member and said one end of said crank member wherein said crank member is disposed within said bearing member. 
     
     
         12 . The decoy as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said opposite end of said link member is rigidly connected to said at least one wing. 
     
     
         13 . The decoy as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said drive motor further comprises a drive axle and a connector member disposed between said drive axle and said one end of said crank member. 
     
     
         14 . The decoy as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said connector member has an aperture therein sized to receive said one end of said crank member and further comprises a fastener member used to secure said one end of said crank member in said aperture of said connector member. 
     
     
         15 . The decoy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said means for mounting and securing said at least one wing to said body member further comprises:
 a wing bracket mounted to said body of said decoy; and 
 a link member having one end secured to said wing bracket and an opposite end loosely secured to said at least one wing. 
 
     
     
         16 . The decoy as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said drive system comprises:
 a motor mounted within said body member of said decoy; 
 a crank member having one end connected to said motor, said crank member further having an opposite end; and 
 a link member having one end connected to said opposite end of said crank member and an opposite end connected to said at least one wing such that movement of said crank member causes movement of said at least one wing.