Animated Decoy Spreader Hub With Elastic Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waterfowl hunting decoys struggle to accurately simulate the natural movements of waterfowl, often relying on complex mechanical or electrical systems that are prone to failure in wet environments and lack randomness in motion.
Innovation Solution
A simple decoy spreader system using a hub with elastic cables and arm arrangements that mimic the swimming and feeding motions of waterfowl, employing a pulley-type motion to create random and natural-looking movements without the need for complex machinery, with the hub designed to sink into water and remain hidden from view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex mechanical or electrical systems are used to simulate waterfowl motion, then the motion can be controlled, but the system becomes unreliable in wet environments and requires power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex mechanical and electrical systems from the decoy mechanism, extracting only the essential function of motion simulation. The solution uses simple elastic cables and natural water currents to drive motion, eliminating unreliable components while maintaining the core purpose of simulating waterfowl movement patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The decoy system utilizes natural water currents and environmental forces to power its motion mechanism. The elastic cables store and release energy from water movement, creating realistic decoy motion without external power sources. This self-powered approach eliminates batteries, motors, and complex control systems while maintaining reliable operation in wet environments.
2Reliability
If stationary decoys are used, then the system is simple and reliable, but the decoys fail to simulate natural movements of waterfowl
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static decoys to dynamic motion simulation using elastic cables that respond to water currents. The system creates natural-looking movements including bobbing, tilting, and positioning adjustments that mimic living waterfowl. This dynamic approach maintains simplicity and reliability while adding adaptive motion capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If the hub is visible above water, then the structure is easier to access, but it reduces the realism of the decoy formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different functional qualities to different parts of the system. The hub is designed to be submerged and hidden from waterfowl view to maintain realism, while arm arrangement connection points are positioned for easy access during setup and adjustment. This localized quality differentiation resolves the conflict between accessibility and realism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively simulates the natural swimming and feeding motions of waterfowl, enhancing the attractiveness of decoys to hunters while avoiding the limitations of previous technologies by using elastic components for motion and a hidden hub design.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the tubular member and the aperture of the hub
Data Source
AI summary
A device for spreading fowl decoys on the surface of a body of water. A hub sits below the surface is removably coupleable with up to four arm arrangements. Arm arrangements are jointed, allowing hub and arm arrangements to sit below the surface of the water while decoys float on surface. Hub is connected to an anchor on the bottom of the body of water, and can be displaced horizontally with a pull cord. Cords in the arm arrangements allow for near-random motion of attached decoys, simulating a swimming motion of fowl. Hub can be displaced vertically with a pull cord, causing the decoys to dip head first into the water, simulating a feeding motion of water fowl. Hubs can be combined by coupling arm arrangements from each hub. When displaced horizontally in the water, hubs not attached to the pull cord move semi-randomly, creating more random motion in decoys.