Collapsible Bird Decoy with Coil Spring Feather Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing animal decoys lack realistic feather movement and pose versatility, as solid decoys cannot mimic feather movement and collapsible decoys prohibit the use of feathers, while also limiting the ability to position decoys in various behaviors.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible bird decoy with a two-dimensional fabric exterior featuring coil springs and strategically placed cuts to mimic feather movement, combined with adjustable leg pole sleeves for multiple posing options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If solid decoys are used to achieve three-dimensional shape, then the decoy has a molded outer surface that mimics the real appearance, but the decoy cannot provide life-like feather movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional shapeVSAvoidfeather movement simulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The decoy is divided into a solid three-dimensional body structure and separate two-dimensional fabric panels that represent feathers. These fabric panels are attached to the solid body and can move independently to simulate feather movement while maintaining the overall three-dimensional shape of the decoy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Two-dimensional fabric panels are used instead of solid molded feathers. These flexible fabric surfaces can flutter and move in the breeze, providing life-like feather movement while the solid body maintains structural integrity and three-dimensional shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If collapsible decoys are used to allow feather attachment, then the decoy can be pliable and foldable, but the decoy cannot maintain rigid three-dimensional structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeather attachment capabilityVSAvoidthree-dimensional structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The decoy separates the functional requirements into two components: a collapsible tubular body that can be folded for storage and transport, and rigid three-dimensional animal forms that maintain structural shape when deployed. This allows the decoy to be collapsible yet maintain three-dimensional structure during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The decoy combines different material properties: flexible collapsible tubular structures made from bendable materials paired with rigid three-dimensional animal forms. This composite construction allows the decoy to collapse for storage while maintaining rigid three-dimensional shape during deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If decoys are designed with fixed mounting position, then the decoy is simple to manufacture, but the decoy cannot be positioned in various poses to mimic different animal behaviors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle mounting positionVSAvoidposing versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is segmented into multiple independent mounting positions or adjustable components. This allows the decoy to be manufactured with basic mounting capability while enabling multiple posing options through adjustable or multi-position mounting mechanisms that can be configured to display different animal behaviors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 decoy achieves a lifelike feather effect by allowing fabric to flutter in the breeze and can be positioned in various poses to mimic different animal behaviors, enhancing realism and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

A collapsible bird decoy with a two-dimensional fabric exterior featuring coil springs and strategically placed cuts to mimic feather movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The decoy achieves a lifelike feather effect by allowing fabric to flutter in the breeze

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlutter: Flutter

Data Source

PatentUS10034474B2Adjustable animal decoy with simulated feather/fur exterior

Publication Date: 2018.07.31 FLINT HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

An animal decoy comprising a coil spring, where the coil spring is shaped to resemble at least a portion of a body of an animal, and an exterior fabric layer over at least a portion of the coil spring. The exterior fabric layer displaying a realistic representation of an animal, including a representation of a first type of detail with a first edge, and a representation of a second type of detail with a second edge, wherein the exterior fabric layer is cut along at least a portion of the first edge and at least a portion of the second edge. The animal decoy has a plurality of leg pole sleeves, each leg pole sleeve includes a first top section attached at a point within an internal cavity of the animal decoy, and each have an opening connected to the exterior fabric layer.