Rotating Decoy Deployment Apparatus with Reinforcement Bearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterfowl decoy deployment apparatuses face challenges with weight imbalances and increased wind forces, leading to wobbling and damage to support equipment when deploying multiple decoys in a rotating array.
Innovation Solution
A waterfowl decoy deployment apparatus with a robust reinforcement bearing assembly and sturdy stand, featuring a motor and gearbox system that supports outwardly radiating decoy deployment arms, allowing for a greater number of decoys to be deployed while withstanding wind and weight stresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple decoys are arranged rotationally around a support apparatus, then the lifelike appearance and deployment effectiveness is improved, but weight imbalances cause wobbling that damages the support column and drive equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterbalancing weights to offset the weight imbalances caused by rotational decoy arrangements. These counterweights are positioned to create opposing forces that neutralize the wobbling effect, thereby protecting the support column and drive equipment from damage while maintaining the rotational deployment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates reinforcement bearing assemblies and sturdy stand structures that are designed beforehand to withstand and cushion the stresses of rotational movement. These pre-installed protective elements absorb and distribute the forces generated during rotation, preventing damage before it occurs to the support equipment.
2Reliability
If the number of deployed decoys is increased, then the presentation effectiveness is improved, but wind forces increase causing greater damage to the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat array of decoys to a three-dimensional spherical or radial arrangement. This dimensional change allows decoys to be distributed more evenly in space, reducing the cumulative wind surface area exposed at any given moment while maintaining high presentation effectiveness through multi-directional deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the decoy array into multiple independent segments or arms that can rotate and adjust independently. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for wind resistance while maintaining the overall deployment effectiveness, as individual segments can be positioned to minimize wind impact without compromising the total decoy presentation.
3Quantity of substance
If a robust reinforcement bearing assembly and sturdy stand are used, then the ability to deploy more decoys is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reinforcement bearing assembly and sturdy stand into an integrated base structure that serves multiple functions simultaneously. This merging reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps, thereby decreasing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the structural integrity needed to support multiple decoys.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the reinforcement bearing assembly and stand to serve multiple functions: supporting the weight of multiple decoys, enabling rotational movement, providing structural stability against wind forces, and facilitating easy deployment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A waterfowl decoy deployment apparatus comprises a drive wheel 82 having a vertical drive shaft 86 depending from a horizontal support plate 84, the drive shaft 86 rotatably locked in the drive shaft bore 80 of a reinforcement bearing 76 affixed to a housing 14, the motor shaft 58 from a motor 48 affixed to the housing 14 extending upwardly and rotatably secured in a motor shaft bore 90 in the lower end of the drive shaft 86, an array of waterfowl decoy deployment arms 18 radiating symmetrically and outwardly from the support plate 84, each waterfowl decoy deploying arm for supporting a waterfowl decoy, such that activation of the motor shaft 58 causes the drive wheel 82, bearing 76, and array of decoy deployment arms 18 to rotate in unison thereby deploying a plurality of decoys in a lifelike presentation.