Decoy Tethering Device with Retractable Line and Weight Anchor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tethering devices for decoy assemblies lack efficient deployment and retrieval mechanisms, particularly for securing decoys on water surfaces, as they often require complex setups and fail to maintain stability under varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
A tethering device comprising a disc-shaped housing with a selectively extensible and retractable line, a cord lock for maintaining line tension, a coupler for securing to a decoy keel, and a connector for anchoring a weight to keep the decoy in place, utilizing a spring mechanism for easy deployment and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing tethering devices use complex deployment mechanisms, then retrieval functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a retractable line mechanism where the line can be deployed when needed and automatically retracted back into the housing when not in use. This allows the device to maintain a compact form while providing full deployment functionality, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The line is stored within the housing in a nested configuration, allowing the extended line to be retracted back into the compact housing. This nesting approach enables the device to transition between deployed and stored states without increasing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If existing tethering devices lack secure anchoring mechanisms, then deployment simplicity is maintained, but reliability of decoy positioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The weight-based anchoring system utilizes gravity and buoyancy forces naturally present in the aquatic environment to secure the decoy. The weight provides automatic stabilization without requiring active control systems or complex anchoring mechanisms, achieving reliable positioning through passive physical principles.
Solution Approach 2:
A weight is attached to the line to counterbalance buoyant forces and maintain the decoy at a desired position in the water. This counterweight mechanism provides reliable positioning by balancing opposing forces, achieving stability without complex active control systems.
3Productivity
If existing tethering devices require complex setups, then functionality is comprehensive, but productivity of deployment process deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The line is pre-stored within the housing in a ready-to-deploy configuration. When deployment is required, the line can be quickly extended without requiring complex assembly or configuration steps, significantly improving deployment productivity while maintaining comprehensive functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional components (housing, line, fastener, coupler, connector, and weight) are integrated into a single unified tethering device. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate deployment equipment and simplifies the overall setup process, improving productivity while maintaining comprehensive functionality.
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
Enables efficient and stable deployment and retrieval of decoys on water surfaces by ensuring secure anchoring and easy operation, enhancing usability and reliability in various environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A spring mechanism for easy deployment and retrieval
Data Source
AI summary
A decoy tethering device for deploying and retrieving a decoy assembly includes a housing. A line is selectively extensible from and retractable into the housing. A fastener is selectively couplable to the line. A coupler that is coupled to the housing is configured to couple to a keel of a decoy. A connector that is coupled to a second end of the line is configured to couple to a weight. The fastener is positioned to decouple from the line to both extend and retract the line from the housing, and to couple to the line to retain the line in an extended configuration. The coupler is configured to couple the housing to the keel of the decoy. The connector is configured to couple to the weight to position the weight to retain the decoy in place on a surface of a body of water in which the weight is positioned.