Tubular Receiving Member for Waterfowl Decoy Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waterfowl decoy systems face challenges in setup and retrieval, especially in adverse weather and low light conditions, requiring manual handling and potential contamination, and struggle with stability during windy conditions due to loose attachment of decoys to stakes.

Innovation Solution

A tubular receiving member is set into the ground to hold the support stake of waterfowl decoys, allowing for easy positioning and removal without direct contact with the ground, reducing contamination and enhancing stability in various conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the support stake is driven into the ground directly, then the setup process is simple, but the ground must be soft and accessible, requiring drilling when frozen and direct contact causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of setupVSAvoidcontamination from ground contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a tubular receiving member as an intermediary component between the ground and the decoy support stake. This tube is driven into the ground and receives the stake, allowing the decoy to be positioned without direct ground contact. The intermediary tube solves the contamination problem while maintaining simple setup procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into separate functional components: the tubular receiving member that interfaces with the ground, and the support stake that holds the decoy. This segmentation allows the ground-contacting portion to be separated from the decoy, preventing contamination while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the decoy is loosely attached to the stake for realistic motion, then the decoy can twist and turn with wind, but the attachment is insufficient in windy conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverealistic motion capabilityVSAvoidstability in windy conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic attachment system where the decoy can move freely within the tubular receiving member during calm conditions to provide realistic motion. However, the system includes a removable cap that can secure the decoy in place during windy conditions, allowing the system to adapt between mobility and stability as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If multiple decoys are set up in formation, then the display is effective for hunting, but the setup and retrieval process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehunting effectivenessVSAvoidsetup and retrieval time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tubular receiving members are pre-positioned in the ground in the desired decoy formation pattern before hunting begins. This preliminary action allows decoys to be quickly inserted into their final positions without requiring complex positioning during setup, significantly reducing the time and labor required for both setup and retrieval while maintaining effective hunting displays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If the support stake protrudes from the ground for decoy attachment, then the decoy can be mounted, but in low light conditions the stake placement is difficult and requires two-step process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoy mounting capabilityVSAvoidstake placement difficulty in low light

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The tubular receiving members can be painted or marked with high-visibility colors that are easily detectable in low light conditions. This visual enhancement allows hunters to quickly locate and identify the tube positions without requiring precise stake placement in the dark, simplifying the setup process while maintaining decoy mounting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS8893426B2Apparatus and method for using waterfowl decoys on land

Publication Date: 2014.11.25 JAEGER WILLIAM

AI summary

There is disclosed an apparatus and a method for supporting a movable or stationary decoy displayed on a stake for attracting waterfowl where the decoy has a neck portion, a head portion, a body portion, and a stake that protrudes from and may be securely attached to the body portion of the decoy. A tubular receiving member having an internal channel is provided for loosely receiving the stake. The tubular receiving member can be made of black PVC conduit or other suitable materials and has an upper end that is flared to provide an opening that is larger than the internal channel in the tubular receiving member and a lower end that is sealed to prevent water from entering the tubular receiving member. The lower end of the tubular receiving member is adapted to be mounted in the ground.