Animated Duck Decoy Tail Wagging Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing duck decoys fail to accurately mimic the natural movements of real ducks, often using noisy and jerky mechanisms that scare away animals rather than attracting them.
Innovation Solution
An animated duck decoy featuring a hollow body shell with a tail wagging mechanism comprising an upper mechanical portion with a torsion spring and a lower mechanical portion driven by a motorized rotating arm, which creates a smooth, flicking motion of the tail through a horizontal arc, mimicking the natural movement of a duck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If motorized mechanisms are used to create movement in the decoy, then the decoy can mimic natural movements, but the mechanisms produce noise and jerky movements that scare away ducks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action through the rotating arm that strikes the tail at regular intervals, creating a rhythmic wagging motion. This periodic striking mechanism produces smooth, natural-looking tail movements rather than continuous mechanical motion, eliminating the jerky movements and noise associated with traditional motorized decoys while still achieving the desired natural appearance to attract ducks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional motorized mechanical systems with a torsion spring-based mechanical system. Instead of using motors that produce noise and jerky movements, the invention uses a torsion spring combined with periodic strikes from a rotating arm to create smooth, natural tail wagging motions. This substitution eliminates the harmful noise and jerky movements while maintaining the ability to mimic natural duck behavior
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional floating decoys are used, then the decoy remains simple and stable, but it cannot mimic natural duck movements to attract waterfowl
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by introducing a movable tail component that can wag back and forth through a horizontal arc. The tail is connected via a rod that can rotate on a pivot post, allowing it to dynamically change position and simulate natural duck tail movements. This dynamic capability enables the decoy to adapt its appearance to attract waterfowl while the floatable base maintains overall stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the decoy into distinct functional components: a floatable base for stability, a hollow body shell for structure, and a separate movable tail assembly for movement. The tail assembly is further segmented into the tail feathers, rod, and torsion spring components. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently - the base provides stability while the tail provides movement capability, resolving the contradiction between stability and movement adaptability
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 effectively mimics the natural movement of a duck's tail, attracting waterfowl without the noise and jerky movements of previous decoys, enhancing hunting effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The opposite end of the rod is connected to and supported by a torsion spring, and further includes an open end. The torsion spring encircles a pivot post that downwardly extends from the upper bracket, and is connected to the rod and the upper bracket
Implementation Method 2
The rotating arm includes an elastomeric bumper. The motor causes the rotating arm to rotate in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction in a horizontal plane. The rotating arm, and the elastomeric bumper, are upwardly spaced a distance from the lower bracket so that the elastomeric bumper is in communication with the upper mechanical portion, such that as the rotating arm rotates on the horizontal plane, the elastomeric bumper strikes the open end of rod
Implementation Method 3
a floatable base
Data Source
AI summary
An animated duck decoy including a decoy base, and a shell removably connected to the base. The shell defining a chamber. An upper bracket attached to an upper surface of the chamber, a tail member connected to an end of a horizontal rod that outwardly extends from a rear of the shell, and an opposite end of the rod connected to a torsion spring, the torsion spring also connected to the upper bracket, the rod further defining an open end. A lower bracket attached to a top surface of the base. The lower bracket having a motor attached thereto, the motor having a drive shaft extending vertically upward from the lower bracket, and the drive shaft having a hub fixed at the top end thereof. The hub having a horizontal arm including a first elastomeric bumper affixed at one end. The horizontal arm is spaced from the lower bracket such that the horizontal arm and the horizontal rod are substantially co-planar, so when the motor rotates the arm in a circular direction, the first bumper strikes the free end of the horizontal rod causing the horizontal rod to rotate horizontally and thus causing the tail member to rotate horizontally.