Nested Waterfowl Decoy Arms for Compact Storage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional waterfowl decoy deployment systems are not easily deployable and have a large storage footprint when not in use.

Innovation Solution

A decoy deployment system featuring a hub with radially extending arms that can be easily deployed and undeployed, with two-dimensional silhouette decoys attached via decoy/arms interface members, allowing for compact storage and efficient deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional decoy deployment systems use submerged components with extendable and retractable arms, then the system can deploy decoys effectively, but the system has a large storage footprint when not deployed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedeployabilityVSAvoidstorage footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The arms are designed to nest within each other when retracted, with each arm containing the next smaller arm, creating a compact hierarchical structure that minimizes storage volume while maintaining full deployment capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The system divides the decoy deployment structure into multiple detachable arm segments that can be independently stored and reconfigured, allowing the arms to be collapsed into a compact arrangement during storage while being easily assembled for deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional decoy deployment systems use multiple arms and components, then the system can present decoys effectively, but the system is not easily deployable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoy presentation capabilityVSAvoiddeployability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The arms incorporate telescopic sections that can dynamically extend and retract, allowing the system to transition from a compact storage configuration to a fully deployed decoy presentation configuration through simple linear motion rather than complex assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The interface members serve multiple functions: they attach decoys to arms, provides attachment points for the telescopic sections, and enable quick connect/disconnect operations, reducing the number of separate components needed while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250134094A1Flexible waterfowl decoy system

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 BRADEN JACOB MICHAEL

AI summary

A decoy deployment system includes a hub; a first decoy arm operatively connected to the hub; a second decoy arm operatively connected to the hub; and a third decoy arm operatively connected to the hub. The first and second decoy arms are configured to move from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The hub includes a first decoy arm notch and a second decoy arm notch. The first decoy arm notch is configured to engage the first decoy arm and to secure the first decoy arm in a deployed position. The second decoy arm notch is configured to engage the second decoy arm and to secure the second decoy arm in a deployed position.