CN111493061A

CN111493061A - Bait for waterfowl

Info

Publication number: CN111493061A
Application number: CN201911328490.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 大卫·M·汉森
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-12-20
Filing date: 2019-12-20
Publication date: 2020-08-07
Also published as: CA3065593A1

Abstract

The application relates to a method for simulating feeding movement of waterfowl baits in a water body. The method comprises the following steps: rotating a rotating shaft of a motor of the bait from a rest position to a first eating position, so that the bait moves from a horizontal position to a vertical position; rotating a shaft of a motor of the bait from a first eating position to a second eating position such that the bait moves from a vertical position to a position between a horizontal position and the first eating position; rotating the shaft of the motor of the lure from the second eating position to the first eating position such that the body of the lure moves back from a position between the horizontal position and the first eating position to the vertical position; and moving the shaft of the motor of the lure from the first or second eating position back to the rest position such that the body of the lure moves back to the rest position.

Description

Bait for waterfowl

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application No. 15/628,511 filed on 20/6/2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application No. 15/239,330 filed on 17/8/2016, which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/205,916 filed on 17/8/2015, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to waterfowl baits for hunters and, more particularly, to a method of operating a waterfowl bait to simulate the feeding motion while floating on a water surface.

Background

Ducks mainly forage in shallow waters where they tilt their body forward, dig their heads and breasts into the water, and forage for insects and plants at the water bottom, commonly known as "water-boring ducks". When they feed, they move or kick the flippers in the water to propel them. The tails of the bait, visible above the water surface, also move with the foraging of the ducks. This movement creates waves in the water surface, which results in waves or small waves around the duck body.

Various attempts have been made in the art to provide baits that can simulate the feeding motion of waterfowls in water. However, these attempts have failed to provide a free-floating lure that is self-contained and capable of remote operation while simulating real eating movements. For example, as shown in U.S. patent No. 2,457,295 to Woodhead, one common arrangement of a lure configured to simulate a duck utilizes a cable and pulley system that requires a hunter to pull on a string to cause the head of the lure to sway in the water. However, the device also requires an anchor in the water below the bait.

Other bait stations require the bait to be attached to a stake which provides a rigid object to which the bait is attached. U.S. patent No. 2.434,355 to Signalness discloses such a lure. However, similar to the device disclosed in Woodhead, the bait remains relatively fixed in position and if it is desired to move the bait, the stake must be moved to another location.

Various weighting systems provide balance for baits that may float on water. U.S. patent No. 2591,554 to Kinney et al discloses a lure with adjustable center of gravity. The weight is suspended on the bait. The weight may be pivoted from a position below the bait to a position in front of the bait to change the bait from an upright position to a feeding position. The weight is driven by a continuous drive motor to move the bait between these two positions in a regular and stable manner. However, this movement does not accurately and truly simulate the movement of a duck bur.

The invention provides a bait which can simulate a duck in water, not only can simulate the movement of the tail of the duck in water, but also can cause surface ripples in the water around the bait, thereby providing a real simulation of the duck in water.

Disclosure of Invention

A waterfowl bait according to the principles of the present invention is configured to mimic the feeding motion of a waterfowl duck or a water-boring duck. The waterfowl bait of the present invention mimics this motion by using a programmed microprocessor connected to a small motor, which may be a waterproof servo motor or a motor housed in a waterproof container. The motor creates a pivot point against the weight of the battery assembly or other weight to move the bait body through the water. When the head and front end of the lure is fully immersed in the water, the motor will receive a new command from the microprocessor to move rapidly back and forth. This simulates the feeding motion of a duck foraging under water. The water surface generates ripples or ripples and the bait tail moves back and forth, so that the real duck drilling water is simulated. After a few movements or "kicks", the microprocessor sends a new signal and the bait returns to the surface and back to the upright position. The bait then stays on the water for a few seconds and the feeding cycle is repeated.

In one embodiment, a waterfowl bait comprises: a body including a head portion and a body portion at a leading end, and the body portion defining an outer surface simulating a waterfowl. At least a part of the body part floats in the water. A motor having a rotating shaft is coupled to the bottom of the body part. The elongate member or armature has a first end coupled to a rotating shaft of the motor. The elongate member is movable between a first position and a second position by the motor shaft by corresponding movement of the shaft of the motor from a first rotational position to a second rotational position. A weight is coupled to the second end of the elongated member. The weight member has sufficient weight to counteract the buoyancy of the body to maintain the armature substantially vertical in the water as the shaft of the motor rotates, so that when the head rotates into the weight member, the head of the lure is immersed in the water, and when the head rotates away from the weight member, the head rises out of the water.

In another embodiment, the waterfowl bait has a weight including a battery, and further includes a wire along the armature coupling the battery to the motor along the armature to supply power to the motor.

In another embodiment, the body defines a channel extending from the base of the body portion to the head portion. The channel is located in the front half of the body. The body portion forms a sealed air chamber around the passageway.

In yet another embodiment, the head defines at least one aperture in fluid communication with the interior of the head that allows air and water to pass therethrough.

In yet another embodiment, the body portion defines at least one aperture in fluid communication with the channel, the aperture allowing air and water to pass therethrough.

In another embodiment, the head defines a first aperture at a top of the head and a second aperture at a bottom of the head.

In yet another embodiment, the aperture comprises a plurality of slits, holes or V-shaped apertures on the top of the body portion.

In yet another embodiment, the motor housing is coupled to a bottom portion of the body portion. The shaft of the motor passes through a water tight seal in the motor housing to prevent water from contacting the motor.

In yet another embodiment, a remote control receiver is coupled to the body. The receiver communicates with the wireless remote control to receive control signals from the wireless remote control to control operation of the motor.

In yet another embodiment, the floating core of the body is located at the rear of the body.

In yet another embodiment, the motor is capable of rotating back and forth when the elongated member is in the second position to cause the elongated member to rotate back and forth in a corresponding manner to cause the body to simulate a water-boring duck with the tail of the body extending out of the water.

The above and other features and advantages of waterfowl baits according to the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings several exemplary embodiments which illustrate what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements, methods or embodiments disclosed. In the following drawings:

figure 1 is a side view of a waterfowl bait and an associated remote control in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the waterfowl bait shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the waterfowl bait shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the waterfowl bait shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the waterfowl bait shown in fig. 1 in a simulated feeding position.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of a waterfowl bait according to the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a partial rear view of the waterfowl bait shown in fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of yet another embodiment of a waterfowl bait according to the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of a waterfowl bait according to the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of yet another embodiment of a waterfowl bait according to the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a partial cross-sectional top view of a motor assembly for a waterfowl bait according to the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a flow chart of a method of operating a waterfowl bait according to the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a flow chart of another embodiment of a method of operating a waterfowl bait according to the principles of the present invention.

It is to be understood that the drawings are illustrative and not restrictive of the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. The illustrated embodiments achieve various aspects and objects of the present invention. It should be understood that each element and aspect of the invention may not be explicitly shown in only a single figure, upon which basis a number of figures are presented to more clearly illustrate the various details of the invention respectively. Similarly, not every embodiment need achieve all of the advantages of the invention. For simplicity, the various elements and operations in the figures are illustrated, but are not necessarily presented in any particular order or embodiment.

Detailed Description

The present invention and the figures are now discussed with reference to the reference numerals provided herein to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. The drawings and description are illustrative of various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims. Unless otherwise indicated, the words and phrases in the specification and claims are to be given the ordinary, ordinary and accustomed meanings that are intended to be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. It should be noted that the inventor may be his own lexical compiler. The inventors expressly choose as their own lexical editor that only the ordinary meaning of a term used in the specification and claims, and unless otherwise expressly stated, do not further expressly state a "special" limitation on that term and interpret the distinction between that limitation and the ordinary meaning. Without a clear statement as to the use of a "special" limitation, it is the inventors' intent and intention to apply the plain, ordinary, and ordinary meaning of the terms in the description and in the claims.

The inventors are also aware of the conventional rules of syntax. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include other adjectives, descriptive terms, or phrases, in accordance with the general rules of grammar. Other modifiers do not use these adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers and are intended to convey a general, english meaning to those skilled in the art to which the aforementioned nouns, terms, or phrases are assigned.

Still further, the inventors are fully aware of the standards and applicability of these particular laws. Thus, use of the terms "function," "method," or "step" in the description or the claims is not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the invention. Rather, if a claim is recited when a claim is made to define the invention, the claims, materials, or acts, the phrase "method" or "step" and particular function (e.g., "means for filtering") will be explicitly and clearly set forth without necessarily reciting the structure in such phrases as supporting that function. Thus, when the claims recite a "method" or "step," it is the intention of the inventors to be certain not to be a disclaimer if the claims recite any structure, material, or operation that supports the method or step, or performs the recited function. Furthermore, even if regulations are recited to define the invention claimed in the claims, it is not intended to limit the invention to the specific structure, materials, or acts described in each embodiment, but rather to include any and all functions, materials, or acts described in other embodiments or versions of the invention or equivalent structures, materials, or acts for performing the claimed functions in addition to or in lieu of the present or later known equivalents.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, the operations are described in sufficient detail to enable one to practice the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operations are implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and other configurations, devices and techniques to which the present invention may be applied. Accordingly, the full scope of the invention is not limited to the examples described below.

As shown in figure 1, a waterfowl bait 10 configured to resemble waterfowls includes a free floating bait having a bait body 12 and an integrated head 14, a motor assembly 16, and a weight 18 and an associated elongated rigid armature 20, the armature 20 being coupled with the motor assembly 16. although the free floating bait 10 is configured to float on the water, the bait 10 may be tethered to an anchor or weight with a wire, such as a rope, wire or string, for example, the head 14 of the bait 10 may be submerged down and back to the water surface at any depth, i.e., about 1 foot to 20 feet or more, so long as the water is deep enough that the bait may be tilted as described herein, and the head 14 or weight 18 of the bait 10 does not become stuck to the bottom of the body of water, the head 14 of the bait 10 may be submerged down and back to the water surface, the head 10 may be attached to an anchor or weight 15 at the water bottom with a tether 13, such as a wire, rope or string, or a weight, to prevent the bait from floating from a generally desirable position, as described herein, the tether 13 and weight 15 need not simulate a water line 13, a weight 3513, a weight, a weight 3518, to simulate a float on the bait 12, a bait 12, when the bait 10, a float on the bait 10, a water surface, a float, such that the bait 10, a float.

For clarity of description, the movement of the armature 20 and the weight member 18 relative to the body 12 of the lure 10 is described in terms of relative movement between the armature 20 and the body 12. However, in use in water, when the body 12 of the lure 10 is rotated about the top end of the armature, the body 12 and weight member move towards or away from each other and the armature 20 and weight member 18 will remain in an opposed position with the armature 20 extending in a substantially vertical direction. The armature 20 and the weight member 18 can be moved relative to the body 12 of the lure 10 to any desired position between position a and position B, such as position C or position D shown in broken lines, using a servo, stepper or other motor. The relative angle of the armature 20 with respect to the body 12 when moving between position a and position B is configured to rotate approximately 90 degrees plus or minus 5 degrees.

The wireless remote control 30 may communicate via the antenna 32 with a microprocessor that controls the operation of the motor to control the movement of the lure 10. when an electrical signal is sent from the microprocessor to the motor, the motor is activated and may move the armature 20 at any position between position A and position B. the weight has sufficient weight to overcome the buoyancy of the body 12 of the lure so that when the weight 18 is moved to position B, the front portion 25 of the body 12 of the lure and the head 14 of the lure move downwardly into the water where the tail 24 is nearly perpendicular relative to the water surface. in this position, the motor is activated rapidly, moving the armature 20 and the weight 18 rapidly relative to the body 12 between position B and position C, thereby moving the body 12 through the water simulating only eating water-boring ducks that are exposed aft of the waterline W L2. the angle of movement between position B and position C may be between about 1 degree and about 10 degrees.

The degree of movement of the armature 20 between position B and position C refers to the frequency and angle that can cause the tail 24 of the lure 10 to move relative to the water and accordingly cause ripples in the water. The legs of a real duck which are intended to move through the water when in a feeding position can cause the water surface to become rippled by a large amount, and since the lure 10 has no legs, the lure 10 of the present invention uses tail motion to cause such rippling. The ripples produced when head 14 is close to the water surface are also a result of head 14 movement, resulting in displacement of water on the water surface. A frequency of movement of about 1 to 5Hz between position B and position C is sufficient to cause substantial and real waviness of the water surrounding the lure 10.

The remote control 30 is provided with a plurality of buttons 1-8 for controlling the various functions of the lure 10. Buttons 1 and 2 may provide ON and OFF functions for the lure to remotely turn ON or OFF lure 10 as desired by the user. The button 3 can move the lure 10 to the pecking/eating position. The button 4 can return the lure 10 to the vertically floating position. The button 5 may set the lure to an automatic mode in which the lure 10 is automatically moved between the pecking position and the upright position as has been preprogrammed, and the button 6 may set the lure 10 to a manual mode. The

buttons

7 and 8 may be used to control the frequency of the pecking movement and the frequency of the bait movement between the upright position and the pecking position. The button 9 may be an on/off button of the remote controller 30. In addition to or in lieu of the above-described functionality, the remote control may also provide other control functions. For example, certain buttons may be designated to initiate certain eating patterns and/or resting functions. It should also be noted that the remote control 30 may include an application on a smartphone or other handheld computing device such as a tablet computer.

As shown in fig. 2, the electric wire 34 extends from the battery compartment 36 to the motor housing 37, the battery compartment 36 including the weight member 18. An antenna 32 extends through the body 12 of the lure 10. As shown in fig. 1, the body 12 of the lure 10 includes various enclosed air chambers 38 and 38' (which may be in fluid communication with each other, i.e., correspond to a portion of the same air chamber) that provide sufficient buoyancy when the lure 10 is in the first position to simulate a waterfowl sitting on water when the weight member 18 is positioned extending below the lure body 12, and open a passage 40 through which air and water may flow when the weight member 18 is moved to position B as shown in fig. 1, the passage 40 being defined by passage wall 42 and passage wall 44.

Channel walls

42 and 44 can be formed by sleeve 41 sealed between the neck of bait body 12 and the bottom surface of bait body 12. Similarly,

channel walls

42 and 44 may be molded into body 12.

Channel walls

42 and 44 may define a generally cylindrical or frustum shape of a channel through body 12 such that plenum 38 surrounds

channel walls

42 and 44. The passage extends from a bottom opening 47, the bottom opening 47 being formed in a bottom surface 54 of the body 12, and an interior space 40 'in fluid communication, the interior space 40' being defined by the neck and head of the bait 12.

The front apertures or

other openings

45, 46, 47, 48 and 49 of the bait allow water to enter the passage 40 while also allowing air to escape, the apertures or

openings

45 and 46 may include a small less noticeable hole, slit or V-shaped aperture on the back of the bait to be masked and relatively hidden on the surface of the bait 10. similarly, the

slits

48 and 49 are wide enough to allow water to flow through the head of the bait 10 and maintain the overall appearance of the bait 10. the front enclosed air chamber portion 38 'is sized to provide sufficient buoyancy to the front end 22 of the bait body 12 to maintain the body in a generally horizontal position at the surface of the water as shown by the waterline W L1 in fig. 1, but this does not prevent the bait 10 from moving to a feeding position while the body 12 remains in a generally vertical position as shown by the waterline W L2 in fig. 1. with reference to the waterline W L2, when the bait 10 is tilted to the position B as shown in fig. 1, the air in the air chamber 40' passes through the opening 48 on the back of the head of the bait 10, the air chamber 40 may pass through the air chamber 46 and air chamber 46 when the water flows back into the channel wall 40 and the head 46, air chamber 46, when the water flows back through the head and air chamber 46, as shown in fig. 1.

As further shown in fig. 3, the passage 40 extends from the relatively large opening 47 through the neck 52 of the lure and into the head 14. Thus, the passage 40 is in fluid communication with the neck 52 of the lure 10 and the interior of the head 14. The channel 40 is also in fluid communication with

openings

45, 46, 47, 48 (not visible), 49, 50 and 51. As shown in fig. 4, the passage 40 is formed by a sleeve 41, the sleeve 41 extending from an opening 47 and being sealed at one end to the bottom 54 of the bait body 12 and at the other end to the inner surface of the bait body 12 from the rear 43' of the bait body 12 to the front 43 "of the neck opening of the bait body 12. The location of the passage 40 through the lure 10 is forward of the centre of buoyancy of the lure 10. The centre of buoyancy is that of the lure body 12 due to the positional relationship of the air chamber 38 with respect to the body 12. In this regard, the majority of the air chamber 38 is located in the rear half of the bait body 12 so that the rear end of the bait body 12 is more buoyant than the front half of the bait body 12. The front half of the bait body 12 is still somewhat buoyant due to the air chamber 38' which extends around the air chamber 40. As such, when the weight 18 is positioned below the bait body 12, the buoyancy of the front of the bait 10 is sufficient to maintain the bait body 12 in an upright position, but not as great as the buoyancy of the rear half of the bait body 12, resulting in the weight of the weight 18 being sufficient to overcome the buoyancy of the front of the bait body 12 when the front of the bait body 12 is tipped into the water.

Referring to fig. 3, the motor housing 37 is attached to the bottom surface 54 of the lure 12. As shown in fig. 1, a rotating shaft 60 of the motor extends from the motor housing 37 to be connected to the armature 20. The shaft 60 is located near the longitudinal centerline of the bait body 12 so that the weight member 18 (see figure 2) is centered between the right and left sides of the bait to provide proper side-to-side balance for the bait body 12 in the water. A waterproof seal is provided between the motor housing 37 and the rotating shaft 60 of the motor to prevent water from entering the motor housing 37 when the motor housing 37 is immersed in water.

Referring to figure 5, when the lure 10 is in a vertical position relative to the waterline W L, the tail 24 of the lure body 12 and the rear half of the lure body 12 are only those parts above the waterline W L. to be in this position, the motor receives a command to rotate the body 12 to a substantially vertical position, in which position the motor receives a command to rotate the shaft back and forth relatively rapidly from a first rotational position to a second rotational position, this causes the body 12 to move between positions B and C relative to the armature 20 and the weight 18 as indicated by arrow A1, this further causing the tail 24 to swing back and forth as indicated by arrow A2, thereby replicating the action of a duck when it is foraging underwater, such movement in turn causing the ripples at the waterline W L. as indicated by position A in figure 1, after a few seconds of underwater swing, the motor returns to a "zero" position causing the body 12 to swing back to a horizontal position with the bottom 11 of the body 12 to a position substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the body 20, thereby causing the body 10 to return to the surface (shown in figure 1) to a position L1, the actual float on the bait 10 and the bait opening when the body 12 moves past the bait opening and the bait opening 48 and when the bait outlet 48, the bait, and when the bait moves relatively large, respectively, when the bait head and when the bait moves past the bait opening 48 and when the bait opening 46, and when the bait are submerged opening, and when the bait are moved horizontally.

When the lure 10 is shown in position B, the buoyancy of the lure body 12 needs to be calculated so that the motor housing 37 and therefore the armature 20 and weight 18 are largely below the waterline W L, in order that the motor housing 37 and therefore the armature 20 and weight 18 are not visible above the waterline W L.

As shown in fig. 6, a lure, generally designated 100, in accordance with the present disclosure includes a lure body 102, the lure body 102 having a bottom surface 104, the bottom surface 104 being attached to a motor housing 106. A servo motor 108 or other motor known in the art capable of controlling the back and forth motion is secured within the motor housing 106. A rigid elongate member 110, such as a tubular shaft, is coupled to a shaft 112 of the motor 108 and rotates with movement of the shaft 112 of the motor 108. Waterproof battery compartment 114 is coupled to the distal end of elongate member 110 and houses a battery 120 and one or more microprocessors 122, which may include a microprocessor for communicating via an antenna and a separate microprocessor for controlling motor 108, or a single microprocessor capable of both communication functions and motor operation. The battery 120 may be a single battery, such as a single 6 volt battery, or multiple combinations of batteries and battery packs, depending on the power requirements of the lure 100 and the useful life between battery charging or battery replacement.

A wire 124 and antenna 126 coupled to one or more microprocessors 122 extend upwardly through the elongate member 110 and into the motor housing 106. The microprocessor's lead 124 sends control signals to the motor 108 to control the movement of the elongated member 110. The antenna 126 extends further from the motor housing 106 into the body 102 of the lure 100 to an exposed position near the rear of the lure when the lure is in the horizontally seated position and when the lure is in the vertically fed position. If desired, the antenna may extend into the tail 128 of the lure 100 to ensure that the antenna does not fall below the water level regardless of the position of the lure in the water. Instead, the antenna may extend into the head 129.

As further shown in fig. 7, to prevent water from entering the housing 106 when the housing 106 is submerged in water, the motor housing 106 is provided with a shaft seal 130, the shaft seal 130 providing a water tight seal between the shaft 110 and the motor housing 106. The housing 106 also includes a seal 132 around which the wire 124 from the shaft 110 and the antenna 126 are wound. A similar waterproof seal 134 is provided where the wires 124 and antenna 126 are spaced from the shaft 110 near the motor housing. This prevents water from entering the spindle 110 and the battery and microprocessor area 114. It should be noted that the motor housing 106 may be located on the opposite side of the shaft 110 and simply connected to the opposite side of the shaft 110 while keeping the shaft 110 substantially centered with respect to the bottom surface of the lure body. Thus, the graph of FIG. 7 may represent a back view or a front view.

Also, the battery compartment 114 may include a three-position switch 115 on the compartment 114. Switch 115 will have three positions: closing, starting and running. "on" indicates that the antenna is listening for a signal that can be activated by a hunter in a hunting blind spot. Alternatively, if the remote control is lost, damaged or otherwise unavailable, the bait may be activated by turning the switch to a third position of "run" in which the bait enters an automatic mode of operation. Although the battery compartment 114 is a sealed housing, it may include a door to access and/or remove the batteries contained therein for recharging or battery replacement/replacement.

Fig. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a lure according to the principles of the present invention, generally designated 200. The lure 200 is configured in a similar manner to the lure 100 shown in fig. 7, but the microprocessor 202 is located above the motor housing 204 within the sealed chamber 206 of the lure body 208. In this way, as previously discussed and described, the microprocessor is less likely to be exposed to water because the motor housing is never submerged during use of the lure.

Likewise, in fig. 9, a lure configured in the same manner as the principles of the present invention is generally indicated at 300 in accordance with the principles of the present invention, but with a microprocessor 302 and battery 303 located above a motor housing 304 within a sealed chamber 306 of a lure body 308. Thus, as previously indicated, the microprocessor is unlikely to be exposed to water because the motor housing is never submerged during use of the lure. In this case, as previously shown, the weight 310 has a weight of sufficient mass to handle the bait. Furthermore, since there is a substantial increase in weight from the battery 303 to the body 308 of the lure 300, it may be necessary to increase the size of the air chamber 306 and/or to change the distribution of the buoyant air chambers in order to increase and/or change the buoyancy of the lure, counteracting the increased weight of the battery on the body 308 of the lure 300.

Further, in this embodiment, the lure 300 operates in an automatic mode. That is, the lure 300 is not controlled by a remote control. Instead, the motor is operated to simulate a feeding duck using a preprogrammed microprocessor 302. That is, the microprocessor 302 may rotate the body 308 relative to the weight 310 from the horizontal position shown to a substantially vertical position by rotating 1/4 turns of the motor's shaft. The 1/4 turns occur in about 1 second or less, simulating the diving action of a duck head. Once in this position, the motor will oscillate back and forth in rapid succession (e.g., about 0.1 to 0.5 seconds) with relatively small amplitude (e.g., about 1 to about 6 percent rotation of the motor shaft, i.e., 5 to 30 degrees) for about 2 to 10 seconds, and then rotate 1/4 cycles to move the bait back to a resting horizontal position on the water. This cycle is repeated at set or random intervals (e.g., 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20, 30, 60, 120 second intervals), with the bait undergoing feeding motion for a period of time (e.g., 1-10 seconds) and then returning to the resting position for a period of time (e.g., 1-120 seconds). The time intervals for each set of oscillations simulating eating are in a constant repeating pattern or a random pattern and the frequency of movement of the eating site may be about 1 to 4 oscillations per second. By randomizing the various time intervals, or at least having a repeating pattern of variations in the time intervals, the lure can be made to appear to be performing a more realistic eating pattern.

As shown in fig. 10, the lure 400 may also be propelled by moving the weight member 402 back and forth through the water using the motor 404, as indicated by arrow a3, when the weight member 402 is positioned below the lure 400. By changing the shape of the weight 402 to have a more streamlined front end and a rear end that is less likely to move through the water, as indicated by arrow a3, the weight's back and forth movement will cause the lure 400 to advance. Initial deployment of the lure is facilitated by placing the lure 400 in water generally facing the desired direction of travel. As described above, the motor 404 may be activated to advance the lure 400 to a desired position before changing the motion of the lure to one of the eating actions. A rope, thread or string of bait may be used to retrieve the bait 400 after deployment.

Referring to fig. 11, a motor assembly, generally designated 500, in accordance with the principles of the present invention is disclosed. The motor assembly 500 includes a motor housing 502 with a motor 504 mounted in the motor housing 502. The motor 504 is electrically coupled to a motor control circuit 506 and is controlled by the motor control circuit 506. The motor 500 may comprise a servo motor, a stepper motor, or other motor known in the art, and is capable of relatively precisely controlling the back-and-forth rotational movement of the shaft 508 of the motor 502. The motor control circuit 506 includes a processor 508, the processor 508 programmed with a motor control mode to operate the motor 504 for propelling the bait in a manner that causes the bait to simulate a duck. The processor 508 may include timing circuitry to intermittently place the bait in a feeding simulation mode at a rate based on the observed real ducks. That is, the feeding simulation by the processor 508 may include uneven or more random feeding patterns to better simulate the feeding habits of real ducks. The motor control circuit 506 also includes a wireless communication device 510 or transceiver, which wireless communication device 510 or transceiver receives control signals from a user by a wireless device, such as the wireless remote control shown in fig. 1. The wireless communication device may operate via RF signals or other wireless signals known in the art. An antenna 512 is coupled to the wireless communication device 510. The circuit 506 also includes a battery charging port 514, the battery charging port 514 including a waterproof cap 516 and a rechargeable charging circuit 518. When in the charging mode, a wire 520 connected to a battery (not shown) sends current to charge the battery.

Seals

522 and 524 are provided in the housing 502 and the armature 526, respectively, to seal around the wire 520 and prevent water from entering the central bore of the housing 502 or the armature 526. The leads 520 are also connected to the motor control circuit 506 and power is provided to the motor from the battery via leads 528. To seal the antenna 512, a seal 530 is also provided on the housing wall.

Water can damage the motor 504 and motor control circuit 506. to prevent water from entering the housing 502, the motor shaft 508 passes through a "stuffing box" 540 filled with lubricating or paraffin oil. Stuffing box 540 defines a space around rotating shaft 508 such that grease or wax is in full contact with the shaft and fills any space between rotating shaft 508 and the opening in stuffing box 540 through which the rotating shaft passes. Lubricating or paraffin oil prevents water from flowing into the motor housing 502, thereby providing a watertight seal between the motor's shaft 508 and the stuffing box 540. Stuffing box 540 is also provided with grease ports 542 for adding lubricating or paraffin oil to stuffing box 540 when needed. The grease port 542 is provided with a cover waterproof cap 544.

The shaft 508 is fixedly mounted to the armature 526 by press fitting, mechanical attachment, adhesive bonding, chemical attachment, or integral forming, such that the movement of the shaft 508 is directly linked to the operation of the armature 520. Considering that the rate of rotation of the motor's shaft 508 depends on the type of motor used, it is also contemplated that, for example, a gearbox may be used between the shaft 508 of the motor 504 and the armature 520 that slows the speed of the rotational movement of the armature relative to the shaft 508 of the motor.

Referring now to fig. 12, there is shown a flow chart of a method for simulating the real action of a feeding motion duck in accordance with the waterfowl bait moving in relation to the surface of the water of the present invention. Once the bait is activated, the remote control, which includes an eating motion activation button and can communicate with the bait, sends a wireless signal to the bait causing the bait to perform a preprogrammed eating action. When the feeding motion activation button is pressed, the bait will start the feeding motion and will continue for a preset time period or until the feeding motion start button or stop button is pressed to cause the bait to end the feeding motion.

When the lure enters the eating mode 600, the lure will start to move from a rest position (see position a in fig. 1) in which it is in a horizontal position relative to the water surface. That is, in a horizontal position, the head and tail of the lure above the water surface are generally horizontally aligned with each other, and the body of the lure floats on the water surface.

Once the feeding motion program begins to run, a first command (in the form of an electrical signal) is sent to the motor causing the shaft of the motor of the lure to rotate 610, thereby moving the body of the lure from the rest position to the feeding position (see position B in fig. 5). The feeding position is approximately 90 degrees from the resting position. The body of the lure is rotated from a horizontal position to a more vertical position by rotating the shaft of the motor approximately 90 degrees so that the armature with the weight attached thereto extends approximately 90 degrees from the bottom surface of the lure to a position substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the lure, and in which the head of the lure is below the water surface. The motor of the lure receives from the processor of the lure a signal that the motor's shaft is performing a rotational movement, the motor being fixed to the body of the lure, rotation of the motor's shaft causing a corresponding movement of the armature relative to the body. It should be noted that the actual rotation of the lure relative to the water surface may appear to be between about 70 degrees and about 100 degrees, depending on the buoyancy of the lure body and the weight of the weight member attached to the end of the armature. The initial rotation of the body from the resting position to the first initial eating position occurs in approximately 1 second. This movement of the body relative to the water surface and the head of the lure into the body of water causes ripples in the water surface around the lure.

Once the bait is moved to the eating position, the processor sends other signals/instructions to the motor to cause the motor shaft to move according to preprogrammed eating motion instructions. The second command to the motor is to rotate the motor shaft from the eating position of 90 degrees to a second eating position 612 of about 10-20 degrees to about 70-80 degrees (see position C in fig. 5).

When the lure is moved to the second eating position 612, the upward movement of the head of the lure towards the water surface also moves the water surface upward, thereby causing the water surface to swell. At the same time, the tail of the lure moves below the water surface, creating a water flow near the rear of the lure. The movement of the head and tail in the water can cause the water surface to ripple or billow.

After the shaft of the motor is rotated to the second eating position, the processor sends another signal to the motor causing the shaft to rotate back to the first initial eating position 614, moving the head of the lure into deeper water and the tail of the lure back to the vertical or near vertical position. The movement of the bait from the second eating position back to the first initial eating position creates more water flow or waves at the water surface.

The motor shaft rotates between the second eating position 612 and the first initial eating position 614 as long as the processor sends instructions to the motor to continue the eating motion 616. Thus, in each feeding cycle, several instructions are sent from the processor to the motor to move the bait between the first initial vertical feeding position and the small vertical feeding position of the second feeding position. The eating program causes the motor to move the shaft rhythmically at approximately 1 second intervals from the first initial eating position to the second eating position and then back to the first initial eating position. Each movement cycle creates a new set of waves at the surface.

After a few cycles (e.g., 3-20) of the feeding movement, the motor moves the bait back to a horizontal resting position 618 on the water surface. Moving from the eating position to the resting position takes less than 1 second. Moving from the water intake position to the rest position again waves the water surface.

As long as the program continues to rest at the rest position 620, the bait will remain on the water for a selected length of time between about 3 seconds and about 30 seconds. When the lure is held in the rest position 620, no ripple is produced as no movement occurs.

The entire feeding motion is repeated at preset time intervals (e.g., between about 3 seconds and 30 seconds) during which the bait is repeatedly moved from the resting position 620 to the initial feeding position 610. In so doing, the lure moves from a horizontal position on the water to a near vertical position where only the tail of the lure is above the water surface. The underwater feeding motion cycle 600 starts again. As above, after a preset number of cycles of movement between the first initial feeding position and the second feeding position, the bait is returned to the resting position 620 on the water surface, and this number of cycles may be different from the previous number of cycles, depending on the feeding program. Each movement of the bait body produces waves in the water surface, simulating the movement or wave shape of a real duck feeding in the water. The eating pattern 600 will continue to run until a preset number of eating cycles have occurred or the user presses a stop button on the remote control.

Referring to the flow chart of one method illustrated in fig. 13, the waterfowl bait according to the present invention can be put into an energy saving mode by this method, thereby saving battery life and extending the life of the motor.

In the protection mode, the bait is moved relative to the water in order to simulate the real motion of the feeding action of the duck. Once the bait is activated, the remote control, which includes a protected mode activation button and can communicate with the bait, sends a wireless signal to the bait to initiate eating movements in a pre-programmed energy saving mode. When the energy saving mode eating motion start button is pressed, the bait starts the energy saving mode eating motion and continues to run for a preset time or until the bait finishes moving by pressing the energy saving mode eating motion start button or the stop button.

When the lure enters the energy saving feeding mode 700, the lure will start moving from a rest position (see position a in fig. 1) and in which the lure is in a horizontal position relative to the water surface. That is, in a horizontal position, the head and tail of the lure above the water surface are generally horizontally aligned with each other, and the body of the lure floats on the water surface.

Once the feeding motion program begins to run, a first command (in the form of an electrical signal) is sent to the motor causing the shaft of the motor of the lure to rotate 710, thereby moving the body of the lure from the rest position to the feeding position (see position B in fig. 5). The feeding position is approximately 90 degrees from the resting position. The body of the lure is rotated from a horizontal position to a more vertical position by rotating the shaft of the motor approximately 90 degrees so that the armature with the weight attached thereto extends approximately 90 degrees from the bottom surface of the lure to a position substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the lure, and in which the head of the lure is below the water surface. The motor of the lure receives from the processor of the lure a signal that the motor's shaft is performing a rotational movement, the motor being fixed to the body of the lure, the rotation of the motor's shaft causing a corresponding operation of the armature relative to the body. It should be noted that the actual rotation of the lure relative to the water surface may appear to be between about 70 degrees and about 100 degrees, depending on the buoyancy of the lure body and the weight of the weight member attached to the end of the armature. The initial rotation of the body from the resting position to the first initial eating position occurs in approximately 1 second. This movement of the body relative to the water surface and the head of the lure into the body of water causes ripples in the water surface around the lure.

The bait will remain in the first initial feeding position for a period of time (e.g., between about 5 and 30 seconds) with no further movement of the motor shaft. Thus, at the first initial feeding position and without additional feeding movement or initiation of a feeding cycle, the tail remains in the air and the head of the lure remains underwater.

After a preset time period for the tail to hang in the air, if it is no longer in the first initial feeding position 712, the motor receives a signal from the processor to move the bait back to the surface at rest position 714. During this movement, some ripples are created on the water surface.

The bait will stay in the rest position for about 1 minute, up to about 10 minutes. If it is no longer in the resting position 716, the cycle is repeated and the motor shaft is rotated to the first initial eating position 710. The energy saving mode eating pattern 700 will continue to run until a preset number of energy saving mode eating periods have occurred or the user presses a stop button on the remote control.

Accordingly, the present invention discloses an improved lure and a method of operating the improved lure. In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. However, embodiments of the invention may be subject to various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, including combinations of elements of the various illustrated embodiments. The specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described.

For example, the steps recited in any claim directed to a method or process may be executed in any order and are not limited to the specific order presented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any claims directed to a device may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are therefore not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any particular benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or components of any or all the claims.

The phrase "consisting essentially of … …" as used herein is intended to cover additional elements or functions that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention. Thus, "consisting essentially of … …" is intended to encompass not only those components specifically listed, but also individual or additional components that do not materially alter the specifically listed function or element.

The terms "comprises," "comprising," "has," "having," "includes," "including," or any variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly modified in a manner not specifically recited.

Claims

1. A method of simulating feeding movement on a body of water bird bait comprising:

placing a waterfowl bait on a body of water, the waterfowl bait comprising:

a body including a head portion at a front end and a body portion, the body portion defining an outer surface simulating a waterfowl, the body portion at least partially floating in water;

a motor coupled to a bottom of the body portion, the motor having a rotating shaft;

a processor connected to the motor and configured to control rotation of a rotating shaft of the motor;

an elongated member having a first end coupled to a shaft of the motor, the elongated member being moved between the first and second positions by the shaft of the motor by a corresponding movement of the shaft of the motor from a first rotational position to a second rotational position; and

a weight coupled to the second end of the elongate member, the weight having sufficient weight to counteract buoyancy of the body to maintain the armature substantially vertical in the body of water when the shaft of the motor rotates, such that the head of the body is immersed in the body of water when the weight rotates toward the head and the head rises out of the body of water when the weight rotates away from the head;

rotating the shaft of the motor from a rest position to a first eating position, thereby moving the body of the lure from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position relative to the body of water;

rotating the shaft of the motor from the first eating position to the second eating position, thereby moving the body of the bait from the substantially vertical position to a position between the substantially horizontal position and the first eating position;

rotating the shaft of the motor from the second eating position to the first eating position, thereby moving the body of the bait from a position between the substantially horizontal position and the first eating position back to the substantially vertical position; and

rotating the shaft of the motor from the first eating position or the second eating position back to the resting position, thereby moving the body of the bait back to the resting position.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the first eating position, the motor shaft is rotated approximately 90 degrees to 100 degrees from the resting position.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein in the second eating position, the motor shaft is rotated approximately 10 to 20 degrees from the first eating position.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the shaft of the motor rotates from the resting position to the first eating position in approximately 1 second.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the motor shaft rotates from the first eating position to the second eating position in approximately 1 second.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the shaft of the motor is repeatedly rotated between the first and second eating positions at intervals of between about 3 seconds and 30 seconds.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the motor shaft rotates between the first eating position or the second eating position and the resting position within 1 second.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the shaft of the motor rotates between the resting position and the first eating position and returns to the resting position without rotating the motor to the second eating position.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the shaft of the motor remains in the first eating position for about 5 to 30 seconds.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the motor maintains the shaft of the motor in the rest position for about 5 to 30 seconds before the shaft rotates back to the first eating position.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the shaft of the motor repeats the movement between the first eating position and the second eating position 3 to 20 times before rotating back to the resting position.

12. A method of simulating feeding movement of a duck decoy over a body of water, comprising:

placing a buoyant duck bait on a body of water, the bait comprising:

a head, a body and a tail;

a motor coupled to the body portion and having a shaft extending therefrom;

a rigid elongate member having a first end coupled to the shaft of the motor and a second end coupled to a weight, the elongate member rotating from a first position in which the elongate member extends vertically downward from the body portion to a second position in which the elongate member extends horizontally toward a front of the bait, the elongate member having a length to position the weight in front of the body portion of the bait;

said weight having sufficient weight to counteract the buoyancy of said body to maintain the armature substantially vertical in the body of water as the shaft of said motor rotates, such that when said elongate member rotates to said second position, the head of said body is immersed in the water and when said elongate member rotates to said first position, said head rises out of the water;

rotating the shaft of the motor from a rest position to a first eating position, thereby moving the body of the lure from a substantially horizontal position back to a substantially vertical position relative to the water surface; and is

Rotating the shaft of the motor from the first eating position back to the resting position, thereby moving the body of the bait back to the resting position.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising rotating a shaft of the motor from the first eating position to a second eating position, thereby moving the body of the bait from the substantially vertical position back to a position between the substantially horizontal position and the first eating.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising rotating a shaft of the motor from the second eating position to the first eating position, thereby moving the body of the bait from a position between the substantially horizontal position and the first eating position back to the substantially vertical position.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising rotating the motor shaft from the first feeding position or the second feeding position to the resting position, thereby moving the body of the bait back to the resting position.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the motor shaft rotates approximately 90 to 100 degrees from the rest position in the first eating position.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the shaft of the motor rotates approximately 10 to 20 degrees from the first eating position in the second eating position.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the shaft of the motor rotates from the resting position to the first eating position in approximately 1 second.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the motor shaft rotates from the first eating position to the second eating position in approximately 1 second.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the motor shaft repeats the movement between the first eating position and the second eating position 3 to 20 times before rotating back to the resting position.