GB2131266A

GB2131266A - Decoy

Info

Publication number: GB2131266A
Application number: GB08331523A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Eric Marchant
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-11-29
Filing date: 1983-11-25
Publication date: 1984-06-20
Also published as: GB8331523D0; GB2131266B

Abstract

A decoy device for use in hunting and comprising a balance rod 3 mounted by a universal joint on the upper end of a post 1 intended to fit vertically into the ground. The rod 3 is bent upwards at its right hand end thereby to mount a suitable decoy (not shown) and, at the other end, has a counterweight in the form of a rod 6 which is slidable along the rod to enable fine adjustment of balance to be made. The device provides a constant and realistic movement of the decoy which attracts wild birds into the shotist's range. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION "Improvements relating to decoys for use in hunting" This invention relates to decoys for use in hunting.

A known decoy device comprises a wooden trough which is mounted on a post fixed in the ground in such a manner that the trough is raised about 18 inches above ground level. The decoy itself, usually a model of a bird or other desired game, is seated in the trough and is moved by rods or strings in such a way as to attract the wild birds and draw them towards the decoy.

In order to be effective, the decoy must execute continuous small movements in a random fashion and, in the known device, this is achieved by stationing an operator close to the decoy to operate the strings. Apart from the tedium and potential danger of this job, it often happens that movement of the operator himself can cause the game to be distracted, thus rendering the decoy ineffective.

The present invention seeks to provide a decoy device which does not require continuous operator attention and which is thus safer and more effective in use.

According to the invention there is provided a decoy device comprising a post having at one end thereof a bearing means, a balance rod adapted to be supported at a central portion on said post by said bearing means, said balance rod having at one end means for attaching a decoy, and an adjustable counterweight mounted on the other end of said balance rod in such a way that, when a decoy has been fitted at said one end of the balance rod, the rod can be balanced about said bearing means by adjustment of said counterweight. In use, the post is mounted approximately vertically in the ground or onto a suitable fence or tree and the decoy mounted on the rod. The rod is then balanced by adjustment of the counterweight.It will be seen that, provided the bearing means has reasonably low friction, a delicate balance can be obtained and, in practice, it is found that the device, once set up, can be left completely alone. The finely balanced decoy will react to the slightest air movement and will move continuously in a random fashion. The decoy used can be any of the known types, suitably modified to fit onto the balance rod.

The counterweight may comprise a weight which is moveably mounted on said other end of the rod, or may be fixed on the rod and have an adjustable weight, or both.

The bearing means is preferably universal in the sense that it permits movement of the rod in any direction. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the bearing means takes the form of the conically pointed end of said post, the balance rod being equipped with a centrally located radial bore which, in use, is fitted over said pointed end to support and locate the balance rod.

In order that the invention may be better understood an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a side view of one embodiment of a decoy device according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the decoy device comprises a vertically mounted post 1 which is brought to a conical point 2 at its upper end to thereby constitute a bearing for a balance rod 3. The rod 3 is formed with a radial blind bore 4 into which said pointed end 2 fits.

The rod 3 is bent upwards at its right hand end to form a mount for a suitable decoy (not shown). On the left hand end of the rod 3 is slidably mounted a counterweight 5. The counterweight 5 comprises a rod 6 having a radial through bore 7 by which it may be slidably mounted on the rod 3. A bolt 8 enables the counterweight to be fixed in position once balance is obtained. The rod 6 is mounted so that it extends approximately vertically downwards from the rod 3, this arrangement acting to discourage gross twisting of the rod 3, thus keeping the decoy correctly oriented and ensuring that the rod 3 does not fall off the end of the post 1.

In use, the post 1 is mounted vertically, for example in the ground, and a decoy fitted to the upstanding right hand end of the rod 3. The rod 3 is then mounted on the post 1 in the manner shown and the counterweight 5 moved along the rod until balance is obtained with the rod 3 approximately horizontal. The bolt 8 is thence tightened. Changing of the decoy may require re-balancing of the device.

In the device illustrated, the following approximate dimensions give an idea of scale: post1 : 19 inches rod 3 : 9.25 inches rod 6 : 5inches The post 1 and rods 3 and 6 are preferably of plastics coated mild steel, although other materials could be used, bearing in mind the corrosion problem. In addition the rod 6 could be made longer, for example 7 inches, in order to enable decoys of larger weight to be counterbalanced. if desired, the counterweight rod could be supplied as a longer length, but have one or more notches cut in it along its length so that the user can saw off a portion of the rod to reduce its weight, and thus cater for a variety of decoy weights.

The described device is easily assembled on site and in use provides constant and realistic movement of the decoy which readily attracts wild birds into the shotists range. Because no operator is stationed near the decoy, the shotist is given complete freedom of movement.

1. A decoy device comprising a post having at one end thereof a bearing means, a balance rod adapted to be supported at a central portion on said post by said bearing means, said balance rod having at one end means for attaching a decoy, and an adjustable counterweight mounted on the other end of said balance rod in such a way that, when a decoy has been fitted at said one end of the balance rod, the rod can be balanced about said bearing means

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION "Improvements relating to decoys for use in hunting" This invention relates to decoys for use in hunting. A known decoy device comprises a wooden trough which is mounted on a post fixed in the ground in such a manner that the trough is raised about 18 inches above ground level. The decoy itself, usually a model of a bird or other desired game, is seated in the trough and is moved by rods or strings in such a way as to attract the wild birds and draw them towards the decoy. In order to be effective, the decoy must execute continuous small movements in a random fashion and, in the known device, this is achieved by stationing an operator close to the decoy to operate the strings. Apart from the tedium and potential danger of this job, it often happens that movement of the operator himself can cause the game to be distracted, thus rendering the decoy ineffective. The present invention seeks to provide a decoy device which does not require continuous operator attention and which is thus safer and more effective in use. According to the invention there is provided a decoy device comprising a post having at one end thereof a bearing means, a balance rod adapted to be supported at a central portion on said post by said bearing means, said balance rod having at one end means for attaching a decoy, and an adjustable counterweight mounted on the other end of said balance rod in such a way that, when a decoy has been fitted at said one end of the balance rod, the rod can be balanced about said bearing means by adjustment of said counterweight. In use, the post is mounted approximately vertically in the ground or onto a suitable fence or tree and the decoy mounted on the rod. The rod is then balanced by adjustment of the counterweight.It will be seen that, provided the bearing means has reasonably low friction, a delicate balance can be obtained and, in practice, it is found that the device, once set up, can be left completely alone. The finely balanced decoy will react to the slightest air movement and will move continuously in a random fashion. The decoy used can be any of the known types, suitably modified to fit onto the balance rod. The counterweight may comprise a weight which is moveably mounted on said other end of the rod, or may be fixed on the rod and have an adjustable weight, or both. The bearing means is preferably universal in the sense that it permits movement of the rod in any direction. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the bearing means takes the form of the conically pointed end of said post, the balance rod being equipped with a centrally located radial bore which, in use, is fitted over said pointed end to support and locate the balance rod. In order that the invention may be better understood an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a side view of one embodiment of a decoy device according to the invention. Referring to the drawing, the decoy device comprises a vertically mounted post 1 which is brought to a conical point 2 at its upper end to thereby constitute a bearing for a balance rod 3. The rod 3 is formed with a radial blind bore 4 into which said pointed end 2 fits. The rod 3 is bent upwards at its right hand end to form a mount for a suitable decoy (not shown). On the left hand end of the rod 3 is slidably mounted a counterweight 5. The counterweight 5 comprises a rod 6 having a radial through bore 7 by which it may be slidably mounted on the rod 3. A bolt 8 enables the counterweight to be fixed in position once balance is obtained. The rod 6 is mounted so that it extends approximately vertically downwards from the rod 3, this arrangement acting to discourage gross twisting of the rod 3, thus keeping the decoy correctly oriented and ensuring that the rod 3 does not fall off the end of the post 1. In use, the post 1 is mounted vertically, for example in the ground, and a decoy fitted to the upstanding right hand end of the rod 3. The rod 3 is then mounted on the post 1 in the manner shown and the counterweight 5 moved along the rod until balance is obtained with the rod 3 approximately horizontal. The bolt 8 is thence tightened. Changing of the decoy may require re-balancing of the device. In the device illustrated, the following approximate dimensions give an idea of scale: post1 : 19 inches rod 3 : 9.25 inches rod 6 : 5inches The post 1 and rods 3 and 6 are preferably of plastics coated mild steel, although other materials could be used, bearing in mind the corrosion problem. In addition the rod 6 could be made longer, for example 7 inches, in order to enable decoys of larger weight to be counterbalanced. if desired, the counterweight rod could be supplied as a longer length, but have one or more notches cut in it along its length so that the user can saw off a portion of the rod to reduce its weight, and thus cater for a variety of decoy weights. The described device is easily assembled on site and in use provides constant and realistic movement of the decoy which readily attracts wild birds into the shotists range. Because no operator is stationed near the decoy, the shotist is given complete freedom of movement. CLAIMS

1. A decoy device comprising a post having at one end thereof a bearing means, a balance rod adapted to be supported at a central portion on said post by said bearing means, said balance rod having at one end means for attaching a decoy, and an adjustable counterweight mounted on the other end of said balance rod in such a way that, when a decoy has been fitted at said one end of the balance rod, the rod can be balanced about said bearing means by adjustment of said counterweight.

2. A decoy device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said counterweight comprises a weight which is moveably mounted on said other end of the rod and means for fixing said weight, once correctly positioned, on the rod.

3. A decoy device as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the weight of said counterweight is adjustable.

4. A decoy device as claimed in any one of claims 1,2 or3 wherein said bearing means takes the form of said one end of the post, which end is conically pointed to enter a blind bore formed transversely in said rod at said central portion.

5. A decoy device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the inner end of said blind bore tapers conically to a point to define a bearing surface for the pointed end of said post.

6. A decoy device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.