Bird decoy support and movement device

• US 6,442,884 B1
• Filed: 06/27/2000
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sceery, Edward J.
• Original Assignee: Sceery, Edward J.
• Inventors: Sceery, Edward J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Poon, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Son T.
• Application Number:
  US09/605,196
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 43/2, 43/3, 248/481, 248/533, 248/535, 248/223.41, 248/530, 407/65, 407/49, 401/240.5, 403/69, 405/35--37, 406/06, 406/07, 406/11, 404/93, 404/90, 404/91, 405/38, 446/487-489, 403/187, 403/292, 403/294, 403/347, 403/360, 403/361, 403/375, D22/125, 521/65
• US Class Current: 43/2
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 31/06 Decoys

Abstract

A decoy mounting system enables the support or decoys constructed of thin, flexible materials, such as foam, rubber, PVC, and the like. A ground support stake for supporting the decoy has a semi-circular top portion defining an axially oriented surface and a pointed bottom end. A mounting bracket connects the ground support stake with the decoy and has a socket depending downwardly therefrom to receive the top end of the ground support stake, where the socket defines an axially oriented bore surface effective to engage the axially oriented surface of the ground support stake to limit rotation of the mounting bracket on the ground support stake.

Claims

1. A decoy mounting system comprising:

a ground support stake having a semi-circular top portion defining an axially oriented surface and a pointed bottom end;

a mounting bracket for connecting the ground support stake with the decoy and having a socket depending downwardly therefrom to receive the top portion of the ground support stake, where the socket defines an axially oriented bore surface effective to engage the axially oriented surface of the ground support stake to limit circumferential rotation of the mounting bracket on the ground support stake.

2. The decoy mounting system of claim 1, wherein the axially oriented surface at the top end of the ground support stake is a flat surface.

3. The decoy mounting system of claim 2, wherein the axially oriented bore surface is a triangular surface.

4. The decoy mounting system of claim 1, wherein the axially oriented bore surface is a triangular surface.

5. The decoy mounting system of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket further comprises:

a flat rigid member mounted on the socket; and

a slotted bracket mountable on the decoy for slidably receiving the flat rigid member to attach the flat rigid member to the decoy.

6. The decoy mounting system of claim 1, wherein the ground support stake defines a rounded top end for use in pushing the ground support stake into a ground location and for providing a pivot surface for the bore of the socket.

7. The decoy mounting system of claim 1, wherein the ground support stake defines a plurality of circumferential indentations located axially between the bottom pointed end and the top portion to provide a secure grip for a user inserting the ground support stake at a ground location.

8. A decoy system, comprising:

a bird shaped decoy defining a center of gravity;

a ground support stake having a semi-circular top portion defining an axially oriented surface and a pointed bottom end;

a mounting bracket for connecting the ground support stake with the decoy and having a socket depending downwardly therefrom to receive the top end of the ground support stake, where the socket defines an axially oriented bore surface effective to engage the axially oriented surface of the ground support stake to limit circumferential rotation of the mounting bracket on the ground support stake;

the mounting bracket further comprising a flat rigid member mounted on the socket and a slotted bracket for slidably receiving the flat rigid member, where the slotted bracket is mounted on the decoy at a location effective to locate the center of gravity of the decoy above the socket bore to balance and support the decoy on the bracket support stake.

9. The decoy system of claim 8, wherein the decoy is formed of a soft, thin flexible material that is preformed to a selected shape or is inflatable to the selected shape.