GB1308253A - Bird decoys - Google Patents

Abstract

1308253 Bird decoy P G GREGORY 9Feb 1972 [21 May 1971] 16261/71 Heading AIM A bird decoy comprises a support 10 for the body of a dead bird, a pair of members 11, shown in plan in Fig. 1, movably mounted on support 10 for displaying the extended wings of the bird, and means for repeatedly imparting a flapping motion to members 11. Wing members 11 are pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the central support 10, itself supported on a detachable wire post 12 which can be staked in the ground, or on a tripod for increased height. Each wing member 11 is urged into the open position, indicated by the full lines by its respective coil return spring 28 and prevented from further outward pivoting by engagement of arm 26 with cross member 17, and can be swung into the extreme raised position, shown by the broken lines in Fig. 2 by rocking the arm 26 against the force of their respective return springs 28. Movement of the wing member 11 can be coordinated by employing a pull cord 31 possibly consisting of a single nylon thread secured as in Fig. 2 to loop 27 of the arm 26 on either side of support 10. The cord loop thus formed can be connected to another length of cord 32, secured to a free running ring 33 on the loop, and led through an eyelet 34 on post 12 to the hide. Post 12 has a screw thread top for detachable engagement with a corresponding bore 34 in rod 14 of support 10. In engaging the bore 34', the post 12 engages a hole 36 in sleeve 37 on rod 14, thereby maintaining the angular position of sleeve 37 and of a prong 38 fixed to a foot 39 on sleeve 37. In this position the prong 38 extends upwardly and forwardly but when freed by detaching post 12 can, by rotation of sleeve 37, be swung back to between side members 11 as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 1. The decoy is prepared by letting member 11 open, and swinging prong 38 forwardly. The body of a freshly killed bird is placed on support 10. Each wing is held outstretched by pressing the underside of the wingbone on point 23 of the corresponding wing member 11. The neck is then pressed on prong 38 with its point entering just behind the beak. The head is held up by aligning hole 36 with bore 34', and threading in post 12. Wing members 11 can be worked together by alternately applying tension to, and relaxing pull cord 32. After use, post 12 is unscrewed allowing prong 38 to swing back between side portions 16. Then wing members 11 are swung across support 10 as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 1, and retained in this position against springs 28. As the support may be made of stiff wire, it is both light and compact.