GB2481458A - Radio Controlled Flapping and Flying Decoy - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for making a radio controlled flapping and flying pigeon decoy from a known flying mechanical bird, particularly a Cybird P1 RTM. The mechanical bird is painted to match the quarry of the shooter. The bird can then be attached to any suitable object (figs 2, 3) that allows it to flap or fly thus forming a decoy. The bird can fly, glide and flap very fast in short bursts, all easily controlled by the shooter whenever required by them. This imitates the natural gliding and fluttering behaviour of a bird particularly a pigeon as it comes into land on crops.

Description

*::r: INTELLECTUAL . .... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. GB 1010778.7 RTM Date:17 October 2011 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Cybird Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk Radio Controlled Flapping and Flying Decoy This invention relates to a radio controlled flapping and flying decoy.

Bacçground of the Invention To protect crops the sport of pigeon shooting has developed. Whilst shooting the shooter will typically be in a hide so as to be obscured from view by his quarry.

When shooting there will be either plastic bird decoys or dead birds of the type of quarry that the shooter is hunting typically wood pigeons arranged around the hide in a pattern which decoys the pigeons onto the field within range to be shot. The shooter will be in the hide and they shoot the pigeons from that point. From herein "decoys" describe plastic or dead birds of the quarry the shooter is hunting typically pigeons. The decoys are arranged in such a way that birds flying overhead believe they are real birds feeding on the crops and are encouraged in to land and feed. As the pigeons come into land the shooter will shoot at them. This method of laying decoys out in a pattern to encourage quarry to land is called "decoying." Shooting pigeons in this way can be used on stubble fields, green fields, pea fields, grassland, oil seed rape, corn fields, wheat fields, barley fields and freshly planted bare earth fields i.e. basically any land where birds feed. This method is also used and works well for shooting Corvids, Wildfowl and other bird species on the pest list i.e. Doves, Feral Pigeons, Canada Geese etc. The art of decoying has evolved as the quarry has become more wary of and less receptive to mere plastic decoys. Now machines called pigeon magnets or rotary machine are used where decoys are placed on the end of adjustable arms approximately imetre long and turned by an electric motor in a circle thus giving the impression that birds are gliding into land. On the market now are also decoys that flap their wings slowly using a small timer so they appear to be gliding and flapping, these can be used on rotary machines or pigeon magnets or own their own.

Decoys can also be placed on a metal pole which is pushed into the ground and as the wind blows they bounce up and down again giving the impression the birds are coming into land. Similarly decoys are placed on the end of very long poles a1led lofting poles approximately 4 metres long and either lofted' into the air or used to place the decoys in trees to imitate sitting pigeons. The main problem with many of these methods of decoying is that they are difficult to use on longer crops.

The most effective decoys have evolved to flap their wings to simulate a bird landing on the crops. This method particularly has been highly effective. However, the main problem with this type of decoy is that the flapping is too slow and the shooter is unable to control the flapping of the bird when required e.g. when pigeons are flying overhead.

When a pigeon or similar quarry is coming into land on crops they glide down and then flutter their wings very quickly as they land so that they are basically hovering searching for a safe landing spot. They are generally looking for little holes in the crop or to see if a crop will support their weight. This is especially so on taller crops. When shooting and several birds are coming into land in front of the shooter at one time, if one is exhibiting this behavior then any more birds flying overhead immediately come into land. Unfortunately the flapping pigeons that are currently available do not simulate this type of behaviour as they are too mechanical in their movements, slow and unrealistic. They also do not allow the shooter to control how long they flap for, when they flap or how fast, leaving him inflexible.

As the quarry have become more and more wary of this type of decoy they have become less and less effective therefore leaving the shooter unable to protect the crops effectively.

Thus there remains a need for a decoy that can flap quickly in short bursts or even fly which can easily be remote controlled by the shooter when required at long distances.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is based upon the recognition that flapping decoys provide a highly effective method to a shooter during pigeon shooting although not restricted solely to pigeon shooting. Such decoys are becoming less effective when shooting due to their lack of realism. It is envisaged therefore using a remote controlled flying bird particularly a Cybird P1 which is readily available on the internet and from shops, and paint it to match your quarry you can then create a highly effective decoy to be used at short or long ranges 100 metres or more away, to flap in very fast short bursts, remote controlled by the shooter as and when required.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, thepresent invention provides a flying and flapping decoy made from a Cybird P1 which is painted with model paint, to match the shooter's quarry which can be attached to a stick, bouncer, pigeon magnet or rotary machine, lofting poles or rope attached to anchor points so that the decoy can actually fly; thus effectively imitating a bird, particularly although not limited to, a pigeon coming into land and hovering to find a safe landing spot.

The Cybird decoy can be used on any type of crop or field where the birds may be feeding. The term Cybird decoy' herein describes the invention. If the invention is to be used for pigeon shooting then the colours of paint used will be black white and grey and the Cybird decoy will be painted, as an approximation of the feather pattern of a pigeon.

It is envisaged that the fabric on the Cybird can also be printed to match the desired quarry and the remote controlled bird used does not necessarily have to be a Cybird P1 it can be any custom made or already available mechanical bird that still flaps or flies.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be illustrated in greater detail by reference to the specific embodiments described in the following non-limiting example.

The following sequences of steps can be used to prepare a radio controlled flapping and flying pigeon decoy.

Firstly, take a Cybird P1 remote controlled flying bird. Take model paints readily available from model shops, although not restricted to model paints. To create a pigeon decoy you will need grey, white and black. Now paint the fabric of the bird and the body to match the approximate feather pattern of a pigeon see Figure 1 or whichever quarry you are hunting. Allow the paint to dry and now the decoy is

ready to be taken into the field and used.

When you are at the place to shoot, cable tie a stick, pole or bouncer to the decoy and push the stick, pole or bouncer into the ground so that the decoy is above the crops. You can then flap the pigeon as desired. Similarly the decoy can be attached to a magnet or rotary machine, see Figure 2 or a lofting pole to give different heights of use orto suit different situations.

In another embodiment the decoy can be attached again with cable ties or tied onto * rope or other similarly strong cord. The rope can then be attached to anchor points and actually flown in the air with the remote control but without the need to steer' the bird.

In another embodiment the decoy can be attached again with cable ties or tied onto to rope or other similarly strong cord and then attached with a swivel system to the top of a pole so that it can fly around in an arc, flapping and flying as desired see Figure3.

Basically the decoy or several decoys can be attached to any suitable object that enables it to flap or fly as desired.

EQuivalents It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations may be made to the specific embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the principles underlying the invention. All such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS1. A decoy comprising of a Cybird P1 flying bird.
2. 2. A decoy according to claim 1 which imitates a flying bird.
3. 3. A decoy according to claim 1 which imitates a flapping bird.
4. 4. A decoy according to any one of the preceding claims the fabric and body of the bird is painted to match the quarry of the shooter e.g. a pigeon.
5. 5. A decoy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the completed decoy is attached to any suitable object which enables it fly or flap as per Figures 1, 2 and 3.
6. 6. A decoy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the decoy can be remote controlled.
7. 7. A decoy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the decoy can flap very fast.
8. 8. A decoy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the decoy can flap for short bursts.
9. 9. A decoy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein which can fly.
10. 10. A method of making a decoy intended for use alongside any other shooting equipment the method comprising of painting a Cybird P1 to match the quarry of the shooter.
11. 11. A method making a flying or flapping decoy as described herein.*.:r: INTELLECTUAL . ... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No: GB 1010778.7 Examiner: Mrs Nicola Payne Claims searched: 1-11 Date of search: 17 October 2011 Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17 Documents considered to be relevant: Category Relevant Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance to claims X 1-11 http://www.flyingtoys.comlcybird.php X 1-11 US5163861 A (RUYMBEKE) See especially figures X 1-11 U54729748 A (RUYMBEKE) See especially figures X 1-11 U574458A (WALES) See especially figure X 1-11 U52009/229163A1 (LATSCHAW) See especially figures X 1-11 U52009/241401 Al (PRICE) See especially figures X 1-11 U56625919B1 (DAVIS) See especially figures X 1-11 US7131230 Bl (GILSDORF) See especially figures X 1-11 GB2295953 A (DICKASON) See especially figures X 1-11 U52008/092427 Al (BRINT) See especially figures X 1-11 U52005/150149A1 (CABELA) See especially figures Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk t::r: INTELLECTUAL . ...* PROPERTY OFFICE 7 X 1-11 US20051252066 Al (COUVILLION) See especially figures X 1-11 U56095458 A (CRIPE) See especially figures X 1-11 U56508028B1 (CROWE) See especially figures X 1-11 U52008/207084A1 (DISNEY) See especially figures Categories: X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive A Document indicating technological background and/or state step of the art.Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of before the filing date of this invention.same category.& Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP, WO & US patent doaiments classified in the following areas of the UKCX: Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC AO1M; A63H The following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search report WPI, EPODOC & Internet International Classification: Subclass Subgroup Valid From A01M 0031/06 01/01/2006 Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk