Waterfowl decoy with stabilizing buoyancy attachment
View Patent ↗Provided is a waterfowl decoy that includes a suction bottom main body in combination with a removable keel. The main body includes extensions on the bottom that are within the cavity, and the keel includes corresponding slots to slideably engage the extensions. The keel also includes a hollow ballast section with an opening for insertion of desired ballast material. The keel is brought into contact with the bottom of the main body and the extensions are slid into the slots. This invention allows for quick, selectable attachment or removal of the keel in the field. The keel also includes a structure for the attachment and wrapping of an anchor cord.
1. A suction bottom decoy with removable keel comprising:
a main body comprising:
a bottom arranged to be in contact with a surface of a body of water;
a cavity on the bottom that extends into the main body to create a suction attachment between the main body and the surface of the body of water, said cavity being defined by a hollow in the main body and a planar rim completely circumscribing said hollow;
a removable keel comprising:
an attachment mechanism for attachment of said removable keel to said main body portion, said attachment mechanism comprising:
at least one slot element for sliding engagement with said body portion, said slot element comprising a structure defined by,
a slot extending lengthwise along said slot element and open on at least a first end of the at least one slot element,
an aperture narrower than said slot element and extending lengthwise along said slot and providing ingress thereto along the slot element, and
a projection extending upward from said slot element;
a bracket connected to the slot element;
a ballast section affixed distally to the bracket opposite said slot element; and
at least one extension element protruding from the bottom of the main body within said cavity, inside said rim, and protruding a distance less than the plane of said rim so as not to extend beyond the rim, each extension element comprising a flange having a cross-section in the shape of an inverted T with:
a first portion that extends downward from the main body for traversing said aperture of said at least one slot element; and
a second portion protruding transversely across said first portion and held captive in the slot extending lengthwise along said at least one slot element;
wherein each of said at least one extension elements slidably and frictionally engages a corresponding one of said at least one slot elements to arrest said removable keel in engagement with said main body.
2. The suction bottom decoy with removable keel of claim 1 wherein the main body further comprises a removable head that is rotatably attached thereon.
3. The suction bottom decoy with removable keel of claim 1 wherein said slot of said at least one slot element extends through said at least one slot element from said first end to a second end of said at least one slot element and is open at said first end and at said second end; and said aperture of said at least one slot element is open at said first end and at said second end of said at least one slot element.
4. The suction bottom decoy with removable keel of claim 3 wherein the bracket connects to a central structure, having a greater width near the ballast section and the bracket than at its center, that attaches to the ballast section.
5. The suction bottom decoy with removable keel of claim 4 wherein the central structure further comprises a tang that forms a gap between it and the ballast section for securing an anchor cord after it has been wrapped around the central structure.
6. The suction bottom decoy with removable keel of claim 3 wherein the ballast section comprises:
a hollow interior;
at least one opening that passes through a wall of the ballast section into the hollow interior; and
a closure mechanism that creates a water tight seal for the at least one opening.
7. The suction bottom decoy with removable keel of claim 6 wherein the closure mechanism is either a pressure fitted stopper or threaded plug.
8. The suction bottom decoy with removable keel of claim 3 wherein the ballast section further comprises an eyelet for attaching an anchor cord.
9. The suction bottom decoy with removable keel of claim 3 wherein the main body is constructed of molded polystyrene or other suitable plastics or polymers.
10. The suction bottom decoy with removable keel of claim 3 wherein the removable keel is constructed of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.
11. The suction bottom decoy with removable keel of claim 3 where the second portion of the at least one extension element further comprises at least one protrusion extending from a top surface of the second portion.