Animal-scaring device and method of employing same

1. An animal-scaring device configured to have a shape of a predatory bird comprising a body and a pair of wings detachably coupled to the body, each of the wings being configured so that a ratio between a maximum width of the wing and a length thereof (W./L) ranges between about 0.4–0.6, the device being coupled to a manually operable reel by a central line, the reel having a central hub, a plurality of angularly spaced pins each provided with a respective free end, and a pair of spaced apart, endless sides attached to the free end of the plurality of pins, wherein the reel is rotatable in opposite directions to modify a length of the central line.

2. An animal-scaring device configured to have a shape of a predatory bird comprising a body and a pair of wings, the body including a head portion, a tail portion and a hollow frame coupled to the head and tail portions, each of the wings being configured so that a ratio between a maximum width of the wing and a length thereof (W./L) ranges between about 0.4–0.6, the device being coupled to a manually operable reel by a central line, the reel having a central hub, a plurality of angularly spaced pins each provided with a respective free end, and a pair of spaced apart, endless sides attached to the free end of the plurality of pins, wherein the reel is rotatable in opposite directions to modify a length of the central line.

3. An animal-scaring device configured to have a shape of a predatory bird comprising a body and a pair of wings, detachably coupled to the body, the body including a head portion, a tail portion and a hollow frame coupled to the head and tail portions each of the wings being configured so that a ratio between a maximum width of the wing and a length thereof (W./L) ranges between about 0.4–0.6, the device being coupled to a manually operable reel by a central line, the reel having a central hub, a plurality of angularly spaced pins each provided with a respective free end, and a pair of spaced apart, endless sides attached to the free end of the plurality of pins, wherein the reel is rotatable in opposite directions to modify a length of the central line.

4. The animal-scaring device of claim 3 , wherein, the wings each have an inner side having a width W 2 and an opposite outer side having a width W 3 , wherein a ratio between the widths of the inner and outer sides ranges within about a 0.7–1 interval.

5. The animal-scaring device of claim 4 , wherein each wing has a leading and trailing edge, the trailing edge having a first curved region located next to the body and a second curved region located next to the unattached end of the wing, the first and second curved regions having substantially a uniform radius of curvature.

6. The animal-scaring device of claim 5 , wherein the leading edge of the wing has a curved central region flanked by two side regions.

7. The animal-scaring device of claim 6 , wherein the side regions each has a radius of curvature substantially greater than the radius of curvature of the central regions.

8. The animal-scaring device of claim 3 , wherein each wing has a frame including a plurality of sections formed as a one-piece body or as a plurality of detachable components.

9. The animal-scaring device of claim 3 , wherein the free end of the plurality of pins has a C-shaped cross section bridging the pair of endless sides, wherein the line is supported by a central portion of the free end of the pins.

10. The animal-scaring device of claim 9 , further comprising a handle, the handle and the hub being rotatable relative to one another.