# US 2023/0263154 A1 · Waterfowl decoy machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0263154 A1 - Document ID: US20230263154A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/112,945 - Filed: 2023-02-22 - Published: 2023-08-24 - Earliest claimed: 2022-02-23 - Assignees: Huntwise, Inc. - Applicants: Huntwise, Inc. - Inventors: Terry DENMON; Chartes L. SMART - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230263154A1 ## CPC - A01M 31/06: Decoys - A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS ## Abstract An at least partially buoyant decoy apparatus for use in the water is provided that mimics the look of a diving or feeding animal. The decoy comprises in various embodiments an exterior shaped at least partially in the shape of an animal, a propeller, a power source, and a motor, wherein the propeller and a power source are operationally coupled to a motor such that the powered motor is capable of acting on the propeller to create a downward thrust relative to the water line of the body of water in which the decoy resides to make the decoy apparatus move dip or dive into the water for a period of time, to be released back to the surface when the motor ceases to act on the propeller. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A buoyant decoy comprising: a. a decoy structure which is at least partially in the shape of at least a portion of a waterfowl; and b. a housing comprising a motor, a battery, and a propeller, wherein the propellor and motor are configured such that when said motor is activated, the motor turns said propeller causing a downward thrust; c. said decoy structure and said housing structure are operatively connected such that the downward thrust of the propellor causes at least a portion of the decoy to dip below the water line. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The decoy of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises an outer buoy structure and an inner housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The decoy of claim 2 wherein said inner housing comprises a plurality of cavities capable of accepting a battery and electronics. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The decoy of claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a buoyant material filling. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The decoy of claim 3 wherein said inner housing is at least partially surrounded by a buoyant material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The decoy of claim 1 wherein said housing is couplable to said decoy structure via watertight connection means. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The decoy of claim 1 wherein said downward thrust is counteracted and counteracts the downward motion of the decoy portion caused by the propeller so that the decoy bobs within the water while the propellor is engaged by the motor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 8) The decoy of claim 8 wherein the thrust created by the propeller is operatively configured to the buoyancy of the decoy element to allow for the bobbing motion when the motor is activated. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The decoy of claim 1 wherein the propeller has a pitch and comprises at least one blade with a blade angle and a length. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The decoy of claim 9 wherein the pitch is between 0.1 and 10 inches. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The decoy of claim 9 wherein the blade angle is between 2 and 35 degrees. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The decoy of claim 1 wherein the motor rotates between 1-250 rpm when activated. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The decoy of claim 1 wherein further comprising a protective guard at least partially around said propellor comprising intersecting longitudinal and latitudinal members. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The decoy of claim 13 wherein said protective guard is connected to said buoy structure via external connection arms to prevent said protective guard from impeding the motion of said propellor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The decoy of claim 1 further comprising a receiver in communication with the motor and operationally configured to receive a signal to control the motor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The decoy of claim 15 wherein the housing comprises a location for storing the receiver within said housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The decoy of claim 15 wherein the receiver receives a signal from a transponder selected from a group comprising a remote control, a Bluetooth device, or a cellular phone. ### Claim 18 A buoyant decoy apparatus for use in a body of water comprising: a. A housing structure shaped to mimic at least a portion of an animal; b. A power supply; c. A motor in connection with said power supply and a propeller having a pitch comprising at least one propeller blade, wherein the motor is capable of rotating the rotate said propeller between 1-250 rotations per minute; d. A propeller guard operationally positioned at or near the propeller; e. Wherein at least a portion of the decoy structure shaped to mimic an animal is positioned on the surface of the water at least when not acted upon by the propeller; wherein the motor and propeller are configured such that when the motor is powered, it rotates the propeller to create a downward force relative to surface of the water that propels the decoy deeper into the water; and wherein the buoyancy of the decoy causes the decoy to return towards the surface of the water when not counteracted by the propeller. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The buoyant decoy apparatus of claim 18 wherein the propeller has a blade angle between 10 and 60 degrees. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The buoyant decoy apparatus of claim 18 wherein the propeller has a pitch between 0.1 and 6 inches.