Abstract
A waterfowl decoy carrier and method, the method including providing a carrier having a compartment defined by a floor, a continuous sidewall and an open top, wherein the compartment includes a first panel having a first free end and a first portion attached to the sidewall and a second panel having a second free and a second portion attached to the sidewall. When a single decoy is to be stored in the compartment, the compartment is arranged to include a single slot When two decoys are intended to be stored in the compartment, the compartment is arranged to include a first slot and a second slot by selectively coupling the first free end to the second free end and inserting a first decoy into the first slot and a second decoy into the second slot.
Claims
1. A carrier comprising: at least four compartments, each compartment of the at least four compartments including four panels and being configurable to include up to four slots, each panel of the four panels having a free end and an opposite end coupled to a compartment wall, with each free end being configured for detachably coupling to at least one other of the free ends, each free end having a first section and a second section, coupling means for selectively coupling two or more of the free ends, the coupling means including two first couplers on first sections of two free ends and two second complementary couplers on second sections of two complementary free ends, wherein the first compartment includes a single slot, wherein the second compartment includes a pair of slots, wherein the third compartment includes three slots, and wherein the fourth compartment includes four slots.
2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein each opposite end is coupled to a distinct compartment wall corner.
3. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the single slot has four corners and each slot of the pair of slots, three slots and four slots has three walls.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Furthermore, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a waterfowl decoy carrier in accordance with the present invention being carried by a hunter.
(3) FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the carrier of FIG. 1 showing six compartments arranged in four different configurations.
(4) FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the carrier of FIG. 1 illustrating divider panels having a snap button connector mechanism.
(5) FIG. 3B is a partial perspective view of the dividers panels of FIG. 3A illustrating the snap button connector mechanism.
(6) FIG. 4A is a top plan view of the carrier of FIG. 1 illustrating divider panels having a hook and loop connector mechanism.
(7) FIG. 4B is a partial perspective view of the dividers panels of FIG. 3A illustrating the hook and loop connector mechanism.
(8) FIG. 5A is a top plan view of the carrier of FIG. 1 illustrating divider panels having a magnetic connector mechanism.
(9) FIG. 5B is a partial perspective view of the dividers panels of FIG. 3A illustrating the magnetic connector mechanism.
(10) FIG. 6A is a top plan view of the carrier of FIG. 1 illustrating divider panels having button connector mechanism.
(11) FIG. 6B is a partial perspective view of the dividers panels of FIG. 3A illustrating the magnetic connector mechanism.
(12) FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a plurality of waterfowl decoys stored within the carrier of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(13) FIGS. 1 through 7 depict a carrier 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows carrier 10 being transported by a hunter. FIG. 2 shows divider panels 220 in compartments 210 of carrier 10 selectively arranged to include either one, two, three or four slots. FIGS. 3 through 6 show various potential connector mechanisms for selectively coupling divider panels 220 together. Divider panels 220 are utilized to selectively subdivide their respective compartments 210. Before the present articles, devices, and/or methods are disclosed and described in detail, it is to be understood that they are not limited to specific methods and examples unless otherwise specified, and as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology as used herein is used only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting.
(14) As illustrated in FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the carrier 10 includes handle straps 20 or shoulder straps (not shown) to facilitate the carrying of the carrier by at least one person 30. Carrier 10 may also include shoulder straps (not shown). Carrier 10 is used to transport duck or other fowl decoys 40. In some embodiments, carrier 10 may include a top closure (not shown). In some embodiments, the floor may include a mesh bottom configured for promoting water drainage therethrough (not shown). In another embodiment, the buoyancy of carrier 10 may be increased by including sealed air pockets or other buoyant means within the floor or walls of carrier 10.
(15) FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the interior of carrier 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows six rectangular or square compartments 210 (collectively or generically 210, specifically 210.sup.I, 210.sup.II, 210.sup.III, 210.sup.IV, 210.sup.V, and 210.sup.VI), each compartment being defined by a rectangular or square sidewall 250 and including four divider panels 220 (collectively or generically 220, specifically 220.sup.I, 220.sup.II, 220.sup.III, and 220.sup.IV) arranged in four different arrangements. Divider panels 220 in this embodiment are attached to the corners of sidewalls 250 on one end with a coupling means 230, 240 on the other end. Coupling means 230, 240 allow free ends of panels 220 to be selectively coupled together to subdivide the compartment into different areas or slots as desired.
(16) When uncoupled, one from another, divider panels 220 may be arranged along and selectively coupled to sidewalls 250, as shown in compartments 210.sup.I, 210.sup.II to make one large space with in the compartment. Two panels 220 may also arranged to be doubled up along the same sidewall 250 section (not shown). Two divider panels 220 may be coupled together dividing the compartment into two slots each including about 50% of the space available in the compartment (e.g., as illustrated in compartment 210.sup.IV with panel 220.sup.I coupled with panel 220.sup.III). Alternatively, one divider panel 220 may be coupled together with a neighboring divider panel 220 dividing compartment 210 into two slots, one slot with about 25% of the space available in compartment 210 and the other slot with about 75% of the space available in compartment 210 (e.g., connecting panel 220.sup.I and 220.sup.II). In another arrangement, a third panel 220 may be coupled to the first two panels 220 to form two areas about 25% of the space available in compartment 210 and the other area about 50% of the space available in the compartment 210 (e.g., as illustrated in compartment 210.sup.III). In another arrangement, a fourth panel 220 may be coupled to the other three panels 220 forming four slots of about 25% of the area of the full compartment 210.
(17) While the preceding examples have described embodiments using four dividing panels within a compartment other examples exist including but not limited to compartments with two to eight dividing panels. While examples have shown six compartments within a carrier, other embodiments exist including but not limited to one to twelve compartments within a carrier. In some embodiments, the divider panels 220 may be padded, which may increase buoyancy of carrier 10.
(18) The coupling means for panel dividers 220 can come in variety of different mechanisms. For example, many coupling means have a complimentary surface or interface for forming the connection. For example, FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a schematic view a divider panel 220 of the carrier of FIG. 1 having a snap button connector. In this example, the coupling means (e.g., a snap socket 310) is arranged to connect with the coupling means compliment (e.g., a snap stud 320). In this example, two opposing panels 220.sup.IV, 220.sup.II only have a coupling means on one side of their coupling end of the panel, and these coupling means complement one another. While the other two opposing panels 220.sup.I and 220.sup.III have the same coupling means or its complement on each side of their coupling end. These coupling means are arranged such that all four panels may be coupled together or that at least one each coupling arrangement may be achieved. While only one coupling point per divider panel 220 is shown, some embodiments include two or more coupling point down the end of the coupling end allowing for multiple connection points. In an alternative embodiment, each panel may have a coupling means oriented in a clockwise direction and a coupling means compliment in a counter clockwise direction to allow any divider panel 220 to connect to any other divider panel 220 regardless of which or how many divider panels 220 are sought to be connected. In some embodiments, divider panels 220 may bend or fold to facilitate a connection.
(19) In an alternative embodiment, hook and loop strips can used instead of snap buttons. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a schematic view of a divider panel 220 of the carrier 10 of FIG. 1 having a hook and loop coupling mean. The hook and loop strips may extend about the same length as the coupling end of the divider panel 220. Alternatively, some shorter length including at least one patch of coupling surface configured to align with other complimentary areas of the other panels 220 within the same compartment 210. In this example, two opposing panels 220.sup.IV, 220.sup.II only have a coupling means on one side of their coupling end of the panel, and these coupling means complement one another. While the other two opposing panels 220.sup.I and 220.sup.III have the coupling means on one side and its complement on the other side of each coupling end arranged to allow coupling as illustrated. These coupling means are arranged such that any of four panels may be coupled together in any arrangement.
(20) In an alternative embodiment, magnetic fasteners can used instead of snap buttons or hook and loop connectors. FIGS. 5A and 5B is a schematic view of a padded divider panel of the carrier of FIG. 1 having a magnet connector. If orientation of the magnetic fasteners similar arrangements can be use as was used for the snap buttons or hook and loop fasteners. For magnetic buttons, a similar arrangement as snap buttons can be used as shown in the top half of FIG. 5A with magnet button base 510 and magnet stud 520 taking the place of snap socket 310 and snap stud 320 respectively. For magnetic strips 530, 540 and arrangement similar to the hook and loop strips can be used as described above. Some magnetic fasteners only require one magnet per divider panel 220 per connection point.
(21) While particular arrangements of coupling means and their compliment have been discussed for snap buttons, hook and loop strips, and magnets these arrangements are interchangeable with similar results. Additionally, divider panels 220.sup.IV and 220.sup.II are shown and described as only having a single coupling means on either side of their coupling ends, other embodiments may have the coupling means or its compliment on the other side.
(22) In an alternative arrangement, button and eye loops can used to fasten the divider panels 220 together. As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, is a schematic view of a divider panel 220 of the carrier of FIG. 1 having at least one button 610. In this example, one panel (e.g., panel 220.sup.I) has at least one set of buttons 610 for allowing the other panels with eyeholes 620 to be connected with the divider panel 220. In an alternative embodiment, the button 610 is only one side of the divider panel 220 and the other divider panels 220 can only connect with the divider panel 220 through the button hold on that side. In the illustration, the eyehole 620 is cut vertically in divider panel 220. In other embodiments, the eyehole may be oriented horizontally.
(23) FIG. 7 is a top plan view of carrier 10 showing water fowl decoys of various sizes and shapes arranged within slot of carrier 10. As illustrated in FIG. 7, some compartments 210 have been arranged to form one slot to store one item (e.g., a larger decoy). Other compartments 210 have been subdivided using the divider panels 220 to form two slots, and yet others to form three and four slots, to store two, three, and four items respectively. The divider panels 220 are selectively attached as discussed above and hence a user may reconfigure the compartments as desired. In the illustration, the decoys stick out of the tops of the slots. In other embodiments, the slots may be deeper allowing the decoys be more fully covered.
(24) Additionally, the arrangements of the divider panels with respect to their associated compartments can be rotated or mirrored and maintain the function and spirit of the disclosure. For example, while the preceding examples have shown the divider panels 220 coupled to the sidewalls 250 at the corners of the sidewalls 250 forming an ‘X’ when all divider panels are connected, alternative embodiments exist where the divider panels couple to the center of the side walls forming a plus sign (′+′) when all divider panels are connected. Such rotations for example could rotate the divider panel 220 and sidewall 250 connection points 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, 315, or amount in between and still achieve similar function. Additional coupling means may be placed along the sidewall 250 or the along the panel walls to facilitate divider panels 220 attaching to the sidewalls 250 or other panels 220 fixing them in place while not in use.
