U.S. patent application number 09/746161 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-27 for portable hunting blind.
Invention is credited to Valpredo, Todd J..
Application Number | 20020078988 09/746161 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24999713 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020078988 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Valpredo, Todd J. |
June 27, 2002 |
Portable hunting blind
Abstract
A portable hunting blind configurable between a collapsed
configuration to a deployed configuration composed of a collapsible
frame and a flaccidly flexible skin which covers the frame. The
frame has a U-shaped base, a U-shaped upright which is pivotally
connected to the base and is selectively height adjustable, a
U-shaped first forward support pivotally connected to the upright,
and a U-shaped second forward support pivotally connected to the
first forward support. The skin is shaped to provide a generally
taut fit when the frame is in the deployed configuration. At least
one window is formed in the skin for peering thereout and shooting
therethrough. A buttress, preferably in the form of a draw belt, is
connected to each side of the upright near the upper end thereof,
wherein a first belt member passes through a first slit formed in
the skin at one side of the opening, and a second belt member
passes through a second slit formed in the skin at the other side
of the opening. The draw belt is provided with a connection feature
which allows the two belt members to be wrapped around a tree trunk
and then fastened together so as to thereby hold-up the frame. The
portable hunting blind may be used on the ground or cooperatively
with a tree blind.
Inventors: |
Valpredo, Todd J.;
(Eastpointe, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Peter D. Keefe
Keefe & Associates
24405 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe
MI
48021
US
|
Family ID: |
24999713 |
Appl. No.: |
09/746161 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/90 ; 108/152;
135/901; 135/96; 182/187; 43/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/001 20130101;
A01M 31/025 20130101; E04H 15/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/90 ; 135/96;
135/901; 182/187; 43/1; 108/152 |
International
Class: |
E04H 015/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable hunting blind, comprising: a frame configurable
between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration,
said frame comprising: a base; an upright pivotally connected to
said base, said upright being selectively length adjustable; and at
least one forward support pivotally connected to said upright at a
medial location of said upright; wherein when said frame is at said
collapsed configuration said upright has a first length and wherein
said upright, said at least one forward support and said base are
substantially adjacent each other, further wherein when said frame
is at said deployed configuration said upright has a selected
second length, said upright is oriented substantially perpendicular
to said base and said at least one forward support projects from
said upright over said base, and wherein said second length is
longer than said first length; and a flaccidly flexible skin
covering said frame, said skin being generally taut in relation to
said frame when said frame is at said deployed configuration.
2. The portable hunting blind of claim 1, further comprising a
buttress connected with said upright for being attached with a
selected article independent of said portable hunting blind for
retaining said frame at said deployed configuration.
3. The portable hunting blind of claim 2, wherein said skin has a
rear panel adjacent said upright, said rear panel having a
selectively closable doorway formed therein.
4. The portable hunting blind of claim 3, wherein said upright is
U-shaped having first and second legs, wherein each of said first
and second legs is telescopically extensible, and wherein said
first and second legs each have a selectively releasable mechanism
to hold the respective first and second legs at the selected second
length.
5. The portable hunting blind of claim 4, wherein said base has a
first end and a second end, said first and second legs of said
upright being pivotally connected to said base at substantially
said second end.
6. The portable hunting blind of claim 5, wherein said at least one
forward support comprises: a U-shaped first forward support
pivotally connected to a medial location of each of said first and
second legs of said upright; and a U-shaped second forward support
pivotally connected to said first forward support substantially
adjacent said upright.
7. The portable hunting blind of claim 6, wherein said skin has
formed therein at least one window comprising an opening in said
skin and a flexible plastic covering for selectively covering said
opening.
8. The portable hunting blind of claim 7, further comprising: at
least one selectively closable first flap connected with said skin
for holding said first forward support at a first predetermined
location with respect to said skin; and at least one selectively
closable second flap connected with said skin for holding said
second forward support at a second predetermined location with
respect to said skin.
9. The portable hunting blind of claim 2, further comprising
bracket means for holding said base with respect to a platform of a
tree blind.
10. The portable hunting blind of claim 9, wherein said skin has a
rear panel adjacent said upright, said rear panel having a
selectively closable doorway formed therein.
11. The portable hunting blind of claim 10, wherein said upright is
U-shaped having first and second legs, wherein each of said first
and second legs is telescopically extensible, and wherein said
first and second legs each have a selectively releasable mechanism
to hold the respective first and second legs at the selected second
length.
12. The portable hunting blind of claim 11, wherein said base has a
first end and a second end, said first and second legs of said
upright being pivotally connected to said base at substantially
said second end.
13. The portable hunting blind of claim 12, wherein said at least
one forward support comprises: a U-shaped first forward support
pivotally connected to a medial location of each of said first and
second legs of said upright; and a U-shaped second forward support
pivotally connected to said first forward support substantially
adjacent said upright.
14. The portable hunting blind of claim 13, wherein said skin has
formed therein at least one window comprising an opening in said
skin and a flexible plastic covering for selectively covering said
opening.
15. The portable hunting blind of claim 14, further comprising: at
least one selectively closable first flap connected with said skin
for holding said first forward support at a first predetermined
location with respect to said skin; and at least one selectively
closable second flap connected with said skin for holding said
second forward support at a second predetermined location with
respect to said skin.
16. A portable hunting blind, comprising: a frame configurable
between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration,
said frame comprising: a base; an upright pivotally connected to
said base, said upright being selectively length adjustable; and at
least one forward support pivotally connected to said upright at a
medial location of said upright; wherein when said frame is at said
collapsed configuration said upright has a first length and wherein
said upright, said at least one forward support and said base are
substantially adjacent each other, further wherein when said frame
is at said deployed configuration said upright has a selected
second length, said upright is oriented substantially perpendicular
to said base and said at least one forward support projects from
said upright over said base, and wherein said second length is
longer than said first length; and a flaccidly flexible skin
covering said frame, said skin being generally taut in relation to
said frame when said frame is at said deployed configuration; and a
buttress connected with said upright for being attached with a
selected article independent of said portable hunting blind for
retaining said frame at said deployed configuration.
17. The portable hunting blind of claim 16, further comprising
bracket means for holding said base with respect to a platform of a
tree blind.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to blinds used by hunters for
hunting animals, and more particularly to a hunting blind that is
portable in the sense that it is easily carriable in its collapsed
configuration and is readily set-up from the collapsed
configuration into a deployed configuration.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Hunting blinds are used extensively by hunters to conceal
themselves from their animal prey. For example, land owning rifle
hunters frequently construct wooden huts having windows through
which the hunter peers and shoots. Further for example, bow hunters
frequently deploy blinds elevated in trees (usually referred to
simply as a tree blind), wherein a platform is connected to the
tree, as for example by a belt engirding the trunk, often with one
or more acutely angled supports thereunder.
[0005] Problematically, hunters who use state and federal land for
hunting cannot construct wooden blinds and leave them in position
for use season after season. These hunters are at a disadvantage
because they must sit motionless in a forest while being subjected
to the full force of the elements acting upon them. Exposure to
cold, wind, snow and rain can make a hunting trip miserable, if not
dangerous to the hunter's health. And, while some tree blinds are
portable so as to be usable on state and federal land, the hunter
using them is elevated so as to be unnoticed by the hunter's prey,
but these tree blinds offer no protection against the elements.
Again, a land owner who has the right to build permanent and
semipermanent structures can avail himself of a tent or some other
coverage to a tree blind located on his property.
[0006] Accordingly, what remains needed in the art is a portable
hunting blind which allows any hunter to readily set-up a hunting
blind anywhere, wherein the hunter is safe from the elements and is
able to peer out and shoot from within.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is a portable hunting blind which is
configurable from a collapsed configuration to a deployed
configuration, wherein the portable hunting blind is easily carried
when in the collapsed configuration, and is readily reconfigured to
the deployed configuration whereat the hunter is safe from the
elements and has the advantages offered by a permanent hunting
blind, including the ability to peer out and shoot prey from
within. The portable hunting blind according to the present
invention is composed of a collapsible frame and a flaccidly
flexible skin which covers the frame.
[0008] The frame is preferably composed of a U-shaped base; a
U-shaped upright which is pivotally connected to the base and is
selectively height adjustable; a U-shaped first forward support
pivotally connected to the upright, and a U-shaped second forward
support pivotally connected to the first forward support. A
preferred frame material is a light weight, yet rigid tubular
construction, as for example aluminum or plastic conduit.
[0009] The skin is shaped to provide a generally taut fit when the
frame is in the deployed configuration. A front window is
preferably formed in a front panel of the skin, composed of a
flexible plastic which is openable for purposes of permitting
shooting through an open space in the skin, and closable for
purposes of keeping out the elements. A pair of side windows are
also preferably formed in side panels of the skin. A doorway is
provided in a rear panel of the skin, closable preferably by a
zipper. A first holding flap is provided at the interior of the
front panel to hold the first forward support in a fixed position
relative to the skin. At least one second holding flap is provided
at the interior of the front panel to hold the second forward
support in a fixed position relative to the skin.
[0010] A buttress, in the most preferred form of a draw belt, is
connected to each side of the upright near the upper end thereof,
wherein a first belt member passes through a first slit formed in
the skin at one side of the opening, and a second belt member
passes through a second slit formed in the skin at the other side
of the opening. The draw belt is provided with a connection feature
which allows the two belt members to be wrapped around a tree trunk
and then fastened together so as to thereby hold-up the frame.
[0011] The portable hunting blind according to the present
invention may be used on the ground or cooperatively with a tree
blind.
[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a portable hunting blind.
[0013] It is an additional object of the present invention to
provide a portable hunting blind which is easily carried, easily
set-up, protects the hunter from the elements, and allows the
hunter to peer and shoot.
[0014] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a portable hunting blind which may be deployed on the
ground or may be used in cooperation with a tree blind.
[0015] These, and additional objects, advantages, features and
benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the
following specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the portable hunting
blind according to the present invention, shown in operation.
[0017] FIG. 1A is a partly sectional side view as in FIG. 1,
showing in particular the frame according to the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame according to the
present invention, wherein the skin is shown in phantom.
[0019] FIGS. 2A through 2D are detail views of connection members
of the frame according to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the portable hunting blind
according to the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a front view of the portable hunting blind
according to the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a partly sectional interior view of the portable
hunting blind according to the present invention, showing in
particular the inside of the front panel of the skin.
[0023] FIG. 6A is a side view of the frame according to the present
invention, seen depicted in a collapsed configuration, wherein the
skin is shown thereover in phantom.
[0024] FIG. 6B is a bottom view, seen along line 6B in FIG. 6A.
[0025] FIGS. 7A through 7C show side views of sequential erection
steps for the portable hunting blind, from the collapsed
configuration to the deployed configuration.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a side view depiction of the portable hunting
blind according to the present invention being used in cooperation
with a tree blind.
[0027] FIG. 8A is a detail side view of a connection assembly
between the frame according to the present invention and a tree
blind as shown at FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] Referring now to the Drawing, FIG. 1 depicts a preferred
embodiment of the portable hunting blind 10 according to the
present invention, shown in operation in association with a tree
12. The portable hunting blind 10 is generally composed of an
exterior skin 14 supported by an interior frame 16. The frame 16 is
held erect by a draw belt 18 which interconnects with the frame and
is connected to a selected independent article, as for example the
trunk 12a of the tree 12.
[0029] Referring now additionally to FIGS. 2 through 2D, the
preferred frame 16 will be detailed.
[0030] The frame 16 includes a U-shaped base 18 having at least one
cross brace 18a, a preferred number of two being shown in FIG. 2. A
U-shaped upright 20 is pivotally connected, via a first pivot
connector 22 shown at FIG. 2A, to the base 18. The upright 20 is
telescopically height adjustable, wherein a reduced cross-section
portion 20c, 20c'is connected with respect to a pair of first
upright legs 20a, 20a'such that each reduced cross-section portion
is telescopically received into a respective second upright leg
20b, 20b'. A collar 24 (see FIG. 2B) is connected with a distal end
of each of the second upright legs 20b, 20b'. The length (or
height) of the upright 20 is selectively adjusted via a set-screw
26 threadably engaged with the collar 24 being caused to
selectively press upon the respectively telescoped reduced
cross-section portion of the first upright member to thereby retain
a selected height. A U-shaped first forward support 28 is pivotally
connected to the upright via a second pivot connector 30 (see FIG.
2C) having a collar 25 which is affixed, respectively, to each of
the first upright legs 20a, 20a'adjacent the respective reduced
cross-section portions. The minimum telescoped height of the
upright 20 is defined when the collars 24, 25 mutually abut or the
collars 24 and the first upright legs 20a, 20a'mutually abut. A
U-shaped second forward support 32 is pivotally connected to the
first forward support via third pivot connectors 34 (see FIG. 2D).
The location of the second pivot connectors 34 is adjustably
positionable on the first forward support 28 via sliding of a
second collar 36 along the first forward support and affixing via a
second set-screw 38. A preferred frame material is a light weight,
yet rigid tubular construction, as for example aluminum or plastic
conduit.
[0031] Referring now additionally to FIGS. 3 through 5, the
preferred skin 14 will be detailed.
[0032] The skin 14 is shaped to provide a generally taut fit in
relation to the frame 16 when the frame is in the deployed
configuration, as shown generally at FIGS. 1 and 1A. A front window
40 is preferably formed in a front panel 42 of the skin 14, as
shown at FIG. 4. The window includes a flexible see-through plastic
covering 44 which is openable for purposes of permitting shooting
through an open space 46 in the skin, and closable for purposes of
keeping out the elements. The plastic covering 44 may, for example
be held in the closed position via VELCRO (TM of Velcro USA) 48. A
pair of side windows 50 (each as generally represented by the
single side window shown at FIG. 1) are also preferably formed in
side panels 52 of the skin 14. Each side window 50 preferably has
flexible screening (ie., nylon) 52 and an openable/closable
flexible see-through plastic covering 54 via snaps 56 or via VELCRO
as aforementioned. Alternatively, the screening may be omitted or
also be openable/closable so as to allow shooting therethrough. A
preferred material for the skin is a flaccidly flexible waterproof
nylon, canvass or plastic material, having preferably a camouflage
pattern.
[0033] A doorway 58 is provided via a vertical slit 60 in a rear
panel 62 of the skin 14 which is closable preferably by a zipper 64
(see FIG. 3).
[0034] As shown at FIG. 5, a first holding flap 66 is provided at
the interior of the front panel 42 to hold the first forward
support 28 in a fixed position relative to the skin 14. The first
holding flap 66 may be secured via a zipper 68, VELCRO, snaps, etc.
A second holding flap 70 is provided at the interior of the front
panel 42, as well preferably, are provided first and second
axillary holding flaps 70a, 70b located at the interior of the side
panels 52, to hold the second forward support 32 in a fixed
position relative to the skin 14. Again, the second holding flap 70
and the first and second axillary holding flaps 70a, 70b may be
secured via a zipper 72, 72a, 72b, VELCRO, snaps, etc.
[0035] A buttress is preferably provided by the draw belt 18 has
first and second belt members 18a, 18b, each being connected to a
respective first upright leg 20a, 20a'of the upright member 20, as
for example by a closed loop therearound. The first belt member 18a
passes through a first slit 74a formed in the skin 14 at one side
of the doorway 58, and the second belt member 18b passes through a
second slit 74b formed in the skin at the other side of the
doorway, both sklits being spaced near the top 76 of the portable
hunting blind 10. The draw belt is provided with a connection
feature 78, as for example a buckle or VELCRO which allows the two
belt members to be wrapped around a tree trunk and then selectively
pulled taut and fastened together so as to thereby hold-up the
frame as shown at FIGS. 1 and 1A. Alternatively, where the portable
hunting blind 10 is to be used in open land, the buttress may be a
ropes and stakes type buttress 15, wherein a pair of ropes is
connected to the frame (as the draw belt to the frame) and acutely
angle toward the ground and affixed thereto via a pair of stakes
(see FIG. 7C).
[0036] As shown at FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the portable hunting blind
10 is in the collapsed configuration, it is configured compactly
for carrying by a person grasping the lower end with the fingers 80
of a hand and holding the portable hunting blind between the arm 82
and waist and between the hand and arm pit.
[0037] FIGS. 7A through 7C show stages of the erection process
(from the collapsed configuration to the deployed configuration) of
the portable hunting blind 10, starting from a placement thereof
upon the ground as shown at FIG. 6A. The hunter unzips the zipper
64 and enters into the portable hunting blind. Next, the upright 20
is pivoted away from the base 18, as indicated by arrow A (FIG.
7A). Then, the upright 20 is rotated to about ninety degrees
relative to the base 18, as indicated by arrow B, and the first and
second support arms 28, 32 are secured to their respective holding
flaps 66, 70, 70a, 70b, wherein in this regard, the first support
arm typically remains substantially in place and the second support
arm is pivoted as indicated by arrow C (FIG. 7B). The upright 20 is
then telescopically raised relative to the base 18 as indicated by
arrow D and the set-screws 26 tightened to maintain the selected
height. Finally, the buttress is fastened to an external object,
either for example via the aforementioned draw belt 18 or via the
aforementioned ropes and stakes type buttress 15, so as to thereby
hold-up the frame as shown at FIGS. 1, 1A and 7C. To go from the
deployed configuration to the collapsed configuration the above
steps are generally reversed.
[0038] FIGS. 8 and 8A depict the portable hunting blind 10
according to the present invention configured to cooperate with a
tree blind 84 located in a tree 12'. In this regard, the frame 16
is fastened to the platform 86 of the tree blind 84 via, for
example, brackets 88 and bolts 90 which pass through holes in the
platform and thereby hold the base 18 to the platform. Once the
frame 16 is secured to the platform, the skin 14 may be slipped
over the frame and over the platform via passage through the
doorway 58. The first and second support arms 28, 32 are secured to
their respective holding flaps 66, 70, 70a, 70b, and the upright 20
telescopically is raised and secured. Lastly, the draw belt is
wrapped around the tree trunk 12a', and then selectively pulled
taut and fastened together via the connection feature 78 so as to
thereby hold-up the frame.
[0039] To those skilled in the art to which this invention
appertains, the above described preferred embodiment may be subject
to change or modification. Such change or modification can be
carried out without departing from the scope of the invention,
which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *