U.S. patent application number 12/984396 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-14 for portable hunting blind.
This patent application is currently assigned to OAK LEAF OUTDOORS, INC.. Invention is credited to Jared Shane Schlipf.
Application Number | 20110168221 12/984396 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44257563 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110168221 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schlipf; Jared Shane |
July 14, 2011 |
PORTABLE HUNTING BLIND
Abstract
A portable and collapsible blind including a door and associated
opening that is defined through a side corner and adjacent side
walls of the blind to offer easy ingress and egress relative to the
blind. The blind can include a hub style frame including sets of
bars joined with respective hubs. The door can include a
curvilinear closure that extends along one sidewall, across the
side corner, and into an adjacent sidewall. The closure and a
perimeter of the door can be of a partially circular, elliptical
and/or parabolic shape.
Inventors: |
Schlipf; Jared Shane;
(Dunlap, IL) |
Assignee: |
OAK LEAF OUTDOORS, INC.
Brimfield
IL
|
Family ID: |
44257563 |
Appl. No.: |
12/984396 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61293891 |
Jan 11, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/143 ;
135/117 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/48 20130101;
E04H 15/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/143 ;
135/117 |
International
Class: |
E04H 15/58 20060101
E04H015/58; E04H 15/44 20060101 E04H015/44 |
Claims
1. A portable and collapsible blind comprising: a plurality of
substantially square, adjacent side walls, each side wall including
a side edge, with the side edges of adjacent side walls joined with
one another at a side corner, each side wall including an upper
edge joined with a roof along a roof corner, the side corner and
roof corner intersecting at a terminal corner; a material joined
with the side walls and the roof, the material operable in a taut
mode and a relaxed mode; a frame including a plurality of support
members, each of the support members having a plurality of
elongated bars joined with a hub, the support members lockable
relative to one another to configure the frame in an at least
partially erected mode, in which the material is in the taut mode,
and in which the plurality of bars extend radially outwardly from
the hub, the support members collapsible relative to one another to
configure the frame in a collapsed mode, in which the material is
in the relaxed mode and the blind is at least partially collapsed;
a first pair of the elongated bars of the frame forming a first
quadrant of a first sidewall, a second pair of the elongated bars
of the frame forming a second quadrant of a second sidewall, the
first sidewall and second sidewall joined with one another, the
first quadrant and second quadrant opening toward one another and
toward the side corner, a curvilinear opening being defined by the
material, the curvilinear opening being formed within the first
quadrant of the first sidewall and within the second quadrant of
the second sidewall, the curvilinear opening spanning across the
side corner, a door operable in a closed mode in which the door
closes the opening, with the door being located within the first
quadrant and the second quadrant, and spanning across the side
corner in the closed mode, the door alternatively operable in open
mode, in which the door offers a user ingress and egress to and
from an interior of the blind.
2. The blind of claim 1 wherein the plurality of side walls and the
roof cooperate to define a substantially box-shaped
configuration.
3. The blind of claim 1 wherein the opening is of at least one of a
partially circular, elliptical and parabolic shape.
4. The blind of claim 1 wherein the opening is of an elliptical
shape, with a major axis being aligned with the side corner, and a
minor axis being transverse to the side corner.
5. The blind of claim 1 wherein the door is adapted to fold inward
and downward into or out from the interior of the blind in the open
mode.
6. The blind of claim 1 comprising a single closure element that
joins a perimeter of the door with a perimeter of the opening.
7. The blind of claim 6 wherein the single closure element is a
zipper, wherein the zipper travels along a substantially
curvilinear path around the perimeter of the door.
8. The blind of claim 7 wherein the substantially curvilinear path
is defined by a plurality of individual paths, at least two of
which include a different curvature.
9. The blind of claim 1 comprising a pull strap located above the
door, the pull strap enabling a user to pull the material downward
near the side corner to facilitate closure of the door from the
open mode to the closed mode.
10. The blind of claim 1 wherein the door includes a lower portion
constructed from an elastic material that enables at least a
portion of the door to move upward to facilitate closure of the
door from the open mode to the closed mode.
11. The blind of claim 1 wherein the material includes an extra
margin adjacent the side corner, the extra margin adapted to move
downward adjacent the side corner when the door is converted from
the open mode to the closed mode to facilitate closure of the
door.
12. A portable and collapsible blind comprising: a first
substantially square side wall joined with a second substantially
square sidewall at a side corner, the first side wall supported by
a first support member having a plurality of elongated first bars
extending generally radially from a first hub so that adjacent ones
of the first elongated bars form a first quadrant therebetween, the
second side wall supported by a second support member having a
plurality of elongated second bars extending generally radially
from a second hub so that adjacent ones of the second elongated
bars form a second quadrant therebetween, the first quadrant of the
first side wall opening toward the second quadrant of the second
sidewall, the first and second quadrants both opening toward the
side corner, a material joined with the side walls, the material
operable in a taut mode and a relaxed mode, the material covering
at least a portion of each of the first and second sidewalls, as
well as at least a portion of the first and second quadrants, the
first and second support members lockable relative to one another
to configure the respective first and second side walls in an
erected mode in which the material is supported in the taut mode
adjacent each of the first and second support members, the first
and second support members collapsible relative to one another to
configure the respective first and second walls in a collapsed mode
in which the material is in the relaxed mode and the blind is at
least partially collapsed, an opening commonly defined by the first
sidewall and the second sidewall, the opening being formed at least
partially within a space defined by the first quadrant and the
second quadrant, the opening being bordered by an at least
partially curvilinear opening perimeter that traverses the first
sidewall, the second sidewall and the side corner between the first
sidewall and the second sidewall; a door constructed at least
partially from the material and including an at least partially
curvilinear door perimeter that is joinable with the at least
partially curvilinear opening perimeter, the door operable in an
open mode in which the opening is open to provide a user ingress
and egress to and from the blind through at least a portion of the
first and second quadrants, and a closed mode in which the at least
partially curvilinear door perimeter is joined with the at least
partially curvilinear opening perimeter, and in which the door is
joined with the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and extends
across the side corner, a single closure element adapted to join
the at least one of the at least partially curvilinear door
perimeter and the at least partially curvilinear opening perimeter,
thereby configuring the door in the closed mode, the closure
element moveable upward along a first path relative to the first
side panel, along a second path that generally traverses the side
corner, and downward along a third path relative to the second side
panel, the first, second and third paths contiguous with one
another, and void of any acute bends, so that the closure element
can move fluidly along the first, second and third paths to join
the at least one of the at least partially curvilinear door
perimeter and the at least partially curvilinear opening
perimeter.
13. The blind of claim 12 wherein the opening forms an oval
shape.
14. The blind of claim 12 wherein the first, second and third paths
form a substantially curvilinear path having at least two
curvatures.
15. The blind of claim 12 wherein the first, second and third paths
form a substantially curvilinear path having a single
curvature.
16. The blind of claim 12 wherein the single closure element is a
zipper.
17. The blind of claim 12 wherein the door is at least one of a
partially circular, elliptical and parabolic shape.
18. A portable and collapsible blind comprising: a hub style frame
including a plurality of elongated bars joined with a plurality of
hubs, the hub style frame joined with a material to cooperatively
form, in an erected mode, a plurality of sidewalls and a roof in a
substantially box-shaped configuration, a first sidewall and a
second sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls being adjacent one
another, and intersecting at a side corner; an opening defined by
the first side wall, the second side wall and the side corner; and
a door adapted to close the opening, the door spanning across at
least a portion of the first side wall, at least a portion of the
second side wall, and around the side corner in a closed mode.
19. The blind of claim 18 wherein the opening includes and at least
partially curvilinear perimeter.
20. The blind of claim 19 wherein the door is adapted to fold
inward and downward into an interior of the blind in an open mode.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to portable blinds, and more
particularly to ground blinds including an opening for ingress and
egress.
[0002] There are a variety of hunting and wildlife observation
products that are adapted to conceal movement of a hunter or
wildlife observer from game, such as deer, turkey and waterfowl.
One such product is the ground blind. A ground blind typically
includes a frame covered by panels constructed from a camouflage
material that blends into the natural surroundings. The frame and
material usually form an enclosure in which a hunter or wildlife
observer conceals themselves. The camouflage material usually is
opaque so that a hunter can move within the enclosure without
alerting game to the hunter or observer's presence within the
blind.
[0003] A popular conventional hunting ground blind is a generally
box-shaped, hub-style blind. Such a blind is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
5,628,338 to Stumbo. As explained in Stumbo, one particular
challenging feature of such hub-style blinds is the opening which
offers ingress and egress to and from the blind. As shown in
Stumbo, the opening is a straight, linear, vertical slit disposed
along the intersection of two adjacent side panels. The Stumbo
opening construction apparently requires that the poles or legs of
each hub of the blind must flex to enable the opening to expand for
ingress and egress. Adjacent the linear, vertical slit, a zipper is
stitched in place with non-stretchable thread. When the zipper is
open, the fabric adjacent the slit can be pulled to widen the slit
somewhat to offer more room for ingress or egress. When the zipper
is closed, it pulls the side panels together at their intersection
at the corner of the blind.
[0004] Although the Stumbo opening provides ingress and egress, it
suffers several shortcomings. For example, even when expanded, the
opening is a relatively narrow vertical slit. Passing equipment,
such as a bow, firearm, chair or other items through the narrow
vertical slit can be difficult. Further, in cold climates, where a
user is dressed with bulky clothing, getting through the narrow
slit can be challenging. In some cases, where a user has a large
pack, or chair, the slit is so narrow that it cannot accommodate
them. Accordingly, the blind may need to be turned on its side to
place the equipment inside. This can be noisy, which is
undesirable, as it can alert game that a human is in the area. It
can also dislodge or disrupt any natural vegetation that has been
placed on or adjacent the blind for further concealment.
[0005] Some manufacturers have addressed the issues with the
vertical slit opening by replacing it with a sideways "V" shaped
opening defined by a single side panel of the blind. While this
offers slightly more room for ingress and egress, the bottom and
top of the opening still terminate generally at a point, which can
be difficult to cross without tripping or snagging equipment worn
on the back of a user, respectively. Moreover, the sideways "V"
opening can be difficult to close. For example, pulling a zipper to
join the tent material on the side panel can be difficult as the
zipper sometimes cannot pull the opposing sides of the opening
together. Furthermore, such sideways "V" openings typically require
two separate zippers--one for the top part of the "V", and another
for the bottom part of the "V"--because a single zipper usually
cannot transverse around the point of the "V". Having two zippers
increases cost and production time in the manufacture of the blind.
It also requires a user of the blind to engage two separate zippers
to close the blind opening, which can be time consuming and
noisy.
[0006] Accordingly, there remains room for improving the openings
which offer ingress and egress to portable blinds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A blind is provided which includes a simple and efficient
opening for ingress and egress to and from the blind. In one
embodiment, the blind is a hunting or wildlife observation blind,
referred to herein as a "blind." The blind can be collapsible and
portable, and generally of a hub-style variety. The blind can
include one or more side walls or panels and an optional roof. The
blind can be configurable in a collapsed mode in which the blind is
of a smaller dimension to allow transport, and an erected mode, in
which the blind is fully erected and ready to conceal a user.
[0008] In another embodiment, the blind can define a rounded
opening that spans across two adjacent side walls of the blind, as
well as a side corner at which the side walls intersect. The
rounded opening can be in the form of a partial or full circle,
ellipse, parabola, or other geometric shape having one or more
curvilinear characteristics. The rounded opening can provide
ingress and egress to the interior of the blind by a user, or
optionally can form a window of the blind.
[0009] In yet another embodiment, the blind can define an opening
having a curvilinear perimeter. A first portion of the perimeter
can be defined by a first sidewall, and a second portion of the
perimeter of the opening can be defined by a second sidewall,
adjacent the first sidewall. The first and second portions of the
perimeter can be joined across a sidewall contour at which the
first and second sidewalls intersect, for example, at a corner
where the first and second sidewalls are at least partially
joined.
[0010] In another embodiment, the blind can include a door that is
selectively joinable with the at least partially curvilinear
perimeter of the opening. When closed, the door can extend across
at least two adjacent side panels of the blind, and optionally can
extend across or traverse at least a portion of the sidewall corner
where the adjacent sidewalls intersect one another. Optionally, the
door can include a curvilinear door perimeter that corresponds to
the curvilinear perimeter of the opening.
[0011] In still another embodiment, a closure element is provided
to join the curvilinear perimeter of the opening with the
curvilinear door perimeter. Optionally, the closure element can be
a zipper, a hook-and-loop fastening system, and/or mechanically
interlocking strips. The closure element can be operable to closed
mode, in which the door closes the opening, and to an open mode, in
which the door is at least partially open to allow ingress and
egress to and from the interior of the blind.
[0012] In still yet another embodiment, the blind can include a hub
style frame. The frame can include a plurality of sections, with
each section joined with a particular sidewall and including a
plurality of bars joined with a centralized hub. Adjacent bars of
the frame can generally form quadrants therebetween.
[0013] In a further embodiment, where a hub style frame is
utilized, a first quadrant, between adjacent bars of one sidewall,
opens toward a second quadrant, between adjacent bars of an
adjacent sidewall. Generally, the two quadrants open toward one
another, with the ends of the bars located at or adjacent a side
corner of the blind.
[0014] In yet a further embodiment, the curvilinear perimeter of
the opening transverses the first and second quadrants of the
adjacent sidewalls, as well as the side corner of the blind.
[0015] In still yet another embodiment, the curvilinear door
perimeter is joined with the curvilinear opening, forming at least
a portion of the side corner, as well as the adjacent side walls
within the first and second quadrants of adjacent side walls.
[0016] The blind herein can include a simple and efficient opening
that provides easy and quick ingress and egress to and from the
blind, or that provides a simple to operate window. Where the
opening and an optional door spans from one side panel, across a
side corner and to an adjacent side panel, that door is of a large,
easy to transverse dimension. Accordingly, users, even when
carrying equipment or wearing bulky clothing, can quickly and
easily enter and exit the blind. Moreover, where curvilinear
perimeters are utilized on and transverse adjacent side panels,
optionally a single continuous closure element can be used, which
conserves materials, manufacturing time, as well as eases operation
of the closure element.
[0017] These and other objects, advantages and features of the
invention will be more readily understood and appreciated by
reference to the detailed description of the invention and the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a blind of a current
embodiment including a door in a closed mode;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the blind with the
door in the closed mode;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a third perspective view of the blind with the
door in an at least partially opened mode;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a fourth perspective view of the blind with the
door being converted from an open mode to a closed mode;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective of the blind in a collapsed
mode;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a first alternative embodiment of the blind;
[0024] FIG. 7 is second alternative embodiment of the blind;
and
[0025] FIG. 8 is a corner-on view of the current embodiment of the
blind with the door in a closed mode;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a right side corner-on view of the current
embodiment of the blind with the door in a closed mode the left
side corner-on view being a mirror image thereof; and
[0027] FIG. 10 is a right side view of the blind with the door in a
closed mode, the left side view being a mirror image thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT
I. Overview
[0028] A blind of a current embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4
and generally designated 10. The blind 10 includes an enclosure in
the form of a portable, collapsible blind. The blind includes
multiple side walls 20 and an optional roof 30. The side walls 20
can intersect and can be joined with one another at side corners
22. The upper edges 32 of the side walls 20 can intersect and can
be joined with the roof 30 at one or more respective roof corners
31. The side corners 22 and roof corners 31 can intersect one
another and form terminal corners 35. The walls 20 can each include
lower edges 33.
[0029] The walls 20 and roof 30 can cooperatively provide a
geometric shape, such as a box, pyramid, dome or other geometric
shape. The side walls and roof can be covered with or otherwise
include a material 26, such as a fabric. The material 26 is
operable in a taut mode, which is achieved when the ground blind is
in the erected mode as shown in FIGS. 1-4, and a relaxed mode,
which is achieved when the blind 10 is in a collapsed mode, as
shown in FIG. 5.
[0030] The blind 10 can include an at least partially rounded or
curvilinear opening 50, and a corresponding door 70, which can open
and close the opening 50. The opening can span across a portion of
a first side wall 24, a second sidewall 26, as well as a side
corner 22. The door 70 likewise can span across the same elements
when in a closed mode. Both the door 70 and opening 50 can include
perimeters 72 and 52 respectively that generally correspond to one
another. These perimeters can be joined with one another with a
closure element 80.
[0031] As used herein, the term "blind" includes a blind that is
designed to be used on the ground or on an elevated platform, where
the blind can conceal a user from game or humans. Further, although
illustrated as a blind including four sidewalls, the blind may
include any number of sidewalls, and may or may not include a
roof.
[0032] As used herein, the term "corner" can include corners
created by two or more intersecting panels, walls and/or a roof,
where the corner forms a right angle, a rounded corner, an obtuse
angle, or an acute angle, or any combination of the foregoing. In
addition, a corner can include a variety of different types of the
foregoing from a top to a bottom of the blind. For example, a side
corner can be formed from side walls joined a right angles near an
upper edge and a lower edge of the blind, while the side corner can
be formed from sidewalls that transition about a rounded or
curvilinear region midway between the upper and lower edges of the
blind. Although the transition from one side wall to another
varies, this transition can still be considered a corner.
[0033] As used herein, "quadrant" can generally refer to any of the
four areas into which the side walls or roof is divided by
elongated bars that extend from a hub to form a cross; however,
where there are more than four elongated bars, and those elongated
bars divide the side walls or roof into 5, 6, 7, 8 or more areas,
those areas also can be referred to as a quadrant.
II. Construction
[0034] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the blind will now be described
in more detail. The blind can be a ground blind and can include
walls 20 and a roof 30 that are configurable in a collapsed mode
and in an erected mode. The collapsed mode is shown in FIG. 5, and
the erected mode is shown in FIGS. 1-4. In the collapsed mode, the
ground blind 10 is more easily transported, because it is less
bulky, and can be packed into a back pack, sack or bag as
desired.
[0035] The side walls (also referred to as side panels) 20 as
illustrated are generally square, however, they may take on a
variety of different geometric shapes, such as circular,
triangular, trapezoidal, or other polygonal shapes. A first side
wall 24 and a second side wall 26 can be adjacent one another, and
each can include an upper edge 32 and an opposing lower edge 33.
These sidewalls can be joined with one another and other adjacent
walls at one or more side corners 22. The side corner 22 can
intersect the roof corner 31 at a terminal corner 35.
[0036] The walls and a roof where included can include a material
26, such as a canvas, nylon, or other suitable material which is
generally opaque. The material 26 can be camouflage or of another
color that easily blends in with the surroundings for which the
blind is designed for use. The material 26 can be joined with the
walls 20 and roof 30 via stitching or loop structures. The material
26 can be operable in a taut mode and a relaxed mode. In the taut
mode, which usually can correspond to the blind being in the
erected mode, the fabric is generally in a stretched out or
expanded state, in which the material provides the blind with a
given geometric shape, such as the square or box-shape as
illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. In the relaxed mode, the material is
generally unstretched or not expanded, and can be collapsed upon
itself as illustrated in FIG. 5 so that the blind 10 can be
packaged and transported easily by a user.
[0037] The blind 10 can include a frame 60 as illustrated in FIGS.
1-3. This frame 60 can include multiple support members 61
generally in the shape of a cross. The support members or sections
61 can each be joined with a particular sidewall or the roof, and
can include multiple elongated bars 62 joined with a centralized
hub 64. The elongated bars can be joined at one end with the hub,
and can radially extend outwardly from the hub to form the above
mentioned cross or "X" shape. This type of frame construction is
generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,338 to Stumbo, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0038] Adjacent bars 62 of the frame can generally form quadrants
therebetween. For example, the pair of adjacent bars 62a and 62b of
second side panel 26 in FIG. 1 can form a first quadrant 63, and
the pair of adjacent bars 62e and 62f of first side panel 24 can
form a second quadrant 65. Different pairs of different adjacent
bars of different sidewalls and the roof can form other
quadrants.
[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first quadrant 63 and
second quadrant 65 associated with the adjacent sidewalls 24 and 26
generally opening toward one another and toward the side corner 22.
Bars from adjacent quadrants, such as bars 62a and 62e, or bars 62b
and 62f, can be pivotally joined with one another via a corner
element 69a, or corner element 69b. These corner elements can
simply join with the end of the respective bars, and include a
pivoting feature, such as a pin or socket, about which the bars can
rotate relative to the element.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the first and second quadrants generally
form a space or opening 67 in the frame 60. This space or opening
67, when viewed from the perspective shown in FIG. 2, generally can
be in the shape of a diamond, square or rectangle. When a user
enters or exits the blind 10, the user generally traverses through
this space 67 defined at least partially by both adjacent quadrants
63, 65, as well as the opening 50 as explained below.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the support members 62 can be
collapsible relative to one another to configure the frame 60 in a
collapsed mode, and thus to configure the blind 10 in the collapsed
mode. In the collapsed mode, the material 26 attains a relaxed
mode. As shown in FIG. 1, the frame and bars 62 are also lockable
relative to one another to configure the frame in the erected mode,
where the material 26 attains the taut mode, as shown by the arrow
E.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the ground blind 10 can be
configured to define multiple windows 12 through which a hunter or
observer can hunt or observe game. These windows 12 can be
configured in a variety of locations, and can include an optional
cover or see through mesh. Although not shown, the windows can also
be constructed similar to the opening 50 and door 70, spanning
across adjacent sidewalls and a side corner, and oriented as
explained above relative to quadrants of the frame 60 and elongated
bars 62.
[0043] With reference to FIGS. 4-5, the opening 50 will be
described in more detail. In general, the opening 50 opens to the
interior 80 of the blind. A user can traverse through the opening
to move into and out from the blind interior 80, as well as to
insert or remove items into or from the interior 80 of the blind
10.
[0044] The opening 50 can be at least partially rounded or
curvilinear, and can span across or can be commonly defined by at
least portions of the first sidewall 24, the second sidewall 26 and
the side corner 22 of the blind 10. The opening 50 can also be
formed at least partially within the first quadrant 63 and the
second quadrant 65, and optionally within the space 67. Optionally,
the opening can be generally centered in the space 67, but of
course, it can be off-centered from the space, with more of the
opening defined by one side panel 24 than the other 26, or vice
versa, if desired.
[0045] The opening 50 can be bordered by an opening perimeter 52,
which can be at least partially rounded or curvilinear, and can
generally correspond with the shape of the opening 50. This opening
perimeter 52 can traverse the adjacent sidewalls 20 and the
respective side corner 22 of the blind. As shown in FIG. 4, the
opening traverses the first sidewall 24, the second sidewall 26 and
the side corner 22 between the first sidewall and the second
sidewall. Optionally, the opening can extend part or all of the
distance between the upper terminal corner 35 and the bottom corner
39.
[0046] The opening perimeter 52 as illustrated can be generally
rounded or curvilinear along its entire length. The opening
perimeter, however, may include some linear or straight portions as
desired. It also may include multiple different curvatures.
Further, it may include bends, which transition from straight
portions of the perimeter to curved portions of the perimeter as
desired. Optionally, the bends can be without any acute angles so
that a closure element 90 (such as a zipper) is less prone to bind
at those acute angles. Of course, if acute bends are compatible
with the desired closure element, they may be included in the
perimeters as described herein.
[0047] The opening 50 and perimeter 52 can form a variety of
geometric shapes. As illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, the opening and
subsequently its perimeter are generally in the form of a partial
oval or partial ellipse. This generally elliptical opening can
include a major axis 55 and a minor axis 57. The major axis 55 can
be generally aligned with the side corner 22, and the minor axis 57
can be generally transverse, for example perpendicular to, the side
corner 22 and/or the major axis. The precise location of the minor
axis can also vary upward or downward along the major axis, in
which case the opening is less of a purely elliptical
configuration.
[0048] Although shown as an oval or somewhat elliptical
configuration, the opening 50 can take on other geometric shapes.
For example, it may be of a fully or partial circular shape, such
as the shape of the opening 150 shown in the first alternative
embodiment of FIG. 6, or the rounded corner, multi-sided shape of
the opening 250 shown in the second alternative embodiment of FIG.
7, or some other rounded corner multi-sided shape, or a parabolic
shape, or other alternative shapes. As yet another example, the
door can be of a rectangular shape having rounded corners, where
the rectangular shape overlaps adjacent sidewalls and traverses the
corresponding side corner. Of course, where the door 70 is joined
with the blind 10 so as to provide a closure for the opening 50,
the door may be of any of the foregoing shapes if desired.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the blind 10 can include a door
70, which closes the opening 50 so that the interior 80 of the
blind is concealed. The door 70 can be operable in an open mode and
a closed mode. In the open mode, shown in FIG. 3 (where the door is
being opened in the direction of the arrow), the opening 50 is open
to provide a user ingress and egress to and from the blind 10. In
the closed mode, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the opening 50 is at least
partially closed off, if not completely closed.
[0050] The door 70 can include a door perimeter 72 that can be
joined with the opening perimeter 52. Generally, the door perimeter
can be rounded or curvilinear along all or a portion of its length.
Optionally, the door perimeter 72 can be of the same configuration
and correspond to the opening perimeter 52. Further optionally, the
door can be of any of the geometric shapes described above in
connection with the opening. Of course, where the door perimeter 72
is not joined with, or alternatively overlaps the opening
perimeter, the door perimeter can be of a shape that differs from
that of the opening perimeter.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, when closed to the closed mode,
the door perimeter 72 is joined with the opening perimeter 52.
Accordingly, the door is joined with the first sidewall 24 and the
second sidewall 26. The door also extends across, and optionally
forms at least a portion of, the side corner 22, which may be of a
rounded configuration, between the adjacent side walls. In the
close mode, the door is also generally located within the first 63
and second 65 quadrants defined by the frame 60 of the adjacent
panels.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the door 70 can be joined with
the side panels 20 and/or the side corner 22 along its lower
portion 79. The door 70 can fold, when in an open mode, at a
connection portion 74 inward and downward into the interior 80 of
the blind 10. The blind can be outfitted with magnets or other
securement devices (not shown) to hold the door in place when
opened, so that it is not damaged when opened. Optionally, the
connection portion 74 can be located in other places relative to
the door, the side walls and/or the side corner. For example, as
show in FIGS. 6 and 7, the door can fold open along a connection
portion 174 or 274 that is joined with only one side wall, along a
lower part of the door. Further alternatively, the connection
portion can be located along an upper part of the door, and joined
with only one side wall. Although not shown, further optionally,
the connection portion can be absent, and the door can be fully
removable if desired.
[0053] The door 70 can be constructed at least partially from the
material from which the side panels and roof are constructed, or
from a different material than the remainder of the blind as
desired, or from a combination of materials. In one example, the
upper portion 77 of the door may be constructed from the material
from which the walls and/or roof are constructed. The lower portion
of the door 79 may be constructed from a different material. This
different material can be elastic, so that the upper portion of the
door and other portions of the door can move as the door is closed
with a closure element, such as a zipper. In turn, this can enable
a user to close the closure element without pulling directly on the
door; instead, the lower portion of the door stretches. Optionally,
instead of or in addition to the lower portion of the door being
constructed from an elastic material, an elastic material can be
joined with at least a portion of the door perimeter 72, so that
the closure element can easily connect the perimeters of the door
72 and the opening 52.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the blind 10 can include a
closure element 90, which as illustrated is a zipper. The zipper
can be configured to pull together and join the respective door
perimeter 52 and opening perimeter 72 to generally configure the
door and opening in a closed mode. The zipper can be replaced with
any other closure element, such as a hook and loop fastener,
buttons, or other interlocking fasteners.
[0055] Where the closure element is a single zipper, it follows the
perimeter of the door perimeter 52 and the opening perimeter 72. If
desired, multiple zippers or closure elements can be substituted
for the single closure element. In general, when being closed so as
to configure the door to a closed mode, the closure element 90 can
move along a path, which can be substantially curvilinear, and can
include individual paths 92, 94 and 96, which may be of the same or
different curvatures, and which may be linear. As shown in FIG. 4,
the first path 94 along which the closure element moves, extends
generally upward along the first side panel 24. The second path 94
along which the closure element moves generally traverses the side
corner 22 in a generally perpendicular manner. The third path 96
along which the closure element moves, extends generally downward
along the second side panel 26.
[0056] Where different paths are included, they can be contiguous
with one another. Optionally, the individual path and junctions
therebetween can be void of any acute bends, so that the closure
element can move fluidly along those paths to join the door
perimeter 72 and the at opening perimeter 52.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, the blind can include an optional
closure protector element 87. This element 87 can be in the form of
a strip of material that covers at least a portion of the closure
element 90 so as to keep it free from debris, ice and other
elements, and generally to keep water and wind from entering the
blind through the closure element.
[0058] The blind 10 can also include an optional pull handle 86 as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This pull handle can be located generally
above at least a portion of the opening 50, for example, along the
side corner 22, above the top of the opening. Optionally, the
handle can be positioned between the top of the opening and the
upper terminal corner 35. This handle can be used to pull the
material above the opening downward (in the direction of the arrow
81 in FIG. 4) when a user is joining the door perimeter 72 with the
opening perimeter 52 to close the door with the closure element 90.
This can reduce the stress on the closure element 90, such as a
zipper, when the material pulls taut, upward toward the terminal
corner and away from the opening.
[0059] To further or alternatively reduce the stress on the closure
element 90 when a user closes the door 70, an extra margin of
material 88, for example, an extra inch or more of material, can be
provided above the opening 50, generally between the top of the
opening 50 and below the terminal corner 35. This can provide some
slack in that portion of the material so that the closure element
90 joins the door perimeter 72 and the opening perimeter 52 without
significant stress on the closure element 90.
[0060] The above descriptions are those of the preferred
embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can
be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of
the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be
interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law
including the doctrine of equivalents. Any references to claim
elements in the singular, for example, using the articles "a,"
"an," "the," or "said," is not to be construed as limiting the
element to the singular. Any reference to claim elements as "at
least one of X, Y and Z" is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z
individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y,
Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.
* * * * *