PORTABLE HUNTING BLIND CHAIR OR SEAT WITH SIMPLE, RELIABLE, AND QUICK SETUP AND TAKE-DOWN
20220361480 · 2022-11-17
Inventors
- Tate Wood (Olive Branch, MS, US)
- Bobby L. Windham, JR. (Olive Branch, MS, US)
- James L. Spence (Olive Branch, MS, US)
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
Portable hunting blind including seat/chair for use in hunting or similar environment including side panels and hinge brackets having support arms mounted to side panels; seat mounted to side panels, the seat together with side panels and hinge brackets having support arms form a chair-like structure; skirt put around side panels to conceal hunter sitting on seat; and bonnets and blind top. Blind top conceals hunter while allowing hunter to see what is going on around him. To hunt or to come out of portable hunting blind, hunter stands up throwing back bonnets and hitting the skirt with his knee, thereby detaching skirt. Portable hunting blind is folded by folding side panels along with skirt with help of hinge brackets and by throwing back bonnets to retracted state for easy transport.
Claims
1. A portable hunting blind, comprising: a skeletal frame structure, comprising: side panels comprising a first side panel and a second side panel; hinge brackets mounted to the first side panel and the second side panel; support arms mounted to the hinge brackets in a scissor configuration; and a seat hingedly mounted to the first side panel and further mounted to the second side panel for allowing a hunter to sit on the seat; a skirt put around the skeletal frame structure to envelope the skeletal frame structure and to conceal the hunter sitting on the seat, the skirt being mounted to the side panels by a connecting means; bonnets being held by a bonnet attachment, the bonnet attachment being mounted to the hinge brackets, wherein the bonnets are configured to extend and retract; and a flexible blind top indicating a cover mounted to the bonnets, the blind top folds when the bonnets are retracted providing access to an interior of the portable hunting blind, and unfolds when the bonnets are extended for blending the portable hunting blind with environment, the hunter sitting on the seat stands up to hunt or exit the portable hunting blind, the hunter pushes back the bonnets to the retracted position while also hitting the skirt with his knee resulting in detachment of the connecting means and falling of the skirt aside without interfering with the hunter.
2. The portable hunting blind of claim 1, wherein said a flexible blind top comprises a flat spring steel for permitting twisting for permitting said flexible blind top to twist and fold for ease in transport and without requiring removal of said flexible blind top.
3. The portable hunting blind of claim 1, wherein further comprising at least two braces, wherein a first brace comprises a mud brace for stabilizing said portable hunting blind chair in mud to minimize sinking, and further wherein a second brace comprises a support brace for supporting where a user sits, said support brace comprising a brace positioned underneath the user and comprising a mesh seat such that the user avoids sitting on said skeletal frame structure, said mesh seat suspending the user side to side, such that the use sits in said mesh seat without his rear touching metal frame.
4. The portable hunting blind of claim 1, wherein each of the side panels comprises leg portions, each of the leg portions further comprises a leg height adjustment mechanism facilitating adjustment of the height of the side panels and thereby height of the seat.
5. The portable hunting blind of claim 2, wherein the leg height adjustment mechanism comprises a housing mounted around the leg portion, wherein the housing further comprises holes in which a lock pin inserts to lock the height of the side panel.
6. The portable hunting blind of claim 1, wherein one end of the seat hingedly mounts to the first side panel using a seat connector and other end mounts to a second side panel using pin structures, wherein the second side panel comprises pin receptacles for receiving the pin structures.
7. The portable hunting blind of claim 1, further comprises braces beneath the seat for evenly distributing the weight of the hunter from each corner back to the other side.
8. The portable hunting blind of claim 1, further comprises braces beneath the seat for evenly distributing the weight of the hunter from each corner back to the other side.
9. The portable hunting blind of claim 1, wherein the hinge brackets on the second side panel are longer, or deeper, than the hinge brackets on the first side panel for facilitating folding of the first and second side panels.
10. The portable hunting blind of claim 1, wherein the skirt comprises a bungee cord, and a brush pouch.
11. The portable hunting blind of claim 8, wherein the brush pouch facilitates in securing brushes along the perimeter of the skirt, and the bungee cord facilitates in slipping the brushes such that the bungee cord holds the brushes tight and prevents the brushes from shifting the portable hunting blind.
12. The portable hunting blind of claim 1, wherein the bonnet attachment comprises a pivot point facilitating mounting of the bonnet attachment to the hinge brackets.
13. The portable hunting blind of claim 1, wherein the blind top comprises channels for allowing the hunter to see through from inside of the portable hunting blind and concealing the hunter from outside.
14. The portable hunting blind of claim 1, wherein the blind top comprises channels for allowing the hunter to see through from inside of the portable hunting blind and concealing the hunter from outside.
15. A portable hunting blind, comprising: a skeletal frame structure, comprising: side panels comprising a first side panel and a second side panel; hinge brackets mounted to the first side panel and the second side panel, wherein the hinge brackets on the second side panel are longer, or deeper, than the hinge brackets on the first side panel; support arms mounted to the hinge brackets in a scissor configuration; and a seat hingedly mounted to the first side panel and further mounted to second side panel for allowing a hunter to sit on the seat; a skirt put around the skeletal frame structure to envelope the skeletal frame structure and to conceal the hunter sitting on the seat; bonnets being held by a bonnet attachment, the bonnet attachment being mounted to the skeletal frame structure at the hinge brackets, wherein the bonnets are configured to extend and retract; and a flexible blind top indicating a cover mounted to the bonnets, the blind top folds when the bonnets retract to provide access to an interior of the portable hunting blind, and unfolds when the bonnets are extended for blending the portable hunting blind with environment, the portable hunting blind folds by demounting the seat from the second side panel and raises the seat to a parallel position to the first side panel, and the first side panel folds and the second side panel folds on top of the first side panel with the help of the hinge brackets for obtaining the flat folded portable hunting blind, and wherein the first side panel and the second side panel fold comprising the skirt, the bonnets and the blind top for transport.
16. The portable hunting blind of claim 15, wherein said a flexible blind top comprises a flat spring steel for permitting twisting for permitting said flexible blind top to twist and fold for ease in transport and without requiring removal of said flexible blind top.
17. The portable hunting blind of claim 15, wherein further comprising at least two braces, wherein a first brace comprises a mud brace for stabilizing said portable hunting blind chair in mud to minimize sinking, and further wherein a second brace comprises a support brace for supporting where a user sits, said support brace comprising a brace positioned underneath the user and comprising a mesh seat such that the user avoids sitting on said skeletal frame structure, said mesh seat suspending the user side to side, such that the use sits in said mesh seat without his rear touching metal frame.
18. The portable hunting blind of claim 15, wherein each of the side panels comprises leg portions, each of the leg portions further comprises a leg height adjustment mechanism facilitating adjustment of the height of the side panels and thereby height of the seat.
19. The portable hunting blind of claim 15, wherein one end of the seat hingedly mounts to the first side panel using a seat connector and other end mounts to second side panel using pin structures, and wherein the second side panel comprises pin receptacles for receiving the pin structures.
20. The portable hunting blind of claim 15, further comprises braces beneath the seat for evenly distributing the weight of the hunter from each corner back to the other side when the portable hunting blind unfolds.
21. The portable hunting blind of claim 15, wherein the skirt comprises a bungee cord, and a brush pouch, wherein the brush pouch facilitates in securing brushes along the perimeter of the skirt and the bungee cord facilitates in slipping the brushes such that the bungee cord holds the brushes tight and prevents the brushes from shifting the portable hunting blind when the portable hunting blind unfolds for use.
22. The portable hunting blind of claim 15, wherein when the first side panel and the second side panel fold, the brushes stay mounted to the skirt without bending.
23. The portable hunting blind of claim 15, wherein the blind top comprises channels for allowing the hunter to see through from inside of the portable hunting blind and concealing the hunter from outside when the portable hunting blind unfolds.
24. The portable hunting blind of claim 15, the bonnets are provided in a dome-like structure for allowing sufficient headroom for the hunter sitting on the seat inside the portable hunting blind when the portable hunting blind unfolds.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The present subject matter will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples of the subject matter so as to enable those skilled in the art to practice the subject matter. It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals. Notably, the FIGUREs and examples are not meant to limit the scope of the present subject matter to a single embodiment, but other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements and, further, wherein:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0043] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments in which the presently disclosed subject matter can be practiced. The term “exemplary” used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of the presently disclosed method and system. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in functional or conceptual diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the presently disclosed method and system.
[0044] In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not be considered limiting. Rather, the subject matter preferably encompasses other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, the applicant does not intend for any term in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present subject matter encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.
[0045] Although the present disclosure provides a description portable hunting blind including a seat or chair with simple, reliable, and quick setup and takedown, it should be understood that the description is by way of example only and is not to be construed in a limiting sense. It is to be further understood that numerous changes may arise in the details of the embodiments of this portable hunting blind including a seat or seat with simple, reliable, and quick setup and takedown. It is contemplated that all such changes and additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of this disclosure.
[0046] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims.
[0047] For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
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[0051] Further, each of first side panel 22 and second side panel 24 includes a leg height adjustment mechanism 40 at leg portion 26, as shown in
[0052] As can be seen from
[0053] Now referring to
[0054]
[0055] Referring to
[0056] In the current embodiment, hinge brackets 60 on left side panel 24 are longer, or deeper, than hinge brackets 60 on right side panel 22, or vice versa. By extending the size of hinge brackets 60 at left side panel 24, left and right side panels 24, 22 fold flat. The longer hinge on the opposite side provides sufficient room for folding flat on top of the right or other side that folded in first.
[0057] Further, skeletal frame structure 20 includes support arms 66 provided in an “X” or scissor configuration. As can be seen, support arms 66 connect via a pivot pin 68. Support arms 66 mount to hinge brackets 60, in that lower left panel hinge bracket 60 connects to top right hinge bracket 60, and lower left hinge bracket 60 connects to top left hinge bracket 60 with the help of support arms 66, as shown in
[0058] Now referring to
[0059] In one implementation, portable hunting blind 10 includes bonnets 70.
[0060] Further, portable hunting blind 10 includes a skirt or cover or blind 80 put around skeletal frame structure 20 to envelope sides of skeletal frame structure 20, as shown in
[0061] At the outer portion, skirt 80 presents a bungee cord 82, as seen in
[0062] Further, portable hunting blind 10 includes a blind top 96, as can be seen in
[0063] Referring to
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[0065] As presented above (
[0066] As specified above, skeletal frame structure 20 includes braces 52 that folds down and has fabric attached to it. Folded down braces 52 include a durable fabric and structure that creates seat 50 and braces 52 for two sides at the same time. One advantage of portable hunting blind 10 is that durability is achieved through weight distribution bracing and support points, which are provided by the way portable hunting blind 10 folds and distributes weight. As such, first side panel 22 and second side panel 24 become part of seat 50 for bracing. The prior art portable hunting blind, like a typical folding chair has legs that have “X” configuration beneath the seat. All of the weight flows through the legs pivot points where the legs scissor or “X” configuration. This causes all of the hunter's weight to be experienced in only two spots on the folding frame. In contrast, the presently disclosed portable hunting blind 10 provides four corner attachment points where the weight is distributed. The presently disclosed portable hunting blind 10 further includes two braces 52 beneath seat 50. These two braces 52 evenly distribute the weight from each corner back to the other side. The result of the presently disclosed portable hunting blind 10 provides a suspension seat wherein the hunter 100 does not feel a frame beneath his body. This essentially allows hunter 100 to bounce on a fabric air seat 50.
[0067] After setting up skeletal frame structure 20, hunter 100 adjusts the height of skeletal frame structure 20 using leg height adjustment mechanism 40 provided at first side panel 22 and second side panel 24. The height of skeletal frame structure 20 is adjustable to hunter's sitting position on seat 50 within portable hunting blind 10. For example, when portable hunting blind 10 is in shallow water, the height of first side panel 22 and second side panel 24 are adjustable using leg height adjustment mechanism 40 such that hunter 100 is comfortably seated above the water. Further, hunter 100 mounts skirt 80 around skeletal frame structure 20 and slips brushes 90 behind into bungee cord 82 and in brush pouch 84 to blend portable hunting blind 10 with the environment.
[0068] Concurrently or consecutively, hunter 100 mounts bonnets 70 to hinge brackets 60. In one example, hunter 100 mounts bonnets 70 in a lifted position. Further, hunter 100 enters into portable hunting blind 10 through front side 12 of portable hunting blind 10 by uninstalling snaps 86 and magnet 88 at front wall of skirt 80. Subsequently, hunter 100 connects front wall of skirt 80 to skeletal frame structure 20 and closes camouflage bonnets 70 to conceal him (
[0069] From the above description, a person skilled in the art understands that seat 50 supported with the help of first side panel 22 and second side panel 24 along with back i.e., connecting rod 64 and support arms 66 act as a chair for hunter 100 to sit on while being concealed from outside.
[0070] When hunter 100 wishes to use portable hunting blind 10 to hunt or wildlife photography, hunter 100 quickly lifts bonnets 70 and throws back. Subsequently, hunter 100 uses a firearm or air rifle to shoot down a flying waterfowl or uses a camera to capture the flying waterfowl.
[0071] After finishing hunting, hunter 100 folds and transports portable hunting blind 10 easily. In order to fold portable hunting blind 10, at first, hunter 100 folds skeletal frame structure 20. Due to the construction of hinge brackets 60, connecting rod 64, and support arms 66, first side panel 22 and second side panel 24, they can be operated similar to a walker, in which hinge brackets 60, connecting rod 64, and support arms 66 form back of walker and first side panel 22 and second side panel 24 form two sides of the walker. The two side panels fold towards one another for storing and take up less space than known portable hunting blinds. Portable hunting blind 10 side panels stay uniform or square when folding for transport. In other words, there is no twisting or contorting such as occurs in known portable hunting blind chairs. The sides of the presently disclosed portable hunting blind 10 also act as a part of the seat for bracing. A good blind allows for brushing the perimeter wall of the blind. The wall of presently disclosed 10 is also a part of the seat. When the hunter folds side panels 22, 24, including brush 90 on outer wall/skirt 80, brush 90 stays in place, for transport. As such, there is no need to remove the brushes or remove the wind blocker panels of the present disclosure. The brushes simply stay where they are, secured by bungee cord 82 and ready for immediate use. As a result, the present invention makes this a super-fast set-up and takedown. Once the hunter folds the two sides into the backside, he is ready to transport the portable hunting blind to a new location. This ease of use is markedly different from the prior art hunting blinds for which disassembly to leave the hunting scene takes much longer and is significantly more complicated.
[0072] Further, portable hunting blind 10 includes modification wherein hinge brackets 60 on left side panel 24 are longer, or deeper, than hinge brackets 60 on right or opposite side panel 22. By extending the size of left side hinge brackets 60, left and right side panels 22, 24 fold flat. Longer hinge brackets 60 on the opposite side provides sufficient room for folding flat on top of the right or other side that folded in first. The brush and limbs take up room and can prevent the sides from folding flat, as such by providing the needed room with hinge brackets 60, the side and its brush can be folded into the back, first. Then the second side can fold on top of the folded side to provide desired flat folded portable hunting blind 10.
[0073] For the presently disclosed portable hunting blind 10, bonnets 70 and blind top 96 are easily removable. In some instances, the hunter 100 removes bonnets 70 and blind top 96 for transport. But again, because blind top 96 is formed out of flat spring steel, bonnets 70 and skeletal frame structure 20 are sufficiently taut to hold its shape, while also flexible enough so that it will easily bend and twist. This enables it to have a top that pivots from both sides of the blind outside the hunter's shoulders and above his head.
[0074] With the presently disclosed bonnets 70 and blind top 96, hunter 100 can very easily throw back bonnets 70 for preparing portable hunting blind 10 for transport. The flexible nature of flat spring steel allows blind top 96 to fold perfectly and eliminates the need for its removal. Then two sides i.e., first side panel 22 and second side panel 24 may be folded as explained above, and portable hunting blind 10 becomes ready for easy transport.
[0075] In one implementation, a strap (not shown) may be provided on portable hunting blind 10 such that it may be carried by the hunter in folded condition.
[0076] Based on the above, it is evident that set-up and takedown of portable hunting blind 10 is fast and convenient. As a result, valuable time can be saved in the dark when the hunter is getting prepared for hunting. Moreover, the set-up and takedown of portable hunting blind 10 saves time when the hunter or user needs to move locations. Further, the ease of use becomes especially appreciated when the hunt is over and the hunter is tired, hungry and ready to get back to camp. As such, portable hunting blind 10 provides simple, reliable, and quick setup and takedown.
[0077] In the above description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of some embodiments, specific components, devices, methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details need not be employed, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.
[0078] In the development of any actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Such a development effort may be complex and time consuming, but is nevertheless a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill. Hence as various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0079] The foregoing description of embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the novel principles and subject matter disclosed herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the innovative faculty. The claimed subject matter set forth in the claims is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. It is contemplated that additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of the disclosed subject matter.