Abstract:
The invention is a collapsible portable enclosure which is provided with 3-dimensional elements around portions of its perimeter. Various patterns, including but not limited to, pattern simulating leaves of various types of foliage are cut into a strip of fabric which is secured to the perimeter of the structure. The 3-dimensional elements protrude from the perimeter of the enclosure, move with the prevailing winds, and simulate the appearance and movement of leaves or foliage in the same environment. The enclosure further includes elastic strips to facilitate attachment of actual foliage to the exterior of the enclosure to improve its camouflage characteristics.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to portable and collapsible enclosures, such as tents, and more particularly, to such enclosures bearing 3-dimensional camouflage or background matching patterns. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Portable enclosures, such as tents, have been used as blinds and shelters since the beginning of recorded time. The structure and appearance of such enclosures is as varied as human culture. 
     More recently, easily portable, lightweight, durable and affordable enclosures have become a desirable accessory for many outdoor recreational activities, including camping and hunting. The widespread availability of modern lightweight structures and fabrics has resulted in the availability of literally hundreds of new designs for portable enclosures. Among the many popular current styles for tents and hunting blinds are the so-called “collapsible” structures which utilize a spring-like framework which can be easily collapsed and folded for transportation and storage. Such popular designs are typified in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,675,667, issued to Miller. 
     It is also well known to apply camouflage or background matching patterns or colors to portable enclosures. It is desirable, particularly for hunters, that a tent or hunting blind be as inconspicuous as possible in its environment, and the development of realistic camouflage patterns for such enclosures (as well as other articles) has resulted in the widespread availability of enclosures which are almost invisible in specific backgrounds. For example, such enclosures may be provided with a typical woodland&#39;s camouflage pattern, in which the enclosure&#39;s fabric bears a depiction of typical mid-summer forest greenery, including the usual mix of deciduous and coniferous foliage, underbrush and grasses which might be found in a Midwestern woodland. Enclosures bearing particular camouflage patterns may also benefit by having interchangeable coverings, such as those taught by our currently pending United States patent application entitled “Collapsible Enclosure With Interchangeable and Reversible Covering Elements”, Ser. No. 10/025,279. 
     Use of existing enclosures in the outdoor environment has been successful However, it is apparent from such use that significant improvements could be achieved by more effectively blending such devices into the woodland&#39;s background by adding 3-dimensional elements, particularly around the perimeter of the device. The rationale for this improvement is that even when provided with otherwise effective camouflage patterns, it has been discovered that the well-defined edges of such enclosures is discernable to the eye, and particularly noticeable to certain species of wildlife. 
     There is a need, therefore, for a camouflage-type enclosure which is provided with means for interrupting the otherwise curvilinear or linear edges and planar sides of the enclosure, particularly in relation to an environment of varied foliage types. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention, therefore, is a collapsible portable enclosure which is provided with 3-dimensional elements around portions of its exterior. Such 3-dimensional elements may be readily attached to the exterior of existing products, as well as incorporated into the structure of the product at the time of original manufacture. Various patterns, including but not limited to patterns simulating leaves of various types of foliage are cut into strips of fabric which are secured to the exterior of the structure. By selecting an appropriate weight for the material, the 3-dimensional elements are allowed to protrude from the exterior of the enclosure, and to move with the prevailing winds, simulating the movement of leaves or foliage in the same environment. In addition, means may be provided to facilitate attachment to the enclosure of actual foliage, specifically, utilization of elastic elements affixed to the structure for holding branches, grass and the like. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention showing the enclosure, typical 3-dimensional elements and attachment means. 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed view of the 3-dimensional elements affixed to the exterior of the enclosure. 
         FIGS. 3A–3E  are perspective views showing the method of collapsing and storing the completed enclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the enclosure  10  is designed with sufficient interior volume to accommodate one or more occupants. The overall dimensions of the enclosure  10  are selected to insure the relative comfort of the occupants and accommodate the desired activity which, by way of example in this application, is of a size suitable for hunting. The enclosure  10  as shown in  FIG. 1 , is supported by a plurality of frame members  18  surrounding fabric panels  12 . The frame members  18  are typically of resilient or spring-like materials, such as spring steel or fiber-reinforced plastic, which are strong and durable, yet lightweight. In one embodiment of the enclosure  10  flexible material such as fabric bears a visible pattern  24  selected to camouflage the enclosure  10  in the surrounding environment. The frame members  18  and panels  12  form walls  14  having a perimeter sleeve  16  enclosing each frame element  18 . Sleeves  16  are typically formed of the same flexible material such as fabric utilized for panels  12 , and are sewn to the perimeter of panels  12 , providing tension to panels  12  when frame members  18  are placed within sleeves  16 . One or more panels  12  may also feature a port  20  having a closure  26 , such as a zipper, hook and loop fastener, or the like, allowing the occupant of the enclosure  10  to observe and, if desired, discharge a weapon through an open port  20 . Port  20  can be closed for protection of the occupant from the elements, or from observation by game animals in the environment. Flexible material such as fabric gores  29  interconnect panels  12 . The interior of the enclosure  10  may be provided with a floor (not shown). 
     Another panel  12  of the enclosure  10  is typically provided with an opening door  22 , likewise fitted with a closure  26 . The enclosure may consist solely of a plurality of walls  14 , but may also include apex flexible material such as fabric  36  to form a top or covering over the completed enclosure  10 . In this embodiment, the lower edges of apex material  36  is joined to the upper edges of panels  12 , thereby creating a complete enclosure  10 . Apex material  36  may be provided with support frame elements  38  captured by sleeves  16  which hold apex material  36  in a dome-like configuration. 
     In one embodiment, the enclosure  10  is also provided with a plurality of loops  30  which are suitable for engaging a plurality of stakes  32  to hold the enclosure  10  against the ground on which the enclosure  10  is erected. 
     To provide improved blending of the appearance of the enclosure  10  into the background environment, the sleeves  16  of each panel  12  are provided with a fringe  28  of flexible material such as fabric, each fringe comprising a plurality of cutout elements  34 . Preferably, the fringe  28  is secured to the sleeves  16 , since said sleeves  16  form the outermost edges of the enclosure  10  and define the enclosure profile against the surroundings. 
     As shown in more detail in  FIG. 2 , cutout elements  34  are cut from a strip  35  of flexible material, and bear a camouflage pattern which is the same as the pattern  24  which forms the overall pattern of each panel  12  of the enclosure  10 . Preferably, each element  34  has a size and shape typical of the leaf elements in the surrounding environment. It is also effective, however, to use simple shapes, such as triangles, circles, or squares in place of leaf-shaped cutouts. Cutout elements  34  remain attached to the sleeve  16  by hinge section  37  which allows each leaf element  34  to move in relation to sleeve  16 . 
     Strips  35  may be attached to the wall sleeve  16  by sewing or adhesives during the manufacturing process. In the alternative, strip elements  35  may be provided with an adhesive backing material, or a removable fastener allowing the strip element  35  to be selectively added to or removed from the exterior of pre-existing enclosure  10 . Further, different camouflage patterns may be selected for strip element  35 , allowing an enclosure  10  to be customized for different outdoor environments. 
     To further enhance the camouflaged quality of the erected enclosure in any particular environment, it is also desirable to temporarily affix to the exterior of the enclosure  10  leaves, grasses, branches, hay, straw or other natural vegetation. Enclosure  10  is provided with elastic strips  40  which are affixed to side panels  12  by stitching, adhesives or other well known means at selected points  42  across the surface of side panels  12 . The elastic strips so affixed create loops  43  in which such natural vegetation may be easily inserted and held in position by the elasticity of the strips  40 . This temporary addition of natural foliage to the exterior of the enclosure  10  greatly enhances the blending of the enclosure into the surrounding environment. Further, by virtue of the fact that the vegetation so placed is not permanently secured, the vegetation may be readily removed and discarded when folding of the enclosure  10  for transport is required. 
     Elastic strips  40  may be placed at a variety of locations in the side panels  12 , and may also be placed on the apex material  36 . 
     The collapsing of the enclosed frame is accomplished as shown in  FIGS. 3A–3D . This process can be performed quickly and easily. In the example shown, the enclosure  10 , when erected, presents a quadrilateral enclosure having a top section. Inasmuch as the material of the side panels  12  and apex  36  is flexible, the enclosure may be flattened as shown in  FIG. 3A  by urging side panel A and side panel B and side panel C against side panel D. The enclosure so collapsed is folded against itself again, so that the four side panels of the quadrilateral enclosure are in stacked configuration. Thereafter, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the superimposed side panel frame members are folded into a U-shaped configuration to initiate the folding process. A second twist as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 3B  results in the formation of three overlapping coils of resilient material, each having a substantially smaller diameter than the diameter of the frame members when erect. The three coils are shown in  FIG. 3C . When the three coils are superimposed, they form a compact package as shown in  FIG. 3D  which may be easily transported. In the preferred embodiment, the invention is provided with container  60  adapted to enclose and restrain the collapsed enclosure of the framework. Container  60  may be provided with one or more pockets (not shown) in which to store loose items, such as the stakes  32 . Further, the container  60  may be provided with shoulder straps  62  and closure  64  to facilitate carrying. In this fashion, the user may conveniently carry the enclosure  10  in the form of a backpack.