Ground blind with improved access opening

A ground blind includes a collapsible support structure and a flexible cover mounted to the collapsible support structure. The flexible cover includes a top, at least one sidewall, at least one opening, at least one elastic member, and at least one fastener. The elastic member is configured to bias the opening into an open position. The fastener is configured to releasably hold the opening in a closed position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application is directed to portable and collapsible blinds for use by sportsmen, and more particularly relates to access openings into portable and collapsible blinds and related methods.

BACKGROUND

Hunters, photographers, bird watchers, etc. (referred to hereinafter individually as a “sportsman” for convenience) often desire or have a need to remain hidden from view of wildlife they are observing or pursuing. Portable and collapsible shelters or blinds (“blind”) are often used to hide the sportsman from view. Blinds typically include a collapsible support structure and a camouflage fabric cover secured to the support structure. The blind is typically set up for use by expanding the collapsible support structure to create an internal spaced within which the sportsman may enter through a door or opening defined in the cover.

Doors or openings in blinds are usually opened and closed using a zipper. The zipper may be arranged to close an open in a vertical direction. Typically, the cover extends continuously around a periphery of the blind to maintain the blind in an assembled condition. The door may be provided in a sidewall or at a corner of the blind, with a bottom end and top end of the door extending from a bottom portion of the blind to a top portion of the blind. In some blinds, unzipping the door creates a narrow vertical opening in the sidewall of the cover, which requires the sportsman to pull down on the blind to enlarge the opening to enable access. If the opening is extended in the vertical direction, more material will be available along the length of the door or opening to make it easier for the user to pull down vertically on the side edges of the opening to create an enlarged opening for access into the blind. Forcing the sides down to widen the access opening in the blind after unzipping the blind is awkward and cumbersome. It becomes especially difficult when the sportsman needs to insert not only his or he body through the opening but gear also.

Traditional blind access openings that utilize zippers are also noisy. Minimizing noise is always an object of sportsmen, especially bowhunters and others who need to get close to game animals. The mechanical sound of a zipper or other mechanical fasteners, such as certain types of plastic buckles and clips, may be heard at significant distances by game animals.

Opportunities exist for improvements in access openings for blinds.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a ground blind that includes a collapsible support structure, a flexible cover, and a door arrangement. The flexible cover is mounted to the collapsible support structure and includes a top and a continuous sidewall. The sidewall defines a plurality of side panels. The door arrangement include a door opening spanning a corner defined by an intersection of a pair of adjacent side panels, and at least one door panel member configured to cover the door opening when the at least one door panel member is in a closed position. The at least one door panel member is movable into an open position to expose a portion of the door opening and provide unencumbered access into the ground blind.

The ground blind may also include at least one elastic member configured to bias the at least one door panel member into the open position. The at least one door panel member may include first and second door panel members that define first and second opening edges, respectively. The at least one elastic member may be configured to move at least one of the first and second opening edges away from the other of the first and second opening edges upon release of the at least one fastener. The at least one elastic member may include a first elastic member associated with the first opening edge and a second elastic member associated with the second opening edge, wherein the first and second elastic members operate to move the first and second opening edges away from each other upon release of the at least one fastener.

The ground blind may also include at least one fastener configured to releasably hold the at least one door panel member in the closed position. The collapsible support structure may include a separate frame subassembly supporting each of the side panels and top of the flexible cover. Each frame subassembly may include a plurality of frame legs. The frame subassemblies supporting the side panel that the door opening spans may each include at least one tension member that expends between adjacent frame legs to maintain tension in the frame subassembly.

The at least one door panel member may define at least one opening edge arranged horizontally, and the at least one door panel member may be gatherable to vertically move the at least one opening edge. The at least one elastic member may operate to automatically adjust the at least one door panel member from the closed position to the open position. The collapsible support structure may include a separate frame subassembly supporting each of the side panels and top of the flexible cover, wherein each frame subassembly includes a plurality of frame legs, and the at least one door panel member is connected to the frame legs. The at least one door panel member is slideable along the frame legs to move from the closed position to the open position.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a ground blind that includes a collapsible support structure, a cover, and a door assembly. The collapsible support structure includes a plurality of frame members. The cover is connected to the collapsible support structure. The cover includes at least two side panels that intersect at a corner and a door opening defined in the corner and extending onto the two side panels. The door assembly includes first and second door panels that are vertically movable between a closed position covering the door opening and an open position wherein portions of the door opening are exposed to provide unobstructed access into the ground blind at the corner.

The first door panel may define a first horizontally oriented edge, and the second door panel may define a second horizontally oriented edge. The first and second door panels may be vertically movable to separate the first and second horizontally oriented edges away from each other. The door assembly may include at least one fastener configured to hold the first and second door panels in the closed position. The ground blind may further include a biasing member operable to automatically move the first and second door panels away from each other into the open position. The collapsible support structure may include at least one tension member extending between pairs of the frame members at a location adjacent to the door opening to maintain tension in the cover.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of controlling access into a ground blind. The method includes providing a ground blind having a collapsible support structure, a flexible cover, and a door arrangement. The flexible cover includes a pair of side panels that intersect at a corner. The door arrangement includes a door opening at the corner that extends onto the pair of side panels, and at least one door panel member sized to cover the door opening in a closed position and expose at least a portion of the door opening in an open position. The method also includes maintaining tension in the collapsible support structure when the at least one door panel member is in the closed and open positions, and operating the door arrangement to provide unencumbered access into the ground blind through the door opening at the corner.

The door arrangement may include at least one fastener assembly, and the method further includes operating the at least one fastener assembly to hold the at least one door panel member in a closed position. The door arrangement may include a biasing member coupled to the at least one door panel member, and the method further includes applying a biasing force to the at least one door panel member with the at least one biasing member to automatically move the at least one door panel member into the open position upon release of the at least one fastener assembly. The at least one door panel member may include first and second door panel members, and the method includes moving the first and second door panel members vertically away from each other to expose a portion of the door opening.

The at least one door panel member may include first and second door panel members, and the at least one fastener assembly may include a first portion mounted to the first door panel member and a second portion mounted to the second door panel member, and releasing the at least one fastener assembly includes disconnecting the first and second portions. The at least one door panel member may be connected directly to the collapsible support structure. The ground blind may include a door retention member having a first end connected to the at least one door panel member and a second end accessible through the flexible cover, wherein applying tension at the second end moves the at least one door panel member relative to the door opening.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of operating an opening into a ground blind. The method includes providing a collapsible ground blind having a cover and a door assembly, wherein the cover includes at least two side panels that intersect at a corner, the door assembly includes a door opening defined at the corner and extending onto the two side panels, and at least one door panel. The method also includes holding the door panel in a closed position covering the door opening, releasing the door panel to an open position to expose a portion of the door opening at the corner to provide unobstructed access into the ground blind at the corner, and maintaining tension in the cover when the door panel is in the closed position and the open position.

The method may include automatically moving the at least one door panel into the open position upon releasing the door panel. Automatically moving the at least one door panel may include moving the at least one door panel vertically. The method may include gathering the at least one door panel after releasing the door panel. The door assembly may comprises a biasing member connected to the at least one cover member, and automatically moving the at least one door panel may include applying a biasing force from the biasing member on the at least one door panel.

The door assembly may include at least one fastener configured to hold the at least one door panel in the closed position, and releasing the at least one door panel into the open position includes releasing the at least one fastener. The method may include applying tension in the cover with at least one tension member that is operable independent of the door assembly.

Throughout the drawings identical reference characters and descriptions indicate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. While embodiments of the instant disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, one of skill in the art will understand that embodiments of the instant disclosure are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed herein. Rather, the instant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of embodiments defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to ground blind assemblies, access openings into ground blind assemblies, and related methods of opening and closing access openings into ground blinds. One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a collapsible ground blind assembly having an access opening constructed as a door opening. The access opening is defined by opposing upper and lower opening edge portions arranged generally horizontally when the access opening is in a closed position. The access opening is held in a closed position with at least one fastener such as a buckle that spans across the access opening. Release of the fastener permits the access opening to move into an open position having a sufficient height and width for a user or gear to enter into the ground blind. The access opening may automatically move into an open position using a biasing force applied by at least one elastic member associated with at least one of the upper and lower opening edge portions. The access opening may be held in an open position or increased in size using a retention member associated with at least on of the upper and lower opening edge portions. The construction of the access opening permits opening and closing of the door without use of zippers.

Other constructions are possible for access openings according to the present disclosure. For example, the access opening may be arranged vertically rather than horizontally so that release of the fastener provides automatic opening of the access opening in a horizontal direction rather than a vertical direction. The access opening may be defined in a single sidewall panel of the ground blind, or in other arrangements span adjacent sidewall panels of the ground blind. The access opening may be constructed as a door, as described in the above example, or may be constructed as a different type of access opening such as, for example, a window or air vent in a sidewall or top of the ground blind.

One advantage of the example access openings disclosed herein relates to the size of the opening when in the open position. Access openings that use a zipper are sometimes difficult to widen sufficiently to create an opening large enough for a particular type of access (e.g., access as a door through which the user and/or the user's gear may pass), and usually create an undesirable sound when opening and closing the zipper. The access openings of the present disclosure provide both width and height of the access opening in an open position without the user exerting forces on the opening edge portions. The access opening may move between closed and open positions automatically upon release of the fastener holding the access opening in the closed position. The access opening may also operate without the use of a zipper.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-5, an example ground blind10is shown including a collapsible support structure12, a cover14, and a door assembly16.FIG. 1illustrates the door assembly16in a closed position in a generally horizontal orientation. The door assembly16is held closed with a plurality of fasteners18A-C. Releasing the fasteners18A-C permits movement of the door assembly16into an open position as shown inFIG. 2. The open position shown inFIG. 2may occur automatically using biasing forces applied by first and second elastic members20,22associated with opposing side portions or panels of the door assembly16. In some arrangements, an elastic member may operate to pull the top portion of the door assembly16upward while gravity acts on the lower portion of the door opening to pull the lower portion downward.

The collapsible support structure12may include a plurality of crossing support members25when in an expanded position shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The support members25cross each other centrally on each side panel and across the top or roof of the ground blind10. The collapsible support structure12may retract or collapse into a retracted position for easier transport and stowage of the ground blind10. When the collapsible support structure12is in the expanded position shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, an interior space is defined within the ground blind10.

The collapsible support structure12may also include a pair of tensioning members26that extend between support members25on opposite sides of the door assembly16(seeFIGS. 4-5). The tensioning members26may be connected to the support members25with connectors27mounted on each of the support members25. The connectors27may be adjustable to different positions along a length of the support members25. The tensioning members26may apply tension in the collapsible support structure12that helps maintain the ground blind10in an open or expanded position. In some arrangements, the tensioning members26may have a fixed length and provide a constant amount of tension in the collapsible support structure12. The tension applied in the collapsible support structure12by the tension members26may help maintain tension in the cover14. The tension applied by the tension members26may replace tension typically provided by the cover14and which is lost by providing the relatively large door assembly16in the cover14, particularly when the door assembly16is arranged at a corner of the ground blind10(e.g., at an intersection of adjacent sidewalls32of the cover14).

FIG. 6illustrates another example embodiment that includes tensioning members226connected to support members25with connectors227. The tensioning members226may include strap members that have an adjustable length using, for example, adjustable fasteners228. The fasteners228may include, for example, buckles, clips, or other adjustable fastening devices. The tensioning members226may be adjustable to alter an amount of tension in the collapsible support structure12.

The cover14extends over the collapsible support structure12and is connected to the collapsible support structure12at multiple locations. Expanding the collapsible support structure12into the expanded position shown inFIGS. 1 and 2expands the cover14into an open position that further defines the interior space of the ground blind10. The cover14includes a top30, a plurality of sidewalls or sidewall panels32, a bottom edge34, a top edge36, and a plurality of corner portions38defined between adjacent sidewalls32. The cover14also defines outer and inner surfaces40,42(seeFIG. 3).

The door assembly16is positioned at one of the corner portions38spanning adjacent sidewalls32. The door assembly16may be positioned at other locations such as, for example, on a single one of the sidewalls32(e.g., above or below the crossing support members25), spanning one of the sidewalls32and the top30, or along the top30alone. The door assembly16may be arranged at any intersection of adjacent sidewalls or top30, which intersection may be referred to as a corner. Typically, an opening defined by the door assembly16is arranged at a location on the ground blind10that does not overlap with the support members25of the collapsible support structure12. The door assembly16, when uncovered or open position, may provide an unobstructed, unencumbered opening or access into the ground blind10.

The door assembly16may include an opening periphery58in the cover14formed in part by first (e.g., upper) and second (e.g., lower) door flaps54,56(also referred to as door panels or door panel members). The door flaps54,56may be attached directly to the cover14along a periphery of the opening58. In other arrangements, the door flaps54,56may be mounted to frame members13of the collapsible support structure12(seeFIGS. 4-5). The door flaps54,56may include sleeve portions68that permit sliding movement of the door flaps54,56along the frame members13(seeFIGS. 4-5). This sliding movement may assist in moving the door flaps54,56between closed and open positions to help maximize an amount of the opening58that is exposed when the door assembly16is in the open position.

The frame members13of the collapsible support structure12to which the door flaps54,56are mounted may have different sizes, shapes, strength properties or flexibility properties as compared to other frame members13of the collapsible support structure. In one example, the frame members13to which the door flaps54,56are mounted have a greater outer diameter and an increased stiffness as compared to other frame members13of the collapsible support structure12.

The collapsible support structure12may include a plurality of hub members15that connect the frame members13together. The hub members15may comprise a high strength material such as, for example, magnesium. The hub members15may be over molded with a protecting material such as, for example, rubber or polymer. The over mold material may help avoid hand pinches to a user if the user contacts the hub member when setting up or adjusting the collapsible support structure12.

The first and second door flaps54,56may define first and second opening edge portions50,52, respectively (seeFIG. 3). The first and second opening edge portions50,52may be arranged generally horizontally when the door assembly16is in the closed position shown inFIGS. 1 and 3. The first and second opening edge portions50,52may also be referred to as upper and lower opening edge portions50,52. In some arrangements, the first and second opening edge portions50,52overlap each other when the door assembly16is in the closed position. Excess or surplus material of the cover14may be positioned above the first opening edge portion50or below the second opening edge portion52when the door assembly16is in the closed position shown inFIGS. 1 and 3to provide greater ease in opening and closing the door assembly16.

The first and second door flaps54,56are configured to move in opposite directions to provide opening of the door assembly16. In other arrangements, a single door flap may be used to cover the door opening58and move to providing opening of the door assembly16. The first and second door flaps54,56may be formed independently of the cover14and attached to the cover14or collapsible support structure12. In other arrangements, at least a portion of the first and second door flaps54,56may be an integral part of the cover14. The door opening58may be defined as part of the cover14or the door assembly16.

The door assembly16may in other embodiments include at least one elastic member or other type of biasing feature positioned parallel with or at a non-perpendicular angle to the first and second opening edge portions50,52on at least one of the first and second door flaps54,56. These additional elastic members (not shown) may assist in holding the door assembly16in a closed position when the door assembly16is in the closed position shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, or in an open position when the door assembly16is in the open position shown inFIG. 2. In one example, the additional elastic members (not shown) may be positioned starting at the intersection of the first and second opening edge portions50,52and extend horizontally away from the door assembly16to assist in automatically moving the door assembly16into the open position shown inFIG. 2upon release of the fasteners18A-C.

The elastic members may be attached to a surface of the cover14. The elastic members may be attached along the inner surface42on one of the first and second door flaps54,56as shown inFIG. 3. In some arrangements, the elastic member is formed integral with the first and second door flaps54,56or portions of the cover14. One example includes at least one of the first and second door flaps54,56formed from a sheet of material having elastic properties (e.g., spandex or elastane) that provides a biasing force to open the door assembly16upon release of the fasteners18A-C.

The first and second opening edge portions50,52may have a generally linear arrangement and be arranged parallel to each other when the door assembly16is in the closed position shown inFIG. 1. The first and second opening edge portions50,52may have a different shape such as a U or a V shape when the door assembly16is in the open position shown inFIG. 2after the fasteners18A-C have been released. In some embodiments, the first and second opening edge portions50,52are arranged at an angle relative to a horizontal plane. Portions of the first and second opening edge portions50,52may be movable in at least one non-vertical direction.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 5, the door assembly16creates a very large access opening51without the need for the sportsman to further enlarge the opening by pulling on the sides of the blind adjacent to the opening or by other types of manipulation. The enlarged access opening51provides ample room for the sportsman along with other equipment (e.g., backpack, stool, bow, gun, tripod, spotting scope, video camera, or the like) to be easily carried into the blind through the opening51without interference by the sides of the blind that define the periphery58. This reduces noise and allows ingress and egress from the blind with minimal disturbance of game animals that may be in the area. The fastening system for closing the blind after the sportsman and the equipment has been placed inside the blind also allows for quiet closing of the blind, particularly as compared to zippers and the like which have been used in traditional blinds.

The door opening51formed by periphery58of the door assembly16may have a width W1and a height H1. When the door assembly16is in the closed position shown inFIG. 1, the access opening51is completely covered by the first and second door flaps54,56and there is no unimpeded access into the ground blind10provided by the door assembly16. As such, the width W1and a height H1are substantially zero. When the door assembly16is in the open position shown inFIG. 2, the access opening51may have a width W2and a height H2.

Typically, the maximum value of widths W1, W2is in the range of about 12 inches to about 48 inches, and more preferably in the range of about 24 inches to about 36 inches. The maximum value of the heights H1, H2is typically in the range of about 24 inches to about 60 inches, and more preferably in the range of about 30 inches to about 48 inches. Dimensions for the door assembly16may vary depending on, for example, the type of opening (e.g., a door, window, or vent opening).

A maximum value of height H2may vary depending on, for example, a construction and positioning of the first and second elastic members20,22. In some arrangements, multiple elastic members may be positioned on or associated with the periphery58, including the first opening edge portion50to assist in moving the first opening edge portion50vertically upward upon release of the fasteners18A-C. A plurality of elastic members may also be positioned on or associated with the second opening edge portion52to assist in moving the second opening edge portion50vertically downward upon release of the fasteners18A-C.

The first and second elastic members20,22may be positioned at any location along the length of each of the first and second opening edge portions50,52.FIGS. 2-3illustrate first and second elastic members20,22positioned at a mid-point along the length of each of the first and second opening edge portions50,52, respectively. The first and second elastic members20,22may be positioned along or aligned parallel with the corner portion38. The first and second elastic members20,22may be spaced vertically from edges of the first and second door flaps54,56to provide free material that more easily overlaps when the door assembly16is in the closed position.

The fasteners18A-C may each include a first or upper fastener strap60and a second or lower fastener strap62that is connected to the cover14at positions above and below the first and second opening edge portions50,52, respectively. Each of the fasteners18A-C may also include a first fastener portion64connected to the first fastener strap60, and a second fastener portion66connected to the second fastener strap62. The first and second fastener portion64,66may mate or releasably connect together in a closed or connected position shown inFIG. 1. The first and second fastener portions64,66may be disconnected or released from each other in an open or released position shown inFIG. 2.

Many types of fasteners may be used with the fasteners18A-C. Some example fasteners include, for example, buckles, clips, snaps, buttons, clasps, laces, clips, hooks and loop systems, or other type of disconnectable fasteners. The fasteners18A-C typically do not include a zipper or zipper-type structure. However, a zipper may be used in some arrangements in connection with the use of first and second elastic members20,22that automatically open an access opening in a ground blind upon release of the zipper.

FIG. 6shows an alternative fastener218C that may be used in place of any of fasteners18A-C. Fastener218C includes a hook264and an elastic cord loop266. The hook264is secured to the first door flap54at a reinforced area260. The loop266is secured to the second door flap56at a reinforced area262. The elastic properties of the loop266may permit some relative movement between the first and second door flaps54,56, respectively, to adjust closure of the door assembly16.

The fasteners18A-C may be connected to the cover at different locations other than adjacent to the first and second opening edge portions50,52. For example, the first fastener strap60or first fastener portion64may be connected along the top edge36, along the first elastic member20, along the perimeter58of the opening51, or some other location on the cover14or collapsible support structure12. The second fastener strap62or second fastener portion66may be mounted to the cover14, for example, along the bottom edge34, along the second elastic member22, along the perimeter58of the access opening51, or other locations on the cover14or collapsible support structure12.

The door assembly16may be operable between closed (seeFIG. 1) and open (seeFIG. 2) positions using at least one single elastic member (e.g., the first or second elastic members20,22or a combination thereof) associated with only one of the first and second opening edge portions50,52. Operating the door assembly16between closed and open positions may include moving only one of the first and second opening edge portions50,52away from the other of the first and second opening edge portions50,52. In other arrangements, operating the door assembly16between closed and open positions may include moving both of the first and second opening edge portions50,52away from each other.

The first and second elastic members20,22may be mounted to the inner surface42of the cover14. The fasteners18A-C may be mounted to the outer surface40of the cover14. In other arrangements, the fasteners18A-C and first and second elastic members20,22may both be positioned on the outer surface40, both be positioned on the inner surface42, or be switched from the positioning shown inFIG. 3.

The fasteners18A-C may be mounted on the outer surface40so that the user may access the fasteners18A-C from outside of the ground blind10. In some arrangements, the fasteners18A-C are mounted on the inner surface42for easy access from within the ground blind10. The door assembly16, when in a closed position, may be configured to permit the user to extend a hand between the first and second opening edge portions50,52to access the fasteners18A-C that are positioned either on an exterior or interior side of the ground blind10. In some arrangements, separate sets of fasteners18A-C may be positioned on the interior and exterior of the ground blind10so that the user may operate the door assembly16between open and closed positions from either inside or outside of the ground blind10regardless of access between the structure of the first and second opening edge portions50,52.

While a plurality of fasteners18A-C are shown in the figures, a single fastener positioned at any location along the length of the first and second opening edge portions50,52may be adequate to retain the door assembly16in a closed position. The fasteners18A-C are arranged generally perpendicular to the first and second opening edge portions50,52. Other arrangements may include arranging the fasteners18A-C at nonperpendicular angles relative to the first and second opening edge portions50,52.

A door retention member80may be connected to the first door flap54and be operable to retain the door assembly16in the open position (seeFIGS. 1-2and4-5). The door retention member80may extend through a retention member opening82at a location vertically above the door assembly16and be accessible from outside of the ground blind10. A user may operate the door retention member80, for example, by pulling the door retention member80through the retention member opening82. Operating the door retention member80may help hold the door opening in the open position and may further draw the first door flap54and first opening edge portion50upward to increase the open size of the door assembly16in the open position. The door retention member80may be releasably secured to the cover14or collapsible support structure12to help hold the door assembly16in the open position. A separate door retention member may be associated with the second door flap56and second opening edge portion52to provide a similar function of holding the door assembly16in an open position or enlarging an open size for the door assembly16.

At least one of the first and second door flaps54,56may include additional fasteners used to secure the first and second door flaps to the sidewalls32of the cover14.FIGS. 4 and 5show snap assemblies70having a first snap component71positioned on the second door flap56and a second snap component72positioned on the sidewall32adjacent to the access opening51. Connecting the first and second snap components71,72together holds side edges of the second door flap56in place relative to the sidewalls32. The snap assemblies70may provide a quick connect/disconnect of the second door flap56to the sidewalls32with the second door flap56in a closed position.

Referring now toFIGS. 7-8, another example ground blind100includes a collapsible support structure12, a cover114, and a door assembly116. The door assembly116includes an opening158and first and second door flaps154,156(also referred to herein as door panels or door panel members). The first and second door flaps154,156define first and second opening edge portions150,152that are arranged vertically when the door assembly116is in the closed position. The door assembly116may operable between the closed position shown inFIG. 7and an open position shown inFIG. 8by moving the first and second opening edge portions150,152away from each other in a generally horizontal direction.

The door assembly116may include first and second elastic members120,122that apply a biasing force that automatically moves the door assembly116between the closed position shown inFIG. 7and the open position shown inFIG. 8upon release of the fasteners118A-C. The fasteners118A-C may each include a first or upper fastener strap160and a second or lower fastener strap162that is connected to the cover114or first and second door flaps154,156. The fasteners118A-C may be positioned spaced from the first and second opening edge portions150,152, respectively. Each of the fasteners118A-C may also include a first fastener portion164connected to the first fastener strap160, and a second fastener portion166connected to the second fastener strap162. The first and second fastener portions164,166may mate or releasably connect together in a closed or connected position shown inFIG. 7. The first and second fastener portions164,166may be disconnected or released from each other in an open or released position shown inFIG. 8. The ground blind100may include the same or similar features to ground blind10described above including alternative features and arrangements described with reference to ground blind10.

A pair of door retention members180A-B may be connected to the first door flap154and be operable to retain the door assembly116in the open position. The door retention members180A-B may extend through retention member opening182A-B, respectively at a location laterally adjacent to the door assembly116and be accessible from outside of the ground blind100. A user may operate the door retention members180A-B, for example, by pulling the door retention members180A-B through the retention member openings182A-B. Operating the door retention members180A-B may help hold the door assembly116in the open position and may further draw the first and second door flaps154,156laterally to increase the open size of the door assembly116in the open position.

As shown inFIG. 8, the door assembly116creates a very large access opening151without the need for the sportsman to further enlarge the opening by pulling on the sides of the blind adjacent to the opening or by other types of manipulation. The enlarged access opening151provides ample room for the sportsman along with other equipment (e.g., backpack, stool, bow, gun, tripod, spotting scope, video camera, or the like) to be easily carried into the blind through the opening151without interference by the sides of the blind that define the periphery58. This reduces noise and allows ingress and egress from the blind with minimal disturbance of game animals that may be in the area. The fastening system for closing the blind after the sportsman and the equipment has been placed inside the blind also allows for quiet closing of the blind, particularly as compared to zippers and the like which have been used in traditional blinds.

Other orientations are possible for the door assemblies16,116disclosed herein. For example, the door opening may be arranged at a diagonal angle between the horizontal arrangement shown inFIG. 1and the vertical arrangement shown inFIG. 7. The door opening may be constructed with different sizes and shapes when in the open and closed positions. For example, the door opening edge portions may have a contoured shape when in the closed position rather than the generally linear shape shown inFIGS. 1 and 7. In one example, the door opening has a rectangular or triangular shape when in the closed position. In such an arrangement, an elastic member may be positioned along only one of the opening edge portions to automatically move the opening into an open position upon release of the fasteners that hold the opening in the closed position. The openings58,158may have different shapes and sizes such as, for example, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, or circular.

The preceding description has been provided to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize various aspects of the exemplary embodiments described herein. This exemplary description is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant disclosure. It is desired that the embodiments described herein be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, and that reference be made to the appended claims and their equivalents for determining the scope of the instant disclosure. In addition, for ease of use, the words “including” and “having,” as used in the specification and claims, are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”