MODULAR HUNTING BLIND

A hunting blind is used for shielding a hunter while allowing the hunter to view and aim a weapon at the hunting target. The hunting blind may include a plurality of panels of the same or different sizes. Each panel may include at least one latch mating element and/or a latch. For assembly, the plurality of panels are placed adjacent to one another with portions of the adjoining panels overlapping. Each latch mating element included on a particular panel corresponds to a latch on an adjacent panel so that the panels can be secured in position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of hunting blinds. More particularly, the present invention relates to modular hunting blinds, the modular panels of which connect with a latching mechanism.

BACKGROUND

A temporary hunting blind requires a degree of portability and ease of assembly that allows a hunter to transport the blind to the desired hunting location, assemble the blind, and then disassemble, transport, and store the blind when the hunting endeavor is complete. One existing solution is to use a tent-like structure with fabric sides and poles or ropes for support although such structures provide only minimal protection from the elements and are not very durable. Currently, temporary hard wall hunting blinds also exist that may be constructed and deconstructed on site. However, the panels of such temporary structures are typically connected with nuts and bolts and/or screws, requiring additional tools for construction and deconstruction, which adds to the list of items that must be transported to the hunting site and the complexity of assembly and disassembly. And such hard wall blinds typically require the use of heavy equipment or tractors to transport and lift the blind to an elevated position. Further, even upon deconstruction, certain of these hunting blinds are not easily stored or transported, even in deconstructed form.

As such, there is a need for an improved hunting blind that may easily be assembled and disassembled into a form that is conveniently transportable and storable, without requiring the use of additional tools. There is further a need for such a structure that can be sealed against air drafts.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can lead to certain other objectives. Other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in this summary and descriptions of the disclosed embodiment, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above as taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-6show one embodiment of a modular hunting blind2, in accordance with the present invention. The modular hunting blind2shown in this embodiment is octagonal in shape, with four narrower side panels4and four wider side panels6alternating with the narrower side panels4. In alternative embodiments, the modular hunting blind may include a different number of sides, e.g., 4, 5, 6, 10, etc., forming a different shape. The side panels4,6may also vary in proportional width, and may include more or fewer than two standard widths. A top panel or panels and a bottom panel or panels may be positioned above and below the side panels4,6. In the illustrated embodiment, two top panels12are connectible to the side panels4,6and two bottom panels16are connectible to opposite sides of the side panels4,6. While varying numbers of top and bottom panels may be used without departing from the spirit of this invention, the use of two top panels12and two bottom panels16optimizes ease of assembly by providing panels of readily maneuverable size and weight, without generating so many separate panels as to make assembly tedious. While in some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-6, the top panels12and bottom panels16may mimic the overall pentagonal shape of a given blind, in other embodiments the assembled shape of the top panels may differ, as illustrated inFIG. 7.

The side panels4,6may include narrower windows20and/or wider windows22through which to view animals below and/or aim a hunting weapon. At least one side panel4,6may include a door24for entry into and exit from the blind2. As shown inFIGS. 7-8, the hunting blind may be positioned on a base26, with a ladder28, or other form of stepping mechanism, such as a set of stairs, leading up to the door.

FIGS. 9-24show various interior views of the hunting blind2.FIG. 9shows the different forms of panel attachment in the present embodiment. When assembled, a top latch30mates to a corresponding top latch mating element32, one or more side latches34mate to respective corresponding side latch mating elements36, and a bottom latch38mates to a corresponding bottom latch mating element40.

As shown inFIG. 9, and in greater detail inFIGS. 10-12 and 24, each side panel4,6in this embodiment includes a first connecting flange42, to which is attached at least one side latch34, and a second connecting flange44on a side opposite the first connecting flange42, each second connecting flange44including a side latch mating element36. In this embodiment, the side latch mating element is an edge46of an interior opening formed in the second connecting flange44. In other embodiments, other forms of latches and other mating elements capable of mating with the chosen latch may be used. Thus, for example, inFIG. 9, the first connecting flange42of the narrower side panel4connects to the second connecting flange44of the adjacent wider side panel6. The unique latch connection makes the modular panels easy to assemble and disassemble without the need to transport extra tools and small parts, such as bolts and nuts or screws, to the hunting site and then up to the top of the base where the blind is assembled. Additionally, the side panels4,6include coinciding overlapping elements48,50, that overlap with one another when side panels4,6are arranged in an assembled position to eliminate the generation of a single seam through which direct airflow may enter or exit the hunting blind. The shape of the overlapping elements48,50is shown in detail inFIG. 25(prior to assembly) andFIG. 26(in assembled positions). This helps to eliminate cold drafts and maintain warmth inside the hunting blind.

FIGS. 10 and 13-17illustrate the connection between the side panels4,6and the top panels12. At each connection point, a top latch mating element32protrudes from at least one of the top panels. A top latch30, attached to the first connecting flange42, can extend through an opening formed in the first connecting flange42and mate with the top latch mating element32.FIGS. 12 and 18-22show the connection between the side panels4,6and the bottom panels16. At each connection point, a bottom latch mating element40protrudes from at least one of the bottom panels16. A bottom latch38, attached to the first connecting flange42, can extend through an opening formed in the first connecting flange42and mating with the bottom latch mating element40.

FIGS. 27-31show various views of an embodiment of the modular hunting blind2in disassembled form. As can be seen in particular inFIGS. 30-31, the individual pieces, when stacked together and positioned lengthwise, are sized to fit within the bed of a standard pickup truck. Along with the elimination of the need for an additional tool bag, the sizing of the panels4,6,12,16also eliminates the need for an additional trailer or rack to transport the blind to the hunting location if the user owns or has access to a standard pickup truck.

Although the invention has been herein described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the appended claims and the description of the invention herein.