Abstract:
A hunting blind allows the hunter to lie on his back in an inclined position. The hunter&#39;s head rests on a head rest. A gun rest is provided laterally across the hunter&#39;s body. A pair of flaps cover the hunter and are easily openable when the hunter brings his or her gun into a shooting position and/or moves to a sitting position. The blind is collapsible, requires no assembly in the field, and may be carried on the hunter&#39;s back like a backpack.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a portable shelters, and more particularly to portable hunting blinds that can accommodate a hunter in a supine position. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Historically, it has been recognized by hunters that some form of concealment is advantageous when hunting game, whether it be larger mammals or relatively smaller birds and the like. While mammalian sight is often not exceptionally keen, particularly in the case of grazing animals such as deer, birds nearly universally have excellent eyesight due to their often airborne environment. Accordingly, while such relatively crude concealment as tree stands and scent means of various sorts may be effective in hunting deer and the like, far more sophisticated blinds are required when bird hunting, particularly in the case of waterfowl such as ducks and geese where typically little concealing cover is available to hunters in the typically marshy wetlands favored by such birds. 
     Blinds which may be set up in the field and covered with camouflage are known, with such blinds having hinged covers swingable to an open position for exposing a field of view for shooting. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,848,352 and 3,323,530 issued to Chester M. Sayles and R. A. Smith, respectively, disclose such hunting blind structures. The hunting blinds of both of those patents incorporate top covers which may be biased to an open position with the aid of resilient elastic bands or cords. The cover of the Sayles patent is hingedly mounted on a vertical post at such a level that a hunter may sit under it. The cover opens only to a generally vertical, upright position in a direction against the wind. Thus, with the blind of Sayles oriented properly so that the hunter is facing waterfowl as they land in their normal direction against the wind, the wind would be opposing the opening of the cover. The flexible top cover of the Smith patent relies upon a trip cord for release, and utilizes elastic cords attached to the edge of the blind structure which also serves as the pivot axis for the top cover. With this arrangement, it is very questionable as to whether sufficient leverage would be exerted by the elastic cords to pull the top cover fully open, without continuing manual assistance from the hunter inside the blind. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,936 to Zibble et al. addresses the problem of lying on the ground. However, the blind does not provide much comfort against the elements. Further, the large swinging door may be difficult to use in windy conditions, and may attract attention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,931 to Zibble et al. addresses the problem of lying on the ground. However, the blind does not provide much comfort against the elements. Further, the large swinging door may be difficult to use in windy conditions, and may attract attention. 
     Thus, there is a need for a portable blind which can be collapsed to a compact transport assembly, is comfortable, and is rapidly and easily erected in the field. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The hunting blind of the present invention is generally a shell that can surround a hunter in a supine position. The shell is supported by a selectively collapsible frame. The frame forms a cockpit in which a hunter can enter the blind. The cockpit is where the hunter&#39;s torso is located when the hunter is in a supine position. In one embodiment, a liner is connected to the frame for forming a wedge to support the hunter&#39;s torso in a slightly reclined supine position. To hide the hunter from prey, a pair of flaps are used to cover the cockpit. The flaps are connected to the shell with a fabric hinge. The flaps lay over the top of the open cockpit and easily open to the sides of the shell when the hunter moves from a supine position to a sitting position for shooting. 
     In one embodiment, the hunter&#39;s face can be covered by a mesh screen, and the bottom of the shell is lined with an insulating material. There may also be stubble straps located on the outside of the shell for attaching vegetation to the blind. 
     The portable blind can be transported by collapsing the frame and folding the blind. A backpack assembly is located on the bottom surface of the blind so it is easy to carry in the field. 
     Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description including illustrative examples setting forth how to make and use the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of the blind of one embodiment of the present invention in an open non-collapsed position; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the blind of FIG. 1 having one flap in a closed position; 
     FIG. 3 is a view of the collapsible frame used to support the blind of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3A is a detail view of an alternative embodiment of the head rest portion of the collapsible frame; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of the blind shown in FIG. 1 with a portion of the frame shown in a disassembled state; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of the blind of FIG. 1, with the flaps not shown in the view for ease of viewing the interior construction; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the blind of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a rear elevation of the blind of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is an isolated view of the one of the flaps used to cover the blind shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 9 is a bottom elevation of the blind of FIG. 1, showing one embodiment of the backpack assembly; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective side view of the blind of FIG. 1 as it is being assembled from the collapsed position; and 
     FIG. 11 is the blind of FIG. 1 shown in a collapsed position on a person&#39;s back. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     One embodiment of the present invention is the collapsible hunting blind  10  shown in FIG.  1 . The blind  10  is generally constructed from a fabric shell  12  that is supported by a collapsible frame  14 . When the frame  14  is in a fully extended position as shown, the blind  10  takes on a casket-like appearance. A hunter can easily enter the blind  10  and position himself in a comfortable and practical supine position. A body support  16  is inclined upward from the floor of the blind, and a weapon support  18  is provided by frame  14 . The hunter&#39;s feet and other gear may fit in the large foot box located at the end  19  located opposite the body support  16 . A pair of flaps  20  are used to cover the opening  22  of blind  10  to hide the hunter. Flaps  20  can be easily opened as the hunter sits up or extends his or her arms. 
     The frame  14  provides the primary structural support for the shell  12 . Referring to FIG. 3, frame  14  is generally constructed from certain frame components: a ground piece  30 , a head rest  32 , a gun rest  34 , a pair of braces  36 , and a pair of telescoping braces  38 . Ground piece  30  is a rectangular piece wide enough to accommodate the average hunter sitting therein. Head rest  32  is an a U-shaped piece that is rotatably connected to ground piece  30  at a short distance from one end, end  41 . Preferably, brackets such as nylon brackets  40  are used to make the rotatable connection. Brackets  40  wrap around the circumference of ground piece  30 , and have a pair of upwardly angled fins  31  for receiving a bolt and a self-locking nut  33  extending from an end of head rest  32 . Of course, other arrangements of the pieces to form the frame  14  may be used without departing from the invention. 
     The head rest  32  may be selectively held in an upward position with respect to ground piece  30  using braces  36 . Braces  36  are rotatably connected to head rest  32  with brackets  42 . (Brackets  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  46  and  48  discussed herein may be the same type as bracket  40  or other configuration.) The opposite end of brace  36  is also rotatably connected to ground piece  30  at brackets  44 a. Preferably this connection can be released with relative ease so that the head rest  32  can be selectively collapsed against ground piece  30 . In one embodiment, head rest  32  has a dropped middle  45  at a top portion of the brace (see FIG.  3 A). Dropped middle  45  is designed to accommodate a cushioning pad described herein. 
     Gun rest  34  is also a U-shaped piece that is rotatably connected to ground piece  30  at a short distance from one end, end  50 . Preferably, brackets such as nylon brackets  46  are used to make the rotatable connection. The gun rest  34  is selectively held in an upward position with respect to ground piece  30  by tension in the shell  12 . Braces  38  are rotatably connected to gun rest  34  using brackets  48 . The opposite ends of braces  38  are also rotatably connected to ground piece  30  at brackets  44   b . Each brace  38  is telescoping, and has a snap button  52  locking mechanism to keep it in an extended position. The brace can be shortened by depressing snap button  52  to allow the gun rest to fold down toward ground piece  30 . 
     Ground piece  30 , head rest  32  and gun rest  34  preferably have radiused corners so as not to unduly stress the fabric shell  12  but other shapes could be used. Frame  14  may be constructed from a tubular material such as high-tempered aluminum or other shapes and materials. The frame aluminum material has the characteristics of having a good strength to weight ratio, being noncorrosive, and being capable of supporting the hunter&#39;s torso weight at head rest  32 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, shell  12  is generally constructed from an outer casing  60  and a partial inner liner  62 . Preferably, the casing  60  and liner  62  are made from a tough, water proof fabric such as 900 denier polyester with a polyurethane coating. The casing  60  floor may be constructed from the same fabric or a different fabric such as an 1800 denier polyester with a waterproof coating. Of course, other suitable materials could be used to construct the casing  60  and liner  62 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  4 , and  5 , casing  60  and liner  62  are constructed to receive frame  14  in a disassembled state. In the upper portion  64  of blind  10 , liner  62  is propped up during assembly to form a wedge  65  (see FIG.  1 ). Wedge  65  is a “hammock” style rest where the torso of a hunter will lie against when occupying blind  10 . Further, the interior volume of wedge  65 , accessible by a zipper closure or the like, is useful for storing and transporting decoys, clothing, etc., when the blind is in a semi-collapsed state. In the lower portion  66  of blind  10 , the liner joins together with casing  60  so that the hunter&#39;s legs and feet will lie on the ground. In one embodiment, some type of insulation such as closed cell foam is provided between the casing  60  and liner  62  in the lower portion  66  so that the hunter is less affected by cold and/or rough ground. Likewise, liner  62  located in the upper portion of blind  10  may be backed with an insulator such as closed cell foam. Because the upper portion  64  of liner  62  is separated from casing  60  to form the wedge  65 , liner  62  may be backed by a secondary liner (not shown) to enclose the closed cell foam underneath the top surface  68  of this portion of liner  62 . Padding  69  such as closed cell foam is connected to the top section  67  of shell  12 , and wrapped around and secured to gun rest  34 . The padding  69  will protect a gun barrel&#39;s ventilated rib from being scratched or damaged and helps to maintain the position of the gun. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the structure of upper portion  64  is described more fully. In one embodiment of blind  10 , the top surface  68  has the following features. First, a zipper  70  is placed near each side of blind  10 . When zippers  70  are completely unzipped, the hunter can gain access to the inside of wedge  65  to assemble the frame  14 , take down the head rest or to use the storage space. Second, a padded head rest  72  made from a relatively thick piece of closed-cell foam may be located at the head rest  32 . This padded head rest may be encased between a liner  62  and a fabric covering sewn thereto. Third, a pocket  74  may be sewn onto top of liner for storing items such as shotguns, flags, hunting licenses, and maps. The insulation attached to the liner  62  may be between zippers  70 . The insulation may be one solid piece, or may be attached in segments for desired flexibility. For example, FIG. 5 shows the insulation connected to a first segment  76  and a second segment  78 . Further, there is a flexural joint  80  formed at the small area separating the segments  76 , 78 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the relationship between the shell  12  and frame  14  in an assembled position is shown. Generally, a strap  90  is connected to the gun rest  34  and is pulled taught so that shell forms a cockpit  91 . Strap  90  keeps the sides  92  from sagging, and helps to support gun rest  34 . Strap  90 , made from nylon webbing or the like, is stitched or otherwise attached to the back side  94  and extends along both sides  92  of the cockpit  91  so that it can be connected to gun rest  34 . On each side  92 , strap  90  is fed through sleeves  96 , that may be closed with hook and loop fasteners or other closing devices such as snaps. The strap end  98  is secured to the gun rest  34  with an “H” buckle or other securing device. 
     When the blind  10  is assembled and the flaps are closed, most of the frame  14  cannot be viewed past liner  62 . There are apertures (not shown) in liner  62  at points where braces  38  extend toward the gun rest  34 . Access to the hidden portion of frame  14  may be obtained by opening zippers  70  as seen in FIG.  5 . 
     The flaps  20  may be seen in FIGS. 1,  2  and  8 . In one embodiment, flaps  20  are generally constructed from closed cell foam lined with nylon fabric and covered on the exterior by the same fabric as shell  12 . Quilting  99  may be used to keep the foam stationary with respect the fabric covering. The foam adds stiffness so that the flaps together form a lightweight door, and serves to insulate the hunter against cold weather. Additional stiffening members such as plastic cross or longitudinal members could be added. Each flap  20  has an elongated shape and is sized to adequately cover the cockpit  91  and hunter. Each flap  20  is connected to the shell  12  with a fabric “hinge”  102  that may run the length of the flap. A handle  104  may be attached to the inner surface of each flap  20  so that the hunter can more easily close each flap  20 . The flaps  20  can be buckled closed with a quick release buckle  106  or other closing device located on the exterior surface of the flaps  20 , as seen in FIG.  2 . An extra length of fabric  103  may extend beyond the quilted area containing the foam. Fabric  103  can drape downward onto the shell  12  so flaps  20  look somewhat integrated with the shell, at least from a bird&#39;s eye view. 
     To hide the hunter&#39;s head while viewing the sky for birds, a mesh screen  110  may be used. Preferably, a screen  110  is removably attached to the top edge  108  of each flap  20 . A hook and loop material  111 ,  112  is most useful for this as it can be configured to allow screen  110  to be attached in varied positions. Other securing mechanisms could be used. 
     Referring now to FIG. 9, the bottom of blind  10  has a backpack assembly  120  connected thereto. The backpack assembly may be constructed from two adjustable straps  122  connected to a yoke such as U-shaped yoke  124 . The bottom of yoke  124  is secured to a horizontal strap  126  that is sewn directly to the shell at each end  128 . The attachment of strap  126  to shell  12  may be reinforced by an additional strap  130  sewn directly to the bottom surface  132  of shell  12 . There are other backpack assemblies that could be employed for the purpose of carrying the folded blind  10  on a hunter&#39;s back, and the invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the assembly shown in FIG.  9 . 
     Referring still to FIG. 9, foam may be used to insulate floor or bottom surface  132  of blind  10  and is installed in two separate pieces. Foam pieces are indicated by reference numbers  142  and  144 . This creates a fold “line”  146  where the blind  10  can easily bend. The fold line  146  is naturally located adjacent the edge of ground piece  30 , which is approximately near the mid-length point, but may extend closer to the foot box. Further, for added durability, the corners of the surface  132  may be reinforced with a fabric piece  143 . This is used to prevent undue wear to the shell  12  caused by rubbing the ground piece  30  against the ground. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1,  2  and  7 , in one embodiment of the present invention, stubble straps  150  are applied to the exterior surface of blind  10 . The purpose of the stubble straps  150  is to provide a way to attach grasses, branches or other vegetation to the exterior of the blind for increased camouflage. Stubble straps  150  may be made from continuous strips of nylon webbing or the like, stitched periodically to shell  12  at stitches  152 . This will leave segments  154  for sliding the vegetation therethrough. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, optional flap doors  160  may be located on each side of the cockpit so that the hunter can extend his arms out the side when lying in the blind to flag waterfowl. Preferably, the flaps are hinged at the top so that if open, rain is deflected away from the flap opening. In addition, a door may be located at end  19 . A zipper  168  is preferably added for access to the foot box portion of blind  10 . The zipper  168  access makes it easier to clean this area or access items stored in the foot box. Of course, other zippers or hook and loop fastened flaps could be added throughout the blind if desired. 
     In operation, the blind  10  is fully extended as seen in FIGS. 1 and 6. In this position, a hunter may climb into the open cockpit area and lie down so his feet are in the foot box, head is on head rest  16 , and torso is against wedge  65 . The hunter closes the flaps  20  so he may view the sky trough mesh screens  110 . If desired, vegetation can be placed into stubble straps  150  before the hunter is positioned inside blind  10 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, to transport the blind, the hunter depresses the snap button  52  located on each telescoping brace  38 , and pulls the gun rest  34  toward head rest  32 . Prior to this step, the hunter may unzip a zipper  70  on surface  68  and store decoys or other items inside wedge  65 . The flaps  20  are then buckled shut, and the foot box or end  19  is folded over the flaps  20  until it reaches the head rest  32 . End  19  may be temporarily secured against head rest  32  by tying an elastic band (not shown) around stubble straps adjacent to the end  19  and head rest  32 . Other means of securing end  19  to the head rest  32  may be used. The blind  10  can now be carried on the hunter&#39;s back by placing the yoke  124  over his or her shoulders. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations, and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only and should not limit the scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.