Abstract:
A blind accessory support bracket is disclosed. The bracket is configured to fit into the X-shaped framework of a hunting blind, tent, or portable structure. Abutments are located on either side of the bracket, containing the framework therebetween, and securing the bracket in place. The bracket may provide a variety of different supports, including a gun brace, a camera mount, or a shelf. When the bracket is located on framework near an opening of the blind, it may assist in aiming or shooting of a camera or gun at a target outside the blind.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/571,687—filed on Oct. 1, 2009 and naming Steven J. Knasko as an inventor—which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to support brackets, particularly those that are used in portable enclosures, particularly supporting a camera or gun on the framework of a hunting blind. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Interacting with animals, especially through hunting, bird watching, or photography, is a popular activity. Interacting with animals in a natural environment is preferable. In this way, animals must be prevented from detecting when an observer, hunter, or photographer is present. If this is not done, animals may be frightened and stay away from the location of the individual. Therefore, it is important to make the individual visually undetectable. 
         [0004]    Blinds are often utilized to conceal individuals and equipment in such an environment. Numerous types of blinds exist, and many are generally portable and collapsible structures. A common type of hunting blind is one that is a cover portion supported by a framework. The cover portion could range anywhere from a rubber-like substance to a type of fabric material. This cover portion is held in a desired position and shape due to the structure of the framework, which is then supported by the ground. In a number of such blinds have a X-shaped framework on at least one side of the blind, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,415 and 7,320,332. 
         [0005]    It is known in the prior art to have a support for a gun or camera located near a window of a blind such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,435. However, supports like those described are large and would be difficult to transport. Also, if more than one is needed, the task of transporting them becomes even greater. In addition, the support must be attached to the tent wall and supported on the ground, making guaranteed stability impossible on insubstantial or uneven terrain. The tent wall may not be of sufficient strength to support particular accessories. When the tent wall is made of fabric, supports depending on wall support are limited by the amount of force the wall will bear. Furthermore, the size and complexity of mounting makes their interchangeability cumbersome. Due to this, only one sort of support is provided that must try to suffice for all sorts of attachments. 
         [0006]    The present inventor has recognized the need for a blind accessory support bracket that is reasonably small and easy to transport. 
         [0007]    The present inventor has also recognized the need for a blind accessory support bracket that is securely mounted on a blind regardless of the terrain or blind location. 
         [0008]    The present inventor has also recognized the need for a blind accessory support bracket that maximizes that utilizes the support frame work of a blind. 
         [0009]    The present inventor has also recognized the need for a blind accessory support bracket that is capable of being designed for a specific accessory and interchanged with other specifically designed supports. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention comprises a blind accessory support bracket for use with a blind tent or protable structure having an X-shaped frame component. This blind accessory support bracket includes a blind attachment portion coupled to an accessory support portion. 
         [0011]    The blind attachment portion is similar for all different support apparatuses. The blind attachment portion has a body that is shaped to fit snugly into the top V-shape formed by the X-shaped framework of the blind. This body may be upside down triangularly shaped or upside down trapezoidally shaped. The body lies in the same plane as the X-shaped framework, and the sides of the body resting against the framework making up the top of the X-shape. Therefore, the blind attachment portion body is prevented from sliding down by the X-shaped framework of the blind. In this way, the blind accessory support bracket of the present invention may support as much downward force as the framework of the blind can withstand. 
         [0012]    Further, the blind attachment portion contains retaining abutments to prevent movement of the blind accessory support bracket in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the X-shaped framework lies. A top abutment and a bottom abutment extend out from the blind attachment portion body, in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the ground. The top abutment is attached to the blind attachment portion body on a side outside of the X-shaped structure, toward the blind outer covering. The bottom abutment is attached to the blind attachment portion body on a side inside of the X-shaped structure, toward the inside of the blind. Both the top and bottom abutments are transverse to the X-shaped framework at their respective locations. 
         [0013]    When the blind accessory support bracket is mounted on the blind, the top and bottom abutments press against the X-shaped framework of the blind on an outside and an inside, respectively. When an amount of weight is applied to the accessory support portion, a torque is applied to the blind attachment portion, pressing and securing the abutments on the framework with increased force. The blind accessory support bracket is prevented from becoming displaced inside of the framework by the top abutment and prevented from becoming displaced outside of the framework by the bottom abutment. 
         [0014]    The accessory support portion may be of a number of configurations, and may serve a number of functions. One embodiment shows the accessory support portion as a camera brace or a gun brace. Different accessory support portions are designed depending on the different mounting mechanisms of the cameras or guns. In addition, the accessory support portion may comprise a shelf for use with a number of accessories. 
         [0015]    The blind accessory support bracket is preferably located on the framework of a blind on the inside of an opening of the blind. Therefore, the camera or gun brace supports a camera or gun with a clear viewing and aiming medium. In this way, the activity becomes more easy and efficient through the assistance of the blind accessory support bracket. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a blind accessory support bracket of the invention mounted on the framework of a blind, wherein the accessory support portion comprises a gun brace; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the blind accessory support bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the blind accessory support bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the blind accessory support bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the blind accessory support bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5   b  is a perspective view of a blind with an internal framework shown with the use of dashed lines; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a blind accessory support bracket of the invention mounted on the framework of a blind, wherein the accessory support portion comprises a camera brace with camera mounting fastened thereon; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a rear bottom perspective view of the blind accessory support bracket of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a front top perspective view of the blind accessory support bracket of FIG.  6 ;. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the blind accessory support bracket of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a blind accessory support bracket of the invention mounted on the framework of a blind, wherein the accessory support portion comprises a shelf; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the blind accessory support bracket of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a rear view of the blind accessory support bracket of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a bottom view of the blind accessory support bracket of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a top view of the blind accessory support bracket of  FIG. 10 ; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a rear view of a fourth embodiment of a blind accessory support bracket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 1-5  show one embodiment of the blind accessory support bracket  30  mounted on a frame  32  of a hunting blind, tent, or portable structure. The blind accessory support bracket  30  comprises a blind attachment portion  34  and an accessory support portion  36 . 
         [0034]    In this embodiment, the accessory support portion  36  comprises a notch  38  formed into a blind attachment portion body  40 . Notch  38  may be sized, shaped, and configured to fit a gun barrel for support when hunting. In one embodiment, notch  38  is V-shaped in the center of the blind attachment portion body  40 . 
         [0035]    Blind attachment portion  34  rests on a portion of an X-shaped structure  42  of the framework  32 . In one type of X-shaped framework, a first frame member  42   a  converges toward a second frame member  42   b . The first and second frame members  42   a ,  42   b  converge to a connection point  42   c . The first and second frame members  42   a ,  42   b  of the type shown in  FIG. 1  are the upper V portion of the X-shaped framework. 
         [0036]    Blind attachment portion body  40  is upside down trapezoidally shaped, with a first lateral side  44  and a second lateral side  46  configured to rest against X-shaped structure  42 . The first lateral side  44  is shaped to rest on the first converging frame member  42   a  and the second lateral side  46  is shaped to rest against the second converging frame member. In one embodiment, the lateral sides  44 ,  46  are shaped to contact the corresponding converging frame members  42   a ,  42   b  along substantially the entire surface of the lateral sides  44 ,  46 . The lateral sides have a front edge  44   a ,  46   a  and a back edge  44   b ,  46   b  defining a width of each lateral side. 
         [0037]    While the embodiment shown is a trapezoidal shape, other shapes fitting with the top of an X-shaped structure are possible configuration of the accessory support bracket  30 . Blind attachment portion body  40  also has a top  48  and bottom  50  that are substantially parallel. Blind attachment portion body  40  lies in the same plane as X-shaped structure  42 . The sides  44 ,  46  press down against X-shaped structure  42  and resist the tendency of the blind accessory support bracket  30  to fall downward. Blind attachment portion body  40  may be injection molded out of plastic or made of another material such as wood or metal. 
         [0038]    Blind attachment portion  34  also comprises a top abutment  52  and a bottom abutment  54 . Abutments  52 ,  54  extend out from blind attachment portion body  40  in a direction substantially parallel to top  48  and bottom  50 . It is also possible for the abutments to extend from the body  40  at angles other than parallel to the top  48  or the bottom  50 . Abutment  52  extends in front of the X-shaped structure  42  and the abutment  55  extends behind the X-shaped structure. Abutments  52 ,  54  may be injection molded out of plastic or made of another material such as wood or metal. The abutments may also be integrally molded with the body  40  to form one unified component. 
         [0039]    Top abutment  52  is positioned on a forward side of the X-shaped structure  42  in relation to an inside location  64 . The inside location  64  is where the user is on the inside of the blind, tent, or support structure. If the blind is not a fully enclosed structure, the inside user location  64  is behind the a wall having the X-shaped structure with a support  30 . Top abutment  52  prevents the motion of the blind accessory support bracket  30  in a direction out of the plane of the X-shaped structure, and toward the inside location  64 . 
         [0040]    The top abutment  52  has two inside facing portions  52   a ,  52   b  at opposite lateral ends of the abutment  52 . The first inside face  52   a  of the abutment  52  and the adjacent portion of the sidewall  44  form a L-shaped channel portion  52   c  for receiving the frame member  42   a . Likewise a second inside face  52   b  and the adjuacent portion of the sidewall  46  form an L-shaped channel portion  52   d  for receiving the frame member  42   b.    
         [0041]    Bottom abutment  54  is located on a near side of X-shaped structure  42 , with respect to the inside location  64 . Bottom abutment  54  prevents the motion of the blind accessory support bracket  30  in a direction out of the plane of the X-shaped structure  42 , and away from the inside location  64 . With these provisions, the blind accessory support bracket  30  is provided with resistance to motion in the forward, rearward, and downward directions and provides significant stability. 
         [0042]    The bottom abutment  54  has two inside facing portions  54   a ,  54   b  at opposite lateral ends of the abutment  54 . The first inside face  54   a  and the adjacent portion of the sidewall  44  form a L-shaped channel portion  54   c  for receiving the frame member  42   a . Likewise a second inside face  54   b  and the adjacent portion of the sidewall  46  form an L-shaped channel portion  54   d  for receiving the frame member  42   b.    
         [0043]    While the embodiment shown provides channel portions  52   c ,  52   d ,  54   c ,  54   d , in an alternatively embodiment the channel portions comprise channels extending along both the front and back sides of a frame member  42   a  or  42   b  and extending along the length of the side wall and when positioned on a frame  42 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 5   b  shows the outside of a blind to be used in connection with the present invention. Blind covering  62  lies on the framework  32 . Blind covering  62  encloses the inside location  64 . Framework  32  is located inside blind covering  62 , but is shown here with the use of dashed lines. An opening  66  is shown just above X-shaped structure  42 . The opening  66  is shown as a triangle shape but may take other forms, including square or rectangle. The blind accessory support bracket  30  is preferably mounted on X-shaped structure so that the accessories being supported thereby are readily alignable with the opening  66 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 6-9  show second embodiment of a blind accessory support bracket  130  mounted on the framework  32  of a hunting blind. The blind accessory support bracket  130  comprises a blind attachment portion  134  and an accessory support portion  136 . 
         [0046]    Blind attachment portion  134  rests on an X-shaped structure  42  of framework  32 . Blind attachment portion body  140  is upside down trapezoidally shaped, with sides  144 ,  146  configured to rest against X-shaped structure  42 . The body  140  is similar in structure to the body  40 . Blind attachment portion body  140  also has a top  148  and bottom  150  that are substantially parallel. Blind attachment portion body  140  lies in the same plane as X-shaped structure  42 . The sides  144 ,  146  press down against X-shaped structure  42  and resist the tendency of the blind accessory support bracket  130  to fall downward. Blind attachment portion body  140  may be injection molded out of plastic or made of another material such as wood or metal. 
         [0047]    Blind attachment portion  134  also comprises a top abutment  152  and a bottom abutment  154 . Abutments  152 ,  154  extend out from blind attachment portion body  140  in a direction substantially parallel to top  148  and bottom  150 . Abutments  152 ,  154  are transverse to the X-shaped structure  42 . Abutments  152 ,  154  may be injection molded out of plastic or made of another material such as wood or metal. 
         [0048]    Top abutment  152  is positioned on a forward side of the X-shaped structure  42 , with respect to the inside location  64 . Top abutment  152  prevents the motion of the blind accessory support bracket  130  in a direction out of the plane of the X-shaped structure, and toward the inside location  64 . 
         [0049]    Bottom abutment  154  is located on a near side of X-shaped structure  42 , with respect to a blind location  64 . Bottom abutment  154  prevents the motion of the blind accessory support bracket  130  in a direction out of the plane of the X-shaped structure  42 , and away from the location  64 . With these provisions, the blind accessory support bracket  130  is provided with resistance to motion in the forward, rearward, and downward directions and provides significant stability 
         [0050]    In this second embodiment, however, the accessory support portion  136  comprises a camera brace  156 . Camera brace  156  is mounted on a near side of blind attachment portion  134 , with respect to the inside location  64 .  FIG. 6  shows a camera stand  158  clamped onto camera brace  156 . In one embodiment the camera brace  156  is a squared annular shape. Accessory support portion  136  comprising a camera brace  156  may be injection molded with the rest of blind accessory support bracket  130 , or made of another material such as wood or metal. The Accessory support may be integrally molded or formed with the body  140  to comprise a unitary part. 
         [0051]    A third embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 10-14 . In this embodiment, a blind accessory support bracket  230  is mounted on the framework  32  of a hunting blind. The blind accessory support bracket  230  comprises a blind attachment portion  234  and an accessory support portion  236 . 
         [0052]    Blind attachment portion  234  rests on an X-shaped structure  42  of framework  32 . Blind attachment portion body  240  is upside down trapezoidally shaped, with sides  244 ,  246  configured to rest against X-shaped structure  42 . The body  140  is similar in structure to the body  40 . Blind attachment portion body  240  also has a top  248  and bottom  250  that are substantially parallel. Blind attachment portion body  240  lies in the same plane as X-shaped structure  42 . The sides  244 ,  246  press down against X-shaped structure  42  and resist the tendency of the blind accessory support bracket  230  to fall downward. Blind attachment portion body  240  may be injection molded out of plastic or made of another material such as wood or metal. 
         [0053]    Blind attachment portion  234  also comprises a top abutment  252  and a bottom abutment  254 . Abutments  252 ,  254  extend out from blind attachment portion body  240  in a direction substantially parallel to top  248  and bottom  250 . Abutments  252 ,  254  are transverse to the X-shaped structure  42 . Abutments  252 ,  254  may be injection molded out of plastic or made of another material such as wood or metal. 
         [0054]    Top abutment  252  on a forward side of the X-shaped structure  42 , with respect to the inside location  64 . Top abutment  252  prevents the motion of the blind accessory support bracket  230  in a direction out of the plane of the X-shaped structure, and toward the inside location  64 . 
         [0055]    Bottom abutment  254  is located on a near side of X-shaped structure  42 , with respect to the inside location  64 . Bottom abutment  254  prevents the motion of the blind accessory support bracket  230  in a direction out of the plane of the X-shaped structure  42 , and away from the inside location  64 . With these provisions, the blind accessory support bracket  230  is provided with resistance to motion in the forward, rearward, and downward directions and provides significant stability. 
         [0056]    In this third embodiment, the accessory support portion comprises a shelf  260 . Shelf  260  is attached on a near side of blind attachment portion  234 , with respect to a inside location  64 . Accessory support portion  236  comprising a shelf  260  may be injection molded with the rest of blind accessory support bracket  230 , or made of another material such as wood or metal. 
         [0057]    In a fourth embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the blind accessory support bracket  330  comprises a blind attachment portion body  340 . The support bracket is configured to engage one or more accessory support portions, such as accessory support portions  136 ,  236 . The accessory support portions  136 ,  236  are interchangeably and detachably connectable with the blind attachment portion body  340 . 
         [0058]    The blind attachment portion body  340  has an engagement device for securing the attachment support portions to the body  340 . The engagement device may comprise any number of means of securing one component to another component. The engagement device may comprise channels  311 ,  313  for lockably receiving end portions  156   a ,  156   b  of the camera brace  156 . The engagement device may have a horizontal channel  317 ,  315  for lockably receiving a front end engagement portion  260   a  of the shelf  260 . The engagement device may comprise dovetailed channels for slidably receiving dovetail members of the accessory support portion. The engagement device may also comprise other devices and methods of releasably attaching one component to another component, such as a lock and release mechanism. While the blind accessory support bracket  330  is shown in  FIG. 15  with an accessory support portion  336 , the accessory support portion  336  is optional in an embodiment configured to interchangeably and detachably connect various accessory support portions. 
         [0059]    From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.