Abstract:
The invention is a portable, collapsible enclosure for protection from the elements in an outdoor environment. The tent-like enclosure is provided with one or more fabric coverings each bearing at least one color or camouflage pattern. The coverings are easily removable from the enclosure, and may be reversible, bearing one color or camouflage pattern on one side, and a different color or camouflage pattern on the reverse side. In this fashion, the same portable enclosure can be made to present a variety of appearances, depending on which covering is attached to the enclosure, and which side of the attached covering is exposed or outermost.

Description:
RELATION TO PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/251,545 filed Dec. 7, 2000. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to portable and collapsible enclosures, such as tents, and more particularly, to such enclosures bearing 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 proliferation 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 by 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 woodlands 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 in summer. A type of camouflage popular among waterfowl hunters would feature the typical foliage and associated scenery of a fall wetlands area, including tall reeds, cattails, and related types of growth commonly found near water, appropriately shaded for autumn waterfowl hunting. Similarly, for the winter hunting season, camouflage materials are available which feature those mixtures of white and brown hues which would be commonly found in a snow-covered climate during winter. In certain hunting environments, it is desirable to have a bright, high contrast color, such as “Hunter&#39;s Orange” to make the enclosure more (instead of less) conspicuous in relationship to its background. 
     By producing these types of enclosures in readily collapsible styles, the hunter or outdoorsman has available a wide selection of enclosures containing desirable camouflage backgrounds for any geographic environment or season. The major drawback of this range of choices, however, is the necessity for the outdoorsman to acquire different enclosures for different geographic areas and different seasons. The hunter, for example, who wishes to participate in both a fall waterfowl hunting season and a winter small animal hunting season might, of necessity, own two different collapsible camouflage enclosures, one depicting appropriate camouflage for the waterfowl season and environment, and a second for the winter season. Likewise, hunters traveling to different geographic areas during the same season will desire different camouflage patterns based on the environment in which their activities will be conducted. A camouflage pattern suitable for July in Northern Michigan, for example, would be unsuited for use during the same season in a western state, such as in the Oregon high desert. From a practical standpoint, although lightweight, such collapsible enclosures do have a certain volume and mass, and it is inconvenient to transport several different enclosures at once. 
     What is needed then, is an adaptable enclosure which is readily convertible between one camouflage or background pattern and another, utilizing a common framework. Also desirable is the incorporation of two distinct camouflage or background marking patterns in a single covering which could be reversibly applied to a framework. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention, therefore, is a collapsible portable enclosure adapted to accept an array of different camouflage or background-marking coverings. Such coverings are readily interchangeable and may, in one embodiment, be reversible as well, providing to the user two separate camouflage or background-marking patterns in a single fabric covering. In one embodiment of the invention, one or more of a selection of fabric coverings may be applied over an existing enclosure, including both the frame and covering, to change the physical appearance of the enclosure. In another embodiment, the fabric covering may be easily removed from the enclosure&#39;s framework, and a different covering, or the reverse side of the first covering, may be substituted for the first covering, or a first outer surface of the first covering. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention showing the enclosure bearing its basic covering, and a secondary covering overlaid and removably attached to the first covering. 
         FIG. 2  shows one method of attaching the second covering to the enclosure. 
         FIG. 3  shows a second embodiment of the invention, in the form of a framework, bearing a removable, reversible enclosure. 
         FIG. 4  shows the attachment of the removable covering of the second embodiment, and its method for reversal. 
         FIG. 5  shows the container for the enclosure and its associated additional coverings. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the invention showing an enclosure bearing its basic covering, and a secondary, reversible covering overlaid and removably attached to the first covering. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the enclosure showing the fully expanded position of the framework elements which support the enclosure. 
         FIGS. 8 through 13  show the folding sequence of the enclosure. 
         FIG. 14  shows the folded enclosure in relation to its storage and carrying bag. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the enclosure is designed with sufficient interior volume to accommodate one or more occupants. The overall dimensions of the enclosure are selected to insure the relative comfort of the occupants in 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  and  FIG. 7 , is supported by a plurality of frame members  12  surrounded by fabric. The frame members  12  are typically of a resilient or spring-like material, such as spring steel, which is strong and durable, yet lightweight. This embodiment the enclosure  10  is provided with a covering  15  which, in turn, is provided with closable ports, such as doors and windows, for the convenience of the occupant. While traditional fabrics such as Dacron or linen are typically used as the fabric covering, the invention may use other flexible non self-supporting materials, such as plastic sheeting, as the covering. Likewise, the enclosure is provided with a flexible floor (not shown), although the inclusion of a floor is not a requirement for all embodiments of the invention. Embodiments may be at least three-sided, yet may have four, five or more sides as may be desirable for the intended use of the invention. The frame members are restrained within sleeves  14  formed in the covering  15 . The placement of the sleeves  14 , and the dimensions of the side panels  16  which define the enclosure, further define the shape of the enclosure  10  and restrain the resilient frame  12  in a desired configuration when the enclosure  10  is fully erected. 
     A typical example of the enclosure  10  is shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 7 , and includes a one or more continuous resilient frame members  12  which are contained within sleeves  14  sewn or otherwise formed in the perimeter of collapsible side panels  16  of the enclosure. In the fully erected state, the tension provided by the frames  12  against the sleeves  14  likewise asserts tension against the fabric side panels  16  of the enclosure, urging the side panels  16  of the enclosure  10  into the shape defined by the perimeter of the side panels  16  and the associated sleeve  14 . In this embodiment, the fabric side panels  16  are formed into ovoid shapes by the ovoid shape of the side panel material, and the sleeves  14  attached to the perimeter of said side panels  16 . By placement of a resilient frame member  12  within the sleeve  14 , the ovoid shape of each side of the enclosure is obtained. Once each side panel  16  of the enclosure is expanded and subject to the tensioning provided by the resilient frame member  12 , a multi-sided enclosure is thereby created which obtains its stability as the bottom apex  20  of each ovoid frame contacts the ground. The side panels  16  of the enclosure are joined together by filler sections  24 , and top section  26  which, in conjunction with side panels  16 , create a complete enclosure. In this embodiment, each corner of the enclosure  10  is likewise provided with a stake loop  32  and stake  34  to allow temporary affixation of the enclosure  10  to the ground on which it is erected as shown in  FIG. 2 . The enclosure  10  will typically have at least three, and preferably four side panels  16 , although more than four side panels may also be incorporated into the device. 
     Also, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a first surface  28  of the covering  15  of the enclosure is woven or printed with a first desired color, camouflage or background-matching pattern  30  suited to the environment in which the enclosure  10  will be used. In a first embodiment of the invention, this first covering  15 , from which the sides of the enclosure  10  are formed, is permanently attached to the frame members  12  by capturing sleeves  14  which surround the side panels  16  of the enclosure. Additionally, in a second embodiment of the invention, the enclosure  10  includes a second removable covering  40  bearing a second camouflage pattern  42 . The covering  40  is manufactured in a size which is only slightly larger than the outside dimension of the erected enclosure  10 . In this fashion, the covering  40  bearing a second camouflage pattern  42  may be drawn over the exterior of the enclosure  10 , much as a glove is drawn over a hand, providing a new and secondary covering for the enclosure  10 . In this embodiment, the covering  40  bears a color, camouflage or background-matching pattern  42  which is different from the color, camouflage or background or matching pattern of the underlying enclosure. In another embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG. 6 , the covering  40  is reversible, bearing a third camouflage pattern  44  on the side of the covering opposing the second camouflage pattern  42 , thereby allowing the occupant to reverse the covering  40  and apply yet a third camouflage pattern  44  to the enclosure. To secure the covering  40  to the exterior of enclosure  10 , covering  40  and covering  15  are provided with hook and loop type fasteners  41 , or similar fasteners such as snaps, buttons or zippers, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the fabric forming the covering for the enclosure is provided with reclosable sleeves  46  which allow removal of the resilient frame members  12  from the enclosure  10 . This allows utilization of the frame members  12  independent from the covering  15 , so that the same resilient frame members  12  can be placed within the sleeves  46  of a variety of different coverings  15  bearing a variety of different camouflage patterns. Utilizing this method, the outdoorsman may carry the frame members  12  for the enclosure  10 , and a plurality of fabric coverings  15 , which may be installed upon the frame members at will, providing to the occupant of a wide variety of different camouflage patterns for different environments and seasons. As with other embodiments, in this embodiment of the invention, each covering may be reversible, so that one covering provides two discrete camouflage patterns to the user. 
     The reclosable sleeves  46  above-described may be provided with any of a variety of conventional and well known closure means, such as zippers  48 , Velcro™, snaps, buttons or the like. By the utilization of this type of closure, it is possible to selectively and repeatedly open and close the sleeves  46  surrounding the side panels  16  of the enclosure for insertion and removal of the resilient frame members  12 . In the several embodiments of the invention, it is preferable to provide each of the side panels  16  with one or more ports  50 , such as windows or doors, which are also provided with closures such as zippers, Velcro, snaps, buttons or the like. These ports permit ingress and egress to the occupant, as well as viewing of the area outside the enclosure, the firing of weapons, or the utilization of photographic equipment. The use of reversible closures, such as reversible zippers, on the ports  50  of the enclosure  10  insures the utility of such ports  50  regardless of which side of the covering is outermost. 
     In the collapsed state, the enclosure  10  fits conveniently within a container  60  for transport, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The collapsing of the enclosure frame is accomplished as shown in  FIG. 7  through  FIG. 13 . This process can be performed with the frame  12  alone, with the frame covered by fabric covering  15 , or with the frame covered by a fabric covering  15  and one or more coverings  40 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the enclosure  10  comprises four side panels  16  surrounding frame members  12 , and erected in such a fashion as to present a quadrilateral enclosure having a top section  26 . Inasmuch as the material of the covering  15  is flexible, the enclosure  10  may be flattened, as shown in  FIG. 8  by urging side panel  16   a  against side panel  16   c  and side panel  16   b  against side panel  16   d . In this configuration, the frame member  12   a  surrounding side panel  16   a  is brought into contact with frame member  12   c  surrounding side panel  16   c  and frame element  12   b  surrounding side panel  16   b  is brought into contact with frame element  12   d  surrounding side panel  16   b . Thereafter, as shown in  FIG. 9 , side panels  16   a , frame member  12   a , side panel  16   c  and frame member  12   c  are folded in the direction of the arrow, thereby stacking side panels  16   a  through  16   d  against one another, thereby bringing into superimposed contact frame members  12   a  through  12   d . Next, as shown in  FIG. 10 , simply twisting the stack of superimposed frame members into a U-shaped configuration initiates the folding process. A second twist as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 11  results in the formation of three overlapping coils of resilient material each having a substantially smaller diameter than the diameter of the frame members above-described. The three coils  70 ,  72 , and  73  are shown in  FIG. 12 . When the three coils  70 ,  72 , and  73  are superimposed, they form a compact package  74  which may be easily transported, as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . In the preferred embodiment, the invention is provided with a container  60  adapted to enclose and restrain the collapsed enclosure or framework. The container  60  may be provided with one or more pockets (not shown) in which to store one or more coverings  40 . Further, the container may be provided with shoulder straps  62  and a closure  64  to facilitate carrying. In this fashion, the user may conveniently carry the framework, the principal enclosure, and/or the framework, principal fabric covering and a plurality of additional coverings.