Abstract:
A portable blind constructed for quick assembly and disassembly without the use of tools is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the portable blind includes four frame members having three interconnected sections, a cross member, and a canopy covering the frame. The three sections of each of the frame members of the frame are attached by tension spring interconnecting mechanisms which retain the sections together when disassembled and urge the sections together in assembly. The canopy is constructed as a unit and includes closable side panel windows with built in gun supports.

Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 123,947 filed Nov. 23, 1987 now abandoned. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a portable blind, and in particular a blind which may be quickly assembled and disassembled without the use of any tools. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Blinds are concealing enclosures from which one may observe, photograph or hunt wildlife. A blind provides a hunter concealment from the sight of game animals and protection from the elements. It is desirable to have a blind which can be easily carried into the field by a hunter and readily assembled and disassembled upon reaching the desired location. 
     Several portable and semi-portable hunting blinds have been disclosed and patented. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,159,273 to Killinger (&#34;Hunter&#39;s Blind&#34;) discloses a collapsible blind consisting of an extensive frame and two-piece cover. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,690,334 to Miller (&#34;Portable Hunting Blind&#34;) discloses a blind consisting of an extensive frame and two-piece cover. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,690,334 to Miller (&#34;Portable Hunting Blind&#34;) discloses a blind consisting of a cover, a four-legged frame, and a base to provide support to the frame. 
     A need exists for a lightweight blind that is portable by one person and is easily assembled and disassembled in the field. Such a blind should utilize a minimum number of components and be capable of assembly and disassembly without the use of any tools. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The portable blind of the present invention includes a frame and a canopy, which is preferably of single-piece construction. The frame has a cross member and at least three frame members, each frame member having a plurality of sections. The frame sections are interconnected by tension spring connecting mechanisms such that all sections are permanently attached. The portable blind is quickly and easily assembled by slidably connecting the frame sections together and slidably connecting the frame member to the cross member, lifting the frame to its upright position, and placing the unitary canopy over the frame. Similarly, the blind is readily disassembled by reversing these assembly steps. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages will be apparent from the following Detailed Description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the portable hunting blind of the present invention when erected. 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the frame of the portable blind. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of one leg of the frame of the portable blind. 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the tension chain interconnecting mechanism of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional end view of a portion of the cross member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded cross-sectional end view of a portion of the cross member of the present invention rotated 90 from the perspective in FIG. 5. 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of the unitary canopy of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A portable blind is generally indicated at 10 of FIG. 1. The blind is constructed of frame 12, generally shown in FIG. 2, and canopy 25, generally shown in FIG. 7. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment of frame 12 consists of a cross member 14 and four frame members 15 each having an upper frame section 16, a middle frame section 18, and a lower frame section 20. Upper frame sections 16 include proximal portions 22 and distal portions 24. Proximal portions 22 slidably engage cross member 14, as described in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6. In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, proximal portions 22 are bent downwardly such that upper frame section 16 slopes downwardly from cross member 14 to distal end 24. It is desirable that upper frame sections 16 slope downwardly in order to transfer as much force as possible onto middle frame sections 18 and lower frame sections 20, thus obviating the need for a central support post and minimizing the overall weight and complexity of frame 12. While the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings has four frame members 15 and three sections 16, 18, and 20, it should be understood that the blind 10 may be constructed of three or more frame members 15, and the frame members may consist of two or more sections. Of course, the canopy 25 could be constructed to fit any such alternate embodiment of blind 10. 
     Frame 12 and canopy 25 are dimensioned to provide a close fit therebetween. In particular, top panel 26 of canopy 25 is dimensioned to provide cover for blind 10 from cross member 14 to the downward bend of distal portion 24, while side panels 28 are dimensioned to provide cover from the downward bend of distal portion 24 to the distal portions of lower frame sections 20. Thus, distal ends 24 define the outer periphery of top panel 26 as well as the upper extremities of side panels 28 of canopy 25. 
     As best seen in FIG. 3, distal section 24 is interconnected with proximal end 30 of middle frame section 18 by tension spring interconnecting mechanism 26. Similarly, distal end 32 of middle frame section 18 is interconnected with proximal end 34 of lower frame section 22 by tension spring interconnecting mechanism 36. Tension spring interconnecting mechanisms 26, 36, as shown in FIG. 4, comprise upper tension spring 38, lower tension spring 40, and chain 42. Upper tension spring 38 is secured to retainer 44 disposed within the hollow distal portions 24, 32 for first tension spring interconnecting mechanism 26 and second tension spring interconnecting mechanism 36, respectively. Lower tension spring 40 is secured to retainer 46 disposed within the hollow proximal portions 30, 34 for first tension spring interconnecting mechanism 26 and second tension spring interconnecting mechanism 36, respectively. 
     In use, tension spring interconnecting mechanisms 26, 36 urge upper frame section 16, middle frame section 18, and lower frame section 20 into engagement to form a continuous and sturdy frame 12. In a preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, upper frame section 16 telescopically engages proximal section 30 of middle frame section 18 and distal section 32 of middle frame section 18, telescopically engages lower frame section 22. It is to be appreciated that first and second tension spring interconnecting mechanisms 26, 36 will cause upper frame section 16, middle frame section 18, and lower frame section 20 to telescopically engage merely by lifting frame 12 at upper frame section 16 or cross member 14. Frame 12 may then be simply and easily disassembled by manually urging apart first and second tension spring interconnecting mechanisms 26, 36. Chains 42 will continue to interconnect the sections of frame 12 to facilitate assembly of frame 12 while simultaneously permitting frame 12 to be folded for compact storage. 
     Feet 47 are attached to distal ends 35 of lower frame sections 20. Feet 47 are constructed to permit frame 12 to be embedded into the ground to provide support to blind 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, feet 47 are inserted into lower frame sections 20. However, it is to be appreciated that feet 47 may also be integrally formed on lower frame section 20 and still provide the requisite support to frame 12. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 provide an exploded view of cross member 14. Although cross member 14 is shown as having a rectangular cross section, it should be appreciated that any cross-sectional geometry can be used provided proximal sections 22 of upper frame sections 16 are able to telescopically engage cross member 14. Cross member 14 comprises two substantially perpendicular channels 48, 49. In one possible embodiment, threaded openings 50 may be placed through channels 48, 49 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Screws 52 could be used to threadably engage upper frame sections 16 after their proximal ends are telescopically connected with cross member 14. For disassembly, screws 52 are simply threadably disengaged from threaded openings 50, allowing proximal ends 22 to be slidably disconnected from cross member 14. 
     FIG. 7 provides an overall plan view of the interior 54 of canopy 25. Canopy 25 comprises four side panels 28 and one top panel 26. Canopy 25 is preferably constructed of a lightweight, nylon, waterproof tent material, but it should be appreciated that a wide range of canopy materials may be used effectively. As described briefly above, side panels 28 are dimensioned to be approximately the same length as the combined length of middle frame section 18 and lower frame section 20 when they are in their erected positions, as shown in FIG. 2. Tie-strings 56 are provided on two side panels 28 to permit canopy 25 to be secured to frame 12. Although FIG. 7 shows top panel 26 as being connected to only one side panel 28, it is preferable, for stability and weatherproofing reasons, that top panel 26 be connected along all of its four sides to side panels 28. Such construction also simplifies the assembly process for the portable hunting blind 10. However, it is to be appreciated that canopy 25 can be effectively used in the configuration shown in FIG. 7 or in a configuration in which fewer than four side panels are connected to the top panel if additional securing elements 57 are provided about the upper periphery of canopy 25. 
     In one embodiment, window openings 58 are provided in side panels 28 in order to permit a person inside the blind 10 to see outside. Window openings 58 are preferably provided on all four side panels 28 in order to facilitate observation, photography or hunting in a 360° range. It will be appreciated that the size and position of window openings 58 can be varied to fit the intended use of portable blind 10. Window flaps 60 are provided on the interior of canopy 25 in order to minimize the intrusion of wind and rain into the blind, as well as preventing animals from seeing into the blind through a window opening 58 not in use. Window flaps 60 can be secured in either the open or closed position by fastener means 62 formed on top panel 26 and side panels 28. Fastener means 62 are preferably of the hook and loop type, such as VELCRO® manufactured by VELCRO USA, Inc. 
     A sleeve 64 is provided along the bottom edge of each window opening 58 and is constructed to receive a dowel 66. With dowel 66 in place in sleeve 64, the bottom edge of window openings 58 are stable enough to provide a rigid support for a rifle, allowing the hunter to keep his rifle in a ready position without the fatigue normally encountered in such a position. The dowel 66 is also capable of use as a support for a camera or binoculars. 
     Pocket 68 is provided on one or more side panels 28 in a preferred embodiment. Pocket 68 minimizes clutter within the blind as it is dimensioned to receive any combination of ammunition, food, thermos, etc. A plurality of eyelets 70 are preferably provided along the lower edge of side panels 28 in order to permit canopy 25 to be staked to the ground. Although blind 10 is stable without staking canopy 25, it is to be appreciated that staking provides maximum stability as well as optimal protection from the elements. 
     While the portable blind of the present invention has been described in detail herein, it will be evident that various and further modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.