Abstract:
A portable hunting blind for retrofitting to hunter&#39;s tree stands features arch-shaped concealment panels comprising a reconfigurable camouflage material attached via flexible rods to a lightweight support base. At the points of attachment to the support base, elbows permit the concealment panels to be variably inclined so that the enclosure size and the width of any openings can be varied. Options include a pouch to store hunting gear, an arrow quiver to store hunting arrows, a sheet of camouflage material to seal an opening between adjacent panels, and a ground stake to convert the invention to a ground blind.

Description:
This is a Divisional application based on U.S. Ser. No. 09/388,655 filed on Sep. 2, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,655 for UNIVERSAL PORTABLE HUNTING BLIND, which is entitled to the benefit Sep. 2, 1998 filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/098,836, the priority of which is claimed. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a lightweight, portable hunting blind that mounts to a tree stand for use as an elevated hunting blind or to ground stakes for use as a ground hunting blind. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hunters and other wildlife observers conceal bodily movement from the vision of observant quarry, such as deer or turkey with a hunting blind. A typical hunting blind comprises a frame covered by concealment panels of a camouflage material. The pattern of the camouflage material is chosen to blend with the natural surroundings. Since the camouflage material is usually opaque or only slightly “open” (such as by leafy-shaped cut outs or patterns in a see-through material), a hunter can move within the enclosure created by the hunting blind without alerting nearby quarry to potential danger by reason of that movement. 
     A tree stand enhances a hunter&#39;s field-of-view and reduces risk of detection by a game animal. A tree stand may be used to climb a tree, or is otherwise mounted thereon, and is thus temporarily attached to a trunk of a tree at a predetermined height above ground level. To further disguise presence in the tree stand from vigilant quarry, a hunter often wears clothing with a camouflage pattern that blends with the immediate surroundings. Although garbed in camouflage, the hunter normally remains in plain view while positioned in the tree stand. As a result, vigilant quarry can still detect the exposed movements by the hunter. If a tree stand also incorporates a hunting blind, the movements are consequently obscured. Therefore, the effectiveness of a tree stand is enhanced by the addition of a blind combined with it. 
     Several patents in the prior art disclose hunting blinds for use with a tree stand. However, each has certain inherent problems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,512 to Bean discloses a hunting blind for use with a tree stand that employs a single panel that compieteiy wraps around the platform of the tree stand. The panel is mounted on a dual-beam base at a predetermined angle of inclination on rods received by pivoting sockets in close proximity to the platform. As disclosed, that hunting blind obstructs the near-field vision of the ground by the occupant and becomes totally ineffective for concealment when the occupant exposes his body to aim and fire his weapon. 
     It is thus desirable to provide a hunting blind for use with a tree stand which permits the size of the concealed enclosure and the orientation of the concealment panel(s) to be varied, allows an unobstructed line-of-sight for aiming and discharging a firearm or a bow while sustaining peripheral concealment, permits easy transport to the hunting site, and easily adapts to changing natural environments. 
     It is well-known to use a ground blind to artificially create a concealed position when a hunter hunts at ground level. Otherwise, the hunter must rely upon natural camouflage, such as bushes and high grass. However, ground blinds usually incorporate small flapped openings or the like through which the hunter must look to spot game and to fire his weapon. 
     It is desirable to provide a ground blind with open lines of sight for aiming and discharging a weapon, that allows the size of the concealed area to be varied with ease, that permits easy transport to the hunting site, and that easily adapts to changing natural environments. 
     It is a principle object of the present invention to provide an improved hunting or observation blind that may be attached to a tree stand or used in another application as a ground blind. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a hunting blind that can be quickly and easily assembled without tools. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a hunting blind that can be retrofitted on most commercial tree stands. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a lightweight and compact hunting blind that is portable in the field. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a hunting blind that conceals the occupant from lateral detection at all times but affords a substantially unobstructed frontal shooting lane. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a hunting blind with concealment panels that can be reconfigured to match changing natural surroundings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention contemplates a portable hunting or observation blind that can be retrofitted to most commercial tree stands or adapted to create a ground blind, is easy to transport to and from the hunting site, and does not add significant weight to a tree stand. The portable hunting blind is modular, compact and easy to assemble and disassemble in the field. 
     When applied to use with a tree stand, the portable hunting blind according to the present invention generally includes a support base and at least one wing-shaped, or arched, concealment panel. Each concealment panel is removably and pivotally attached to the support base to create concealment for a hunter or observer. The support base generally includes at least a pair, if not more, of interconnected support beams which can be removably fastened to most commercial tree stands by means of any suitable fasteners, such as a plurality of reusable, flexible cable ties. 
     Extension arms are disposed in the free ends of each support beam. When an extension arm is extended, the corresponding support beam is lengthened. When an extension arm is retracted or removed, the footprint of the hunting blind is reduced to facilitate carrying, climbing, and hanging the hunting stand/tree blind combination in a tree. 
     Each concealment panel includes and is mounted to the support base by adjustable elbows disposed at the exposed, peripheral ends of the extension arms. As the elbow is bent through its range of motion, the occupant of the hunting blind can incline each wing-shaped concealment panel in an angular position relative to the horizontal plane formed by the support base. 
     Each concealment panel generally comprises a flexible, elongated support rod and a panel cover of concealment material preferably of a camouflage pattern of solid, opaque material, open weave or non-weave or cut out in a leafy or natural pattern. The support rod is preferably composed of segments of plastic composite tubing shock-corded together in known fashion and foldable to compact the overall length for carrying. Tube segments are joined via metal ferrules to create a single, flexible support rod. 
     Each panel cover includes a series of one or more sleeves, disposed about its periphery. A support rod is threaded through all, or less than all of the sleeves. Opposing ends of the support rod are disposed in the elbows, which are properly positioned to receive the support rod at the desired inclination and to define points of attachment to bend the rod into an arch shape. The combination of rod and covering in this way produces a wingshaped or inverted, U-shaped or arch-shaped or other shaped concealment panel. 
     In the preferred embodiment in combination with a tree stand, two concealment panels are removably attached to the support base at the peripheral end of each extension arm. An enclosure for an occupant is defined by the planes of the two adjustable concealment panels and the tree. The separation between the concealment panels is greater near the tree trunk to accommodate the observer&#39;s body and narrows with increasing distance from the tree trunk. Between the two concealment panels, at their forward edges, an opening is formed which diverges upwardly as a result of their arched shape. This affords the occupant an unobstructed forward line of sight, yet limits the visibility of his motion from the ground, both from the sides and from the front. 
     Accessories are available to augment the functionality of the portable hunting blind. An optional front skirt can be fastened along the forward edges of two adjacent concealment panels to fill the front opening for yet further concealment. An optional gear pouch can be attached to a concealment panel to store miscellaneous supplies in an easily accessible position. An optional arrow clip can be attached to the gear pouch or an arrow quiver to a concealment panel to safely store hunting arrows for use. 
     The blind assembly of the invention has a dual use according to the invention. Optional ground stakes are used to convert the portable hunting blind from a tree blind to a ground blind. The ends of the support rods for the concealment panel are inserted into elbows oh the stakes and the blind assembly is thus effective to conceal the ground level hunter and at the same time is adjustable, as noted above. 
     The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed written description thereof and from the drawings in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blind according to the invention mounted to a tree stand in a tree. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention of FIG. 1 with an optional front skirt attached. 
     FIG. 3 is an expanded view of the present invention with elements of the tree stand platform shown to illustrate the combination of the support base of the present invention with the tree stand. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable elbow. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the hunting blind has been converted into a ground blind using an optional ground stake. 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged illustration of the ground stake and mounting member of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a gear pouch with an arrow dip according to the invention. 
     FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 A— 8 A of FIG.  8 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, a portable hunting blind  10  according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, as would be implemented in conjunction with a tree stand  14 . The combination of portable hunting blind  10  and tree stand  14  is commonly attached to the trunk  12  of a tree to define an elevated hunting position. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the portable hunting blind  10  includes at least one concealment panel  20  that is comprised of a panel cover  24 , an elongated support rod  30  having two opposing ends, and an elbow  38  to support each end. The panel cover  24  is preferably composed of a material incorporating a camouflage pattern. To match the surrounding natural environment, the camouflage pattern of the panel cover  24  is usually opaque or only “slightly open” (such as by leafy-shaped cut-outs or patterns in a see-through material). A plurality of sleeves  22  is sewn on the perimeter of the panel cover  24 . The panel covers  24  can be easily changed to match the panel cover to the environment or the season in which the blind is used. 
     A support rod  30  is threaded through the sleeves  22  of the panel cover  24  and the support rod  30  is bent to form an arch with the interior filled by the now taut panel cover  24 . Opposing ends of the support rod  30  are attached to a respective elbow  38 , as will be described. In the preferred embodiment, the support rod  30  is constructed of multiple segments of shock-corded tubing which are removably coupled with metal sleeves or ferrules to form a single, flexible rod. Such shock-corded tubes or rods are typically used in other non-related applications, such as in tents, where the rods are flexible or in walking staffs, for example, where the multiple segmented rods are stiff, and as is well known in the art. For this application, the rods are flexible in use to slip in the panel cover sleeves, taking on an arch-like shape. 
     Concealment panel  20  is preferably positioned to define an inclined plane. In applications that employ two concealment panels  20 , the spacing between adjacent concealment panels  20  narrows with increasing distance from the trunk of a tree  12  that supports the associated tree stand  14 . An occupant of the portable hunting blind  10  is afforded an unobstructed frontal line-of-sight, from a position between adjacent concealment panels  20 , through the upwardly diverging space an opening between the forward edges of the respective panels  20 , yet the occupant is concealed laterally from the vision of any quarry on the ground. To add structural integrity to each concealment panel  20 , elastic cords  56  connect grommets  58  in the panel covering  24  to a support base  61 . 
     An optional arrow quiver  90 , for safe storage of hunting arrows  95 , is shown attached to one concealment panel  20 . It is hung on the panel by an appropriate means such as cords  94  attached to the panel edge defined by rod  30  or by other fastening devices. 
     FIG. 2 shows the portable hunting blind  10  with an optional front skirt  72 . To complete the enclosure, each side of the wedge-shaped front skirt  72  fastens to a concealment panel  20  and fills the void between adjacent concealment panels  20 . When attached with fasteners  73 , the front skirt  72  adds concealment but partially obscures an observer&#39;s line-of-sight for objects positioned near the base of the trunk of a tree  12  to which the associated tree stand  14  is attached. 
     A support base  61  that forms a pedestal for the concealment panels  20  of a portable hunting blind  10  is shown in FIG.  3 . As configured as a tree blind base, a longitudinal support beam  60  is perpendicularly joined to the mid-point of a transverse support beam  62  by a bracket  64 . When the openings are aligned, a carriage bolt (not shown) extends through aligned openings in the bracket  64  and the support beams  60 ,  62 . The carriage bolt is secured using a finger-adjustable wing nut  68  for easy assembly. Since the support base  61  is not load-bearing with respect to the tree-stand or hunter, it is preferably fabricated from a lightweight material. In the preferred embodiment, the longitudinal support beam  60  and transverse support beam  62  are constructed of thin walled polymer tubing having a square cross-section. It should be understood that the support base  61  can include more than two interconnected support beams. 
     The transverse support beam  62  includes side extension arms  52  that are telescopically received within respective opposing ends of the transverse support beam  62 . In the preferred embodiment, each side extension arm  52  is constructed of thinwalled polymer tubing with a square cross-section and is slidably received within the interior of one opposing end of the transverse support beam  62 . As best seen in FIG. 4, each side extension arm  52  includes a spring-loaded plunger  66  that removably extends through an opening  67  through one wall of the transverse structural beam  62 . Multiple openings  67  can be provided so the length of beam  62  can be effectively adjusted, thereby varying the separation of concealment panels  20  at their rear edges. 
     FIG. 4 aiso shows one of several removable flexible cable ties  65  used in the preferred embodiment to attach the portable hunting blind  10  to a support member  17  of a tree stand  14 . Any suitable fastener can be used to mount the blind to a tree stand, including u-bolts, screws, wire, cable, detachable connectors, bayonet or twist-type fittings or any other form or type of fastener or connector. An elbow  38  is attached at the distal end of each side extension arm  52  and generally includes a mounting member  40  and a socketed member  42  having an axial cavity  44 . In the preferred embodiment, the socketed member  42  is pivotably connected to the mounting member  40 . An end of a support rod  30  slidably fits within the axial cavity  44  of the socketed member  42 . 
     An exploded view of the elbow  38  is shown in FIG.  5 . At the free end of the mounting member  40  is a round head  37  having at least one preferably flat surface  33 , a central bore  36 , and a plurality of protruding, radially-extending projections or ridges  34  disposed annularly about the periphery of the round head  37 . At the free end of the socketed member  42  is a complementary round head  47  having at least one preferably flat surface  45 , a central bore  49 , and a plurality of protruding, radially-extending projections or ridges  48  disposed about the flat surface  45  of the round head  45 . When the elbow  38  is assembled, the flat surface  45  of the socketed member  42  frictionally rotates against the flat surface  33  of the mounting member  40 . When interlocked by lateral applied force, the ridges  34 ,  48  on the two respective flat surfaces  33 ,  45  interlock to prevent further rotation of the elbow  38  and any attached concealment panel  20  beyond that angular position selected by the occupant of the portable hunting blind  10 . To apply a lateral force, a finger-adjustable wing bolt or fastener  43  removably fastens the mounting member  40  and the socketed member  42  by extending through the aligned central bores  36 ,  49 . A threaded hex nut  46  is mounted in a recess coaxial with the central bore  49  of the socketed member  42  and receives the threaded portion of the wing bolt  43 . Surfaces  33 ,  45  could be other than flat; for example, the two surfaces  33 ,  45  could be convex and concave, respectively, or vice-versa. 
     A front extension arm  50  is attached to the longitudinal support beam  60  as shown in FIG.  3 . In the preferred embodiment, the front extension arm  50  is constructed of thin-walled polymer tubing with a square cross-section and is slidably received within the inner diameter of the front support beam  60 . To lock the front extension arm  50  in its working position, a spring loaded plunger (not shown but similar to spring-loaded plunger  66 ) engages an opening (not shown but similar to opening  67 ) in a side wall of the front support beam  60 . 
     A cross-beam  54  is telescopically mounted on the front extension arm  50 . The cross-beam  54  includes a transverse strut  55  having opposing ends and a longitudinal strut  57 . Each opposing end of the transverse strut  55  comprises an integral mounting member  39 , similar to the mounting member  40  of elbow  38  (FIG. 5) as a seamless part of the transverse strut  55 . The longitudinal strut  57  has a cross-sectional area and profile that can be telescopically received within the interior of the front extension arm  50 . 
     A socketed member  42   a , similar to the socketed member  42  of elbow  38  (FIG.  5 ), is pivotably attached to each end of strut  55  in the same manner as socketed member  42  is attached to mounting member  40  of FIG.  5 . The socketed member  42   a , slidably receives an end of a support rod  30 . Accordingly, the socketed members  42   a  each form an elbow with a respective end of strut  55 . 
     A gear pouch  80 , as shown in FIG. 3, generally comprises a flat container  81  and a fastener to attach the container  81  to a concealment panel  20 . In the preferred embodiment, the container  81  is composed of a mesh fabric and has fabric loops  88  disposed about the perimeter. A nylon cord  84 , with a hook  82  at one end, is threaded through a spring-loaded clamp  86 , a loop  88 , and back through the spring loaded clamp  86 . To attach to a concealment panel  20 , the hook  82  grasps a support rod  30 . 
     As depicted in FIG. 6, an arrow quiver  90  generally comprises a flat container  91  and a fastener to attach the container  91  to a concealment panel  20 . In the preferred embodiment, the container  91  is composed of a mesh fabric and has fabric loops  98  disposed about the perimeter. A nylon cord  94 , with a hook  92  at one end, is threaded through a spring-loaded clamp  96 , a loop  98 , and back through the spring loaded clamp  96 . To attach to a concealment panel  20 , the hook  92  grasps a support rod  30 . Inside the flat container  91  is an arrowhead insert  93  that receives the sharp blades of stored hunting arrows  95 . 
     In an alternative, and in place of the quiver  90 , a pouch  100 , similar to gear pouch  80 , but outfitted with a single or multiple arrow clip  101  is used. In this regard, a stiffener  102  is sewn into a pouch  100  and a flexible arrow clip  101  is fastened with a fastener  103  onto the pouch  100  and onto or proximate to the stiffener  102 . The shaft of the arrow  95  is snapped into and between the flexible arms  104  of the clip  101  and is quickly removable for a follow-up shot. 
     As depicted in FIG. 6, a concealment panel  20  is converted from use as a tree blind to use as a ground blind by substituting ground stakes  74  for the support base  61 . In the preferred embodiment, the ground stake  74  is a length of metal rod bent into a Z-shape. An offset segment  76  offsets the ground penetration segment  75  from the socket attachment segment  78  and provides a step point  77 . Force is applied to the step point  77  to drive the ground penetration segment  75  into the earth. The socket attachment segment  78  is slidably received by an axial cavity  44  in the mounting member  40 . While the mounting member  40  is mechanically fixed, the socketed member  42  can rotate (as indicated in FIG. 7) in a plane containing the mounting member  40 . 
     It will accordingly be appreciated that a preferred blind according to the invention comprises a support base and two preferably arch-shaped panels mounted thereon where the panels are preferably adjustably disposed with their rear edges further apart than their front edges. This accommodates a wider space for a hunter between the panels at the rear of the space bounded by the panels and defines a narrower, upwardly diverging opening between the front edges of the panels for a shooting or observation lane without detection from the sides. 
     It will be appreciated that the height of the arch shaped panels can be varied and various heights used with various height seats in a blind to provide different degrees of concealment and cover for various hunting and observation or shooting applications. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the cover panel sleeves  22  are discontinuous. This allows threading of only part of the panel onto the rod so that an adjacent panel part can remain limp and be folded over to reduce or change the heighth or shape of panel cover  24 . 
     The present invention provides an improved hunting blind that can be retrofitted to most commercial tree stands or used independently as a ground blind. Due to its compact modular construction from lightweight materials, the portable hunting blind is easy to transport to the hunting site and easy to assemble in the field without tools. Individual concealment panels can be adjustably positioned to conceal the occupant from lateral detection at all times, yet afford a substantially unobstructed frontal shooting lane. Another attribute is that the camouflage covering can be simply reconfigured to match changing natural surroundings. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative example shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.