Abstract:
A portable camouflage apparatus, comprising a frame and covering, where the frame is supported on a person&#39;s shoulders. The apparatus is secured preferably using straps that go under the armpits, and secure at both ends to the frame, so that the straps pull the frame against the tops of the shoulders. Pads may be used on the frame to cushion the shoulders, and to assist in moving the apparatus during typical shoulder movement associated with aiming a rifle or bow. Shoulder stabilizers may be used, which press against the front chest and back of the person supporting the frame. These stabilizers may be adjustable as to shape, angle or rotation. Use of this apparatus allows the wearer to turn their head, while wearing the apparatus, without causing movement of the frame or covering.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Portable hunting blinds allow greater mobility or persons involved in this sport. There have been several attempts to create a portable blind that will shield a person&#39;s head, while still allowing the person to scan the visible area before them, and complete necessary tasks involved with the hunting process. 
         [0002]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,609,905 (Fuhrman) illustrates a hunter blind that includes a shoulder strap whereby the framework can be supported on the shoulders of the user, and the blind material draped over the frame, and is a material of such type that permits the hunter reasonable visibility. One drawback to this invention is that it is not intended to cover only the head area, and in fact would probably not be usable if the entire front portion of this hunter&#39;s blind in this patent were open. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,622 (Blutstein) discloses a head covering without any supportive framework, and therefore moves with the turning of the head, while U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,089 (George) allows the user to carry the blind while wearing it. This blind is more useful in a stationary setting, and although it allows a user to move their head without moving the rest of the blind, it still requires complete disassembly of two portions in order to discharge the weapon. The present invention eliminates unwanted visible movement. 
         [0004]    Another example of the prior art in this area is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,507 (Kirby). Although the prior art sometimes provides for a general covering of the head area, there is often a problem in that the coverings do not limit movement of any material on the head when the head itself is being rotated to scan for targets. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the camouflage cover, showing the outline of the cover, so that the framework and straps are visible. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the framework of the camouflage cover, showing the respective movement and positions of the camouflage cover as it collapses. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the shoulder stabilizer and padding that is present on a base bar. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the base bar, showing a shoulder stabilizer and respective pad. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the, showing a rotating shoulder stabilizer member, that are present on either end of the pad. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the rotational movement available with the rotating shoulder stabilizer. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a frontal view of a person wearing the camouflage cover apparatus. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a person wearing the camouflage cover apparatus. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a person wearing the camouflage cover apparatus. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    This invention comprises a camouflage cover, that is draped over a supporting frame. The supporting frame is collapsible for storage, having various fittings that allow the various members that comprise the supporting frame to rotate within the fittings. The supporting frame is intended to rest on top of a person&#39;s shoulders, and an appropriate pad is provided to accomplish this, where the pad provides a cushion between the base bar of the frame, and the person&#39;s shoulder. Straps are also provided, which encircle the person&#39;s underarm area, and cause the frame to press down against the top of the shoulder area. 
         [0015]    While the straps provide a limitation against vertical movement, a pair of shoulder stabilizers descend downward from the base bar, where one shoulder stabilizer will press against the upper shoulder and chest area of the person wearing the camouflage cover, while the second shoulder stabilizer will press against the upper shoulder and back area of the person wearing the camouflage cover. The shoulder stabilizers will therefore restrict horizontal movement of the apparatus while it is being worn. This will allow the user to move about, and even lean over without having the camouflage cover fall off. 
         [0016]    To increase the ability to store a camouflage cover when not in use, as well as to provide for greater mobility and adjustment, the shoulder stabilizers may be able to rotate from a downward position to any position along a 180 degree arc about the base bar. The shoulder stabilizer may be a simple flat bar that has a curvature of approximately 90°, so that one end of the flat bar may be press in between the pad and base bar, so that the rotational movement of the shoulder stabilizer is defined by the available space between the pad and base bar. The shoulder stabilizer may also be independently rotational, in relation to the pad, where a rotating shoulder stabilizer comprises an extension bar that defines an opening on one end, through which the base bar is pushed through. Frictional means may allow the rotating shoulder stabilizer to be positioned as desired. 
         [0017]    One of the benefits of using a pad on the base bars of the frame is that when a person raises their gun or bow up to aim, the shoulders naturally hunch up, causing the pads to assist in rolling the framework backward slightly off the shoulders, to increase the available view. 
         [0018]    Accordingly, this invention allows the user to cover their head so as to prevent visibility of their head from the sides or rear direction. It is possible, to also use a camouflage cover that has a significant mesh pattern that allows the user to see through it. 
         [0019]    It is a further object of this invention to provide a collapsible frame, that allows ease in transportation, as well as storage, and where the framework is collapsible as desired. 
         [0020]    It is a further object of this invention to provide a framework that utilizes total support on the top areas of the shoulder of the wearer, and where the framework is able to be adequately supported and maintained in position on the shoulder area so as to eliminate any movement that would typically be caused by turning the user&#39;s head. Therefore, there is a greater mobility and ability to scan more of the surrounding area, 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the camouflage cover apparatus  10  is shown, in which a supporting frame  11  allows a cover material  24  to be draped over the frame  11 . The cover material  24  maybe any material that is typically used in the art to camouflage the wearer from being recognized or ascertained as to location by other persons or animals. The cover material  24  may also comprise material which has been constructed so as to allow a person to see through it to some extent, where the material is close to the person attempting to see through the material. This would comprise a material that has a weave with spaces between the threads that comprise the material makeup, similar to a mesh design, or any other material commonly known and used in the art. 
         [0022]    The frame  11  is comprised of a pair of vertical support means, which are connected together by cross supports  12  and  13 . The various members are attached together using fittings. If fittings are not used, the frame  11  may be a fully rigid structure. Preferably, the frame  11  may be collapsed for storage. 
         [0023]    Two base bars  20  and  21  comprise the bottom most portion of the frame  11 . Two vertical support means, the first vertical support means comprises a base bar  20  that is inserted into L-shaped fittings  22  on both ends of each of the base bar  20 . The L-shaped fittings  22  have a second opening. Vertical members  19  are inserted into the L-shaped fittings  22 , so that they project upward from the base bar  20 . The vertical members  19  are spaced apart by the base bar  20 , forming a U-shape. 
         [0024]    In order to increase the overall support capabilities of the frame  11 , a side support  14  may be used, to increase the rigidity of the vertical members  19  in relation to the base bar  20 . In this instance, the top of the vertical members  19  are inserted into a T-shaped fitting  23 , and where a side support  14  is positioned so that both of its ends are inserted into their respective openings of the T-shaped members  23 . Additional vertical member extensions  18  may be inserted into the remaining opening of the T-shaped member  23 , and project upward from the T-shaped members  23  so as to increase the overall vertical height of the frame  11 . There are many methods to accomplish the position of the side support  14 . The T-shaped members  23  may slide along the length of an elongated vertical member  19 , eliminating the need for a second vertical extension  18 . Further, the cross support  14  may be attached in any way commonly known and understood in the art to the vertical member  19 , either along its length, or at its uppermost end. 
         [0025]    Whether vertical extensions  18  are used, or whether a single vertical member  19  is used, the top or highest terminating end of said member  19  or extension  18 , are attached to cross supports  12 . Therefore, the vertical support means should be understood to include any support framework that extends upward from the base bar  20  to the cross supports  12 . 
         [0026]    Cross supports  12  and  13  are rotatably attached to the top of the vertical support means, and attached to the top portion of a second vertical support means. 
         [0027]    The second vertical support means is comprised of a similar base bar  21 , which is parallel to base bar  20 . Base bar  21  is inserted into L-shaped members  22  on both ends, with vertical members  16  attached in similar fashion as vertical members  19 , to the L-shaped members  22 . The second vertical support means may also utilize its own side support  15 , where the side support  15  is attached in similar fashion to the vertical members  16  as described above for vertical members  19 . As is shown in  FIG. 1 , support  15  is fitted into a T-shaped member  23  having opposing openings, that are perpendicular to the length of the side member  15 . As necessary, vertical extensions  18  may be used, where said vertical extensions  18  comprise either an extended portion of the vertical number  16 , or a separate member that is attached individually to the T-shaped members  23 . 
         [0028]    The topmost ends of the vertical extensions  18  on the second vertical support means framework are attached to L-shaped members  22 , with the first vertical support means framework and second vertical support means framework separated by the cross supports  12  and  13 . Cross supports  12  and  13  are perpendicular to the members  19 ,  18  and  14  and bar  20  of the first vertical support framework means, and are also perpendicular to members  16 ,  18 ,  15  and bar  21  of the second vertical support means. During use, cross supports  12  and  13  will remain parallel to each other, while the two separate vertical support framework means will also remain parallel to each other. 
         [0029]    It should be understood that the use of T-shaped members  23  and L-shaped members  22  are intended to convey one possible means of attaching the various members, bars and supports to each other. Typically, this frame  11  would be constructed of lightweight PVC pipe, using the typical L-shaped members  22  and T-shaped members  23  that are commonly used with PVC pipe. The scope of this invention is intended to include any means commonly known and understood in the art by attaching one end of rigid tubing, bar, or other elongated member to one another, so that the attached portions will rotate with respect to each other. Therefore, it should be understood that the L-shaped members  22  and T-shaped members  23  comprise rotating connection means, and should not be limited in their scope to the physical characteristics shown and described, but rather to the operation of the portions of the frame  11  in conjunction with each other. 
         [0030]    The frame  11 , when being worn, exhibits a cubic type frame that surrounds a person&#39;s head  36 , as is shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 . This frame  11  may prove to be difficult to transport and store, as a result of the volume it occupies, and a means to collapse the frame  11  is desired and provided. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the frame  11  is shown from a top view, as it would appear when being worn. Also shown in  FIG. 9 , is the view of the frame  11 , in relation to the wearer&#39;s head  36 . The available viewing area from the side is shown in  FIG. 8 , with the open area in the front shown and depicted in  FIG. 7 . To collapse the frame  11 , the cross supports  12  and  13  must rotate in relation to the vertical support means they are attached to. Where L-shaped members  22  are being used, L-shaped members  22  allow rotation around the top portion of the vertical extension members  18 , with the rotation of the cross supports  12  and  13  taking place so that the cross supports  12  and  13  remain parallel to each other. As the cross supports  12  and  13  rotate, each of the vertical support means described above will move in relation to each other, also maintaining a parallel orientation to each other. With regard to  FIG. 2 , the L-shaped members  22  that physically move during the collapsing process, are shown as L-shaped member  22 ′ and L-shaped member  22 ″. These were previously shown in  FIG. 1  as simply L-shaped member  22 . For purposes of showing the collapsing movement in  FIG. 2 , they have been numbered with prime indicators. It should be understood that this frame  11  may be collapsed in any direction. The paths of movement  41  and  42  may apply to any of the L-shaped members, and this is but one of four possible collapsing movements, all which identically match the other movements, depending how the frame  11  is oriented according to a top view. 
         [0032]    As  FIG. 2  shows, the path of travel  41  for the L-shaped member  22 ′ is shown, and the path of travel  42  for the L-shaped member  22 ″ is shown, with the resulting configuration of the side support  14 ′, cross supports  12 ′ and  13 ′ indicated by dashed lines. For purposes of explanation, L-shaped members  22  that do have undergone directional movement are indicated by  22 ′ and  22 ″. Cross supports  12  and  13  that have undergone directional/rotational movement are indicated as  12 ′ and  13 ′. Side support  14  that is undergone directional movement is indicated as  14 ′. The physical cover  24  is indicated in both  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , with all portions of the invention unobstructed by the presence of the cover  24  in the figures. The cover  24  may be attached to the frame  11  using any means commonly known and understood in the art. For example, the cover  24  may be sewn around the frame members, it may be snapped around the frame members, or attached using velcro, or other attachment means. The cover  24  may also be of the same design and coloration as the rest of the camouflage worn by the person, to increase continuity of the entire camouflage configuration. 
         [0033]    The means to secure the frame  11  to the wearer or person using this invention is accomplished by causing the base bars  20  and  21  to rest on top of a person&#39;s shoulders. Optimally, a pad  25  is placed around the bar  20  and  21 , to provide a cushion between said bars  20  and  21  and the person&#39;s shoulder. As  FIGS. 3-5  depict, the pad  25  used is a tubular pad through which the bar  20  or  21  is passed through the central opening. It should be understood that the pad  25  is not restricted in any manner to that depicted in the figures, but should be understood as simply a cushion means between the bottom side of the bars  20  and  21  and what would be the person&#39;s shoulder when wearing the camouflage cover  10 . These pads  25  are not required, but do provide additional comfort and support during use. One of the benefits of using a pad  25  on the base bars  20  and  21  of the frame  11  is that when a person raises their gun or bow up to aim, the shoulders naturally hunch up, causing the pads  25  to assist in rolling the frame  11  backward slightly off the shoulders, to increase the available view. 
         [0034]    As is shown in  FIG. 1 , a flexible strap  27  is shown, which is fixed to the rear portion of the bar  20  and  21  respectively on one end, and the other and passes through an adjustable loop  38  which allows manipulation of the strap  27  as to overall length. The strap  27  may be flexible or elastic, and may or may not be adjustable, according to the particular desires of the wearer. Preferably, the strap  27  is able to be adjusted, or is flexible, so that when it encircles the wearer&#39;s arms, passing through the armpit area, the strap  27  will exert sufficient force on the frame  11  so that it will be pulled downward against the top side of a person&#39;s shoulder.  FIG. 1  indicates the adjustable loop  38 , which would preferably be on the front side of the frame  11 , so as to allow access to the adjustable areas of the strap  27 . Strap  27  assists in preventing vertical movement of the frame  11  during use. Due to friction, between the shoulder and pad  25 , the force of the strap  27  may also assist in preventing horizontal movement. 
         [0035]    Horizontal movement, in relation to the person&#39;s shoulder, is best prevented by using shoulder stabilizer members that descend downward from the frame bars  20  and  21 , having sufficient space between them so as to allow a person to place the pad  25  on their shoulder top area, with one shoulder stabilizer member on the front chest area, in the second shoulder stabilizer member on the back area. Referring now specifically to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 7 ,  8  and  9 , the shoulder stabilizer members  26  are shown as rigid members that have a defined curvature which allows them to be substantially perpendicular to the bar  20  which they are associated with. Shoulder stabilizer members  26  may comprise two separate pieces, or a single length of rigid material that has its end area bent to approximately 90 degree angles from the central portion of the frame member  26 . The shoulder stabilizer members  26  may be permanently attached to the bars  20  or  21  which they are associated with. Said shoulder stabilizer members  26  may also the adjustable and rotate about the bars  20  and  21  to which they are associated with. The shoulder stabilizer members  26  may also be flexible in nature, so as to conform to a person&#39;s body shape, as shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 , which will allow them to better grip both sides of the person when worn. The shoulder stabilizers  26  may be constructed out of any type of flexible material, including heavy gauge wire, metal sheet strips, etc. 
         [0036]    Referring now also to  FIG. 4 , the shoulder stabilizer member  26  is shown as a downwardly descending member, in which a portion of it is placed in an insert cavity  29 , which comprises the space between the pad  25  and bar  20 . Rotation of the shoulder stabilizer member  26  is available by simply moving shoulder stabilizer member  26  around said bar  20  within the insert cavity  29  area. 
         [0037]    Referring now also to  FIG. 5 and 6 , a rotating shoulder stabilizer member  30  is shown, comprising a bar portion  31 , where said bar portion  31  descends downward perpendicularly from the bar  20  to which it is associated with. This orientation is also shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 . The rotating shoulder stabilizer member  30  also comprises an eyelet area  32 , which defines an opening through which the bar  20  may be placed. As  FIG. 6  shows, rotating shoulder stabilizer member  30  is able to be pivoted around the bar  20  to any position desired. The movement is therefore not associated with a pad  25 , and may be fixed as to location using friction or any other type of means to clamp the rotating shoulder stabilizer member  30  to the bar  20 . It should also be understood that the discussion of the shoulder support members  26  and rotating shoulder support frame member  30  are associated with bar  20  in the same manner as they would be with bar  21 . This rotational feature allows for various adjustments, and more effective reduction in overall size for storage or transportation purposes. 
         [0038]    The shoulder support members  26  or  30  will each be presented to the person, so that the shoulder is able to be gripped by each said a respective shoulder stabilizer members  26  or  30 . In either situation, the shoulder stabilizer members  26  or  30 , will be placed so that one of them impacts on the top shoulder and front upper chest area of the person, the other impacting the upper shoulder and upper back of the person wearing the camouflage cover  10 . 
         [0039]    The actual cover  24  will typically be constructed so that it allows an open flap or opening on the front side of the camouflage cover apparatus  10 . Certain materials also allow a person to see through them, when they are presented close to their eyes with regard overall distance. Since the camouflage cover apparatus  10  is supported entirely by the person&#39;s shoulders and upper body, the person wearing this apparatus  10  will be able to turn their head without affecting position of the frame from causing movement of the frame  11 . This will prevent any other observers, human or animal, from being aware of any head movements, when shrouded by the cover  24 , since the actual cover  24  will not move during typical rotation of the head. 
         [0040]    From the foregoing statements, summary and description in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same are not limited thereto, but are susceptible to various changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein, but intend to cover all such changes and modifications which would be encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.