Abstract:
A shelter or hunting blind that is easily extended and collapsed includes a frame and a surrounding skin detachably fixed to the frame. The frame includes an upper hub upper hub including a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface with a plurality of upper tabs extending downward from said bottom surface and a lower hub including a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface with a plurality of lower tabs extending upward from said top surface. A plurality of articulated leg assemblies pivotally connected respectively to said plurality of upper tabs, and a plurality of pusher rods pivotally connected between said plurality of articulated leg assemblies and said plurality of lower tabs. While extended, the blind includes one or more windows for viewing the desired pray.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This utility application claims priority from Provisional Application No. 61/110,568, filed on Nov. 1, 2008, and Provisional Application No. 61/143,710, filed on Jan. 9, 2009, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/459,934, filed on Jul. 8, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/290,213, filed on Apr. 20, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 11/788,495, filed on Apr. 20, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/484,106, filed on Jul. 10, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/295,305, filed on Dec. 5, 2005, and a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/155,398, filed on Jun. 16, 2005, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 11/045,736, filed on Jan. 28, 2005 and a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/161,986, filed on Jun. 4, 2002 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,626, which further claims priority from Provisional Application No. 60/295,956, each of which are herein incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There is often a need to conceal oneself when researching wildlife, hunting, camping, working on construction projects, or working in the outdoors. Wildlife researchers conceal themselves so that they can film and study wildlife without disturbing the behavior of the animals. Hunters often conceal themselves in various hunting blinds to avoid being detected by their prey. Campers often conceal themselves to bathe, change clothes, and perform other personal or hygiene activities. Construction workers, military, law enforcement, and others who work in the outdoors also have similar needs for concealment. Various methods have been employed to accomplish these tasks. 
         [0003]    In the past, quite complex, heavy structures have been built or constructed for concealment. Hunters have built permanent hunting blinds. Portable huts, shower stalls, dressing shelters, tents, canopies, and complex tree blind structures have been carried into the great outdoors. 
         [0004]    The use of such devices has several disadvantages such as being heavy, bulky, noisy, expensive, and complicated to assemble or use. Most of these devices have only a single use with poor performance. There is a need for a simple, lightweight, compact, portable, multi-use means of concealment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    An easy to use and lightweight concealment and shelter or hunting blind is disclosed herein. The blind is easily extended and collapsed includes a frame and a surrounding skin detachably fixed to the frame. The frame includes an upper hub upper hub including a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface with a plurality of upper tabs extending downward from said bottom surface and a lower hub including a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface with a plurality of lower tabs extending upward from said top surface. A plurality of articulated leg assemblies pivotally connected respectively to said plurality of upper tabs, and a plurality of pusher rods pivotally connected between said plurality of articulated leg assemblies and said plurality of lower tabs. While extended, the blind includes one or more windows for viewing the desired pray. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an assembled and expanded fast setup blind; 
           [0007]      FIGS. 2 through 4  are perspective views of the blind with the window opened; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the top and bottom hubs used in the blind; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6 through 9  are perspective of the inner window of the blind; 
           [0010]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the hubs used in the blind; 
           [0011]      FIG. 11  is a perspective of the legs surrounded by the blind; 
           [0012]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an interior lower corner of the blind; 
           [0013]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a partially collapsed blind; 
           [0014]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a collapsed blind held by a user; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 15 and 16  are perspective views of a collapsed blind being extended by the user; 
           [0016]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an extended blind being disengaged by the user; 
           [0017]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a fully collapsed blind being secured by a handle; 
           [0018]      FIG. 19  is a bottom view of the extended blind; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 20   a - 20   d  are perspective views of the frame of the blind; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 21   a - 21   d  are views of the leg assemblies of the frame; 
           [0021]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the lower leg assembly 
           [0022]      FIGS. 23   a - 23   e  are views of the rod pushers used in the frame; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 24   a - 24   f  are various views of a hinge joint connecting the lower leg assembly with an upper leg assembly; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 25   a - 25   e  are various views of the leg bracket; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 26   a - 26   d  are various views of the leg bracket; 
           [0026]      FIG. 27   a - 27   f  are various views of an upper hub; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 28   a  and  28   b  provide various views of a lug used to secure the blind skin to the frame; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 29   a - 29   g  provide various views of a lower hub; 
           [0029]      FIG. 30  is a sectional side view of the lower engaging the upper hub; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 31  provides a side view of a blind including windows with magnetic closures. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    Referring now in detail to the figures, an embodiment of the fast setup blind  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-31 . Referring specifically to  FIGS. 1 and 20 , the blind  10  includes a frame  100  that is surrounded by a skin  12 . As described herein, the blind  10  is able to quickly and efficiently be set up and taken down by a single user, and provides desired cover for the user. 
         [0032]    Looking to  FIG. 20 , the frame  100  includes an upper or top hub  701  and a lower or bottom hub  601 , with a series of leg assemblies including upper and lower articulated leg assemblies  200 ,  300  pivotally attached to the top hub  701 . A series of rod pushers  401  are pivotally connected between the bottom hub  601  and the upper leg assembly  300 . Further, the lower leg assemblies  200  are pivotally connected to a corresponding upper leg assembly  300  opposite the connection between the top hub  701  and the upper leg assembly  300 . In an embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 20 , a hub pin  501  is connected to the lower hub  601 , with the hub pin  501  being able to traverse the top hub  701  when the blind  10  is setup. A pull rope  502  may extend through the hub pin  501  and top hub  701  to a handle or similar point to assist the user in setting up the blind  10  as further discussed herein. 
         [0033]    In more detail in  FIGS. 27   a - 27   f,  the top hub  701  includes a top plate  703  having a top surface  703   t  and a bottom surface  703   b,  with a first central aperture  705  traversing therethrough. A series of upper tabs or anchors  707  extend from the bottom surface  703   b  of the plate  703  radially about the top central aperture  705 . A connecting aperture  708  extends through each of the upper tabs  707  to pivotally connect the upper leg assemblies  300  with the upper tabs  707  using a pin or similar connector known in the art. An upper hollow cylinder  709  extends from the top surface  703   t  of the plate  703 , with the cylinder  709  surrounding the top central aperture  705  and having a threaded outer surface  711 . The threaded outer surface  711  of the upper cylinder  709  is designed to receive a nut or lug  901  (see  FIGS. 1  and  FIGS. 38A-38B ) that is used to secure a blind fabric skin  12  to the frame  100  (as described in greater detail herein). 
         [0034]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 29   a - 29   g,  the lower hub  601  includes a bottom plate  603  having a top surface  603   t  and a bottom surface  601   b,  with a lower central aperture  605  traversing therethrough. A series of lower tabs or anchors  607  extend from the upper side  603   t  of the plate  603  radially about the bottom central aperture  605 . A connecting aperture  608  extends through each of the lower tabs  607  to pivotally connect the rod pushers  401  with the lower tabs  607  using a pin or similar connector known in the art (see  FIG. 20   b ). 
         [0035]    Continuing to view  FIGS. 29   a - 29   g,  a hub pin  501  extends outward from the top of the bottom plate  603 . The hub pin  501  generally is divided into a generally frustoconical section  505  and a generally cylindrical base section  503 , with the sections  503 ,  505  being separated by a collar  507 . The first end  503  of the hub pin  501  will engage the upper central aperture  705  as the upper and lower leg assemblies  200 ,  300  are extended into the setup position as described herein. The collar  507  is included to stop the blind  10  from opening completely, thereby assisting the user from having to deal with certain forces when collapsing the blind  10 . A pin aperture  511  traverses the hub pin  501 , such that the pull rope  502  can traverse the hub pin  501  and lower hub  601 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 22 , each lower leg assembly  200  includes a lower rod  201  having a first end  201   a  that is connected to a hinge joint  203  via a roll pin  202 . The hinge joint  203  includes a hollow connector  205  to receive one end of the lower rod  201 , with a lower clevis-shaped member  207  extending from the opposite end of the connector  205  to be connected with the upper leg assembly  300  using a pin or similar connector known in the art. The lower rod  201  has a second end  201   b  that may be used to engage the blind fabric  12  as disclosed herein. 
         [0037]    Looking to  FIGS. 21   a - 21   d,  each upper leg assembly  300  includes an upper rod  304  that may be formed of a variety of materials, such as fiberglass or metal, having a first end  304   a  and a second end  304   b.  A hinge joint  203  is connected to the first end  304   a  of the upper rod  304 , and an end leg bracket  303  is connected to the second end  304   b.  Referring to  FIGS. 25   a - 25   e,  a second leg bracket  301  is slid over the rod  304 , with the second leg bracket  301  having a cylindrical portion  301   a  and a flange  301   b  extending along the length of the cylindrical portion  301   a.  The upper rod  304  is inserted through aperture  312  of the cylindrical portion  301   a.  Looking to  FIGS. 23   a - 23   e,  the rod pusher  401  is pivotally connected to the flange  301   b  of the second leg bracket  301  using a pin or similar connector known in the art. The rod pusher  401  has clevis-shaped brackets  403   a,    403   b  at both ends of the rod pusher  401 , such that the flange  301   b  will be positioned within one of the brackets  403   a.  The second bracket  403   b  is connected to one of the lower tabs  607  of the lower hub  601 . 
         [0038]    The hinge joint  203  may also include an aperture  208  to receive a skin button  305 , or a skin button  305  may be formed into the hinge joint  203  itself. The skin button  305  is used to secure the fabric skin  12  to each leg to keep the skin  12  tightly connected with the frame  100 . 
         [0039]    The number of upper and lower leg assemblies  200 ,  300  used in the blind  10  may be varied as desired by the producer. In the embodiment illustrated, four upper and lower leg assemblies  200 ,  300  are incorporated. However, it is foreseen that the design could have more or fewer upper and lower leg assemblies  200 ,  300  (e.g., a design could have three or five upper and lower leg assemblies  200 ,  300 ). Of course, the number of lower tabs  607  on the lower hub  601  and the number of upper tabs  707  on the upper hub  701  will be commensurate to the number of upper and lower leg assemblies  200 ,  300  used. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  19 , and  20 , it is to be noted that the skin fabric  12  is designed to fit over the frame  100 , with a substantially central hole in the fabric  12  to allow the upper cylinder  709  to traverse the fabric  12  before the lug  901  is tightened onto the cylinder  709 . The fabric  12  is positioned over the frame  100 , with a series of inner capture pockets  20  positioned at the interior edges of the fabric  12  (see  FIG. 12 ). The lower ends of the lower rods  201  are inserted into the capture pockets  20  to provide lower connection points. The fabric  12  may further be connected to the frame  100  and the various skin buttons  305  to provide the secure connections and allow the skin fabric to be stretched securely when the frame  100  is setup (see  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0041]    Furthermore, there are various slots or apertures  13  in the fabric  12  to form a window. Positioned proximate the slots  13  are additional frames of fabric or cloth that act as window flaps  15 . The flaps  15  may be adjusted with respect to the apertures  13  to cover or uncover the apertures  13  as desired by the user. Zippers  22  or other connectors may be attached to skin  12  proximate the periphery of the apertures  13  to selectively connect the cloth with the skin  12  to allow the user to selectively open a close the windows. Furthermore, the apertures  13  may be positioned around the frame  100 , to allow multiple openings  13  as desired by the user. 
         [0042]    The window flaps  15  of the blind  10 , and use thereof, are illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 9 . In particular, the pre-determined aperture  13  traverses the blind fabric skin  12  to form the window, and the flap  15  is connected to skin  12  or frame  100  proximate the aperture  13  to selectively substantially overlap the aperture  13 . In the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the flap  15  has a substantially rectangular shape, with a skin connection cord  17  or similar connector extending through a portion of the top edge  15   t  of the flap  15  to engage the flap  15  with the blind skin  12 . In addition, a hook and loop material  19  may extend along the upper edge  15   t  of the flap  15  and the aperture  13  to provide a detachable connection of the flap  15  proximate the aperture  13 . Although hook and loop material is shown in the drawings, other means providing a detachable connection may be employed. 
         [0043]    Looking to  FIG. 31 , another embodiment of the blind  10  is illustrated. In this embodiment, the window flap  15  is sewn a the top of the opening and the window flap  15  slides from the bottom upward. However, it is noted that the window flap  15  may be sewn at the bottom of the opening and slide from the top down. In addition to hook and loop closures  19  for the window flap  15 , magnets  25  may be used to keep the window flap at the desired position. 
         [0044]    In addition to the connections made on the upper edges  15   t  of the flap  15 , clips or snaps  21 , such as carabineer-shaped clips, may be affixed at the corners of the window flap  15  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 31 . In this embodiment, the clips  21  will hold the lower corners of the flap  15  proximate to the blind fabric skin  12 , either in a lower, substantially closed position, or in a substantially opened position. That is, in a substantially closed position, the clip  21  is attached to a base bungee cord  17 , with the base bungee cord  17  being connected to the frame  100  or some other substantially permanent portion of the blind  10  or surroundings. This base bungee cord  17  allows the corner of the flap  15  to travel along the length of the window when the window is opened using cam lock buckles  30  (described herein). 
         [0045]    When the user desires to open the corner of the window, they will disconnect the clip  21  from the base bungee cord  17  and break the connection of hoop and loop material  19  between the flap  15  and the skin  12 . The user will then clip the clip  21  to the centrally positioned skin connection cord  17 , which raise the lower edge of the flap  15  towards the top edge of the flap  15  to open the associated window. The connection between the clip  21  and the skin connection cord  17  will hold the flap  15  in the opened position. When the user wishes to close the window, they will simply detach the clip  21  from the skin connection cord  17  and mesh the hook and loop material  19  at the edge of the flap  15  with the hook and loop material  19  surrounding the window aperture. The user will then once again connect the clip  21  with the base bungee cord  17  to close the window. 
         [0046]    In addition to the use of the clip  21 , a webbing strap  32  (such as ½″ wide webbing strap) will be positioned proximate, and potentially through, the window flap  15 . One end of the strap  32  is connected with the blind frame  100  or skin  12  above the window, while the opposite second end of the strap  32  is connected to the skin  12  or frame  100  below the window. The window flap  15  slides on the strap  32 , with at least one cam lock buckle  30  or other connector affixed to the strap  32  to hold the flap  15  in place with respect to the blind fabric skin  12 . To operate the window at a central location, the user will open the cam lock buckle  30  and slide the buckle  30  along the length of the webbing strap  32  (see  FIGS. 7  and  8 ). Once the window flap  15  is positioned to provide the desired opening inside the blind  10 , the buckle  30  will be locked. As a result, the user is able to configure the flap  15  proximate the window opening to provide an opening as desired. 
         [0047]    To setup the blind  10  from the collapsed position to the extended position, the user may follow the following steps. The user will remove the blind  10  from a carrying bag or from carrying straps (shown in  FIG. 18 ). The blind  10  is then picked up by the top hub  701  and the legs are extended as shown in  FIG. 14 . The blind  10  is then laid flat on the ground, and the two accessible leg assemblies  200 ,  300  are extended and locked into position. The lower legs  201  and upper legs or rods  304  are locked by pulling out on the center of each leg  201 ,  304 . The blind  10  is then flipped over and the remaining two legs are locked as described above. 
         [0048]    Sitting near the top of the closed end of the blind  10  (or the top hub  701 ), the user places both feet near the center of the top hub  701  such that the feet are on either side of the hub grommet with the center hole  705  open (as shown in  FIG. 15 ). Once the user&#39;s feet are secure on the hub  701 , the user will grab a pull rope  502  and pull away from the top of the blind  10  toward the user in direction A. At the same time, the user will extend his legs and rock back to pick the blind  10  up off of the ground (see  FIG. 16 ). The user will pull the rope  502  passing through the hub pin  501  (or a handle attached to the pull rope  502 ) until the center hub pin  501  pops through the center hole  705  and locks the lower hub  601  with the upper hub  701 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  10  and  19 . During this motion, the pusher rods  401  will apply a mechanical force against the shaft plate  603  at the tabs  607  and the upper leg assemblies  300 , forcing the skin  12  to a stretched position around the leg assemblies for a tight fit when the blind  10  is extended. The blind  10  will then be stood upright, and the safety strap  504  is fastened around the center hub  701  on the inside of the blind  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 10 . 
         [0049]    To take the blind  10  down, the user will remove the safety strap  504  from the bottom of the blind hub  701  and roll the blind  10  over onto one side (any side will work). The user will turn away from the blind  10  and position the center top hub  701  behind him. While holding the blind  10 , such as with one or both hands, the user will strike the hub pin  501  in direction B with the bottom of the user&#39;s foot as shown in  FIG. 17 . This will force the bottom hub  601  from the top hub  701 , and force the end of the pusher rods  401  connected to the lower hub  601  away from the upper hub  701  to consequently cause the blind  10  to collapse from the setup position. In one embodiment, the user will then fold the legs by bending them at the middle hinge joint or leg connecting bracket  301  to return the blind  10  to storage. In another embodiment, the user will affix a carrying strap  16  with loops  18   a,    18   b  formed at both ends, as shown in  FIG. 10 , around the blind  10 . In particular, the user will slide one loop  18   a  of the strap over the hub assembly  701  and past the center hinge on the legs (see  FIG. 18 ). The user will slide the other loop  18   b  of the strap  16  over the hub assembly  701  to about two feet from the first loop  18   a.  The user can then place the center portion of the strap  16  on the user&#39;s should to pull the blind  10  up and carry the collapsed blind  10 . 
         [0050]    In alternative set-up process for a single man blind, the blind  10  is then picked up by the top hub  701  and the legs are extended. The blind  10  is then placed flat on the ground, and the two accessible legs are extended and locked into position. The legs are locked by pulling out on the center of the leg. The blind  10  is then flipped over and the remaining two legs are locked as described above. Sitting in front of the closed end of the blind, the user places both feet on the top of the center hub  701  such that the feet are on either side of a hub grommet with the center hole  705  open (as shown in  FIG. 15 ). Once the user&#39;s feet are secure, the user will grab the pull rope  502  (or handle attached thereto) and pull the end of the rope  502  away from the top of the blind  10  toward the user. At the same time, the user will extend his legs and rock back to pick the blind  10  up off of the ground. The user will pull the rope  502  until the center hub  701  shaft pops through the hole and locks it as shown in  FIG. 10 . The blind  10  will then be stood upright, and the safety strap  504  is fastened around the lower hub  601  on the inside of the blind  10 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 10 . 
         [0051]    The user will then roll the blind  10  over onto the door side, with the side with the zippered door  11  facing the ground. From inside the blind  10 , the user will loosen the connector  504  (such as a hook and loop material) from around the lug  901  without removing the fabric skin  12  from the lug  901 , and repeat this step for both sides. The user will detach the hook and loop material from the capture pocket  20  on both sides of the blind  10 . This process is repeated on the other side. The user must remove the legs from the two capture pockets  20  before attempting to fold the legs over to avoid damage to the blind. Once each leg has been removed from the hook and loop material pocket  20 , the user will slide the skin  12  down the leg until it is at the center hinge joint or bracket  203 . Once past the hinge joint  203 , the user will fold the end of the lower leg  201  over (see  FIG. 20 ). The finished blind  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
         [0052]    An alternative process for taking the blind  10  down is described as follows. The user will flip the blind  10  back onto the door side and straighten and lock both legs that were folded back. The user will unfasten the lug  901  from the fabric  12  as shown in  FIG. 20 , and pull the loose fabric  12  back over the legs without pulling it over the ends of the legs. The user will flip the blind  10  over onto the side that he is currently working on so that the door side is facing up. The user will pull the fabric  12  over the leg and fully seat the leg into the capture pocket  20  as shown in  FIG. 21  such that the leg is fully captured by the pocket  20 . The hook and loop material strap is secured over the leg as shown in  FIG. 22 , and the lug  901  is inserted back into the fabric  12  and the hook and loop material strap is fastened around the lug joint. 
         [0053]    As is described above, the blind  10  has fast and simple setup and take down, and the adjustable legs allow the user to change the profile of the blind. The complete blind  10  weighs approximately  20  pounds, and when set-up, has an inside height of approximately  67  inches and a floor size of approximately  36  square feet. 
         [0054]    Having thus described exemplary embodiments of a BLIND WITH STRUCTURE FOR RAPID SETUP, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.