Abstract:
A portable hunting blind comprises a hand-operated, spring biased clamp comprising a pair of compressible handles that open spring-biased clamping jaws. The clamping jaws have internal frictional pads for sure gripping. An elongated, bendable arm extends from one of the clamp handles. The flexible metal arm can be configured by bending as desired by a hunter to assume a desired shape. A camouflage curtain is secured to the arm, which supports it like a flag pole. When an area for deployment is reached, the clamp is affixed to an available object, such as a tree limb, to support the curtain and camouflage a limited selected area. The shape of the concealed arm an be varied by bending the arm. The curtain bottom may be secured to a convenient object to prevent movement.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This utility application is based upon, and claims priority from prior U.S. provisional application entitled “Convertible Hunting Blind”, application Ser. No. 61/463,625, filed Feb. 22, 2011 by inventor Patrick Mulligan. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    I. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to portable hunting blinds. More particularly, the present invention relates to portable, lightweight, hands-free hunting blinds that a hunter conveniently carry and then can deploy immediately to quickly provide a weapon-mounted, ground-mounted or tree-installed blind that adapts to multiple hunting situations. 
         [0004]    II. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    As is well recognized by those skilled in the art, hunting blinds that properly conceal or camouflage increase the hunter&#39;s success. Some blinds are heavy and bulky, and require excessive effort to transport. Many are difficult to erect, particularly in the near darkness of early morning. Stationary hunting blinds take time to assemble and disassemble, and they are time consuming and challenging to transport. Hunting blinds are bulky and need to be assembled or unpacked in the field. They cannot be moved quickly from location to location and can&#39;t be used in all terrains or hunting situation. Conventional blinds can hinder the hunter&#39;s ability to carry needed items in the woods because the hunter has to carry the blind with a hand or over his shoulder. They cannot be used in all hunting conditions or terrain because of their bulk and weight. A blind must be lightweight and “hands free” to carry. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    My invention is a portable hunting blind. The blind is user configurable in the field to assume a variety of shapes and concealment configurations. 
         [0007]    The blind is supported by a hand-operated, spring biased clamp comprising a pair of handles that can be compressed together to open the clamp jaws. The clamp jaws preferably include internal grooves for gripping. An elongated, bendable, arm extends from one of the clamp handles. An attachment juncture formed in one of the handle ends secures the arm to the clamp. 
         [0008]    The flexible arm is preferably made of metal cable. The arm can be configured by bending as desired by a hunter to assume a desired shape. The cable preferably comprises metal, but may be made from a variety of materials. A camouflage curtain is secured to the arm, which supports it like a flag pole. When an area for deployment is reached, the clamp is affixed to an available object, such as a tree limb, to support the curtain. Preferably the curtain includes means at its bottom, such as a flexible wire, for securing the curtain where movement is not desired. 
         [0009]    The blind is mobile and can be used anywhere. It is portable hands free for stalking game. It can also be used year round, not just for hunting. It is a hands free, light weight, portable hunting blind that attaches to most anything and can be used to aid the hunter in concealing himself, while moving, from his or her vehicle, to a hunting stand or placement. It can then be used as a stationary stand, in a conventional tree-mounted stand, on the ground, or on the water while duck hunting. The hunting blind can be moved with out disassembling it from one hunting location to another, by the hunter, without wasting time or effort. No extra carrying bag is required. 
         [0010]    Thus my portable blind allows the hunter to remain concealed and move to stalk game in open or wooded areas. It requires no assembly in the field and can be used almost immediately as a portable blind (stalk hunting) or stationary blind. This blind provides concealment the whole time the hunter is hunting. The blind also has multiple other functions not related to just hunting and can be used year round. 
         [0011]    It requires no assembly or disassembly by the hunter. The hunting blind can be used to conceal the hunter as a hands free portable blind, while the hunter stalk hunts in any terrain or conditions. It can also be used as a stationary hunting blind in any conditions. The hunter wastes no time from using the blind stalking game to simply switching it to a stationary hunting blind in a tree, on the ground or in the water duck hunting. It can provide concealment to a hunter from his first step into the outdoors until his last step leaving the outdoors. 
         [0012]    Thus a basic object of my invention is to provide a lightweight, portable hunting blind. 
         [0013]    A related object is to provide a blind of the character described that is adaptable to a variety of hunting environments. 
         [0014]    Another important object is to provide a portable blind that can be easily carried and deployed by a hunter. 
         [0015]    It is also an object to provide a portable blind of reduced size and bulk that can be used in a variety of hunting locations, and which can be used to provide supplementary camouflage effects in permanent blinds or large, fixed tree stands. 
         [0016]    Another object is to provide a portable hunting blind of the character described. 
         [0017]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent in the course of the following descriptive sections. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a frontal isometric view of my new hunting blind, showing the arm in a possible bent configuration; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a frontal isometric view similar to  FIG. 1 , but showing the blind attaché to a rifle; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged, fragmentary isomeric view of the preferred clamp; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged, fragmentary isometric view of a portion of the lower curtain, with portions thereof shown in section for clarity; and, 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the blind showing it deployed from a tree limb. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    With initial reference directed to  FIG. 1  of the appended drawings, a portable hunting blind constructed in accordance with the best mode of the invention has been designated by the reference numeral  10 . Blind  10  comprises a clamp  11  configured and designed to support the blind when deployed as desired from or upon a desired object or support. 
         [0025]    The clamp  11  supports an elongated, bendable arm  12  preferably made of flexible cable. Arm  12  is configured and designed to conform to a desired shape, configured by bending. The arm  12  is preferably made of aluminum and/or other metals that are or twisted together and wrapped in a rubber or plastic coating. The arm  12  preferably could be made of any metal or mixture of metals and rubber or plastic. Arm  12  is designed to preferably rotate or be moved into any shape. 
         [0026]    As seen in  FIG. 3 , the preferred arm  12  comprises a plurality of separate metallic strands  13  shrouded by a conventional insulative sheath or covering  14 . The terminal arm end is connected to the clamp  11  (i.e.,  FIG. 3 ) is preferably covered in tubular heat shrink  16  that also coves a portion of the clamp handle. The opposite outer end  17  of arm  12  is preferably free to allow maximum dexterity and freedom in bending and configuring the arm  12 . However, arm end  17  can be provided with accessory items such as hooks or clamps for manipulating it, and perhaps series connecting a number of blinds  10  together. The length of arm  12  is preferably (but not necessarily) between two and six feet in length, and more preferably about three feet in length. It is preferably one-eighth to one inch thick in diameter. 
         [0027]    Arm  12  supports a camouflage curtain  18 . The preferably rectangular, cloth curtain  18  is approximately two to four feet long. The camouflage curtain  18  can be affixed and attached to the entire length of the arm  12  like a flag pole. Preferably the cloth curtain  18  has a tubular loop  19  and its upper end that is penetrated by the arm  12 . A lower, looped end comprises an additional loop  22  that can house an additional lower brace  24  ( FIG. 4 ) and a pair of wires or laces or wires  26 ,  27  used for tying the curtain  18  or fixing it in place. A variety of miscellaneous camouflage and/or colored patterns  21  may be displayed on the curtain  18 . For different hunting environments, the curtain may be changed to display appropriate coloration or patterns that blend in with the environment. 
         [0028]    Referencing  FIGS. 1 and 4 , loop  19  enables the camouflage curtain  18  to be configured like a conventional curtain that fits over a curtain rod. It is then slid over the opposite end of the arm  12  covering the length the arm length. Any known connecting materials, metal, adhesive, etc. may be used in attaching one or all of the parts of this blind. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the lower curtain loop  22  similarly mounts an auxiliary internal lower brace  24  that is flexible or bendable. Brace  24  can be bent to insure proper mounting or shaping to the curtain  18  in use. Brace preferably similar to arm  12  in construction, but preferably it is has diameter less than the diameter of arm  12 . 
         [0029]    The preferred clamp  11  may comprise a conventional, hand-operated, spring biased clamp comprising handles  31  and  32  that can be hand-manipulated to open compressive jaws  33 . The clamp  11  can be comprised of metal or plastic materials. It&#39;s form is preferably like a pair of scissors, but can be in any form that allows it to clamp to any object by squeezing the two handles  31 ,  32  together to open the jaws for gripping an object from which the blind is to be suspended. Handle  31  is biased shut by an internal spring (not shown) that pivots it over rotational axis  37 . The clamp preferably has teeth-like or frictional gripping pads  38 ,  39  defined within its jaws  33 . It&#39;s preferred size is such that the clamp can open up to attach to objects between two to six inches thick. The clamp is preferably (but not necessarily) between two to ten inches in length and is big enough to attach to an object that is two to four inches wide. 
         [0030]    The clamp  11  has an attachment junction, generally indicated by the reference numeral  28  ( FIG. 3 ) that accepts connection to the arm  12 . Handle end  32  opposite jaws  33  has a tubular portion  36  preferably formed as one piece in the handle that will coaxially receive the end of arm  12  ( FIG. 3 ). Preferably the arm  12  screws into the clamp handle  32 , but other fastening arrangements are possible. In  FIG. 3  arm  12  is connected to the clamp  11  by zip ties  40  and adhesive tape  45 . Any connectors may be used, including screws, bolts, adhesives, etc. Zip ties  40  can be used for fastening the arm  12  to the clamp  11 . Alternatively, a male end defined in one of the clamp handles  31  or  32  can secure the arm  12 . 
         [0031]    A metal hook could be added to the opposite end of the clamp. The cable is strong enough to hang a deer from a tree or to drag a deer with. 
         [0032]    Hunting blind  10  is lightweight and portable. It comes to the hunter assembled. All he has to do is stick it in his fanny pack/backpack, wrap it around his neck, clamp it onto his climbing stand or four-wheeler and carry it into the woods. If the hunter wants to use it to conceal himself while stalk hunting or walking to his hunting area all he has to do is attach the clamp  11  to a portion  50  of his firearm  52  ( FIG. 2 ). The arm  12  and brace  24  hold any desired shape. This creates a portable blind that covers the hunter as he walks. The hunter could also just hold the clamp  11  in one hand, shape the arm  12  and hold the blind out in front of him to conceal his movements. He could at any time stop (if he saw a deer/turkey) and with little movement or effort attach the clamp  11  to his gun, around a tree, on a bush, on a limb etc. Then the hunter would quickly shape the arm  12  and brace  24  and let the camouflage curtain  18  conceal him by creating an instant ground blind. 
         [0033]    The arm  12  is so flexible and maintains it&#39;s form that it can be attached by the clamp  11  to a convenient limb  58  or around a tree  59  ( FIG. 5 ). A lower wire  27  can be affixed to an available lower limb  60  to conceal the hunter. 
         [0034]    Blind  10  can be used in a climbing stand or box stand that has little cover. Just attach clamp  11  to your stand, climb tree, shape the arm  12  and let the camouflage material/curtain out. It will conceal the hunter. It can also be clamped to branches near your tree stand instead of your stand to cover the open areas around your tree stand. If it starts to rain, the blind can be clamped on a tree stand and shaped in the form of a suitable cover or roof. The hunter then could use the camouflaged curtain  18  as an umbrella. If the hunter was walking in the rain, the hunter only has to wrap the arm  12  over his shoulders and use the clamp  11  to secure the cable, then use waterproof camouflage curtain  18  as a rain jacket. This blind can thus be used in a variety of situations, and its size and portability facilitates use while stalking prey. 
         [0035]    A user can use the blind to help conceal him while hunting all game animals in any condition or terrain. This hunting blind can be used while stalking game or be used as a stationary blind. It can be used in a tree stand or a box stand to create a blind or provide more concealment. It can be used as an umbrella or rain jacket. It can attach to most anything and be used as a four wheeler cover or a tree climbing stand cover. It can be used as a portable bathroom. Just clamp it to a tree branch, or bush and shape the cable. Then pull camouflage curtain cover out over the cable and step behind for privacy. 
         [0036]    A birdwatcher or photographer could use a portable blind to take photos of animals. A fishermen fishing for shallow fish or sight fishing could attach blind to front of his boat, shape the cable and using a sky patterned camouflage curtain kneel behind and be concealed as he cast for fish. A duck hunter in flooded timber could clamp the blind to the stock of his gun, shape the cable and hide behind the camouflage curtain, or wrap it around the tree adjust the cable and be concealed behind the camouflage curtain. The cable is strong enough to drag a deer or hang a deer from a tree. 
         [0037]    In  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5  the blind is seen bent to a curved shape. In  FIG. 5  it is seen deployed upon a tree branch. The clamp jaws  33  encircle and grasp the branch  58  ( FIG. 5 ). The curtain  18  will deploy down from the arm  12 , hanging like a flag. When the cable is bent or zigzagged, the flexible fabric curtain will of course be conformed to approximately the same shape. In this manner irregular items may be covered and concealed. 
         [0038]    Thus this hunting blind, but it can be used as an umbrella, a rain jacket, a four-wheeler cover, as a curtain to conceal some one using the bathroom outdoors. It could be used to conceal fishermen that sight fish in shallow water. It can just attach to front of boat, shape cable and us a skyline patterned curtain on the cable to conceal themselves from the fish. The cable is strong enough to use as temporary tie downs on trailers, it can be used as a four wheeler cover, grill or lawn mower covers. Just clamp on and use the waterproof curtain on the cable to cover these items from the elements. 
         [0039]    From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure. 
         [0040]    It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. 
         [0041]    As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.