Abstract:
A camouflage hunting blind system comprising a hanger with a distal and a proximate end, the proximate end of the hanger comprises an S-hook for suspending a hammock chair which is then cloaked within a camouflaged covering. The distal end of the hanger is positioned against tree with the proximate end pointing upward and away from the tree at a 45 degree angle wherein both ends are secured using a tether. The camouflage hunting blind system is positioned so a user&#39;s feet may touch the ground to rotate hammock chair for (through) 360 degrees of view. The hammock chair may be reversible, having a first side with natural (nature camouflage) colorings and a second side with hunter orange or other suitable coloring (dark or other.) Camouflage hunting blind system may have a camouflage coloring on the outside and a dark coloring on the inside, and weigh less that 10 lbs, and sets up in a very short time. Camouflaged covering encapsulates hammock chair, concealing scent and providing warmth for its user(s).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/389,352, filed Oct. 4, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
         [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates generally to the field of hunting and more specifically relates to hunting blinds. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    Hunting is the practice of pursuing wildlife for food, recreation, or trade. People in modern society practice hunting generally as sport or recreation, but in times of a poor economy, or in areas that are depressed economically, hunting is sometimes practiced more as a supplement to income by reducing the amount of food that would have had to have been bought. In earlier centuries, hunting was practiced to a greater degree to provide a food source for families but the practice gradually declined until the beginning of the 21 st  century when only an estimated 6% of Americans hunted. As hunting moved from a subsistence activity to a social one, two trends emerged. One was that of the specialist hunter with special training and equipment. The other was the emergence of hunting as a ‘sport’. The percentage of hunters in American society has increased due to modern sport hunting. Hunting in the United States is not associated with any particular class or culture as it sometimes is in some societies and so a larger percentage of the American population is likely to participate by comparison. 
         [0008]    Modern day sport hunting is sophisticated in comparison with the hunting technology of past centuries. Firearms are now considerably more technologically advanced than the firearms of the past century. All-terrain vehicles can easily reach into rough or distant hunting grounds that once were considered virtually inaccessible for most people. Range finders can pinpoint the distance of wild game for archery hunters providing a distinct advantage for the hunter. For such a primitive hunting means, bows and bow accessories nowadays are mostly compound bows with a high degree of built in technology. Bow hunters are sportsmen that take pride in their skill of being able closely approach such wary and quick game as deer, elk, and turkey. Getting close enough to kill these types of game usually takes considerable skill and some hunting knowledge. 
         [0009]    Some of the hunting accessories used, such as hunting blinds, are nearly a necessity in many environments where the hunter is unable to approach game within a reasonable distance of a firearm or bow-shot. The modern hunting sport has given rise to many different types of hunter blinds for concealment from animals and fowl. Most of these blind systems utilize a type of camouflaged material that blends with natural surroundings, and some type of framework to support the camouflage material. Blind systems can be either ground blinds or elevated blinds for use in trees or on elevated platforms, but the size and shape of these blinds often don&#39;t blend well into the surroundings, nor are they comfortable, nor do they retain body heat well. The majority of these blind systems are not easily transportable, utilize a considerable amount of materials and time to construct, and dictate that the hunter must set up the blind in advance of the hunt and then return to the same location for the hunt. Last minute changes in hunting location are usually not feasible due to the set-up time and level of difficulty to transport a blind system. A blind system is needed that is effective, is comfortable, and yet so lightweight that it is easily transportable while hunting and sets up in seconds. 
         [0010]    Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. And Pub. Nos. 7,051,908, 5,617,932, 7,219,680, 2009/0165352, 6,698,131, and 2005/0183758. This prior art is representative of hunting blind systems. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
         [0011]    Ideally, a hunting blind system should be easy to setup, be readily transportable, and yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable camouflage hunting blind system to provide transportability and ease of setup, and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known hunting blinds art, the present invention provides a novel cocoon hunting hammock system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide greater portability, comfort, and stealth for the hunter during hunting expeditions. 
         [0013]    A camouflage hunting blind system is disclosed herein preferably comprising a hanger with a distal and a proximate end, the distal end of hanger comprising a T-hook. The T-hook preferably comprises two open loops and two closed loops, the proximate end of the hanger comprising an S-hook for suspending a hammock chair which is then cloaked with a camouflaged covering. 
         [0014]    To use, a tether such as a rope or a light chain is attached at one end to a tether-hook. The opposite end of the tether is passed through the enclosed eye of the proximate end S-hook of the hanger. The tether hook is passed around a high point on the tree and hooked back to the tether in a choker connection and the distal end of the hanger is positioned against the tree with the proximate end pointing upward and away from the tree at about a 45 degree angle (for stability.) The tether is then passed through a closed loop on the distal end of the hanger and looped over a first open hook on one side of the distal end and passed behind the tree to loop over the second open hook on the distal end of the hanger. The tether is then alternately looped multiple times around the open loops of distal end hanger, passing behind the tree each time, securing the distal end of hanger to the tree. 
         [0015]    Next, a hammock (style) chair is removably suspended from the S-hook on the proximate end of the hanger and a camouflage covering is draped about the chair and suspended from the S-hook such that an occupant hunter may be suitably camouflaged during the hunting activity. The vertical post that the present invention is tethered to may comprise a tree but may be any sturdy vertical object of sufficient diameter such as a telephone pole or the like. The hanger preferably comprises ferrous material and is approximately 14″ in length but in certain embodiments may comprise other metals or materials of sufficient strength to support a user or be of varying lengths. 
         [0016]    The hammock chair may support a user (hunter or nature-watcher) in a suspended sitting position preferably within proximity to a ground surface such that a user sitting in the hammock chair may touch the ground surface with the user&#39;s feet (for safety reasons.) Following approval from future safety testing this product may be used up in a tree stand where the user&#39;s feet are in contact with the platform. When the user is sitting in the hammock chair suspended from the S-hook with feet contacting a ground surface, the user may rotate through 360 degrees using his/her feet to view the surroundings getting a complete view of approaching wildlife. In this way the user may be disguised from view (by a wild animal) while sitting comfortably in the hammock chair within the camouflage covering. 
         [0017]    In certain embodiments, the camouflage covering may be reversible such that a first side of camouflage covering may be colored with natural surrounding colors and a second side of camouflage covering may be a different camouflage pattern or dark (charcoal or other), and may be made of a waterproof or a water resistant material. The covering is reversible. The camouflage covering is enclosable with a zipper or other suitable fastener system such that a user and hammock chair is disguised within its surroundings, allowing user to be camouflaged in an outdoor environment. The camouflage covering may incorporate a floor and a hood for protection of the hunter from the elements and or insects and zip-down flaps with see-through netting for ease of viewing. The hammock chair may also comprise camouflage on a first side and hunter orange on the second side and it is reversible. The hammock chair and hanger may be used for various activities while camping, viewing sporting events, sitting on a boat dock, a back porch or the like. The camouflage hunting blind system is easily portable and comprises a carrying case with a strap and a drawstring. 
         [0018]    The camouflage hunting blind system may further comprise a kit for use in hunting and/or nature-watching having: at least one hanger; at least one tether; at least one tether-hook; at least one hammock chair; at least one camouflage covering; and a set of user instructions. 
         [0019]    A method of use for a camouflage hunting blind system may comprise the steps of: positioning the distal end of the hanger against a pole with the proximate end at about a 45 degree upward angle (relative the post/tree it is attached to); fastening the distal end of the hanger to the pole/tree with the tether; looping the tether around the pole at a high point; hooking the tether-hook to the S-hook on the hanger at the proximate end of the hanger; adjusting tether to remove slack and securing it at the upward 45 degree angle pointing away from the tree or post; hanging a camouflage covering from the S-hook at the proximate end of the hanger; hanging a hammock chair from the S-hook within camouflage covering; and using camouflaged hunting blind system for observing wild animals. 
         [0020]    The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a camouflage hunting blind system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, cocoon hunting hammock systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a cocoon hunting hammock system with a camouflage covering in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a hanger of the cocoon hunting hammock system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the cocoon hunting hammock system hammock chair and camouflage covering in another in-use condition pose according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the hanger of the cocoon hunting hammock system as fastened to a tree (or vertical post) according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the cocoon hunting hammock system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
           [0027]    The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a hunting blind and more particularly to a camouflage hunting blind system as used to improve the portability, comfort, and convenience of packing and setting up a hunting blind system. 
         [0029]    Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIG. 1 , is a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of cocoon hunting hammock system  100  with camouflage covering  170  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Cocoon hunting hammock system  100  is shown as suspended from main trunk of a tree (vertical post  180 ) in this  FIG. 1  and shown as suspended from a strong branch of the tree (vertical post  180 ) in this  FIG. 3  showing its versatility of use. 
         [0030]    In this particular embodiment shown (also referencing  FIGS. 2 and 4 , camouflage hunting blind system  102  may comprise hanger  120  with distal end  122  and proximate end  124 ; with end of hanger  120  comprising T-hook  126  and with T-hook  126  comprising two open loop(s)  128  and two closed loop(s)  130 . Proximate end  124  of hanger  120  preferably comprises S-hook  132  (as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 ). 
         [0031]    Referring now back to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , tether  140  or other suitable attaching means comprises first end  142  and second end  144 . Tether-hook  150  may be attached to first end  142  of tether  140 , hammock chair assembly  160 , and camouflage covering  170 . Hanger  120  is removably attachable to vertical post  180 , as shown, with (using) tether  140  in the following way: first end  142  of tether  140  with tether-hook  150  attaches about vertical post  180  and back to tether  140  in choker fashion, second end  144  passes through closed loop(s)  130  on S-hook  132  at proximate end  124  of hanger  120  and then through one closed loop(s)  130  on distal end  122  of hanger  120 . Distal end  122  of hanger  120  is then restable against vertical post  180  and removably affixed using tether  140 , with proximate end  124  of hanger  120  extending upwardly and outwardly from vertical post  180  at about a 45 degree agree relative to vertical post  180 . In this way (and others the present invention may be secured to vertical post  180  for use). 
         [0032]    At least one hammock chair assembly  160  is then removably hooked onto S-hook  132  of proximate end  124  of hanger  120  and camouflage covering  170  is suspended from S-hook  132  and draped about hammock chair assembly  160  such that the user residing within hammock chair assembly  160  is disguised within its surroundings. Camouflage hunting blind system  102  is easily portable and may be set up in less than two minutes (for experienced users.) Camouflage hunting blind system  102  in the embodiment shown weighs less than 10 pounds and rolls up tightly to be placed inside of a carrying case with at least one but preferably two carrying straps and a drawstring. In this way the present invention is portable and easy to use. Hanger  120  may also comprise different shapes and configurations and is of suitable design and durability to hold at least one user safely during the hunting/watching activity. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view illustrating hanger  120  of cocoon hunting hammock system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0034]    Hanger  120  may be attached to a (substantially circular) vertical post  180  of a diameter within a given range. Vertical post  180  preferably comprises a tree  182  that may be used during a hunting period (since trees  182  are normally found within the wildlife&#39;s natural environment.) Hanger  120 , as used, may comprise a ferrous material or a non-ferrous material of sufficient strength to support at least 250 pounds (at least the weight of an average man and the hung equipment.) Hanger  120  is approximately 14″ in length, sufficient to suspend camouflage hunting blind system  102  away from tree  182  enough to rotate hammock chair assembly  160  about 360 degrees for a full field of vision. When cocoon hunting hammock system  100  (may comprise hammock chair/boslom chair; wherein hammock chair may comprise boslom chair) is suspended from an overhead horizontal branch (as in  FIG. 3 ), a full 360 degree rotation and field of view is achievable. When camouflage hunting blind system  102  is suspended from a horizontal branch, hanger  120  is utilized in a substantially vertical position still leaving S-hook  132  at an angle such that hammock chair assembly  160  and camouflage covering  170  may be safely suspended (and rotated.) 
         [0035]    Referring now again more specifically to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view illustrating cocoon hunting hammock system  100  hammock chair assembly  160 , and camouflage covering  170  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . Hammock chair assembly  160  may support a user in a suspended position from vertical post  180  or tree  182 . When in use by a hunter and/or nature-watcher sitting in hammock chair assembly  160 , the hunter and/or nature-watcher may be disguised within camouflage covering  170  from view by an animal. As previously mentioned for safety reasons, camouflage hunting blind system  102  is for use within reasonable proximity to a ground surface, such that user sitting in hammock chair assembly  160  can touch a ground surface. 
         [0036]    When hammock chair assembly  160  is hanging on S-hook  132 , it is rotatable through 360 degrees in this particular hanging orientation. Camouflage covering  170  may be reversible such that a first side of camouflage covering  170  is colored with natural surrounding colors and a second side of camouflage covering  170  may be a dark charcoal or black color or may be a second camouflage pattern so that a user may the place the preferable pattern toward the outside for greater concealment from game. Camouflage covering  170  is preferably water resistant (or substantially waterproof) and is able to keep a user at a warmer temperature than surrounding ambient temperature as well as provide containment of human scent. Camouflage covering  170  is encloseable with fastener  190  such that the user may be disguised to a user-preferred amount/degree. Fastener  190  may comprise a zipper  195  for ease of use or other suitable equivalent. Camouflage covering  170  may comprise (see-through) netting with zip-down flaps. Camouflage covering  170  may comprise a floor as protection from insects and reptiles as well as to provide greater covering as an isolation means from cold ground temperatures and may comprise zip down flaps exposing see-through netting for greater viewing. Camouflage covering  170  may also comprise a hood  172  for covering the user from rain or as a shading device from the sun. In certain embodiments a circulating fan may be included to remove CO 2 , scent or other (may use activated charcoal or the like.) 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 4  a perspective view illustrating the cocoon hunting hammock system  100  hanger  120  as fastened to a tree  182  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0038]    Distal end  122  of hanger  120  is restable against vertical post  180  and removably affixed using tether  140 , with proximate end  124  of hanger  120  extending upwardly and outwardly from vertical post  180  or tree  182  at approximately a 45 degree angle. Tether-hook  150  is passed around a high point on tree  182  and hooked back to the tether  140  in a choker connection and distal end  122  of hanger  120  is positioned against tree  182  with proximate end  124  pointing upward and away from tree  182  at about a 45 degree angle. Tether  140  is then passed through closed loop(s)  130  on the distal end  122  of hanger  120  and looped over a first open hook on one side of distal end  122  and passed behind the tree  182  to loop over the second open hook on distal end  122  of the hanger  120 . Tether  140  is alternately looped multiple times around open loops of distal end  122 , passing behind the tree  182  each time, securing distal end  122  of hanger  120  to tree  182 . It should be appreciated that the fastening system and means is not intended to be limited to that which is described herein, but rather that other equivalent tying means may be employed and still be considered to be within the scope of the present invention, that the means disclosed is by way of enablement such that the present invention may be used in one safe manner (of many.) 
         [0039]    Cocoon hunting hammock system  100  may be sold as kit  440  comprising the following parts: at least one hanger  120  at least one tether  140 ; at least one tether-hook  150 ; at least one hammock chair assembly  160 ; at least one camouflage covering  170 ; and at least one set of user instructions. Cocoon Hunting Hammock System  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , showing a flowchart illustrating a method of use  500  for cocoon hunting hammock system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
         [0041]    Method of use  500  for cocoon hunting hammock  100  system may comprise the steps of: steps one  501 —step one  507  starting with step one  501  looping a first end of tether  140  with tether-hook  150  around a vertical post  180  at a high point and hooking tether-hook  150  back to tether  140  using a choker connection; step two  502  passing a second end  144  of tether  140 , first through closed loop(s)  130  of S-hook  132  on proximate end  124  of hanger  120  and then through closed loop(s)  130  on a distal end  122  of hanger  120 ; step three  503  positioning distal end  122  of hanger  120  against vertical post  180  with proximate end  124  at about a 45 degree upward angle pointing away from vertical post  180 ; step four  504  fastening distal end  122  of hanger  120  to vertical post  180  with tether  140  using open loop(s)  128  on distal end  122  of hanger  120 ; step five  505  hanging a camouflage covering  170  from S-hook  132  from proximate end  124  of hanger  120 ; step six  506  hanging hammock chair assembly  160  from S-hook  132  within camouflage covering  170 ; and step seven  507  using cocoon hunting hammock system  100  as an animal watching or camouflage hunting blind system  102 . It should be noted that steps  505  and  507  are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. 
         [0042]    It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0043]    The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.