Patent Publication Number: US-6712058-B2

Title: Camouflage and cover apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to camouflage and other visual cover for hunters and the like. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Several types of camouflage and visual cover inventions have been used for hunters and hunting equipment. Generally, such inventions include portable artificial foliage or netting that is adapted to be fixed to the hunter and hunting equipment. 
     In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,230 to Crawford shows an artificial leaf construction. The artificial leaves are attached to a flexible fabric strip, which in turn can be fixed to clothing and hunting equipment. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,579 to Mathias discloses a camouflage panel for attachment to a bow. The panel comprises a frame with camouflage netting. The netting has an opening to allow an archer to see through the panel for aiming. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,817 to Hill discloses a bow-mounted blind. This invention is designed with flaps and openings to permit clear vision of a target. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,041 to Kitchens discloses a hunting blind for attachment to a bow. The blind is a camouflage screen supported by a frame and rods. The screen may be collapsed when aiming at a target. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,526 to Spickelmire discloses adhesive camouflage patches for attaching to hunting clothing and rifles. The patches are colored to fit the season and background. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,060,142 to Rossini discloses a camouflage system of material strips colored similarly to the respective hunting environment. The strips of camouflage material are attached to clothing and equipment by clips. 
     A magazine article in the August 1986 issue of Bow &amp; Arrow Magazine describes the negative effects of shiny factory paint on hunting equipment and suggests a method of camouflage for a bow. Specifically, the author suggests a paint and wrapping for a bow to remove the shine that scares game. 
     A catalog for the year 2002 from Precision Shooting Equipment, Incorporated (PSE) describes a cover system for a hunter and equipment. The cover consists of nylon artificial foliage having a stem fixed to an adhesive backing. The adhesive backing enables the foliage to be adhered to the hunter and his or her equipment, in particular, bow limbs. 
     The need exists for a camouflage device that employs realistic artificial foliage configured to provide optimal cover for the hunter and equipment. The need exists for an apparatus that provides a pattern of cover for a weapon that does not interfere with the hunter&#39;s ability to operate the weapon effectively. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is an apparatus that preferably mounts to a quiver on a bow to hinder visual detection of a shooter and the bow. The preferred apparatus is a shaft with bundles of artificial foliage attached to the shaft in a predetermined pattern. The bundles are mounted in holes formed through a sidewall in a confined area of the shaft. 
     The bundles extend from the shaft, forming an arrangement of artificial foliage that provides optimal cover for the shooter and the bow. Preferably, at least three longer bundles with adjustable wire stems are attached to the shaft. A tip of each of the longer bundles extends from the shaft a distance that is about equal to the shooter&#39;s body width for providing cover for the shooter&#39;s body. The three longer bundles can be precisely adjusted to surround an aiming window of the bow, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the cover without interfering with the shooter&#39;s aim or arrow&#39;s flight. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a view in perspective illustrating the preferred shaft. 
     FIG. 2 is a view in perspective illustrating a section of the shaft body. 
     FIG. 3 is a development view of the shaft body. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a bow having the shaft mounted in an attached quiver. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a view in perspective illustrating the shaft mounted in the quiver. 
     FIG. 7 is a view in perspective illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of a wire lattice used to form an alternative embodiment shown in FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of the completed embodiment shown in FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 11 is a view in perspective illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a top view illustrating the alternative embodiment of FIG.  11 . 
    
    
     In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific term so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the words connected and similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection, but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is an apparatus having a shaft  10  with a first end  12  and a second end  14  opposite the first end  12 , as shown in FIG.  1 . The first end  12  of the shaft  10  has a tapered tip  11 . The second end  14  has an opening  17 . The shaft  10  is made of a light, rigid material such as aluminum, but it could be wood, plastic or a composite, such as fiberglass. 
     A shaft body  16  extends between the ends  12  and  14  and includes the entire shaft  10  except for the tip  11 . The shaft body  16  is preferably hollow. The shaft body  16  has a sidewall  18  extending from the base of the tip  11  to the second end  14 . FIG. 2 shows the second end  14  and a portion of the shaft body  16 . The interior surface of the preferably cylindrical sidewall  18  defines a passage  15 . The passage  15  extends through the shaft  10 , from the tip  11  to the opening  17 . The shaft  10  is approximately 30 inches long, resembling a conventional arrow shaft in size. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred shaft  10  has a plurality of perpendicular holes  20  formed through the sidewall  18 . The holes  20  are formed in a predetermined pattern, in a confined area of the shaft body  16 . The confined area in which the holes  20  are formed extends almost the entire length of the shaft body  16 , and slightly more than half of the circumference of the sidewall  18 . 
     FIG. 3 is a development view of the shaft body  16 , as if it had been slit lengthwise and spread open. The holes  20  are aligned in three longitudinal rows in the confined area of the shaft body  16  which is about the leftward half of the FIG. 3 view. The rows are spaced equidistant apart within the confined area at approximately every 90 degrees of the circumference of the sidewall  18 . Thus, the three rows with each positioned at every 90 degrees results in slightly less than 180 degrees of the circumference having no holes. The first row consists of ten of the holes  20  formed through the sidewall  18 . The first of the holes  20  in the first row is formed about two and one-half inches from the tip  11 , and the remaining nine of the holes  20  in that same row are spaced at three-inch intervals along the shaft body  16 . The second row consists of nine holes formed through the sidewall  18 . The first of the holes  20  in the second row is formed about three and one-half inches from the tip  11 , and the remaining eight holes in that row are spaced at three-inch intervals along the shaft body  16 . The third row consists of eight holes formed through the sidewall  18 . The first of the holes  20  is formed four and one-half inches from the tip  11 , and the remaining seven holes are spaced at three-inch intervals along the shaft body  16 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of artificial foliage bundles  30  is attached to the shaft body  16 , as shown in FIG. 4 by inserting stems of the foliage in the holes  20 . In FIG. 4, several of the bundles  30  and the respective holes  20  have been omitted for clarity. The alternating, staggered spacing of the holes  20  is advantageous, first, because the spacing imparts a specific arrangement to the bundles  30  along the shaft body  16  that avoids a predictable, noticeable pattern. Second, the predetermined spacing of the holes  20  preserves the structural integrity of the sidewall  18 , so the shaft  10  is not substantially weakened at any point by the holes  20 . 
     Each of the bundles  30  has a basal wire stem  32  coated in soft plastic. The basal wire stem  32  of each of the bundles  30  may be bendable and once bent may stay bent. Each basal wire stem  32  is mounted in one of the holes  20 , thereby serving to anchor a respective one of the bundles  30  to the shaft body  16 . The stem  32  tightly contacts the sidewall  18  at the edge of each of the respective holes  20 , resulting in a friction fit that maintains each of the bundles  30  secured to the shaft body  16 . 
     The stem  32  may be secured to the shaft body  16  also by more than mere contact with the edge of the sidewall  18 . Depending on the machining process, there may be a burr or other sharp edge on the sidewall  18  that contacts the stem  32 , acting as a barb with respect to the stem  32 . If the fully inserted stem  32  is tugged outwardly, the plastic coating drags against the burr or sharp sidewall  18 . This has a barb effect by digging into the stem coating to prevent removal of the stem  32 . Glue can be used to further secure the stem  32  to the shaft body  16 . In any case, the stem  32  must be secured to the shaft body  16  to an extent necessary for use in rigorous outdoor settings. 
     In addition to the typical bundles  30  of approximately the same length, the preferred shaft body  16  has three longer, adjustable bundles mounted to the sidewall  18 , as shown in FIG. 4. A longer top bundle  40  is mounted near the tip  11 . A longer bottom bundle  60  is mounted to the shaft body  16  near the second end  14 . A longer central bundle  50  is mounted substantially mid-way between the bundles  60  and  40 . Each bundle  40 ,  50 , and  60  has a tip  41 ,  51 , and  61 , respectively, that extends from the shaft body  16  to a predetermined position in front of, or at the side of, the shooter. Preferably, the distance is about eighteen inches. Each of the bundles  40 ,  50 , and  60  has a bendable wire stem  132  so that it can be bent to a position where it stays. 
     The preferred embodiment includes a bundle  131  with a thickened stem  133 , as shown in FIG.  4 . The bundle  131  is mounted in the opening  17  of the second end  14  in the same manner as each of the bundles  30  is mounted in its corresponding opening  20 . The thickened stem  133  is mounted in the opening  17  and tightly contacts the sidewall  18 . Alternatively or additionally, glue or tape can be used to secure the stem  133  in the second end  14 . The stem  133  with the bundle of artificial foliage  131  protrudes from the opening  17 . 
     The preferred foliage is made of silk leaves. However, the artificial foliage may be made from a different material so long as it generates minimal sound when contacting tree limbs, brush, and other objects likely to be encountered in a hunting environment. The artificial foliage style, color, shape, thickness, leaf size, and pattern can vary as needed, in order to adapt the invention to provide cover in a particular environment. The artificial foliage contemplated for use with the invention can include pine needle branches, deciduous leaves, vines, tropical foliage, twigs, small branches or vines. For example, an oak leaf shape can be used. 
     As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the shaft  10  can be removably mounted to a quiver  8  on a bow. (In FIG. 5, the bundles  30  are omitted for clarity.) The quiver  8  is fixed to the bow  6  in a conventional manner, and the quiver  8  may be mounted on a long bow, a compound bow, or a cross bow. The typical quiver  8  consists of a housing  7  and at least one conventional arrow shaft-grasping structure, such as a clip  9  or a clamp. The shaft body  16  is preferably cylindrical for fitting into a recess formed in the clip  9  in the same manner as a conventional arrow shaft. However, the shaft body  16  can be any configuration to make the shaft  10  adapted to fit in a quiver clip. 
     FIG. 6 shows the shaft  10  mounted to the quiver  8  in a manner similar to the manner in which a conventional arrow is mounted to the quiver  8 . The tip  11  (not visible in FIGS. 5 and 6) is received by the housing  7 . The shaft body  16  is received by a holding structure such as the clip  9 . The clip  9  is fixed to the quiver  8 . 
     Returning to FIG. 4, the adjustable wire stem  132  of each of the elongated bundles  40 ,  50 , and  60  enables the shooter to adjust the bundles  40 ,  50 , and  60  to cover specific areas of the shooter and the bow  6  when the device is mounted in the quiver of the bow. For example, the aiming window of the bow  6  is the field of vision through which the shooter aims at a target. The aiming window is usually defined by structures on the bow  6 , such as a frame with sighting pins (not shown). The bundles  40 ,  50 , and  60  can be adjusted to surround the aiming window, thereby hiding the shooter from what the hunter is aiming at, without hindering aiming or shooting ability. 
     Preferably, when the shaft  10  is mounted to the quiver  8 , at least one of the stems  32  is in contact with an upper edge  91  of the clip  9 , as shown in FIG.  6 . The upper edge  91  provides support to the contacting stem to keep the shaft  10  from shifting downwardly when held in the quiver  8  which can occur after repeatedly firing the bow. The staggered pattern of holes  20  ensures that, regardless of where the clip  9  is positioned on the manufactured quiver  8 , at least one stem  32  will contact the upper edge  91  to support the shaft  10 . 
     It is not critical for the shaft  10  to be hollow. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of holes  120  is formed through a solid shaft  110 , and a plurality of bundles  230  is attached to the shaft  110 . A stem  232  of one of the bundles  230  is inserted into one of the holes  120 , until the stem  232  protrudes from the opposite side of the shaft  110 . The part of the stem  132  that protrudes from the shaft is bent substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem  32  and against the shaft  110 . The remainder of the wire stem  232  is then bent around the shaft  110 . Additionally or alternatively, each of the stems  232  may be secured with glue. In FIG. 7, several of the bundles  230  have been omitted for clarity. 
     Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the shaft  10  may also be removably mounted to a bow  106  that lacks a quiver as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. At least one rod  108  extends laterally from the bow  106 . The rod  108  has a clip  109 . The shaft  10  is held by the clip  109  in a position relative to the bow  106  that substantially corresponds to the position of the shaft  10  when it is held in the quiver  8  shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
     In another alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the invention is made from a unitary piece of twisted wires resembling a branch that has been fractured from a tree. A wire lattice  79  has internal trunk wires  70  spanning longitudinally from a top  71  to a bottom  72 . The trunk wires  70  are preferably made of three metal wires, each one having a length of about thirty-one inches. Of course, one could use two twisted wires or any other reasonable number. Using three wires ensures that the trunk wires  70  are sufficiently rigid for performing in the intended environment, which is typically rugged, but are not too heavy. It is alternatively contemplated that a single metal wire may be used instead of the trunk wires  70  if it is made of a material that is sufficiently rigid at such lengths. 
     Three types of branch wires  75 ,  76 , and  77  extend laterally from the trunk wires  70  and are angled slightly upwardly toward the top end  71 . The branch wires  75 - 77  are single bendable wires interwoven into and around the trunk wires  70 . Alternatively, the branch wires  75 - 77  can be welded, soldered or glued to the trunk wires  70 , or otherwise fixed in a manner that results in the necessary structural rigidity for the invention. A plurality of four-inch branch wires  76 , and a plurality of six-inch branch wires  77 , are arranged along the trunk wires  70 . 
     The branch wires  75  are arranged on a single side of the trunk wires  70 , as shown in FIG.  9 . At least three approximately fourteen-inch long branch wires  75  are spaced substantially equidistant along one side of the trunk wires  70 . The branch wires  75  are adjustable for bending to specific positions surrounding the hunter and the bow (not shown) and are analogous to the bundles  40 ,  50  and  60  of the FIG. 4 embodiment. There are about 12-14 leaves fixed to each of the branch wires  75 . Also, the branch wires  75  have a plurality of offshoot branches  78 . The offshoot branches  78  are single wire pieces that are shorter than the branch wires  75  and join to the branch wires  75 . 
     Plastic material is coated on essentially the entire wire lattice  79  of FIG. 9, such as by injection molding. The wires of the trunk wires  70  and the branch wires  75 - 77  become covered by the plastic, but the plastic does not substantially hinder the wires&#39; ability to bend. An amount of the plastic is applied to the trunk wires  70  to form a diameter of about three-eighths of an inch for the trunk  80 . A top  81  is tapered, extending about two inches beyond the top end  71  of the trunk wires  70 . This permits this top  81  to be trimmed with a knife to fit any quiver so that a stem can abut the part of the quiver that changes arrow shafts. Thus, the finished product of FIG. 10 resembles the embodiment of FIG. 4 but is made in a different manner. Leaves are then attached to the wires as shown. 
     As shown in FIG. 10, the branch wires  75 ,  76 , and  77  are made to resemble a plurality of material branches by coating with plastic and attaching leaves to form the branches  175 ,  176 , and  177 , respectively. Each of the branches  175  has a tip  174  extending from a trunk  80  a predetermined distance that is about equal to a shooter&#39;s body width. 
     The plastic can be colored with a dye, or it can be painted, to simulate a natural branch. The trunk  80  can be formed with features resembling structures of a natural branch, such as leaf scars and bark. A plurality of knots  83  that resemble leaf scars is formed in an alternating pattern along the trunk  80 . Each of the knots  83  extends from the trunk  80  about one-fourth of an inch and has a diameter of about one-eighth of an inch, although the knots  83  can have a variety of shapes and sizes. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is adapted for being removably mounted to a barrel  502  of a gun  500 , as shown in FIG.  11 . At least one clip  509  is fixed to a base  505  for removably mounting the base  505  to the barrel  502 . The base  505  is substantially cube-shaped, but this shape is not essential. At least two substantially identical shafts  510  are mounted to opposite sides of the base  505 . A plurality of artificial bundles  530  is substantially permanently mounted to the shafts  510  as described above for the preferred embodiment. The barrel  502  is a single barrel, but the invention also fits on a double-barreled gun and guns of various configurations. 
     Each of the shafts  510  is mounted to the base  505  by a knee-joint  507 . The knee-joint  507  enables the shafts  510  to pivot between a position substantially parallel to the barrel  502  (as shown in one side of FIG. 12) and a position substantially perpendicular to the barrel  502 . The shafts  510  are stored in the parallel position to minimize the risks of snagging branches and brush. When a shooter desires to camouflage himself while aiming and shooting the gun  500 , the shafts  510  are rotated outwardly, pivoting on the respective knee-joint  507 , until the shafts  510  are substantially perpendicular to the barrel  502 . The artificial foliage is then positioned lateral to the barrel  502  and in front of the shooter. This arrangement of artificial foliage provides optimal cover by being in front of the shooter but not in front of the shooter&#39;s field of vision for open sights or sighting scope, which is typically along the top of the barrel  502 . The artificial foliage is spaced far enough from the shooter not to interfere with his movements but close enough to provide effective cover by being attached to the gun  500 . Similarly, the base  505  can be removably mounted to a crossbow (not shown). 
     While certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed in detail, it is to be understood that various modifications may be adopted without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the following claims.