Patent Abstract:
A tool-less hub is provided for hunting blinds and tent structures. Poles with particularly-shaped protrusions are insertable in and removable from the tool-less hub. The protrusions allow the pole to enter the tool-less hub at a particular angle, but once rotated to a different angle, the pole is secured with the hub. And thus, no tools are required to change out a broken pole from the hub. In addition, the tool-less hub may comprise a location for an accessory mount, which may comprise a plurality of bodies that articulate about each other. Accessories such as cameras, lights, game calls, scent dispensers, firearms, shelves, hooks, etc. may be interconnected to the accessory mount, and the articulating bodies may position the accessory in any number of locations and orientations.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/069,038 filed Oct. 27, 2014, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to hunting blinds for use by hunters or outdoorsmen. More specifically, the present invention relates to hunting blinds with tool-less hubs and attachment mounts. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Outdoorsmen such as hunters, nature observers, bird watchers, photographers, etc. usually prefer to remain hidden from the wildlife that they are hunting or studying. Hunting blinds are devices that cover and conceal a hunter to reduce the likelihood of detection. Early examples of hunting blinds include the cocking-cloth, a canvas and stick device that allowed hunters to approach pheasants. While early hunting blinds were relatively simple in design, modern hunting blinds may be very complex and approach the size of a small house. Larger hunting blinds may be ground level or elevated, but larger blinds tend to be permanent in their location. 
         [0004]    Some modern hunting blinds are mobile in nature and collapsible to a smaller size for easy transport. This allows a hunter to set up the hunting blind in an unlimited number of locations in contrast to the single location of the larger blinds. These hunting blinds typically consist of a camouflage cover and a support structure that is designed for rapid deployment and take down. Some mobile hunting blinds utilize a hub system that allows a hunter to easily collapse and open the hunting blind. Examples of these hub systems may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,628,338; 6,296,415; 7,594,514; 8,578,956; and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2013/0174826 and 2013/0180559; which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Once the hunting blind is erected, the outdoorsman typically enters through a “door” that is defined in the cover. 
         [0005]    The hub system generally comprises a central hub with poles extending outward from the hub. The ends of the poles are typically fixed to the corners of the blind. In a collapsed state, the poles are generally parallel to one another, and the fabric of the blind is loose. In an opened state, the poles spread out from one another until the poles and hub lie in a common plane. The hub continues to extend outward and “pops” into place such that the fabric of the blind is taught and extends outward and away from the center of the hunting blind to provide the hunter with additional room. 
         [0006]    One issue with hunting blinds is that tools are required when there is a maintenance issue with the hub system, and there are a variety of possible maintenance issues. For example, the joints between the hub and the poles may become dirty or defective, and because most poles are fiberglass, the poles are prone to breaking. Natural causes such as high winds, snow weight, falling limbs, etc. can break poles, and unnatural causes such as human error or accidents can break poles. Further, components of the poles such as the ears or protrusions often break when the hub is assembled and disassembled. 
         [0007]    Opening the hub to remove a broken pole or otherwise repair the system requires a tool such as a screwdriver or wrench. The tool requirement of prior art hub systems is a weight burden for the hunter as hunters will hike considerable distance to set up a hunting blind, and every pound of weight matters. The tool requirement is also an easy oversight for the hunter during preparation for the hunt. Further, when working on a hub during a hunt or other activity, an outdoorsman may lose a component such as a washer or nut, especially when working on the blind in the dark (which is common when hunting), which can prevent the hunting blind from working properly. Having a defective hunting blind and no tool to repair the hub system can ruin a hunt. 
         [0008]    A further issue with prior art hubs is that they lack integrated feature for attaching accessories. Prior art devices may be used to mount accessories. However, these devices require additional time, hardware and space to get them set up inside the blind. Further, these devices require the outdoorsman to remove them each and every time the blind is taken down. Therefore there is a need for an accessory mount that is capable of remaining attached to the blind when the blind is collapsed and stored away. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is thus an aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide a tool-less hub for a hunting blind where poles are easily replaced without disassembly of the hub. It is a further aspect of embodiments of the present invention to improve the usability of a hunting blind with the addition of an accessory mount that may be integrated with the hub of the blind. 
         [0010]    It is one aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide a tool-less hub that does not require any tools to change poles out of the hub. Some embodiments of the present invention accomplish the tool-less design by defining a pair of protrusions on the end of a pole. The protrusions have a generally circular profile, but the circular shape is truncated such that the protrusions have a flat top side and a flat bottom side. The flat sides must be aligned with pass-through channels in the hub for a user to insert or remove the pole from the hub. When the protrusions pass through the pass-through channels and into rotation channels, the pole may freely rotate. Once the pole rotates and the flat sides of the protrusions are no longer aligned with the pass-through channels, the pole is effectively locked in the hub. 
         [0011]    It is another aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide a tool-less hub that comprises an additional locking mechanism. In the above embodiment, it is possible that the pole may rotate to a specific angle where the flat sides of the protrusions align with the pass-through channels, and the pole may accidentally fall out of the hub. Thus, some embodiments of the present invention may comprise a deflectable protrusion positioned on the hub where a user must overcome a predetermined force to press the deflectable protrusion into the body of the hub and align the flat sides of the pole protrusions with the pass-through channels. The additional force makes accidental pole removals much less likely. In various embodiments, the hub may not have a pass-through channel. Rather, the pole protrusions may deflect into the body of the pole itself. A user may toggle a button or simply press the protrusions into the hub to deflect the pole protrusions. Once the pole protrusions reach the rotation channels, they extend outward, and the pole may freely rotate without risk of accidental pole removal. 
         [0012]    It is a further aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide an accessory mount to attach a variety of accessories to a hub or other similar device. In some embodiments, the accessory mount may comprise an extension body and an articulating body that are joined together with a ball-and-socket joint. This joint may be locked when an adjuster is screwed into the articulating body and the socket portion of the joint closes in on the ball portion of the joint, and the positions of the extension body and the articulating body are locked relative to each other. The extension body may be selectively interconnected to a hub or other object, and the articulating body may be interconnected to an accessory. Thus, the position and/or orientation of the accessory may be manipulated then locked into place. In other embodiments, the position and orientation of the accessory cannot necessarily be manipulated once the accessory and accessory mount are attached to the hub. One skilled in the art will appreciate a variety of combinations of couplers, extension bodies, articulating bodies, adapters, and other components as discussed elsewhere herein. 
         [0013]    One particular embodiment of the present invention is a tool-less hub for a tent structure that utilizes a plurality of poles, comprising a hub having at least one pole dock which at least partially defines a partially enclosed volume, the at least one pole dock comprising at least one rotation channel; at least one pole having at least one protrusion disposed on one end of the at least one pole, wherein the at least one protrusion is disposed in the at least one rotation channel when the one end of the at least one pole is disposed in the partially enclosed volume, and wherein the at least one pole is rotatable relative to the hub. 
         [0014]    Another particular embodiment of the present invention is an accessory mount comprising an extension body having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is a ball-shaped end; an articulating body having a third end and a fourth end, wherein the third end is a socket-shaped end, wherein the ball-shaped end is insertable into the socket-shaped end to form a ball-and-socket joint, the articulating body also comprising an adjuster aperture; an adjuster having a threaded shaft that operatively interconnects to the adjuster aperture, and engagement of the adjuster locks the ball-and-socket joint and fixes the extension body and the articulating body relative to each other; wherein the first end is configured to selectively interconnect to a hub, and the fourth end is configured to selectively interconnect to an accessory. 
         [0015]    Yet another particular embodiment of the present invention is a coupler for a hub, comprising a rod having a threaded outer surface; a first end having a inner surface, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface is threaded to match the threaded outer surface of the rod; wherein the rod is threaded into an axial thread of a hub to secure at least two components of the hub. 
         [0016]    One embodiment of the present invention is a system for articulating an adapter in three dimensions relative to a hunting blind, comprising a hub adapted for interconnection to hunting blind; a coupler selectively interconnected to the hub; an articulating body having a first end and a second end, the first end of the articulating body interconnected to the coupler to form a first joint, wherein a first adjuster is configured to selectively lock the first joint; and an adapter interconnected to the second end of the articulating body to form a second joint, wherein a second adjuster is configured to selectively lock the second joint. 
         [0017]    The coupler may also comprise several components. For example, the coupler may comprise a rod and an end selectively interconnected to the rod. The rod of the coupler may comprise a threaded outer surface, and the hub of the hunting blind comprises a threaded recess, wherein the rod is operably engaged to the recess to selectively interconnect the coupler to the hub. 
         [0018]    The articulating body may form joints with other components that allow articulating in one or more dimensions. For example, the first joint may be a ball-and-socket joint, and the first end of the articulating body is a socket portion of the ball-and-socket joint of the first joint, wherein the first end of the articulating body defines a first partially enclosed volume. The first adjuster may be configured to compress the first end of the articulating body to a second reduced partially enclosed volume to selectively lock the first joint. The second joint may be a ball-and-socket joint, and the second end of the articulating body is a socket portion of the ball-and-socket joint of the second joint, wherein the second end of the articulating body defines a first partially enclosed volume. The second adjuster may be configured to compress the second end of the articulating body to a second reduced partially enclosed volume to selectively lock the second joint. The first joint may be a ball-and-socket joint, and wherein the coupler further comprises an extension body, and one end of the extension body is a ball portion of the ball-and-socket joint of the first joint. The second joint may be a ball-and-socket joint, and wherein the adapter comprises an adapter head that is a ball portion of the ball-and-socket joint of the second joint. 
         [0019]    The adapter may be associated with different accessories. For example, an accessory may be selectively interconnected to the adapter, wherein the accessory is one of a camera, a video recorder, a light, a portable electronic device, a scent dispenser, a firearm, a tray, a bow holder, a cross bow holder, a gun holder, and a game call. 
         [0020]    Another embodiment of the present invention is an accessory mount adapted to secure an accessory in a predetermined location, comprising an extension body having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end comprises a substantially ball-shaped end; an articulating body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is a socket-shaped end, wherein the ball-shaped end of the extension body and the socket-shaped first end of the articulating body form a ball-and-socket joint, the articulating body also comprising an adjuster aperture; an adjuster having a threaded shaft that operatively engages the adjuster aperture, and the operable engagement of the adjuster locks the ball-and-socket joint of the extension body and the articulating body and fixes the extension body and the articulating body relative to each other to secure said ball and socket in a specific location; and wherein the second end of the articulating body is configured to selectively interconnect to an adapter, which is adapted to secure an accessory. 
         [0021]    The extension body may also comprise a coupler with several components. For example, the extension body may comprise a coupler configured to selectively interconnect to a hub. The coupler may comprise a rod having a threaded outer surface; a first end having a inner surface, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of the first end is threaded to match the threaded outer surface of the rod; and wherein the rod is operably engaged with a threaded recess of the hub to selectively interconnect the coupler to the hub. The coupler may further comprise a second end having an inner surface, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of the second end is threaded to match the threaded outer surface of the rod. 
         [0022]    The accessory mount may also comprise an adapter. For example, an adapter may have a ball-shaped adapter head, wherein the second end of the articulating body is a socket-shaped end, and wherein the ball-shaped adapter head and the socket-shaped second end of the articulating body form a ball-and-socket joint. In addition, a second adjuster may have a threaded shaft that operably engages a second adjuster aperture in the articulating body, and the operable engagement of the second adjuster locks the ball-and-socket joint of the adapter and the articulating body and fixes the adapter and the articulating body relative to each other. An accessory may be selectively interconnected to the adapter, wherein the accessory is one of a camera, a video recorder, a light, a portable electronic device, a scent dispenser, a firearm, a tray, a bow holder, a cross bow holder, a gun holder, and a game call. The articulating body may comprise a slit that extends to the socket-shaped first end of the articulating body, wherein the operably engagement of the adjuster compresses the slit and the socket-shaped first end of the articulating body to lock the ball-and-socket joint of the extension body and the articulating body and fix the extension body and the articulating body relative to each other. The articulating body may form an articulation angle between the first end and the second end, wherein the articulation angle is between approximately 30 and 60 degrees. 
         [0023]    One embodiment of the present invention is an accessory mount for articulating an adapter in three distinct dimensions relative to a hunting blind, comprising a coupler configured to selectively interconnect to a hub of a hunting blind, the coupler comprising: (a) a rod having a threaded outer surface; (b) a first end having a inner surface, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface is threaded to match the threaded outer surface of the rod, wherein the rod is operably engaged to a recess of the hub to selectively interconnect the coupler to the hub; (c) a second end having an inner surface, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface is threaded to match the threaded outer surface of the rod; an extension body having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end is interconnected to the coupler, and wherein the proximal end is a ball-shaped end; an articulating body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is a socket-shaped end, wherein the ball-shaped proximal end of the extension body and the socket-shaped first end of the articulating body form a ball-and-socket joint, the articulating body comprises a first adjuster aperture; a first adjuster having a threaded shaft that operatively engages to the first adjuster aperture, and the operable engagement of the first adjuster locks the ball-and-socket joint of the extension body and the articulating body and fixes the extension body and the articulating body relative to each other; an adapter having a ball-shaped adapter head, wherein the second end of the articulating body is a socket-shaped end, and wherein the ball-shaped adapter head and the socket-shaped second end of the articulating body form a ball-and-socket joint, the articulating body comprises a second adjuster aperture; a second adjuster having a threaded shaft that operably engages the second adjuster aperture in the articulating body, and the operable engagement of the second adjuster locks the ball-and-socket joint of the adapter and the articulating body and fixes the adapter and the articulating body relative to each other; and wherein an accessory is selectively interconnected to the adapter, wherein the accessory is one of a camera, a video recorder, a light, a portable electronic device, a scent dispenser, a firearm, a tray, a bow holder, a cross bow holder, a gun holder, and a game call. 
         [0024]    These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the invention(s) contained herein. The above-described embodiments, objectives, and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description particularly when taken together with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosures. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a prior art hub having an eyelet; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a tool-less hub according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a pole comprising a protrusion according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a tool-less hub comprising four poles according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the tool-less hub and four poles of the embodiment in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a right elevation view of the tool-less hub and four poles of the embodiment in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a top side of an accessory mount according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a bottom side of the accessory mount of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a coupler of an accessory mount according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of an extension body of an accessory mount according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of an articulating body of an accessory mount according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the articulating body of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 13  is a right elevation view of the articulating body of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 14  is an isometric view of a top side of an adapter of an accessory mount according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 15  is an isometric view of a bottom side of an adapter of an accessory mount according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 16  is an isometric view of a top side of an adjuster of an accessory mount according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 17  is an isometric view of a bottom side of an adjuster of an accessory mount according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 18  is an isometric view of a tree screw according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0044]    To assist in the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Component  
                 No.Component 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                  2 
                 Hub 
               
               
                  4 
                 First Pole Dock 
               
               
                  6 
                 Second Pole Dock 
               
               
                  8 
                 Third Pole Dock 
               
               
                 10 
                 Fourth Pole Dock 
               
               
                 12 
                 Pass-Through Channel 
               
               
                 14 
                 Rotation Channel 
               
               
                 16 
                 Channel Height 
               
               
                 18 
                 Channel Width 
               
               
                 20 
                 Pole Indicator 
               
               
                 22 
                 Axial Thread 
               
               
                 24 
                 First Pole 
               
               
                 26 
                 Protrusion 
               
               
                 28 
                 Second Pole 
               
               
                 30 
                 Third Pole 
               
               
                 32 
                 Fourth Pole 
               
               
                 34 
                 Accessory Mount 
               
               
                 36 
                 Coupler 
               
               
                 38 
                 Extension Body 
               
               
                 40 
                 Articulating Body 
               
               
                 42 
                 Adapter 
               
               
                 44 
                 First Adjuster 
               
               
                 46 
                 Second Adjuster 
               
               
                 48 
                 Rod 
               
               
                 50 
                 First End 
               
               
                 52 
                 Second End 
               
               
                 54 
                 Interface End 
               
               
                 56 
                 Extension Shaft 
               
               
                 58 
                 Extension Head 
               
               
                 60 
                 First Socket 
               
               
                 62 
                 Slit 
               
               
                 64 
                 Adjuster Aperture 
               
               
                 66 
                 Second Socket 
               
               
                 68 
                 Adapter Head 
               
               
                 70 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 72 
                 Mount End 
               
               
                 74 
                 Adjuster Shaft 
               
               
                 76 
                 Adjuster Head 
               
               
                 78 
                 Tree Screw 
               
               
                 80 
                 First Section 
               
               
                 82 
                 Second Section 
               
               
                 84 
                 Handle 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0045]    It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and various dimensions may be altered. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0046]    The present invention has significant benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors. It is the Applicant&#39;s intent that this specification and the claims appended hereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed. To acquaint persons skilled in the pertinent arts most closely related to the present invention, a preferred embodiment that illustrates the best mode now contemplated for putting the invention into practice is described herein by, and with reference to, the annexed drawings that form a part of the specification. The exemplary embodiment is described in detail without attempting to describe all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied. As such, the embodiments described herein are illustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in the arts, may be modified in numerous ways within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
         [0047]    Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. 
         [0048]    Various embodiments of the present invention are described herein and as depicted in the drawings. It is expressly understood that although the figures depict hubs, poles, and accessory mount components, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. 
         [0049]    Now referring to  FIG. 1 , a prior art hub is shown. This hub comprises four locations to dispose poles. Further, the hub comprises a two-piece design that is held together with a bolt that has an eyelet disposed on one end and a nut disposed on the reverse side. If a pole breaks in this prior art design, a user must have a tool to remove the bolt and disassemble the multi-part hub. 
         [0050]    Now referring to  FIG. 2 , a tool-less hub  2  of the present invention is provided. The tool-less hub  2  has a first pole dock  4 , a second pole dock  6 , a third pole dock  8 , and a fourth pole dock  10 . The first pole dock  4  has an inner surface that defines a partially enclosed volume. A first pole (shown in  FIG. 2 ) is insertable to and removable from the partially enclosed volume of the first pole dock  4 . A pass-through channel  12  is disposed on an inner surface of the first pole dock  4 . In this embodiment, the pass-through channel  12  is a straight line oriented perpendicular to the small dimension, or height dimension, of the hub  2 . A first end of the pass-through channel  12  is positioned at the outer surface of the hub  2 , and the pass-through channel  12  extends toward the center of the hub  2  to a second end of the pass-through channel  12 . One skilled in the art will appreciate a pass-through channel  12  that has shapes beyond a straight line. For example, the pass-through channel  12  may comprise one or more radii between its two ends. Further, the pass-through channel  12  may comprise an nth order polynomial shape, a “V” shape, a “W” shape, or any other shape commonly known in the art. 
         [0051]    A rotation channel  14  is disposed at the second end of the pass-through channel  12 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the rotation channel  14  is a circular shape such that a protrusion having a radius could freely rotate within the rotation channel  14 . The rotation channel  14  may have a conical profile wherein the rotation channel  14  is circular at the inner surface of the first pole dock  4  but tapers down further into the wall of the first pole dock  4 . The pass-through channel  12  may also have a similar tapering profile. One skilled in the art will appreciate a variety of channel profiles including, but not limited to, conical, truncated conical, stepped, countersunk, and flat (which is depicted in  FIG. 2  with a channel height  16  and a channel width  18 ). 
         [0052]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the first pole dock  4  is bilaterally symmetric, meaning the pass-through channel  12  and the rotation channel  14  are mirrored on the opposite side of the inner surface of the first pole dock  4 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to bilaterally symmetric embodiments. For example, some embodiments may have a shorter/longer pass-through channel  12 , a smaller/larger rotation channel  14 , or the first pole dock  4  may only comprise one set of pass-through and rotation channels  12 ,  14 . Accordingly, embodiments of the pole may only have one protrusion (shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0053]    Located on the side of the first pole dock  4  is a pole indicator  20 , which is an aperture that extends through the first pole dock&#39;s  4  wall so that a user may see the first pole dock&#39;s  4  partially enclosed volume from the outside of the hub  2 . When a user inserts a first pole (shown in  FIG. 2 ) into the first pole dock  4 , the user can see the first pole through the pole indicator  20  to ensure the first pole is in the proper position. At this point, the user may rotate the first pole to secure the first pole in the rotation channel  14 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  has one pole indicator  20  per pole dock. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate embodiments with more than one pole indicator  20  per pole dock or no pole indicators  20  per pole dock. Further, pole indicators  20  may be disposed on any surface of the pole dock. 
         [0054]    Next, the hub  2  depicted in  FIG. 2  has four pole docks  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  arranged symmetrically about a longitudinal axis of the hub  2 . The pole docks  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  are offset to one side to create a central portion of the hub  2  where an axial thread  22  is disposed, where the axial thread  22  is oriented parallel with the longitudinal axis of the hub  2 . As will be discussed in further detail below, the central portion of the hub  2  and/or the axial thread  22  may provide a location to interconnect accessories and other objects. The central portion of the hub  2  may optionally include the axial thread  22 . In other embodiments, the central portion of the hub  2  may comprise a protruding male thread, snap fastener half, zipper half, or any other means of interconnecting two objects. The hub  2  may have a female connector on one side and a male connector on the other side, two female connectors, two male connectors, or no connectors. 
         [0055]    The hub  2  may be made from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, molded polymers, carbon fiber, die cast aluminum, any alloys via a metal injection molding process, or any other materials commonly known in the art. 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, the pole docks  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  may be even further offset to completely eliminate the central portion of the hub  2 . In yet further embodiments, the pole docks  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  may be centered—i.e., not offset—which provides a larger central portion of the hub  2  than depicted in  FIG. 2 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present invention may comprise one, two, three, four, or more pole docks that may or may not be evenly spaced about the longitudinal axis of the hub  2 . 
         [0057]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 , a detailed view of the first pole  24  and protrusion  26  is shown along with the pass-through channel  12  of the pole dock  4 . The pass-through channel  12  is similar to the pass-through channel  12  shown in  FIG. 2  where the pass-through channel  12  has a channel height  16  and a channel width  18 . The protrusion  26  extends laterally from the body of the first pole  24  to match the channel width  18  of the pass-through channel  12 , and the protrusion  26  end has a flat surface. When viewed from the side, the protrusion  26  has a truncated shape, meaning the shape has a radius but has been flattened on a top side and a bottom side. The distance between these two flat sides matches the channel height  16 . The amount of the circle that has been truncated can be expressed in terms of percentage of circle truncated. In one embodiment, between approximately 50% and 80% of the circle shape has been truncated. In another embodiment, between approximately 60% and 70% of the circle shape has been truncated. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the top side and bottom side of the protrusion are not necessarily flat, and the two truncated portions (top side and bottom side) are not necessarily equal in area. 
         [0058]    With the length of the first pole  24  oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hub  2 , the shape of the protrusion  26  aligns with the pass-through channel  12 , and the first pole  24  is insertable into the first pole dock  4 . Once the protrusion  26  reaches the rotation channel  14 , the first pole  24  may freely rotate and is locked in the rotation channel  14 . 
         [0059]    Now referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , a hub  2  is shown with the first pole  24 , the second pole  28 , the third pole  30 , and the fourth pole  32  positioned proximate to their respective pole docks  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10 . The fourth pole  32  is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hub  2  so that the fourth pole  32  is insertable into the fourth pole dock  10 . The second pole  28  is also oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hub  2 , but the protrusions of the second pole  28  have passed through the pass-through channel and into the rotation channel. The first pole  24  and the third pole  30  show that once the pole protrusions pass through the pass-through channel and are disposed in the rotation channel, the poles are free to rotate. The poles  24 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  may be made from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, molded polymers, carbon fiber, die cast aluminum, any alloys via a metal injection molding process, or any other materials commonly known in the art. Further one skilled in the art will appreciate other embodiments, where the poles  24 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  are segmented into multiple pieces such that a pole  24 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  may be threadably interconnected to a rotating portion that is already interconnected to the pole docks  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  on the hub  2 . Poles  24 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  may also comprise ball-and-socket joints or any other joints at any position on the poles  24 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 . 
         [0060]    In other embodiments of the present invention, the poles  24 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  may not comprise fixed protrusions, and the pole docks  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  may not comprise pass-through channels. In these embodiments, the protrusions have the ability to retract into the body of the pole. A button disposed on the pole may be operatively interconnected to the retractable protrusions, and the button has a first position and a second position. When the button is in a first position, the protrusions are retracted into the body of the pole. The user may directly insert the pole proximate to the rotation channel. When the pole is in this position, the user may move the button to a second position such that the protrusions extend from the body of the pole. The protrusions match the rotation channel, and the pole is free to rotate within the dock. 
         [0061]    In yet further embodiments, the protrusions are simply deflectable into the body of the pole. The protrusions may comprise a flange and spring system such that the protrusions are biased outward in a default state. A user may press the end of the pole into the pole dock such that the protrusions overcome their bias and deflect into the body of the pole. The pole dock may comprise ramps or other similar shapes such that the deflection of the protrusions is gradual. Once the end of the pole is positioned proximate to the rotation channel, the protrusions are allowed to extend outward again, and the pole is free to rotate within the pole dock. 
         [0062]    The pole docks  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  may also comprise features that aid a user in deploying the hub  2  without any tools. For example, a deflectable protrusion may be positioned proximate to the first end of the pass-through channel, which is the outer surface of the pole docks  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10 . As a user aligns the flat sides of the protrusions with the pass-through channel and begins to insert the pole into the pole dock. The deflectable protrusion deflects into the body of the pole dock such that the pole may pass through the pass-through channel. Once the pole protrusions reach the rotation channel and the user rotates the pole, the deflectable protrusion extends outward. With this feature, additional force is required to deflect the deflectable protrusion and align the flat sides of the pole protrusions with the pass-through channel before removing the pole from the pole dock. This helps prevent accidental alignment of the flat sides of the pole protrusions with the pass-through channel and accidental removal of the pole from the pole dock. One skilled in the art will appreciate that this deflectable protrusion may be placed anywhere on the pole dock including, but not limited to, the outer surface of the pole dock, the pass-through channel, the rotation channel, and the inner surface of the pole dock. 
         [0063]    Now referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an accessory mount  34  is shown, and the accessory mount  34  comprises a coupler  36 , an extension body  38 , an articulating body  40 , an adapter  42 , a first adjuster  44 , and a second adjuster  46 . The coupler  36  interconnects the accessory mount  34  to an object or device. In some embodiments, the coupler  36  interconnects the accessory mount  34  to the axial thread  22  of the tool-less hub  2 . 
         [0064]    The extension body  38  adds longitudinal distance between the coupler  36  and the remaining components. When the accessory mount  34  is interconnected to a wall or other similar surface, it is beneficial to have an extension body  38  to increase the distance between the remaining components and the wall so that the remaining components may be freely articulated and positioned. In alternative embodiments, a user may desire a shorter distance between the hub  2  and the remaining components. It will be appreciated from the disclosure herein that the term “coupler” may refer to one or both of the coupler  36  and the extension body  38 . Similarly, the term “extension body” may refer to one or both of the coupler  36  and the extension body  38 . 
         [0065]    Next, the extension body  38  is interconnected to an articulating body  40 , which in turn is interconnected to an adapter  42 . Accessories such as cameras, trays, bow holders, lights, scent dispensers, scent elimination systems, etc. may be mounted to the adapter  42 . The extension-articulating and articulating-coupler interconnections are ball-and-socket type interconnections so that the accessory or accessories mounted on the adapter  42  may be positioned and/or oriented in a number of configurations. A first adjuster  44  and a second adjuster  46  are interconnected to the articulating body  40  wherein the first adjuster  44  corresponds to the extension-articulating interconnection, and the second adjuster  46  corresponds to the articulating-coupler interconnection. A user may engage the adjusters  44 ,  46  to prevent the extension-articulating and articulating-coupler interconnections from moving. In other words, the first adjuster  44  may fix the positions of the extension body  38  and the articulating body  40  relative to each other. Likewise, the second adjuster  46  may fix the positions of the articulating body  40  and the adapter  42  relative to each other. 
         [0066]    Now referring to  FIG. 9 , an isometric view of the coupler  36  is provided. The coupler comprises a rod  48  disposed between a first end  50  and a second end  52 . The rod  48  has a threaded outer surface, which matches threaded inner surfaces of the first end  50  and the second end  52 . A user may remove the second end  52  and thread the rod  48  into the axial thread  22  of the hub  2  or any other threaded recess. One skilled in the art will appreciate other means by which the coupler  36  interconnects to a hub  2 , another object, and/or the extension body  38  (shown in  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0067]    In some embodiments of the present invention, the coupler  36  replaces the eyebolt on existing hub designs such that the accessory mount  34  may be used with existing hubs. The coupler  36  may also be used on both the inside and outside of the hub  2 . For example, this provides a user with the ability to attach a bow holder on the inside of the hub  2  and a scent dispenser on the outside of the hub  2 , simultaneously. As mentioned above, embodiments of the present invention contemplate an axial thread  22  disposed on a central portion of the hub  2  along with various other connection means. In embodiments where the axial thread  22  extends through the hub  2 , the coupler  36  does not require a second end  52  as the rod  48  will simply thread into the axial thread  22 . 
         [0068]    The diameter of the rod  48  may be between approximately 1/32″ and 2″. In other embodiments, the rod  48  diameter may be between approximately ⅛″ and ½″. In a preferred embodiment, the rod  48  diameter is approximately ¼″. The two ends  50 ,  52  may have a diameter between approximately ⅛″ and 2″. In other embodiments, the ends&#39;  50 ,  52  diameters may be between approximately ⅜″ and 1″. In a preferred embodiment, the ends&#39;  50 ,  52  diameters are approximately ⅝″. The length of the ends  50 ,  52  may be between approximately ⅛″ and 6″. In other embodiments, the ends&#39;  50 ,  52  lengths are between approximately ½″ and 2″. In a preferred embodiment, the ends&#39;  50 ,  52  lengths are approximately 1″. One skilled in the art will appreciate that these dimensions are only exemplary in nature, and it is not intended that the invention be limited to the above ranges. Further, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the ends  50 ,  52  may not be the same size, and in some embodiments, there may be one end, more than two ends, or no ends. The material of the ends  50 ,  52  and the rod  48  is aluminum in some embodiments. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the material of the ends  50 ,  52  and the rod  48  may be any other material discussed herein or otherwise commonly known in the art. Further still, various surfaces and edges may be knurled, radiused, chamfered, etc. 
         [0069]    Now referring to  FIG. 10 , an extension body  38  comprising an extension end  54 , an extension shaft  56 , and an extension head  58  is shown. The extension body  38  provides additional longitudinal distance between the coupler  36  and the remaining components of the accessory mount  34 . The extension end  54  interconnects to the first end  50  or second end  52  of the coupler  36  or directly into the tool-less hub  2  wherein a threaded outer surface of the extension end  54  matches the threaded inner surface of the first end  50 , second end  52 , or tool-less hub  2 . The extension shaft  56  provides the additional longitudinal length for the accessory mount  34  such that articulating components may be positioned and oriented freely. The extension head  58  is disposed on the opposite end of the extension shaft  56  from the extension end  54 . The extension head  58  is a ball-shaped end that interconnects to the articulating body  40  (shown in  FIGS. 11-13 ) to form a ball-and-socket joint. One skilled in the art will appreciate other connection types between the extension body  38  and the coupler  36  and between the extension body  38  and the articulating body  40  as discussed elsewhere herein and as commonly known in the art. 
         [0070]    Now referring to  FIGS. 11-13 , an articulating body  40  is provided. The articulating body  40  comprises a first socket  60 , a slit  62  that extends from the first socket toward the center of the articulating body  40 , and an adjuster aperture  64  that extends through the articulating body  40  along a lateral axis and through the slit  62 . At least a portion of the first socket  60  defines at least a portion of a spherical volume. The extension head  58  of the extension body  38  may deflect into the spherical volume of the first socket  60  in a ball-and-socket type interconnection. Once the extension head  58  and the first socket  60  are interconnected, the extension body  38  and the articulating body  40  may freely rotate and pivot about each other. A first adjuster  44  may thread through the adjuster aperture  64  on a flattened portion of the articulating body  40  and deflect the slit  62  such that the first socket  60  closes on the extension head  58 , and the extension body  38  and the articulating body  40  are fixed relative to each other. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the articulating body  40  is symmetric about a lateral plane, and a second socket  66  operates in much the same way as the first socket  60 . 
         [0071]    The articulating body  40  may have several forms. For example, the articulating body  40  may comprise a crook or bend between the first socket  60  and the second socket  66  that forms an articulation angle. In some embodiments, the articulation angle formed by the bend is between 30 and 60 degrees. The articulation angle can be utilized to allow another component, such as the extension body, to lie flat against the articulating body  40 . 
         [0072]      FIGS. 14 and 15  show an adapter  42  that comprises an adapter head  68 , a plurality of notches  70 , and a mount end  72 . The adapter head  68  is a ball-shaped end that interconnects to the second socket  66  in much the same way as the extension head  58  interconnects to the first socket  60 . The adapter head  68  and the second socket  66  form a ball-and-socket type interconnection. Notches  70  disposes on the adapter  42  help a user manipulate the position and orientation of the adapter  42 . A second adjuster (shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 ) extends through another adjuster aperture, which may close another slit and fix the positions of the articulating body  40  and the adapter  42  relative to each other. 
         [0073]    The adapter  42  also comprises a mount end  72 , which is the portion of the accessory mount  34  that interconnects to the chosen accessory or accessories. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the mount end  72  is a male portion of an interconnection and may be threaded, unthreaded, or otherwise configured to be a portion of an interconnection. In some embodiments, the mount end  72  may be a threaded or unthreaded recess in the adapter  42 . In various embodiments, the mount end  72  may be one portion of a quick locking device. The adapter  42  may simulate any number of devices including, but not limited to, a camera mount, a light mount, a phone mount, a dispenser mount for attractant scents, a scent elimination mount, a bow mount, and a gun mount. 
         [0074]    Now referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , a first adjuster  44  having an adjuster shaft  74  and an adjuster head  76  is provided. The adjuster shaft  74  comprises a threaded outer surface that matches a threaded inner surface of the adjuster aperture  64  of the articulating body  40 . The adjuster head  76  comprises a shape that is elongated in a lateral direction so that a user may generate torque to screw the first adjuster  44  into the adjuster aperture  64 . As noted above, the articulating body  40  is generally symmetric about a lateral plane, and thus the second adjuster  46  is similar to the first adjuster  44 , and the second adjuster  46  threads into an adjuster aperture disposed proximate to the second socket  66  of the articulating body  40 . 
         [0075]    One skilled in the art will appreciate an accessory mount  34  made from any combination of connections and components may be used. For example, in one embodiment, the extension end  54  of an extension body  38  interconnects directly to a hub  2  or other object, thereby eliminating the need for a coupler  36 . An articulating body  40  interconnects to the extension body  38  in a ball-and-socket type interconnection, and a mount end is disposed at the other end of the articulating body  40  instead of a second socket  66 . An accessory may be interconnected to this mount end similar to the mount end  72  of the adapter  42  discussed elsewhere herein. In further embodiments, especially ones where articulation of the accessory is not needed, the accessory may attach directly into a coupler  36  or the hub  2  itself. For example, a scent dispenser does not need full articulation abilities and may attach to a coupler  36  or directly to a hub  2 . 
         [0076]    In yet further embodiments, the coupler  36  may comprise more than one first end  50  for more than one extension body  38 . The extension body  38  may comprise more than one extension head  58  for more than one articulating body  40 . The articulating body  40  may comprise more than one second socket  66  for more than one adapter  42 . The adapter  42  may comprise more than one mount end  72  for more than one accessory. Etc. 
         [0077]    Now referring to  FIG. 18 , a tree screw  78  having a first section  80 , a second section  82 , and a handle  84  is provided. As mentioned above, not only may the coupler  36 —and more broadly the accessory mount  34 —attach to the hub  2 , the coupler  36  may also attach to other objects such as a tree screw  78 . It will be appreciated that the tree screw  78  replaces the coupler  36  in some embodiments of the accessory mount. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 18 , the tree screw&#39;s  78  first section  80  has a threaded outer surface which tapers towards one end of the first section  80 . This configuration allows the first section  80  to penetrate and anchor in a tree, stump, or other material. A hex nut shape is disposed on another end of the first section  80  such that a user may “screw” the first section  80  into a tree with a wrench. 
         [0078]    Once the first section  80  is anchored, a second section  82  may screw into a threaded recess within the first section  80 . A handle  84  is positioned at one end of the section  82  such that a user may stand on the handle  84  to scale a tree. A coupler  36  may also be selectively interconnected to the first section  80  such that an accessory mount  34  is selectively interconnected to a tree, stump, or other material. This configuration allows a user to secure a camera to a tree instead of carrying heavier equipment such as a tripod. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the end of any component of the accessory mount  34  such as the rod  48  of the coupler  36  or the interface end  54  of the extension body  38  may be similarly configured as the first section  80  of the tree screw  78 . Thus, the coupler  36  or the extension body  38  may directly screw into an axial thread  22  of the hub  2 , a tree, a stump, or other material, and the overall number of parts of the accessory mount  34  is reduced. One skilled in the art will further appreciate the variety of tree screw  78  configurations including single section designs and designs were the first section  80  is hingedly interconnected to the second section  82 . 
         [0079]    The present invention has significant benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors. It is the Applicant&#39;s intent that this specification and the claims appended hereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed. 
         [0080]    The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or”, as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B, and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together. 
         [0081]    Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, and so forth used in the specification, drawings, and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” 
         [0082]    The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. 
         [0083]    The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof can be used interchangeably herein. 
         [0084]    It shall be understood that the term “means” as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials, or acts, and the equivalents thereof, shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves. 
         [0085]    The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for illustration and description purposes. However, the description is not intended to limit the invention to only the forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         [0086]    Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings and skill and knowledge of the relevant art are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein above are further intended to explain best modes of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such a manner, or include other embodiments with various modifications as required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4