Abstract:
A hard shell cover hunting blind for a boat that may be left on while transporting the boat to the water. The shell has an open back that allows full visibility when moving. A camouflage covering is secured to a hoop in the back that can be quickly dropped down. Two large clamshell doors are placed in the front. The shell has a sliding door that opens up the sides of the blind. This provides easy access into and out of the boat as well as for placing decoys, etc. In addition, there is a curved top that is mounted on slides. This top can be pulled to either side to provide a full 360° filed of vision and a large shooting port. No tools are needed to operate the system of doors or to remove and install the clamshell front pieces.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to hunting blinds and particularly to hunting blinds that form a boat cover. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Hunting blinds have been used for years to aid hunters in concealing themselves from the prey. Blinds are often built on land for hunting both land-based animals and for hunting birds, such as ducks. Often these blinds are made of local materials to blend in with the surroundings. Although these blinds are quite useful, if a hunter or group of hunters must access the blind by boat, it seems inconvenient to have to use the boat to get to the site and then establish a blind on shore. A better way would be to use the boat itself for the blind. To that end, several devices have been patented in which a boat is used as a hunting blind. 
   Examples of these devices are found in the following U.S. Pat. No. 2,889,839 to Sheridan Jr. discloses a duck blind for boats This blind is a tent-like structure that is made of a canvas type material. Portholes are provided for viewing and the side walls can open for firing. Although this device can work, it is best assembled in the field, rather then being transported in place. It uses flaps and straps that may be cumbersome to open quickly under certain conditions. U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,722 teaches a blind that has a hard superstructure. The superstructure covers most of the entire boat. The blind has a raised center portion with view ports. It also has a number of hatches that are used to access the blind and to permit shooting. This device is also useful. However, it is limited in use because of the small view ports. Moreover, hunters have access for firing through ports that are not large. Finally, the front of the boat is covered except for a small port in front. This reduces visibility when operating the boat. The driver must stand up through one of the ports to really see clearly. Even then, the view is obscured by the blind. U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,145 teaches a large boat cover that is used as a blind. The cover has a metal frame and is covered with a canvas type material. The cover does not completely enclose the hunter; portion in the front is open for viewing. When the hunter is ready to shoot, the cover is partially retracted and the hunter is free to shoot. The problem with this design is that it is limited for use to one hunter. Moreover, the hunter&#39;s view and firing range is limited to one direction. U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,253 discloses another type of tent blind that can be easily assembled in the field. It has a framework over which, pieces of canvas like material are placed. The tent has side walls that can be dropped quickly as needed. The problem with is design is that the side walls can fall into the boat or into the water. Although the ability to get out of the way is an asset, once they are down, they may become wet or otherwise difficult to handle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,641 teaches a universal frame for a boat blind. This frame is collapsible and can be set up quickly. The frame is covered by a camouflage tarp that has openings for viewing and shooting. U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,203 teaches another tent-like blind for boats. In this design, a frame having multiple sections is used. The sections are covered with different panels of material that can be used as covers and as door. Camouflage windows are also provided for viewing. Finally, elastic strips are provided to allow brush to be used to further camouflage the blind. The branches and leaves are inserted in the elastic bands as desired. Although this design is versatile, it is complex and not quickly assembled. Moreover, there are many fittings and zippers that can become worn and damaged after use, which require a lot of maintenance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,633 teaches a blind for boats that has a hard shell. A number of elastic bands are placed about the shell for attaching branches and other items for camouflage. The top center of the shell is open with an elevated top. Hatches are provided for entry and exit and user view through the top opening. U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,034 teaches a boat cover that can be used as a blind that uses a number of curved ribs that are spaces apart along the gunwales of the boat. A soft canvas-like cover is then placed over the frame. Other examples of blinds are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,260,505, 4,979,456, 5,458,079, D392,244, 5,887,539, and 3,698,409. 
   Although there are many designs for boat hunting blinds, they suffer from the same problems: the soft tent style designs typically must be assembled in the field. The hard-sided models tend to provide limited visibility while operating the boat and are also cramped and low. Moreover, all of the designs do not provide adequate opening for shooting and other movements. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The instant invention solves all of these problems. It is a hard shell cover for a boat that may be left on while transporting the boat to the water. The shell has an open back that allows full visibility when moving. A camouflage covering is secured to a hoop in the back that can be quickly dropped down. This spreads the camouflage netting over the back of the boat and completely covers the engine. Two large clamshell doors are placed in the front. These doors are closed when transporting the boat on the highway. They are removed and placed on holders in the stern when operating the boat on the water. Once the boat is in place, the clamshell doors can be replaced in the bow and closed. View ports are provided in the clamshells for visibility when the boat is used as a blind. The shell has a sliding door that opens up the sides of the blind. This provides easy access into and out of the boat as well as for placing decoys, etc. In addition, there is a curved top that is mounted on slides. This top can be pulled to either side to provide a full 360° field of vision and a large shooting port. The top is also open when traveling on the water. The entire structure can be easily removed from the boat as needed. Finally, no tools are needed to operate the system of doors or to remove and install the clamshell front pieces. Finally, the structure is designed to be easily camouflaged to match a given area&#39;s vegetation. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a boat showing the invention installed in the water transport mode. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a boat showing the invention installed in the partially closed blind mode. 
       FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of a boat showing the invention installed in the closed blind mode. 
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a boat showing the invention installed in the closed blind mode with a side access door open. 
       FIG. 5  is a rear view of a boat showing the invention installed and the camouflage netting in the stored position. 
       FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of a boat with the clamshell covers in the closed position. 
       FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a boat with the clamshell covers in the open position. 
       FIG. 8  is an inset detail view of the forward clamshell cover hinge of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a detail view of the forward door showing the operating handle installed. 
       FIG. 9   a  is a detail of the operating handle. 
       FIG. 10  is a detail of a closed dog viewing port mounted in the clamshell covers. 
       FIG. 11  is a detail of an open dog viewing port mounted in the clamshell covers. 
       FIG. 12  is a front view of a boat with the invention installed, with the clamshell covers removed and the top sliding door open. 
       FIG. 13  is a detail view of the top sliding door guide track and operating wheel system. 
       FIG. 14  is another detail view of the top sliding door guide track and operating wheel system. 
       FIG. 15  is a detail view of a handle on the top sliding door used for opening and closing the top sliding door. 
       FIG. 16  is a front detail view of the top sliding door wheel system. 
       FIG. 17  is a detail view of the side door sliding system. 
       FIG. 18  is a detail view of the stops for the side door and top sliding door. 
       FIG. 19  is a detail of one of the frame mounting brackets. 
       FIG. 20  is a detail of the unit installed in the frame mounting brackets. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention has three basic modes of operation: water transportation, stationary blind, and ground transportation. Each of these modes will be discussed below. Before discussing the specific aspects of these modes, some general comments will be made. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the invention  1  is designed to be placed on a small boat hull  100  as shown. This hull can be any type of small watercraft that is powered by an outboard or inboard motor  105 . Typically, these vessels have a steering station  110  where the operator can stand to steer the boat while moving it to a desired location on the water. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the invention showing the invention  1  in the water transportation mode is shown. In this figure, the invention  1  has a shell  10  that forms the body of the center blind. The structure of the blind shell is discussed below. At the stern of the boat there is a rear blind shell  10 . The rear blind shell is covered by a sliding door  12 . This door is shown open. Two clamshell bow covers  14  are stored at the stern of the boat in the water transport mode. Normally, these covers fit over the bow, as discussed below. At the top of the center blind is a sliding top cover  15 . The top cover  15  is designed to slide on the curved rods, as discussed below. In  FIG. 1 , the curved top  15  is slid down to the side. This allows an operator to stand at the steering station  110  to operate the vessel. 
     FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a boat showing the invention  1  installed in the partially closed blind mode. In this view, the blind is not fully operational. This is the situation where the hunters have arrived at the desired location and have begun to set up the blind. The clamshell covers  14  are mounted on the bow and secured in the closed position (discussed in more detail below). Note that the clamshell covers have viewing panels  16  so that forward view can be obtained while the blind is closed. Note also that in this mode, the top cover  15  is slid up to the closed position. Note that the top cover can be slip to any angle on either side of the boat for better firing positions (as discussed below). Note also that there is a gap  18  between the center blind  10  and the aft blind  10   a . This gap  18  forms an access opening for the boat. In the preferred embodiment, there is an access opening on both sides of the vessel. The sliding door  12  is provided to close the access openings for the fully closed blind position. 
     FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of a boat showing the invention installed in the closed blind mode. Here, the preparations for the hunting are completed. The boat is secured or anchored, the clamshell covers  14  are closed and the sliding door  12  is closed and secured. This view shows the top cover  15  slid down on the opposite side of the boat. This position allows the hunters shooting positions through the open top of the boat in any direction. When the top cover is open, a 360° field of vision is provided. Note also that in the fully closed blind position, a camouflage netting  19  is lowered and spreads out over the motor and stern of the boat by means of a hinged hoop (not shown). This netting  19  ensures that that the stern of the vessel is completely hidden in the hunting mode. 
     FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a boat showing the invention installed in the semi-closed blind mode of  FIG. 2 . Note also the arrangement of the camouflage netting  19  in this view. 
     FIG. 5  is a rear view of a boat showing the invention installed and the camouflage netting  19  in the stored position. As shown, the netting  19  is rolled up and held in place with straps  20 . The netting is rolled for water transport and ground transport. 
     FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of a boat with the clamshell covers  14  in the closed position. In this view, the top cover  15  is shown closed. This view shows the configuration for ground transport. In this mode, the covers are closed and the boat is mounted on a trailer (not shown). In this way, the boat and contents are protected during ground transport of the vessel. 
     FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a boat with the clamshell covers in the open position. Here, the clamshell covers  14  are mounted on the bow of the boat but are opened. This is done when the covers are removed to be placed on the stern for water transport or when they are replaced for use as a blind. Note the two dog-viewing ports  16 . In the preferred embodiment, these ports are solid covers that hinge inward, as discussed below. Of course, any suitable type access type viewing port can be used. 
     FIG. 8  shows an inset view of the details of the clamshell cover. Each clamshell cover  14  is made up a metal skin  14   a  that is reinforced by frame members  14   b . At the base of each clamshell is a hinge or pivot  14   c . The hinge has a barrel and a small hollow cylinder  14   d  that sits on a post (not shown) that is attached to the hinge base  14   e . The hinge base  14   e  is secured to the fore deck  115  of the boat  100 . In this way, the clamshell covers  14  can be placed on to the bow of the boat. A mounting device is secured to each side of the stern to hold the clamshell covers when they are stored there. 
     FIG. 9  is a detail view of the forward door showing the operating handle installed.  FIG. 9   a  is a detail of the operating handle itself. The operating handle  22  has a handle portion  22   a  and a hook portion  22   b . The hook portion is designed to fit into a pocket at the back of the hinge  14   c . The hook fits into the pocket and the handle  22   a  extends back. The user than then grip the handle to open and close the clamshell doors safely when they are installed. 
     FIG. 10  is a detail of a closed dog viewing port  16  mounted in the clamshell covers  14 . In the preferred embodiment, these doors can be open to allow dog viewing through the closed clamshell doors when in the blind mode. Although any designs of doors may be used, one example is shown. In this design a reinforced flexible member  16   a  is secured to a hinge  16   b  that is also attached to the skin  14   a  of the clamshell doors. The flexible member  16   a  is reinforced by a band of metal  16   c  as shown. A number of screw latches  16   d  are spaced around the door as shown. The latches have a lip that is turned over the door to hold it closed and are turned back to open the door.  FIG. 11  is a detail of an open dog viewing port mounted in the clamshell covers. In this view, the latches  16   d  are turned away from the door and the door is opened, showing the open space  16   e  for viewing. 
     FIG. 12  is a front view of a boat with the invention installed, with the front doors removed and the top sliding door open and the camouflage netting rolled. This shows a bow view of the water transportation mode. As shown, the operator has a clear view out of the bow and can stand and look through the open top as the top cover is slid off to one side. 
     FIG. 13  is a detail view of the top sliding door guide track and operating wheel system. The top sliding door  15  is designed to slide in either direction. As noted above, it is opened for boat water transport and is closed for road transport. The top sliding door slides on a pair of round hoops  25  one hoop  25  is placed under the front of the top sliding door and the other is placed at the rear. These hoops  25  extend from gunwale to gunwale. See e.g.,  FIG. 12 . Four wheel assemblies  26  are secured to the top sliding door.  FIG. 13  shows one of the wheel assemblies attached to the door and the forward hoop.  FIG. 16  is a front detail view of the top sliding door wheel assembly  26 . Each assembly has two side plates  27  that are secured to the top sliding door by welding and by an eyebolt and nut  28 . The eyebolt is used to attach items, such as a bungee cord, for example. A pulley  29  is secured in the assembly by a bolt and nut  30  as shown. The pulley is placed above the hoop  25 . A second nut and bolt  31  are installed in the bottom of the side plates below the hoop  25 . This bolt and nut assembly is used to keep the assembly on the hoop. As mentioned above, there are four of these assemblies installed at the corners of the top sliding door.  FIG. 14  is another detail view of the top sliding door guide track and operating wheel system that shows two of the assemblies installed on the forward hoop  25 . 
   As discussed above, the top sliding door can be closed or opened. In the open position, it can be slid to either side of the boat. To set the door in the desired position, a handle  32  is attached to each side of the top sliding door.  FIG. 15  is a detail view of one of the handles  32  on the top sliding door used for opening and closing the top sliding door. 
   As mentioned above, there is a rear sliding door that is used for entry and exit of the boat. The door is slid on a similar system to that of the top sliding door.  FIG. 17  is a detail view of the side door sliding system. Here, instead of a hoop, a flat rod  40  is used. The rod  40  installed along the top of the gunwale on each side of the boat. Two pulleys  41  are secured to each side of the sliding door (two on each side of the boat, fore and aft). The pulleys are secured by bolts and nuts  42 . As before, the door slides along the rail on the pulley. 
   Note that any door or cover can be operated at any time without interfering with the opening or closing of any of the other doors or covers. 
     FIG. 18  is a detail view of the stops for the side door and top sliding door. In this view, the forward end  40   a  of the rod  40  is shown. Note that the end  40   a  is turned up. This acts as a stop for the door. Note also that this figure also shows the stop for the top sliding door  15 , an end of the hoop  25  is shown where it secured to the hull. At the base of the hoop is a spring  44 . The spring  44  acts as a shock absorber for the top sliding door when it is opened. In this way, the door  15  slides to a gentler landing when opened. Note that springs are installed on the ends of both hoops. 
     FIGS. 19 and 20  show details of the blind mounting brackets  50 . The blind is designed to the installed on and removed from the boat with a minimum of tools. This is accomplished by installed a number of mounting brackets along the sides of the inner hull of the boat.  FIG. 20  is a detail of one of the frame mounting brackets.  FIG. 19  shows a side of the blind. Note that like the clamshell covers, it has a skin  60  that is reinforced by a number of horizontal frame members  61  and vertical frame members  62 . The brackets  65  are installed in the boat to align with the vertical members  62  as shown. These vertical members then fit into openings in the brackets  65  where they are secured.  FIG. 20  shows a detail of one of the brackets  65 . It has a shaped frame member  66  that is secured to the hull by rivets, welding or other fasteners. At the top of the bracket is a mounting receptacle  67 . This receptacle  67  has a socket that accepts the vertical frame member as shown. A bolt and nut  70  secured each vertical frame member to the receptacle. In this way, the blind can be quickly installed on and removed from the boat as desired. 
   The present disclosure should not be construed in any limited sense other than that limited by the scope of the claims having regard to the teachings herein and the prior art being apparent with the preferred form of the invention disclosed herein and which reveals details of structure of a preferred form necessary for a better understanding of the invention and may be subject to change by skilled persons within the scope of the invention without departing from the concept thereof.