Abstract:
A combination trekking pole and blind is disclosed. When in a collapsed configuration, the trekking pole facilitates a user traversing challenging terrain. The combination can quickly be expanded into a blind configuration with an expanding camouflaged umbrella arrangement for concealing the user from the view of hunted game.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/222,221, filed on Jul. 1, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/177,902, filed on May 13, 2009, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to portable blinds or decoys and hiking aids, and more particularly to a combination trekking pole and blind or decoy. 
     DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
     Blinds and decoys follow a variety of designs and functions that range from portable and collapsible boxes or tents to full-standing permanent enclosures that require trucks to transport. Some blinds require substantial time and expertise to assemble and disassemble. It is understood that sportspersons need a portable blind or decoy to more effectively hunt game because certain game quickly stops moving or suddenly enters into flight mode. Additionally, sportspersons would benefit from a portable hunting blind or decoy that could also assist with traversing terrain. 
     Nature observers would also benefit from being able to carry an easily portable blind that can assist with hiking. Trekking poles can assist hikers traverse terrain, but are ineffective when attempting to observe an animal that can be easily startled. With a portable blind that also aids with walking, nature observers can hike more challenging terrain and more easily conceal themselves from animals. 
     Although there are myriad designs for blinds or decoys, there are no effective, portable blinds or decoys available to the public that can also be configured as a trekking pole. The prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,590,699; 5,214,872; 5,522,168; 5,572,823; 5,787,632; and 6,296,005, demonstrating a continuing set of improvements over the prior art. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,699 to Nicks discloses a foldable and collapsible game decoy. Similar to a collapsible personal fan, the invention disclosed by Nicks simulates an image of the body of the game on the outer side of the decoy. The decoy additionally includes a three-dimensional head of the game at the center of the outer side of the decoy. While portable and easily collapsible, the disclosed invention cannot also act as a hunting blind, nor can it assist in traversing terrain while hunting or hiking. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,872 to Buyalos et al. discloses an adjustable umbrella blind. The blind claimed by Buyalos et al. can be used to protect a person from rainfall and can also act as a collapsible blind to conceal a person. While the blind disclosed by Buyalos et al. can protect a person from rainfall and effectively conceal a person, it does not assist with traversing terrain as a trekking pole. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,168 to Friddle discloses a decoy that is a collapsible molded head on a backing sheet. Friddle discloses a three-dimensional frontal view of the decoy via rubber latex or other materials that simulates the decoy, and does not utilize a collapsible two-dimensional layer. Moreover, the invention disclosed by Friddle is not easily portable, nor does it assist in traversing terrain while hiking or hunting. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,823 to Savaria discloses a hand-held decoy and hunter shield. The decoy disclosed by Savaria includes a planar member contoured in the form of a game fowl silhouette held by a person observing or hunting fowl. The decoy effectively conceals a sportsperson or nature observer because the person holding the decoy is not observable behind the game fowl silhouette. The disclosed invention is not easily collapsible, its cumbersome planar member reduces its portability, and carrying the invention makes hiking or walking more difficult. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,632 to Kraut discloses a portable decoy blind for hunting or observing geese. Kraut discloses a dome-shaped goose shell simulating the body of a goose that a hunter or observer lies under while hunting or observing fowl. The invention disclosed by Kraut does not easily collapse, is not easily portable, and is limited to simulated fowl and not other game. Moreover, the invention claimed by Kraut does not assist with hiking and cannot provide functionality as a blind. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,005 to Williams et al. discloses a collapsible hunting blind apparatus. The hunting blind to Williams claims a shaft with an expandable surrounding outer layer that collapses around the shaft similar to an umbrella. The utility of the patent to Williams focuses on the collapsible functionality of a hunting blind but fails to address portability and whether the device can be used as a trekking pole to assist while traversing terrain. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a device that allows sportspersons and nature observers to traverse terrain while at the same time carry a lightweight portable decoy or blind that can quickly expand and collapse. The present invention accomplishes these objectives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present device is a collapsible portable decoy or blind that also easily collapses into a trekking pole to assist a sportsperson or nature observer with traversing terrain. 
     As will be discussed in more detail, the focus of the present invention is to provide a trekking pole that also provides functionality as a portable blind or decoy. The trekking pole can expand an outer layer outward as a decoy or blind element that is designed and colored to resemble or appeal to a species of wild game or camouflage. When collapsed, the outer layer also collapses and folds into the trekking pole. When facing game the outer layer functions to conceal the objects behind the blind so that the game believes the observable outer layer of the decoy apparatus is not a threat. 
     When fully collapsed, the portable blind also performs as a trekking pole that does not need to be broken apart and stored separately. When fully collapsed, the trekking pole has complete functionality and can support the weight of a person using the pole to assist when traversing hills and inclines. 
     One goal of the present device is to provide a blind or decoy that can be quickly assembled and disassembled by sportspersons or nature observers hunting or observing animals. 
     It is another goal of the present device to provide an effective hunting blind for sportspersons or nature observers to conceal themselves while hunting or observing various animals. 
     It is another goal of the present device to serve as a lightweight blind or decoy that can be easily carried by one person. 
     It is another goal of the present device to increase the accessibility of terrain that a sportsperson or nature observer can traverse while hunting game or hiking. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a device of the invention in use as a blind; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view thereof deployed and configured as a blind; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view a trekking pole clamp adaptor; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the device collapsed and configured as a trekking pole; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view thereof; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear elevation view thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevation view thereof; 
         FIG. 8  is decoy blind cover of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is front elevation view of the device with a decoy cover attached; and 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of an umbrella shaft adaptor. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list. Any use of the word “means” herein is intended to invoke means-plus-function limitation in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, even if the word “means” follows words describing the function. 
     The present invention is a combination  10  trekking pole and hunting blind. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention an umbrella  60  or other collapsible apparatus includes a flexible fabric section  70 . Fabrics for the flexible fabric section  70  may include polyester, polyurethane-polyurea copolymer elastane, polyvinylchloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, or other water resistant organic or synthetic compounds and combinations thereof. 
       FIG. 1  is a view of the present invention during use in a blind  30  configuration that shows the flexible fabric section  70  adapted to slide up and down the umbrella  60  using an umbrella runner and rib mechanism  80  into an expanded  61  or collapsed  62  position. The umbrella shaft  90  is defined as having a proximal end  92  and a distal end  98  terminating into a ferrule  100 . 
     The umbrella runner and rib mechanism  80  that slides along the umbrella shaft  90  defines a first longitudinal axis L 1 . When the combination  10  is placed in the expanded position  61  and placed in front of a user  40  the invention conceals a user  40  from the line of sight of game  15  looking toward the user  40 . The combination  10  can then be easily placed into its collapsed position  62  into a trekking pole configuration  20  without requiring substantial time for disassembly. 
     The trekking pole configuration  20  of the present invention includes a trekking shaft  110  with a lower end  112  and upper end  118  that defines a second longitudinal axis L 2 . The upper end  118  of the trekking shaft  110  is easily adaptable to attach to a ferrule  100  of the umbrella  60  to bring the longitudinal axis L 2  of the umbrella shaft  90  into co-alignment with the second longitudinal axis L 2  of the trekking shaft  110 . A camera  18 , telescope (not shown), or the like can be mounted to the upper end  118  of the trekking shaft  110 . A ground spike  120  may be attached to the lower end  112  of the trekking shaft  110  for facilitating the securing and stabilizing the blind  30 . 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention may also include a handle section  130  having a proximal end  132  and a distal end  138 , the handle section  130  defining a third longitudinal axis L 3  ( FIG. 10 ). The proximal end  132  terminates with a grip  140  that is configured to receive and align longitudinally with the upper end  118  of the trekking shaft  110  and longitudinally orthogonal with the proximal end  92  of the umbrella shaft  90 . The grip  140  may be constructed of rubber, foam, plastics, wood, metals, or other suitable grip materials that provide a sufficient means to grasp the handle  130  section. 
       FIG. 2  also shows the invention in the blind  30  configuration. When configured as a blind  30  the umbrella  60  is in the expanded position  61 , and the proximal end  132  of the handle section  130  is orthogonally fixed with the proximal end  92  of the umbrella shaft  90  and longitudinally aligned and attached with the upper end  118  of the trekking shaft  110 . The distal surface  78  of the flexible fabric section  70  of the umbrella  60  attaches to the rib mechanism  80  of the umbrella  60  and expands into the blind configuration  30 . 
     The ground spike  120  ensures that the combination  10  can be placed securely in the ground surface  50 . 
     Preferably, when configured as a trekking pole  20  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) the distal end  138  of the handle section  130  is fixed to the proximal end  92  of the umbrella shaft  90  and mutually aligned with the upper end  118  of the trekking shaft  110  that is itself connected to the ferrule  100  of the umbrella  60 . When the umbrella  60  is in a collapsed  62  position, the combination  10  acts as the trekking pole  20  so that a user  40  can grasp the handle section  130  and the ground-penetrating spike  120  can be contacted with the ground surface  50  to improve traction of the user  40  therealong. Alternately, an elastomeric foot  210  may be selectively attached to the ground-penetrating spike  120  when penetrating the ground surface  50  with the spike  120  is not desired. 
     Further, the combination  10  may also receive a flexible protective cover  240  with an aperture  245  at both ends for covering the umbrella  60  when the combination  10  is collapsed in the trekking pole  20  configuration. The flexible protective cover  240  protects the flexible fabric section  70  and the elastic cover  150 .  FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of the invention when configured as a trekking pole  20 . 
     It is contemplated that at least one aperture of the protective cover  240  can include an additional draw string arrangement  247  or one or more closure members, such as cooperating strips of hook-and-loop material, or the like, to secure the protective cover  240  around the handle  130  section. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the ferrule  100  and the distal end  98  of the umbrella shaft  90  can telescopically receive the upper end  118  of the trekking shaft  110 . The trekking pole  20  and the ferrule  100  can then be selectively lockable via a clamping mechanism  230  ( FIG. 3 ), such as a twistable threaded shaft arrangement or the like. The clamping mechanism  230  secures the trekking pole  20  or blind  30  so that it does not collapse or come apart during use. 
     The combination  10  can also receive a flexible cover  150  adapted for selective attachment to a distal surface  78  of the flexible fabric section  70  of the umbrella  60  that expands  61  via the protruding ribs  82  of the rib mechanism  80 . Fabrics for the flexible cover  150  may include polyester, polyurethane-polyurea copolymer elastane, polyvinylchloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, or other water resistant organic or synthetic compounds and combinations thereof. Preferably the flexible cover  150  is at least partially elastic, and made from a combination of at least 80% polyester and not more than 20% Lycra, for example. A printed image  155  of game, camouflage, or the environment are examples of possible images that may be applied to the flexible cover  150 .  FIG. 6  is a rear elevated view of the combination  10  in the blind configuration  30  wherein the spike  210  and the stop  220  are attached to the trekking shaft  110 , and the trekking shaft  110  is attached to the grip  140  and handle section  130 . The flexible cover  150  is illustrated as a modified octagon, however any suitable shape of flexible cover  150  may be used. 
     To strengthen the attachment of the flexible cover  150  to the distal surface  78  of the flexible fabric section  70 , the cover  150  can include one or more apertures  160  that are adapted for placement over the protruding ribs  82  of the rib mechanism  80  to hold the flexible cover to the flexible fabric section  70  of the umbrella  60 .  FIG. 7  shows a front view of the ribs and the attached distal surface  78  of the flexible fabric section  70  of the umbrella  60 .  FIG. 8  shows a flexible cover  150  with a printed image  155  and apertures  160 .  FIG. 9  illustrates the flexible cover  150  in the expanded position  61  attached via the apertures  160  to the flexible fabric section  70  of the umbrella  60 . 
     The combination  10  can also be configured wherein both the ferrule  100  of the umbrella shaft  90  and the proximal end of the handle  130  section include a longitudinally aligned threaded aperture  170  that attaches with a longitudinally aligned threaded connector  180  at the upper-end of the trekking shaft ( FIG. 10 ). The proximal end  92  of the umbrella shaft  90  also includes a longitudinally aligned threaded connector  180  for attachment with either a longitudinally aligned threaded aperture  170  of the distal end  138  of the handle  130  section or an orthogonally aligned threaded aperture  170  of the proximal end  92  of the handle section  130 . 
     Such an embodiment additionally includes a shaft adapter  190  that may be fixed between the proximal end  132  of the handle section  130  and the upper end  118  of the trekking shaft  110  at an aperture  200  therethrough when configured as a blind  30 . The shaft adapter  190  also includes the orthogonally aligned threaded aperture  170  that is fixed with the proximal end  92  of the umbrella shaft  90 . The present configuration can also be modified so that the shaft adapter  190 , when in the trekking pole  20  configuration, is fixed between the ferrule  100  of the umbrella and the upper end  118  of the trekking shaft  110 .  FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the umbrella shaft adapter  190  showing three longitudinal axes L 1 , L 2 , and L 3  and how each connects to the combination  10  to form the umbrella shaft  90 . 
     To prevent the ground penetrating spike  120  from penetrating the ground surface  50 , which is not desirable in some circumstances, the selectively removable foot  210  may be attached to the ground-penetrating spike  120  ( FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 ). The foot  210  may be stored at the proximal end  132  of the handle section  130  (not shown). 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the combination  10  may include a stop  220  fixed proximate to the lower end  112  of the trekking shaft  110  and projecting radially away therefrom. Use of a stop  220  prevents the spike  120  from penetrating so far into the ground surface  50  that use of the combination  10  in the trekking pole configuration  20  is hindered. 
     While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, various shaft-attaching mechanisms other than threaded shafts and apertures may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims. 
     Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention. 
     The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention. 
     Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “Detailed Description.” While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
     In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims. 
     While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.