US20090178326A1

US20090178326A1 - Portable camouflage blind

Info

Publication number: US20090178326A1
Application number: US12/009,248
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederick A. Suter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-01-16
Filing date: 2008-01-16
Publication date: 2009-07-16

Abstract

A camouflage blind which is readily portable and effective in providing cover and concealment, employs a plurality of masking components which form a camouflage facade. The blind, using a plurality of twig elements, each having a pair of flexible wires entrapping a filament, simulates pine needles. The twig elements are secured to a heavier flexible wire by wrapping the base of the twig elements to the heavier wire to form a branch. A plurality of branch members are twisted together at their bases or are attached to a heavier wire, these components having wrappings at their points of attachment to form a limb. A plurality of limbs are secured to a shaft member, forming a camouflage facade, by producing a small artificial tree or extended tree section in the nature of an evergreen tree or other desired tree type. A handle is positioned at the lower end of the shaft member. The lower end has a threaded section and a pointed end. A separate handle section, detachable from and attachable to the shaft member, can be employed for ease of transport and storage of the camouflage blind. The threaded section is used to screw the shaft, and hence the camouflage blind, into a tree, tree stand, existing blind, the ground, or other supporting surface. The flexible nature of the artificial tree masking components of the camouflage facade permit them to be bent and positioned as desired. A separate handle section, detachable from and attachable to the shaft member, can be employed for ease of transport and storage of the camouflage blind.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Camouflage blinds, facades, curtains and similar masking devices have long been used for creating cover and concealment of people and equipment. Hunters, soldiers, and photographers are among the groups of individuals who routinely require camouflage, and a variety of systems and techniques are employed to provide this protection. Many of these camouflage means use artificial tree components, which, when used in fields, forests, wooded areas, and other natural locations, are effective in the concealment process. While the use of artificial trees for religious, landscaping, and decorative purposes is common, such has yet to be practically and efficiently employed specifically for camouflage. There is currently no camouflage blind which comprises artificial trees, tree limbs, or other tree components, which is easily portable and effective for camouflage concealment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide an effective, portable, and user-friendly camouflage blind which combines the existing technology afforded in the artificial tree art, with camouflage techniques.
Artificial tree twig elements, each consisting of a pair of flexible wires entrapping a filament, simulate pine needles. The twig elements are secured to a heavier flexible wire by wrapping the base of the twig elements to the heavier wire to form a branch. A plurality of branch members are twisted together at their bases or are attached to a heavier wire, these components having wrappings at their points of attachment to form a limb. A plurality of limbs are secured to a shaft member, forming a camouflage facade, by producing a small artificial tree or extended tree section in the nature of an evergreen tree or other desired tree type. A handle is positioned at the lower end of the shaft member. The lower end has a threaded section and a pointed end. A separate handle section, detachable from and attachable to the shaft member, can be employed for ease of transport and storage of the camouflage blind. The threaded section is used to screw the shaft, and hence the camouflage blind, into a tree, tree stand, existing blind, the ground, or other supporting surface. The flexible nature of the artificial tree masking components of the camouflage facade permit them to be bent and positioned as desired. A separate handle section, detachable from and attachable to the shaft member, can be employed for ease of transport and storage of the camouflage blind.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the camouflage blind of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the camouflage blind of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a depiction of one use of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a depiction of another use of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Portable camouflage blind 1 comprises elongated shaft member 2 having upper end section 4 and lower end section 6. Connector 14 with pointed end tip 16 is located at the very bottom of end section 6. Connector 14 comprises threads which facilitate the attachment of connector 14. Handle 10 with arm members 12 is also positioned on end section 6, above connector 14. The components located near and at end section 6, i.e. handle 10 and connector 14 with pointed end tip 16, can be integral with shaft 2 as seen in FIG. 1. For ease of transport and storage, handle 10 with connector 14 can also be a separable, detachable handle element, as seen in FIG. 2, with male shaft connection 8 at the end of shaft 2 being configured to be threadably secured within a mating female threaded connection in handle component 10. The resulting threaded joint serves to complete camouflage blind 1, as if the handle to shaft connection were permanent.
The facade portion of camouflage blind 1 is substantially located on upper section 4 of shaft 2 and is formed by a plurality of masking components, including limb elements 20 secured to and extending out from the shaft. Artificial twig elements 24, each consisting of a pair of flexible wires entrapping a filament, simulate pine needles. Each twig element 24 comprises a pair of lightweight, flexible wires encircling a lightweight filament. A plurality of twig elements 24 are secured to a heavier flexible wire by wrapping the base of the twigs to the heavier wire to form branch member 22. A plurality of branch members 22 are twisted together at their bases or are attached to a heavier wire, these components having wrappings at their points of attachment to form limb element 20. The plurality of limb elements secured to and extending out from shaft 2 produce a small artificial tree or extended tree section which appears as an evergreen limb, tree, or bush.
It is contemplated that limb elements 20 with branch members 22 and twig elements 24, will all be constructed of lightweight, but sturdy, plastic material or equivalent material, to allow flexible bending and twisting of the components. However, the invention is not deemed to be restricted to the type of material used.
While camouflage blind 1 is shown with evergreen type limbs, any type of leaf configuration may be employed, depending upon the environment for which the blind is intended.
In use, camouflage blind 1 whether as an integral unit or with handle component 10 attached, is screwed into a supporting surface such as tree 40 or the ground 42, by rotation of shaft 2 about threaded connector 14, until the blind is securely fastened in position. When so secured, limb elements 20, branch members 22, and twig elements 24, can then be bent and twisted, as desired, to provide a hunter 30 or other individual seeking to be masked, effective camouflage protection. When a change of location or different position is desired, camouflage blind 1 can simply be unscrewed from its supporting surface and then easily refastened into a new surface, thus providing a highly effective and portable camouflage device.
Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A camouflage blind comprising:

an elongated shaft member having an upper section and a lower end, the lower end having a pointed end tip, said shaft member comprising connection means adjacent the lower end for securing the blind to a supporting surface;

a plurality of limb elements connected to and extending from the shaft member, each limb element having a plurality of outwardly protruding masking components forming a camouflage facade positioned on the upper section of the shaft member and extending to a location above the lower end of the shaft member; and

rotatable handle means adjacent to the connection means for implementing the secure connection of the blind to the supporting surface, whereby rotation of the handle means compels the connection means into the supporting surface to maintain the facade in position in relation to the supporting surface.

2. The camouflage blind as in claim 1 wherein the connection means comprises threads adjacent to the lower end of the shaft member.

3. The camouflage blind as in claim 1 wherein the masking components comprise a plurality of branch members supporting a plurality of twig elements.

4. The camouflage blind as in claim 2 wherein the twig elements each comprise a twisted pair of flexible wires encircling a filament.

5. The camouflage blind as in claim 1 wherein the handle means comprises a detachable handle member comprising an extended section on which the connection means and pointed end tip are located.

6. The camouflage blind as in claim 5 wherein the handle member and shaft member are detachably connected by threaded joint.

7. A camouflage blind comprising:

an elongated shaft member having an upper section and a lower end;

a plurality of limb elements connected to and extending from the shaft member, each limb element having a plurality of outwardly protruding masking components forming a camouflage facade positioned on the upper section end of the shaft member and extending to a location above the lower end of the shaft member;

a handle member comprising a rotatable handle, connection means for securing the blind to a supporting surface, and a pointed end tip;

joint means for connecting the handle member and the shaft member, whereby upon connection of the handle and shaft members, rotation of the rotatable handle compels the connection means into the supporting surface.

8. A camouflage blind as in claim 7 wherein the connection means comprises threads adjacent to the pointed end tip of the base member.

9. A camouflage blind as in claim 7 wherein the masking components comprise a plurality of branch members supporting a plurality of twig elements.

10. A camouflage blind as in claim 9 wherein the twig elements each comprise a twisted pair of flexible wires encircling a filament.

11. A camouflage blind as in claim 7 wherein the handle extends outwardly from the handle member.