Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02698897 2010-04-01
HUNTING BLIND
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
This invention is related to the field of blinds (e.g., hunting blinds) and
other
camouflaging devices.
Related Art
Hunting blinds help hunters immerse themselves into the local environment of
wildlife by, for example, helping hide the hunter from a field of view of an
animal to limit
the amount of fear or suspicion experienced by that animal. In general,
hunting blinds may
help obscure, alter, mask, or hide the visual appearance, heat, sound, and/or
smell of the
hunter. Additionally, blinds and the like may be used by non-hunters to, for
example, help
a bird watcher get closer to a flock of birds without startling the birds, or
help a nature
photographer approach or be approached by animals in their natural
environment.
Traditional hunting blinds are often camouflaged to look like or otherwise
blend
into a part of the local environment. For example, traditional hunting blinds
may be
decorated or adorned with a fabric pattern that looks like a collection of
sticks and/or
leaves. These patterns help hide (e.g., obscure) any edges and/or sharp angles
of the
camouflaged object that may be used to differentiate the object from natural
objects of the
local environment.
Hunting blinds may also help hide, trap, or obscure smells, sounds, heat, or
other
identifiers from an animal. Likewise, hunting blinds may provide protection to
a hunter.
For example, hunting blinds may help shelter a hunter from weather (e.g.,
wind, rain,
uncomfortable temperatures, solar exposure, etc.) and/or may protect the
hunter from
being harmed by animals (e.g., by avoiding recognition by the animals and/or
by
providing a barrier between the hunter and the animals).
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SUMMARY
An exemplary embodiment relates to a hunting blind comprising a frame
comprising one or more rib members and a barrier layer, a fibrous covering,
and a
camouflage layer.
Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of assembling a hunting blind
comprising providing a generally rectangular frame base, providing one or more
frame
panels comprising at least one rib and a barrier layer, attaching two frame
panels to
opposite sides of the frame base, forming a canopy from two or more joined
frame panels,
and covering the canopy with a fibrous covering.
Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of assembling a hunting blind
comprising providing a generally rectangular frame base, attaching one or more
ribs to the
frame, attaching one or more barriers layers to the ribs with a clip,
attaching a fibrous
covering to the ribs or barrier layers, and attaching a covering to the ends
of the blind.
These and other features and advantages of various embodiments of systems and
methods according to this invention are described in, or are apparent from,
the following
detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of various devices,
structures,
and/or methods according to this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods according to the
present disclosure will be described in detail, with reference to the
following figures,
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a hunting
blind;
FIG. 2 is a another perspective view of the hunting blind embodiment FIG. 1
showing a portion of an internal framework;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base portion of the framework of the
embodiment
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a side panel portion of the framework
embodiment
of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the framework embodiment of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the framework embodiment of FIG. 1;
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FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a top panel portion of the framework
embodiment
of FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the framework of the framework embodiment of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a second exemplary embodiment of
a
framework for a hunting blind;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the framework embodiment of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a screw and a bracket or clip usable to
secure a
barrier to a framework of a hunting blind according to an exemplary
embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 11 coupling a barrier to a
frame;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a window cover
with the window covered; and
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the window cover embodiment of FIG. 13 with
the
window uncovered.
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In
certain
instances, details that are not necessary to the understanding of the
invention or 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
It should be appreciated that the following description of a hunting blind is
in
relation to use by a hunter for hunting animals. However, any individual could
use the
described blind for any desired purpose. As such, the following description
(e.g., with
regard to use by hunters) should be appreciated to include use by any user(s)
who may use
the blind for any desired purpose.
While traditional hunting blinds may help obscure the edges and/or angles of
the
blind and/or the hunter, traditional hunting blinds may still appear to be
foreign or
suspicious objects and may be avoided by animals. For example, a traditional
hunting
blind may not be specifically recognized as a threat by an animal, however,
that animal
may still recognize that the hunting blind is not a natural and/or expected
object (e.g., a
tree) and may still avoid the hunting blind.
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Additionally, many traditional hunting blinds (e.g., so-called tree stands or
blinds)
require natural objects of similar shape and/or size to the object being
camouflaged in
order for the hunting blind to appear as part of that environment. Likewise,
traditional
camouflaged blinds require certain foliage, trees, branches, and/or the like
to be able to
appear as part of the local environment. These traditional hunting blinds may
be
predominantly useful in wooded areas where the traditional hunting blind may
be
camouflaged as part of the trees or undergrowth.
However, hunters often hunt in locations or environments that are without
large
natural objects, such as trees, and/or without substantial foliage (e.g.,
background foliage).
For example, hunters may utilize a feed field or food plot, in which
vegetation (e.g., corn,
sorghum, winter wheat, rye, triticale, alfalfa, clover, soybeans, brassicas,
etc.) is planted
that is particularly preferred by a desired animal (e.g., deer). In such feed
fields or food
plots, there may not be sufficient natural objects, foliage, or the like to
optimally blend
into using traditional camouflaged hunting blinds.
However, hay bales (e.g., hay or straw) are common appearances in fields of
many
types, including feed fields, food plots, and the like. Animals appear to show
little or no
fear or suspicion when approaching hay bales, perhaps because the animals have
become
conditioned to seeing hay bales in fields. Additionally, some animals may have
become
conditioned to the tendency for hay bales to appear rapidly. For example, a
field may be
clear one day and include several hay bales the next. The abrupt appearance of
these hay
bales does not appear to be feared by animals or raise their suspicions. It
should be
appreciated that, in general, animals are often fearful or otherwise cautious
around objects
that appear foreign to a local known environment, either by shape and design
or by abrupt
appearance.
Earlier attempts to make a hay bale style hunting blind have not been
successful
for several reasons. Earlier hay bale blinds have been too heavy, too
permanent, too
expensive, and/or required frequent repair and/or replacement. For example,
earlier hay
bale blinds have used solid steel bars in large dimensions, welded frames, and
elaborate
assembly. These blinds often require full frame preconstruction and thus
create challenges
related to shipping (e.g., by requiring freight shipping) and placement in the
field. Once
assembled, these earlier hay bale blinds are difficult to disassemble and/or
move.
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Likewise, earlier hay bale blinds have typically used a layer of straw between
two
layers of fencing and a plastic interior layer to provide a camouflaged outer
surface. The
straw in these earlier hay bale blinds is not securely fastened to the blind
and, as such, is
rapidly lost from the blind due, at least in part, to weather conditions and
natural settling.
That is, the straw layer of previous blinds may be lost due to wind, rainfall,
and/or natural
settling of the material due to gravity. Many prior hay bale blinds require
replacement or
significant maintenance every year. The straw layer used in these previous
blinds may also
be particularly prone to igniting or catching fire in the presence of an
ignition source such
as, for example, a gas (e.g., propane or natural gas) or electric space
heater.
By replacing the straw layer with a more resilient fibrous material, the life
of the
blind can be extended. The replacement fibrous material may also be less prone
to igniting
or catching fire than the previous straw layer. Likewise, by improving the
construction of
the blind, the blind can be made lighter yet strong, while being more
efficient to ship,
transport, assemble, and/or disassemble.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a hunting blind 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, hunting blind 100 has a generally cylindrical shape
with
roughly circular end portions. That is, in various exemplary embodiments,
hunting blind
100 has a generally circular shaped cross-section in a latitudinal direction
and a generally
rectangular shaped cross section in a longitudinal direction. Additionally,
hunting blind
100 is covered with a material that has the appearance of baled hay or straw.
In various
exemplary embodiments, hunting blind 100 includes a fibrous covering 102.
As shown in FIG. 1, hunting blind 100 has an exterior appearance that
resembles
common hay bales (e.g., round bales). That is, the outer surfaces of hunting
blind 100 give
the appearance of natural fibers, such as straw or hay, and the general shape
of hunting
blind 100 is similar to the shape of a typical hay bale, such as, for example,
a round bale.
Hunting blind 100 may be any size (e.g., larger or smaller than typical hay
bales).
In general, fibrous covering 102 may give the appearance of rolled or bundled
straw or hay and may include bale netting, string, or other bundling material
found in hay
bales. In various exemplary embodiments, fibrous covering 102 includes end
portions that
may be used for covering the roughly circular end portions of hunting blind
100. In
various exemplary embodiments, fibrous covering 102 is made from a material
and/or is
treated (e.g., with a material or chemical) that is fire-resistant and/or fire-
retarding. In
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various other exemplary embodiments, the end portions of the blind may be
covered by
another materials, such as, for example, canvas, that is treated (e.g.,
painted) to resemble
the end of a bale.
In various exemplary embodiments, fibrous covering 102 is an erosion control
blanket, which may include coconut fiber and/or straw with a capture net.
Erosion control
blankets are produced commercially in different grades, which vary in their
durability. In
preferred embodiments, a longer-wearing material is preferred as it will have
to be
replaced less frequently.
In addition to the fibrous layer, an additional layer of camouflage material
may be
added on the exterior of the blind. The camouflage layer may comprise natural
materials
such as, for example, hay, straw, or corn stalks, and/or artificial materials
designed to
mimic the appearance of natural materials.
It should be appreciated that, while hunting blind 100 is shown to have or
simulate
the appearance of a round hay bale, according to various exemplary
embodiments, a
hunting blind may resemble any shape of hay bale. For example, the hunting
blind may be
substantially square or rectangular and/or may resemble one or more square or
rectangular
hay bales in any desired configuration (e.g., like a stack of rectangular
bales). Likewise,
hunting blind 100 may simulate or give the appearance of bales (e.g., round
bales)
composed of materials other than hay. For example, hunting blind 100 may have
the
appearance of baled straw, corn stalks, or other cut and/or raked crops.
Hunting blind 100 may be usable to help obscure, hide, or mask one or more
sensory indicators of a hunter located within hunting blind 100 from animals
near hunting
blind 100. For example, hunting blind 100 may help mask or hide a smell, heat,
sound,
and/or an appearance of a hunter located within hunting blind 100. As such,
animals near
hunting blind 100 may not be aware of the presence of the hunter located
within hunting
blind 100. It should be appreciated that hunting blind 100 may be utilized to
help obscure,
hide, or mask any indicator used by any animal to detect the presence of a
person.
It should be appreciated that, while hunting blind 100 is shown as being
nearly
fully enclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2, in various exemplary embodiments, hunting
blind 100
includes a substantially open portion. For example, in various exemplary
embodiments,
hunting blind 100 may have an open roof and may be particularly useful for
hunting birds
(e.g., ducks and/or geese).
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FIG. 2 shows a portion of hunting blind 100 without fibrous covering 102
(e.g., a
portion of a skeleton of hunting blind 100) according to an exemplary
embodiment. As
shown in FIG. 2, in various exemplary embodiments, hunting blind 100 includes
a series
of spaced apart ribs 120 and a barrier 130. In various exemplary embodiments,
series of
ribs 120 includes at least one terminal rib 125 positioned near each end of
hunting blind
100. In various exemplary embodiments, the ribs and/or base are formed from
hollow
tubing. The tubing may have any cross-sectional shape such as, for example,
square,
round, rectangular, triangular, oval, etc. The tubing may be made from any
material of
sufficient strength including, for example, metals, such as stainless steel or
aluminum, or
plastics. The hollow tubing provides reduced weight and more flexibility while
providing
sufficient strength to support the structure. Ribs 120 and barrier 130 help
provide a
skeletal structure upon which fibrous covering 102 may be supported. It should
be
appreciated that, in various exemplary embodiments, one or more additional
members may
also be connected to ribs 120 (e.g., between adjacent ribs to, for example,
add rigidity). It
should be appreciated that barrier 130 may include apertures in positions that
correspond
to each window 104 or any other openings. It should also be appreciated that
barrier 130
may be any net, web, grid, mesh, screen, wall, or the like that helps provide
suitable
rigidity between ribs 120 and/or to hunting blind 100. It should be
appreciated that either
ribs 120 and/or barrier 130 may comprise one or more pieces each (e.g., five
rib sections
may be joined to form a single rib 120).
As shown in FIG. 2, in various exemplary embodiments, barrier 130 is coupled
to
ribs 120. It should be appreciated that, while barrier 130 is shown in FIG. 2
coupled to an
external surface of ribs 120, in various exemplary embodiments, barrier 130
may be
coupled to an internal surface of ribs 120.
In various exemplary embodiments, barrier 130 is a lightweight metal fence
material. In various other embodiments, barrier 130 may be a more solid
material with
fewer apertures. For example, in various exemplary embodiments, barrier 130
may be a
plastic or plywood layer. It should be appreciated that the desired strength
and/or rigidity
of barrier 130 may depend, at least in part, on the number of and distance
between ribs
120. Likewise, the desired strength, and/or rigidity of barrier 130 may
depend, at least in
part, on the weight, thickness, size, and/or rigidity of fibrous covering 102.
In various
exemplary embodiments, fibrous covering 102 may be sufficiently rigid such
that barrier
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130 may be omitted. In various exemplary embodiments, additional layers may be
provided (e.g., between barrier 130 and fibrous covering 102). For example, a
fire resistant
and/or fire retardant layer may be provided between barrier 130 and fibrous
covering 102.
In various exemplary embodiments, fibrous covering 102 includes margins or end
portions that have one or more pockets, sleeves, or similar structures for
coupling the end
portions to a terminal rib 125 of hunting blind 100. For example, an end
portion may
include a pocket around its outer dimension into which a terminal rib 125 may
be fed
through to help couple the end portion to terminal rib 125.
In various exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, frame 110 includes a
base
118 that may be a single piece or be assembled from multiple pieces. In
various exemplary
embodiments, the base 118 comprises four pieces coupled together.
In various exemplary embodiments, frame 110 is generally rectangular shaped
and
helps define a lower, outer perimeter of hunting blind 100. That is, in
various exemplary
embodiments, frame 110 helps define the perimeter of hunting blind 100 at or
near ground
level. In various embodiments, frame 110 helps provide a foundation for
hunting blind
100. In various exemplary embodiments, frame 110 includes one or more
projections 112
(e.g., posts, pegs, or the like) extending from a top surface of frame 110.
Each rib 120 may
interact with one or more projection 112 to couple that rib 120 to frame 110.
As shown in
FIG. 3, in various exemplary embodiments, in place of or in addition to
projections 112,
frame 110 may include projecting sleeves 116. In such exemplary embodiments,
each rib
120 may be inserted into one or more sleeves 116 to couple that rib 120 to
frame 110.
Likewise, in various exemplary embodiments, in place or in addition to
projections 112
and/or sleeves 116, frame 110 may include depressions, pockets, cutouts,
and/or the like to
receive a portion of one or more ribs 120, thereby coupling ribs 120 to frame
110.
In various exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, the frame
may
comprise panels 117 and 119 containing rib sections 121 and barrier sections
131. FIG. 4
shows one exemplary embodiment of a side panel 117 and FIG. 7 shows one
exemplary
embodiment of a top panel 119.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, according to various exemplary embodiments, the
frame
110 is formed by attaching side panels 117 to each side of the base 118. As
illustrated in
FIG. 6, additional side panels 117 are attached to the side panels 117
previously attached
to the base 118. In various exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,
the frame
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110 is completed by attaching top panel 119 to the side panels. In various
exemplary
embodiments, the panels 117 and 119 are attached to the frame and one another
with a
projection 112 and sleeve 116, but it should be appreciated that any means for
attaching
the panels 117 and 119. In various exemplary embodiments, side panels 117 may
have
different curvatures (e.g., the lowest section may have a larger radius than
higher sections
in order to increase the angle between the base and the lowest panels). In
various
exemplary embodiments, the lowest rib sections have a radius of 72 inches and
the
remaining rib sections have a radius of 36 inches.
FIG. 11 shows a screw and a bracket or clip usable to attach barrier 130 to
one or
more ribs 120 according to an exemplary embodiment. In various exemplary
embodiments, the screw is thread cutting, self-guiding, or self-tapping to
help facilitate the
screw entering the ribs. FIG. 12 shows use of a screw and a bracket or clip
for coupling
the barrier to a rib according to an exemplary embodiment. It should be
appreciated that
any suitable known or later-developed connection method or device, or
combinations
thereof, may be used to attach or couple barrier 130 to one or more ribs 120.
For example,
the barrier may be tied to the ribs, welded to the ribs, glued to the ribs,
etc.
In various other exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, blind 100 is
assembled by attaching ribs 120 to the base 118. Ribs 120 may comprise one or
more
segments. As shown in FIG. 10, the barrier 130 is coupled to the ribs 120.
Barrier 130 may
comprise one or more sections. In various exemplary embodiments, the barrier
130 is
coupled to the ribs 120 with clip 132, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The
disclosed clip is
particularly useful when the ribs 120 and barrier 130 are made of dissimilar
metals that are
not readily welded or soldered. Although the barrier is shown and described as
coupled to
the ribs with clip 132, it should be appreciated that any means for coupling
(e.g., welding)
may be used within the scope of this disclosure.
FIGS. 8 and 10 shows schematic representations of a portion of hunting blind
100
according to a second exemplary embodiment. As shown in the exemplary
embodiment
shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, hunting blind 100 includes a frame 110 and three ribs
120
connected to frame 110. Frame 110 has a generally rectangular planar shape and
each rib
120 has an arched or roughly circular shape. As such, frame 110 and ribs 120
collectively
provide a roughly cylindrical or tubular shape. In various exemplary
embodiments, frame
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110 includes one or more legs 114, which may help stabilize hunting blind 100
(e.g., by
helping prevent hunting blind 100 from tipping or rolling over).
It should be appreciated that rib 120 may include any number of sections or
portions, which are interconnected to provide the general shape shown in FIGS.
1-10. In
various exemplary embodiments, the portions of each rib 120 can be packaged
and
shipped using conventional shipping methods, as opposed to, for example,
relying on
specialty (e.g., freight) shipping. It should be appreciated that each rib 120
may be
constructed from any desirable material and have any desired dimensions. In
various
exemplary embodiments, each rib 120 is constructed of hollow tubing (e.g.,
square tubing,
rectangular tubing, circular tubing, etc) of metal (e.g., aluminum). Using
aluminum tubing,
for example, may help lower the total weight of the fully constructed hunting
blind 100.
Additionally, hollow tubing may be easier to penetrate with fasteners (e.g.,
self-tapping or
thread cutting screws) used to secure barrier 130 to each rib 120.
As shown in FIGS. 8-10, in various exemplary embodiments, one or more ribs 120
(e.g., a terminal or end rib) may include one or more horizontal struts (not
shown) and/or
one or more vertical struts 128. As shown in FIGS. 8-10, vertical struts 128
help provide
support for a door or other entry. It should be appreciated that hunting blind
100 may
include any number of doors. In various exemplary embodiments, a single door
is
provided between horizontal strut 126, vertical strut 128, portions of frame
110, and
portions of rib 120. It should also be appreciated that, in various exemplary
embodiments,
either or both of horizontal strut 126 and vertical strut 128 may be omitted.
That is,
vertical strut 128, and thus the door, may extend from a bottom portion of
hunting blind
100, where it may be coupled to frame 110, to semi-circular portion 122 and
horizontal
strut 126 may be omitted. Likewise, the door may extend between each elbow
portion 124
and vertical strut 128 may be omitted.
It should be appreciated that, vertical strut, if present, may be located at
any
desirable position. For example, vertical strut 128 may be located to one side
in order to
provide a larger door. In various exemplary embodiments, two vertical struts
128 may be
provided and the door may be provided between the two vertical struts 128. In
various
exemplary embodiments, the door is wide enough for a standard wheel chair to
pass
through the door. Likewise, in various exemplary embodiments, the door is wide
enough
for an all-terrain-vehicle (e.g., an ATV, a "four-wheeler", etc.) to pass
through the door. In
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various exemplary embodiments, hunting blind 100 (e.g., frame 110) includes a
ramp or a
similar structure to facilitate entrance into hunting blind 100 by a
wheelchair, an all-
terrain-vehicle, or other wheeled apparatus.
In various exemplary embodiments, hunting blind 100 is provided as a kit for
assembly. The kit, in various exemplary embodiments, includes a frame base 118
in one or
more pieces, panels 117 and 119 (in any desired number and size) having rib
sections and
barrier sections, fibrous cover, and end covers (the end panels may comprise a
fibrous
cover). In various exemplary embodiments, the kit includes ribs a frame base
118 in one or
more pieces, ribs in one or more segments, a barrier in one or more sections,
a fibrous
cover, and end covers.
In various exemplary embodiments, the parts of the kit are assembled to
provide
hunting blind 100. In an exemplary method of assembling the kit, the one or
more base
members are coupled together to provide roughly rectangular base 110. Each
elbow or
support portion 124 of each rib 120 is then coupled to base 110 (e.g., by
sliding a first
generally straight portion or a curved portion of each elbow or support
portion 124 onto or
around posts 112 or into sleeves 116 of base 110). Each semi-circular portion
122 is then
coupled to the corresponding elbow or support portions 124 (e.g., by sliding
semi-circular
member 122 onto or around post structures of the two corresponding elbow or
support
portions 124) to provide ribs 120. Barrier 130 is then coupled to ribs 120 to
complete a
skeletal structure of hunting blind 100. Fibrous covering 102 is then coupled
to an outer
surface of the skeletal structure.
In various exemplary embodiments, baling string, netting and/or the like may
be
utilized to help couple fibrous covering 102 to the skeletal structure. In
various exemplary
embodiments, bailing string, netting and/or the like, and/or structures that
give the
appearance of bailing string, netting, and/or the like, may be provided as
part of fibrous
covering 102.
It should be appreciated that the above-outlined method of assembling a kit of
hunting blind 100 may additionally include steps usable to provide windows,
doors, and/or
other openings in hunting blind 100. In various exemplary embodiments, such
additional
steps may include providing an opening in barrier 130 (e.g., by cutting,
tearing, ripping, or
the like) in locations of desired openings. For example, a generally u-shaped
tear or cut in
barrier 130 may be provided in a desired location of a window such that the
portion of
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barrier 130 within the u-shape tear or cut may be usable as a portion of the
above-outlined
coverings of windows (e.g., cover 106 of window 104). Likewise, similar
actions may be
taken with regard to fibrous covering 102.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in various exemplary embodiments, hunting blind 100
includes at least one window 104. Window 104 may be utilized by a user located
within
hunting blind 100 to see outside of hunting blind 100. Window 104 may also be
useful to
fire projectiles, such as, for example, pellets, bullets, arrows, darts, and
the like, at objects
(e.g., animals) located in an area around hunting blind 100 and/or to
photograph objects
(e.g., animals) located in the area around hunting blind 100.
Additionally, in various exemplary embodiments, each window 104 may include a
cover 106. Cover 106 may be utilized to close a window when that window is not
in use.
For example, cover 106 may be used to help prevent or inhibit an animal or
other observer
from seeing into the interior of hunting blind 100. Likewise, cover 106 may be
used, at
least in part, to conceal, mask, or hide other sensory indicators, such as,
for example, the
appearance, heat, smell, sounds, and/or the like coming from any occupants or
other
contents of hunting blind 100. In various exemplary embodiments, the cover 106
includes
two elastic straps between which a sheet of material is suspended. The straps
are capable
of connecting to the interior of the hunting blind so that the sheet of cover
material
obstructs a window. In various exemplary embodiments, the straps are longer
than the
cover, which makes it easier to uncover a window. In various exemplary
embodiments, the
curvature of the hunting blind (e.g., for a round bale) will create a gap
between the
window and the cover. In some such embodiments, a rod is attached to the frame
to push
the cover toward the window.
While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary
embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations,
improvements, and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may
be
presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary
skill in the art.
Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above,
are intended
to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without
departing from the
spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to
embrace all known
or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements,
and/or
substantial equivalents.
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