CHAIR THAT AIDS THE READYING OF THE OCCUPANT OF A LAY-DOWN BLIND
One embodiment of a reclining chair for placement in a lay-down blind. The chair aids the readying of its occupant. The chair reclines by the backrest pivoting on a hinge at the back of the seat. The chair aids the occupant in sitting up by providing pivotal force to the backrest. The pivotal force is provided by torsion springs in the hinge. The Other embodiments are described and shown.
Applicant claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/205,019.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNo federally sponsored research
REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING” OR OTHER APPENDIXNone
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to blinds used to conceal a person in the laying-down position. More specifically, the invention relates to a lay-down, portable, blind that would conceal an occupant such as a hunter, photographer, naturalist, etc. in a laying-down position; yet allow the occupant to quickly transition from the concealed, laying-down, position to an exposed, ready, sitting-up, position.
2. Description of Related Art
Portable, lay-down, blinds are commonly known. Various attributes of these blinds have been patented. U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,936 discloses a lay-down bind with a spring-loaded cover. U.S. Pat. No. 7,237,283 discloses a layout, flexible blind comprised of a foot sack, cover flap, and inflatable head rest. U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,442 discloses a blind that conceals its occupant in the sitting position with a cover that automatically opens when the occupant stands-up. U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,995 discloses a rapidly-opening blind comprised of a tent-like structure. While the art includes various methods of concealing an occupant, and various methods for quickly removing the concealment allowing the occupant an unobstructed view of a target; the art does not include devices which aid the occupant in moving from the laying-down position to the sitting-up position. In a lay-down blind, the occupant lies nearly flat on his back while concealed by the blind. When the target is close enough to the occupant to achieve the desired result, the occupant may want to transition from the laying-down, concealed position, to a sitting-up, ready position. If the occupant is a hunter trying to take game, the hunter must transition from the concealed position to a shooting position. This transition requires the hunter to remove any part of the concealment that obstructs his shot, and to go from lying flat on his back, to sitting approximately upright. In most instances, the quicker the hunter makes this transition, the more likely he will succeed in taking the game.
Accordingly, an apparatus is desired that will aid an occupant in quickly transitioning from the concealed position to the ready position.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe specification discloses a chair for use in a lay-down blind, comprised of a base, a backrest, a hinge which pivotally attaches the backrest to the base, and a means for supplying pivotal force to the backrest. The base provides area for an occupant to sit (seat). The base also supports the hinge which is located just behind the seat. The base also provides a fixed platform against which the pivotal forces in the hinge are exerted. The backrest supports the occupant's back. The backrest and the seat form a reclining chair. The backrest attaches to the base with a hinge that allows pivotal movement of the backrest. The backrest is attached to the hinge along backrest's bottom edge. The hinge allows the backrest to pivot between a nearly upright position (ready position) and a nearly horizontal position (concealed position). The means for supplying pivotal force is such that force pivots the backrest upward and away from the base. An occupant sits in the seat with his legs extended in front of him and his back against the backrest. The weight of the occupant is enough to overcome the force repelling the backrest from the base. This allows the occupant to lie-down in the blind. When the occupant sits-up, the force repelling the backrest from the base supplements the force provided by the occupant's muscles. The result is that the occupant sits-up quickly and with little effort.
The drawings contained herein provide an example of one embodiment of the invention. This is an example only and not a limitation on the claimed invention.
The preferred embodiment is comprised of a base 12, a backrest 14, and a hinge 16 connecting the backrest to the base. The hinge is an assembly of torsion springs 18 coiled around a rod 38 and held in place by pins 40 through the rod.
BaseThe base 12 is comprised of two parts, a seat 20 and a frame 22. The seat 20 is a flat or contoured rectangle of appropriate size to support an adult occupant. The frame 22 attaches to the left, rear corner of the seat 26, extends behind the seat in approximately the same plane as the broad face of the seat 24, makes a “U” shape, and returns to connect to the rear, right corner of the seat. The “U” of the frame is the approximate size and shape of the backrest 14. The frame is made of a rigid material, such as, but not limited to, metal or plastic. The frame provides means for attaching the hinge 16 behind the seat 20. The base is the approximate shape of a broad, flat, rectangle. When in use the base sits approximately flat on the ground.
BackrestThe backrest 14 has a broad, contoured face of appropriate size and shape to support the back, neck, and head of an adult occupant. The backrest has a top edge 30 and a bottom edge 32. The top edge 30 corresponds to the edge of the backrest that supports the occupant's neck and head. The bottom edge 32 corresponds to the edge which pivotally attaches to the base 12. This pivotal attachment is made to the frame near the back of the seat 34. The seat 20 and the backrest 14 form a chair. The backrest pivots (reclines) from a position corresponding to a set angle between horizontal and vertical (ready position) (
The hinge 16 (
A strap 36 runs from a point on the center of the back edge of the base to a point near the top edge of the backrest 30 and centered between the left and right sides. The length of the strap is adjustable. The strap can be detached from the backrest or the base. Detaching the strap allows the backrest to pivot forward past the ready position toward the seat, thus releasing the tension in the springs to be released. Detaching the strap also allows for easier transport of this embodiment of the invention. The strap stops the pivoting of the backrest at the desired position. Hence, the length of the strap determines the ready position of the backrest. When the backrest is in the concealed position there is slack in the strap (
When all of the pins are removed from the rod the coils can spin freely around the rod. This allows the backrest to rest against the base while this embodiment is being transported. To operate this embodiment of the invention the apparatus is placed in a lay-down blind. With the strap detached and the backrest pivoted all the way forward, the pins are inserted through the rod. The amount of pivotal force present in the hinge can be adjusted by not inserting all the pins. If no pivotal force is desired, all the pins can be left out. In this configuration the backrest would lay flat against the frame and not provide any supplemental force to the occupant. To provide the least amount of force, one pin is inserted through the rod. In this configuration, one spring is in tension and two springs spin freely. For additional force, two pins are inserted through the rod. In this configuration, two springs are in tension and one spring spins freely. For the most force, all three pins are inserted through the rod. In this configuration, all three springs are in tension. Once the desired number of pins are inserted through the rod, the backrest is pivoted away from the seat past vertical until the strap can be attached from the center of the rear of the frame to the center of the top edge of the backrest. Pivoting the backrest away from the seat will create tension in the springs. Once the strap is attached, the tension in the springs will keep the strap taut (
When the occupant desires to transition to the ready position, the occupant starts to sit up. The occupant's efforts to sit up are supplemented by the force provided by the springs in the hinge. This allows the occupant to sit up faster. It also allows the occupant to avoid fatigue if he sits up frequently. As the occupant sits up, the backrest and occupant are propelled upward by the springs. This supplements the occupant's efforts. The backrest continues to pivot until it reaches the ready position. At this point, the occupant is sitting up.
When this embodiment is no longer in use, the strap is detached allowing the backrest to pivot forward. This takes the tension off the springs. The pins can then be removed.
Alternative EmbodimentAn alternative embodiment presented in
The hood 50 is comprised of a rigid frame and a semi-transparent, concealing, material which covers the rigid frame. The hood is sized appropriately to cover the occupant's head, arms, and torso. The hood 50 is contoured such that it forms a dome over the backrest 14 when the backrest is in the concealed position. The hood has a top side 56 and a bottom side 58 corresponding to the side facing up and the side facing down. The hood has a left side 60 and a right side corresponding to the left and right of an occupant sitting in the seat. The hood has a front side 64 corresponding to the side that covers the occupant's lower torso and a back side 66 corresponding to the side that covers the occupant's head. The hood pivotally attaches to the backrest 68. The points of attachment on the hood are on the left and right sides, at the bottom of the hood, near the back of the hood. The points of attachment on the backrest are on the left and right sides of the backrest near the backrests top edge.
StrapA strap 36 runs from a point on the center of the back edge of the base to a point on the top of the hood that is near the back side of the hood and centered between the left and right sides. The characteristics of the strap are the same as described in the preferred embodiment, except that the strap 36 is attached to the hood 50 rather than to the backrest 14. Because the strap is attached to the hood rather than the backrest, in addition to stopping the pivotal motion of the backrest it also provides the resistance that causes the hood to pivot from the closed position to the open position. When the backrest is in the concealed position and the hood is in the closed position there is slack in the strap (
The set up of this embodiment is the same as described for the preferred embodiment above. The operation is also very similar to the preferred embodiment.
To operate this embodiment of the invention an occupant sits on the seat (
When the occupant desires to transition to the ready position, the occupant starts to sit up. The occupant's efforts to sit up are supplemented by the force provided by the springs in the hinge. This allows the occupant to sit up faster. It also allows the occupant to avoid fatigue if he sits up frequently. As the occupant sits up, the backrest pivots from the concealed position to the ready position. As this occurs the slack is taken out of the strap. When the strap becomes taut, it prevents the top of the hood from moving forward or upward. As the backrest continues to pivot forward and upward, the bottom of the hood is pushed forward and upward at the points of attachment to the backrest. This causes the front of the hood to move upward as the hood pivots on the points of attachment. The hood continues to pivot in this fashion until the backrest comes to a stop in the ready position. At this point, the occupant is sitting up, the hood is open, and the strap is taut.
Alternative EmbodimentAn alternative embodiment presented in
The social bar 72 prevents the backrest 14 from pivoting into the concealed position when the occupant exerts force on the backrest. It is anticipated that there will be times when the occupant will be in this embodiment of the invention and not want to be concealed but not want to be maintaining a state of readiness. The social bar supports the backrest in a fixed position to allow the occupant to sit up and lean against the backrest without causing the backrest to pivot into the concealed position. The social bar 72 is a U-shaped member that pivotally attaches to the base 12 on the left and right sides approximately half way between the back of the seat 34 and the back of the frame. The social bar can pivot freely in relation to the base. In the down position the social bar is entirely within the outline of the frame. When the social bar is in this position the backrest can move freely through its entire range of motion. In the up position (
To operate the social bar, while in the ready position the occupant manually pivots the social bar upwards behind the backrest. The occupant then leans back against the backrest causing the backrest to come into contact with the social bar. The occupant can then let go of the social bar because the force of the backrest against it will keep it in place. When the occupant wants to release the social bar thereby allowing transition into the concealed position, the occupant leans forward. This will cause the backrest to pivot forward. When the backrest is no longer in contact with the social bar, gravity will cause the social bar to pivot downward. This clears the path for the backrest to pivot into the concealed position.
Scope of InventionIt will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the practice of the present invention and in construction of this device without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims and their legal equivalents.
Claims
1. A chair for use in a lay-down blind comprising:
- a. a base having a seat,
- b. a backrest having a top edge and a bottom edge,
- c. a hinge element that pivotally attaches the bottom edge of said backrest to said base so that said seat and said backrest form a chair with a reclining backrest,
- d. a spring element integrated with the hinge to supply pivotal force to the backrest tending to pivot the backrest towards the seat.
2. The chair of claim 1 further comprising a hood, said hood pivotally attached near the hood's back side to the backrest near the backrest's top edge.
3. The chair of claim 1 further comprising a social bar pivotally attached to the base behind the backrest.
4. A method of aiding an occupant of a lay-down blind in transitioning from the concealed position to the ready position comprising:
- a. placing in a lay-down blind a chair with a reclining backrest, the reclining of said backrest is resisted by pivotal force tending to pivot the backrest toward the seat,
- b. occupying the chair,
- c. overcoming the pivotal force in the backrest thereby reclining the backrest and laying down,
- d. being aided by the pivotal force in the backrest when readying.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising placing a pivoting hood over the chair to conceal the occupant.
6. The method of claim 4 further comprising placing a pivoting social bar behind the backrest to support the backrest when said backrest is in the upright position.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 30, 2009
Publication Date: Jul 15, 2010
Inventor: Stanley Balgaard (Evansville, MN)
Application Number: 12/649,695
International Classification: A47C 1/024 (20060101); E04H 15/02 (20060101);