Hunting seat and method

Abstract

This invention relates to a hunting seat having a plurality of apertures for receiving hunting shells and a substantially elongated aperture for carrying the seat. The seat has a support surface that is angled at a predetermined angle to cause a user to be situated in a comfortable and ready position. The seat is lightweight and includes a shoulder strap or other device for easy transportation to, for example, a deer stand, duck blind, or a camp.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a hunting seat and method and, more particularly, to a hunting seat that provides improved comfort, a storage compartment for accessories, and which provides openings adapted for receiving and storing shells or casings and for receiving a hand for gripping the hunting seat.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] During hunting, it is not uncommon for a hunter to position himself in one location and wait for game to appear. For example, during duck hunting, a hunter will position himself near a pond, lake, or other body of water and wait for one or more ducks to arrive. Oftentimes, the hunter will use a duck call to attract the ducks. Other types of hunting, such as deer, geese, turkey, and the like are performed such that the hunter is stationary so that the game is not frightened as they approach.

[0005] Duck blinds, deer stands, and the like all facilitate keeping the hunter hidden during hunting. A reasonably comfortable chair at a deer stand, in a duck blind, or at a hunter's camp can be much appreciated by the hunter. However, a chair can be a substantial burden during hunting or when in route on foot to the stand, blind, or camp.

[0006] Also, it would be convenient to have a hunter's ammunition stored at arm's length during hunting so that when game shows up, the hunter will be prepared and ready.

[0007] There is, therefore, a need to provide a light-weight chair that is easy to transport and that facilitates providing storage for ammunition and accessories before, during and after a hunt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is, therefore, a primary object of the invention to provide a multipurpose chair having a substantial appeal for hunters and other outdoorsman.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a hunting seat molded to provide means for easily transporting the seat.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a seat having a plurality of openings or apertures for receiving and storing ammunition, such as a plurality of shotgun shells or casings.

[0011] Still another object of the invention is to provide a seat having a removable storage compartment container, pouch or box (such as a tackle or ammo box) for receiving accessories.

[0012] Still another object of the invention is to provide means for facilitating transporting the seat by providing a seat having a convenient handle grip and/or shoulder strap.

[0013] In one aspect, this invention comprises a hunting seat comprising a seat support; a plurality of legs for supporting the seat support above the ground; and a plurality of receiving apertures for receiving at least one sporting item.

[0014] In still another aspect, this invention comprises a hunting seat comprising a seat; a plurality of legs integrally molded into said seat such that said seat is angled a predetermined angle towards the ground; and a plurality of openings adapted to receive at least one of a gun shell, a hand, a gun, or a fishing pole.

[0015] In still another aspect, this invention comprises a hunting method comprising the steps of providing a hunting seat comprising a seat support which lies in a plane defining an angle of between 5 and 35 degrees relative to the ground when the hunting seat is situated on the ground; and providing a plurality of circular openings in the seat support adapted to receive and support gun shells, a gun, or a fishing pole.

[0016] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the seat in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 is perspective view of the seat shown in FIG. 1, illustrating a storage compartment and shoulder strap attached thereto;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a user situated in a slightly inclined position when the seat is situated on a substantially level surface;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the seat situated in a manner that substantially accounts for a grade or slope of a surface on which the seat is situated;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the seat shown in FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 6 is a right side view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 7 is a front view of the seat shown in FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 8 is a rear view of the seat shown in FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 9 is a side view showing a plurality of seats and use of the stacking detents shown in FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 10 is a view showing a seat support having a plurality of legs hingeably attached to the seat support, with the legs shown in the open position;

[0027] FIG. 11 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 10, except the plurality of legs are shown in a closed or stored position; and

[0028] FIG. 12. is a fragmentary view showing a hinge in accordance with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1, a hunting seat 10 is shown. In the embodiment being described, the hunting seat 10 is an integral, one-piece construction molded from plastic, such as polypropylene, polyethylene or polymerization of the two. The hunting seat 10 comprises a seat support 12 having a first area 12a, a second area 12b, a front area 12c, and rear area 12d. The hunting seat 10 weighs less than about 3 pounds, which makes it easy to transport, as described later herein. In the embodiment being described, the height is about eight inches, the width is about 15 inches and the length is about 18 inches.

[0030] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4-5, the hunting seat 10 comprises a plurality of legs 14, 16, 18, and 20 that are integrally molded with seat support 12. Notice that the plurality of legs 14-20 comprise generally planer-shaped feet 14a-20a (FIG. 5), respectively, which facilitate preventing the hunting seat 10 from sinking in soggy, sandy, or wet conditions.

[0031] Notice in FIG. 3 that the seat support 12 is tilted at a predetermined angle A relative to a plane defined by the feet 14a-20a. In the embodiment being described, this angle A is between 5 degrees and 35 degrees. It has been found that this predetermined angle A facilitates biasing a users' body in a forward or tilted angle B, as illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, when the rear area 12d is positioned downhill of the front area 12c, the predetermined angle A facilitates compensating for a slope or grade of the ground. This causes the seat support 12 to be substantially horizontal. Although not shown, the legs 14-20 may be provided to be adjustable in length to permit the angle A and the height H (FIG. 1) to be adjusted as desired.

[0032] As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the hunting seat 10 comprises a plurality of receiving apertures or openings 22 and 24 defined by a plurality of opening walls 12e-12j in the seat support 12. Notice that the plurality of apertures or openings 22 and 24 are adapted to receive shells, such as 12-gauge shotgun shells 26 (FIG. 1). In this regard, the shells 26 each have a casing 26a and a head 26b having a flange 26c. Each shell 26 is situated in an openings 22 until the flange 26c of head 26b engages a top surface, such as surface 12b1 in FIG. 1 of support 12. Thus, the opening 22 permits a user to store a plurality of shells 26 in the opening 22, while the user is seated during hunting. In the embodiment being described, the openings 22 are dimensioned or adapted to receive shotgun or rifle shells, such as the 12-gauge shotgun shells, but they could be adapted to receive other size casings (not shown) for rifles or other size shotgun shells (not shown).

[0033] As illustrated in FIGS. 5-6, each of the plurality of openings 22 may have an associated cylindrical housing, sleeve, posts, or support members 22a, which are cylindrically or peripherally spaced to define a generally cylindrical and elongated aperture 39 for receiving casing 26a. The support members 22a facilitate stabilizing and supporting the shells 26 when they are received in the openings 22. The sleeves 22a may be dimensioned so that the shells 26 are snugly and removably press fit into the support members 22a. This enables a user to carry the hunting seat 10 while the shells 26 are stored in the openings 22.

[0034] The plurality of openings 24 are dimensioned and adapted to receive a hunting item, such as a bow (not shown), gun or rifle 31 (FIG. 1), or even a fishing rod 33. At least one of the openings 24 is generally oval and is dimensioned to receive a hand 41 (FIG. 3) of the user so that the user can conveniently grab and carry the hunting seat 10.

[0035] In the embodiment being described, notice that an equal number of openings 22 and 24 are situated on the first area 12a and the second area 12b, but it should be appreciated that more or fewer openings 22 and 24 could be provided on either side. For example, the openings 22 and 24 may also be situated on a single side 12a or 12b or even on the front or rear side 12c or 12d as desired. Also, as mentioned earlier, the openings 22 for receiving the shells 26 could have different dimensions, so that a user can store shells of different sizes. Thus, for example, while the embodiment being described is shown as having openings 22 having a diameter of about 0.780 inch and one or more of the openings 22 could be molded such that its diameter is 0.410 inch, so that it receives, supports, and stores a 12-gauge and 410-gauge shotgun shells, respectively.

[0036] The seat support 12 of hunting seat 10 also comprises a plurality of ventilating apertures 28 for providing ventilation to a user for comfort.

[0037] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the seat support 12 further comprises a plurality of accessory apertures 30 that provide means for securing a removable storage compartment 32, such as a pouch, bag or box thereto. In this embodiment, the compartment or pouch 32 is shown comprising a strap 35 that is laced through at least one of the plurality of accessory apertures 30 in order to secure the pouch 32 to the hunting seat 10.

[0038] A carrying strap 34 (FIG. 2), such as a nylon strap, may also be laced through at least one of the accessory openings 30. The strap 34 facilitates and enables a user to carry the hunting seat 10 on the user's shoulder, for example, to or from a deer stand, duck blind or camp. When the hunting seat 10 is used in a hunting environment, the compartment 32 may receive hunting supplies (such as ammunition and shells 26) animal calls (such as a duck call), gunpowder, food, beverages, or other accessories. Conveniently, these accessories are transported when the hunting seat 10 is being transported, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for a separate storage box or bag.

[0039] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5-9, the plurality of legs 14-20 comprise stacking detents 14b-20b, respectively. The plurality of stacking detents 14b-20b facilitate stacking and storing a plurality of hunting seats 10, 10a, and 10b, as illustrated in FIG. 9. This stacking, in turn, facilitates storing the hunting seats 10-10b, transporting the hunting seats 10-10b, and stacking the hunting seats 10-10b. This is especially helpful when the seats are being displayed for sale in a retail store.

[0040] Note that each of the plurality of legs 14-20 is generally U-shaped or L-shaped in cross section. This further facilitates stacking the chairs in the manner shown in FIG. 9. Notice that each of the plurality of legs 14a-20a defines a plurality of openings 14c-20c that face outwardly as viewed in the figures. This design also facilitates stacking the hunting seats 10-10b in the manner shown in FIG. 9.

[0041] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate another embodiment of the invention with like parts having the same part number, except that a prime (“′”) mark has been added to the parts shown in FIGS. 10-12. In this embodiment, the legs 14′-20′ and seat support 12′ are separately molded. Each of the legs 14′-20′ are each hingeably attached to the seat support 12′ so that they can be pivoted between an open position shown in FIG. 10 to a closed position shown in FIG. 11.

[0042] As best illustrated in FIG. 12, an underside of seat support 12′ comprises a plurality of integrally molded resilient walls 23′ each comprising an inner side 23a′. For ease of illustration, FIG. 12 illustrates one of the legs 14′, but it should be understood that the design and operation of the other legs 16′-20′ is similar. The wall 23′ is resilient and laterally flexible to permit the leg 14′ to be pivoted in the manner described herein. Notice that the wall 13′ of seat support 12′ comprises an inner surface 13a′. Each of the inner surface 13a′ and inner side 23a′ comprise a dimple 25′ which is received in an associated groove or opening 27′ to pivotally secure the leg 14′ to the seat support 12′. The leg 14′ is moveable between the extended support position shown in FIG. 10 to the closed position illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0043] In order to facilitate retaining the leg 14′ in the open position or closed position, the leg 14′ comprises a raised rib 29′ which is received in either a first complementary-shaped receiving area 31′ when the leg 14′ is in the open position or a second complementary-shaped receiving area 33′ when the leg 14′ is in the closed position (FIG. 11).

[0044] Advantageously, the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 10-12 permits the legs to be folded to make the seat easier to store, stack, and carry. The seat 10′ may even be used in this manner to provide, for example, a seat on a boat, thereby providing the advantages of a fishing rod and tackle holder as described herein.

[0045] While the method herein described, and the form of apparatus for carrying this method into effect, constitute preferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise method and form of apparatus, and that changes may be made in either without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hunting seat comprising:

a seat support;

a plurality of legs for supporting the seat support above the ground; and

a plurality of receiving apertures for receiving at least one sporting item.

2. The hunting seat as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of receiving apertures are dimensioned to receive a shotgun shell comprising a casing and a head mounted on the casing and having a flange;

each of said plurality of apertures being dimensioned such that the casing can be removably received in at least one of said plurality of receiving apertures and supported therein when said flange engages a wall defining said aperture.

3. The hunting seat as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of receiving apertures are dimensioned to receive a plurality of shotgun shells, wherein said plurality of shotgun shells comprises the same diameter.

4. The hunting seat as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of receiving apertures are dimensioned to receive a plurality of shotgun shells, respectively, wherein said plurality of shotgun shells comprise different diameters.

5. The hunting seat as recited in claim 2 wherein said seat support comprises a seat area, a first side area and a second side area;

said plurality of receiving apertures being situated in at least one of said first or second side areas.

6. The hunting seat as recited in claim 2 wherein said seat support comprises a seat area, a first side area and a second side area;

said plurality of receiving apertures being situated in each of said first and second side areas.

7. The hunting seat as recited in claim 7 wherein an equal number of receiving apertures are provided in said first and second side areas.

8. The hunting seat as recited in claim 3 wherein at least one of said plurality of receiving apertures is adapted to receive a gun, a fishing rod or a hand.

9. The hunting seat as recited in claim 3 wherein said dimension is about 0.780.

10. The hunting seat as recited in claim 3 wherein said at least one of said plurality of receiving apertures is approximately 0.410.

11. The hunting seat as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of receiving apertures comprises a sleeve associated therewith.

12. The hunting seat as recited in claim 1 wherein an equal number of receiving apertures are provided in said plurality of legs comprises a first pair of legs situated on a front area of said seat support and a second pair of legs situated on a rear area of said seat support, said front pair of legs being shorter than said rear pair in order to cause said seat support to be situated at a predetermined angle relative to the ground.

13. The hunting seat as recited in claim 12 wherein said predetermined angle is less than 35 degrees.

14. The hunting seat as recited in claim 1 wherein said seat support and said plurality of legs are a one-piece molded construction with said seat support being angled at a predetermined angle.

15. The hunting seat as recited in claim 14 wherein said predetermined angle is less than 35 degrees.

16. The hunting seat as recited in claim 1 wherein said hunting seat further comprises: a strap coupled to said seat for carrying said seat.

17. The hunting seat as recited in claim 1 wherein said hunting seat further comprises a receiver pouch, box or bag coupled to said hunting seat.

18. The hunting seat as recited in claim 18 wherein said hunting seat further comprises a receiver pouch coupled to said hunting seat.

19. The hunting seat as recited in claim 1 wherein said strap is nylon.

20. The hunting seat as recited in claim 1 wherein said hunting seat is a one-piece molded construction of either a green or camouflage color.

21. The hunting seat as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of feet are configured such that a second seat may be stacked thereon.

22. The hunting seat as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of feet comprises a stacking detent.

23. The hunting seat as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of feet comprises a stacking detent.

24. The hunting seat as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of legs comprises an opening that faces away from said seat support.

25. The hunting seat as recited in claim 1 wherein said hunting seat further comprises:

a plurality of hinges for hingeably attaching said plurality of legs to said seat support to permit said legs to be moved between an open position and a closed or collapsed position

26. The hunting seat as recited in claim 25 wherein each of said plurality of hinges comprises a hinge wall integrally molded in said seat support, said hinge wall comprising a plurality of hinge wall detent receiving areas;

each of said plurality of legs comprising a detent which is received in at least one of said plurality of hinge wall detent receiving areas.

27. A hunting seat comprising:

a seat;

a plurality of legs integrally molded into said seat such that said seat is angled a predetermined angle towards the ground; and

a plurality of openings adapted to receive at least one of a gun shell, a hand, a gun, or a fishing pole.

28. The hunting seat as recited in claim 27 wherein each of said plurality of receiving openings are dimensioned to receive a plurality of gun shells, wherein said plurality of gun shells comprises the same diameter.

29. The hunting seat as recited in claim 27 wherein said plurality of receiving openings are dimensioned to receive a plurality of gun shells, respectively, wherein said plurality of gun shells comprise different diameters.

30. The hunting seat as recited in claim 27 wherein said plurality of receiving openings are adapted to receive a plurality of gun shells, respectively, wherein said plurality of gun shells comprise the same diameter.

31. The hunting seat as recited in claim 27 wherein said seat support comprises a seat area, a first side area and a second side area;

said plurality of receiving openings being situated in at least one of said first or second side areas.

32. The hunting seat as recited in claim 27 wherein said seat support comprises a seat area, a first side area and a second side area;

said plurality of receiving openings being situated in each of said first and second side areas.

33. The hunting seat as recited in claim 32 wherein an equal number of receiving openings are provided in said first and second side areas.

34. The hunting seat as recited in claim 27 wherein at least one of said plurality of receiving openings is adapted to receive a gun, a fishing rod or a hand.

35. The hunting seat as recited in claim 27 each of said plurality of openings is circular and each comprise a diameter of approximately 0.780 inch.

36. The hunting seat as recited in claim 34 wherein at least one of said plurality of receiving openings comprises a tubular portion associated with each of said plurality of openings to define a sleeve adapted to receive a gun shell.

37. The hunting seat as recited in claim 27 wherein said seat support and said plurality of legs are a one-piece molded construction with said seat support lying in a plane situated a predetermined angle relative to the ground when said hunting seat is situated on the ground.

38. The hunting seat as recited in claim 27 wherein said predetermined angle is less than 35 degrees.

39. The hunting seat as recited in claim 27 wherein said hunting seat further comprises: a strap coupled to said seat for carrying said seat.

40. The hunting seat as recited in claim 27 wherein said hunting seat further comprises a receiver pouch coupled to said hunter seat.

41. The hunting seat as recited in claim 27 wherein said strap is nylon.

42. The hunting seat as recited in claim 27 wherein said hunting seat comprises a green or camouflage color.

43. A hunting method comprising the steps of:

providing a hunting seat comprising a seat support which lies in a plane defining an angle of between 5 and 35 degrees relative to the ground when the hunting seat is situated on the ground; and

providing a plurality of circular openings in the seat support adapted to receive and support gun shells, a gun, or a fishing pole.

44. The hunting method as recited in claim 43 wherein said method further comprises the step of:

providing a seat support comprising a seat area, a first side area and a second side area;

said plurality of receiving openings being situated in each of said first and second side areas.

45. The hunting method as recited in claim 44 wherein said seat support comprises a seat area, a first side area and a second side area, said method further comprising the step of:

providing a seat support comprising said plurality of receiving openings situated on each of said first and second side areas.

46. The hunting method as recited in claim 43 wherein said method further comprises the step of:

providing a strap coupled to said seat for carrying said seat.

47. The hunting method as recited in claim 43 wherein said method further comprises the step of:

providing a receiver pouch coupled to said hunter seat.

48. The hunting method as recited in claim 47 wherein said method further comprises the step of:

providing said hunting seat in a green or camouflage color.