Rapid assembly game blind transport trailer
Methods of using a rapid assembly game blind transport trailer that breaks at pivot points in folding fashion and stands upright along with the attached game blind as a driver moves in reverse, and which allows rapid standing and easy separation or attachment of the blind and trailer unit.
This divisional application claims priority from Pending application Ser. No. 10/839,006 filed on May 6, 2004.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to the field of game blinds and specifically trailers for transporting game blinds.
2. Description of Prior Art
As any hunter will recount, it can be a tremendous hassle to move a game blind from a trailer and erect the blind so that it is useable. The majority of systems rely on a complex array of ropes, wenches or chains, which can all be complicated to assemble. Also, a typical game blind assembly will require more than one person to be done efficiently. Difficulties with blind assembly may be amplified under inclement conditions, for instance, cold, rain, or darkness, all of which make rapid assembly even more desirable. From the hunter's perspective, it is desirable to have a blind that sets up with nominal effort, and preferably by one person. There are a variety of game blinds on the market, and some are portable, however, none achieve portability and assembly with the ease of the present invention. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,653 to Hardy, the inventor has a game blind that is constructed as part of a trailer, and which unfolds in much the same manner as a pop-up camper. A similar design is found with U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,641. Other attempts at portable blinds have included hydraulically operated blinds that are part of a trailer, as are found in the Strange U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,555, and the Howze U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,827 None of the patents, however, are directed to a trailer that helps to transport and stand a blind upright before separating from the blind. The present trailer is unique in providing a nearly effortless set up for the blind. The present invention uses a pivoting trailer mechanism so that assembling the game blind is almost as simple as driving a vehicle in reverse. Because of the trailer's unique design, it is able to break at a pivot point and act as a lever on itself so that it will stand up in a vertical manner, along with the attached game blind, as the driver moves in reverse pushing the trailer. At a point where the trailer and attached blind are vertical, the game blind is separated from the trailer, which trailer may then be pulled away leaving the standing blind in place and ready for use. By the same mechanism, retrieval of the blind is equally improved when the process is performed in reverse and the blind is removed from a standing to a transportable position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, it is the objective of the present invention to provide a novel trailer design that permits rapid placement of a game blind in the field. The basic concept behind the invention is a trailer that allows the user to stand a blind upright with maximum efficiency and which is preferably operable by a single person, although other persons could participate. The trailer frame breaks at a pivot point so that when the trailer is pushed backwards by a vehicle, the rear portion of the trailer will dig into the ground and the pivoted trailer will stand upright with the attached game blind, which blind may then be released from the trailer fully assembled, upright and ready for use.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a rapid assembly game blind trailer that does not primarily depend on chains, ropes and hoists to move the blind to an upright position.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a rapid assembly game blind transport trailer that permits delivery of a full sized game blind that is already assembled and ready for use once placed in the upright position and disconnected from the trailer.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a trailer of solid construction, and durable for use in the field.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a trailer that may hitch to multiple similar trailers, so that the user may transport multiple blinds at the same time.
Other objectives of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the invention has been shown and described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGThe manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached drawings in which:
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Initially, the framework of the trailer unit 23 is preferably built with heavy wall channel iron, with a four inch thickness being preferable, and all metal components being preferably solidly welded. All trailer unit 23 components described are preferably metal. Heavy wall channel iron is a good material for durability, although the invention contemplates that other materials can be used for primary components of the trailer unit 23, such as reinforced aluminum, steel, titanium, mixtures of metal alloys, reinforced carbon and plastic materials, some of which have useful characteristics such as reduced weight, enhanced strength or resistance to rust and the elements. Also, the principal framework of the present invention is preferably rectangular bar shaped frame, but the inventor contemplates that the entire trailer unit 23 might also be comprised of framing of non-rectangular shapes, for instance rod, triangular, I-beam, or U-shape construction. Furthermore, the basic frame structures depicted in this invention are welded, but the inventor contemplates that the frame structures might also be cast and of uniform construction or partially-cast from molds to facilitate strength and rapid production.
The main trailer body 21 shown in
The lower frame 3 defines a rectangle, where each of four lower frame bars are connected at their ends, and where each of the four lower frame bars are preferably made of channel iron or other suitable material as previously described. Of the four lower frame bars forming the rectangle, two of those bars that run the length of the trailer are connected to the Front-frame component 1 as previously described at pivot points 14, and also by releasable fastening means 16 at. a point where the Front-frame component 1 bars, first bar 30 and second bar 31, first meet the lower frame 3.
In addition to serving as a preferable attaching point for the Front-frame component 1, the length running bars of the lower frame 3 serve as preferable attachment points for the wheel assemblies 11. The wheel assemblies 11 are similar to most wheel assemblies 11 on trailers, including a basic wheel, which supports a tire 13, which is preferably covered by a fender 12. The wheel assemblies 11 preferably connect directly to the lower frame 3 bars running along the length of the trailer. Optionally, wheel assemblies could connect to the trailer by way of an axle running across the trailer, or in other ways that are known and commonly practiced on trailers. Another option for this trailer would be to use a dual-wheel assembly, either side-by-side on the same axle or with a tandem wheel assembly, i.e., two wheel assemblies on the same side of the lengthwise lower frame 3 bars, but placed on separate axles. Additionally, the inventor contemplates that tail and brake lights might preferably be mounted to the trailer in the vicinity of the wheel assemblies and be adapted to connect to the braking lights of the vehicle moving the trailer unit 23. Lights might also be affixed to the rearmost portion of the trailer.
The lower frame 3 bars of
The upper frame 5 of the main trailer body 21 is comprised of three bars, two of which run the length of the trailer. A third bar, which runs the width of the trailer is fixedly connected at both of its ends to the lengthwise bars at ends of the lengthwise bars located at forward positions on the trailer. The opposite ends of the lengthwise bars of upper frame 5 protrude from the trailer unit 23 and are two ends forming the rearmost portion of the trailer unit 23. Preferably, the lengthwise bars of upper frame 5 form an angle greater than ninety degrees relative to the widthwise third bar of upper frame 5 so that the lengthwise bars gradually sweep or flare out and away from the trailer unit 23 as they extend to the rearmost portion of the trailer unit 23. This configuration provides stability for the trailer and support for the cargo. These protruding ends of the lengthwise bars of upper frame 5 are the portions of the trailer unit 23 which dig into the surface where a game blind 20 is being erected and secure the main trailer body 21 to the ground so that it will fold upward as it folds at the pivot points 14 against the Front-frame component 1. The protruding ends stick best in softer ground, such as dirt, but will even suffice as a “backstop” for the folding trailer action on concrete if a user places a weight, or even a foot behind the protruding ends as the pivoting action is initiated and trailer moves in reverse.
Various other cross-support bars are depicted in
In
Claims
1. A method of erecting a game blind comprising the steps of:
- using fastening means to affix an elevated freestanding game blind to a trailer unit;
- fastening said trailer unit and affixed elevated freestanding game blind to a motor vehicle by a hitch;
- transporting said trailer unit with affixed elevated freestanding game blind to a spot where it will be erected;
- removing trailer fastening means that lock a front frame component to a main trailer body;
- initiating a pivoting action at pivot points on said trailer unit and positioning an upper frame of a main trailer body into a ground surface;
- driving said motor vehicle in reverse, causing trailer unit and elevated freestanding game blind to pivot upright;
- removing the fastening means used to affix said game blind to said trailer unit, so that said game blind is separated from said trailer unit and left standing.
2. A method erecting a game blind comprising:
- positioning a game blind on a receiving surface of a trailer unit, said trailer unit having wheels rotatably connected thereto, said trailer unit having a front frame component and a main trailer body, said receiving surface positioned on said main trailer body above said wheels, said front frame component having a pivotable connection with said main trailer body;
- pivotally connecting an end of said front frame component to a hitch of a vehicle;
- transporting said trailer unit and said hinting blind to a desired location;
- driving the vehicle in reverse so as to pivot said main trailer body about said wheels vertically upwardly with respect to said front frame component such that said game blind is in a upright orientation; and
- releasing said game blind from said main trailer body when said game blind is in the upright orientation.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
- fixing said receiving surface in a horizontal orientation prior to said step of transporting.
4. The method of claim 2, said step of fixing comprising:
- identifying a first hole on said front frame component forward of the pivotable connection;
- indentifying a second hole on said main trailer body forward of the pivotable connection; and
- inserting a pin into said first and second holes so as to fix said receiving surface in a horizontal orientation.
5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
- removing said pin from said first and second holes so as to allow said main trailer body to freely pivot with respect to said front frame component prior to said step of driving.
6. A method of retrieving an elevated freestanding game blind comprising the steps of:
- Driving a motor vehicle and trailer unit coupled by a hitch to a location where an elevated freestanding game blind has been erected;
- Removing a trailer fastening means that lock a front frame component to a main trailer body of said trailer unit;
- Initiating a pivoting action at pivot points on said trailer unit and positioning a frame of a main trailer body into a ground surface;
- Driving said motor vehicle and coupled trailer unit in reverse toward said elevated freestanding game blind, causing trailer unit to pivot and raise upwards;
- Using fastening means to affix said elevated freestanding game blind to said pivoted trailer unit;
- Driving said motor vehicle and trailer unit forward, causing trailer unit to pivot and move to a horizontal position along with said game blind;
- Using a trailer fastening means to securely lock said front frame component to said main trailer body of said trailer unit;
- Using said motor vehicle to transport said trailer unit and game blind.
7. A method of transporting a plurality of elevated freestanding game blinds comprising the steps of:
- using fastening means to affix an elevated freestanding game blind to a trailer unit;
- using a fastening means to affix a second elevated freestanding game to a second trailer unit;
- fastening said first trailer unit and first affixed elevated freestanding game blind to a motor vehicle by a hitch;
- fastening said second trailer unit and second affixed elevated freestanding game blind by a hitch to said first trailer unit;
- transporting said first and second trailer units with affixed elevated freestanding game blinds to a spot to be erected.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:
- separating said first and second trailer units from one another;
- removing, on at least one trailer unit, trailer fastening means that lock a front frame component to a main trailer body;
- initiating a pivoting action at pivot points on said trailer unit and positioning an upper frame of a main trailer body into a ground surface;
- driving said motor vehicle in reverse, causing trailer unit and elevated freestanding game blind to pivot upright;
- removing the fastening means used to affix said game blind to said trailer unit, so that said game blind is separated from said trailer unit and left standing.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 28, 2006
Publication Date: Apr 26, 2007
Inventor: Lawrence Friesenhahn (Jourdanton, TX)
Application Number: 11/476,355
International Classification: E06C 5/00 (20060101);