Ground Blind

Abstract

The wearable ground blind described herein advantageously obscures the silhouette of the hunter, blocks the hunter's smell, muffles noise, and protects the hunter from the weather.

Description

FIELD

The present application relates to hunting gear, and more particularly to a hunting ground blind.

BACKGROUND

Hunters often rely on various equipment during a hunt. Prey can identify a hunter by sight, smell, and sound. As such, a hunter can conceal or restrain the output of these properties using such equipment. A ground blind is a popular piece of equipment that is designed to conceal a hunter while awaiting prey to come within range. A ground blind can take the form of a tent or lean-to that the hunter sets up and enters. Traditional ground blinds, however, can have several disadvantages. Typical ground blinds are fixed after setup and, as such, are rigidly fixed and oriented. This can undesirably restrict a hunter's vision to a limited range. Additionally, traditional ground blinds typically do not restrict the emission of human scent. In such a case, a hunter should take wind direction into account when setting up a ground blind so that the hunter is positioned downwind of the prey.

A traditional ground blind also may not sufficiently obscure the human form such that prey may be able to detect the hunter and run away. More specifically, traditional ground blinds may require a hunter to extend arms or legs substantially out of the blind, such that the blind does not sufficiently obscure the arms and legs of a hunter. Finally, a traditional ground blind can restrict movement by the hunter. In many cases a hunter is lying in a prone position on the ground. As such, any movement by the hunter can undesirably move the blind or move debris on the ground, which can cause noise to startle prey.

Traditional ground blinds also do not typically provide any warmth to the hunter. Thus, a hunter must wear clothing sufficient to address the current weather conditions. Moreover, while traditional ground blinds may provide some waterproof or water resistant properties, such ground blinds also may not sufficiently surround and protect a hunter.

SUMMARY

A wearable ground blind is described herein that includes a main body including front and back walls connected at side and top edges thereof to define an interior and produce an open bottom at bottom edges thereof, a head opening in the top edge of the main body portion, a hood extending around the head opening, arm openings in the side edges; and opposite, upper portions of the main body adjacent to the arm openings, the upper portions configured to fold over after a hunter's arms are withdrawn into the interior of the main body to obscure a profile of the hunter and restrict the passage of human scent through the arm openings.

A method for concealing a hunter is also described herein that includes obscuring a profile of a hunter with a wearable ground blind sized and constructed with a rigidity so as to not hug the profile of the hunter. The wearable ground blind can include a main body including front and back walls connected at side and top edges thereof to define an interior and produce an open bottom at bottom edges thereof, a head opening in the top edge of the main body portion; and arm openings in the side edges. The method further includes restricting the passage of human scent to an exterior of the wearable ground blind by: engaging the ground with the bottom edges of the main body to restrict the passage of human scent therethrough, and folding opposite, upper potions of the main body adjacent to the arm openings over after a hunter's arms are withdrawn into the interior of the main body to restrict the passage of human scent through the arm openings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a wearable ground blind according to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the wearable ground blind of FIG. 1 showing the material layering thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the wearable ground blind of FIG. 1 with a hunter's arms pulled within the ground blind and upper corners adjacent to arm openings folded over; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the wearable ground blind of FIG. 1 showing foot room and a working cavity within an interior thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The wearable ground blind described herein advantageously obscures the silhouette of the hunter, blocks the hunter's smell, muffles noise, and protects the hunter from the weather.

An example wearable ground blind 10 having these advantages is shown in FIG. 1. The ground blind 10 includes a main body portion 12, which in the illustrated example is generally rectangular, with front and back panel portions 14, 16 connected at side and top edges 18, 20 thereof defining an interior 21 and producing an open bottom 22. One or more of the edges 18, 20 can be folded material or a seam, which can be sewed, glued, or otherwise bonded as desired. The top edge 20 includes a generally central head opening 24 therein sized to receive a hunter's head therethrough. So configured, a hunter can don the ground blind 10 by entering the ground blind 10 through the open bottom 22 and putting his/her head through the head opening 24 so that the front panel 14 extends along the hunter's front and the rear panel 16 extends along the hunter's back. A hood 26 having a forward facing opening 28 connects to the main body portion 12 around the head opening 24. As shown, the hood 26 includes a drawstring 30 so that a hunter can reduce the size of the hood opening 28 to tightly engage a face of the hunter to thereby reduce amount of human scent allowed to exit the ground blind other than from the hunter's exposed face and breathing. Moreover, the hood 26 also restricts movement of the hair of the hunter. Of course, other shapes and configurations can be utilized, including adding edges to the blind 10, such as beveling corners, curving some or all of the blind edges, or combinations thereof.

The ground blind 10 further includes hand or arm openings 32 in opposing outer, upper portions 34 thereof. In the illustrated form, the arm openings 32 are disposed within the side edges 18 and positioned at the intersection of the side edges 18 with the top edge 20. If other shapes are utilized, resulting in beveled or curved upper portions, the arm openings 32 can be disposed in any suitable location. In one form, the ground blind 10 is sized so that a hunter's arms will not be fully exposed when extended outward, just exposing the hunter's hands and possibly a portion of the hunter's forearms. This minimizes the amount of human scent that is released when a hunter extends a hand out of the ground blind 10 to manipulate an object outside of the ground blind 10, such as a rifle, shotgun, or other firearm or weapon. Can be inside to protect from weather.

Additionally, the ground blind 10 can include interior and/or exterior pockets 36, 38. The interior pockets 36 provide a convenient place for a hunter to warm his/her hands while the hunter's arms are withdrawn into the ground blind 10 and/or keep objects in the interior of the ground blind 10. This is particularly helpful when a hunter is waiting for prey. The exterior pocket 38 can be used by the hunter when scent masking isn't needed. The pockets 36, 38 can be front kangaroo pockets as shown, separate pockets for each hand, or any other suitable configuration.

In one exemplary form, when laid flat, the main body portion is between about 50 inches and 70 inches wide, and more specifically about 59 inches wide; between about 35 inches and 55 inches tall, and more specifically about 44 inches tall; and the arm openings 32 are between about 9 inches and 12 inches.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ground blind 10 can have a multi-layer construction, such as a three layer construction. For example, the construction can include an interior fleece layer 40 for warmth, comfort, and ease of movement, a middle quilted layer 42 to provide warmth and structure/rigidity, and an outer waterproof or water resistant layer or shell 44. Preferably all of the materials utilized are quiet, i.e. substantially do not rustle, crinkle, or swish when moved or rubbed together, and/or having odor absorption properties. In one example form, the inner layer 40 is fleece, the middle layer 42 is a polyester fiber fill, and the outer layer 44 is a cotton polyester twill, which can be treated to create water resistant or waterproof properties. In one exemplary form, the inner fleece layer is about 5-6 mm thick, the middle layer 42 is about 10 mm thick, and the outer layer 44 is about 1-2 mm thick. So configured, the interior layers absorb human scent, while the water repellant outer layer tends to retain the human scent absorbed by the preceding layers due to the density of the weave or construction of the fabric and/or a coating applied thereto. In a further aspect, the ground blind 10 can utilize sufficient layering and/or materials to insulate and provide warmth to a hunter, including in freezing temperatures, and thus replace a hunter's coat, or other outerwear. This advantageously reduces the amount of clothing within the blind, which frees up space within the blind for the hunter to manipulate objects and reduces movement of the blind due to the hunter inadvertently contacting the blind while moving therein.

Advantageously, the ground blind 10 can also be reversible such that an interior surface 46 can have a first pattern or color and an exterior surface 48 can have a second pattern or color. For example, the patterns can be any suitable camouflage or identifying patterns, the colors can be orange, white, green, brown, or other suitable colors, or combinations thereof. Moreover, one or more of the layers can be water proof or water resistant. In one example, the exterior waterproof or water resistant surface can have camouflage and the interior surface can have a solid color. Substantially solid colors can be used for opposing purposes, e.g., white can be used in winter as camouflage, whereas orange makes the hunter visible to other hunters wherein needed or required by government regulations.

So configured, a hunter can don the ground blind 10 prior to a hunt for warmth and protection against precipitation. Additionally, interior and exterior pockets 36, 38 ensure that a hunter will always have pockets when either reversible pattern and/or color is used.

After the hunter finds a suitable spot for awaiting prey, the hunter can assume a desired hunting position, such as sitting on a stool or other seat, sitting on the ground, crouching, or the like, to wait for prey to enter the kill zone. The wearable ground blind can have a construction that is sufficiently rigid so that the ground blind does not hug the silhouette of the hunter and instead deforms outwardly so that it is spaced from the hunter. Preferably, the ground blind 10 imitates the appearance of a tree or other natural object and, as such, can be sufficiently rigid to create a slightly sloping wall so that the ground blind 10 has a generally triangular appearance, as shown in FIG. 4. Additionally, the rigidity of the ground blind 10 can create folds and projections further obscuring the hunter's silhouette. When the hunter pulls his/her arms into the ground blind interior 21, opposing upper, outer portions 50 adjacent to the arm openings 32 fold over such that portions thereof project away from the hunter to create a broken profile. In the illustrated form, the upper, outer portions 50 are generally triangular due to the rectangular shape of the main body 12. If other shapes for the main body 12 are utilized, the portions 50 will change accordingly. Additionally, the ground blind is sized large enough to contact the ground when the hunter assumes a waiting position.

In another aspect, the fabric is sufficiently rigid to be positioned by the hunter to a desirable shape providing foot room and a working cavity 52 in front of the hunter. Alternatively, the ground blind 10 can include a framework, such as made from a rigid material, e.g., canvas, layered materials, corded material, or the like, to provide any suitable stable shape for the bottom 22 such as circular, triangular, or the like. FIG. 3 illustrates a seat 54 on the inside of the ground blind 10 effectively hiding the seat 54 from view. So configured, the hunter's entire form is effectively obscured while also allowing the hunter some room to maneuver and adjust. If desired, a hunter can also leave the seat 54 outside of the blind 10.

Additionally, the ground blind 10 can prevent or minimize the transmission of human scent therefrom. The action of the upper corner portions 50 folding over advantageously effectively seals the arm openings 32 against the emission of human scent or at the least substantially restricts the flow of air through the openings 32 using only the weight of the fabric. Additionally, the arm openings 32 are preferably sized so that a hunter's arm takes up most of the openings 32 when the arm is extended out of the opening 32 so that airflow is restricted therethrough when the hunter needs to handle something exteriorly of the ground blind 10. Airflow is also restricted due to the weight of the fabric resting on the wrists or arms of the hunter. When the entirety of the opening 32 is not taken up by the arm, i.e. when the hunter only extends a hand out of the opening 32, the edges of unused portion of the opening 32 below the hunter's wrist can tend to remain in close proximity and taper to the seam or end at the bottom of the opening to restrict the free flow of air from within the ground blind 10 to an exterior thereof.

To further mask the hunter's scent, the hunter can rest the bottom 22 of the ground blind 10 against the ground to prevent scent from exiting therethrough. In one form, the ground blind 10 is constructed of one or more materials, such as a quilted material, having a weight and rigidity to seal to the ground and prevent or restrict passage of human scent therethrough. For example, the seal between the ground blind 10 and the ground can withstand wind up to 10 miles per hour. Additionally, the construction of the ground blind 10 can effectively restrict or prevent human scent from traveling through the main body 12 and the hood 26 by selecting non-breathable materials, materials that substantially restrict airflow therethrough, and/or layering materials.

The ground blind 10 can further have a construction of fabrics chosen to be inherently quiet, such that they do not rustle, crinkle, or swish when moved or rubbed together, such as fleece and cotton. Moreover, the three layer construction of the ground blind is sufficiently thick to muffle any noises produced by the hunter moving or manipulating items within the ground blind interior 21. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the work space or cavity 52 is disposed so that a hunter can store or handle needed equipment or other items, such as food, without significant movement of the blind or creation of significant noise audible outside of the ground blind 10. More specifically, in one form, the different layers of material can have differing sound absorption qualities to thereby absorb different frequencies of sound. The work space 52 can advantageously be utilized to store equipment, such as a rifle; shotgun, or other weapon, inside of the ground blind 10, which can protect the equipment from precipitation or other weather without undesirably moving the blind or creating an obvious break in the silhouette of the blind 10.

In a further aspect, the ground blind 10 can be free of noise producing objects, and in particular fasteners, such as zippers, snaps, buttons, Velcro, or the like, which can undesirably create noises that can startle prey. Some embodiments can be entirely free of hard plastic or metal to prevent such from banging together or against other objects and creating noise.

The subject matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants' invention. For example, in an alternative form, the hunting ground blind can have other shapes, sizes, and configurations. Additionally, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.

Claims

1. A wearable ground blind comprising:

a main body including front and back walls connected at side and top edges thereof to define an interior and produce an open bottom at bottom edges thereof;

a head opening in the top edge of the main body portion;

a hood extending around the head opening;

arm openings in the side edges; and

opposite, upper portions of the main body adjacent to the arm openings, the upper portions configured to fold over after a hunter's arms are withdrawn into the interior of the main body to obscure a profile of the hunter and restrict the passage of human scent through the arm openings.

2. The wearable ground blind of claim 1 wherein the main body comprises material having a weight and rigidity sufficient to contact the ground in a hunting position to substantially seal in a hunter's scent and withstand wind to maintain the seal with the ground up to a wind speed of 10 miles per hour.

3. The wearable ground blind of claim 1 wherein the main body comprises a multi-layer construction, the multi-layer construction including a quilted layer providing the rigidity to the main body.

4. The wearable ground blind of claim 1 wherein the bottom edges are configured to engage the ground with a hunter in a waiting position to restrict the passage of human scent through the open bottom.

5. The wearable ground blind of claim 1 wherein the main body further includes interior and exterior pockets.

6. The wearable ground blind of claim 1 wherein the main body is reversible with interior and exterior surfaces both providing colors and/or patterns designed for hunting.

7. The wearable ground blind of claim 1 wherein the main body has a multi-layer construction including a waterproof layer and one or more warmth layers.

8. The wearable ground blind of claim 7 wherein the three layer construction includes an interior fleece layer, a middle quilted layer, and an exterior waterproof or water resistant layer.

9. The wearable ground blind of claim 8 wherein the middle layer is a polyester fiber fill and the exterior layer is a cotton polyester twill.

10. The wearable ground blind of claim 1 wherein the main body and hood are free from hard plastic and metal objects.

11. The wearable ground blind of claim 1 wherein the main body is free from fasteners.

12. A method for concealing a hunter, the method comprising:

obscuring a profile of a hunter with a wearable ground blind sized and constructed with a rigidity so as to not hug the profile of the hunter, the wearable ground blind including: a main body including front and back walls connected at side and top edges thereof to define an interior and produce an open bottom at bottom edges thereof; a head opening in the top edge of the main body portion; and arm openings in the side edges;

restricting the passage of human scent to an exterior of the wearable ground blind by: engaging the ground with the bottom edges of the main body to restrict the passage of human scent therethrough; folding opposite, upper potions of the main body adjacent to the arm openings over after a hunter's arms are withdrawn into the interior of the main body to restrict the passage of human scent through the arm openings.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the wearable ground blind includes a hood with a forward opening extending around the head opening and a drawstring configured to tighten the hood forward opening; and wherein the restricting the passage of human scent further comprises tightening the hood on the head of a hunter to minimize airflow through the hood forward opening.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising muffling noises created by a hunter via the wearable ground blind being constructed from a material configured to at least partially absorb noise created in the interior of the wearable ground blind, the material comprising at least one of: cotton and fleece.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising positioning the front wall to be spaced from a torso of the hunter to thereby provide a work cavity within the wearable ground blind to minimize moving the front wall while manipulating items within the work cavity.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein engaging the ground with the bottom edges of the main body further comprises engaging the ground to seal in a hunter's scent due to the main body being constructed of a material having a weight and rigidity sufficient to contact the ground in a hunting position to seal in a hunter's scent and withstand wind to maintain the seal with the ground up to a wind of 10 miles per hour.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the material comprises a quilted material.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the main body has a three layer construction including an interior fleece layer, a middle quilted layer, and an exterior waterproof or water resistant layer.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the middle layer is a polyester fiber fill and the exterior layer is a cotton polyester twill.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein the main body is free from fasteners.