REVERSIBLE CAMOUFLAGE

Abstract

A multi-spectral reversible net system may include a center, two-sided reversible panel. The center panel may be printed on opposing sides with first and second screen designs. The center panel may be laid flat on a first side to expose the second screen design and thus have a net corresponding to the second screen design. The center panel may be lifted and laid flat on a second side to expose the first screen design, thus having a net corresponding to the first screen design. Construction and methods of using the net are also described.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to multi-spectral camouflage. More specifically, the present application relates to reversible multi-spectral camouflage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current multi-spectral camouflage for concealing military objects includes a base layer quilted to a garnish layer, where the garnish layer includes the camouflage pattern. To accommodate concealment of the military equipment, personnel and installations, which are often very large, the multi-spectral camouflage is printed on large nets which may be anywhere from a few square feet to hundreds of square feet. A single screen design is printed on the quilted layer of the nets. An exemplary multi-spectral camouflage is Ultra Lightweight Camouflage Net Systems (ULCANS). Military personnel must carry multiple ULCANS with different screen designs to accommodate alternate environments. That is, a military person may carry a light woodland, a dark woodland, a desert, an urban, a snow or an alpine ULCANS to accommodate the possibility of encountering any type of environment. Due to the large sizes of these nets, carrying multiple nets may occupy much needed space and be cumbersome to interchange. Therefore, a need exists for a reversible multi-spectral camouflage for large net systems, such as ULCANS.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment, a camouflage net may include a first panel having a first screen design, a second panel having a second screen design, and a reversible panel having a first side with the first screen design and a second side with the second screen design. The reversible panel may be configured to move from a first position showing the first screen design to a second position showing the second screen design. In the first position, the second panel may be substantially concealed and in the second position, the first panel may be substantially concealed.

According to an embodiment, the first screen design and the second screen design may be different.

According to an embodiment, in the first position, the second side of the reversible panel may be placed on the second panel such that the first screen design on the first panel and the first screen design on the first side of the reversible panel are exposed. In the first position, the reversible panel is secured to the second panel with becket loops located on a periphery of the reversible panel and becket loops located on a periphery of the second panel.

According to an embodiment, in the second position, the first side of the reversible panel is placed on the first panel such that the second screen design on the second panel and the second screen design on the second side of the reversible panel are exposed. In the second position, the reversible panel is secured to the first panel with becket loops located on a periphery of the reversible panel and becket loops located on a periphery of the first panel.

According to an embodiment, the first panel, the second panel, and the reversible panel may be connected together at a common juncture. The first panel may comprise one or more layers and the second panel may comprise one or more layers. The first panel may comprise a base layer and may be quilted to a first panel incised garnish layer and the second panel may comprise the base layer and may be quilted to a second panel incised garnish layer. The reversible panel may comprise one side having the first panel incised garnish layer attached on an opposing side to a second side having the second panel incised garnish layer. The reversible panel may comprise an incised garnish layer. The incised garnish layer may have the first screen design on a first side and the second screen design on a second side, opposing the first side.

According to an embodiment, a method of reversing a net includes providing a net having a first panel, a second panel, and a reversible panel, the first panel, second panel, and reversible panel all attached at a common juncture, laying the reversible panel on top of the second panel such that a first screen design on the reversible panel and a first screen design on the first panel are exposed, and lifting the reversible panel from the second panel and guiding to lay on the first panel such that a second screen design on the reversible panel and a second screen design on the second panel are exposed. When the first screen design on the reversible panel and the first screen design on the first panel are exposed, the second screen design on the reversible panel and the second screen design on the second panel are concealed.

According to an embodiment, the first screen design and the second screen design may be different.

According to an embodiment, the method may include securing the reversible panel to the second panel after laying the reversible panel on top of the second panel and unsecuring the reversible panel from the second panel prior to lifting the reversible panel. The securing may be performed by becket loops located on the reversible panel and becket loops located on the second panel. The securing may be performed by at least one of Velcro, snaps, and buttons located on the reversible panel and a corresponding one of Velcro, snaps, buttons, etc. located on the second panel.

According to an embodiment, the method may include concealing an object with the net showing the first screen design prior to lifting the reversible panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic of a multi-spectral camouflage, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a reversible multi-spectral camouflage, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A-3E show transition of a first side of the multispectral camouflage of FIG. 2 to a second side of the multi-spectral camouflage of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows an alternative reversible multi-spectral camouflage, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A shows the reversible multi-spectral camouflage of FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5B shows a detailed view of the reversible multi-spectral camouflage of FIG. 5A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the inventions are discussed in detail below. In describing embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the inventions are not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. A person skilled in the relevant art would recognize that other equivalent parts can be employed and other methods developed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference as if each had been individually incorporated.

Various embodiments of a reversible multi-spectral camouflage in accordance with the principles of the invention are described herein. The reversible multi-spectral camouflage may allow two or more different classes of screen design to be provided in a single net.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic of a net 10 is shown. The net 10 may be, for example, an Ultra Lightweight Camouflage Net Systems (ULCANS). The net 10 may include an attachment mechanism, such as a becket hitch or becket loop 12 attached to at least part of a periphery of the net 10. The becket loop 12 may allow for the net 10 to be attached to additional nets to form a larger net system of a desired size for covering and concealing military equipment, personnel or installation. The becket loop 12 may also allow for the reversible panel 18 (FIG. 2) to be attached to a respective side, as is described herein.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the net 10 may have a first portion or first panel 14 with a first screen design printed on a layer thereof. The screen design may be, for example, but not limited to a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 screen design, or any other screen designs known to a person of ordinary skill of the art. A Class 1 screen design may include a light woodland pattern and/or a dark woodland pattern. A Class 2 screen design may include a desert and/or an urban pattern. A Class 3 screen design may include a snow and/or alpine pattern. The screen designs may be, for example, but not limited to a Type I (Radar scattering) or Type II (Radar transparent) screen design or may be any other type or signature management requirement. Other screen designs may be developed and it is contemplated that such screen designs may be employed in the net 10 or net 100 (FIG. 4) without departing from the scope of the invention. The class and type of the screen design may be selected for the appropriate terrain or environment where the net 10 may be employed.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the net 10 is shown having a generally hexagonal shape with attachment mechanisms, such as becket loops 12 around the outer periphery of the net 10. The net 10 comprises a first portion or first panel 14 with a first screen design and a second portion or second panel 16 with a second screen design. The screen designs of the first portion 14 and the second portion 16 may be different. The net 10 may include a reversible panel 18. The reversible panel 18 may be a reversible, two sided panel. The reversible panel 18 may have a first screen design on a first side 18a (FIG. 3A) which matches the screen design on the first portion 14. The reversible panel 18 may have a second screen design on a second side 18b (FIG. 3D) which matches the screen design of the second portion 16. The reversible panel 18 may have becket loops 12 arranged around the outer periphery of the reversible panel 18. The becket loops 12 on the reversible panel 18 may be attached to becket loops 12 on the outer periphery of either the first portion 14 or second portion 16, respectively, based on the desired screen design to be shown.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, assembly of the net 10 is described. The net 10, being of generally hexagonal shape, may have first portion 14 and second portion 16 of generally trapezoidal shape. The first portion 14 and the second portion 16 may be sewn, adhered, fastened, or otherwise attached or come together at a juncture 20 to form the hexagonal shape of net 10. The reversible panel 18 may be sewn, adhered, fastened, or otherwise attached or come together at the juncture 20 to attach to the first portion 14 and the second portion 16. Although it may be appreciated that the first portion 14, second portion 16, and reversible panel 18 may be attached at juncture 20 in any order or simultaneously. It may be appreciated, that in this manner, the net 10 may comprise three pieces of material, a first piece comprising first portion 14, a second piece comprising second portion 16, and a third piece comprising reversible panel 18. In addition, the first portion 14, second portion 16, and reversible portion 18 may each be formed from one, two or more pieces of material.

Alternatively, the first portion 14 and second portion 16 may be printed on a single piece of material of hexagonal shape. That is, a first screen design may be printed on a first half, comprising the first portion 14, of the net 10. A second screen design may be printed on the second half, comprising the second portion 16, of the net 10. The reversible panel 18 may be a second piece of material with the first screen design printed on one side and the second screen design printed on the opposing side. The reversible panel 18 may then be sewn, adhered, fastened, or otherwise attached or come together at any symmetry axis of the hexagonal net. It may be appreciated, that in this manner, the net 10 may comprise two pieces of material, a first piece comprising the first portion 14 and second portion 16 and a second piece comprising the reversible panel 18. In addition, any or all of the first portion 14, second portion 16, and reversible panel 18 may be formed from two or more pieces of material. It may be appreciated from the foregoing that net 10 may comprise any number of pieces of material, including, but not limited to the two piece and three piece nets previously described.

As may be appreciated from FIG. 2, the reversible panel 18 may be arranged such that the juncture 20 bisects the hexagon from a first point to a second point, such that the juncture 20 bisects the hexagon between the points. Alternatively, the reversible panel 18 may be arranged from a center of a first flat edge to a center of a second flat edge, such that the juncture 20 bisects the hexagon between the flat edges. It can be appreciated that in this alternative, the shape of the first portion 14, second portion 16, and reversible panel 18 changes from the trapezoid depicted in FIG. 2. The shape of the first portion 14, second portion 16, and reversible panel 18 may be a pentagon, specifically, a pentagon with a rectangular base and triangular top, similar to a simple “house” shape. The juncture 20 may be located at any portion of the hexagon that allows for first portion 14, second portion 16, and reversible panel 18 to take on the same shape, such that when reversible panel 18 overlays first portion 14, a substantially symmetrical shape is achieved and when reversible panel 18 overlays second portion 16, the same symmetrical shape is achieved. Thus, the reversible panel 18 should substantially cover first portion 14 when the second design is exposed. The reversible panel 18 should substantially cover second portion 16 when the first design is exposed.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3E, operation of the net 10 is described. In a first operational condition, FIG. 3A, the net 10 may be arranged such that first portion 14 is exposed and the first side 18a of the reversible panel 18 is exposed. The first portion 14 and first side 18a may have the same screen design. The reversible panel 18 may overlay the second portion 16 such that the second portion 16 is substantially concealed. The becket loops 12 of the reversible panel 18 may be secured to the becket loops 12 of the second portion 16. Thus, the reversible panel 18 may be secured to the second portion 16 such that the second portion 16 is covered by the reversible panel 18. In the first operational condition of FIG. 3A, the net 10 may now be connected or attached with the becket loops 12 to additional nets 10 with the same or different screen design to create a larger net system. The net 10 or the larger net system may then be used to cover military equipment, personnel or installation, although other uses for the multi-spectral camouflage net are contemplated.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3A-3E, transition from the first operational condition of FIG. 3A to the second operational condition of FIG. 3E is shown. A user, such as a military personnel, may detach or otherwise unfasten the becket loops of reversible panel 18 from the second portion 16. The user may lift the reversible panel 18 off of second portion 16 and guide it through the positions shown in FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, and FIG. 3D, where the second side 18b of the reversible panel 18 is exposed. The user may overlay the reversible panel 18 on the first portion 14, such that the second side 18b is exposed and the first portion 14 is substantially concealed. The user may then secure the becket loops of reversible panel 18 to the becket loops of the first portion 14. Thus, in the second operational condition, FIG. 3E, the net 10 may be arranged such that the second portion 16 is exposed and the second side 18b of the reversible panel 18 is exposed. The second portion 16 and the second side 18b may have the same screen design. The net 10 may now be connected or attached with the becket loops 12 to additional nets 10 with the same or different screen design to create a larger net system. The net 10 or the larger net system may then be used to cover military equipment, personnel or installations, although other uses for the multi-spectral camouflage net are contemplated.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3A-3E, it may be appreciated that military personnel now have the ability to conceal equipment, personnel or installations with two different screen designs using the same net 10. The reversible panel 18 allows for one or more, or two or more, screen designs to be employed in a single net 10. An exemplary net 10 may comprise a light woodland screen design on first portion 14 and first side 18a and a dark woodland screen design on second portion 16 and second side 18b. An exemplary net 10 may comprise a desert screen design on first portion 14 and first side 18a and an urban screen design on second portion 16 and second side 18b. An exemplary net 10 may comprise a snow screen design on first portion 14 and first side 18a and an alpine screen design on second portion 16 and second side 18b. Although the net 10 is not limited to such embodiments of screen designs and screen designs not listed may be provided. Alternatively, different combinations of the aforementioned screen designs may be provided.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of a net 100 is shown. The net 100 may be the same in all respects to the net 10, except for the shape. The net 10 may have a rhombic or diamond shape, a triangle, a square or a rectangle, such that the first portion 14, second portion 16, and reversible panel 18 all comprise generally triangular, square or rectangular shapes sewn, adhered, fastened, or otherwise attached at common juncture 20. The net 100 may transition from a first screen design to a second screen design in the same manner as described with respect to FIGS. 3A-3E. Similar to FIG. 2, the first portion 14, second portion 16, and reversible panel 18 may be connected along flats of the rhombus, square or rectangle instead of along points. It can again be appreciated that the shapes of first portion 14, second portion 16, and reversible panel 18 may be changed based on where the juncture 20 is located. The juncture 20 may be located at any portion of the rhombus that allows for first portion 14, second portion 16, and reversible panel 18 such that when reversible panel 18 overlays first portion 14, a symmetrical shape is achieved and when reversible panel 18 overlays second portion 16, the same symmetrical shape is achieved.

Alternatively, the first portion 14 and second portion 16 may be printed on a single piece of material of rhombic or diamond shape. That is, a first screen design may be printed on a first half, comprising the first portion 14, of the net 100. A second screen design may be printed on the second half, comprising the second portion 16, of the net 100. The reversible panel 18 may be a second piece of material with the first screen design printed on one side and the second screen design printed on the opposing side. The reversible panel 18 may then be sewn, adhered, fastened, or otherwise attached or come together at any symmetry axis of the rhombic net 100. It may be appreciated, that in this manner, the net 100 may comprise two pieces of material, a first piece comprising the first portion 14 and second portion 16 and a second piece comprising the reversible panel 18. In addition, any or all of the first portion 14, second portion 16, and reversible panel 18 may be formed from two or more pieces of material. It may be appreciated from the foregoing that net 100 may comprise any number of pieces of material, including, but not limited to the two piece and three piece nets previously described.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, construction of nets 10, 100 is described. Although net 100 is depicted in FIG. 5A, it may be appreciated that net 10 may be constructed in the same manner. As shown in FIG. 5B, the first portion 14 and second portion 16 of nets 10, 100 may include a base layer 22 and a layer 24. The layer 24 may be a garnish layer. The layer 24 may be incised. The base layer 22 may be a durable non-snagging knit or woven fabric. The base layer 22 may provide dimensional stability to the net 10. The base layer 22 may be coated with radar-absorbing material for Type I or non-conductive coating for Type II, followed by a green or tan (or other) coating corresponding to the desired class of screen design. The layer 24 may be a multi-spectral coated fabric with an incision pattern. The layer 24 may be quilted to the base layer 22. The layer 22 and/or layer 24 may provide ripstop and achieve required thermal transmission and radar properties.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the reversible panel 18 may be constructed of a single layer 24 printed on opposing sides with the first design and the second design. The single layer 24 may be quilted garnish. Alternatively, the reversible panel 18 may be constructed of two layers 24. A first layer 24 corresponding to a first screen design on first side 18a and a second layer 24 corresponding to a second screen design on second side 18b may be sewn, or otherwise attached together to form the reversible panel 18. The layer(s) 24 provided in reversible panel 18 may be the same or substantially the same as the layer 24 provided in first portion 14 and second portion 16. The reversible panel 18 may omit the base layer 22. To form the net 10 or net 100, the first portion 14, second portion 16, and reversible panel 18 may be sewn or otherwise attached at a juncture 20. It may be appreciated that more or fewer layers 24 or base layers 22 may be provided in first portion 14, second portion 16, and/or reversible panel 18.

Although becket loops are depicted and described herein, it may be appreciated that other attachment mechanisms are contemplated. For example, Velcro®, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, fasteners, etc. may be provided on all or a portion of the periphery of first portion 14, second portion 16, and reversible panel 18. Although becket loops 12 are depicted around an entire periphery of the net 10 and net 100, the becket loops 12 or other attachment mechanism may be provided on only a portion of the periphery. For example, the becket loop(s) 12 may be provided on one or more sides of the net 10 or net 100. The becket loop(s) 12 on the reversible panel 18 may be a different color, construction, shape, size, etc. than the becket loop(s) 12 on the periphery of net 10 or net 100, such as those on the periphery of first portion 14 and/or second portion 16. The becket loop(s) 12 may complement the screen design on the first portion 14, second portion 16, and/or reversible panel 18. It may thus be appreciated that any variety of color, construction, shape, size, etc. of becket loop(s) 12 may be selected for first portion 14, second portion 16, and/or reversible panel 18. The becket loop(s) may be the same or different among the first portion 14, second portion 16, and/or reversible panel 18.

The pigment coatings provided on the layer 24 may, for example, defeat Ultraviolet (UV), Visual (VIS), Near Infrared (NIR), Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR), Long Wavelength Infrared (LWIR), Short Wavelength Infrared (SWIR), Radar sensors and/or other multispectral sensors. The pigment coatings may, for example, provide increased durability, UV, fungal and flame resistance.

It may be appreciated from the foregoing disclosure that a multi-spectral, reversible net is described. The reversible net may allow for military personnel to carry one net system that may accommodate two environments. It may further be appreciated that the center, two-sided reversible panel may be flipped from one side to the other, changing the net color from one environment to the other, for example, from light woodland to dark woodland or desert to urban. Any combination of environments, screen Classes, screen Types (radar scattering or radar transparent) may be provided in the nets 10 and 100. Thus it may be appreciated that military personnel have the ability to camouflage equipment in more than one environment with the same net.

The embodiments illustrated and discussed in this specification are intended only to teach those skilled in the art the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. Nothing in this specification should be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. All examples presented are representative and non-limiting. The above-described embodiments of the invention may be modified or varied, without departing from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Moreover, features described in connection with one embodiment of the invention may be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above.

Claims

1. A camouflage net, comprising:

a first panel having a first screen design,

a second panel having a second screen design,

and a reversible panel having a first side with the first screen design and a second side with the second screen design,

wherein the reversible panel is configured to move from a first position showing the first screen design to a second position showing the second screen design, and

wherein, in the first position, the second panel is substantially concealed and in the second position, the first panel is substantially concealed.

2. The camouflage net of claim 1, wherein the first screen design and the second screen design are different.

3. The camouflage net of claim 1, wherein in the first position, the second side of the reversible panel is placed on the second panel such that the first screen design on the first panel and the first screen design on the first side of the reversible panel are exposed.

4. The camouflage net of claim 3, wherein in the first position, the reversible panel is secured to the second panel with becket loops located on a periphery of the reversible panel and becket loops located on a periphery of the second panel.

5. The camouflage net of claim 1, wherein in the second position, the first side of the reversible panel is placed on the first panel such that the second screen design on the second panel and the second screen design on the second side of the reversible panel are exposed.

6. The camouflage net of claim 5, wherein in the second position, the reversible panel is secured to the first panel with becket loops located on a periphery of the reversible panel and becket loops located on a periphery of the first panel.

7. The camouflage net of claim 1, wherein the first panel, the second panel, and the reversible panel are connected together at a common juncture.

8. The camouflage net of claim 1, wherein the first panel comprises one or more layers and the second panel comprises one or more layers.

9. The camouflage net of claim 1, wherein the first panel comprises a base layer quilted to a first panel incised garnish layer and the second panel comprises the base layer quilted to a second panel incised garnish layer.

10. The camouflage net of claim 9, wherein the reversible panel comprises one side having the first panel incised garnish layer attached on an opposing side to a second side having the second panel incised garnish layer.

11. The camouflage net of claim 9, wherein the reversible panel comprises an incised garnish layer, the incised garnish layer having the first screen design on a first side and the second screen design on a second side, opposing the first side.

12. A method of reversing a net, the method comprising:

providing a net having a first panel, a second panel, and a reversible panel, the first panel, second panel, and reversible panel all attached at a common juncture,

laying the reversible panel on top of the second panel such that a first screen design on the reversible panel and a first screen design on the first panel are exposed,

lifting the reversible panel from the second panel and guiding to lay on the first panel such that a second screen design on the reversible panel and a second screen design on the second panel are exposed,

wherein when the first screen design on the reversible panel and the first screen design on the first panel are exposed, the second screen design on the reversible panel and the second screen design on the second panel are concealed.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first screen design and the second screen design are different.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising securing the reversible panel to the second panel after laying the reversible panel on top of the second panel and unsecuring the reversible panel from the second panel prior to lifting the reversible panel.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the securing is performed by becket loops located on the reversible panel and becket loops located on the second panel.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the securing is performed by at least one of Velcro, snaps, and buttons located on the reversible panel and a corresponding one of Velcro, snaps, and buttons located on the second panel.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising concealing an object with the net showing the first screen design prior to lifting the reversible panel.