Layout blind with adjustable leg support and foldable flap support
A layout blind for use in a marshy environment or in a dry field with a support frame and a fabric cover. The frame is supported on extendible legs and has three foldable sections. A U-shaped head frame and a U-shaped foot frame are pivoted to the support frame. First and second U-shaped flap support frames are pivoted between the head frame and the foot frame and are foldable about a pivot hinge with a stop.
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The present application is an application for reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 9,717,233 B1, issued Aug. 1, 2017 on U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 15/211,629, filed Jul. 15, 2016, and claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/193,940, filed Jul. 17, 2015, entitled “Layout Blind Cot With Adjustable Leg Support.” The content of the above-identified patent documents is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUNDThis section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
1. Field of Technology
The present invention relates to a layout blind which can be used in a marshy environment or in a dry field. It combines the aquatic versatility of a layout boat with the portability and compact size of a layout blind.
2. Background of the Technology
Marshy wetlands are favored by waterfowl such as ducks and geese but the birds are also found upland in dry corn fields and the like at other times. Keeping a low, really low, profile improves a hunter's chance of shooting at surprised birds, for which purpose a hunter who hunts in both environments needs to have several different pieces of equipment. For use in shallow water on the edge of low weeds or out in flooded fields, a layout boat is useful but layout boats are expensive and cannot be collapsed for transportation and storage. For upland hunting there are layout blinds but they cannot be effectively used in a flooded field. What is needed is a versatile piece of the equipment that has the advantages of a layout boat but is good for upland hunting.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF VARIOUS PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIONIn view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a versatile collapsible layout blind that can be used in a marshy environment as well as for upland hunting. Other objects and features of the invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
In accordance with the invention, a layout blind for use in a marshy environment or in a dry field is provided. The blind includes a support frame and a fabric cover. The support frame is generally rectangular and foldable in sections with an upper and lower side and a fabric support platform stretched tautly on the rectangular frame. A U-shaped head frame is pivoted to the upper side of the rectangular frame as is a U-shaped foot frame. First and second U-shaped flap support frames are pivoted between the head frame and the foot frame. The U-shaped flap support frames have first and second arms connected by a pivot hinge with a stop.
A plurality of extendible legs are pivoted to a lower side of the rectangular frame and the cover is configured to drape over the U-shaped head frame and the U-shaped foot frame in upright pivoted position. The fabric cover is split from the U-shaped head frame to the U-shaped foot frame with attached fabric flaps for covering the split. The cover is attached to the fabric support platform and the fabric flaps are attached to the U-shaped flap support frames to envelop and conceal a user inclined on the fabric support platform. In other embodiments, the layout blind is mounted on independently adjustable legs as described above with lily pad or web feet for stability to make for easy access in and out of the blind.
In the accompanying drawings in which several of various possible embodiments of the invention are illustrated, corresponding reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings in which:
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments.
Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference character, reference numeral 10 refers to a layout blind for use in a marshy environment or in a dry field. As shown in
Support Frame:
Support frame 12 includes a generally rectangular cot frame 16 having an upper and lower side 18, 20 (
A U-shaped head frame is pivoted to upper side 18 of rectangular frame inboard of a head end 32 (
Pivot bracket 36 may be formed as shown in
A U-shaped foot frame 50 is pivoted to upper side 18 of center section 28 of cot frame 16. For this purpose a pivot bracket 52 may be like pivot bracket 38 used at the lower end of braces 34 or other some other configuration.
First and second U-shaped flap frames 54 are pivoted to head frame 30 and flank the dropped middle thereof. Opposite ends of flap frames 54 are pivoted to foot frame 50. A pivot bracket 36 as shown in
Flap frames 54 includes first and second arms 54a and 54b which are connected with a pivot hinge 62 with a stop. In the form illustrated, hinge 62 is a 180 degree pivot hinge but hinges holding arms 54a and 54b at lesser angles may be used. As pressure is applied to arms 54a and 54b by in a downward direction as viewed in
A second function of hinge 62 is that it allows flap frames 54 to be detached from blind 10 and folded as shown in
As shown, cot frame 16 is support on three pairs of telescoping legs, namely a first pair 64 is pivoted to head section 24 inboard of head end 32, a second pair 66 is pivoted at the pivot joint between head section 24 and center section 28, and a third pair 68 is pivoted at the pivot joint between center section 28 and foot section 26. A cross brace 70 is provided between each pair of legs to lend strength and rigidity to the assembly. The legs have telescoping sections such that the length of each leg is independently adjustable and may be locked in length with a spring load clamp 72 such that blind 10 may be used in shallow water and can be adjusted to an uneven support surface without being wobbly. A distal end of each of legs may be provided with a lily pad or web foot 74 that settles into the support surface and acts like a suction cup locking pairs of legs in place thus creating stability to make for easy access in and out of the blind.
Support frame 12 may be formed from a tubular material such as steel, aluminum or the like. As shown, frame 12 is formed of sections of round tubing although square tubing could be used. Cot frame 16, U-shaped head frame 30 and U-shaped foot frame 50 preferably have radiused corners so as not to unduly stress cover 14 and support platform 22 but other shapes could be used.
Cover:
Cover 14 is configured to drape over U-shaped head frame 30 and U-shaped foot frame 50 in upright pivoted position. Cover 14 may be formed of a fabric material which may be imprinted with a camouflaging pattern. Spaced apart straps 76 may be provided for attaching vegetation such as reeds, corn stalks or the like to better conceal blind 10.
In the embodiment shown in
In use, blind 10 may be set up as shown in
As shown in
In view of the above, it is seen that the objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
1. A layout blind for use in a marshy environment or in a dry field comprising a support frame and a fabric cover,
- said support frame having an upper and a lower side and a fabric support platform stretched tautly on a cot frame, said cot frame formed in foldable sections;
- a U-shaped head frame pivoted to the cot frame; a U-shaped foot frame pivoted to the cot frame;
- first and second U-shaped flap support frames pivoted between the head frame and the foot frame, said flap support frames comprising first and second arms connected with a pivot hinge with a stop; and
- a plurality of extendible legs pivoted to a lower side of the cot frame; and
- said fabric cover configured to drape over the support frame with the U-shaped head frame and the U-shaped foot frame in upright pivoted position, said fabric cover having a split from the U-shaped head frame to the U-shaped foot frame dividing the fabric cover into fabric flaps into which said U-shaped flap support frames are received, said fabric flaps concealing a reclined user when the U-shaped flap support frames are pivoted on the U-shaped head frame and the U-shaped foot frame over the cot frame.
2. The layout blind of claim 1 wherein the foldable sections of the cot frame comprise a U-shaped head section, a center section and a U-shaped foot section, said U-shaped head section and said U-shaped foot section pivoted to the center section.
3. The layout blind of claim 1 wherein the extendible legs are provided with lily pad or web feet configured to settle into a support surface and act like a suction cup locking the extendible legs in place.
4. A layout blind for use in a marshy environment or in a dry field comprising a support frame and a fabric cover,
- said support frame having an upper and a lower side and a fabric support platform stretched tautly on a cot frame, said cot frame formed in foldable sections;
- a U-shaped head frame pivoted to the cot frame; a U-shaped foot frame pivoted to the cot frame;
- first and second U-shaped flap support frames, said flap support frames comprising first and second arms connected with a pivot hinge with a stop, each of said first and second U-shaped flap support frames pivoted at a first end with a pin-release bracket to the U-shaped head frame, each of said flap support frames pivoted at a second end to the U-shaped foot frame with a bracket in which said second end of the flap support frame is freely journaled;
- a plurality of extendible legs pivoted to a lower side of the cot frame; and
- said fabric cover configured to drape over the support frame with the U-shaped head frame and the U-shaped foot frame in upright pivoted position, said fabric cover having a split from the U-shaped head frame to the U-shaped foot frame dividing the fabric cover into fabric flaps into which said U-shaped flap support frames are received, said fabric flaps concealing a reclined user when the U-shaped flap support frames are pivoted on the U-shaped head frame and the U-shaped foot frame over the cot frame.
5. The layout blind of claim 4 wherein the foldable sections of the cot frame comprise a U-shaped head section, a center section with first and second opposing ends and a U-shaped foot section, said U-shaped head section pivoted to the first end of the center section and said U-shaped foot section pivoted to the second end of the center section.
6. The layout blind of claim 5 wherein the center section of the cot frame is tapered such that when the U-shaped foot section is folded against the center section, the U-shaped foot section nests inside the center section.
7. The layout blind of claim 5 wherein the U-shaped head section of the cot frame has a dropped middle on which a sling is attached.
8. The layout blind of claim 4 wherein the extendible legs are provided with lily pad or web feet configured to settle into a support surface and act like a suction cup locking the extendible legs in place.
9. A layout blind for use in a marshy environment or in a dry field comprising a support frame and a fabric cover,
- said support frame including a substantially rectangular frame with an upper and a lower side and a fabric support platform stretched tautly on the substantially rectangular frame;
- a U-shaped head frame pivoted to the substantially rectangular frame, the U-shaped head frame being selectively collapsible against the substantially rectangular frame;
- a foot frame pivoted to the substantially rectangular frame;
- first and second U-shaped flap support frames pivoted between the head frame and the foot frame; and
- a plurality of extendible legs pivoted to the lower side of the support frame; and
- said fabric cover configured to drape over the support frame with the U-shaped head frame and the foot frame in upright pivoted position, said fabric cover having a split from the U-shaped head frame to the foot frame dividing the fabric cover into fabric flaps into which said U-shaped flap support frames are received, said fabric flaps substantially concealing a reclined user when the U-shaped flap support frames are pivoted on the U-shaped head frame and the foot frame over the support frame.
10. The layout blind of claim 9 wherein the support frame includes a U-shaped head section.
11. The layout blind of claims 10 wherein the support frame includes a U-shaped foot section and a center section extending to and between the U-shaped head section and the U-shaped foot section.
12. The layout blind of claim 10 wherein the foot frame is pivoted to the substantially rectangular frame inboard of an end of the substantially rectangular frame that is opposite to the U-shaped head section and the U-shaped head frame is pivoted to the substantially rectangular frame inboard of an end of U-shaped head section.
13. The layout blind of claim 12 wherein, when the layout blind is in use, the U-shaped head section is coplanar with a center section of the support frame.
14. The layout blind of claim 9 wherein the U-shaped head frame has a dropped middle on which a sling is attached.
15. A layout blind for use in a marshy environment or in a dry field comprising a support frame and a fabric cover,
- said support frame having an upper and a lower side and a fabric support platform stretched tautly on the support frame;
- a U-shaped head frame pivoted to the support frame;
- a foot frame pivoted to the support frame;
- first and second U-shaped flap support frames pivoted between the head frame and the foot frame; and
- a plurality of extendible legs pivoted to the lower side of the support frame; and
- said fabric cover configured to drape over the support frame with the U-shaped head frame and the foot frame in an upright pivoted position, said fabric cover having a split from the U-shaped head frame to the foot frame dividing the fabric cover into fabric flaps into which said U-shaped flap support frames are received, said fabric flaps substantially concealing a reclined user when the U-shaped flap support frames are pivoted on the U-shaped head frame and the foot frame over the support frame,
- wherein the flap support frames include first and second arms connected with a pivot hinge with a stop.
16. A layout blind for use in a marshy environment or in a dry field comprising a support frame and a fabric cover,
- said support frame including a substantially rectangular frame with an upper and a lower side and a fabric support platform stretched tautly on the substantially rectangular frame;
- a U-shaped head frame pivoted to the substantially rectangular frame, the U-shaped head frame being selectively collapsible against the substantially rectangular frame:
- a foot frame pivoted to the support frame;
- first and second U-shaped flap support frames, each of said first and second U-shaped flap support frames pivoted at a first end with a pin-release bracket to the U-shaped head frame, each of said flap support frames pivoted at a second end to the foot frame;
- a plurality of extendible legs pivoted to the lower side of the support frame; and
- said fabric cover configured to drape over the support frame with the U-shaped head frame and the foot frame in upright pivoted position, said fabric cover having a split from the U-shaped head frame to the foot frame dividing the fabric cover into fabric flaps into which said U-shaped flap support frames are received, said fabric flaps substantially concealing a reclined user when the U-shaped flap support frames are pivoted on the U-shaped head frame and the foot frame over the support frame.
17. The layout blind of claim 16 wherein said second end of each flap support frame is freely journaled.
18. The layout blind of claim 16 wherein the support frame includes a U-shaped head section.
19. The layout blind of claim 18 wherein the support frame includes a U-shaped foot section and a center section extending to and between the U-shaped head section and the U-shaped foot section.
20. The layout blind of claim 16 wherein the U-shaped head frame has a dropped middle on which a sling is attached.
21. The layout blind of claim 16 wherein the U-shaped head frame is pivoted to the support frame inboard of a head end of the support frame and the foot frame is pivoted to the support frame inboard of an end of the support frame that is opposite to the head end.
22. A layout blind for use in a marshy environment or in a dry field comprising a support frame and a fabric cover,
- said support frame having an upper and a lower side and a fabric support platform stretched tautly on the support frame;
- a U-shaped head frame pivoted to the support frame;
- a foot frame pivoted to the support frame;
- first and second U-shaped flap support frames, each of said first and second U-shaped flap support frames pivoted at a first end with a pin-release bracket to the U-shaped head frame, each of said flap support frames pivoted at a second end to the foot frame;
- a plurality of extendible legs pivoted to the lower side of the support frame; and
- said fabric cover configured to drape over the support frame with the U-shaped head frame and the foot frame in upright pivoted position, said fabric cover having a split from the U-shaped head frame to the foot frame dividing the fabric cover into fabric flaps into which said U-shaped flap support frames are received, said fabric flaps substantially concealing a reclined user when the U-shaped flap support frames are pivoted on the U-shaped head frame and the foot frame over the support frame,
- wherein the flap support frames include first and second arms connected with a pivot hinge with a stop.
23. A blind for use in a marshy environment or in a dry field comprising:
- a support frame including a U-shaped head section with a head end, an end section opposite the head end and a center section including opposing elongate tubes extending to and between the U-shaped head section and the end section;
- a fabric cover;
- a fabric support platform stretched tautly on the support frame;
- a U-shaped first frame pivoted to the support frame adjacent to, spaced-apart from and inboard of the head end, the U-shaped first frame being selectively collapsible against the U-shaped head section of the support frame;
- a second frame pivoted to the support frame at two opposing locations on the support frame adjacent to, spaced-apart from and inboard of the end section;
- first and second U-shaped flap support frames pivoted between the first frame and the second frame; and
- a plurality of extendible legs pivoted to a lower side of the support frame;
- wherein the fabric cover is configured to drape over the support frame with the first frame and the second frame in an upright pivoted position, the fabric cover having a split from the first frame to the second frame dividing the fabric cover into fabric flaps into which the U-shaped flap support frames are received, the fabric flaps substantially concealing a reclined user when the U-shaped flap support frames are pivoted on the first frame and the second frame over the support frame.
24. The blind of claim 23 wherein the second frame is pivoted to the center section of the support frame.
25. The blind of claim 24 wherein the support frame includes a foot section, the center section extending to and between the U-shaped head section and the foot section.
26. The blind of claim 23 wherein the second frame is U-shaped.
27. The blind of claim 23 wherein the first frame has a dropped middle on which a sling is attached.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Dec 21, 2018
Date of Patent: Sep 15, 2020
Assignee: Higdon Outdoors, LLC (Paducah, KY)
Inventor: Ira D. McCauley (Defiance, MO)
Primary Examiner: Cary E Wehner
Application Number: 16/229,510
International Classification: A01M 31/00 (20060101); E04H 15/00 (20060101); A47C 17/70 (20060101); A01M 31/02 (20060101); E04H 15/48 (20060101);