US 8,375,968 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`a2) United States Patent
`Whybrewetal.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Feb. 19, 2013
`
`
`US008375968B2
`
`(54) RETRACTABLE SPORTSMAN’S BLIND
`(76)
`Inventors: Larry O. Whybrew, Liberty Lake, WA
`(US); Howard W. Whybrew,Liberty
`Lake, WA (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 103 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/807,993
`ot.
`Filed:
`
`(22)
`
`Sep. 20, 2010
`; .
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2012/0067387 Al
`Mar. 22. 2012
`
`(65)
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`E04H 15/02
`(2006.01)
`B63C 9/08
`(2006.01)
`.
`(52) US.Ch wu. 135/96; 135/133; Peeareas
`(58) Field of Classification Search .......sccs00. 135/96,
`135/124, 132-133, 137, 115, 116, 119,901;
`114/351, 354, 345, 361, 264; 43/1; 441/129-132
`ti
`fil
`fi
`1
`t
`h hi +t
`.
`Li
`enoneeeeSEI
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`.
`
`.
`
`/
`
`.
`
`S
`
`(56)
`
`6/1959 Wright .....ecccsseueen 114/345
`2,891,260 A *
`6/1965 Wear’ vecssssseeeeen 135/126
`3,190,300 A *®
`hove Huey,Jt
`3s960 ‘
`8/1978 Gillenetal.
`.
`. 114/351
`4,106,145 A *
`
`6/1987 Sanburg...
`. 114/361
`4,671,203 A *
`12/1992 Creek et al.
`5,171,178 A
`hos reekotal
`aBOM ‘
`5,690,134 A * 11/1997 McCauley socccccseen 135/133
`5,711,743 A *
`1/1998 Nichols etal. oc. 482/27
`5,718,612 A
`2/1998 Elsholz
`6,749,475 B2
`6/2004 Howerton
`6,929,521 B2
`8/2005 Howerton
`
`7,118,173 B2* 10/2006 Kassai etal.
`0.0 297/184.13
`
`.....
`.. 441/129
`7,314,399 B2*
`1/2008 Turner
`5/2007 Poulson vessscccsssseeeeen 135/124
`2007/0095377 AL*®
`2008/0066794 Al
`3/2008 Durfee
`2009/0100736 Al
`4/2009 Bunceetal.
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2222555 A *
`3/1990
`
`GB
`.
`eos
`cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner — WinnieYip
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — William A.Jeckle
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`attached
`bly
`retractabl
`lly
`A
`vt
`+s blind rel
`Manually retractable sportsman s
`blind
`releasably atlacne
`to a support provides a flexible camouflaged body having a
`meshfabric window and supported on a frame comprised of
`plural elongate flexibly resilient stays pivotally attached to
`one another at proximate end portions to support the flexible
`camouflaged body and meshfabric window in a hemispheri-
`cal shape.
`
`11/1895 Layman
`549,923 A
`8/1943 Bucknell
`2,327,169 A
`9/1954 Sartori wee 135/133
`2,689,579 A *
`2,816,297 A * 12/1957 Stanley wo. 114/351
`
`9 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`
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`Page 1 of 12
`Page 1 of 12
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`DBR Finance, Inc., Ex. 1002
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 19, 2013
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`Sheet 1 of 6
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`US8,375,968 B2
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`Page 2 of 12
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 19, 2013
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`Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 8,375,968 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 19, 2013
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`Sheet 3 of 6
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 19, 2013
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`Sheet 4 of 6
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`US 8,375,968 B2
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`FIG. 6
`
`FIG.
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`i)1
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`Page 5 of 12
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 19, 2013
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`Sheet 5 of 6
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`US 8,375,968 B2
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`FIG. 7
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 19, 2013
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`Sheet 6 of 6
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`US8,375,968 B2
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`DBR Finance, Inc., Ex. 1002
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`US 8,375,968 B2
`
`1
`RETRACTABLE SPORTSMAN’S BLIND
`
`BACKGROUNDOF INVENTION
`
`Related Applications
`
`10
`
`15
`
`40
`
`45
`
`There are no patent applications related hereto previously
`filed in the United States or in any foreign country.
`
`Field of Invention
`
`This invention relates to hunting and fishing equipment,
`and more particularly to a retractable sportsman’s blind for
`hunting and wildlife observing activities.
`
`Background and Description of Prior Art
`
`The use of blinds while engaging in hunting and wildlife
`observing activities has been knownfor ages. The purpose of
`a blind is multi-fold;first, to conceal the occupant from ani-
`mals so that the sought after animal will engage in normal
`activities such as feeding and resting rather thanfleeing; and
`second, to blend into the environmental setting so that the
`blinditself does not “stand out” as an environmental “oddity”
`that animals shy away from.
`Blinds may be as simple as visual breaks constructedsolely
`of materials located and gathered onsite and arranged as
`necessary to conceal a user. Blinds may also be comprised of
`materials that are broughtto a desired location by the user and
`enhanced with materials located onsite such as stakes
`
`poundedvertically into the ground to support mesh-like net-
`ting thereon into which reeds, cat-tails, vines, branches and
`the like are woven.Finally, blinds may be complete structures
`that are transported to the desired location such as popular
`Final-Approach® blinds usedin field hunting.
`A blind’s ability to blend into the environmentis as impor-
`tant as the blind’s ability to conceal an occupant because
`animals tend to shy away from structuresthat are unusual and
`do not blend into the surroundings. For instance a large rec-
`tilinear wall-blind may function effectively if it is positioned
`proximate a tree-line or brush-line, but the samerectilinear
`wall-blind would likely not be effective sitting in the open,
`near a waterline of a pond,or in an openfield. It is essential
`that the blind “blendinto”the environmentin which the blind
`
`is being used.
`To this end, variouspriorblinds have attempted to decrease
`noticeability by covering the blinds with items suchas grass,
`cat-tails, reeds and thelike that “break up”the outline. Other
`knownblinds are covered with materials imprinted with pho-
`tographic imagesof the surroundingarea in an effort to make
`the blind indistinguishable from the surroundings. Such pho-
`tograph covered blinds are however, expensive and use is
`limited to specific locations where the photographs were
`taken, and the seasons during which the photographs were
`taken. For instance, a blind covered in a photographed snow
`pattern is not likely to be useful whenthere is no snow cover.
`Therefore, use of generalized camouflaged patterns is more
`prevalent as it increases the versatility of the blind by allow-
`ing movementfrom location to location and use from season
`to season.
`
`Examplesofblinds designedto blendinto the environmen-
`tal setting include hollowed-out hay bale blindsthat are used
`in field hunting where hay bales are present, and boat-type
`skiffs that are molded with wave patterns on an uppersurface.
`As noted previously, blinds may also be inter-woven with
`vegetation such as cat-tails, branches, vines, roots and the like
`Page 8 of 12
`Page 8 of 12
`
`2
`to break-up straight lines/edges and to makethe blind less
`distinguishable from the environment in which the blind is
`being used.
`However, known blinds have notsatisfied the needs of
`sportsmen who hunt and observe wildlife in rice paddies,
`marshes and other bodies of shallow water. Boats are not
`practical for use in rice paddies, marshes and other bodies of
`shallow water becauselarge floating objects are environmen-
`tal anomalies that cause animals and water-fowl to shy away,
`and such bodies of water are frequently filled with debris,
`stumps, rocks and other hazards that are not conducive to
`operation of a boat. Hollowed-out hay bales cannot be used
`effectively in rice paddies, marshes andthe like because they
`too are environmental anomalies. To complicate the matter
`further, the blinds used in these areas must float as well as
`blendinto the environment.
`One naturally occurring structure that is common in rice
`paddies, swamps, marshes, bodies of shallow water, and other
`flooded areas where hunting and wildlife observing activities
`occuris the muskrat hut. Muskrat huts typically have a hemi-
`spherical shape and are commonly covered in sticks,
`branches andgrasses.
`Most birds and game species have keen vision and are
`knownfor shying away from movements that might reveal the
`presence of a human including a hunter or observer turning
`his head to visualize approaching animals. For that reason a
`blind must allow a hunter or wildlife observer to conceal
`himself within the blind while visualizing the approach of
`animals, and allow the occupant to quickly retract the blind
`while having sufficient time to fire his gun to harvest, or
`photograph, the sought after animal. Furthermore,the retrac-
`tion of the blind must not dramatically interfere with the
`hunter’s or occupants’ visual tracking of the animalprior to
`the retraction ofthe blind. Ifthis were notthe case, the blind’s
`occupant might lose visual contact of the animal and there-
`fore miss the opportunity to shoot or photograph the animal.
`A variety of sportsman’s blinds having open tops that need
`not be retracted, as well as blinds having automatic opening
`and closing mechanisms are known. Unfortunately, open-top
`blinds do not conceal occupants from birds flying overhead
`and automatic opening and closing blinds have mechanical
`mechanisms that make them heavy, bulky, and difficult to
`transport to a desired location. This is a significant drawback
`whenusing the blind in floodedfields, marshes, rice paddies
`and the like where heavy equipment must be manually carried
`to the site and footing may be precarious. Further, mechanical
`mechanisms are prone to failure, especially in adverse
`weather conditions which are commoninlate fall and winter
`hunting seasons when cold and wet weatheris the norm.
`Whatis neededis a sportsman’s blind that blends into the
`environmental surroundings of rice paddies, marshes, wet-
`lands, bodies of shallow water, and similar areas. The blind
`must conceal the occupant from visualization by the sought
`after animal from all angles of approach, including directly
`overhead, while simultaneously maintaining the occupant’s
`ability to visualize the animal, the approach ofthe animal and
`any fleeing the animal might do. The blind must be light-
`weight, easy to transport, and provide somelevel of protec-
`tion from the elementsto the user.
`The blind must be economical to produce and provide
`sufficient flexibility and structural integrity to provide the
`functions for whichit is intended. Further, the blind should be
`supportedbya variety of structures including, but not limited
`to, float tubes, skiffs, legs, the ground andthelike.
`Our invention overcomes various drawbacks of known
`sportsman’s blinds by providing a blind that blends into the
`environment in which it is used, camouflages the occupant
`DBR Finance, Inc., Ex. 1002
`DBR Finance, Inc., Ex. 1002
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`

`

`US 8,375,968 B2
`
`3
`4
`the flexible camouflaged body,theflexible camouflaged body
`from visualization from all angles of approach including
`
`directly overhead while allowing the occupantto visualize the and frame supported onafloat tube shown in dashedoutline.
`sought after game species during flight and during approach,
`FIG.2 is an orthographicleft side view ofthe blind of FIG.
`is lightweight and casy to transport, and is simply and quickly
`retractable to allow auserto shootat the animalor photograph
`the animal.
`
`FIG. 3 is an orthographic right side view of the blind of
`FIG.1.
`
`1.
`
`FIG.4 is an orthographic left side view similar to FIG.2,
`Our blind provides a framethat is releasably attached to a
`showing a concealed occupant, in phantom outline, within the
`floating structure to support a flexible camouflaged body
`blind.
`thereover to mimic a muskrat hut. A portion of the flexible
`10
`FIG.5is an orthographic rear view ofthe blind of FIG.1.
`camouflaged body is formed of a mesh fabric window to
`FIG.6 is an orthographic front view of the blind of FIG.1.
`allow the occupantto visualize the sought after animal. Plural
`FIG.7 is an orthographic plan view ofthe blind of FIG.1.
`elongate flexible stays form the frame andare pivotally inter-
`FIG.8 is an orthographicleft side view ofthe blind of FIG.
`connected to one anotherat proximate end portions to support
`1 with the flexible camouflaged body removed from the
`the flexible camouflaged body in a hemispherical shape. The
`frame.
`pivotal interconnection of the stays allows the blind to be
`quickly andeasily retracted to permit the occupanttofire at or
`photograph the animal.
`Our invention does not reside in any oneofthe identified
`features individually, but rather in the synergistic combina-
`tion of all of its structures, which give rise to the functions
`necessarily flowing therefrom as hereinafter specified and
`claimed.
`
`FIG. 9 is a partial cut-away artist’s rendition of interior
`surface of the flexible camouflaged body showing the stay
`envelopesstitched thereto.
`FIG. 10 is an orthographic left side view similar to FIG. 4
`showing the frame retracted rearwardly to an occupant
`exposed position less the flexible camouflaged body on the
`frame.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`SUMMARY
`
`A retractable blind for releasable attachment to a support
`generally provides a flexible camouflaged body having a
`mesh fabric window supported on a frame comprisedofplu-
`ral elongate flexibly resilient stays pivotally attached to one
`another at proximate end portions to support the flexible
`camouflaged body in a hemispherical shape resembling a
`muskrat hut.
`
`In providing such an apparatusitis:
`a principal object to provide a blind that blends into the
`environmental setting in which it is used.
`afurther object to provide a blind that conceals an occupant
`from all angles of approach while preserving the occupant’s
`ability to visualize animals.
`a further object to provide a blindthat is retractable.
`a further object to provide a blind that is light weight and
`transportable.
`a further objectto provide a blindthat is releasably attach-
`able to a variety of support structures.
`a further object to provide a blind that may be positioned
`overa pit.
`a further object to provide a blind that is camouflaged.
`a further object to provide a blind having a mesh fabric
`window.
`a still further object to provide a blind that is releasably
`attachable to a floating support such as a float tube.
`Other and further objects of our invention will appear from
`the following specification and accompanying drawings
`which form a part hereof. In carrying out the objects of our
`inventionit is to be understood thatits structures and features
`
`are susceptible to change in design and arrangement with
`only one preferred and practical embodiment of the best
`known modebeingillustrated in the accompanying drawings
`and specified as is required.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS
`
`In the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof
`and wherein like numbersrefer to similar parts throughout:
`FIG. 1 is an isometric front, top and left side view of our
`blind in an extended occupant concealment configuration
`showing a sample of a “blotch-type” camouflage pattern on
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`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`As used herein, the term “water-fowl” is not limited to
`ducks and geese andthelike, but is intended to be inclusive of
`all game animals including species other than birds that may
`be sought for food, sport, photography, research andthelike
`with the use of blinds. The term “inner”, its derivatives, and
`grammatical equivalents refers to that portion of our blind
`that is proximate a positional center of the blind. The term
`“outer”, its derivatives, and grammatical equivalents refers to
`that portion of the blind that is distal from the positional
`center. The term “lower”, its derivatives, and grammatical
`equivalents refers to that portion ofthe blindthatis proximate
`a supporting surface. The term “upper” its derivatives and
`grammatical equivalents refers to that portion ofthe blind that
`is distal from the supporting surface.
`Our sportsman’s blind generally provides a flexible body
`20 supported by a frame 40 formedofplural elongate flexibly
`resilient stays 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 pivotally interconnected with
`one another at proximate end portions to support the flexible
`body 20 in a hemispherical shape over a support structure
`such as, but not limited to, a float tube 10.
`Flexible body 20 is preferably formed of fabric material
`that is waterproof, weather resistant and imprinted with a
`camouflage pattern 37 at least on first outer surface 22 and
`preferably on both thefirst outer surface 22 and second inner
`surface 23. The camouflage pattern 37 is formed by known
`means and may be formed of dyed splotches of green and
`brown and black and tan, or other colors, to make the blind
`difficult to distinguish from the surrounding environment.
`Typically, the shapes and splotches are somewhat general in
`nature and do not replicate any particular environment
`although the pattern of shapes and splotches may generically
`represent foliage, sticks, branches, grass, cat-tails, moss and
`the like. The body 20 is of a color that blends into the envi-
`ronmental surroundings in which the blind is used. A gener-
`alized “blotch pattern” camouflage is shownin the Figures as
`an example, but other patterns may be used as well and are
`contemplated herein.
`Sections 31, 32, 33, 34 form the flexible body 20 and each
`section 31, 32, 33, 34 individually has the shape of a sector.
`Adjacent edge portions of adjacent sections 31, 32, 33, 34 are
`fastened together with stitching 35 so that the sections 31, 32,
`33, 34 may be supported by the frame 40 in a hemispherical
`DBR Finance, Inc., Ex. 1002
`DBR Finance, Inc., Ex. 1002
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`US 8,375,968 B2
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`6
`5
`a medial channel 30 therebetween extending from first end
`shape havinga first outer surface 22, a second interior surface
`portion 28 proximatefirst circumferential edge portion 21a,
`23 and a circumferential edge 21 extending thereabout.
`to asecond end portion (not shown) proximate a diametrically
`Meshfabric window 24is carried by the flexible body 20,
`opposite second circumferential edge portion 215. The stay
`over an opening (not shown) preferably defined in the second
`section 32, and is fastened to the second section 32 with
`envelopes 25 are preferably positioned proximatethe stitched
`35 seams between the adjacent sections 31, 32, 33, 34.
`stitching (not shown) extending through edge portions of the
`The frame 40 supports the camouflaged flexible body 20 in
`mesh fabric window 24 and through the second section 32
`a generally hemispherical shape thereover. As shown in FIG.
`spacedly adjacent peripheral edge of the opening (not
`8, the frame 40 hasa first stay 41, a secondstay 42, a third stay
`shown). The mesh fabric window 24is preferably formed of
`10
`
`a flexible mesh-type material having a weavethatis less dense 43, a fourth stay 44 andafifth stay 45. Each stay 41, 42, 43,
`than the weave of the fabric material forming the flexible
`44, 45 is elongate and flexibly resilient and in the preferred
`body 20. The material ofthe mesh fabric window 24 allows an
`embodimentis formedoffiberglass although it is anticipated
`occupant within the blind may see outwardly therethrough,
`that other natural and synthetic materials that are flexibly
`resilient, such as but not limited to, bamboo, metal, carbon
`but observers, including animals, outside the blind cannot see
`into the blind or distinguish humanactivity inside the blind.
`fiber, plastic, lexan, polycarbonate and the like may likewise
`The “one-way”vision characteristic of the mesh fabric win-
`be used. Each stay 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 hasa first end portion
`dow 24 results from, among other things, light differential
`41a, 42a, 43a, 44a, 45a and an opposing second end portion
`between the exterior of the blind andthe interiorof the blind.
`(not shown). An axle hole (not shown) is defined in each end
`Sections 31, 32, 33, 34 ofthe body 20 are formed of a material
`portion of eachstay 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 to carry a pivot axle bolt
`thatis not as translucent, or light permeable as the mesh fabric
`47 extending therethrough which is secured in the axle hole
`window 24 andthereforethe interior ofthe blindis darker and
`(not shown) with a pivot axle nut 48 and washer (not shown).
`In the preferred embodimentthe stays 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 are
`slat-like and the axle hole (not shown) is defined directly
`therein. Ifthe stays 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 are rod-like in configu-
`ration (not shown) a bracket (not shown) defining the axle
`hole (not shown) maybefastened to each endof each stay 41,
`42, 43, 44, 45 to carry the pivot axle bolt 47 and provide the
`pivotal interconnection.
`First stay 41 is carried in medial channel 30 of stay enve-
`lope 25a (FIG. 9) that extends about circumferential edge
`portion 21 of the flexible body 20 proximate the mesh fabric
`window 24. Fifth stay 45 is carried in the medial channel 30
`of stay envelope 25e that extends about the circumferential
`edge 21 ofthe flexible body 20 diametrically opposite thefirst
`stay 41. The secondstay 42, third stay 43 and fourth stay 44
`are similarly carried in the medial channel 30 of stay enve-
`lopes 25), 25c, 25d respectively that are spacedly arrayed on
`second innersurface 23 offlexible body 20 to support flexible
`body 20 thereover in a hemispherical shape. The positioning
`of stay envelopes 25d, 25c carrying the second stay 42 and the
`third stay 43 respectively accommodatesthe size of the mesh
`fabric window 24 so that when the blind is extended to con-
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`less illuminated than the exterior of the blind. This light
`differential facilitates vision of an occupant through the mesh
`fabric window 24 from the inside to the outside, but inhibits
`vision from the outside to the inside of the blind through the
`mesh fabric window 24. In the preferred embodiment, the
`mesh fabric window 24 is formed polyester porthole mesh.
`The mesh fabric window 24 also has a shape similarto a
`sector so that when the mesh fabric window 24is fastened to
`
`the secondsection 32 of the flexible body 20, and the blindis
`extendedto a first occupant concealing position (FIG.4) the
`meshfabric window 24is stretched into a shape similarto that
`ofthe spacedly adjacentfirst section 31 ofthe body 20 and the
`spacedly adjacent third section 33 of the body 20.
`The waterproof quality of the material ofthe body sections
`31, 32, 33, 34 allows an occupant inside the blind to remain
`relatively dry, when the blind is used in rainy conditions, by
`moving rearwardly inside the blindsothat the third section 33
`is vertically over the occupant’s head. (FIG. 4). Further,
`because gamebirds typically land “into the wind”, an occu-
`pant can position the blind so that the mesh fabric window 24
`faces “down wind” which will maintain visibility of
`approaching gamebirds, while sheltering the occupant from
`the wind which will strike and be deflected by the fourth
`section 34 andthird section 33 ofthe body 20 which is behind
`the occupant.
`Foliage loops 38 are spacedly arrayed about the body 20 on
`the first outer surface 22 to provide a means to temporarily
`attach “bunches”ofgrass, cat-tails, foliage andthe like to the
`first outside surface 22 of the body 20 to further enhance the
`camouflaging ofthe blind andto “break up”the outline of the
`blind. The foliage loops 38 are preferably formed of loops of
`elastomeric material
`through which the foliage may be
`inserted, or strips of opposing sections of hook andloop type
`fastener (not shown)that may be fastened about“bunches”of
`foliage. The foliage loops are preferably located proximate
`the seams of the sections 31, 32, 33, 34 and are oriented
`relative to the body 20 so that bunches ofgrass,foliage and the
`like inserted through the foliage loops 38 extend generally
`parallel to the seamsofthe sections 31, 32, 33, 34 so that the
`bunchesof grass, foliage and the like do not interfere with the
`retraction of the blind.
`As shown in FIG.9, plural stay envelopes 25a, 25d, 25c,
`254d, 25e are spacedly arrayed about the second inner surface
`23 of the flexible body 20 and are secured thereto with stitch-
`ing 35. Each stay envelope 25a, 256, 25c, 25d, 25e hasa first
`edge 26 and a spacedly adjacent second edge 27 and defines
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`ceal the occupant therein, (FIG. 4), the mesh fabric window
`24 is extendedfully.
`In the preferred embodimentthe blind is supported by a
`knownfloat tube 10, but the blind mayalso be supported by
`other structures such as inner tubes, paddle boats, hunting
`skiffs, and the like. In some instances, such as when field
`hunting, the blind mayalso be placed over an opening ofapit,
`to rest directly on supporting ground surface. In a further
`embodiment the blind may be supported on plural vertical
`legs (not shown) that support flexible camouflaged material
`draping downwardly to the ground so that a occupant may
`kneel or stand withinthe blind. Ifthe blind is usedto cover the
`
`opening of a pit and is placed directly on the groundsurface,
`it may be necessary to anchorthe fifth stay 45 to the ground
`with ground-penetrating tent spikes or the like.
`As shown in the Figures, float tube 10 has a general
`U-shape with a first arm 11, a spacedly adjacent second arm
`12 and a back portion 13 extending between thefirst arm 11
`and the second arm 12. A fabric covering 19 which may also
`have a camouflage pattern extends about the entire surface of
`the float tube 10 wrapping aroundthefirst arm 11, the second
`arm 12, the back 13 and extending from top 14 to bottom 15
`and front 36 to back 13. The fabric covering 19 provides an
`attachmentpoint for seat 16 that extends across medial space
`17 definedbythefirst arm 11, the second arm 12 and the back
`DBR Finance, Inc., Ex. 1002
`DBR Finance, Inc., Ex. 1002
`
`

`

`US 8,375,968 B2
`
`7
`13. The seat 16 provides a resting place for an occupantof the
`float tube 10 and will support the occupantin a sitting position
`in water too deep for the occupantto stand in.
`In a preferred embodiment, D-ring 18 is connected by
`known meansto the fabric covering 19 of the float tube 10
`proximate the top portion 14 ofthe first arm 11 and the second
`arm 12 generally medially between front end portion 36 and
`the back 13. D-rings 18 provide attachment points to posi-
`tionally secure the frame 40 to the float tube 10. Because
`distance between the D-ring 18 on the first arm 11 and the
`D-ring 18 on the second arm 12 is less than the length of the
`stays 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, the stays 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 must be
`bent into an arc to interconnect with and extend between the
`D-ring 18 onthe first arm 11 and the D-ring 18 on the second
`arm 12. The arc of the stays 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 provides the
`hemispherical shape to the frame 40. In the preferred embodi-
`ment, end portion ofthe pivot axle bolt 47 carrying the pivot
`axle nut 48 is extended through opening (not shown)defined
`in the D-ring 18 so that a portion ofthe D-ring 18 is positioned
`between inward edge portion of the pivot axle nut 48 and
`outward edge of end portions of stay 41. In an alternative
`embodiment, a knowntype ofreleasable fastener (not shown)
`such as, but not limited to, a carabiner maybe carried by the
`frame 40 proximate the pivot axle 47 to releasably intercon-
`nect with the D-ring 18.
`Attachment strap 50 extends circumferentially around
`back portion 13 of the float tube 10 to releasably positionally
`secure rearward circumferential edge of the blindto the float
`tube 10. The attachmentstrap 50 extends through a strap loop
`51 carried on the body 20 proximatefifth stay 45, and may
`have a hook and looptypefastener, or similar type of releas-
`able fastener, (not shown), thereon to secure the releasable
`strap 50 circumferentially about the back portion 13 of the
`float tube 10.
`If D-rings 18 are not provided for on the float tube arms 11,
`12 elongate releasable attachmentstraps 52 may be extended
`circumferentially aboutthefirst arm 11 and about the second
`arm 12 to carry a D-Ring 18 or other type of fastener (not
`shown) to releasably engage with the pivot axle bolt 47 to
`secure the first circumferential edge portion 21a andthe sec-
`ond circumferential edge portion 216 to the first arm 11 and
`the second arm 12 ofthe float tube 10 respectively.
`Having described the structure of our blind, its operation
`may be understood.
`Ifa float tube 10 is used as the support, the float tube 10 is
`inflated as desired. Itis preferable that the blind be fastened to
`the float tube 10 before the float tube 10 is placed in the water.
`First end portion 41a offirst stay 41 is inserted into the
`medial channel 30 of stay envelope 25a proximate forward
`circumferential edge portion 21 ofthefirst section 31 of the
`flexible body 20. Thefirst stay 41 should be inserted through
`the medial channel 30 up to a point where one end portion of
`the first stay 41 extends outwardly from each end portion of
`stay envelope 25a.
`Thefifth stay 45 is inserted into stay envelope 25e at the
`circumferential edge portion 21 of the flexible body 20 dia-
`metrically opposite the previously installed first stay 41 so
`that an end portion ofthe fifth stay 45 extends outwardly from
`each end of stay envelope 25e.
`The secondstay 42, the third stay 43 and the fourth stay 44
`are installed similarly into the medial channels 30 of stay
`envelopes 25b, 25c, 25d respectively, at the seams (not
`shown) betweenthe first section 31 and the secondsection 32,
`between the second section 32 and the third section 33, and
`between the third section 33 and the fourth section 34.
`First end portions 41a, 42a, 43a, 44a, 45a of stays 41, 42,
`43, 44, 45 are oriented so that pivot axle bolt 47 may be
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`inserted through the axle holes (not shown)definedinthefirst
`end portions 41a, 42a, 43a, 44a, 45a. Pivot axle nut 48 is
`threadably engaged with the pivot axle bolt 47 to pivotally
`interconnect the end portions 41a, 42a, 43a, 44a, 45a.
`Thestays 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 are simultaneously bent into an
`arc so that the second endportions (not shown) ofthe stays 41,
`42, 43, 44, 45 are alignedto allow pivot axle bolt 47 to be
`inserted through the axle holes (not shown) defined in the
`second end portions (not shown) and secured therein with a
`pivot axle nut 48. If a washer (not shown)is to be used on the
`pivot axle bolts 47, the washer (not shown)is installed on the
`pivotaxle bolts 47 beforeinstallation ofthe pivot axle nuts 48.
`The washer (not shown) increases the security of the inter-
`connection with the D-ring 18.
`The frame 40 carrying the flexible body 20 is positioned
`over the top 14 ofthe float tube 10 so that the frame 40 and
`flexible body 20 extend across the medial space 17 defined by
`the first arm 11, the second arm 12, and the back 13.
`End portion ofthe pivot axle bolt 47 carrying thepivot axle
`nut 48 is extended through the opening defined in the D-ring
`18 carried on the top 14offloat tube arm 11, so that a portion
`of the D-ring 18 is positioned between the inward edge of
`pivot axle nut 48 and the outward edgeofadjacentend portion
`of thefirst stay 41.
`The user should moveto the opposing edge portion of the
`float tube 10, grasp the proximate endportionsofthe stays 41,
`42, 43, 44, 45 and push the end portions 41, 42, 43, 44, 45
`towardthe previously secured endportionso that the stays 41,
`42, 43, 44, 45 bend into an arc. The bending ofthe stays 41,
`42, 43, 44, 45 allows the end portions carrying the pivot axle
`bolt 47 to be manipulatedso that the pivot axle bolt 47 and nut
`48 thereon may be engaged with the D-ring 18 carried on the
`second arm 12 of the float tube 10. End portion of the pivot
`axle bolt 47 carrying the pivot axle nut 48 should extend
`throughthe opening defined in the D-ring 18 so that a portion
`of the D-ring 18 is carried between the inward edge of the
`pivot axle nut 48 and the adjacent outward edgeofthe second
`end portion (not shown) of the first stay 41. Engagement of
`the two pivot axle bolts 47 with the D-rings 18 secures the
`diametrically opposed circumferential edge portions 21a,
`216 ofthe blind to the float tube 10.
`
`Releasable attachment strap 50 is extended circumferen-
`tially about the back portion 13 of the float tube 10 andis
`threaded throughstrap loop 51 carried bytheflexible body 20
`proximate medial portion of fifth say 45. End portions (not
`shown) ofthe attachmentstrap 50 are secured together with a
`hookandloop type fasteneror the like (not shown) to secure
`the rearward circumferential portion 21 of the frame 40 and
`flexible body 20 to the float tube 10. The securing of the
`rearward circumferential edge portion 21 to the float tube 10
`allows forward circumferential edge portion 21 of the frame
`40 andflexible body 20 proximate thefront portion 36 of the
`float tube 10 to be raised and lowered as desired by an occu-
`pantsitting on seat 16.
`If foliage is to be inserted into the foliage loops 38,
`“bunches”of grass, cat-tails and the like may securedto the
`body 20 by inserting the foliage t