Floating sportsman's blind

• US 7,314,399 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2005
• Issued: 01/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Banded Mallard Co.
• Original Assignee: Banded Mallard Co.
• Inventors: Turner, Hayes Brandon
• Primary Examiner(s): Olson; Lars A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Venne; Daniel V
• Application Number:
  US11/303,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20070141925A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 441129-131
• US Class Current: 441/129
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 15/006 Floating seats floatable vessel furniture for life-saving B63C9/30
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 17/02 Awnings , including rigid weather protection structures, e.g. sunroofs; Tarpaulins; Accessories for awnings or tarpaulins
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/52 Inflatable or partly inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 1/00 Arrangements of guns or missile launchers; Vessels characterised thereby submarines B63G8/00; guns, missile launchers F41

Abstract

An improved float tube arrangement for outdoor water-related activities, particularly hunting and fishing. The float can be deployed as a blind for partially concealing and camouflaging a user, who sits in the circular middle of the float upon an adjustable seat supported by suitable straps. When used as a blind a canopy and net are selectively deployed. The stable base is formed by a pair of coaxially stacked inner tubes that are tightly bound by a covering fabric. Mechanical integrity is enhanced by frame loops encircling the inner tubes, and an encircling belt that concentrically tensions the float within a depressed region formed at the juncture of the stacked inner tubes. A canopy mounted to the frame loops and an optional net can be deployed as desired.

Claims

1. A float for outdoorsman, the float comprising:

a front and rear;

a base comprising a pair of stacked, coaxially aligned inner tubes;

means for covering said base;

a depressed annular region formed at the junction of the stacked tubes that encircles the float, the annular region concentric with said tubes;

an open center at the middle of the base;

a seat disposed within the center for supporting a user;

an encircling belt that is concentric with and coaxial relative to the tubes and which occupies said depressed annular region to tension the float, the belt tensioning said means for covering said base;

at least one frame loop encircling the base and the tubes;

a movable cylindrical support normally disposed at the front of the float which can be repositioned as desired;

a generally cylindrical headrest normally disposed at the rear of the float that can be repositioned as desired;

a hoop that is selectively deployable over the float, the hoop having ends that are attachable to said at least one frame loop to form a hinged connection; and

,

a collapsible canopy supported by the hoop.

2. The float as defined in claim 1 wherein the headrest is attached to the float by a flexible flap.

3. A floating blind for fisherman and hunters, the blind comprising:

a front and a rear;

a base comprising a pair of stacked, coaxially aligned, generally toroidal inner tubes;

a depressed annular region formed at the junction of the inner tubes that encircles the float and is concentric with respect to said tubes;

an open center at the middle of the base;

a seat disposed within the center for supporting a user;

a covering tightly enshrouding the float;

an enhanced frame comprising an encircling belt that is concentric and coaxial relative to the tubes, the belt tightening the base by drawing the covering tightly towards the depressed region, the belt occupying said annular region and compressing said covering;

a movable cylindrical support normally disposed at the front of the float which can be moved into the float center as desired, wherein the support is attached to the float by a flexible flap;

a generally cylindrical headrest normally disposed at the rear of the float that can be moved into the float center as desired to form a backrest, the headrest attached to the float by a flexible flap;

at least one frame loop encircling the base;

a hoop that is selectively deployable over the blind, the hoop having ends that are attachable to at least one frame loop; and

,

a canopy supported by the hoop.

4. A floating blind for fisherman and hunters, the blind comprising:

a front and a rear;

inner tube means for floating the blind;

an open center at the middle of the blind;

an adjustable seat disposed within the center for supporting a user;

a covering tightly enshrouding the float;

a frame comprising an encircling belt that is concentric and coaxial relative to the tube means, the belt tightening the covering;

at least two spaced apart frame loops;

a hoop that is selectively deployable over the blind, the hoop having ends that are attachable to said frame loops and hinged thereby;

a removable, collapsible canopy supported by the hoop;

a movable cylindrical support normally disposed at the front of the float which can be moved into the float center as desired, wherein the support is attached to the float by a flexible flap; and

,

a generally cylindrical headrest normally disposed at the rear of the float that can be moved into the float center as desired to form a backrest, the headrest attached to the float by a flexible flap.

5. The blind as defined in claim 4 wherein the support and the headrest both contain air bladders that can be adjusted in pressure.