WO2021007598A1 - Hunting screen - Google Patents

Abstract

A hunting screen is provided, such as for use in a tree stand. The hunting screen comprises a woven, waterproofed, heavy-weight fabric screen secured between two opposing rods. The rods comprise a threaded screw tip suitable for screwing into a compliant material, and a looped end to secure the screen.

Description

HUNTING SCREEN

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of pending U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/872,935 filed July 11, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to hunting screens.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The element of surprise is a crucial weapon in the hunter’s arsenal. As a defense mechanism, prey have heightened senses, not the least of which is a keen sense of sight honed to detect movement. To combat this heightened sensitivity, hunters often screen themselves, such as by hiding behind a tree, bush, or natural landscape feature. This allows hunters to sight the prey, yet hides movement as they take aim. Further, trees may be used to accommodate a tree stand, which provides hunters a better vantage point. However, landscape features suitable for partially screening the hunter and/or accommodating a tree stand are not always conveniently arranged, leaving hunters exposed, and potentially compromising the hunt.

[0004] Hunting blinds are a popular solution to camouflage hunters from view. However, they may not provide protection from all angles, leaving gaps in the hunter’s camouflage, such as in the flank. Additionally, blinds may be bulky, insufficiently lightweight, and laborious, noisy or time consuming to set up, making them inconvenient or unsuitable for hunting. Thus, there is a need for a lightweight, quiet, temporary hunting screen. SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a hunting screen. Specifically, a hunting screen comprising a screen and two opposing rods, wherein the screen is secured between the two opposing rods. The screen comprises a woven, waterproofed, heavy-weight fabric. The two opposing rods comprise a threaded screw tip and a looped end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure, and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to one of ordinary skill in the art and having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hunting screen.

[0008] FIG. 2 is the detail view of a threaded tip of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a view of a rod.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a detail view of a threaded tip of a rod of FIG. 3.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a front view of a hunting screen with flaps.

[0012] FIG. 6 is an depiction of the hunting screen in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The present disclosure provides a hunting screening device, such as for use in a tree stand, that is portable, lightweight, easily installed, and quiet.

[0014] Hunters perched on a tree stand or hiding behind trees or other natural features often have gaps in their camouflage that may result in detection of the hunter by prey, and consequently a missed kill. Many protected hunting locations and currently available augmentations are thus unable to fully screen the hunter, or do so at the cost of quiet and lightweight portability and adjustability.

[0015] The present disclosure discloses a hunting screen that may be screwed into a compliant material such as tree bark or a tree trunk, alternatively a ridge or any other formation, natural or man-made, and is configured to screen a hunter from view in a quiet, lightweight, and easily adjustable configuration. The hunter may be in a tree stand or on the ground, and several hunting screens may be used, for instance on either side of a tree to offer greater protection. The hunting screen may be of various sizes, and may be of varying shapes.

[0016] In some embodiments, the hunting screen may be approximately 46 inches tall and approximately 19 inches wide. In other embodiments, the hunting screen is about four feet tall and about two feet wide.

[0017] To protect the rear of the hunter, such as when an animal is approaching, the hunting screen may be quickly, quietly, and easily installed on one or both sides of a tree or other object with a compliant composition. The hunter will then be protected from view, allowing them to move freely without worry of detection by the prey. The hunting screen may be particularly beneficial when the hunter is on a tree stand, which provides an improved vantage point, yet also leaves the hunter well exposed and susceptible to detection by prey. The hunting screen may also be used for purposes other than hunting, such as for wildlife observation.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a perspective view of an exemplary hunting screen of the present disclosure, the hunting screen 100 has two rods (also referred to as two opposing rods, opposing rods, each a singular rod) 102,102' positioned some distance from each other, on opposing ends of a screen 104, so as to be opposed from one another in relation to the screen 104. In alternate embodiments, the hunting screen has one rod, or three or more. The screen 104 provides protection to the hunter from the sight of prey, and is secured in its position by the rods 102,102'. Each rod is comprised of a formable material such as a metal, for example mild carbon steel. The rod 102,102' is cut to the desired length, threaded, formed and then coated. Formation of the rod 102,102' entails forming a loop at one end, so as to form a looped end 106. The looped end 106 serves to secure the screen 104 from slipping off the rod 102,102'. It also provides a non-snagging and non-puncturing end for safety purposes. At the opposite end of the rod from the looped end is a threaded screw tip 108, which is suitable for screwing into a compliant material. For instance, the material may be a tree trunk, tree bark, tree stand, hunting blind, or any other material for screwing in the rod 102,102'.

[0019] The screen 104 is comprised of a woven, waterproofed, heavy-weight fabric, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a 600 denier polyester or 500 denier nylon. The fabric may be of any color or pattern, but in preferred embodiments the fabric blends into the surroundings, such as by being a color well-represented in the surroundings, e.g., green, or a camouflage pattern.

[0020] The screen 104 may be attached to the two opposing rods 102,102' by looping the screen fabric around the rod 102,102' and securing by means of stitches, adhesive, staples or like means. As a non-limiting example, the screen fabric may be looped around the rod 102,102' and secured by 100% continuous multifilament polyester thread, such as an outdoor thread resistant to UV rays and moisture. In some embodiments, the screen fabric is looped around the rod and secured with a double stitch. In some embodiments, the rod is removable from the channel formed by the looped and stitched fabric and the rod may be variously inserted or removed from the screen in order to facilitate storage and transportation of the hunting screen 100. Alternatively, the screen 104 may be attached directly to the rod 102,102', such as by an adhesive, magnets, snaps, screws, tight stitching or any other method as is known in the art. For example, the rod may be flanged or otherwise configured to prevent removal from the screen 104. [0021] FIG. 2 shows a detail view of the threaded screw tip 108 suitable for screwing into a compliant material. FIG. 3 shows a view of the rod 102,102' with looped end 106 and threaded screw tip 108. In some embodiments, the rod is approximately 25 inches long, or between about 24 inches and about 26 inches, or about 27 inches. The rod may be greater than 27 inches, and less than 24 inches. In some embodiments, the threaded screw tip is approximately 1.14 inches. FIG. 4 is an alternate view of the threaded screw tip 108.

[0022] The hunting screen is easily removable at the end of a hunting session, or alternatively may stay in place for an extended period of time. The hunting screen imparts little to no damage to the tree or compliant material into which it is screwed.

[0023] The hunting screen is lightweight and pliable, and may be folded or rolled up, allowing it to be stored or carried easily in a small profile. The screen 104 may have holes, perforations, wind vent holes, or flaps 110 cut or formed into the material to allow wind to pass through, minimizing a sail effect, reducing deformation, and decreasing noise caused by the wind, such as by flapping. FIG. 5 is a front view of a hunting screen of the present disclosure showing flaps 110 cut into the material to accommodate air flow. In some embodiments, the flaps 110 are distributed in a 6 x 5 pattern, with approximately 5.25 inches from center to center of the flaps along the length of the screen, and 3.5 inches from center to center of the flaps along the width. The pattern may be die cut. FIG. 6 shows the hunting screen in use, with a hunter crouching in front of the screen, shielded from view from the other side and/or surrounding environment.

[0024] Therefore, the present disclosure is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art and having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The embodiments illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A hunting screen comprising:

a screen comprising a woven, waterproofed, heavy-weight fabric; and

two opposing rods each comprising

a threaded screw tip; and

a looped end;

wherein the screen is secured between the two opposing rods.

2. The hunting screen of claim 1, wherein the two opposing rods are

comprised of mild carbon steel.

3 The hunting screen of claim 1, wherein the two opposing rods are

powder coated.

4. The hunting screen of claim 1, wherein the fabric is a 600 denier

polyester or a 500 denier nylon.

5. The hunting screen of claim 1, wherein the fabric is die cut to

accommodate air flow and reduce sail effect.

6. The hunting screen of claim 1, wherein the screen is approximately 46 inches tall and approximately 19 inches wide.

7. The hunting screen of claim 1, wherein the screen is approximately four feet tall and approximately two feet wide.