Ground Blind Door with Elastic Bias for Quiet Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional blind access openings using zippers are cumbersome and noisy, making it difficult for sportsmen to enter and exit while minimizing disturbance to wildlife, as they require manual effort to enlarge the opening and can be heard from a distance.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible ground blind with a door arrangement featuring elastic members that automatically move door panel members into an open position upon release of a fastener, eliminating the need for zippers and reducing noise by allowing unencumbered access without manual enlargement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a zipper is used to close the access opening, then the blind can be secured in an assembled condition, but the opening becomes noisy and requires manual effort to enlarge for access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the zipper mechanism from the blind system and replaces it with a door assembly that uses elastic members and fasteners. This extraction of the noisy zipper component eliminates the source of mechanical noise while maintaining the security function through alternative fastening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly is pre-configured with elastic members that automatically bias the door panels into an open position when fasteners are released. This preliminary arrangement of the door mechanism eliminates the need for manual enlargement of the opening, as the door is designed to swing open automatically upon release of the fastening system.
2Reliability
If a zipper is used to close the access opening, then the blind can be secured, but the mechanical sound can be heard at significant distances by game animals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the zipper mechanism from the blind system and replaces it with a door assembly that uses elastic members and fasteners. This extraction of the noisy zipper component eliminates the source of mechanical noise while maintaining the security function through alternative fastening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional zipper mechanical system with a door assembly mechanism that uses elastic members and simple fasteners. This substitution eliminates the noisy mechanical interlocking and unlooping actions of zippers, replacing them with a quieter system that does not generate audible mechanical sounds.
3Ease of operation
If the door opening is extended vertically to make it easier to pull down, then more material is available for enlargement, but the opening becomes more complex and harder to control
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is segmented into multiple door panels that can be independently controlled. Each panel can be opened or closed through its own fastening mechanism, allowing for controlled access while maintaining simplicity. The segmentation allows the door to function as a complete barrier when closed and provide controlled access when opened, without requiring complex continuous opening mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a quiet, easy, and unobstructed access opening that is large enough for both the user and gear, reducing noise and manual effort, thus enhancing the stealth and convenience of using portable blinds.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one elastic member is configured to bias the at least one door panel member into the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A ground blind includes a collapsible support structure and a flexible cover mounted to the collapsible support structure. The flexible cover includes a top, at least one sidewall, at least one opening, at least one elastic member, and at least one fastener. The elastic member is configured to bias the opening into an open position. The fastener is configured to releasably hold the opening in a closed position.