Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Preassembled subenclosure or substructure section of unit or... – Collapsible for ease of transport
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-03
2001-09-11
Canfield, Robert (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Preassembled subenclosure or substructure section of unit or...
Collapsible for ease of transport
C052S079900, C052S270000, C052S284000, C052S745200, C135S901000, C043S001000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286269
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of hunting shelters and more particularly to a prefabricated shooting house.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has long been recognized that hunters must remain unnoticed as they await their prey. Camoflaughed clothing is one conventional method for blending into one's surroundings; however, this method does not conceal movements or scents of the hunter and provides little protection from inclement weather or temperatures. Accordingly, these issues have been addressed in the prior art through the development of hunting shelters or blinds. Typically, such hunting shelters involve a frame over which is applied a flexible covering material such as canvas or tarpaulin (see, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,085 to Punch, U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,711 to Mueller, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,234 to Green). These shelters, however, are generally unsuitable for long-term exposure in the wilderness due to degradation of the flexible covering material. In addition, such structures are generally not particularly effective at protecting hunters from inclement weather and temperatures.
Still other hunting shelters, or similar type huts for wildlife observation or ice fishing, include walls made of rigid panels (see, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,673 to Adams, U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,471 to Worms et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,877 to Molodecki). Such structures, however, are generally not easily assembled and disassembled and are often difficult to transport to and from locations. Additionally, it is often necessary that a hunting structure be constructed off the ground, in a tree or otherwise up in the air, in order for a hunter to remain unnoticed and have a better view of the surrounding countryside. Conventional hunting shelters are generally not designed to be readily accessible in such situations.
There is, therefore, a need for a prefabricated hunting shelter or shooting house that can be readily transported, be easily assembled and disassembled, be easily accessible when placed off the ground, allow a clear view of the surrounding environment, conceal a hunter from prey, and still provide protection from inclement weather and temperatures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one aspect of the invention to provide an easily transportable, prefabricated enclosure consisting of four substantially identical side rectangular panels and a top panel. Each side panel has a 45 degree lip running along each interior length edge, a 90 degree lip that is flush with the lower interior width edge, and a 90 degree lip running parallel but recessed from the upper interior width edge. The top panel has a 90 degree lip running parallel but recessed from each interior edge. Furthermore, the top panel has square dimensions with the length of one side measuring greater than the width of a side panel but less than the diagonal measurement of the cross-sectional area enclosed by the side panels.
It is another aspect of the invention to allow a clear view of the surrounding environment by providing windows and window covers in one or more of the side panels that can be opened and latched from the inside.
It is yet another aspect of the invention to provide a shooting house that can be easily accessed by a hunter through one or more doors in the side panels. A door handle is located within 18″ of the bottom of a door, such that if the shooting house is assembled off the ground, the hunter can readily reach up from a position below the shooting house and open the door without blocking the door with his or her body.
It is still another aspect of the invention to provide a method of easily assembling and disassembling a shooting house. A method for constructing a shooting house is disclosed comprising the steps of choosing a location for assembly of the shooting house, and assembling the shooting house from a position that is within the volume to be enclosed by the shooting house. The choice of location includes deciding which direction one or more of the doors in the shooting house will face, and whether the house is to be constructed on or off the ground. The assembling of the shooting house includes positioning four side panels; affixing three of the side panels to the floor and adjoining side panels; positioning a top panel on top of the shooting house; affixing the fourth side panel to the floor and adjoining side panels; and affixing the top panel to all side panels. The positioning of the top panel includes bringing the top panel through a door; aligning the top panel along the body diagonal of the shooting house; raising the top panel from the body diagonal to the top of the shooting house; and matching an attached lip on the top panel with an attached lip on each side panel.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 373403 (1996-09-01), Hall
patent: 2854704 (1958-10-01), McClaren
patent: 2952799 (1960-09-01), Wortman et al.
patent: 3018857 (1962-01-01), Parham
patent: 3373533 (1968-03-01), Trelfa et al.
patent: 3486285 (1969-12-01), Bowling et al.
patent: 3854746 (1974-12-01), Flynn et al.
patent: 4631877 (1986-12-01), Molodecki
patent: 4843788 (1989-07-01), Gavin et al.
patent: 4893445 (1990-01-01), Hefer et al.
patent: 5062234 (1991-11-01), Green
patent: 5210984 (1993-05-01), Eckel
patent: 5377711 (1995-01-01), Mueller
patent: 5513471 (1996-05-01), Worms et al.
patent: 5762085 (1998-06-01), Punch
patent: 5862827 (1999-01-01), Howze
patent: 6009673 (2000-01-01), Adams
Canfield Robert
Choate Hall & Stewart
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