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Description  |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the aft of camouflage, and more
specifically to a fabric material having a relatively thick and resilient
core with irregularly sewn seams therethrough, with the seams causing the
compression of the core material therealong to produce a three dimensional
external texture resembling tree bark or the like. The material may
include a pattern thereon providing the proper coloring and simulating
leaves or other natural articles associated with the appearance achieved.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
it has been found that there is considerable advantage in being able to
blend with one's surroundings in such activities as hunting, military
maneuvers, etc., and accordingly, many attempts have been made to develop
materials providing for the concealment of the wearer or user against
another background. Most of these attempts have been made using a two
dimensional printed pattern on a planar sheet of material (e.g., fabric or
the like), which, while possibly producing a reasonable facsimile of the
background, cannot achieve the effects of light and shadow due to the two
dimensional surface. While attempts have been made to create such an
effect, such attempts can never be totally successful due to their fixed
pattern, when the natural environment is ever changing due to the angle of
sunlight and the resulting shadows created, etc.
Moreover, any pattern printed in quantity must be repetitious if produced
efficiently; one cannot continually produce new screens for printing ever
changing patterns for mass consumption. As a result, even though a
particular area of a pattern may appear to be randomized, the repeating of
the pattern over a length of material still provides a somewhat synthetic
and artificial appearance.
The need arises for a camouflage material which provides a three
dimensional, textured external appearance, which appearance closely
simulates tree bark or the like. Means must also be provided to break up
the repetitious pattern generally found in printed camouflage materials,
and thereby provide a realistic, natural appearing material for use in the
manufacture of camouflage clothing, covers, and other related articles
providing for the concealment of persons or property within.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
U.S. Pat. No. 1,139,642 issued to Albert S. Cox on May 18, 1915 discloses a
Military Uniform Or The Like comprising a printed pattern of elongate
irregular alternating light and dark shapes. As the pattern is printed on
a planar, two dimensional surface, it cannot provide a true representation
of a three dimensional texture, as in the present invention. While three
dimensional leaves are disclosed at the shoulders of the uniform, no means
of securing them at other locations on the uniform is disclosed; the
present material makes use of a pattern of leaves irregularly and
sporadically placed thereon.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,351,142 issued to Meldon Mitchell on Jun. 13, 1944
discloses a Camouflaging Method And Device Therefor comprising a multitude
of strips attached to a planar sheet material. The sheet may be perforated
or alternatingly slit to provide for the expansion thereof. The relatively
flaccid strips may provide some movement in a breeze to resemble high
grass or the like in a wind, but such a structure and the resulting
movement is unlike the relatively fixed appearance provided by the three
dimensional bark-like texture of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,230 issued to Tad E. Crawford on May 14, 1985 discloses
an Artificial Camouflage Leaf Construction comprising a central vine-like
tape having a plurality of synthetic leaves extending therefrom. The
construction merely provides supplemental camouflage for an article,
rather than providing complete coverage or concealment, as in the present
camouflage sheet material.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,065 issued to Thomas R. Yacovella on Apr. 7, 1987
discloses Bark Camouflage Cloth And Outer Garments. The teaching of
Yacovella shows that it is desirable to provide a camouflage pattern
simulating tree bark, but once again the pattern is imprinted on a two
dimensional surface, unlike the three dimensional texture of the present
material. Yacovella attempts to provide a shadowed appearance, as in a
three dimensional texture, but due to the planar nature of the material,
the shadow appearance will not change with changing angles of light, as in
a true three dimensional texture as provided by the present camouflage
material.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,471 issued to Ben R. Lee on Dec. 20, 1988 discloses a
Body Wrap Camouflage Strip For Hunters comprising a vine-like strip of
material with synthetic leaves attached thereto, in the manner of the
Crawford article discussed above. The same limitations exist with Lee as
with Crawford.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,900 issued to Christopher Shannon et al. on Sep. 12,
1989 discloses an Article Having Concealing Pattern comprising a printed
pattern of leaves and twigs. Again, an attempt has been made to simulate
the appearance of light and shadow, but such attempts cannot provide full
realism on a two dimensional surface, a problem overcome with the present
invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,033 issued to David L. Sheppard, Sr. et al. on Apr. 20,
1993 discloses a Camouflaged Garment comprising a plurality of loops on
the outer surface of a garment to which simulated leaves may be attached.
The result is a three dimensional effect, but it must rely upon the
appearance of the garment itself for full effect. The present material
provides a fully realistic three dimensionally textured appearance without
need for supplemental three dimensional articles attached thereto.
U.S. Pat. No. D-59,177 issued to Lucien Biva on Oct. 4, 1921 discloses a
design for a Textile Fabric Or Similar Article wherein the material is
gathered and apparently sewn along straight seams at regular intervals to
create a rippled or wrinkled appearance. However, the regular spacing of
the seams and their straight lines fail to provide a natural appearance,
as is accomplished with the irregular seams of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. D-120,496 issued to William E. Barrott on May 14, 1940
discloses a design for a Textile Fabric Or Similar Article comprising a
series of regularly sized and spaced parallel pleats. The resulting
artificial and synthetic appearance fails to provide the natural
appearance of the irregular seams of the three dimensional texture of the
present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. D-163,693 issued to Marion R. Hamre on Jun. 19, 1951
discloses a design for a Textile Fabric Or Similar Article comprising a
repeating leaf pattern print. The two dimensional print is unlike the
three dimensional texture of the present material and cannot provide truly
realistic patterns of light and shadow, as provided by the present
invention.
U.S. Pat. No. D-265,775 issued to James H. Crumley on Aug. 17, 1982
discloses a design for a Suit formed of a material having an irregular two
dimensional pattern imprinted thereon. While Crumley refers to a "switched
repeat," in which the left and right halves of the pattern are switched in
successive horizontal rows, the evenness of the horizontal rows themselves
result in a relatively artificial appearance unlike the three dimensional
texture and staggered pattern repeats of the present material.
U.S. Pat. No. D-297,076 issued to Ronald N. Kolpin et al. on Aug. 9, 1988
discloses a design for Camouflage Fabric Or Similar Article comprising a
mottled appearance including widely spaced leaves thereon, imprinted on a
planar sheet of fabric. The limitations of such two dimensional prints
compared to the three dimensional texture provided by the present
camouflage material have been discussed above.
U.S. Pat. No. D-326,363 issued to Kevin J. Cooper on Hay 26, 1992 discloses
a design for Camouflage Fabric comprising a pattern of leaves providing
complete coverage. The result is unlike the three dimensional, bark-like
pattern provided by the present camouflage material.
British Patent No. 902,767 to Rudolf G. Ruter and published on Aug. 9, 1962
discloses An Improved Means Of Camouflaging Primarily For Military Use. A
planar sheet of material is provided with regular or irregular,
intermeshing slits which cause the material to distort from its relaxed,
planar state when pulled. The result provides some additional depth to the
planar surface and can simulate blowing leaves or the like in a wind.
However, no simulation of a tree trunk or the like is provided, as is
achieved by the irregular seams and three dimensional texture of the
present material.
Finally, German Patent No. 287,974 to Salzmann & Co. published on Oct. 15,
1915 discloses a camouflage pattern comprising a two dimensional print of
leaves and branches or twigs The limitations of such two dimensional
printed patterns in comparison to the three dimensional texture of the
present camouflage material have been discussed above.
None of the above noted patents, taken either singly or in combination, are
seen to disclose the specific arrangement of concepts disclosed by the
present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
By the present invention, an improved camouflage material is disclosed.
Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an
improved camouflage material which includes an inner and an outer layer of
planar material sandwiching a core of resilient material therebetween,
with irregularly spaced seams randomly sewn thereacross to compress the
resilient core material between the inner and outer sheets, thereby
providing a three dimensional texture simulating tree bark or the like for
at least the outer sheet of material.
Another of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved
camouflage material which seams may form an irregular repeating pattern
for automated production, and which repeats have matching first and second
ends in order to provide a smooth transition from one repeat to another,
and to provide for the staggered assembly of the repeats in order to
provide a more random and natural appearance.
Yet another of the objects of the present invention is to provide an
improved camouflage material which may include various colors and/or
shades, and/or a leaf pattern sporadically placed thereon.
Still another of the objects of the present invention is to provide an
improved camouflage material which may be formed of a variety of
materials, including natural and/or synthetic fabric for the outer and
inner layers, and natural and/or synthetic fibers or open or closed cell
foam in one or more layers for the core material.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved
camouflage material which may be formed into a garment.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved
camouflage material which garment formed therefrom may include pockets
and/or vents therein, with the pocket openings and vents formed along the
seam lines for an unobtrusive and natural appearance.
A final object of the present invention is to provide an improved
camouflage material for the purposes described which is inexpensive,
dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purpose.
With these and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the
nature of the invention is better understood, the invention consists in
the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully
described, illustrated and claimed with reference being made to the
attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG 1 is a perspective view of a camouflage garment made using the material
of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the camouflage coat or jacket of FIG. 1, showing
further details.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a section of the present camouflage
material, showing its construction and fiber core.
FIG. 3B is a perspective view of another section of the present camouflage
material, utilizing a core of foam material.
FIG. 4 is a plan view in reduced scale of one repeat- of the pattern of the
present camouflage material, showing the stitching and other details.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently
throughout the figures of the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, the present invention will be seen to relate
to a three dimensionally textured camouflage material for use by hunters
and/or the military, or others requiring realistic natural concealment in
a wooded area. An understanding of the construction of the present
material may be obtained by referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B of the drawings.
The present camouflage material is formed in a blanket or composite sheet
la (FIG. 3A) comprising a first or outer layer 10 and an opposite second
or inner layer 12, each of a pliable, planar sheet material, with a
relatively thick, resilient core material 14a sandwiched therebetween. The
first layer 10 is secured tightly to the second layer 12 (e.g., by
stitching, or other alternative means) so that the two opposite layers 10
and 12 are drawn together and the resilient core material 14a is
compressed along the (stitched or otherwise formed) seams, generally
indicated as 16. As the material 14a forming the core is resilient, it
will tend to expand between the seams 16, to form protruding, generally
rounded ridges 18 extending from each side of the material.
The seams 16 are formed in a generally elongate, random pattern, in order
to resemble the generally elongate ribs or protrusions often found in the
bark of a tree. The resultant three dimensional, textured surface of the
first layer 10 (and second layer 12) of the present camouflage material
sheet I will be seen to provide a reasonably realistic textural
resemblance to many, if not most, bark covered exterior surfaces of trees.
Additional realism may be obtained through proper coloring, shading, and/or
patterns applied to at least the outer or first layer 10, as indicated
particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Preferably, at least the
outer or first layer 10 of the material is provided with a relatively
non-reflective, dull finish, as indicated by the stippling shown in FIGS.
1 and 2. Such a finish may be applied over the entire outer layer 10 of
material without particular regard for specific shading patterns or lines,
as the depressed areas along the seams 16 of the material automatically
serve to create relatively dark, shadowed areas in comparison to the
protruding ridges 18 of the material.
Additionally, an optional pattern of leaves 20 may be placed sporadically
over the material to provide a further breakup of the overall pattern, as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in the single repeat of the pattern shown in
FIG. 4. The leaves 20 are preferably placed only sporadically over each
repeat, in order to avoid overwhelming the general texture of the
material. The leaves 20 may be provided in virtually any color as desired,
e.g., browns, yellows, and/or reds for fall, etc. As another alternative,
the opposite, second layer 12 may be provided with a different pattern, if
desired, to provide for the reversibility of the present camouflage
material and/or any garment made therefrom, in order to provide camouflage
patterns more closely matching different environments.
The camouflage material sheet la of FIG. 3A includes a central core 14a of
a fiber material, either natural (cotton, kapok, etc.) or synthetic
(polyester, etc.). The sheet 1b of FIG. 3B will be seen to be constructed
similarly to the sheet 1a of FIG. 3A, with a first layer 10, and an
opposite layer 12 sandwiching a resilient core material therebetween, with
seams (e. g., stitching) 16 securing the assembly together and compressing
the core material along the seams 16, thereby providing the same
protruding rises 18 between each of the seams 16. However, FIG. 3B
provides for a foam core 14b, rather than the fiber core material 14a of
FIG. 3A. The foam core material 14b may be either an open cell foam,
providing relatively low resilience as air is forced from the pores of the
material as it is compressed by the seams 16, or alternatively may be a
closed cell foam, which material retains trapped gases within the cells
for greater resilience. Additional layer(s) of foam material 14c and/or
14d may be provided, as shown in FIG. 3B, for additional textural depth
and/or insulation properties, if desired. In a like manner, additional
batts or layers of fiber core material 14a may be use in the sheet 1a of
FIG. 3A, if desired.
FIG. 4 discloses a view of a typical repeating pattern 22 of the present
camouflage pattern. The pattern 22 includes two repeats each having a
first end 24 and a second end 26, with a plurality of generally elongate,
random seams 16 extending therebetween, to simulate the appearance of
typical tree bark. While the pattern of the seams 16 may be random, it
will be noted that, due to the repeats, the first end 24 of one repeat
will be identical and will match with the second 26 end of that or other
repeats, insofar as the spacing between each of the seams 16 is concerned.
In order to show this feature better, a series of index points 28 have
been included on the pattern 22; these index points 28 are displayed on
the drawing figure only to explain and disclose the present invention
better, and would not normally be included in an actual pattern 22
according to the present invention.
More specifically, a series of three index points 28a is shown at the upper
end, the center, and the lower end of FIG. 4, which points correspond with
the first and second ends 24 and 26 of each repeat, and which further
correspond with lateral positions across the pattern 22 in which all the
seams have the same lateral spacing therebetween. Index points 28b,
located at the midpoint of each of the repeats of the pattern 22, will be
seen to provide a similar correspondence between seam 16 spacing.
Essentially, so long as the present pattern is joined with similar index
points matching one another at each repeat, it will be seen that the
spacing of the seams 16 forming the bark-like pattern 22 of the present
invention will correspond and that multiple repeats of the pattern 22 (or
other similarly configured pattern) may be joined end to end to form a
continuous length of the present pattern 22.
Such an arrangement lends itself well to manufacturing techniques such as
gang sewing of the seams 16, where a plurality of laterally spaced sewing
needles travels in a limited lateral distance across the material as it
passes beneath the needles, to form such a pattern of seams 16. Generally,
such needles are driven laterally by means of cams or the like, which by
their nature result in the lateral movement of the needles (and thus the
seams 16 being sewn) repeating at each point on the can drive. Thus, the
material manufactured using such a technique may be cut at any point along
the side of the sheet, and joined end to end with another like sheet at a
like point (e.g., index points 28b of FIG. 4), and still provide a smooth,
even, and natural looking transition from one repeat to the next, thereby
providing a more realistic and natural looking camouflage material.
In order to provide an even more natural appearance, plural rows of repeats
of the pattern 22 may be joined along their common edges in order to
provide a relatively wide sheet or blanket of the present camouflage
material. However, the lateral joining of such rows of repeats with like
points on the pattern laterally aligned, could result in a somewhat
regular appearance which would not typically be found in natural tree bark
and the like. Accordingly, such rows of the repeating pattern 22 may be
joined with the midpoint of one repeat (i.e., a point midway between the
first and second ends 24 and 26 of one repeat) joined laterally to the
lateral seam defining the juncture of the first and second ends 24 and 26
of the laterally adjacent row of repeats, in a staggered array. The result
is a much more natural looking camouflage material, with very little
evidence visible to the eye that any of the pattern is repeating or is in
alignment. Yet, the pattern lends itself to mass manufacture using gang
sewing or other similar techniques, for ease of manufacture and economy.
A camouflage suit 30 using the above disclosed techniques is shown in FIG.
1. (It will be understood that the use of the present camouflage material
is not limited to the construction of such suits 30, but may be used in
the manufacture of relatively large sheets, blankets, or other articles as
desired.) The suit 30 of FIG. 1 comprises a pair of pants or trousers 32,
and a coat, jacket or the like 34, with the two garments 32 and 34
providing generally complete camouflage coverage for the wearer thereof. A
review particularly of the jacket 34 (better seen in FIG. 2) reveals that
each of the repeats is staggered relative to its adjacent repeat, as
indicated by the staggered lateral seams 36, providing the natural
appearance described above for the suit 30.
FIG. 2 discloses further details of the coat or jacket 34. The construction
of the present camouflage material, with a relatively heavy layer of core
material having a fair amount of thermal insulating value sandwiched
between an inner and an outer layer of pliable material, results in a
camouflage garment or blanket having fairly good insulating properties,
notwithstanding the relatively thin areas along the seams 16. While such
may be a desirable side benefit of the present invention in colder
conditions, such thermal insulation is less desirable in warmer
conditions. Accordingly, optional vents 38 may be provided at various
locations in the suit 30 (trousers 32 and/or coat 34), to allow some
airflow through the suit 30. By placing such vents 38 along already
existing seams 16, as shown in FIG. 2, the vents are rendered relatively
unobtrusive and do not detract from the overall natural appearance of the
present camouflage suit 30. In a similar manner, pockets 40 may be
provided, with a slit opening 42 along a seam 16 in order to provide an
unobtrusive and natural appearance, as in the vents 38 discussed above.
Such vents 38 and pockets 40 may i,e located at any desired location(s) on
the suit, so long as the opening is positioned along a seam 16 to provide
a natural appearance and to avoid breaking up the natural lines of the
present camouflage suit 30.
In summary and in accordance with the above disclosure, the present
invention will be seen to provide camouflage material having a three
dimensional texture and closely resembling the natural appearance of a
highly textured, three dimensional surface such as tree bark. The three
dimensional surface of the present material provides for the application
of relatively simple dyes or shading to the outer layer of material due to
the relatively high ridges and depressed seams, which automatically
provide alternating lighted and shadowed areas just as with any other
three dimensional surface, and which lighting and shadowing will
automatically blend with that of the surrounding area under similar
lighting conditions. Optional camouflage may be added by means of leaf
representations placed sporadically over the material, if desired. The
present camouflage material lends itself to manufacture using a variety of
natural and synthetic materials for both the inner and outer layers, e.g.,
cotton or polyester fabric, and also the resilient core material
sandwiched therebetween. Allowance has also been made for the artificial
appearance of a repeating pattern, no matter how natural a single repeat
may appear, and the matching of like points of two or more repeats to form
a repeating row and the staggered assembly of such rows serve to provide a
much more natural appearance than would be the case with conventional
assembly techniques. The present material may be assembled in sheets or
blankets as desired, but one of the primary applications for such material
is in the construction of camouflage suits, as disclosed in FIG. 1.
Provision is also made in such suits for pockets and vents, with the vent
and pocket openings being relatively concealed by placing them along
preexisting seam lines of the suit. Thus, the present camouflage material
is useful for various camouflage purposes for hunters, the military, or
others who may have need for such material and suits or other garments
made therefrom.
It is to be understood that the present invention is limited to the sole
embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments
within the scope of the following claims.
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