Apparatus With an Exterior Surface Simulating a Natural Surface and Method of Manufacture
AssigneeNature Blinds, LLC
InventorTimothy L. Thomason
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus having an exterior surface that simulates a natural surface, and method of manufacturing same, comprising a polymer-foam sidewall having a concave first surface, a first end, and a second end. According to one embodiment in which the apparatus is a hunting blind, the sidewall is generally cylindrical and further has an inner surface, and defines a plurality of windows extending between the inner and outer surfaces. A first endwall is adjacent to the first end of the sidewall. A second endwall is adjacent to the second end of the sidewall. The sidewall, first end wall, and second endwall define an interior space that may be occupied by a hunter.
Claims22
An apparatus having an exterior surface simulating a surface found in nature, the apparatus comprising:
- a sidewall having a first end and a second end, the sidewall having a first surface simulating a natural surface, the sidewall further having a second surface, wherein the sidewall defines at least one window extending between the first and second surfaces.
A method of manufacturing an apparatus, the method comprising:
- selecting a natural surface;
- applying a releasing agent to the natural surface;
- applying at least one coat of a first silicone mixture over the releasing agent, said first silicone having a first viscosity;
- applying a second silicone mixture over the at least one coat of said first silicone mixture, said second silicone mixture having a second viscosity;
- applying a layer of barrier material over the second silicone mixture;
- and
- applying a third silicone mixture over the layer of barrier material, wherein said at least one coat of said first silicone mixture, said coat of said second silicone mixture, said layer of barrier material, and said coat of said third silicone mixture comprise a mold composite having a first end and a second end.
An apparatus prepared by a process of:
- applying a releasing agent to a natural surface;
- applying at least one coat of a first silicone mixture over the releasing agent;
- applying a coat of a second silicone mixture that has a viscosity higher than the viscosity of the first silicone mixture;
- applying a layer of barrier material over the coat of said second silicone mixture;
- applying a coat of a third silicone mixture over the layer of barrier material, wherein said at least one coat of said first silicone mixture, said coat of said second silicone mixture, said layer of barrier material, and said coat of said third silicone mixture compose a mold composite having a first end, a second end, and an interior surface corresponding the natural surface;
- removing the mold composite from the natural surface;
- applying a first layer of polymer foam to the interior surface of the mold composite;
- and
- applying a second layer of polymer foam to the interior surface of the first layer of polymer foam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.