Camouflage system

Abstract

The present invention comprises an improved camouflage system to be used for clothing generally employed by hunters, photographers and the like for the purpose of visual concealment in natural environments. An open, interlaced fabric substrate is employed as part of a garment to be worn by the user. A plurality of preconfigured camouflage elements are coupled to the fabric substrate. Each camouflage element comprises an elongated central mesh element, each end thereof depending into panels having multiple lobes to simulate leaves or other natural flora. The camouflage elements are dyed or otherwise colored with contrasting indicia in a manner consistent with a selected natural environment.

1 . An improved camouflage system for use in natural environments comprising: 
 (a) an interlaced matrix of closed loop members; and    (b) a plurality of camouflage elements coupled to one of said closed loop members, each of said camouflage elements comprising a substantially uniform, elongated central segment having first and second axially opposed ends, said first and second ends extending into first and second simulation segments respectively, each of said first and second simulation segments including aligned lobes disposed on opposite sides of the axis of said central segment, the alignment of the lobes of said first and second simulation segments being opposed to one another.    
   
   
       2 . An improved camouflage system as defined in  claim 1  including a garment having an outer surface, said interlaced matrix being coupled to the outer surface of said garment.  
   
   
       3 . An improved camouflage system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said interlaced matrix is netting.  
   
   
       4 . An improved camouflage system as defined in  claim 1  including contrasting visual indicia disposed upon each of said camouflage elements whereby said camouflage elements simulate the natural environment.  
   
   
       5 . An improved camouflage system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the lobes of said simulation segments are aligned in opposition to one another.  
   
   
       6 . An improved camouflage system as defined in  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said camouflage elements coupled to said interlaced matrix of closed loop members is of substantially three-dimensional character.  
   
   
       7 . An improved camouflage system for use in natural environments comprising: 
 (a) a substrate of open loop netting;    (b) a plurality of first camouflage elements coupled to said netting, each of said camouflage elements comprising a substantially uniform, elongated central segment having first and second axially opposed ends, said first and second ends extending into first and second simulation segments respectively, each of said first and second simulation segments including aligned lobes disposed on opposite sides of the axis of said central segment, the lobes of said first simulation segment being in aligned opposition with the lobes of said second simulation segment;    (c) a plurality of second camouflage elements coupled to said netting, each of said camouflage elements comprising a substantially uniform, elongated central segment having first and second axially opposed ends, said first and second ends extending into first and second simulation segments respectively, each of said first and second simulation segments including aligned lobes disposed on opposite sides of the axis of said central segment, the lobes of said first simulation segment being aligned facing the lobes of said second simulation segment.    
   
   
       8 . An improved camouflage system as defined in  claim 6  including a garment having an outer surface, said netting being secured to the outer surface of said garment.  
   
   
       9 . An improved camouflage system as defined in  claim 6  including contrasting visual indicia disposed upon each of said camouflage elements whereby said camouflage elements simulate the natural environment.  
   
   
       10 . An improved camouflage system as defined in  claim 7  wherein at least a portion of said camouflage elements coupled to said interlaced matrix of closed loop members is of substantially three-dimensional character.  
   
   
       11 . An improved camouflage system for use in natural environments comprising: 
 (a) a garment having an outer surface;    (b) a substrate of open loop netting;    (c) a plurality of first camouflage elements coupled to said netting, each of said camouflage elements comprising a substantially uniform, elongated central segment having first and second axially opposed ends, said first and second ends extending into first and second simulation segments respectively, each of said first and second simulation segments including aligned lobes disposed on opposite sides of the axis of said central segment, the lobes of said first simulation segment being in aligned opposition with the lobes of said second simulation segment;    (d) a plurality of second camouflage elements coupled to said netting, each of said camouflage elements comprising a substantially uniform, elongated central segment having first and second axially opposed ends, said first and second ends extending into first and second simulation segments respectively, each of said first and second simulation segments including aligned lobes disposed on opposite sides of the axis of said central segment, the lobes of said first simulation segment being aligned facing the lobes of said second simulation segment; and    (e) visual indicia imposed upon each of said camouflage elements whereby said camouflage elements simulate the natural environment.    
   
   
       12 . An improved camouflage system as defined in  claim 8  wherein at least a portion of said first and second camouflage elements coupled to the netting is of substantially three-dimensional character.