U.S. patent application number 11/162734 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-22 for tubular flexible weapon cover and field method of making the same.
Invention is credited to Ryan Brindle.
Application Number | 20070062090 11/162734 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37882644 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070062090 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brindle; Ryan |
March 22, 2007 |
Tubular Flexible Weapon Cover and Field Method of Making the
Same
Abstract
A protective cover for weapons made of a lightweight,
compactable, elastomeric tube which resists moisture and
environmental debris. The cover is held in place on the barrel by
the elasticity of the tube itself, and/or means for cinching the
ends of the tube to the weapon. The cover may contain slits to
allow connection of various attachments. Also disclosed is a method
of making the protective cover from a sock.
Inventors: |
Brindle; Ryan; (San
Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Carla L. Gannon, Esq.;Carla Gannon Law
118 SW 2nd Street
Oak Island
NC
28465
US
|
Family ID: |
37882644 |
Appl. No.: |
11/162734 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/96 ;
206/317 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 35/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/096 ;
206/317 |
International
Class: |
F41A 35/04 20060101
F41A035/04; B65D 85/00 20060101 B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A protective cover for a weapon comprising a lightweight,
compact, moisture-proof and debris-proof elastomeric tube.
2. The cover of claim 1 wherein said tube is comprised of elastic,
natural fabric, synthetic fabric, rubber, plastic or a combination
thereof.
3. The cover of claim 1 wherein the circumference of said tube is
large enough to slip over the barrel of weapon yet small enough to
fit weapon snugly.
4. The cover of claim 1 wherein the length of said tube is long
enough to conceal the weapon's barrel.
5. The cover of claim 1 wherein the terminal ends of said tube are
reinforced to prevent unraveling, splitting or other degradation of
material.
6. The cover of claim 1 wherein at least one terminal end of said
tube comprises means for cinching.
7. The cover of claim 6 wherein said cinching means is achieved by
a drawstring assembly, elastic, snap, button, fastener, Velcro or
ties.
8. The cover of claim 1 wherein said tube contains at least one
slit to allow connection of weapon attachments to weapon.
9. The cover of claim 8 wherein said slit or slits are reinforced
to prevent unraveling, splitting or other degradation of
material.
10. The cover of claim 8 or 9 wherein said slits are large enough
to accommodate the attachment but small enough to fit snugly and
prevent entrance of debris and moisture.
11. A method of protecting a weapon against moisture and debris
comprising the steps of removing the toe portion from an elastic
sock to form a tube and slipping the tube over the barrel portion
of a weapon.
12. The protection method of claim 11 wherein said tube is large
enough to slip over barrel of weapon yet small enough to fit weapon
snugly.
13. The protection method of claim 11 wherein the length of said
tube is long enough to conceal length of barrel portion of
weapon.
14. The protection method of claim 11 wherein the terminal ends of
said tube are reinforced to prevent unraveling, splitting or other
degradation of material.
15. The protection method of claim 11 wherein means for cinching is
incorporated into at least one terminal end of said tube.
16. The protection method of claim 15 wherein said cinching means
is achieved by incorporating drawstring assembly, elastic, snap,
button, fastener, Velcro or ties.
17. The protection method of claim 11 wherein at least one slit is
made in said tube to allow connection of weapon attachments to
weapon.
18. The protection method of claim 11 wherein said slit or slits
are reinforced to prevent unraveling, splitting or other
degradation of material.
19. The protection method of claims 17 or 18 wherein said slits are
large enough to accommodate the attachment but small enough to fit
snugly and prevent the entrance of debris and moisture.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a protective covering device for
weapons and more particularly to a new elastomeric tubular cover
which helps keep the weapon clean and protected while being used,
stored and transported. It is particularly well suited for soldiers
in the field.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] Covers for weapons are well known in the art. Some covers
serve safety functions by protecting the user or bystanders from
accidental firings. Other covers are designed to protect the weapon
itself.
[0003] Some weapon covers protect the weapon by enclosing the
weapon within a hardened exterior. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,495 to
West). These types of covers are generally useful for transporting
weapons where size or weight of covered weapon is not a factor.
Other weapon covers protect the weapon by surrounding it in
flexible material.
[0004] Flexible covers are typically a bag or pouch. (U.S. Pat. No.
6,722,496 B2 to Gantert, U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,915 B1 to Mesica et
al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,388 to Jones et al., U.S. Pat. No.
3,540,508 to Couch and U.S. Pat. No. 3,701,371 to Stackhouse).
Flexible bags or pouches are useful in that they protect the weapon
and are less cumbersome in the field than a case with a hardened
case. However, bags and pouches still add weigh, require space, and
typically must be removed prior to using the weapon.
[0005] Finally, there are various devices which enclose and protect
only portions of the weapon. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,479 to Easter,
U.S. Pat. No. 2,932,334 to Steen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,361 to
White, U.S. Pat. No. 3,574,965 to Seiger, U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,706
to Evans, U.S. Pat. No. Re. 32,752 to Kiang and U.S. Pat. No.
6,164,004 to Essary). Again, these add weight, require space, and
often interfere with operation of the weapon.
[0006] What is missing in the art is a device for protecting
weapons that has negligible weight, requires essentially no space,
does not interfere with the operation of the weapon, is inexpensive
to produce and distribute, and can be easily used with no training.
This type of device could be indispensable to soldiers in the
field, as well as other weapons users such as hunters and
recreational shooters.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The TUBULAR FLEXIBLE WEAPON COVER is essentially a cloth or
cloth-like elastic tube which provides a physical barrier between
the weapon and environmental dirt, debris and moisture. The TUBULAR
FLEXIBLE WEAPON COVER will prolong the life of the weapon by
protecting it from the environment, save the weapon operator's time
and energy by minimizing the time required to clean and maintain
the weapon, and increase soldier safety by allowing the soldier
access to their weapon without having to remove a cumbersome
cover.
[0008] The TUBULAR ELASTIC WEAPON COVER is held onto the weapon by
the elastic tension of the tube itself and/or by cinching means at
the ends of the tube. Cinching may be achieved by use of a
drawstring, elastic, straps which are can be snapped, buttoned or
tied, Velcro, or other standard method.
[0009] The tubular portion of the TUBULAR ELASTIC WEAPON COVER is
elastomeric. It may be constructed as a continuous tube or as an
elongated piece of elastomeric material whose longitudinal sides
are sewn or otherwise attached together. In the field the tubular
portion may be made by cutting the toe portion off of a sock. The
elasticity must be adequate to allow the operator to put on and
remove the device easily, but not so stretchy that it does not stay
securely on the weapon.
[0010] The material comprising the TUBULAR ELASTIC WEAPON COVER
should be lightweight, and resistant to debris and moisture. Thus,
when the cover is on the weapon, the holes in the material must be
relatively small. The moisture resistance may be increased by the
addition of water repellant chemicals, such as ScotchGard.RTM.. It
must be strong and flexible enough to be distorted when attachments
such as optics, lasers and flashlights are attached to the weapon.
Alternatively, a single slit or multiple slits may be present in
the tube to accommodate attachments.
[0011] The material should be low volume or compactable so that the
TUBULAR ELASTIC WEAPON COVER may be crumpled up and put into a
pocket or other small place when not needed. This will also make
the invention easy to distribute to soldiers in the field.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The invention will be better understood by a Detailed
Description of the Preferred Embodiment, when read in reference to
the drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side view of a weapon with the cover;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the cover;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of a weapon and attachment, with the
cover;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side view of the cover with a slit for a weapon
attachment;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of the cover with a means for cinching
an end of the cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals reflect
like elements throughout the various figures:
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a weapon with the cover. The
distal end of the cover 1 is closest to the tip of the weapon
barrel, the center elongated portion of the cover 3 extends along
the barrel toward the midsection of the weapon and terminates at
the proximal end of the cover 2. The cover is tubular and
completely encloses the portion of the weapon within the cover.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows the cover in detail. The center elongated
portion 3 terminates at a proximal 1 and distal end 2. The proximal
and distal ends are identical, and designated as proximal or distal
only when placed on the weapon, and depending upon their
orientation to the midsection of the weapon. The proximal and
distal ends are characterized by termination of the tubular
material 4.
[0021] The tubular material may be one continuous tube, or formed
by a flat and elongated piece of material which has been attached
along the longitudinal edge to form a tube. The means of attaching
longitudinal edges may be via sewing or fasteners of other method
so long as the longitudinal edges are permanently bound, and do not
effect the flexibility or elasticity of the tube as a whole.
[0022] The material comprising the tube may be natural or synthetic
fabric, rubber, plastic, a combination thereof, or any other
material that meets the requirements set forth for elasticity,
moisture resistance, weight and compactability.
[0023] The material comprising the tube must stretch enough to
easily slip over the barrel of the weapon, but contract enough to
fit snugly in place. Moreover, when in place on the weapon, the
material must be contracted to the extent that large gaps do not
exist which would allow the passage of moisture and debris.
[0024] The material must also be moisture resistant. The moisture
resistant character of the material may be inherent to the
material, for example rubberized elastic which creates a moisture
barrier. Alternatively, the moisture resistant character of the
material may arise from treating the material with a repellant such
as ScotchGard.RTM..
[0025] The material must be lightweight and compactable so as not
to burden soldiers with excess weight or volume. It should weigh
very little and be capable of being scrunched up and placed in a
pocket or small compartment.
[0026] The termination of the tubular material 4 is preferably
reinforced. The means for reinforcement can be stitching around the
circumference of the edge or another method such that the
elasticity and moisture resistance is not compromised, but the
material of the tube does not unravel or split.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a weapon with the cover. This
cover includes a slit for an attachment 5. Slits are an option on
the weapon cover. Slits may be desirable or required for weapons
which have attachments which connect to the portion of the weapon
protected by the cover. For example, some weapons have handles,
flashlights or scopes which attach to the proximal or mid-portion
of the barrel. Where the cover will be used with a weapon which is
likely to have an attachment, the cover may have one or more slits.
The slit for attachment 5 is an example of a slit to accommodate a
handle.
[0028] It was previously stated that the proximal and distal ends
of the cover, 2 and 1 respectively, are identical and designated as
such only according to orientation on the weapon. This
characterization as identical probably does not apply if optional
slits are on the weapons cover, as a slit is likely to be closer to
either the proximal or distal end of the tube.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows a weapon cover with an optional slit 5. The
slit should be large enough to accommodate the attachment but small
enough to fit snugly and prevent debris and moisture from coming in
contact with the weapon and/or attachment. The slit is preferably
reinforced to prevent unraveling or splitting of the material.
Reinforcement can be achieved by any method which does not
compromise elasticity or moisture repellent qualities.
[0030] The cover may contain as many slits as desired or necessary
to accommodate the intended attachments.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a weapon cover with an optional cinching means
6 and 7, at the edge 4. The means depicted in FIG. 5 is a tying
drawstring assembly. As shown, a string is weaved in and out of
along the circumference of outer edge of the tube 6. The ends of
the string are tied 7. If the operator pulls the ends of the string
7 tight, the string weaved into the tube 6 will cinch the tube to
the weapon. The cinching assembly is to keep the weapon cover in
the desired position on the weapon.
[0032] FIG. 5 depicts a drawstring means of cinching the cover, but
it is understood by those in the art the desired cinching effect
could be achieved by other means such as Velcro, snaps, buttons,
elastic or ties. Any cinching assembly is acceptable as long as the
lightweight, compactability, elasticity and water resistant
characteristics of the cover are not compromised.
[0033] FIG. 5 depicts the cinching assembly at only one end of the
cover. The cinching assembly may be used at either or both
ends.
[0034] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
depicted in detail, modification and adaptations may be made
thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as shown in the following claims:
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