U.S. patent application number 12/639994 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-19 for weapon sling with quick release mechanism and method of use.
Invention is credited to Marc Shen.
Application Number | 20100206921 12/639994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42559041 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100206921 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shen; Marc |
August 19, 2010 |
Weapon sling with quick release mechanism and method of use
Abstract
A weapon sling for attaching a long weapon to a user (e.g., via
a bullet-proof vest or the like) includes an elastic bungee cord
wrapped with a nylon sheath, a connector for reversibly attaching
the sling to the weapon secured to one end of the wrapped bungee
cord, a quick release clip for reversibly attaching the sling to
the user at the other end of the wrapped bungee cord, a pull tab
attached to the quick release clip, and a polymer ball attached to
the end of the pull tab. Applying tension to the ball opens the
clip and releasing the tension closes the clip. The pull tab is
designed to open the quick release clip with a single pulling
action in almost any direction. The connector and quick release
clip are fastened to the bungee using stainless steel ring snaps
and an adhesive heat shrink. A tactical weapon attached to the user
via the sling with the quick release clip can therefore easily and
quickly be removed or attached to the user.
Inventors: |
Shen; Marc; (Treasure
Island, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James David Johnson, P.A.
401 East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 130-290
Fort Lauderdale
FL
33301
US
|
Family ID: |
42559041 |
Appl. No.: |
12/639994 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61122952 |
Dec 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
61154465 |
Feb 23, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/150 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 33/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/150 |
International
Class: |
F41C 23/02 20060101
F41C023/02 |
Claims
1. A weapon sling comprising a bungee, a device for attaching the
sling to a long weapon, a quick release clip at the other end of
the bungee, and a pull tab attached to the quick release clip,
wherein pulling of the pull tab opens the quick release clip.
2. The weapon sling of claim 1, further comprising a durable
material wrapped around at least a portion of the bungee.
3. The weapon sling of claim 1, further comprising a connector
attached to the quick release clip.
4. The weapon sling of claim 1, further comprising a ball attached
to the pull tab.
5. The weapon sling of claim 4, wherein the ball is between about
0.5 to 2 inches in diameter.
6. The weapon sling of claim 5, wherein the ball is colored
red.
7. A weapon sling comprising: a first attachment means capable of
removably connecting to a weapon; a second attachment means capable
of removably connecting to a connector worn by a user; an elongated
element comprising a first end to which the first attachment means
is secured and a second end to which the second attachment means is
secured; and a quick release mechanism connected to the second
attachment means and capable of being manually actuated to permit
the second attachment means to be disconnected from the connector
so as to detach the weapon sling and weapon from the user.
8. The weapon sling of claim 7, wherein the first attachment means
comprises a snap release, a swivel hook trigger snap, or any other
fastener capable of being mechanically or manually configured to
attach to and to detach from the weapon.
9. The weapon sling of claim 7, wherein the second attachment means
comprises a quick release clip.
10. The weapon sling of claim 7, wherein the elongated element
comprises an elastic cord.
11. The weapon sling of claim 7, wherein the elongated element
comprises an inelastic tether.
12. The weapon sling of claim 7, wherein the second attachment
means comprises a loop comprising a spring-loaded catch.
13. The weapon sling of claim 12, wherein the quick release
mechanism comprises a manual release tab capable of being grasped
and pulled to open the spring-loaded catch so as to detach the
second attachment means from the connector worn by the user.
14. The weapon sling of claim 13, wherein the manual release tab
comprises a free end comprising a visual marker.
15. The weapon sling of claim 13, wherein the manual release tab
comprises a free end comprising a tactile marker.
16. The weapon sling of claim 13, wherein the manual release tab
comprises a free end comprising a red sphere that is highly visible
and easily located by touch by the user.
17. The weapon sling of claim 7, wherein the connector is attached
to a garment, a belt, a harness, a vest, a MOLLE (modular
lightweight load-carrying equipment) system, or PPE (personal
protective body armor) worn by the user.
18. A method for reversibly attaching a long weapon to a user, the
method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a weapon sling
comprising a bungee, a device for attaching the sling to a long
weapon at one end of the bungee, a quick release clip at the other
end of the bungee, and a pull tab attached to the quick release
clip, wherein pulling of the pull tab opens the quick release clip;
and (b) attaching the weapon sling to a user via the quick release
clip by pulling the pull tab to open the quick release clip,
attaching the quick release clip via a connector to a user, and
releasing the pull tab to close the quick release clip.
19. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of detaching
the weapon sling from the user by pulling the pull tab to open the
quick release clip.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to weapon slings. More particularly,
the invention relates to a sling for tactical weapons that includes
a pull tab attached to a quick release clip that allows a weapon to
be quickly and reversibly attached to a user.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Weapon slings have been used for centuries in order to
provide a mechanism for a user to carry and better control a long
weapon such as a rifle, assault rifle, sub-machine gun, light
machine gun, machine pistol or shotgun. While convenient,
conventional weapon slings can sometimes be an impediment when used
in a tactical setting. For example, in close combat, when a soldier
or police officer engages a hostile party, a struggle for control
of the soldier's or officer's weapon can ensue. This struggle can
prevent the weapon from being used and can also jostle the solider
or police officer such that he or she has difficulty drawing a
secondary weapon. With a conventional sling, the operator may
attempt to cut away the sling with a knife in order to free himself
from the weapon such that he regains the mobility to draw his
secondary weapon. The several seconds that this operation takes can
result in a tragic outcome.
[0003] Conventional weapon slings are also less than ideal in
tactical application because they can impede removal of, or access
to, a wounded soldier or police officer from a dangerous site
because of interference from the attached weapon. Even after the
weapon is removed, to prevent its recovery by a hostile opponent,
it must be carried away by other personnel--a situation that
increases the risk of sustaining another casualty.
SUMMARY
[0004] The invention is based on the development of a revolutionary
new weapon sling that includes a quick release clip which can be
easily actuated to release or attach a weapon to a user. In a
preferred variation, a sling for attaching a long weapon (e.g., a
rifle or shotgun) to a user (e.g., via a bullet-proof vest or the
like) can include an elastic bungee cord wrapped with a nylon
sheath, a connector for reversibly attaching the sling to the
weapon secured to one end of the wrapped bungee cord, a quick
release clip for reversibly attaching the sling to the user or
operator at the other end of the wrapped bungee cord, a pull tab
attached to the quick release clip, and a polymer ball attached to
the end of the pull tab. Pulling the ball applies tension to the
pull tab which causes the clip to open and free the sling and
weapon. Releasing the ball reverses the tension and causes the clip
to close. The pull tab is designed to open the quick release clip
with a single pulling action in almost any direction. The polymer
ball can be large enough to easily operate and is brightly colored
for enhanced visibility. The polymer ball is preferably colored red
because it is the one color that the human brain continues to
perceive under the stress of combat. The connector and quick
release clip are fastened to the bungee using stainless steel ring
snaps and an adhesive heat shrink. A tactical weapon attached to
the user via the quick release clip can therefore easily and
quickly be removed or attached to the user.
[0005] A major advantage of the weapon sling of the invention is
that it allows the user to quickly and easily release the attached
weapon when it is grabbed by a threat, such that the user can
regain the mobility to draw his secondary weapon and eliminate the
threat without first having to cut the sling. For example, the
threat can be a criminal, a suspect, or an enemy combatant. Because
the threat will most likely grab the weapon by the barrel end, the
time it takes to reorient the weapon (wherein the brain must first
recognize, access, and engage the threat, aim it, and fire it
should exceed the time for the weapon sling user to draw and fire
his secondary weapon.
[0006] Another major advantage of the weapon sling of the invention
is that it allows an injured user to be quickly separated from his
weapon so that he can more easily be removed from a dangerous site
or so that a medic can have unimpeded access to the injured user.
Where the medic or other personnel are also using the sling of the
invention, the removed weapon can quickly be attached to them so it
is not left for the hostile party to recover.
[0007] Accordingly, the invention features a weapon sling including
a bungee, a device for attaching the sling to a weapon at one end
of the bungee, a quick release clip for attaching the sling to a
user at the other end of the bungee, and a pull tab attached to the
quick release clip, wherein pulling of the pull tab opens the quick
release clip. The weapon sling might further include a durable
material wrapped around at least a portion of the bungee, a
connector attached to the quick release clip, and/or a ball (e.g.,
one about 0.5 to 2 inches in diameter and colored red) attached to
the pull tab.
[0008] The invention also features a weapon sling that can include
a first attachment means, a second attachment means, an elongated
element, a connector, and a quick release mechanism. The first
attachment means can be capable of removably connecting to a
weapon, and the second attachment means can be capable of removably
connecting to a connector worn by a user. The elongated element can
feature a first end to which the first attachment means may be
secured and a second end to which the second attachment means may
be secured. The quick release mechanism can be connected to the
second attachment means and may be manually actuated to permit the
second attachment means to be disconnected from the connector so as
to detach the weapon sling and weapon from the user.
[0009] In another aspect the invention can feature the first
attachment means including a snap release, a swivel hook trigger
snap, or any other fastener capable of being mechanically or
manually configured to attach to and to detach from the weapon.
[0010] In another aspect the invention can feature the second
attachment means including a quick release clip.
[0011] In another aspect the invention can feature the elongated
element including an elastic cord.
[0012] In another aspect the invention can feature the elongated
element including an inelastic tether.
[0013] In another aspect the invention can feature the second
attachment means including a loop that features a spring-loaded
catch.
[0014] In another aspect the invention can feature the quick
release mechanism including a manual release tab capable of being
grasped and pulled to open the spring-loaded catch so as to detach
the second attachment means from the connector worn by the
user.
[0015] In another aspect the invention can feature the manual
release tab including a free end comprising a visual marker.
[0016] In another aspect the invention can feature the manual
release tab including a free end comprising a tactile marker.
[0017] In another aspect the invention can feature the manual
release tab including a free end comprising a red sphere that is
highly visible and easily located by touch by the user.
[0018] In another aspect the invention can feature the connector
being attached to a garment, a belt, a harness, a vest, a MOLLE
(modular lightweight load-carrying equipment) system, or PPE
(personal protective body armor) worn by the user.
[0019] In another aspect, the invention features a method for
reversibly attaching a long weapon to a user. This method includes
the steps of: (a) providing a weapon sling including a bungee, a
device for attaching the sling to a weapon at one end of the
bungee, a quick release clip for attaching the sling to a user at
the other end of the bungee, and a pull tab attached to the quick
release clip, wherein pulling of the pull tab opens the quick
release clip; (b) attaching the weapon sling to a user; and (c)
attaching the weapon sling to a user by pulling the pull tab to
open the quick release clip, attaching the quick release clip to a
user via a connector, and releasing the pull tab to close the quick
release clip. This method can further include the step of detaching
the weapon sling from the user by pulling the pull tab to open the
quick release clip and detaching the weapon sling from the quick
release clip.
[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein
have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary
skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods
and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can
be used in the practice or testing of the present invention,
suitable methods and materials are described below. All
publications, patent applications, patents and other references
mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
In the case of conflict, the present specification, including
definitions will control.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a weapon sling of
the invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the parts used to make the
weapon sling of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the weapon sling of FIG. 1
attached to a harness on a user.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the weapon sling of FIG. 1
attached to a user using a MOLLE system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The invention encompasses weapon slings with a quick release
clip and methods of using such slings. The below described
exemplary embodiments illustrate adaptations of these devices and
methods. Nonetheless, from the description of these embodiments,
other aspects of the invention can be made or practiced based on
the description provided below.
[0026] Referring to the figures, in one embodiment of the
invention, a weapon sling includes a device for attaching the sling
to a weapon, a bungee, hollow core webbing wrapped around the
bungee, a pull tab, a polymer ball, adhesive heat shrink, a
connector, a trigger snap release, a quick release clip, and a
plurality of ring snaps. The device for attaching the sling to a
weapon is fastened to one end of the wrapped bungee and can take
the form of any device suitable for fastening the sling to a
weapon, e.g., a swivel hook trigger snap as shown in the
drawings.
[0027] The quick release clip is attached to other end of the
wrapped bungee. The quick release clip can take the form of any
quick release device suitable for attaching to the bungee to a
user, e.g., via a vest, harness, MOLLE (modular lightweight
load-carrying equipment) system, or PPE (personal protective body
armor). In the figures, the quick release clip is made of anodized
metal and includes a first loop for attaching to the bungee, a
second loop of attaching to the connector, and a spring-loaded
catch for opening and closing the second loop and having a device
for attaching to the pull tab. The connector can take the form of
any device suitable for attaching the quick release clip to a user.
In the figures, the connector includes an ABS loop for attachment
to the quick release clip and a slot for attaching a MOLLE
attachment strap. The MOLLE attachment strap can be fastened to an
acceptor on a user. In the embodiment shown in the figures, one end
of the pull tab is connected to the spring-loaded catch and the
other end is attached to the polymer ball. While the dimensions and
parts of the weapon sling can vary, preferably they are selected
such that the overall length of the sling is about 83/4 inches
unstretched and about 133/4 inches stretched (+/-5, 10, 15, 20, or
25%) which was determined to be ideal for most long tactical
weapons.
[0028] The sling shown in the figures may be assembled by securing
the first loop of the quick release clip to one end of the bungee.
This can be accomplished by folding over the end of the bungee to
create a loop that is closed using the hog snaps. The hollow core
webbing is then threaded onto the bungee from its other end far
enough to cover the hog snaps. A section of heat shrink is then
threaded over the hollow core webbing and positioned just over the
area where the quick release clip engages the end of the bungee. It
is then heated to form a tight bond. Next, the swivel hook trigger
snap is attached to the other end of the bungee in the same manner.
The distances between the portion of the bungee adjacent to the
heat shrink and (1) the quick release clip, and (2) the swivel hook
trigger snap are both about 3.5 inches (+/-5, 10, 15, 20, or 25%).
The polymer ball/pull strap and the connector/MOLLE attachment
strap are then attached to the quick release clip as shown in the
figures.
[0029] The sling shown in the figures is suitable for ambidextrous
use. To attach a weapon to a user with the sling, the sling is
attached to the user by fastening the quick release clip (e.g., via
a suitable connector) to the user's vest, a MOLLE system, PPE, or
harness. The quick release clip is operated by pulling the polymer
ball to open the second loop on the quick release clip. A connector
for attaching the sling to a user can then be attached to the
second loop, and the polymer ball can then be released to close the
second loop of the quick release clip. To detach the weapon sling
from the user, the polymer ball is pulled to cause the second loop
of the quick release clip to open.
OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0030] It is to be understood that while the invention has been
described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the
foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the
scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the
appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are
within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *