U.S. patent application number 14/950668 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-26 for gun sling retaining device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gary Byers, Tom Cross. Invention is credited to Gary Byers, Tom Cross.
Application Number | 20160146574 14/950668 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56009876 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160146574 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cross; Tom ; et al. |
May 26, 2016 |
Gun Sling Retaining Device
Abstract
A wave-shaped hook captures a rifle sling positioning the sling
on a hunter's shoulder for rapid access. The hook attaches to the
strap of a backpack. A base with attachment slots allow the hook to
be positioned on the strap in a variety of orientations. A
picatinny rail on the back of the hook's wave allows cameras or
other accessories to be supported on the user's shoulder.
Inventors: |
Cross; Tom; (Choteau,
MT) ; Byers; Gary; (Columbia Falls, MT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cross; Tom
Byers; Gary |
Choteau
Columbia Falls |
MT
MT |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56009876 |
Appl. No.: |
14/950668 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62083827 |
Nov 24, 2014 |
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62121720 |
Feb 27, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 23/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41C 33/00 20060101
F41C033/00 |
Claims
1. A retaining device comprising: a base; and a wave-shaped hook,
the wave-shaped hook comprising a wave base, a back, and a crest,
the wave base of the wave-shaped hook disposed on the base of the
retaining device.
2. The retaining device of claim 1, wherein the base of the
retaining device is planar.
3. The retaining device of claim 1, further comprising attachment
means to attach said base to a surface.
4. The retaining device of claim 3, wherein said attachment means
includes at least one slot through said base.
5. The retaining device of claim 3, wherein said attachment means
includes at least a pair of slots through said base.
6. The retaining device of claim 3, wherein said attachment means
includes at least two pair of slots positioned through said base
said base to allow said base to be attached to the surface in two
different orientations.
7. The retaining device of claim 1, further comprising a picatinny
rail on said back of said wave-shaped hook.
8. A retaining device comprising: a base; a wave-shaped hook, the
wave-shaped hook comprising a wave base, a back, and a crest, the
wave base of the wave-shaped hook disposed on the base of the
retaining device; and a picatinny rail disposed on the back of the
wave-shaped hook.
9. The retaining device of claim 8, wherein the base of the
retaining device is planar.
10. The retaining device of claim 8, further comprising attachment
means to attach said base to a surface.
11. The retaining device of claim 10, wherein said attachment means
includes at least one slot through said base.
12. The retaining device of claim 10, wherein said attachment means
includes at least a pair of slots through said base.
13. The retaining device of claim 10, wherein said attachment means
includes at least two pair of slots positioned through said base
said base to allow said base to be attached to the surface in two
different orientations.
14. A retaining device comprising: a planar base, the base
comprising attachment means to attach the base to a surface; and a
wave-shaped hook, the wave-shaped hook comprising a wave base, a
back, and a crest, the wave base of the wave-shaped hook disposed
on the base of the retaining device.
15. The retaining device of claim 14, wherein said planar base has
opposing short ends and opposing long sides and said attachment
means include at least one pair of slots through said planar base
along the short ends and at least one pair of slots through said
planar base along the long sides.
16. The retaining device of claim 14, further comprising a
picatinny rail disposed on said back of said wave-shaped hook.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/083,827, filed Nov. 24, 2014, and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/121,720, filed Feb. 27, 2015, the
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety including all figures, tables, and drawings.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
[0004] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A successful hunter goes to the game. The further hunters
ventures into the wilderness after game however the more isolated
they become. Therefore, it is necessary that hunters carry not only
their rifle but enough equipment for their own preparedness and
safety. A convenient way to carry these essentials is in a
backpack. Unfortunately, the straps of a backpack can interfere
with the sling hunters use to carry their rifles. The rifle sling
can catch on the backpack strap while the hunter is shouldering the
rifle ruining the perfect shot. The rifle sling also tends to slip
off the shoulder when a backpack is being worn as well as when no
backpack is worn. Finally, hunters often also carry binoculars, a
camera, or a range finder around their necks. These straps can
become tangled with rifle sling.
[0006] Rifle sling stops have been designed that attempt to
position the rifle sling on the shoulder of the hunter (see, for
example, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2012/0305616 A1;
and 2012/0193378 A1). These stops however have hooks that could
prevent the hunter from quick and ready access to the rifle.
Further, these stops do not address or manage the many items the
hunter carries. A need therefore remains for a rifle sling
retaining device that works effectively for a hunter.
[0007] All patents, patent applications, provisional patent
applications and publications referred to or cited herein, are
incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent they are
not inconsistent with the teachings of the specification.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention involves a retaining device disposed on the
shoulder strap of a backpack to position a rifle sling on a
hunter's shoulder for ready use. In a preferred embodiment, strap
attachment means on a base allow the device to be removably affixed
to the backpack strap. In another preferred embodiment, the base is
sewn or incorporated into the shoulder strap of the backpack. A
wave-shaped hook atop the base catches the rifle sling. A picatinny
rail on the back of the wave is used to attach accessories to the
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0009] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment
of the rifle sling retaining device of the subject invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the preferred
embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment shown
in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the preferred
embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of another preferred
embodiment of the rifle sling retaining device of the subject
invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment
of the rifle sling retaining device of the subject invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The invention involves a rifle sling retaining device having
a hook to engage the rifle sling. The hook sits atop a base which
connects to the shoulder strap of a backpack.
[0016] Preferred embodiments of the retaining device of the subject
invention are shown in FIGS. 1-6. In these embodiments, the base 10
is planar, molded, and made of high impact plastic. A hook 12
protrudes from the base so in this embodiment the planar base
maintains a low profile for the device. The low profile is
advantageous for hunting in the deep forest where the hook could
get caught on low hanging branches or in brush. Applicants note
however that the base can be any shape or size as long as it
supports the hook adequately and in the required position.
[0017] The base 10 can be made of any material that is durable
enough to hold the hook in place while it is engaged with the rifle
sling. As noted, the base can be made of plastic which is also
resistant to moisture and decay. The base however can also be
formed of composites or metals.
[0018] In one preferred embodiment, the base 10 ofthe device of the
subject invention has attachment means 14 to removably connect the
base to a surface such as a backpack shoulder strap. At the
shoulder, backpack straps have a wider padded strap on which an
adjustable strap 16 lays. In the exemplified embodiments, slot
pairs 18 in the planar base 10 receive the adjustable strap 16 of
the backpack. The backpack strap is woven through the slots. It
should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the exemplified
embodiment is only one way by which the device of the subject
invention can be removably attached to the shoulder strap of a
backpack. Other means include, but are not limited to, adhesives,
hook and loop tape, and clips. It is further noted that the subject
device can be attached to other straps used by the hunter to hold
accessories. For example, the device of the subject invention can
be applied to the strap of a criss-cross harness used to support
binoculars. The device could be used to position other straps such
as those for a range finder and prevent the multiple straps from
tangling.
[0019] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the attachment means
allow the device to be positioned on the strap in more than one
orientation. In the exemplified embodiment, a strap run through the
slots 18 on the short ends 20 of the base would orient the hook so
it would capture and support an item hanging vertically from a
strap. Using the slots on the longer sides 22 of the base would
orient the hook so it captures a rifle sling as it slides
horizontally off the shoulder.
[0020] FIG. 5 shows another preferred embodiment of the subject
invention. In this embodiment, the base is incorporated into the
strap of the backpack. The base can be sewn into or onto the strap.
Alternately, the base can be molded into or on the strap or it can
be a piece of the strap.
[0021] The hook 12 of the retaining device is affixed to the base
10. The hook and base can be separate pieces or a single piece. The
hook 12 stops a rifle sling from sliding off the shoulder of a
hunter who is wearing a backpack. The hook therefore should be
strong enough and be configured to stop and hold the rifle sling.
In the exemplified embodiment, the hook 12 has a wave-like profile.
This profile is advantageous in that the wide wave base 24 provides
a stable base for the hook. The hook will not be easily broken off
the base should it get hooked on branch. Further, while the wave
profile provides an effective hook portion beneath the crest 26
that holds the rifle sling, the hook portion is also not so deep
that it traps the rifle sling. The rifle sling will slip from the
hook quickly and without snagging to insure the hunter can shoulder
the rifle quickly to make a rapid shot.
[0022] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, a picatinny rail 28 is
positioned on the back 30 of the wave of the hook below the crest
26. The rail 28 can receive a number of accessories used by the
hunter. A camera can be positioned on the hook and carried on the
shoulder. A camera carried in this position could allow hunters to
record their hunt at eye level just as they saw it. After dark, a
flashlight can be attached to the rail. The flashlight positioned
on the shoulder provides hands-free light while gutting prey or can
assist in navigating through the woods after dark. In the
exemplified embodiment, the picatinny has only a short rail piece
and one groove positioned in the center of the wave back. Longer
pieces of rail could be included on the wave back of the subject
invention if the piece allowed enough distance to manipulate the
accessory and lock the accessory into the rail. Additionally, other
types of rails or attachment systems can be presented on the
retaining device of the subject invention to allow the device to
support accessories. FIG. 6 however shows the gun sling retaining
device without a picatinny rail or attachment system.
[0023] The rifle sling retaining device of the subject invention
has a wave-like hook making it rugged enough to withstand the abuse
of trekking through rough terrain. The wave-like shape of the hook
allows the rifle sling to be removed from the hook smoothly for a
rapid shot. The picatinny rail on the back of the wave below the
crest allows a variety of accessory to be securely positioned on
the shoulder of the hunter for convenient use.
[0024] It is understood that the foregoing examples are merely
illustrative of the present invention. Certain modifications of the
articles and/or methods may be made and still achieve the
objectives of the invention. Such modifications are contemplated as
within the scope of the claimed invention.
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