U.S. patent application number 15/917557 was filed with the patent office on 2018-09-13 for versatile gun sling.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gabriel Joseph Smith. Invention is credited to Gabriel Joseph Smith.
Application Number | 20180259294 15/917557 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63446399 |
Filed Date | 2018-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180259294 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Gabriel Joseph |
September 13, 2018 |
Versatile Gun Sling
Abstract
A gun sling that allows easy movement between various firing
positions includes a loop of strapping, a means of adjustment,
quick-release system, anchor point, and a sliding device. The
sliding device allows an attached weapon to travel across the
length of the gun sling itself. A stretchable material may be
incorporated to at least one segment of the gun sling in order to
facilitate the transition. Additionally, the gun sling may be used
in a system involving a harness or vest, wherein a user attaches
the gun sling to the hardness or vest and can allow easy transition
under a user's arms.
Inventors: |
Smith; Gabriel Joseph;
(Opelika, AL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Smith; Gabriel Joseph |
Opelika |
AL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63446399 |
Appl. No.: |
15/917557 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62469200 |
Mar 9, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 33/002
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41C 33/00 20060101
F41C033/00 |
Claims
1. A gun sling that facilitates the transition between firing
positions, comprising: a closed loop of strapping; a quick-release
system; a sliding device; a means for length adjustment.
2. The gun sling of claim 1, wherein at least one portion of the
strapping is comprised of a stretchable material.
3. The gun sling of claim 2, wherein the stretchable material is
bungee.
4. The gun sling of claim 1, further comprising a fixed means of
attachment.
5. The gun sling of claim 1, wherein the sliding device further
comprises a metallic ring.
6. The gun sling of claim 1, wherein the quick-release system
comprises of a male and female end.
7. The gun sling of claim 5, wherein the metallic ring is
additionally attached to a length of strapping.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the gun sling facilitates
movement of a weapon diagonally across a user's body.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the gun sling facilitates
movement of a weapon horizontally across a user's body.
10. The method of claim 4, wherein the gun sling is removably
attached to a vest and allows the user to change firing positions
under their arms.
11. The method of claim 4, wherein the gun sling is removably
attached to a harness and allows the user to change firing
positions under their arms.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/469,200 filed on Mar. 9, 2017 and titled
"Versatile Gun Sling", the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to firearm slings that can be
utilized with rifles and/or shotguns. More specifically, the
present invention relates to a gun sling that allows a user to
easily switch between firing positions. This usability is also
present when a user is wearing a traditional tactical vest commonly
used by militaries.
2. THE PRIOR ART
[0003] Gun slings were first created in order to assist users when
carrying large weapons. A user simply attaches their weapon to a
closed length of strapping that is worn over one shoulder and runs
diagonally to a user's hip area. It allows the user to be able to
stow their weapon behind or in front quickly and also retrieve it
when necessary. Additionally, having a weapon secured to oneself
when not in use is a priority in combat. Over the years, various
iterations of gun slings have existed on the market to facilitate
the carrying of large weapons, primarily assault rifles. The most
common types of firearm slings are "one-point", "two-point", and
"three point" slings. One-point slings are typically comprised of a
loop of strapping, with a connection point that is attachable to a
rifle at one point. Two-point slings are able to connect to a
weapon at two different points, normally in the front and back.
Three-point slings also attach to a weapon at several points but
are equipped with a quick-release in order to adjust the length of
the sling. Quick releases are commonly seen in the form of a male
and female buckle end that can allow a user to remove themselves
from a firearm sling when the situation calls for it.
[0004] A drawback of these slings is that, while they do allow a
user to carry a large weapon, they do not allow the user to freely
move their weapon from various firing positions. Once oriented over
a user's shoulders, these slings snag and do not allow a user to
switch between various firing positions. More specifically, in a
combat situation, a user has to react quickly and change firing
positions constantly in order to reduce the risk of being targeted.
A lot of the mobility needed is reflective on the environment where
a combatant must maneuver themselves around obstacles and do not
always have the vantage point of firing from the most comfortable
position. Most users are right-handed and orient themselves as
such, however, there are many times where a combatant must
crossover to a left-handed firing position, and vice versa. A
user's dominant position is called "strong side" whereas the other
side is called "support side" in the industry. A three-point sling
does allow the ability to switch from one side to the other,
however, this has to be accompanied by adjustment built into the
sling itself. After this adjustment has occurred, there is a large
amount of slack created when the user switches back to their
original position. This means that in a combat situation, a user
has to either spend time readjusting their sling or continue in
combat with a loose strap. This can also be problematic because the
extra slack could be stepped on by the user itself, causing a loss
of balance and even falling onto the ground.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a gun
sling that allows a user to easily transition from strong side to
support side, and vice versa.
[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
gun sling that eliminates the need to readjust the length of the
sling when changing firing positions.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
gun sling that is attachable to the back of a standard military
vest in order to offset the weight distribution of the user's upper
body.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
gun sling that is attachable to the back of a standard military
vest that allows a user to move their weapon from one side to
another under their arms.
[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
gun sling that can function as a one-point and two-point sling,
while satisfying the previously stated objects of the present
invention.
[0010] These and other objects are accomplished by a gun sling
comprising: one part stretchable material, one part adjustable
strapping, a means for fixed attachment, a fastener, and a sliding
apparatus. The present invention also functions in a system and
method of utilizing it that comprises of the present invention
coupled with a standard tactical vest where the sling is attached
to the back of a tactical vest and passes under a user's arm and
allows easy transition from strong side to support side, and vice
versa. In one of the potential preferred embodiments, the gun sling
comprises: one part bungee material, one part adjustable strapping,
a fastener that attaches to a vest, a quick-release comprised of a
male and female end, and a metallic ring that is removably
attachable to a weapon.
[0011] By utilizing a sliding device onto the sling itself that is
removably attachable to a weapon, a user is able to easily move
their weapon from strong side to support side, and vice versa.
Doing this forgoes the need to use an adjustment to switch firing
positions without having to increase the length of the sling, and
having to reconfigure it. Additionally, having a segment of the
sling being composed of bungee material makes this transition
easier. In order to be attachable to traditional tactical vests, an
anchor point attachment is needed in order for the gun sling to be
fixed to it. This can be easily accomplished utilizing the webbing
present on standard tactical vests that allow a multitude of
attachments. Once this is attached, the gun sling can be removably
attached to the vest and the gun sling can be oriented under a
user's arms. This also allows an offset of the weight of the weapon
for less strain on the user's upper body. Normally, traditional
slings that are accompanied with vests rests on a user's shoulder
and runs diagonally across the body. Furthermore, by utilizing this
orientation, a user can easily switch between firing positions
seamlessly by traversing their weapon which is removably attached
to the sliding device, moving it along the length of the gun sling.
This system can also be incorporated with harnesses worn by those
in the protection industry. Lastly, the present invention allows a
user to easily move their weapon from their front side to their
back, and vice versa, in order to have free use and range of their
arms and hands. All of this occurs with little to no movement of
the gun sling itself, the sling remains fixed either to a person,
vest, or harness, where the sliding apparatus is the only moving
part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a gun
sling.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a view of a user utilizing one embodiment of a gun
sling on their strong side.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a view of a user utilizing one embodiment of a gun
sling on their support side.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a gun
sling removable attached to a vest.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a view of a user utilizing one embodiment of a gun
sling and vest on their strong side.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a view of a user utilizing one embodiment of a gun
sling and vest on their support side.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] It is to be understood that the following disclosure
provides different embodiments, or examples, for implementing
different features of various embodiments of the invention.
Specific examples of components and arrangements are described
below. These are merely examples and are not intended to be
limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference
numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is
for the purpose of simplicity. Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment
of the present disclosure will be discussed in reference to the
drawings.
[0019] The gun sling 100 of this invention is illustrated in FIG.
1. 110/111 create a means of adjustment for gun sling 100. This is
commonly seen today on a wide array of products and would be
familiar to a person of ordinary skill in the art. This adjustment
is necessary in order to accommodate the varying sizes of users.
150/160 create a quick-release system that is imperative when
designing combatant gear. In a preferred embodiment, 150/160 are
composed of a male and female end. This can be created with a
simple polymer or even of a metallic kind, depending on the
environment and use. It allows a user a means to break the loop of
gun sling 100 at a moment's notice. In a combat situation, a user
needs the most efficient method to switch firing positions and be
completely mobile. Stretchable material 190 may be implemented as
having its flexibility can make the transition between firing
positions easier. Sliding device 120 allows a firearm to transition
through the length of gun sling 100. A user attaches sliding device
120 to their firearm while wearing gun sling 100. A user can then
slide their weapon across the length of gun sling 100 from various
firing positions, including, but not limited to, switching from
strong side to support side, and vice versa. In a preferred
embodiment, sliding device 120 comprises of a removable metallic
ring with a diameter large enough to avoid snagging on gun sling
100. Gun sling 100 passes through sliding device 120. Due to the
varying sizes of firearms, mainly rifles and shotguns with various
attachment points, sliding device 120 may be further attached to
sliding device extension 180. Sliding device extension 180 creates
a larger distance between gun sling 100 and the weapon itself if it
is needed. Attachment point 130 is a connection point between gun
sling 100 and the weapon itself. Commercially speaking, sliding
device extension 180 may be included with packaging and allow a
user to attach it to gun sling 100.
[0020] FIG. 2. and FIG. 3. visually depict a user wearing gun sling
100 and demonstrates the switching of firing positions from a
user's strong side 220 (dominant firing position) to their support
side 240 (weak firing position). FIG. 2. depicts a user who is
left-hand dominant utilizing gun sling 100 and in a standard firing
position. A left-hand dominant user places their right hand on the
grip of a weapon where they can fire, while their right hand holds
the barrel of the weapon in order to aim. A right-handed user does
the opposite orientation. In a combat situation, utilizing gun
sling 100, a user can switch to the firing position exemplified in
FIG. 3. This can be done seamlessly as the firearm is attached to
sliding device 120 and can traverse the length of gun sling 100 to
the desired position, and vice-versa.
[0021] FIG. 4. shows a perspective view of gun sling 100 attached
to a vest or harness. Anchor point 140 attaches to a vest or
harness. In one preferred embodiment, this is positioned on the
back of a vest or harness. In order to be attached, connection
point 310 must be attached to the vest or harness. In one preferred
embodiment, connection point 310 may be made of a metallic material
to ensure it can withstand the weight of traditional tactical
gear.
[0022] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 depict a user with gun sling 100 removably
attached to a vest or harness. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. demonstrate the
switching of firing positions from a user's strong side 220 to
their support side 240 by passing under a user's arms. The method
of utilizing gun sling 100 in a system with a vest or harness that
has connection point 310 allows a user to change firing positions
quickly and easily. This system also has the advantage of being
able to stow a weapon behind a user and be able to quickly retrieve
it to a firing position. Additionally, since gun sling 100 passes
under a user's arms, it takes the weight of the weapon and movement
off a user's shoulders since connection point 310 can be positions
on the upper back of a vest or harness.
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