US20180259294A1

US20180259294A1 - Versatile Gun Sling

Info

Publication number: US20180259294A1
Application number: US15/917,557
Authority: US
Inventors: Gabriel Joseph Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-03-09
Filing date: 2018-03-09
Publication date: 2018-09-13

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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

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

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

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.
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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a gun sling.

FIG. 2 is a view of a user utilizing one embodiment of a gun sling on their strong side.

FIG. 3 is a view of a user utilizing one embodiment of a gun sling on their support side.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a gun sling removable attached to a vest.

FIG. 5 is a view of a user utilizing one embodiment of a gun sling and vest on their strong side.

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Claims

What is claimed is:

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.