US3869074A

US3869074A - Shotgun-rifle holder

Info

Publication number: US3869074A
Application number: US361274A
Authority: US
Inventors: Raymond F Roach
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-05-17
Filing date: 1973-05-17
Publication date: 1975-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-04

Abstract

The holder, for shotguns, rifles, and the like, includes a waist belt, a shoulder strap positionable diagonally across the upper body and mounting an adjustable barrel or forestock clip, and a butt pocket. The butt pocket is suspended from two belt mounted loops which in turn mount the opposite ends of the shoulder strap whereby a counterbalancing effect is achieved.

Description

[ Mar. 4, 1975 United States Patent [191 Roach FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS SHOTGUN-RIFLE HOLDER [76] Inventor:

Raymond Roach, PO. BOX 3/1909 Germany 224/3 North Bend, Oreg. 97459 May 17, 1973 Primar E.\'aminerR0bert J. Spar [22] Filed:

Assistant E.\'aminer Ross Weaver Agent, or Firm-Clarence A OBrien;

1 m S b 0 w 2. 3 any we 0W "3 AH 4 7 l 6 3 Q N m. D. A

ABSTRACT [52] U.S. 224/1 R, 224/2 A [51] Int. Cl. F4lc 33/00 6W 10 m C g .m d m b a m mm a m 0. 8 m m U 8 mr e 3M t u o w d Cm, un 6 Mb m h MW Ta MB 6 2 3 ,R A6 .C A W -4 M 2 64 4 "2 A)- h c r a e S f 0 M .m. F "U 5 across the upper body and mounting an adjustable barrel 0r forestock clip, and a butt pocket. The butt pocket is suspended from two belt mounted loops S T N m n m m m T ks e D E H N U M U r e. d u v 6 n e a s f S m m m 8 2. mm m SC.] on w Pa 3 P o D r M t I t t nwm w mw H104 r 6 mt e .m w CD. hm Wm AA ZMUB 2244 .27-2

Brown et a1.

cwm n1 n eM Gr-m nba AAB 900 3 0255 9999 llll. |...l 77.7 07-56 .2 9567 534 7?- SHOTGUN-RIFLE HOLDER The present invention is generally related to a gun holder, and more particularly to a holder adapted specifically for the accommodation of substantially all types oflong weapons such as rifles and shotguns.

Among the objects of the invention are the provision of a holder which firmly retains the weapon diagonally across the upper body of the user in a position which leaves both the hands and arms completely free with the hunter having complete freedom of movement for sitting, walking, moving through brush or marsh land, rowing a boat, etc. At the same time, the weapon is positioned for instantaneous withdrawal and use, the hunters right shoulder remaining unencumbered by the holder so as to receive the butt of the weapon in the conventional firing 'position.

Other advantages of the invention reside in the provision of a holder which will remain properly seated on the body without shifting or disorientating either the holder or the weapon, this being achieved through a unique counterbalancing arrangement of the componentsand without necessitating the use of a variety of hold-down straps or the like.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the holder mounted on a hunter and having a weapon positioned therein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the holder;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 4--4 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 55 in FIG. 2.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral is used to generally designate the holder comprising the invention. The holder 10 includes a waist belt 12 which, in the manner of a conventional belt, encircles the waist of the user or hunter 14 and incorporates appropriate adjustable buckle or catch means 16 for an accommodation of the belt 12 to the waist of the user 14.

g The belt 12 mounts a forward loop 18 and a rear loop 20 adapted for positioning approximately over the front and rear portions respectively of the right hip 22 of the user 14.

An elongated molded butt pocket 24, including integral molded eyes 26 at the opposite ends thereof is suspended from the two belt loops l8 and 20 by elongated link chains 28 or like tension accommodating flexible members. As will be noted from the drawings, they engage the molded eyes 26 on the butt pocket 24 and appropriate grommeted eyes 30 on portions of the

loops

18 and 20 depending below the belt 12.

An elongated shoulder strap 32, also adjustable as at 34 so as to accommodate itself to different users, has a forward end engaged with the front loop as at 36 and a rear end pivotally secured to a grommeted eye 38 on the rear loop 20 above the belt 12. A molded forestock or barrel accommodating block 40 is positioned on the forward portion of the shoulder strap 32 and so orientated as to overlie the upper left-hand chest of the user 14 generally as illustrated in FIG. 1. This block 40 has integral outwardly projecting end pieces 42, each incorporating a pair of slots so that the strap 32 can be fed therethrough and behind the block 40itself thereby effecting a mounting of the block 40 on the strap 32 in a positive manner while still allowing for an adjustment of the block 40 as required upon a specific manual loosening of the strap through the slots of the projecting ends 42. This mounting of the block 40 on the strap 32 is best illustrated in the detail of FIG. 3.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, as well as FIG. 2, it will be noted that the block 40 includes an upper forward surface 44 which is sharply inclined forwardly and downwardly to a peak portion 46 approximately one third the distance down the generally vertically ori' entated block 40. Beyond the peak portion 46, the front face of the block tapers, at a more gradual slope, inwardly and downwardly as indicated at reference numeral 48. In addition, the forward face of the block 40, including the

surfaces

44 and 48, as well as the peak portion 46, are slightly transversely inclined inwardly toward the body upwardly toward the right shoulder of the wearer 14. Thus, when engaged thereagainst, it will be appreciated that the weapon will seat snugly against substantially the entire surface 48 of the block and be slightly laterally tipped for both convenient snug carrying against the body and easy access for withdrawal and use.

The actual retention of the forestock or barrel of the weapon against the block 40 is effected by an adjustable rubber orplastic coated spring clip 50. The clip 50 includes two integral legs 52 and. 54. The leg 52 overlies and generally parallels the block face 48 in outwardly spaced relation thereto, following the lateral in clination of this face or surface 48. The second leg 54, bent at approximately right angles to the leg 52 lies against the lower side 56 of the block 40 and is adjustably affixed thereto by a pair of elongated bolts 58 extending through adjusting slots 60 in the clip leg 54 and into internally threaded bores within the block 40. Through this manner of mounting, the clip 52 can be laterally adjusted relative to the block face 48 for the accommodation of forestocks or barrels of different widths. Incidentally, it will be noted that the leading free end 62 of the clip leg 52 is slightly outwardly curled so as to facilitate the introduction of the weapon thereto, the resilient or spring nature of the clip providing for a positive retention of the weapon against the block 40.

The engagement of the rear end of the shoulder strap 32 with the loop 20 which in turn mounts the rear chain of the butt pocket 24 is a highly significant feature in that any tendency for the weight of the weapon, bearing on the forward portion of the: shoulder strap 32 to upwardly shift or hike the belt 12 at the rear of the wearer 14 is overcome by the counterbalancing effect of the butt of the weapon engaged within the butt pocket 24 and acting on the rear portion of the belt through the rear chain 28. In preventing a vertical shifting of the waist belt 12 through this counterbalancing arrangement, the retention of the weapon against the body of the wearer is assured.

The belt 12 and strap 32, while preferably made of heavy duty cotton webbing, can actually be formed of any appropriate material, such as plastic, leather, or the like. It should be appreciated that while, providing significant advantages in effecting a positive positioning of a long barrel gun in a manner so as to allow complete freedom of movement to the wearer, the holder itself is of a relatively simple construction including basically only two body encircling straps or belts. In this manner, the holder is easily applied over raincoats, hunting jackets or in fact any other apparel, and at all times provides for a positive non-shifting positioning of the weapon in the desired manner as illustrated in FIG. 1. Incidentally, while the holder has been described for use by a right-handed hunter, it will be appreciated that a simple shifting of the components and the use of an oppositely formed block 40 will adapt the holder for a left-handed shooter.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A weapon holder for rifles or the like comprising a belt positionable about the waist of a wearer, a shoulder strap positionable diagonally across the upper body of a wearer between the waist area on one side of the body and over the opposite shoulder, said shoulder strap having front and rear ends engageable with said belt at front and rear spaced points on one side of the body of the wearer, a butt pocket suspended from the belt generally below the belt engaged ends of the shoulsaid butt pocket being affixed to the rear loop, said clip retaining means comprising a shaped block adjustably mounted on said strap, said block having a forward der strap and freely telescopically receiving the butt of the weapon, and clip retaining means mounted on the shoulder strap in upwardly spaced relation to the front end thereof and supporting the weapon in diagonal position across the front of the wearer in accessible position for immediate withdrawal and use, said clip retaining means having an entrance opening facing inwardly of the wearer to enable swinging movement of the barrel portion of the weapon when engaging the clip retaining means, said butt pocket being suspended from the belt by front and rear means engageable with the belt immediately adjacent the points of engagement of the strap ends with the belt whereby the load of a weapon received within the butt pocket and clip retaining means provides a counterbalancing effect on the belt, a front loop and a rear loop mounted on the belt, the front end of the strap and the front means suspending said butt pocket being affixed to the front loop, and the rear end of the strap and the rear means suspending face, and a spring clip on said block in spaced overlying relation to said forward face for the retention of a weapon forestock or barrel therebetween, the forward face of said block being inclined downwardly and inwardly toward the shoulder strap.

2. The holder of claim 1 wherein the forward face of said block is also transversely inclined.

3. The holder of claim 2 wherein said clip parallels said forward face.

4. A holder for supporting a long barrel gun diagonally across the front of the chest area of a wearer in order to position the gun with the butt end below the waist area and the muzzle end pointing upwardly above the shoulder for orientation in position for immediate withdrawal and use and in a position that the muzzle end of the gun will not be directed toward other persons standing adjacent to the wearer, said holder comprising a waist belt encircling the waist area of the wearer, a shoulder strap having front and rear ends attached to the belt on one side of the front-to-rear center of the belt with the shoulder strap extending over the opposite shoulder, a gun butt receiving pocket supported in suspended relation from the belt for supporting the gun butt at a point below the waist of the wearer and to one side thereof, said butt pocket including flexible support means connected with the belt at the same point as the front and rear ends of the shoulder strap for distributing the forces along the length of the belt and exerting forces on the shoulder strap to support the butt of the gun, a spacer block mounted on the front portion of the shoulder strap at a point substantially above the belt and adjacent the shoulder region of the wearer, said block having substantial thickness and including an inclined outer surface engaging the forestock and barrel portion of a gun for spacing the gun away from the chest area, a retaining clip mounted on said block in overlying spaced relation to the outer surface thereon for retaining the forestock and barrel portion of the gun in supported position with the clip including an open entrance facing the center of the front of the chest area of the wearer whereby the muzzle end of the gun may be swung upwardly in a vertical plane while the butt remains in the butt pocket as the gun is moved between a supported position toward a position foruse.

Claims

1. A weapon holder for rifles or the like comprising a belt positionable about the waist of a wearer, a shoulder strap positionable diagonally across the upper body of a wearer between the waist area on one side of the body and over the opposite shoulder, said shoulder strap having front and rear ends engageable with said belt at front and rear spaced points on one side of the body of the wearer, a butt pocket suspended from the belt generally below the belt engaged ends of the shoulder strap and freely telescopically receiving the butt of the weapon, and clip retaining means mounted on the shoulder strap in upwardly spaced relation to the front end thereof and supporting the weapon in diagonal position across the front of the wearer in accessible position for immediate withdrawal and use, said clip retaining means having an entrance opening facing inwardly of the wearer to enable swinging movement of the barrel portion of the weapon when engaging the clip retaining means, said butt pocket being suspended from the belt by front and rear means engageable with the belt immediately adjacent the points of engagement of the strap ends with the belt whereby the load of a weapon received within the butt pocket and clip retaining means provides a counterbalancing effect on the belt, a front loop and a rear loop mounted on the belt, the front end of the strap and the front means suspending said butt pocket being affixed to the front loop, and the rear end of the strap and the rear means suspending said butt pocket being affixed to the rear loop, said clip retaining means comprising a shaped block adjustably mounted on said strap, said block having a forward face, and a spring clip on said block in spaced overlying relation to said forward face for the retention of a weapon forestock or barrel therebetween, the forward face of said block being inclined downwardly and inwardly toward the shoulder strap.

3. The holder of claim 2 wherein said clip parallels said forward face.

4. A holder for supporting a long barrel gun diagonally across the front of the chest area of a wearer in order to position the gun with the butt end below the waist area and the muzzle end pointing upwardly above the shoulder for orientation in position for immediate withdrawal and use and in a position that the muzzle end of the gun will not be directed toward other persons standing adjacent to the wearer, said holder comprising a waist belt encircling the waist area of the wearer, a shoulder strap having front and rear ends attached to the belt on one side of the front-to-rear center of the belt with the shoulder strap extending over the opposite shoulder, a gun butt receiving pocket supported in suspended relation from the belt for supporting the gun butt at a point below the waist of the wearer and to one side thereof, said butt pocket including flexible support means connected with the belt at the same point as the front and rear ends of the shoulder strap foR distributing the forces along the length of the belt and exerting forces on the shoulder strap to support the butt of the gun, a spacer block mounted on the front portion of the shoulder strap at a point substantially above the belt and adjacent the shoulder region of the wearer, said block having substantial thickness and including an inclined outer surface engaging the forestock and barrel portion of a gun for spacing the gun away from the chest area, a retaining clip mounted on said block in overlying spaced relation to the outer surface thereon for retaining the forestock and barrel portion of the gun in supported position with the clip including an open entrance facing the center of the front of the chest area of the wearer whereby the muzzle end of the gun may be swung upwardly in a vertical plane while the butt remains in the butt pocket as the gun is moved between a supported position toward a position for use.