WO2021046012A1

WO2021046012A1 - Firearm sling

Info

Publication number: WO2021046012A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/048870
Authority: WO
Inventors: William HEMEYER; Monte N. KOENIGS; Jeremy MANNING; Raymon LI
Original assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations Llc
Priority date: 2019-09-03
Filing date: 2020-09-01
Publication date: 2021-03-11
Also published as: TW202113300A

Abstract

A firearm sling is provided including a first strap portion and a second strap portion, each of the first strap portion and second strap portion including a coupling mechanism, at least one of the first or second strap portions including a length adjustment mechanism; a pad coupled to the first strap portion and the second strap portion, the pad comprising a single layer closed cell foam body defining an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of slots extending therethrough from the upper surface to the lower surface; and a binder secured to the periphery of the pad.

Description

FIREARM SLING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/895,378, filed

September 3, 2019, entitled “Firearm Sling,” and U.S. Patent Application No. 16/731,932, filed December 31, 2019, entitled “Firearm Sling,” both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to firearm accessories, more particularly to a lightweight, multi-functional rifle sling.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0003] Carrying straps or slings have long been used to carry firearms and various articles of luggage. Advantageously, such slings reduce fatigue and increase the utility of the firearm or luggage over hand-carrying, by providing support while leaving the wearer’s hands free for other tasks. Carrying straps or slings are typically constructed of leather or webbing made of cloth or nylon attached to the firearm or luggage by the use of various hooks or buckles. [0004] Due to weight of the firearm being carried, a support pad is typically provided on the strap to increase the comfort of the wearer. Such support pads provide cushioning to alleviate the pressure of the strap directly on the shoulder of the wearer.

[0005] Conventional support pads suffer from several flaws. Such pads typically include several layers of material, including an inner cushioning material and outer fabric layers, and thus can be bulky, unsightly, and add additional weight to the sling. Moreover, the increased size of the support pad can provide an area for trapping heat generated by the wearer which cause undesired perspiration and discomfort. The outer fabric layers may also be slippery and provide an insecure mount on the shoulder during use.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved sling system for a firearm that provides a wearer with comfort, breathability and security, without adding increased weight or bulk.

SUMMARY

[0007] A firearm sling is provided including a first strap portion and a second strap portion, each of the first strap portion and second strap portion including a coupling mechanism, at least one of the first or second strap portions including a length adjustment mechanism; a pad coupled to the first strap portion and the second strap portion, the pad comprising a single layer closed cell foam body defining an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of slots extending therethrough from the upper surface to the lower surface; and a binder secured to the periphery of the pad. [0008] In some embodiments, the pad further includes a closed cell foam body. In some embodiments, the foam body is an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

[0009] In some embodiments, the firearm sling includes an accessory loop secured to the pad. In some embodiments, the firearm sling includes a thumb loop secured to the pad.

[0010] In another aspect, a firearm sling is provided including a first strap portion and a second strap portion, each of the first strap portion and second strap portion including a coupling mechanism, at least one of the first or second strap portions including a length adjustment mechanism; a pad coupled to the first strap portion and the second strap portion, the pad comprising a single layer closed cell foam body defining an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of slots extending therethrough from the upper surface to the lower surface and wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the pad are exposed; and a binder secured to the periphery of the pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] Features and advantages of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments consistent therewith, which description should be considered with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a sling, viewed from above, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. [0013] FIG. 2 illustrates the sling of FIG. 1, viewed from below, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up view from above of the pad portion of the sling in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pad portion of the sling, taken from line 4-

4 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged partial view of the coupling of the strap portion of the sling, along with a thumb loop, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates the sling of FIG. 1, viewed from above, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates the sling of FIG. 1, viewed from below, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The disclosed subject matter generally relates to an improved sling system. While an exemplary embodiment of the sling is described in detail below in conjunction with a firearm, the sling described herein may also be applied to a broad variety of apparatuses such as luggage. [0020] One exemplary embodiment of the improved sling for a firearm in illustrated in FIGS. 1-

7. Sling 10 includes a first end 12 and second end 14, each configured to be coupled or otherwise affixed to the firearm with a coupling mechanism, e.g., a detachable locking swivel clip or other similar connector. The sling includes a first strap portion 16 and second strap portion 18 and a pad portion 20 disposed between or coupled to the strap portions 16, 18. In some embodiments, the each strap 16 and 18 are sewn directly to pad portion 20. In some embodiments, one or more of the strap portions 16, 18 are adjustable to lengthen or shorten the length of the strap to fit a wearer better. For example, a buckle 22 is provided to allow length adjustment of strap 18. As illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 5, a short strap portion 32 is sewn to the pad portion 20, which supports a buckle 22 that allows for the adjustability of the length of the strap 18.

[0021] In some embodiments, the pad portion 20 includes a pad body 24 fabricated from a single layer of closed cell foam material, such as an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer. The pad portion 20 absorbs vibrations or shock transferred from the firearm. The pad portion 20 provides a comfortable fit against the wearer’s body when wearing the sling 100 and carrying a firearm. In some embodiments, the pad body 24 is exposed, such that the foam material is not covered with any further materials, and thus is capable of making contact with the wearer. The exposed foam material provides a frictional surface to reduce slipping of the pad portion 20 on the wearer’s shoulder. A textured surface, e.g., small dimples, is provided to the upper surface 36 and the lower surface 38 of the pad body 24 to further reduce slipping and provide additional breathability. [0022] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and 6-7, the pad portion 20 defines one or more slots 26 in the pad body 24. The slots 26 extend from the upper surface 36 of the pad body 24 to the lower surface 38 thereof. The slots 26 are sized and configured to allow air to pass therethrough and to release heat from the wearer’s body, and to reduce density and weight of the pad body 24. The slots 26 may be formed in a chevron, rectangular, circular, oval or other shape.

[0023] As illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 4, the pad portion 20 further includes a piping or binding 28 that is secured about the perimeter of the pad body 24. In some embodiments, the binding 28 is stitched to the pad body 24. Alternatively, the binding 28 is glued or stapled to the pad body 24. The binding 28 is fabricated from a durable flexible material such as nylon fabric or the like, and provides additional strength to the pad portion 20.

[0024] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the sling 10 may include one or more holders 30 configured to hold additional accessories including additional ammunition or cartridges. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, holders 30 are constructed as a loop from an elasticized fabric to secure the accessories to the pad portion 20.

[0025] As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5 and 7, the strap 18 may also include a built-in thumb loop 32 giving the wearer a convenient manner to maneuvering the sling about the wearer’s body. In some embodiments, the thumb loop 32 is fabricated from the same material as the straps 16 and 18, and is sewn to the pad portion 20. [0026] Descriptions of embodiments of the invention in the present application are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of the invention. Some embodiments utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments of the invention that are described, and embodiments of the invention comprising different combinations of features noted in the described embodiments, will occur to persons of the art. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A firearm sling comprising: a first strap portion and a second strap portion, each of the first strap portion and second strap portion including a coupling mechanism, at least one of the first or second strap portions including a length adjustment mechanism; a pad coupled to the first strap portion and the second strap portion, the pad comprising a single layer closed cell foam body defining an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of slots extending therethrough from the upper surface to the lower surface; and a binder secured to the periphery of the pad.

2. The firearm sling of claim 1 wherein the foam body comprises an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

3. The firearm sling of claim 1, wherein the pad defines a textured surface on the upper and lower surfaces thereof.

4. The firearm sling of claim 1 wherein the binder comprises a nylon fabric.

5. The firearm sling of claim 1, wherein the binder is sewn to the pad.

6 The firearm sling of claim 1, further comprising an accessory loop secured to the pad.

7. The firearm sling of claim 1, further comprising a thumb loop secured to the pad.

8. A firearm sling comprising: a first strap portion and a second strap portion, each of the first strap portion and second strap portion including a coupling mechanism, at least one of the first or second strap portions including a length adjustment mechanism; a pad coupled to the first strap portion and the second strap portion, the pad comprising a single layer closed cell foam body defining an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of slots extending therethrough from the upper surface to the lower surface, and wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the pad are exposed; and a binder secured to the periphery of the pad.

9. The firearm sling of claim 8, wherein the foam body comprises an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

10. The firearm sling of claim 8, wherein the pad defines a textured surface on the upper and lower surfaces thereof.

11. The firearm sling of claim 8, wherein the binder comprises a nylon fabric.

12. The firearm sling of claim 8, wherein the binder is sewn to the pad.

13. The firearm sling of claim 8, further comprising an accessory loop secured to the pad.

14. The firearm sling of claim 8, further comprising a thumb loop secured to the pad.