WO2023123369A1

WO2023123369A1 - Firearm sling

Info

Publication number: WO2023123369A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/143714
Authority: WO
Inventors: William HEMEYER; Justin Smith; Monte KOENIGS; Raymon LI
Original assignee: Bushnell Inc.; Raymon LI
Priority date: 2021-12-31
Filing date: 2021-12-31
Publication date: 2023-07-06

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 for coupling to the firearm; and a pad affixed to the first strap portion at a first end portion of the pad and to the second strap portion at a second end portion of the pad, the pad consisting of chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber configured to rest on the shoulder of a wearer and support the firearm thereby, the pad defining an exposed upper surface and an exposed lower surface and a plurality of slots extending therethrough from the upper surface to the lower surface, the slots spaced apart from the first and second strap portions.

Description

FIREARM SLING

FIELD

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

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

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.

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.

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 and thickness 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.

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

In some embodiments, at least one of the first or second strap portions includes a length adjustment mechanism. In some embodiments, the length adjustment mechanism is a buckle. In some embodiments, each of the first strap portion and second strap portion comprising a coupling mechanism for coupling to the firearm.

In some embodiments, the pad is sewn to the first strap portion and the second strap portion.

In some embodiments, the pad consists of a single layer of chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

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:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view from above of a sling in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view from below of the sling of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3 illustrates the sling of FIG. 1 as worn by a user.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the sling of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the sling of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 6 illustrates a first side view of the sling of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second side view of the sling of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 8 illustrates a first end view of the sling of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 9 illustrates a second end view of the sling of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

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.

One example of the improved sling for a firearm in illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. 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, each

strap

16 and 18 are sewn directly to pad portion 20. In some embodiments, each

strap

16 and 18 may be secured to the pad by clips, staples, adhesive or any combination thereof. 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. The sling 10 is illustrated worn by the user U to support a firearm F in FIG. 3. The sling 10 is worn such that pad 20 rests on the shoulder S of user U. Each

end

12 and 14 are secured to the firearm F. First end 12 is not shown in FIG. 3.

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 20 is fabricated from chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber. In some embodiments the pad 20 is fabricated solely of chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber. In some embodiments the pad 20 is fabricated solely of two or more layers of chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber. In some embodiments, the two or more layers are glued or fused together. In some embodiments the pad 20 is fabricated solely of a single layer of chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber. In some embodiments, the pad 20 is exposed, such that the chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber material is not covered with any further materials, and thus is capable of making contact with the wearer. The exposed chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber material is lightweight, flexible, and does not stretch under the weight of the firearm. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5, the pad 20 is a single layer of chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber and 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 20. The slots 26 may be formed in a diamond, chevron, rectangular, circular, oval or other shape.

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

A firearm sling comprising:

a first strap portion and a second strap portion, each of the first strap portion and second strap portion for coupling to the firearm; and

a pad affixed to the first strap portion at a first end portion of the pad and to the second strap portion at a second end portion of the pad, the pad consisting of chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber configured to rest on the shoulder of a wearer and support the firearm thereby, the pad defining an exposed upper surface and an exposed lower surface and a plurality of slots extending therethrough from the upper surface to the lower surface, the slots spaced apart from the first and second strap portions.
The firearm sling of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first or second strap portions includes a length adjustment mechanism.
The firearm sling of claim 2, wherein the length adjustment mechanism is a buckle.
The firearm sling of claim 1, wherein the pad is sewn to the first strap portion and the second strap portion.
The firearm sling of claim 1, wherein the pad consists of a single layer of chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber.
The firearm sling of claim 1, wherein the pad consists of two or more layers of chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber.
The firearm sling of claim 1, wherein each of the first strap portion and second strap portion comprising a coupling mechanism for coupling to the firearm.