APPARATUS FOR COUPLING ACCESSORIES TO FIREARMS AND METHODS FOR FORMING THE SAME

Abstract

Embodiments provided herein describe apparatuses and methods for coupling an accessory to a firearm. The apparatus includes a body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the body has an opening formed thereon. The body further includes a cavity formed therein. The cavity is in fluid communication with the opening on the first portion of the body. The opening is configured to form a quick-detach sling socket. The body and the cavity are configured such that when a portion of a quick-detach sling swivel is inserted into the opening, the portion of the quick-detach sling swivel is substantially enclosed within the cavity formed within the body. A flexible member is coupled to the second portion of the body.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates firearm accessories. In particular, the present invention relates to apparatuses for coupling accessories to firearms and methods for forming such apparatuses.

BACKGROUND

Recent years have seen a significant increase in demand for firearms and firearm-related accessories, for both civilian/recreational and military uses. This increased demand can especially be seen with the increased sales of assault rifles and accessories for use with assault rifles, including slings and sling accessories.

One manner in which accessories, such as slings, are often coupled to such firearms involves the use of quick-detach sling swivels and the sockets associated with such swivels. Typically, the quick-detach sling swivels are connected to the slings by, for example, looping the sling through a loop on the sling swivel, which is then inserted into the socket that is attached to the firearm.

In order to equip a firearm to use quick-detach sling swivels, the suitable sockets are sometimes integrally formed with one of more component on the firearm, such as railed handguards, stocks, receivers, etc. Thus, if a firearm is not previously equipped to make use of quick-detach sling swivels, the user may have to purchase a relatively large and expensive piece of equipment, such as a railed handguard. Alternatively, the user may be able to acquire accessories that attach to other components (e.g., a railed handguard or stock), which provide suitable sockets. However, such accessories usually must be attached to particular mounting structures (e.g., picatinny rails).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a sling-attachment apparatus according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a body of the sling-attachment apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a stopper component according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a side of the sling-attachment apparatus of FIG. 1 along with a quick-detach sling swivel;

FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of the body of the sling-attachment apparatus of FIG. 2 with the quick-detach sling swivel of FIG. 4 inserted into an end thereof; and

FIG. 6 is side view of the sling-attachment apparatus and the quick-detach sling swivel of FIG. 4 with the quick-detach sling swivel coupled thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field and brief description of the drawings, or the following detailed description. It should also be noted that FIGS. 1-6 are merely illustrative and may not be drawn to scale.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a sling-attachment apparatus 10 according to some embodiments. Referring specifically to FIG. 1, the sling-attachment apparatus 10 includes a socket body 12 and a flexible member 14. As shown, the flexible member 14 is secured to, and extends from, an end of the socket body 12, as will be described in greater detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the socket body (or the body) 12 includes, as a primary component, a main piece 16. In the depicted embodiment, the main piece 16 is substantially cylindrical in shape and has a first end 18, a second end 20, and a passageway (or cavity) 22 extending therethrough. Although not specifically shown, in some embodiments, the main piece has a substantially circular shape when viewed from the first end 18 or the second end 20 thereof.

In the depicted embodiment, the first end 18 of the main piece 16 is substantially “squared off” (i.e., at least in the cross-section shown) while the second end 20 has a rounded, or hemispherical, shape. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the main piece 16, or the body 12 as a whole, may have a different shape than that shown in FIGS. 1-6. For example, the second end 20 may be squared off in a manner similar to the first end 18 or may have more of a “cone-like” profile.

At the first end 18 thereof, a socket opening 24 is formed in the main piece 16, and at the second end 20 thereof, a flexible member opening 26 is formed in the main piece 16. As shown, the socket opening 24 and the flexible member opening 26 essentially extend the passageway 22 the entire length of the main piece 16 (i.e., passageway 22 extends from the socket opening 24 to the flexible member opening 26 such that the socket opening 24, the passageway 22, and the flexible member opening 26 are in fluid communication with each other).

Near the first end 18 of the main piece 16 (and/or the socket opening 24), several grooves 28 are formed in (or on) an inner surface 30 of the main piece 16 (or the passageway 22). As described below, the socket opening 24 and the grooves 28 may be used to couple a quick-detach sling swivel to the body 12. That is, the socket opening 24 (and/or the grooves 28) may be configured to form a quick-detach sling socket, as is commonly understood.

Referring to FIG. 1 in combination with FIG. 2, at least one tactile indicator 32 is formed, or positioned, on an outer surface 34 of the main piece 16. In the depicted embodiment, the tactile indicators 32 are o-rings (e.g., made of rubber or plastic), each of which is positioned within a respective groove 36 on the outer surface 34 of the main piece 16. When the sling-attachment apparatus 10 is in use, such as described below, the tactile indicators 32 may provide the body 12 with a unique “feel” such that a user may easily be able to manually (e.g., by hand) identify the body 12 when in a low-light environment (e.g., at night). Additionally, the tactical indicators 32 may provide a type of “audio insulation” for the body 12 in that the tactile indicators 32 may reduce the likelihood that the body 12 will contact (e.g., “bump” or “rattle” against) an external object, such as a part of a firearm, in such a way to make a noise which may be heard (especially by people other than the user). Although five tactile indicators 32 are shown, it should be understood that any number may be used, including one relatively large “sleeve” as opposed to separated ring-shaped members.

The main piece 16 may be made of a rigid material, such as aluminum, steel, or a polymer. In some embodiments, the main piece 16 is made of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy and is provided with a type III, hard coat anodizing. The main piece 16, in some embodiments, may have a length (as measured between the first end 18 and the second 20 thereof) of, for example, between about 0.75 inches and 1.50 inches, such as about 1.0 inch.

Still referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the flexible member 14 has two ends 38 and 40 which are positioned within the passageway 22 of the main piece 16 as shown, while the remainder of the flexible member 14 extends through the flexible member opening 26. Attached to each of the ends 38 and 40 of the flexible member 14 is a stopper component. In some embodiments, the stopper component is a crimp (or crimping member) 44, an example of which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the ends 38 and 40 are inserted into (or through) the crimp 44, and the crimp is compressed (or “crimped”) such that the ends 38 and 40 are securely held in place (by the crimp 44) within the passageway 22 of the main piece 16. The crimp 44 may be made of, for example, steel, aluminum, etc.

As is evident in FIG. 2, in at least some embodiments, a width of the crimp 44 is greater than a width of the flexible member opening 26 and less than a width of the socket opening 24. As such, to install the flexible member 14 and the crimp 44 as shown, the crimp 44 may be secured to the ends 38 and 40 of the flexible member 14 while the ends 38 and 40 of the flexible member 14 are pulled out of the main piece 16 through the socket opening 24. After the crimp 44 is secured to the ends 38 and 40, the flexible member 14 may then be threaded through the passageway 22 and flexible member opening 26 of the main piece 16 as shown in FIG. 1 (and FIG. 2). Because the width of the crimp 44 is greater than the width of the flexible member opening 26 and the ends 38 and 40 of the flexible member 14 are secured to, or within, the crimp 44, the ends 38 and 40 of the flexible member 14 may not be pulled from the passageway 22 through the flexible member opening 26 unless a very high amount of force is applied (e.g., a force sufficient to “break” the ends 38 and 40 of the flexible member 14 loose from the crimp 44).

In some embodiments, a compressible body 46 is positioned within the passageway 22 of the main piece 16 between the crimp 44 and the flexible member opening 26. The compressible body 46 may be a washer made of a compressible material (e.g., rubber) through which the flexible member 14 is inserted (such as shown in the depicted embodiment). However, in other embodiments, the compressible member 46 may be made of different materials and have different shapes (e.g., a foam washer or ring, a steel wire spring, etc.). The compressible body 46 may be sized and shaped such that it is held in place within the passageway 22 (e.g., via friction with the inner surface 30 of the passageway 22) and holds the flexible member 14 in place relative to the passageway 22 (e.g., in the example in which the compressible body 46 is a rubber washer, the opening through the washer may be sized such that the flexible member 14 may be threaded therethrough but a significant amount of force is required to do so). The compressible body 46 may also serve to “cushion” the crimp 44 (and the ends 38 and 40 of the flexible member 14) when a force is applied on the flexible member 14 which pulls the crimp 44 towards the flexible member opening 26, thus increasing the “pull strength” of the flexible member 14, as is described in greater detail below.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible member 14 extends through the flexible member opening 26 and forms a loop on the exterior of the body 12. However, because the ends 38 and 40 of the flexible member 14 are both secured to the crimp 44, the entire flexible member 14 may be considered to form a single loop with a first portion (or end) thereof being positioned within the passageway 22 of the main piece 16 and a second portion thereof being positioned on the exterior of the body 12. The flexible member 14 may be made of, for example, steel or plastic cable or wire, or nylon cord (e.g., parachute cord, such as “550 cord,” as is commonly understood in the art). In some embodiments, the flexible member 14 is made of stainless steel aircraft cable. The flexible member 14 may have a rubber, polymer, or nylon coating formed thereon. In some embodiments, the flexible member 14 has a length (i.e., as measured between the ends 38 and 40 thereof when the flexible member is pulled straight) of, for example, between about 3 inches and 12 inches, such as about 6 inches.

In some embodiments, due to the use of a high-strength material in the flexible member 14 (e.g., steel aircraft cable), the presence/position of the compressible body 46, and the ends 38 and 40 of the flexible member 14 being secured within the crimp 44, the flexible member 14 may be provided with a pull strength of more than 430 pounds. That is, in some embodiments, the flexible member 14 may be pulled away from the body 12 of the sling-attachment apparatus 10 with a force of greater than 430 pounds before the flexible member 14 will “break loose” from the body 12 (such as by the ends 38 and 40 of the flexible member 14 becoming dislodged from the crimp 44, thus allowing the ends 38 and 40 to be pulled through the flexible member opening 26).

As shown in FIG. 1, the portion of the flexible member 14 on the exterior of the body 12 may be threaded through a cinch (or cinching component) 48. In the example shown, the cinch 48 is a sleeve (or tube) made of a flexible material, such as rubber or foam. In such an embodiment, the sleeve may have a length of, for example, between about 0.5 inches and 2.0 inches, such as 1 inch. In other embodiments (such as described below), the cinch 48 may be a washer or one or more o-rings.

FIG. 4 illustrates the sling-attachment apparatus 10 and a quick-detach sling swivel 50. The quick-detach sling swivel 50 may be a common, “mil-spec” quick-detach sling swivel, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art. The quick-detach sling swivel 50 includes a hub 52 and a sling loop 54. The hub 52 may be cylindrical in shape and have a width of, for example, about 0.6 inches. A protrusion 56 extends from one side (or end) of the hub 52. The protrusion 56 may also be cylindrical in shape and have a width that is less than the width of the hub, such as about 0.37 inches.

The protrusion 56 includes one or more locking members 58 coupled to and/or extending through the side(s) thereof, as shown in FIG. 4. The locking members may have a spherical (or hemispherical) shape. A button 60 extends from a side (or end) of the hub 52 opposite the protrusion 56. Although not specifically shown in the figures, but will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the button 60 may be spring loaded and coupled to at least one of the locking members 58 through the hub 52 and/or the protrusion 56 such that when the button 60 is actuated (e.g., pressed inwards/into the hub 52), at least one of the locking members 58 at least partially retracts into the protrusion 56 (thus allowing the protrusion 56 to be inserted into and/or removed from a quick-detach sling socket, as is commonly understood).

Still referring to FIG. 4, the sling loop 54 is rotatably coupled to the hub 52 and may be suitable sized and shaped to accommodate a sling with a width of, for example, about 1.25 inches. The components of the quick-detach sling swivel 50 described above may be made of, for example, steel or aluminum, or any other suitable material.

Referring now to FIG. 4 in combination with FIGS. 5 and 6, the quick-detach sling swivel 50 may be detachably coupled (or connected) to the body 12 of sling-attachment apparatus 10 by inserting the protrusion 56 on the hub 52 of the quick-detach sling swivel 50 into the socket opening 24 in the first end 18 of the main piece 16 of the body 12. As alluded to above, this may be facilitated by actuating the button 60 on the hub 52. After the protrusion 56 is inserted into the socket opening 24, the locking members 58 on the protrusion 56 of the hub 52 are positioned within the grooves 28 on (or in) the inner surface 30 of the passageway 22 in the main piece 16, thus “locking” the protrusion 56 in the socket opening 24, thereby securing or connecting the quick-detach sling swivel 50 to the body 12 (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). In some embodiments, the grooves 28 on (or in) the inner surface 30 of the passageway 22 through the main piece 16 may be sized/arranged to prevent, or at least limit, rotation of the protrusion 56 (and thus the quick-detach sling swivel 50 as a whole) when the quick-detach sling swivel 50 is connected to the body 12, as will be appreciated and recognized by one skilled in the art.

The quick-detach sling swivel 50 may be decoupled (or disconnected) from the body 12 by again actuating the button 60 and pulling the quick-detach sling swivel 50 away from the body 12.

Referring specifically to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, a width (or diameter) of the main piece 16 of the body 12 (as measured across the outer surface 34 of the main piece 16) is the same (or about the same) as the width of the hub 52 of the quick-detach sling swivel 50 (e.g., about 0.6 inches), and the width of the passageway 22 (as measured across the inner surface 30 thereof) may be about the same (or slightly more than) the width of the protrusion 56 (e.g., about 0.38-0.40 inches).

It should also be noted that when the quick-detach sling swivel 50 is connected to the body 12, the ends 38 and 40 of the flexible member 14 (or the first portion of the loop formed thereby) and the protrusion 56 on the hub 52 of the quick-detach sling swivel 50 are all positioned within the main piece 16 of the body 12. More particularly, in the embodiment shown, the ends 38 and 40 of the flexible member 14 and the protrusion 56 on the hub 52 are positioned within a single chamber (i.e., partially formed by the passageway 22 in the main piece 16 of the body 12). Further, it should be noted that when the quick-detach sling swivel 50 is not connected to the body 12, the ends 38 and 40 of the flexible member 14 may be held in place within the passageway 22 by the compressible body 46 (i.e., so that the body 12 does not “ride up” the flexible member 14 which may result in the ends 38 and 40 of the flexible member 14 being pushed out of the passageway 22 through the socket opening 24). As such, regardless of whether or not the quick-detach sling swivel 50 is connected to the body 12, the ends 38 and 40 of the flexible member 14 and the crimp 44 may remain protected within the main piece 16 (i.e., thus preventing any damage to the crimp 44 and reducing the likelihood that the crimp 44 may get caught/snagged on an external object).

In use, the sling-attachment apparatus 10 may be attached to virtually any device, such as a firearm. The sling-attachment apparatus 10 provides a lightweight, compact, and easy to install/attach (and uninstall/detach) quick-detach sling socket (as is formed by the socket opening 24 at the first end 18 of the main piece 16 of the body 12) for the device. In particular, the sling-attachment apparatus 10 may be easily attached to the device without making any modifications to the device itself. It should be noted that although the examples described below all refer to the sling-attachment apparatus 10 being attached to firearms, the sling-attachment apparatus may be attached to other types of weapons, such as bows. Further, the sling-attachment apparatus may be used on devices that are not related to weapons at all, such as carrying cases, backpacks, musical instruments, etc.

To attach the sling-attachment apparatus 10, a portion of the device to which it is being attached may simply be inserted through the loop formed by the flexible member 14. Alternatively, the body 12 may be inserted/fed/threaded (or “looped”) through the loop formed by the flexible member 14 after the flexible member 14 has been wrapped around a portion of the device. When used as such, the cinch 48 may be used to prevent the sling-attachment apparatus 10 from accidentally being detached from the device by, for example, preventing the body 12 from becoming “unlooped” through the flexible member 14. The cinch 48 may also serve to simply keep the flexible member 14 in a relatively sleek and compact arrangement (e.g., to prevent the flexible member 14 from getting caught or snagged on an external object).

After the sling-attachment apparatus 10 is attached to the device, a quick-detach sling swivel (such as that described above), or any component utilizing a similar coupling interface (e.g., the protrusion 56 with the locking members 58), may be repeatedly connected to/disconnected from the device (via the body 12) as described above. In embodiments in which a quick-detach sling swivel is used, a sling (e.g., a rifle sling) may be threaded through the sling loop 54 of the quick-detach sling swivel 50, allowing the sling to be quickly and easy connected to/disconnected from the device.

For example, the sling-attachment apparatus 10 may be used to attach a sling to a “front sight base” (FSB) of a Stoner-design rifle (e.g., an AR-15 or a M4 carbine). In particular, the sling-attachment apparatus 10 may be attached to the FSB 102 by “looping” the body thereof through the flexible member after the flexible member has been wrapped around a portion of the FSB. The sling may be threaded through the sling loop of a quick-detach sling swivel 50 that is connected to the body of the sling-attachment apparatus 10 in a manner similar to that described above.

As another example, the sling-attachment apparatus 10 (along with a quick-detach sling swivel 50) may be used to attach a sling to a receiver extension (or buffer tube) of a Stoner-design rifle. In one particular example, the receiver extension may be simply inserted through the loop formed by the flexible member of the sling-attachment apparatus 10. As a further example, the sling-attachment apparatus 10 may be used to attach a sling to a delta ring assembly of a Stoner-design rifle or a butt stock (or stock) or a Stoner-design rifle.

As a yet further example, the sling-attachment apparatus 10 may be used to attach a sling to a front sling loop of an AK-47 (or AKM) rifle or a rear sling loop on a stock of an AK-47 rifle. Additionally, the sling-attachment apparatus 10 may be attached to the stock of an AK-47 rifle by, for example, simply “looping” the body thereof through the flexible member after the flexible member has been wrapped around a portion of the stock near the receiver.

In some embodiments, the main piece of the body 12 of the sling-attachment apparatus includes a hole, or loop, formed at the end opposite the quick-detach sling socket, as opposed to an opening which extends into the passageway within the body. In such an embodiment, the flexible member (e.g., 550 cord) may simply be looped through, or even tied to, the body using the hole.

In some embodiments, the flexible member may have ball ends attached (e.g., via welding) to the two ends of thereof. The ball ends may be used to perform the same function(s) as the stopper component (e.g., the crimp 44) described above (e.g., to prevent the flexible member from being pulled through the flexible member opening in the end of the body opposite the quick-detach sling socket) and may thus have a width (or diameter) that is greater than the width of the flexible member opening in the main piece of the body 12. In some embodiments, the flexible member may simply be a cord, such as 550 cord, with knots tied in the ends thereof (i.e., the knots functioning in a manner similar to the ball ends, or the stopper component).

Thus, in some embodiments, an apparatus for coupling an accessory to a firearm is provided. The apparatus includes a socket body. The socket body is made of a rigid material and has a first opening at a first end thereof, a second opening at a second end thereof, and a passageway extending therethrough that interconnects the first and second openings. The first opening and/or the first end of the socket body is configured to form a quick-detach sling socket.

In some embodiments, a flexible member is coupled to the socket body. The flexible member may be inserted through the second opening of the socket body such that a first portion of the flexible member is positioned within the passageway of the socket body and a second portion of the flexible member is positioned on the exterior of the socket body. A stopper component may be connected to the second portion of the flexible member. The stopper component may have a width that is greater than a width of the second opening.

In some embodiments, a compressible body is positioned within the passageway between the second end of the socket body and the stopper component. The compressible body may have an opening therethrough. The second portion of the flexible member may extend through the opening of the compressible body.

In some embodiments, at least on tactile indicator is formed (or positioned) on the socket body. The tactile indicators may be one or more o-rings, each of which may be positioned within a respective groove formed on the socket body.

In some embodiments, an apparatus for coupling an accessory to a firearm is provided. The apparatus includes a body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the body has an opening formed thereon. The body further includes a cavity formed therein. The cavity is in fluid communication with the opening on the first portion of the body. The opening is configured to form a quick-detach sling socket. The body and the cavity are configured such that when a portion of a quick-detach sling swivel is inserted into the opening, the portion of the quick-detach sling swivel is substantially enclosed within the cavity formed within the body. A flexible member is coupled to the second portion of the body.

The second portion of the body may have a second opening formed therein. The flexible member may be at least partially inserted through the second opening. The flexible member may form a loop having a first end and a second end. The first end of the loop may be inserted through the second opening. The second opening may be in fluid communication with the cavity formed within the body. A stopper component may be connected to the first end of the loop and positioned within the cavity formed within the body. A width of the stopper component may be greater than a width of the second opening. The width of the stopper component may be less than a width of the opening on the first portion of the body. The body may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The first portion of the body may be a first end of the body, and the second portion of the body may be a second end of the body. The second end of the body may be opposite the first end of the body.

In some embodiments, an apparatus for coupling an accessory to a firearm is provided. The apparatus includes a body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the body has a first opening formed thereon. The second portion of the body has a second opening formed thereon. The body further includes a cavity formed therein. The cavity is in fluid communication with the first opening and the second opening. The first opening is configured to form a quick-detach sling socket. The body and the cavity are configured such that when a portion of a quick-detach sling swivel is inserted into the first opening, the portion of the quick-detach sling swivel is substantially enclosed within the cavity formed within the body. The apparatus also includes a flexible loop having a first end and a second end. The first end of the flexible loop is inserted through the second opening, and the second end of the flexible loop is external to the body. A stopper component is connected to the first end of the flexible loop and positioned within the cavity formed within the body.

A width of the stopper component may be greater than a width of the second opening. The width of the stopper component may be less than a width of the first opening. The body may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The first portion of the body may be a first end of the body, and the second portion of the body may be a second end of the body. The second end of the body being opposite the first end of the body. A compressible body may be positioned between the stopper component and the second opening within the cavity formed within the body.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An apparatus for coupling an accessory to a firearm, the apparatus comprising: a body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the body having an opening formed thereon, the body further comprising a cavity formed therein, the cavity being in fluid communication with the opening on the first portion of the body, wherein the opening is configured to form a quick-detach sling socket, and the body and the cavity are configured such that when a portion of a quick-detach sling swivel is inserted into the opening, the portion of the quick-detach sling swivel is substantially enclosed within the cavity formed within the body; anda flexible member coupled to the second portion of the body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the body has a second opening formed therein, and wherein the flexible member is at least partially inserted through the second opening.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the flexible member forms a loop having a first end and a second end.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first end of the loop is inserted through the second opening.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second opening is in fluid communication with the cavity formed within the body.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a stopper component connected to the first end of the loop and positioned within the cavity formed within the body.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a width of the stopper component is greater than a width of the second opening.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the width of the stopper component is less than a width of the opening on the first portion of the body.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the body is substantially cylindrical in shape.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first portion of the body is a first end of the body, and the second portion of the body is a second end of the body, the second end of the body being opposite the first end of the body.

11. An apparatus for coupling an accessory to a firearm, the apparatus comprising: a body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the body having a first opening formed thereon, the second portion of the body having a second opening formed thereon, the body further comprising a cavity formed therein, the cavity being in fluid communication with the first opening and the second opening, wherein the first opening is configured to form a quick-detach sling socket, and the body and the cavity are configured such that when a portion of a quick-detach sling swivel is inserted into the first opening, the portion of the quick-detach sling swivel is substantially enclosed within the cavity formed within the body;a flexible loop having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the flexible loop is inserted through the second opening, and the second end of the flexible loop is external to the body; anda stopper component connected to the first end of the flexible loop and being positioned within the cavity formed within the body.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a width of the stopper component is greater than a width of the second opening.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the width of the stopper component is less than a width of the first opening.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the body is substantially cylindrical in shape, and, wherein the first portion of the body is a first end of the body, and the second portion of the body is a second end of the body, the second end of the body being opposite the first end of the body.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a compressible body positioned between the stopper component and the second opening within the cavity formed within the body.