Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Some firearms, weapons, tools, and/or other objects are carried in an uncomfortable manner. Some backpacks, backpack frames, tools and/or other objects carried in an uncomfortable manner.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the stock unit 102 may be attached to a firearm (rifle, shotgun, long arm weapons, and/or the like). In some cases, the FSS 100 may be used in conjunction with use of a should strap and/or shoulder carrying sling. The belt unit 104 may comprise plastic and may be approximately 4″ long and 1.5″-2″ wide. A curvature in the belt unit 104 allows for a comfortable fit with an opening on each end of the belt unit 104 for the belt to be run through and attached to a user on the hip and/or waist area. The second complementary component 108 may be attached to the plastic unit and may comprise a long vertical area that allows the male part of first complementary component 106 to channel into the second complementary component 108 and be selectively held in place. In this embodiment, the belt unit 104 comprises no locking mechanism to keep the joinder between the first complementary component 106 and the second complementary component 108. However, in alternative embodiment, a locking mechanism such as a biased push button mechanism may be incorporated to keep the joinder between the first complementary component 106 and the second complementary component 108.
In some embodiments, one or more portions of the belt unit may be formed via a mold plastic injection that will have the receiver area pressed into the unit itself and may incorporate a tab system (rail and/or ramp system) that will automatically lock the male piece into place once it slides down passed the tab on the rail system. They safely can then be released by simply pushing the tab or rail so that the tab is retracted far enough for the male end to be pulled upwards past the tab. When a weapon is attached by a shoulder strap and a FSS, the weapon is securely connected in two areas providing additional safety, security, and/or comfort. Some embodiments of FSSs allow the user to transfer the weight of the weapon from the shoulder strap area to the hip area where the belt unit and stock unit join. When the weapon is unstrapped from the shoulder the weapon will still be attached to the belt unit and the barrel of the gun will rotate in a safer position pointing towards the ground, allowing user's hands to be free. The amount of weight transferred to the belt unit may be determined by the amount of tension that is applied to the weapon sling. The looser the sling, the more weight may be transferred to the belt unit.
In some embodiments, the stock unit may be primarily made of neoprene which stretches to make a custom fit on the stock. Velcro is attached to one end of the stock piece and the user wraps the unit around the stock and joins the two ends using the Velcro, making a custom tight fit. The male part (or knuckle) is attached to the neoprene and allows the weapon to be attached to user when the weapon is attached to the belt unit. The ability of the neoprene material, along with the Velcro allows the used to make a tight fit on the stock so when the weight of the weapon is applied, the stock unit will not bunch up towards the comb or neck of the stock.
Referring now to
Referring now to
In this embodiment, the first complementary component 1108 comprises an area of a first type of hook and loop fastener material, such as, but not limited to, Velcro hook material, located on an exterior front surface of the backpack 1102 and generally configured so that when the backpack 1102 is worn by a user, the first complementary component 1108 is located on or about an innermost lower middle section of the backpack 1102. The lower middle section of the backpack 1102 generally faces the user's back when the backpack 1102 is in use.
In this embodiment, the second complementary component 1110 of the knuckle plate unit 1104 comprises an area of a second type of hook and loop fastener material, such as, but not limited to, Velcro loop material, located on an exterior rear surface of the knuckle plate unit 1104 and generally configured so that when the backpack support system 1100 is in use the second complementary component 1110 is removably attached to the first complementary component 1108. In some embodiments, a strength of the removable connection between the first complementary component 1108 and the second complementary component 1110 is sufficient to bear the weight of the backpack 1102 and contents of the backpack 1102 without substantially compromising the connection between the first complementary component 1108 and the second complementary component 1110. Generally, the knuckle plate unit 1104 may be pressed against the backpack 1102 to join the first complementary component 1108 to the backpack 1102.
In some embodiments, the third complementary component 1112 of the knuckle plate unit 1104 comprises a raised knuckle, button, and/or other suitable male component and/or protrusion. In some embodiments, the third complementary component 1112 comprises a rounded head 1116 carried by a central shaft 1118 that may extend form and/or be integrally molded with a semi-ridged plastic body 1120.
In this embodiment, the fourth complementary component 1114 of the belt unit 1106 is generally configured to selectively receive, capture, and/or retain the third complementary component 1112 of the knuckle plate unit 1104. In some embodiments, the fourth complementary component 1114 comprises a generally U-shaped channel configured to receive at least a portion of the head 1116 and/or shaft 1118. In some embodiments, one or more portions of the belt unit 1106 may comprise a size of approximately 4″ long by 1.5″-2″ wide with belt openings 1124 near ends of the belt unit 1106. The belt openings 1124 may be configured to receive a belt 1126 therethrough to carry the belt unit 1106 at or near a waist or hip area of the user. The knuckle plate unit 1104, while attached to backpack 1102, may be attached to the belt unit 1106 using the fourth complementary component 1114 and/or the belt unit 1106 may alternatively be formed integrally with and/or permanently attached to the belt 1126. The fourth complementary component 1114 may comprise a long vertical slot 1128 and an interior channel 1130 collectively configured to receive the shaft 1118 and the head 1116, respectively. The knuckle plate unit 1104 may be selectively held in place relative to the belt unit 1106 by a tab/rail system 1132 as a function of one or both of friction between the rail system 1132 and the head 1116 and the weight of the backpack 1102 forcing the shaft 1118 downward within the slot 1128. The weight of the backpack 1102 transferred to the joined area of the belt unit 1106 and the knuckle plate unit 1104 may be regulated by variations in the placement of the knuckle plate unit 1104 on backpack 1102 as well as by the amount of tension applied via backpack straps 1134 associated with a user's shoulders. The less tension on the backpack straps 1134, the more weight is transferred to the belt 1126 via the connection between the belt unit 1106 and the knuckle plate unit 1104. The backpack support system 1100 may allow the backpack 1102 to be secured to the user via a 3 point attachment system, namely, the two backpack straps 1134 around the shoulders and the backpack support system 1100 via the belt 1126. The backpack support system 1100 may aid in stabilizing and transporting a backpack 1102.
In some embodiments, the backpack 1102 may comprise any suitable material, shape, and/or design. In some embodiments, the backpack 1102 may comprise a Velcro strip area permanently attached on the outside of the backpack 1102 at or near the innermost lower middle section of backpack 1102. The Velcro strip may face the small of the back of a user when the backpack 1102 is worn by a user. The Velcro strip may comprise an area of approximately 4″ wide (approximate width of some embodiments of the knuckle plate unit 104) by 10″-12″ long in a vertical direction. In some cases, the Velcro strip may extend upward from a lowest portion of the back of the backpack 1102. The Velcro strip may allow the user to place the knuckle plate unit 1102 anywhere on the Velcro strip area, thereby allowing for a customized fit and improved regulation of weight distribution when the knuckle plate unit 1104 is engaged to a belt unit 1106.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The belt unit 2002 comprises substantially similar properties as the belt unit 104, but the user will now move the belt unit 2002 is located on the front of the user just off the normal belt buckle area instead of the side of the user. The reason for the front location is to accommodate carrying a weapon with a Picatinny rail in the front instead of on the side. The knuckle clamp 2004 that attaches to the side rail of the Picatinny rail system can be removed and applied easily by utilizing a thumbscrew 2006 that locks the knuckle clamp 2004 into place on the rail system when tightened and allows the knuckle clamp 2004 to be removed when loosened. The knuckle clamp 2004 comprises a knuckle 2008 integrated into the top plate of the knuckle clamp 2004 itself. The knuckle 2008 can be substantially similarly sized and shaped as the knuckle 106 of system 100.
When the belt unit 2002 and knuckle clamp 2004 are in place and the user has the weapon in the front carry position, the system 2000 is ready to be utilized. The user can place the knuckle 2008 into the belt unit 2002, thereby allowing the weight of the weapon to transfer to the belt unit 2002 and ultimately the belt and/or waist of the user. This weight is adjustable as the user can regulate the amount of weight that is delivered into the belt unit 2002 by how much tension is placed on the sling. The looser the sling the more weight is transferred to the belt unit 2002.
Referring now to
The stock unit 3102 can be attached to a firearm (rifle, shotgun, long arm weapons, and/or the like). In some cases, the FSS 3100 can be used in conjunction with use of a should strap and/or shoulder carrying sling. The belt unit 3104 may comprise plastic and may be approximately 4″ long and 1.5″-2″ wide. A curvature 3110 in the belt unit 3104 allows for a comfortable fit with openings 3112 on each end of the belt unit 3104 for the belt to be run through and attached to a user on the hip and/or waist area. The second complementary component 3108 may be attached to the plastic unit and may comprise a long vertical area that allows the male part of first complementary component 3106 to slide into a channel of the second complementary component 3108 and be selectively held in place. In this embodiment, the belt unit 3104 comprises a locking mechanism 3114 to keep the joinder between the first complementary component 3106 and the second complementary component 3108. The locking mechanism 3114 comprise a deflectable biased integral ramp 3116 that carries a catch 3118 that allows selective keeping of the joinder between the first complementary component 3106 and the second complementary component 3108. The belt unit 3104 can be formed via a plastic injection mold. With sufficient introduction of the knuckle portion of the first complementary component 3106 into the channel of the second complementary component 3108, the stock unit 3102 can be automatically captured by the belt unit 3104. The stock unit 3102 and the belt unit 3104 safely can then be separated by simply pressing and deflecting the integral ramp 3116 toward the curvature 3110 until the catch 3118 no longer obstructs removal of the first complementary component 3106. With the integral ramp 3116 sufficiently deflected toward the curvature 3110, the first complementary component 3106 can be removed from the second complementary component 3108.
In some embodiments, when a weapon is attached by a shoulder strap and a FSS 3100, the weapon is securely connected in two areas providing additional safety, security, and/or comfort. The FSS 3100 can allow the user to transfer the weight of the weapon from the shoulder strap area to the hip area where the belt unit 3104 and stock unit 3102 join. When the weapon is unstrapped from the shoulder the weapon will still be attached to the belt unit 3104 and the barrel of the gun will rotate in a safer position pointing towards the ground, allowing user's hands to be free. The amount of weight transferred to the belt unit 3104 may be determined by the amount of tension that is applied to the weapon sling. The looser the sling, the more weight may be transferred to the belt unit 3104.
In some embodiments, the stock unit may be primarily made of neoprene which stretches to make a custom fit on the stock. In some embodiments a hook type material 3120, such as utilized by Velcro, is attached to one end of the stock unit 3102 and the user wraps the stock unit 3102 around the stock and forms an overlapping loop using loop type material 3122, such as utilized by Velcro, and thereby forming a custom tight fit around the stock. The male part (or knuckle) is attached to the neoprene or other material and allows the weapon to be attached to user when the weapon is attached to the belt unit 3104. The ability of the neoprene material, along with the Velcro type materials allow the used to make a tight fit on the stock so that when the weight of the weapon is applied, the stock unit resists bunching up toward the comb or neck of the stock.
Referring now to
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At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations, and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of the embodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that result from combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of the embodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, Rl, and an upper limit, Ru, is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range are specifically disclosed: R=Rl+k*(Ru−Rl), wherein k is a variable ranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, . . . 50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent, 96 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is also specifically disclosed. Use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim means that the element is required, or alternatively, the element is not required, both alternatives being within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and having should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is defined by the claims that follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present invention.
This patent application is a Continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 16/417,618 filed on 20 May 2019 and entitled “Firearm Support System” the entire content of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference; and which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/884,354 filed on 30 Jan. 2018 and entitled “Firearm Support System” the entire content of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference; and which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/046,428, filed on 17 Feb. 2016 and entitled “Firearm Support System” the entire content of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference; and which claims the benefit of the filing date of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/117,438, filed on Feb. 17, 2015 and entitled “Support System” the entire content of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/673,657, filed on 18 May 2018 and entitled “KNUCKLE MOUNTING SYSTEMS” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/676,546, filed on 25 May 2018 and entitled “KNUCKLE MOUNTING SYSTEMS,” the entire content of both are hereby expressly incorporated by reference
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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9693623 | Bryant | Jul 2017 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20220390202 A1 | Dec 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62117438 | Feb 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16417618 | May 2019 | US |
Child | 17829202 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15884354 | Jan 2018 | US |
Child | 16417618 | US | |
Parent | 15046428 | Feb 2016 | US |
Child | 15884354 | US |