FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a sling apparatus, and more specifically, to a sling apparatus adapted for carrying various objects, devices and equipment, such as without limitation, archery bows, ski and snowboard equipment and firearms.
BACKGROUND
Bow slings that can be removably fastened to a bow are well known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,944, issued on Aug. 2, 1988, to Hughes, discloses a sling that includes a pair of mounting members formed of wrap around fabric and hook and loop type fasteners. The mounting members are secured to the bow at each of two junctures which are located thereon between one of its limbs and its riser or handle. With the hook and loop fasteners, the mounting members can be secured to the bow without modifying it. Prior to the bow's being used, however, the sling must be removed, or it may interfere with the operation of the bow.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,689, issued on Sep. 6, 1988, to Davis, discloses a sling that includes a strap with hook attached to each end. The hooks are configured to hold the string of a bow. The bow is thus held to the hooks by its weight and can be removed from the sling by lifting the bow to disengage the hooks. The sling can be inadvertently or unintentionally removed from the one or both of the hooks as it is only held to the hooks by the weight of the bow.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,987, issued on Aug. 13, 1991, to Huddleson, discloses a sling connected to a bow string holder. The sling is held in the bow string holder by the weight of the bow and lifting of the bow allows the bow string to be removed from the holder. Like Davis above, the holder can be inadvertently or unintentionally removed from the bow string as it is only held to the adapter by the weight of the bow.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,976, issued on Aug. 31, 1993, to Specht, discloses a sling connected to an adapter attached to a bow. A cable or strap of the sling is held in the adapter by the weight of the bow and lifting of the bow allows the cable or strap to be removed from the adapter. Like Davis and Huddleson above, the sling can be inadvertently or unintentionally removed from the adapter as it is only held to the adapter by the weight of the bow.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,341, issued on Mar. 24, 1998, to Hester, Jr. discloses a sling attached to a bow using two brackets mounted on the bow by weight adjustment screws of the bow. Once attached, the sling is not configured to be readily removable from the bow during use.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,622,265, issued on Jan. 7, 2014, to Arajakis, discloses a sling strap having key hole clips at each end of the strap. Attachment straps are configured to engage with the keyhole clips to hold the sling strap to the attachment straps, which have been secured to the risers of a bow. Each end of the sling strap can be removed from the head of the attachment strap to which it is attached by sliding the head within the keyhole until it can be removed.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,146,073, issued on Sep. 29, 2015, to Roy, discloses a sling for suspending an archery bow from an archer's shoulder that has a pair of retracting mechanisms attached to a shoulder pad with cords. When the sling is removed from the archer's shoulder, the retracking mechanisms draw the cords causing the sling to draw tight between the retracting mechanisms. The sling, however, is not configured to be readily removable from the archery bow during use.
U.S. Pub. No. 2012/0043362, filed on Aug. 23, 2010, by Smith, discloses a harness worn about a hunter's chest. A bow string holder is carried by the harness and attaches to the string of the bow to allow the bow to hang from the bow string holder and thus from the harness. Tension created by the hanging of the bow from the bow string holder prevents the bow string holder from releasing the string until the tension is released upon the hunter lifting the bow from the sling for shooting. Like Specht, Davis and Huddleson above, the sling can be inadvertently or unintentionally removed from the bow as it is only held to the bow by the weight of the bow.
Thus, there is a need in the art to provide a sling that is firmly attached to a device, such as a bow, when desired, such as when carrying the device, but that can be quickly and easily released so that the sling does not interfere with operation of the device.
The present invention as shown and described herein provides such a sling and is a significant improvement over slings and the like known in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a sling apparatus according to the present invention comprises a sling body having first and second arms downwardly extending therefrom, a first upper strap coupled to an upper portion of the sling body for carrying the sling body, a first release mechanism coupled to the first arm and a second release mechanism coupled to the second arm. The first and second release mechanisms are configured to attach to an object to be carried about a shoulder of a user. A trigger assembly is attached to the sling body and coupled to the first and second release mechanisms, whereby pulling a trigger of the trigger assembly will allow detachment of the first and second release mechanisms from the object.
In one embodiment, the sling apparatus is configured to carry a bow.
In another embodiment, the sling body is generally elongated and has a rectangular or trapezoidal shape.
In another embodiment, the first strap is part of a shoulder strap attached to and between top lateral sides of the sling body so that the sling body can be supported by the shoulder of the user.
In yet another embodiment, the trigger assembly is housed at least partially within the sling body.
In still another embodiment, the trigger assembly is positioned toward a front of the sling body so that the trigger is easily accessible by a hand of the user.
In yet another embodiment, the trigger assembly is linked through each of the first and second arms to the first and second release so that when the trigger is pulled, the two release mechanisms simultaneously open and release the object to which first and second release mechanisms are attached.
In another embodiment, the trigger assembly comprises a housing that defines a trigger slot sized and shaped for receiving the trigger, but that is longer than the trigger thereby forming a space between a back end of the trigger and a back wall of the trigger slot, the space allowing the trigger to slide from front to back within the trigger slot.
In another embodiment, biasing members are positioned between the back of the trigger and a back of the trigger slot to bias the trigger toward a front end of the trigger slot.
In yet another embodiment, a cable having a first end is coupled to the first release mechanism and a second end coupled to the second release mechanism and coupled to the trigger assembly, whereby pulling the trigger pulls the cable relative to the first and second release mechanisms.
In another embodiment, the trigger comprises a trigger body having a generally rectangular outer shape and a central aperture, a front end of the trigger body defining a C shaped channel, the cable extending to and between proximal ends of cable sleeve ends positioned proximate respective ends of the C shaped channel
In still another embodiment, when the trigger is pulled, the cable is pulled in precisely equal lengths relative to each side so as to cause the first and second release mechanisms to release the object to which they are attached substantially simultaneously.
In yet another embodiment, the trigger of the trigger mechanism is biased to keep the release mechanisms in a closed position.
In still another embodiment, each of the first and second release mechanisms are comprised of a housing to which first and second clamping members are pivotally attached, a slidable clamp actuation member, a first biasing member biasing the clamping members into an open position, and a second biasing member for biasing the actuation member into engagement with the first and second clamping members. The actuation member being retractable from the first and second clamping members by the cable allows the first and second clamping members to open into the open position.
In another embodiment, each of the first and second clamping members have laterally extending first and second tabs wherein the second biasing member engages the first and second tabs to bias the first and second clamping members into an open position.
In yet another embodiment, the actuation member includes first and second forward extending tabs that when engaging with a respective one of the first and second clamping members pivots it into a closed position.
In still another embodiment, the first and second forward extending tabs are provided with beveled edges to provide a smooth transition surface between proximal ends of the clamping members to allow the clamping members to automatically move to a closed position.
In yet another embodiment, the first and second forward extending tabs are provided with blunt edges to provide an abrupt transition surface between proximal ends of the clamping members and the tabs to hold the clamp members in the open position.
In another embodiment, each of the release mechanism comprise a thumb actuation member for actuating the release mechanism.
In yet another embodiment, the first upper strap is configured to couple to a shoulder strap of a backpack.
In still another embodiment, a second upper strap is attached to the body of the upper portion of the sling body at a second end of the sling body opposite a first end where the first upper strap is attached and is configured to couple to a body of the backpack.
The foregoing embodiments provide a sling apparatus with significant advantages and novel improvements over the prior art. These advantages and improvements are further set forth in the drawings and detailed description of the invention that follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a sling apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a back view of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the front housing of the trigger mechanism removed.
FIG. 3A is a close up view of the trigger mechanism of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 3 with the front plate of the trigger mechanism removed.
FIG. 4A is a side view of one of the clamps of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in a closed position with the front housing portion removed.
FIG. 4B is a side view of the clamp shown in FIG. 4A in an open position.
FIG. 5 is a front side view of a third embodiment of a clamp in a closed position for a sling in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a front side view of the third embodiment of the clamp shown in FIG. 8 in an open position.
FIG. 7 is an exploded top side view of a clamp assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a trigger mechanism for a sling apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a front side view of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 1 attached to a bow.
FIG. 10 is a front side view of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 1 being disconnected from attachment to the bow as shown in FIG. 10.
FIG. 11 is a side view of a clamp of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 1 being attached to an attachment ring of a bow by manually opening and closing the clamp.
FIG. 12 is a side view of the clamp shown in FIG. 11 being attached to the attachment ring of the bow by pressing the clamp onto the attachment ring.
FIG. 13 is a side view of the clamp shown in FIG. 12 being changed from an open position to a closed position by manually closing the clamp.
FIG. 14 is a side view of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 1 attached to a bow and supported by a shoulder of a user.
FIG. 15 is a side view of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 14 being released from the bow by the user activating a release trigger of the sling.
FIG. 16 is a side view of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 14 being reattached to the bow by the user reconnecting the clamps of the sling apparatus to the bow.
FIG. 17 is a front view of a second embodiment of a sling apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a side view of a bow configured for attachment to the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 17.
FIG. 19 is a front side view of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 17 attached to a backpack.
FIG. 20 is a front side view of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 17 attached to a backpack carried by a user and supporting a bow.
FIG. 21 is a front side view of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 17 attached to a backpack and being released from the bow by the user shown in FIG. 20.
FIG. 22 is a front side view of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 17 attached to a backpack and released from the bow by the user shown in FIG. 21.
FIG. 23 is a front view of a third embodiment of a sling apparatus attached to a backpack on the back of a user and carrying a bow in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a partial front view of a fourth embodiment of a sling apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 25 is a partial front view of a fifth embodiment of a sling apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is a partially disassembled front view of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 25.
FIG. 27 is another partially disassembled front view of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 25, with Detail A being a close-up view of a portion of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 27.
FIG. 28 is yet another partially disassembled front view of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 25.
FIG. 29 is a partial front view of the sling apparatus shown in FIG. 25 attached to a bow riser.
FIG. 30 is a front view of an embodiment of a release mechanism in an engaged state for a sling apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 31 is a front view of the release mechanism shown in FIG. 30 in a disengaged state.
FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the release mechanism shown in FIG. 30.
FIG. 33 is another cross-sectional view of the release mechanism shown in FIG. 30.
FIG. 34 is yet another cross-sectional view of the release mechanism shown in FIG. 30.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description of the present invention is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons, including, without limitation, combinations of features of the illustrated embodiments.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a sling, generally indicated at 10, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The sling 10 is comprised of a sling body 12 having a generally elongated and rectangular or trapezoidal shape with two clamp arms 14 and 16 downwardly extending from the bottom lateral sides of the sling body 12. A shoulder strap 18 is attached to and between the top lateral sides of the sling body 12 so that the sling body 12 can be supported by the shoulder of a user.
A trigger assembly 20 is attached to and housed at least partially within the sling body 12. The trigger assembly 20 is positioned toward the front of the sling body 12 so that the trigger 22 is easily accessible by a hand of the user. As will be described in more detail herein, the trigger assembly is linked through each of the two clamp arms 14 and 16 and to the clamps 24 and 26 so that when the trigger 22 is pulled, the two clamps 24 and 26 simultaneously open and release the object to which they are attached (e.g., a bow as shown and described herein below or other devices where a two point, releasable shoulder sling may be advantageous such as for a rifle). The length of each clamp arm 14 and 16 is to position the object to which they are attached at a comfortable height for the user relative to the trigger when releasing the object so that the object can be grasped and supported with one hand as the trigger 22 is pulled with the other. The shoulder strap 18 includes a shoulder pad 34 for resting on top of the shoulder of the user and adjustable length straps with adjustment buckles to adjust the length of the shoulder strap 18 thereby adjusting the position of the sling body 12 and trigger 22 and the object coupled to the clamps 24 and 26 relative to the shoulder of the user, thereby allowing the user to adjust the positioning of the sling body 12 and attached object by adjusting the length of the sling strap 18.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A (Detail A of FIG. 3), which shows the trigger assembly 20 with the front plate of the trigger assembly 20 removed. The trigger assembly is comprised of a housing 36 that defines a trigger slot 38 sized and shaped for receiving the trigger 22. The trigger slot is approximately the same width (i.e., only slightly larger) as the trigger 22 to maintain the lateral position of the trigger 22 within the trigger slot 38 but is longer than the trigger 22 thereby forming a space 40 between the back end of the trigger 22 and the back wall of the trigger slot 38. The space 40 allows the trigger 22 to slide from front to back within the trigger slot 38. Biasing members, in the form of coil springs 42 and 44, are positioned between the back of the trigger 22 and the back of the trigger slot 38 to bias the trigger 22 toward the front end of the trigger slot 38.
The trigger 22 is comprised of a trigger body 50 having a generally rectangular outer shape and a central aperture 52. The aperture 52 has an arc shaped front end extending from proximate one lateral side of the trigger 22 to the other. The back portion of the aperture 52 is also arch shaped but is provided with a plurality of grooves to provide a gripping surface 54 for the trigger. This gripping surface 54 can be gripped by one or two fingers of the user extending their fingers through the aperture 52 to pull the trigger 22 so as to compress the springs 42 and
The front end of the trigger body 50 defines a C shaped channel 60 that extends to and between the proximal ends of the cable sleeve ends 62 and 64. The channel 60 is sized and shaped to receive the cable 66 extending from and between the cable sleeve ends 62 and 64. When the front plate (not shown) of the trigger assembly 20 is placed over the trigger 22, the cable 66 is prevented from dislodging from the channel 60 as the trigger 22 is moved from front to back and back to front. Moreover, the elongate C-shape of the channel 60 and relatively sharp angled corners into the cable sleeve ends 62 and 64 prevents the cable 66 from sliding within the channel 60 when the trigger 22 is actuated in either direction. As such, as the trigger 22 is pulled toward the back of the housing 36, the cable 66 is pulled from each of the cable sleeves 63 and 65 in precisely equal lengths from each side so as to cause the clamps 24 and 26 to open substantially simultaneously. By the term “substantially simultaneously,” the inventor is referring to actuation of the clamps that occurs at nearly the same time so that the object to which the sling of the present invention is attached is fully released from both clamps when the trigger is pulled. That is, so long as both clamps open within the time it takes to fully pull the trigger of the sling, the clamps are considered herein to have substantially simultaneously opened at the same time. Likewise, when the biasing force from the springs 42 and 44 bias the trigger 22 toward the front of the housing 36, the cable 66 is forced into the cable sleeves 63 and 65 in precisely equal lengths on each side so that each clamp 42 and 44 (although already in an open state from being previously opened) are ready to be closed and remained in a closed state once the clamps are placed in a closed position as further described herein.
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, each clamp 42, 44 of the present invention, is comprised of a housing 72 to which a pair of clamping members 74 and 76 are pivotally attached, a slidable clamp actuation member 78, a first biasing member 80 for biasing the clamping members 74 and 76, a second biasing member 82 for biasing the actuation member 78 and a cable receiving assembly 84 for receiving and supporting one distal end of the cable 66 and associated respective cable sleeve 63, 65. The clamping members 74 and 76 are pivotally attached to the housing with pins so as to allow for pivotal movement of each clamping member 74 and 76. Each clamping member 74 and 76 has a clamping portion 74′ and 76′ extending from the pivot pin and an actuation portion 74″ and 76″ extending in the opposite direction from the pivot pin. The actuation portions 74″ and 76″ engage with a pair of tabs 94 and 96 that depend from the actuation member 78 in a cantilevered manner and slide between the actuation portions 74″ and 76″ and a spring housing 90 to force the clamping members 74 and 76 into a closed or clamping position as shown in FIG. 4A. The spring housing 90 that houses the first biasing member 80 in the form of a coil spring engages with laterally extending tabs 74′″ and 76″ that are integral parts of the clamping members 74 and 76, respectively, and bias the clamping members 74 and 76 into an open position as shown in FIG. 4B. When the actuation member 78 is slid forward by the force of the cable 66, which terminates with terminal end member 67 that is housed within the actuation member 78, the pair of tabs 94 and 96 that depend from the actuation member 78 slide between the actuation portions 74″ and 76″ and the spring housing 90 to force the clamping members 74 and 76 into the closed or clamping position as shown. The second biasing member 82 biases the actuation member 78 toward the spring housing 90 and engagement of the tabs 94 and 96 between the actuation portions 74″ and 76″ and the spring housing 90. The second biasing member 82 is held at its proximal end by a plate 98 to the housing 72. The sleeve 63 of the cable 66 is held relative to the plate 98 by support structure 99 and circumferential clamp 99′ so that as the end of the cable 66 when moved by the trigger is moved relative to the housing 72 and thus the distal end of the sleeve 63 so as to extend or retract from the distal end of the sleeve 63.
When the trigger is released as previously described, the actuation member 78 may remain in the position as shown in FIG. 4B where the cable 66 has not been retracted to pull the actuation housing from engagement between the clamping members 74 and 76. In order to return the clamping members 74 and 76 to the closed position as shown in FIG. 4A, the actuation member can be slid forward manually relative to the housing 72 by manually moving/forcing the thumb pad 95 toward the clamping members 74 and 76. Alternatively, the tabs 74″ and 76′″ can be inwardly pressed by engagement with an object, such as a D-ring, which will force the clamping members 74 and 76 into a closed position around the object. Once returned to the closed position, as shown in FIG. 4A, the clamping members 74 and 76 are biased into the closed position by the second biasing member 82 and will remain in the closed position until the actuation member 78 is retracted by the trigger as previously discussed or manually opened by sliding the thumb pad 95 away from the clamping members 74 and 76 until the tabs 94 and 96 release the actuation portions 74″ and 76″.
Referring now to FIG. 5, the clamping member of the present invention may be configured to allow the tabs 107 and 108 of the clamp actuation member 102 of a clamp 100 of the present invention to easily slide between the actuation arm portion 104′ of the clamp 104 and the spring housing 106. To do so, the tabs 107 and 108 are provided with beveled or tapered edges to provide a smooth transition surface between the rounded proximal end of the actuation portion 104′ of the clamp 104 and the beveled distal end of the tab 107. Placement of a coil spring between the proximal end of the actuation member 102 and the housing 110 to force the actuation member 102 toward the clamp 104 will cause the clamp to always be in a closed position when the trigger of the sling is not in a pulled state.
Conversely, in FIG. 6, the clamp 200 is configured to prevent the tabs 207 and 208 of the clamp actuation member from easily sliding between the actuation arm portion 204′ of the clamp 204 and the spring housing 206. In this case, the tabs 207 and 208 are provided with more bluntly rounded edges to provide a more abrupt transition surface between the rounded proximal end of the actuation portion 204′ of the clamp 204 and the rounded distal end of the tab 207. As a result, when the clamp member 204 is in the open position as shown, the clamp member 204 is held in the open position until either a user manually closes the clamps by squeezing them together, thereby aligning the actuation portion of the clamp 204 with the top of the tab 207 so that it can pass over the tab 207 when the actuation member is slid forward, or by pressing the laterally extending clamp tab 212 against the object to which the clamp 204 is to be retained (e.g., the ring of an attachment strap). When the object is pressed against the tab 212, the biasing force of the actuation member 202 can be overcome to allow the clamp 204 to pivot to a closed position and thus allow the clamp 200 to return to a closed position around the object to which it is to be attached.
There may be some advantages to maintaining the clamps in an open position upon removal from an object. For example, when the clamps are already in an open state, reattaching them does not require one to open them first, thus making reattachment much quicker. Otherwise, placement of a coil spring between the proximal end of the actuation member and the housing would always force the actuation member toward the clamp and cause the clamp to always be in a closed position when the trigger of the sling is not in a pulled state.
As shown in FIG. 7, a clamp assembly 200 of the present invention is comprised of a clamshell type housing forming two side plates 202 and 204 to which two clamping members 206 and 208 are pivotally attached. A sliding clamp actuation member 210 is positioned between the side plates 202 and 204 and includes a thumb pad, which may be integrated or attached, for sliding the actuation member 210 from an open clamp position to a closed clamp position as previously described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. A cable washer 212 and sleeve 214 are coupled to the distal end of the cable to which the clamp assembly 200 is attached to retain the clamp assembly 200 to the cable. Each of the housing plates 202 and 204, clamp jaw members 206 and 208 and sleeve may be formed from aluminum or other materials known in the art.
Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a trigger assembly 300 in accordance with the present invention. The trigger assembly 300 is comprised of a pair of outer plate housing members 302, one for the top and one for the bottom (not shown), a pair of gaskets interposed between the top and bottom plate housing members 302, an inner body 304 defining a trigger slot and a trigger positioned within the trigger slot. The inner body also defines cable retaining recesses for retaining the distal cable sleeve ends, which have cylindrical beads that fit within the larger recess openings to be retained by the inner body. The trigger assembly 300 operates as described with respect to the trigger assembly as shown and described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.
Referring now to FIG. 9, the sling 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is attached to a bow 400. The clamps 24 and 26 are attached to attachment rings 402 and 404, each attached to a riser of the bow 400 by a respective fabric strap 406 and 408. By utilizing such attachments straps with attachment rings 402 and 404, the sling of the present invention could be adapted to attach to any device where such attachment rings 402 and 404 can be attached. Further, such attachment is not limited to fabric straps connected by hook and loop tape as shown, but may include other forms of attachment known in the art. In FIG. 9, the sling 10 is attached and the bow 400 is ready to be carried by the user in this arrangement by placing the shoulder strap of the sling 10 over the shoulder of the user.
As shown in FIG. 10, when it is desirable to release the bow 400 from the sling 10, the user engages the trigger 22 with a finger and pulls or slides the trigger 22 to one side of the aperture. Doing so causes both of the clamps 24 and 26 to substantially simultaneously release, thereby releasing the bow 400 from the sling 10. This is a result of the fact that the same cable is used to actuate the clamps 24 and 26 and passes through the trigger assembly at a position between the clamps 24 and 26.
As shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, each clamp 24, 26 shown in FIG. 1 can be opened by pulling back the thumb pad as shown thereby allowing the clamping members to open to an open position as also shown. Each clamp 24, 26 can then be closed by one of three ways. First, the thumb pad could be reversed and moved forward toward the clamping members thereby closing the clamping members. Second, the clamping members can be pressed onto an object to be clamped to. For example, when the clamping members are pressed against the attachment ring as shown the force of the attachment ring against the inside surfaces of the clamping members caused the clamping members to close. Third, the clamping members can be squeezed together manually thereby forcing the clamping members into a closed position as shown.
As shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, when the sling 10 of the present invention is used to carry a bow, the bow can be easily carried by the sling 10 and quickly and easily detached and reattached from the sling 10 by the user. In FIG. 13, the user can fully support and balance the weight of the bow 400 by the shoulder strap. The spacing of the clamp arms 14 and 16 prevents the bow 400 from becoming unbalance or otherwise rotating relative to the user as could be the cause with a single point attachment. The clamps 24 and 26 are attached to attachment rings 402 and 404, each attached to a riser of the bow 400 by a respective fabric strap 406 and 408.
When it is desirable to release the bow 400 from the sling 10, the user grasps the bow 400 with one hand and engages the trigger with a finger of the other hand. When the user then pulls or slides the trigger to one side of the aperture, both of the clamps 24 and 26 are substantially simultaneously opened, thereby releasing the bow 400 from the sling 10 to be held by the user.
When it is desirable to reattach the bow 400 to the sling 10, the user, grasping the bow 400 with one hand, reattaches each clamp 24 and 26 to a respective attachment ring as previously shown and described herein. Each of the clamp arms 14 and 16 are made to be laterally flexible to allow a user to easily attach the claps 24 and 26 to the bow 400 as shown.
Referring now to FIG. 17, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment to a sling apparatus, generally indicated at 500, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The sling apparatus 500 is generally configured similarly to the sling 10 shown in FIG. 1, but the trigger assembly 510 is positioned proximate the upper front side corner of the sling apparatus 500 and also forms a strap buckle 502 for attachment of an adjustable strap 504 for attachment to a shoulder pad or the like. The upper right hand corner of the sling apparatus 500 includes another adjustable strap 506 configured for attachment to another strap portion, which may be attached to a backpack or other device. The lower bottom corners of the sling apparatus 500 include first and second ball lock pins 512 and 514, respectively, downwardly depending from lower arms 516 and 518, respectively, which each depend from a body portion 508 of the sling apparatus 500. The first and second ball lock pins 512 and 514 are interconnected to one another and to the trigger assembly 510 (as described above with reference to sling 10) so as to be simultaneously actuated by the trigger assembly 510 in order to release an object attached to the first and second ball lock pins 512 and 514 as further shown and described herein. In addition, knobs 520 and 522 can be manually actuated to individually release the first and second ball lock pins 512 and 514, respectfully.
As shown in FIG. 18, the object to which the sling assembly 500 is configured to attach is a bow 525. The bow 525 includes first and second receivers 526 and 528 configured for receiving and being releasably attached to the first and second ball lock pins 512 and 514, respectively. The first and second receivers 526 and 528 may be permanently or temporarily attached to the bow 525 and are positioned and mounted to the bow so as to effectively center the weight of the bow between the receivers 526 and 528 so as to balance the bow between the two attachment points of the sling apparatus 500.
Referring to FIG. 19, the sling apparatus 500 is configured to be integrated with a backpack 501 and is attached by the adjustable strap 504 to proximate one end portion of a shoulder strap assembly 530 of the backpack 501, which includes a shoulder pad 531. The second adjustable strap 506 is attached to a side strap 532 on the body 533 of the backpack 501. As such, the sling 500 utilizes the shoulder strap assembly 530 of the backpack and the body 533 of the backpack 501 itself to support the weight of the sling apparatus 500 and the object attached thereto.
As shown in FIGS. 20, in this configuration, when the bow 525 is attached to the sling apparatus 500 and the backpack 501 is carried by a user, the weight of the sling apparatus 500 and bow 525 (FIG. 18) can be completely supported by the backpack 501. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, to release the bow 525, the user can use a finger from an opposite side hand to pull the trigger and release the bow from the sling apparatus 500 while supporting the bow 525 with the hand on the same side as the sling apparatus 500 as shown.
FIG. 23 shows yet another embodiment of a sling apparatus 600 according to the present invention having a configuration similar to the sling 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 but attached to a backpack 602 in a manner similar to that described with reference to FIG. 19. That is, the sling apparatus 600 is configured to attach at one upper end to one portion of a shoulder strap and to attach at the other upper end to the body 604 of the backpack 602, which may be to a strap 606 as shown, but could be to an attachment ring, or other attachment point on a backpack.
FIG. 24 illustrates yet another embodiment of a sling assembly, generally indicated at 710, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The sling 710 is comprised of a sling body 712 having a generally elongated and rectangular or trapezoidal shape with two legs or arms 714 and 716 downwardly and laterally outwardly extending from the bottom lateral sides of the sling body 712 so as to increase the spacing between the distal ends of the arms 714 and 716. A shoulder strap 718 (partially shown) is attached to and between top attachment structures located at opposite top corners of the sling body 712 so that the sling body 712 can be supported by the shoulder of a user in a relatively horizontal position.
A trigger assembly 720 is coupled to and housed at least partially within the sling body 712. The trigger assembly 720 is positioned toward the front of the sling body 712 so that the trigger 722 is easily accessible by a hand of the user. As will be described in more detail herein, the trigger assembly is linked through each of the two arms 714 and 716 and to the release mechanisms 724 and 726 so that when the trigger 722 is pulled, the two release mechanisms 724 and 726 simultaneously open and release an object to which they are attached (e.g., a bow as shown and described below and with reference to other embodiments shown and described herein, or other devices where a two point, releasable shoulder sling may be advantageous such as for a rifle). The length of each arm 714 and 716 is to position the object to which they are attached at a comfortable height for the user relative to the trigger when releasing the object so that the object can be grasped and supported with one hand (e.g., a left hand) as the trigger 722 is grasped and pulled with the other (e.g., the right hand). The shoulder strap 718 may include a shoulder pad for resting on top of the shoulder of the user and adjustment devices to allow a length straps to be adjusted thereby adjusting the position of the sling body 712 and trigger 722 and the object coupled to the release mechanisms 724 and 726 relative to the shoulder of the user, thereby allowing the user to adjust the positioning of the sling body 12 and attached object coupled thereto by adjusting the length of the sling strap 718.
As shown in FIGS. 25, 26, 27 and 28, which shows the trigger assembly 720 with the front cover plate of the body removed in FIG. 25, the trigger assembly with the front plate 721 of the trigger assembly 720 removed in FIG. 26, the trigger assembly 720 with the front half of the trigger removed in FIG. 27 and Detail A, and the trigger assembly 720 with the trigger 722 removed from the trigger slot 738 to show the positioning of the ends of the release cable in FIG. 28. The trigger assembly 720 is comprised of a housing 736 that defines a trigger slot 738 sized and shaped for receiving the trigger 722. The trigger slot is approximately the same width (i.e., only slightly larger) as the trigger 722 to maintain the lateral position of the trigger 722 within the trigger slot 738 but is longer than the trigger 722 thereby forming a space 740 between the back end of the trigger 722 and the back wall of the trigger slot 738. The space 740 allows the trigger 722 to slide from front to back within the trigger slot 738. Biasing members, in the form of coil springs 742 and 744, are positioned between the back of the trigger 722 and the back of the trigger slot 738 to bias the trigger 722 toward the front end of the trigger slot 738.
The trigger 722 is comprised of a trigger body 750 having a generally rectangular outer shape and a central aperture 752. The aperture 752 has an arc shaped front end extending from proximate one lateral side of the trigger 722 to the other. The back portion of the aperture 752 is also arch shaped but is provided with a plurality of grooves to provide a gripping surface 754 for the trigger. This gripping surface 754 can be gripped by one or more fingers of the user extending their fingers through the aperture 752 to pull the trigger 722 so as to compress the springs 742 and 744.
The front end of the trigger body 750 defines a channel 760 that extends from a lower lateral side of the trigger body 750 around the front of the trigger aperture and toward the back of the trigger assembly 720 to where the end 762 of the cable 766 is fixed. The channel 760 is sized and shaped to receive one end portion of the cable 766 but allow the cable end portion to slide relative thereto. The end 764 of the cable 767 is fixed to a back end portion of the trigger body 759 and extends through another channel 761 from the trigger body through the back of the housing 736. When the front plate of the trigger assembly 720 is placed over the trigger 722, the cables 766 and 767 are prevented from dislodging from their respective channels 760 and 761 as the trigger 722 is moved from front to back and back to front. As such, as the trigger 722 is pulled toward the back of the housing 736, the cables 766 and 767 are pulled by the trigger body 750 in approximately equal amounts (e.g., within 0.25 inches or less) so as to nearly simultaneously (e.g., within 1 second or less) be sufficiently retracted to cause near simultaneous or substantially simultaneous release of the release mechanisms. By the terms “near simultaneous or substantially simultaneous,” the inventor is referring to actuation of the release mechanisms that occurs at nearly the same time (within about 1 second or less) so that the object to which the sling of the present invention is attached is fully released from both release mechanisms when the trigger is pulled. That is, so long as both release mechanisms are released within the time it takes to fully pull the trigger of the sling, the clamps are considered herein to have substantially simultaneously been released at the same time. When the trigger 722 is released, the biasing forces from the springs 742 and 744 bias the trigger 722 toward the rear of the housing 736, the cables 766 and 767 are released so that the cables 766 and 767 retract back into their respective the cable sleeves 763 and 765 in precisely equal lengths so that each release mechanism 742 and 744 is ready to reengage and retain the object as further described herein.
FIG. 29 shows the sling of the present invention attached by the release mechanisms 742 and 744 to a representative bow riser 747 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The release mechanisms 742 and 744 include straps 743 and 745, respectively, which may comprise straps of hook and loop material, that are coupled to the release mechanisms 742 and 744 and wrapped around respective positions on the bow riser 747.
FIGS. 30 and 31 illustrate an embodiment of a release mechanism 800 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The release mechanism 800 includes a main body in the form of a housing 802 having an upper mounting portion 804 configured for attachment to a distal end of one of the lower legs of the sling as shown and described herein. The housing 802 also includes a cylindrically shaped lower portion 806 depending from and axially aligned with the upper portion 804. A cylindrically shaped release structure 808 in the form of an elongated ring is disposed around and slidable relative to the lower portion 806. The upper mounting portion is wider at its lower end than the upper end of the lower portion 806 and the lower portion 806 includes a circumferential outwardly extending rim 810 at its lower end to restrict movement of the release structure 808 between the upper portion and the rim 810 and to prevent the release structure 808 from sliding off of the lower end of the lower portion 806. The housing 802 is releasably coupled to an attachment device 812. As will be shown and described in more detail, the attachment device 812 is held relative to the housing via mechanical and magnetic attachment. In FIG. 30, the attachment device 812 is locked to the housing 802 with the release structure 808 in a locking position with its lower end abutting the rim 810. By sliding the release structure 808 toward the upper portion 804 of the housing 802, the release structure is no longer mechanically locked to the housing 802 and can be pulled from the housing 802 by overcoming the magnetic force between the release structure 808 and a magnet in the housing 802.
As shown in cross-section in FIG. 32 the upper portion 804 of the housing 802 includes a first internal circumferential recess 820 for attaching the upper portion 804 to a distal end portion of the outer sleeve 822 of the leg 824 of the sling. The upper portion 804 also includes a second internal circumferential recess 826 and locking member 827 therein to attach the upper portion 804 to the distal end of the sheath 830 of the cable 832. The internal cable 832 then extends into lower portion 806 and is coupled to the release structure 808. The release structure 808 includes a shuttle having a
cable retaining portion 834 to retain a cable end stop 836. Thus, as shown in FIG. 32, when the release structure 808 is downwardly pulled, the internal cable 832 is pulled an equal amount relative to the sheath 830. In this position, the post 840 of the attachment device 812 can be removed from the housing 802 when the magnetic attraction between the post 840 and the magnet 842 is overcome. The attachment device 812 comprises the post 840 attached to a buckle 844, the buckle being provided to allow attachment by a strap to an object to be held by the release mechanism 800.
FIG. 33 illustrates the release mechanism 800 in a releasable state. That is, the post 840 includes an upper bulbous end 841 with a narrowed mid portion. An inner surface of the housing 802 includes a protrusion 850 that nests within the narrowed mid portion of the post 840. When the shuttle member 852 of the release structure 808 is in a lowered, locked position, the shuttle member 852 creates a mechanical attachment between the housing 802 and the post 840 such that the post 840 cannot be pulled under force from the housing 802. As the shuttle member 852 is raised as shown by lifting the release structure 808 relative to the housing 802, a space is created between the housing 802 and the post 840 such that the post 840 can disengage from the protrusion 850 and pulled sufficiently to cause the magnet 842 to release the proximal end of the post 840.
As shown in FIG. 34, after the attachment device 812 has been removed from the housing 802 and the release structure 808 has been released by a user, the spring 860 forces the shuttle member 852 toward the distal end of the housing 802. The distal end of the shuttle member 852 and the upper proximal end of the post 840 are chamfered so that the post 840 can be inserted into the receiving channel 862 of the housing 802, whereby when the post is first inserted, the proximal end of the post 840 lifts the shuttle member 852 until the bulbous end of the post 840 passes the protrusion 850. The shuttle member 852 then automatically moves back down to the locked position by the force of the spring 860 where the shuttle member 852 then physically/mechanically locks the post 840 within the receiving channel 862 of the housing 802.
The attachment device 812 is attached to the post with a set screw 864 that passes through the distal end of the post 840 and includes the buckle 844 with a strap aperture therein and a rubber grip member 866 attached to the distal end of the buckle 844 so that when the buckle 844 is strapped (as with a strap of hook and loop material) to an object, the rubber grip member 866 prevents damage to a surface of the object it engages.
While the sling of the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other similarly configured embodiments will readily suggest themselves upon an understanding of the principles of the present invention. Thus, the present invention of a sling and the appended claims are not limited to the features of the specific embodiments. For example, the sling could be configured to have a different overall shape, size, or construction and/or be adapted to attached to various devices or objects using one or multiple attachment points but using the same principles of the present invention. For example, and not by limitation, a sling apparatus according to the present invention could be configured to carry archery equipment, hunting equipment, skiing, or snowboarding equipment, such as skis or snowboards, fire equipment, firearms, such as rifles, or other objects or devices where such a sling apparatus according to the present invention may be advantageous. Such variations, adaptations, and combinations of features of the various embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the claims.
Accordingly, the illustrated embodiments of this invention are not limited to any particular individual feature disclosed here, but include combinations of them distinguished from the prior art in their structures, functions, and/or results achieved. Features of the invention have been broadly described so that the detailed descriptions that follow may be better understood, and in order that the contributions of this invention to the arts may be better appreciated. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this invention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate that the concepts of this disclosure may be used as a creative basis for designing other structures, methods and systems for carrying out and practicing the present invention.
While there have been described various embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further changes and modifications may be made thereto without department from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention. It is also understood that, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. While various methods and structures of the present invention are described herein, any methods or structures similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety and for all purposes. In addition, while the foregoing advantages of the present invention are manifested in the illustrated embodiments of the invention, a variety of changes can be made to the configuration, design and construction of the invention to achieve those advantages including combinations of components of the various embodiments. Hence, reference herein to specific details of the structure and function of the present invention is by way of example only and not by way of limitation.
Patent Application
20250009112
