Patent Application
20250130014
Traditional rifle sling features include a single strap connected to the rear and front of a rifle, and carried over the should or around the neck of a hunter. Slings are used by hunters to carry rifles and other long guns, used for stabilizing the rifle while shooting, and provides the ability to adjust the straps to meet the comfort and needs of the user. Slings are made of many different materials and designs but are relatively similar in use, function, look and feel. Slings typically have a single adjustment point that is achieved by some form of buckle or tying mechanism. However, the single adjustment point can cause uneven tension which is applied to the rifle via a two-point sling.
Solutions have been proposed in the prior art patent literature. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 11,280,581 discloses a rifle sling having first and second length adjustable sling members removably attached to each other by a side release buckle. The second sling member has two arm sections which extend upward from the first sling member. The lower end of the first sling member is attached to the shooter while the upper ends of the arm sections of the second sling member are attached one on each opposite side of the rifle. This results in a three-point shooter to rifle attachment configuration which accomplishes even tension of the sling applied to the rifle for optimal sight alignment, sight picture, and stability while shooting the rifle from any position.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,959,046 discloses methods, systems, and apparatus for supporting a firearm from a user. An apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention includes a sling capable of supporting a firearm from a portion of a user's body. The sling can include a strap capable of being supported by a portion of a user's body. The sling can also include a first connector mounted to a first portion of the strap, the first connector capable of mounting to a firearm connector. Furthermore, the sling can include a second connector mounted to a second portion of the strap, the second connector capable of mounting to a third connector, and further capable of mounting to a second firearm connector. Moreover, the sling can include a third connector mounted to a third portion of the strap, the third connector capable of mounting to the second connector, whereby the mounting of the second connector to the third connector creates a loop in the strap. In one aspect of the invention, the sling can include a fourth connector mounted to a fourth portion of the strap, wherein the fourth connector is capable of mounting to the second firearm connector.
Nevertheless, prior art sling solutions suffer from limitations including lack of comfort. An improved sling which is more comfortable and safer to use is desirable.
Therefore, the present invention addresses many of the limitations and shortcomings of rifle slings in the prior art. A principle objective of the present invention is to provide a sling that is innovative in design and use, that provides less impact on the user's body, improves rifle carrying and handling safety, and allows the user to adjust connection to the rear and front of the rifle independently of each other. The present invention utilizes different connection points on a multicomponent adjustable dual strap multiconnection sling and provides a universal connection to the user's backpack, offloading the weight and pressure of a rifle sling on the users shoulder(s) and neck.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multicomponent adjustable dual strap multiconnection sling comprising: a rear and front rifle strap component, one or more backpack strap components, and main sling strap components; and an integrated rubber grommet in said rear and front rifle strap component with an integrated quick release buckle in said rear and front rifle strap components providing connection of said rear and front rifle strap component to said main sling strap components, wherein said rear and front rifle strap with said main sling strap form the said main sling strap components to rifle connection; wherein said rubber grommets are used to screw the file anchor through to secure the said rear and front rifle strap component to the rifle; and wherein said main sling strap connects to the said backpack strap components using a top quick release buckle next to triglide strap sliders.
The vast majority of rifle slings have an integrated swivel that is attached to the rifle via a rear and front anchor screw that is screwed into the rear and front stock of the rifle, while some other forms of slings are tied or wrapped around the rear and front of a rifle to create a closed loop design for carrying the rifle over the shoulder or around the neck.
The vast majority of rifle slings are a single piece of material with connection points at each end that have an integrated swivel. The majority of these slings have a cushion pad towards the upper front section of the sling to make the sling more comfortable when it is hung over the user's shoulder or around their neck.
An objective of the invention is that the sling be constructed so that the user can easily and safely transition from carrying the rifle to shooting safely, quickly, and easily.
It is a further objective of the invention that the sling provides simple and quick release of the sling from the rifle and backpack.
Another objective of the invention is that the dual strap design can quickly and easily be converted to a single strap traditional sling concept.
It is an objective of the invention that connection points to rifle be independent of the main sling straps and attach to the rifle utilizing the rifle's existing hardware without creating or posing future damage to the rifle.
It is further an objective of the invention to have two universal components that are independent of the main sling straps that attach to the backpack of the user.
It is further an objective of the invention for the slings quick release connections to be able to be utilized by the users to attach other accessories as needed by the user outside that of just a rifle.
It is also an objective of the invention to provide less impact on the user's body, shoulder and neck by providing equal connection to both sides of the users backpack and each side of the rifle, creating a balanced carry experience and a counter balanced weight experience between the backpack and the rifle for an even distribution of weight on the users' body.
It is an objective of the invention to be visually appealing and to match the appearance, look and feel of other modern-day equipment such as packs and clothing, and to blend into the user's environment.
It is an objective of the invention to be constructed of material that is durable and of military specification.
Further, it is an objective of the invention to provide multiple adjustment locations on the different sling components to provide a crafted setup for the user, with adjustments at the backpack and the main strap component of the sling.
Further, it is an objective of the invention to provide quick release buckles that can be connected to any quick release buckle end on the main strap component of the sling, to create different carrying positions and comfort for the user.
It is also an objective of the Invention, to allow the user to quickly disconnect the rifle from the sling and the sling from the backpack.
Further, it is an objective of the invention to allow the user to disconnect the sling from the backpack and one end of the rifle from sling and connect the single sling strap attached to the rifle to other end of the rifle creating a traditional single sling solution.
Further, it is an objective of the Invention to allow the user to easily and quickly transition from any carrying position of the rifle to a shooting position without the need to swing the rifle off a shoulder, neck or back and into shooting position.
Further, it is an objective of the Invention to allow the user to have a hands-free carrying experience, without the worry of the sling slipping off the user's shoulder(s).
Further, it is an objective of the Invention to provide the user with a solution that works with any size backpack without the worry of the sling constantly falling off the shoulder because the backpack straps push the sling off the user's shoulder because it is too bulky to accommodate the sling strap safety on the user's shoulder with an already backpack strap present.
Accordingly, the present invention is a durable multicomponent adjustable dual strap multiconnection sling, with independent backpack strap components and rifle strap components with quick release buckles and adjustable straps on the backpack and the main sling straps.
The majority, if not all, rifle slings use a single strap construction with integrated swivels that connect to anchors located on the front and rear stock of the rifle. Removing the sling requires the users to use a tool to unscrew and disengage the sling from the front and rear anchor of the rifle. These rifle slings typically, if not always have a single adjustable end and create a closed loop concept from the front of the rifle to the rear of the rifle and are designed to be used over the user's shoulder or around their neck.
The present invention does not have these limitations, providing a separate component for the front and rear rifle strap that is integrated to the existing front and rear rifle anchor points with integrated quick release buckles that allow the user to easily connect and disconnect the rifle from the sling. Further, it provides two separate adjustable backpack strap components that connect to different anchor points on a backpack with an integrated quick release buckle allowing the user to attach the sling to any type of backpack, adjust the straps to the users desired length and to quickly connect and disconnect the sling from the backpack.
Additionally, the sling has two separate adjustable main sling strap components with multiple quick release buckles on each strap with integrated quick release buckles at each end allowing the user to easily and quickly connect the main sling straps to the rifle and backpack straps. The present invention provides for multiple adjustable locations on the sling and quick release buckle connections allowing the user to connect the rifle to different points along the main sling strap for different carrying positions and safety. The present invention does not have the same limitation as mentioned above with the user having to carry the rifle over the user's shoulder or around their neck, by providing a dual strap design that connects to the user's backpack providing a more balanced and integrated experience.
The present invention further provides the user the ability to quickly transition from carrying and transport to shooting without the need to remove the sling from the user's shoulder into a shooting position or the need to disconnect the sling from the rifle. The dual strap sling design with quick release buckles is comprised of six components that connect together to form the present invention. These pieces include two adjustable backpack strap components with an integrated quick release buckle, two rifle strap components with integrated quick release buckles and two adjustable main strap components with integrated quick release buckles at each end for connection to the backpack straps and the rifle straps, and three additional quick release buckles integrated along the main strap on each of the main straps for a total of six additional quick release buckles. To release the rifle from the sling the user pushes the quick release buckles, and the rifle is disconnected from the sling. The present invention provides the user with the ability to use the sling without connecting to a backpack by using one of the main sling straps and connecting it to the integrated quick release buckles on the front and rear of the rifle.
The sling is connected to the backpack via the backpack strap component. The straps are looped around a connection point on the backpack and fed through a triglide strap slider component on the backpack strap component to create a secure connection to the backpack.
The rifle strap component is connected to the rifle by removing the anchor screws on the rear and front rifle stocks, sliding the rear and front rifle strap components on the front and rear stock of the rifle and screwing the anchor screw through the integrated rubber grommet on the rear and front rifle strap component.
The Main sling strap components are connected to the rifle via quick release buckles that connect to the rear and front rifle strap component. The top end of the main strap component connects to the backpack strap component via the quick release buckles, creating a complete dual strap independent multi strap configuration. The sling uses the weight of the backpack and the weight of the rifle to create a counter balanced experienced, by equaling out the weight of the backpack and rifle center on the user's body.
The present invention allows the user to disconnect one strap from the rifle and one strap from the backpack, leaving one strap still connected to the front of the rifle. The unconnected end of the strap connected to the front of the rifle is then connected to the quick release buckle on the rear of the rifle to create a single sling configuration.
The present invention can be made of durable military grade materials. The primary material used for the sling is webbed military specification nylon, and is made from other materials such as standard nylon webbing, paracord, polyester webbing and other flat webbed materials.
The multiple carrying positions are achieved by the user connecting the rifle strap components quick release buckle to different quick release buckles on the main sling straps. The sling provides the user with the ability to carry the rifle in a horizontal position, the barrel of the rifle in a downward position, the barrel of the rifle in a downward backwards position, and the barrel of the rifle in an upward position. The user can transition from carrying the rifle to shooting from any position except the position where the barrel of the rifle is in an upward position.
The present invention provides the user with a hands-free carry and stabilization experience. Traditional slings require the user to maintain the rifle with sling over the shoulder or around the neck with the use of a hand to prevent the rifle from slipping off the user shoulder. With the present invention, the rifle is secured and balanced with the backpack removing any possibility of the sling slipping off the user's shoulder, allowing the user to carry the rifle without consistent hand support to stabilize the rifle on the user's body.
The present invention provides the user with the ability to connect different accessories to the sling for quick and easy access. The slings additional quick release buckles allow the user to connect other accessories with quick release buckles to the sling for carrying and easy access. This is achieved in the same way the connection to the backpack and rifle are made, with the quick release buckles integrated into the sling.
The present invention provides greater stabilization for the user through the design of the dual straps and connection to the user backpack. When the user transitions to shooting the straps act as a stabilizer for the rifle by providing tension on the rifle towards the user's body, providing a firm connection of the rifle to the user for greater control and stability.
Thus, the multicomponent adjustable dual strap multiconnection sling is used for improved carrying and support of the rifle, improved safety and shooting stabilization, and decreased wear and tear on the user's body with its innovative counterbalance design. These and other objectives of the invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specifications and drawings.
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The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Similar numerals designate similar elements among the several figures. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed.
