Abstract:
A wave-shaped hook captures a rifle sling positioning the sling on a hunter&#39;s shoulder for rapid access. The hook attaches to the strap of a backpack. A base with attachment slots allow the hook to be positioned on the strap in a variety of orientations. A picatinny rail on the back of the hook&#39;s wave allows cameras or other accessories to be supported on the user&#39;s shoulder.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/083,827, filed Nov. 24, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/121,720, filed Feb. 27, 2015, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety including all figures, tables, and drawings. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A successful hunter goes to the game. The further hunters ventures into the wilderness after game however the more isolated they become. Therefore, it is necessary that hunters carry not only their rifle but enough equipment for their own preparedness and safety. A convenient way to carry these essentials is in a backpack. Unfortunately, the straps of a backpack can interfere with the sling hunters use to carry their rifles. The rifle sling can catch on the backpack strap while the hunter is shouldering the rifle ruining the perfect shot. The rifle sling also tends to slip off the shoulder when a backpack is being worn as well as when no backpack is worn. Finally, hunters often also carry binoculars, a camera, or a range finder around their necks. These straps can become tangled with rifle sling. 
         [0006]    Rifle sling stops have been designed that attempt to position the rifle sling on the shoulder of the hunter (see, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2012/0305616 A1; and 2012/0193378 A1). These stops however have hooks that could prevent the hunter from quick and ready access to the rifle. Further, these stops do not address or manage the many items the hunter carries. A need therefore remains for a rifle sling retaining device that works effectively for a hunter. 
         [0007]    All patents, patent applications, provisional patent applications and publications referred to or cited herein, are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent they are not inconsistent with the teachings of the specification. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The invention involves a retaining device disposed on the shoulder strap of a backpack to position a rifle sling on a hunter&#39;s shoulder for ready use. In a preferred embodiment, strap attachment means on a base allow the device to be removably affixed to the backpack strap. In another preferred embodiment, the base is sewn or incorporated into the shoulder strap of the backpack. A wave-shaped hook atop the base catches the rifle sling. A picatinny rail on the back of the wave is used to attach accessories to the device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the rifle sling retaining device of the subject invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the rifle sling retaining device of the subject invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the rifle sling retaining device of the subject invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The invention involves a rifle sling retaining device having a hook to engage the rifle sling. The hook sits atop a base which connects to the shoulder strap of a backpack. 
         [0016]    Preferred embodiments of the retaining device of the subject invention are shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . In these embodiments, the base  10  is planar, molded, and made of high impact plastic. A hook  12  protrudes from the base so in this embodiment the planar base maintains a low profile for the device. The low profile is advantageous for hunting in the deep forest where the hook could get caught on low hanging branches or in brush. Applicants note however that the base can be any shape or size as long as it supports the hook adequately and in the required position. 
         [0017]    The base  10  can be made of any material that is durable enough to hold the hook in place while it is engaged with the rifle sling. As noted, the base can be made of plastic which is also resistant to moisture and decay. The base however can also be formed of composites or metals. 
         [0018]    In one preferred embodiment, the base  10  ofthe device of the subject invention has attachment means  14  to removably connect the base to a surface such as a backpack shoulder strap. At the shoulder, backpack straps have a wider padded strap on which an adjustable strap  16  lays. In the exemplified embodiments, slot pairs  18  in the planar base  10  receive the adjustable strap  16  of the backpack. The backpack strap is woven through the slots. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the exemplified embodiment is only one way by which the device of the subject invention can be removably attached to the shoulder strap of a backpack. Other means include, but are not limited to, adhesives, hook and loop tape, and clips. It is further noted that the subject device can be attached to other straps used by the hunter to hold accessories. For example, the device of the subject invention can be applied to the strap of a criss-cross harness used to support binoculars. The device could be used to position other straps such as those for a range finder and prevent the multiple straps from tangling. 
         [0019]    In a particularly preferred embodiment, the attachment means allow the device to be positioned on the strap in more than one orientation. In the exemplified embodiment, a strap run through the slots  18  on the short ends  20  of the base would orient the hook so it would capture and support an item hanging vertically from a strap. Using the slots on the longer sides  22  of the base would orient the hook so it captures a rifle sling as it slides horizontally off the shoulder. 
         [0020]      FIG. 5  shows another preferred embodiment of the subject invention. In this embodiment, the base is incorporated into the strap of the backpack. The base can be sewn into or onto the strap. Alternately, the base can be molded into or on the strap or it can be a piece of the strap. 
         [0021]    The hook  12  of the retaining device is affixed to the base  10 . The hook and base can be separate pieces or a single piece. The hook  12  stops a rifle sling from sliding off the shoulder of a hunter who is wearing a backpack. The hook therefore should be strong enough and be configured to stop and hold the rifle sling. In the exemplified embodiment, the hook  12  has a wave-like profile. This profile is advantageous in that the wide wave base  24  provides a stable base for the hook. The hook will not be easily broken off the base should it get hooked on branch. Further, while the wave profile provides an effective hook portion beneath the crest  26  that holds the rifle sling, the hook portion is also not so deep that it traps the rifle sling. The rifle sling will slip from the hook quickly and without snagging to insure the hunter can shoulder the rifle quickly to make a rapid shot. 
         [0022]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , a picatinny rail  28  is positioned on the back  30  of the wave of the hook below the crest  26 . The rail  28  can receive a number of accessories used by the hunter. A camera can be positioned on the hook and carried on the shoulder. A camera carried in this position could allow hunters to record their hunt at eye level just as they saw it. After dark, a flashlight can be attached to the rail. The flashlight positioned on the shoulder provides hands-free light while gutting prey or can assist in navigating through the woods after dark. In the exemplified embodiment, the picatinny has only a short rail piece and one groove positioned in the center of the wave back. Longer pieces of rail could be included on the wave back of the subject invention if the piece allowed enough distance to manipulate the accessory and lock the accessory into the rail. Additionally, other types of rails or attachment systems can be presented on the retaining device of the subject invention to allow the device to support accessories.  FIG. 6  however shows the gun sling retaining device without a picatinny rail or attachment system. 
         [0023]    The rifle sling retaining device of the subject invention has a wave-like hook making it rugged enough to withstand the abuse of trekking through rough terrain. The wave-like shape of the hook allows the rifle sling to be removed from the hook smoothly for a rapid shot. The picatinny rail on the back of the wave below the crest allows a variety of accessory to be securely positioned on the shoulder of the hunter for convenient use. 
         [0024]    It is understood that the foregoing examples are merely illustrative of the present invention. Certain modifications of the articles and/or methods may be made and still achieve the objectives of the invention. Such modifications are contemplated as within the scope of the claimed invention.