Protective gun sling

The invention relates generally to carrying slings adapted for temporary attachment to, for example, rifles and shotguns. More particularly, the sling, according to the present invention, consists in a single, intergrally molded element of flexible, resilient material having end portions adapted to engage respectively, the stock and the nozzle of the firearm, and to be maintained in elastic engagement with the firearm by means of a common strap member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates generally to slings for firearms such as rifles or 
shotguns, but more particularly to a sling which, in addition to acting as 
a temporary carrying device for the firearm, serves to protect the nozzle 
from ingress of foreign matter, and the stock, during transportation. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The sling, according to the invention, is comprised of a single, integrally 
molded element of flexible resilient material having end portions adapted 
to engage respectively, the stock and the nozzle of a firearm, and to be 
maintained in elastic engagement with the firearm by means of a common 
strap member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
Referring specifically to the drawings, the sling can be seen to consist in 
a one-piece integrally molded element, preferably manufactured from good 
quality rubber. For ease of description, the sling 1 includes a butt 
section 6, a nozzle section 5, and an integral interconnecting strap 3. 
Butt section 6, as can be seen from FIG. 2, is provided with a cavity 2, 
the size and depth of which cavity being chosen such that it will, by 
virtue of the inherent elasticity of the sling material, conform to any 
size and shape of stock. 
Nozzle section 5, as can be seen from FIG. 3, is also provided with a 
cavity, the profile of which is such that it accepts the nozzle of the 
firearm. Since the present invention contemplates the protection of any 
foresight in the embodiment disclosed, the cavity 4 is of such length and 
profile as to extend over, and protectively encompass such a sight. 
As will be appreciated from FIG. 1, the butt and nozzle portions of the 
sling are maintained in elastic engagement with the firearm by means of 
strap 3. Due to elasticity of the material of the sling, the manner of 
operation should be readily apparent, the tension of strap 3 will be 
sufficient to maintain the butt section and the nozzle section of the 
sling on the gun when handled. 
The sling, according to the invention is, as would be appreciated, taken 
off to fire the weapon. The butt section 6 covers the butt end of the 
stock of the firearm and may be utilized as a cushion to the shoulder when 
the weapon is discharged. 
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be 
apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. 
Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and 
is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art, the manner of 
carrying out the invention. It is further understood that the form of the 
invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the presently 
preferred embodiment. Various changes may be made in the shape, size and 
general arrangement of components, for example equivalent elements may be 
substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts may be used 
independently of the use of other features, all as will be apparent to one 
skilled in the art after having the benefits of the description of the 
invention.