Abstract:
A combination weapons case for guns, bows, knifes or other tools having a flexible inner case and a hard outer case. The outer case includes a recessed area for receiving the inner case, and may feature a place for storing arrows or other accessories. The outer case may be fastened to an object such as an all-terrain vehicle and the inner case may be conveniently removed for easy transport in the field. The outer case and/or the inner case may be shaped like the object contained therein.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to weapons cases, and more specifically to weapon cases for guns, rifles, bows or the like.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Soft-sided cases for weapons are generally used for storage and transport. Generally, such cases protect the weapon from dust and dirt, and may be at least somewhat moisture resistant. These cases also protect the weapon from being scratched by relatively minor forms of contact. Soft cases are typically used for carrying a weapon into the field or into a practice area. However, soft cases cannot fully protect the weapon during transport on an airplane or the like, and weapons may be damaged or ruined if other luggage is piled on top of the weapon or if the cased weapon is carelessly handled by baggage carriers. Further, soft cases are flexible and may be opened with relative ease even when locked. Thus, soft cases are not very secure against tampering. Even if the soft case is locked, it could be opened with relative ease. This may be very dangerous for a family owning a weapon stored in such a case, or when leaving a weapon unattended on an all-terrain vehicle (“ATV”). Finally, it can be difficult to mount a soft case to an ATV or other vehicle.  
           [0003]    Hard-sided transport cases for weapons are also known. These cases more fully protect the weapon against damage during shipment or transportation, and they are more secure against tampering than soft cases. Though a hard case can be more easily mounted to a vehicle, it is not practical when the user is travelling on foot because it is relatively bulky and awkward to carry in that situation.  
           [0004]    Accordingly, a need exists for a weapons case that has the benefits of a soft case while at the same time offering the protection of a hard case.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention is a weapon case generally constructed from an inner case designed to contain a weapon such as a gun, bow, knife, or the like, and  
           [0006]    an outer case that is designed to receive the inner case containing the weapon. The inner case is flexible and is easy to carry in the field. The inner case may also be designed so that it floats even when a weapon is contained inside.  
           [0007]    The outer case may be relatively form-fitted to the shape of the weapon and inner case, or may be larger to accommodate other accessories that may be carried with the weapon. The outer case is preferably made from a molded plastic so that it is easy to incorporate features such as apertures for locks, feet and lashing loops, or to make a case a particular shape without having to join many pieces together.  
           [0008]    While the present invention is particularly useful for hunting, other applications are possible and references to use with hunting weapons should not be deemed to limit the application of the present invention. The present invention may be advantageously adapted for use where similar performance capabilities and characteristics are desired and it my be adapted for use with other tools and equipment. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a plan view of an inner case and an outer case in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, shaped to receive a rifle or shotgun;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outer case of FIG. 1, shown in an open position;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the outer case of FIG. 1, taken generally along the lines  3 - 3  of FIG. 1;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the inner case of FIG. 1, taken generally along the lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 1;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the of an inner case and an outer case in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, shaped to receive a rifle or shotgun;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway view of the outer case and the inner case of FIG. 5, with a scoped rifle stored therein;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is a cross-section of the outer case of FIG. 5 taken generally along lines  7 - 7 , showing the inner case and a rifle stored therein;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an outer case in accordance with the present invention, shaped to receive a bow;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 9 is a plan view of a yet another embodiment of a soft, inner case in accordance with the present invention, for use with a bow in combination with the outer case shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 10 is a cross-section of the bottom shell of the outer case, taken generally along the lines  10 - 10  of FIG. 8, and further including an end elevational view of the inner case of FIG. 9, placed therein;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 11 is a cross-section of the top shell of the outer case in FIG. 8, taken generally along the lines  11 - 11  of FIG. 8; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 12 is a cross-section of the inner case in FIG. 9, taken generally along the lines  1212  of FIG. 9. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention is a weapons case  10  that is a dual purpose weapons case for rugged transport and field duty. It is generally constructed from a relatively soft, flexible inner case  12  adapted to encase a weapon. The weapon may be a rifle as shown, but inner case  12  could be shaped to enclose any number of different weapons, such as shotguns, pistols, knives, swords, and compound, recurve or cross bows. Surrounding the inner case  12  is a relatively hard outer case  14 . These two components are discussed more fully with reference to the several embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS.  1 - 12 .  
         [0022]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, outer case  14  is constructed from a relatively hard material such as wood, metal or molded plastic. In the preferred embodiment, case  14  is made from polypropylene. Case  14  preferably has a clam-shell construction formed by a top shell  16  and a bottom shell  18 . Top shell  16  and bottom shell  18  may be hinged together with a series of hinges  20  or a continuous piano hinge (not shown). Hinges  20  may be cloth, molded into each cover and fit together with a pin, or any other type of hinge that is available. Top and bottom shells  16 ,  18  also include a handle  22  that may be integral with each shell  16 ,  18  as shown. The open area  23  below handle  22  is preferably large enough to accommodate a person&#39;s hand covered by a glove or mitten.  
         [0023]    Each shell  16 ,  18  is preferably lined with a liner  24 . The purpose of liner  24  is to prevent the inner case  12  holding an enclosed weapon from being jostled within the outer case  14  during transport. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, liner  24  generally fills each shell  16 ,  18  with the exception of a relief portion defined by edge  26  and surface  30 . This relief portion accommodates case  12  when the outer case  14  is closed; thus, edge  26  is the same general shape as the outer perimeter of inner case  12 . Preferably, when outer case  14  is in a closed position, the distance  32  between the surfaces  30  is about equal to the thickness  34  of inner case  12 .  
         [0024]    The remaining exposed surface  40  of liner  24  may be flat or have various textures such as the ribbed texture shown in FIG. 3. The ribbed texture allows the surface to be more compressible than a flat surface. The peak  42  of each rib may vary in shape or depth, and is not limited to the triangular peak shown. The advantage of having a ribbed surface  40  is that items can be placed between the shells  16 ,  18 . Preferably, there is a gap between surfaces  40 , or specifically, the peaks  42  when the outer case  14  is in a closed position. This allows for the storage of bulkier items between surfaces  40 . However, the liner  24  could fill each shell  16 ,  18  completely (not shown) as long as it is compressible enough to receive a weapon encased in inner case  12 .  
         [0025]    Liner  24  may be made from foam, plush pile, fleece, or other soft, compressible material. Preferably, liner  24  is made from a combination of open-celled foam and closed cell foam. Open-celled foam is more easily compressed but is relatively easy to tear/gouge and can absorb liquid. Conversely, closed-cell foam is less easy to compress, but does not tear/gouge easily and does not absorb liquid. Thus, it is preferable to face certain surfaces with closed-cell foam for greater durability. For example, as seen in FIG. 3, at surface  30  is a closed-cell foam sheet  44 , whereas the remainder of liner  24  is open-celled foam. Of course, liner  24  may be either completely open-celled foam or closed-cell foam, and sheet  44  could instead be made from a fabric or plush pile.  
         [0026]    Referring to FIG. 2, outer case  14  is closed by at least one mating clasp  48  or the like. Preferably there is more than one clasp  48  along the length of the case  14  for a more secure closure. At least one of the clasps  48  may have a lock for added security and to prevent children from tampering with the weapon.  
         [0027]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, inner case  12  is generally constructed from a soft outer material such as vinyl, leather, or a synthetic or natural fabric. The material used may be at least water resistant. In the most preferred embodiment, the material used is commonly known under the trademark CORDURA®. A handle  52  is attached by a strap  54  sewn to the exterior surface of case  12 . Handle  52  is made from a leather or foam material, and is preferably large enough to accommodate a gloved hand. The interior surface of case is preferably lined with a closed-cell foam  56 . This material is preferred because it floats, is relatively durable and water proof, and it can be shaped to generally match the profile of a particular weapon, if desired. In the most preferred embodiment, inner case  12  will float even when a weapon is encased therein. Other materials that may be used to line case  12  include fleece, plush pile, quilted batting or the like. Preferably, inner case  12  has a zipper closure (not shown), and most preferably, a zipper closure  57  that resists debris from entering the case.  
         [0028]    During use, a weapon is placed in the inner case  12 , which is then placed into the relief portion of shell  18 . Shell  16  is closed, and the outer case  14  is latched shut by latches  48 . Outer case  14  may be fastened to a vehicle such as an ATV, or carried separately. Preferably, outer case  14  is designed so that is can sit upright on the floor so that handle  22  in an upward position.  
         [0029]    Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The general difference between case  10  and case  60  is that the shape of outer case  62  is more like shape of a rifle  63  or shotgun. Specifically, outer case  62  is preferably shaped to accommodate a right or left handed bolt-action rifle or shotgun. As seen in FIG. 6, the gun stock  64  is positioned in the stock portion  66  of case  62 , and the barrel  68  is positioned in the barrel portion  70 . An integral capsule portion  72  (located symmetrically on each shell  16 ,  18 ) accommodates the gun bolt  74 . Preferably, there is enough room in inner case  12  and outer case  62  to accommodate a rifle or shotgun with a scope  75 .  
         [0030]    As with outer case  14 , outer case  62  may have a handle  78  large enough to accommodate a gloved hand. Further, case  14  may have apertures  82  for receiving a padlock or the like, and several lashing loops  83  for lashing outer case  62  to another object such as a vehicle. In addition, case  62  may have feet  84  on the side opposite handle  78  so that the case can stand upright to present the handle  78 .  
         [0031]    Case  62  may be unlined because of the relative form-fit of outer case  62  with respect to inner case  12 , or may have a relatively thin liner  86  as seen in FIG. 7. Preferably, this thin liner is made of closed-cell foam, but may instead be an open-celled foam, fleece or plush pile lining. Inner case  12  fits inside case  62  so that there is a minimum of movement of case  12  or the weapon enclosed therein.  
         [0032]    Referring now to FIGS.  8 - 12 , another embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment is very similar to that shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , except that it can be adapted to accommodate a bow (not shown) and arrows  89 . Thus, many reference numbers will be duplicated in the following paragraphs.  
         [0033]    As in the previously described two embodiments, case  90  is preferably made from polypropylene. Case  90  is large enough to accommodate a recurve or compound bow, along with other small accessories such as a quiver or the like. Like case  14 , case  90  has a claim-shell construction formed by a top shell  16  and a bottom shell  18 . Top shell  16  and bottom shell  18  may be hinged together in a similar manner as case  14 , and also includes a handle  22 . One additional feature that may be provided is recess  92  for the storage of arrows. Recess  92  is generally compromised of a first recess portion  94  and a second recess portion  96  separated by a slotted portion that includes slots  98 .  
         [0034]    Arrows  89  may be attached to top shell  16  by sliding the arrow shaft into any one of the slots  98 . The foam liner  24  is preferably an open-celled foam so that it readily conforms around the arrow shaft  99  to hold in place. Recess portions  94  and  96  are of a depth so that the arrow fletching and broadheads may lie below the surface  100  of liner  24  in top shell  16 . Preferably, recess portions  94  and  96  are lined with a closed-cell foam  102 , or a fabric that resists abrasion from the broadheads and fletching.  
         [0035]    As seen in FIG. 8, liner  24  generally fills bottom shell  18  with the exception of a recess defined by edge  26  and surface  30 . Edge  26  is shaped to fit the perimeter of inner case  92  containing a compound or recurve bow, and other accessories such as a quiver or the like. Surface  30  of the relief portion is preferably lined with a closed-cell foam.  
         [0036]    Other features of the outer case  90  shown in FIG. 8 include apertures  104  located on a protruding lip  105 , the apertures used to accommodate a locking mechanism such as a padlock or other locking device. Further, lashing loops  106  are provided for lashing the case to another object.  
         [0037]    Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Accordingly, it is recognized that modifications may be made by one skilled in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the appended claims.