Patent Publication Number: US-9410766-B1

Title: Sling

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/948,435, filed Mar. 5, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     NOTICE OF COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL 
     The disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Unless otherwise noted, all trademarks and service marks identified herein are owned by the applicant. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of slings. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sling adaptable to be used with a firearm. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     It is generally known to attach a sling to various portions of a firearm, such as, for example, a rifle or carbine, to assist in maintaining the firearm in a particular location relative to a user&#39;s body and to allow the firearm to be attached to the user&#39;s body, even when the user is not holding the firearm with his or her hands. 
     Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, or the like, which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     However, the typical sling arrangement has various shortcomings. 
     In various exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, the sling of the present invention comprises an elongate primary webbing portion extending from a first end to a second end; a first webbing extension portion and a second webbing extension portion, each having a width that is greater than the primary webbing portion, wherein the first webbing extension portion is attached or coupled proximate the first end of the primary webbing portion and wherein the second webbing extension portion is attached or coupled proximate the second end of the primary webbing portion; a tubular webbing portion, wherein a portion of the primary webbing portion is fitted within a cavity of the tubular webbing portion, such that the primary webbing portion is slidable within the cavity of the tubular webbing portion; a first attachment device attached or coupled proximate the first end of the elongate primary webbing portion; a ladder lock buckle attached or coupled proximate the second end of the primary webbing portion; an extended webbing portion that extends from a first end to a second end, wherein the extended webbing portion is attached or coupled to the primary webbing portion by interaction with the ladder lock buckle, wherein the extended webbing portion interacts with the ladder lock buckle such that the extended webbing portion can be shortened, providing extended, partially retracted, and retracted positions for the extended webbing portion; a webbing grip portion formed proximate the second end of the extended webbing portion; and a second attachment device attached or coupled proximate the first end of the extended webbing portion. 
     Accordingly, the presently disclosed invention provides a sling that allows a user to readily adjust the overall length of the sling, within a determined parameter. 
     The presently disclosed invention separately provides a sling that allows a user to readily adjust the overall length of the sling, while the sling is being worn. 
     The presently disclosed invention separately provides a sling that reduced the pain/discomfort to a user&#39;s neck and/or shoulders when using the sling. 
     The presently disclosed invention separately provides a sling that can be easily manipulated by a user. 
     These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are described in or are apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying figures. Other aspects and features of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the following description of specific, exemplary embodiments of the present invention in concert with the figures. While features of the present invention may be discussed relative to certain embodiments and figures, all embodiments of the present invention can include one or more of the features discussed herein. Further, while one or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be used with the various embodiments of the invention discussed herein. In similar fashion, while exemplary embodiments may be discussed below as device, system, or method embodiments, it is to be understood that such exemplary embodiments can be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods of the present invention. 
     Any benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems that are described herein with regard to specific embodiments are not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature(s) or element(s) of the present invention or the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       As required, detailed exemplary embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, within the scope of the present invention. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to illustrate details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention. 
       The exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of the sling, according to this invention; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a first more detailed view of the first end of the primary webbing portion of an exemplary embodiment of the sling, according to this invention; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a second more detailed view of the first end of the primary webbing portion of an exemplary embodiment of the sling, according to this invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a more detailed view of the interaction between the primary webbing portion and the tubular webbing portion of an exemplary embodiment of the sling, according to this invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a more detailed view of the second end of the primary webbing portion and the extended webbing portion of an exemplary embodiment of sling, wherein the extended webbing portion is in an extended position, according to this invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a more detailed view of the second end of the primary webbing portion and the extended webbing portion of an exemplary embodiment of sling, wherein the extended webbing portion is in a partially retracted position, according to this invention; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a more detailed view of the second end of the primary webbing portion and the extended webbing portion of an exemplary embodiment of sling, wherein the extended webbing portion is in a retracted position, according to this invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     For simplicity and clarification, the design factors and operating principles of the sling according to this invention are explained with reference to various exemplary embodiments of a sling according to this invention. The basic explanation of the design factors and operating principles of the sling is applicable for the understanding, design, and operation of the sling of this invention. It should be appreciated that the sling can be adapted to many applications where a sling or strap can be used. 
     As used herein, the word “may” is meant to convey a permissive sense (i.e., meaning “having the potential to”), rather than a mandatory sense (i.e., meaning “must”). Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. 
     The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless stated otherwise. 
     Throughout this application, the terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include”, (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are used as open-ended linking verbs. It will be understood that these terms are meant to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer, step, or group of elements, integers, or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer, step, or group of elements, integers, or steps. As a result, a system, method, or apparatus that “comprises”, “has”, “includes”, or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Similarly, a method or process that “comprises”, “has”, “includes” or “contains” one or more operations possesses those one or more operations but is not limited to possessing only those one or more operations. 
     It should also be appreciated that the terms “sling”, “strap”, “buckle”, and “firearm” are used for basic explanation and understanding of the operation of the systems, methods, and apparatuses of this invention. Therefore, the terms “sling”, “strap”, “buckle”, and “firearm” are not to be construed as limiting the systems, methods, and apparatuses of this invention. Thus, the terms “sling” and “strap” are to be understood to broadly include any elongate portion of material capable of him being attached or coupled to an object. 
     For simplicity and clarification, the sling of this invention will be described as being used in conjunction with a firearm, such as a rifle or carbine. However, it should be appreciated that these are merely exemplary embodiments of the sling and are not to be construed as limiting this invention. Thus, the sling of this invention may be utilized in conjunction with any object or device. 
     Turning now to the drawing Figs.,  FIGS. 1-6  illustrate certain elements and/or aspects of a first exemplary embodiment of the sling  100 , according to this invention. In illustrative, non-limiting embodiment(s) of this invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 , the sling  100  comprises an elongate primary webbing portion  110  extending from a first end to a second end. In various exemplary embodiments, the primary webbing portion  110  may optionally comprise a ¾ inch webbing material. Alternatively, the primary webbing portion  110  may optionally comprise a portion of webbing material with a width between ¼ inch and 1 inch. 
     A first webbing extension portion  120  is attached or coupled proximate the first end of the primary webbing portion  110  and a second webbing extension portion  130  is attached or coupled proximate the second end of the primary webbing portion  110 . The first webbing extension portion  120  and the second webbing extension portion  130  each have a width that is greater than the primary webbing portion  110 . In various exemplary environments, the first webbing extension portion  120  and the second webbing extension portion  130  may optionally comprise a 1 inch webbing material. Alternatively, the first webbing extension portion  120  and the second webbing extension portion  130  may optionally comprise a portion of webbing material with a width between ½ inch and 1½ inches. 
     While the sling  100  is shown and described as having a first webbing extension portion  120  and a second webbing extension portion  130  of similar widths, it should be appreciated that the width of the first webbing extension portion  120  may be the same or different from the width of the second webbing extension portion  130 . 
     By providing a primary webbing portion  110  with a different width from the first webbing extension portion  120  and the second webbing extension portion  130 , the primary webbing portion  110  can accommodate the tubular webbing portion  150 , while allowing more standardized buckles and accessories to be used in areas of the first webbing extension portion  120  and the second webbing extension portion  130 . 
     A portion of the primary webbing portion  110  is fitted within a cavity of a section of tubular webbing portion  150  or tubular tape, such that the tubular webbing portion  150  is able to slide back and forth along the exterior surface of the primary webbing portion  110 . Likewise, the primary webbing portion  110  is able to slide back and forth within the cavity of the tubular webbing portion  150 . 
     During use, the tubular webbing portion  150  is typically placed along a user&#39;s neck and shoulders. By allowing the tubular webbing portion  150  to slide relative to the primary wedding portion, the tubular webbing portion  150  can be maintained in a particular position, while the primary webbing portion  110  can slide within the tubular webbing portion  150 . In this manner, the user&#39;s neck and shoulders are not affected by movement of the primary webbing portion  110 , because the tubular webbing portion  150  can maintain a relatively stable position relative to the user&#39;s body. 
     A first sling hook  171 , such as, for example, a HK style sling hook, a claw hook, a pushbutton quick disconnect sling swivel, a loop of cord or other material, a D ring, or other attachment device is attached or coupled proximate the first end of the elongate primary webbing portion  110 . In various exemplary embodiments, the first sling hook  171  is attached or coupled proximate the first end of the primary webbing portion  110 , within the first webbing extension portion  120 , by inserting a portion of the first webbing extension portion  120  through an aperture in the first sling hook  171  and releasably attaching or coupling portions of the first webbing extension portion  120 , via one or more tri-glide buckles  160 , ladder lock buckle  165 s, or similar devices. 
     An elastic webbing cover  180  may optionally be used to cover the first sling hook  171 . 
     In various exemplary embodiments, a ladder lock buckle  165 , such as, for example, a GT ruck buckle, is attached or coupled proximate the second end of the primary webbing portion  110 , within the second webbing extension portion  130 , by inserting a portion of the second webbing extension portion  130  through an aperture in the ladder lock buckle  165  and releasably or permanently attaching or coupling, such as, for example, by stitching, portions of the second webbing extension portion  130 . 
     An optional tab  168  may be attached or coupled to the ladder lock buckle  165  to assist in the use and operation of the ladder lock buckle  165 . 
     An extended webbing portion  140  extends from a first end to a second end and is attached or coupled to the primary webbing portion  110  (and the second webbing extension portion  130 ) by being interlaced in the ladder lock buckle  165 . 
     A second sling hook  172 , such as, for example, a HK style sling hook, a claw hook, a pushbutton quick disconnect sling swivel, a loop of cord or other material, a D ring, or other attachment device is attached or coupled proximate the first end of the extended webbing portion  140 . In various exemplary embodiments, the second sling hook  172  is attached or coupled proximate the first end of the extended webbing portion  140  by inserting a portion of the extended webbing portion  140  through an aperture in the second sling hook  172  and releasably attaching or coupling portions of the extended webbing portions  140 , via one or more tri-glide buckles  160 , ladder lock buckle  165 s, or similar devices. 
     An elastic webbing cover  180  may optionally be used to cover the second sling hook  172 . 
     A webbing grip portion  132 , or tail, is formed proximate the second end of the extended webbing portion  140 . In various exemplary embodiments, the webbing grip portion  132  is formed by doubling over a portion of the extended webbing portion  140  and attaching or coupling portions of the extended webbing portion  140 , such as, for example, by stitching. In certain exemplary embodiments, rigidity may be added to the webbing grip portion  132  by the inclusion of a portion of material secured between the doubled over portions of the extent webbing portion. 
     The webbing grip portion  132  is typically about 3 to 4 inches, allowing a user to secure a sufficient degree of purchase on the webbing grip portion  132 . 
     The extended webbing portion  140  is interlaced within the ladder lock buckle  165  such that the extended webbing portion  140  can be shortened, providing extended, partially retracted, and retracted positions for the extended webbing portion  140 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the extended webbing portion  140  is in an extended position. By pulling on the webbing grip portion  132 , a portion of the extent webbing portion is urged through the ladder lock buckle  165 , shortening the length of the extended webbing portion  140  and retracting the extended webbing portion  140 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the webbing grip portion  132  can be manipulated so that the extended webbing portion  140  is in a partially retracted position. Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the webbing grip portion  132  can be manipulated so that the extended webbing portion  140  is in a fully retracted position. 
     It should be appreciated that the ladder lock buckle  165  can be manipulated (potentially by pulling the tab  168 ), to release the extent webbing portion, so that the extended webbing portion  140  can be manipulated from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position. 
     Manipulating the extent webbing portion between the extended and retracted positions can be useful when manipulating a firearm attached or coupled to the sling  100 , via, for example, the first sling hook  171  and the second sling hook  172 . 
     In various exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, all or portions of the primary webbing portion  110 , the first webbing extension portion  120 , the second webbing extension portion  130 , and/or the extended webbing portion  140  may be made of any fabric or other material, such as, for example, woven fabrics, canvas, acrylics, sheet fabrics, films, nylon, spandex, vinyl, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), neoprene, or the like. Additionally, all or portions of the primary webbing portion  110 , the first webbing extension portion  120 , the second webbing extension portion  130 , and/or the extended webbing portion  140  may be made of any flexible and/or elastic material and may stretch. Alternatively, all or portions of the primary webbing portion  110 , the first webbing extension portion  120 , the second webbing extension portion  130 , and/or the extended webbing portion  140  may be formed from multiple, similar or dissimilar materials. In various exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, the primary webbing portion  110 , the first webbing extension portion  120 , the second webbing extension portion  130 , and/or the extended webbing portion  140  may be water-resistant or may include a cushion material. 
     It should be appreciated that the terms fabric and material are to be given their broadest meanings and that the particular fabric(s) or material(s) used to form the primary webbing portion  110 , the first webbing extension portion  120 , the second webbing extension portion  130 , and/or the extended webbing portion  140  is a design choice based on the desired appearance and/or functionality of the sling  100 . 
     It should also be appreciated that a more detailed explanation of the considerations for selecting the specific types and sizes of webbing material, buckles, and/or attachment devices used for the sling  100 , instructions regarding how to install the sling  100 , methods for using the sling  100 , once installed, and certain other items and/or techniques necessary for the implementation and/or operation of the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not provided herein because such elements are commercially available and/or such background information will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, it is believed that the level of description provided herein is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to understand and practice the invention, as described. 
     While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting and the fundamental invention should not be considered to be necessarily so constrained. It is evident that the invention is not limited to the particular variation set forth and many alternatives, adaptations modifications, and/or variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     Furthermore, where a range of values is provided, it is understood that every intervening value, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and is also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention. 
     It is to be understood that the phraseology of terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. 
     In addition, it is contemplated that any optional feature of the inventive variations described herein may be set forth and claimed independently, or in combination with any one or more of the features described herein. 
     Accordingly, the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments will reveal the general nature of the invention, such that others may, by applying current knowledge, change, vary, modify, and/or adapt these exemplary, non-limiting embodiments for various applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and elements or methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in practicing the present invention. Any and all such changes, variations, modifications, and/or adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed exemplary embodiments and may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Also, it is noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “and”, “said”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Conversely, it is contemplated that the claims may be so-drafted to require singular elements or exclude any optional element indicated to be so here in the text or drawings. This statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely”, “only”, and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements or the use of a “negative” claim limitation(s).