Patent Publication Number: US-2005120608-A1

Title: Cocking plate

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a non-provisional of Provisional Application No. 60/509,616 filed Oct. 8, 2003. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present invention relates to a cocking plate for holding the end of an article. More specifically, to a cocking plate that facilitates the reloading of a firearm such as a spear gun.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      A problem encountered by the underwater hunter is holding the spear gun during the reloading of the spear gun. Typically, the spear is inserted in the barrel of an elastic band type gun until it is seated in the trigger mechanism, and then the butt end of the gun is placed against the stomach, and the elastic bands are pulled one at a time, with both hands, from the front of the gun and stretched to the back and set in notches in the spear.  
      Underwater hunters wanting power out of their spear gun will use thick, powerful elastic bands. These bands are particularly difficult to stretch or draw, and many accidents occur as the butt of the gun slips from the stomach, or as the rubber bands slip from the hands of the diver. Divers have come to accept the fact that reloading is a very difficult task.  
      It would be desirable to be able to provide a device that allows the user to safely reload a firearm such as a spear gun.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention offers at least one of the following advantages: 
          provides a support that helps stabilize a firearm such as a spear gun during the reloading process;     provides a belt-attached support for a firearm that holds the firearm in place merely by placing the firearm in the support;     provides a belt-attached support that is usable from the left, middle, or right side of the hunter.        

      The invention concerns a cocking plate for holding the base of an article, the cocking plate comprising: 
          a plate having a front side, a back side, at least one slot, and at least one clamping means; and     a receiving cup connected to the front side of the plate,     wherein the receiving cup includes means for connecting to the at least one recess of the plate;     wherein the cocking plate is adapted to be used in conjunction with a belt.        

      The plate measures between 8-16 inches in height, 3.5-7 inches in width on the top, and 6-10 inches in width on the bottom.  
      The cup angles away from the plate by approximately a 30 to 45 degree angle. In addition, the cup further comprises a locking device to lock the end of the article.  
      The plate further includes at least one stopper located at least in one of the upper ends or sides of each slot.  
      Finally, the present invention contemplates providing the lower end of the plate with flair up (curvature) design to accommodate the user.  
      The foregoing detailed description shows that the preferred embodiments of the present invention are well suited to fulfill the objects of the invention. It is recognized that those skilled in the art may make various modifications or additions to the preferred embodiments chosen herein to illustrate the present invention, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the subject matter sought to be afforded protection hereby should be deemed to extend to the subject matter defined in the appended claims, including all fair equivalents thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a front view of the cocking plate according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 2   a  is a perspective side view of the cocking plate according to the present invention without the receiving cup.  
       FIG. 2   b  is a perspective side view of the receiving cup according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 2   c  is a perspective side view of the cocking plate according to  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of the cocking plate according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  shows the cocking plate according to the present invention in use with a belt.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective side view of the cocking plate according to  FIG. 1  showing a rubber insert.  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective back view of the cocking plate according to  FIG. 1  showing the locking plate.  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective back view of the cocking plate according to  FIG. 6  showing the locking plate in place. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a quicker but firmly attachable cocking plate for the belt of a user, to which the base of an article such as a spear gun can be secured.  
      The cocking plate, according to the present invention, allows loading a firearm such as a spear gun more easily and with greater stability. In addition, the cocking plate prevents the slip of the firearm, thus the loading process is safe.  
      When using a sling spear gun, the cocking plate will allow the use of stronger bands due to this stability.  
       FIGS. 1-7  show the cocking plate for helping in the reloading of a spear gun according to the present invention.  
      The cocking plate  10  for holding the base of an article, comprising: 
          a plate  20  having a front side  25 , a back side  28 , at least one slot  30  and at least one clamping means  40 ; and     a receiving cup  50  connected to the front side  25  of the plate  20 , wherein the receiving cup  50  includes connecting means  55  to connect the cup to the at least one recess  30  of the plate  20 .        

      The plate has a substantial size and shape to bear against a front side of the waistband and over the lower belly portion of the user. In addition, the plate is designed with a curvature to fit the body. In order to accommodate the user, the present invention prefers a plate having a pear shape, though it may be of any other configuration. The design also presents well-rounded lower corners and edges to accommodate the user.  
      The plate is preferably made of injection plastic, but not limited to, and measures between 8-16 inches in height, 3.5-7 inches in width on the top, and 6-10 inches in width on the bottom, preferably 10.5 inches in height, 5.25 inches in width on the top, and 8.5 inches in width on the bottom.  
      The plate includes at least one slot  58  in which the belt can be passed through. In addition, the at least one clamping means  40  allows the cocking plate to fit over the edge of the belt (not shown) without having to pass the belt through the slot of the plate.  
      The slots and the clamping means are preferably molded integrally with the plate. The size of the slots provides for easy attachment to belts of different widths.  
      The clamping means  40  turned over and spaced from the plate  20  so as to form generally “U” shaped clips, which fit over the upper edge of a belt. The clamping means being also longitudinally flexible to conform to the curvature of the belt.  
      This design allows the diver to simply grab the cocking plate at the top and slip it off in case of an emergency.  
      The cocking plate, according to the present invention, accommodates firearms, such as spear guns, of different makes and models.  
      The cup  50  measures between 2 to 8 inches in width, 1 to 3 inches in height, 1 to 3 inches depth in the front, and 0.5 to 3 inches depth in the back. In addition, the cup angles away from the plate by approximately a 30 to 45 degree angle.  
      Furthermore, the plate  20  also includes at least one stopper  60  located at the upper end and/or side of each slot in order to retain the belt in place.  
      The present invention contemplates the idea of adding a locking device (not shown) inside the cup in order to lock the end of the spear gun in place, thus the diver may have his hands free. This will allow the diver to perform extra tasks that need the use of the two hands.  
      In another embodiment, the present invention contemplates adding a curvature  70  (flair up design) in the bottom of the plate to provide the, diver with more comfort.  FIG. 3 .  
      In another embodiment, the present invention contemplates covering the back of the cocking plate with a soft and supple pliant cushion material such as foamed Neoprene (tm) of substantial thickness to accommodate the user.  
      In another embodiment, the present invention contemplates adding an anti-skip insert  80  ( FIG. 5 ) into the receiving cup to give the firearm a non-slip grip surface to hold the firearm in place. In addition, the anti-skip insert elevates the butt of the firearm so the firearm is better stabilized.  
      Furthermore, the present invention optionally contemplates adding a locking plate  90  to the back of the plate  20 . ( FIG. 6 ). Due to the snap-on design of the cup  50 , a gap  100  is left behind by the locking tabs  55 ; thus, a locking plate  90  is needed to insure that the cup cannot be pulled away from the plate during use. The locking plate  90  includes locking tabs  120 . The locking tabs  120  are placed in the gap  100  left behind by the locking tabs  55  forcing the locking tabs  55  to stay locked by filling the gap  100  left behind by the locking tabs.  
      Although the invention has been described relative to a specific embodiment thereof, there are numerous variations and modifications that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the above teachings. For example, a variety of materials can be used to achieve the unique structure of the present invention without departing from the scope thereof. Further, the holder of the present invention is suitable for use with any object, e.g., hammer, hatchet, etc. having a rod-like handle and sufficient weight to cause the tensioning strap to collapse thereabout. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.