Patent Publication Number: US-11639839-B1

Title: Rifle safety strap and shooting aid

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to systems and methods for carrying rifles or other hunting equipment on backpacks, shoulder harnesses, or the like. 
     Background of the Invention 
     Back country game hunting often requires an extensive assortment of gear, not the least of which is a hunting rifle. Assuming the hunter carries much of his or her gear in a backpack, which is most frequently the case, the hunter is often left to carry his or her rifle with a sling that is draped over the shoulder. This may allow the rifle to be quickly retrieved in the event the rifle is needed, such as when game is spotted. However, carrying a rifle in this manner may be unwieldly and cause a hunter significant pain and/or discomfort during long hikes due to the imbalanced or improper weight distribution of the rifle on the shoulders, arms, or other body parts. 
     To alleviate this problem, a hunter may strap the rifle to a backpack that the hunter then carries on his or her back. Although effective to more evenly and effectively distribute the weight, this technique may unfortunately place the rifle out of the hunter&#39;s reach, or at least significantly hinder its accessibility. In some cases, retrieving the rifle may require removing the backpack and unstrapping the rifle before it can be used. By this time, an opportunity may have already passed. Furthermore, because not all backpacks are designed to carry a rifle, a specially designed backpack may be needed to provide this functionality. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art and, in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available apparatus and methods. Accordingly, apparatus and methods have been developed to more effectively and efficiently carry a rifle or other hunting equipment. The features and advantages of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     Consistent with the foregoing, a method for protecting a rifle and stabilizing the rifle when shooting is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes providing a strap and connecting a first end of the strap to a backpack. A second end of the strap is connected to a rifle. A length of the strap is adjusted such that when a user pulls the rifle over the shoulder from the backpack and holds the rifle in a shooting position, the strap slides over the user&#39;s shoulder from the backpack to the rifle, and reduces a weight of the rifle in the user&#39;s arms when the rifle is held in the shooting position. In certain embodiments, the length of the strap is adjusted to maintain the rifle substantially level when in the shooting position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the embodiments of the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing one example of an apparatus for carrying a rifle on a backpack; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view showing a more closeup view of the apparatus of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a front view showing an alternative mechanism for holding or gripping a rifle; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a front view showing another alternative mechanism for holding or gripping a rifle; 
         FIG.  4 B  is a side view of the alternative mechanism illustrated in  FIG.  4 A ; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view showing one example of an anti-drift mechanism incorporated into the apparatus of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  6 A  is a perspective view showing one example of a retention mechanism incorporated into the apparatus, wherein the retention mechanism is in a closed position; 
         FIG.  6 B  is a perspective view showing the retention mechanism of  FIG.  6 A  in an open position; 
         FIG.  7    is a side profile view showing exemplary operation of the retention mechanism of  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B ; and 
         FIG.  8    is a front view showing a release mechanism that is accessible from a front of a backpack; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an apparatus for carrying a rifle on a backpack; 
         FIG.  10    is a reverse perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIGS.  11 A and  11 B  are perspective views of a hook used with the apparatus of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cinching device for use with the apparatus of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of one embodiment of a safety strap and shooting aid in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG.  14    shows the safety strap and shooting aid of  FIG.  13    in use; 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of an apparatus for carrying a rifle on a backpack; 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective view of a key used with the apparatus of  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  17    is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cinching device for use with the apparatus of  FIGS.  15  and  16   ; 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of one embodiment of a strap for coupling the apparatus of  FIGS.  15  and  16    to a backpack; 
         FIG.  19    shows various hooks incorporated into shoulder straps of a backpack in order to free a user&#39;s hands and provide a counterbalance for weight of a backpack; 
         FIG.  20    is a side view showing another embodiment of a hook incorporated into a shoulder strap of a backpack; and 
         FIG.  21    is a side view showing yet another embodiment of a hook incorporated into a shoulder strap of a backpack. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of certain examples of presently contemplated embodiments in accordance with the invention. The presently described embodiments will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , one example of an apparatus  100  for carrying a rifle  102  or other hunting equipment (e.g., bow, binoculars, etc.) is illustrated. As previously mentioned, game hunting may require an extensive assortment of gear, not the least of which is a hunting rifle  102 . Assuming a hunter carries much of his or her gear in a backpack  104 , the hunter may be left to carry his or her rifle  102  with a sling that is draped over the shoulder. This may allow the rifle  102  to be quickly retrieved in the event the rifle  102  is needed, such as when game is spotted. However, carrying a rifle  102  in this manner may be unwieldly and cause a hunter significant pain and/or discomfort during long hikes due to imbalanced or improper weight distribution of the rifle  102  on the shoulders, arms, or other body parts. 
     To alleviate this problem, a hunter may strap the rifle  102  to a backpack  104  that the hunter then carries on his or her back. Although effective to more evenly and effectively distribute the weight, this technique unfortunately may place the rifle  102  out of the hunter&#39;s reach or may significantly hinder its accessibility. In some cases, retrieving the rifle  102  may require removing the backpack  104  and unstrapping the rifle  102  before it can be used. By this time, an opportunity may have already passed. Furthermore, because not all backpacks  104  are designed to carry a rifle, a specially designed backpack  104  may be needed to provide this functionality. 
     To address the issues identified above, in certain embodiments, an apparatus  100  for carrying a rifle  102  may be provided that is universal to various types of backpacks  104 . In certain embodiments, the apparatus  100  includes a hook  106  that is configured to engage a loop  108  (e.g., a metal ring, strap, etc.) that is attached to the rifle  102 . An attachment mechanism  110  may be coupled to the hook  106  to attach the hook  106  to the backpack  104 . In certain embodiments, the attachment mechanism  110  is embodied as a closeable ring (e.g., a carabiner) or as a strap that may be cinched down on some part of the backpack  104 , such as on a handle  110  or frame of the backpack  104 . In certain embodiments, a sheath  112  may be provided to support a bottom of the rifle  102  while it is being carried on the backpack  104 . 
     The apparatus  100  may free the hands of a user and substantially center the weight of the rifle  102  on the user&#39;s back, thereby eliminating or reducing strain and discomfort in the user&#39;s shoulders or other body parts. Advantageously, the apparatus  100  may enable the user to easily retrieve the rifle  102  by reaching over his or her back and pulling up on the rifle  102 . Because of the hook  106  and loop  108  design of the apparatus  100 , the rifle  102  will easily release from the apparatus  100  (i.e., the loop  108  will release from the hook  106 ). This may enable the rifle  102  to be retrieved quickly, which may be advantageous in instances where game is spotted. The universal design of the apparatus  100  enables the apparatus  100  to be used with a wide variety of backpacks  104  or shoulder harnesses. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , a more closeup view of the apparatus of  FIG.  1    is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment mechanism  110  is a ring although the ring could be replaced with a strap, such as a cinchable strap that may snuggly hold some feature of a backpack  104 . The illustrated embodiment shows a double hook design  106 , although a single hook  106  may be used in other embodiments. Although a distance between the hook  106  and the attachment mechanism  110  is substantially fixed in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments the distance may be modified with an adjustable strap or slider. This may allow the user to adjust the height of the rifle  102  on the user&#39;s back, thereby facilitating retrieval of the rifle  102  and/or reducing the chance that the rifle  102  will catch on branches or other objects while the user is walking. 
     The hook  106  and loop  108  design illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  2    may be considered one type of “coupling mechanism” for connecting a rifle  102  to the apparatus  100 . In other embodiments, the “coupling mechanism” includes other types of devices that are capable of holding and/or gripping a rifle  102 . For example, in certain embodiments, the coupling mechanism includes a gripping element  304  comprising a wheel  300  (or wheels  300 ) that grip the side(s) of a rifle&#39;s barrel  302  (or other part of the rifle  102 ) when gravity pulls the rifle  102  in a downward direction, as shown in  FIG.  3   . The wheel  300  or wheels  300  may be made of or coated with a tacky or grippy material to grip the barrel  302 . Pulling the rifle  102  in an upward direction (as might occur when the user reaches over his or her shoulder to grab the rifle  102 ) may release the rifle  102  from the grip of the wheel  300  or wheels  300 , thereby allowing the rifle  102  to be released from the apparatus  100 . 
     In other embodiments, the coupling mechanism includes a gripping element  400  that grips a barrel  302  or other part of the rifle  102  as the gripping element  400  rotates relative to the rifle  102 . A strap  402  or other element may couple the gripping element  400  to the backpack  104 . The gripping element  400  may also be made of or coated with a tacky or grippy material that grips the barrel  302 . Pulling the rifle  102  in an upward direction may rotate the gripping element  400  and release the rifle  102 .  FIG.  4 A  shows a front view of the gripping element  400  and  FIG.  4 B  shows a side view of the gripping element  400  relative to the barrel  302 .  FIGS.  3 ,  4 A, and  4 B  are simply examples of different mechanisms for coupling a rifle  102  to the apparatus  100  and are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of such mechanisms. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , in certain situations, the coupling mechanism  504  of the apparatus  100  may have a tendency to move or drift laterally with respect to a backpack  104 , such as when a user is walking, bending over, or the like. In other cases, a shape or fullness of the backpack  104  may cause the apparatus  100  to drift to one side of the backpack  104  or the other. This may be undesirable in that it may cause the rifle  102  to deviate from a centered position on the backpack  104 . 
     To address this concern, in certain embodiments, an anti-drift mechanism  500  may be incorporated into the apparatus  100 . This anti-drift mechanism  500  may take on various different forms. For example, the anti-drift mechanism  500  may be as simple as a pair of straps  502  (as shown) that can be tied, snapped, hook-and-loop fastened, clipped, or otherwise attached to a backpack  104  to prevent the apparatus  100  from drifting to one side or the other. In other embodiments, the anti-drift mechanism  500  incorporates an anti-slip surface (e.g., a rubber surface) placed on the back of the apparatus  100  to keep the apparatus  100  from drifting to one side or the other. In other embodiments, the anti-drift mechanism  500  is a pin or hook-and-loop fastener on the back of the apparatus  100  that is configured to couple the apparatus  100  to the backpack  104 . In yet other embodiments, the anti-drift mechanism  500  is an elastic cord (e.g., a bungee cord) that is looped around a bottom of the backpack  104  to keep the apparatus  100  substantially centered on the backpack  104  and keep it from drifting to one side or the other. In certain embodiments, the length of the elastic cord may be adjustable. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , in certain embodiments, particularly where a hook  106  is used with the apparatus  100 , a retention mechanism  600  may be provided to retain the loop  108  within the hook  106 . This will ensure that the loop  108  does not slip out of the hook  106  while the user is hiking, climbing, bending over, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the retention mechanism  600  is embodied as a pair of retention members  602  that, when in a closed position, create a closed loop with the hooks  106 .  FIG.  6 A  shows the retention members  602  in a closed position. To release the loop  108  from the hook  106 , the retention members  602  may be placed in an open position, as shown in  FIG.  6 B . This may enable a user to remove a rifle  102  from the apparatus  100 . When using a single hook  106  with the apparatus  100  (as opposed to the dual hooks  106  shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B ), a single retention member  602  may be used. 
       FIG.  7    shows an example of an apparatus  100  that includes a retention mechanism  600  comprising at least one retention member  602  that moves between an open and closed position. In certain embodiments, the retention member  602  is spring loaded such that the retention member  602  is normally in the closed position (as shown). In certain embodiments, when in the closed position, the retention member  602  may rest against a surface  700  or notch  700  in the hook  106 . To couple a rifle  102  to the apparatus  100 , a loop  108  on the rifle  102  may be pressed against the retention member  602  to cause the retention member  602  to deflect downward and thereby enable the loop  108  to enter the hook  106 . The retention member  602  may then spring back into the closed position. Because the retention member  602  rests against the surface  700  or notch  700 , the loop  108  will be unable to exit the hook  106  even if the loop  108  is pressed against the retention member  602 . In essence, the loop  108  is locked inside the closed ring formed by the hook  106  and the retention member  602 . 
     To release the loop  108  from the hook  106 , a release mechanism  604  may be used to move the retention member  602  from the closed position to an open position (as shown by the dotted line). As shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , in certain embodiments, the release mechanism  604  includes a cable  606  to move the retention member  602  from the closed position to the open position. This cable  606  may in certain embodiments be actuated by the user from a front of the backpack  104 , as shown in  FIG.  8   , using a pull cord  800 , switch, lever, button, or the like. This may allow the user to actuate the retention member  602  and thereby release the rifle  102  from the apparatus  100 . This design may have an added benefit of securing the user&#39;s rifle  102  within the apparatus  100  until the user is ready to retrieve the rifle  102 . This may also prevent others from gaining control of the rifle  102 . 
     In other embodiments, instead of using a cable  606 , the release mechanism  604  may be actuated electronically using a wired or even wireless connection (e.g., a Bluetooth connection). For example, a wired or wireless connection may be used to cause the release mechanism  604  to open the retention member  602 . Such an embodiment may, in certain cases, utilize a battery, motor, and communication circuitry on the apparatus  100 . Other techniques and mechanisms for controlling the release mechanism  604  may be used and are within the scope of the invention. 
     The retention mechanism  600  shown in  FIG.  7    simply shows one example of a mechanism that may be used to secure a rifle  102  to the apparatus  100 . Other mechanisms are possible and within the scope of the invention. When using any of the alternative embodiments illustrated in  FIGS.  3 ,  4 A, and  4 B , other types of retention mechanisms  600  may be used. 
     It should be recognized that while the apparatus  100  disclosed in  FIGS.  1 - 8    may be universally used with many different types of backpacks  104 , an apparatus  100  may also be incorporated into a backpack  104  or other shoulder harness. For example, one or more of a hook  106  (or the disclosed alternatives), retention mechanism  600 , release mechanism  604 , and the like, may be incorporated into a backpack  104 . Similarly, although the apparatus  100  has been disclosed primarily for carrying rifles, the apparatus  100  may also be used to carry bows and other hunting equipment. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9  and  10   , an alternative embodiment of an apparatus  100  for carrying a rifle  102  on a backpack  104  is illustrated. In this example, the coupling mechanism includes a plate  900  comprising multiple loops  902  arranged at various heights on the plate  900 . This plate  900  may be attached to a backpack  104 . For example, a cinching device  906  may engage a flexible strap (not shown) that may in turn be connected to the backpack  104 , such as looped over some feature of the backpack  104 , such as a handle or frame. The cinching device  906  may be slid along the strap and engage an aperture  1000  in the plate  900  and thereby allow the plate  900  to hang from the backpack  104 . This is similar to the coupling mechanism  504  illustrated in  FIG.  1   . The strap may be adjusted in the cinching device  906  to adjust the height of the plate  900  relative to the backpack  104 .  FIG.  12    shoes a larger view of the cinching device  906 , and more particularly a central member  1200  around which a strap may be routed. 
     In certain embodiments, the plate  900  includes a magnet  908 . This magnet  908  may draw the plate  900  to some metallic component or member of the backpack  104 , such as a piece of metal that is placed inside the backpack  104 . The magnet  908  and metal piece together may grip the backpack  104  and prevent or reduce swinging of the plate  900  with respect to the backpack  104 . 
     The illustrated hook  904  may slide into any of the loops  902  on the plate  900 . The hook  904  may be coupled to a rifle  102  with a strap that is routed through or looped around apertures  910  incorporated into the hook  904 . In certain embodiments, the hook  904  and accompanying strap (not shown) is placed below a sling mount on the rifle  102  to keep the hook  904  from sliding with respect to the rifle  102 . Once the hook  904  is coupled to the rifle  102 , the hook  904  may be placed into one of the loops  902  of the plate  900  depending on a desired height of the rifle  102  relative to the backpack  104 . This may allow the rifle  102  to hang from the backpack  104  at a desired height, while allowing the rifle  102  to be quickly released from the backpack  104  when needed. For example, when the rifle  102  is needed, a user may reach over his or her shoulder and pull the rifle  102  upward. This may release the hook  904  from the loop  902 , thereby allowing the rifle  102  to be retrieved.  FIGS.  11 A and  11 B  show various alternative views of the hook  904 . 
     Like the previous embodiment of the coupling mechanism  504 , in certain embodiments, a retention mechanism  600  (e.g., locking element) may be incorporated into the coupling mechanism  504  to keep the hook  904  retained within the loop  902  until a user wishes to remove the rifle  102  from the coupling mechanism  504 . The retention mechanism  600  may be released by a release mechanism  604  such as a cable. In certain embodiments, this cable  606  may be actuated by the user from a front of the backpack  104 , as shown in  FIG.  8   , using a pull cord  800 , switch, lever, button, or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG.  13   , in certain embodiments, when a rifle  102  is carried on a backpack  104 , a safety strap and shooting aid  1300  may be provided to protect the rifle  102 . For example, if the rifle  102  were to disengage (e.g., come unhooked) from the coupling mechanism  504  while a user is hiking, the safety strap and shooting aid  1300  may catch the rifle  102  to prevent it from falling to the ground and becoming damaged. In the illustrated embodiment, the safety strap and shooting aid  1300  are shown with very rudimentary and generic connections  1302  to the rifle  102  and backpack  104  respectively. In certain embodiments, these connections  1302  may be clips that removably couple the safety strap and shooting aid  1300  to the rifle  102  and backpack  104  respectively. Although the safety strap and shooting aid  1300  are shown on one side of the rifle  102  and backpack  104 , the safety strap and shooting aid  1300  may also be utilized on the other side of the rifle  102  and backpack  104  depending on whether the rifle is left-handed or right-handed. 
     In certain embodiments, the length of the safety strap and shooting aid  1300  is adjustable. For example, a slide  1304  may be provided on the safety strap and shooting aid  1300  to adjust its length. In certain embodiments, the length of the safety strap and shooting aid  1300  is adjusted to assist a user in shooting the rifle  102 , as will be explained in more detail hereafter. 
     Referring to  FIG.  14   , while continuing to refer generally to  FIG.  13   , in practice, when a user wishes to use the rifle  102 , the user may reach over his or her shoulder and remove the rifle  102  from the coupling mechanism  504 . As the rifle  102  is brought over the shoulder into the shooting position, the safety strap and shooting aid  1300  may become taught and/or stretch between its attachment point  1302  on the backpack  104  and the attachment point  1302  on the rifle  102 . This may pull the rifle  102  into the user&#39;s shoulder to keep the rifle  102  tight and secure in the shooting position. A hip or waist belt and shoulder straps of the backpack  104  may keep the backpack  104  in place even with the tension in the safety strap and shooting aid  1300 . 
     Because the safety strap and shooting aid  1300  is routed over the user&#39;s shoulder, this may also create an upward pull on the rifle  102  to reduce the weight of the rifle  102  in the user&#39;s hands. This may decrease fatigue and steady the rifle  102  in the user&#39;s hands, thereby assisting the user in shooting the rifle  102  and ideally improving the user&#39;s accuracy and endurance when holding the rifle  102 . Although not clearly visible in  FIG.  14   , the safety strap and shooting aid  1300  may triangulate with the rifle  102  and user to create vector forces that lift the rifle and thereby reduce the weight of the rifle  102  in the user&#39;s hands (by pulling upward), as well as pull the rifle  102  into the user&#39;s shoulder. 
     Referring to  FIG.  15   , another alternative embodiment of an apparatus for carrying a rifle on a backpack  104  is illustrated. In this example, a coupling mechanism includes a plate  1500  comprising key slots  1502  arranged at various heights on the plate  1500 . This plate  1500  may be attached to a backpack  104  with a strap or other means, as will be discussed in association with  FIG.  18   . In certain embodiments, the plate  1500  is positioned to hang substantially centrally on the back of a backpack  104 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  16  and  17   , in certain embodiments, a key  1600  is configured to slide into any of the key slots  1502  on the plate  1500 . This key  1600  may be coupled to a rifle  102  with a strap  1700  that is routed through or looped around apertures  1602  that are incorporated into the key  1600 . In certain embodiments, the key  1600  and accompanying strap  1700  are placed below a sling mount on the rifle  102  to keep the key  1600  from sliding off of the rifle  102 . In certain embodiments, the strap  1700  is secured to the rifle using velcro (i.e., hook and loop) or using some cinching mechanism. 
     Once the key  1600  is coupled to the rifle  102 , the key  1600  may be placed into one of the key slots  1502  of the plate  1500 , depending on a desired height of the rifle  102  relative to the backpack  104 . This may allow the rifle  102  to hang from the backpack  104  at a desired height, while allowing the rifle  102  to be quickly released from the backpack  104  when needed. For example, when the rifle  102  is needed, a user may reach over his or her shoulder and pull the rifle  102  upward. This may cause the key  1600  to slide upward and out of the key slot  1502 , thereby allowing the rifle  102  to be retrieved. 
     Referring to  FIG.  18   , as shown, in certain embodiments, a strap  1800  may be used to couple the plate  1500  to a backpack  104 . In this embodiment, the strap  1800  engages slots  1802  in the plate  1500 . The strap  1800  may be adjusted within the slots  1802  to modify a length of the strap  1800  that extends from the plate  1500 . A hook  1804  or other device may be coupled to an opposite end of the strap  1800  to connect the strap  1800  to a backpack  104 , such as a handle or frame of the backpack  104 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  19   , in certain embodiments in accordance with the invention, it may be advantageous to provide apparatus and methods to attach items to a front of a backpack  104  to counterbalance weight of the backpack  104  and to free a user&#39;s hands when using the backpack  104 . Ideally, such apparatus and methods would be able to carry different types of cargo of various shapes and sizes. 
     In order to accomplish this, in certain embodiments, hooks  1900  for carrying cargo may be incorporated into shoulder straps  1902  of the backpack  104 . As shown in  FIG.  19   , in certain embodiments, such hooks may take the form of that discussed in association with  FIGS.  1  and  2   . That is, the hooks  1900  may be universally designed to connect to different types of backpacks  104  and shoulder straps. In the illustrated embodiment, the hooks  1900  attach to loops  1904  or other components on the shoulder straps  1902  of the backpack  104 . In certain embodiments, the hooks  1900  are secured to the shoulder straps  1902  with a coupling mechanism  1906  (e.g., a strap  1906 ) that reaches all or partly around the shoulder straps  1902 . These straps  1906  may keep the hooks  1900  substantially centered on the shoulder straps  1902  and/or reduce drifting of the hooks  1900  with respect to the shoulder straps  1902 . Other coupling mechanisms, such as clips or pins may be used to couple the hooks  1900  to the front or back of the shoulder straps  1902  and keep the hooks  1900  centered and/or prevent the hooks  1900  from swaying relative to the shoulder straps  1902 . 
     In certain embodiments, the hooks  1900  are foldable to get them out of a user&#39;s way when not in use, or to lock an item into the hooks  1900 . In certain embodiments, the hooks  1900  fold upward. In other embodiments, the hooks  1900  fold to the side. The foldability of the hooks  1900  may enable a user to bring an object such as a gun stock against the user&#39;s shoulder without interfering with the hooks  1900 . 
     In order to make the hooks  1900  foldable, one or more hinges may be integrated into the hooks  1900 . In certain embodiments, the hinges may be spring-loaded such that the hooks  1900  remain in a folded position until the hooks  1900  are pulled down and utilized. In other embodiments, the hinges are friction hinges that cause the hooks  1900  to stay in the position they are placed by a user. In yet other embodiments, the hooks  1900  are folded upward and snapped in place when they are not needed. When needed, they may be folded down and utilized. 
     The hooks  1900  shown in  FIG.  19    may universally attach to different types of backpacks  104 . The way in which the hooks  1900  attach to the backpack  104  may depend on the attachment points provided by the backpack  104 , and more particularly the shoulder straps  1902 . In other embodiments, the hooks  1900  are integrated into the shoulder straps  1902  of the backpack  104  such that they are part of the design of the backpack  104 . 
     In certain embodiments, the hooks  1900  may be designed such that, when folded, the hooks  1900  substantially conform to the curvature or contour of the shoulder strap  1902 . For example,  FIG.  20    shows a side profile view of a hook  1900  integrated into a shoulder strap  1902 . As shown by the dotted line, when folded upward, the hook  1900  substantially conforms to the contour of the shoulder strap  1902 . The solid line, by contrast, may represent the hook  1900  when in an unfolded and usable position. In certain embodiments, when in the folded position, the hook  1900  may retain whatever item is hanging from the hook  1900  between the hook  1900  and the shoulder strap  1902 , thereby preventing the item from falling off the hook  1900 . 
       FIG.  21    shows yet another embodiment of the hook  1900 . In this example, the hook  1900  more closely conforms to the contour of the shoulder strap  1902 . The dotted line represents the hook  1900  when in the folded or stowed position and the solid line represents the hook  1900  when folded down. In this embodiment, the hook  1900  is completely hidden or confined within the contours of the shoulder strap  1902 . If needed, an end piece  2100  may be provided at an end of the hook  1900 . This end piece  2100  may be rotated to keep items from falling off of the hook  1900 . 
     In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings which is shown by way of illustration specific implementations in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. 
     While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. The foregoing description has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. Further, it should be noted that any or all of the aforementioned alternate implementations may be used in any combination desired to form additional hybrid implementations of the disclosure.