Abstract:
A three point weapon sling is disclosed having a side release non-reversible buckle that holds a temperature resistant strap and can be mounted to a variety of different makes and sizes of weapons. The sling incorporates a three-point design that permits multiple carry and shooting positions, and is adjustable to varying lengths without excess strap to become tangled or otherwise interfere with the use of the weapon.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Rifles and similar firearms are typically worn using a strap that connects to the fore and aft portion of the weapon, creating a sling. These slings vary in shape and connection types, and are adjustable to account for different size user and different preferences of the user. Used by hunters and in combat, the slings keep the weapon in a ready position to allow a quick transition from carry to firing. In combat, this transition can be critical to the user. 
     The present inventor has identified several issues with the sling that the present invention is intended to address. First, many slings are designed for either a particular firearm or manufacturer, so a user may require several slings to use with different weapons. Particularly with older rifles and the like, current slings do not mount effectively as compared with newer guns. Also, an issue arises when the sling must be assembled in darkness or in cramped quarters, such as a fox hole or duck blind. Typical buckles allow insertion of the mating components in either orientation, which can lead to a twisting of the sling and difficulty re-orienting the weapon for firing quickly. Also, it would be advantageous to have a sling that allows for rapid three-way configuration that is adaptable to the specific preferences of the user. 
     These, and other improvements, are accomplished by the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a three point weapon sling with side release buckles that hold a temperature resistant strap and can be mounted to a variety of different makes and sizes of weapons. The sling incorporates a three-point design that permits multiple carry and shooting positions, and is adjustable to varying lengths without excess strap to become tangled or otherwise interfere with the use of the weapon. 
     A quick adjustment capability to enable the shooter to quickly change the sling length and yet have no excess material to flap or tangle. The sling provides the most comfort and most versatility of any available weapon sling on the market, and adjusts to multiple positions and multiple sizes to accommodate the user&#39;s preference. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the sling of the present invention connected to a weapon; 
         FIG. 2  is the sling of  FIG. 1  released from the weapon; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged elevated perspective view of the sling without the weapon; 
         FIGS. 4-9  are illustrations of various configurations of the sling; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged, side view of an alternate connection embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged, perspective view of another alternate connection embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged, side view of yet another alternate connection embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged, side view of still another alternate connection embodiment with a high temperature cord; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged side view of the non-reversible buckle in the correct orientation; and 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged side view of the non-reversible buckle in the incorrect orientation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a weapon  10 , such as a shoot gun, rifle, or other long barrel firearm having multiple contact points  12 ,  14 . The contact points  12 , 14  can be swiveling loops  15 , 17  that are pinned into the weapon  10  and allow for some play in the loops, at least in the forward and rearward direction. Other types of contact points having a slot for a strap can be used with the present invention, and it is not limited to any particular weapon or contact point. 
     A multi-point sling  16  is shown attached to the weapon  10  at the contact points  12 , 14 . In the depicted embodiment, a first connecting strap  18  having a width of one inch couples the sling  16  to the contact point  12  through loop  15 , and a second connecting strap  20  having a width of one inch couples the sling  16  to the contact point  14  through loop  17 . An adjustable slip lock buckle  22  receives the end  24  of the connecting strap  18  after passing through the contact point  12  at loop  15  to secure the sling  16  to the front of the weapon  10 . Similarly, a second adjustable slip lock buckle  26  receives the end  28  of the connecting strap  20  after passing through the contact point  14  at loop  17  to secure the sling  16  to the rear of the weapon  10 . The adjustable buckles  22 ,  26  preferably have jagged teeth at the entry recesses to prevent slippage of the connecting straps  18 , 20  once they are secured in the buckles. Once the connecting straps  18 ,  20  are locked into the buckles  22 ,  26 , respectively, the sling keeper loops formed by the closed configuration of strap  18 /buckle  22  and strap  20 /buckle  26  are established. The sling is preferably attached to the weapon at these keeper loops in a reliable and easy-to-use manner, and the sling can be quickly released by releasing the straps  18 , 20  from their respective slip lock buckles in a known manner. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the sling  16  removed from the weapon  10 . A wide polypropylene belt  32  having a width of one and one half inches forms the over-the-shoulder portion of the sling  16 . The belt  32  passes through a retainer reducer having a first slot  36  that receives the strap  18  and a second slot  38  that receives the belt  32 . A first end of the belt  32  is sewn at the buckle  26  and a second end  42  of the belt  32  is attached to a slip lock buckle  44 , where the belt first passes through buckle  44  to form a secondary loop  46 . By adjusting the length of belt  32  passing through buckle  42 , the size of the secondary loop  46  can be adjusted by the user. Note that the reduction or expansion of the secondary loop  46  affects the size of the sling  16 , providing an easy adjustment mechanism for controlling the overall size of the sling  16 . 
     The secondary loop  46  forms the attachment point for an intermediate belt linking portion  50 . Belt linking portion  50  comprises a first linking buckle  52  that couples the secondary loop  46  to the intermediate belt linking portion  50 . A short strap  54  includes a sewn loop  58  that holds a first piece  60  of a side squeeze, non-reversible locking buckle  62 . The second end piece  64  of the side squeeze non-reversible locking buckle  62  is attached via attachment strap  68  to a three point adjustment buckle  70 . Three point adjustment buckle  70  receives attachment strap  68  to connect with the non-reversible locking buckle  70 , the belt  32 , and which also receives an anchor portion  80  comprising strap  82 , non-reversible releasable coupler  84 , and anchor strap  86 . Belt  32  at a first end  40  attaches to anchor strap  86 . Anchor strap  86  may extend through the buckle  26  and form the rear keeper loop. 
     The sling  16  can be adjusted at slip lock buckle  44  to expand and contract the size of the sling. The position of the three point adjustment buckle  70  along the belt  32  also reduces the size of the sling and creates a secondary loop  90 , which can be used to wrap around the butt of the weapon  10  to more securely connect the weapon to the sling  16 . 
       FIGS. 4-9  illustrate various ways in which the sling  16  can be used to carry the weapon  10 . In  FIG. 10 , an auxiliary rear stock strap  100  is used in place of the fixed contact point  14  of the preceding embodiment. Rear stock strap  100  includes a first length  102  that wraps around the back of the stock and a circumferential length  104  that encircles the stock, with a coupler  106  for receiving strap  20 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates another attachment embodiment for the front portion of the weapon, where the contact point  12  is replaced with a separate front keeper strap that wraps around the barrel of the weapon  10 , and provides a loop to receive the belt  32  therein.  FIG. 12  illustrates a nozzle attachment piece  120  that can connect to the weapon sight  122  via cable  124 , which includes a coupler  126  having a slot  128  for receiving belt  32 .  FIG. 13  shows how the nozzle attachment piece  120  can also be used to wrap around the barrel itself in a quick and reliable manner. 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate the non-reversible side squeeze locking buckle  62 , illustrating a single orientation ( FIG. 14 ) for locking the buckle. If the rotation of the second piece  64  relative to the first piece  60  is offset, the two pieces will not mate and it will be impossible to lock the sling into position. This feature ensures that the belt  32  will not be twisted when the sling is formed, particularly when visibility is diminished and the opportunity for misalignment is high. 
     The sling of the present invention is metal-free and resistant to high temperatures and made from impact resistant materials. The keeper loops are easily engaged with the weapon at the swiveling connection points  12 ,  14 , requiring only that the straps be fed through the loops and secured with the associated buckle. This allows the sling  16  to be used with a multitude of different weapons of varying sizes and configurations, quickly and easily. The non-reversible buckles ensure correct orientation even in darkness without fumbling for the buckles, and the adjustable three point connection allows for plurality of combat-ready positions. Attachment pieces also adapt to non-standard stocks and barrels, allowing easy connection to more weapons than previous slings. 
     The foregoing description is intended to be illustrative only, and not limiting. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as requiring any illustrated component or configuration, except as stated in the claims below.