Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a tactical sling system to assist and enable law enforcement and military personnel to better and more efficiently support and usefully manipulate their sling mounted weapons, and more particularly to systems which enable close body carriage in high alert situations and converting to a distanced body carriage to enable a sight aimed position.  
           [0002]    Conventional weapons sling systems have several shortcomings which denigrate their complete utilization in tactical situations. The first and most obvious is seen with respect to the vast majority of slings which are used for the two main purposes of carrying a rifle or other long weapon from a shouldered position, and the use of the sling for wrapping partially about the extended arm of the shooter to steady the weapon for sniping or distance aiming. The carriage of the weapon near the body in its upright orientation simply is not easily attainable with most sling systems because the attachment points for a sling on a conventional rifle or other long weapon is from fittings on the bottom of the rear stock and extending from a position at the bottom of the weapon near the front grip.  
           [0003]    Further, most sling systems do not enable the rifle to be carried close to the body with a quick adjust to a second carriage position where the rifle may be brought forward for action. Most straps require a fumbling adjustment to go from one position to the other. With these limitations, the weapon may be carried close to the body and only fired on short notice in a lowered position. Alternatively, a strap can be adjusted to an extended position, but the rifle will receive no substantial close body support except by the user supporting it completely by the use of the arms. The fatigue factor from supporting the rifle completely with the arms diminishes the reaction time and accuracy of the user.  
           [0004]    Most tactical team members carry, in addition to a rifle, supplies, communication equipment, ammunition, body armor, and other utility equipment. Managing the rifle, in addition to the other equipment, makes the need for a tactical sling system even more acute.  
           [0005]    What is needed is a sling system which enables a rifle to be carried in an upright, ready for firing orientation, and provides a quick, virtually instant transition between a close to the body fire-from-a-lowered-position orientation to an extended aiming fire orientation. The needed sling system should be as silent as possible, avoiding self generated sounds as well as making sounds against the rifle or other equipment. The sling system should provide for stable support of the rifle in all of the carry positions and release only by either the natural aiming action, or by a manual release. The needed sling should be adjustable to enable a user to adjust for a variety of both close to the body and away from the body positions. The needed sling should also have the ability to permit backpack carry of the rifle.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    To meet the above described need, an adjustable sling system provides a quick release fitting which enables the sling system to transition from a close to the body quick fire position to an away from the body aiming position. The adjustable sling system incorporates a first end having a first attachment fitting carried closer to the forward grip of a rifle having a first portion of the first end attached to an extended rubber core web surrounded section. A release clip has a first end supported by a tension ring which is supported along a length of webbing extending from the first portion, and includes a riveted connection to the web strap and reinforcement plate as it extends from the first end. The release clip has an overall “U” shape, and where one side of the “U” shape is indented to apply force to the other side to provide one factor in keeping a buckle fitting within the release clip when a rifle is to be carried at the side in quick shoot position. The angular approach to the force contact area is more gently sloped in the direction of entry to facilitate a re-positioning into the close body position. The slope in the direction of capture is calculated with respect to the force of the spring action to insure that the close body position is maintained absent a deliberate forward aiming motion. In addition the buckle fitting includes a first aperture which enables it to slide on the web strap away from the first end, and a second aperture through which the release clip operates and which secures a post on the buckle fitting between the first and second apertures, and within the release clip. The buckle fitting is curved to provide increased holding force when the rifle is carried in the close body position and to provide an easier release force when the rifle is raised to the aiming position.  
           [0007]    The web strap extends away from the first end, through a shoulder adjust fitting, then through a strap aperture of the buckle and then to a termination at the shoulder adjust fitting at a second end. The second end typically terminated in a loop about the shoulder adjust fitting. A sliding fitting preferably includes a tension ring which slides along the web strap nearer the first end of the an adjustable sling system and provides a second attachment fitting to attach to the rifle nearer its stock end. Permissible terminations for both the first and second attachment fittings may include hooks, snap hooks, or buckle and web adjustable attachment fittings.  
           [0008]    A second adjustable sling system for use with military full back packs is disclosed and which enables a sliding fitting on a rifle sling to be used with a “Y” shaped support which connects to a backpack or load bearing equipment. This second adjustable sling system enables a soldier to off load some of the effort in supporting his rifle on the sling system while enabling a wide range of support orientations of the rifle to be achieved. The rifle may be left to rest in a general vertical, downwardly oriented position to free the soldier&#39;s arms when the rifle is not being utilized.  
           [0009]    Rifle attached fittings are disclosed which permit rifles to be supported in the vertical position with either of the first or second adjustable sling systems. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    Objects and features of the invention will become apparent from a reading of a detailed description in conjunction with the drawing, in which  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a side view of a user wearing a first embodiment of the sling system of the invention extending between a front rifle attachment point to a rear rifle attachment point, underneath the right arm, across the back and top of the left shoulder and back to a first fitting near the front rifle attachment point, the first embodiment of the sling system being carried in a close to the body position;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, but where the first embodiment of the sling system has released to a second position for aiming and then lowered for carrying in order to illustrate the position of the sliding release buckle;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a view of the sling system along a length of web strap lying next to the rifle and illustrating manual actuation of the curved buckle fitting and slide fitting assembly;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a bayonet fitting used to attach to a rifle to facilitate attachment of the sling system embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a side view of the bayonet fitting of FIG. 4;  
         [0016]    [0016] 15 FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the bayonet fitting of FIGS. 4 and 5;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is a rear end view of a ring fitting utilizable with an M-16 rifle to facilitate attachment of the sling system embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a side view of the bayonet fitting of FIG. 7;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the bayonet fitting of FIGS. 7 and 8;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an M-16 rifle and illustrating the method and order of attachment of a ring fitting, compensating spacer and compensating longer butt plate screw to accommodate the axial dimension of the ring fitting;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 is a side view of a front bayonet fitting area of an M-16 rifle and illustrating the method of attachment of the bayonet fitting into a position underneath the barrel;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 12 is a side view as seen in FIG. 12 but with bolt and lock nut in place and with pressure set screw adjusted to apply force upward against a surface of the barrel to stabilize the bayonet fitting;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 13 is a side view of the first embodiment of the sling set of the invention and illustrating the details and extent of the strapping, connectors, buckles and rings;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 14 is a plan view of the first embodiment of the sling set of the invention corresponding to the orientation of FIG. 13 and illustrating the curved buckle fitting captured within the retaining clip;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 15 is a plan view of the first embodiment of the sling set of the invention corresponding to the orientation of FIG. 14 and illustrating the curved buckle fitting as released from within the retaining clip;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 16 is a view of the first embodiment of the sling system worn by a user in a back pack or load bearing equipment configuration;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 17 is a view of a second embodiment of the sling system of the invention and shown with respect to a wearer also wearing a back pack or load bearing equipment and where the sling system is supported by existing back pack or load bearing equipment straps at the front of a wearer;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 18 is a sling strap utilizable with the second embodiment of the sling system of FIG. 17;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 19 is an alternative embodiment of a connector utilizable with all of the embodiments of the sling system of the present invention; and  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 20 is a view of a ring fitting for the AR-15 or M-16 collapsible stock rifle. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0031]    A detailed description of the embodiments of the invention are best begun with reference to FIG. 1. A wearer  31  carries a rifle  33  utilizing a first embodiment of the sling system  35 . The system  35  is utilizable with any relatively longer weapon such as a rifle, shotgun, machine gun, carbine, or other weapon. The description is made with respect to a rifle, but the rifle embodies all of the aforementioned weapons and more. The sling system  35  is attached near the forward end of rifle  33  at a bayonet fitting  37  and at point near the stock of the rifle  33  by a ring fitting  39 . The fittings  37  and  39  were chosen for this particular rifle, the M-16, due to the availability of structure supporting the fittings  37  and  39  and it is understood that other rifles will have other structures for supporting different types of fittings which may be utilizable with the sling system  35  of the invention. Generally, the only objective of such other fittings is that they permit the rifle to be carried in a generally upright position as seen in FIG. 1.  
         [0032]    The sling system  35  is seen extending from a point near the ring fitting  39  up along the right side of the wearer  31 , across the wearer&#39;s back and left shoulder, and thence across the wearer  31 &#39;s chest to terminate at a curved buckle  41  engaged by a clip  43 . The buckle  41 , when not engaged by clip  43  is set to slide freely along a length of web strap  45  extending between the ring fitting  39  and the bayonet fitting  37 .  
         [0033]    Note the curvature of the buckle  41  and the close body position of the rifle  33  and in which the rifle is carried in a relatively forward position. As the rifle  33  is brought farther down, the buckle fitting  41  achieves a more angled position against a fitting adjacent the length of web strap  45  extending between the ring fitting  39  and the bayonet fitting  37 . In this position, the buckle fitting  41  is almost locked in place and will not leave the clip  43 . If the rifle  33  is brought more forward, the buckle fitting  41  will assume an orientation more nearly parallel to the length of web strap  45 , and the disengagement of the buckle fitting  41  will be in an optimum position to be disengaged from the clip  43  upon application of a tension force from the user&#39;s left shoulder pulling rearward on the buckle fitting  41 .  
         [0034]    An adjustment fitting  49  is provided to enable a loosening or tightening of the sling system  35  regardless of whether the sling system  35  is carried in a position close to the body or in a position to permit firing. The adjustment fitting  49  is preferably a three parallel post fitting having a pair of adjacent openings but wherein the termination of the strap of the sling system  35  loops around one outside post and where the slidable length of strap enters one opening, extends over a middle post and exits downwardly through the second opening and underneath the termination about the adjacent outside post. The action which results is the ability to lengthen the sling system  35  by simply pulling downwardly on the strap which is outermost with respect to the user  31 . Tightening the general fit of the sling system  35  involves a manual lifting of the adjustment fitting  49  while pulling down on the strap which is innermost with respect to the user  31 .  
         [0035]    Referring to FIG. 2, a position of the sling system  35  in which the buckle fitting  41  is released from the clip  43  has enabled the buckle fitting  41  to slide rearwardly toward the ring fitting  39 . In this condition, the buckle fitting  41  can move rearwardly to the ring fitting  39 . However, the ring fitting  39  is also slidably connected to the length of web strap  45 . Although the rearward movement of the buckle fitting  41  is limited by a second fitting (not yet seen) near the ring fitting  39 , the length of web strap  45  can continue to move through both the second fitting (not yet seen) and the buckle fitting  41  to enable a further freeing of the rifle  33  at the expense of a tightening of the portion of the sling system  35  extending around the wearer.  
         [0036]    Referring to FIG. 3, a closeup of the buckle fitting  41  and retaining clip  43  is seen. Beginning with the rifle  33 , a bayonet fitting  37  includes a ring structure  51  onto which a snap fitting  53  is engaged. The snap fitting  53  is attached to a hugging strap (not shown) which is closely sewn to a folded and sewn first end  55  of the sling system  35 . The strap material at the first end  55  is folded around a block of rubber  57  to provide stiffness and noise silencing. In addition, a stiff length of thin material  59  is partially secured by rivets  60 , and is also partially inserted into a fold  61  formed by the strap material as it surroundably encloses the block of rubber  57 . The combination of the thickness of the strapping extending away from the block of rubber  57  toward the main extent of the sling system  35  and the stiff length of thin material  59  is thin enough to accommodate an opening  63  of the curved buckle fitting  41 . A second opening  63  is a main opening and accommodates the clip  43  passing through the opening  63 , and over a post  65 . An upper opening  67  is engaged by a looping strap of the sling system  35  and includes an innermost strap section  69  and an outermost strap section  71 , taken with respect to the body of the user of FIG. 1.  
         [0037]    The retaining clip  43  includes a gently angled portion  75  terminating in a cylindrically curled end  77 , as well as a main internal space  79  bounded by a more abruptly angled portion  81 . The more abruptly angled portion  81  assists in retaining the post  65  once captured within the retaining clip  43 , while the gently angled portion  75  assists in manually capturing the post  65  within the retaining clip  43 . FIG. 3 shows the wearer  31  manually re-setting the curved buckle fitting  41  to be held within the retaining clip  43 .  
         [0038]    Note the curvature of the curved buckle fitting  41 . In a high angle position with respect to the captured length of web strap  45  and stiff length of thin material  59 , an outer edge post  85  and post  65  have an angular relationship which is somewhat restrictive of movement of the buckle fitting  41  along the length of web strap  45 . This restrictive pinching, combined with the fact that the pulling force is perpendicular with respect to the length of web strap  45  and stiff length of thin material  59 , gives the sling system  35  high holding force for the rifle  33  in the close to body position. As the curved buckle fitting  41  begins to recline with respect to the length of web strap  45  and stiff length of thin material  59 , the opening  63  begins to loosen about this combination of materials and becomes more freely slidable. In addition, when the innermost and outermost strap sections  69  and  71  cause the curved buckle fitting  41  to recline and to exert a force on the curved buckle fitting  41  more parallel to the length of web strap  45  and stiff length of thin material  59 , a force begins to bear directly upon the abruptly angled portion  81 . This force causes the release of the curved buckle fitting  41  from the retaining clip  43 . Because the outer edge post  85  always bears on the combination of the length of web strap  45  and stiff length of thin material  59 , the force from the curved buckle fitting  41  never upwardly bears on the upper member of the retaining clip  43  to cause it to open from such perpendicular force. As a result, the retaining clip  43  is always protected from strap forces, will never become bent open due to strap forces, and will operate against the length of web strap  45  and stiff length of thin material  59  time after time with only the lateral pushing force of the post  65 , in a direction generally parallel to the length of web strap  45  and stiff length of thin material  59 , as the operating force.  
         [0039]    The length of web strap  45  surrounding the block of rubber  57  helps to limit the movement of the snap fitting  53  about a pivotal axis parallel to the end of rubber block  57  and thus helps to suppress undue rattling at the end of the sling system  35  at the forward end of the rifle  33 . As will be seen, the innermost strap section  69  and outermost strap section  71  looping through the curved buckle fitting  41  provide a mechanical advantage to the adjustment fitting  49  of FIG. 1 and half the pulling force on the adjustment fitting  49  resulting from any downward pressure on the curved buckle fitting  41 . This enables the adjustment fitting  41  to be less loosely engaged by the innermost strap section  69  and enables the adjustment fitting  41  to be more easily manipulated by the wearer  31 .  
         [0040]    Further back along the length of web strap  45  is a second rifle fitting as a slide fitting assembly  91 . Slide fitting assembly  91  includes a slide ring  93  secured by a short sewn stiffened length of strapping  95  formed into a folded “Double U” shape and capturing a length of adjustment webbing  97  in its middle. Adjustment webbing  97  extends through a buckle  99 , around the ring fitting  39  and then back through the buckle  99 . The slide fitting assembly  91  beyond the slide ring  93  represents an alternative example of attachment structure which can be used to attach to structure depending from a rifle. A snap fitting  53  could be used in conjunction with slide fitting assembly  91 , and the adjustment webbing  97  and buckle  99  could be used in conjunction with the folded and sewn first end  55  of the sling system  35 . Other attachment structure can also be used.  
         [0041]    Referring to FIG. 4, a plan closeup view of a two sided version of the one sided version of the bayonet fitting  37  seen in FIGS. 1, 2, &amp;  3  is seen as a fitting  101 . Instead of a single ring structure  51 , a set of double, left and right side ring structures  103  are seen. The view of FIG. 4 is a top view, looking down onto the surface which would face the underside of the rifle. A front fork fitting  105  is used to hold the front portion of the fitting  101  in place, while a bolt  107  and lock nut  109  extends through the rear section of the fitting  101  to hold it in place once the front fork fitting  105  is in place. Bolt  107  preferably has a hexagonal drive head  111 .  
         [0042]    A lower base plate  113  is for supporting another structure at the bottom of the fitting  101 . The ends  115  of a downwardly directed slot mounting space, which can be used for mounting lasers, lights, and other objects, is seen. It is understood that the fitting  101  accommodates both left handed and right handed wearers  31  but that single ring structures  51  on one sided bayonet fittings  37  can be used. Also seen is the tip end of a pressure set screw  117  which is meant to bear against a bottom surface of the rifle  33 . Since the front fork fitting  105  has an angular mounting process, there will be some tolerance between the fitting  101  and the rifle  33 . Insertion of the bolt  107  at the rear of the bayonet fitting  101  locks it into place, but there may be enough tolerance left for a slight rattle. In addition, where the bayonet fitting is used to support laser sights, etc, the bayonet fitting  101  cannot tolerate either a rattling noise nor any significant instability. The set screw  117  is turned until it rises upwardly and against the rifle  33 , which urges the bayonet fitting  101  downward into a rigid locked configuration.  
         [0043]    Referring to FIG. 5, the slot  119  can be seen as extending across the fitting  101 . The set screw  117  can be seen in a downward orientation before being threadably turned upward to bear against the rifle  33 . Referring to FIG. 6, a bottom view of the bayonet fitting  101  seen in FIGS. 4 &amp; 5 give a better visual illustration of the components thereof.  
         [0044]    Referring to FIG. 7, a plan view of a two ring, left and right hand ring fitting  131  is seen which is similar to the ring fitting  39  seen in FIGS.  1 - 3 . The fitting rings  131  and  39  provide at least one attachment ring  133  which is configured to protrude from the side of the rifle  33  at a high point relative to the stock of the rifle  33  to enable rifle  33  to be suspended in its normal firing orientation. The use of two attachment rings  133  as seen in FIG. 7 enables a rifle to be supported from either of the right hand or left hand side.  
         [0045]    The fitting  131  has a main aperture  135  which fits over a receiver extension tube support for a stock of a rifle  33  such as an M-16 .223 caliber rifle. The axial thickness of the attachment ring  133  will cause a rifle stock to be displaced rearward by that thickness, which is only about ⅜ of an inch. The opposite faces of the fitting  131  should match the surfaces with which they interfit. FIG. 7 is a view looking forward onto the fitting  131  and facing the rear surface thereof. A rounded depression interfits with a projection on the stock. The main aperture  135  contains a grooved transition to a greater diameter opening  139  to accommodate the configuration of the rear of the rifle  33  receiver. The smaller diameter is seen surrounding the main aperture  135 .  
         [0046]    Referring to FIG. 8 a side view illustrates the depression  137  which is opposite a projection  141  which fits into an accommodating opening in the rear of the receiver of the rifle  33 . Both the projection  141  and the depression  137  are used to register the fitting  131  so that it will not rotate about its main aperture  135 . Referring to FIG. 9, a view of the side of fitting  131  opposite to that shown in FIG. 7 is seen.  
         [0047]    Referring to FIG. 10, an illustration of the installation of the fitting  131  is seen. A rifle  33  receiver  151  has a rear surface  153  having a depression  155 . Beyond the depression  155  is a bore supporting a spring  157  to urge a pin  159  outward from the bore supporting the spring  157 . The spring  157  and pin  159  normally urge a stock  161  rearwardly during breakdown to assist in removal and to keep the rifle  33  “tight”. A pair of butt plate screws including an upper screw  163  attach a butt plate  165  to stock  161  and a spacer  167  to a threaded bore  169  in a receiver extension tube  171 . A lower butt plate screw  173  attaches the lower end of the butt plate  165  to the stock  161 .  
         [0048]    When the fitting  131  is added, the stock  161  rides just slightly farther back on the receiver extension tube  171 . The upper butt plate screw  163  provided as original equipment is likely not to be able to reach the threaded bore  169 . A new longer upper butt plate screw  163  is provided along with a spacer  175  to compensate for the slight rearward displacement of the stock  161  while providing force distribution for the spacer  167  against internal structures in the stock and rear structures of the receiver extension tube  171 .  
         [0049]    Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, installation of the bayonet fitting  101  is illustrated on a rifle  33  having a front grip  181 . Just below the barrel  183 , a split structure  185  contains a pair of side members  187 , only one of which is seen in the side view of FIG. 11. The front fork fittings  105  of the bayonet fitting  101  are brought upward and forward at an angle to rest upon the side members  187 . The bolt  107  has been removed from a bore  189  of the bayonet fitting so that the bore  189  could be brought into alignment with a pair of apertures of which one aperture  191  is seen on the rifle  33 . Once the apertures  191  are aligned with the bore  189 , the bolt  107  is inserted therethrough and the lock nut  109  is added to the bolt  107 . This is seen in FIG. 12. Next, the set screw  117  is rotated until it bears on a surface  193  below the barrel  183  to force the front fork fitting  105  down into a stable configuration.  
         [0050]    Referring to FIG. 13, further details of the sling system  35  are seen. Beginning at the first end  35 , an outer closely sewn loop of material  201  is seen to engage the snap fitting  53 , and a rectangular connector ring  203 . Connector ring  203  engages the retainer clip  43  in its main internal space  79  and provides a force anchor opposing the pulling of the curved buckle fitting  41  from the retaining clip  43 . The space between the innermost strap section  69  and the length of web strap  45  is generally where the wearer  31 &#39;s shoulder is located. Stitching  205  is seen joining the end of outermost strap section  71  around an end post of the adjustment fitting  49 . The innermost strap section  69  is seen extending through one opening of the adjustment fitting  49 , over a middle post  207  and back underneath a second side post  209 . Stitching  211  is seen on the sewn stiffened length of strapping  95 . FIG. 14 shows a plan view of the sling system  35  seen in FIG. 13, with the curved buckle fitting  41  engaged by the retaining clip  43 . FIG. 15 shows a plan view of the sling system  35  seen in FIG. 14, with the curved buckle fitting  41  disengaged from the retaining clip  43 .  
         [0051]    Referring to FIG. 16, the sling system  35  is seen in a backpack configuration achievable by loosening the adjustment fitting  49  and bringing it closer to the curved buckle fitting  41  and splitting the length of the strap about the slide ring  93  to two approximately equal lengths between slide ring  93  and first end  55  at the curved buckle fitting  41  and the snap fitting  53 . When utilizing bayonet fitting  101  and ring fitting  131 , the sling system  35  becomes both a right and a left hand system. All that is needed is reversal of the main sling system  35  over the right shoulder, and re-attachment of the snap fitting  53  and the slid fitting assembly  91  to the rifle  33 .  
         [0052]    Referring to FIG. 17 a second embodiment of a sling system  301  is seen in combination with a backpack, of which back pack or load bearing equipment shoulder straps  303  are seen at the front of the FIG. 17. The backpack straps  303  may be fitted with connector rings  305  which are generally supported along the back pack or load bearing equipment straps  303  to resist downward movement. The connector rings  305  are preferably each integral with a loop suitable for a chest center connector set  306  having three strap sets numbered  307 ,  309  and  311 . Each of the strap sets  307 ,  309  and  311  includes a length of strapping  313  and a quick connector  315 . Each of the strap sets  307 ,  309  and  311  is attached to a central ring  317 . The strap sets  307  &amp;  309  can be adjusted to center the central ring  317  for the comfort of the user.  
         [0053]    The quick connector  315  of the strap set  311  is connected to a connector ring  319  which includes a separate ring portion for connection to the quick connector  315  and a ring portion for slidable attachment to a sling strap  321  which is again shown as connected to the rifle  33 , by way of the rifle&#39;s bayonet fittings  37 ,  101  and ring fittings  39 ,  131  which are the same as was illustrated in the earlier Figures. Since the sling strap  321  has an extent with only some extra length between its points of attachment to the rifle  33 , there is an easy movement of the rifle  33  both forwardly and rearwardly with the sling strap  321  freely moveable through the connector ring  319 . In this configuration, the wearer  31  can turn the rifle  33  to a close to the body position, lift the rifle  33  to aiming position, or assume a number of other positions with the arms and hands. Where the arms and hands are needed for other tasks, the rifle  33  can simply be left suspended as seen in FIG. 17.  
         [0054]    Referring to FIG. 18, a plan view of the sling strap  321  illustrates a length of webbing  325  having a quick connector  327  at a first end thereof and secured by a stitch  329 . A length adjusting buckle  331  enables the sling strap  321  to have a significantly long range of adjustment. At a second end of the sling strap  321  a quick connector  333  is engaged by the length of webbing looping through the quick connector and back across the length of the sling strap  321  and ending at adjusting buckle  331 . The extent of the sling strap between adjusting buckle  331  and quick connector  333  may be doubled. Further, a set of sliding limit buckles  341  can be utilized on either side of connector ring  319  to limit the extent of movement of a ring portion  343  and connector ring portion  345 . This enables the wearer  31  to set limits on the movement of the rifle  33  in the forward and rearward direction. The adjustment of the strapping lengths of the strap sets  307 ,  309  and  311  can determine the ease of lateral motion of the strap set  311 , as well as the height at which the rifle  33  will be supported. Adjustment of the length of the sling strap  321  determines the level and degree of arc which the rifle  33  will achieve as it is displaced forwardly and rearwardly, as well as the as well as the height at which the rifle  33  will be supported. Adjustment of the sliding limit buckles  341  will determine the degree of forward and rearward motion at slight angular pivot. All of the above adjustments give a wide range of adjustability to enable the sling system  301  to have maximum comfort for a wide variety of wearers  31 , and in a wide variety of circumstances.  
         [0055]    Referring to FIG. 19 an alternative to the quick connector  315  is seen as a spring pull release connector  351 . A connecting pin  353  is operated by a handle  355  to release a pivoting curved member  357 . The spring pull release connector  351  provides a positive lock on the connection with any structure.  
         [0056]    Referring to FIG. 20, a ring fitting  361  utilizable with an AR-15 rifle is seen. The ring fitting  361  is both left and right handed and typically flatter than the ring fitting  131 . A projection  363  within a main aperture  365  registers the ring fitting  361 . A projection  367  on one side lies opposite a depression  369  on the opposite side (shown in phantom) to further register the ring fitting  361 . Connection apertures  371  extend beyond the stock of the AR-15 and provide a comparable degree of stability and support of the rifle in the quick fire or aiming position as has been seen for rifle  33 .  
         [0057]    While the present invention has been described in terms of a sling system for lending support to a rifle, for converting between a close body position and an aiming position, and for providing highly adjustable rifle support for use with other equipment such as back pack or load bearing equipments, one skilled in the art will realize that the structure and techniques of the present invention can be applied to many similar appliances. The present invention may be applied in any situation where strapping support and position conversion over a specified operating condition, and high adjustability is desired.  
         [0058]    Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art. contribution to the art.

Technology Category: 4