Sling Fittings and Sling System for a Firearm

Abstract

The present invention is a sling system utilizing a rear sling fitting for a long firearm, such as a rifle. Such fittings typically are positioned between the stock and receiver. It presents a fitting body with an aperture to slide over a rifle receiver tube and a connection bar extending from a reverse of the fitting body. A point-type sling attachment may then be attached to the connection bar and be able to slide left and right across the back of the weapon, allowing for quickly adaptable left or right positioning of the weapon. Registration geometry may be added and positioned to further allow interface with weapon geometry and prevent rotation of the fitting during use. The connection bar may be positioned on another component of the weapon, such as the receiver or the stock, should the weapon not have a receiver extension tube. A convertible sling and forward sling mount are also disclosed for cooperative use with the fitting, completing the system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority as continuation of prior filed U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 688,775, filed Jan. 15, 2010, and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,596,504, issued Dec. 3, 2013, which is in turn a non-provisional perfection of prior filed U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 145,106, filed Jan. 15, 2009, and incorporates both of these applications herein by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the field of firearms and more particularly relates to a sling fitting for attachment of a sling to a long firearm and an associated sling.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Slings are regularly used with firearms to allow for a convenient method of carry and for weapon retention in dynamic environments. Traditional slings mount onto the bottom of a weapon at two points, fore and aft, allowing for suitable carry over long distances and may be used as a steadying aid to improve weapon ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a new and improved sling system that allows a user of a firearm to position the sling attachment in either a left-handed or right-handed stance. The sling fitting allows for this positional shift, and a convertible sling is designed to complement the functionality of this transition. The point-type sling mount will attach to the weapon's connection bar, allowing for more freedom of movement with the weapon. The sling will also present a quick adjustment configuration for easy manual operation. The technical effect of this invention is to overcome the disadvantages of previous slings and sling fittings, providing a more efficient and versatile sling system for firearms users.

Problems solved by technology

While it offers the user the ability to carry the weapon comfortably over the shoulder or securely across the back, the traditional, bottom-mounted 2-point sling hinders weapon usage in dynamic combat environments since the weapon is stowed in a non-useable orientation.

Additionally due to the amount of strap material used to wrap around the body they can also interfere with chest-mounted equipment, such as on load-bearing vests.

However, one disadvantage of the point-type sling is that it requires constant hands-on control of the weapon during movement as otherwise it will swing like a pendulum and may become unwieldy when not in use.

Furthermore due to the instability of this configuration, it is not optimized for comfortable carrying of the weapon over long periods of time or long distances.

However, even with the advent of the convertible sling system, there still exists a major limitation: the ability to rapidly transition the weapon from side-to-side without additional manual operations.

The lack of this capability is particularly hazardous when hunting for a hidden enemy as, when looking around corners and other obstacles, a soldier must occasionally expose his or her body to obtain an appropriate look.

In order to effectively look, the sling must be extended to its largest possible configuration or the soldier must simply remove the sling, which both eliminates its usefulness and creates a tangling hazard.

Being along one side of the weapon, then, presents the adaptability difficulties presented above.

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