Scabbard for a Backpack

Abstract

A scabbard for attachment to a backpack. The scabbard has an upper sleeve that attaches to the front face of the backpack. This can be by straps, MOLLE, or other attachment mechanism. A bucket for supporting the butt of a long gun is connected to the upper sleeve by a panel that inserts into an opening in the sleeve. The panel is vertically adjustable within the upper sleeve to accommodate different sized long guns as well as to facilitate reduction of the scabbard length when a long gun is not in the scabbard. The panel and interior of the upper sleeve preferably are releasably connected by hook and loop fastener panels to allows for vertical adjustment of the bucket and panel relative to the upper sleeve.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 744,097 filed January 10, 2025, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure generally relates to the field of backpack scabbards. Particular embodiments relate to a detachable scabbard for use with a backpack.BACKGROUND

[0003] Backpacks are useful for carrying a variety of objects. Backpacks are used in military purposes and sporting purposes to carry a variety of objects, including long guns typically in integral scabbards. The applicant has several issued patents for integral scabbards in backpacks. These scabbards are typically used for carrying elongate objects such as long guns, including rifles, and archery bows.

[0004] The applicant has commercially developed several modular backpacks and there are several other modular backpack systems available on the market. However, to the applicant’s knowledge these modular systems do not include scabbards that are modularly removed from the pack system. What is needed is a modular scabbard that preferably allows for vertical adjustment to facilitate different length long guns and / or other elongate objects, such as archery bows. SUMMARY

[0005] While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined herein.

[0006] In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,”“etc,” and “or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” means “including, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted.

[0007] What is disclosed is a detachable scabbard system for a backpack for securing a long gun to the backpack. While a long gun is shown in the figures and described herein, the scabbard can be used to hold any elongate object. The scabbard is configured to attach to the front panel of a backpack. The terms front and back are referred to in relation to the backpack and the wearer of the pack, with the back of the backpack being referred to as the side of the backpack that is positioned against the user when the user is wearing the backpack. The term back of the scabbard refers to the side of the scabbard that is positioned against the backpack.

[0008] The back panel of the scabbard is configured for attachment to the backpack. A preferred system of attachment of the scabbard to the backpack system is by a modular light weight load-carrying equipment (MOLLE) system. The scabbard can be attached to either a panel of the backpack frame, such as in place of the main backpack container, or attached to the front panel of the backpack container or other modular container or panel. Alternate mechanisms such as straps, buckles, zippers, or otherwise may be used.

[0009] The scabbard has an upper sleeve that is attachable to the front of the backpack. A first long gun attachment device is positioned at or near the top of the upper sleeve to secure a long gun at a first location, such as the forend of the long gun. An adjustable vertical body panel extends beneath the upper sleeve and has a second long gun attachment device attached to the panel. Preferably this is a bucket for supporting an end of a long gun. The bucket is attached to or integral with a vertical body panel that removably attaches the bucket to the upper sleeve. The bucket is configured to support an end of the long gun, such as the butt of the long gun, when the long gun is positioned on the scabbard. The upper sleeve is positioned against the front of the back pack and configured for the long gun to rest against the upper sleeve on the front of the upper sleeve.

[0010] The upper sleeve defines a sleeve cavity that receives the vertical body panel extending from the bucket, and is attached within a cavity in the upper sleeve through an aperture configured to receive the vertical body panel. The vertical body panel is releasably connected to the upper sleeve in the cavity, preferably on an internal panel of the upper sleeve in the cavity. Preferably the attachment position of the vertical body panel is vertically adjustable in the upper sleeve. The scabbard has an upper securing attachment, such as an upper compression strap, bungee or similar connection mechanism for securing the long gun at the top of the scabbard. A second securing attachment, such as a compression strap, is positioned on or around the bucket to secure the end of the long gun in the bucket.

[0011] Preferably the front panel of the scabbard upper sleeve has a MOLLE configuration or other attachment mechanism to allow for attachment of further accessories and pouches. The vertical body panel is preferably connected in the cavity to the upper sleeve by a hook and loop fastener configuration. In the preferred embodiment, this configuration is provided by two opposing panels of hook and loop fasteners that provide for vertical adjustability of the vertical body panel relative to the upper sleeve by providing for varying attachment capability of the vertical body panel to the internal face of the upper sleeve. Preferably the hook or loop fasteners of the vertical body panel are on a back side of the panel, with the hook and loop fasteners being on the internal face of the cavity that is positioned on the opposite side of the cavity from the front of the upper sleeve.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0012] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a vertically adjustable scabbard integrated on a backpack.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of the backpack and scabbard of claim 1 with a long gun retained in the scabbard.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a front view of the scabbard of FIGS. 1 and 2 detached from a backpack.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a back view of the scabbard of FIG. 3.

[0016] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the scabbard of FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrating the vertical adjustability of the scabbard.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view of the scabbard of FIGS. 3-5.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a cutaway view illustrating the internal panel of the scabbard securing the vertical body panel to the internal panel by the hook and loop fasteners.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a front view of the bucket and vertical body panel.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a front view of a long gun secured to the scabbard of FIGS. 3-4..

[0021] FIG. 10 is a side view of the scabbard of FIGS. 3-4.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a modular backpack system having a vertically adjustable scabbard attached to the backpack. The backpack 4 has a frame 7 having an attached shoulder harness 13 and waist belt 15. The front of the pack system 19 has a MOLLE system 17 that is used to attach a variety of accessories and / or pouches to the pack system. The depicted backpack frame has two opposing zippers 11 that are configured to connect to the opposite side of the zipper attached to a component of the module backpack system. For example, a main container of the backpack can be attached to two opposing zippers that mate to the zipper system of the depicted frame.

[0023] A detachable scabbard 2 is connected to the front MOLLE system of the backpack frame. The detachable scabbard has a vertically adjustable bucket, with the vertical adjustment shown by arrow 14. The scabbard has a upper sleeve 8 that has an top panel 16. The long gun is positioned onto the front face of the upper sleeve extending above the upper panel 16 of upper sleeve 8. An end of the long gun is positioned into the bucket, with the long gun secured at or above the top panel 16 by the strap 26. The bucket is formed with one or more side walls and enclosed so as to support the end of the long gun.

[0024] The depicted bucket is formed of two opposing side walls 24, 25, a front wall 20, and a back wall 21 that define the bucket. The bucket has an open top end 18 into which the lower end of the long gun is positioned. A medial portion of the long gun is supported in the upper sleeve when the long gun is secured in the scabbard.

[0025] The bucket and upper sleeve are interconnected by a vertical body panel 12 that is positioned into the aperture 22 in the upper sleeve. The vertical body panel in the depicted embodiment is configured for vertical adjustment of the panel and scabbard relative to the upper sleeve. The scabbard has a back side illustrated in FIG. 4 having straps configured for attachment to the MOLLE system of the backpack frame. In the depicted embodiment, the scabbard has a front panel 9 having a MOLLE attachment system 8 for further attachment of pouches and accessories. The vertical body panel inserts into aperture 22 in the front panel of the upper sleeve. The internal compartment of the vertical sleeve has a panel of configured with an attached strip or panel of a hook or loop fastener. The vertical body panel connected to the bucket has a corresponding hook or loop fastener so as to be attachable to the panel within the upper sleeve of the scabbard. The bucket and body panel are configured for vertical adjustment relative to the upper sleeve of the scabbard by altering the position of the vertical body panel on the internal face of the upper sleeve.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a long gun 32 positioned in the scabbard of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The barrel 36 of the long gun protrudes above the backpack system. The forend of long gun is secured by compression strap 26. The compression strap 26 is formed of two opposing straps 27, 29 connected by male and female buckle components 28, 30 illustrated in FIG. 4. The butt of the long gun 34 extends into the bucket 10 and is secured by compression strap 31 having a buckle 23 which is configured to provide compression to the bucket to secure the butt of the rifle in the scabbard. The long gun is secured to the front face of the padded upper sleeve.

[0027] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate the scabbard of FIG. 1 detached from the backpack system. FIG. 4 illustrates vertical straps 40 on the backside 11 of the upper sleeve. The vertical straps 40 are configured for connection to the webbing of the MOLLE system by weaving the straps into the horizontal webbing of the MOLLE system. The vertical straps are each positioned at a corner of the back panel 11 of the upper sleeve.

[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the scabbard. The exploded view illustrates the body panel 12 relative to the upper sleeve of the scabbard. The vertical body panel is elongate to allow vertical adjustment of the scabbard relative to the sleeve by providing varying position of the vertical body panel to the inner face of the upper sleeve.

[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates a cutaway view of the scabbard showing the hook and loop fastener 42 positioned on the internal panel 41 of the upper sleeve of the scabbard within a cavity defined by the sleeve. The vertical body panel 12 of the scabbard is shown engaged by hook and loop fastener with the internal panel of the scabbard sleeve. The aperture 22 provides access to the cavity of the upper sleeve to allow for insertion, removal, and vertical adjustment of the vertical body panel relative to the upper sleeve.

[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates a back view of the bucket and vertical body panel of the scabbard. The backside 52 of the scabbard has a panel 50 of hook or loop fastener configured for connection to the opposing internal panel of the upper sleeve of the scabbard.

[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates the long gun attached to the attached scabbard system.

[0032] FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the scabbard system detached from the backpack. The upper sleeve and bucket are preferably padded to protect the long gun. The upper sleeve of the scabbard is preferably in an arcuate shape 90 as depicted in FIG. 10. This allows the upper sleeve to conform to the shape of the frame of the backpack, which is typically in an arcuate shape to conform to the arcuate shape of the upper back of the torso of a typical person. The depicted shape engages with the backpack to allow the rifle to rest in a vertical position when the backpack is being worn by the user.

[0033] Still other features and advantages of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the inventive concept(s), simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out the inventive concept(s). As will be realized, the inventive concept(s) is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the inventive concept(s). Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.

[0034] While certain exemplary embodiments are shown in the Figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of this disclosure. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined herein.

Claims

1. A scabbard for attachment to a backpack, said scabbard comprising:an upper sleeve having a back panel, a front face, and defining a sleeve cavity, said upper sleeve configured for attachment to a backpack;a vertical body panel having a first end extending into said sleeve through an aperture in said upper sleeve, said vertical body panel having a second end extending beneath said upper sleeve, wherein said vertical body panel is configured for vertical adjustment in said sleeve cavity;a first firearm attachment device attached proximate to or at a second end of said panel and configured to support an end of a long gun; anda second firearm attachment device positioned at or proximate to a top end of said upper sleeve and configured to secure said long gun to said upper sleeve.

2. The scabbard of claim 1 wherein said first firearm attachment device comprises a bucket configured to support an end of said long gun when said long gun is positioned in said sleeve cavity, wherein vertical adjustment of said vertical body panel in said sleeve cavity adjusts the position of said bucket relative to said upper sleeve.

3. The scabbard of claim 1 wherein one of said vertical body panel and an interior surface of said upper sleeve in said sleeve cavity comprises hook fasteners, wherein the other of said vertical body panel and the interior surface of said upper sleeve in said sleeve cavity comprises loop fasteners, wherein said vertical body panel is configured for vertical adjustment by adjusting the positioning of the hook fasteners and loop fasteners.

4. The scabbard of claim 1 wherein said vertical body panel and an interior surface of said upper sleeve are connected by hook and loop fasteners, wherein said interior surface having a strip of one of a hook or loop fastener said vertical body panel comprising a strip of the other of said hook or loop fastener.

5. The scabbard of claim 2 wherein said bucket comprises a compression strap to secure an end of a long gun in said bucket.

6. The scabbard of claim 1 wherein said upper sleeve comprising a series of straps configured to attach said upper sleeve to a MOLLE system of a backpack.

7. The scabbard of claim 1 wherein said upper sleeve comprising a MOLLE attachment system on a front face of said upper sleeve.

8. The scabbard of claim 1 wherein said upper sleeve comprises padding to protect the long gun secured in the scabbard.

9. The scabbard of claim 1 wherein said bucket comprises padding to protect the long gun secured in the scabbard.

10. The scabbard of claim 1 wherein said sleeve cavity is formed by said front face of said upper sleeve and said back panel of said upper sleeve.

11. The scabbard of claim 1 wherein said back panel comprises four vertical straps configured for attachment to a backpack MOLLE system.

12. The scabbard of claim 11 wherein said four vertical straps are positioned one each at a corner of said back panel of said upper sleeve.

13. The scabbard of claim 1 wherein said attachment device comprises a strap having two sections joined by a releasable buckle.

14. The scabbard of claim 1 wherein said vertical body panel comprises an elongate rectangular panel, wherein said aperture comprises a slit proximate to a bottom end of said vertical body panel, wherein said sleeve cavity extends from said slit toward said second firearm attachment device.

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