Small Game Sling

Abstract

A small game sling includes a main body member and a series of individual retention straps or cords attached to each end of the main body member. One end of the retention straps is attached to the main body member, and a loop, ring or clip is preferably attached to the distal end thereof. The main body member includes a pair of flaps, wherein a first flap is positioned on one side of the main body member, and a second flap is positioned on an opposed side thereof. The flaps, in one embodiment, include attachment means, such as snaps, buttons, hook and loop fastener material (Velcro), or any other attachment mechanism so that the flaps may be folded inwardly over the main body member and attached to one another, so that the small game sling may be removably attached to the strap of a rifle, shotgun, or the like.

Claims

1. A small game sling comprising: a main body member having a first end and a second end, a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side; at least one retention strap attached to said first end of said main body member; at least one retention strap attached to said second end of said main body member; a first flap extending outwardly from said first longitudinal side of said main body member; a second flap extending outwardly from said second longitudinal side of said main body member; said first flap and said second flap including an attachment mechanism to removably attach said first flap to said second flap.

2. The small game sling set forth in claim 1, further including a retention loop attached to said main body member, so that said retention straps may be removably tucked into said retention loops while not in use.

3. The small game sling set forth in claim 1, wherein said attachment mechanism is selected from the group consisting of snaps, buttons, a zipper, and hook and loop fasteners.

4. The small game sling set forth in claim 1, further including attachment means for removably attaching said main body member to a weapon strap.

5. The small game sling set forth in claim 4, wherein said attachment means are selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fastening material, snaps, and buttons.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The drawings and specific descriptions of the drawings, as well as any specific or alternative embodiments discussed, are intended to be read in conjunction with the entirety of this disclosure. The small game sling may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and fully convey understanding to those skilled in the art.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a small game sling, illustrating the sling adjacent a shotgun strap, wherein the small game sling includes a padded main body member, a series of retention straps attached to both ends of the main body member, a clip positioned in a central location of the main body member, flaps extending outwardly from the main body member along each longitudinal side thereof, and hook and loop fastening material that may be used to attach the small game sling to the shotgun strap;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of a small game sling as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the small game sling is shown from the bottom side, and wherein the flaps are formed from a single sheet of flexible material, and wherein snaps are shown on the flaps for attachment of one flap to the other;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a top view of one embodiment of a small game sling, wherein the small game sling is attached to a shotgun strap by folding the flaps over the shotgun strap and snapping the snaps together, while the retention straps hang loosely at either end of the main body member;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a top view of one embodiment of a small game sling, wherein the small game sling is attached to a shotgun strap by folding the flaps over the shotgun strap and snapping the snaps together, while the retention straps are folded inwardly so that they are tucked into the flaps that are snapped together;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the small game sling shown in FIG. 4, wherein the small game sling is attached to a shotgun strap by folding the flaps over the shotgun strap and snapping the snaps together, while the retention straps are folded inwardly so that they are tucked into the flaps that are snapped together;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a small game sling, wherein the small game sling is attached to a shotgun strap by hook and loop fastening material;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of one embodiment of a small game sling, wherein the small game sling is attached to a shotgun strap by hook and loop fastening material;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective side view of one embodiment of a small game sling, wherein the small game sling is attached to a shotgun strap by folding the flaps over the shotgun strap and attaching the flaps to each other; and

[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective side view of one embodiment of a small game sling, wherein the small game sling is attached to a shotgun strap by hook and loop fastening material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention is directed to a small game sling 10 that is used to transport small game, such as birds (ducks, turkeys, dove, and the like), and which may be removably attached to the strap 12 of a shotgun or rifle.

[0024] As seen in FIGS. 1-9, in a first embodiment, the small game sling 10 includes a main body member 14 having a first end and a second end. The main body member 14 is preferably padded or cushioned, and may be made from any suitable, flexible material. A plurality of retention straps 16 may be attached to the main body member 14, so that some of the retention straps 16 are attached to one end of the main body member 14, and other retention straps 16 are attached to the second end of the main body member 14. The retention straps 16 preferably include a ring 18 or loop at a distal end thereof, so that the retention straps 16 may be attached around the neck (or foot, or other body part) for carrying the birds. In use, the retention strap 16 is fed through the ring 18 at the end thereof to form a tightening loop, similar to a noose, for attaching the small game thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the number of retention straps 16 attached to the first end of the main body member 14 is equal to the number of retention straps 16 attached to the second end of the main body member 14.

[0025] In one embodiment, a pair of flaps 20 are attached to the longitudinal sides of the main body member as shown in FIG. 1, so that one flap 20 is on one side of the main body member 14, and a second flap 20 is on the opposed side of the main body member 14. The flaps 20 preferably include either snaps 22, buttons, a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, or other types of suitable attachment means so that the flaps 20 may be folded over the main body member 14 and attached together, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, forming a kind of sleeve. It should be understood that the flaps 20 may be folded over the top face of the main body member 14, or they may be folded over the bottom face of the main body member 14, and may be temporarily secured together in either position, as desired. It should be understood that the flaps 20 may be formed from a single sheet of material that is sewn, adhered, or otherwise attached to one side of the main body member 14, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0026] One method of attaching the small game sling 10 to the shotgun strap 12 is to fold the flaps 20 over the shotgun strap 12 and snap them together as shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively, other attachment mechanisms may be used to attach the small game sling 10 to a shotgun strap 12, including hook and loop fastening material 24, snaps, buttons, or any other suitable attachment means, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0027] The main body member 14 may optionally include a clip 26 disposed on one face thereof, so that the small game sling 10 may be temporarily attached to a user's clothing, backpack, etc. Additionally, the main body member 14 may further include flexible retention loops (similar to belt loops) on its top or bottom face, so that the retention straps 16 may be tucked into the flexible retention loops to keep them in a fixed position when not in use.

[0028] The small game sling 10 may be attached to a shotgun strap 12 by opening the flaps 20, placing the shotgun strap 12 in position adjacent to the main body member 14, and then folding each flap over the shotgun strap 12, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8. The snaps 22 may then be engaged to removably secure the small game sling 10 to the shotgun strap 12. To remove the small game sling 10, a user may simply disengage the snaps 22, open the flaps 22, and remove the small game sling 10 from the shotgun strap 12. Alternatively, the small game sling may be attached to the shotgun strap via hook and loop fastening material (as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9), or snaps, buttons, or any other suitable removable attachment mechanism.

[0029] Different features, variations and multiple different embodiments have been shown and described with various details. What has been described in this application at times in terms of specific embodiments is done for illustrative purposes only and without the intent to limit or suggest that what has been conceived is only one particular embodiment or specific embodiments.

[0030] For example, the main body member 14 and the retention straps 16 may be made from any suitable material, and the main body member 14 may include cushioning, such as neoprene or a flexible foam material for the comfort of a user. These components may be made from textile materials, such as canvas (or any other suitable material), or a flexible rubber type of material.

[0031] It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to single specific embodiments or enumerated variations. Many modifications, variations and other embodiments will come to mind of those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be and are in fact covered by this disclosure. It is indeed intended that the scope of this disclosure should be determined by a proper legal interpretation and construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the complete disclosure present at the time of filing.