HEAT RETAINING DEVICE

Abstract

A weapon system includes a weapon having a user actuatable mechanical feature. The weapon system includes a heat retaining device coupled to the weapon and covering the mechanical feature, the heat retaining device comprising an access configured to allow a user to actuate the mechanical feature within the interior of the heat retaining device. The weapon system includes an interior pocket within the heat retaining device configured to receive a warming device.

Claims

1. A weapon system comprising: a weapon having a user actuatable mechanical feature; a heat retaining device coupled to the weapon and covering the mechanical feature, the heat retaining device comprising an access configured to allow a user to actuate the mechanical feature within the interior of the heat retaining device; and an interior pocket within the heat retaining device configured to receive a warming device.

2. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the user actuatable mechanical feature comprises one or more of the following: a trigger; a bolt; a magazine; a safety; a pump; and a slide.

3. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the heat retaining device comprises neoprene.

4. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the heat retaining device is coupled to the weapon by a hook and loop fastener.

5. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the heat retaining device is coupled to the weapon by one or more straps.

6. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the heat retaining device comprises a flexible material.

7. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the heat retaining device comprises a rigid material.

8. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the heat retaining device couples to the weapon at a buttstock of the weapon.

9. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the access further comprises a closure device.

10. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the closure device comprises a zipper.

11. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the closure device comprises an elastic portion of the heat retaining device.

12. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the closure device comprises a hook and loop fastener.

13. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the warming device is an electrical hand warmer.

14. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the warming device is a chemical hand warmer.

15. A heat retaining device, the heat retaining device comprising: a body configured to be coupled to a weapon; an access pocket configured to allow user access to an interior of the body; and an interior pocket within the interior of the body configured to receive a warming device.

16. The heat retaining device of claim 13, wherein the access pocket is formed as a slit in the body.

17. The heat retaining device of claim 13, wherein the body further comprises insulation.

18. The heat retaining device of claim 15, wherein the interior pocket comprises a closure device, that when actuated closes the pocket such that the warming device is retained in the pocket until the closure device is actuated to an open position.

19. A method of attaching a warming device to a weapon, the method comprising: attaching a heat retaining device to a weapon, the heat retaining device containing heating element storage component; and coupling a heating element to the heating element storage component.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein attaching the heat retaining device to the weapon comprises: expanding a portion of a body of the heat retaining device; and contracting the portion on the weapon.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one example of a weapon.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a more detailed view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a more detailed view showing one example of heat retaining device assembly.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device.

[0014] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing one example of a barrel sheath.

[0015] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device.

[0016] FIG. 11A is a flow diagram of an operation of attaching a warming device to a weapon.

[0017] FIG. 11B is a flow diagram of an operation of storing a weapon with a heat retaining device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Many locations prime for hunting are located in cold climates. Similarly, many locations for recreational and competitive shooting, like target shooting and trap shooting, are located in cold climates. This requires a weapon user to dress accordingly to withstand the cold conditions. Often, a user may have to wear gloves. These gloves are usually thick and/or bulky in order to provide more resistance to the cold conditions. This makes the gloves cumbersome, which can affect the user's dexterity while operating a weapon. For example, operating a trigger in gloves may make a shot less accurate, it may cause a time delay in actuating mechanical features of the weapons, such as, but not limited to, a trigger, a bolt, a safety, a slide, a pump, etc. Further, there may be danger in operating a weapon when wearing gloves, like accidental discharge of the weapon. The alternative would be to forego gloves and have cold hands which can pose similar problems. Another alternative is open finger gloves with folding mitts. However, these require folding back the mitt which can make a user miss a quick shot. The open finger still exposes the user's skin to the cold conditions. Also, the mitt portion of these gloves can move freely and cause excess movement. The solution to this problem has often been hook and loop or button connection which can make noise, catch on unintended fabrics, and require the user to make extra motions in order to operate the weapon. Stillness and silence are essential in hunting.

[0019] It is desirable to have a solution that solved these various problems. One solution is to have a device coupled to a weapon that retains heat on a user's hand while allowing full, barehanded access to the trigger and/or other mechanical features of the weapon, such as a trigger, a bolt, a safety, a slide, a pump, etc. This heat retaining device can couple to various locations of the weapon, for example, the stock, the barrel, the trigger guard, rails or holes built on to the weapon, as well as other attachment features.

[0020] The heat retaining device can be attached by form fitting, straps, clips, snaps, hook and loop, a latch system, ties, zippers, buttons, etc. And the heat retaining device can be made of various materials, flexible or rigid, for example, neoprene, leather, fleece, canvas, webbing (e.g., MOLLE, PALS, etc.), plastics, metal, flexible rain repelling materials, etc. The heat retaining device can be flexible, such that one size fits all, or it can have adjustment devices built into it, such as straps and buckles. The interior of the heat retaining device could include a different material than the exterior, for example the exterior could include a weather resistant material, while the interior could include a material meant to provide extra warmth and comfort, for example, fleece.

[0021] The heat retaining device fits over, or is attached to a portion of the weapon, covering some or all of the mechanical features, e.g. a trigger, action, etc. of the weapon. The heat retaining device has an access pocket, which may be closable with, e.g. a zipper, through which the user inserts their hand in order to access the interior of the device. The access pocket can include a slit, or opening, that allows the users hand to access the mechanical features within, or covered by, the heat retaining device. There could, in some examples, be multiple slits, or openings, to allow for ambidextrous use of the heat retaining device. Additionally, within the interior there can be one or more interior pockets or fasteners which are configured to couple a warming device, such as chemical or electrical hand warmers. The user can house the warming devices within the interior pockets such that his bare hand will be kept warm while accessing the mechanical features within, or covered by, the heat retaining device. This allows the user greater dexterity, avoiding the problems associated with gloves, while still providing resistance to cold conditions.

[0022] The heat retaining device can be designed with various coloring patterns, such as, camouflage which is advantageous for hunting, as well as highly visible coloring, such as, blaze orange, blaze pink, or safety yellow which is advantageous for safety purposes while in the woods, or on a range, for example, as well as matching the coloring of the weapon, or any other color desired by the user. Furthermore, the device can be compatible with various weapons, for example, shotguns, rifles, handguns, bows, etc.

[0023] Also provided is a barrel sheath meant to cover the barrel of a weapon while the weapon is in a storage or transport position. This covering provides protection for the weapon, reducing the risk of damage, safety such that the weapon is less accessible during storage or transport, and compliance with gun laws and local ordinances.

[0024] The barrel sheath can be attached to the weapon at various locations, such as, the stock, the barrel, the trigger guard, rails or holes built on to the weapon, as well as other attachment features. The barrel sheath can be attached to the weapon by form fitting, straps, clips, snaps, hook and loop, a latch system, ties, zippers, buttons, etc. And the barrel sheath can be made of various materials, flexible or rigid, for example, ballistic nylon, neoprene, leather, fleece, canvas, webbing (e.g., MOLLE, PALS, etc.), plastics, metal, flexible rain repelling materials, etc. The barrel sheath can be flexible, such that one size fits all, or it can have adjustment devices built into it, such as straps and buckles. Furthermore, the barrel sheath can be interactive with the heat retaining device such that it is coupled to the heat retaining device in order to secure it to the weapon. The barrel sheath can be coupled to the heat retaining device by hook and loop, a latch system, straps, clips, snaps, ties, zippers, buttons, etc.

[0025] The barrel sheath can be designed with various coloring patterns, such as, camouflage which is advantageous for hunting, as well as highly visible coloring, such as, blaze orange, blaze pink, or safety yellow which is advantageous for safety purposes while in the woods, or on a range, for example, as well as matching the coloring of the weapon or the heat retaining device, or any other color desired by the user. Furthermore, the barrel sheath can be compatible with various weapons, for example, shotguns, rifles, handguns, etc.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one example of a weapon. Weapon 10 includes trigger 12, trigger guard 14, safety 16, actuator 18, pump 20, magazine cap 22, stock 24, barrel 26, ejection port 28, butt 30, front sight 32, attachment devices 34 and 36, magazine loading port 38, magazine 40 and receiver 42. Weapon 10 is loaded with ammunition first by retracting pump 20 after depressing actuator 18 which allows retraction of pump 20 which opens ejection port 28. A shell is loaded into ejection port 28 or magazine loading port 38, pump 20 is pushed forward closing ejection port 28 and the ammunition is pushed into barrel 26 where it is stopped by a primer cap having a diameter wider than an inside diameter of barrel 26. More ammunition is loaded into magazine loading port 38 until magazine 40 is full, the ammunition being contained in magazine 40 by magazine cap 36. When ammunition is spent, the user retracts pump 20 ejecting the spent ammunition from ejection port 28, pushes pump 20 forward which loads another round of ammunition from magazine 40 into barrel 26 as ejection port 28 closes. The user is able to spend a round of ammunition by engaging safety 16 into a firing position and actuating trigger 12 which in turn engages a firing pin, housed within receiver 42, which strikes a primer on the ammunition causing an explosion of propellent within the ammunition which sends the projectile (e.g. the shot within a shotgun shell or a bullet) down barrel 26 and out the end of barrel 26 towards a target. The target can be aimed at by a sight, such as front sight 32. Trigger guard 14 is a safety feature which protects trigger 12 from accidental actuation, reducing the chance of undesired discharge of weapon 10. Stock 24 and butt 30 reduce the recoil pressure from firing ammunition and give the user the ability to firmly grip and hold weapon 10 in place for accurate firing. This is generally done by firmly placing butt 30 against the dominant shoulder and hanging on to grip portion 44 of stock 24.

[0027] Many weapons, like weapon 10, contain multiple mechanical features, like triggers, pumps, bolts, safeties, magazines, magazine loading ports, barrel selectors, etc. These features often require dexterity and fine motor skill for efficient operation. Cold conditions can make this difficult. By exposing the hands to cold conditions, they can become numb and swollen, making it difficult for the user to accurately place and effectively move his fingers. The usual solution to this is wearing cold weather attire, like thick and bulky gloves. However, even while wearing gloves similar problems occur. For example, accurate firing requires the user to squeeze the trigger without jerking the weapon. Thick gloves can make it difficult to access the trigger within the trigger guard, and thereby increase the chances of pulling the trigger, instead of squeezing, as well as jerking the weapon. A solution is needed that allows the user the dexterity of bare handedness, while providing resistance to cold conditions.

[0028] While FIG. 1 shows a pump shotgun for illustrative examples, it is to be understood that any form of weapon could be used in conjunction with the heat retaining device and barrel sheath, such as, rifles, handguns, bows, etc.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly. Heat retaining device assembly 100 includes heat retaining device 102 and barrel sheath 104. Heat retaining device 102 fits over stock 110 of the weapon and is coupled to the weapon. Barrel sheath 104 fits over the barrel of the weapon and is coupled to the heat retaining device 102. Barrel sheath 104 may be coupled to heat retaining device 102 using hook and loop, straps, clips, snaps, a latch system, zippers, buttons, etc., in order to couple barrel sheath 104 to heat retaining device 102 while allowing barrel sheath 104 to be removable. Additionally, barrel sheath 104 can be attached only to the weapon, or to the weapon and the heat retaining device. Barrel sheath 104 could be form fit over barrel, or held on by, for example, zippers, ties, straps, etc. Barrel sheath 104 can be made of a resistive material, like ballistic nylon, or it can be made of the same material as heat retaining device 102. Barrel sheath 104 can be camouflaged, colored in bright materials like blaze orange, blaze pink, or safety yellow, or colored to match weapon or to match heat retaining device 102. Barrel sheath 104 covers the barrel of the weapon for purposes of safety, protecting the weapon from damage, and compliance with gun laws and ordinances.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly. FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 except that barrel sheath 104 has been removed. Barrel sheath 104 can be removed during operation of weapon 106. Heat retaining device assembly 200 includes heat retaining device 102, weapon 106, trigger area 108, and barrel 112. Heat retaining device 102 fits over the stock of weapon 106 and covers trigger area 108 of weapon 106. Heat retaining device 102 may be coupled to weapon 106 at various locations, such as, the trigger guard, the stock, the barrel, holes or rails built on to the weapon, etc. Heat retaining device 102 can be attached by form fitting, ties, straps, clips, snaps, buttons, zippers, etc.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a more detailed view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly. Heat retaining device assembly 300 includes heat retaining device 102, weapon 106, trigger area 108 (which includes a trigger and a trigger guard), and access pocket 114. Heat retaining device 102 fits over the stock of weapon 106 and covers trigger area 108. During operation a user inserts their hand through access pocket 114 and has access to trigger area 108 within heat retaining device 102. Access pocket 114 could remain open, or it could be closable with the use of hook and loop, buttons, snaps, and any other suitable techniques. Access pocket 114 allows the user access to trigger area 108, this slit could be comprised of fleece to add additional warmth and could further contain a pocket configured to house a warming device, such as, chemical or electrical hand warmers. Heat retaining device 102 can be made of various materials, flexible or rigid. These materials could include, but are not limited to, neoprene, fleece, canvas, webbing, plastic, metal, rain repelling materials, etc.

[0032] Within heat retaining device 102 is an interior pocket that can house a warming device, such as chemical or electrical hand warmers. This warming device provides the user resistance to cold conditions while still allowing the mobility and dexterity of a bare hand. Further, Heat retaining device 102 can be camouflaged, colored in bright materials like blaze orange, blaze pink, or safety yellow, or colored to match the weapon or to match barrel sleeve 104.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly. Heat retaining assembly 400 includes heat retaining device 202, barrel sheath 204, access pocket 214 and zipper 216. Barrel sheath 204 fits over the barrel of the weapon. Heat retaining device 202 fits over a working mechanism of the weapon (e.g., the trigger, action, etc.). Heat retaining device 202 includes access pocket 214 and zipper 216. The user accesses the interior of heat retaining device 202 by placing his hand through access pocket 214. Access pocket 214 can be opened and closed by zipper 216. While a zipper is shown in FIG. 4, any other suitable techniques for opening and closing access pocket 214 could be used. For example, hook and loop, buttons, etc.

[0034] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing one example of heat retaining device assembly. Heat retaining device assembly 500 includes heat retaining device 202, barrel sheath 204, access pocket 214, zipper 216, zipper 218, and pocket outline 220. Heat retaining device 202 fits over the stock of the weapon. Barrel sheath 204 fits over the barrel of the weapon. Barrel sheath 204 can be opened, closed, secured to and removed from the weapon by zipper 218. While a zipper is shown, any other suitable techniques could be used. The user accesses the interior of the heat retaining device 202 by placing his hand through access pocket 214. Access pocket 214 can be open and closed by zipper 216. In some examples, access pocket 214 has no closure device other than the elasticity of heat retaining device 202. Pocket outline 220 shows the exterior seams of the interior pocket that can house a warming device such as electrical or chemical hand warmers. When user accesses the interior of heat retaining device 202, their hand is warmed by the warming device housed in the interior pocket, while still being able to access the trigger and/or other mechanical features of the weapon without the use of gloves.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly. Heat retaining device assembly includes heat retaining device 202, barrel sheath 204, weapon 206, access pocket 214, zipper 216, pocket outline 220, barrel sheath fastener 222, heat retaining device fastener 224, fastener assembly 226, and shoulder strap 228. Barrel sheath 204 is fastened to shield sleeve 202 by mating barrel sheath fastener 222 with shield sleeve fastener 224. Fasteners 222 and 224 are illustratively shown as hook and loop fasteners, but in other examples, could also be straps, snaps, buttons, zippers, etc. Barrel sheath 204 could further be fastened to heat retaining device 202 by fastener assembly 226. Fastener assembly 226 is illustratively shown as a latch system but fasteners could also be straps, snaps, buttons, hook and loop, zippers, etc. The use of fasteners, like fasteners 222, 224 and 226 help ensure that barrel sheath 204 stays on the weapon, covering the barrel, thereby reducing the risk of danger, damage to the weapon, and remaining compliant with gun laws and ordinances.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device. Heat retaining device 102 includes access pocket 114 and heat retaining device fastener 124. Heat retaining device 102 fits on to the stock of a weapon and is fastened to a barrel sheath by fastener 124. While hook and loop is shown in FIG. 7 other fastening techniques could be used as well, such as, straps, clips, buttons, snaps, a latch system, zippers, etc.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing one example of a barrel sheath 104. Barrel sheath 104 includes zipper 118 and fastener 122. Barrel sheath 104 covers the barrel of a weapon and is fastened to the heat retaining device by fastener 122. While hook and loop is shown in FIG. 9, other fastening techniques could be used as well, such as, straps, clips, buttons, snaps, a latch system, zippers, etc.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device. Heat retaining device 102, includes interior portion 130 and interior pocket 132. Interior portion 130 is shown in this figure to illustrate interior pocket 132. Interior pocket 132 can house a warming device such as an electrical or chemical hand warmer. The warming device can heat the interior of heat retaining device 102 where a user's hands are. The heat retaining device 102 itself can also provide some amount of insulation for resistance to cold conditions when the user accesses interior portion 130 of heat retaining device 102.

[0039] FIG. 11A is a flow diagram showing an operation of attaching a warming device to a weapon. Method 500 starts at block 510 where a heat retaining device is required, such as the heat retaining devices discussed above. The heat retaining device can be made of neoprene 512 or other suitable materials 514 such as, but not limited to, flexible or rigid materials, leather, fleece, canvas, webbing (e.g., MOLLE, PALS, etc.), hard plastics, metal, flexible rain repelling materials, etc. The heat retaining device can be colored in a camouflage pattern, a bright pattern like blaze orange, blaze pink, or safety yellow, colored to match the weapon, colored to match the barrel sheath, or in any other color. The heat retaining device can include one or more interior pockets, as indicated by block 516, an access pocket, as indicated by block 518, and other can include other features as well, as indicated by 519 such as, but not limited to, adjustment devices, pockets, ammunition pouches and holders, and other attachments that could be useful to a weapon user, for example a compass, or a knife sheath.

[0040] Method 500 proceeds at block 520 where the heat retaining device is attached to the weapon. The heat retaining device can be attached with the use of hook and loop fasteners, as indicated by block 521, form fitting 522 (usually with a flexible material), or other attachment techniques 523 such as, but not limited to, buttons, snaps, clips, straps, etc. The heat retaining device is attached to the weapon and configured to cover one or more mechanical features of the weapon, such as, but not limited to, a trigger, a safety, a barrel selector, a pump, a bolt, etc. The heat retaining device can be attached to stock 524, trigger guard 525, or other areas of weapon 526 such as features built into the weapon like rails, holes, attachment devices, etc.

[0041] Method 500 proceeds at block 530 where a warming device is acquired. The warming device can be an electrical device, as indicated by block 531, a chemical device, as indicated by block 532, or can be other devices as well, as indicated by block 533 such as, but not limited to, fuel-based devices. In one example, no warming device is used and insulation of the heat retaining device keeps the user's hands warm by retaining body heat.

[0042] Method 500 proceeds at block 540 where the warming device is coupled to the weapon. As indicated by block 541, the warming device can be coupled to the weapon via heat retaining device. For example, the warming device may be disposed inside the heat retaining device. As another example, the warming device may be disposed in a pocket of the heat retaining device. As another example, the warming device may be coupled to the heat retaining device via a fastener (e.g., hook and look, strap, etc.). As indicated by block 542, the warming device can be directly coupled to the weapon directly. For example, a strap couples the warming device to the weapon. As indicated by block 543, the warming device can be coupled to the weapon in other ways as well.

[0043] FIG. 11B is a flow diagram of an operation of storing a weapon with a heat retaining device. Method 550 starts at block 560 where the warming device is removed from the interior pocket of the heat retaining device after the user is finished operating the weapon.

[0044] Method 550 proceeds at block 570 where a barrel sheath, such as those discussed above, is acquired. The barrel sheath could be made of ballistic nylon 571 or other material 572 such as, but not limited to, neoprene, leather, flexible or rigid materials, fleece, canvas, webbing (e.g., MOLLE, PALS, etc.), hard plastics, metal, flexible rain repelling materials, etc. The barrel sheath can be colored in a camouflage pattern, a bright pattern like blaze orange, blaze pink, or safety yellow, colored to match the weapon, colored to match the heat retaining device, or in any other color.

[0045] Method 550 proceeds at block 580 where the barrel sheath is placed over the barrel. This is done to protect the weapon from damage, prevent access to mechanical features of the weapon for safety reasons, and to comply with gun laws and local ordinances.

[0046] Method 550 proceeds at block 590 where the barrel sheath is secured to the weapon. The barrel sheath can be secured to the weapon by attaching it to the attached heat retaining device, as indicated by block 594. The barrel sheath can be secured by attaching it to a feature of weapon as indicated by block 595, such as, but not limited to, the trigger guard. The barrel sheath can be attached in other ways as well as indicated by block 596. For example, attachment to both the weapon and the heat retaining device, form fitting, or using friction fit by tightening with a zipper or string system, etc. The barrel sheath can be attached using hook and loop fasteners, as indicated by block 591. The barrel sheath can be attached using a latch system, as indicated by block 592. The barrel sheath can be attached using other techniques as well, as well as indicated 593. For example, but not limited to, straps, clips, buttons, snaps, hook and loops, zippers, etc. The method ends after the barrel sheath has been secured to the weapon.

[0047] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. And although the subject has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.