Hunting vest system

Abstract

A gun carrying strap system, with a V-shaped belt strap as a chest part having two legs connected at one end, a tip section located in use position fold down behind the neck of a user, and is connected through a length-adjustable hook-and-loop webbing link with an upper extension arranged on the back of the user, the other ends of the legs are connected through links with side extensions of the back part, both legs are in use position connected with buckle ends on the chest of the user, a gunstock holder is designed as a separate basket for the partial receiving a stock of a carried weapon.

Claims

1. A gun carrying strap system, comprising a chest part (1) made of belt webbing, a back part (2) made of belt webbing, where the chest part (1) and the back part (2) are releasably connected, a gunstock holder connected to the chest part (1), a forestock (31) fastening means connected to the chest part (1), where the fastening means is designed as a quick-release clamp, characterised in that the chest part (1) is formed as a V-shaped belt strap comprising two legs (1B, 1C) connected to each other at one end, where a tip section (1A) of the chest part (1) is folded down behind a neck region of a user (3) wearing the gun carrying strap system in use position, and is connected through a length-adjustable hook-and-loop webbing link (22) to the upper extension (2A) of the back part (2) arranged on the back of the user (3) wearing the gun carrying strap system, the other ends of each of the two legs (1B, 1C) of the V-shaped belt strap are connected through each one length-adjustable link consisting of a webbing (23), a buckle (24) and a hook-and-loop webbing (25) to both side extensions (2B, 2C) of the back part (2) arranged on the user (3) wearing the strap system, the two legs (1B, 1C) of the V-shaped belt strap are equipped with buckles (17) on the neighbouring inner edges of the legs (1B, 1C) to connect both legs (1B, 1C) of the V-shaped belt strap in a use position with a spacer detachably on the chest of the user (3) wearing the strap system, and the legs (1B, 1C) of the V-shaped belt strap of the chest part (1) are in use position connected with each other detachably using the buckles (17) attached to inner edges of the legs (1B, 1C), the gunstock holder is designed as a separate basket (20) for receiving partly a stock (19) of the carried gun, which is connected through a buckle end (26) with a buckle (21) on outer edges of the legs (1B, 1C) near the end of both legs (1B, 1C) of the V-shaped belt strap, as well as through webbings (27, 29) and buckles (28, 30) with the tip section (1A) of the V-shaped belt strap through a buckle end (5) provided there, the gun carrying strap system comprises as a clamp to fix the forestock (31) a length-adjustable clamp with adjustable detachable fixing on one leg (1B, 1C) of the V-shaped belt strap in the front shoulder area of the user (3) in the use position of the strap system on the one hand, and, on the other hand, a length-adjustable clamp with detachable fixing on the other leg (1C, 1B) of the V-shaped belt strap near the chest of the user (3) wearing the strap system in a use position, the length of the webbing (27, 29) connecting the basket (20) holding the gunstock (19) to the chest part (1) is selected in a manner that the separate basket (20), which partially holds the stock of the carried gun (19), is positioned in use position below the gun forestock clamp (31), next to the hip of the user (3) wearing the strap system, viewing the user (3) from the front, further back than the clamp fixing the forestock (31).

2. The gun carrying strap system according to claim 1, characterised in that the quick-release clamp for facilitating the upright gun carrying, fixed detachably in the use position of the sling system on the one leg (1B, 1C) of the V-shaped belt strap in the front shoulder area of the user (3) wearing the strap system comprises at least on a part of its length a hook-and-loop webbing (33), which is fixed in a webbing loop (8) on the corresponding leg (1B, 1C) of the chest part (1), and a second end of the quick-release clamp is equipped with a quick-release shackle (34), which is in operational connection with an attached release cord (35) used as an actuator.

3. The gun carrying strap system according to claim 1, characterised in that the clamp for facilitating the gun carrying diagonally on the chest of the user (3), fixed detachably in the use position of the sling system on the other leg (1C, 1B) of the V-shaped belt strap in the chest area of the user (3) wearing the strap system comprises at least on a part of its length a hook-and-loop webbing (33), which is fixed in a D ring (11) on the corresponding leg (1B, 1C) of the chest part (1), and a second end of the quick-release clamp is equipped with a quick-release shackle (34), which is in operational connection with an attached release cord (35) used as an actuator.

4. The gun carrying strap system according to claim 3, characterised in that the actuator attached to the quick-release shackle (34) for facilitating the gun carrying diagonally on the chest of the user (3), fixed detachably in the use position of the sling system on the other leg (1B, 1C) of the V-shaped belt strap in the chest area of the user (3) wearing the strap system is a magnetic plate (45) sticking detachably to the metal gun lock, and connected through a belt (44) to the quick-release shackle (43).

5. A gun carrying strap system according to claim 1, characterised in that the legs (1B, 1C) of the V-shaped belt strap are equipped with MOLLE compatible attachment segments (10).

6. A gun carrying strap system according to claim 1, characterised in that the legs (1B, 1C) of the V-shaped belt strap are equipped with elastic attachment webbings (16).

7. A gun carrying strap system according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a webbing (36) attached with one end to the webbing loop (7) on the edge of the belt webbing at the tip section (1A) of the V-shaped belt strap and with the other end to the gunstock (19).

8. A gun carrying strap system according to claim 1, characterised in that the V-shaped belt strap with the components fixed on the legs (1B, 1C) is designed symmetrically to an imaginary vertical centre line (4) allowing both right-handed and left-handed gun handling.

Description

(1) The gun carrying strap system according to the invention is described below in more detail by means of design examples, with reference to the attached drawing, where

(2) FIG. 1 is a developed plan view of the chest part of the gun carrying strap system of the invention as a design example,

(3) FIG. 2 is a developed plan view of the back part attached to the chest part of the gun carrying strap system shown in FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 is a developed plan view of the gun support attached to the chest part of the gun carrying strap system shown in FIG. 1,

(5) FIG. 4 is a developed plan view of a possible design of the front clamp to hold the forestock attached to the chest part of the gun carrying strap system shown in FIG. 1,

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the band supporting the rifle in an upright position, attached to the chest part of the gun carrying strap system shown in FIG. 1,

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a possible design of the second front clamp to hold the forestock, attached to the chest part of the gun carrying strap system shown in FIG. 1,

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further possible design of the second clamp to hold the forestock, attached to the chest part of the gun carrying strap system shown in FIG. 1,

(9) FIG. 8 shows the first upright rifle haul carrying mode, using the gun carrying strap system in the presented design,

(10) FIG. 9 shows the position as shown in FIG. 8, with the wearer from the side,

(11) FIG. 10 shows the position as shown in FIG. 8, with the wearer from behind,

(12) FIG. 11 shows the moment of changeover from the haul position to the firing position by releasing the first clamp of the forefoot holder,

(13) FIG. 12 shows the rifle, carried hands-free and diagonally over the body, for example, in haul position, in front view,

(14) FIG. 13 is the moment of transition from the diagonal haul position over the body as seen in FIG. 12 in the firing position, with the forestock in the hand, after releasing the second forestock clamp,

(15) FIG. 14 shows the third way of carrying, i.e., carrying the rifle in an opened state, for example during a break in a hunt,

(16) FIG. 15 shows the moment of moving the rifle from the haul position to the firing position after having the first clamp of the forefoot holder as per FIG. 15 released,

(17) FIG. 16 shows the moment shown in FIG. 16, with the stock basket offset providing for the required movement,

(18) FIGS. 17-19 show further moments of the rifle being moved to the firing position,

(19) FIG. 20 shows the position of the second forestock clamp releaser as per FIG. 21 in an idle position, in contact with the metal rifle lock,

(20) FIG. 21 shows the arrangement shown in FIG. 20, to ensure the operation of the magnetic release band e.g., in winter, while wearing gloves,

(21) FIG. 22 shows the operation of the second forestock clamp releaser as shown in FIG. 20,

(22) FIG. 23 shows the second forestock clamp at the moment of releasing the clamp,

(23) FIGS. 24 and 25 show the gun held in hand after having the second forestock clamp released,

(24) FIG. 26 shows a band fastening solution variant in a larger view,

(25) FIG. 27 shows a further band fastening solution in a larger view,

(26) FIG. 28 is a detail showing the first haul rifle position, in an enlarged oblique top view, and

(27) FIG. 29 shows the rifle, carried hands-free and diagonally over the body, in front view, with a further second clamp design for forestock fixing.

(28) The merely exemplary preferred design of the gun carrying strap system as shown in the Figures comprises two main parts, a chest part 1 and a back part 2.

(29) The chest part 1, as shown in FIG. 1, is a substantially V-shaped belt strap, which is worn over the shoulders of a user 3 carrying the gun carrying strap system when carrying the gun carrying strap system. A tip section 1A of the chest part 1 is, in usage position, behind the neck of the user 3 and connected via a length-adjustable hook-and-loop webbing 22, also known as velcro fastener strap, with an upper extension 2A of the back part 2 arranged on the back of the user 3, shown developed in FIG. 2. To ensure the same use conditions for both right-handed and left-handed users 3, the chest part 1 is symmetrical to a dashed centre line 4 symbolically marked in FIG. 1.

(30) The tip section 1A of the chest part 1 has a buckle end 5 and a webbing loop 6 in the centre line 4 and both sides of the tip section 1A are attached with one webbing loop 7 each. The legs 1B, 1C of the chest part 1, which essentially run upright on the chest of the user 3 in use position, have respective webbing loops 8 in the centre area of the legs 1B, 1C looking toward the tip section 1A and looking toward the other end of the legs 1B, 1C, each one D ring 9 to attach a rifle 18 designated as gun and to mount the hook-and-loop webbings 53, 54 required to adjust the position of the rifle 18.

(31) In the middle area of the straps 1B, 1C, attached to the chest part 1, below the webbing loop 8 and the D ring 9, MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) compatible fixing segments 10 and D rings 11 are attached. At the opposite end of the legs 1B, 1C of the chest part 1, facing down in the use position, respective outer edges of the legs 1B, 1C have a webbing loop 13 to fix the gun carrying strap 12, as well as the webbing loop 14 to receive the link to attach one of the side extensions 2B to the back part 2 shown in FIG. 2, while inner edges of the legs 1B, 1C have the webbing loop 15 for mounting a drink bag, which is not shown separately. On legs 1B, 1C, at the height of the webbing loops 13, 14, and 15, a rubber fastening band 16 is attached, for example for storing cartridges. To connect the legs 1B, 1C of the chest part 1 in the use position, the lower part of the legs 1B, 1C have the buckle ends 17 on the inner edge of the legs 1B, 1C for the detachable mutual connection. On the bottom part of the legs 1B, 1C, a buckle end 21 is attached for securing a basket 20 to receive and to support a stock 19 of the gun, in this case of the rifle 18. The strap system may also be fitted with additional unspecified mounts, to allow other equipment items normally used in such applications: rucksack, cape, canteen, tools, etc. to be attached in the usual way.

(32) Together with the exemplary chest part 1, the back part 2 constituting the other main part of the gun carrying strap system according to the invention is shown in FIG. 2. The back part 2 consisting of webbing is connected at three locations detachably with the chest part 1 to secure it: the upper extension 2A is connected via a hook-and-loop webbing 22 as a link to the webbing loop 6 on the tip section 1A of the chest part 1. The side extensions 2B to the back part 2 are attached via a webbing 23, a buckle 24 and a hook-and-loop webbing 25 each to the webbing loops 14 on the chest part 1.

(33) FIG. 3 shows an example of the attachment options of the gunstock holder attached to the chest part 1 of the gun carrying strap system, the basket 20 to receive and to hold the stock 19 of the rifle 18 to the chest part 1. The basket 20, facilitating the upright carrying or holding of the rifle 18, is either directly connected through the buckle 26 to the buckle end 21 on the bottom end of the respective leg 1B or 1C or, to provide more free movement to the stock 19 of the rifle 18, connected through a webbing 27 and a buckle end 28 and a webbing 29 and a buckle end 30 to the buckle end 5 and the buckle end 21.

(34) FIG. 4 shows a possible design of the front quick-release clamp attached to the chest part 1 of the gun carrying strap system to fix a forestock 31 of the rifle 18 carried or held in the upright position. In this case, this front clamp is a simple fixing webbing 32, which is fixed in the webbing loop 8 on the respective leg 1B or 1C of the chest part 1, with a hook-and-loop webbing 33 adjusted to the required length and folded back, while the other end is fixed with a quick-release shackle 34 that may be operated with an attached actuator being a release cord 35 in the embodiment shown. The fixing webbing 32 and the hook-and-loop webbing 33 may be also realised with a single hook-and-loop webbing 33. This clamp can also be used as a second quick-release clamp for the locking and quick-release of the forestock 31 of the rifle 18 in a manner understandable for insiders.

(35) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fixing webbing 36 supporting the rifle 18 in upright position, attached to the chest part 1. One end of the fixing webbing 36 is connected through a buckle 37 and a hook-and-loop webbing 38 to the webbing loop 7 on the corresponding leg 1B, 1C of the chest part 1, the other end is connected through a buckle 39 and a hook-and-loop webbing 40 to the standard webbing loop on the stock 19 of the rifle 18, not separately shown.

(36) FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another possible design of a second clamp to fix the forestock 31 of the rifle 18, attached to the chest part 1 of the gun carrying strap system. One end of a fixing webbing 41 is connected through a hook-and-loop webbing 42 to the D ring 9 on the corresponding leg 1B, 1C of the chest part 1, the other end has a quick-release shackle 43, and the actuator is a flexible magnetic plate 45 connected with the strap 44, which sticks on the metal lock of the rifle 18, when the gun is carried in a cross position.

(37) FIG. 7 is a further possible design of the second clamp to hold the forestock 31, attached to the chest part 1 of the gun carrying strap system, which can be used to carry an opened gun, when not in use. The forestock 31 of the gun, in this case of the rifle 18 is held by a strap 46, which is connected through a quick-release shackle 47 to a ring 48. Two webbings 49, 50 are attached to the ring 48, which are connected each through buckles 51 and 52, hook-and-loop webbings 53 and 54 to the webbing loops 7 and the D ring 9 on the corresponding leg 1B, 1C of the chest part 1. Also with this design, the quick-release shackle 47 is unlocked by a release cord 55 serving as an actuator.

(38) The gun carrying strap system according to the invention integrates the rifle 18 with the body of the user 3 in a way allowing the rifle 18 to be carried safely and easily, and the user 3 to move in the lightest, most natural way possible, and provides the greatest possible speed for the user 3 to change the rifle 18 from the carrying position to the firing position by releasing the quick-release shackles 34, 43, 47 used as quick-release clamps in only seconds from the first touch of the rifle 18 to the firing position. FIG. 8 shows the first upright rifle haul carrying mode, using the gun carrying system in the presented design of the gun carrying strap system, FIG. 9 shows the same with the wearer in the side view, and FIG. 10 shows the upright position according to FIG. 8, with the wearer in the rear view. FIG. 9 clearly shows that the length of the webbings 27, 29 connecting the basket 20 partly holding the gunstock 19 with the chest part 1 is selected in a way that the basket 20 partly containing the stock 19 of the carried gun is located in this use position below the clamp holding the forestock 31 of the gun, next to the hip of the user 3 of the strap system, viewing the user 3 from the front, further back than the clamp fixing the forestock 31.

(39) This ensures that the gun carrying strap system according to the invention causes significantly less fatigue for the user 3, resulting in less energy consumption because the weight of the rifle 18 is distributed over the body of the user 3, among the most suitable, optimal chest and back muscle groups. This will keep providing the user 3 with more energy and vitality even during an all-day hunting event with numerous changes between carrying positions.

(40) The use of the gun carrying strap system according to the invention allows more efficient shooting of game with a lower rate of injury to the game, which is part of the basic hunting ethics and environmental protection and reduces the number of hunting accidents involving human fatalities as well. This can be seen in FIG. 11, which shows the moment of changeover from the haul position to the firing position, and more precisely the pulling of the release cord 35 to release the front locking device of the forestock 31, i.e., the quick-release shackle 34. FIG. 12 shows the rifle 18, carried hands-free and diagonally over the body of the user 3 in haul position, and the rifle 18 can be immediately held in the hand upon releasing the second clamp fastener of the forestock 31, i.e., the quick-release shackle 43 after the diagonal haul position as shown in FIG. 12.

(41) In addition to the above mentioned upright and diagonal carrying modes of the rifle 18, the gun carrying strap system according to the invention allows a third carrying mode for example during hunting breaks, where the rifle 18 is attached to the body of the user 3 in a manner that the user 3 does not hold the rifle 18, it does not occupy or hinder body parts of the user 3 allowing for full movement freedom, it is stored in a place that is no less safe, thus reducing the number of rifle 18 accidents in shooting situations, as shown in the already mentioned FIG. 14, i.e., the proposed strap system will allow the users 3 to keep the rifle 18 safely opened on their body during hunt breaks.

(42) Based on the above description of the gun carrying strap system according to the invention, it is easy to understand how the rifle 18 can be carried in three different ways relative to the body of the user 3 during hunting, without occupying the hands or arms of the user 3.

(43) Both arms of the user 3 can be moved freely in all 3 carrying positions of the rifle 18 without tension and obstructing the blood supply to the arms, because the full load of the rifle 18 is applied and distributed to the body and torso of the user 3, rather than to the arms and hands.

(44) The design of the strap system ensures that the carried rifle 18 acts as an integral part of the body, both in terms of static and dynamic user experience.

(45) The chest part 1 and back part 2 of the strap system are designed to allow all necessary movements of the body of the user 3, together with the rifle 18 and other equipment, as if they were an integral part of the body of the user 3.

(46) The design presented provides two different positions to carry the rifle 18 on the body of the user 3 allowing a rapid shooting position, the rifle 18 is in both positions ready to be changed in shooting position without wasting time. The two positions include the upright carrying mode and the diagonal carrying mode. In both positions, the rifle 18 is not being used except immediately prior to the action, with the arms and hands remaining completely free until the rifle 18 is used, this moment of moving the rifle 18 from the haul position to the firing position is shown in FIG. 15, while FIG. 16 shows the moment of moving the basket 20 holding the stock 19 of the rifle 18 into the position providing the necessary movement of the stock 19 of the rifle 18.

(47) This allows the rifle 18 to be moved into the firing position without obstruction as shown in FIGS. 17-19.

(48) FIGS. 20 to 25 show another possible design of the gun carrying strap system according to the invention, in which the second clamp for the forestock 31 is not of the same design as the first clamp, although the target is also fulfilled by that design, but this variant makes use of the fact that the lock of the gun, in this case of the rifle 18 attached to the forestock 31 is made of metal, steel and therefore magnetic. To take advantage of this, the quick-release shackle 43 is operated with a magnetic plate 45 as an actuator, rather than with a release cord, through an attached longer strap 44, where, in case of the diagonal carrying mode of the rifle 18, the magnetic plate 45 is stuck on the steel lock of the rifle 18 on the forestock 31 of the rifle 18, as shown in FIG. 20. For allowing the clamp to be operated not only with bare hands but also with gloves on, for example, in winter, the strap 44 is long enough to make a loop alongside the magnetic plate 45 stuck on the gun 18, which can fit the gloved finger of the user 3, as shown in FIG. 21. The clamp is released in the usual way, by gripping the magnetic plate 45, see FIG. 22, and pulling it, see FIG. 23, which releases the quick-release shackle 43 and moves the gun without delay to the firing position, see FIGS. 24 and 25.

(49) In addition to the hook-and-loop solution for attaching the various webbings as shown in the embodiments, a standard D ring and/or O ring design is also possible, such variants are shown in FIGS. 26-29, whereas in FIGS. 26 and 28 the D ring 9 is complemented by an O ring 56 and enables attaching a strap with the known double-ring technique, and in FIGS. 27 and 29 the D ring 11 is complemented by an O ring 57 and enables attaching a strap with the known double-ring technique. FIGS. 28 and 29 also show a snap fastener 58 to ensure the fixed position of the webbings 32, and 41 in the usual way.

(50) In all three of these carrying modes, the rifle 18 is attached to the gun carrying strap system according to the invention, which receives and distributes all static loads and dynamic shocks without the use of the hands of the user 3. All three carry modes and positions allow for significantly easier movement in the environment of use and the weight of the rifle 18 is less noticeable.

(51) The carrying positions provided by the gun carrying strap system integrate the rifle 18 into the natural movement paths of the upper body of the user 3, allowing the rifle 18 to be easily and quickly changed from the carrying position to the firing position with a natural movement, without the need to specifically practice this movement, because the movement is intuitive and known to the person handling the rifle 18. By using the strap system, the total energy consumption of the user 3 is significantly reduced compared to the traditional carrying of the rifle 18, the hands of the user 3 will not be fatigued, and the efficiency/effectiveness of the shot is significantly increased.

(52) During a break in the hunt, the gun must be securely fastened to the body of the user 3 in accordance with the regulations. The strap system according to the invention facilitates the fulfilment of this requirement by using it as a harness for the rifle 18.

(53) The design of the gun carrying strap system, with a sufficient range of sizes and individual adjustment options for the body of each user 3 allows for an ideal fit and support on the body of the user 3, minimising the strain on the body while maximising freedom of movement, without hindering or restricting the user 3 in any necessary body movement such as stooping, stealth approach, squatting and the like. The compact design ensures a high level of safety and comfort for the user 3 during use, and hunting, without distractions or any unwanted movement. The materials used for the manufacturing of the strap system ensure that the positive characteristics and functions of the strap system are maintained throughout the entire period of use and that it will perform its function on any type of clothing in any climate. The strap system is lightweight, weighing only 850-990 g (i.e. 1,874-2,183 lbs), and has a small volume.

(54) The material of the gun carrying strap system may be reasonably and preferably a material used in the field of such straps, hiking equipment, even with breathable perforations, which, in addition to providing adequate mechanical strength, tear resistance and water resistance provides for ventilation; therefore, the wearing of the strap system does not restrict the user 3.

LIST OF USED REFERENCES SIGNS

(55) 1 chest part 1A tip section 1B, 1C leg 2 back part 2A, 2B extension 3 user 4 centre line 5 buckle end 6 webbing loop 7 webbing loop 8 webbing loop 9 D ring 10 fixing segment 11 D ring 12 gun carrying strap 13 webbing loop 14 webbing loop 15 webbing loop 16 fastening band 17 buckle end 18 rifle 19 stock 20 basket 21 buckle end 22 hook-and-loop webbing 23 webbing 24 buckle 25 hook-and-loop webbing 26 buckle 27 webbing 28 buckle end 29 webbing 30 buckle end 31 forestock 32 fixing webbing 33 hook-and-loop webbing 34 quick-release shackle 35 release cord 36 fixing webbing 37 buckle 38 hook-and-loop webbing 39 buckle 40 hook-and-loop webbing 41 fixing webbing 42 hook-and-loop webbing 43 quick-release shackle 44 strap 45 magnetic plate 46 strap 47 quick-release shackle 48 ring 49, 50 webbing 51,52 buckle 53, 54 hook-and-loop webbing 55 release cord 56 O ring 57 O ring 58 snap fastener