Protective gun cover

Abstract

A light-weight, durable, soft shell firearm case made from flexible Neoprene can be snugly fitted to a gun like a glove, and once removed, rolled into a compact configuration for convenient carrying. The frameless, reversible cover comprises a pair of flexible sides, one with a flap with a Velcro strip, and the other with a mating strip. The case snugly fits around the firearm, preventing contact with mud, snow, dust, debris and moisture. The tight fit allows the hunter to transport the gun as if no case were in use. Clearance regions allow the user to transport a firearm with its own strap without placing weight in the region between the clearance regions. Quick-acting Velcro straps are used to hold the flap. If the device becomes dirty or muddy, it can easily be hand washed. The flexible, pliant design allows for it to be “rolled-up” for easy storage.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon, and claims the priority filing date, of a previously-filed, and copending U. S. Provisional patent application entitled “Protective Gun Cover,” that was filed Jun. 14, 2006, Ser. No. 60/804,723.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to protective coverings for firearms. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible and durable enclosure that is tightly fitted to a firearm when in use, and that can be folded to a reduced volume configuration for ease of transportation and storage. Pertinent prior art references known in the art are classified in United States Patent Class 42, Subclass 96, and in Class 206, Subclass 317.

II. Description of the Prior Art

It has long been recognized by those familiar with firearms that a protective cover or case is ideal for safe transport and storage. It is important to keep dirt and dust away from sensitive internal moving parts, including firearm bolt and telescopic sight mechanisms. Firearm accuracy and reliability are directly related to weapon cleanliness and the overall care provided by the user. Thus adequate protection must be supplied. Gun cases protect the weapon from moisture and unwanted contaminants including dust and dirt. Cases also protect against marring or scratching.

In the prior art there are both “soft” cases and “hard” cases. Most soft cases are made of fabrics such as canvas or nylon. Many include thick foam padding to protect the gun. Some even claim to float in water. Many have leather straps or another form of strap to provide durable transport. Then there are other less sturdy cases that are made of nylon or the like and these can be folded for storage. This type of soft case provides very little protection upon any type of impact that may occur to the gun when carrying or transporting the gun. These soft cases have many advantages such as relative light weight and relative flexibility. These characteristics are advantageous in many situations. Where firearms are stored during shipment or transportation in cargo bays, truck beds, or automobile trunks, however, vibrations and impacts with other stowed items may damage firearms protected only by soft cases. For example, hunting rifles, or weapons may be damaged or ruined if other luggage is piled on top of the weapon or if the cased weapon is dropped or tossed about.

While driving to the hunting area adjacent a tree stand, for example, hunters often transport their firearm within a hard shell case. Upon arrival at the intended hunting grounds, the usual practice is for the hunter to leave the hard shell case behind. While in the field hunters usually find that the larger and heavier hard shell cases are too bulky and too heavy to conveniently carry. However, firearm protection may still be needed in the field. For example, while walking through the woods to or from a deer stand through heavy brush, it is an advantage to cover the firearm to protect against inadvertent scratching or detrimental impact with obstacles such as tree branches and the like. Such encounters might damage the firearm or the expensive scope mounted upon it. Hunting guns are also subjected to the weather, and rain or snow can affect gun performance. This is especially true for those hunters who carry their weapons to and from their hunting sites on four wheelers (during inclement weather or especially muddy conditions) using only a shoulder strap without a cover.

Even soft shell cases can be cumbersome though if they are difficult or tricky to remove. Once a hunter reaches his deer stand, for example, which often occurs in the early morning hours of almost total darkness, the case must easily dismount, and the process must be as quiet as possible.

Another problem with soft shell cases is that they are either too bulky for transport and storage in the field, or, those cases that can be folded for storage are too flimsy and delicate to provide protection from damage such as scratches and dents that may occur when transporting a firearm on a four-wheeler, a boat, or when simply carrying the firearm in the field. In addition, other soft cases lack simple design and are cumbersome and therefore can not easily be removed from the firearm.

Known gun cases completely cover the weapon and its carrying strap, and they can be cumbersome to carry and difficult to get into. This fact can make it impossible to access the weapon quickly in the event of a sudden and/or unexpected opportunity during a trip to or from the hunt.

Given the foregoing, a soft-shell case with minimal volume and maximum ease of use would offer profound advantages to the hunter. If the fit is tight and non-obtrusive, such a soft shell case and be left on a firearm, if desired, while it is stored or transported within a hard shell case. Then once the gun is removed from the hard case, and thereafter carried to the hunting location such a soft shell case can remain deployed.

Further, proper design dictates that the carrying or shoulder strap of the enclosed rifle or shotgun should remain accessible for use, even when the gun is shrouded within the case. On the other hand, once the hunting site is reached, the case should easily come off with a minimum of effort. Once removed, it should be easily stored within one's coat pocket or backpack until needed again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a light-weight, durable, element-resistant cover that fits in a snug fashion around the weapon to protect against scratches, or from mud, snow, dust and moisture. Preferably the flexible case is made of Neoprene, which offers durability and flexibility ideal for the hunter. The fact that the neoprene material is “stretchy” allows one to easily stretch the device over the weapon like a glove.

While it protects the weapon, it allows the hunter to transport the gun as if no bulky case were in use. Its fast-action design allows one to remove the cover that is preferably held in place by hook and loop Velcro-brand straps and quickly deploy the weapon. Moreover, mud, debris or moisture are prevented from marring or contacting the gun during transport.

The gun's carrying strap is not covered by the new case. Exit ports strategically located on the underside of the device allow a standard gun strap or shoulder strap to be attached to the weapon and used during transport. Known gun cases completely cover the weapon and its carrying strap, and they can be cumbersome to carry and difficult to get into. This fact can make it impossible to access the weapon quickly in the event of a sudden and/or unexpected opportunity during a trip to or from the hunt.

Thus a basic object of our invention is to provide a lightweight and reliable soft shell case for firearms, including rifles, shotguns and the like.

A general object of our invention is to provide a protective casing which is lightweight and which folds or rolls into a reduced size for storage when not in use.

It is also an object to provide a water repellant case for firearms.

Another object is to provide a detachable cover for protecting firearms that is quickly and easily removable with minimum noise.

It is a further objective of the invention to provide a protective, soft-shell case of the type described that is adaptable to various sizes, shapes, types, calibers and forms of firearms.

Another basic object is to provide a detachable cover for protecting the telescopic sight and bolt mechanism of a firearm.

It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a case of the character described that is easily transportable.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention is to provide a gun case made of light, flexible material which can be rolled or folded into a collapsed, transportable configuration suitable for carrying in ones pockets.

Another object of this invention is to provide a soft gun case which is easy and convenient to deploy or remove.

It is also an object of our invention to provide a firearm case of the character described that can be safely hand washed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a gun case which may be easily and quickly applied to a gun or easily and quickly removed from a gun with a minimum of effort.

A related object of our invention is to provide a gun case which can be installed or removed with minimal noise.

Another object of this invention is to provide a gun cover which will permit a gun or rifle to be carried with its strap even while the firearm is covered.

A still further object of this invention is to provide the sportsman with the ability to first protect his weapon with a simple soft case, and then store the weapon in a hard case during travel to meet TSA flight regulations. And upon arrival the sportsman can remove the weapon from the hard case and still have a protective case to carry into the field. Or the compact structure of this case will allow the sportsman to pack the case in the portable compact position during travel, for convenient carrying.

Another object is to provide a soft gun case of the character described that is easy and economical to manufacture.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent in the course of the following descriptive sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of a first embodiment of our Protective Gun Cover used with a rifle, with the flap open, showing a rifle with phantom lines;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the cover of FIG. 1, showing the flap fastening strips, with a rifle shown with phantom lines;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the flap closed;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover of FIGS. 1-3 removed from the rifle and rolled up for storage;

FIG. 5 is a frontal perspective view of a first embodiment of our Protective Gun Cover, with the flap open;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the cover as seen in FIG. 5, showing the flap fastening strips;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of an alternative cover used with a shotgun, showing the fastening straps;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the cover flaps closed;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the cover of FIGS. 5-7 rolled up for storage; and

FIG. 11 is a top plan view taken generally along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With initial reference directed now to FIGS. 1-6 of the appended drawings, a first embodiment of gun case constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention has been generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The elongated, flexible case 10 has a flexible body comprising a pair of opposite sides 11 and 12 that are adapted to snugly surround a firearm such as a rifle 13 (i.e., FIGS. 1, 2).

Preferably case 10 is made from a material such as elastic polymer, Neoprene in the best mode, or other synthetic rubber material. The material may be of any color including black, shades of green, or camouflage. The preferably stretchy material ranges from 2 to 11 mm. thick. It provides a form fitting case that can fit various firearms with various barrel lengths. The material also minimizes noise that can result when removing the case from the firearm. The preferred Neoprene material can withstand normal hand washing when soiled. The material also provides a thin padding to protect from scratches and surface marring.

There is an elongated barrel end 14 of that is sized to flexibly stretch over the rifle barrel. The barrel end is formed into a cylinder for a close fit, and stretches to fit different sizes of barrel lengths. Barrel end 14 is adjacent an intermediate region 15, and a spaced-apart butt end 16, that respectively surround corresponding portions of the rifle 13. Butt end 16 is shorter but wider than the rifle barrel end 14.

The lower portion of side 12 terminates in a reinforced edge 18. A lower foldable flap portion 19 is integral with side 11 and terminates in an outer reinforced edge 17 (i.e., FIG. 5).

The inner surface 19A of flap 19 (FIGS. 1, 2) has an elongated, Velcro strip 20 that is mated with Velcro strip 21 on the surface 12A of side 12 (FIG. 2). These are fitted together and mated when the cover 10 is attached to the rifle 13, and these portions are separated when removing the cover 10.

To hold the case in a rolled or transportable compact position (as in FIG. 4) there is a Velcro strap 30 formed on side 11 (FIG. 1,) that is spaced apart from a mating strap section 31. Strap 30 has a portion 37 (FIGS. 2, 6) that mates with strip 31.

Referencing FIG. 3, there are a pair of spaced apart strap clearance regions 33, 34 defined in the bottom portion of the device 10 at each end of intermediate region 15. These clearance regions establish “open” areas beneath the stretched out case through which the firearm's carrying strap 32 may pass when the 13 firearm is enclosed the flap is protectively folded about it. This allows the firearm carrying or shoulder strap 32 to be deployed and used when the gun is transported while the case 10 is installed. The exit ports and flap closure are strategically located to ensure no weight is applied to the case opening during transport.

During case installation, the firearm 13 is inserted through an opening beneath intermediate region 15 with its barrel inserted within the formed, cylindrical barrel end 14. Then the case 10 is stretched over the formed butt (or stock) end 16. The case is then secured with the single flap 19 underneath the trigger of the firearm and secured into position on its anterior side by the preferred a hook and loop fastener strips discussed. The case 10 stretches over the barrel end and the stock end of firearm 13 to fit snugly like a glove.

The reference numeral 35 (FIG. 4) depicts the height of the coiled roll, i.e., the storage configuration of the cover 10 when being transported. The height of a coiled rifle case 10 is nominally about nine inches. Because of its flexible or pliant Neoprene construction, it can be removed from the firearm, and then laid out, and rolled into a wound or coiled storage positions seen in FIGS. 4 and 16.

Other than the reinforced edges 17, 18 discussed earlier, there are no rigid frame members or structural elements. In other words, the preferred design is frameless, to enable flexibility and compact folding after removal from a firearm.

FIGS. 7-10 show an alternative embodiment 60 that can be used with a scopeless long barreled firearm such as a shotgun 59. As with the previous embodiment 10, cover 60 has a butt region 76, an intermediate region 77, and a barrel region 78.

Side 61 of alternative case 60 (FIG. 7) preferably comprises an elongated “hook and loop” preferably Velcro-brand strip 62 that mates with a similar mating Velcro strip 63 carried on the bottom inside of flap 65. Noting particularly FIG. 8, flap 65 is integral with case side 64. Strap clearance regions 67, 68 on opposite ends of intermediate region 77 provide clearance for the shotgun's shoulder strap 69 so that it can be deployed for carrying when the case 60 is installed. Velcro strips 70, and 71 unite when the case 60 is removed and coiled as before for storage. The distance 73 (FIG. 8) is nominally six inches. FIG. 11 indicates how the rolled up case can be coiled into a compact geometry ideal for storage in one's pockets or vest.

Cases 10 and 60 are preferably constructed by sewing together two pieces of Neoprene. The appropriately sized and dimensioned neoprene segments form the illustrated sides 11, 12 of the embodiment 10 described earlier. The shapes of the two pieces will obviously be different since one piece on one side will have a “flap” (i.e., like flap 19) that will wrap around the undersurface of the weapon between the front and rear shoulder strap attachment sites and attach to the opposite piece via Velcro strapping. The two neoprene pieces will be sewn together around the edges up to, but not including the area of the device where the “flap” is located. This “opening” shall serve as the opening through which the weapon is inserted into the device.

The thickness of the neoprene to be used in the construction of the device could range in thickness from 2 mm. to 11 mm. In addition, the inner and outer surface of the neoprene may be covered in nylon (as is standard for most neoprene) with varying colors or patterns for the outer surface being used. The stock (or butt) end and barrel end of the cover are completely sewn together with reinforced stitching with an opening in the middle of the case.

In use each case 10 or 60 is stretched gently and slipped over the firearm (i.e., rifle or shotgun) like a glove, and secured into position with the Velcro brand straps discussed earlier. To remove either case, the Velcro-brand straps are simply unfastened, the case will yieldably slip off of the firearm 10 or 60. Based upon the fact that the shoulder strap attachment sites for a standard rifle and a standard shotgun are different, at least two different variations will be necessary, one for a rifle (with or without a scope) and one for a shotgun.

It will also be apparent that the flexible nature of the case 10 enables it to be reversed (i.e., turned inside out). Thus, for example, early fall camouflage pattern could be used on one side, with a late fall or winter camouflage pattern on the opposite side.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A stretchable protective cover for firearms, the covering comprising:

a body made from a pair of flexible sides that are adapted to surround a firearm, the body forming a butt end, an elongated barrel end, and an integral intermediate region;

a foldable flap integral with at least one of said sides for enclosing the cover about a firearm;

connecting strip means defined on said flap and upon at least one of said sides for at least temporarily attaching the flap from one of said sides to the other of said sides to protectively enclose said firearm; and,

a pair of strap clearance regions formed in said body adjacent said intermediate region for allowing access to and use of the firearm shoulder strap when the cover is installed.

2. The cover as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one side terminates in a reinforced edge.

3. The cover as defined in claim 2 wherein said flap terminates in an outer reinforced edge.

4. The cover as defined in claim 1 wherein said body is frameless.

5. The cover as defined in claim 1 wherein said body is made from a material selected from the group consisting of neoprene, elastic polymers, and synthetic rubbers.

6. The cover as defined in claim 5 wherein said body is frameless.

7. The cover as defined in claim 6 wherein at least one side terminates in a reinforced edge.

8. The cover as defined in claim 7 wherein said flap terminates in an outer reinforced edge.

9. A stretchable protective cover for firearms, the covering comprising:

a frameless body comprising a pair of flexible, foldable sides for surrounding and covering a firearm, the body forming a butt end, an elongated, generally cylindrical barrel end, and an integral intermediate region, and the body made from materials selected from the group consisting of Neoprene, elastic polymers, and synthetic rubbers;

a foldable flap integral with at least one of said sides for enclosing the cover about a firearm;

connecting strip means defined on said flap and upon at least one of said sides for at least temporarily attaching the flap from one of said sides to the other of said sides to protectively enclose said firearm;

a pair of strap clearance regions formed in said body adjacent said intermediate region positioned to ensure that no weight is applied between these clearance regions during transport for allowing access to and use of the firearm shoulder strap when the cover is installed.

10. The cover as defined in claim 9 wherein at least one side terminates in a reinforced edge.

11. The cover as defined in claim 10 wherein said flap terminates in an outer reinforced edge.

12. The cover as defined in claim 9 further comprising connecting strip means defined on an outer surface of said body for at least temporarily securing the cover in a rolled or folded position.

13. The cover as defined in claim 9 wherein the body is reversible.