Hunting Belt and Shoulder Sling
A convertible hunting belt and shoulder sling is provided with an elongated tongue section and elongated tongue joiner section that are adjustably attached along the length of the opposing ends of a central band section so that the overall closed, or fastened, diameter of the belt and shoulder sling has a wide range of adjustability for convertible use as a waist belt or shoulder sling. Various type of equipment can be attached to the elongated central band.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/988,516, filed Nov. 16, 2007, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a hunting accessory that may function as a hunting belt or shoulder sling, or bandolier.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA hunter may use a belt or bandolier to carry rounds of ammunition or other equipment. Typically the belt or bandolier has attached to it one or more pouches and/or a plurality of loops for storing rounds of ammunition. A disadvantage of existing hunting belts and bandoliers is an inability to rapidly adjust the overall closed diameter of the belt or bandolier, or to convert a waist belt to a large closed diameter appropriate for use as a bandolier.
One object of the present invention is to provide a hunting belt and shoulder sling for carrying ammunition and/or other equipment with a sufficiently wide range of closed diameter adjustability so that the hunting belt and shoulder sling can be easily reconfigured to serve as a hunting belt, shoulder sling or bandolier.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect the present invention is an adjustable and convertible belt and shoulder sling for storage and transport of hunting ammunition and equipment. The belt and shoulder sling comprises an elongated central band, an elongated tongue band, and an elongated tongue joiner band. The elongated central band has first and second ends with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart, alternative tongue band connecting elements near the first end of the central band, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart, alternative tongue joiner band connecting elements near the second end of the central band. The elongated tongue band has first and second tongue band ends with at least one central band connecting element near its first end, and, in some examples of the invention, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart alternative tongue joiner band connecting elements near its second end. The elongated tongue joiner band has first and second tongue joiner band ends with at least one central band connecting element near its first end, and a tongue joiner element at its second end.
In some examples of the invention the plurality of longitudinally spaced apart, alternative tongue band and tongue joiner band connecting elements on the central band, the at least one central band connecting element on the tongue band, and the at least one central band connecting element on the tongue joiner band are holes. At suitable fastener is selectively passed through the combination of at least one hole in the alternative tongue band connecting holes in the central band and the at least one central band connecting hole in the tongue band, and a suitable fastener is selectively passed through the combination of at least one hole in the alternative tongue joiner band connecting holes in the central band and the at least one central band connecting hole in the tongue joiner band to form a belt or shoulder sling of a selectable length. In some examples of the invention the plurality of longitudinally spaced apart, alternative tongue joiner band connecting elements are holes and the tongue joiner element is a buckle that engages at least one of the plurality of longitudinally spaced apart, alternative tongue joiner band connecting elements to form a closed belt or shoulder sling, depending primarily upon the at least one alternative tongue band connecting hole and the at least one alternative tongue joiner band connecting hole on the elongated central band that were selected for fastening with the tongue band and the tongue joiner band. At least one hunting equipment retaining element is attached to the elongated central band.
The above and other aspects of the invention are set forth in this specification and the appended claims.
The appended drawings, as briefly summarized below, are provided for exemplary understanding of the invention, and do not limit the invention as further set forth in this specification and the appended claims:
There is shown in the drawings non-limiting examples of the hunting belt and shoulder of the present invention. As shown in
Referring primarily to the non-limiting example of the invention shown in
Elongated tongue band 14 has first 14a and second 14b tongue ends. First tongue end 14a has at least one central band connecting or fastening element located near first tongue end 14a. In the example shown in
Elongated tongue joiner band 16 has first 16a and second 16b tongue joiner ends. First tongue joiner end 16a has at least one central band connecting or fastening element located near first tongue joiner end 16a. In the example shown in
For the non-limiting example of the invention shown in
In the above examples of the invention while the element for adjustably fastening elongated tongue band 14 and elongated tongue joiner band 16 near to the opposing ends of elongated central band 12 comprise a fastener through holes in the elongated central, tongue and tongue joiner bands, other methods of adjustable attachment may be used, for example, snap fasteners, hook and eyelet (or grommet) closures, self closing buckles, or other fastener assemblies that are capable of establishing a holding force between the central band and the adjustably attached elongated tongue and tongue fastener. By way of example and not limitation, in
The non-limiting example of hunting belt and shoulder sling of the present invention is shown in some of the drawings with a plurality of bullet cartridge loops 18 for holding bullet cartridges. In other examples of the invention the belt and shoulder sling of the present invention may be configured with other retaining elements such as one or more D-rings fastened to the hunting belt and shoulder sling by a strap. In other examples of the invention the belt and shoulder sling of the present invention may be configured with other retaining elements, such as one or more loops and/or pouches of varying sizes fastened to the belt and shoulder sling. In other examples of the invention the belt and shoulder sling of the present invention may be configured with a combination of bullet cartridge loops, loops of varying sizes, D-rings, and/or pouches, holes or grommets.
In one non-limiting example of the hunting belt and shoulder sling of the present invention, the central band has an overall length of 49 inches and a width of approximately 2.5 inches. Plurality of openings 22a through 22j are centered on the width of the central band, with the first opening 22a nearest the first end 12a of the central band having its center spaced approximately 1.0 inch from first end 12a. Adjacent first openings are spaced apart on center 1.5 inches from each other. Plurality of openings 24a through 24j are centered on the width of the central band, with the first opening 24a nearest the second end 12b of the central band having its center spaced approximately 1.0 inch from second end 12b. Adjacent second openings are spaced apart on center 1.5 inches from each other. The elongated tongue band has an overall length of approximately 11.5 inches and a width of approximately 1.375 inches. Central band connecting openings 26a and 26b on the tongue band are centered on the width of the elongated tongue band, with opening 26a nearest the first end 14a of the elongated tongue band having its center spaced approximately 0.5 inch from first end 14a, and opening 26b spaced apart on center 1.25 inches from opening 26a. Plurality of openings 28a through 28e are centered on the width of the elongated tongue band, with the first opening 28a nearest the second end 14b of the elongated tongue band having its center spaced approximately 2.75 inch from second end 14b. Adjacent second openings are spaced apart on center 1.0 inches from each other. The elongated tongue joiner band has an overall length of approximately 6.25 inches and a width of approximately 1.5 inches. Central band connecting openings 42a and 42b on the tongue joiner band are centered on the width of the elongated tongue joiner band, with the opening 42a nearest first end 16a of the elongated tongue joiner band having its center spaced approximately 0.625 inch from first end 16a, and opening 42b spaced apart on centers 1.25 inches from opening 42a. In this non-limiting example when fastener 32a passes through openings 26a and 22b; fastener 32b passes through openings 26b and 22a; fastener 32c passes through openings 42a and 24b; and fastener 32d passes through opening 42b and 24a the maximum fastened (closed) diameter of the belt and shoulder sling of the present invention is approximately 58 inches; when fastener 32a passes through openings 26a and 22j; fastener 32b passes through openings 26b and 22i; fastener 32c passes through openings 42a and 24j; and fastener 32d passes through opening 42b and 24i the minimum fastened (closed) diameter of the belt and shoulder sling of the present invention would is approximately 34 inches.
In other examples of the invention there may be two or more rows of a plurality of tongue band elements and/or tongue joiner band connecting elements at opposing ends of the elongated central band. The hole in buckle prong fastening of the tongue band to the tongue joiner band may be accomplished in any other suitable manner.
In some examples of the invention, indicia may be provided adjacent to one or more of the plurality of elongated tongue connecting or fastening elements, or adjacent to one or more of the plurality of elongated tongue joiner connecting or fastening elements on the central band to provide an indication of the closed diameter of the belt and shoulder sling if the indicated connecting element is used to connect the tongue band or tongue joiner band to the elongated central band.
The above examples of the invention have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, the words used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitations. Although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerous modifications thereto, and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention in its aspects.
Claims
1. A convertible belt and shoulder sling for storage and transport of hunting equipment, the convertible belt and should sling comprising:
- an elongated central band having a first and second longitudinal end;
- a series of longitudinally spaced apart fastening elements located along each of the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongated central band;
- an elongated tongue band having a first and second longitudinal end, the first longitudinal end of the elongated tongue band having at least one elongated central band fastening element for adjustable attachment to at least one of the series of longitudinally spaced apart fastening elements located along the first longitudinal end of the elongated central band;
- an elongated tongue joiner band having a first and second longitudinal end, the first longitudinal end of the tongue joiner band having at least one elongated central band fastening element for adjustable attachment to at least one of the series of longitudinally spaced apart fastening elements located along the second longitudinal end of the elongated central band, the second longitudinal end of the elongated tongue joiner band having a tongue joiner element for selectively connecting with at least one tongue joiner band fastening element in a series of longitudinally spaced apart tongue joiner band fastening elements located along the second longitudinal end of the elongated tongue band; and
- at least one equipment retaining element attached to the elongated central band.
2. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 1 wherein each of the series of longitudinally spaced apart tongue joiner band fastening elements located along the second longitudinal end of the elongated tongue band comprises an opening or hole, and the tongue joiner element comprises a single prong buckle.
3. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 1 wherein the series of longitudinally spaced apart fastening elements located along each of the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongated central band, the at least one elongated central band fastening element at the first longitudinal end of the elongated tongue band, and the at least one elongated central band fastening element at the first longitudinal end of the elongated tongue joiner band are openings or holes, the convertible belt and shoulder sling further comprising at least one first fastener passing through the combination of at least one of the openings or holes in the first longitudinal end of the elongated central band and at least one of the openings or holes in the first longitudinal end of the elongated tongue band, and at least one second fastener passing through the combination of at least one of the openings or holes in the second longitudinal end of the elongated band and at least one of the openings or holes in the first longitudinal end of the elongated tongue joiner band.
4. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 3 wherein each of the series of longitudinally spaced apart tongue joiner band fastening elements located along the second longitudinal end of the elongated tongue band comprises an opening or hole, and the tongue joiner element comprises a buckle.
5. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 1 wherein the series of longitudinally spaced apart fastening elements in the elongated central band and tongue band are arranged so that connection of the tongue joiner element to different tongue joiner band fastening elements located at along the second longitudinal end of the elongated tongue band forms a closed loop having a length ranging from less than the length of the elongated central band to greater than the length of the elongated band.
6. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 1 wherein the at least one equipment retaining element comprises a plurality of loops at least partially along the length of the elongated central band, at least some of the plurality of loops formed to hold a round of ammunition.
7. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 1 wherein the at least one equipment retaining element is selected from the group of loops, D-rings, pouches, holes and grommets.
8. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 1 wherein each of the series of longitudinally spaced apart fastening elements located along the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongated central band is the male disc of a snap fastener and each of the at least one elongated central band fastening elements on the elongated tongue band and tongue joiner band is the female disc of a snap fastener.
9. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 1 wherein each of the series of longitudinally spaced apart fastening elements located along the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongated central band is the loop of a hook and loop fastener and each of the at least one elongated central band fastening elements on the elongated tongue band and tongue joiner band is the hook of a hook and loop fastener.
10. A convertible belt and shoulder sling for storage and transport of hunting equipment, the convertible belt and shoulder sling comprising:
- an elongated central band having a first and second longitudinal end;
- a series of longitudinally spaced apart holes located along each of the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongated central band;
- an elongated tongue band narrower in width than the width of the elongated central band, the tongue band having a first and second longitudinal end, the first longitudinal end of the tongue band having two elongated central band holes for selectable attachment to two adjacent holes in the series of the longitudinally spaced apart holes located along the first longitudinal end of the elongated central band;
- a separate tongue fastener passing through the combination of each of the two elongated central band holes in the tongue band and each of the two adjacent holes located in the series of longitudinally spaced apart holes along the first longitudinal end of the central band;
- an elongated tongue joiner band narrower in width than the width of the elongated central band, the tongue joiner band having a first and second longitudinal end, the first longitudinal end of the tongue joiner band having two elongated central band holes for selectable attachment to two adjacent holes in the series of longitudinally space apart holes located along the second longitudinal end of the elongated central band, the second longitudinal end of the tongue joiner band having a tongue joiner element for selectively connecting with at least one tongue joiner band hole in a series of longitudinally spaced apart tongue joiner band holes located along the second longitudinal end of the elongated tongue band;
- a separate tongue joiner fastener passing through the combination of each of the two elongated central band holes in the tongue joiner band and each of the two adjacent holes located in the series of longitudinally spaced apart holes along the second longitudinal end of the central band; and
- at least one equipment retaining element attached to the elongated central band.
11. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 10 wherein the tongue joiner element comprises a single prong buckle.
12. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 10 wherein the series of longitudinally spaced apart holes in the elongated central band and tongue band are arranged so that connection of the tongue joiner element to different tongue joiner band holes located along the second longitudinal end of the elongate tongue band forms a closed loop having a length ranging from less than the length of the elongated central band to greater than the length of the elongated band.
13. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 10 wherein the at least one equipment retaining element comprises a plurality of loops at least partially along the length of the elongated central band, at least some of the plurality of loops formed to hold a round of ammunition.
14. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 10 further comprising an indicia adjacent to one or more holes in the series of longitudinally spaced apart holes in the elongated central band to indicate the length of the closed loop formed when the tongue band and tongue joiner band are fastened to the central band to the one or more holes adjacent to the indicia.
15. A convertible belt and shoulder sling for storage and transport of hunting equipment, the convertible belt and shoulder sling comprising:
- an elongated central band having a first and second longitudinal end;
- a series of longitudinally spaced apart fastening elements located along each of the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongated central band;
- an elongated tongue band having a first and second longitudinal end, the first longitudinal end of the elongated tongue band having at least one elongated central band fastening element for adjustable attachment to at least one of the series of longitudinally spaced apart fastening elements located along the first longitudinal end of the elongated central band;
- an elongated tongue joiner band having a first and second longitudinal end, the first longitudinal end of the tongue joiner band having at least one elongated central band fastening element for adjustable attachment to least one of the series of longitudinally spaced apart fastening elements located along the second longitudinal end of the elongated central band, the second longitudinal end of the elongated tongue joiner band having a tongue joiner element for selectively connecting with a tongue joiner connecting element located along the second longitudinal end of the elongated tongue band; and
- at least one equipment retaining element attached to the elongated central band.
16. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 15 wherein the tongue joiner connecting element is the female piece of a release buckle and the tongue joiner element is the male piece of a release buckle.
17. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 16 wherein the series of longitudinally spaced apart fastening elements located along each of the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongated central band, the at least one elongated band fastening element at the first longitudinal end of the elongated tongue band, and the at least one elongated central band fastening element at the first longitudinal end of the elongated tongue joiner band are openings or holes, the convertible belt and shoulder sling further comprising at least one first fastener passing through the combination of at least one of the openings or holes in the first longitudinal end of the elongated central band and at least one of the openings or holes in the first longitudinal end of the elongated tongue band, and at least one second fastener passing through the combination of at least one of the openings or holes in the second longitudinal end of the elongated band and at least one of the openings or holes in the first longitudinal end of the elongated tongue joiner band.
18. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 17 wherein the at least one equipment retaining element comprises a plurality of loops at least partially along the length of the elongated central band, at least some of the plurality of loops formed to hold a round of ammunition.
19. The convertible belt and shoulder sling of claim 17 wherein the at least one equipment retaining element is selected from the group of loops, D-rings, pouches, holes and grommets.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 16, 2008
Publication Date: May 21, 2009
Inventor: James O. Holtzclaw, JR. (Broomfield, CO)
Application Number: 12/271,923
International Classification: A41F 19/00 (20060101); A41F 9/00 (20060101); F41C 33/00 (20060101);