RAIL MOUNTED SLING FITTING

Abstract

The present invention is a rail mounted sling fitting for threaded type slings. A loop body terminates with at least two clamp ends that, when tightened, grasp a rail installed on a weapon. The preferred tightening means is a bolt extending diametrically through the clamp ends. An alternative embodiment extends the lower jaw of each clamp until they almost make contact, which prevents the sling from interfacing with the rail itself.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sling fittings for rifles and more particularly relates to a sling fitting that mounts on an accessory rail on a rifle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sling systems have been used to carry articles for an extended period of time. As such, the prior art is filled with many sling designs for various articles. Of particular importance to this invention are slings and sling systems designed to carry a firearm. Of these, most systems can be divided into two types and the slings themselves may also be divided into two types. The first systems are those systems that permanently attach a sling or sling mount to a weapon. The second systems are those systems that use a removable adapter for the purpose of providing a sling attachment. The first sling, a “point” sling, utilizes a clip on the sling itself to attach to a fitting of some other loop on the weapon. A second, “threaded” sling-type utilizes a mounted fitting through which the sling webbing is threaded. As a rule, the point sling utilizes a smaller loop or other hollow shape for the attachment of the clip. Threaded sling fittings feature a significantly oblong slot. Usually, these designs, while providing removable adapters, require a somewhat involved assembly process to add or remove the adapter. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,330 (2003); U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,069 (1991) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,872 (1986) are all illustrative of the prior art.

While the aforementioned inventions accomplish their individual objectives, they do not describe a rail-mounted fitting wherein the sling attachment orifice and the means for attaching the fitting to the weapon are both solely within the body of the fitting. As such, they do not disclose a type of sling fitting that can be simply made for both threaded and point sling systems. In this respect, the sling fitting according to the present invention departs substantially from the usual designs in the prior art. In doing so, this invention provides a rail mounted sling fitting, particularly for a threaded sling, but also adaptable as a point sling fitting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of sling adapters, this invention provides an improved rail mounted sling adapter. As such, the present invention's general purpose is to provide a new and improved rail mounted sling adapter that can be positioned at any point on a rail and accommodate any specific type of sling.

In construction, the adapter of the present invention is basically a half-loop, having two ends that are made to mate with a rail system. The loop is somewhat deformable and utilizes a bolt to draw the two ends together, clamping the ends on the rail. An alternate embodiment features two bars extending from the lower jaws of the mating ends. In either embodiment, a slot or hole is formed within the loop, allowing for attachment. An additional attachment point may be added to the side of the fitting opposite the bolt's insertion.

The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Many objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the sling adapter.

FIG. 2 is a right side elevation of the sling adapter.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of an alternate embodiment of the sling adapter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the sling fitting is herein described. With particular attention to FIG. 1, the fitting is essentially a main body 10 with two thicker ends 12 doubled over the body 10, defining an oblong loop. Ends 12 terminate in gripping jaws 18 that interface with a weapon's rail. In the preferred embodiment, a bolt is accommodated with a provided bore 16, shown in partial section in FIGS. 1 and 3 and end on in FIG. 2. Ends 12 being doubled over main body 10 define an oblong slot 14, through which a sling strap is threaded. In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, lower jaws 18b are extended beyond the length of upper jaws 18a. This provides a separation between the sling strap and the rail and still allows upper jaws to slip around a rail.

In use, the fitting is slipped over a rail and positioned where a user desires with the rail between jaws 18. A bolt is threadingly engaged into bore 16 and is positioned so that it exits a first end 12 and enters the other end 12 within a groove that is present in the rail, thereby providing stability in a longitudinal direction. The bolt is tightened and the fitting, being slightly deformable and resilient, grips the rail securely. Ideal materials for the fitting include metals, particularly aluminum, plastics, wood, fiberglass and other durable yet resilient materials.

Slot 14 may take any shape, though the oblong shape is necessary for a threaded sling. The slot 14 may be adapted to accommodate a point sling by thinning a portion of the fitting body to accommodate a clip. An additional point sling attachment may be added to the fitting on the side opposite the bolt's insertion bore 16.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.

Claims

1. A rail mounted sling fitting for a weapon, the fitting comprising:

A fitting body;

At least two clamp ends extending from and curling under the fitting body such that a space is defined as an interior of the fitting body and ends;

A tightening means for biasing the clamp ends towards one another.

2. The fitting of claim 1, the tightening means being at least one bolt inserted through a bore, threadingly engaged to two ends across but not encroaching the space.

3. The fitting of claim 2, wherein a material from which the fitting is constructed is selected from the group of materials consisting of: metal, plastic, wood, composite materials and fiberglass.

4. The fitting of claim 1, further comprising at least two extended clamp jaws, each projecting from one clamp end towards the other clamp end, but neither jaw touching the other.

5. The fitting of claim 4, the tightening means being a bolt, threadingly engaged to two ends across but not encroaching the oblong space.

6. The fitting of claim 5, wherein a material from which the fitting is constructed is selected from the group of materials consisting of: metal, plastic, wood, composite materials and fiberglass.

7. The fitting of claim 4, wherein a material from which the fitting is constructed is selected from the group of materials consisting of: metal, plastic, wood, composite materials and fiberglass.

8. The fitting of claim 1, wherein a material from which the fitting is constructed is selected from the group of materials consisting of: metal, plastic, wood, composite materials and fiberglass.

9. The fitting of claim 2 further comprising an offset clip hole positioned on the side opposite the bore.