Water Proof Firearm Case

Abstract

A waterproof case comprises a pair of flexible waterproof elongated sidewalls extending from a first end and tapering toward a second end. The firearm case includes a waterproof seal about it's peripherally and includes a waterproof closure extending across the sidewall. The firearm case also includes a carrying handle along a reinforced top edge, a shoulder strap connected to the top edge at one end and to a reinforcing strap that extends along the sidewall at a second end. Also disclosed is a waterproof bag having a one piece angular sidewall that is rolled to form a tube and sealed along a seam. The bag also includes a pair of circular end walls sealed to the sidewall and a waterproof zipper that is sealed to the sidewall. The overall structure seals out moisture to prevent the contents within the bag from getting wet. The bag also includes a carrying strap that is secured to a pair of sealing strips that are then in turn sealed to the sidewall. The closure used for both the firearm case and bag is a waterproof slide fastener that is heat sealed about its perimeter to the sidewall of the bag.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to storage containers and bags for use in storing and transporting items. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to firearm cases and duffle bags that allow for protective storage and transportation of such items. Generally, firearm cases and duffle bags are designed to provide a user with a place to store firearms and equipment which can be used to transport such items from one location to another. Firearm cases are, generally, hard or soft sided structures that are used to store and transport firearms from a users home to a hunting site. Firearm cases are usually cumbersome and are not transported easily from one place firearm cases do not adequately protect the firearms and other devices from moisture resulting in corrosion and damage to the firearm and equipment.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, a waterproof firearm case comprises a pair of flexible waterproof elongated sidewalls extending from a first end and tapering toward a second end. The firearm case includes a waterproof seal about its peripherally and includes a waterproof closure extending across one of the sidewalls. The firearm case also includes a carrying handle along a reinforced top rib. The firearm case further includes a shoulder strap connected to the top edge at one end and to a reinforcing strap that extends along the sidewall at a second end.

The present disclosure also comprises a waterproof duffle bag having a one piece tubular sidewall that is rolled to form a tube and sealed along a single seam. The bag also includes a pair of circular end walls sealed at their perimeter to the sidewall and a waterproof zipper that is sealed to the sidewall. The overall structure seals out moisture to prevent the contents within the bag from getting wet. The bag also includes a carrying strap that is secured to a pair of sealing strips that are then in turn sealed to the sidewall. The closure used for both the firearm case and bag is a waterproof slide fastener that is heat sealed by RF Welding about its perimeter to the sidewall of the bag.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a waterproof firearm case, in accordance with the present disclosure, having a pair of flexible waterproof elongated side walls extending from a first end and tapering toward a second end, the firearm case having a waterproof seal about its periphery and including a waterproof closure extending across the side wall, the firearm case also including a carrying handle along a reinforced top edge and a shoulder strap connected to the top edge and to a reinforcement strap that extends along the side wall;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1 illustrating the multiple layers of the firearm case including the flexible waterproof outer layers, the liner covers and padding;

FIG. 3 is a close-up perspective view of the waterproof zipper that is adhered to the flexible waterproof exterior layer, the zipper includes a pair of interconnecting zipper teeth and flexible sealing members that, when interconnected, create a waterproof seal along the length of the zipper, the zipper also including, at the opened end, an end zone that seals against the zipper pull to prevent leakage;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the zipper, similar to FIG. 3 showing the zipper pull in a closed position wherein the zipper pull is in contact with the end zone;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the firearm case.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5 illustrating the multiple layers of the firearm case.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the waterproof bag having a one piece annular side wall that is rolled to form a tube and sealed along a single seam, the bag also including a pair of circular end walls sealed to the side wall, a waterproof zipper that sealed to the side wall and a carrying strap that is secured to a pair of sealing strips that are in turn sealed to the sidewall; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 8-8 of FIG. 7 illustrating the interconnection of the waterproof zipper and sealing strip to the annular sidewall of the waterproof bag;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A firearm case 10 for use in storing and transporting a firearm is shown, for example, in FIG. 1. A firearm case 10 is configured to offer a secured storage space for a firearm and includes padding 12 to prevent damage to the firearm. The firearm case 10 includes first and second elongated sidewalls 14, 16 that form the sides of the firearm case 10. First and second sidewalls 14, 16 are formed from a waterproof woven fabric having a first woven layer 18 formed of a nylon or other woven material and a polyurethane layer 20 coupled to the woven layer 18. The first and second sidewalls are formed from a woven fabric having a polyurethane or vinyl layer bonded to one side. The polyurethane layer 20 is applied to the woven layer 18 by use of an extrusion process. Woven layer 18 can be a solid color have a camouflage pattern. First and second sidewalls 14, 16 are heat sealed by RF Welding together around the perimeter 22 after the side walls 14, 16 are sealed around their perimeter. Cover ribbing 24 is secured along perimeter 22 by heat sealing by RF Welding or stitching. If stitching is used, it is applied so that does not penetrate internal cavity 26 of firearm case 10. Heat sealing by RF Welding first sidewall 14 to second firewall 16 creates a waterproof seal around perimeter 22 of firearm case 10 and creates internal cavity 26 which houses the pad 12 and the firearm.

Firearm case 10 also includes a grip rib 28 located along an upper edge of sidewalls 14, 16. Grip rib 28 is adapted to permit a user to grab the firearm case 10 and also permits the attachment of handle 30. Handle 30 is attached to grip rib 28 by use of stitching, rivets or other fastening means known to those skilled in the art. Grip rib 28 also includes loop 32 that is use in combination with ring 34 located on securing strip 36 to permit use of shoulder strap 38. Should strap 38 includes a pair of clips 40 to allow shoulder strap 38 to be disconnected from firearm case 10. In order to provide additional durability to firearm case 10, forward end 42 and rearward end 44 include reinforcement patches 46, 48, which protect first and second sidewalls 14, 16.

Firearm case 10 also includes opening 50 that is secured by a waterproof slide fastener 52. Opening 50 is arranged across a portion of the first sidewall 14 to permit the ingress and egress of a firearm. Slide fastener 52 is completely waterproof, having a pair of sealing members 54, 56 that seal opening 50 when zipper pull 58 is moved to a closed position. As can be seen in FIG. 2, firearm case 10 includes internal cavity 26 which houses padding 12 to secure a firearm. Padding 12 includes upper layers 58, 60 and lower layer 62. Upper and lower layers 58, 60, 62 are surrounded by a fibrous material 64 to protect the metal surfaces of the firearm. The firearm is designed to be positioned between upper layers 58, 60 and lower layer 62 so that padding 12 surrounds the firearm. In order to allow the firearm to be placed within the layers 58, 60, 62 and opening 66 is provided between upper layer 58 and upper layer 60. To assist and maintaining the orientation of upper layers 58, 60 a fastener material 68 is placed between upper layers 58, 60 and first sidewall 14, as shown, for example, in FIG. 2. When slide fastener 52 is in the closed position, firearm case 10 is completely waterproof and substantially air tight.

Slide fastener 52 is secured to first sidewall 14 by heat sealing or RF welding, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. Slide fastener 52 also includes gripper elements 70 that secure sealing member 54 to sealing member 56. Slide fastener 52 also includes a base layer 72 that is molded as part of slide fastener 52. Base layer 72 includes upper surface 74 that is heat sealed by RF welding to first sidewall 14. Slide fastener also comprises end member 76 that includes a sealing lip 78 that is adapted to accept and completely seal slide 59 when slide 59 is positioned within end member 76, as shown, for example, in FIG. 4.

The firearm case 10 may also include an elongated upper region 80 that is designed to accommodate an optical scope from a firearm, as shown, for example in FIG. 5. Grip rib 28, as shown in FIG. 5, may also include support rings 34, 35 to secure shoulder strap 38. Slide fastener 52, shown in FIG. 5 is attached to first side wall 14 by a slightly different arrangement. As shown in FIG. 6 base layer 72 of the slide fastener 52 is heat sealed by RF welding waterproof membrane 82 that surrounds slide fastener 52. Waterproof membrane 82 is in turn heat sealed by RF welding the membrane about its perimeter to first side wall 14 of firearm case 10. This allows for a more flexible opening to allow for ingress or egress of the firearm.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a bag 84 that includes a one piece tubular side wall 86, which is sealed upon itself along seam 88 to form side wall 86. Side wall 86 is formed from a waterproof polyurethane based material that is flexible but waterproof. To form seam 88 side wall 86 is overlapped over itself and RF welded to create a waterproof seal. Waterproof bag 84 also includes a pair of end walls 90, 92 that are generally circular in shape and each include a perimeter 92 that is RF welded to ends 96, 98 of side wall 86 to create a waterproof seal between end walls 90, 92 and side wall 86. Side wall 86 includes an opening 100 that is adapted to accept slide fastener 102. Slide fastener 102 includes a base layer 104 that is heat sealed by RF Welding to side wall 86 around the perimeter of opening 100. All of the joints of the bag 84 are RF welded to create a waterproof connection between components with the bag 84 fully assembled and slide fastener 102 in a closed position. Bag 84 is not only waterproof, but substantially air tight to keep contents within bag 84 dry. The bag 84 also includes a pair of handles that are connected to a nylon webbing strap 110. Nylon strap 110 is secured to securing strips 112, 114 which are in turn heat sealed by RF Welding to side wall 86 of bag 84. This arrangement prevents stitching used to secure strap 110 from puncturing side wall 86 of bag 84, which maintains the waterproof integrity of the bag 84.

In use, slide 59 of slide fastener 52 is slid to expose opening 50 in firearm case 10. With slide fastener 52 in the open position, a firearm can be placed between upper and lower layers 58, 60, 62 of padding 12. Once the firearm is in the proper position slide 59 of slide fastener 52 is moved to a closed position so that the firearm case 10 is completely waterproof and substantially air tight. If during hunting, it starts to rain or the firearm case 10 is accidentally placed in water, the water will not come into contact with the firearm preventing corrosion. When use of the firearm is desired, slide 59 of slide fastener 52 is moved to an open position to expose opening 50 to allow the firearm to be removed from padding 12.

While embodiments have been illustrated and described in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustrations and descriptions are considered to be exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come with in the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. The applicants have provided a description and figures which are intended as illustrations of embodiments of the disclosure, and are not intended to be construed as containing or implying limitation of the disclosure to those embodiments. There are a plurality of advantages of the present disclosure arising from various features set forth in the description. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of the such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of the disclosure and associated methods without undue experimentation, that incorporate one or more of the features of the disclosure and fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A waterproof firearm case for protecting a firearm, the firearm case comprising:

first and second sides formed from a flexible waterproof fabric material, said sides being sealed together about their perimeter to form a waterproof seal between said first and second sides and to form an internal cavity;

an opening formed in and extending across a portion of one of said sides;

a waterproof slide fastener sealed to said opening, said waterproof slide fastener adapted to permit the ingress and egress of the firearm when in an opening position and creating a waterproof seal when in a closed position so that when said slide fastener is in a closed position, water cannot enter the firearm case; and

a resilient pad positioned within the cavity and having a first section and a second section, said firearm adapted to be positioned between said sections to isolate the firearm from the sides so that said pad can absorb impacts to the firearm case to reduce the likelihood of damage to the firearm.

2. The waterproof firearm case of claim 1, wherein said first and second sides are connected about their perimeter by RF-welding.

3. The waterproof firearm case of claim 1, wherein said first and second sides are formed from a woven fabric having a polyurethane or vinyl layer bonded to one side.

4. The waterproof firearm case of claim 1, further including a grip rib coupled to an upper end of said first and second sides and a handle attached to said grip rib.

5. The waterproof firearm case of claim 1, wherein said slide fastener includes a pair of sealing members that contact one another when said slide fastener is in a closed position to create a waterproof seal.

6. The waterproof firearm case of claim 4, wherein said grip rib includes at least one ring to permit the attachment of a shoulder strap.

7. The waterproof firearm case of claim 1, further including reinforcement patches to prevent wear to said first and second sides.

8. The waterproof firearm case of claim 1, wherein said slide fastener includes a base layer that is sealed to the perimeter of said opening.

9. The waterproof firearm case of claim 8, wherein said base layer is RF welded to said perimeter of said opening.

10. A waterproof firearm case for protecting a firearm from moisture and damage, the firearm case comprising:

a first side of flexible waterproof material having a perimeter;

a second side of flexible waterproof material having a perimeter wherein the perimeter of said first layer is sealed to said second layer to form an internal cavity between said layers;

an opening formed in one of said layers, said opening oriented to extend across a portion of one of said sides;

a waterproof slide fastener having a base layer that is sealed to a perimeter of said opening, said slide fastener adapted to permit the ingress and egress of a firearm from said firearm case;

a foam liner positioned within said cavity, said foam liner having a space adapted to accept the firearm; and

wherein said firearm case is completely waterproof when said slide fastener is in a closed position.

11. The waterproof firearm case of claim 10, wherein said firearm case includes cover ribbing secured to said perimeter of said sides.

12. The waterproof firearm case of claim 10, wherein in said sides are RF-welded about the perimeter.

13. The waterproof firearm case of claim 10, wherein said first and second sides are formed from a woven fabric having a polyurethane layer extruded to one side.

14. The waterproof firearm case of claim 10, further including a grip rib coupled to an upper end of said first and second sides and a handle attached to said grip rib.

15. The waterproof firearm case of claim 10, wherein said slide fastener includes a pair of sealing members that contact one another when said slide fastener is in a closed position to form a waterproof seal.

16. The waterproof firearm case of claim 14, wherein said grip rib includes at least one ring to permit the attachment of a shoulder strap.

17. The waterproof firearm case of claim 10, further including reinforcement patches to prevent wear to said first and second sides.

18. A waterproof bag for storing and transporting items comprising:

a one-piece tubular side wall formed from a flexible waterproof material, said sidewall having a first end sealed to a second end along a seam;

a first end wall formed from a flexible waterproof material having a perimeter that is sealed to a first side of said tubular side wall;

a second end formed from a flexible waterproof material having a perimeter that is sealed to a second side of said tubular side wall;

an opening formed in said side wall;

a waterproof slide fastener sealed to the perimeter of said opening, said slide fastener adapted to permit the ingress and egress of items from said bag; and

a carrying strap secured along a portion of its length to at least one securing strip, said securing strip sealed to said side wall.

19. The waterproof bag of claim 18, wherein said seam of said side wall and the perimeters of said end walls are RF-welded.

20. The waterproof bag of claim 18, wherein said slide fastener includes a pair of sealing members that contact one another when said slide fastener is in a closed position to form a waterproof seal.

21. The waterproof bag of claim 18, wherein said carrying strap is made from nylon webbing.

22. The waterproof bag of claim 18, wherein said carrying strap is secured along a portion of its length to a second securing strip, said second securing strip is sealed to said side wall.