Firearm Support Systems and Related Devices and Methods

This document is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 18/639,050, entitled “Hunting and Carrying Devices, Assemblies, Systems, and Related Methods,” naming as first inventor Michael Swensen, which was filed on Apr. 18, 2024, which in turn claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/496,888, entitled “Hunting and Carrying Devices, Assemblies, Systems, and Related Methods,” naming as first inventor Michael Swensen, which was filed on Apr. 18, 2023, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.

Aspects of this document relate generally to hunting and carrying devices, assemblies, systems, and related methods, such as devices and methods used in conjunction with hunting and/or outdoor adventures and/or for carrying a variety of items. Aspects of this document relate generally to systems, devices, and methods for carrying and aiming firearms, and/or for facilitating the carrying and/or aiming of firearms.

Rifles, bows, and other weapons exist for hunting and/or for military purposes. Backpacks, including hiking backpacks and hunting backpacks, exist in the art, and some elements exist in the art for using a backpack and/or other elements to assist in carrying a rifle, bow, or other weapon. Hiking/trekking poles exist in the art. Hunting blinds exist in the art for covering/obscuring a hunter. Water bottles exist in the art. Some carrying devices for firearms exist in the art, such as slings for carrying guns.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, including: a back plate configured to couple with a backpack, the back plate including a coupler receiver; a tension strap configured to couple with a firearm; and a releasable coupler coupled with the strap and configured to releasably couple the strap with the back plate; wherein, when the strap is coupled with the firearm and when the releasable coupler is coupled with the back plate, the tension strap provides tension to assist a user in aiming the firearm.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, wherein the coupler receiver includes a lock receiver, and wherein the releasable coupler includes a releasable lock configured to releasably secure the strap to the lock receiver.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, wherein the coupler receiver is releasably mounted onto the back plate.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, wherein the coupler receiver includes one or more recesses configured to facilitate the releasable lock securing thereto.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, wherein the releasable lock includes a push lock.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, wherein the strap includes an elastic portion.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, wherein the strap includes an inelastic portion.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, wherein the strap includes one or more length adjusters coupled with the inelastic portion.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, wherein the back plate includes a plurality of slots, and wherein the firearm system further includes a plurality of back plate straps, each back plate strap configured to pass through one of the slots and configured to releasably secure the back plate to the backpack.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, wherein the back plate further includes a clip receiver, wherein the firearm system further includes a clip configured to couple with the firearm, and wherein the clip receiver is configured to receive the clip to releasably secure the firearm to the back plate.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, wherein the back plate further includes one or more ridges, the ridges positioned above the clip receiver and positioned to guide the clip into the clip receiver.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, further including a second releasable coupler coupled with the strap, the second releasable coupler configured to releasably secure with a picatinny rail coupler to secure the second rail coupler with the firearm.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, including: a tension strap; a first releasable coupler configured to releasably secure the strap to a loop coupled with a user; and a second releasable coupler configured to releasably secure the strap to a firearm; wherein, when the first releasable coupler is coupled with the firearm and when the second releasable coupler is coupled with the loop, the tension strap provides tension to assist the user in aiming the firearm.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, wherein the loop includes one of: a loop on a backpack; a loop on an armored vest; a belt loop; a belt; and a clothing loop.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, wherein the second releasable coupler includes a releasable lock configured to secure to a picatinny rail coupler mounted on the firearm.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm system, wherein the strap includes an elastic portion and an inelastic portion.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of using a firearm system, including: releasably securing a tension strap with a firearm using a first releasable coupler; using a second releasable coupler, releasably securing the tension strap to one of a back plate mounted onto a backpack and a loop coupled with a user, wherein the tension strap, the first releasable coupler, and the second releasable coupler form the firearm system; and while the tension strap provides tension steadying the firearm, aiming the firearm.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the first releasable coupler includes a first releasable lock, and wherein releasably securing the tension strap with the firearm includes securing the first releasable lock to a picatinny rail coupler mounted on the firearm.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the firearm system further includes the back plate and a lock receiver coupled with the back plate, wherein the second releasable coupler includes a second releasable lock, and wherein the method includes releasably securing the tension strap to the back plate by releasably securing the second releasable lock to the lock receiver.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the firearm system further includes a second lock receiver coupled with the back plate, and wherein the method further includes releasing the second releasable lock from the lock receiver and securing it to the second lock receiver to adjust a positioning of the tension strap for an aiming operation.

General details of the above-described implementations, and other implementations, are given below in the DESCRIPTION, the DRAWINGS, the CLAIMS and the ABSTRACT.

Implementations/embodiments disclosed herein (including those not expressly discussed in detail) are not limited to the particular components or procedures described herein. Additional or alternative components, assembly procedures, and/or methods of use consistent with the intended hunting and carrying devices, assemblies, systems, and related methods and/or firearm systems, devices, and related methods may be utilized in any implementation. This may include any materials, components, sub-components, methods, sub-methods, steps, and so forth.

Implementations of hunting and carrying devices, assemblies, systems, and related methods relate to devices and methods used in conjunction with hunting and/or outdoor adventures and/or for carrying a variety of items.

Hunting and carrying devices, assemblies, systems, and related methods may include a single device disclosed herein or any combination of devices disclosed herein.

Referring now to, an example carrying assemblyis shown. Assemblyincludes a back platewhich includes a pair of clip receivers. Each clip receiverincludes an openingproviding access to a cavity. A plurality of slotsare present proximate the top of the back plate and proximate bottom corners thereof.shows a front perspective view of the back plate whileshows a rear view thereof. The assembly further includes a hook(shown in) which includes a slot. A strapcouples with the hook (using slot) and further couples with the back plate using the top slots. A pair of strapscouple with the bottom corner slotsand are coupled with couplers. Each couplermay be part of a side release buckle pair and each may include one or more slots for receiving a strap. Any of the slots of this implementation (as with other implementations) may be paired such as to allow self-locking functionality for a strap.

shows a user preparing to couple assemblywith a backpack, which could be a hunting backpack. Inthe user has coupled the hookwith a grab bar of the backpack (the hook may also be coupled with a carrying strap or handle of a backpack if a grab bar is not present). After doing this the user may adjust and/or lock/tighten strap, such as adjusting a distance between the hook and back plate, to achieve desired positioning. Inthe user wraps strapsbelow a bottom of the backpack and then they are clipped together.shows the backpack fully attached to a different backpack (which backpack includes a carrying handle instead of a rigid grab bar).

Init is seen that a cradle assemblymay optionally be included, which may include a cradlefor receiving a butt of a gun, a bottom of a bow, or another item. Strapscouple with the cradle. Couplers, which may be clips or clasps or another coupling element, couple the strapswith straps. The cradle assembly may provide extra support for carrying a gun or bow or other item, and may be useful while the user is riding a bike or vehicle or otherwise moving, or in any other scenario in which the user desires extra carrying support for a weapon or other item. Nevertheless, the cradle assembly may be excluded/removed if a user does not desire to use it.

show various views of a firearm strap assemblyand implementing components.shows a first memberwhich includes a clipand a pair of slots.shows a second memberwhich includes a pair of slotsand a through-hole.shows that a strapis looped through one of the slotsand through both slots.shows that a backing, which may be formed of a rubber or other high-friction element, may be coupled with a surface of the first member. Inthe assembly has been wrapped around a rifle stock and barrel, the end of the strap has been looped through the remaining slot, and the strap has been pulled tight and is being secured using complementary hook-and-loop fasteners on a first portionand second portionof the strap. It is pointed out that, throughout this document, disclosed hook-and-loop fasteners are not shown in the drawings (both with respect to theelements and with respect to elements of various other figures, thoughdoes show one portion of the hook-and-loop fasteners) but hook-and-loop fasteners are generally well known and accordingly, wherever hook-and-loop fasteners are discussed/disclosed with respect to any element, the practitioner of ordinary skill in the art will understand how to configure the elements with complementary hook-and-loop elements without having them illustrated in the drawings. Thus, in this example, the practitioner will understand how to configure first portionand second portionwith complementary hook-and-loop fasteners without their being shown in the drawings. Ina firearm strap assembly(similar to assemblyexcept having a slightly different clip shape) is fully secured to the rifle. Inassemblyis fully secured to the rifle. During the securing process, through-holewas aligned with a protrusionof the rifle stock. The mating of the through-hole with the protrusion helps to couple the assembly securely with the rifle. In implementations the protrusion may be (or may be a portion of) a rifle sling mount (such as a swivel mount for a sling). However, in implementations in which a rifle or firearm does not have such a projection (such as a shotgun with no sling mount, or a bow or crossbow), the backingmay provide sufficient friction that by tightening the firearm strap assembly the gun or bow or other item may still be secured in a desired configuration using the clip notwithstanding there being no additional securing using the through-hole. The through-hole may be especially useful for gun stocks that are inherently low friction, such as some hunting rifle stocks with very smooth surfaces.

Inthe user has already secured assemblyto a rifle and clips the clipinto a clip receiver of assemblyto secure the rifle thereto. Inthe user has fully secured the rifle to the backpack using assemblyand the butt of the gun is further secured within a prior art cradle (which is coupled with the backpack). Inthe user is jogging with the backpack and rifle, and the above-described securing mechanisms keep the rifle secure so that it does not fall or jostle loose or hinder the user's movement. When the user desires to use the rifle (such as upon seeing an animal being hunted) the user can quickly reach back to grab the rifle (such as by grabbing the barrel) and with an upwards motion may easily pull the rifle free (without any removal of the backpack and/or untying of straps/cords, which may be needed for prior art systems), releasing the clipfrom the clip receiver, as in, and then may position the gun for a shot, as in(similar easy-release mechanisms may be used with a bow or any other weapon or other secured element).shows a different rifle type secured to assemblyusing assembly, revealing that various rifle and firearm types may be secured to the backpack in this manner.

show an example firearm strap assemblywhich is similar to assemblyexcept that the clipof the first memberincludes one or more openings. Such openings, and openings on any other clips described herein, may be used for a locking mechanism/functionality, described later with respect to. Infirearm strap assemblyis secured to a bow, and infirearm strap assemblyis coupled with a crossbow. The firearm strap assemblies may accordingly be used to couple bows, crossbows, and other items, to a backpack, in addition to rifles and other guns.

show a carrying assemblywhich is in some ways similar to assembly, including a back plate, clip receivershaving openingsthat provide access to cavities, and slots. Assemblyalso includes additional slots. The uppermost slotsmay be used for coupling strapand a corresponding hookthereto, for securing the hook with a grab bar or carrying handle of a backpack. For backpacks which do not include a grab bar or carrying handle the strapand hook may be excluded and additional slotsmay be used to couple the top of the back plate to the backpack in a different manner, which will be described further below. The rear view ofreveals that openingsprovide access to the cavitiesat the rear of the back plate (back platehas a similar configuration). This is useful for allowing openings of a clip, clipped into the cavity, to be used for a locking mechanism, in a way that will be described later with respect to.

Indisassembled elements of assemblyare shown. Top strapseach include a sewn loop, and bottom strapseach include a sewn loop. Although the backpack ofincludes a carrying handle, one of the top straps is shown being looped around an arm strap near or at a top of the backpack, and the non-loop end threaded through the loop and pulled tight, to illustrate an example mechanisms of securing the top strap to the backpack. The other top strap may be secured to the other arm strap in a similar manner, and this leaves the non-loop ends hanging loosely at a back of the backpack. Each bottom strap is secured to a portion of a waist strap proximate or at a bottom of the backpack, in a similar manner, as shown in. The top straps may be looped through the additional slots, and the bottom straps looped through the bottom slots, and adjusted and tightened (such as using a self-locking mechanism of the slots themselves, or by any other mechanism) to adjust to the back plate to a desired position.

An optional cradle assemblymay be included. Cradle assemblyincludes a cradlehaving an upper edgeand a lower edge. A side flapmay be opened and closed to expose or cover the lower edge. A flap strapcouples with the flap (through intermediary straps) and also couples with coupler(which may be a portion of a side-release buckle), such as through one or more slots of the coupler. A rear cradle strapis coupled with a coupler(which may be a corresponding portion of a side-release buckle), such as with one or more slots, and couplermay be secured with couplerto secure the cradle in the configuration in which the flap is wrapped around a back of the cradle and the lower edge is covered. In implementations this may be a more useful configuration for carrying a rifle or gun, and this is the configuration shown in.

Inthe user has flipped the cradle around and is releasing the buckle, and inthe user has turned the cradle back around and wrapped the flap across the front of the cradle. The front of the cradle includes a front cradle strapsecured to a coupler(such as using one or more slots of the coupler). In other implementations strapmay be excluded and couplercould be directly sewn to or glued or otherwise affixed to the front of the cradle. Couplercan mate with coupler, so that when the flap is in the configuration shown inthe user may secure couplersandtogether to secure the flap in this configuration. The now-exposed lower edge allows an element to extend out of the cradle through a side of the cradle (instead of only out of a top of the cradle). This is seen inin which a portion of a bow (the cam or limb of the bow) extends out of the cradle through a side of the cradle, made possible by the lower edge. This configuration, with the flap secured open, accordingly may be more useful for carrying bows or other firearms or items which are sized/shaped in such a way that they are more easily (or better) secured with the flap open. Such an open configuration also makes it easier to deploy the bow—it being easier to deploy by allowing the cam/limb to easily slide out of the cradle when the user reaches back and pulls upward on the bow. Couplersandare male and female buckles, respectively, in the figures, though this configuration could be reversed and in some implementations non-buckle coupling elements could alternatively be used. It is pointed out that in some implementations strapand couplercould be excluded and strapcould be long enough or extendable enough and/or straplong enough or extendable enough such that couplercan wrap around to the front side of the cradle (toward the user/backpack) to be coupled with couplerthere secure the cradle in the closed configuration.

shows a few elements securing the cradle to the bottom straps. Lower strapsare secured to the cradle (such as sewn thereto) and are secured through one or more slots of couplers(which in the example are portions of side-release buckles). Couplersare in turn releasably coupled with couplers(which in the example are complementary portions of side-release buckles). Top strapsare coupled through one or more slots of couplersand are in turn coupled through one or more slots of clips. Inone clipis shown already secured to a bottom strapand another is being secured to the other bottom strap. Inthe user has slid one of the clips to a lower position and is adjusting the other clip to a similar position (showing the adjustability of the cradle position by sliding the clips, and further adjustments may be made by adjusting the various straps relative to slots through which they are looped).

The cradle assemblies disclosed herein provide a second securing mechanism for a gun or bow or the like. This may be especially useful in situations where a user is in positions other than standing/walking or is in much motion, such as riding a bike or a motorized vehicle, climbing or scrambling or otherwise situated along a grade or cliff, etc. After a user secures the gun or bow or other element to the back plate using a clip of a firearm strap assembly, the user may put the butt of the gun or bottom of the bow or other element in the cradle and may adjust straps and clips and etc. as needed to ensure a secure configuration. Any of the cradle assemblies disclosed herein may include one or more or all details disclosed in Appendix A.

show an example clip receiver assemblywhich includes a first member. The first member includes a clip receiverwhich includes an openingproviding access to a cavity. The first member includes through-holes through which adjustersmay pass. Adjusters may be or may include bolts, screws, or any other threaded adjuster, with or without turning knobs or the like at their heads (shows versions that are essentially thumbscrews with turning knobs). The adjusters may be used to tighten and loosen the first member relative to a second member. The second member includes through-holes and the adjusters may be secured thereto either using threads of the second member's through-holes, or using one or more nuts at a back of the second member. The first member includes ridgeswhich are useful to provide grip when the assemblyis secured to an item. The adjusters allow the assembliesto be secured to straps/belts and other items of various thicknesses.

shows an alternative first memberwhich includes a cavitywhich is exposed at a back of the first member. This configuration may be useful for providing a locking mechanism similar to that described below in conjunction with.

Inassemblieshave been secured to arm straps of a backpack by tightening the adjusters. Inthe user has coupled a rifle with one of the assemblies(using above-described firearm strap assembly), and has coupled a handgun with the other assembly(using below-described gun coupler). The rifle and handgun are held secured by gravity and/or a friction fit, but may easily manually be secured in such positions and removed from such positions, as desired by the user, such as for a quick aiming and shooting. Clip receiver assembliesmay be coupled with backpack shoulder straps, waist belts, a sling draped across the user's chest, a satchel strap, or any other flat object or strap.

show a bottle clip memberwhich includes a first surfacehaving a curvature to match a curvature of a bottle or drinking container or other curved item, and a clipwhich may be used to secure within any clip receiver described herein (indeed, any clips of any elements described herein may be secured within any clip receiver of any element described herein). Adhesive is not shown, but an adhesive may be included at or on surfaceand may be used to secure the bottle clip memberto a bottle.shows a bottle secured with a clip receiver assembly(which is in turn secured to a backpack shoulder strap) by a bottle clip member which is secured to the bottle. Inthe user is using the clip of the bottle clip member to secure a bottle to a waistband of the user's shorts. The clip can alternatively be secured to the user's pocket or any other secure edge of any item. Bottle clip members may allow a water bottle to be secured to backpack shoulder straps, a back plate as disclosed herein, a waist belt, a backpack waist strap, and so forth. When coupled with a shoulder strap the bottle may be close enough to the mouth that a bottle with a straw may be used hands free or at least without dismounting the bottle.

andshow an example clip receiver assemblywhich includes a flat memberand an adhesive. One example adhesive is shown inwhich is a narrow adhesive strip configured for coupling with a portion of a bow, but in other implementations the adhesive may cover more or all or substantially all of the back of the flat member. Assemblyincludes a clip receiverwhich has an openingproviding access to a cavity. The clip receiver may be used to receive any clips disclosed herein, for coupling any items thereto.

Inthe assemblyis coupled within a motorcycle storage compartment. Inclip receiver assemblyis adhered to the inside surface of a cabinet door. Inthe assemblyis adhered to a bicycle frame, and ina drinking container is secured thereto using a bottle clip member. Inassemblyhas been secured to a waist strap of a backpack. Another assemblyis secured to the other waist strap, and ina bottle is coupled to the assemblyby virtue of a bottle clip member. Inan assemblyis adhered to a flat portion of a hydration backpack, and inthe user has secured a water bottle thereto using a bottle clip member. When the user desires a drink the user may easily reach backwards to remove the bottle and take a drink, as in.reveals that an assemblyis adhered to a shoulder strap of the hydration backpack, and inthe user has secured the bottle to this assemblyusing a bottle clip member. Clip receiver assembliesmay be mounted anywhere (under a desk, inside a glove box, on the inside of a vehicle door, on a center console of a vehicle, etc.) and may be used to mount a pistol or water bottle or any other item thereon.

show an implementation of a gun coupler. The gun coupler includes a top portionwhich at least partially covers a top of the gun but which has an openingto allow a sight or other elements of the gun to be exposed therethrough, such as for aiming. Side portionscouple with sides of the gun and may include ridges and/or grooves to mate with grooves and/or ridges of the gun, such as for a more secure fit and coupling thereto. Specific ridges and/or grooves of the gun coupler may be configured for use with corresponding specific grooves and/or ridges of any specific gun model. A clipextends from one of the side portions and may be used to secure the gun in any clip receiver disclosed herein as well as any location which may receive a clip, such as the waistband of pants as shown in.

As seen in, gun coupleris secured to the slide of the handgun. The gun coupler further includes a pull memberwhich the user may use to pull the slide back, for chambering a bullet prior to firing. For example, referring to, as the user draws the pistol out of the stored configuration inand is raising the gun using one hand, with the other hand the user can pull the pull member to chamber a bullet. The gun coupler is securely coupled to the slide using a friction fit or other securing mechanism, so that pulling on the pull member will pull the slide for this chambering action. In this manner the user may raise the gun for firing and chamber it quickly during this raising motion, allowing the user to very quickly fire the weapon at a target. The user may of course pull the pull member at any other point, without having to do it during such a gun-raising motion, and the pull member ofmay also be used to hang the gun in any location or on any element to which the pull member can loop around, such as a nail or screw in a wall or the like.

show an implementation of a gun couplerwhich is in some ways similar to the above-described gun coupler, having a top portionwith an openingtherein for allowing a gun sight and/or elements to be visible and/or accessible therethrough, side portions, ridges(which form corresponding grooves therebetween and which ridges/grooves are used to couple with complementary grooves/ridges of the gun slide), and a clipextending from one of the side portions.shows an alternative version in which the clip has one or more openingswhich may be used for locking/securing the clip within a clip receiver, as will be understood by the later description of.

The pull memberextends from one of the side portions and may be used for the same chambering functionality as pull member. Inthe clip of coupleris coupled with a clip receiver assembly(which is in turn coupled with a backpack shoulder strap). Inthe clip of coupleris coupled with a clip receiver assemblywhich is adhered to a waist strap of a backpack. Inthe clip of coupleris coupled with a clip receiver assemblyadhered to a motorcycle storage compartment. Inthe user is drawing the weapon up to a firing position and is simultaneously using the pull member to pull the slide back to chamber a bullet.

Inthe clip of coupleris coupled with a clip receiver assemblywhich is adhered to a waist strap of a backpack, and to chamber the bullet the user first grips the gun handle and pushes downward. This effectively slides the slide up relative to the rest of the gun because the slide is prevented from moving downward due to its being clipped to the clip receiver. This chambers a bullet, and then the user can pull the gun upwards out of the clipped configuration to allow firing. This allows chambering and firing using only one hand.