Tether apparatus for a weapon

Abstract

An apparatus for releasably securing a weapon to an elevated platform such as a hunting stand comprising a tether and a harness. An apparatus that prevents the weapon from striking the ground when the weapon is dropped from the elevated platform. An apparatus that reduces the forces acting on the weapon when the weapon is dropped from the elevated platform. An apparatus that will help prevent the weapon from accidentally discharging if the weapon is dropped from the elevated platform. An apparatus that will also help prevent damage to the weapon if the weapon is dropped from the elevated platform.

1 . An apparatus for securing a weapon to an elevated hunting platform, comprising: 
 a harness attachable to the weapon;    a tether having one portion operably coupled to the harness and comprising a damper;    whereby the damper reduces the forces acting on the weapon when the weapon is dropped from the platform.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the harness is configured such that when the harness is attached to a weapon comprising a firearm with a muzzle, the muzzle will point downward.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the harness is configured to mount to a stock of the firearm.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the harness comprises a strap that encircles a portion of the weapon.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the strap comprises a buckle.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the harness further comprises an eyelet and the tether can be releasably attached to the eyelet.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the tether is adjustable in length.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the tether comprises a belt with an adjustment slide.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the tether comprises a line.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein at least a portion of the line is elastic to form the damper.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein all of the line is elastic.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein a portion of the line comprises a belt with an adjustment slide.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the belt is adjustable in length.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the damper has two opposing ends and the belt is mounted to damper between the two opposing ends.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein the two opposing ends of the damper are connectable to the platform.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the two opposing ends comprises carabiners that are connectable to the platform.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the tether comprises at least one releasable coupler for releasably securing the tether to the platform.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the tether comprises at least one additional releasable coupler for releasably securing the tether to the harness.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the additional coupler comprises a swivel joint between the tether and the harness.  
   
   
       20 . A hunting apparatus comprising: 
 an elevated hunting platform for supporting a hunter above the ground; and    a tether having one portion coupled to the elevated platform and another portion adapted to be coupled to a weapon, with the tether being configured such that the weapon does not contact the ground when the weapon is dropped from the platform.    
   
   
       21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20  and further comprising a harness coupled to the tether and adapted to be coupled to a weapon to secure the weapon to the tether.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the tether and harness are configured such that when the harness is attached to a weapon comprising a firearm with a muzzle, the muzzle will point downward when the weapon is dropped from the elevated hunting platform.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein the harness is configured to mount to a stock of the firearm.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the harness comprises a strap that encircles a portion of the weapon.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein the strap comprises a buckle.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus according to  claim 25  wherein the harness further comprises an eyelet and the tether can be releasably attached to the eyelet.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein the tether is adjustable in length.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the tether comprises a belt with an adjustment slide.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein the tether further comprises a damper.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus according to  claim 29  wherein the damper is an elastic line.