Rifle Carrier

Abstract

The present invention provides a rifle carrier that is configured for use in conjunction with pack hard frames. The rifle carrier includes a barrel holder and a buttstock cradle. The barrel holder includes an L-shaped bracket defining a hole. The bracket is fastened to or integral with a frame. The bracket holds the barrel of the rifle, which is inserted through the hole. The cradle supports the buttstock of the rifle, and is fastened directly to the frame or to a support beam that is fastened to the frame. The bracket and cradle are separated by a distance that is less than the length of the rifle. The frame or carrier can be adjusted to accommodate rifles of different sizes.

1 . A rifle carrier comprising:
 a frame having top and bottom portions;   a barrel holder fastened to the top portion; and   a buttstock cradle fastened to the bottom portion; wherein the barrel holder and the cradle are separated by a distance that is less than the length of the rifle.   
   
   
       2 . The rifle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the barrel holder comprises a bracket defining a hole, the hole being larger than the barrel of the rifle, such that the barrel can fit through the hole. 
   
   
       3 . The rifle carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cradle support beam, the beam being integral with the frame, wherein the cradle is fastened to the beam.   
   
   
       4 . The rifle carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cradle support beam, the beam being fastened to the bottom portion of the frame, wherein the cradle is fastened to the beam.   
   
   
       5 . The rifle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a harness for securing the frame to a user's body. 
   
   
       6 . The rifle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the buttstock cradle comprises a cup, whereby a buttstock of a rifle is disposed within the cup when the rifle is stowed in the carrier. 
   
   
       7 . The rifle carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a grommet disposed within the hole defined by the bracket.   
   
   
       8 . The rifle carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a strap fastened to the cradle, wherein the strap is applied across a buttstock to secure the buttstock within the cradle.   
   
   
       9 . The rifle carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cap, the cap having an open end and a closed end, wherein the cap is applied to a barrel by inserting the barrel into the open end, whereby the cap prevents precipitation and debris from entering the barrel.   
   
   
       10 . The rifle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the frame defines a bore, the bore receiving a fastener for fastening the bracket to the frame. 
   
   
       11 . The rifle carrier of  claim 10 , wherein the fastener is a nut and bolt. 
   
   
       12 . The rifle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the frame defines a series of bores, wherein each bore is located at a different distance from the cradle. 
   
   
       13 . A rifle carrier comprising:
 a barrel holder fastened to a frame;   a buttstock cradle fastened to the frame, wherein the barrel holder and buttstock cradle are separated by a distance that is less than the length of the rifle, whereby the rifle carrier supports the rifle in a substantially upright position.   
   
   
       14 . The rifle carrier of  claim 13  wherein the cradle is fastened by the frame by way of being fastened to a support beam, the support beam being one of integral with and fastened to the frame. 
   
   
       15 . A method of carrying a rifle, the method comprising:
 applying a frame to the body of a user, wherein a bracket defining a hole is fastened to the frame, and wherein a buttstock cradle is fastened to the frame at a distance from the bracket that is less than the length of the rifle;   inserting the barrel of the rifle through the hole defined by the bracket; and   inserting the buttstock of the rifle into the cradle; whereby the rifle is held by the bracket and the cradle, leaving the user's hands free to perform tasks other than holding the rifle.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 securing the buttstock within the cradle by applying a strap across the buttstock, wherein an end of the strap is removably fastened to the cradle.   
   
   
       17 . A kit for adapting a frame to carry a rifle, the kit comprising:
 a barrel holder;   a buttstock cradle; and   a fastener.   
   
   
       18 . The kit of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a support beam.   
   
   
       19 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the barrel holder comprises a bracket defining a hole. 
   
   
       20 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the buttstock cradle comprises a cup and an anchor protruding from the cup.