Weapon sling with quick release mechanism and method of use

Abstract

A weapon sling for attaching a long weapon to a user (e.g., via a bullet-proof vest or the like) includes an elastic bungee cord wrapped with a nylon sheath, a connector for reversibly attaching the sling to the weapon secured to one end of the wrapped bungee cord, a quick release clip for reversibly attaching the sling to the user at the other end of the wrapped bungee cord, a pull tab attached to the quick release clip, and a polymer ball attached to the end of the pull tab. Applying tension to the ball opens the clip and releasing the tension closes the clip. The pull tab is designed to open the quick release clip with a single pulling action in almost any direction. The connector and quick release clip are fastened to the bungee using stainless steel ring snaps and an adhesive heat shrink. A tactical weapon attached to the user via the sling with the quick release clip can therefore easily and quickly be removed or attached to the user.

1 . A weapon sling comprising a bungee, a device for attaching the sling to a long weapon, a quick release clip at the other end of the bungee, and a pull tab attached to the quick release clip, wherein pulling of the pull tab opens the quick release clip. 
     
     
         2 . The weapon sling of  claim 1 , further comprising a durable material wrapped around at least a portion of the bungee. 
     
     
         3 . The weapon sling of  claim 1 , further comprising a connector attached to the quick release clip. 
     
     
         4 . The weapon sling of  claim 1 , further comprising a ball attached to the pull tab. 
     
     
         5 . The weapon sling of  claim 4 , wherein the ball is between about 0.5 to 2 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The weapon sling of  claim 5 , wherein the ball is colored red. 
     
     
         7 . A weapon sling comprising:
 a first attachment means capable of removably connecting to a weapon;   a second attachment means capable of removably connecting to a connector worn by a user;   an elongated element comprising a first end to which the first attachment means is secured and a second end to which the second attachment means is secured; and   a quick release mechanism connected to the second attachment means and capable of being manually actuated to permit the second attachment means to be disconnected from the connector so as to detach the weapon sling and weapon from the user.   
     
     
         8 . The weapon sling of  claim 7 , wherein the first attachment means comprises a snap release, a swivel hook trigger snap, or any other fastener capable of being mechanically or manually configured to attach to and to detach from the weapon. 
     
     
         9 . The weapon sling of  claim 7 , wherein the second attachment means comprises a quick release clip. 
     
     
         10 . The weapon sling of  claim 7 , wherein the elongated element comprises an elastic cord. 
     
     
         11 . The weapon sling of  claim 7 , wherein the elongated element comprises an inelastic tether. 
     
     
         12 . The weapon sling of  claim 7 , wherein the second attachment means comprises a loop comprising a spring-loaded catch. 
     
     
         13 . The weapon sling of  claim 12 , wherein the quick release mechanism comprises a manual release tab capable of being grasped and pulled to open the spring-loaded catch so as to detach the second attachment means from the connector worn by the user. 
     
     
         14 . The weapon sling of  claim 13 , wherein the manual release tab comprises a free end comprising a visual marker. 
     
     
         15 . The weapon sling of  claim 13 , wherein the manual release tab comprises a free end comprising a tactile marker. 
     
     
         16 . The weapon sling of  claim 13 , wherein the manual release tab comprises a free end comprising a red sphere that is highly visible and easily located by touch by the user. 
     
     
         17 . The weapon sling of  claim 7 , wherein the connector is attached to a garment, a belt, a harness, a vest, a MOLLE (modular lightweight load-carrying equipment) system, or PPE (personal protective body armor) worn by the user. 
     
     
         18 . A method for reversibly attaching a long weapon to a user, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a weapon sling comprising a bungee, a device for attaching the sling to a long weapon at one end of the bungee, a quick release clip at the other end of the bungee, and a pull tab attached to the quick release clip, wherein pulling of the pull tab opens the quick release clip; and   (b) attaching the weapon sling to a user via the quick release clip by pulling the pull tab to open the quick release clip, attaching the quick release clip via a connector to a user, and releasing the pull tab to close the quick release clip.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of detaching the weapon sling from the user by pulling the pull tab to open the quick release clip.