Weapon Sling System, Weapon System and Related Method of Carrying and Securing a Weapon

Abstract

A weapon sling system includes a weapon harness, including a weapon retention strap having a first connector adapted for connection to a weapon at a first point, and a retracting lanyard having a second connector adapted for connection to the weapon at a second point. A weapon system includes the weapon sling system and the weapon carried by that weapon sling system. In addition a method of carrying and securing a weapon includes steps of: (a) securing a weapon harness about a shoulder and torso of a user, (b) securing a retracting lanyard at a waist of the user, (c) connecting a weapon retention strap of the weapon harness to the weapon at a first point and (d) connecting a lanyard cord of the retracting lanyard to the weapon at a second point.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A weapon sling system, comprising:
 a weapon harness including a weapon retention strap having a first connector adapted for connection to a weapon at a first point; and   a retracting lanyard having a second connector adapted for connection to the weapon at a second point.   
     
     
         2 . The weapon sling system of  claim 1 , wherein the weapon harness includes a shoulder strap connected to a torso strap. 
     
     
         3 . The weapon sling system of  claim 2 , wherein the weapon retention strap is connected to the shoulder strap. 
     
     
         4 . The weapon sling system of  claim 3 , wherein the retracting lanyard includes a retracting reel and a lanyard cord having a proximal end connected to the retracting reel and a distal end connected to the second connector. 
     
     
         5 . The weapon sling system of  claim 4 , wherein the retracting reel is adapted to be secured at the waist of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The weapon sling system of  claim 5 , wherein the torso strap extends fully around a torso of the user. 
     
     
         7 . The weapon sling system of  claim 5 , wherein the torso strap includes a first end having a first connecting clip and a second end having a second connecting clip. 
     
     
         8 . A weapon system, comprising:
 a weapon harness including a weapon retention strap having a first connector;   a retracting lanyard having a second connector; and   a weapon including a first connection point, rear of a trigger, and a second connection point forward of an ammunition magazine, wherein the first connector is attached to the weapon at the first connection point and the second connector is attached to the weapon at the second connecting point.   
     
     
         9 . The weapon system of  claim 8 , wherein the weapon harness includes a shoulder strap connected to a torso strap. 
     
     
         10 . The weapon system of  claim 9 , wherein the weapon retention strap is connected to the shoulder strap. 
     
     
         11 . The weapon system of  claim 10 , wherein the retracting lanyard includes a retracting reel and a lanyard cord having a proximal end connected to the retracting reel and a distal end connected to the second connector. 
     
     
         12 . The weapon system of  claim 11 , wherein the retracting reel is adapted to be secured at the waist of the user. 
     
     
         13 . The weapon system of  claim 12 , wherein the torso strap extends fully around a torso of the user. 
     
     
         14 . The weapon system of  claim 12 , wherein the torso strap includes a first end having a first connecting clip and a second end having a second connecting clip. 
     
     
         15 . A method of carrying and securing a weapon, comprising:
 securing a weapon harness about a shoulder and torso of a user;   securing a retracting lanyard at a waist of the user;   connecting a weapon retention strap of the weapon harness to the weapon at a first point; and   connecting a lanyard cord of the retracting lanyard to the weapon at a second point.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , including locating the first point to a rear of a trigger of the weapon. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , including locating the second point forward of an ammunition magazine of the weapon. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , including returning the weapon to a home position along a front side of the user by action of the retracting lanyard when the weapon is released by the user. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including maintaining the weapon in the home position by a combined action of the retracting lanyard and the weapon retention strap. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , including returning the weapon to a home position along a front side of the user by action of the retracting lanyard when the weapon is released by the user.