Sling apparatus

Abstract

A sling apparatus has a sling body with downwardly extending first and second legs. An upper strap is coupled to the sling body for carrying the sling body. A first release mechanism coupled to the first leg and a second release mechanism coupled to the second leg. The first and second release mechanisms are configured to attach to an object to the sling body to be carried by a user, such as with a shoulder strap. A trigger assembly is integrated into the sling body and interconnected to the first and second release mechanisms, whereby actuating the trigger mechanism of the trigger assembly causes simultaneous release of the first and second release mechanisms thereby releasing of the object from the sling apparatus. Each release mechanism includes a housing configured to selectively retain and release a post member attached to the object to be carried.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sling apparatus, comprising:
 a sling body having first and second arms downwardly extending therefrom;   a first upper strap coupled to an upper portion of the sling body for carrying the sling body;   a first release mechanism coupled to the first arm and a second release mechanism coupled to the second arm, the first and second release mechanisms configured to attach to an object to be carried about a shoulder of a user; and   a trigger assembly attached to the sling body and coupled to the first and second release mechanisms by one or more cables, whereby pulling a trigger of the trigger assembly will allow detachment of the first and second release mechanisms from the object.   
     
     
         2 . The sling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sling apparatus is configured to carry a bow. 
     
     
         3 . The sling apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the sling body is generally elongated and has a rectangular or trapezoidal shape. 
     
     
         4 . The sling apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first strap is part of a shoulder strap attached to and between top lateral sides of the sling body so that the sling body can be supported by the shoulder of the user. 
     
     
         5 . The sling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger assembly is housed at least partially within the sling body. 
     
     
         6 . The sling apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the trigger assembly is positioned toward a front of the sling body so that the trigger is easily accessible by a hand of the user. 
     
     
         7 . The sling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger assembly is linked through each of the first and second arms to the first and second release so that when the trigger is pulled, the two release mechanisms simultaneously open and release the object to which first and second release mechanisms are attached. 
     
     
         8 . The sling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger assembly comprises a housing that defines a trigger slot sized and shaped for receiving the trigger, but that is longer than the trigger thereby forming a space between a back end of the trigger and a back wall of the trigger slot, the space allowing the trigger to slide from front to back within the trigger slot. 
     
     
         9 . The sling apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one biasing member to bias the trigger toward a front end of the trigger slot. 
     
     
         10 . The sling apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a first cable having a first end coupled to the first release mechanism and a second cable coupled to the second release mechanism, the first and second cables coupled to the trigger assembly, whereby pulling the trigger simultaneously pulls the first and second cables causing the first and second release mechanisms to release. 
     
     
         11 . The sling apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the trigger comprises a trigger body having a generally rectangular outer shape and a central aperture, a front end of the trigger body defining a C shaped channel, the first cable extending through a channel in a front portion of the trigger body and slidable relative thereto and the second cable fixedly attached to a back portion of the trigger body, the first and second cables being simultaneously actuatable by the trigger body. 
     
     
         12 . The sling apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein when the trigger is pulled, the first and second cables are pulled in approximately equal lengths to cause the first and second release mechanisms to release the object to which they are attached substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
         13 . The sling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger body of the trigger mechanism is biased to keep the first and second release mechanisms in a locked position. 
     
     
         14 . The sling apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein each of the first and second release mechanisms are comprised of a housing having and upper portion configured to attach to one of the first and second legs and a lower portion configured to selectively retain and release a post member of an attachment device. 
     
     
         15 . The sling apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein each of the first and second release members have an outer release slide coupled to an inner shuttle whereby movement of the outer release slide from a first position to a second position releases the post from the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The sling apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a magnet within the housing positioned to magnetically attach the post to the housing when the post is fully inserted into the housing.