US20190107365A1 - Heat retaining device - Google Patents

Abstract

A weapon system includes a weapon having a user actuatable mechanical feature. The weapon system includes a heat retaining device coupled to the weapon and covering the mechanical feature, the heat retaining device comprising an access configured to allow a user to actuate the mechanical feature within the interior of the heat retaining device. The weapon system includes an interior pocket within the heat retaining device configured to receive a warming device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/568,464, filed Oct. 5, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/630,495, filed Feb. 14, 2018, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
• Weapons are used in all types of environments. Often a user cannot choose the environment they are in. For example, hunting seasons or a tournament date may limit a user to a colder than ideal environment. Colder conditions can make the operation of weapons more challenging for the user and may require the user to wear bulky and/or cumbersome attire to withstand the colder conditions. Freedom of movement and smooth operability are essential to effective operation of these weapons.
• The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
SUMMARY
• A weapon system includes a weapon having a user actuatable mechanical feature. The weapon system includes a heat retaining device coupled to the weapon and covering the mechanical feature, the heat retaining device comprising an access configured to allow a user to actuate the mechanical feature within the interior of the heat retaining device. The weapon system includes an interior pocket within the heat retaining device configured to receive a warming device.
• This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one example of a weapon.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly.
• FIG. 4 is a more detailed view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly.
• FIG. 6 is a more detailed view showing one example of heat retaining device assembly.
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly.
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device.
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing one example of a barrel sheath.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device.
• FIG. 11A is a flow diagram of an operation of attaching a warming device to a weapon.
• FIG. 11B is a flow diagram of an operation of storing a weapon with a heat retaining device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Many locations prime for hunting are located in cold climates. Similarly, many locations for recreational and competitive shooting, like target shooting and trap shooting, are located in cold climates. This requires a weapon user to dress accordingly to withstand the cold conditions. Often, a user may have to wear gloves. These gloves are usually thick and/or bulky in order to provide more resistance to the cold conditions. This makes the gloves cumbersome, which can affect the user's dexterity while operating a weapon. For example, operating a trigger in gloves may make a shot less accurate, it may cause a time delay in actuating mechanical features of the weapons, such as, but not limited to, a trigger, a bolt, a safety, a slide, a pump, etc. Further, there may be danger in operating a weapon when wearing gloves, like accidental discharge of the weapon. The alternative would be to forego gloves and have cold hands which can pose similar problems. Another alternative is open finger gloves with folding mitts. However, these require folding back the mitt which can make a user miss a quick shot. The open finger still exposes the user's skin to the cold conditions. Also, the mitt portion of these gloves can move freely and cause excess movement. The solution to this problem has often been hook and loop or button connection which can make noise, catch on unintended fabrics, and require the user to make extra motions in order to operate the weapon. Stillness and silence are essential in hunting.
• It is desirable to have a solution that solved these various problems. One solution is to have a device coupled to a weapon that retains heat on a user's hand while allowing full, barehanded access to the trigger and/or other mechanical features of the weapon, such as a trigger, a bolt, a safety, a slide, a pump, etc. This heat retaining device can couple to various locations of the weapon, for example, the stock, the barrel, the trigger guard, rails or holes built on to the weapon, as well as other attachment features.
• The heat retaining device can be attached by form fitting, straps, clips, snaps, hook and loop, a latch system, ties, zippers, buttons, etc. And the heat retaining device can be made of various materials, flexible or rigid, for example, neoprene, leather, fleece, canvas, webbing (e.g., MOLLE, PALS, etc.), plastics, metal, flexible rain repelling materials, etc. The heat retaining device can be flexible, such that one size fits all, or it can have adjustment devices built into it, such as straps and buckles. The interior of the heat retaining device could include a different material than the exterior, for example the exterior could include a weather resistant material, while the interior could include a material meant to provide extra warmth and comfort, for example, fleece.
• The heat retaining device fits over, or is attached to a portion of the weapon, covering some or all of the mechanical features, e.g. a trigger, action, etc. of the weapon. The heat retaining device has an access pocket, which may be closable with, e.g. a zipper, through which the user inserts their hand in order to access the interior of the device. The access pocket can include a slit, or opening, that allows the users hand to access the mechanical features within, or covered by, the heat retaining device. There could, in some examples, be multiple slits, or openings, to allow for ambidextrous use of the heat retaining device. Additionally, within the interior there can be one or more interior pockets or fasteners which are configured to couple a warming device, such as chemical or electrical hand warmers. The user can house the warming devices within the interior pockets such that his bare hand will be kept warm while accessing the mechanical features within, or covered by, the heat retaining device. This allows the user greater dexterity, avoiding the problems associated with gloves, while still providing resistance to cold conditions.
• The heat retaining device can be designed with various coloring patterns, such as, camouflage which is advantageous for hunting, as well as highly visible coloring, such as, blaze orange, blaze pink, or safety yellow which is advantageous for safety purposes while in the woods, or on a range, for example, as well as matching the coloring of the weapon, or any other color desired by the user. Furthermore, the device can be compatible with various weapons, for example, shotguns, rifles, handguns, bows, etc.
• Also provided is a barrel sheath meant to cover the barrel of a weapon while the weapon is in a storage or transport position. This covering provides protection for the weapon, reducing the risk of damage, safety such that the weapon is less accessible during storage or transport, and compliance with gun laws and local ordinances.
• The barrel sheath can be attached to the weapon at various locations, such as, the stock, the barrel, the trigger guard, rails or holes built on to the weapon, as well as other attachment features. The barrel sheath can be attached to the weapon by form fitting, straps, clips, snaps, hook and loop, a latch system, ties, zippers, buttons, etc. And the barrel sheath can be made of various materials, flexible or rigid, for example, ballistic nylon, neoprene, leather, fleece, canvas, webbing (e.g., MOLLE, PALS, etc.), plastics, metal, flexible rain repelling materials, etc. The barrel sheath can be flexible, such that one size fits all, or it can have adjustment devices built into it, such as straps and buckles. Furthermore, the barrel sheath can be interactive with the heat retaining device such that it is coupled to the heat retaining device in order to secure it to the weapon. The barrel sheath can be coupled to the heat retaining device by hook and loop, a latch system, straps, clips, snaps, ties, zippers, buttons, etc.
• The barrel sheath can be designed with various coloring patterns, such as, camouflage which is advantageous for hunting, as well as highly visible coloring, such as, blaze orange, blaze pink, or safety yellow which is advantageous for safety purposes while in the woods, or on a range, for example, as well as matching the coloring of the weapon or the heat retaining device, or any other color desired by the user. Furthermore, the barrel sheath can be compatible with various weapons, for example, shotguns, rifles, handguns, etc.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one example of a weapon.Weapon10 includestrigger12,trigger guard14,safety16,actuator18, pump20,magazine cap22,stock24,barrel26,ejection port28,butt30,front sight32,attachment devices34 and36,magazine loading port38,magazine40 andreceiver42.Weapon10 is loaded with ammunition first by retractingpump20 after depressingactuator18 which allows retraction ofpump20 which opensejection port28. A shell is loaded intoejection port28 ormagazine loading port38, pump20 is pushed forward closingejection port28 and the ammunition is pushed intobarrel26 where it is stopped by a primer cap having a diameter wider than an inside diameter ofbarrel26. More ammunition is loaded intomagazine loading port38 untilmagazine40 is full, the ammunition being contained inmagazine40 bymagazine cap36. When ammunition is spent, the user retractspump20 ejecting the spent ammunition fromejection port28, pushes pump20 forward which loads another round of ammunition frommagazine40 intobarrel26 asejection port28 closes. The user is able to spend a round of ammunition by engagingsafety16 into a firing position and actuatingtrigger12 which in turn engages a firing pin, housed withinreceiver42, which strikes a primer on the ammunition causing an explosion of propellent within the ammunition which sends the projectile (e.g. the shot within a shotgun shell or a bullet) downbarrel26 and out the end ofbarrel26 towards a target. The target can be aimed at by a sight, such asfront sight32.Trigger guard14 is a safety feature which protectstrigger12 from accidental actuation, reducing the chance of undesired discharge ofweapon10.Stock24 andbutt30 reduce the recoil pressure from firing ammunition and give the user the ability to firmly grip and holdweapon10 in place for accurate firing. This is generally done by firmly placingbutt30 against the dominant shoulder and hanging on to gripportion44 ofstock24.
• Many weapons, likeweapon10, contain multiple mechanical features, like triggers, pumps, bolts, safeties, magazines, magazine loading ports, barrel selectors, etc. These features often require dexterity and fine motor skill for efficient operation. Cold conditions can make this difficult. By exposing the hands to cold conditions, they can become numb and swollen, making it difficult for the user to accurately place and effectively move his fingers. The usual solution to this is wearing cold weather attire, like thick and bulky gloves. However, even while wearing gloves similar problems occur. For example, accurate firing requires the user to squeeze the trigger without jerking the weapon. Thick gloves can make it difficult to access the trigger within the trigger guard, and thereby increase the chances of pulling the trigger, instead of squeezing, as well as jerking the weapon. A solution is needed that allows the user the dexterity of bare handedness, while providing resistance to cold conditions.
• WhileFIG. 1 shows a pump shotgun for illustrative examples, it is to be understood that any form of weapon could be used in conjunction with the heat retaining device and barrel sheath, such as, rifles, handguns, bows, etc.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly. Heat retainingdevice assembly100 includesheat retaining device102 andbarrel sheath104. Heat retainingdevice102 fits over stock110 of the weapon and is coupled to the weapon.Barrel sheath104 fits over the barrel of the weapon and is coupled to theheat retaining device102.Barrel sheath104 may be coupled to heat retainingdevice102 using hook and loop, straps, clips, snaps, a latch system, zippers, buttons, etc., in order to couplebarrel sheath104 to heat retainingdevice102 while allowingbarrel sheath104 to be removable. Additionally,barrel sheath104 can be attached only to the weapon, or to the weapon and the heat retaining device.Barrel sheath104 could be form fit over barrel, or held on by, for example, zippers, ties, straps, etc.Barrel sheath104 can be made of a resistive material, like ballistic nylon, or it can be made of the same material asheat retaining device102.Barrel sheath104 can be camouflaged, colored in bright materials like blaze orange, blaze pink, or safety yellow, or colored to match weapon or to matchheat retaining device102.Barrel sheath104 covers the barrel of the weapon for purposes of safety, protecting the weapon from damage, and compliance with gun laws and ordinances.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly.FIG. 3 is similar toFIG. 2 except thatbarrel sheath104 has been removed.Barrel sheath104 can be removed during operation ofweapon106. Heat retainingdevice assembly200 includesheat retaining device102,weapon106,trigger area108, andbarrel112. Heat retainingdevice102 fits over the stock ofweapon106 and covers triggerarea108 ofweapon106. Heat retainingdevice102 may be coupled toweapon106 at various locations, such as, the trigger guard, the stock, the barrel, holes or rails built on to the weapon, etc. Heat retainingdevice102 can be attached by form fitting, ties, straps, clips, snaps, buttons, zippers, etc.
• FIG. 4 is a more detailed view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly. Heat retainingdevice assembly300 includesheat retaining device102,weapon106, trigger area108 (which includes a trigger and a trigger guard), andaccess pocket114. Heat retainingdevice102 fits over the stock ofweapon106 and covers triggerarea108. During operation a user inserts their hand throughaccess pocket114 and has access to triggerarea108 withinheat retaining device102.Access pocket114 could remain open, or it could be closable with the use of hook and loop, buttons, snaps, and any other suitable techniques.Access pocket114 allows the user access to triggerarea108, this slit could be comprised of fleece to add additional warmth and could further contain a pocket configured to house a warming device, such as, chemical or electrical hand warmers. Heat retainingdevice102 can be made of various materials, flexible or rigid. These materials could include, but are not limited to, neoprene, fleece, canvas, webbing, plastic, metal, rain repelling materials, etc.
• Withinheat retaining device102 is an interior pocket that can house a warming device, such as chemical or electrical hand warmers. This warming device provides the user resistance to cold conditions while still allowing the mobility and dexterity of a bare hand. Further,Heat retaining device102 can be camouflaged, colored in bright materials like blaze orange, blaze pink, or safety yellow, or colored to match the weapon or to matchbarrel sleeve104.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly. Heat retainingassembly400 includesheat retaining device202,barrel sheath204,access pocket214 andzipper216.Barrel sheath204 fits over the barrel of the weapon. Heat retainingdevice202 fits over a working mechanism of the weapon (e.g., the trigger, action, etc.). Heat retainingdevice202 includesaccess pocket214 andzipper216. The user accesses the interior ofheat retaining device202 by placing his hand throughaccess pocket214.Access pocket214 can be opened and closed byzipper216. While a zipper is shown inFIG. 4, any other suitable techniques for opening andclosing access pocket214 could be used. For example, hook and loop, buttons, etc.
• FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing one example of heat retaining device assembly. Heat retainingdevice assembly500 includesheat retaining device202,barrel sheath204,access pocket214,zipper216,zipper218, andpocket outline220. Heat retainingdevice202 fits over the stock of the weapon.Barrel sheath204 fits over the barrel of the weapon.Barrel sheath204 can be opened, closed, secured to and removed from the weapon byzipper218. While a zipper is shown, any other suitable techniques could be used. The user accesses the interior of theheat retaining device202 by placing his hand throughaccess pocket214.Access pocket214 can be open and closed byzipper216. In some examples,access pocket214 has no closure device other than the elasticity ofheat retaining device202.Pocket outline220 shows the exterior seams of the interior pocket that can house a warming device such as electrical or chemical hand warmers. When user accesses the interior ofheat retaining device202, their hand is warmed by the warming device housed in the interior pocket, while still being able to access the trigger and/or other mechanical features of the weapon without the use of gloves.
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device assembly. Heat retaining device assembly includesheat retaining device202,barrel sheath204, weapon206,access pocket214,zipper216,pocket outline220,barrel sheath fastener222, heatretaining device fastener224,fastener assembly226, andshoulder strap228.Barrel sheath204 is fastened to shieldsleeve202 by matingbarrel sheath fastener222 withshield sleeve fastener224.Fasteners222 and224 are illustratively shown as hook and loop fasteners, but in other examples, could also be straps, snaps, buttons, zippers, etc.Barrel sheath204 could further be fastened to heat retainingdevice202 byfastener assembly226.Fastener assembly226 is illustratively shown as a latch system but fasteners could also be straps, snaps, buttons, hook and loop, zippers, etc. The use of fasteners, likefasteners222,224 and226 help ensure thatbarrel sheath204 stays on the weapon, covering the barrel, thereby reducing the risk of danger, damage to the weapon, and remaining compliant with gun laws and ordinances.
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device. Heat retainingdevice102 includesaccess pocket114 and heatretaining device fastener124. Heat retainingdevice102 fits on to the stock of a weapon and is fastened to a barrel sheath byfastener124. While hook and loop is shown inFIG. 7 other fastening techniques could be used as well, such as, straps, clips, buttons, snaps, a latch system, zippers, etc.
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing one example of abarrel sheath104.Barrel sheath104 includeszipper118 andfastener122.Barrel sheath104 covers the barrel of a weapon and is fastened to the heat retaining device byfastener122. While hook and loop is shown inFIG. 9, other fastening techniques could be used as well, such as, straps, clips, buttons, snaps, a latch system, zippers, etc.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing one example of a heat retaining device. Heat retainingdevice102, includesinterior portion130 andinterior pocket132.Interior portion130 is shown in this figure to illustrateinterior pocket132.Interior pocket132 can house a warming device such as an electrical or chemical hand warmer. The warming device can heat the interior ofheat retaining device102 where a user's hands are. Theheat retaining device102 itself can also provide some amount of insulation for resistance to cold conditions when the user accessesinterior portion130 ofheat retaining device102.
• FIG. 11A is a flow diagram showing an operation of attaching a warming device to a weapon.Method500 starts atblock510 where a heat retaining device is required, such as the heat retaining devices discussed above. The heat retaining device can be made ofneoprene512 or othersuitable materials514 such as, but not limited to, flexible or rigid materials, leather, fleece, canvas, webbing (e.g., MOLLE, PALS, etc.), hard plastics, metal, flexible rain repelling materials, etc. The heat retaining device can be colored in a camouflage pattern, a bright pattern like blaze orange, blaze pink, or safety yellow, colored to match the weapon, colored to match the barrel sheath, or in any other color. The heat retaining device can include one or more interior pockets, as indicated byblock516, an access pocket, as indicated byblock518, and other can include other features as well, as indicated by519 such as, but not limited to, adjustment devices, pockets, ammunition pouches and holders, and other attachments that could be useful to a weapon user, for example a compass, or a knife sheath.
• Method500 proceeds atblock520 where the heat retaining device is attached to the weapon. The heat retaining device can be attached with the use of hook and loop fasteners, as indicated byblock521, form fitting522 (usually with a flexible material), orother attachment techniques523 such as, but not limited to, buttons, snaps, clips, straps, etc. The heat retaining device is attached to the weapon and configured to cover one or more mechanical features of the weapon, such as, but not limited to, a trigger, a safety, a barrel selector, a pump, a bolt, etc. The heat retaining device can be attached tostock524,trigger guard525, or other areas ofweapon526 such as features built into the weapon like rails, holes, attachment devices, etc.
• Method500 proceeds atblock530 where a warming device is acquired. The warming device can be an electrical device, as indicated byblock531, a chemical device, as indicated byblock532, or can be other devices as well, as indicated byblock533 such as, but not limited to, fuel-based devices. In one example, no warming device is used and insulation of the heat retaining device keeps the user's hands warm by retaining body heat.
• Method500 proceeds at block540 where the warming device is coupled to the weapon. As indicated byblock541, the warming device can be coupled to the weapon via heat retaining device. For example, the warming device may be disposed inside the heat retaining device. As another example, the warming device may be disposed in a pocket of the heat retaining device. As another example, the warming device may be coupled to the heat retaining device via a fastener (e.g., hook and look, strap, etc.). As indicated byblock542, the warming device can be directly coupled to the weapon directly. For example, a strap couples the warming device to the weapon. As indicated byblock543, the warming device can be coupled to the weapon in other ways as well.
• FIG. 11B is a flow diagram of an operation of storing a weapon with a heat retaining device.Method550 starts atblock560 where the warming device is removed from the interior pocket of the heat retaining device after the user is finished operating the weapon.
• Method550 proceeds atblock570 where a barrel sheath, such as those discussed above, is acquired. The barrel sheath could be made ofballistic nylon571 orother material572 such as, but not limited to, neoprene, leather, flexible or rigid materials, fleece, canvas, webbing (e.g., MOLLE, PALS, etc.), hard plastics, metal, flexible rain repelling materials, etc. The barrel sheath can be colored in a camouflage pattern, a bright pattern like blaze orange, blaze pink, or safety yellow, colored to match the weapon, colored to match the heat retaining device, or in any other color.
• Method550 proceeds at block580 where the barrel sheath is placed over the barrel. This is done to protect the weapon from damage, prevent access to mechanical features of the weapon for safety reasons, and to comply with gun laws and local ordinances.
• Method550 proceeds atblock590 where the barrel sheath is secured to the weapon. The barrel sheath can be secured to the weapon by attaching it to the attached heat retaining device, as indicated byblock594. The barrel sheath can be secured by attaching it to a feature of weapon as indicated byblock595, such as, but not limited to, the trigger guard. The barrel sheath can be attached in other ways as well as indicated byblock596. For example, attachment to both the weapon and the heat retaining device, form fitting, or using friction fit by tightening with a zipper or string system, etc. The barrel sheath can be attached using hook and loop fasteners, as indicated byblock591. The barrel sheath can be attached using a latch system, as indicated byblock592. The barrel sheath can be attached using other techniques as well, as well as indicated593. For example, but not limited to, straps, clips, buttons, snaps, hook and loops, zippers, etc. The method ends after the barrel sheath has been secured to the weapon.
• Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. And although the subject has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A weapon system comprising:

a weapon having a user actuatable mechanical feature;

a heat retaining device coupled to the weapon and covering the mechanical feature, the heat retaining device comprising an access configured to allow a user to actuate the mechanical feature within the interior of the heat retaining device; and

an interior pocket within the heat retaining device configured to receive a warming device.

2. The weapon system ofclaim 1, wherein the user actuatable mechanical feature comprises one or more of the following:

a trigger;

a bolt;

a magazine;

a safety;

a pump; and

a slide.

3. The weapon system ofclaim 1, wherein the heat retaining device comprises neoprene.

4. The weapon system ofclaim 1, wherein the heat retaining device is coupled to the weapon by a hook and loop fastener.

5. The weapon system ofclaim 1, wherein the heat retaining device is coupled to the weapon by one or more straps.

6. The weapon system ofclaim 1, wherein the heat retaining device comprises a flexible material.

7. The weapon system ofclaim 1, wherein the heat retaining device comprises a rigid material.

8. The weapon system ofclaim 1, wherein the heat retaining device couples to the weapon at a buttstock of the weapon.

9. The weapon system ofclaim 1, wherein the access further comprises a closure device.

10. The weapon system ofclaim 1, wherein the closure device comprises a zipper.

11. The weapon system ofclaim 1, wherein the closure device comprises an elastic portion of the heat retaining device.

12. The weapon system ofclaim 1, wherein the closure device comprises a hook and loop fastener.

13. The weapon system ofclaim 1, wherein the warming device is an electrical hand warmer.

14. The weapon system ofclaim 1, wherein the warming device is a chemical hand warmer.

15. A heat retaining device, the heat retaining device comprising:

a body configured to be coupled to a weapon;

an access pocket configured to allow user access to an interior of the body; and

an interior pocket within the interior of the body configured to receive a warming device.

16. The heat retaining device ofclaim 13, wherein the access pocket is formed as a slit in the body.

17. The heat retaining device ofclaim 13, wherein the body further comprises insulation.

18. The heat retaining device ofclaim 15, wherein the interior pocket comprises a closure device, that when actuated closes the pocket such that the warming device is retained in the pocket until the closure device is actuated to an open position.

19. A method of attaching a warming device to a weapon, the method comprising:

attaching a heat retaining device to a weapon, the heat retaining device containing heating element storage component; and

coupling a heating element to the heating element storage component.

20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein attaching the heat retaining device to the weapon comprises:

expanding a portion of a body of the heat retaining device; and

contracting the portion on the weapon.

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