Firearms – Implements – Firearm protectors
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-18
2001-07-10
Carone, Michael J. (Department: 3641)
Firearms
Implements
Firearm protectors
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256922
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to the art of firearm casings. More particularly, this invention is related to a protective cover for a firearm which permits the firearm to be sighted, discharged and transported while remaining protected from the elements.
2. Description of Prior Art
There are various devices which can be employed to encase a firearm, however many are limited as they do not permit use of a firearm sight or discharge of shells while the firearm is enclosed in such casing. Various gun casings, covers and methods of construction are prevalent in the prior art and referenced below.
The U.S. patent issued to Gantress, U.S. Pat. No. 3,437,247, discloses a cover for protecting a rifle from the elements while permitting the firearm, enclosed in the cover, to be fired. The invention of Gantress does allow access to the rifle through the bottom of the cover. However, Gantress's apparatus does not permit use of a sight while the rifle is enclosed in the cover.
The U.S. patent issued to Stackhouse, U.S. Pat. No. 3,701,371, is directed to a gun case that is capable of being folded up to fit in a person's shirt pocket when not in use. The case, when being used, has openings permitting the access to the trigger of a gun. However, Stackhouse's apparatus does not permit a firearm to be aimed utilizing its sight while so encased.
The patent to Pedro, U.S. Pat. No. 3,865,166 discloses a weapon case having handles and used for storing and carrying the weapon, but does not allow the weapon to be used while in the protective covering.
The Kunevicius patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,500, shows a gun glove consisting of two separate pieces. The front piece being a sleeve which slides over the front portion of a firearm to protect it and the rear piece being a zippered sleeve with a VELCRO® type fastening means on the rear end which helps to encompass the stock of the firearm. This gun glove does allow access and use of the firearm while in use, but does not fully encase or protect the entire firearm.
The U.S. patent issued to Stinemates, U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,498, is directed to a gun mitten which is a protective cover for the stock portion of a firearm. While the Stinemates apparatus allows access to the firearm while in used, it also only covers the stock portion of the firearm and does not allow for an ammunition clip to be used with the firearm while the mitten is in place.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,456 issued to Schauer shows a gun case for protecting a firearm from the elements while being carried in the field. Schauer's apparatus does not allow for use of the firearm while it is within the case.
The Jones et al. patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,344, entitled “Firearm Casing Device” and incorporated herein by reference, shows a protective firearm casing which allows the firearm to be discharged while the cover is in place and it also allows for a sight to be used while on the firearm. The Jones et al. casing does not form fit the firearm or have a lower flap mechanism which allows for maximum coverage and protection as well as easy accessibility and the use of an ammunition clip all while the cover is in place.
The patent issued to Kiang, U.S. Pat. No. Re 32,752, discloses a long barreled firearm protective covering comprised of two separate elements. The first element being a sleeve which slides onto the middle portion of the firearm. The second element being a zippered pouch that slides over the rear portion of the firearm and covers the butt of the gun while also holding extra ammunition. A shortcoming of the Kiang device is that the ammunition can easily fall out of the ammunition holder and also must always be used in conjunction with the butt of the firearm.
The Warnier patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,687, discloses a weapon casing that is contoured to fit the shape of the firearm, even including a sight, and includes a carrying strap but does not allow access to operate the firearm while it is encased in the cover.
Also, the application issued to Rowe, U.S. Des. 372,121, shows a gun case having a somewhat contoured fit and carrying strap but also does not allow the firearm to be operated while within the carrying case.
While the above stated devices are a fair representation of the current prior art, there remains room for improvement as defined by the currently claimed invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an objective of the present invention to provide a means for protecting a firearm from the elements while accessing a sight in aiming and discharging the firearm.
It is a further objective of the invention to provide such protection adaptable to various kinds and sizes of firearms.
It is yet another objective of the invention to provide such protection which is easily transportable.
It is an additional objective of the invention to provide a firearm cover that can be used in conjunction with the sighting means on the firearm.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a protective cover which allows for shell casings to be discharged from the firearm while the cover is in use.
A further objective of the present invention is to have a protective casing which is lightweight, waterproof, and folds to a reduced size for storage when not in use.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a protective casing for a firearm which has either foldable or removable flaps that cover and uncover the firearm sight, portion of the firearm where the shells are inserted and discharged as well as the portion of the firearm where a magazine is inserted.
And still a further objective of the present invention is to make a protective firearm cover which extends out past the front barrel of the firearm and can be closed off so as to prevent dirt and debris from entering the barrel of the firearm through the front opening.
An objective of the this firearm casing and ammunition pouch is also to allow for shoulder straps to be attached to the firearm while the casing is in place and being used.
And another objective of this invention is to allow for a protective covering for a magazine and the magazine to be used in conjunction with the firearm while the casing is in use on the firearm.
The aforementioned objectives will be accomplished as well as other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a firearm casing having an elongated cover contoured to fit the shape of a firearm. The casing or cover (both terms used interchangeably) having opposing panels forming an upper longitudinal edge, a lower longitudinal edge, a stock end and a terminal aperture. The lower longitudinal edge having an access opening permitting insertion of a firearm and access to a firearm trigger. The access opening having a first fastener for closing the access opening. The upper longitudinal edge defining an upper aperture for accessing a sight and the insertion and ejection of shells. The upper aperture having a second fastener for closing the upper aperture. The second fastener being of any conventional means such as but not limited to a zipper, snaps, buttons or hook and loop fasteners such as VELCRO®. The cover may also have a flap folded over the upper aperture and secured to the cover by a third fastener of convention means as stated above. The terminal aperture having a fourth fastener for closing the terminal aperture. The description of the present invention discloses, in conjunction with the drawings which illustrate by way of example, the principles and objectives of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 32752 (1988-09-01), Kiang
patent: D. 372121 (1996-07-01), Rowe
patent: 2737136 (1956-03-01), Ryder
patent: 3191652 (1965-06-01), Benson et al.
patent: 3239114 (1966-03-01), Norsworthy
patent: 3437247 (1969-04-01), Gantress
patent: 3701371 (1972-10-01), Stackhouse
patent: 3865166 (1975-02-01), Pedro
patent: 4249687 (1981-02-01), Warnier
patent: 4433500 (1984-02-01), Kunevicius
patent: 4597213 (1986-07-01), Musgrave
patent: 4754498 (1988-07-01), St
Durham Phillip
Jones Brent
Parker Robert Lawrence
Carone Michael J.
Dority & Manning P.A.
Innovative Sports, Inc.
Thomson Michelle
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