Weapons case

[57] ABSTRACT

A molded plastic case for protecting firearms or the like from the elements, abrasion and scuffing. The plastic case is molded from two mating sections which are joined by a flexible hinge that extends part way along the mating sections. The molded sections are rigid yet pliable enough to withstand severe abuse without ruining the case.

Claims, 5 Drawing Figures

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PATENTED FEB 111975

3,865,166

SHEET 1 OF 2 o

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INVENTOR.

EUGENE M. PEDRO

ATTORNEYS

PATENTED^ 11975 3,865,166

SHEET 2 OF 2

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INVENTOR.

EUGENE M. PEDRO

ATTORNEYS

3,865,166

WEAPONS CASE

This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 196,687, filed Nov. 8, 1971, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved weapons case for completely enclosing and protecting a weapon such as a rifle or shot gun against rain, dirt and mud while it is being carried. The case also permits the rifle to be protected against scuffing and abrasion by the use of a molded hard plastic outer shell which acts as a protective frame and cover.

Hunters and sporting enthusiasts generally treat their weapons with the utmost of care and respect. They take pains to protect their rifle against the elements as well as protect the rifle from undue scuffing and damaging as it is being transported and handled. To protect their weapons, some type of a protective case is often used. Various types of protective cases have been used for protecting a rifle, however, these cases had certain shortcomings which made them inconvenient or caused the case to become damaged if the rifle and case should accidentally happen to be treated roughly. While the specification refers to rifles, it is apparent that my weapons case is suitable for all types of weapons including rifles and shotguns.

Briefly, there are two general types of cases, the pliable cases which cover the rifle with a material such as a cloth or vinyl type material and the rigid cases made from a hard material. Plastic cases typically may be made from a plastic such as polyethylene, co-polymers thereof and modified vinyls or cellulose plastics. These cases have a somewhat greater advantage in that they are more scuff resistant and provide a stiffer case to protect the rifle and thereby take the abuse the rifle would take if the case were not located therearound. However, these hardened cases are usually made with metal stiffening rings around the outside which have been susceptible to damage. The present case overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a case which can protect the rifle, yet the case is virtually immune to damage and rough handling when full or empty as a pliable hinge and a flexible fastening means can flex or bend without receiving permanent damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the invention comprises a molded plastic gun case having a pliable flexible hinge and pliable, flexible fastening members that allow the case to be stepped on, driven over or abused in any manner short of tearing it apart without affecting the operability of the case. Yet, the case is rigid enough to protect the firearm while it is located therein. The case in its preferred form comprises a pair of molded mating plastic shells which form the scuff resistant and protective covering for the rifle. Located on the edges between the two mating molded plastic shells is a pliable flexible hinge and a fastening means which, in the preferred embodiment, is a zipper. The flexible hinge is continuous but extends only partially along one side of the case to allow the case to be folded completely open. This is in contrast to prior art cases in which a metal ring has been provided around the outside of the case in order to provide a support for the securing and mating edges of the plastic case. The metal rings are, as mentioned previously, undesirable as they are quite susceptible to damage. For example, they are easily bent which prevents the case from clos ing properly. The present invention eliminates this problem by the use of a pliable but durable case, hinge and fastening means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a partial sectional front elevation view of my molded plastic gun case;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of my molded gun case;

FIG. 3 shows a view taken along lines 3—3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged sectional view of the fastening means; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the flexible hinge used in my molded gun case.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 10 generally depicts my molded plastic gun case.

Molded plastic gun case 10 comprises a molded front section 12 and molded rear section 13 which has a pair of handles 11 attached thereto. Located between the molded sections 12 and 13 of my gun case are a pair of flexible edging strips 14 and IS, and a zipper 16.

Referring to FIG. 3, case 10 is shown in section with zipper 16 and a flexible hinge 21. Located in the interior of case 10 is lining 18 for protecting the gun from abrasion from the molded plastic case and also to cushion the gun against shocks as it is carried in case 10. Located along the lower portion and extending partially across the bottom of the case 10 is a flexible plastic hinge 21. This flexible plastic hinge is more clearly shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows the plastic hinge 21 in its flexed or open position when it is attached to molded sections 12 and 13 of my gun case.

Flexible hinge 21 comprises a strip of material such as a flexible plastic. Hinge 21 extends along the bottom of case 10 to within a short distance of the sides of the case. The partial extension of the hinge 21 allows case 10 to be completely opened for easy access to anything within the case. This is in contrast to prior art cases in which the opening is only on one end or the weapon must be slid into a tube-like enclosure.

Hinge 21 is fastened integrally to molded case 12 and 13 through fastening such as stitching or the like which form a one piece unitary connection between the hinge 17 and sides 12 and 13.

Referring to FIG. 4, zipper 16 is shown in section with molded edge pieces 20 and 21. Molded edge pieces 20 and 21 form an important part of this invention in that they cover the exposed edges 12 and 13 of gun case 10, act as a retainer for receiving the fastening means, as well as form an outer decorative band around case 10. As viewed in FIG. 4, the zipper 16 is fastened to case sides 12 and 13 through fastening means 25 which in the preferred embodiment comprise stitching. Note, the stitching forms a single unitary connection between the strip 20, the case 12 and the zipper 16. This occurs on both sides of the zipper. In other words, one operation has produced a unique unitary connection which holds the zipper and the edging piece in one rigid section. The use of this type of structure aids in the ability of the case to withstand shocks without breaking or coming apart as well as providing a neat appearing, low cost case.

In order to lock the case and prevent unauthorized use of weapons, the use of the double zippers with ex3,865,166 tending tabs as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, can conveniently be used with a padlock 28 for fastening the two zipper tabs together. As the two zippers fasten together as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is impossible to open the case and thus prevent anyone unauthorized from tampering with the weapon.

Another feature of my weapons case is the change in contour of the case where beads 14 and 15 join with hinge 21. This feature is pointed out in FIG. 1 where reference numeral 31 indicates that flexible hinge 21 extends smoothly over the end portion of beads 14 and 15. While not only giving a pleasing appearance, this construction aids in making a functional junction between the beads and the flexible hinge.