Weapons case

Claim 1

A protective elongated flexible sporting goods carrier for a sporting goods article having a shape conforming to the outline of an elongated article comprising: a first section made from a molded flexible plastic, said first section having a first edge; a second section made from a molded flexible plastic, said second section having a second edge, said first section and said second section substantially similar in shape and size so that each of said first and second sections encompasses about half of an article when said first section and said second section are closed together; a flexible hinge, said flexible hinge connecting a portion of said first edge and said second edge to thereby provide means for opening and closing said first section and said second section relative to one another so that when said article carrier is in an open position an elongated weapon can be placed on either said first section or said second section; a lining located on said first section and said second section to protect the article from abrasion from the molded flexible plastic and to cushion the article against shocks as it is carried; flexible fastening means connecting a first portion of said first edge of said first section to a first portion of the second edge of said second section, said fastening means coacting with said flexible hinge to provide an enclosure for holding an article in the article carrier, said article carrier having sufficient flexibility to flex or bend without receiving permanent damage; a first molded edge piece for covering a second portion of said first edge of said first section; a second molded edge piece for covering a second portion of said second edge of said second section, said first molded edge piece and said second molded edge piece located substantially coextensive with said flexible fastening member; and further means located on said article carrier to allow one to carry the article carrier in one''s hand.