Portable Magnetic Shooting Stabilizing Systems and Gun Mounts

Abstract

The present invention discloses generally a firearm stabilizing mount system and method of use, the system comprising (1) at least one mountable base with an upper and lower surface; (2) at least one magnet with an upper and lower surface; (3) at least one support structure with top and bottom opposing ends; and (4) a gun mount with top and bottom opposing ends. The upper surface of the magnet substantially covers the bottom surface of the mountable base. The bottom end of the support structure converges vertically to a point in the upper surface of the mountable base. The gun mount pivots or swivels along its bottom end at the top end of the support structure and accepts at least a portion of the firearm along its top end such that the firearm rests or is secured within the gun mount.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/917,096 filed Dec. 17, 2013. The entire contents of the above application are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of firearms and sportsman accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to stabilizing support systems and firearm mounts.

BACKGROUND

Gun racks, mounts, storage mounts, mounting devices, shooting supports, shooting rests, gun bolts and other such devices are commonly used to safely, stably, and securely store, mount, and provide for a stable shooting surface. An inherent tradeoff between stability and recoil absorption is portability and ease of use. The current devices disclosed in the numerous embodiments resolve this trade off through the novel use of magnets to bind to metal surfaces in the immediate and surrounding environment or to the mounted firearm or firearms.

PRIOR ART

While there have been attempts in the prior art to provide a magnetic base for a gun rack, there are inherent limitations as they only provide support for the gun rather than stabilization during operation of the firearm. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,080 to Shepherd et. al. discloses a mount or rest for a firearm with magnetic base that fits into a separate support stand that may be placed on a flat surface. The device itself is not magnetically attached to the surface, such as the car hood depicted in the drawings. Further, the invention does not accommodate a variety of support structure configurations but is limited to a mono pod configuration.

Further, while U.S. Pat. No. 7,584,568 to Brownlee et. al. discloses a collapsible firearm mount that does accommodate a variety of support structures with a small magnet at the end of a leg, the magnet size and location does not provide a secure attachment to a metal surface, nor does it provide stability during firearm operation. The magnets are sized and shaped such that they merely keep the support legs together when the mount is collapsed into a storage position.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to address several challenges in previous attempts to provide a portable and yet stable firearm mount.

The present invention discloses generally a firearm stabilizing mount system comprising (1) at least one mountable base with an upper and lower surface; (2) at least one magnet with an upper and lower surface; (3) at least one support structure with top and bottom opposing ends; and (4) a gun mount with top and bottom opposing ends. The upper surface of the magnet substantially covers the bottom surface of the mountable base. The bottom end of the support structure converges vertically to a point in the upper surface of the mountable base. The gun mount pivots or swivels along its bottom end at the top end of the support structure and accepts at least a portion of the firearm along its top end such that the firearm rests or is secured within the gun mount. The invention further comprises a plurality of fastening devices wherein the fastening devices secure the firearm to the gun mount. The fastening devices may be quick release devices or permanent mounting devices.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for stabilizing a mounted firearm is disclosed, the method comprising (1) attaching the firearm stabilizing mount system above to a metal surface; (2) changing the magnetic field strength of the magnets on the firearm stabilizing mount system to accommodate the size, caliber and recoil absorption of the firearm placed in the gun mount and (3) changing the number of support structures on the firearm stabilizing mount system to accommodate the size, caliber and recoil absorption of the firearm placed in the gun mount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A. FIG. 1A is front perspective view of a mono-pod embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B. FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of a bipod embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1C. FIG. 1C is a front perspective view of a tripod embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is top perspective view of the tripod embodiment of the present invention as used on the top of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed are portable magnetic monopods, bipods, tripods, quadpods (or other configurations with a plurality of support structures) and or any support device using magnets that may quickly attach and detach to any vehicle's magnetic surface or any magnetic surface to offer superior yet portable shooting stabilizing systems and support devices. Turning to FIG. 1A-1C, the firearm support structure of the present invention is shown wherein a gun mount 10 holds a firearm 101 in place above a plurality of support structures 20. The support structure 20 has top and bottom opposing ends may be a single rod like structure as shown in FIG. 1A, or the support structures 20 may be a plurality of rod like structures as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C that are held together by at least one support bar 60. The support structures 20 converges vertically to a point in at least one mountable base 30 that may also comprise a magnet 40 used to secure the firearm support system to a metal surface, such as a vehicle top as shown in FIG. 2. The upper surface of the magnet 40 substantially covers the bottom surface of the mountable base. The bottom surface of the magnet 40 may be constructed from a non-scratching material so that the magnet 40 does not scratch the paint surface when placed directly on vehicles as shown in FIG. 2.

The gun mount 10 pivots or swivels along its bottom end at the top end of the support structure 20 and accepts at least a portion of the firearm 101 along its top end such that the firearm 101 rests or is secured within the gun mount 10. For example, the gun mount 40 may be equipped with quick release grips for picatinny/weaver rails such that the firearm 101 may be quickly released from the gun mount 40. However, the gun mount 40 may also provide for more permanent firearm 101 attachment to the gun mount 40 via screws, nuts or bolts.

The firearm support system of the present invention may be used by any firearm user, however may primarily benefit law enforcement agencies, S.W.A.T. units, military and naval applications, hunters and enthusiasts alike. The novelty of the present invention lay in part in offering the stability of a bolted on gun mount, with the freedom of a temporary mount able to connect to any part of any vehicle or metal surface. This feature thereby offers the mobility and portability to take it off in an instant from the vehicle or metal surface or to detach the gun from the system with the quick release. This system saves time and lives.

Further embodiments include any magnet connected to a support system configuration for support or resting of guns on vehicles or any metal surface. The strength of the magnets 40 attached to the mountable rest 30 may vary within a substantial range; however preferred embodiments include using very strong magnets, in some cases those just recently available. The size and shape of the magnets may also vary. Preferred embodiments include flat bottomed circular magnets connected to a support structure. In other embodiments the angle, shape, weight, and surface characteristics may be altered to achieve different performance characteristics. For example the bottom surface of the magnet connect to the metal surface may be flat, rounded, contain multiple sharp corners and other design to achieve a desired connection and stability with a specific metal surface. Any metal or magnetically responsive surface may be used with the current invention, and use is not limited to vehicles. The system my also be attached to specialized metal support surfaces such as straight or angled rails or bars designed to achieve certain performance characteristics in shooting for example at a shooting range.

The strength and characteristics of the magnets will dictate the nature and degree of the recoil absorption. For example a lighter magnet or series of magnets will allow the firearm support structure to move over a greater distance, thereby spreading the recoil absorption over a longer distance. Stronger magnets will in turn shorten the distance the firearm moves and the distance the recoil is absorbed over. Additionally the strength of the magnets will dictate the amount of force, and therefore the size and caliber of the firearm, the magnetic support structure can absorb. For example, the magnetic field strength is increased to spread recoil absorption over a shorter distance or decreased to spread recoil absorption over a longer distance. Further, the magnetic field strength is increased to accommodate increased size of the firearm or decreased to accommodate decreased size of the firearm. Also, the magnetic field strength is increased to accommodate increased caliber of the firearm or decreased to accommodate decreased caliber of the firearm.

Two common measures of a magnet's strength are the pull force and the strength of the magnetic field. Pull force is how much force needed to pull on a magnet to move it away from something, such as a metal surface or another magnet. This force is often measured in pounds, though it could also be expressed as Newtons, or even kilograms. The magnetic field strength is a measurement of the magnetic field's strength and direction at a particular point near the magnet. It is expressed in Gauss or Tesla (1 Tesla=10,000 Gauss).

The number of support structures needed may also vary based on the gun size, caliber and desired recoil absorption distance. For example, the number of support structures is increased to spread recoil absorption over a shorter distance or decreased to spread recoil absorption over a longer distance. Further, the number of support structures is increased to accommodate increased size of the firearm or decreased to accommodate decreased size of the firearm. Also, the number of support structures is increased to accommodate increased caliber of the firearm or decreased to accommodate decreased caliber of the firearm.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends no limitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the method (and components of the individual operating components of the method) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections might be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A firearm stabilizing mount system comprising:

a. At least one mountable base with an upper and lower surface;

b. At least one magnet with an upper and lower surface;

c. At least one support structure with top and bottom opposing ends; and

d. A gun mount with top and bottom opposing ends

wherein the upper surface of the magnet substantially covers the bottom surface of the mountable base;

wherein the bottom end of the support structure converges vertically to a point in the upper surface of the mountable base; and

wherein the gun mount pivots or swivels along its bottom end at the top end of the support structure and accepts at least a portion of the firearm along its top end such that the firearm rests or is secured within the gun mount.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of fastening devices wherein the fastening devices secure the firearm to the gun mount.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the fastening devices are quick release devices.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the fastening devices are permanent mounting devices.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the magnets are flat bottomed and circular in shape.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the lower surface of the magnet is attached directly onto a metal or magnetically responsive surface.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the metal or magnetically responsive surface is substantially flat.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the metal or magnetically responsive surface is a straight rail.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein the metal or magnetically responsive surface is an angled rail.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein the lower surface of the magnet is comprised of a material that does not scratch the metal surface.

11. The system of claim 6 wherein the lower surface of the magnet is flat.

12. The system of claim 6 wherein the lower surface of the magnet is rounded.

13. The system of claim 6 wherein the lower surface of the magnet contains multiple sharp corners.

14. A method for stabilizing a mounted firearm, the method comprising:

a. Attaching a firearm stabilizing mount system to a metal surface, the firearm stabilizing mount system comprising: i. At least one mountable base with an upper and lower surface; ii. At least one magnet with an upper and lower surface; iii. At least one support structure with top and bottom opposing ends; and iv. A gun mount with top and bottom opposing ends wherein the upper surface of the magnet substantially covers the bottom surface of the mountable base; wherein the bottom end of the support structure converges vertically to a point in the upper surface of the mountable base; and wherein the gun mount pivots or swivels along its bottom end at the top end of the support structure and accepts at least a portion of the firearm along its top end such that the firearm rests or is secured within the gun mount.

b. Changing the magnetic field strength of the magnets on the firearm stabilizing mount system to accommodate the size, caliber and recoil absorption of the firearm placed in the gun mount.

c. Changing the number of support structures on the firearm stabilizing mount system to accommodate the size, caliber and recoil absorption of the firearm placed in the gun mount.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the magnetic field strength is increased to spread recoil absorption over a shorter distance or decreased to spread recoil absorption over a longer distance.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the number of support structures is increased to spread recoil absorption over a shorter distance or decreased to spread recoil absorption over a longer distance.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the magnetic field strength is increased to accommodate increased size of the firearm or decreased to accommodate decreased size of the firearm.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the number of support structures is increased to accommodate increased size of the firearm or decreased to accommodate decreased size of the firearm.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the magnetic field strength is increased to accommodate increased caliber of the firearm or decreased to accommodate decreased caliber of the firearm.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the number of support structures is increased to accommodate increased caliber of the firearm or decreased to accommodate decreased caliber of the firearm.