Extendable gun rests and methods
Gun rests that are easily extendable and lockable are disclosed. The gun rests can include an upper elongated support, a lower elongated support, a gun support, a handle and a base. The gun support can be secured to the upper elongated support. The upper elongated support may be slidably engaged within the lower elongated support or the lower elongated support may be slidably engaged within the upper elongated support. The actuator is operably connected to a locking mechanism to lock the upper elongated support and lower elongated support in a fixed relative position. Depression of the actuator may bias the tube engagement members against the lower elongated support and allows the locking of the gun rest in one of a plurality of lengths.
1. Summary of the Invention
The present inventions relate to gun rests and, more particularly, gun rests having a variable length leg.
2. Description of the Related Art
Under certain circumstances, marksmen, such as hunters and target shooters, may have trouble keeping the gun such as a rifle, shotgun or a pistol example steady during the process of aiming and shooting. A number of factors can contribute to this difficulty. These factors can include weather, physical infirmities, weakening physical strength and awkward shooting locations. In addition, the marksman's target is frequently moving. In these situations, a marksman needs to maintain a degree of mobility to track targets and to accommodate targets that approach from unexpected directions. Marksman will typically have greater accuracy, success, and safety when their firearm is supported. Naturally occurring structures such as tree branches or rocks are frequently used by hunters to support for a gun. However when no natural support structures are available, a commercially available gun rest may be used to support the gun. Most commercially available gun rests are configured to support a majority of the weight of the gun to allow the marksman to devote more time and energy toward aiming the firearm.
Many gun rests are in the form of a rigid pole of a fixed-position. These devices can be cumbersome to transport and carry while hunting. Further, the fixed length may make it difficult for the marksmen to properly position the gun rest in a quickly changing shooting situation or to on a slope. Accordingly, a need exists for adjustable length gun rests.
Several designs for gun rests have employed variable length telescoping legs. The telescoping legs have provided a range of mechanisms to adjust and secure their length. However, most of these mechanisms require a two-handed or an otherwise complicated process to extend or collapse to an appropriate length. Examples of typical mechanisms include external set screws, threaded support tube segments, choke collars, external clamps, and bolts. These complicated mechanisms frequently require the use of two hands to lock and unlock the tube and to adjust the tube length. Some may require the use of additional tools to adjust and lock the gun rest at a desired length, or for attachment to the gun barrel. Simplicity, speed and dependable performance are essential for a hunter's gun equipment. Accordingly, a need exists for a gun rest that is quickly adjustable with a simple to operate robust mechanism.
Further, hunters are frequently in a position where they must move a gun rest as they target a game animal. Particularly on rough terrain, this can alter the length of the gun rest
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONApparatus and methods in accordance with the present inventions may resolve many of the needs and shortcomings discussed above and will provide additional improvements and advantages as will be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure.
A gun rest in accordance with the present inventions may provide one or more adjustable length legs and associated methods of use and adjustment. In one aspect, a gun rest in accordance with one or more of the present inventions may provide apparatus and methods for aiming a firearm in a wide range of horizontal directions. In another aspect, a gun rest in accordance with one or more of the present inventions may be light weight. In another aspect, a gun rest in accordance with one or more of the present inventions may be rapidly adjustable to a variety of heights. In another aspect, a gun rest in accordance with one or more of the present inventions may be relatively noiselessly adjustable. In another aspect, a gun rest in accordance with one or more of the present inventions may be simple and easy to use. In another aspect, a gun rest in accordance with one or more of the present inventions may be height adjustably by a simple actuator which can be operated using one hand. In another aspect, a gun rest in accordance with one or more of the present inventions may be height adjustably by a simple actuator which can be operated using a single finger. In another aspect, a gun rest in accordance with one or more of the present inventions may be locked in position by pushing or sliding an actuator which results in the frictional locking of the gun rest in one of a plurality of lengths.
Gun rests in accordance with the present inventions may include two or more slidably engaged support tubes which are locked at a desired position by movement of an actuator. The actuator may engage a locking mechanism located internally and/or externally within the support tubes. The locking mechanism may incorporate one extendable engaging interior support inside the upper and lower elongated supports and at least one fixed engaging exterior support inside the upper and lower elongated supports. The fixed engaging exterior supports can be fixedly connected to the top mount which is fixedly connected to the upper elongated support.
In one aspect, an extendable gun rest in accordance with the present inventions includes a gun support, an actuator, an upper elongated support, a lower elongated support, and a locking mechanism. The upper elongated support may define an upper cavity. The gun support may be secured to the upper elongated support. The actuator may be secured to the upper elongated support slidable between at least a locked position and a released position. The lower elongated may support defining a lower cavity and telescopically secured to the upper elongated support. The locking mechanism may be secured to the upper elongated support. The locking mechanism is operably connected to the actuator to lock and unlock the relative positions of the upper elongated support and the lower elongated support. The locking mechanism can include a biasing element and a first frictional element. The first frictional element can include or define a first frictional engaging surface. The biasing element may communicate with the first frictional element to bias the first frictional engaging surface of the first frictional element against an inner surface of the lower elongated support to secure a relative position of the upper elongated support and the lower elongated support in one of a plurality of lengths. The locking mechanism can include a second frictional element defining a second frictional engaging surface to engage an inner surface of the lower elongated support. In one aspect, one side of the inner surface of the lower elongated support may define a notch. In another aspect, opposing sides of the inner surface of the lower elongated support may define notches. The upper elongated support may include a sleeve secured within the upper cavity. The sleeve may define a longitudinal passage. The biasing member of the locking mechanism may extend through the longitudinal passage. The first frictional element and/or second frictional element may be secured to the sleeve.
In another aspect, the present inventions may provide methods for adjusting a gun rest. The method may include a user sliding an actuator movably secured to an upper elongated support from a locked to an unlocked position to release a locking mechanism engaged with an inner surface of a lower elongated support. Then, the user extending the lower elongated support relative to the upper elongated support. The user contacting an underlying surface with a portion of the lower elongated support. The user sliding an actuator movably secured to the upper elongated support from an unlocked to a locked position within an actuator passage to engage the locking mechanism with an inner surface of the lower elongated support.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.
All Figures are illustrated for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to number, position, relationship and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred aspect will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood.
Where used in various Figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “forward,” “rear,” “first,” “second,” “inside,” “outside,” and similar terms are used, the terms should be understood to reference only the structure shown in the drawings and utilized only to facilitate describing the illustrated aspects. Similarly, when the terms “proximal,” “distal,” and similar positional terms are used, the terms should be understood to reference the structures shown in the drawings as they will typically be understood by someone supporting a gun with an apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe figures generally illustrate aspects of extendable gun rests 10 including aspects of the present inventions. The particular exemplary aspects of the gun rests 10 illustrated in the figures have been chosen for ease of explanation and understanding of various aspects of the present inventions. These illustrated aspects are not meant to limit the scope of coverage but instead to assist in understanding the context of the language used in this specification and the appended claims. Accordingly, many variations from the illustrated aspects may be encompassed by the appended claims. Particularly, the exemplary aspects provided herein are generally illustrated with one or two extendable support members for exemplary purposes. Those skilled in the art will recognize the application of the inventive principles of the present application in aspects having two or more legs.
The present inventions provide extendable gun rests 10 adjustable and extendable to a plurality of lengths. The extendable gun rests 10 in accordance with the present inventions may permit the rapid adjustment and locking of the gun rest at one of a plurality of user selected lengths. The gun rests 10 may be readily adapted for use with pistols, rifles or other firearms. The gun rests 10 may be carried in the hand of a hunter that is not carrying a gun. While the shape of the upper and lower support members of the gun rests 10 are typically a cylindrical tube over at least a portion of their length, oval, square, or other cross-sectional shapes may also be used. Further, the overall configuration of the support members may be frusto-conical.
As illustrated throughout the Figures, extendable gun rests 10 generally include an upper elongated support 12, a lower elongated support 14, an actuator 16, a locking mechanism 24 and a gun support 18. An extendable gun rest 10 in accordance with the present inventions may also include a handle 20 and a base 22. The gun support 18 is typically attached to the upper elongated support 12. The handle 20 is typically integral or attached to the upper elongated support 12. The lower elongated support 14 is typically secured to the upper elongated support 12 to allow the upper elongated support 12 and the lower elongated support 14 to telescope between a collapsed and extended configuration. The base 22 is typically attached to the lower elongated support 14.
The gun support 18 is configured to support a gun for resting or shooting. The gun support 18 is secured to the upper elongated support 12. The gun support 18 typically includes aspects which are U-shaped or Y-shaped to receive a barrel or stock of gun. However, the gun support 18 may be otherwise shaped to support a gun as will be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure. The gun support 18 may be made of aluminum, steel, plastic or other materials. The materials or combinations of materials are typically selected and utilized in a way that will not scratch a gun. In one aspect, the gun support 18 may be integral with the upper elongated support 12. The gun support 18 may also be a separate component which is attached by various fasteners, welding, adhesives or other methods that will be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure. In one aspect, the gun support 18, the upper elongated support 12 and the handle 20 may be integral and manufactured as single component.
The handle 20 is typically graspable by the hunter while shooting and when a gun is resting in the gun support 18. The handle 20 may be attached to the upper elongated support 12. The handle 20 may be made of a soft material and allows easy gripping of the gun rest 10 to aid in supporting a gun. The handle 20 may be wrapped with high friction shock absorbing materials such as, for example, plastics, rubbers or other elastomers with similar characteristics. In one aspect, an actuator passage 26 may extend through the handle 20 to receive the actuator 16.
The upper elongated support 12 is generally to support at least the weight of a gun. The upper elongated support 12 is typically less than four feet in length. The upper elongated support 12 is typically formed from a metal, polymer, composite material, or other material that is lightweight and robust. The upper elongated support 12 includes a bottom end and a top end. The upper elongated support 12 typically defines an upper cavity 37. The upper cavity 37 is typically defined at the bottom end of the upper elongated support 12. The upper cavity 37 may be circular, oval, square, triangular or otherwise shaped transverse cross-section. In one aspect, the upper cavity 37 may be configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the lower elongated support 14. In one aspect, the upper elongated support 12 may be in the form of a tube. One end of the tube's longitudinal passage can be covered by various aspects of the handle 12 and/or gun support 18 to form the longitudinal passage into an upper cavity 37. The upper elongated support 12 has an outer surface 112 and an inner surface 212. An actuator passage 26 may extend through the upper elongated support 12 to receive the actuator 16. An upper stop 38 may be provided adjacent to the opening of upper cavity 37. In one aspect, the upper stop 38 may extend inward into the opening of upper cavity 37. In another aspect, the upper stop 38 may extend outward away from the opening of the upper cavity 37.
The inner surface 212 or the outer surface 112 of the upper elongated support 12 may include a plurality of notches 39. The notches 39 may be defined by the inner surface 212 or the outer surface 112. Typically, the notches 39 extend longitudinally along at least a portion of the length of the lower cavity 47. The outer surface 112 of the upper elongated support 12 may define a plurality of notches 39 linearly spaced along on one side of the lower cavity 47. The inner surface 212 of the upper elongated support 12 may define a plurality of notches 39 linearly spaced along opposing sides of the upper cavity 37. The notches 39 may allow the engagement of one or more frictional elements 44 in one of the plurality of notches 39 on the lower support 14 to lock the relative position of the lower elongated support 14 and the upper elongated support 12.
The lower elongated support 14 is generally to support at least the weight of a gun. The lower elongated support 14 is typically less than four feet in length. The lower elongated support 14 is typically formed from a metal, polymer, composite material, or other material that is lightweight and robust. The lower elongated support 14 includes a bottom end and a top end. The lower elongated support 14 typically defines a lower cavity 47. The lower cavity 47 is typically defined at the top end of the lower elongated support 14. The lower cavity 47 may be circular, oval, square, triangular or otherwise shaped transverse cross-section. In one aspect, the lower cavity 47 may be configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the upper elongated support 12. In one aspect, the lower elongated support 14 may be in the form of a tube. One end of the tube's longitudinal passage can be covered by various aspects of the handle 20 and/or gun support 18 to form the longitudinal passage into a lower cavity 47. The lower elongated support 14 has an outer surface 114 and an inner surface 214. A lower stop 40 may be provided adjacent to the opening of lower cavity 47. In one aspect, the lower stop 40 may extend outward away from the opening of lower cavity 47. In another aspect, the lower stop 40 may extend into the opening of lower cavity 47.
The inner surface 214 or the outer surface 114 of the lower elongated support 14 may include a plurality of notches 39. The notches 39 may be defined by the inner surface 214 or the outer surface 114. Typically, the notches 39 extend longitudinally along at least a portion of the length of the upper cavity 37. The outer surface 114 of the lower elongated support 14 may define a plurality of notches 39 linearly spaced along on one side of the lower cavity 47. The inner surface 214 of the lower elongated support 14 may define a plurality of notches 39 linearly spaced along opposing sides of the lower cavity 47. The notches 39 may allow the engagement of one or more frictional elements 44 in one of a plurality of notches 39 on the lower support 14 to lock the relative position of the lower elongated support 14 and the upper elongated support 12.
The upper elongated support 12 and the lower elongated support 14 are generally telescopingly engaged with one another. In one aspect, the upper elongated support 12 may be slidably secured within a lower cavity 47 of the lower elongated support 14. In this aspect, the lower elongated support 14, at least for the length of the lower cavity 47, has a larger diameter (or other outside dimension) than the upper elongated support 12. In another aspect, the lower elongated support 14 may be slidably secured within the upper cavity 37 of the upper elongated support 12. In this aspect, the upper elongated support 12, at least for the length of the upper cavity 37, has a larger diameter (or other outside dimension) than the lower elongated support 14. In certain configurations, the upper stop 38 and the lower stop 40 may cooperate to secure the upper elongated support 12 and the lower elongated support 14 to one another. In one aspect, the physical engagement of the upper stop 38 with the lower stop 40 can prevent the upper elongated support 12 from disengaging from the lower elongated support 14.
A base 22 may be fixedly attached or detachable from the lower elongated support 14. The base 22 can be configured to contact the ground and provide support or foundation for a gun rest 10. In certain aspects, the base 22 may be pointed or plug-shaped or stopper-shaped. A plug-shaped aspect of base 22 may, for example, be constructed out of soft, gripping materials including rubber or other elastomers with similar characteristics.
The gun rest 10 further includes an actuator 16 which may permit a user to lock and/or unlock the relative position of the upper elongated support 12 and the lower elongated support 14. The actuator 16 may take the form of a trigger, button, slide, lever or other form. The actuator 16 may extend through an actuator passage 26 in the upper elongated support 12. The actuator passage 26 may extend from an outer surface 112 to an inner surface 212. The actuator 16 may be attached to the inner surface 112 of the upper elongated support 12 or be slidably receivable in an actuator passage 26 which passes from one side to the other side through the handle 20 or upper elongated support 12. The actuator 16 may engage and disengage the locking mechanism 24 to secure the relative positions of the upper support tube 12 and lower support tube 14.
The actuator 16 may be attached directly or indirectly to the locking mechanism 24. The actuator 16 may be attached directly to the upper elongated support 12 or may pass through a passage in the upper elongated support 12. The actuator 16 may be cylindrically shaped or have various other shapes.
The actuator 16 may be attached to a biasing member 32. The actuator 16 may be attached to a connecting element 58 which is attached to the biasing member 32. The actuator 16 may engage or disengage biasing member 32 to permit the extension or collapse of the upper elongated support 12 and the lower elongated support 14.
Locking MechanismsThe biasing member 32, the first support 34, and the second support 36 all have a first end and a second end. The biasing member 32 may pass through a biasing member guide 30. The first support 34 is attached at a first end to a first attachment point 33 to the inner surface of the upper elongated support 12. The second support 36 is attached at a first end to a second attachment point 35 to the inner surface of the upper elongated support 12. The upper elongated support 12 may be made from flexible materials such as rubber or plastic or other elastomeric or light weight materials. The biasing member 32 and the first support 34 and the second support 36 may be made from various lightweight materials including aluminum, steel or plastic. Attachment may be by riveting, welding or screwing. Aspects of locking mechanisms 24 are described in further detail below.
The locking mechanism 24 to lock the upper tube 12 in one of a plurality of positions relative to the lower tube 14 may include one or more supports from the biasing member 32, the first support 34, and the second support 36. One or more of the biasing member 32, the first support 34 and the second support 36 may be connected to a biasing element 42, a first frictional element 44, and a second frictional element 46. The biasing member 32, the first support 34 and the second support 36 may be attached at a first end to the upper elongated support 12.
In one configuration, the locking mechanism 24 may involve the biasing of one or more biasing elements 42 directly or indirectly against the inner surface 214 of the lower elongated support 14. The first frictional element 44 and second frictional element 46 or stationary biasing element 70 and movable biasing element 72 may be biased against the inner surface of the lower support 14.
In another configuration, the locking mechanism 24 may involve the engagement of a first frictional element 44 in a notch 39 on the inner surface of the lower support 14.
In another configuration, the locking mechanism 24 may involve the engagement of a first frictional element 44 in a notch 39 on the outer surface of the lower support 14.
In one aspect of the locking mechanism 24, a biasing element 42 is attached to the biasing member 32 at a second end. The first frictional element 44 is attached to the first support 34 at a second end. The first frictional element 44 may be attached by welding, riveting or screwing. The second frictional element 46 is attached to the second support 36 at a second end. The second frictional element 44 may be attached by welding, riveting or screwing.
The external surfaces of the first frictional element 44 and the second frictional element 46 most closely juxtaposed to the biasing element 42, act as a friction pad or frictional engaging surface.
The external surfaces of the biasing element 42 most closely juxtaposed (opposed) to the surfaces of the first frictional element 44 and the second frictional element 46 act as a friction pad or frictional engaging surface.
The engagement of the biasing element 42 with the first frictional element 44 and the second frictional element 46 results in the first frictional element 44 and the second frictional element 46 contacting the inner surface 214 of the lower elongated support 14 preventing further telescoping of the upper elongated support 12 relative to the lower elongated support 14. The engagement of the biasing element 42, the first frictional element 44, and the second frictional element 46 locks the position of upper elongated support 12 relative to lower elongated support 14. The force of the first frictional element 44, and the second frictional element 46 against the inner surface 214 of lower elongated support 14 is sufficient to support the weight of a gun on a gun rest 10 in the locked position and to prevent further extendable or telescopic movement of the upper elongated support 12 and the lower elongated support 14 relative to one another.
The surfaces of the biasing element 42, the first frictional element 44 and the second frictional element 46 may be of high friction materials such as for example, high friction brake pad lining. The first support 34 and the second support 36 may be half-cylindrical. The biasing element 42 may be conical. The first frictional element 44 and the second frictional element 46 may have reverse-conical depressions. The first support 34 and the second support 36 may be convex, cupped, inverse-conical or have a self-centering configuration.
In another aspect of the locking mechanism 24, a stationary biasing element 70 is attached to the first support 34 at a second end. The movable biasing element 72 is attached to the biasing member 32 at a second end. The stationary biasing element 70 and movable biasing element 72 may be attached to the biasing member 32 and the first support 34 by welding, riveting or screwing.
The external surface of the stationary biasing element 70 most closely juxtaposed to the movable biasing element 72 acts as a friction pad or frictional engaging surface. The external surface of the movable biasing element 72 most closely juxtaposed to the stationary biasing element 70 acts as a friction pad or frictional engaging surface.
The engagement of the stationary biasing element 70 with the movable biasing element 72 results in the stationary biasing element 70 and the movable biasing element 72 contacting the inner surface 214 of the lower elongated support 14. The force of the stationary biasing element 70 and the movable biasing element 72 contacting the inner surface of the lower elongated support 14 is sufficient to support the weight of a gun on a gun rest 10 in the locked position. This engagement of stationary biasing element 70 with the movable biasing element 72 locks the position of upper elongated support 12 relative to tube 14 and prevents further extendable or telescopic movement of the tubes. This aspect of the locking mechanism 24 provides a force sufficient to support the weight of a gun on a gun rest 10 in the locked position.
The biasing member 32 and the first support 34 and the second support 36 may be made from various lightweight materials including aluminum, steel or plastic. Attachment may be by riveting, welding or screwing. The surfaces of stationary biasing element 70 and movable biasing element 72 may be of high friction materials such as for example, high friction brake pad lining.
A further aspect of the locking mechanism 24 may employ a plurality of notches 39 on the inner surface 214 or outer surface 114 of the lower support 14. The lower elongated support 14 may be of a larger diameter or a smaller diameter than the upper elongated support 12. A first frictional element 44 may engage in one of a plurality of notches 39 to lock the gun rest 10 in one of a plurality of lengths. The first frictional element 44 may be attached to the first support 34 at a second end.
The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary aspects of the present invention. Upon review of the specification, one skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims
1. An extendable gun rest, comprising:
- an upper elongated support defining an upper cavity;
- a gun support secured to the upper elongated support;
- an actuator secured to the upper elongated support slidable between at least a locked position and a released position;
- a lower elongated support defining a lower cavity and telescopically secured to the upper elongated support; and
- a locking mechanism secured to the upper elongated support, the locking mechanism operably connected to the actuator, the locking mechanism comprising a biasing element and a first frictional element.
2. An extendable gun rest, as in claim 1, further comprising the first frictional element comprising a first frictional engaging surface, the biasing element communicating with the first frictional element to bias the first frictional engaging surface of the first frictional element against an inner surface of the lower elongated support to secure a relative position of the upper elongated support and the lower elongated support in one of a plurality of lengths.
3. An extendable gun rest, as in claim 2, further comprising a second frictional element defining a second frictional engaging surface to engage an inner surface of the lower elongated support.
4. An extendable gun rest, as in claim 3, wherein one side of the inner surface of the lower elongated support defines a notch.
5. An extendable gun rest, as in claim 3, wherein opposing sides of the inner surface of the lower elongated support define notches.
6. An extendable gun rest, as in claim 2, the upper elongated support further comprising a sleeve secured within the upper cavity, the sleeve defining a longitudinal passage, the biasing member extending through the longitudinal passage.
7. An extendable gun rest, as in claim 6, further comprising the frictional element secured to the sleeve.
8. An extendable gun rest, as in claim 3, the upper elongated support further comprising a sleeve secured within the upper cavity, the sleeve defining a longitudinal passage, the biasing member extending through the longitudinal passage and the first frictional element and the second frictional element secured to the sleeve.
9. A method for adjusting a gun rest, comprising:
- sliding an actuator movably secured to an upper elongated support from a locked to an unlocked position to release a locking mechanism engaged with an inner surface of a lower elongated support;
- extending the lower elongated support relative to the upper elongated support;
- contacting an underlying surface; and
- sliding an actuator movably secured to the upper elongated support from an unlocked to a locked position within an actuator passage to engage the locking mechanism with an inner surface of the lower elongated support.
Type: Application
Filed: May 19, 2006
Publication Date: Nov 22, 2007
Inventor: John Wuertz (Rochester, MN)
Application Number: 11/437,460