CN105318773A - Telescopic gun rack - Google Patents

Abstract

A telescopic gun rest comprises a base for supporting a gun, and a strip of hard material having a coiled portion and a non-coiled portion (e.g. having a curved lateral cross-sectional shape). A locking mechanism (e.g., movable between an engaged position and a released position) may be used to prevent movement of the webbing relative to the base. Preferably, the locking mechanism further comprises a trigger to selectively move the locking mechanism between the engaged and released positions. The gun rest includes two bands each having a wound and unwound portion. At least one of the straps includes a releasable securing mechanism (e.g., a magnet) for securing the non-wound portions of the straps to one another. The foot support is fixed to the free end of the strap member. A releasable attachment mechanism (e.g., a strap) may be used to secure the gun to the gun rest.

Description

retractable gun rack

technical field

The present invention relates generally to gun accessories and more particularly to a support on which the gun may rest while firing.

Background technique

In order to improve the aiming accuracy of the gun, the gun is placed on a gun rack, generally called a cane. Gun mounts come in many different forms, such as tripods, bipods, or monopods. The frame may be structurally separate from the gun, or they may be attached (eg, hinged) to the gun in a collapsed or stored state to facilitate rapid deployment of the frame.

Contents of the invention

The present invention provides a gun rack comprising a base adapted to support a gun and a strip of rigid material having a coiled portion and an uncoiled portion, eg having a curved cross-sectional shape. Preferably, the base defines a concave bracket adapted to support the gun. The base may further include a housing having a grip portion, the housing substantially completely enclosing the coiled portion of the strap. In one embodiment, the strap is biased in a direction of rotation (eg, the direction in which the strap is wound into the housing, or alternatively, the direction in which the strap is unwound from the housing).

The gun rack may further include a locking mechanism for preventing movement of the strap relative to the housing. The locking mechanism is movable between an engaged position (blocking movement of the strap) and a released position. Preferably, the locking mechanism further includes a trigger for selectively moving the locking mechanism between the engaged position and the released position.

In a preferred embodiment, the strip comprises two strips of rigid material, each strip having a coiled portion and a non-coiled portion. For example, the uncoiled portions of the ribbon each have a curved cross-sectional shape and are positioned opposite each other. The curved cross-sectional shape of each uncoiled portion may define concave and convex surfaces, the convex surfaces of the uncoiled portions of the ribbon facing and contacting each other.

If desired, at least one of the straps may include a releasable securing mechanism for securing the uncoiled portions of the strap relative to each other. For example, the releasable securing mechanism may include magnetic material on or within one of the straps.

The gun rack may further include a footbrace secured to the free end of the strap. For example, the kickstand includes an arm that is movable relative to the strap (eg, pivotable from a position substantially parallel to the strap to a position substantially perpendicular to the strap).

The gun mount may further include a releasable attachment mechanism that secures the gun to the gun mount. In one embodiment, the releasable attachment mechanism includes a strap.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 shows a gun supported by a retractable gun rack embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the retractable gun rack.

Figure 3 is a front view of the gun rack shown in Figure 2 with the feet in the retracted position.

Figure 4 is a rear view of the gun rack shown in Figure 2 .

Figure 5 is a front view of the gun stand shown in Figure 2 with the foot stand in the extended position.

Fig. 6 is an expanded perspective view of the gun rack shown in Fig. 2 .

FIG. 7 is a perspective view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 2 .

8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 2 with the front housing, rear housing and upper support removed for clarity.

9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 with the foot support in the extended position and the locking mechanism in the locked position.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 9 with the foot stand in the extended position and the locking mechanism in the released position.

Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the foot support.

Before the specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail, it should be noted that the present application is not limited to the constructions and component arrangements shown in the following description and drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various other forms.

detailed description

Figure 1 shows a gun 20 supported by a gun frame 22 to form a gun and frame assembly. Gun 20 can be a variety of different types of guns, such as rifles or pistols.

The various gun mounts 24 are shown in detail in FIGS. 2-11. The illustrated gun stand 24 includes a housing 26 (including a front portion 26a and a rear portion 26b ), an upper support 28 and a foot support 30 . The housing 26 has a grip portion 32 and defines a housing for housing the movable components of the frame 24 . The housing 26 is shown as being made of a rigid plastic material, although other materials could be used. Housing 26 may be formed as a single piece, if desired.

The upper support 28 is fixed on the upper surface of the casing 26 . The upper support 28 defines a concave bracket 34 and is made of a soft resilient material (more resilient than the housing material) to enhance the frictional contact between the gun and the gun frame 24 . Upper support 28 includes a plurality of longitudinal ribs 36 separated by slots 38 and further includes side supports 40 that limit lateral movement of the gun relative to gun frame 24 . Each side support 40 includes an opening 42 extending longitudinally through the side support 40 to reduce the weight of the gun frame 24 and also increase the resiliency of the side support 40 .

Referring to FIGS. 4-6 , the foot stand 30 is movable relative to the housing 26 from a retracted position ( FIG. 4 ) to an extended position ( FIG. 5 ). This action is facilitated by the tape measure spring mechanism 44 (FIG. 6).

Referring to FIGS. 6-10 , the tape measure spring mechanism 44 includes left and right spools 46 , left and right ribbons 48 wound on the spools, and a locking mechanism 50 that selectively locks and releases the ribbons 48 .

Each spool 46 is supported at each end by a mounting boss 52 formed on the inner surface of the housing 26 . If desired, each spool 46 may be designed to rotate relative to the housing 26 to facilitate winding and unwinding of the corresponding webbing 48 . Alternatively, the spool 46 may be rigidly secured within the housing 26 such that the strap 48 is loosely wound around the spool 46 . Each spool 46 is fully enclosed within the housing 26 and upper support 38 .

Each strip 48 is a thin-walled steel strip having a coiled portion 54 wound on a respective spool 46 and a vertical portion 56 extending from the respective spool 46 . Each vertical portion 56 corresponds to the static (uncompressed) state of the strap 48 and has a curved cross-sectional shape defining a convex 60 and a concave 62 surface. Each coiled portion 54 corresponds to a compressed state of the strip and has a relatively flat cross-sectional shape. Each ribbon and reel assembly operates on the same principle as a tape measure. In the illustrated embodiment, the convex surface 60 of each vertical portion 56 is facing in an orientation relative to the other vertical portion 56, although other orientations (eg, two concave surfaces facing each other) are possible. The free end 64 of each vertical portion 56 is fixed to the foot support 30 . Due to this arrangement of components, each strip 48 can be wound off the respective spool 46 at substantially the same speed as the other strip 48 .

The strips 48 are shown arranged to be biased in the winding direction so that they will automatically wind onto the reel 48 when the locking mechanism 50 is released. For example, if the spool 46 is rotatable, the spool 46 may be spring biased in the winding direction. This has the advantage of facilitating quick and easy retraction of the strap 48 using a single hand. Alternatively, the straps 48 may be arranged to be biased in a non-coiling direction so that they will automatically unwind from the spool 48 when the locking mechanism 50 is released. This has the advantage of facilitating quick and easy operation of the kickstand 30 with a single hand when it is desired to use the gun rack 24 . This second arrangement further facilitates height adjustment of the gun rack 24 without pushing down on the kickstand 30 .

At least one strap 48 includes a releasable locking mechanism to secure the vertical portions 56 of the strap 48 relative to each other. For example, one of the strips 48 may be provided with a magnetic material 66 (FIG. 8) embedded in or fixed to the strip 48, the magnetic material being capable of attracting the metal material of the other strip 48 to enhance The stability of the gun frame 24. Other releasable securing mechanisms may be used instead, such as buckles and snap fasteners (such as trademark) or zipper.

The locking mechanism 50 includes wedge locks 70 positioned on opposite sides of each vertical portion 56 of each strap 48 . Each locking member 70 is vertically movable relative to the housing 26 . As each lock moves upwardly relative to the housing 26 (toward the upper support member 28), the cam surface 72 of the lock 70 will engage an angled guide 74 on the housing 26 thereby forcing the lock 70 into alignment with the corresponding strap. The shape 48 is in contact. Because the locks 70 are aligned with each other, any force exerted by a lock 70 on the strap 48 is opposed to the opposing force exerted by the other lock 70 on the other strap 48 . A biasing member in the form of a coil spring 76 biases each locking member 70 in an upward direction to contact the corresponding guide 74 and strap 48 . In the absence of additional force acting on lock 70 , upward movement of vertical portion 56 of strap 48 is substantially prevented as lock 70 is wedged between guide 74 and strap 48 . Downward movement of the vertical portion 56 of the strap 48 is allowed because such movement of the strap 48 does not create the wedge effect caused by the lock 70 .

Locking mechanism 50 further includes a release mechanism that releases lock 70 and facilitates retraction (upward movement) of strap 48 . The release mechanism includes a release member 82 that is movable (eg, pivotable) relative to the housing 26 between a locked position ( FIG. 9 ) and a released position ( FIG. 10 ). In the locked position, the release member 82 is inactive and has no effect on the locking member 70 . In the released position, the release member 82 moves downward and contacts the locking member 70 , thereby causing the locking member 70 to move downward against the biasing force of the spring 76 . This downward movement of the lock 70 prevents the lock 70 from being in the wedged position, thereby allowing the strap 48 to move upward and be wound on the spool 46 . Each release 82 includes a stop 83 engageable with the corresponding guide 74 to limit the downward movement of the release 82 .

Movement of the release member 82 between the locked position and the released position is facilitated by a trigger 84 that extends through an opening 86 in the front portion 26 a of the housing 26 . The trigger 84 is integrally formed with the release member 82 such that compression of the trigger 84 will cause a rotational movement of the release member 82 from the locked position to the released position.

Referring to FIG. 11 , the foot support 30 is shown as a disc having a roughened (eg, knurled) engagement surface 90 to increase the frictional engagement of the user's shoe with the foot support 30 . The foot stand 30 includes a central portion 92 that is convex and includes two arcuate slots 94 that extend longitudinally into the upper surface of the central portion 92 . Each slot 94 is shaped to receive the free end 64 of one of the straps 48 . Each side of central portion 92 includes two openings 96 sized to receive fasteners (e.g., setscrews, screws, pins, or other suitable fasteners) for securing foot brace 30 to strap 48. pieces).

In operation, the gun frame 24 is initiated by pulling the foot stand 30 downwardly relative to the housing 26 thereby unwinding the strap 48 from the spool 46 . Trigger 84 may be depressed to reduce the force required to move base support 30, if desired. The base support 30 is then in contact with the ground, and the user steps on the engagement surface 90 for maintaining the base support 30 in engagement with the ground. The height of upper support 28 can then be adjusted by moving housing 26 up (with or without trigger 84) or down (when trigger 84 is pressed) (with gun 20 placed on upper support 28 or not) superior). When the desired height is reached, the trigger 84 is released. When it is desired to collapse the gun frame 24, the trigger 84 is depressed, thereby retracting the strap 48 into the housing 26 and moving the kickstand 30 toward the housing 26 into the retracted position.

Figure 1 shows an alternative configuration for the base support. The optional base support 100 includes a base 102 and a folding arm 104 that is pivotable relative to the base 102 from an unfolded position (as shown in FIG. 1 ) to a folded position. In the folded position, each fold arm 104 is substantially aligned with and located within a cavity 106 defined by the curved shape of one of the straps 108 . This folded position of the folding arm 104 facilitates retraction of the base support 100 into the housing 110 by allowing the folding arm 104 to fit within the lower opening of the housing 110 through which the strap 108 extends.

The gun mount 22 shown in FIG. 1 further includes a securing mechanism in the form of an adjustable strap 112 that secures the gun mount 22 to the gun 20 . Straps 112 wrap around the top of gun 20 and are secured to the sides of housing 110 . At least one end of the strap 112 includes a plurality of openings 114 for adjusting the effective length of the strap 112 . Preferably, the strap 112 is made of an elastic material that can be tensioned when the strap 112 secures the gun 20 to the gun frame 22 . This securing mechanism inhibits movement of the gun 20 relative to the gun mount 22 and further allows the gun mount 22 to remain attached to the gun 20 when the kickstand 100 is in the retracted position (eg, when the gun 20 is not operating). This configuration facilitates quick and easy deployment of the gun rack 22 .

Therefore, the present invention provides a gun rack that is compact in structure, light in weight, retractable and can be easily deployed on site. It should be understood that the gun mount described above could be used to support a rifle, pistol, still camera, video camera, transverse bow or other similar devices. Further features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. A gun rack, comprising: a base adapted to support the gun; and A strip of rigid material comprising a coiled portion and an uncoiled portion. 2. The gun rack of claim 1, wherein the base includes a concave mount, and wherein the gun is located in the mount. 3. The gun rack of claim 1, wherein the base includes a housing that substantially completely encloses the coiled portion. 4. The gun rack of claim 3, wherein the housing has a grip portion. 5. The gun rack of claim 1, wherein the strap is biased in a rotational direction. 6. The gun rack of claim 1, wherein said strap is biased in a direction that causes said strap to be wound into said housing. 7. The gun rack of claim 1, wherein said strap is biased in a direction that unwinds said strap out of said housing. 8. The gun rack of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism that resists movement of the strap relative to the housing. 9. The gun stand of claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism is movable between an engaged position and a released position, and wherein the gun stand further includes a trigger for selectively moving the locking mechanism. 10. The gun rack of claim 1, wherein the uncoiled portion of the strap has a curved cross-sectional shape. 11. The gun frame of claim 1, wherein said strap comprises two straps of rigid material, each strap comprising a coiled portion and an uncoiled portion, wherein said strap Each of the uncoiled portions has a curved cross-sectional shape and is positioned opposite each other. 12. The gun rack of claim 11, wherein the curved cross-sectional shape of each uncoiled portion defines a convex surface and a concave surface, and wherein the convex surfaces of the uncoiled portions of the strap face relative to each other. 13. The gun rack of claim 11, wherein the uncoiled portions of the two straps engage each other. 14. The gun rack of claim 13, wherein at least one strap includes releasable securing means for securing the uncoiled portions of the strap to each other. 15. The gun rack of claim 14, wherein the releasable securing mechanism includes magnetic material. 16. The gun rack of claim 1, further comprising a foot on the free end of the strap. 17. The gun stand of claim 16, wherein said foot support includes an arm movable relative to said strap. 18. The gun rack of claim 17, wherein the arm is pivotable from a position substantially parallel to the strap to a position substantially perpendicular to the strap. 19. The gun mount of claim 1, wherein said gun mount further comprises a releasable attachment structure that secures said gun to said gun mount. 20. The gun rack of claim 19, wherein the releasable attachment mechanism comprises a strap.