ADJUSTABLE SHOOTING BENCH

FIELD

This disclosure relates to supporting a firearm for shooting and more particularly relates to an adjustable shooting bench.

BACKGROUND

A shooting bench allows a shooter to shoot a firearm from a seated position, while the firearm is supported (directly or indirectly) by the bench. Sandbags, rifle rests, or the like may be placed on the bench to support the firearm, thus reducing the effect of a shooter's inadvertent motions on where the firearm is aimed. At a gun range, a concrete or masonry shooting bench may be permanently installed, providing a stable surface to shoot from. Alternatively, a movable shooting bench may be solid and heavy (again, to provide a stable surface), but may be dragged from one position to another. However, a movable shooting bench may not provide a stable surface to shoot from if it is not on a stable surface itself.

SUMMARY

Apparatuses are disclosed for supporting a firearm. In one embodiment an apparatus includes a bench top for supporting a firearm. In a certain embodiment, three legs are coupled to the bench top for supporting the bench top. In a further embodiment, at least two of the legs may be adjustable-length legs. In one embodiment, a seat is coupled to at least one of the legs for supporting a shooter.

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a frame for supporting the bench top. In a certain embodiment, the legs are coupled to the bench top via the frame. In a further embodiment, the bench top is slidably coupled to the frame for adjusting a distance between the bench top and the seat. In one embodiment, one or more of the legs may be pivotably coupled to the bench top and/or the frame. In a certain embodiment, an apparatus includes a locking mechanism. In a further embodiment, unlocking a locking mechanism may allow motion of a leg, and locking a locking mechanism may hold the leg in place.

In one embodiment, the bench top may be slidably and removably coupled to the frame via fasteners that engage keyhole-shaped slots. In a certain embodiment, at least one of the fasteners may be adjustable such that loosening the at least one fastener permits the at least one fastener to move along a slot and tightening the at least one fastener holds the at least one fastener in place along the slot. In one embodiment the at least one fastener may include a bolt that engages a threaded clamping knob. In another embodiment, the at least one fastener may include an oblong cam that locks in response to a user tightening a screw.

In one embodiment, a seat may be coupled to one of the legs via a seat post. In a certain embodiment, a seat post may be capable of engaging the leg to which the seat is coupled in multiple positions for adjusting the height of the seat.

In one embodiment, one or more of the legs may include a pivotable flat plate disposed at a lower end of the leg for supporting the leg. In a certain embodiment, one or more of the legs may include a first leg member, a second leg member, and a pin-and-opening mechanism for height adjustment of the first leg member relative to the second leg member. In a further embodiment, the one or more legs may further include a third leg member and a screw mechanism for height adjustment of the third leg member relative to the first leg member or the second leg member.

In a certain embodiment, the bench top, the legs, and the seat may be detachably coupled. In a further embodiment, an ammunition holder may magnetically couple to the bench top.

Systems are disclosed for supporting a firearm. In one embodiment, a system includes a firearm. In a certain embodiment, a system includes a bench top for supporting the firearm. In a further embodiment, at least three legs may be coupled to the bench top for supporting the bench top. In a certain embodiment, at least two of the legs may be adjustable-length legs. In a further embodiment, a seat may be coupled to at least one of the legs for supporting a shooter.

In one embodiment, a system includes a frame for supporting the bench top. In a certain embodiment, the legs are coupled to the bench top via the frame, and the bench top is slidably coupled to the frame for adjusting a distance between the bench top and the seat.

In a certain embodiment, one or more of the legs may include a pivotable flat plate disposed at a lower end of the leg for supporting the leg. In some embodiments, an ammunition holder may magnetically couple to the bench top.

Methods are disclosed for supporting a firearm. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a bench top for supporting a firearm, a seat for supporting a shooter, and three legs for supporting the bench top. In a certain embodiment at least two of the legs may be adjustable-length legs. In a further embodiment, a method includes coupling the legs to the bench top. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling the seat to at least one of the legs.

In one embodiment, a method includes leveling the bench top by adjusting the length of one or more of the legs. In a certain embodiment, a method includes adjusting the height of the seat. In a further embodiment, a method includes sitting on the seat, using the bench top to support a firearm, and shooting the firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the disclosure will be readily understood, a more particular description of the disclosure briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus for supporting a firearm for shooting;

FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a system for supporting a firearm for shooting;

FIG. 3A is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a frame for supporting a bench top;

FIG. 3B is a side view illustrating one embodiment of a fastener for the frame of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a side view illustrating another embodiment of a fastener for the frame of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is a top view illustrating another embodiment of a fastener for the frame of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3E is a side view illustrating a further embodiment of the fastener of FIG. 3D;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view illustrating a bench top, including keyhole-shaped slots;

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of a leg for supporting a bench top;

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a leg and a frame connecting member, in one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for supporting a firearm; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method for supporting a firearm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are included to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosure.

The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of an apparatus 100 for supporting a firearm for shooting. In the depicted embodiment, the apparatus 100 is a shooting bench, including a bench top 102, seat 104, seat post 106, legs 108, a frame connecting member 107, and a frame 110. In general, in various embodiments, a shooter may sit at the seat 104, and rest a firearm on the bench top 102 for shooting. In further embodiments, the length of the legs 108 may be adjustable by a user. In certain embodiments, a shooting bench with adjustable-length legs 108 may provide a flat and/or stable surface for shooting from, even on uneven ground.

The bench top 102, in one embodiment, includes a top surface for supporting a firearm. As used herein, words such as “top” “upper” “bottom,” “lower,” and the like refer to the position depicted for the apparatus 100 in FIG. 1, so that a “length” for a leg 108 is also the “height” for the leg 108. Thus, for example, the lower surface of the bench top 102 in the depicted position may be referred to as the lower surface, or the “underside” of the bench top 102, even if the bench top 102 is inverted, placed on its side, or the like. Additionally, the term “bench top” 102 is used herein to refer to a portion or component of the apparatus 100 that includes a surface for supporting a firearm (e.g., a substantially flat top surface), and not just to the top surface itself.

In various embodiments, a firearm, such as a rifle, handgun, shotgun, or the like, may be supported directly or indirectly by the bench top 102. For example, the firearm may rest directly on the bench top 102, on a rifle rest, sand bag, bipod, or the like supported by the bench top 102, or may be held by a shooter resting his or her arms on the bench top 102. In certain embodiments, the apparatus 100 may provide a stably-supported bench top 102, so that the firearm can be aimed consistently, while avoiding inadvertent movements that might occur when shooting from a less stable position, without a bench, or the like. Effects of stabilizing a firearm using a shooting bench apparatus 100 may be most noticeable with more accurate firearms such as rifles, but the stability provided by the apparatus 100 may also useful for shooting handguns, shotguns, or the like.

In the depicted embodiment, the bench top 102 includes a lightweight metal mesh supported underneath and at the edges by solid or hollow metal structural members. Metal structural members may include metal tubing, solid metal members, angled metal members, or the like. Structural members may be welded, bolted, or otherwise attached together to form a structure for the bench top 102, and a metal mesh may be tack welded to or otherwise attached to the structure formed by the structural members. In another embodiment, the bench top 102 may include or be made of another material, such as wood, plastic, composite materials, particle board, or the like.

The legs 108, in the depicted embodiment, are coupled to the bench top 102 for supporting the bench top 102. In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes three legs 108. Using three legs 108 to support a bench top 102, in certain embodiments, may provide stable support in a tripod configuration. In another embodiment, an apparatus 100 may include more than three legs 108. However, it may be more difficult to stably support a bench top 102 using four or more legs 108, especially if the apparatus 100 is used on uneven ground.

In certain embodiments, legs 108 may be coupled to the bench top 102 via a frame 110. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the front legs 108b (where the “front” refers to a direction in which a firearm would be aimed) are coupled to the frame 110, which is coupled to the bench top 102, and the rear leg 108a (which, in the depicted embodiment, supports the seat 104 and seat post 106) is coupled to the frame 110 via a frame connecting member 107. In certain embodiments, the frame 110 may be at approximately the height of the bench top 102, and the top of the rear leg 108a may be below the seat 104, so a frame connecting member may be sloped, angled, curved, or the like, to couple the rear leg 108a to the frame 110. Legs 108 that are coupled to a frame 110, either directly or indirectly (e.g., via a frame connecting member 107) may also be referred to as coupled to the bench top 102 via the frame 110, in certain embodiments, due to the frame 110 being coupled to the bench top 102. The frame connecting member 107 and the frame 110 may be made of similar materials, and may be coupled via a fastener, a pin and opening mechanism, or the like.

In another embodiment, the legs 108 may be coupled directly to the bench top 102. In various embodiments, legs 108 may be coupled to a frame 110 or a bench top 102 by permanently affixing the legs 108 to the frame 110 or bench top 102 (e.g., by welding metal components, nailing, screwing and/or gluing wooden components, or the like), or by use of a joint or other mechanical connection that allows the legs 108 to pivot relative to, or detach from, the frame 110 or bench top 102.

In the depicted embodiment, at least two of the three legs 108 are adjustable-length legs 108. The length or height of an adjustable-length leg 108 may be adjusted by a user. In one embodiment, a user may adjust the length of one or more legs 108 to compensate for uneven ground. For example, if a leg 108 rests on a small rise or depression in the ground, a user may shorten or lengthen the leg 108 accordingly. In another embodiment, a user may adjust the length of one or more legs 108 to adjust the height or slope of the bench top 102. For example, if the apparatus 100 rests on a slope, a user may lengthen downhill legs 108 and/or shorten uphill legs 108 to level the bench top 102. In certain embodiments that include three legs 108, providing at least two adjustable-length legs 108 may additionally allow the slope of the bench top 102 to be adjusted, and providing three adjustable-length legs 108 may allow the height of the bench top 102 to be adjusted. Legs 108 are described below in further detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

The seat 104, in one embodiment, is coupled to at least one of the legs 108 (e.g., rear leg 108a) for supporting a shooter. In various embodiments, a seat 104 may provide a flat or contoured surface for sitting on, may be made of wood, metal, cloth, or the like, and may be hard, cushioned, upholstered, or the like. In a certain embodiment, a seat 104 may be a bicycle seat, or a similar seat supported by a seat post 106. In the depicted embodiments, the seat 104 is coupled to a leg 108 via the seat post 106, and the seat post 106 is capable of engaging the leg 108 to which the seat 104 is coupled in multiple positions for adjusting the height of the seat 104. In certain embodiments, the seat post 106 may include an upright member that engages a leg 108, such as tube that slides into a tubular leg 108 with a slightly larger cross section. In further embodiments, the seat post 106 may include a mounting plate or other mounting hardware for attaching the seat 104 to the seat post 106. In various embodiments, the seat post 106 may engage the leg 108 via a pin-and-opening mechanism, a clamp, a fastener, or the like.

In certain embodiments, the upright member may be slidingly engageable with the leg 108. For example, in one embodiment, a pin-and-opening mechanism may include multiple openings in the seat post 106 and/or the leg 108, so that the height of the seat is adjustable. In another embodiment, a user may loosen a clamp similar to a bicycle seat post clamp, allowing the seat post 106 to slide relative to the leg 108, or tighten the clamp to affix the seat post 106 in place relative to the leg 108. In various embodiments, providing an adjustable-height seat 104 using a seat post 106 may allow a user to sit at a comfortable height relative to the bench top 102 and/or the ground. In another embodiment, however, the seat 104 may be coupled to a leg 108 without the use of a seat post 106. In various embodiments, coupling a seat 104 to one or more of the legs 108 (directly, or via a seat post 106) may provide a shooting bench apparatus 100 that can be moved or repositioned as if it were a single piece. By contrast, using a separate stool or chair may result in the position of the shooter relative to the bench being changed when the stool or the bench is moved.

The frame 110, in the depicted embodiment, supports the bench top 102, and the legs 108 are coupled to the bench top 102 via the frame 110. In one embodiment, the frame 110 and the legs 108 may be made of the same material (e.g., metal tubing, solid metal members, angled metal members, wood, composite materials, or the like). In another embodiment, the frame 110 and the legs 108 may include different materials. In certain embodiments, the frame 110 may provide a solid and/or rigid structure for the legs 108 and the bench top 102 to attach to, allowing the bench top 102 to be made out of a more lightweight material. Additionally, as described below with reference to FIGS. 3A-3E, the bench top 102 may be movably or slidably coupled to the frame 110 to adjust a distance between the bench top 102 and or the seat 104. For example, a larger user may move the bench top 102 horizontally away from the seat 104 to have more space, while a smaller user may slide the bench top 102 horizontally toward the seat 104 to avoid leaning too far forward.

In one embodiment, the bench top 102, the legs 108, and the seat 104 are detachably coupled. Thus, the seat 104 may be detached from the leg 108 to which the seat 104 is otherwise coupled, the legs 108 may be detached from the bench top 102 and/or the frame 110, and the like. Similarly, in certain embodiments, the frame 110 may be detachable from the bench top 102, and the frame connecting member 107 may be detachable from the frame 110. Likewise, the seat 104 may be detachable from the seat post 106, or may be semi-permanently attached to the seat post 106. Additionally, certain elements may be hinged, foldable, collapsible, or the like. For example, in one embodiments, telescoping legs 108 may be collapsible. In another embodiment, the rear leg 108a may be coupled to the frame connecting member 107 via a hinge or pin, allowing a user to pivot the rear leg 108a to fold the rear leg 108a up against the frame connecting member 107. In certain embodiments, detaching, decoupling, collapsing, or folding components such as the bench top 102, the legs 108, the seat 104, the seat post 106 the frame 110, and/or the frame connecting member 107 may allow the apparatus 100 to be collapsed or disassembled into a compact configuration for easy transport. For example, a manufacturer of the apparatus 100 may collapse or disassemble the apparatus 100 for shipping in a flat pack. Similarly, a user of the apparatus 100 may collapse or disassemble the apparatus 100 to transport the apparatus 100 from one location to another in a compact form.

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a system 200 for supporting a firearm for shooting. The system 200, in the depicted embodiment, includes a shooting bench apparatus substantially similar to the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, including a bench top 102, legs 108, a frame 110, frame connecting member 107, seat 104, and the like. In a further embodiment, the system includes a firearm 202 and an ammunition holder 204. As described above, the firearm 202 may be a rifle, shotgun, handgun, or the like, and may be supported by the bench top 102 to provide stability when shooting.

In a certain embodiment, the ammunition holder 204 may be a box, tray or the like, that rests on the bench top 102 for holding ammunition for the firearm 202. In one embodiment, the ammunition holder 204 may be magnetically coupled to the bench top 102. For example, in a certain embodiment, the bench top 102 may include or be made of a ferromagnetic metal, and the ammunition holder 204 may include a magnet that magnetically engages the ferromagnetic material of the bench top 102. In another embodiment, the ammunition holder 204 may be a frame with edges that define an area for holding ammunition on the bench top 102 (e.g., so that the ammunition rests directly on the bench top 102 instead of on a lower surface of a tray or box). In various embodiments, an ammunition holder 204 may prevent cartridges and/or spent casings from rolling around on the broader surface of the bench top 102, falling to the ground, or the like.

FIG. 3A depicts one embodiment of a frame 110 for supporting a bench top 102. In the depicted embodiment, the frame 110 includes one or more fasteners 302, 308 for coupling the bench top 102 to the frame 110, and a locking mechanism 304 for the legs 108.

In certain embodiments, the frame 110 is made of metal tubing. In the depicted embodiment, the metal tubing has a hollow, square cross section. In another embodiment, however, metal tubing for a frame 110 may include a round, elliptical, or rectangular cross section, or the like. In another embodiment, a frame 110 may be made of C-shaped metal members, I-shaped metal members, 90-degree angle metal, or non-metallic materials such as wood, composite material, plastic, or the like. In one embodiment, legs 108 may be pivotally coupled to the frame 110 (or to the bench top 102). For example, in one embodiment a cylindrical protrusion extending from the side of a leg 108 may be inserted into an opening in the frame 110 (e.g., the hollow opening at ends of metal tubing for the frame 110 in the depicted embodiment), so that the leg 108 can pivot around an axis of the cylindrical protrusion. In another embodiment, legs 108 may be non-pivotally coupled to the frame 110 or to the bench top 102. For example, a square or rectangular protrusion extending from the side of a leg 108 may be inserted into a correspondingly-shaped opening in the frame 110, so that the leg 108 is coupled to the frame 110 at a fixed angle

In a further embodiment, a locking mechanism 304 may be unlocked to allow motion of the leg 108, or locked to hold the leg 108 in place. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the locking mechanism 304 is a spring-loaded plunger that holds a pin in place to hold the leg 108 in place, and that can be pulled back to disengage the pin, allowing the leg to pivot relative to the frame 110, or to be removed from the frame 110. In certain embodiments, a protrusion that extends from the side of a leg 108 and is inserted into an opening in the frame 110 may include one or more holes for engaging the pin of a spring-loaded plunger with the leg 108 at one or more angles. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism 304 may be a bolt that engages a threaded hole or captive nut, acting as a set screw, so that tightening the bolt engages the cylindrical protrusion extending from the side of a leg 108, holding the leg 108 in place relative to the frame 110, and so that loosening the bolt allows the leg 108 to pivot or to be removed. Various further types of locking mechanisms 304 that lock to hold a leg 108 in place or that unlock to allow motion of a leg 108 will be clear in view of this disclosure.

In one embodiment, one or more fasteners 302, 308 are provided for coupling the bench top 102 to the frame 110. A bench top 102 may be coupled to a frame 110 in a variety of ways, in various embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, a bench top 102 may be coupled to a frame 110 without the use of fasteners 302, 308 (e.g., by welding). In another embodiment, a bench top 102 may include threaded protrusions that are fastened to the frame 110 by nuts. In the depicted embodiments, the fasteners 302, 308 include protrusions that engage keyhole-shaped slots in the underside of the bench top 102. (Conversely, in another embodiment, similar fasteners 302 may extend from or through the bench top 102 to engage keyhole-shaped holes in the frame 110).

In certain embodiments, at least one of the fasteners 302, 308 may be adjustable, so that loosening the adjustable fastener 302, 308 permits the fastener 302, 308 to move along a slot, and tightening the adjustable fastener 302, 308 holds the fastener 302, 308 in place along the slot. Thus, loosening or tightening an adjustable fastener 302, 308 may fix the bench top 102 in place relative to the frame 110, or may allow the user to slide the bench top 102 relative to the frame 110, to adjust a distance between the bench top 102 and or the seat 104. In certain embodiments, one or more of the fasteners 302, 308 may be adjustable, but other fasteners may be non-adjustable, and may permit sliding motion, so that the user may slide the bench top 102 relative to the frame 110 by loosening just the adjustable fasteners 302, 308.

FIGS. 3B and 3C depict a front fastener 302 in further detail, in two different embodiments. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3B, the front fastener 302 includes a button or stud similar to the head of a bolt, attached to the frame 110. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3C, the front fastener 302 includes a bolt that extends through the frame 110, and a threaded clamping knob 306 that engages a threaded end of the fastener 302 to allow a user to loosen or tighten the fastener 302. The button, stud, or bolt may be admitted through a round or wider portion of a keyhole-shaped slot, and may be retained by a narrower portion of a keyhole-shaped slot. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3C, a threaded clamping knob 306 engages a threaded end of the fastener 302 to allow a user to loosen or tighten the fastener 302. Loosening a fastener 302 may permit the fastener 302 to move along a slot, and tightening the fastener 302 may hold the fastener 302 in place along a slot. Conversely, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3B, the fastener 302 is not configured to be loosened or tightened by a user. For example, a user sitting on the seat 104 may not be able to reach the front fasteners 302, so the front fasteners 302 may generally allow sliding motion of the bench top 102 relative to the frame 110 (as the fasteners 302 move along a slot), but a rear fastener 308 may be adjustable, so that a user sitting on the seat 104 can loosen or tighten the rear fastener 308.

FIGS. 3D and 3E depict a rear fastener 308, in one embodiment. The rear fastener 308 may be positioned closer to the seat 104 than the front fasteners 302 when the apparatus is assembled, and may be adjustable as described above. In the depicted embodiment, the rear fastener 308 is an oblong cam 308. A top view of an oblong cam 308, in one embodiment, is depicted in FIG. 3D. The cam 308 may be generally flat or horizontal, like the buttons, studs, or bolt heads described above for the front fasteners 302, and may similarly be admitted through a round or wider portion of a keyhole-shaped slot, and be retained by a narrower portion of a keyhole-shaped slot. In one embodiment, the bench top 102 may include metal tubing similar to the frame 110, and a keyhole-shaped slot may be disposed in the slots in the underside of the metal tubing.

In certain embodiments, the cam 308 may lock in response to a user tightening a screw. For example, FIG. 3E depicts the cam 308 at the top of the frame 110 and a lever 310 underneath the frame 110, with a screw extending through the frame 110. In various embodiments, the screw may extend from the lever 310 and engage a threaded hole in the cam 308, or may extend from the cam 308 and engage a threaded hole in the lever 310. In a certain embodiment, tightening the screw may pull the cam 308 closer to the frame 110, similar to tightening the front fastener 302 of FIG. 3C, and/or may also turn the cam 308 so that one or more edges of the cam 308 press against internal surfaces of the metal tubing for the bench top 102. In another embodiment, the lever 310 may be similar to a bicycle quick-release lever, so that opening the lever 310 allows a user to turn the cam 308 to unlocked or locked positions (e.g., aligned with the metal tubing or wedged against the sides of the metal tubing, respectively), and closing the lever 310 pulls the cam 308 closer to the frame 110 to hold the cam 308 in the selected unlocked or locked position.

FIG. 4 depicts the underside of a bench top 102, including keyhole-shaped slots 402 that engage fasteners 302, 308, as described above with regard to FIGS. 3A-3E. In the depicted embodiment, the bench top 102 includes a metal mesh 404 as described above, which is only partially depicted, for convenience in viewing the rest of the bench top 102. In the depicted embodiment, the bench top 102 includes a lightweight metal mesh 404 supported underneath and at the edges by metal structural members 406. Metal structural members 406 may include metal tubing, solid metal members, C-shaped structural metal, I-shaped structural metal, angled metal members, or the like. Structural members 406 may be welded, bolted, or otherwise attached together to form a structure for the bench top 102, and a metal mesh 404 may be tack welded to or otherwise attached to the structure formed by the structural members 406.

In the depicted embodiment, keyhole-shaped slots 402 are formed in one or more of the structural members 406. In a further embodiment, a keyhole-shaped slot 402 includes a narrow opening with a wider round portion disposed at one end. The round portion may have a diameter sufficient to admit the head of a fastener 302, or an oblong cam 308. In another embodiment, the wider portion may be square, rectangular, or another shape with a width sufficient to admit the head of a fastener 302 or an oblong cam 308. Conversely, the narrow opening may be wide enough to admit a screw or the shank of a fastener 302, but narrow enough that the head of the fastener 302, or the cam 308, cannot pass through. Thus, a fastener 302 or cam 308 may be coupled to the keyhole-shaped slot 402 through the round portion, moved along the narrow opening, and may be tightened or locked to hold the fastener 302 or cam 308 in place, or left loose to permit sliding movement along the slot 402. In certain embodiments, the bench top 102 may be slidably and removably coupled to the frame 110 via fasteners 302, 308 that engage keyhole-shaped slots 402. For example, in one embodiment, a user may move the bench top 102 horizontally towards or away from the seat 104 by loosening the cam 308, and pushing or pulling the bench top 102 in the direction of the slots 402. In another embodiment, a user may remove the bench top 102 from the frame 110 by disengaging the fasteners 302, 308 through the round portions of the slots 402.

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a leg 108b for supporting a bench top 102. In the depicted embodiment, the leg 108b may be a front leg 108b for an apparatus 100, and may be substantially as described above with regard to FIG. 1. In the depicted embodiment, the leg 108b includes a flat plate 516, a first leg member 514, a second leg member 510, a pin-and-opening mechanism 512, a third leg member 508, a screw mechanism 502, a crank 504, and a protrusion 506 for coupling the leg 108 to a frame 110 or bench top 102.

In one embodiment, a leg 108, such as a front leg 108b, may be pivotably coupled to a frame 110 or bench top 102. For example, in the depicted embodiment, a cylindrical protrusion 506 extends from the side of the leg 108 to engage (and possibly pivot within) an opening in the frame 110 or bench top 102. In another embodiment, a leg 108 may be coupled to a frame 110 or bench top 102 via a hinge, a ball and socket joint or the like, that allows the leg 108 to pivot. In various embodiments, pivotably coupling a leg 108 to a frame 110 or bench top 102 may allow a user to reposition the leg 108, or change the angle of the leg 108 with respect to the frame 110 or bench top 102, to support the bench top 102 more stably. For example, if the apparatus 100 is used on soggy ground, one or more legs 108 may be pivoted to rest on drier or rockier portions of the ground.

In another embodiment, however, a leg 108b may be non-pivotably coupled to a frame 110 or bench top 102. For example, in one embodiment, the protrusion 506 may be a square or rectangular protrusion that engages a square or rectangular opening in the frame 110 or bench top 102, so that the leg 108b does not pivot relative to the frame 110 or bench top 102. In another embodiment, a pin may engage an opening in a cylindrical protrusion 506, preventing the leg 108b from pivoting. In certain embodiments, providing non-pivoting legs may increase stability of the apparatus 100.

In one embodiment, one or more of the legs 108b includes a pivotable flat plate 516 disposed at a lower end of the leg 108b for supporting the leg 108b. (A similar plate may be provided for a rear leg 108a as described below with reference to FIG. 6.) In various embodiments, a flat plate 516 may be pivotably coupled to the rest of the leg 108b via a pin, a ball and socket joint, or the like, so that a lower surface of the flat plate 516 can rest against the ground with the leg 108 at various angles. In certain embodiments, providing flat plates 516 at the lower ends of one or more of the legs 108 may distribute the weight of the apparatus 100, one or more firearms, ammunition, a user sitting on the seat 104, and the like, over the area of the flat plates 516. For example, if the apparatus 100 is used on muddy ground, narrower legs 108 may sink into the mud, but legs 108 including flat plates 516 at a lower end may support the apparatus 100 and additional weight without sinking. In various embodiments, the flat plates 516 may be substantially flat, in that they provide a broad surface for distributing weight along the ground, a floor, or the like; the use of the term “flat” is not intended to limit the plates to perfectly smooth surfaces. In another embodiment, a plate 516 may be slightly curved or arched, but may still provide a broad contact surface where ground is soft.

In various embodiments, as described above, legs 108 may be constructed in a variety of ways to provide adjustable-height or adjustable-length legs 108. In the depicted embodiment, the leg 108b includes a pin-and-opening mechanism 512 for coarse length adjustments, and a screw mechanism 502 for fine length adjustments, as described below. Various further ways of constructing adjustable-length legs 108, and mechanisms for length adjustments, will be clear in view of this disclosure.

In the depicted embodiment, the leg 108 includes a first leg member 514, a second leg member 510, and a pin-and-opening mechanism 512 for height adjustment of the first leg member relative 514 to the second leg member 510. In a further embodiment, the first leg member 514 and the second leg member 510 are telescopically engaged, so that the first leg member 514 can be extended or retracted relative to the second leg member 510. In certain embodiments, the pin-and-opening mechanism 512 includes a plurality of openings in the first leg member 514 and/or the second leg member 510, and a pin that engages one of the openings to fix the position of the first leg member 514 relative to the second leg member 510. The pin may be retracted or removed from the openings to adjust the position of the first leg member 514 relative to the second leg member 510. For example, in one embodiment, a spring-loaded pin may extend from one of the leg members 510, 514, to engage holes in the other leg member 510, 514. In another embodiment, a removable pin may extend through holes in both leg members 510, 514. Various types of pin-and-opening mechanisms 512 will be clear in view of this disclosure.

In the depicted embodiment, the leg 108 includes a third leg member 508 and a screw mechanism 502 for height adjustment of the third leg member 508 relative to first leg member 514 and/or the second leg member 510. In a further embodiment, the third leg member 508 and the second leg member 510 are telescopically engaged, so that the third leg member 508 can be extended or retracted relative to the second leg member 510. In certain embodiments, the screw mechanism 502 comprises a screw, bolt, stud, lead screw, power screw, or the like that engages the third leg member 508 and the second leg member 510, so that turning the screw in one direction extends the third leg member 508 relative to the second leg member 510, and turning the screw in the other direction retracts the third leg member 508 relative to the second leg member 510. For example, in one embodiment, the screw may extend through the third leg member 508, and may engage a captive nut in the second leg member 510, so that turning the screw lengthens or shortens the leg 108b. In the depicted embodiment, a crank 504 engages the screw mechanism 502 to turn the screw. In certain embodiments, a crank 504 may be configured to fold down or to detach from the screw mechanism 502, so that the crank 504 does not extend over the bench top 102 or interfere with a shooter's use of the apparatus 100. Various types of screw mechanisms 502, including cranks 504 or other tools for turning a screw to extend or retract leg members, will be clear in view of this disclosure

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a frame connecting member 107 and a rear leg 108a, in one embodiment. As described above, the frame connecting member 107 may be angled, sloped, curved, or the like, to couple the rear leg 108a to the frame 110 In the depicted embodiment, a protrusion 603 from the frame connecting member 107 may engage an opening in the frame 110 (or in the bench top), and may be held in place by a pin extending through the opening 602. In the depicted embodiment, the rear leg 108 may be coupled to the frame connecting member 107 via a hinge or swivel pin. In the depicted embodiment, a plate 606 extends around the end of the hinge or swivel pin, and a plurality of openings 608 in the plate 606 may be rotated (e.g., by moving the leg 108a relative to the frame connecting member 107) to align with an opening in the frame connecting member 107. The plate 606 may be a flat metal plate, or may include a structural material other than metal. In the depicted embodiment, a pin may be placed though an opening 608 in the plate 606 and an aligned opening in the frame connecting member 107 to hold the leg 108a in place relative to the frame connecting member 107, or may be removed, allowing the leg 108a to pivot relative to the frame connecting member 107. In the depicted embodiment, two openings 608 allow the leg 108a to be held in place in an unfolded position (depicted) for using the apparatus 100, or to be held in place in a folded position for transport, where the leg 108a would be folded against the lower portion of the frame connecting member 107.

In the depicted embodiment, the rear leg 108a includes a plate 616 for supporting the leg 108a, which may be similar to the plate 516 described above with reference to FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the plate 616 may be pivotably affixed to the leg 108a to accommodate sloping terrain. In another embodiment, the plate 616 may be non-pivotably affixed to the leg 108a. A pin may be placed through an opening 614 to couple the plate 616 from a first leg member 612, or may be removed to decouple the plate 616 from the first leg member 612. The first leg member 612 may telescopically engage a second leg member 610, and a spring-loaded plunger 604b (or other pin mechanism) may engage an opening in the first leg member 612 to hold the first leg member 612 in place relative to the second leg member 610. In a further embodiment, a user may withdraw the pin of the spring-loaded plunger 604b to detach the first leg member 612 from the second leg member 610, or to adjust the height of the leg 108a. In certain embodiments, the first leg member 612 may include a plurality of openings that are engageable with the spring-loaded plunger 604b, so that a user can adjust the height of the leg 108a.

Similarly, the seat post 106 may include one or more openings, and may be telescopically engaged with the second leg member 610. A spring-loaded plunger 604a may engage one of the openings in the seat post 106, so that a pin normally holds the seat post 106 in place, but may be withdrawn to adjust the height of the seat 104, or to remove the seat post 106. In certain embodiments, removing or collapsing the seat post 106 and the first leg member 612, and folding the second leg member 610 against the frame, may provide a compact configuration convenient for transporting the apparatus 100.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 700 for supporting a firearm. The method 700 begins, and a shooter provides 702 a bench top 102 for supporting a firearm, a seat 104 for supporting the shooter, and three or more legs 108 for supporting the bench top 102. In a certain embodiment, at least two of the legs 108 may be adjustable-length legs. The shooter couples 704 the legs 108 to the bench top 102. The shooter couples 706 the seat 104 to at least one of the legs 108, and the method 700 ends.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method 800 for supporting a firearm. The method 800 begins, and a shooter provides 802 a bench top 102 for supporting a firearm, a seat 104 for supporting the shooter, and three or more legs 108 for supporting the bench top 102. In a certain embodiment, at least two of the legs 108 may be adjustable-length legs. The shooter couples 804 the legs 108 to the bench top 102. The shooter couples 806 the seat 104 to at least one of the legs 108. The shooter levels 808 the bench top 102 by adjusting the length of one or more of the legs 108. The shooter adjusts 810 the height of the seat 104. The shooter sits 812 on the seat 104, uses the bench top 102 to support a firearm, and shoots the firearm, and the method 800 ends.

The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the claimed subject matter is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

ADJUSTABLE SHOOTING BENCH

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