Patent Application
20200224990
The present invention relates to weapons, and more particularly to a weapon accessory that can support a weapon in a firing or other position.
When firing a weapon at a target, it is usually helpful to have the weapon stabilized and unmoving to ensure proper target acquisition, aiming and shot placement. There is a variety of supports available to fulfill this function. A popular support for small arms is the bipod. A bipod typically attaches to the front handguard or stock of a firearm or other small arm, and projects downwardly therefrom. A bipod usually includes two spring-loaded legs that deploy from a transport position to a deployed position, in which they are ready to support the firearm during fire.
Many bipods are adjustable in height to enable a user to raise or lower the barrel of the rifle and precisely aim or fire it at a target, particularly one at a long distance. Most conventional bipods utilize a system of horizontal, parallel, circumferential notches one above the other along a leg. These notches are selectively engaged by a latch and/or screw to secure the leg at a particular length, and thus set the bipod and weapon at a particular elevation for aiming and firing at a target.
While this design works in many situations, it has several shortcomings. For example, this type of design frequently requires two hands to set up properly. Specifically, a user will release the latch or turn the screw with one hand, then, with the other hand, will pull on or push the leg to finely adjust its length. From there, the user will reengage the latch or screw, grip the weapon with both hands and see how well the adjustment fared in aligning the weapon sights with the target. Frequently, further adjustment of the pod will be necessary because the first adjustment was insufficient. The user must then repeat the steps above with both hands. The use of both hands to finely adjust the height of most conventional bipods negates a shooter's ability to hold the weapon against their shoulder with one hand to view their sights and see how much adjustment is needed or has been made to properly aim the weapon at the target. This can be tedious, and can reduce the readiness of the user firing of the weapon.
In addition, many conventional bipods are held in an extended or fixed state length via the interlocking of a tooth within a notch. Sometimes, bipods are used in formidable environments and put under significant forces, for example, when a user pushes their weight forward against the weapon, and thus the bipod, to enhance stability. Under such stresses and due to impact with objects, the tooth can disengage the notch and can cause the leg to shorten in length inadvertently and unexpectedly. This can cause uncertainty, chaos or danger if it occurs while a shot is taken.
Accordingly, there remains room for improvement in the field of support pods to support weapons in a firing position.
A support pod configured to support a weapon in a firing position includes a support tube and leg telescopingly joined with one another. The leg can include a longitudinal axis. A lock portion can define grooves downwardly angled relative to the axis; and a guide portion can define recesses downwardly angled relative to the axis. The recesses can be distal and separate from the grooves, and both optionally can be downwardly spiraling at a preselected angle.
In one embodiment, the lock portion and guide portion can be included on the leg. The lock element can move into and out from a groove. A guide element can move into and out from a recess when the lock element moves into and out from a groove. The leg can be operable in a locked mode, in which the lock element can be in a first groove and the guide element can be in a first recess, to set an overall length of the pod. The leg can operate in an adjustment mode in which the lock element and guide element can transition out from their respective groove and recess, and can move up or down to other vertically displaced respective grooves and recesses chosen by a user to set the pod at a new overall length to adjust the height at which a weapon is supported by the pod.
In another embodiment, the leg can be locked in place by the lock element engaging a particular groove, while the guide element rests in and engages a particular recess to set the overall length of the pod. The lock element optionally can be pressed into the particular groove with a lock ring. The lock ring can be manually operable so that the lock element can be released and no longer pressed as forcibly into the groove, such that it can move relative to the groove.
In still another embodiment, the grooves and recesses can be downwardly spiraling at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the leg. This angle optionally can be at least 40°, at least 45°, between 40° and 50°, inclusive between 45° and 65°, inclusive or less than 90°. This predetermined angle can assist in ensuring that the guide element settles in a particularly chosen recess so that the guide element cannot move out of it under the force of gravity when the pod is normally set up. The angles for both the recesses and the grooves optionally can be equal.
In yet another, embodiment, the recesses and grooves can be of a predetermined length so that the guide element and lock element transition substantially out from the same upon rotation of the leg about the longitudinal axis by a predetermined rotational angle. That rotational angle optionally can be about 90°, between 80° and 100°, inclusive, less than 90° or less than 100°.
In even another embodiment, the support tube can include an upper end attached to a base, a lower end, an interior and an exterior. The leg can be telescopingly positioned in the interior of the tube, and can move into and out from the lower end of the tube. The leg can be biased to retract into the tube with a bias element, such as a spring, so that the leg is normally retracted at least partially in the tube. The bias force of the spring can be countered by a user applying a downward force on the leg to extend the leg from the tube.
In another, further embodiment, the lock ring can be rotatably mounted to the support tube and placed for selective engagement with the lock element. The lock element can be journalled in a lock aperture, and can project into a recess defined by the lock ring. The lock ring can include a ramped surface inside the recess that engages the lock element. By rotating the lock ring, a user can engage the ramped surface against the lock element with more or less force, which in turn can press the lock element into a portion of a groove and further lock the leg relative to the support tube.
In a further embodiment, the lock element can be pressed with the lock ring into a deep portion of a groove in a locked mode so that the lock element is substantially engaged with the groove, effectively locking the leg and support tube in a preselected orientation relative to one another, thereby setting the overall length of the support pod.
In still a further embodiment, the support pod can be in the form of a monopod, a bipod, a tripod, a quad pod or other types of support structures configured to support a weapon in a firing position. The respective pods can include a corresponding number of legs and support structures as described herein.
In yet a further embodiment, the support pod can include a base. The base can include an engagement surface configured to engage a portion of a weapon. In some cases, the base can secure to a weapon, and in others, it can be configured so that a weapon can rest on the engagement surface temporarily, and can be easily lifted and removed therefrom, thereby operating primarily as shooting sticks, rather than a bipod secured to the weapon.
In even a further embodiment, a method of using a support pod to orient a weapon in a firing configuration is provided. The method can include engaging a base adjacent a weapon; projecting the support tube and the leg away from the base; rotating the support tube and leg relative to one another in a first direction to transition the leg from a first locked mode, in which a guide element is disposed in a first recess that is downwardly angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the leg, and in which a lock element is disposed in a first groove that is downwardly angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the leg, to a first adjustment mode, in which the lock element is removed from the first groove and the guide element is removed from the first recess; moving the support tube and the leg in a telescoping manner relative to one another to at least one of increase and decrease an overall length of the support pod; and rotating the support tube and leg relative to one another in a second direction to transition the leg from the first adjustment mode to a second locked mode. A user can thus adjust the overall length and thereby orient the weapon supported on the support pod in a predetermined configuration to fire the weapon at a target.
In another, further embodiment, the method can include rotating the leg in opposite direction to configure the leg in the locked mode or the adjustment mode. In the second locked mode, the guide element can be disposed in a second recess that is downwardly angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the leg, and in which the lock element is disposed in a second groove that is downwardly angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the leg. The second groove and recess can be above or below the respective first groove and recess.
In still another, further embodiment, the method can include rotating the lock ring about the longitudinal axis so that the lock element rides along the ramped surface of the lock ring, before the rotating the support tube and leg relative to one another, so that the lock element can be unlocked relative to the first groove.
The current embodiments of the support pod and method of use provide benefits related to weapon supports that previously have been unachievable. For example, with the present support pod, a user can quickly and precisely unlock, adjust and relock a pod with one hand. Accordingly, the user can still use their other hand to maintain the weapon in a ready position and/or check alignment of their sights with a target while adjusting the barrel of the weapon with the support pod via their other hand. This can increase firing readiness, aiming and shot placement times. The downward angle of the guide recesses and the lock grooves also can ensure that the guide element and lock element will naturally come to rest at a lowermost part of those recesses and grooves if the lock becomes disengaged and the force of gravity pushes the support tube downward over the leg. Thus, the leg and support tube will not erratically or inadvertently collapse relative to one another, even when the lock element is not properly engaged or fails. Where included, the lock ring only needs a simple, one-handed twist motion to unlock and lock the lock element quickly and easily.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiments and the drawings.
Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.
A current embodiment of a support pod for a weapon is illustrated in
The support pod 10 as shown can be in the form of a bipod, having two supports extending downward from the firearm to support it. However, the support pod can be implemented in other pod configurations, such as monopods, tripods, quad-pods or any multi-leg pod configuration depending on the weapon application. In the current embodiment, only one support pod of the bipod will be described. As shown, the pod 10 can include the base 20 having an engagement surface 23 that can be configured to engage against a surface of the weapon. That surface can be a portion of a stock, a part of a handrail, or some other part of the weapon. The base can include an attachment clamp 23C that includes a slot 23S within which a picatinny rail or other projection or surface of the weapon can fit. The clamp 23C can include a fastener 24 that can be tightened to secure the support pod 10 to the weapon 100. Optionally, in cases where the support pod 20 is configured to not be mounted directly to the weapon, the base can be in the form of a V or U-shape at its top, so that a weapon can rest on or in that structure to provide support while readying the weapon for firing.
Optionally, as shown in
With reference to
The guide element 70 can be in the form of a fastener, for example, a set screw. The fastener 70 can be accessible from the exterior 30E of the support tube 30 and can project inwardly toward the support leg 40, into an interior 301 of the support tube 30. The guide element 70 can include a guide element axis GA that is generally orthogonal or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA of the leg 40. The lock element 60 optionally can include a threaded portion 70T and an engagement portion or distal end 73, which can project into the interior 301 of the tube 30. This engagement portion 73 can be a distal tip of the fastener or this portion can be a rounded and/or cylindrical configuration as shown. Of course, in other applications, the engagement portion can be of varying geometric configurations and cross sections. Generally, with the engagement portion 73 being rounded, it can easily move and/or slide relative to at least one of the plurality of recesses 44R1-44R5 defined by the leg 40 as described below.
The guide element 70 can be a fastener including a drive, which can be tightened with a tool, such as a hex key. The guide element can further clamp the leg 40 within the interior 301 when the element 70 engages a portion of one or more recesses as described below. Of course, as shown, the guide element 70 optionally does not exert any type of clamping force against the leg. Instead, it can be threaded enough into the guide aperture 70H, which is also threaded, such that the engagement portion 73 simply moves in and/or slides freely relative to the one or more of the various recesses 44R.
Returning to
The lock portion 42 and guide portion 44 of the leg 40 can be disposed on opposite sides of the leg, optionally offset from one another by about 180°. The leg 40 itself can be constructed as elongated member having the respective lock portion and guide portion. The leg optionally can be in the form of a cylinder, having an outer cylindrical surface 41E. This outer cylindrical surface 41E can define the respective recesses and grooves, which can extend inwardly from the exterior surface 41E toward the longitudinal axis LA.
The recesses and grooves can be downwardly angled relative to the longitudinal axis LA of the leg 40. For example, as shown in
As shown in
Optionally, the recesses and grooves can spiral downwardly about the longitudinal axis LA of the leg 40. Although not in the form of a thread, these grooves and recesses can twist around that longitudinal axis LA in a generally helical configuration. The particular twist and rate of turn of the downward spiral can vary depending on the application. Optionally, a spiral can include the downward angle DA2 and DA4 as described above. Further optionally, the grooves and/or recesses can spiral around the longitudinal axis LA optionally less than 180°; optionally between 45° and 180°, inclusive; further optionally between 45° and 120°, inclusive.
The grooves that interface with the lock element and the recesses that interact with the guide element can be of different configurations. For example, the grooves can each include increasing groove depth while the recesses can be of a constant or uniform depth. Referring to
The groove 42G can be of an increasing depth. For example, in transitioning from the entrance end 42G1E1 to the opposite end 42G1E2, the depth of the groove can increase from a depth D1 to a greater depth D2. Depth D1 can be less than the depth D2. In some cases, the depth D1 can be less than a 1/10 of diameter D of the lock element 60, whereas the depth D2 can be greater than 1/10 of diameter D of the lock element 60. In other cases, the depth D1 optionally can be less than one-quarter diameter D, less than one-half diameter D, or less than diameter D. The depth D2 optionally can be less than one-half diameter D, less than three quarter D or less than D. Further optionally, the depth of the groove can increase in transitioning from the depth D1 to the depth D2. Further optionally, the depth D2 can be the deepest depth of the groove along the length LG of the groove. In some applications, the depths D1:D2 can be in a particular ratio; such as optionally: at least 100:1, at least 10:1, at least 5:1, or at least 2:1.
As shown, the bottoms of the grooves can be rounded, for example, of a parabolic and/or partially circular configuration. Of course, in other constructions, the bottom 42RB can be angled, that is, square, triangular, boxed, or of other geometric configurations. At the end 42G1E1 of the groove 42G1, the groove can go to a zero depth and can transition to the smooth outer cylindrical surface 41E of the leg 40.
The recesses, shown in
Further optionally, each of the recesses can join with or can otherwise be in communication with secondary common recess 44CR. Each of the recesses can be of a substantially constant depth, even at the location where they open to or join with the secondary common recess. The secondary common recess also can have a substantially constant depth, similar to the remainder of the recesses. The secondary common recess 44CR can include a bottom 44CRB that transitions to and is continuous with the respective bottoms 44FB of the respective recesses that open to the secondary common recess. This bottom 44CRB can form a neutral landing that is disposed adjacent the openings of the recesses defined by the leg. The neutral landing and the secondary recess can extend parallel to the longitudinal axis LA of the leg 40. The secondary common recess 44CR also can extend from the lowest recess 44R1 to the highest recess 44R5 such that all the recesses are in communication with and continuous with one another.
As described further below, the guide element 70, and in particular the engagement portion or distal tip 73, can extend and travel or otherwise move within and between the respective recesses and the secondary common recess when being adjusted from one mode to the next. As described below, the guide element can travel into and out from the respective recesses and into an out from the secondary common recess. Of course, in some applications, the secondary common recess can be eliminated, and the recesses can transition to a neutral landing, which can be or form a portion of the exterior 41E of the leg 40.
As mentioned above, and with reference to
Optionally, when the lock element 60 is in a spherical form, in transitioning into and out from the respective grooves, the lock element 60 can roll and/or partially slide relative to the groove and the exterior surface of the leg, depending on its location relative to the groove and the exterior surface.
The lock element 60 can be secured via a lock ring 50 relative to the leg and/or a particular groove. The lock ring 50, shown in
For example, when the lock ring 50 is rotated to the position shown in
When the lock ring is rotated to the position shown in
The locking ring 50 can be rotated in different directions so as to alter the portion of the ramp recess and that ramped surface engages the lock element 60 and thus the level of engagement between lock element and a respective groove and/or surface of the leg. Of course, other mechanical structures can replace the locking ring so as to push, compress or otherwise move the lock element 60 into a respective groove of the locking portion 42 of the leg 40.
As shown in
As mentioned above, the leg 40 can be telescopingly disposed in the interior 301 of the support tube 30. The leg 40 can be biased such that it is pulled under a force P into the interior of the support tube 30. For example, the pod 10 can include a spring 38 that is secured to a pin 38P1 which is further secured to the support tube 30 above the uppermost portion of the leg. The other end of the spring 38 can be secured with a pin 38P2 to the leg 40. The spring optionally can be a coil spring. The spring can exert the pulling force P on the leg to pull it upward and into the interior 301 of the support tube.
It will be noted here that under this pulling force P, when the leg is drawn up into the interior of the support tube, the recesses 44R1-44R5 of the leg are naturally guided along the guide element 70, particularly when the locking ring is loose and the lock element 60 does not engage a respective groove in a secondary locked mode. When the leg 40 is pulled upward under force P as shown, the edges of the recess 44R4 will ride along the tip or engagement portion 73 of the guide element 70. As this occurs, the pulling force P can rotate the leg (assuming it is not locked with the locking ring), in which case, the engagement portion 73 eventually bottoms out in the lowest portion 49R4 of the recess 44R4. Of course, on the opposite side of the leg, the lock element 60 also can have a tendency to migrate to the deepest portion of the groove 42G1. This natural movement of the guide element relative the recesses and the lock element relative to the grooves can be attributable to the downward angle and/or downward spiral configuration of the recesses and the grooves, and the way the guide element and lock element ride within them.
A method of using the support pod 10 to orient a weapon will now be described. As mentioned above, the support pod 10 optionally can be in the form of a bipod that supports a weapon 100 in a firing position, for example as shown in
Due to the configuration of the leg, the guide element 70 also is disposed in a corresponding recess, for example recess 44R4. The guide element distal tip or engagement portion 73 can be disposed in a lowermost portion 49R4 of this recess. In this configuration, the support pod 10 is generally locked in the first overall length OL1.
To convert the pod and leg from a locked mode to an adjustment mode, such that the leg 40 is movable or slidable relative to the support tube 30, and the overall length first overall length OL1 can be converted or adjusted to a second overall length OL2, the lock element can be removed from a portion of the groove 42G2. As part of this conversion, where included, the locking ring 50 and leg 40 in general can be transitioned out of the secondary locking mode. To do so, a user can grasp the lock ring 50 as shown in
With the locking ring less engaged with the lock element, and out of the secondary locked mode, the lock element 60 can roll relative to the lock element aperture 60H. A user can then, with the same hand used to adjust the locking ring, rotate the leg 40 in direction N1 as shown in
A user can then apply a force in direction N2. This force can overcome the force P on the leg exerted by the spring described above. As the force is applied and the leg moves in direction N2, the lock element 60 rides along the cylindrical surface 41E in direction H3 away from the first groove 44G2. The guide element 70 also moves in direction H4 away from the first recess 44R4 in the secondary recess and/or over the neutral landing, as the leg is pulled in direction N2 under the force. The leg 40 also moves telescopically relative to the support tube during this motion. During this motion, the leg also is operating in an adjustment mode in which the lock element is removed from the grooves and the guide element is removed from the recesses.
While the leg is in the adjustment mode, again the support tube and leg can move in a telescoping manner relative to one another to increase and/or decrease the overall length OL1 of the support pod 10. As shown in
After a user has pulled the leg 40 from the support tube 30 a preselected amount with their one hand, the user can then rotate the leg 40 relative to the support tube in a second direction, optionally opposite the first direction mentioned above, to transition leg from the adjustment mode to another locked mode. For example, with reference to
Incidentally, if the user checks the sights of the weapon 100 and determines that the overall length and thus the height of the bipod is still not set at an appropriate level, the user can with a single hand, rotate the leg again to transition it from a locked mode to an adjustment mode, and either increase or decrease the overall length of the support pod by allowing the leg to retract into the support pod (which it does under the force the spring) or by pulling on the leg with a force to extract or extend from the support tube. A user can do this multiple times, in multiple iterations to attain a desired overall length of the support pod. After that is achieved, and user wants to further secure the leg position, the user can with the same hand rotate the locking ring 50 relative to the support tube and thereby ride the ramp surface along the lock element until the lock element 60 is adequately nested in and forcibly pushed into the respective groove. Of course, if the user forgets to or does not want to rotate and lock the locking ring and/or leg in the secondary locked mode, the user can leave it free.
As mentioned above, under the force of gravity, the guide element 70 and the lock element 60 will naturally ride into lower portions of the respective recess and groove. The guide element will thus bottom out against the lower portion 49R4 of the respective recess when the locked mode is attained or close to being attained. With this interaction of the guide element and recess, it is unlikely that the leg will be inadvertently retracted and/or extended from the tube to change the overall length from that set by the user.
A first alternative embodiment of the support pod is shown in
Optionally, as shown in
As shown in
The holder pin 25 can be a part of an adjuster assembly 26, which can further include a slide rod 25R upon which the pin 25 can move and/or slide down in direction EX, or up in an opposite direction. The holder pin 25 can be joined with a lever 25L that can be grasped by user to move the holder pin 25 in the direction EX or an opposite direction to unlock the pin from the notch and thereby move the tube and leg to another angular orientation. The lever and pin can be biased in a normally closed mode to hold the pin 25 in a notch 20N so that the tube and leg are supported by the pin in a particular orientation. The lever 25L can slide along an exterior of the support tube when it is actuated to move the holding pin 25.
The lever 25L optionally can be locked in place via a latch 27. The latch can pivot about a pin or axis 27A, and can include a first end 27E1 and a second end 27E2. The first end 27E1 can be engaged by a force F3, which rotates the latch about the axis 27A in direction LX (
Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientation(s).
The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16247162 | Jan 2019 | US |
| Child | 16404944 | US |
