The present invention generally relates to hunting accessories, and more particularly relates to hunting shooting sticks, and even more particularly relates to methods and systems for supporting a shotgun while hunting.
For years, hunters have appreciated that having an aid attached to the gun for stabilizing the gun while shooting is often convenient and quite beneficial.
One type of shooting aid that has been used in the past is a telescopic monopod shooting stick which is attached to the barrel of the shotgun near the forearm and pivots forward for storage and backward for shooting. This device is adjustable in length via the telescopic pole and in orientation, by lockable pivot.
While this device has significant advantages, it has several drawbacks. One problem with this design is that it has only a single point of contact with the ground, which allows the gun to easily tip in any direction, even if it is not intended. Lateral stability of the gun is important in many situations. Additionally, it is held onto a gun's barrel by two clamping sleeve halves which are held together by a screw. The retention of the pole in the stowed position is by a screw which limits pivoting of the pole in any direction. With such a design, the shooting stick is exposed to loss if either of the sleeve half retaining screws were to become loose so as to allow the sleeve halves to separate enough to allow the barrel to slip through or the pivot screw were to fall out. This could be a problem if the hunter is carrying the gun and the attached shooting stick via a sling where the shooting stick could become loose and completely fall off. Additionally, this design has only a single point of contact with the ground which allows the gun to easily tip in any direction.
Consequently, there exists a need for improved methods and systems for supporting a shotgun in an efficient manner.
It is an object of one embodiment of the present invention to provide a system and method for supporting a shotgun in an efficient manner.
It is a feature of one embodiment of the present invention to utilize a secure slide-on or snap-on attachment with the barrel.
It is another feature of one embodiment of the present invention to provide a stowable multi-point ground-engaging structure.
It is another feature of one embodiment of the present invention to utilize a forward friction clip to positively hold the shooting stick in the stowed position and to redundantly hold the shooting stick to the gun barrel.
It is an advantage of the present invention to achieve improved efficiency in supporting a shotgun while shooting.
The present invention is an apparatus and method for supporting a shotgun while shooting, which is designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features, and achieve the already articulated advantages. The present invention is carried out in a “lateral stability loss-less” manner in the sense that the ability for the gun to tip over sideways has been greatly reduced. The present invention is also carried out in a “risk of loss-less” manner in a sense that the risk of the shooting stick from falling off the gun while carrying it in a stowed position has been greatly reduced.
Accordingly, the present invention is a system and method including a monopod shooting stick with multiple points of contact with the ground, which is attached to a shotgun with multiple secure means of attachment.
The invention may be more fully understood by reading the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein:
Now referring to the drawings, where like numerals refer to like matter throughout, and more particularly to
Shooting stick assembly 100 has an upper hollow tube 110 and a lower hollow tube 108 which collapses or slides in and out of the upper hollow tube 110. Numerous types of connectors to permit the length of the combined upper hollow tube 110 and lower hollow tube 108 to vary infinitely could be used. Such well-known connectors or sliding latches are used in tripods, trekking poles, and many other adjustable length poles. While the shooting stick assembly 100 is shown here with just an upper hollow tube 110 and a lower hollow tube 108, it should be understood that three or more segments could be used, depending upon the desired length when fully extended, and the desired length when fully collapsed.
The shooting stick assembly 100 is capable of both pivoting and swiveling for ease in aiming the shotgun while the shooting stick assembly 100 is being used. Swivel pivoting section 114 can be a simple swivel in combination with a simple hinge which pivots around a pin. Shooting stick barrel-engaging member 112 is shown near the shotgun forearm 109, so that for storage, it can be collapsed and then pivoted forward and held to the shotgun barrel 103 by the shooting stick storage retention clip 116, which couples to the shotgun barrel 103 via the shooting stick storage retention clip barrel-engaging portion 118.
During use for supporting the shotgun 101 and aiming the shotgun 101, the lower hollow tube 108 is shown having spring-loaded legs 104 which can be deployed from a retracted position from within lower hollow tube 108. Spring-loaded legs 104 are biased by a spring (
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Ideally, the shooting stick assembly 100 will not extend beyond the shotgun muzzle 105 when the shooting stick assembly 100 is fully collapsed. While the attachment of shooting stick assembly 100 is shown to the shotgun barrel bottom side 113, it could be attached to a magazine tube (not shown) or other structure found under the shotgun barrel bottom side 113. Shooting stick assembly 100 is shown as being attached near the shotgun forearm 109 and pivoting forward toward the shotgun muzzle 105. Shooting stick assembly 100 could be mounted nearer the shotgun muzzle 105 and folded or pivoted backward for storage.
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Throughout the description herein, the shotgun 101 is used as the example of the firearm. It should be understood that the shooting stick assembly 100 may be used with rifles, pistols or other firearms as well.
The materials for the components of shooting stick assembly 100 are preferably rugged and lightweight. Numerous well-known materials can be used to accomplish the present invention.
It is thought that the method and apparatus of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing description, and that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construct steps, and arrangement of the parts and steps thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of their material advantages. The form herein described is merely a preferred exemplary embodiment thereof.
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