Retractable gun stand

[0001] The present invention relates generally to gun accessories and specifically to supports on which guns can be rested while shooting.

[0002] In order to increase the accuracy of aiming a gun, the gun can be rested upon a gun stand, often called a shooting stick. Gun stands come in a variety of different styles, such as a tripod, bipod, or monopod. Gun stands can be structurally separate from the gun or they can be attached (e.g., hinged) to the gun in a refracted or stored position to facilitate quick deployment of the gun stand.

[0003] The present invention provides a gun stand comprising a base adapted to support a gun and a ribbon of stiff material including a coiled portion and an uncoiled portion (e.g., having a curved lateral cross-sectional shape). Preferably, the base defines a concave cradle adapted to support the gun. The base can further include a housing having a grip portion and that substantially entirely encloses the coiled portion of the ribbon. In one embodiment, the ribbon is biased in a rotational direction (e.g., in a direction that winds the ribbon into the housing or, alternatively, in a direction that unwinds the ribbon from the housing).

[0004] The gun stand can further include a lock mechanism that inhibits movement of the ribbon relative to the housing. The lock mechanism can be moved between an engaged position (inhibiting movement of the ribbon) and a released position. Preferably, the lock mechanism further includes a trigger for selectively moving the lock mechanism between the engaged and released positions.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment, the ribbon comprises two ribbons of stiff material, each having a coiled portion and an uncoiled portion. For example, the uncoiled portions of the ribbons can each have a curved cross-sectional shape positioned in opposing relation to each other. The curved cross-sectional shape of each uncoiled portion can define a convex surface and a concave surface, and the convex surfaces of the uncoiled portions of the ribbon can be in facing relation to an in contact with each other.

[0006] If desired, at least one of the ribbons can include a releasable securing mechanism for securing the uncoiled portions of the ribbons to each other. For example, the releasable securing mechanism can include a magnetic material on or in one of the ribbons.

[0007] The gun stand can further include a foot brace secured to a free end of the ribbon. For example, the foot brace can include an arm that is movable (e.g., pivotable from a position substantially parallel to a position substantially perpendicular to the ribbon) relative to the ribbon.

[0008] The gun stand can further include a releasable attachment mechanism that secures the gun to the gun stand. In one embodiment, the releasable attachment mechanism comprises a strap.

[0009] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0021] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a gun 20 being supported by a gun stand 22 to thereby create a gun and gun stand assembly. The gun 20 can be any of numerous different types of guns, such as a rifle or a handgun.

[0023] A different gun stand 24 is illustrated in more 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 brace 30. The housing 26 includes a grip portion 32 and defines an enclosure for housing the movable components of the gun stand 24. The illustrated housing 26 is made from a rigid plastic material, although other materials could be used. If desired, the housing 26 can be formed as a single part.

[0024] The upper support 28 is secured to the upper surface of the housing 26. The upper support 28 defines a concave cradle 34 and is made from a soft resilience material (more resilient than the housing) that enhances the frictional contact between the gun and the gun stand 24. The upper support 28 includes a plurality of longitudinal ribs 36 separated by channels 38, and further includes side supports 40 that limit lateral movement of the gun relative to the gun stand 24. Each side support 40 includes an opening 42 extending longitudinally through the side support 40 to reduce the weight of the gun stand 24 and also increase the resiliency of the side support 40.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the foot brace 30 can be moved relative to the housing 26 from a retracted position (FIG. 4) to an extended position (FIG. 5). This movement is facilitated by a tape spring mechanism 44 (FIG. 6).

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 6-10, the tape spring mechanism 44 includes left and right spools 46, left and right ribbons 48 coiled onto the spools, and a locking mechanism 50 that selectively locks and releases the ribbons 48.

[0027] Each spool 46 is supported on each end by mounting bosses 52 formed on the inside surface of the housing 26. If desired, each spool 46 can be designed to be rotatable relative to the housing 26 to thereby facilitate winding and unwinding the corresponding ribbon 48. Alternatively, the spool 46 can be rigidly secured in the housing 26, in which case the ribbon 48 will be loosely coiled around the spool 46. Each spool 46 is completely enclosed within the housing 26 and upper support 28.

[0028] Each ribbon 48 is a thin-walled ribbon of steel having a coiled portion 54 wrapped onto the corresponding spool 46 and a straight portion 56 extending from the corresponding spool 46. Each straight portion 56 corresponds with a static (non-stressed) condition of the ribbon 48 and has a curved lateral cross-sectional shape defining a convex surface 60 and a concave surface 62. Each coiled portion 54 corresponds with a stressed condition of the ribbon and has a flatter lateral cross-sectional shape. Each ribbon and spool assembly operates on the same principles as a tape measure. In the illustrated embodiment, the convex surface 60 of each straight portion 56 is in a facing orientation relative to the other straight portion 56, although other orientations (e.g., concave surfaces facing each other) are also possible. A free end 64 of each straight portion 56 is secured to the foot brace 30. Due to this arrangement of parts, each ribbon 48 will be uncoiled from the corresponding spool 46 at substantially the same rate as the other ribbon 48.

[0029] The illustrated ribbons 48 are arranged to be biased in the coiled direction so that they will automatically wind onto the spools 48 when the locking mechanism 50 is released. For example, if the spools 46 are rotatable, the spools 46 can be biased in a winding direction by a torsion spring. This is advantageous in that it facilitates quick and easy retraction of the ribbons 48 using a single hand. Alternatively, the ribbons 48 can be arranged to be biased in the uncoiled direction so that they will automatically unwind off the spools 48 when the locking mechanism 50 is released. This is advantageous in that it facilitates quick and easy deployment of the foot brace 30 using a single hand when use of the gun stand 24 is desired. This second arrangement further facilitates adjustment of the height of the gun stand 24 without the need to push down on the foot brace 30.

[0030] At least one of the ribbons 48 includes a releasable securing mechanism for securing the straight portions 56 of the ribbons 48 to each other. For example, one of the ribbons 48 can be provided with a magnetic material 66 (FIG. 8) embedded into or secured onto the ribbon 48 that will attract the metallic material of the other ribbon 48 to thereby enhance the stability of the gun stand 24. Other releasable securing mechanisms, such as hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro® brand) or zippers could be used instead.

[0031] The locking mechanism 50 includes wedge-shaped locking members 70 positioned on opposing sides of each straight portion 56 of the each ribbon 48. Each locking member 70 is movable vertically relative to the housing 26. As each locking member moves upward (toward the upper support 28) relative to the housing 26, a cam surface 72 of the locking member 70 engages an angled guide member 74 on the housing 26 to thereby force the locking member 70 into contact with the corresponding ribbon 48. Because of the alignment of the locking members 70 with each other, any force applied by a locking member 70 on the ribbon 48 is opposed by an opposite force applied by the other locking member 70 on the other ribbon 48. A biasing member in the form of a coil spring 76 biases each locking member 70 in the upward direction into contact with the corresponding guide member 74 and ribbon 48. Absent additional forces on the locking members 70, upward movement of the straight portions 56 of the ribbons 48 is substantially prevented due to the locking members 70 being wedged between the guide members 74 and the ribbons 48. Downward movement of the straight portions 56 of the ribbons 48 is permitted because such movement of the ribbons 48 does not create the wedge effect caused by the locking members 70.

[0032] The locking mechanism 50 further includes a release mechanism that releases the locking members 70 and facilitates retraction (upward movement) of the ribbons 48. The release mechanism includes release members 82 that are movable (e.g., pivotable) relative to the housing 26 between a locked position (FIG. 9) and a released position (FIG. 10). In the locked position, the release members 82 are inactive and have no effect on the locking members 70. In the released position, the release members 82 are moved downward into contact with the locking members 70 to thereby move the locking members 70 downward against the biasing force of the springs 76. This downward movement of the locking members 70 prevents the locking members 70 from assuming the wedged position, thereby allowing the ribbons 48 to move upward and coil onto the spools 46. Each release member 82 includes a stop member 83 engageable with the corresponding guide member 74 to limit downward movement of the release members 82.

[0033] Movement of the release members 82 between the locked position and the relaxed position is facilitated by a trigger 84 that extends through an opening 86 in the front portion 26a of the housing 26. The trigger 84 is formed integrally with the release members 82 such that squeezing of the trigger 84 will cause rotation of the release members 82 from the locked position to the released position.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 11, the illustrated foot brace 30 is a disc-shaped member having an engagement surface 90 that is roughened (e.g., knurled) to increase the frictional engagement of a users boot with the foot brace 30. The foot brace 30 includes a center portion 92 that is raised and includes two arcuate-shaped slots 94 extending longitudinally into the upper surface of the center portion 92. Each slot 94 is shaped to receive the free end 64 of one of the ribbons 48. Each side of the center portion 92 includes to openings 96 that are dimensioned to receive fasteners (e.g., setscrews, bolts, pins, or other suitable fastener) for securing the foot brace 30 to the ribbons 48.

[0035] In operation, use of the gun stand 24 is initiated by pulling the foot brace 30 downward relative to the housing 26, thereby causing the ribbons 48 to be uncoiled from the spools 46. If desired, the trigger 84 can be pressed to decrease the effort required to move the foot brace 30. The foot brace 30 is then contacted the ground, and the users foot is placed on the engagement surface 90 to hold the foot brace 30 in engagement with the ground. The height of the upper support 28 can then be adjusted (with or without the gun 20 resting in the upper support 28) by moving the housing 26 upward (with or without the trigger 84 pressed) or downward (while pressing the trigger 84). When the desired height is achieved, the trigger 84 is released. When it is desired to collapse the gun stand 24, the trigger 84 is pressed, thereby causing the ribbons 48 to retract into the housing 26 and causing the foot brace 30 to move toward the housing 26 and into the retracted position.

[0036] An alternative configuration for the foot brace is illustrated in FIG. 1. The alternative foot brace 100 includes a base 102 and a folding arm 104 that can be pivoted relative to the base 102 from and unfolded position (as illustrated in FIG. 1) to a folded position. In the folded position, each arm 104 is substantially aligned with and resides within a cavity 106 defined by the curved shape of one of the ribbons 108. This folded position of the arms 104 facilitates retraction of the foot brace 100 into the housing 110 by allowing the folded arms 104 to fit inside the lower opening of the housing 110 through which the ribbons 108 extend.

[0037] The gun stand 22 illustrated in FIG. 1 further includes a securing mechanism in the form of an adjustable strap 112 that secures the gun stand 22 to the gun 20. The strap 112 wraps over the top of the gun 20 and is secured to both sides of the housing 110. At least one end of the strap 112 includes multiple openings 114 for adjusting the effective length of the strap 112. Preferably, the strap 112 is made from a resilient material that can be tensioned when it is securing the gun 20 to the gun stand 22. Such a securing mechanism inhibits movement of the gun 20 relative to the gun stand 22, and further allows the gun stand 22 to stay attached to the gun 20 when the foot brace 100 is in the retracted position (e.g., when the gun 20 is not being operated). Such an arrangement facilitates quick and easy deployment of the gun stand 22.

[0038] Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a gun stand that is compact, lightweight, retractable, and can be easily deployed in the field. It should be understood that the above described stand can be used to support rifles, pistols, still cameras, video cameras, cross bows, or other similar devices. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.