Abstract:
A rifle platform includes a single body apparatus with upper and lower components mounted to the single body, to reduce mechanical stresses associated with firing a rifle from a platform. A return to battery arrangement allows the rifle to freely move on firing, but to be replaced in the exact same position for successive shots. A sport rifle converter allows mounting of a sport rifle to the rifle platform.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/708,997, filed on Aug. 17, 2005, hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to firearm stands and in particular the present invention relates to rifle platforms.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     In the testing of rifles and ammunition for accuracy and repeatability, it is important to remove as many controllable sources of inconsistency as possible, so that only the characteristics of the rifle or ammunition are taken into account in the testing. This is accomplished, for example, by removing as much of the movement of the rifle during shooting, so that any differences in the placement or position of the rifle are substantially eliminated.  
         [0004]     Numerous previous devices have purported to provide a mount for a rifle, but they have several problems. Any mechanical stresses on the rifle during shooting can create unnatural motion of the bullet being fired from the rifle. These stresses can be introduced in a number of ways, and include by way of example only and not by way of limitation, contacting the barrel of the rifle, by using a multiple piece platform that is not on a single base, or by restricting recoil motion.  
         [0005]     Still further, in many instances, the rifle cannot be properly returned to the same shooting position for each successive shot. This also introduces error. When the rifle is not returned to the exact spot of firing, that is to the exact position, incline, etc., the trajectory of any bullet fired from the rifle will be different not only because of any differences in the ammunition itself, but also due to the different position of the rifle.  
         [0006]     Examples of the types of rifle mounts and stands that have been used in the past include sandbags, rifle rests, and the like. Each of these has certain problems or issues that arise in shooting. Sandbags contain sand, and can provide a more stable base than simple hand-balancing. However, with each shot or movement, the sane in the bag can shift, making it nearly impossible to return the rifle to its initial position for each successive shot. Another type of rifle platform has a rounded rest into which a rifle fore stock can rest. However, such a system allows for movement of the rifle and does not allow the rifle to be returned to the same position for each shot.  
         [0007]     Other rifle stands have two-piece mounts. While they are more amenable to reducing certain stresses in rifles, they can introduce other stresses. A two-piece stand easily introduces side-to-side stresses in rifles from movement of either the forward or the back element. Whenever any adjustment is made with a rifle platform that is not on one solid base, any movement of one of the base pieces introduces stress due to its movement and the stationary position of the other piece.  
         [0008]     Still other rifle stands restrict recoil motion of a rifle mounted therein. These stands or mounts, by restricting recoil, introduce motion to the barrel of the rifle that is not normal for firing. If there is recoil, for example, and the butt of the rifle cannot move backward, the rifle itself must necessarily impart the recoil energy to some other outlet. This is most often the rifle itself. When a recoil is restricted, it often results in the barrel of the rifle moving vertically instead of a normal backward recoil of the butt stock of the rifle.  
         [0009]     For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for an improved rifle stand that allows for repeatability of shots without introducing unnecessary stress on a rifle.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0010]     The above-mentioned problems with rifle platforms and other problems are addressed by the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, a rifle platform comprises a single platform on which all adjustment and motion guiding devices are mounted. The changing of one adjustment mechanism does not introduce other stresses to the rifle. Instead, platform is designed to allow a return-to-battery (RTB) operation, in which the rifle can be consistently returned to the same position for each successive round that is being fired.  
         [0012]     Other embodiments are described and claimed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a rifle platform according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  on which a rifle has been mounted;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4A  is an isometric view of an upper component of a rifle platform according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of the upper component of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5A  is an isometric view of a sport rifle converter according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5B  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5C  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A ; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 5D  is a partial front elevation view of a sport rifle converter mounted on a rifle platform. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]     In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0023]     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.  
         [0024]     In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a rifle platform  100  includes a base  102  on which all the components of the platform  100  are mounted. The base  102  has a lower component  101  and an upper component  103 . The single platform provides a stable base for movement of the components without the introduction of mechanical stresses. Base  102  lower component  101  includes levelers  104 , windage adjustment  120 , and a pivot point  107 .  
         [0025]     Levelers  104  are used to level the platform  100  on a surface. A lower component  101  leveling bubble  105  is used in one embodiment. Leveling bubble  105  can be a side to side leveling bubble  
         [0026]     Windage control  120  allows for side-to-side adjustment for wind conditions. Since windage control  120  is mounted to the platform base  102  lower component  101 , the components all move together without introducing additional stresses to a rifle being used with the platform  100 . Windage control  120  in one embodiment uses a threaded rod  121  to move the upper component  103  from side to side. The entire upper component  103  moves, so that no additional stresses are placed on a rifle mounted to the upper component  103 . Base  102  lower component  101  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 4A and 4B .  
         [0027]     Base  102  upper component  103  includes rough height adjustment  106 , mid range elevation adjustment  108 , fine elevation adjustment  110 , rear stock rest  112 , and front stock rest  114  having a battery stop  116  and a stock grip  118 . The upper component  103  pivots about pivot point  107  for adjusting elevation of the upper component  103 .  
         [0028]     Height and elevation adjustments  106 ,  108 , and  110  are used to adjust the height and elevation of the upper platform  103 , which holds a rifle as shown in  FIG. 3 . Rough height adjustment  106  is used to approximately aim the rifle to a target. Mid range elevation adjustment  108  is used to move the rifle in smaller increments to allow for finer adjustment. Fine elevation adjustment  110  is used to finely adjust the height to its desired position. Fine elevation  110  in one embodiment pivots the upper component  103  about pivot point  107  for elevation adjustment.  
         [0029]     Rear stock rest or support  112  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 1 . Support  112  has a groove  122  in the center in which the rear stock of a rifle rests (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The rifle is free to move, as in a recoil motion, when slidably mounted in the rear stock support  112 . Rear stock mount  112  is reversible, that is it can be positioned on the platform base  102  upper platform  103  so that its sloped face  124  is facing the front end  128  of the platform  100  or that its substantially vertical face  126  is facing front end  128  of the platform  100 . Rear stock support is positionable along stock support base  130 .  
         [0030]     Front stock rest  114  comprises a battery stop  116  that is used to position a rifle such as rifle  150  shown in  FIG. 3  in the same position for each successive shot.  
         [0031]     Front stock rest grip (or rifle capture)  118  is in one embodiment spring loaded. The spring loading is fixed on one side and spring tensioned on the other side, as is shown in  FIG. 1 . The rifle capture  118  has two stock pads,  132  and  134 . In one embodiment, stock pad  132  is fixed and stock pad  134  is spring tensioned. The fixed position of stock rest pad  132  is sufficient so that the horizontal position of the rifle is always maintained. That is, one edge of the rifle stock rests against the fixed position rest  132 , while the spring tensioned pad  134  holds the rifle stock under tension to the fixed rest  132 . A pair of bearing surfaces  135 , in one embodiment nylon tipped, provide further stability for the bottom of a rifle or a rifle converter such as that described in more detail below. This configuration, in conjunction with other features of the rifle platform, allows the position of the rifle to be the same for each successive shot, even if the rifle moves during shooting. The rifle can be easily and accurately returned to the same position as the previous shot, since the fixed rest pad  132  is in the same position for every shot.  
         [0032]     In operation, the fore stock or forearm of a target rifle (not shown) is butted against battery stop  116  to place the rifle in position. In this position, the fore stock is held in place by rifle capture  118 , and by rear stock rest  112 . Height and elevation adjustments can be made, windage adjustment can be made, and with the rifle forearm or fore stock butted against the battery stop, the rifle is ready for firing. In shooting, the rifle mat recoil naturally, and is allowed to do so. Once the shot is completed, however, for repeatability and testing, the rifle needs to be placed back in the same position for firing the next shot. This is accomplished with the platform  100  by resting the rifle back in the rests  112  and  114 , by capturing the rifle forearm or fore stock with rifle capture  118 , and butting the forearm or fore stock against battery stop  116 . The rifle capture places the rifle in the same lateral position as it was for the previous shot, and since height adjustments and windage have already been adjusted, when the rifle is butted against the battery stop  116 , it is in the same position as it was for the previous shot.  
         [0033]     Target rifles typically have flat bottom forearms or fore stocks. When using a target rifle with the rifle platform  100  the stock bottom fits into the stock grip (or rifle capture)  118 , and is movably secured there by the spring tension on the stock from the tensioned rest as described above. Typical sport rifles have a rounded bottom of the forearm or fore stock. As such, it is difficult to properly and consistently align the sport rifle in a rifle platform. Because of this, one embodiment of the present invention for use on sport rifles includes a sport rifle converter  150 . This converter  150  attaches to the forearm or fore stock of a sport rifle to create a profile more similar to that of a target rifle. The sport rifle converter  150  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 5A, 5B , and  5 C. The sport rifle converter is in one embodiment mounted to a sport rifle using an existing sling connector opening  152  and sling stud  154 . Many sport rifles use a sling stud  154  to connect a sling to a rifle. The sling stud  154  has a hole  156  bored therethrough allowing connection of the rifle to a sling. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mounting stud  158  for the sport rifle converter  150  has a roll pin  160  to engage the hole in a conventional sling stud such as stud  156  and a hole  161  in mounting stud  158  to hold mounting stud  158  and sling stud  154  together. In one embodiment, the mounting stud  158  is threaded to engage an opening (such as openings  162 ) in the sport rifle converter plate  151 , and fastens thereto using knurled nut  163  to affix and hold the mounting stud to the mounting plate using one of the openings  162  in converter  150 . In another embodiment, a set screw  164  is used to hold the mounting stud  158  to the sling stud  154  on the rifle.  
         [0034]      FIG. 5D  is a partial front elevation view of a front stock rest grip (rifle capture)  118  and a sport rifle converter  150  mounted thereto. Converter  150  rests on nylon bearing surfaces  135  of rifle capture  118 , and is held in a consistent side to side alignment by two stock pads,  132  and  134 . In one embodiment, stock pad  132  is fixed so that an edge of the rifle converter  150  rests against pad  132 . Stock pad  134  is spring tensioned with spring  133 , which biases stock pad  134  in the direction shown by arrow  137 . The fixed position of stock rest pad  132  is sufficient so that the horizontal position of the rifle is always maintained. That is, one edge of the rifle stock rests against the fixed position rest  132 , while the spring tensioned pad  134  holds the rifle stock under tension to the fixed rest  132 .  
         [0035]     In operation, the rifle is free to move naturally before, during, and after a shot. However, it is an easy matter to place the rifle in the same starting position for each shot due to the configuration of the components of the platform  100 . Once initial adjustments are made, the rifle can be returned to the exact same position for firing each successive shot simply by butting the forearm/fore stock or a target rifle, or the front of a sport converter such as converter  150 , against battery stop  116 .  
         [0036]     In one embodiment, all of the various controls for adjustment, including windage control  120 , height and elevation adjustments  106 ,  108 , and  110 , and rifle capture  118 , are reversible so that the platform  100  can be used for right-handed or left-handed shooting as desired.  
         [0037]     It should be understood that windage control, and rough to fine height adjustment mechanisms  120  and  106 ,  108 , and  110  have been shown, but that other windage controls and height and elevation adjustment mechanisms will be evident to those of skill in the art, and can be used equally well with the embodiments of the present invention, provided that the elements of height and elevation adjustment operate on the same platform and therefore do not introduce additional stress to the rifle.  
       CONCLUSION  
       [0038]     A rifle platform has been described that includes a single platform on which all components are mounted. The platform has rough, medium, and fine height and elevation adjustments, windage control, and allows a return to battery so that each successive shot from a target rifle mounted on the platform is taken from the exact same starting position. The rifle is free to move with the shot, and is not restricted. A sport rifle converter allows for the mounting of sport rifles on the platform with the same degree of accuracy and return to battery conditions as those of a target rifle mounted on the platform.  
         [0039]     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.