Abstract:
The present invention relates to gun rests which are portable, lightweight and easily adjustable. The gun rests of the present invention comprise a plate wherein an opening is formed in a first end section of the plate and the plate is bent at an intermediate section such that an angle is formed between the plane formed by the first end section and the plane formed by a second end section. The opening is adapted and configured such that a shaft such as, for example, walking/wading sticks, staffs, canes and tree limbs can be inserted through the opening and the height of the gun rest above a surface can be quickly and easily adjusted. The gun rest is adapted and configured such that the forearm of a firearm may be placed on the intermediate section of the plate thereby improving the accuracy of a sportsman firing the firearm.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to versatile gun rests, and more particularly to gun rest that are compact and readily adjustable, and methods of using the same.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The use of a gun rest to improve a shooter&#39;s accuracy is well known. Traditionally, gun rests have been heavy, cumbersome devices which yield great accuracy but are difficult for a sportsman to carry into the field. More recently, there has been the introduction of devices that provide the necessary stabilization without some of the bulk of the traditional devices.  
           [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,185 describes a gun rest which consists of a central compartment and two side compartments, wherein the central compartment is configured to provide a U-shaped cradle for the forearm of a firearm. The two side compartments hang over the edge of a supporting surface to provide stability to the gun rest. Further, the compartments of this rest are intended to be filled with a substance such as sand. For this reason, this gun rest includes a sandbag. While the gun rest described in this patent is less cumbersome than traditional gun rests it is still difficult for a sportsman to carry it into the field due to the weight associated with the sand.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 324,530 describes a combined gun and camera rest which consists of two attached panels, wherein the panels can be opened to form a V-shape. The distance between unattached end of the panels can be maintained by a strap-like device. The attached ends of the panels contain a U-shaped recess for accepting the forearm of a firearm. This gun rest may be manufactured to be very lightweight and compact in size but it is not readily height adjustable. Additionally, this gun rest is limited in its maximum height by the length of the attached panels. This gun rest is impractical to the sportsman in the field because it would necessitate the sportsman to attain a prone firing position, which is often a disadvantageous position in the field.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,159 describes a gun sighting rest which consists of a support body containing a U-shaped recess in its top surface for receiving the forearm of a firearm. Elevation control is obtained by placing the front edge of the support body into a recess on an elevation wedge. This gun rest may be manufactured from lightweight material but suffers from the disadvantages of being of two-piece construction as well as not being readily height adjustable. While this rest would provide useful service to a shooter utilizing a shooting bench or table it is impractical for the sportsman to use in the field.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,427 describes a portable gun rest which consists of a base attached to an elevating arm, wherein the elevating arm is attached by a hinge at one end to the base with the other end of the elevating arm being freely adjustable. As the free end of the elevating arm is raised its elevation may be maintained by the use of a rod between the base and elevating arm. While this gun rest is quickly and easily adjustable its maximum elevation is limited by the length of the elevating arm. Unless the sportsmen wishes to carry a gun rest equal to his body height this gun rest is not practical for use in the field, as it would restrict the sportsmen to either a prone or kneeling position.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,391 describes a gun rest which is adjustable for elevation that consists of a U-shaped cradle affixed to the top of a shaft. The gun rest further comprises a bracket which may be attached to a fixed surface such as the railing of a tree stand, fence, porch or deck. While this gun rest is easily adjustable for elevation such that a sportsmen may maintain a standing posture it is impractical for use in the field because its bracket needs to be affixed to a surface.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,964 describes a portable gun rest designed to be have one end placed on a sportsman&#39;s thigh while the sportsman is in a kneeling position. The other end of the gun rest consists of a U-shaped cradle which holds the forearm of a firearm. Between the two ends the gun rest consists of two telescoping tubes. This gun rest is height adjustable and could theoretically be tall enough to allow the sportsman to place one end on the ground and maintain a standing posture. Elevation adjustment is obtained by extending or collapsing the telescoping tubes and the desired adjustment is maintained by securing means such as a pin, which slips through a hole in the inner tube or through matching holes in each tube. Elevation adjustment is not quick or convenient and thus does not allow the sportsman to quickly adapt to changing hunting situations.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,614 describes a gun rest consisting of a telescoping tubular shaft with a U-shaped cradle attached to the top of the shaft. The height of the tubular shaft is adjustable by extending or collapsing the telescoping tubes and maintaining the height by securing means. This gun rest&#39;s U-shaped cradle is designed to accept the barrel of a firearm. This gun rest is adjustable in height such that a sportsman may use whatever posture the terrain and comfort dictate but this gun rests suffers from not being quickly adjustable due to the telescoping nature of the shaft. Additionally, this gun rest would not be useful to a sportsman as the positioning of the U-shaped cradle on the barrel of the firearm would be detrimental to accuracy as the weight of the firearm would cause the barrel to bend and thus change a fired bullet&#39;s point of impact.  
           [0010]    Thus there exists a need for a compact, portable, lightweight gun rest that is quickly and simply adjusted over a wide range of heights such that a sportsman can take advantage of the most comfortable and convenient posture as dictated by the terrain or hunting situation.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The present invention relates to gun rests which are compact, lightweight and readily height adjustable. This ease of adjusting the height of the gun rest allows a sportsman to quickly adapt the rest to the body posture dictated by the terrain and situation. A gun rest in accordance with the present invention comprises a plate. A first end section of the plate has an opening which is sized such that a shaft may be received therein. A second end section of the plate is bent or formed at an angle with respect to the plane formed by the first end section of the plate. The gun rest is used by inserting a shaft through the opening in the plate with the second end section directed upward. Any variety of shafts may be employed such as, for example, walking/wading sticks, staffs, canes and tree limbs. Once the shaft is received in the opening, the sportsman may place the forearm of a firearm on the gun rest in the bend formed between the planes of the first end section and the second end section. The sportsman may then adjust the gun rest to a desired height. The weight of the firearm will serve to tightly hold the gun rest in position on the shaft thereby removing the weight of the firearm from the sportsman as well as providing a steady base to improve accuracy.  
           [0012]    Preferably the opening in the first end section of the gun rest is generally circular on one end and tapers to a point on the other end, thereby improving the gripping ability of the gun rest on a shaft. According to embodiments of the present invention teeth may be formed into the periphery of the opening. Teeth may be formed in the periphery of both the generally circular and tapered ends of the opening. Alternatively, or additionally, portions of the opening may be covered by flexible gripping aids, which also serve to silence the gun rests of the present invention.  
           [0013]    The gun rest may be constructed from any material displaying the necessary rigidity to support the weight of a firearm. Materials such as, for example, steel, aluminum, other metallic materials, composite materials, polymeric materials, wood or glass may be used.  
           [0014]    Additionally, a retaining device may be attached to the gun rest so that it may be connected to the shaft if so desired. Such retaining means may take the form of a small hole formed near the first end section of the gun rest through which a string or wire may be threaded. Additionally, a loop may be formed on the first end section of the gun rest through which a string or wire may be threaded. These strings or wires may then be used to attach the gun rest to the shaft so that it is readily available when the sportsman needs to use the gun rest.  
           [0015]    The gun rests be fitted into the receptacle of a mounting bracket, which may either be used on a flat surface or attached to a surface by means of pressure plates and a tightener, to further stabilize the gun rest and thereby increase the accuracy of the sportsman. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the gun rest of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a top view of the gun rest of FIG. 1.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention, which incorporates teeth.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a top view of a different embodiment of the present invention, which incorporates flexible gripping aids.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a side view of a further embodiment of the present invention, which incorporates a retaining device.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a top view of the gun rest of FIG. 5.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a side view of the gun rest of FIG. 1 mounted on a shaft.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is a side view of a user using an embodiment of the present invention on a shaft.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention on a shaft wherein the shaft has been fixed to a surface.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 10 is a top view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 11 is a top view of a still further embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 illustrates gun rest  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Gun rest  10  comprises a plate  11  having a first end section  12 , a second end section  13  and a intermediate section  14 . Plate  11  between second end section  13  and intermediate section  14  is bent such that an angle  15  from about 30 to about 90 degrees is formed between the plane of the first end section  12  and the plane of the second end section  13 . Angle  15  is designed such that the forearm of a firearm will easily and securely rest on gun rest  10 .  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 illustrates gun rest  10 . Gun rest  10  comprises a plate  11  having a first end section  12 , a second end section  13  and a intermediate section  14 . Plate  11  between second end section  13  and intermediate section  14  is bent such that an angle from about 30 to about 90 degrees is formed between the plane of the first end section  12  and the plane of the second end section  13 . Opening  16  is formed in first end section  12 . Opening  16  is configured in shape and size such that a shaft may be inserted into opening  16 . Opening  16  is illustrated as being generally tear-dropped in shape with the point of the teardrop  17  being aligned towards first end section  12  and the round end  18  of the tear drop being aligned towards second end section  13 .  
         [0029]    It is understood that opening  16  may be of any shape and size desired such that a shaft may inserted in to opening  16 . Additionally, it is understood that plate  11  may be constructed of any material displaying the necessary strength and rigidity to support the weight of a firearm such as, for example, steel, aluminum, other metallic materials, composite materials, polymeric materials, wood or glass.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 illustrates gun rest  100 , another embodiment of the present invention. Gun rest  100  comprises a plate  111  having a first end section  112 , a second end section  113  and a intermediate section  114 . Plate  111  between second end section  113  and intermediate section  114  is bent such that an angle from about 30 to about 90 degrees is formed between the plane of the first end section  112  and the plane of the second end section  113 . Opening  116  is formed in first end section  112 . Opening  116  is configured in shape and size such that a shaft may be inserted into opening  116 . Opening  116  is illustrated as being generally tear-dropped in shape with the point of the tear-drop  117  being aligned towards first end section  112  and the round end  118  of the tear drop being aligned towards second end section  114 . Teeth  119  are located around the perimeter of opening  116  such that teeth  119  will aid in gripping a shaft inserted into opening  116 .  
         [0031]    It is understood that opening  116  may be of any shape and size desired such that a shaft may inserted in to opening  116 . Additionally, it is understood that teeth  119  may be arranged around the perimeter of opening  116  in any configuration and size desired to improve the gripping of a shaft inserted into opening  116 . Finally, it is understood that plate  111  may be constructed of any material displaying the necessary strength and rigidity to support the weight of a firearm such as, for example, steel, aluminum, other metallic materials, composite materials, polymeric materials, wood or glass.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 4 illustrates gun rest  200 , a further embodiment of the present invention. Gun rest  200  comprises a plate  211  having a first end section  212 , a second end section  213  and a intermediate section  214 . Plate  211  between second end section  213  and intermediate section  214  is bent such that an angle from about 30 to about 90 degrees is formed between the plane of the first end section  212  and the plane of the second end section  213 . Opening  216  is formed in first end section  212 . Opening  216  is configured in shape and size such that a shaft may be inserted into opening  216 . Opening  216  is illustrated as being generally tear-dropped in shape with the point of the tear-drop  217  being aligned towards first end section  212  and the round end  218  of the tear drop being aligned towards second end section  214 . Flexible gripping aids  220 , which contain slits  221 , are located such that a portion of opening  216  is covered. Flexible gripping aids  220  will aid in gripping a shaft inserted into opening  216  as well as serving as a silencer between gun rest  200  and a shaft inserted into opening  216 .  
         [0033]    It is understood that opening  216  may be of any shape and size desired such that a shaft may inserted in to opening  216 . Additionally, it is understood that flexible gripping aids  220 , which contain slits  221 , may be arranged around the perimeter of opening  216  in any configuration and size desired to improve the gripping of a shaft inserted into opening  216 . Further, flexible gripping aids  220  may be constructed of any suitable material. Preferred embodiments of the present invention exist when flexible gripping aids  220  are constructed of a plastic material. Finally, it is understood that plate  211  may be constructed of any material displaying the necessary strength and rigidity to support the weight of a firearm such as, for example, steel, aluminum, other metallic materials, composite materials, polymeric materials, wood or glass.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 5 illustrates gun rest  300 , another embodiment of the present invention. Gun rest  300  comprises a plate  311  having a first end section  312 , a second end section  313  and a intermediate section  314 . Plate  311  between second end section  313  and intermediate section  314  is bent such that an angle  315  from about 30 to about 90 degrees is formed between the plane of the first end section  312  and the plane of the second end section  313 . Angle  315  is designed such that the forearm of a firearm will easily and securely rest on gun rest  300 . Retaining device  322 , which is designed to secure gun rest  300  to a shaft, is attached to second end section  313 . While retaining device  322  is illustrated as a loop through which a string or wire may be threaded, it is understood that retaining device  322  may take the form of any such device known in the art.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 6 illustrates gun rest  300 . Gun rest  300  comprises a plate  311  having a first end section  312 , a second end section  313  and a intermediate section  314 . Plate  311  between second end section  313  and intermediate section  314  is bent such that an angle from about 30 to about 90 degrees is formed between the plane of the first end section  312  and the plane of the second end section  313 . Opening  316  is formed in first end section  312 . Opening  316  is configured in shape size such that a shaft may be inserted into opening  316 . Opening  316  is illustrated as being generally tear-dropped in shape with the point of the tear-drop  317  being aligned towards first end section  312  and the round end  318  of the tear drop being aligned towards second end section  314 . Retaining device  322  is positioned in second end section  313 .  
         [0036]    It is understood that opening  316  may be of any shape and size desired such that a shaft may inserted into opening  316 . Further, while retaining device  322  is illustrated as an opening in plate  311  through which a string or wire may be threaded, it is understood that retaining device  322  may take the form of any such device known in the art. Finally, it is understood that plate  311  may be constructed of any material displaying the necessary strength and rigidity to support the weight of a firearm such as, for example, steel, aluminum, other metallic materials, composite materials, polymeric materials, wood or glass.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 7 illustrates gun rest  10  slidably attached to a shaft  98 . Gun rest  10  comprises a plate  11  having a first end section  12 , a second end section  13  and a intermediate section  14 . Plate  11  between second end section  13  and intermediate section  14  is bent such that an angle  15  from about 30 to about 90 degrees is formed between the plane of the first end section  12  and the plane of the second end section  13 . Angle  15  is designed such that the forearm of a firearm will easily and securely rest on gun rest  10 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 8 illustrates gun rest  10  slidably attached to a shaft  98  while supporting the weight of firearm  99  and thus improving the accuracy of a sportsman using gun rest  10 . Second end section  13  and intermediate section  14  of gun rest  10  are visible in this figure. While the sportsman is illustrated using gun rest  10  in a kneeling position, it is understood that the rapid and easy adjustment of gun rest  10  on shaft  98  would allow the sportsman to assume the most comfortable and convenient posture dictated by the terrain or hunting situation.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 9 illustrates gun rest  10  slidably attached to a shaft  98  wherein shaft  98  has been fixed to a surface  33 . Gun rest  10  comprises a plate  11  having a first end section  12 , a second end section  13  and a intermediate section  14 . Plate  11  between second end section  13  and intermediate section  14  is bent such that an angle  15  from about 30 to about 90 degrees is formed between the plane of the first end section  12  and the plane of the second end section  13 . Angle  15  is designed such that the forearm of a firearm will easily and securely rest on gun rest  10 .  
         [0040]    Shaft  98  is attached to surface  33  by the use of mounting bracket  23 . Mounting bracket  23  comprises two pressure plates  24   a  and  24   b , tightener  25  and receptacle  26 . Pressure plates  24   a  and  24   b  are slipped over the end of surface  33  such as, for example, a tree stand or porch floor and are tightened against the surface by use of tightener  25 . Receptacle  26  is permanently attached to pressure plate  24   a  and forms a cylindrical cavity perpendicular to pressure plate  24   a  such that shaft  98  can be inserted into the cylindrical cavity. Tightener  25  is illustrated as a bolt and nut but it is understood that tightener  25  may take the form of any device which can fasten to a surface.  
         [0041]    Alternatively, pressure plate  24   a  may be disconnected from pressure plate  24   b  and tightener  25  and used as a flat surface for receptacle  26 , which may be used upon any surface not capable of fitting between pressure plates  24   a  and  24   b  such as, for example, the ground or the bed of a pick-up truck.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of gun rest  400  an additional embodiment of the present invention. Gun rest  400  comprises a plate  411  having a first end section  412 , a second end section  413  and a intermediate section  414 . Plate  411  between second end section  413  and intermediate section  414  is bent such that an angle from about 30 to about 90 degrees is formed between the plane of the first end section  412  and the plane of the second end section  413 . Opening  416  is formed in first end section  412 . Opening  416  is configured in shape and size such that a shaft may be inserted into opening  416 . Opening  416  is illustrated as being generally tear-dropped in shape with the point of the tear-drop  417  being aligned towards first end section  412  and the round end  418  of the tear drop being aligned towards second end section  414 . Additionally, opening  416  is designed such that one side of the tear-drop extends to the edge of plate  411  such that a gun rest  400  may be slipped around a shaft as well as having a shaft inserted. Teeth  419  are located around the perimeter of opening  416  such that teeth  419  will aid in gripping a shaft inserted into opening  416 . Retaining device  422  is positioned in second end section  413 . While retaining device  422  is illustrated as a opening through which a string or wire may be threaded, it is understood that retaining device  422  may be any retaining device.  
         [0043]    It is understood that opening  416  may be of any shape and size desired such that a shaft may inserted into opening  416 . Additionally, it is understood that teeth  419  may be arranged around the perimeter of opening  416  in any configuration and size desired to improve the gripping of a shaft inserted into opening  416 . Finally, it is understood that plate  411  may be constructed of any material displaying the necessary strength and rigidity to support the weight of a firearm such as, for example, steel, aluminum, other metallic materials, composite materials, polymeric materials, wood or glass.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of gun rest  500 , another embodiment of the present invention. Gun rest  400  comprises a plate  511  having a first end section  512 , a second end section  513  and a intermediate section  514 . Plate  511  between second end section  513  and intermediate section  514  is bent such that an angle from about 30 to about 90 degrees is formed between the plane of the first end section  512  and the plane of the second end section  513 . Opening  516  is formed in first end section  512 . Opening  516  is configured in shape and size such that a shaft may be inserted into opening  516 . Opening  516  is illustrated as being generally tear-dropped in shape with the point of the tear-drop  517  being aligned towards first end section  512  and the round end  518  of the tear drop being aligned towards second end section  514 . Additionally, opening  516  is designed such that one side of the tear-drop extends to the edge of plate  511  such that a gun rest  500  may be slipped around a shaft as well as having a shaft inserted. Teeth  519  are located around the perimeter of opening  516  such that teeth  519  will aid in gripping a shaft inserted into opening  516 . Retaining device  522  is positioned in plate  511  near second end section  513 . While retaining device  522  is illustrated as a opening through which a string or wire may be threaded, it is understood that retaining device  522  may be any retaining device. Flexible gripping aid  520  is located such that a portion of opening  516  is covered. Flexible gripping aid  520  will aid in gripping a shaft inserted into opening  516  as well as serving as a silencer between gun rest  500  and a shaft inserted into opening  516 .  
         [0045]    It is understood that opening  516  may be of any shape and size desired such that a shaft may inserted in to opening  516 . Additionally, it is understood that teeth  519  may be arranged around the perimeter of opening  516  in any configuration and size desired to improve the gripping of a shaft inserted into opening  516 . Additionally, it is understood that flexible gripping aid  520  may be arranged around the perimeter of opening  516  in any configuration and size desired to improve the gripping of a shaft inserted into opening  516 . Further, flexible gripping aid  520  may be constructed of any suitable material. Preferably flexible gripping aid  520  is constructed of a plastic material. Finally, it is understood that plate  511  may be constructed of any material displaying the necessary strength and rigidity to support the weight of a firearm such as, for example, steel, aluminum, other metallic materials, composite materials, polymeric materials, wood or glass.  
         [0046]    Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to the above embodiments, it should be understood that many variations and modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and it should, therefore be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited by or to the specific disclosure herein, but includes all subject matter encompassed by the following claims and all equivalents thereof.