Magazine floorplate with one or more accessories

Shooting rests are disclosed herein. Example shooting rests includes a body with a fore end, an aft end, and a floor. The floor includes a top side and an opposed bottom side. A set of walls extends from the top side of the floor. The body also includes a set of legs extending from the opposed bottom side of the floor. A tension band is attached to the set of walls, and a selectively removable tool is disposed on the body.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates to shooting rest attachments for firearms.

BACKGROUND

It is an advantage to use a stabilizing support when shooting, particularly if the target is far away. Movement while aiming can cause significant shifts in the point of impact downrange, so it is desirable to stabilize the firearm as much as possible when shooting. Conventional shooting rests for firearms in the form of bipods or monopods are known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,669,357 to Moody et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,478,496 to Bender, U.S. Pat. No. 7,197,844 to Benson, U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,528 to Long, U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,437 to Underwood and U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,614 to Pickett are all illustrative of the prior art.

While these devices accomplish the task of stabilizing a firearm for improved accuracy, they add a significant amount of additional weight and bulk in order to provide the desired function. Likewise, said devices require some form of manipulation by the user prior to being used. Furthermore, due to the complexity of the parts or materials used, the cost of manufacturing can be quite high. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a low cost and reliable shooting rest.

Firearm accessories generally include modifications for different parts such as the barrel, stock, slide, or sight. The accessories will modify the accuracy of the firearm, improve the weight of the firearm, or allow the firearm to be easier to take apart. One problem with firearms is a lack of storage. Creating convenient and lightweight storage space for tools on a firearm is desirable because having quick access to firearm tools is important if the firearm jams or malfunctions in some other way. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a lightweight and convenient storage space accessory for a firearm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an embodiment, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide a stable shooting rest device at the base of a magazine fed firearm. The shooting rest improves upon the prior art by being significantly smaller, lighter, and cheaper to manufacture. Also, the shooting rest is always in the deployed position and requires no additional manipulation prior to use.

FIG. 1depicts a box fed magazine10. The box fed magazine10is a device that has been widely used to feed ammunition into firearms. The basic structure of the M16/AR box magazine10is depicted inFIG. 1. The outer case of the magazine21is shaped to hold ammunition in a vertically stacked arrangement. The magazine includes a feed side11, which dispenses ammunition into the feed mechanism of the firearm, and an end or floor side, which is covered by the floor plate23.FIG. 2is an exploded view of the box magazine referenced inFIG. 1and depicts a magazine spring24and a magazine spring guide22that seats into a cutout31on the floor plate23. Example box magazines may include the MagPul PMAG and/or the USGI 30-rd. One of ordinary skill in the art, however, will appreciate that the shooting rest discussed herein may be attached to the bottom portion of any box magazine known in the art by any means.

FIGS. 3A-3Ddepicts one example of a shooting rest100disclosed herein. The shooting rest100may be configured to be coupled to a bottom portion of a firearm magazine. In some instances, the shooting rest100may include a magazine floor coupling102configured to couple to a bottom portion of the firearm magazine. The shooting rest100also may include a lower extension104extending downward from the magazine floor coupling102. In this manner, the shooting rest100may be similar to the shooting rests disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,097,480, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The shooting rest100may be any size, shape, or configuration.

The shooting rest100may include an attachment point106on each side thereof. In some instances, the attachment points106may be studs or other protrusions. The attachment points106may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration. The attachment points106may be disposed within respective side channels108formed within the outer sidewalls of the magazine floor coupling102. In some instances, the side channels108may comprise relief channels cut into the back half of the magazine floor coupling102. The side channels108may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration. In some instances, the attachment points106may be located about an end of each of the side channels108.

A tension band110may be connected to the attachment points106. In this manner, the tension band may be disposed within the side channels108. In some instances, the tension band110may comprise a flat elastic band. The tension band110may be textured to enhance gripability and provide extra protection against magazine breakage. For example, the tension band110may include a number of ribs112or the like. The tension band110may extend from one attachment point106to the other around the backside of the shooting rest100. The tension band100may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration.

The shooting rest100may include a drain hole114. In some instances, the drain hole114may be located behind the hole116configured to mate with the magazine spring plunger118. The drain hole114may enable water (or other liquids) to flow out of the magazine floor coupling102. The drain hole114may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration.

The lower extension104may include a front extension120and a rear extension122. A rear side of the front extension120may include a cutout portion124. In some instances, the cutout portion124may comprise a scallop cut or the like. The cutout portion124may act as an index point for magazine gripping. The cutout portion124may be textured.

In some embodiments, as seen inFIG. 4, a shooting rest200is shown. The shooting rest200includes a magazine floor coupling202with a selectively attachable elastic band210. The shooting rest200may be configured to be coupled to a bottom portion of a firearm magazine. In some instances, the shooting rest200may be configured to couple to another firearm component, such as a forward grip or a magazine. The magazine floor coupling202may include a lower extension204. In some instances, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the lower extension204is a c-shaped wall extending from the floor226of the magazine floor coupling202. The lower extension204may be another shape, such as U-shaped, T-shaped, or some other similar shape. Additionally, the lower extension204may be hollow or solid projecting from the floor226. The lower extension204may provide stability when firing a firearm attached to the shooting rest200as the lower extension204is set upon a solid surface. For example, the magazine floor coupling202and the lower extension204may be a rigid material to firmly plant the firearm on a solid surface. The magazine floor coupling202may include a rear extension222protruding from the floor226of the magazine floor coupling202. In some instances, as inFIGS. 4 and 8, the rear extension222comprises two legs protruding from the magazine floor coupling. The rear extension222may be configured to help further stabilize a firearm on a solid surface when both the rear extension222and the lower extension204are set on a solid surface.

In some embodiments, as seen inFIGS. 4 and 5, the magazine floor coupling202includes a selectively attachable elastic band210. The selectively attachable elastic band210may be configured to store a tool between the selectively attachable elastic band210and the magazine floor coupling202. For example, the selectively attachable band210may have a tool channel configured to leave room for storage between the magazine floor coupling202and the selectively attachable band210. The selectively attachable elastic band210may be rigid or flexible. In some embodiments, the selectively attachable elastic band210may have a plurality of ribs228that are configured to provide grip to the selectively attachable elastic band210. As seen inFIG. 7, the selectively attachable band210includes a plurality of elongated pegs232. The plurality of elongated pegs232may be configured to selectively attach to a series of wall apertures236within the tool channel, as seen inFIG. 7, of the magazine floor coupling202.

In some embodiments, as seen inFIG. 6, the magazine floor coupling202includes a tool channel. The tool channel may be configured to store a plurality of tools (not shown) within the tool channel when the selectively attachable elastic band210is attached to a series of apertures236. As shown inFIG. 7, the selectively attachable elastic band210elongated pegs232may slide through the apertures236and hold into place by friction. In other embodiments, the elongated pegs232may be configured to snap into the plurality of apertures236or may be configured to fixate by another method.

In some embodiments, as seen inFIGS. 8-9, a shooting rest200is shown with a removable tool238held in place by the attachable elastic band210. The removable tool238may be stored within the attachable elastic band210extending away from the shooting rest200. For example, the removable tool238may have a protrusion (not shown) extending from the body of the removable tool where the protrusion is configured to slide within the attachable elastic band210. The removable tool238may also be stored under the floor226. For example, the removable tool238may attach to the floor by sliding within a channel, attach by a fastener, or snap into place by a series of male and female attachment mechanisms. The removable tool238may be a flat blade screwdriver on a first end of the removable tool238and a semi-circular front sight post adjustment tool. In some embodiments, the semi-circular front sign post adjustment tool binds the tooling to the elastic band210.

The shooting rest200, as seen inFIG. 8, includes a magazine floor coupling202with a selectively attachable elastic band210. The shooting rest200may be configured to be coupled to a bottom portion of a firearm magazine. In some instances, the shooting rest200may be configured to couple to another firearm component, such as a forward grip or a magazine. The magazine floor coupling202may include a lower extension204. In some instances, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the lower extension204is a c-shaped wall extending from the floor226of the magazine floor coupling202. The lower extension204may be another shape, such as U-shaped, T-shaped, or some other similar shape. Additionally, the lower extension204may be hollow or solid projecting from the floor226. The lower extension204may provide stability when firing a firearm attached to the shooting rest200as the lower extension204is set upon a solid surface. For example, the magazine floor coupling202and the lower extension204may be a rigid material to firmly plant the firearm on a solid surface. The magazine floor coupling202may include a rear extension222protruding from the floor226of the magazine floor coupling202. In some instances, as inFIG. 8, the rear extension222comprises two legs protruding from the magazine floor coupling202. The rear extension222may be configured to help further stabilize a firearm on a solid surface when both the rear extension222and the lower extension204are set on a solid surface.

In some embodiments, as seen inFIGS. 10-13, a shooting rest200includes an elastic band210that is configured to swing on and off the shooting rest200coupled to a firearm magazine. In some instances, the magazine floor coupling202with the elastic band210may be configured to store tools behind the elastic band210. The tools may be stored on the front, rear, or sides of the elastic band210of the shooting rest200behind the elastic band210. As seen inFIG. 13, the elastic band210can move from a first position230to a second position240. One benefit to the elastic band having the ability to move from a first position230to a second position240is the elastic band210is less likely to be misplaced since the elastic band210is still attached to the shooting rest200. The elastic band210may have a plurality of other methods of storing a tool or methods for removing the elastic band210from the shooting rest200. For example, the elastic band210may require a tool to be removed, sufficient force to move in an operable direction, or not be removable at all.

In some embodiments, as inFIGS. 13-14, the elastic band210wraps the entire length of the shooting rest200. The elastic band210may be configured to hold a one-piece nested tool234behind the elastic band210. In some instances, the one piece nested tool234may be a wrench, screwdriver, bits, or some other tool purposed for a firearm. The nested tool234may be stored within the elastic band210. In other instances, the nested tool234may include a plurality of protrusions246that secure the nested tool234into place by penetrating a set of apertures244within the elastic band210.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 15-21, the shooting rest250includes an embedded removable tool252and an elastic band254. In some instances, the removable tool252includes one or more tools extending from one or more ends of the removable tool252.

In some embodiments, as depicted inFIG. 22, the shooting rest300includes a body302configured to mount onto the bottom of a firearm magazine (not shown). The body302includes a top side372, an opposed bottom side370, a fore end334, and an aft end336. For example, the shooting rest300may slide onto the bottom of a firearm magazine to stabilize the firearm while the firearm is being discharged. In other instances, the shooting rest300may snap, fasten, or button onto the bottom of a firearm magazine. For example, the firearm magazine may include a lip312(i.e., a ridge protruding around the bottom of the magazine) that is configured to receive the shooting rest300. The shooting rest300may securely attach to the firearm magazine via the lip and hold in place by friction and pressure. In other instances, the shooting rest300may grapple the magazine by another method, including strap, hook-and-loop, or some other interlocking mechanism. One benefit of the shooting rest300may include quick and efficient tool-less installation. In some instances, the shooting rest300comprises a glass fiber reinforced nylon body. In other instances, the shooting rest300may be composed of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, polylactic acid, polycarbonate, acrylic, metal alloy, or some combination therein.

In some embodiments, the body302of the shooting rest300includes a set of legs configured to stabilize a discharging firearm. The set of legs includes at least one front leg306and a set of rear legs304. Each set of legs may be located opposite to one another on the shooting rest300. For example, the front leg(s)306are disposed on the aft end336of the body302of the shooting rest300. Accordingly, the rear legs304are disposed on the fore end334of the shooting rest300. In some instances, the front leg(s)306and rear legs304may be disposed on either the aft end336or fore end334of the shooting rest. The set of legs are configured to create a stabilizing and leveling mount for the firearm magazine. That is, since a firearm magazine bottom (i.e., side opposite to the magazine side that dispenses bullets) may not be parallel with the firearm barrel, the shooting rest legs may create a level surface with the firearm barrel. In other embodiments, the legs may be another shape, such as an arcuate bridge, pegs, or some other stabilizing structure.

The at least one front leg306may include a U-shaped wall, a diving wall, and a grip pad318. The U-shaped wall may form the exterior of the front leg306. For example, the U-shaped wall may extend from the bottom of the shooting rest300. The U-shape may form by two perpendicular walls to the base of the shooting rest300and a bridge between the two perpendicular walls. Within the U-shaped wall is a supporting wall extending between the U-shaped perpendicular walls. In some instances, the front leg may be solid and not form a U-shaped wall. In other instances, the front leg may be hollow.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 22 and 24, the front leg includes a grip pad318configured to increase skid resistance for when the shooting rest300is set onto a surface and the firearm is discharged. The grip pad318may include a plurality of bumps along the surface of the grip pad318. In other instances, the grip pad318may include a different resistant design, such as a flat surface, a series of ridges, or some other design. The grip pad318may be disposed on one place of the shooting rest300or may be disposed along several places on the shooting rest300.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 24, the shooting rest300includes a set of rear legs304configured to work in tandem with the at least one front leg306to provide stability to the firearm. For example, the set of rear legs304are disposed at the fore end334of the shooting rest300. The set of rear legs304form a flat surface at one end, substantially flush with the grip pad318of the at least one front leg306. As shown inFIG. 24, the set of rear legs304are two legs disposed on opposite sides of the shooting rest300to give a solid stance for the firearm set upon a solid surface. In some instances, the set of rear legs304includes two legs. In other instances, the shooting rest300may include more or less than two rear legs. In some instances, the set of rear legs304are teardrop shape. In other instances, the set of rear legs304may be rectangular, spherical, or some other shape therein.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 22 and 25, the shooting rest300includes a set of walls310A,310B. The set of walls310A,310B are configured to wrap the base of a firearm magazine by grappling the lip (not shown) of the magazine by the ledge312disposed at the edge of the set of walls310A,310B opposite the shooting rest300floor308. For example, the firearm magazine may slide between the set of walls310A,310B to secure the shooting rest300. The set of walls310A,310B may form an elongated c-shape and coupled to a tension band314, discussed later, to wrap the bottom of the firearm magazine. In some instances, the set of walls310A,310B extend perpendicular from the floor308. In other instances, the set of walls310A,310B may extend at some other angle from the floor308. In some instances, the set of walls310A,310B have a plurality of apertures (not shown) to secure elongated pegs352from the tension band314. In other instances, the set of walls310A,310B may include a different means for securing the tension band314for the firearm magazine.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 24, the floor308of the shooting rest300includes a plurality of floor apertures (i.e.,320,322). The plurality of apertures may be configured to receive different sized and shaped protrusions from the bottom of the firearm magazine. For example, the first aperture320may be an elongated opening along the floor308of the shooting rest300and the second aperture322may be a circular opening. In some instances, the apertures may be different shapes to accommodate the firearm magazine. For instance, the apertures may be square, rectangular, triangular, or some other shape therein.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 26, the shooting rest300includes a tool indention326configured to receive a removable tool. For example, the tool indention326may have two opposing ridges374configured to protect the removable tool from accidental damage or removal. For instance, many forces and obstacles may impact a firearm during battle, and a tool embedded on the exterior of a firearm may be subject to accidental detachment, thus a tool indention326may increase the likelihood of preventing accidental detachment. In some instances, the tool indention326may fit the shape of the removable tool. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 26, the tool indention326includes two side walls, an open end, and an oblong protrusion. In other instances, the tool indention326may be configured to suit another removable tool.

The tool indention326includes a tool engagement aperture328lined with an engagement lip330. For example, the tool engagement aperture328may be configured to receive a protrusion or peg of the removable tool. The tool engagement aperture328is lined with an engagement lip330composed of a synthetic material (i.e., rubber, nylon, or some other plastic) configured to grapple the removable tool protrusion. For example, the tool protrusion (not shown) may be press-fit within the aperture. In some instances, the engagement lip330may secure the tool by some other means, including a fastener (i.e., screw, snap) or adhesive. The engagement lip330may be configured to resist any accidental movement of the tool's removal from the indention326. The engagement lip330may be configured to give an external perpendicular force to the tool engagement aperture328. In some instances, the tool engagement aperture328may be circular. In other instances, the tool engagement aperture328may be rectangular, square, triangular, or some other shape therein. The tool engagement aperture328and engagement lip330may have a plurality of different sizes.

The shooting rest300includes a tension band314configured to provide impact protection for the firearm magazine. As previously discussed, the tension band314may be connected to the apertures within the walls310A,310B of the shooting rest300. In this manner, the tension band may be disposed within or outside the channels of the walls. In some instances, the tension band314may comprise a flat elastic band. The tension band314may be textured to enhance gripability and provide extra protection against magazine breakage. For example, the tension band314may include a number of ribs or the like. The tension band314may extend from one wall310A to the opposite wall310B around the fore end334of the shooting rest300. The tension band314may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 22, within the tool indention rests a selectively removable tool316. The removable tool, as seen inFIGS. 27-29, includes a front side340, an opposing rear side348, a first end356, a second end358, and a middle portion360. In some instances, the selectively removable tool316may include a plurality of tools disposed on each side. For example, the removable tool316may include a screwdriver flat head346on one end of the removable tool and a spanner wrench342on the opposing side. In some embodiments, the removable tool316includes a protruding lip350configured to help a user pull the removable tool from the tool engagement aperture328and engagement lip330. In some instances, the protruding lip350may be donut-shaped. The protruding lip350may pull a handle344engaged with an engagement lip330. For example, the rear side348of the removable tool316includes a handle344disposed on the removable tool316. The handle344may be circular and complementary to the tool engagement aperture328. For example, the handle344may include a semi-circular channel364configured to engage the tool engagement aperture328. The handle344may be press fit within the engagement aperture328and the engagement lip330may grip the handle344. The removable tool316may have a variety of other means to secure onto the shooting rest300, such as adhesive, fasteners, latches, storage container, or some other means.

The removable tool316may include a variety of different tooling, such as hex keys, punches, screwdrivers, wrenches, ruler, scope ring tool, level, or some other tool disposed on one end of the removable tool316.

Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described, numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.