Firearm shooting rest

A firearm rest for supporting a firearm on a support surface to facilitate a shooter in aiming the firearm at a target. The firearm rest includes a body comprising gripping material on different sides of the body. The rest can be used in different orientations such that the gripping material is in contact with both the firearm and the support surface, either the firearm or the support surface, or neither the firearm nor the support surface. The shooting rest includes a hub and protrusions extending from the body. Channels in various sides of the body facilitate use of the rest in different orientations.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to firearm accessories, and more particularly to rests for firearms.

BACKGROUND

Various types of firearm rests are known. Shooting rests are used to support part or all of the weight of a firearm to assist a user in shooting the firearm. Shooting rests enable shooters to aim a firearm more steadily at a target and thus improve shooting accuracy.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a selectively configurable shooting rest for supporting a firearm on a support surface comprises a body having a plurality of sides. A first set of sides of the plurality of sides comprises gripping material configured to frictionally engage the firearm or the support surface to grip the firearm or the support surface. A second set of sides of the plurality of sides comprises slide-permitting material configured to permit the firearm to slide thereon or to slide on the support surface. The rest includes a plurality of firearm cradles. The plurality of firearm cradles includes at least two firearm cradles. Each firearm cradle is defined by a respective side of the body. The firearm cradles are configured to selectively receive the firearm to support the firearm. The body is configurable in at least two orientations selected from a group of orientations including: a first orientation in which a first firearm cradle of the plurality of firearm cradles faces upward for receiving the firearm and a side of the plurality of sides opposite the first firearm cradle faces downward for engaging the support surface, the first firearm cradle being defined by one of the sides comprising slide-permitting material for permitting the firearm to slide thereon, and the side opposite the first firearm cradle being one of the sides comprising gripping material for gripping the support surface; a second orientation in which a second firearm cradle of the plurality of firearm cradles faces upward for receiving the firearm and a side of the plurality of sides opposite the second firearm cradle faces downward for engaging the support surface, the second firearm cradle being defined by one of the sides comprising slide-permitting material for permitting the firearm to slide thereon, and the side opposite the second firearm cradle being one of the sides comprising slide-permitting material for sliding on the support surface; a third orientation in which a third firearm cradle of the plurality of firearm cradles faces upward for receiving the firearm and a side of the plurality of sides opposite the third firearm cradle faces downward for engaging the support surface, the third firearm cradle being defined by one of the sides comprising gripping material for gripping the firearm, and the side opposite the third firearm cradle being one of the sides comprising slide-permitting material for sliding on the support surface; or a fourth orientation in which a fourth firearm cradle of the plurality of cradles faces upward for receiving the firearm and a side of the plurality of sides opposite the fourth firearm cradle faces downward for engaging the support surface, the fourth firearm cradle defined by one of the sides comprising gripping material for gripping the firearm, and the side opposite the fourth firearm cradle being one of the sides comprising gripping material for gripping the support surface.

In another aspect, a shooting rest for supporting a forward portion of a firearm on a support surface comprises a body having a plurality of sides including a first side and a second side. The first side defines a first firearm cradle. The first firearm cradle defines first and second channels crossing each other. The first channel defines a first channel axis and is sized and shaped to receive the forward portion of the firearm. The second channel defines a second channel axis and is sized and shaped to receive the forward portion of the firearm. The second firearm cradle defines third and fourth channels crossing each other. The third channel defines a third channel axis and is sized and shaped to receive the forward portion of the firearm. The fourth channel defines a fourth channel axis and is sized and shaped to receive the forward portion of the firearm. The first, second, third, and fourth channels are configured to selectively receive the forward portion of the firearm for supporting the firearm such that the firearm extends along a respective one of the first, second, third, or fourth channel axes.

In yet another aspect, a shooting rest for supporting a forward portion of a firearm on a support surface comprises a body having a plurality of sides including a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a rear side, a left side, and a right side. The body includes a hub and at least eight protrusions extending from the main body. The at least eight protrusions includes four upper protrusions and four lower protrusions. The four upper protrusions extend away from the hub in different directions. The four lower protrusions extending away from the hub in different directions. At least some of the protrusions cooperate to form channels sized and shaped to receive the forward portion of the firearm.

Other objects and features of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, a firearm shooting rest of the present disclosure is designated generally by the reference number10. The shooting rest can be used to support a firearm to assist a shooter in aiming the firearm at a target. For example, a forward portion of the firearm can rest on the shooting rest while the user holds a rear portion of the firearm and aims the firearm at the target.

The rest includes a body12including a hub14and a plurality of protrusions16A-16D,18A-18D (e.g., lobes) extending away from or protruding from the hub. In the illustrated embodiment, the body12comprises a bag, and interiors of the hub14and protrusions16,18are filled with a media (e.g., sand, plastic pellets, etc.). As explained in further detail below, the rest10also includes a girth strap20extending around the body12and in particular around the hub14. Bodies having other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As will be explained in further detail below, the rest10can be used by a shooter in several different configurations depending on the preference of the shooter. For convenience, sides of the body12will be referred to herein with respect to the orientation of the rest10as shown inFIG. 1. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, the body12has a top side12A (facing upward), a bottom side12B (facing downward), a front side12C (facing forward and to the right), a rear side12D (facing rearward and to the left), a left side12E (facing to the left and slightly forward), and a right side12F (facing to the right and slightly rearward). It will be appreciated that, as viewed in other orientations of the rest10, the top side12A may be on the bottom, left, right, rear, etc. of the rest. In the selected orientation, whichever side of the bag12faces upward can be used as a cradle for supporting the firearm. In use, the side facing up (e.g., top side12A) will be used to support the firearm, and the opposite side (e.g., bottom side12B) will engage a support surface (e.g., a shooting bench, table, etc.) to support the rest10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of protrusions includes an upper set of four protrusions16A-16D and a lower set of four protrusions18A-18D. The protrusions16,18extend away from the hub14in different directions radiating from the hub. The four upper protrusions include a first upper protrusion16A extending forward and to the left from the hub14, a second upper protrusion16B extending forward and to the right from the hub, a third upper protrusion16C extending rearward and to the left from the hub, and a fourth upper protrusion16D extending rearward and to the right from the hub. The four lower protrusions include a first lower protrusion18A extending forward and to the left from the hub, a second lower protrusion18B extending forward and to the right from the hub, a third lower protrusion18C extending rearward and to the left from the hub, and a fourth lower protrusion18D (FIG. 3) extending rearward and to the right from the hub.

The top, bottom, front, rear, left, and right sides12A-12F of the body12comprise respective portions of the hub14and of the protrusions16,18. For example, the top side12A comprises an upper surface of the hub14and upper surfaces of the four upper protrusions16A-16D. The bottom side12B comprises a bottom surface of the hub14and bottom surfaces of the four lower protrusions18A-18D. The front side12C comprises a front surface of the hub14and front surfaces of the first and second upper protrusions16A,16B and front surfaces of the first and second lower protrusions18A,18B. It will be understood that, in a similar manner, other sides of the body (rear, left, right) comprise respective portions (rear, left, right) of the hub and respective protrusions.

The arrangement of the hub14and protrusions16,18is such that each side12A-12F of the body defines a cradle including a pair of crossing channels sized and shaped so that a forward portion of a firearm (e.g., stock and/or barrel) could be at least partially received in a selected one of the channels to extend along a channel axis of the channel. The firearm received in the channel is at least partially supported by the firearm shooting rest10. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 4, the top side12A includes a first top side channel30extending between the left and right sides12E,12F of the body12, and the top side includes a second top side channel32extending between the front and rear sides12C,12D of the body. The first top side channel30defines a first channel axis30A, and the second top side channel32defines a second channel axis32A. The channel axes30A,32A are generally transverse to each other (e.g., generally perpendicular), and the channels30,32intersect each other about midway along the length of the channels. In use, a firearm can be rested on the top side12A of the bag such that the firearm extends along the length of one of the channels (e.g., channel30) and crosses the other channel (e.g., channel32). For example, a longitudinal axis of the firearm may be generally parallel with the channel axis (e.g., axis30A) of the channel (e.g., channel30) in which the firearm is received. The firearm would rest on the hub14and may be supported on the left and/or right sides of the firearm by respective protrusions16A-16D. The other sides of the bag12B-12F also include respective pairs of crossing channels, and each channel defines a respective channel axis.

Referring toFIG. 5, the bottom side12B includes a first bottom side channel34and a second bottom side channel36and respective first and second channel axes34A,36A. Referring toFIG. 2, the front side12C includes a first front side channel38and a second front side channel40and respective first and second channel axes38A,40A. Referring toFIG. 3, the rear side12D includes a first rear side channel42and a second rear side channel44and respective first and second channel axes42A,44A. Referring toFIG. 6, the left side12E includes a first left side channel46and a second left side channel48and respective first and second channel axes46A,48A. Finally, referring toFIG. 7, the right side12F includes a first right side channel50and a second right side channel52and respective first and second channel axes50A,52A. Accordingly, no matter which side12A-12F faces upward, the user has a choice of two channels into which the firearm can be received to support the firearm. Moreover, the contour of the side of the body12facing downward provides a stable foundation of the body on the support surface and/or could receive a narrow support (e.g., rail) in a channel of the downward facing side. It will be appreciated that other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, fewer than all of the sides may define respective channels, sides may define other numbers of channels (e.g., one, three, etc.), and/or some or all of the sides may lack any channels (in which case a cradle defined by a side may be relatively planar). In one embodiment, a channel may not be well defined and may be formed in an upward facing surface of the body by settling or pressing the firearm into the body.

In the illustrated embodiment, the arrangement of the hub14and protrusions16,18is such that when the body12is viewed normal to a side of the body (e.g., the top side12A), the body is generally X-shaped. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 2-7, the body12is generally X-shaped when viewed normal to any one of the top, bottom, front, rear, left, or right sides12A-12F. It will be appreciated that other configurations can be used without departing form the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the cradles can have other configurations (e.g., have fewer channels, such as zero channels, or have additional channels). Moreover, additional protrusions (e.g., 9, 10, 11, 12, etc.) or fewer protrusions (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) can be provided.

The body12comprises slide-permitting material S and gripping material G defining portions of the outer surface of the body12. The gripping material G is configured to frictionally grip the firearm and/or the support surface, and the slide-permitting material S is configured to permit sliding of the body12on the support surface and/or sliding of the firearm on the body. The shooting rest10is configurable such that the shooter can choose to have slide-permitting material S in contact with the firearm and the support surface; gripping material G in contact with the firearm and the support surface; slide-permitting material S in contact with the firearm and gripping material G in contact with the support surface; or gripping material G in contact with the firearm and slide-permitting material S in contact with the support surface. The shooter can choose the orientation of the rest10to select the desired locations of the gripping and slide-permitting material. Accordingly, the user can decide whether to orient the rest10such that the body12grips or permits sliding on the support surface and such that the body grips or permits sliding of the firearm on the upward facing side of the bag. In the illustrated embodiment, slide-permitting material S on the outer surface of the body12is represented by gray color, and gripping material G on the outer surface of the body is represented by black color. For example, the slide-permitting material S can comprise a canvas or nylon fabric (e.g., 200 denier nylon), and the gripping material G can comprise synthetic leather, real leather, polymeric material, etc. In one embodiment, the slide-permitting material S has a coefficient of static friction on dry steel in the inclusive range of about 0.1 to about 0.25, or about 0.25 or less (e.g., about 0.2), and the gripping material G has a coefficient of static friction on dry steel in the inclusive range of about 0.25 to about 0.9, or about 0.25 or greater (e.g., about 0.6). The coefficient of static friction of the slide-permitting material S is less than the coefficient of static friction of the gripping material G. It will be appreciated that the gripping material G may still permit sliding but permit sliding less readily than the slide-permitting material (e.g., require more force to overcome the static friction).

In the illustrated embodiment, the top, front, and rear sides12A,12C,12D of the body12comprise slide-permitting material S, and the bottom, left, and right sides12B,12E,12F comprise gripping material G. Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, substantially all of the surfaces of the body12defining the cradles of the top, front, and rear sides12A,12C,12D of the body comprise slide-permitting material S, and substantially all of the surfaces of the body defining the bottom, left, and right sides12B,12E,12F of the body comprise gripping material G. In one embodiment, the gripping material G used on the various surfaces of the body12is the same type or composition of gripping material, and the slide-permitting material S is the same type or composition of slide-permitting material. Other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, only part of a surface of a side or cradle may be defined by slide-permitting or gripping material. Moreover, different compositions or types of slide-permitting or gripping material may be used on different sides. For example, gripping materials or slide-permitting materials having different coefficients of static friction may be used on different sides to permit further customization by the user based on the selected orientation of the shooting rest10.

The girth strap20is adjustable to change firmness or compliance of the body12based on user preference. Referring toFIGS. 7-9, the girth strap20includes a proximal end20A secured (e.g., sewn) to the hub14and includes a distal end20B opposite the proximal end. The girth strap20is wrapped around the body12(around the hub14) to permit the user to adjust constriction of the hub by the girth strap. The girth strap20includes a fastener to secure the strap in a selected wrapped configuration around the hub. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener includes a first section of loop material20C on the strap20near the proximal end20A and a section of hook material20D on the strap near the distal end20E. When the girth strap20is wrapped around the hub14and pulled to the extent desired by the user, the hook material20D is pressed against the loop material20C to secure the girth strap20in the desired configuration. If desired, media can be added or removed from the interior of the body12to permit additional adjustment and/or a greater range of adjustment based on the setting of the girth strap20. The body12includes an opening60(FIG. 9) in the hub14closed by hook and loop material through which media can be moved into or out of the body. It will be appreciated that other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the body12or portions of the body (e.g., the protrusions16,18) may not comprise a bag filled with media and may have a more solid construction (e.g., solid material such as foam or polymeric material).

In view of the above description, it will be appreciated that the disclosed shooting rest10is configurable in at least two orientations selected from a group of orientations including: a first orientation in which a first firearm cradle of the plurality of firearm cradles faces upward for receiving the firearm and a side of the plurality of sides opposite the first firearm cradle faces downward for engaging the support surface, the first firearm cradle being defined by one of the sides (e.g., top side12A) comprising slide-permitting material S for permitting the firearm to slide thereon, and the side opposite the first firearm cradle (e.g., bottom side12B) being one of the sides comprising gripping material G for gripping the support surface; a second orientation in which a second firearm cradle of the plurality of firearm cradles faces upward for receiving the firearm and a side of the plurality of sides opposite the second firearm cradle faces downward for engaging the support surface, the second firearm cradle being defined by one of the sides (e.g., front side12C) comprising slide-permitting material S for permitting the firearm to slide thereon, and the side opposite the second firearm cradle being one of the sides (e.g., rear side12D) comprising slide-permitting material S for sliding on the support surface; a third orientation in which a third firearm cradle of the plurality of firearm cradles faces upward for receiving the firearm and a side of the plurality of sides opposite the third firearm cradle faces downward for engaging the support surface, the third firearm cradle being defined by one of the sides (e.g., bottom side12B) comprising gripping material G for gripping the firearm, and the side opposite the third firearm cradle being one of the sides (e.g., top side12A) comprising slide-permitting material S for sliding on the support surface; or a fourth orientation in which a fourth firearm cradle of the plurality of cradles faces upward for receiving the firearm and a side of the plurality of sides opposite the fourth firearm cradle faces downward for engaging the support surface, the fourth firearm cradle defined by one of the sides (e.g., left side12E) comprising gripping material G for gripping the firearm, and the side opposite the fourth firearm cradle being one of the sides (e.g., right side12F) comprising gripping material G for gripping the support surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the body12is configurable in all four of these configurations, but may be configurable in fewer than four without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In a method of using the firearm rest10, a user selects a desired orientation of the shooting rest and supports the rest in that orientation on a support surface such as a shooting bench. The user then rests the firearm on the shooting rest10and aims the firearm at a target. A forward portion of the firearm may rest on the shooting rest10, and a rear portion of the firearm may be held by the shooter. The user may desire to have gripping material G in contact with the firearm to restrict sliding of the firearm on the rest10, or the user may desire to have slide-permitting material S in contact with the firearm to permit sliding of the firearm on the rest. The user may desire to have gripping material G in contact with the firearm and/or the support surface to prevent sliding. Depending on the orientation of the rest10, the user can adjust aim of the firearm by sliding the firearm on slide-permitting material S of the rest, sliding slide-permitting material of the rest on the support surface, and/or pivoting the firearm on gripping material G of the rest without substantially sliding the firearm on the rest.

It will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the appended claims.