Abstract:
A firearm steady-rest which is incorporated as part of a rifle sling. The steady-rest may be a single support arm or a folded support arm system deployed by folding it outward to provide either a V-shaped support configuration or a U-shaped support configuration whereby the upwardly extending distal ends of the support engage and support the firearm therebetween. The steady-rest may be grasped by the operator&#39;s forward extending hand to provide maximum steadying of the firearm for sighting and shooting. A gravity deploying bi-pod leg set is also provided which automatically locks into position when fully deployed by a gravity slide lock.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/319,975, filed Jan. 14, 2009 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,176,670, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/903,872, filed Sep. 25, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,024,883, and entitled FIREARM SUPPORT, and is further based upon U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/062,138, filed Jan. 24, 2008, and entitled FIREARM SIGHTING STEADY-REST. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to firearm supports, and more particularly, to firearm supports commonly referred to as firearm steady-rest sighting supports used to steady a firearm for accurate shooting. 
     Rifle or firearms supports have been in existence since the advent of firearms for improving firing accuracy. Such supports, sometimes referred to as shooting sticks, are in the form of a mono-pod, a bi-pod or tripod leg configuration, and other supports are in the form of firearm cradle supports which support the rifle from a table top for sighting in a rifle. 
     Some supports are attached directly to the rifle, as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,706, or they can be independent support devices in which the rifle is rested. US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0094911, discloses a rifle support which is attached to the rifle sling as opposed to being attached to the rifle. 
     US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0261287 illustrates a similar firearm support system which also secures to the rifle sling. The advantage of these latter configurations is that the collapsible legs in a stored position may be oriented along the sling. However, the collapsible leg or legs have an elastic member extending through the tubular legs so that the elastic members resiliently bias the legs to automatically deploy to a fully extended position when released from its or their containment to the rifle sling. However, a problem encountered with this particular arrangement is that the deployment of the leg or legs is extremely noisy and can thereby easily scare off game within hearing distance. In addition, the bi-pod legs when deployed must be manually positioned and held. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved firearm steady-rest support system which is easily carried and deployed, and which can be readily and quickly secured to any firearm or rifle without special adaptation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The firearm steady-rest of the present invention in its most basic form includes a rigid main support arm incorporated into a flexible firearm sling intermediate the ends of the sling. The second most basic form includes a main support arm and a first auxiliary support arm connected to one end of the main support arm at an obtuse angle to thereby form a V-shaped support for supporting a firearm between upwardly extending distal ends thereof. Means is provided for securing the main support arm to a flexible firearm sling. The first auxiliary support arm is preferably pivotally connected to the main support arm whereby this first auxiliary support arm may be folded from its deployed position over onto or together with the main support arm in general parallel alignment with the sling. If desired, an additional mechanism may be included to permit this obtuse angle to be adjustable. 
     A releasable lock mechanism may be provided for releasably locking the main support arm and the first auxiliary support arm in position relative to each other when the auxiliary support arm is fully deployed. Also, cradles may be provided on the upwardly extending distal ends of the V-shaped support for engaging a firearm resting thereon. In particular, the upwardly extending distal end of the main support arm would cradle the barrel forearm of the rifle or firearm and the upward extending end of the auxiliary support arm would cradle the rifle or firearm stock in the area of the hand grip. 
     To provide an even shorter support when in the stored folded position, the main support arm may also fold at a fixed pivot point on to itself such that the auxiliary arm and a distal portion of the main support arm both pivot in onto the main support arm to be in general alignment with the rifle sling. 
     An alternative to the V-shaped support of the present invention is a U-shaped configuration wherein a second auxiliary support arm is connected to the other end of the main support arm from the end to which the first auxiliary support is connected. Both auxiliary arms at opposite ends of the main support arm are connected at an obtuse angle for thereby forming a U-shaped support for supporting a firearm between upwardly extending distal ends of the two auxiliary support arms. As is the case with the first auxiliary support arm, the second auxiliary support arm may also be folded from its fully deployed position together with the main support arm in general parallel alignment with the sling for storage. 
     A releasable lock mechanism is provided for releasably locking the main support arm and the first and/or second auxiliary support arms in position relative to the main support arm when the auxiliary support arms are fully deployed. 
     When the firearm steady-rest of the present invention is fully deployed, it may be secured temporarily to the rifle or firearm itself by the use of hook and loop fasteners or elastic fasteners to secure the steady-rest cradles to the firearm resting thereon. 
     Additionally, at least one support leg may be pivotally secured at an upper end thereof to an underside portion of the main support arm for pivotal deployment from a closed position in general parallel alignment with the main support arm to a deployed position at an angle relative to the main support arm to provide a leg support. The support leg may be in the form of a single support leg pivotally secured at its upper end to an underside portion of the main support arm, or it may be in the form of a multiple leg set, such as a bi-pod set of legs which are pivotally attached to the underside of the main support arm. In the bi-pod form, the two legs are in parallel with each other when in the closed storage position when engaged against the main support arm, and they are in a splayed position when fully deployed. A gravity slide lock is secured to the main support arm and engages upper portions of the single or bi-pod leg structure whereby the slide lock slides downwardly relative to the main support arm when the leg or legs are fully deployed to thereby block pivotal movement of the leg or legs back toward the storage position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects and advantages appear hereinafter in the following description and claims. The accompanying drawings show, for the purpose of exemplification, without limiting the scope of the invention or the appended claims, certain practical embodiments of the present invention wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of one embodiment of the firearm steady-rest of the present invention which forms a V-shaped configuration when unfolded; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  in the open position with all elements thereof expanded and deployed to form the V-shape support configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the locking mechanism shown in  FIG. 3  which maintains the steady-rest in an open position; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of a hunter utilizing the steady-rest of the present invention as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  in the standing position; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged top view of a second embodiment of the locking device shown in  FIG. 4  for adjustably changing the angle between the main support arm and the auxiliary support arm of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view in side elevation of the locking device shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of another embodiment of the firearm steady-rest of the present invention in a folded storage position which forms a V-shaped support configuration when unfolded similar to the type illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a view in side elevation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9  in an open or deployed position with all arms extended; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the locking device shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a view illustrating a hunter using the embodiment of  FIGS. 8 through 10  in a standing position; 
         FIG. 13  is a view illustrating a hunter in a prone position utilizing the firearm steady-rest embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8 through 10 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an illustration of a hunter shown in a sitting position and utilizing the firearm steady-rest embodiment of  FIGS. 8 through 10 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an illustration of a hunter in a kneeling position utilizing the steady-rest embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8 through 10 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of yet another embodiment of the firearm steady-rest of the present invention in a folded storage state, which in its fully unfolded and deployed state provides a U-shaped support configuration; 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a view in side elevation of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17  in its open position with both auxiliary arms fully extended to provide the U-shaped configuration; 
         FIG. 19  is a view illustrating a hunter in a standing position utilizing the firearm steady-rest device or embodiment shown in  FIGS. 16 through 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of an additional embodiment of the present invention shown in a folded storage position which is basically the same embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10  with the addition of a bi-pod support; 
         FIG. 21  is a view in side elevation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is front view of the bi-pod legs utilized in the apparatus as shown in  FIGS. 20 ,  21  and  22  with the bi-pod legs in their fully deployed position; 
         FIG. 23  is a view in side elevation of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21  in its fully deployed position; 
         FIG. 24  is a top view of a variation of the embodiment previously illustrated in  FIGS. 16 through 18 , and which incorporates a pair of bi-pod legs so that the apparatus may be utilized as a firearm bench rest; 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a view in side elevation of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 24  as being fully deployed and ready to use as a firearm bench rest; 
         FIG. 27  is a front view of the fully deployed device shown in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is an illustration of a hunter or sportsman seated at a rifle range rest and utilizing the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 24 through 27  for sighting in a rifle as a bench rest. 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of the most basic form of the firearm steady-rest of the present invention, shown as incorporated into a firearm sling; 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view showing a variation of the embodiment of  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 31  is an illustration of a hunter or sportsman as seen in the prone position and utilizing the firearm steady-rest shown in  FIG. 29 ; and 
         FIG. 32  is an illustration of a hunter or sportsman in a standing position utilizing the steady-rest of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 29 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The simplest form of the steady-rest  10  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 29 ,  30 ,  31  and  32 . Accordingly, reference will first be made to these figures. 
     The firearm steady-rest  10  is here provided in the form of a rigid main support arm  11 . This is a single section of rigid material, such as metal, plastic etc., which is incorporated into the flexible firearm sling  17  intermediate its ends  18  and  19 . 
     In the representation illustrated in  FIG. 29 , the main support arm  10  is actually incorporated inside sling  17  and is actually sewn into the wider portion  82  of the sling. In addition, a cradle  45  is also secured to the sling  17  at the forward end of the main support arm  11  in order to assist in cradling the rifle  14  as indicated in  FIGS. 31 and 32 . 
     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 29  is further shown with the use of an optional handle  80  which may also be secured to the wide part  82  of sling  17 . This handle  80  can assist the shooter by providing an excellent steady grip of the support arm  11 . 
       FIGS. 31 and 32  illustrate respectively use by a shooter of the steady-rest  10  of  FIG. 29  in the prone and standing positions respectively. 
       FIG. 30  illustrates another variation of the steady-rest  10  wherein the rigid main support arm  11  is provided with two Velcro securement straps  81 , which may be wrapped around a sling  17  at any position desired and thereby readily secured to most any sling, instead of incorporating the arm  11  within the sling as illustrated in  FIG. 29 . 
     The cradle  45  is provided at the most forward end of the support arm  11  for engaging the firearm  14  resting thereon. 
     Other variations may be made to the main support arm  11 . For example, as will be described hereinafter with respect to other embodiments, the main support arm  11  may be provided with extendable leg segments, such as illustrated at  40  in  FIG. 10 , or with such leg elements which are further extendable telescopically or otherwise as indicated by the reference numeral  40  in  FIG. 12 . 
     With reference next to the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 5  and  8  through  15 , the firearm steady-rest  10  of the present invention, in its most basic form, consists of a main support arm  11  and a first auxiliary support arm  12  connected to one end  13  of main support arm  11  at an obtuse angle θ, thereby forming a V-shaped support as best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  5 ,  10 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14  and  15  for supporting the firearm  14  between upwardly extending distal ends  15  and  16 . The main support arm  11  is secured to a flexible firearm sling  17  having a forward sling piece  18  connected between the barrel of firearm  14  and the forward distal end  15  of main support arm  11 , and a rear sling portion  19  connected between the butt of firearm  14  and the rearward upwardly extending distal end  16  of auxiliary support arm  12 . 
     The first auxiliary support arm  12  is pivotally connected at  20  to main support arm  11  whereby first auxiliary support arm  12  may be folded from its fully deployed position as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 10  over onto and together with main support arm  11 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  8  and  9 , together with main support arm  11  in general parallel alignment with the sling  17 . First auxiliary support arm  12  when fully deployed as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 10 , is locked in position by a releasable lock  22  for locking the first auxiliary arm  12  in its fully deployed position at angle θ relative to main support arm  11 . When first auxiliary support arm  12  is fully deployed at angle θ relative to main support arm  11 , the lower backside portion  23  is pivoted at pivot point  20  and is received within a slot  24  of end  13  which acts as a stop to hold the angle θ. At this point, the locking link  25  is provided with a notched end  26  which drops down into slot  24  to lock arm  12  into position. To unlock this locking arrangement, the operator simply pulls upwardly on link  25  so that end  26  disengages from slot  24  and then the first auxiliary arm  12  may be folded to the right as seen in the figures to lie down flat together on and with main support arm  11 . 
     The angle θ may be made adjustable. For example, see the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Here the end  13  of main support arm  11  is provided with first auxiliary support arm  12  pivoted thereto in the same manner as the previous embodiments, except the locking link  25  is eliminated and spring loaded protrusions  28  are provided in the sides of first auxiliary support arm  12  and expand outwardly to engage corresponding detents  30  provided in the semicircular ears  31 , which ears are secured at their bases to opposite edges of main support member  11 . Accordingly, first auxiliary support arm  12  may be adjusted selectively to a number of different pivotal positions to provide a desired obtuse angle θ. 
     The sling  17  is secured to end  15  of main support arm  11  by conventional securement through slot  33  and the rear sling portion  19  of sling  17  is secured in conventional fashion to the opposite end  13  of main support arm  11  through end slots  34 . 
     One primary difference the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 3  and that of  FIGS. 8 through 10  is that the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3  is a shorter version of the invention when folded for storage which takes up less sling space. This is because in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , main support arm  11  is made up of two parts, namely forward pivotal part  35  and rearward portion  36 . The forward portion  35  folds at fixed pivot point  37  back on to the rearward portion  36  for storage as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  wherein they are in general parallel alignment with sling  17 . 
     Another variation between the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 through 3  and that of  FIGS. 8 through 10  is that the latter embodiment includes a single leg support  40  which is secured at its upper end  41  thereof to an underside portion of main support arm  11  at pivot  42  for pivotal deployment from a closed position in general parallel alignment with main support arm  11  as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9  to a deployed support position at an angle α relative to main support arm  11 . In  FIG. 10 , angle α is selected so that the support leg  40  is extended rearwardly and is locked in that position whereby a shooter when in a standing or kneeling position leg  40  may engage the bottom end  43  thereof into ones body at the waist region to help steady the firearm  14 . Leg  40  when fully deployed engages the bottom end of auxiliary support arm  12  as seen in  FIG. 11  to lock it in position. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  14  and  15 , the leg is permitted to pivot downwardly or to a vertical position. It should be noted that in  FIG. 12 , leg  40  is much longer than illustrated in the other figures. This is because the leg  40  in  FIG. 12  is made up of extendable parts which are either telescopic in nature or bifold in nature. See bifold leg extension  40 ′ in  FIG. 23 . 
     The upwardly extending distal ends  15  and  16  of the steady-rest  10  are provided with cradles  45  and  46  respectively for engaging firearm  14  resting thereon. These cradles  45  and  46  may be held in position in tight engagement with firearm  14  by using conventional hook and loop securing straps (not shown). 
     Turning next to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 16 through 20 , the firearm steady-rest  10  of the present invention is in all respects similar in size, operation and purpose of the previous embodiments just explained. The primary difference is that when the firearm steady-rest  10  of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 16 ,  17  and  18  is fully deployed, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , it forms a U-shaped support configuration for supporting firearm  14  between the upwardly extending distal ends  15 ′ and 16. In this embodiment a second support auxiliary arm  50  is connected to the other end  15  of main support arm  11  at an obtuse angle and unfolds in an identical manner to that of first auxiliary support arm  12  to form the U-shaped configuration. Parts which serve the same purpose or function are numbered with the same or similar numeral designations. 
     Turning next to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 20 through 22 , the firearm steady-rest  10  of the present invention illustrated is identical to that shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 , with the exception that a forward set of bi-pod legs is added to the structure and may be deployed as desired. In this embodiment a bi-pod set of legs  60  is pivotally secured at pivot point  61  to support rest  62 , which in turn is a clamp mechanism which clamps to the forward end  15  of main support arm  11 . Instead, clamp mechanism  62  could be utilized to clamp the tripod set  60  to any conventional sling. Support rest  62  also provides a firearm cradle  45 . 
     It will be seen that when the bi-pod leg set  60  is in a closed storage position as illustrated in  FIGS. 20 and 21  the legs  65  and  66  are in parallel with each other and rest against the underside of main support arm  11 . The legs  60  may be held in this storage position by means of conventional hook and loop strap elements  67 . 
     When the bi-pod leg set  60  deployed from the closed parallel and horizontal position to the fully deployed position shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , they are splayed due to the fact that they pivot along the sides of guide block  68 . 
     A gravity slide lock  70  is secured to support rest  61  or support arm  11 , and the T-shaped gravity slide lock  70  engages upper portions  71  of the legs  65  and  66  whereby the slide lock  70  slides downwardly relative to the support rest  62  or support member  11  when the legs  65  and  66  fully deployed to the vertical support position shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23  to thereby block pivotal movement of the legs  65  and  66  back towards their original storage position illustrated in  FIGS. 20 and 21 . Knob  59  may be screwed inwardly to clamp slide lock  70  in the deployed position. 
     Referring next to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 24 through 28 , the firearm steady-rest  10  of the present invention is identical to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 16 ,  17  and  18 , with the addition of two tripod leg sets  60  secured to opposite ends  15  and  13  of main support arm  11 . The bi-pod sets  60  are connected in the same manner as the bi-pod set in the previous embodiment and they are identical in all respects. In a similar manner, the bi-pod leg sets  60  here also fold toward each other for storage in the closed position against main support arm  11  as illustrated in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . When the leg sets  60  are in their fully deployed position as shown in  FIGS. 26 ,  27  and  28 , the steady-rest  10  of the present invention can be easily utilized as a rifle sighting gun rest as illustrated in  FIG. 29 . 
     The firearm steady-rest  10  may be constructed of any desirable or suitable material, such as steel, aluminum or plastic, and it may be maintained in its closed position by a loop and hook strap arrangement as previously indicated or by any suitable magnetic mechanism. The steady-rest  10  may be covered with a rubber or plastic coating or a fabric cover to protect the firearm. 
     In addition, the height of all legs  40  or bi-pod sets  60  may be extendable either by conventional telescopic means or foldout means. The bi-pod sets  60  may also pivot in the horizontal plane where they connect to support rest  62 . 
     The sighting height of the barrel of firearm  14  may be adjusted by changing the position of firearm  14  forward or rearward in cradles  45  and  46 . Also, aiming may be adjusted by adjusting any of the legs  40  or  60 .