Abstract:
A portable seat and platform support includes a shaft with a base mounted to its lower end to position the shaft to a generally vertical orientation. A removable platform can be attached to the upper end of the shaft, and a seat assembly is supported by a fastener assembly along the shaft for independent rotation about the shaft axis. The seat assembly includes a collar slidably attached to the shaft, a seat supported by the collar, and a bearing on the collar. The fastener assembly includes an adjustment device to support the collar at a selected location along the shaft axis, and a bearing portion supported by the adjustment device and journaled to the bearing on the collar.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This Application claims benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/377,169 for “Bench Rest” filed Apr. 30, 2002 by Gary L. Krien. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to seat and platform supports, such as bench rests for supporting firearms, and particularly to seat and platform supports that may be disassembled for ease of transport. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Bench rests are used by shooters to support firearms, particularly rifles, during adjustment of firearm sights (including scopes), bench rest shooting sports, and hunting. A bench rest is characterized by a frame supporting a rest, which in turn supports the firearm. Some bench rests include a mechanism for rigidly mounting the firearm to the frame (in which case the bench rest is used primarily for adjusting the firearm sights), while others employ a platform for supporting the firearm and/or portions of the upper torso (which may include the arms) of the user. Some bench rests may be collapsed or disassembled for ease of transport, such as for backpacking or storage, while other bench rests are more permanent in nature for use at shooting ranges and the like. Some bench rests include seats supporting the user during firing of the firearm, others do not. 
   The present invention is directed to a seat and platform support, such as for a bench rest, of the type that may be easily disassembled and reassembled at a site. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a bench rest that can be disassembled into a minimal number of parts, wherein the platform is adjustable to accommodate left- and right-handed users, and the seat is movable relative to the bench rest platform without adjustment of any fastener so that the user may quickly adjust to various shooting orientations. This latter feature is particularly important for bench rest shooting sports employing moving targets and for hunting, and permits the user to rotate the shooting orientation through a reasonable shooting field. 
   Vecqueray, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,641, describes a bench rest having central shaft with collapsible legs pivotally attached to one end of the shaft. A removable seat assembly includes a collar that may be slipped over the free end of the shaft and fastened to the shaft by a manually-operable set screw to set the vertical and angular positions of the seat relative to the shaft. A removable bench rest platform includes a collar fastened over the free end of the shaft to complete the bench rest. While Vecqueray&#39;s bench rest can be disassembled into three parts and provides independent adjustment of the seat to accommodate various users, it does not permit quick rotation of the seat to various shooting orientations through a reasonable shooting field. 
   Mueller, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,410, describes a bench rest having a triangular support structure having a shaft forming one leg of the structure. The shaft can be assembled to a base to support a bench rest platform. An arm is rotatably attached to the shaft to support an adjustable and removable cantilevered seat. While the Mueller bench rest accommodates various users and permits quick rotation of the seat to various shooting orientations, the triangular support structure is bulky and not altogether satisfactory for easy transport to the field. 
   There is a need, therefore, for a stable, portable seat and platform assembly which is easily transportable and which has a seat assembly that accommodates various users and allows for quick rotation of the seat to various shooting orientations. There is also a need for a seat and platform support that can be alternatively converted to a bench rest or utility table. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to a first embodiment of the invention, a seat and platform assembly includes a shaft having a longitudinal axis. A base is attached to the shaft adjacent a lower end to position the shaft to a generally vertical orientation, and a platform is removably attached to an upper end of the shaft. A collar is slidably assembled to the shaft and a fastener assembly selectively positions the collar along the longitudinal axis. A seat assembly is supported by the collar. In some embodiments, a bearing portion on the fastener assembly is journaled to a bearing portion on the collar so that the seat assembly can rotate about the longitudinal axis. In other embodiments, the fastener assembly includes a plurality of pin-receiving apertures spaced along the shaft and a pin receivable in one of the apertures to support the collar at a selected location along the longitudinal axis. 
   In preferred embodiments, legs are attachable to leg receivers on the base and are removable. Additionally, by removing the platform, the seat assembly can be removed from the shaft. 
   In some embodiments, the shaft has a cavity having an axial opening at the lower end. A stabilizing pin in the cavity is arranged to extend through the opening to support the shaft along its axis. 
   In some embodiments, the platform is a bench rest platform and is rotatable about the shaft axis independently of rotation of the seat assembly. 
   In other embodiments, the support structure supports a plurality of seat assemblies for a single table top platform for a utility table. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a seat and platform support assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention wherein the support assembly supports a bench platform to form a bench rest. 
       FIG. 2  is a section view illustrating the attachment of a platform assembly to the support assembly of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a section view of a portion of the seat assembly for the for the support assembly of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a section view illustrating the attachment of a seat assembly to the support assembly of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a section view illustrating the attachment of legs to the support assembly of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a section view, as in  FIG. 4 , of the attachment of a seat assembly to the support assembly in accordance with a modification of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a utility table in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a section view of a modification of a seat attachment arrangement for the table illustrated in FIG.  7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a section view illustrating attachment of the platform assembly to the support assembly of FIG.  7 . 
       FIG. 10  is a section view of a modification of a foot assembly for use in the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable seat and platform support in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The structure illustrated in  FIG. 1  is a bench rest and includes a main support assembly  10 , a platform assembly  12 , a seat assembly  14 , and three leg assemblies  16 ,  18  and  20 . In one embodiment, main support  10  preferably comprises a rigid cylindrical member  22  formed of number 1 tubular steel. 
   As shown particularly in  FIG. 2 , platform assembly  12  comprises a flat, substantially rectangular (with corners chamfered), polycarbonate or other suitable plastic platform  24 , attached by bolts and nuts  26  to steel plate  28 . Cylindrical collar  30  is rigidly attached to plate  28  at a position offset from the center of the plate so that a substantial portion of platform  24  extends to one side of the collar. A threaded fastener  32  having a hand-operated knob is received in a threaded receptacle of collar  30 . Steel gussets  31  are rigidly attached to plate  28  and collar  30  to increase support for platform  24 . Conveniently, collar  30  and gussets  31  are secured to each other and to plate  28  by welding. Collar  30  is arranged to fit over tubular member  22  so that the upper end  34  of tubular member  22  bears against plate  28  within collar  30 . In preferred embodiments shown in  FIG. 2 , member  22  and collar  30  may be tubular, but the exact shape may be of any desirable mating shape. Also preferably, the bolts fastening platform  24  to plate  28  are counter-sunk from the top surface of the platform so that protrusions above the nominal top surface of the platform are avoided. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate seat assembly  14  comprising a circular polycarbonate seat member  40  attached by bolts and nuts  42  to steel plate  44 . Pin  46 , which includes a spring-loaded detent  48 , is rigidly attached, such as by welding or a threaded connection, to plate  44  to extend through an aperture  49  in rectangular arm member  50 . The opposite end of member  50  is attached to collar  52 , such as by welding, which in turn slidably fits over and slidably receives tubular member  22 . In preferred embodiments, collar  52  is a circular tubular member, although the shape of collar  52  is dependent on the shape of member  22  to which it is assembled. Arm  50  is preferably a square tubular steel member, although the member may be solid and may be of any desired shape. 
   As shown particularly in  FIG. 4 , a fastener assembly includes a steel ring  62  assembled over tubular member  22  below collar  52  and includes an aperture to receive a pin  56  having a spring-loaded detent  58 . Apertures  54  are spaced at intervals along the length of member  22  to receive pin  56 . Ring  62  is slidably received over member  22 , and therefore has a shape dependent on the shape of member  22 . When ring  62  is positioned so that its aperture is aligned with an aperture  54  through member  22 , pin  56  may be inserted through the aligned apertures to fix a position of ring  62  along axis  36  of member  22 . 
   Ring  62  includes a smooth bearing surface  64  that engages smooth bearing surface  66  on collar  52 , forming a journal coupling that permits rotation of collar  52  and seat assembly  14  about axis  36  relative to support member  22 . Pin  56  is engaged to a selected aperture  54  to adjust the height of seat  40  relative to the ground support plane and relative to platform  24 . Pin  46  on seat assembly  14  is received in a selected aperture  49  in arm  50  to adjust the radial position of seat  40  relative to axis  36 . Thus, seat  40  may be positioned at a height and position relative to the ground and platform  24  by coupling of pins  46  and  56  to selected apertures. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , a plurality (e.g., three) of steel receivers  72  are attached, such as by welding, to the lower end  70  of member  22  for receiving respective steel legs  74 . In preferred embodiments, receivers  72  and legs  74  may have square tubular cross-sections, but the cross-section may be of any desirable mating shape. Each receiver  72  and each leg  74  includes an aperture  76 ,  78  for receiving locking pin  80 . When coupled, leg  74  and receiver  76  are rigidly engaged. Spring-loaded detent  82  prevents pin  80  from becoming accidentally dislodged from the apertures. Strap  84  is attached to receiver  72  by rivet  86  to tether pin  80  to the receiver. Preferably, receivers  72  and legs  74  extend along axes  88  to form an acute angle to axis  36 . In preferred embodiments the acute angle is 82° so that feet  90  ( FIG. 1 ) engage the ground surface maintaining the lower end  70  of shaft  22  a slight distance from the ground. Preferably, gripping pins  92  extend downwardly from feet  90  to pierce the ground plane and provide a secure engagement to the ground. Optionally, gripping pins  92  may be removably attached to feet  90 , such as by a detent or a threaded assembly. 
   Platform assembly  12  is rotatable about axis  36  of tubular member  22  by rotating collar  30  relative to tubular member  22 . This feature permits positioning platform  24  to accommodate both left-handed and right-handed users. Fastener  32  may be tightened against tubular member  22  to fix a position for, and inhibit rotation of, platform  24 . Collar  52  and seat assembly  14  are supported by ring  62 , and is freely rotatable about axis  36 . 
   In use, a user seated on seat platform  40  will slightly straddle center support  22  and position his/her arms and firearm on platform  24 . Platform  24  is positioned so that the large portion of the platform is to the left or right of the user, depending on the user&#39;s preference. With the user so positioned, the user may press his/her feet against the ground to rotate seat platform  40  about axis  36 . Movement of the seat platform carries the user&#39;s torso to thereby rotate the gunstock of the firearm. In this manner, the user can maintain precise positioning of the firearm while moving firearm across a field of view. This feature is particularly useful to permit the user to readjust positions for moving targets. 
   The apparatus may be disassembled from that illustrated in  FIG. 1  by loosening fastener  32  and slipping platform assembly  12  from tube  22 . Collar  52  and seat assembly  14  are then removed over the now open upper end  34  of tube  22 , leaving pin  56  engaging ring  62  to the respective aperture  54  of tube  22 . Pins  76  are disengaged from legs  74  and receivers  72  allowing the legs to be removed from the receivers, thereby completing the disassembly into six parts. Preferably, pin  56  is left in the selected aperture  54  to leave ring  62  fastened to member  22 . This permits the seat assembly to be positioned to the previously set elevation without readjustment. Consequently, it is not necessary to tether pin  56  to ring  62 , but such a tether may optionally be used. It is also preferred to leave seat  40  coupled to arm  50  with pin  46  engaged to the selected aperture  49 . This permits retention of the seat position relative to axis  36  upon re-assembly of the structure. 
   In some embodiments, the support structure is constructed of 1-4-inch number 1 steel. In other embodiments, the support structure is constructed of a light-weight material, such as ¼-inch aluminum, rather than steel. Construction of the bench rest using a light-weight material allows easy portability of the bench rest to field locations. However, an aluminum structure may tend to slightly flex due to the user&#39;s weight when supported on the seat. Moreover, movement of the user may cause the aluminum structure to modulate. To reduce movement of the support structure due to flexing or modulation of the structure, particularly where the support structure is constructed of aluminum, it is desirable to include optional stabilizing pin  100  illustrated in FIG.  5 . 
   Pin  100  comprises a tubular or solid cylindrical member having apertures  102  and  104  arranged to receive pin  106 , which may have a detent  108 . With the bench rest unit supported on the ground support, stabilizing pin  100  in the central opening in member  22  slides downwardly so that the lower end  110  of pin  100  engages the ground support. The position of stabilizing pin  100  is locked by lock pin  106  received in an appropriate aperture  102  or  104 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , apertures  102  are pairs of diametrically-opposed apertures, and are spaced at intervals along the length of stabilizing pin  100 , receive lock pin. Similarly, apertures  104  are offset from apertures  102  and spaced at ½-inch intervals along the length of stabilizing pin  100 , 90° from apertures  102 . This arrangement allows close spacing of the apertures  102  and  104  and allows adjustment of stabilizing pin to within ¼ (0.63 cm) inch along axis  36 . 
     FIG. 6  is a section view of a modification of the seat attachment mechanism for attaching seat  40  to support member  22 . In this case, support arm  50  terminates at an end distal from seat  40  (not shown in  FIG. 6 ) and is received in receiver  150  which is rigidly attached, such as by welding, to collar  52 . Like receivers  72  that receive individual legs  74  (FIG.  5 ), receiver  150  is sized and shaped relative to arm  50  to receive the free end of arm  50 . Thus, if arm  50  is a square tubular arm, receiver  150  is also a square tubular mechanism. Receiver  150  and arm  50  include an aperture  152  arranged to receive locking pin  154  having a detent to lock arm  50  to receiver  150 . Preferably, pin  154  is tethered to arm  50  by a tether (not shown). 
   The attachment mechanism of  FIG. 6  permits removal of the seat assemblies from the main support without removing collar  52 . The attachment mechanism of  FIG. 6  is particularly useful in connection with a conversion of the support structure to a utility table as shown in  FIGS. 7-10 . 
     FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a utility table employing the portable seat and platform support in accordance with the present invention. The table illustrated in  FIG. 7  employs a main support assembly  10 , a plurality of seat assemblies  14  and leg assemblies  16 ,  18  and  20 . The table illustrated in  FIG. 7  is similar to the bench rest illustrated in FIG.  1 . However, instead of a single seat assembly  14  as in the bench rest shown in  FIG. 1 , the table shown in  FIG. 7  has a plurality of seat assemblies (such as four), each with an arm  50  supporting a seat  40 . Each arm  50  is received a corresponding receiver  152  attached to collar  202 , and is locked to the receiver by lock pin  154  having a detent (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) to prevent accidental dislodging. Collar  202  is supported by ring  62 , which is locked to member  22  by pin  56  as described in connection with FIG.  3 . Alternatively, ring  62  may be eliminated and the collar  202  extended for locking to member  22  by pin  56  as shown in FIG.  8 . The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8  is particularly useful because the seats cannot rotate about axis  36  relative to member  22 , thereby increasing the stability of the table function. 
   As shown in  FIG. 9 , instead of a bench platform, the support structure supports a table top, similar to a picnic table, to accommodate meals and other activities for users seated at the seat assemblies. Table platform  204  comprises flat polycarbonate or other plastic members  206  and  208 , in the shape of a semi-circle, hinged together by hinges  210 . Member  206  is bolted to plate  212 . Collar  214 , which receives the top end of member  22 , is mounted to place  212  at a central location so that when platform member  204  is extended or unfolded to form a single platform, the center of platform  204 , and of plate  212 , is supported by member  22  and member  208  is supported on plate  212 . Collar  214  is constructed in a manner similar to collar  30  ( FIG. 2 ) and includes a threaded fastener  32  that bears against member  22  to lock collar  214  to member  22 . Gussets  216  are welded to collar  214  and plate  212  for added support of the platform. 
   As in the case of the bench rest of  FIG. 1 , legs  74  are received in individual receivers  72  as shown in FIG.  5 . Also, as in the case of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 5 , stabilizing pin  100  may be received in member  22  for stabilizing the support mechanism as previously described. 
     FIG. 10  illustrates one form of a foot  220  for use at the ends of legs  74 . A foot  220  may be used in place of each spike  92 , as desired, and is particularly useful with the support structure functions as a table, as in FIG.  7 . In this case, each foot  220  includes a pad  222  having a receiver  224  receiving a universal ball joint  226  attached to a shaft  228  received in a suitable aperture in foot  90  of each leg  74  (FIG.  1 ). Shaft  82  may, for example, be a pin with a detent  230  for locking to the respective leg, or may have a threaded portion for threaded attachment to the leg. 
   The table is used by folding open the table top and positioning the legs so that the feet conform to the uneven terrain of the ground and the table top is acceptably level. In some embodiments, the support structure may be utilized as both a bench rest and a utility table. More particularly, a bench rest shown in  FIGS. 1-3  employing a seat assembly shown in  FIG. 6  can be converted to one of the tables shown in  FIGS. 7-10  by removing the bench platform  12  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  and substituting collar  202  for collar  52 . If the collar  202  shown in  FIG. 8  is employed, ring  62  is also removed, and pin  56  that had locked ring  62  to member  22  is used to lock collar  202  to the member. The table top assembly  204  is then assembled over the top of member  22  in place of the bench rest platform  12 . Arm  50  of seat assembly  14  is removed from receiver  150  in collar  52  and assembled to one of receivers  200  in collar  202 . Thus, a group of four hunters, each having a bench rest with a seat assembly shown in  FIG. 6 , could assemble their seat assemblies to respective receivers  200  of a collar  202  for the table. The four hunters would only need collar  202  and table top assembly  204  to convert one of the support structures to a table. 
   While the utility table is described as receiving seat assemblies in the receivers of collar  202 , other accessories, having suitable arms, might be received in the receiver. For example, an arm  50  might support a grill or other cooker, or a lantern or a support structure for hanging an accessory such as a lantern, thereby permitting the accessory to be supported by the support of the present invention adjacent the table platform. 
   Like the structure illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , the table illustrated in  FIGS. 6-8  is portable and may be broken down into individual pieces for easy transportation. More particularly, seat assemblies  14  may be removed from receivers  200 , and legs  74  may be removed from receivers  72 . Table platform  204  may be removed (in the same manner as platform  12 ,  FIG. 1 ) and folded for easy transportation. Thus, the table may be easily broken down to nine principal parts. 
   It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that some elements may be different from that described due to the use of different materials. For example, for aluminum support structures, a U-shaped clamp with a fastener to draw the legs of the clamp into tight interference fit to shaft  22  may be used in place of tubular collar  30  and set screw  32 . 
   Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.