Patent Publication Number: US-8533876-B2

Title: Bedside pistol supporting device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/362,096 filed on Jul. 7, 2010 titled “Bedside Pistol Supporting Device” and the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to firearm support systems and, more particularly, to a device for supporting an unholstered firearm proximate a bed and in an orientation that aligns the grip of the pistol with the palm of a user positioned in a customary sleeping position. 
     Many homeowners and renters appreciate the security that a firearm provides. Those skilled in firearm use and management also appreciate the susceptibility to home security during sleeping hours. In an effort to expedite access to firearms during security incidents, many firearm owners keep firearms in close proximity to sleeping quarters. Although many people simply place a firearm within close reach of a bed, such as supported on the floor or contained in a nightstand, such positioning can result in delay or difficulty in engaging the firearm during darkness and/or during startled waking events. In an effort to better access firearms during such events, others have configured systems for supporting firearms with the bed. Unfortunately, such systems are not without their respective drawbacks. 
     One such system includes a pair of slings that support a shotgun in a horizontal orientation adjacent the bed. Although such a system conveniently positions a shot gun for home security, many firearm users prefer the maneuverability and ability to better conceal a firearm that can only be achieved with a pistol. Hanging a shotgun or long barrel firearm along a mattress is generally a more obtrusive firearm support system than many users are willing to accept. 
     Other bedside firearm support systems are configured to support a pistol in close proximity to a mattress. Such systems also suffer from a number of drawbacks. One such system includes supporting a box with the structure of the bed. Such systems detract from the readiness of the pistol during emergency-type situations. Other systems do not enclose the pistol in a closure but cooperate with a holster rather than a firearm. Such systems require ownership of a holster associated with a particular pistol for the user to use such bedside mounting systems. Furthermore, the holster can interfere with expedited access to the pistol and/or interfere with the users gripping of the pistol during emergencies. 
     In certain circumstances, the holster can undesirably disengage from the bedside support via the interaction between the holster and the pistol. Commonly, two hands are required to disengage the pistol from the holster in a manner wherein the holster remains engaged with the support system and/or the separate manipulation of the pistol relative to the holster to disengage the pistol therefrom. In the most serious events, these fettered interactions between the pistol and the support system can have fatal consequences for a user via either undesired detection of their motions and/or inadvertent discharge of the firearm due to unexpected semiconscious interaction with the firearm. 
     Such bedside pistol support systems also fail to consider the orientation of the firearm relative to the user when the user is positioned in a prone position. Locating the pistol and moving to a position wherein the pistol can be gripped and/or removed from the holster and support system increases the potential that the user&#39;s movement may be detected by undesired or unknown nefarious observers, such as an intruder. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a bedside pistol support system that orients a pistol adjacent a bed in a manner wherein the pistol can be quickly grasped with reduced movement and in a manner wherein the pistol can be disengaged from the support system with reduced effort and preferably singlehandedly. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a pistol supporting device that overcomes one or more of the drawbacks discussed above. The pistol supporting device includes a base and a support post. The base is shaped to be disposed between a mattress and a box spring so that, in use, the base is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation. The support post is constructed of a material that is softer than the material of the bore of a pistol and is preferably formed of a carbon fiber material. The support post is attached to the base and extends in a direction that crosses, but is not perpendicular to, a plane associated with the base. The support post is constructed to be received in a bore of a pistol and oriented to align a grip of the pistol with a palm of a prone user. The pistol support device provides a convenient and readily severable interface between supporting device and a pistol engaged therewith. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a pistol supporting device is disclosed that includes a base having a generally flat shape and constructed to be disposed between a mattress and a box spring so that the base is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation. A tab extends from the base beyond a perimeter of mattress. A support post is attached to the tab and extends in a direction that crosses a plane associated with the base but is not perpendicular to the plane. The support post is constructed to be received in a bore of a pistol and oriented to align a grip of the pistol with a palm of a prone user. 
     Another aspect of the invention that is useable with one or more features of one or more of the above aspects discloses a bed pistol support assembly having a base plate that is configured to be disposed under a mattress and sized to support a pistol in a cantilevered fashion beyond a perimeter of the mattress. The assembly includes a carbon fiber post that extends in an upward direction from the base plate so that a pistol can be supported adjacent a lateral side of the mattress via interaction of only the carbon fiber post with a bore of the pistol. 
     A further aspect of the invention that includes one or more features useable with one or more of the above aspects discloses a method of supporting a pistol within the reach of a prone user on a bed that includes forming a base plate that is constructed to be disposed between a mattress and a box spring of a bed and attaching a carbon fiber post to the base plate so that the carbon fiber post extends in a direction having a vertical component and a horizontal component from the base plate when the base plate is positioned under the mattress. 
     Preferably, the support post of the devices disclosed above is constructed of a material that is softer than a material of the bore of the pistol. More preferably, the support post is constructed of a carbon fiber material. Preferably, the tab associated with the support post is tipped with respect to the plane of the base and more preferably, the support post is tipped in first direction aligned with a longitudinal axis of the bed and is tipped in a second direction that is normal to the longitudinal direction or in a direction toward the mattress of the supporting bed assembly. More preferably, the first direction is determined by the user based on their preferred or most common sleeping orientation, i.e. face up or face down. 
     These and various other features and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of a bed equipped with a pair of pistol supporting devices and with the mattress laterally offset from a normal in use position aligned with a box spring to expose an upper side of the pair of pistol supporting devices; 
         FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  of one of the pistol supporting devices that orients the grip of a corresponding pistol in a direction that inclines toward the headboard of a bed; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the pistol supporting device shown in  FIG. 2  oriented in an upstanding orientation relative to a mattress; 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  of the other pistol supporting device that orients the grip of a corresponding pistol in a direction that inclines toward the footboard of a bed; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a lateral side of the pistol supporting device shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a post portion of one of the pistol supporting devices shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  with a muzzle bumper of the pistol supporting device translated along a bore engaging shaft of the device; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the bore shaft shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  and shows the mattress in a normal in-use position such that a portion of the pistol supporting devices as supported between the mattress and boxspring of the bed and another portion extends in a generally upward direction along the vertical edge of the mattress; 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 9  and shows a pistol engaged with each pistol supporting device; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of a pistol engaged with the pistol supporting device shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side perspective view of the pistol supporting configuration shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of the pistol supporting configuration shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  and shows a pistol equipped with a scope engaged with at least one of the pistol supporting devices shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  and shows the hand of a back resting user engaged with a grip of the pistol supported nearer the footboard of the bed; 
         FIG. 16  is a view similar to  FIG. 15  and shows a slight upward translation of the pistol relative to the pistol supporting device; 
         FIG. 17  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  and shows the hand of a stomach resting user engaged with a grip of the pistol supported nearer the headboard of the bed; 
         FIG. 18  is a view similar to  FIG. 17  and shows a slight upward translation of the pistol relative to the pistol supporting device; and 
         FIGS. 19-21  are views similar to  FIGS. 10 and 14  and show various common bedcoverings and bedcover positions wherein the bedcoverings; be it a comforter, blanket, or sheet; extend over and conceal the respective pistol(s) and corresponding pistol support device(s). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  shows a bed  10  equipped with a first pistol support assembly  12  and a second pistol support assembly  14 . Bed  10  includes a headboard  16 , a footboard, and a pair of side rails  18 ,  20  that extend therebetween. It is appreciated that pistol support assemblies  12 ,  14  are usable with bed configurations that only include a mattress and supporting structures such as a floor, a box spring, and/or other frame assemblies that may or may not include a headboard and/or a footboard. As used herein, the terms headboard and footboard are used more so to orient one or more of support assemblies  12 ,  14  relative to a head and toe orientation of a user of bed  10 . It is further appreciated that either of support assemblies  12 ,  14  could be positioned anywhere around the perimeter of bed, including the longitudinal sides as shown in the figures or at the head or foot of the bed as preferred by a user. Still referring to  FIG. 1 , bed  10  preferably includes a box spring  22  or other mattress support that is disposed between the headboard  16 , the footboard, and the pair of side rails  18 ,  20 . A mattress  24  generally overlies box spring  22 . Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , box spring  22  includes an upper surface  26  that is oriented to face a bottom surface  28  of mattress  24 . Pistol support assemblies  12 ,  14  each include a base portion  30 , a tab or arm portion  32 , and a support post  34  that extends in a crossing direction from the based portion  30 . As explained further below, each support post  34  is constructed to slideably cooperate with the bore of a pistol. 
     Base portion  30  includes an upper surface  36  that faces underside  28  of mattress  24  and a bottom surface  38  that faces top surface  26  of box spring  22 . Base portion  30  has a length  40  and width  42  that are sufficiently dimensioned to prevent rotation, indicated by arrow  44 , of support post  34  and base portion  30  relative to bed  10  when base portion  30  is positioned between box spring  22  and mattress  24 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-5 , arm portion  32  of base portion  30  lies in a plane that is oriented in a crossing direction with respect to a plane defined by base portion  30 . Support post  34  extends in a generally upward direction with respect to top surface  36  of base portion  30 . Preferably, a longitudinal axis of support post  34  is tilted with respect to top surface  36  of base portion  30  so as to be nearer an axis that is perpendicular to top surface  36  of base portion than to an axis generally aligned with the longitudinal plane of surface  36 . Preferably, support post  34  is tilted approximately 20 degrees from vertical toward either of the headboard or the footboard of the bed  10 . It is appreciated that the inclined orientation of support post  34  relative to base portion  30  can be selected as any degrees in the quadrants whose axis is defined by the plane associated with based portion  30 . Preferably, the longitudinal axis of support post  34  is oriented to be at least slightly tipped with respect to a horizontal axis such that the weight of a firearm is sufficient to maintain a position of the firearm when engaged with a corresponding support post. More preferably, each support post is oriented so that the weight of the firearm maintains the desired engagement with the support post and so that the grip of the firearm is generally aligned with an orientation wherein a prone user, positioned one of on their back or their stomach, can interact with the grip of the pistol in an unstrained and non-exerting manner. It is appreciated that support post  34  associated with arm  32  of base  30  can be angled at any degree desired to support a firearm laterally and longitudinally relative to top surface  36 . Regardless of the orientation and construction of support assembly  12 ,  14 , no portion of support assembly  12 ,  14  interacts with or contacts the firing and/or safety mechanism of a firearm engaged therewith. 
     With respect to a lateral direction that extends between the right hand and left hand sides of bed  10 , although support post  34  can be oriented in a plane generally perpendicular to surface  36  of base portion  30 , it is also envisioned that support post  34  preferably be tilted toward mattress  24  in the lateral direction. It is appreciated that support post  34  associated with arm  32  can be angled at any lateral and longitudinal angle to provide the desired close proximity to mattress  24  when a firearm is engaged or removed therefrom while maintaining a convenient positioning of post  34  for interaction of a firearm therewith and to provide a desired orientation of the grip of the firearm for expedient user interaction therewith. Preferably, support post  34  is tilted in the lateral direction approximately about 20 degrees and more preferably about 12 degrees in a lateral direction toward mattress  24 . Such tilting maintains the grip portion of the firearm engaged with support assembly  12 ,  14  in very near or direct contact with mattress  24  while maintaining an easily concealable orientation of the firearm relative to the bed and a non-obtrusive orientation of the respective support assembly  12 ,  14  when no firearm is engaged therewith. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , each support post assembly  34  includes a bore end  50  and a base end  52 . Support post  34  is preferably constructed a carbon fiber material although it is also envisioned that support post  34  could be constructed of other materials such as aluminum. It is further envisioned that post  34  could be constructed of any of a number of materials. Preferably, support post  34  is constructed of a material that is softer than the bore of a firearm. Understandably, support post  34  can be constructed of virtually any material. It is further envisioned that support post  34  can have a two part construction wherein only a radially exterior portion of support post  34 , or that portion of support post  34  that directly contacts the firearm, be constructed of sacrificial material relative to the firearm bore. 
     An optional bumper  56  slidably cooperates with support post  34  and prevents the interaction of a firearm muzzle with the arm  32  of base portion  30  of firearm support assemblies  12 ,  14 . Preferably, support post  34  has a longitudinal length that is sufficient to support a firearm thereon so that the muzzle can interact with bumper  56 . Understandably, other barrel lengths will allow the support post  34  to interact with different structures of the firearm. Preferably, the support post  34  is not long enough to interact with a shell that may be in the firing chamber and/or the action of the firearm. Preferably, a bumper  60  is engaged with a bore end  50  of support post  34  and reduces the potential of inadvertent damage to such structures of the firearm. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a fastener  62  passes through an opening formed in arm portion  32  of firearm support assembly  12 ,  14  and threadingly engage a base end  52  of support post  34 . An optional lock washer  64  is disposed between a head portion of fastener  62  and base portion  30  of the respective support assembly  12 ,  14 . Lock washer  64  reduces the potential for undesired disengagement between fastener  62  and the respective post  34 . Fastener  62  secures support port  34  with respect to base portion  30 . The removable nature of support post  34  further allows firearm support assembly  12 ,  14  to be provided in a generally compact form factor thereby reducing distribution costs. That is, it is envisioned that support assembly  12  can be provided to consumers in a fairly flat form factor favorable to most commercial distribution systems. Furthermore, the canting of arm portion  32  need only be provided in two configurations to satisfy user&#39;s preferences for use of assemblies  12 ,  14  at both right hand or left hand sides of the bed and provide both headboard facing or footboard facing orientations of a corresponding firearm. As should be understood, a footboard facing muzzle orientation of the bedside pistol support on one side of the bed will provide a headboard facing muzzle orientation if the bedside pistol support is engaged with the opposite lateral side of the bed. 
       FIGS. 9-21  show pistol support assemblies  12 ,  14  positioned with respect to bed  10  for supporting one or more pistols  70 ,  72  in a “ready-to-use” position relative thereto. Support post  34  extends in a generally upward direction in close lateral proximity to mattress  24 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , in a preferred embodiment, pistols  70 ,  72  supported by pistol support assemblies  12 ,  14  do not extend beyond the top surface  76  of mattress  24  or considerably beyond top surface  26  of box spring  22 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , bedside supported firearms  70 ,  72  are maintained in close lateral proximity to mattress  24  so as to preferably not extend beyond side rails  18 ,  20  of bed  10 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , certain firearms, such as longer barreled pistols  78 , may still be used with firearm support assemblies  12 ,  14  even though such firearm configurations can extend nearer to or beyond the upper surface of mattress  24 . It is appreciated that the bedside pistol support assemblies  12 ,  14  can cooperate with any side of the periphery of the bed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-18 , firearms  70 ,  72  are positioned in close proximity to mattress  24  so as to be readily reachable by a user positioned upon bed  10 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , pistol support assembly  14  is oriented so that firearm  72  cants or is tipped in a direction toward the headboard relative to a vertical axis so that the grip of the pistol is oriented with respect to a grip of a prone user lying on their back. Upward translation of pistol  72  relative to support post  34  allows user  80  to quickly and inconspicuously remove pistol  72  from bedside pistol support assembly  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , for those users that are prone to sleeping on their sides and/or stomachs so as to be positioned generally facing mattress  24 , pistol support assembly  12  is oriented to align the grip of the pistol with the grip of a downward or side facing, generally forward reaching user  80 . Vertical translation, indicated by arrow  84 , of pistol  70  along support post  34  of pistol support assembly  12  allows a downward facing user to readily and inconspicuously interact with firearm  70 . As shown in  FIGS. 19-21 , bedside pistol support assemblies  12 ,  14  having pistols engaged therewith, are readily concealable by a bedspread  88  or other bed coverings, such as a sheet, positioned thereover. The unobtrusive nature of the concealed pistol and pistol support assemblies  12 ,  14  is readily appreciable from  FIGS. 19-21  wherein no discernible discontinuity is visible in bedspread  88 . 
     Bedside pistol support assemblies  12 ,  14  provide for “at-the-ready” positioning of pistols with respect to bed  10 . Supporting the pistol via only interaction with the bore of the firearm and with a structure whose position is robustly maintained by the considerable weight associated with a mattress provides a bedside support system that allows expedient interaction with the pistol engaged therewith. The variable orientation of the pistol allows a user in a variety of sleeping positions to inconspicuous interact with the firearm. Furthermore, bedside pistol support  12 ,  14  prevent across-room access to firearms when users are sleeping. That is, it is envisioned that pistol supports  12 ,  14  can be conveniently positioned at a location convenient for expedient user use of the firearm while maintaining a maximum positioning of the firearm from unknown third parties. 
     It is further envisioned that support assemblies  12 ,  14 , or portions thereof, can be utilized for supporting other accessories in close proximity to furniture or the like. For instance, it is envisioned that a bracket rather than or in addition to support post  34  could be connected to tab  32  of base portion  30  of support assembly  12 ,  14 . Such a bracket could be configured for cooperation with other accessories such as glass cases, books, containers for remote controls such as television, electronics, security system, or lighting remotes, etc. It is further envisioned that such a bracket could form either a covered or uncovered container for receiving such accessories. It is further envisioned that such a bracket could be configured to cooperate in a supporting manner with the accessory itself, such as post  34  cooperates with firearm  70 ,  72  or with a container commonly associated with such accessories. Due to the contact nature of support assemblies  12 ,  14  it is further envisioned that more than one support assembly can be engaged with the same furniture structure for supporting multiple different accessories. 
     Therefore one embodiment of the invention includes a pistol supporting device having a base with a generally flat shape and constructed to be disposed between a mattress and a box spring so that the base is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation. A tab extends from the base beyond a perimeter of mattress. A support post is attached to the tab and extends in a direction that crosses a plane associated with the base but is not perpendicular to the plane. The support post is constructed to be received in a bore of a pistol and oriented to align a grip of the pistol with a palm of a prone user. 
     Another embodiment of the invention that is useable in combination with one or more features of the above embodiment includes a bed pistol support assembly having a base plate that is constructed to be disposed under a mattress and sized to support a pistol in a cantilevered fashion beyond a perimeter of the mattress. The assembly includes a carbon fiber post that extends in an upward direction from the base plate so that a pistol can be supported adjacent a lateral side of the mattress via interaction of only the carbon fiber post with a bore of the pistol. 
     Another embodiment of the invention that is useable in combination with one or more of the features of the above embodiments includes a method of supporting a pistol within the reach of a prone user on a bed that includes forming a base plate that is constructed to be disposed between a mattress and a box spring of a bed. The method includes attaching a carbon fiber post to the base plate so that the carbon fiber post extends in a direction having a vertical component and a horizontal component from the base plate when the base plate is positioned under the mattress. 
     The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.