Patent Publication Number: US-2010126055-A1

Title: Firearm support assemblies with stacking geometries and associated methods of use and manufacture

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is directed generally to firearm support assemblies and more specifically to firearm support assemblies that can be stacked in a nested configuration. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Shooters often use firearm rests or supports to steady a firearm during operation (e.g., target practice, accuracy testing, etc.). Holding a firearm without a stable support may not provide the required repeatability to determine the accuracy of the firearm. Many shooters accordingly use a firearm support in an attempt to reduce or eliminate human movement inherent to holding the firearm. For example, a shooter may position the front or forestock section of a firearm on a front firearm support, and the rear or buttstock section on a rear firearm support. Firearm supports can also conveniently hold a firearm, or portions of a firearm, for cleaning and maintenance. For example, placing the firearm in a firearm support can conveniently position the firearm and free the user&#39;s hands to clean or disassemble the firearm. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements. The size and relative position of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles may not be drawn to scale, and some of these elements may be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. 
         FIG. 1  is a side isometric view of a firearm rest assembly configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a side plan view of a firearm support configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3A  is a side isometric view and  FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of the firearm rest assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom isometric view of the firearm rest assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is side view of a stacked assembly of firearm rest assemblies configured in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric side view of a packaged firearm rest assembly configured in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric side view of a firearm rest assembly configured in accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of a firearm rest assembly configured in accordance with a further embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A. Overview 
     The following disclosure describes several embodiments of firearm rest assemblies and associated methods of use and manufacture. One embodiment of the disclosure, for example, is directed to a firearm rest assembly for supporting a firearm having a first section spaced apart from a second section. The firearm rest assembly includes a base having a lower surface spaced apart from an upper surface, and an intermediate surface positioned between and generally parallel to the lower and upper surfaces. The assembly also includes first and second supports coupled with the base in a configuration selected from a stored arrangement and a support arrangement. In the stored arrangement, the first and second supports are positioned between the lower surface and the intermediate surface, and in the support arrangement the first support extends from the base beyond the upper surface to support the first section of the firearm, and the second support extends from the base beyond the upper surface to support the second section of the firearm. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a stacked assembly of individual shooting rests. The stacked assembly includes a first packaged shooting rest that receives a second packaged shooting rest in a nested configuration. The first packaged shooting rest includes a base having a storage cavity. The first packaged shooting rest also includes a first support, a second support, and a handle, each of which is coupled to the base in a configuration selected from a first arrangement and a second arrangement. The first packaged shooting rest also includes packaging material covering at least a portion of the base and at least partially conforming to the shape of the storage cavity. In the first arrangement the first support, the second support, and the handle are each positioned in the storage cavity, and in the second arrangement the first support, the second support, and the handle extend from the base. The second packaged shooting rest is generally similar to the first packaged shooting rest. When the second packaged shooting rest is at least partially received in the storage cavity of the first packaged shooting rest in a nested configuration, the combined height of the nested first and second packaged shooting rests is less than the sum of the heights of the individual first and second packages shooting rests. 
     A further aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method of packaging shooting rest assemblies that are used for supporting a firearm having a first section spaced apart from a second section. The method includes providing a first shooting rest assembly having a first base with a storage cavity, a first support configured to project from the first base to support the first section of the firearm, and a second support configured to project from the first base to support the second section of the firearm. The method also includes placing the first and second supports in the storage cavity of the first base. The method further includes providing a second shooting rest assembly that is generally similar to the first shooting rest assembly. The second shooting rest assembly includes a second base, and the method further includes positioning at least a portion of the second base in the support cavity of the first base in a nested configuration. 
     Specific details of several embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the following description and in  FIGS. 1-8  to provide a thorough understanding of these embodiments. A person skilled in the art will understand, however, that the disclosure may be practiced without several of these details or that additional details can be added to the disclosure. Several details describing well-known structures or processes often associated with firearms and firearm supporting devices have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of the disclosure. Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include the plural or singular terms, respectively. Moreover, unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of two or more items, the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. Additionally, the term “comprising” is used throughout to mean including at least the recited feature(s) such that any greater number of the same feature or additional types of features are not precluded. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics of the different embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
     The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed invention. 
     B. Embodiments of Firearm Supports 
       FIG. 1  is a side isometric view of a firearm rest assembly  100  (“assembly  100 ”) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The assembly  100  is configured to support a firearm  102  (shown in broken lines). For example, the assembly  100  can be used to support the firearm  102  when shooting or cleaning the firearm  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly  100  includes multiple supports  120  (identified individually as a first support  120   a  and a second support  120   b ) that are removably attached to a base  110 . The supports  120  can be operably coupled to the base  110  in a configuration selected from a support arrangement and a stored arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the base  110  removably receives the supports  120  in the support arrangement with the first support  120   a  extending from the base  110  to support a buttstock section of the firearm  102 , and the second support  120   b  extending from the base  110  to support a forestock section of the firearm  102 . As described in detail below, the base  110  also removably receives the supports  120  in a storage cavity  130  in the stored arrangement. According to one feature of the illustrated embodiment, when the storage cavity  130  removably retains the supports  120  in the stored arrangement, the entire assembly  100  can be stacked in a nested configuration with similar firearm rest assemblies to provide a reduced overall stacked height of multiple firearm rest assemblies. 
       FIG. 2  is a side plan view of one of the supports  120  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In the illustrated embodiment, the support  120  includes an upper portion  222  extending from a lower portion  224 . The upper portion  222  has a generally U-shaped configuration that is designed to receive a section of a firearm ( FIG. 1 ). In other embodiments, the upper portion  222  can include other shapes suitable for supporting a firearm (e.g., a V-shape, ridged portions, planar portions, etc.). The illustrated upper portion  222  includes a pad member  221  attached to the support  120  to at least partially cushion or protect the firearm. For example, the pad member  221  can be made from a cushioned, pliable, or non-marring material (e.g., rubber, leather, etc.) that can provide a slip-resistant contact surface for the firearm. In other embodiments, however, the pad member  221  can be made from the same material as the support  120  and integrally formed with the support  120 . In still further embodiments, the pad member  221  can be omitted from the support  120 . 
     The lower portion  224  of the support  120  has a tapered width that is configured to allow the support  120  to be removably inserted into a corresponding opening in the base  110 . More specifically, the support  120  has a first width W 1 , and the lower portion  224  of the support  120  has a second width W 2  that is less than the first width W 1 . Accordingly, in the support arrangement ( FIG. 1 ), the support  120  can be at least partially retained in the base  110  by inserting the lower portion  224  into an opening in the base  110  to frictionally engage the base  110 . In other embodiments and as described below with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the supports  120  can attach to the base  110  in other configurations. For example, the lower portion  224  can have the same width as the support  120  and be inserted into a tapered opening in the base  110 . 
     According to another feature of the illustrated embodiment, the support  120  includes multiple protrusions  226  (identified individually as a first through third protrusions  226   a - 226   c ) extending laterally from the support  120 . The protrusions  226  act as retaining features to removably retain each support  120  in the base  110  when the support  120  is in the stored arrangement. For example, as explained in detail below with reference to  FIG. 3A , the protrusions  226  engage corresponding retaining features (e.g., openings, tabs, etc.) in the base  110  when the support  120  is in the stored position. In certain embodiments, the support  120 , as well as other components of the assembly  100  such as the base  110 , can be molded (e.g., injection molded, thermoformed, etc.) from plastic materials to provide a lightweight configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the support  120  includes a plurality of ribs or stiffeners  225  to provide adequate reinforcement to the support  120  and allow the support  120  to be formed with a reduced thickness and weight. In other embodiments, however, the support  120  can be formed from other manufacturing methods or from other materials suitable for firearm rests. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the lower portion  224  of the support  120  also includes a retention opening  228 . The retention opening  228  is configured to facilitate attachment of the support  120  to the base  110  in the stored arrangement. For example, a fastener (e.g., a cable tie, zip tie, string, wire, etc.) can pass through the retention opening  228  to attach the support  120  to the base  110  when the assembly  100  is packaged for retail sale or shipment. 
       FIG. 3A  is a side isometric view and  FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of the assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B  together, the supports  120  are shown in the stored arrangement in the storage cavity  130  of the base  110 . More specifically, the base  110  includes an intermediate portion  336  in the storage cavity  130 . The intermediate portion  336  divides the storage cavity  130  into a support cavity  338  and a handle cavity  339 . The intermediate portion  336  also has an intermediate surface  333  that is positioned between a lower surface  332  and an upper surface  334  of the base  110 . In the stored arrangement, the base  110  retains the supports  120  in the support cavity  338  between the lower surface  332  and the intermediate surface  333 . According to one feature of the illustrated embodiment, the distance from the lower surface  332  to the intermediate surface  333  is approximately equal to the thickness of the supports  120 . In other embodiments, however, the distance from the lower surface  332  to the intermediate surface  333  can be greater than or less than the thickness of the supports  120 . 
     The base  110  also includes retaining members  342  in a sidewall portion  340  ( FIG. 3A ) of the base  110 . The retaining members  342  are configured to engage the corresponding third protrusions  226   c  ( FIG. 2 ) of each support  120  to retain the supports  120  in the stored arrangement in the support cavity  338 . The intermediate portion  336  also includes retaining members  342  ( FIG. 3B ) to engage the corresponding first protrusions  226   a  and second protrusions  226   b  of each support  120 . In certain embodiments, the retaining members  342  can be flexible tabs that are integrally formed with the base  110 . To move the supports  120  from the stored arrangement to the support arrangement, a user can disengage each support  120  from the retaining members  342  and insert the lower portion  224  of each support  120  into a corresponding support opening  344  (identified individually as a first support opening  344   a  and a second support opening  344   b ) in the base  110 . The support openings  344  frictionally engage the tapered width of the lower portion  224  of each support  120  to securely retain the supports  120  in the base  100 . In other embodiments, however, the retaining members  342  can be attached or otherwise operably coupled to the base  110  to engage or retain the supports  120  in the stored arrangement. For example, the retaining members  342  can include bumps or other types of extensions that are attached or integrally formed with the base  110  to engage the corresponding protrusions  226  of the supports  120 . In still further embodiments, the supports  120  can be formed without the protrusions  226 , and retaining members  342  protruding from the base  110  can engage the supports  120  to retain the supports  120  in the stored arrangement. 
     The assembly  100  also includes a handle  312  that can be used to carry the entire assembly  100 . The handle  312  is pivotally attached to the base  110  in a configuration selected from a stored position ( FIG. 1 ) and a carrying position ( FIGS. 3A and 3B ). In the stored position, the handle storage cavity  339  receives the handle  312  between the lower surface  332  and the intermediate surface  333  of the base  110 . In the carrying position, the handle  312  extends from the base  110  in a direction generally perpendicular to the intermediate surface  333  to allow a user to carry the assembly  100 . In certain embodiments, the base  100  can include retaining features to retain the handle  312  in the stored or carrying positions. For example, the base  110  can include protrusions or tabs that engage the handle  312  in either of the stored or carrying positions. 
     According to another feature of the illustrated embodiment, the base  110  includes multiple storage features in addition to the support cavity  338  and the handle cavity  339 . For example, the base  110  includes multiple recesses  346  in the upper surface  334  and intermediate surface  333  for holding various firearm paraphernalia (e.g., tools, accessories, cleaning supplies, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses  346  include various shapes and sizes, such as relatively large recesses  346  having generally hemispherical shapes or frusto-conical shapes, or relatively small recesses  346 . The recesses  346  enable a user to easily store and access various firearm accessories or cleaning supplies in the base  110 . The base  110  also includes grooves  349  in the upper surface  334 . The grooves  349  can be configured to hold, for example, a firearm cleaning rod or other firearm accessory. Another feature of the assembly  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  is that the base  110  also includes generally contoured corners  347 . For example, each corner  347  has a generally concave upper portion  348  that facilitates the stacking of multiple assemblies  100  as described below with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     The illustrated embodiment also includes a display area  353  ( FIG. 3A ) on the base  110  that is configured to display information related to the assembly  100 . In certain embodiments, the display area  353  can show graphical or textual information related to the assembly  100 . For example, labels or stickers can be attached to the base  110  in the display area  353  to illustrated the use or advertise other features of the assembly  100 . In other embodiments, information related to the assembly  100  can be applied directly (e.g., printed, molded, etc) on the display area  353 . Moreover, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the display area  353  can be positioned at various locations on the base  110 , or that that the assembly  100  can include multiple display areas  353 . 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric bottom view of the firearm rest assembly  100  of  FIG. 1  illustrating an underside  460  of the base  110 . The underside  460  is shaped to allow the assembly  100  to be stacked in a nested configuration with similar firearm assemblies. For example, in certain embodiments the base  110  can be formed from a molded plastic material (e.g., with injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, etc.). Accordingly, several of the features of the base  110  described above with reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B  are visible in  FIG. 4  extending into the underside  460  of the base  110 . For example, the support cavity  338 , the handle cavity  339 , the second support opening  344   b,  and the various recesses  346  are shown in  FIG. 4  projecting into the underside  460 . The retaining members  342  can also be seen from the underside  460  of the base  110 . Moreover, each corner  347  of the base  110  includes one or more stiffeners  464  extending from a leg retention portion  462 . The leg retention portion  462  can include an opening (e.g., a threaded hole) that receives a corresponding foot or leg (not shown). The stiffeners  464  provide support or rigidity to the corners  347 . Each stiffener  464  is also configured to align with the concave upper portion  348  of each corner  347  when multiple assemblies  100  are in a stacked or nested configuration. 
     According to another feature of the illustrated embodiment, the base  110  includes retention holes  452  in the lower surface of the support cavity  338 . The retention holes  452  can be used to secure the supports  120  in the base  110  when the assembly  100  is packaged or shipped. For example, when the supports  120  are in the stored arrangement, the retention holes  452  align with the retention openings  228  in each support  120 . A fastener (e.g., a cable tie, zip tie, wire, string, etc.) can be inserted through the retention holes  452  in the base  110  and corresponding retention openings  228  in the supports  120  to securely retain the supports  120  to the base  110  during shipment or for retail sale. In other embodiments, however, the supports  120  can be retained in the stored arrangement with other methods suitable for keeping the supports  120  in the support cavity  338 . For example, the supports  120  can be retained in the support cavity  338  for shipment or retail sale with an adhesive (e.g., tape, glue, non-drying silicon glue, etc.), molded protrusions, tabs, vacuum wrapping, etc. 
       FIG. 5  is side view of a stacked or nested assembly  502  including two firearm rest assemblies  500  (identified individually as a first firearm rest assembly  500   a  and a second firearm rest assembly  500   b ). Each firearm rest assembly  500  (“assembly  500 ”) is generally similar in structure and function to the assembly  100  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . For example, each assembly  500  carries supports or other components (not shown) in a stored arrangement to provide the stacked nested geometry of the assemblies  500 . According to one aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the stacked assembly  502  has an overall nested height H n  that is appreciably less than the sum of individual heights H i  of each assembly  500 . In certain embodiments, for example, the nested height H n  is approximately 1.3 times greater than the individual height H i  of each assembly  500 . In other embodiments, however, the nested height H n  can be as great as approximately 1.8 times the individual height H i  of each assembly  500 . In still further embodiments, the nested height H n  can be greater than 1.8 times, or less than  1 . 3  times, the individual height H i  of each assembly  500 . 
     The reduced overall nested height H n  of the stacked assembly  502  provides several advantages for shipping and storing the assemblies  500 . For example, the nested height H n  of the stacked assembly  502  can provide reduced shipping costs by allowing more units or assemblies  500  per volume when shipping. Retailers can also maximize shelf space due to the reduced nested height H n  of the assemblies  500 . For example, and as explained in detail below with reference to  FIG. 6 , complete packaged assemblies  500 , including all of the components associated with each assembly  500 , can be stacked or nested together while still retaining the reduced overall nested height H n  of the stacked assembly  502 . 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a packaged firearm rest assembly  600  (“assembly  600 ”) configured in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly  600  includes a base  610  that is generally similar in structure and function to the bases of the assemblies  100 ,  500  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . For example, the base  610  includes multiple cavities and recesses for storing supports  620  (identified individually as a first support  620   a  and a second support  620   b ), a handle  612 , and other firearm paraphernalia. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the assembly  600  also includes packaging material  604  at least partially covering the base  610 . The packaging material  604  can help to at least partially retain accessories, components, or hardware associated with the assembly. Moreover, the packaging material  604  is configured to allow the assembly  600  to be stacked or nested with other similar assemblies while still maintaining an overall reduced nested height. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the packaging material  604  generally conforms to the shape and contour of the base  610  to thereby allow the assembly  600  to be stacked in the nested configuration with similar packaged assemblies. More specifically, the illustrated packaging material  604  includes a series of folds or bends that follow the shape of the cavities in the base  610 . In certain embodiments, the packaging material  604  can be made from paper or a paper-based material (e.g., cardboard) that is folded to match the shape or contour of the base  610 . In other embodiments, however, the packaging material  604  can be made from other materials, including, for example, plastic. In one embodiment, for example, the assembly  600  can include plastic packaging that is vacuum sealed to at least partially cover the base  610  and generally conform to the shape and contour of the base  610 . In still further embodiments, the assembly  600  can include shrink wrap packaging that conforms to the shape of the base  610 . In yet another embodiment, the assembly  600  can include a box generally surrounding the base  610  with cut-out portions corresponding to projections from the underside of a similar assembly to allow stacking of the assemblies in a nested configuration. 
     In certain embodiments, the packaging material  604  can also include textual or graphical information relating to the assembly  600 . For example, the packaging material  604  can include instructions relating to the use of the assembly  600 , features of the assembly  600 , pictures of the assembly  600 , etc. The packaging material  604  can also include brand identifying information such as a trademark or logo for the assembly  600 . Moreover, in certain embodiments the packaging material  604  is configured to be positioned under the handle  612  to allow the handle  612  to pivot between the stored and carrying positions when the packaging material  604  is in place. In other embodiments, however, the packaging material  604  can at least partially cover the handle  612  to retain the handle  612  in the stored position. 
     According to another aspect of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the packaging material  604  also includes retention holes  606 . A retention member  608  (e.g., a wire, twist tie, cable tie, zip tie, string, etc.) can pass through each retention hole  606  in the packaging material  604  and corresponding holes in the supports  620  and base  610 . In this manner, the retention member  608  can secure the supports  620  to the base  610  and the packaging material  604 , and still allow the assembly  600  to be stacked with a similar assembly in a nested configuration. 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a firearm rest assembly  700  (“assembly  700 ”) configured in accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure. The assembly  700  includes several features that are generally similar in structure and function to the assemblies  100 ,  500 ,  600  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . For example, the assembly  700  includes a base  710  with supports  720  (identified individually as a first support  720   a  shown in the stored arrangement and a second support  720   b  shown in the support arrangement). Similar to the embodiments described above, the supports  720  can be positioned in the stored arrangement in a storage cavity  730 . In the illustrated embodiment, however, the supports  720  are pivotally coupled to the base  710  to move from the stored arrangement to the support arrangement, and vice versa. More specifically, the assembly  700  includes hinges  721  (only one of which is visible in  FIG. 7 ) that pivotally attach each support  720  to the base  710 . The base  710  also includes storage retaining members  742  (identified individually as a first storage retaining member  742   a  and a second storage retaining member  742   b ) and support retaining members  744  (only one of which is visible in  FIG. 7 ). The storage retaining members  742  and the support retaining members  744  can be generally similar to the retaining members  342  described above with reference to  FIGS. 3A-4 . In the illustrated embodiment, however, the storage retaining members  742  retain the supports  720  in the stored arrangement, and the support retaining members  744  retain the supports  720  in the support arrangement. In this manner, the supports  720  can be pivotally attached to the base  710  and securely retained in each of the stored and support arrangements. Moreover, when the supports  720  are in the stored arrangement, the assembly  700  can be stacked with similar assemblies in a nested configuration. 
     In certain embodiments, the supports  720  can be retained in the storage or support positions with features other than the storage retaining members  742  and the support retaining members  744 . For example, in certain embodiments the hinges  721  can be spring-loaded hinges that can be used to position and retain the supports  720  in the desired configuration. In still further embodiments, other biasing features can be used to move or retain the supports  720  in the stored or support arrangements. 
       FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of a firearm rest assembly  800  (“assembly  800 ”) configured in accordance with a further embodiment of the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly  800  includes a base  810  with a support opening  844  configured to receive an adjustable support  820 . For purposes of illustration, the cross-sectional view shown of  FIG. 8  is taken substantially along the line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 3B , although the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3B  does not include an adjustable support  820 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , in the illustrated embodiment the assembly  800  includes fasteners  874  (identified individually as a first fastener  874   a  and a second fastener  874   b ) that are rotatably retained in the base  810  in the support opening  844 . The fasteners  874  receive corresponding threaded shafts  872  (identified individually as a first shaft  872   a  and a second shaft  872   b ) extending from the support  820 . In certain embodiments, each fastener  874  can be a threaded nut having an exterior surface that facilitates rotation of the fastener  874  by a user. For example, the fasteners  874  can include a knurled exterior surface, a hexagonal surface, a wing nut configuration, etc. When a user rotates each fastener  874 , the fasteners  874  move the corresponding shafts  872  up or down in the directions indicated by arrow  876 . Accordingly, a user can adjust the height of the support  820  to move the section of the firearm positioned in the support  820 . Moreover, similar to the embodiments described above, the support  820  can also be removably retained in the base  810  in a stored configuration to allow the assembly  800  to be stacked with similar assemblies in a nested configuration. 
     Although the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8  includes two shafts  872  and corresponding fasteners  874 , in other embodiments the assembly  800  can include a different number of adjustment mechanisms, including, for example, a single shaft  872  and corresponding fastener  874 . In still further embodiments, the assembly  800  can include other adjustment mechanisms to adjust the height of the support  820  when the support  820  is in the support arrangement. Moreover, although only a single adjustable support  820  is shown in  FIG. 8 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that the assembly  800  can include at least a second adjustable support that is generally similar to the illustrated adjustable support  820 . 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications can be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, the base of the assemblies described herein may have other configurations or include other suitable packaging assemblies (e.g., plastic clamshell packaging, shrink-wrapped packaging, etc.). Moreover, specific elements of any of the foregoing embodiments can be combined or substituted for elements in other embodiments. Furthermore, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described in the context of these embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited except as by the appended claims.