Patent Publication Number: US-11656052-B2

Title: Support mount for tripod or the like

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/106,095 filed Oct. 27, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to a support mount selectively coupled to a tripod, bipod, etc., and more particularly to a support mount selectively coupled to a tripod, bipod, etc. to support at least one of a firearm or an accessory on the tripod, bipod, etc. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a support mount is configured to couple a firearm and an accessory to a support stand. The support mount includes a base assembly including an attachment member configured to be selectively coupled to the support stand, a first base member coupled to the attachment member, a second base member coupled to the attachment member, and an adjustment subassembly coupled to the first base member and the second base member. The support mount includes a first platform moveably coupled to the first base member between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation relative to the first base member. The first platform is configured to support the accessory when the first platform is in the vertical orientation or the horizontal orientation. The support mount includes a second platform moveably coupled to the second base member between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation relative to the second base member. The second platform is configured to support the accessory when the second platform is in the vertical orientation or the horizontal orientation. The adjustment subassembly is operable to move the first platform and the second platform relative to each other. The adjustment subassembly is configured to clamp the firearm to the support mount. 
     In another aspect, a support mount is configured to couple a firearm to a support stand. The support mount includes an attachment member configured to be selectively coupled to the support stand, a first platform coupled relative to the attachment member in a first orientation relative to the attachment member, and a second platform coupled relative to the attachment member in a second orientation. The second orientation is oriented differently than the first orientation of the first platform. The support mount includes an adjustment subassembly operable to move the first platform and the second platform relative to each other. The adjustment subassembly is configured to clamp the firearm to the support mount. 
     In yet another aspect, a support mount is configured to couple an accessory to a support stand. The support mount includes an attachment member configured to be selectively coupled to the support stand, a first platform coupled relative to the attachment member in a first orientation relative to the attachment member, and a second platform coupled relative to the attachment member in a second orientation. The second orientation is oriented differently than the first orientation of the first platform. The second platform is configured to support the accessory when the second platform is in the second orientation. The support mount includes an adjustment subassembly operable to move the first platform and the second platform relative to each other. 
     Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a support mount according to one embodiment coupled to a tripod and a firearm to support the firearm on the tripod. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the support mount coupled to the tripod and an accessory, such as binoculars, to support the accessory on the tripod. 
         FIG.  3    is a top perspective view of the support mount including wing support members in a first orientation. 
         FIG.  4    is a bottom perspective view of the support mount of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a first exploded view of the support mount of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  6    is a second exploded view of the support mount of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the support mount including the wing support members in a second orientation. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of the support mount including the wing support members in a third orientation. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of the support mount of  FIG.  7    including attachment members selectively coupled to the support mount to couple at least one accessory to the support mount. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of the support mount of  FIG.  3    including the attachment members selectively coupled to the support mount to couple the at least one accessory to the support mount. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of a support mount according to another embodiment including platforms positioned in vertical orientations. 
         FIG.  12    is a first exploded view of the support mount of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  13    is a second exploded view of the support mount of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of the support mount of  FIG.  11    including the platforms positioned in horizontal orientations. 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of the support mount of  FIG.  11    including the platforms positioned in the vertical orientations with one of the platforms supporting an attachment member. 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective view of the support mount of  FIG.  11    including the platforms positioned in the vertical orientations with an attachment member supported between the platforms. 
         FIG.  17    is a perspective view of the support mount of  FIG.  11    including one platform positioned in the vertical orientation and the other platform positioned in the horizontal orientation. 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of the support mount of  FIG.  11    according to another embodiment including one platform positioned in the vertical orientation and the other platform positioned in the horizontal orientation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments and being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Terms of degree, such as “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” etc. are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer to reasonable ranges outside of the given value, for example, general tolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of the described embodiments. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a support mount  10  selectively coupled to a portable stand (e.g., a tripod  15 ). In other embodiments, the portable stand can be a bipod, monopod, etc. In further embodiments, the support mount  10  can be selectively coupled or fixedly coupled to a different type of stand (e.g., a non-portable stand). The illustrated support mount  10  can support a firearm  20  on the tripod  15  ( FIG.  1   ) and can also be reconfigurable to support at least one accessory on the tripod  15 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  2   , the support mount  10  can support an accessory  25  (e.g., optics including binoculars, spotting scope, range finder, etc.) on the tripod  15 . In other embodiments, the accessory  25  can be a different accessory (e.g., a support to attach a camera, smartphone, etc. to the support mount  10 ). 
     With reference to  FIGS.  3 - 6   , the illustrated support mount  10  includes a base  30  having a body  35 , a slider  40 , and a fastener  45  defining a longitudinal axis  50 . The fastener  45  is coupled to the body  35  and the slider  40 . The illustrated body  35  includes a universal attachment member  60  and guide rails  70  extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis  50 . The universal attachment member  60  is of conventional design to couple to the tripod  15 —includes ribs  75  formed on opposite edges of the universal attachment member  60  to be seated within an attachment feature of the tripod  15 . The illustrated body  35  also includes a first base ring  80 , a second base ring  85 , a protrusion  90  positioned between the first and second base rings  80 ,  85 , a first base cavity  100  positioned between the first base ring  80  and the protrusion  90 , and a second base cavity  105  positioned between the second base ring  85  and the protrusion  90 . The first base ring  80  defines a first base slot  110  in communication with the first base cavity  100 , and the second base ring  85  defines a second base slot  115  in communication with the second base cavity  105 . Both the first and second base rings  80 ,  85  are elongated in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis  50  of the fastener  45  to form elongated first and second base slots  110 ,  115 . A base stop surface  120  is formed on one side of the first and second base rings  80 ,  85 , and a base support surface  125  is formed on the other side of the first and second base rings  80 ,  85 . In the illustrated embodiment, the base support surface  125 , the base stop surface  120 , and a top surface of the guide rails  70  are positioned in the same horizontal plane. In other embodiments, the base stop surface  120  can be positioned in a plane spaced from the plane defining the base support surface  125 . In further embodiments, the protrusion  90  can be omitted such that the base stop surface  120  forms a continuous surface with the base support surface  125 . In addition, the base  30  also includes a threaded aperture  130  extending through the body  35  between the first and second base rings  80 ,  85 . The threaded aperture  130  is sized to engage the fastener  45 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  3 - 6   , the illustrated slider  40  includes first and second channels  140  extending through the slider  40 , a first slider ring  145 , and a second slider ring  150 . In addition, an intermediate ring  155  is positioned between the first and second slider rings  145 ,  150 , a first slider cavity  160  is positioned between the first slider ring  145  and the intermediate ring  155 , and a second slider cavity  165  is positioned between the second slider ring  150  and the intermediate ring  155 . The first slider ring  145  defines a first slider slot  170  in communication with the first slider cavity  160 , and the second slider ring  150  defines a second slider slot  175  in communication with the second slider cavity  165 . Both the first and second slider rings  145 ,  150  are elongated in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis  50  of the fastener  45  to form elongated first and second slider slots  170 ,  175 . A slider stop surface  180  is formed on one side of the first and second slider rings  145 ,  150 , and a slider support surface  185  is formed on the other side of the first and second slider rings  145 ,  150 . In the illustrated embodiment, the slider stop surface  180  is positioned in a horizontal plane spaced from a horizontal plane defining the slider support surface  185 , and the slider support surface  185  is positioned in the horizontal plane defining the base support surface  125 . In other embodiments, the slider support surface  185  can be omitted. In addition, the slider  40  includes a lip  190  positioned on the side of the first and second slider rings  145 ,  150  opposite the slider stop surface  180 , and the lip  190  is positioned in the same horizontal plane that defines the slider stop surface  180 . In other embodiments, the intermediate ring  155  can be omitted such that the slider stop surface  180  forms a continuous surface with the lip  190 . The slider  40  also includes a non-threaded aperture  195  extending through the slider  40  between the first and second channels  140 . The non-threaded aperture  195  is sized to receive a portion of the fastener  45 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the illustrated support mount  10  also includes a first wing support  196  (e.g., a first clamp member) coupled to the body  35  and a second wing support  198  (e.g., a second clamp member) coupled to the slider  40 . The illustrated first wing support  196  includes a first surface  200  (e.g., a first clamping surface), a second surface  205  opposite the first surface  200 , and a first support slot  210  (e.g., a first attachment feature) extending between the first and second surfaces  200 ,  205 . The first wing support  196  also includes a first arm  215  having a first shaft  220  and a second arm  225  having a second shaft  230 . Similarly, the illustrated second wing support  198  includes a first surface  235  (e.g., a second clamping surface), a second surface  240  opposite the first surface  235 , and a second support slot  245  (e.g., a second attachment feature) extending between the first and second surfaces  235 ,  240 . The second wing support  198  also includes a first arm  250 , a second arm  255 , and a shaft  260  extending between the first and second arms  250 ,  255 . 
     During assembly of the support mount  10 , the first and second channels  140  of the slider  40  receive the guide rails  70  of the body  35  to align the threaded aperture  130  with the non-threaded aperture  195 . The fastener  45  extends through the non-threaded aperture  195  of the slider  40  to engage the threaded aperture  130  of the body  35 . The first wing support  196  is coupled to the base  30  such that the first shaft  220  is received within the first base slot  110  and the second shaft  230  is received within the second base slot  115 . As a result, the first arm  215  is received within the first base cavity  100  and the second arm  225  is received within the second base cavity  105 . In other embodiments, the protrusion  90  of the body  35  can be hollow such that a single shaft of the first wing support  196  is received within the first base slot  110 , the protrusion  90 , and the second base slot  115 . The second wing support  198  is coupled to the slider  40  such that the shaft  260  is received within the first slider slot  170 , the second slider slot  175 , and a slot defined by the intermediate ring  155 . As a result, the first arm  250  is received within the first slider cavity  160  and the second arm  255  is received within the second slider cavity  165 . In other embodiments, the intermediate ring  155  of the slider  40  can be solid such that a portion of the shaft  260  does not extend between the first and second arms  250 ,  255 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  3 ,  7 , and  8   , each wing support  196 ,  198  can be positioned in at least three configurations/orientations relative to the base  30 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , the first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  are both in a first configuration such that the first surfaces  200 ,  235  of the first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  are facing each other, and the second surfaces  205 ,  240  of the first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  are facing away from each other. In other words, the first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  are oriented vertically relative to the longitudinal axis  50 . The first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  are maintained in the first configuration by the first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  being seated in the body  35  and the slider  40 . In particular, the first wing support  196  is seated in the body  35  such that the first and second shafts  220 ,  230  engage a bottom portion  265  of the first and second base slots  110 ,  115 . As a result, the first and second arms  215 ,  225  engage walls that define the first and second base cavities  100 ,  105  such that the first wing support  196  is inhibited from pivoting relative to the body  35 . Likewise, the second wing support  198  is seated in the slider  40  such that the shaft  260  engages a bottom portion  270  of the first and second slider slots  170 ,  175 . As a result, the first and second arms  250 ,  255  engage walls that define the first and second slider cavities  160 ,  165  such that the second wing support  198  is inhibited from pivoting relative to the slider  40 . 
     The first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  are both selectively moveable into a second configuration/orientation (e.g., an expanded configuration) as shown in  FIG.  7    such that the first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis  50 . Specifically, to move the first wing support  196  from the first configuration ( FIG.  3   ) to the second configuration ( FIG.  7   ), the first wing support  196  is first moved upwardly in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis  50  for the first and second shafts  220 ,  230  to engage a top portion  275  of the first and second base slots  110 ,  115 . As a result, the first wing support  196  is allowed to pivot about the first and second shafts  220 ,  230  into the second configuration. In this configuration, the first and second arms  215 ,  225  engage the base stop surface  120  to support the first wing support  196  in the second configuration and to inhibit hyper rotation of the first wing support  196 . Likewise, to move the second wing support  198  from the first configuration ( FIG.  3   ) to the second configuration ( FIG.  7   ), the second wing support  198  is first moved upwardly in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis  50  for the shaft  260  to engage a top portion  280  of the first and second slider slots  170 ,  175 . As a result, the second wing support  198  is allowed to pivot about the shaft  260  into the second configuration. In this configuration, the first and second arms  250 ,  255  engage the slider stop surface  180  to support the second wing support  198  in the second configuration and to inhibit hyper rotation of the second wing support  198 . 
     The first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  are both selectively moveable into a third configuration/orientation (e.g., a folded or retracted configuration) as shown in  FIG.  8    such that the first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis  50 . Specifically, to move the first wing support  196  from the second configuration ( FIG.  7   ) to the third configuration ( FIG.  8   ), the first wing support  196  pivots about the first and second shafts  220 ,  230  for the first surface  200  of the first wing support  196  to engage the top surface of the guide rails  70  and the slider support surface  185 . In addition, the first and second arms  215 ,  225  engage the base support surface  125 . In other embodiments, the first surface  200  can also engage the base support surface  125  and/or the first and second arms  215 ,  225  can engage the guide rails  70 . Likewise, to move the second wing support  198  from the second configuration ( FIG.  7   ) to the third configuration ( FIG.  8   ), the second wing support  198  pivots about the shaft  260  for the first surface  235  of the second wing support  198  to engage the second surface  205  of the first wing support  196 . In addition, the first and second arms  250 ,  255  engage the lip  190  of the slider  40 . 
     The illustrated first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  can also move from the first configuration ( FIG.  3   ) directly into the third configuration ( FIG.  8   ). In addition, the first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  can be independently positioned in different configurations than the other wing support  196 ,  198 . For example, the first wing support  196  can be in the first, second, or third configuration while the second wing support  198  is in the first, second, or third configuration. 
       FIGS.  9  and  10    illustrate attachment members  285  selectively coupled to the first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  to support an accessory (e.g., the optics  25 ) on the support mount  10 . In particular, each attachment member  285  includes an attachment base  290 , a platform  295 , and a stem  300  coupling the attachment base  290  to the platform  295 . The attachment base  290  is sized to be received within the support slots  210 ,  245  such that the attachment member  285  is non-rotatably coupled to the support mount  10 . For example, the attachment base  290  is shaped as a cuboid member to inhibit rotation within the support slots  210 ,  245 . As shown in  FIG.  9   , both wing supports  196 ,  198  are positioned in the second configuration with the stems  270  of the attachment members  285  extending through the support slots  210 ,  245  beyond the first surfaces  200 ,  235 . As shown in  FIG.  10   , the attachment members  285  can be flipped such that the stems  300  extend through the support slots  210 ,  245  beyond the second surfaces  205 ,  240 . In other embodiments, the attachment base  290  can include retaining members to inhibit the attachment members  285  from inadvertently sliding out of the support slots  210 ,  245 . For example, the attachment base  290  can include a detent assembly to interface with the support slots  210 ,  245 , the wing supports  196 ,  198  can include a latch to retain the attachment members  285  to the wing supports  196 ,  198 , magnets can retain the attachment members  285  to the wing supports  196 ,  198 , etc. The illustrated platform  295  enables an accessory (e.g., binoculars, spotting scope, etc.) to be mounted to the attachment member  285  (e.g., by a fastener coupling the accessory to the attachment member  285 ), which is then coupled to the support mount  10 . In other embodiments, the platform  295  can be omitted or selectively removed such that the stem  300  is coupled to the accessory to mount the accessory to the support mount  10 . In further embodiments, the attachment members  285  can be differently configured dependent upon the desired accessory to be mounted to the support mount  10 . 
     During operation (e.g., during a hunt), at least one accessory (e.g., the binoculars  25 ) can be coupled to the support mount  10  while at least one support wing  196 ,  198  is positioned in the first configuration ( FIG.  3   ), the second configuration ( FIG.  7   ), or the third configuration ( FIG.  8   ). For example, as shown in  FIG.  2   , the binoculars  25  is coupled to the attachment member  285 , which is coupled to the second support wing  198  when both the first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  are in the third configuration ( FIG.  8   ). In other embodiments, a plurality of accessories (e.g., a plurality of binoculars  25 , a plurality of spotting scopes, the binoculars  25  and a spotting scope, etc.) can be coupled to the support mount  10 . For example, the binoculars  25  can be coupled to an attachment member  285 , which is coupled to the first wing support  196  when in the first configuration ( FIG.  10   ) or the third configuration ( FIG.  9   ), and the spotting scope can be coupled to another attachment member  285 , which is coupled to the second wing support  198  when in the first configuration ( FIG.  10   ) or the third configuration ( FIG.  9   ). The support mount  10  provides many more configurations of mounting an accessory to the support mount  10  not explicitly disclosed herein. 
     At least one benefit of the illustrated support mount  10  is the ability to quickly be adjusted into the different configurations. For example, the firearm  20  can be quickly mounted on the support mount  10  once a target has been identified through the optics  25 . The firearm  20  is supported on the tripod  15  via the support mount  10  ( FIG.  1   ) to provide stability to the firearm  20  during a shot. Specifically, the accessory or accessories are quickly removed from the support mount  10  by sliding the attachment members  285  out of the wing supports  196 ,  198 . The first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  are then positioned in the first configuration ( FIG.  3   ) and the firearm  20  is placed between the first and second wing supports  196 ,  198  for the firearm  20  to be at least supported on the guide rails  70 . Then, the fastener  45  is rotated in a first direction to move the slider  40  toward the body  35  along the guide rails  70 . Ultimately, the first surfaces  200 ,  235  of the wing supports  196 ,  198  will contact the firearm  20  (e.g., a stock of the firearm  20 ), and with continued tightening of the fastener  45 , the wing supports  196 ,  198  clamp the firearm  20  to the support mount  10 . As such, the firearm  20  is inhibited from moving relative to the base  30  and the wing supports  196 ,  198 . In some embodiments, the first surfaces  200 ,  235  can be enhanced to improve the gripping forces of the wing supports  196 ,  198  on the firearm  20  (e.g., the first surfaces  200 ,  235  can be textured, include gripping pads, etc.). As the support mount  10  is coupled to the tripod  15 , the firearm  20  can be accurately positioned on target by the articulation between the tripod  15  and the support mount  10 . 
     In some embodiments, both the firearm  20  and an accessory  25  can be coupled to the support mount  10  at the same time. For example, while the support mount  10  is coupled to the firearm  20  ( FIG.  1   ), an attachment member  285  can be coupled to a spotting scope and attached to one of the first and second support wings  196 ,  198 . As such, the spotting scope is positioned on a side of the firearm  20 . This dual configuration is advantageous while, for example, the firearm  20  is being sighted in on a range. The support mount  10  conveniently locates the spotting scope adjacent the firearm  20  to see placement of a shot on a target by the firearm  20 . In other situations, this dual configuration can also be advantageous. For example, a range finder can be coupled to the support mount  10  via an attachment member  285  to determine a distance of a target prior to discharging the firearm  20 , a camera can be coupled to the support mount  10  via an attachment member  285  to document the hunt, etc. 
     To remove the firearm  20  from the support mount  10 , the fastener  45  is rotated in a second direction to allow movement of the slider  40  away from the body  35  to ultimately move the support wings  196 ,  198  away from each other. Once the clamping force of the support mount  10  on the firearm  20  subsides, the firearm  20  can be removed from the support mount  10 . In some embodiments, a mechanism (e.g., a pin, etc.) can couple the fastener  45  to the slider  40  such that the slider  40  axially moves with the fastener  45  along the longitudinal axis  50  as the fastener  45  rotates in either rotational direction. In other embodiments, the fastener  45  can abut the slider  40  to move the slider  40  toward the body  35  as the fastener  45  is rotated in the first direction, and can be spaced from the slider  40  as the fastener  45  is rotated in the second direction to allow manual movement of the slider  40  away from the body  35 . In further embodiments, the slider  40  can be spring biased away from the body  35  such that the slider  40  automatically moves away from the body  35  when the fastener  45  is loosened. 
       FIGS.  11 - 18    illustrate a support mount  400  according to another embodiment. The support mount  400  is similar to the support mount  10  as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 10   . At least some differences and/or at least some similarities between the support mounts  10 ,  400  will be discussed in detail below. In addition, components or features described with respect to the support mount  400  are equally applicable to the support mount  10  and vice versa. 
     The illustrated support mount  400  is selectively coupled to a support stand (e.g., the tripod  15 ;  FIG.  1   ). With reference to  FIGS.  11 - 13   , the support mount  400  includes a base assembly  405  having a stand attachment member  410 , a first base member  415 , and a second base member  420 . The stand attachment member  410  includes a universal attachment member  425  or dovetail protrusion (similar to the universal attachment member  60  as discussed above), a vertical wall  430  extending upwardly from the universal attachment member  425 , and a horizontal support wall  435  extending upwardly from the vertical wall  430 . The vertical wall  430  includes alignment apertures  440  extending therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, the vertical wall  430  includes three apertures  440 . In addition, the base assembly  405  includes stops  445  coupled to lateral sides of the vertical wall  430 . In the illustrated embodiment, the stops  445  are coupled to the vertical wall  430  by fasteners, and a top surface of the stops  445  are engageable with tabs  450  extending from the support wall  435  to inhibit the stops  445  from moving (e.g., pivoting) relative to the stand attachment member  410 . The illustrated stops  445  are removable from the base assembly  405  by removing the fasteners. In other embodiments, the stops  445  can be formed integral with the vertical wall  430  to be formed as one piece with the stand attachment member  410 . 
     The illustrated first base member  415  and the second base member  420  are constructed to be similar, and as such, features of the first base member  415  are discussed below but are equally applicable to the features of the second base member  420 . With continued reference to  FIGS.  11 - 13   , the first base member  415  includes a body  455  having alignment apertures  460  extending through the body  455  that align with the alignment apertures  440  of the stand attachment member  410 . In addition, each lateral side of the body  455  includes a pivot aperture  465  and locating apertures  470   a ,  470   b  with the locating apertures  470   a ,  470   b  positioned at the same radial distance relative to the pivot aperture  465 . In other embodiments, the first base member  415  can include one pivot aperture  465  that extends through the body  455 . In further embodiments, only one lateral side of the body  455  can include the locating apertures  470   a ,  470   b . The first base member  415  also includes a vertical clamping wall  475  extending upwardly from the body  455 . The vertical clamping wall  475  includes a beveled edge  480  formed on an inboard lateral side of the vertical clamping wall  475 . In other embodiments, the vertical clamping wall  475  can be omitted. 
     The base assembly  405  also includes an adjustment subassembly  485  that couples the stand attachment member  410 , the first base member  415 , and the second base member  420  together. In particular, the adjustment subassembly  485  includes guide rails  490  that are received through the alignment apertures  440 ,  460  of the stand attachment member  410 , the first base member  415 , and the second base member  420 . In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment subassembly  485  includes two guide rails  490  that are received through two of the alignment apertures  440 ,  460 . The guide rails  490  are fixed to the second base member  420  and are slidably coupled to the first base member  415  and the stand attachment member  410 . In other embodiments, the guide rails  490  can be fixed to the first base member  415  and slidably coupled to the second base member  420  and the stand attachment member  410 . In further embodiments, the adjustment subassembly  485  can include one or more than two guide rails  490 . 
     In addition, the adjustment subassembly  485  includes a threaded shaft  495  coupled to an adjustment knob  500  with the threaded shaft  495  received through the alignment apertures  440 ,  460  of the stand attachment member  410 , the first base member  415 , and the second base member  420 . In the illustrated embodiment, the threaded shaft  495  is positioned between the two guide rails  490  and threadably engages an alignment aperture  460  of the second base member  420 . The alignment apertures  460  of the first base member  415  and the stand attachment member  410  that receives the threaded shaft  495  are smooth bore alignment apertures  460 . In addition, the threaded shaft  495  extends through biasing members (e.g., compression springs  505 ) with a first spring  505  positioned between the vertical wall  430  and the first base member  415  and a second spring  505  positioned between the vertical wall  430  and the second base member  420 . The springs  505  bias the first base member  415  and the second base member  420  away from the stand attachment member  410  in directions along a longitudinal axis  510  of the threaded shaft  495 . The illustrated adjustment knob  500  is operable to rotate the threaded shaft  495  to selectively adjust a distance, parallel to the longitudinal axis  510 , between the first base member  415  and the second base member  420  discussed in more detail below. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  11 - 13   , the illustrated support mount  400  also includes a first platform  515  moveably coupled to the first base member  415  and a second platform  520  movably coupled to the second base member  420 . In particular, the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  are pivotably coupled to the first base member  415  and the second base member  420 , respectively, about pivot axes  525  oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  510  of the threaded shaft  495 . The illustrated first platform  515  and the second platform  520  are constructed to be similar, and as such, features of the first platform  515  are discussed below but are equally applicable to the features of the second platform  520 . 
     The first platform  515  includes a body  530  and two legs  535  extending from the body  530  such that the body  530  and the two legs  535  define a cavity that receives the first base member  415 . Pivot hubs  540  are received through apertures extending through the legs  535  such that the pivot hubs  540  engage the pivot apertures  465  of the first base member  415 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot apertures  465  are threaded to engage threads of the pivot hubs  540  to fix the pivot hubs  540  to the first base member  415 , and the first platform  515  is pivotable about a portion of the pivot hubs  540  extending from the lateral sides of the first base member  415 . As discussed above, the pivot apertures  465  can be one through aperture of the first base member  415 , and in this embodiment, the support mount  400  can include one pivot hub that extends between the two legs  535 . In addition, a platform locking member  545  (e.g., platform supporting member) is coupled to one leg  535  of the first platform  515  to be received within one of the locating apertures  470   a ,  470   b  of the first base member  415  to secure the first platform  515  in a desired position relative to the first base member  415 . In particular, the platform locking member  545  is a partially threaded pin that threadably engages a lock aperture  550  formed through the leg  535 . The pin is operable to selectively secure the first platform  515  in a first/vertical orientation ( FIG.  11   ) or a second/horizontal orientation ( FIG.  14   ) discussed in more detail below. In other embodiments, the first platform  515  can include two or more platform locking members  545  to selectively secure the first platform  515  in the vertical orientation or the horizontal orientation. For example, the first platform  515  can include one platform locking member  545  on each lateral side of the first platform  515 . 
     The illustrated first platform  515  also includes a first side  555  and a second side  560  opposite the first side  555 . The first side  555  includes a first mounting dovetail slot  565  having a longitudinal axis oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis  525  and a first locking dovetail slot  570  having a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the pivot axis  525 . The first locking dovetail slot  570  is in communication with the first mounting dovetail slot  565 . The first side  555  also includes ribs  575  protruding from ends of the legs  535  and notches  580  formed adjacent an end portion of the body  530 . The illustrated second side  560  includes a second mounting dovetail slot  585  having a longitudinal axis oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis  525  and a second locking dovetail slot  590  having a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the pivot axis  525 . The second locking dovetail slot  590  is in communication with the second mounting dovetail slot  585 . In addition, the first and second mounting dovetail slots  565 ,  585  are positioned between the first locking dovetail slot  570  and the second locking dovetail slot  590  in a direction parallel to the pivot axis  525 . 
     The first platform  515  also includes a first locking member  595  and a second locking member  600 . Each locking member  595 ,  600  includes a dovetail protrusion  605 . The dovetail protrusion  605  of the first locking member  595  is received within the first locking dovetail slot  570 , and the dovetail protrusion  605  of the second locking member  600  is received within the second locking dovetail slot  590 . The first locking member  595  and the second locking member  600  also include a fastener  610  that couples the first locking member  595  and the second locking member  600  to the first platform  515 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener  610  is a threaded fastener that threadably engages the body  530  of the first platform  515  and includes a gripping portion that is operable to rotate the fastener  610 . 
     As discussed above, the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  can be secured in either the vertical orientation or the horizontal orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the vertical orientation of the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  is such that at least one of the first and second sides  555 ,  560  is oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  510 , and the horizontal orientation of the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  is such that at least one of the first and side sides  555 ,  560  is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis  510 . In other embodiments, the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation of the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  can be oriented differently relative to the longitudinal axis  510 . For example, the first platform  515  can be positioned in at least two positions, one of which is more vertical than the other position relative to the longitudinal axis  510 . Likewise, the second platform  520  can be positioned in at least two positions, one of which is more vertical than the other position relative to the longitudinal axis  510 . 
     Movement between the vertical and horizontal orientations is substantially the same between the first platform  515  and the second platform  520 . As such, movement of the first platform  515  between the vertical and horizontal orientations is discussed in detail below but is also applicable to movement of the second platform  520  between the vertical and horizontal orientations. To secure the first platform  515  in the vertical orientation ( FIG.  11   ), the first platform  515  is rotated about the pivot axis  525  for the platform locking member  545  to align with the lower/outboard locating aperture  470   a  of the first base member  415 . By rotating the platform locking member  545  in a tightening direction, a tip (e.g., an unthreaded portion) of the platform locking member  545  is received within the lower/outboard locating aperture  470   a  to inhibit the first platform  515  from movement about the pivot axis  525  and secure the first platform  515  in the vertical orientation. In addition, the vertical clamping wall  475  of the first base member  415  can be coupled to the first platform  515  to also fix the first platform  515  in the vertical orientation. In particular, the vertical clamping wall  475  is received within the first mounting dovetail slot  565  for the bevel edge  480  of the vertical clamping wall  475  to at least partially align with the first locking dovetail slot  570 . The first locking member  595  is tightened to the first platform  515  for the dovetail protrusion  605  of the first locking member  595  to engage the bevel edge  480 . Engagement between the first locking member  595  and the vertical clamping wall  475  inhibits the first platform  515  from movement about the pivot axis  525  to also secure the first platform  515  in the vertical orientation. 
     To move the first platform  515  from the vertical orientation ( FIG.  11   ) to the horizontal orientation ( FIG.  14   ), the first locking member  595  is loosened to disengage from the bevel edge  480  and the platform locking member  545  is also loosened to be spaced from the first base member  415 . Accordingly, the first platform  515  can be rotatable about the pivot axis  525  into the horizontal orientation such that the platform locking member  545  aligns with the upper/inboard locating aperture  470   b . By rotating the platform locking member  545  in a tightening direction, the tip of the platform locking member  545  is received within the upper/inboard locating aperture  470   b  to secure the first platform  515  in the horizontal orientation. In some embodiments, the stops  445  can be removed for the first platform  515  to pivot into the horizontal orientation. In other embodiments, the stops  445  can remain coupled to the stand attachment member  410  and the adjustment knob  500  can be rotated to allow for enough clearance between the first platform  515  and the stops  445  for the first platform  515  to pivot into the horizontal orientation. 
     In other embodiments, the platform locking member  545  can operate in a different manner to lock or unlocked the first platform  515  relative to the first base member  415 . For example, the platform locking member  545  can be a biased pull pin that is biased in a direction for the pin to be received within the locating apertures  470   a ,  470   b  to secure the first platform  515  in either the vertical orientation or the horizontal orientation. Upon axially pulling the pin away from the first base member  415 , the pin can be spaced from the locating apertures  470   a ,  470   b  allowing the first platform  515  to pivot about the pivot axis  525 . 
     As also discussed above, the adjustment knob  500  is operable to adjust a distance between first base member  415  and the second base member  420  along the longitudinal axis  510  of the threaded shaft  495 . Accordingly, the adjustment knob  500  is also operable to adjust a distance between the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  (in either the vertical orientation and/or the horizontal orientation) as the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  are pivotably coupled to the first base member  415  and the second base member  420 , respectively, about the pivot axes  525 . Upon rotation of the adjustment knob  500  in a first rotational direction, the adjustment knob  500  rotates the threaded shaft  495  to move the first base member  415  and the second base member  420  away from each other (e.g., the distance between the vertical clamping walls  475  of the first base member  415  and the second base member  420  increases). In other words, the threaded engagement between the threaded shaft  495  and the alignment aperture  460  of the second base member  420  moves the second base member  420  along the longitudinal axis  510  relative to the first base member  415  and the stand attachment member  410  upon rotation of the adjustment knob  500  in the first rotational direction. Conversely, the threaded shaft  495  moves the first base member  415  and the second base member  420  toward each other when the adjustment knob  500  is rotated in a second rotational direction (e.g., the distance between the vertical clamping walls  475  of the first base member  415  and the second base member  420  decreases). In other words, the threaded engagement between the threaded shaft  495  and the alignment aperture  460  of the second base member  420  moves the second base member  420  along the longitudinal axis  510  relative to the first base member  415  and the stand attachment member  410  upon rotation of the adjustment knob  500  in the second rotational direction. Moreover, the springs  505  are operable to bias the first base member  415  and the second base member  420  away from the stand attachment member  410  at equal distances such that the stand attachment member  410  (e.g., the horizontal support wall  435 ) remains centered between the first base member  415  and the second base member  420  during rotation of the adjustment knob  500 . 
     During operation, the support mount  400  can support a firearm  20  on the stand  15  to stabilize the firearm  20  during a discharge of the firearm  20 . The adjustment knob  500  is rotated to increase the distance between the first base member  415  and the second base member  420  to allow for the firearm  20  to be positioned between the vertical clamping walls  475  of the first base member  415  and the second base member  420 . In particular, the firearm  20  is placed on the supporting wall  435  of the stand attachment member  410  for the firearm  20  to be vertically supported on the support mount  400 . The adjustment knob  500  is then rotated to decrease the distance between the first base member  415  and the second base member  420  causing the vertical clamping walls  475  of the first base member  415  and the second base member  420  to clamp onto the firearm  20 . The adjustment knob  500  is rotated a desired amount to provide a desired clamping force against the firearm  20 . Accordingly, the firearm  20  is fixed to the support mount  400 , and the firearm  20  and the support mount  400  can move together relative to the stand  15  to accurately aim and discharge the firearm  20 . 
     In other embodiments, the adjustment subassembly  485  can be configured differently. For example, the adjustment knob  500  can be replaced with a lever including a cam surface coupled to an end of the threaded shaft  495 , and a nut coupled to the opposite end of the threaded shaft  495 . In one embodiment, the lever is positioned adjacent the first base member  415  and the nut is positioned adjacent the second base member  420 . To clamp the firearm  20  between the vertical clamping walls  475 , the nut is tightened onto the threaded shaft  495  (when the lever is in an unlocked position). Once the nut is relatively tight on the threaded shaft  495  against the second base member  420 , the lever is pivoted into a locked position causing the cam surface to apply additional tension on the threaded shaft  495  to provide a desired clamping force of the vertical clamping walls  475  against the firearm  20 . 
     The first platform  515  and the second platform  520  can be positioned in either the vertical orientation ( FIG.  11   ) or the horizontal orientation ( FIG.  14   ), also see  FIG.  17   , while the firearm  20  is fixed to the support mount  400 . When the first platform  515  and/or the second platform  520  is in the vertical orientation, at least a portion of the first side  555  of the first platform  515  and/or the second platform  520  can engage the firearm  20  to also clamp the firearm  20  to the support mount  400 . In the embodiment that omits the vertical clamping walls  475 , the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  are both positioned in the vertical orientations for the first sides  555  of the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  to clamp the firearm  20  to the support mount  400 . 
     Moreover, the accessory  25  ( FIG.  2   ) can be coupled to the support mount  400  while the firearm  20  is coupled to the support mount  400 . In other embodiments, the accessory  25  can be coupled to the support mount  400  without the firearm  20  coupled to the support mount  400 . The accessory  25  is coupled to the support mount  400  by an attachment member  615  ( FIGS.  15  and  16   ). In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment member  615  is an Arca-Swiss plate having dovetail protrusions  620  that engage the dovetail features of the support mount  400 . The attachment member  615  also includes an attachment feature (e.g., threaded aperture, slot, etc. —not shown) that directly couples to the accessory  25  for the accessory  25  to be coupled to the support mount  400 . The attachment member  615  can be coupled to the first side  555  of the second platform  520  ( FIGS.  14  and  17   ) by inserting the attachment member  615  within the first mounting dovetail slot  565 , and upon tightening the first locking member  595 , the dovetail protrusion  605  of the first locking member  595  engages one dovetail protrusion  620  of the attachment member  615  to fix the attachment member  615  to the second platform  520 . In addition, the attachment member  615  can be coupled to the second side  560  of the second platform  520  ( FIG.  15   ) by inserting the attachment member  615  within the second mounting dovetail slot  585 , and upon tightening the second locking member  600 , the dovetail protrusion  605  of the second locking member  600  engages one dovetail protrusion  620  of the attachment member  615  to fix the attachment member  615  to the second platform  520 . The attachment member  615  can be coupled to the first side  555  or the second side  560  of the first platform  515  in a similar manner. In addition, a plurality of attachment members  615  can be coupled to the support mount  400 . For example, a first attachment member  615  can be coupled to the second side  560  of the first platform  515  and a second attachment member  615  can be coupled to the second side  560  of the second platform  520  when both the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  are in the vertical orientation ( FIG.  15   ), a first attachment member  615  can be coupled to the first side  555  of the first platform  515  and a second attachment member  615  can be coupled to the first side  555  of the second platform  520  when both the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  are in the horizontal orientation ( FIG.  14   ), a first attachment member  615  can be coupled to the second side  560  of the first platform  515  when in the vertical orientation and a second attachment member  615  can be coupled to the first side  555  of the second platform  520  when in the horizontal orientation ( FIG.  17   ), etc. 
     In addition, the attachment member  615  can be coupled to the support mount  400  when the firearm  20  is not coupled to the support mount  400 . For example, the attachment member  615  can be coupled between the first platform  515  and the second platform  520 . When both the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  are in the horizontal orientation ( FIG.  14   ), the attachment member  615  can be positioned between the vertical clamping walls  475  of the first base member  415  and the second base member  420  for the dovetail protrusions  620  of the attachment member  615  to engage the ribs  575  of the first platform  515  and the second platform  520 . In particular, actuation of the adjustment knob  500  allows for a sufficient gap between the ribs  575  of the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  to position the attachment member  615  between the first platform  515  and the second platform  520 . Then, reverse actuation of the adjustment knob  500  moves the ribs  575  into engagement with the dovetail protrusions  620  of the attachment member  615  to clamp the attachment member  615  between the first platform  515  and the second platform  520 . In other embodiments, at least another attachment member can be coupled to the first platform  515  or the second platform  520  (e.g., via the first mounting dovetail slot  565 ) when the attachment member  615  engages the ribs  575 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  16   , the attachment member  615  can be coupled between the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  via the notches  580 . In particular, actuation of the adjustment knob  500  allows for a sufficient gap between the notches  580  of the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  to position the attachment member  615  between the first platform  515  and the second platform  520 . Then, reverse actuation of the adjustment knob  500  moves the notches  580  into engagement with the dovetail protrusions  620  of the attachment member  615  to clamp the attachment member  615  between the first platform  515  and the second platform  520 . Moreover, the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  can engage the stops  445  when the attachment member  615  is tightened between the notches  580  of the first platform  515  and the second platform  520 . The engagement between the first platform  515 , the second platform  520 , and the stops  445  reduces shear forces applied to the platform locking members  545  as the attachment member  615  is clamped between the notches  580  of the first platform  515  and the second platform  520 . In particular, as the adjustment knob  500  is tightened to clamp the attachment member  615  between the first platform  515  and the second platform  520 , the clamping forces act to move the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  about their pivot axes  525  away from each other. This causes the legs  535  of the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  to be biased into the stops  445 , and the moment forces about the pivot axes  525  due to the clamping forces on the attachment member  615  act against the stops  445 . As a result, the moment forces do not act as a shearing force on the platform locking members  545 . In addition, the first locking members  545  can be tightened onto the vertical clamping walls  475  of the first base member  415  and the second base member  420  to help absorb the moment forces created by clamping the attachment member  615  about the pivot axes  525 . 
     In other embodiments, the platform locking members  545  can be positioned at different locations on the support mount  400  to reduce the shearing forces on the platform locking members  545  when the attachment member  615  is clamped via the notches  580 . For example, each platform locking member  545  can be positioned between the corresponding pivot axis  525  and the corresponding notch  580  (e.g., located above the corresponding pivot axis  525  when the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  are in the vertical orientation). Such a position of the platform locking members  545  is closer to the clamping forces against the attachment member  615  when clamped between the notches  580  to reduce the shear forces on the platform locking members  545 . 
     In another embodiment of the support mount  400  ( FIG.  18   ), the first base member  415  and the second base member  420  can include first projections  625  and second projections  630  extending away from the stand attachment member  410 . Each projection  625 ,  630  at least partially defines a recess  635 . The recesses  635  of the first projections  625  are positioned below the recesses  635  of the second projections  630 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  18   , the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  include platform supporting members  640  (e.g., platform locking members) that selectively engage the first projections  625  or the second projections  630  to position the first platform  515  and/or the second platform  520  in either the horizontal orientation or the vertical orientation. In particular, each platform supporting member  640  includes a brace portion  645  pivotably coupled to the body  530  and an engagement portion  650  coupled to an end of the brace portion  645 . Each brace portion  645  is pivotably coupled to the body  530  at a location between the corresponding pivot axis  525  and the end portion (e.g., the notches  580 ) of the corresponding first platform  515  or second platform  520 . Each illustrated engagement portion  650  extends in a direction parallel to the corresponding pivot axis  525  (e.g., laterally from the corresponding brace portion  645 ). In addition, each engagement portion  650  is selectively received within the recess  635  of the first projection  625  or the second projection  630 . In other embodiments, the platform supporting members  640  of the first platform  515  can be coupled together by including a single engagement portion  650  extending between the two brace portions  645 . Likewise, the platform supporting members  640  of the second platform  520  can be coupled together by including a single engagement portion  650  extending between the two brace portions  645 . 
     The first platform  515  and the second platform  520  are positioned in the vertical orientations when the platform supporting members  640  engage the second projections  630  of the first base member  415  and the second base member  420 . As such, the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  are inhibited from moving into the horizontal orientations. As discussed above, this configuration of the support mount  400  can clamp the attachment member  615  between the notches  580  or clamp the firearm  20  between the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  using the adjustment knob  500 . When the attachment member  615  or the firearm  20  is clamped between the first platform  515  and the second platform  520 , the illustrated platform supporting members  640  are operable to counteract the moment loads about the pivot axes  525  to maintain the first platform  515  and the second platform  520  in the vertical orientations. 
     The first platform  515  and the second platform  520  are positioned in the horizontal orientations when the platform supporting members  640  engage the first projections  625  of the first base member  415  and the second base member  420 . Movement of the first platform  515  from the vertical orientation to the horizontal orientation is discussed below, but is equally applicable to the movement of the second platform  520  from the vertical orientation to the horizontal orientation. In particular, by slightly rotating the first platform  515  about its pivot axis  525  toward the second platform  520 , the engagement portion  650  of the platform supporting member  640  disengages the second projection  630  to provide enough clearance for the platform supporting member  640  to rotate upwardly relative to the body  530  of the first platform  515 . With the platform supporting members  640  rotated upwardly, the first platform  515  can pivot about its pivot axis  525  away from the second platform  520 . Upon movement of the first platform  515  into the horizontal orientation, the platform supporting members  640  can be moved relative to the body  530  of the first platform  515  for the engagement portions  650  to be received within the recesses  635  of the first projections  625 . As a result, the first platform  515  is supported in the horizontal orientation. The first platform  515  can be again moved into the vertical orientation by simply moving the first platform  515  back toward the vertical orientation, which will move the engagement portions  650  out of engagement with the first projections  625 . The platform supporting members  640  are moved relative to the first platform  515  to reengage the second projections  630  to position the first platform  515  in the vertical orientation. 
     Although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the disclosure as described. Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.