Patent Abstract:
Devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a rear pistol handle on a rifle with a rapidly extendable and height adjustable monopod for enhancing stability and shot accuracy, where the monopod is retracted and concealed inside the rear grip handle when not used, and supports and stabilizes the firearm when the monopod is extended. A spring biased button can be depressed to allow for springs on top of retracted telescoping cylinders to spread apart and extend out from beneath a grip handle on the rifle. The invention can be used to create a triangulation configuration effect when used with a forward bipod, such as a forward grip bipod.

Full Description:
This invention is a Divisional Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/635,885 filed Dec. 11, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,156,676. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to firearms including rifles and more particularly to devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a rear pistol handle on a rifle with a rapidly extendable and height adjustable monopod for enhancing stability and shot accuracy, where the monopod is retracted and concealed inside the rear grip handle when not used, and supports and stabilizes the firearm when the monopod is extended. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Stabilizing a firearm such as a rifle over a surface such as the ground is desirable to improve reduce movement of the firearm and improve accuracy of the shots. Current automatic firearm rifles have an existing rear pistol type grip that is difficult to lay on top of the ground surface since it causes the gun to be held to an uncomfortable and undesirable position close to the ground. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,528 to Long describes a “Firearm Pistol Grip Monopod Gun Stabilizer”, title, that uses an adjustable pistol grip monopod, that can be used with a rifle. However, this device is limited to a threaded rod which must be manually rotated and to slowly become extended beneath the pistol grip. This slow and tedious operation is not suitable for combat or hunting applications were split second timing is necessary to make shots. In addition this device requires the user manually reverse the rotation in order to slowly retract the threaded rod back into the grip, which would also be time consuming an tedious to the user. 
     Still furthermore, the Long &#39;528 device does not allow for consistent height adjustments since the threaded rod must be separately rotated and adjusted each time it is used. Thus, the user does not have consistent uniform height adjustments when the device is reused overtime. Without the consistent height adjustment levels, the user cannot accurately be trained overtime since each height adjustment use when less than the fully extended position results in a different height level. 
     Additionally, the solid threaded metal rod adds unnecessary weight, and having a small diameter is not strong. Users in the field do not find it desirable to add more weight to their equipment that must be hand carried from place to place. The narrow diameter of the rod may allow it to bend, and also does not allow for a stable platform on which to sit the rife type firearm. Still furthermore, the foot pad used with this device has both a small foot print that does not provide a stable support, and also has a flat surface which can slide on a like smooth surface, which would also effect the shot accuracy over time. 
     Other devices have also been attempted to be used with the rear grips on rifles, but also have similar problems to the Long &#39;528 device. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,884,905 to Musser et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,535 to Lewis; U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,116 to Parker; U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,152 to Wisz, and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2002/0040544 to Muhlestein. 
     Thus, the need exists for solutions to the problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the subject invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a rear pistol grip for a firearm with a rapidly deployable monopod for enhancing firearm stability and shot accuracy. 
     A secondary objective of the subject invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a rear pistol grip for a firearm with a rapidly deployable monopod that can quickly retract and become concealed within the rear pistol grip. 
     A third objective of the subject invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of a new rear grip or rear gun handle with an easily deployable monopod that helps to stabilize the gun when fired. 
     A fourth objective of the subject invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of quickly adjusting selective height adjustments to a deployable monopod on a rear pistol grip where the height adjustments are selective and repeatable overtime. 
     A fifth objective of the subject invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a rear pistol grip handle with a deployable monopod that is able to quickly grip the surface upon which it is deployed without sliding about the surface. 
     A sixth objective of the subject invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a rear pistol grip handle with an extendable and retractable monopod that is both strong, lightweight, and fast to deploy and retract. 
     The present invention comprises a monopod mounting assembly that can be self-contained in a rear pistol grip that can be substituted for existing rear pistol grips on firearms, such as automatic rifles and the like. 
     A preferred embodiment of the rear firearm grip with deployable monopod, can include an elongated grip handle having an upper end and a lower end and a channel opening through the handle, a mount member for attaching the upper end of the grip handle as a rear pistol grip on a firearm, a telescoping assembly inside of the handle having a retracted position with the telescoping assembly within the handle, and an extended position with the telescoping assembly extended from underneath the lower end of the handle forming a monopod, and a switch on the handle for automatically moving the telescoping assembly from the retracted position to the extended position. 
     a spring member can be included for causing the telescoping assembly to rapidly move from the retracted position to the extended position when the switch is activated. 
     The telescoping assembly can be two cylinders which slide relative to one another. A spring member can cause the telescoping assembly to rapidly move from the retracted position to the extended position when the switch is activated. 
     Interchangeable foot pads cancompletely covers the lower end of the grip handle. 
     The switch for causing the extension of the cylinders can be a depressible button, and can include a spring for biasing the button in an extended position. An adjustment control can be used for selecting different extendable heights of the monopod. 
     A preferred method of rapidly deploying a monopod from a rear pistol grip on a firearm, can include the steps of providing a rifle, providing a rear pistol grip housing having an opening therethrough, attaching an upper end of the rear pistol grip to a rifle, providing a monopod having an upper end and a lower end, the monopod having a retracted position within the opening of the grip housing, and an expanded position with the lower end of the monopod extended below the grip housing, compressing a spring with the upper end of the monopod when the monopod is in the retracted position, and releasing the spring to rapidly deploy the monopod to the extended position. 
     The method can include telescoping cylinders that slide within one another and within the grip housing, and a side depressible button on the housing; steps for rapidly and automatically expanding the telescoping cylinders from the retracted position to the extended position by actuating the depressible button. 
     The method can include locking the telescoping cylinders to different extended lengths with the actuating of the button, steps for interchanging different sized footers on the bottom of the monopod to support the monopod over different terrain surfaces. 
     The method can further include the steps of attaching a vertical forgrip having a deployable bipod under a front portion of the rifle, and forming a triangulation configuration for operating the rifle with the extended monopod and the forward grip deployed into a bipod. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective side view of an assault rifle with an installed monopod grip assembly with the monopod retracted.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of assault rifle with monopod grip assembly of  FIG. 1  with monopod fully extended. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged side view of the monopod assembly on the rifle of  FIG. 1  retracted. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged side view of the monopod assembly on the rifle of  FIG. 2  fully extended. 
         FIG. 5  is a left perspective view of the monopod assembly of  FIGS. 1 ,  3  fully retracted. 
         FIG. 6  is a left perspective view of the monopod assembly of  FIGS. 2 ,  4  fully extended. 
         FIG. 7  is a right perspective view of the retracted monopod assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a right perspective view of the extended monopod assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  is a left side view of the retracted monopod assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is a front side view of the retracted monopod assembly of  FIGS. 5 ,  9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a right side view of the retracted monopod assembly of  FIGS. 5 ,  7 . 
         FIG. 12  is a left side view of the fully extended monopod assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 13  is a front side view of the fully extended monopod assembly of  FIGS. 6 ,  8 . 
         FIG. 14  is a right side view of the fully extended monopod assembly of  FIGS. 6 ,  8 . 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the monopod assembly of the preceding figures. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective right side view of the fully extended monopod assembly of  FIG. 14  with grip and upper telescoping cylinder cut-away to expose the workings of the extension springs and actuator button. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective right side view of the retracted monopod assembly of  FIG. 11  with grip and upper telescoping cylinder cut-away to expose the workings of the extension springs and actuator button. 
         FIG. 18  is a top perspective view of the retracted monopod assembly of  FIG. 17 , where the grip is not shown to expose the workings of the actuator button. 
         FIG. 19  is a top perspective view of retracted monopod assembly of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom cut-away view of the retracted monopod assembly of the preceding figures intended to better show how the actuator button return spring works. 
         FIG. 21  is another bottom cut-away view of  FIG. 20  showing the button pressed toward the bottom of the view and the return spring flexed. 
         FIG. 22  is a right side view of the fully extended monopod assembly of  FIGS. 8 and 14 . 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 22  along arrows  23 X showing how the upper telescoping cylinder locking spring works. 
         FIG. 24  is a right side view of the monopod assembly of  FIG. 22  with the telescoping inserts being pushed into the grip. 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 24  along arrows  25 X. 
         FIG. 26  is a right side view of monopod assembly of  FIG. 24  with upper telescoping cylinder insert fully retracted. 
         FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 26  along arrows  27 X. 
         FIG. 28  is a right side view of fully retracted monopod assembly of  FIG. 26 . 
         FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 28  along arrows  29 X. 
         FIGS. 30 ,  31  and  32  are right side views of the monopod assembly of the preceding figures demonstrating the selective height adjustability of the monopod. 
         FIG. 33  shows the novel rear grip monopod assembly in an extended position on a gun with a fore grip bipod mount that allows for a triangulation support for the firearm. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     The components will now be described.
       5  Clip edge on top of grip assembly     10  Assault rifle.     20  Monopod assembly.     30  Telescoping insert #1(Upper Telescoping Cylinder).     32  Top of cylinder     40  Telescoping insert #2(Lower Telescoping Cylinder).     43  slot through top of lower cylinder     49  side protruding edges on bottom of lower cylinder  40       50  Interchangeable foot slides onto insert #2(lower cylinder  40 )     52  side edge     53 , groove     56  raised edges in convex curved arc configuration under foot     58  side edge     59  groove     60  Actuator button     70  Monopod grip.     72 ,  74  Raised gripping protrusions     76  Bottom of upper ledge of grip housing     80  Locking spring for telescoping insert #2(lower telescoping cylinder  40 ).     88  Bottom of locking spring     90  Mounting screw for locking spring.     100  Slots cut into telescoping insert #1 engage actuator button to allow adjustment of the inserts extension.     100 L lowest slot     110  Single slot cut into telescoping insert #2 engages actuator button when insert is fully retracted and locks the insert into the retracted position.     120  Catch on locking spring engages slot in insert #1 to lock the insert into the fully extended position. Inserts #1 &amp; #2 are locked together when #1 is extended.     130  Slot cut into insert #1 for locking spring engagement.     140  Actuator button return spring.     142  locking tab     143  step on locking tab     150  Cover for spring cavity in monopod grip.     160  Telescoping insert #1 extension spring.     170  Telescoping insert #2 extension spring.     180  Ramp on locking spring  80  engages inside edge of monopod grip when the inserts are pushed into the grip. When the ramp engages the inside edge of the grip it flexes the locking spring and disengages the catch on the spring from the slot in insert #2 which allows insert #2 to fully retract.     190  Slot cut into insert #1 for the ramp on the locking spring.     200  Guide pin for insert #1 extension spring is molded into monopod grip.     210  Guide pin for insert #2 extension spring is a part of insert #1.     220  Cavity in insert #2 is to contain compressed #2 extension spring.     230  Locking tab on actuator button engages slots in inserts to lock them into position. Insert #1 can be locked into multiple positions to facilitate adjustment of the telescoping assemblies length. Insert #2 can only be locked in the fully retracted (up) position with the actuator button.     240  Snap rings on the ends of both insert #1 &amp; insert #2 guide pins stop the motion of the inserts when they are extended.     300  Forward grip bipod   

       FIG. 1  is a perspective side view of an assault rifle  10  with an installed monopod grip assembly  20  with the monopod retracted.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of assault rifle  10  with monopod grip assembly  20  of  FIG. 1  with the monopod formed by the telescoping cylinder inserts  30 ,  40  fully extended. The grips length can be adjusted along the length of insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 ).  FIG. 3  is an enlarged side view of the monopod assembly  20  on the rifle  10  of  FIG. 1  retracted.  FIG. 4  is an enlarged side view of the monopod assembly on the rifle of  FIG. 2  with the monopod formed by the telescoping cylinders  30 ,  40  fully extended. 
       FIG. 5  is a left perspective view of the monopod assembly  20  of  FIGS. 1 ,  3  fully retracted.  FIG. 6  is a left perspective view of the monopod assembly  20  of  FIGS. 2 ,  4  fully extended.  FIG. 7  is a right perspective view of the retracted monopod assembly  20  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 8  is a right perspective view of the extended monopod assembly  20  of  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 9  is a left side view of the retracted monopod assembly  20  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 10  is a front side view of the retracted monopod assembly  20  of  FIGS. 5 ,  9 .  FIG. 11  is a right side view of the retracted monopod assembly  20  of  FIGS. 5 ,  7 .  FIG. 12  is a left side view of the fully extended monopod assembly  20  of  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 13  is a front side view of the fully extended monopod assembly  20  of  FIGS. 6 ,  8 .  FIG. 14  is a right side view of the fully extended monopod assembly  20  of  FIGS. 6 ,  8 . 
       FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the monopod assembly  20  of the preceding figures.  FIG. 16  is a perspective right side view of the fully extended monopod assembly  20  of  FIG. 14  with grip  70  and upper telescoping cylinder  30  cut-away to expose the workings of the extension springs  160 ,  170  and actuator button  60 . 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective right side view of the retracted monopod assembly  20  of  FIG. 11  with grip  70  and upper telescoping cylinder  30  cut-away to expose the workings of the extension springs  160 ,  170  and actuator button  60 . 
       FIG. 18  is a top perspective view of the retracted monopod assembly  20  of  FIG. 17 , where the grip  70  is not shown to expose the workings of the actuator button  60 . The locking tab  142  with step  143  on the button  60  is shown engaging the lowermost slot  100 L in insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 , which locks the insert in it&#39;s uppermost position. The only slot in insert #2(lower telescoping cylinder  400 ) (unseen, nested inside insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 )) is also engaged by the locking tab  142 ,  143 . This locks insert #2(lower telescoping cylinder  40 ) in the fully retracted position. The button  60  is held in this position by the buttons return spring. 
       FIG. 19  is a top perspective view of retracted monopod assembly  20  of  FIG. 18 . The grip  70  is not shown to expose the workings of the actuator button. The button  60  is shown pressed to the right (compressing the buttons return spring  140 ). This disengages the buttons locking tab  142  from the lowermost slot  100 L in insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 ). This allows the insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 ) extension spring  160  to push insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 ) out of the grip  70 . The distance that insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 ) is permitted to extend from the grip  70  can be controlled by releasing the actuator button  60  and allowing the buttons return spring  140  to re-engage the locking tab  142  on the button  60  with one of the multiple slots  100  cut into insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 ). Pushing the button  60  to the right simultaneously disengages it from the lone slot in insert #2(lower telescoping cylinder  40 ). This allows insert #2(lower telescoping cylinder  40 ) to fully extend and lock into the fully extended position. In the embodiment shown, insert #2(lower telescoping cylinder  40 ) does not have and adjustable extension length. It is either fully retracted or fully extended. The invention can be practiced with other embodiments that allow for the lower telescoping cylinder  40  to also be adjustably extended with additional switches and the like. 
       FIG. 20  is a bottom cut-away view of the retracted monopod assembly  20  of the preceding figures intended to better show how the actuator button  60  return spring  140  works. In  FIG. 20 , the button  60  is not pressed. 
       FIG. 21  is another bottom cut-away view of  FIG. 20  showing the button  60  pressed toward the bottom of the view and the return spring  140  flexed. 
       FIG. 22  is a right side view of the fully extended monopod assembly  20  of  FIGS. 8 and 14 .  FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 22  along arrows  23 X showing how the upper telescoping cylinder  20  locking spring  160  works. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5  and  23 , the grip assembly  20  can be located inside of a grip housing  70  and can be attached under a rear portion of the firearm type rifle by a clip  5  that can be attached to the underside of the rear of the rifle by conventional fasteners, such as bolts, screws, and the like. The grip housing  70  can have raised protrusions  72 ,  74 , which can be used to enhance the gripping about the housing by the hand of the user. 
     The novel grip assembly  20  can take the place of a conventional rear pistol grip on a firearm. The novel grip assembly can include inserts 1 and 2, which correspond to upper and lower telescoping cylinders that together can form an extendable and retractable monopod, that can raise and lower the firearm type rifle over ground type surfaces. The novel grip assembly can move from retracted positions to extended positions. 
     A retracted position is shown by  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9 - 11 , and  17 - 19 , while the extended position is shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  20 - 23 . 
     Referring to the retracted position of  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9 - 11 ,  15  and  17 - 19 , inserts 1 and 2, which correspond to telescoping cylinders  30 ,  40  can be generally oval in shape, and can easily fit inside the handgrip  60 . The cylinders  30 ,  40  can each be hollow and formed from aluminum, stainless steel, and the like, where their overall size allows for increased strength as compared to narrow diameter threaded bolts, and the like. Alternatively, the cylinders  30 ,  40  can be formed from injection molded plastic, composites, combinations thereof, and the like that can be tested to support weights of the rifle firearm, as well as enough durability to withstand extreme heat and extreme cold that can be found in field conditions from deserts to frozen terrain, and the like. 
     Lower telescoping cylinder  40 (insert 2) can telescope in an out of upper telescoping cylinder  30 (insert 1). Together both cylinders  30 ,  40  can move in and out of grip housing  70 . 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective right side view of the retracted monopod assembly  20  of  FIG. 11  with grip  70  and upper telescoping cylinder  30  cut-away to expose the workings of the extension springs  160 ,  170  and actuator button  60 . 
       FIG. 18  is a top perspective view of the retracted monopod assembly  20  of  FIG. 17 , where the grip  70  is not shown to expose the workings of the actuator button  60 . The locking tab  142  with step  143  on the button  60  is shown engaging the lowermost slot  100 L in insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 , which locks the insert in it&#39;s uppermost position. The only slot in insert #2(lower telescoping cylinder  400 ) (unseen, nested inside insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 )) is also engaged by the locking tab  142 ,  143 . This locks insert #2(lower telescoping cylinder  40 ) in the fully retracted position. The button  60  is held in this position by the buttons return spring  140 . 
     In the retracted position the upper extension spring  160  wrapped about guide pin  200  is compressed between the bottom of upper ledge  76  inside the grip housing  70  of the grip assembly  20  and the top  32  of upper telescoping cylinder  30 (insert 1), as shown in  FIGS. 15-16 . Guide pin  200  can be attached or molded to extend down from the bottom  76  of the upper ledge in the grip housing  70 . 
     Additionally, in the retracted position, telescoping insert #2(lower cylinder  40 ) extension spring  170  wrapped about guide pin  210  is also in a compressed state between the inside of top  32  of the insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 ) and a partial cavity  220  through the top  42  of insert #2(lower telescoping cylinder  40 ), as shown in  FIGS. 15 ,  17 . Guide pin  210  can be attached or molded to extend down from the inside lower surface of top  32  of insert #1(upper cylinder  30 ). 
     The bottom  88  of locking spring  80  is fixably attached inside slot opening  43  of lower cylinder  40  and held in place by a fastener  90 , which can be a mounting screw, and the lock for fixably supporting the locking spring  80  to lower cylinder  40 (insert#2). 
     Ramp  180  on locking spring  80  engages inside edge of monopod grip  70  when the inserts 1, 2(telescoping cylinders  30 ,  40 ) are pushed into the grip housing  70 . When the ramp  180  engages the inside edge of the grip  70  it flexes the locking spring  80  and disengages the catch  120  on the spring  80  from the slot  130  in insert #1( 30 ) which allows insert #2(cylinder  40 ) to fully retract into insert #1(cylinder  30 ). Slot  130  is cut into insert #1(upper cylinder  30 ) for locking spring  80  engagement. 
     Slot  190 ( FIGS. 18-19 ) is cut into upper cylinder  30 (insert#1) for the ramp  180  on the locking spring  80 . 
     In the retracted position, the button  60  engages a single slot  110 ( FIG. 15 ) cut into insert #2(lower telescoping cylinder  40 ) when the cylinders  30 ,  40  are fully retracted and locks the insert #2(lower telescoping cylinder  40 ) into the retracted position. 
     Button  60  is held in side extending position by actuator return spring  140 . Tab  142  is also a cover  150  for the spring cavity in the monopod grip housing  70 . Pushing the button  60  against spring  140  toward grip housing  70  disengages the locked retracted position to move toward the extended position is shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  20 - 23 . 
       FIG. 19  is a top perspective view of retracted monopod assembly  20  of  FIG. 18 . The grip  70  is not shown to expose the workings of the actuator button. The button  60  is shown pressed to the right (compressing the buttons return spring  140 ). This disengages the buttons locking tab  142  from the lowermost slot  100 L in insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 ). This allows the insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 ) extension spring  160  to push insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 ) out of the grip  70 . The distance that insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 ) is permitted to extend from the grip  70  can be controlled by releasing the actuator button  60  and allowing the buttons return spring  140  to re-engage the locking tab  142  on the button  60  with one of the multiple slots  100  cut into insert #1(upper telescoping cylinder  30 ). Pushing the button  60  to the right simultaneously disengages it from the lone slot in insert #2(lower telescoping cylinder  40 ). This allows insert #2(lower telescoping cylinder  40 ) to fully extend and lock into the fully extended position. In the embodiment shown, insert #2(lower telescoping cylinder  40 ) does not have and adjustable extension length. It is either fully retracted or fully extended. 
     Retracting the inserts #1, 2,(cylinders  30 ,  40 ) will now be described.  FIG. 24  is a right side view of the monopod assembly  20  of  FIG. 22  with the telescoping inserts #1, 2(cylinders  30 ,  40 ) being pushed into the grip housing  70 . The actuator button  60  must be depressed to release the buttons locking tab  230 ( FIGS. 18-19 ) from the slots  100  cut into insert #1(upper cylinder  30 ). Insert #1(upper cylinder  30 ) and insert #2(lower cylinder  40 ) will remain locked together until released by the locking spring  80 . 
       FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 24  along arrows  25 X. The ramp  180  on the locking spring  80  can be seen about to engage the inside edge surface underneath of the grip  70 . As it does, the spring  80  will flex toward the right, which will disengage the catch  120  on the spring  80  from the slot  130  in insert #1(upper cylinder  30 ). This action unlocks insert #2(lower cylinder  40 ) from insert #1(upper cylinder  30 ) and allows it to be pushed into the monopod assembly  20 . 
       FIG. 26  is a right side view of monopod assembly  20  of  FIG. 24  with upper telescoping cylinder  30 (insert #1)insert fully retracted.  FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 26  along arrows  27 X. The locking spring  80  can be seen flexed to the right. The catch  120  on the locking spring  80  has disengaged the slot  130  and lower telescoping insert  40  is now free to be pushed into the monopod assembly  20 .  FIG. 28  is a right side view of fully retracted monopod assembly  20  of  FIG. 26 .  FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 28  along arrows  29 X. Both telescoping cylinder inserts #1,2( 30 ,  40 ) have been pushed into the monopod assembly  20 . At this point, the locking tab  230  on the actuator button  60  has engaged the lowermost slot  100 L in insert #1(upper cylinder  30 ) and the only slot in insert #2(cylinder  40 ). Both inserts #1, 2(cylinders  30 ,  40 ) are now being held in the retracted position by the buttons locking tab  230  which in turn in held in the lock position by the button return spring  140 . 
       FIGS. 30 ,  31  and  32  are right side views of the monopod assembly  20  of the preceding figures demonstrating the selective height adjustability of the monopod. Locking tab  230  on actuator button  60  engages the slots  100  in the inserts #1, 2 to lock them into position. As described insert#1 can be locked into multiple positions to facilitate adjustment of the telescoping assembly&#39;s length. In the embodiment shown insert #2(lower cylinder  40 ) can only be locked in the fully retracted position. 
     Snap rings  240  shown in  FIGS. 25 ,  29  which are located on the ends of both inserts #1, 2,(cylinders  30 ,  40 ) about guide pins  200 ,  210  stop the motion of the inserts #1, 2(cylinders  30 ,  40 ) when the cylinders  30 ,  40  are extended. 
     To support the novel grip assembly  20  that is inside the grip housing  70 , an interchangeable foot  50  (shown more clearly in  FIG. 15 ) having grooves  53 ,  59  formed between raised side edges  52 ,  58  forms can slide about side protruding edges  49  on the insert #2(lower telescoping cylinder  40 ). The foot  50  can be sized to increase the footprint of the monopod to conform closer to the outer perimeter dimensions of the actual grip housing  70 . The underside of the foot  50  can have raised edges  56  and can have a curved arc type configuration to allow the extended monopod to allow the supported rifle to rock up and down on the supported surface. The arc configuration will also allow sliding action of the supported firearm on hard surfaces. Other footers can be interchanged for different applications. For example, larger sized foots can be used for softer surfaces such as sand and the like to reduce and eliminate any sinking of the monopod. Smaller sized foots can be used to support the monopod on harder surfaces, such as rocks, compacted earth and the like. 
       FIG. 33  shows the novel rear grip monopod assembly  20  in an extended position on a gun with a fore grip bipod  300  mount that allows for a triangulation support for the firearm. The subject inventor has been a coinventor in developing forward vertical grip handles that automatically deploy bipods and which can retract back into the handle. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,111,424; D566,219; D566,220; 7,409,791; 7,412,793; 7,421,815; and 7,490,429 to Moody et al. which are incorporated by reference. These novel type devices are directed to bipods on the fore grips of rifle type firearms  300  and can be used with the subject invention monopod assembly  20  to form a triangulation effect as shown in  FIG. 33 . 
     The invention can be also be used with a switch that allows the monopod to automatically retract back into the housing. Such a switch can be another spring loaded button that allows for another spring type member to automatically retract the monopod from extended positions into retracted positions inside of the housing. 
     The invention can also be used with a sliding switch to deploy the device. So that sliding down the side switch slides the telescoping cylinders from retracted to expanded positions under the firearm. 
     The sides of the telescoping cylinders can have smooth surfaces. Alternatively, the sides can have splines(longitudinal grooves) down the linear path of the cylinders to allow for small particles such as sand in order to allow the monopod device to still operate in sand or dirt environment applications. 
     The invention can be used with all types of hand and/or bipod operated weapons, such as but not limited to submachine guns, carbines, rifles, light machine guns and heavy machine guns, in military, and police type applications. Additionally, the invention can be used with rifles for use in civilian hunting type applications, and the like. 
     The invention can be practiced with other embodiments that allow for the lower telescoping cylinder  40  to also be adjustably extended with additional switches and the like. 
     Additionally, a slideable switch can be used on the side of the housing to retract the monopod. The switch can be slide from a lower position to a spaced apart upper position so that the monopod is retracted back into the housing. Such as sliding switch can be used without a spring. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5