Patent Abstract:
A firearm support system is provided to support a firearm or a portion of person that in turn holds the firearm to make a steady shot. The firearm support system is particularly adaptable for use in a tree stand or tree. The firearm support system can be attached directly to the tree stand or tree and is pivotable thereto, allowing for a wide field of view and use. The firearm support system is collapsible, either by folding or telescoping, making for a more compact unit that can be easily carried to the hunting location.

Full Description:
[0001]     The present invention relates to a firearm support system to provide a support for the firearm to assist in hunting activities, and more particularly, a firearm support system that allows a hunter to transport and easily install the firearm support system in tree or tree stand.  
         [0002]     Currently, most hunters do not have a support system that holds the firearms steady while hunting or they use a stationary gun holder that is either mounted directly to the tree stand or tree. However, both of these options are not very satisfactory when sitting in a tree or tree stand for many hours while waiting the for the game to come by the hunter. Additionally, the stationary holder does not allow for easy transport to a different location if the hunter decides to hunt at another location, unless other holders are mounted at the other locations. If the hunter does not have a steady aim on the animal, the hunter may miss the animal or simply injure the animal rather than kill it quickly.  
         [0003]     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a firearm support system that substantially obviates one or more of the problems and disadvantages in the prior art. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the apparatus and process particularly pointed out in the written description and claims, as well as the appended drawings.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention is directed to a firearm support system comprising an extendable arm, a support element attached to the extendable arm, and a support attachment member to engage a fixed structure and configured to accept at least a portion of the extendable arm.  
         [0005]     In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a firearm support system comprising an extendable arm, the extendable arm having a first end configured to engage a support structure, and a support element attached to a second end of the extendable arm.  
         [0006]     In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a firearm support system comprising, an arm configured to be attached to a support structure, and a support element attached to the arm, the support element having a plurality of rest members spaced from one other along the support element to support a firearm.  
         [0007]     It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.  
         [0008]     The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification. The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a firearm support system ferrule according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the firearm support system of  FIG. 1  in a folded position;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is the other side view of the firearm support system of  FIG. 1  in a folded position;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the firearm support system of  FIG. 1  in a partially unfolded position;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged partial view of the firearm support system of  FIG. 1  illustrating the storage of one embodiment of a support attachment member;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the portion of the support attachment member of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the support attachment member installed in a fixed structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a support attachment member according to the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is an end view of the support attachment member of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a support attachment member according to the present invention strapped to a fixed structure;  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a support attachment member according to the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is an end view of the support attachment member of  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is an elevational view of a firearm support system ferrule according to another embodiment of the present invention in a folded configuration;  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is an elevational view of a firearm support system ferrule according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  is an elevational view of the firearm support system of  FIG. 12  in a contracted configuration;  
         [0024]      FIG. 16  is an elevational view of a firearm support system ferrule according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 17  is an alternative embodiment of a rest member with screws stored therein;  
         [0026]      FIG. 18  is a partial view of an end of an arm segment of a firearm support system with screws stored therein; and  
         [0027]      FIG. 19  is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a support element according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7 , a firearm support system  10  has an extendable arm  12  that preferably has three arm segments  12   a , 12   b , 12   c  rotatably connected to one another. The firearm support system  10  also has a projection  14  attached to a first end  16  of the extendable arm  12 . The projection  14  is preferably configured as a cylindrical member, as best illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The projection  14  slides into support attachment member  18 , which in turn attaches to a fixed support structure  20 . The fixed support structure  20  is preferably a tree, but it can be any fixed object, including a bush, a tree stand in a tree or on the ground, a building, etc. The extendable arm  12  also has a support element  22  that is attached to a second end  24  of the extendable arm  12 . The support element  22  preferably has two fibrous elements  26  that extend from second end  24  and have a plurality of rest members  28 . The fibrous elements  26  are preferably made of nylon, but could be made of any durable material such as cotton string, leather or could even be a non-flexible member as described below. The rest members  28  are preferable elongated cylindrical members, but could be of any shape and size. For example, the rest members  28  could have a square, oval, or any other shape cross section. The two fibrous elements  26  are attached at either end of the rest members  28  to secure them at predetermined distances from each other. The rest members  28  are spaced from one another such that the firearm could be rested on the rest members  28  between the two fibrous elements  26 , or the hunter&#39;s hand could rest on them with the firearm resting on the hunter&#39;s hand or arm on the outside of the two fibrous elements  26 . It should also be noted that while the rest members  28  are attached that their ends to the two fibrous elements  26 , they could extend beyond the two fibrous elements  26  and still be within the scope of the present invention. The support element  22  could also have a single central support member that engages rest members  28  to support the firearm as illustrated in  FIG. 17 .  
         [0029]     Since the projection  14  is preferably a cylindrical member and the support attachment member  18  has a central lumen  30  that is appropriately sized to slidingly receive the projection  14 , the extendable arm  12  is able to pivot about the central lumen  30  in the support attachment member  18 . This allows the hunter to move the firearm (and the firearm support system  10 ) within the hunter&#39;s field of view. With a plurality of rest members  28  spaced along the length of the support element  22 , the hunter may alter the angle of the firearm with the ground, depending on the distance of the target from the hunter&#39;s position by utilizing the different rest members  28 .  
         [0030]     The support attachment member  18  preferably includes two holes  32  in a base plate  36  to receive screws  34 . The hunter typically screws the screws  34  through the base plate  36  and into the fixed support structure  20  using a screw driver head  38  attached to one of the three arm segments  12   a , 12   b , 12   c.  As shown best in  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3 , the screw driver head  38  is attached to one end of the arm segment  12   b.  The hunter then slides the projection  14  into the central lumen  30  of support attachment member  18 . The firearm support system  10  is then ready to use  
         [0031]     An alternative support attachment member  18 ′ is illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The support attachment member  18 ′ is similar to the support attachment member  18 , but has a reduced sized by having the screws  34  and holes  32 ′ through support attachment member  18  and the central lumen  30 ′. By inserting the screws  34  through the holes  32  and the support attachment member  18 ′, it supports the screws  34  in two places during insertion into the fixed support structure  20 . This configuration allows for more support of the screws  34  and easier insertion of the screws  34  into the fixed support structure  20 . Another alternative support attachment member is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The support attachment member  18 ″ has straps  40  rather than screws  34  to secure it to the fixed support structure  20 . The straps  40  are wrapped around the tree and then secured. This method of attaching support attachment member  18  to the fixed support structure  20  eliminates putting holes into the structure.  
         [0032]     Another support attachment member  18 ′″ is illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The support attachment member  18 ′″ is similar to the members described above, but has a rectangular tubular portion  36 ′ rather than the base plate  36 . In this embodiment, the holes  32 ″ are only through the rectangular tubular portion  36 ′, and not through the cylindrical portion of the support attachment member  18 ′″. As the screws  34 ″ must pass through both sides of the rectangular tubular portion  36 ′, the screws  34 ″ are preferably longer than the screws in other embodiments to account for the thickness of the rectangular tubular portion  36 ′ and still penetrate the support structure a sufficient distance. The screws  34 ″ are supported more with the two sides of the rectangular tubular portion  36 ′, making it easier for the user to drive the screws  34 ″ into the tree using only one hand. The holes  32 ″ are preferably countersunk on the side nearest to the cylindrical portion, to eliminate any potential interference of the screws  34 ′ with the projection  14 .  
         [0033]     It should be noted that the hunter may decide to leave the support attachment member  18  in the tree or other fixed support structure  20  for the next hunting trip. Additionally, the hunter could place several of the support attachment members  18  in various locations so as not to have to continually install and remove the support attachment members  18  each time.  
         [0034]     The extendable arm  12  preferably has three arms  12   a , 12   b,    12   c  that are rotatably connected to one another, which allows the extendable arm  12  to be folded up and easily carried to and from the hunter&#39;s stand. See  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3 . To fold the firearm support system  10 , the three arms  12   a , 12   b , 12   c  are rotated over and onto one another as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In the embodiment in  FIGS. 1-7 , the pivoting of the three arms  12   a , 12   b , 12   c  are about the bolts  42 . Once the three arms  12   a , 12   b ,  12   c  are folded, the support attachment member  18  can be mounted to the underside of arm  12   c.  Mounting of support attachment member  18  includes inserting the screws  34  into apertures  44  on the underside of arm  12   c.  Then two hook and loop type straps  46  are used to hold the support attachment member  18  to the firearm support system  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3 , the straps  46  also cover the screws  34  to ensure that they do not fall out during transport and storage of firearm support system  10 . The two hook and loop type straps  46  are preferably secured to the firearm support system  10  so that they do not fall off or become lost during use of the firearm support system  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the straps  46  are riveted to arm  12   b,  but they may be secured in any manner, e.g., glued, screwed, welded, with an adhesive, etc. The straps  46  also assist in keeping the firearm support system  10  in a folded configuration.  
         [0035]     The support element  22  can then be wrapped around the firearm support system  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Wrapping the support element  22  around the firearm support system  10  also assists with keeping the firearm support system  10  in a folded configuration in addition to making firearm support system  10  more compact overall. While the support element  22  is wrapped around the firearm support system  10  in the figures, it could also simply be gathered and then secured to the firearm support system  10  with the strap  48 . In the compact configuration, firearm support system  10  can be easily transported in a fanny pack or other tote.  
         [0036]     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , extra screws  34  could be stored in the bottom rest member  28  (or any of the rest members  28 ). The extra screws  34  are screwed into the bottom rest member  28 , but may also be stored in a hollow rest member  28 ′ as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Alternatively, the screws  34  could also be stored inside arm  12   a  as shown in  FIG. 16 . It should be noted that the two fibrous elements  26 , which are attached to extendable arm  12  at the second end  24  by knotting each end, block the end of the extendable arm  12   b,  keeping the screws  34  inside the second end  24 . Access to the extra screws  34  is as easy as pulling the knotted ends of the two fibrous elements  26  out of the second end  24  of extendable arm  12 . The screws  34  will then fall out of the extendable arm  12   b.    
         [0037]     The three arms  12   a , 12   b , 12   c  are attached to one another by bolts  42 . The bolts  42  are tightened so that the extendable arm  12  does not easily close or collapse during use. While the tight bolts  42  make it hard for the extendable arm  12  to close, it may also be difficult for the hunter to extend the arms  12   a , 12   b , 12   c.  Therefore, in  FIG. 11  an alternative extendable arm  12 ′ is provided with wing nuts  52  that can be easily loosened during extension and folding, and then tightened to ensure that the alternative extendable arm  12 ′ does not unexpectedly fold during use. The heads of the bolts  54  with the wing nuts  52  are disposed within the arm  12   b′ , allowing the arms to all be the same length since the heads of the bolts  54  are inside the arm  12   b.  Additionally, since the heads of bolts  54  are no longer external to the arm  12   b′ , the projection  14 ′ can be oriented so that is does not extend downward away from the extendable arm  12  as in the previous embodiment. This configuration makes for a more compact device.  
         [0038]     A portion of another alternative embodiment of a firearm support system according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . An extendable arm  56  extends in a telescopic manner rather than in a folding manner as in the previous embodiments. While the preferred embodiment has three arms  56   a , 56   b , 56   c  that are telescopically connected to one another there could be any number of arms or segments. The extendable arm  56  may also have a projection attached to one end to engage a support attachment member as in the previous embodiment. A screw driver  58  head may be installed on the other end of the extendable arm  56  for installing screws into a fixed support structure  20 . The extendable arm  56  would also have a support element (not shown) as in the prior embodiments.  
         [0039]     Another embodiment of firearm support system according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The extendable arm  58  would be a unitary (not foldable or telescoping) member that can be secured to the support attachment member with projection and support attachment member as in the prior embodiments, or with the end  60  as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The end  60  has threads  62  located on its periphery to allow the extendable arm  58  to be screwed directly into the fixed support structure. Alternatively, extendable arm  58  may also have the other attachment elements (e.g., the projection and support attachment member) discussed above with respect to the other embodiments.  
         [0040]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the firearm support system of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5