Abstract:
A bi-pod support for use with a rifle, shotgun, semi-automatic pistol, revolver, BB gun, pellet gun or a crossbow.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/461,845, filed on Jan. 24, 2011, entitled A BIPOD RIFLE, PISTOL, SHOTGUN OR CROSSBOW SUPPORT. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a bipod support for a rifle, shotgun, handgun, pellet gun, BB gun or crossbow; and more particularly, to a bipod support for a rifle, shotgun, handgun, pellet gun, BB gun or crossbow which may be pivotally moved with respect to the bipod support. This invention also relates to a support which may be attached to a rifle barrel, shotgun barrel, revolver barrel, pistol frame, or attached to a crossbow stock. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Bipod rifle supports have long been used to support the forward end or muzzle of a rifle during the firing thereof in an effort to “steady” or “stabilize” the rifle to increase the shooter&#39;s accuracy. The bipod rifle supports are also useful to support the muzzle of the rifle above the ground or other supporting surface during periods when the rifle is not being fired or is being cleaned. 
         [0004]    Many types of bipod rifle supports have been previously provided but it is believed they suffer from certain disadvantages. Certain of the prior art bipod rifle supports are large, cumbersome, difficult to use and detract from the appearance of the rifle. 
         [0005]    Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 7,770,320 solved many of the problems of the prior art. However, it has been now recognized that the bipod support may be attached to the barrel or fore-end of a shotgun, pistol, rifle, pellet gun, BB gun or to crossbow. Further, it has been determined that it would be advantageous if the shotgun, pistol, rifle, pellet gun, BB gun or crossbow could be moved pivotally with respect to the bipod support. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0007]    The bipod riffle, shotgun, pistol, pellet gun, BB gun or crossbow support of this invention is generally similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,770,320 which was designed to provide a bipod rifle support which could be contained in an elongated body member which is attachable to the underside of the fore-end of the rifle stock or wherein the rifle stock could be modified so as to accept the bipod rifle support of this invention. 
         [0008]    The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 7,770,320 is incorporated herein by reference to complete this disclosure if necessary. 
         [0009]    In this invention, a means has been provided for attaching the bipod support to the barrel of a shotgun, pistol, rifle, BB gun, pellet gun or crossbow or to the fore-stock or fore-end of the rifle or shotgun. Further, the bipod support of this invention permits a rifle, shotgun, handgun, pellet gun, BB gun or crossbow to be pivotally moved with respect to the bipod rifle support. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the bipod support is snapped onto the barrel of a rifle, shotgun, revolver, pellet gun or BB gun. In another embodiment, the bipod support is snapped onto the stock of a crossbow. In another embodiment, the bipod support is snapped onto the frame of an automatic or semi-automatic pistol. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the bipod support is embedded or incorporated into the fore-end of the shotgun or rifle. 
         [0011]    It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved bipod support for a rifle, shotgun, hand gun, pellet gun, BB gun or crossbow. 
         [0012]    Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved bipod support for a rifle, shotgun, hand gun, pellet gun, BB gun or crossbow wherein the rifle, shotgun, hand gun, pellet gun, BB gun or crossbow may be pivotally moved about a generally vertically disposed axis with respect to the bipod support. 
         [0013]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a bipod support for a rifle, shotgun, hand gun, pellet gun, BB gun or crossbow which is aesthetic in appearance. 
         [0014]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a bipod support for a rifle, shotgun, hand gun, pellet gun, BB gun or crossbow which is easily attached thereto. 
         [0015]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a bipod support which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance. 
         [0016]    These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the bipod support of this invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a bottom exploded perspective view of the bipod support of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a partial sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  attached to the barrel of a shotgun; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side view illustrating the embodiment of  FIG. 1  attached to the barrel of a shotgun; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a side view illustrating a second embodiment of the bipod support attached to the fore-end of a shotgun with the broken lines illustrating the bipod support embedded in the fore-end; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the bipod support which may be attached to a semi-automatic pistol or handgun. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  attached to the barrel of a revolver or handgun; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating the embodiment of  FIG. 6  attached to the stock of a crossbow. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0028]    In  FIGS. 1-5 , the numeral  10  refers to one embodiment of the bipod support which is adapted to be attached to the barrel  12  of a shotgun  14 , as seen in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0029]    Bipod support  10  is essentially identical to the bipod support of U.S. Pat. No. 7,770,320 which is incorporated herein by reference to complete this disclosure if necessary. One difference between bipod support  10  and that of the &#39;320 Patent is that the body member  16  of this invention may be somewhat shorter than the body member of the &#39;320 Patent so that the legs  18  and  20 , when in the stowed position, extend forwardly from the forward end of the body member. Another difference is that a U-shaped clip  22  is secured to the upper surface of body member with the clip  22  being adapted to be snap-fitted onto the barrel  12  of the shotgun, as seen in  FIG. 5 . The bipod support  10  of this invention functions identically to that of the &#39;320 Patent to permit the legs  18  and  20  to be moved between stowed and supporting positions. If desired, the clip  22  may be attached to body member  16  by a vertically disposed pivot pin to permit the shotgun  14  to be pivotally movable somewhat with respect to the body member  16 . 
         [0030]    It is preferred that the inner surface of the clip  22  have some sort of anti-skid material provided thereon to prevent the clip  22  from rotating with respect to the barrel. A detent could also be used to prevent such rotation. 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 6 , a bipod support  10 ′ is secured to the fore-end  24  of the shotgun  14 . In this case, the U-shaped clip  22  is not required. Further, the legs  18  and  20  may be embedded in the fore-end  24  as illustrated by broken lines in  FIG. 6  in the same manner as disclosed in the &#39;320 Patent. 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 7 , a further embodiment of the bipod support is illustrated which is referred to by the reference numeral  10 ″. Bipod support  10 ″ is essentially identical to bipod support  10 ′ except that the upper surface of the body member  16 ″ is shaped so as to be able to be snapped onto the frame  26  or rails  28  of the semi-automatic pistol  29 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 8  illustrates the bipod support  10  being secured to the barrel  30  of a revolver  32 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a bipod support’” being secured to the stock  34  of a crossbow  36 . 
         [0034]    As stated, the embodiments of this invention function identically to that shown in the &#39;320 Patent. In some cases, it may be desirable to permit some “play” between the legs of the bipod support and the sockets in which they are received when the legs are in their supporting position to permit the gun, etc. to have some pivotal movement with respect to support. 
         [0035]    The bipod support of this invention may also be used on BB guns, pellet guns, rifles, etc. 
         [0036]    It is believed that the bipod support of this invention also provides some sort of anti-recoil action when the weapon is fired when the support legs are in their stowed positions. It is believed that when the weapon is fired, the body member  16  tends to be recoiled rearwardly while the legs tend to remain in position thus providing an anti-recoil reaction. 
         [0037]    Thus it can bee seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
         [0038]    Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.