Abstract:
A portable gun rest made substantially from a block of polymer foam material, featuring magnets attached to at least one surface opposite said groove to enable the gun rest to be removably attached to a metal surface.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to the field of equipment for sporting shooters. In particular, the invention relates to an improved design for a portable gun rest for mobile shooting from a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Hunters and sporting shooters commonly access hunting areas using a vehicle such as a utility (‘ute’) or a four-wheel-drive truck as a transport to locate and/or pursue targets. Typically, one person will drive the vehicle while one or more shooters will ride on the back of the vehicle. 
         [0003]    When a target is located, the vehicle is stopped and the shooter/s attempt to shoot the target using rifles. The rifles may be held freely, or the shooter may use a gun rest to stabilise the rifle sight-line during targeting. 
         [0004]    It is known in the prior art to use sand bags as gun rests. However, these are heavy and can be cumbersome to transport and store, and tend to leak sand as they become older. They can also damage the surfaces of the vehicle due to their weight. 
         [0005]    Bipod-style gun-rests tend to be heavy and awkward to transport. They typically also only contact the front end of the rifle, which leaves the rear unsupported and therefore unstable, while small adjustments in sighting are difficult. It is also difficult to set up in a vehicular environment. 
         [0006]    Tripod-style gun-rests tend also to be unsuitable for vehicular hunting as they cannot be secured to the vehicle without potentially damaging it. They also suffer from similar drawbacks as the bipod-style gun rests. 
         [0007]    Simple ‘block’-style gun rests have been used, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,330 by Pilgrim et al. These are relatively simple devices that are shaped to cradle the barrel of a rifle as it is aimed. While more portable than the typical prior art bi-pod gun rest, it has many of the same drawbacks and also tends to be easily dislodged. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved gun rest for hunters and sporting shooters that is portable, but better adapted to use during shooting than those of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    According to the invention, there is provided a portable gun rest made substantially from a block of polymer foam material, featuring magnets attached to at least one surface to enable the gun rest to be removably attached to a metal surface. Preferably, at least one groove adapted to cradle the stock of a rifle is provided in at least one surface. Also preferably, the polymer foam material is ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). 
         [0010]    The invention has a number of advantages for the sporting shooter, as compared with prior art gun rests. The polymer foam block construction, particularly if EVA is the main material of construction, is light, but durable and weather-resistant. The magnets, preferably rare earth magnets inset into the block surface, however provide very strong adherence for the device to a metal surface, especially useful on e.g. the roof, or other suitable surface, of a vehicle. 
         [0011]    A gun rest according to the invention is very light and easily portable, but if magnets of sufficient strength are attached to it, it has a very ‘solid’ and stable feel when deployed on a suitable surface. It can easily be left in place on e.g. the roof of a vehicle while it is moving and then used instantly when a target is located. 
         [0012]    Another advantage of the gun rest being constructed in this way from EVA is that it is flexible enough to permit adjustment in the sight line of the gun as a moving target is followed. A further advantage is that EVA is chemically resistant to the chemicals used to clean guns, making it more durable. 
         [0013]    Preferably, a plurality of grooves are formed in the different surfaces of the block, more preferably each being adapted to receive a correspondingly sized rifle stock, and wherein magnets are provided on each surface opposite the surface bearing the groove. 
         [0014]    These features makes the gun rest according to the invention quite versatile, in that it can readily be used with different size gun stocks. It can also provide at least two different gun heights, due to the rectangular profile. 
         [0015]    Preferably, said grooves are formed such that their width is greater at their bottom than at the surface of the block, making for a more snug fit. 
         [0016]    Advantageously, the block further incorporates cuttings on the external surface that are adapted to receive and store ammunition rounds. This places ammunition within easy reach for the shooter. 
         [0017]    Now will be described, by way of a non-limiting example, a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a gun rest according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The invention is a gun rest constructed from a block of flexible polymer material. The surfaces of the block have set into them at least two, preferably four, rare earth magnets that allow the block to be very stably engaged with a metal surface, such as the roof or turret of a motor vehicle. 
         [0020]    Grooves are provided in the surface(s) of the gun rest that are adapted to snugly receive the stock of a rifle. 
         [0021]    This construction allows the gun rest to be very light and easily portable. The inventors have found that EVA foam is a very suitable material for the construction of the block. It is light, resilient and weather-resistant. It is also flexible enough for the shooter to adjust the sight line of a rifle while it remains within the grooves. 
         [0022]    The relatively low weight of the gun rest, combined with the strong adherence to an external panel of a motor vehicle facilitated by the magnets, allow it to remain in place on the vehicle while it is being driven. 
         [0023]    For example, it is envisaged that the gun rest according to the invention would be particularly suitable for use by sporting shooters using motor vehicles to locate and/or pursue targets. Typically this will involve a driver and a shooter using a utility vehicle (‘ute’) or small truck to look for targets in the bush. 
         [0024]    While driving in search of the target, the gun rest will be placed on the turret of the vehicle in front of the shooter, who stands on the rear tray of the vehicle. The action of the magnets prevents the gun rest from falling off the vehicle while in transit. 
         [0025]    Once the target is sighted, the driver stops the vehicle and the shooter will slot a rifle in the groove provided on the upper surface of the gun rest where it is held snugly by the shape of the groove. The shooter can adjust the positioning of the gun rest so the rifle sight is in the direction of the target. If the target moves while the shooter is lining up the shot, the gun rest will permit sufficient movement of the rifle line to allow the shooter to maintain an accurate line, while the rifle otherwise remains steady. 
         [0026]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of a gun rest according to the invention. It is a block  5  of EVA polymer foam in the shape of a rectangular prism with four grooves ( 10 ,  15 ,  20 ,  25 ) provided in four of the sides. These grooves are adapted to receive the stock of a rifle in a snug fit. Two of the grooves ( 10 ,  15 ) are larger than the other two ( 20 ,  25 ) allowing two different sized rifle stocks to be accommodated. 
         [0027]    Each of the grooves ( 10 ,  15 ,  20 ,  25 ) is wider at the deeper point  30  inside the block  5  than at the surface  35  of the block, in order to provide a more snug fit for the rifle stock. 
         [0028]    The EVA foam block  5  may be of unitary construction, however it is envisaged that the block would need to be formed from a laminate of EVA foam sheets, as limitations in the manufacturing process for EVA foam tend to limit the thickness of any sheet to approximately 50 mm. 
         [0029]    Rare earth magnets  40  are inset into the same surfaces of the block  5  that also feature the grooves ( 10 ,  15 ,  20 ,  25 ). Each surface features two magnets  40 , as shown in the diagram. The magnets  40  in this example are shown as circular discs. Preferably they have a diameter of 14 mm and are a height of 2 mm. It is alternatively possible to select a different number, shape and size for the magnets according to need. 
         [0030]    The side surfaces ( 45 ,  50 ,  55 ,  60 ) of the block have different relative widths: narrower ( 45 ,  55 ) and wider ( 50 ,  60 ). This allows the gun rest to be set at different heights, depending on which surface rests on e.g. the vehicle turret. 
         [0031]    It is also possible to provide the device in a number of different shape profiles, and having more or fewer grooves, also according to need. The grooves themselves may also have customised profiles, to meet the need of particular firearms. 
         [0032]    The block  5  may be constructed of other materials, provided they have the requisite light weight, durability and resilience. 
         [0033]    Another feature that may be provided is the inclusion of cuts or other indentations in the surface of the block  5  that allow the insertion and storage of ammunition rounds. 
         [0034]    Yet another feature that may be provided is the incorporation of a hunting spotlight in the middle of the gun rest, and/or a slot adapted to receive such a light, such that it will always be aligned with the rifle stock. 
         [0035]    It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the gun rest described above is merely one example of how the invention can be embodied. Other variations on this design may be conceived that nevertheless embody the same invention.