U.S. patent application number 12/216132 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-21 for bipod assembly & kit with interchangeable bipod legs providing a selection of bipod leg end effecters.
Invention is credited to Da Keng.
Application Number | 20090126250 12/216132 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40640486 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090126250 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keng; Da |
May 21, 2009 |
Bipod assembly & kit with interchangeable bipod legs providing
a selection of bipod leg end effecters
Abstract
A bipod with interchangeable legs comprises first and second
tubular, spring-loaded telescopically extendable legs terminating
distally in one of a plurality of selected end effectors. Each of
the interchangeable bipod legs has a selected end effecter adapted
to provide support on a specific surface.
Inventors: |
Keng; Da; (Smyma,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JONES, TULLAR & COOPER, P.C.
P.O. BOX 2266 EADS STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
40640486 |
Appl. No.: |
12/216132 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60929486 |
Jun 29, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 23/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/94 |
International
Class: |
F41C 27/00 20060101
F41C027/00 |
Claims
1. A bipod assembly and kit, comprising: (a) a clamp body carrying
first and second tubular upper leg segments, said first and second
tubular upper leg segments each having a proximal ends hingedly
attached to said clamp body; (b) said first tubular upper leg
segment having an open distal end opposite said proximal end to
define a first interior lumen; (c) said second tubular upper leg
segment having an open distal end opposite said proximal end to
define a second interior lumen; (d) a first leg extension member
having a proximal end opposing a distal end and an exterior
sidewall, said first leg extension being dimensioned to be slidably
received within said first tubular upper leg segment with said
first leg extension member's proximal end adapted to be releasably
retained within said first tubular upper leg segment and wherein
said first leg extension member's distal end carries a first
selected end effecter selected from a plurality of available
distinct end effecters; (e) a second leg extension member having a
proximal end opposing a distal end and an exterior sidewall, said
second leg extension being dimensioned to be slidably received
within said second tubular upper leg segment with said second leg
extension member's proximal end adapted to be releasably retained
within said second tubular upper leg segment and wherein said
second leg extension member's distal end carries a second selected
end effecter selected from a plurality of available distinct end
effecters; and (f) a third leg extension member having a proximal
end opposing a distal end and an exterior sidewall, said third leg
extension being dimensioned to be slidably received within one of
said first or second tubular upper leg segments with said third leg
extension member's proximal end adapted to be releasably retained
within said first or second tubular upper leg segment and wherein
said third leg extension member's distal end carries a selected end
effecter selected from said plurality of available distinct end
effecters.
2. The bipod assembly and kit of claim 1, wherein said first and
second selected end effecters comprise a central substantially
planar segment from which depend first, second and third radially
spaced triangular claw members.
3. The bipod assembly and kit of claim 1, wherein said third leg
extension carries a self leveling end effecter comprising a
ball-in-socket swivel mounted foot having a substantially smooth
bottom surface.
4. The bipod assembly and kit of claim 1, further comprising: (g) a
fourth leg extension member having a proximal end opposing a distal
end and an exterior sidewall, said fourth leg extension being
dimensioned to be slidably received within one of said first or
second tubular upper leg segments with said fourth leg extension
member's proximal end adapted to be releasably retained within said
first or second tubular upper leg segment and wherein said fourth
leg extension member's distal end carries a selected end effecter
selected from said plurality of available distinct end
effecters.
5. The bipod assembly and kit of claim 4, wherein said wherein said
third and fourth leg extension members each carry a self leveling
end effecter comprising a ball-in-socket swivel mounted foot having
a substantially smooth bottom surface.
6. A bipod assembly adapted for use with interchangeable bipod end
effecters, comprising: (a) a body adapted for attachment to an
instrument to be steadied and carrying first and second tubular
upper leg segments, said first and second tubular upper leg
segments each having a proximal ends hingedly attached to said
clamp body; (b) said first tubular upper leg segment having an open
distal end opposite said proximal end to define a first interior
lumen enclosed within a solid sidewall; (c) said first tubular
upper leg segment further including a spring biased catch including
a transverse end, wherein said catch is movable to a locking
position having the catch's transverse end project into said first
tubular upper leg segment's interior lumen; (d) said first tubular
upper leg segment further including a removable threaded retaining
pin member including a distal pin end, wherein said retaining pin
is movable to a retaining position having the pin's distal end
project into said first tubular upper leg segment's interior lumen;
(e) a first leg extension member having a proximal end opposing a
distal end and an exterior sidewall, said first leg extension being
dimensioned to be slidably received within said first tubular upper
leg segment with said first leg extension member's proximal end
adapted to be releasably retained within said first tubular upper
leg segment and wherein said first leg extension member's distal
end carries a first selected end effecter selected from a plurality
of available distinct end effecters; (f) wherein said first leg
extension's sidewall defines an elongate longitudinal groove
dimensioned to slidably receive said retaining pin when said
retaining pin is threadably advanced into said first tubular upper
leg segment; (g) wherein said first leg extension's sidewall also
defines a plurality of transverse notches dimensioned to receive
and releasably engage said catch's transverse end; and (h) wherein
a user may remove said first leg extension from said bipod assembly
by withdrawing said retaining pin away from engagement with said
first leg extension's longitudinal groove and by actuating said
spring biased catch to disengage said catch's transverse end from
one of said first leg extension's transverse notches.
7. The bipod assembly adapted for use with interchangeable bipod
end effecters of claim 6, wherein said second first tubular upper
leg segment has an open distal end opposite said proximal end to
define a second interior lumen enclosed within a solid sidewall;
(i) said second tubular upper leg segment further including a
second spring biased catch including a transverse end, wherein said
second catch is movable to a locking position having the second
catch's transverse end project into said second tubular upper leg
segment's interior lumen; (j) said second tubular upper leg segment
further including a removable threaded second retaining pin member
including a distal pin end, wherein said second retaining pin is
movable to a retaining position having the second pin's distal end
project into said second tubular upper leg segment's interior
lumen; (k) a second leg extension member having a proximal end
opposing a distal end and an exterior sidewall, said second leg
extension being dimensioned to be slidably received within said
second tubular upper leg segment with said second leg extension
member's proximal end adapted to be releasably retained within said
second tubular upper leg segment and wherein said second leg
extension member's distal end carries a second selected end
effecter selected from a plurality of available distinct end
effecters; (l) wherein said second leg extension's sidewall defines
an elongate longitudinal groove dimensioned to slidably receive
said retaining pin when said retaining pin is threadably advanced
into said second tubular upper leg segment; (m) wherein said second
leg extension's sidewall also defines a plurality of transverse
notches dimensioned to receive and releasably engage said second
catch's transverse end; and (n) wherein a user may remove said
second leg extension from said bipod assembly by withdrawing said
second retaining pin away from engagement with said second leg
extension's longitudinal groove and by actuating said second spring
biased catch to disengage said second catch's transverse end from
one of said second leg extension's transverse notches.
8. The bipod assembly of claim 6, wherein said first end effecter
comprises a central substantially planar segment from which depend
first, second and third radially spaced triangular claw
members.
9. The bipod assembly of claim 8, wherein said first end effecter
comprises a self leveling ball-in-socket swivel mounted foot having
a substantially smooth bottom surface.
Description
RELATED PATENT APPLICATION AND PRIORITY CLAIM INFORMATION
[0001] This application claims priority benefit from commonly owned
provisional application No. 60/929,486, filed Jun. 29, 2007, the
entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
This application is also owned by the applicant/owner of
provisional application No. 60/643,108, filed Jan. 12, 2005, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,711,103 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,974, the entire
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Additionally, this application is owned by the applicant/owner of
provisional application No. 60/338,153, filed Nov. 13, 2001, the
entire disclosure of which is also incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for
supporting a firearm or other apparatus when at a range or in the
field, and more particularly to a support device such as a bipod
providing a selection of end effectors adapted to support the
muzzle or stock of a firearm on smooth surfaces, slanted surfaces,
snow, mud, soil, soft terrain, hard terrain or other surfaces, as
the situation dictates.
[0004] 2. Background of the Invention
[0005] When shooting rifles and other firearms, especially in
stressful tactical situations, it is important that the firearm be
maintained in a steady, stable position to insure accuracy of aim.
Most shooters are not able to hold a firearm consistently in a set
position without wavering, especially after the onset of fatigue
resulting from strain due to the size and weight of the
firearm.
[0006] Accordingly, peripheral support devices have been used in
conjunction with firearms since the early creation of firearms as a
means of stabilizing a firearm to reduce vibration and wavering and
to improve accuracy.
[0007] Referring now to FIG. 1, a military or tactical rifle 100 is
illustrated with a Versa-Pod.RTM. tactical bipod 102 having
conventional rubber feet or end effectors. Bipod 102 is mounted
under the forearm 104 of the rifle on a Versa-Pod.RTM. spigot-style
mount. Other options for mounting a bipod beneath the forearm 104
include a longitudinal Picatinny rail, as are found on Mil-Spec M4
carbines and other military arms.
[0008] In the past, shooters have used everything from large
stationary objects such as rocks and tree branches to forked
sticks, shooting slings, bipods and tripods. Early bipod and tripod
supports typically were somewhat crude strands that generally were
bulky, inconvenient and difficult to use and typically were not
easily adjustable. In more recent times, bipod supports have been
developed that are compact and relatively lightweight and are
mountable to the forearm stock of a firearm, such as a rifle, to
make the bipods portable with the firearm. Most conventional bipod
supports include a pair of legs that can be pivoted from an up
position adjacent the firearm stock, to a down position engaging a
support surface, with the legs also being extensible to adjust the
height of the support.
[0009] A problem with conventional bipods has been the tendency of
the bipod's feet (or distal end surfaces) to slide along or sink
into the ground or other soft supporting surface, unintentionally
altering the shooter's point of aim.
[0010] Additionally, most bipods are not designed for quick and
easy attachment and release of the bipod from the firearm stock.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,678 discloses a bipod assembly
that includes legs that are pivotable independently of one another
for ease of adjustment, but which is not easily attached/detached
from the firearm. Other types of conventional bipods offer varying
types of mountings that can be fitted to various types of rifles
without requiring modification or machining of the rifle stock.
Harris Engineering, Inc. manufactures a series of bipod mounts for
use with a variety of different firearms. However, these bipod
mounts do not provide for the quickly releasing an attached bipod
support from the firearm.
[0011] One of the most popular bipods on the market has been the
Parker-Hale bipod assembly. This bipod includes a pair of
telescoping legs attached to a mounting frame, and a mounting block
for mounting the bipod to the firearm. The mounting block of the
Parker-Hale bipod is releasably attached to the mounting frame of
the bipod to enable quick attachment/release of the legs of the
bipod from the firearm. The problem with the Parker-Hale bipod is
that to mount the bipod to a firearm, the forearm stock of the
firearm generally must be modified to mount a track or slide
therein, along which the mounting block is received to mount the
bipod to the firearm. Such modifications generally are expensive
and often must be done by specialty gunsmiths and can mar the
finish of the firearm.
[0012] Military or police shooters using military or SWAT rifles
often carry special mounts known as MIL-STD-1913 "picatinny" rails
under the rifle forearm; the picatinny rails are customarily used
for mounting grenade launchers, lights or other accessories and so
the rifles often weigh much more than the lighter sporting arms
most shooters are used to carrying.
[0013] Prior art bipods that have offered easy attachment still do
not provide an adequate remedy for shooters who need a stable
engagement with a wide variety of surfaces, including smooth hard
surfaces, uneven surfaces and soft or uneven terrain, and so the
detachable bipods of the prior art have proven unsuitable.
[0014] Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for a bipod
mounting device for selectively attaching a bipod to a firearm
adapted for use in military or SWAT situations, where the shooter
may choose, for precision aiming, to have a stable support and
stable engagement when used in one of a wide variety of surfaces,
including smooth hard surfaces, uneven surfaces and soft, muddy or
uneven terrain. Ideally, the attachment should not require
extensive modification to the firearm such as machining of the
forearm stock of the firearm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention comprises a bipod support for the
forearm stock of a firearm such as a military rifle and includes
first and second tubular, spring-loaded telescopically extendable
legs adapted to receive a selected bipod leg from a plurality of
bipod legs terminating distally in a selected end effecter, so that
the shooter or user can select the best foot or end effecter for
any of a wide variety of surfaces, including smooth hard surfaces,
uneven surfaces and soft, muddy or uneven terrain.
[0016] The most important feature of the bipod system of the
present invention is the ability of the user (e.g., the shooter or
the armorer) to change between bipod legs having different feet or
end effectors. That's come about as a result of re-engineering the
leg design. In this applicant's previous designs (such as shown in
the Versa-Pod.TM. detachable bipod assembly), the legs had
leg-extension latching or locking notches to the rear facing the
shooter when in the prone position and running longitudinally along
the length of the leg was always a long central slot or groove.
Basically the longitudinal slot or groove was there to receive a
pin preventing the extended bipod leg from falling out and to
prevent the leg from turning about the leg's central axis or
rotating freely. Heavy use revealed that the leg extension springs
in the leg eventually caused the latching notches to wear
excessively in a very short period of time.
[0017] The notches showing this wear were the transverse notches
adapted to receive the leg extension catch. The wear was most
prominent exactly at the intersection between each transverse notch
and the intersecting longitudinal slot or groove that ran down the
leg and through all of the transverse notches. The notch corners
were worn within a couple weeks use and some became almost rounded,
thereby providing a poor securing surface for the leg catch.
[0018] In response to this wear problem, the applicant has
developed a system where instead of relying on the pin that rests
underneath the leg catch to hold the legs in, the pin was relocated
to the opposing side of the bipod upper leg and lower leg's
longitudinal groove is now machined into the opposite side of the
bipod lower leg and away from the shooter, so as not to intersect
the transverse catch receiving notches. A hex-head screw projects
into the longitudinal groove to retain the leg and prevent it from
turning. This allows the transverse notches to provide increased
solid bearing surfaces and also provides for much better contact
because, as compared to the previous design, the latch is actually
sitting on only part of the transverse notch wall, since much of
the transverse notch wall was machined away when the intersecting
longitudinal groove was made.
[0019] Put another way, the Raptor.TM. bipod of the previous
designs include, on the distal bipod leg, six transverse notches on
a lower bipod leg received in a hollow tubular upper bipod portion.
The transverse notches are equally spaced and since the bottom of
the leg is substantially circular in sectioned, each notch defines
a sidewall that looks like a section of a circle, and so the pin
that prevents the bipod's foot from rotating about the central axis
of the leg rides in a longitudinal groove that is on the same side
of the bipod leg as the transverse notches. So the portion of the
bipod leg facing the shooter has an intersection of one long
longitudinal groove and six transverse notches. And an intersection
of the longitudinal groove with each of the transverse notches
creates a bearing surface on the transverse notches, and those
bearing surfaces which receive the catch are significantly smaller
because they've each been reduced in area by the material removed
for the longitudinal groove. The difference in the bipod structure
of the instant application is that the longitudinal groove is
re-located from the side of the leg that has the transverse notches
to the other side of the leg, thereby significantly increasing the
amount of bearing surface in each one of the transverse notches
that receives the catch.
[0020] In the process of making this switch, the pin that had
previously held the leg captive, prevented rotation of the leg and
positioned the leg catch has been re-positioned. The pin is
replaced by a hex-head fastener on the other side of the leg, on
the bipod assembly of the present invention, but it is shortened
and is less likely to interfere with the extension movement of the
leg. A band supporting the pivoting leg catch also carries a hinge
pin upon which the catch pivots and has to be made dramatically
thicker because that band is welded onto a thicker the outer tubing
into which the hex-head screw/pin is threaded.
[0021] The end effectors or feet include a claw-shaped foot having
downwardly depending spaced members that don't have a very
pronounced point. However these downwardly depending spaced members
are actually a little bit deeper than this applicant's previous
designs and they fit better in the sand. The end effectors or feet
of another leg include a ball-in-socket leveler foot that is
similar to a vleir leveling device as customarily used in supports
for industrial equipment.
[0022] The interchangeable feature allows an armorer or shooter to
remove one type of bipod leg by removing the spline socket button
head cap screw to release the then installed bipod lower extension
or bipod leg. From a practical standpoint, the leg is removed
against spring tension (i.e., from the leg extension spring) and so
leg removal is not something that should be attended to when
actually engaged in a shooting activity. Instead, leg removal and
installation is something that is hopefully done with enough
advance knowledge to enable configuration of bipods for the
anticipated terrain. The bipod leg carrying the claw foot is best
for sand and for muddy conditions or for snow, whereas the
self-leveling foot would be better for use in or on a patrol car
while actually using the vehicle as a barricade and as a shooting
platform.
[0023] The screw that is removed to permit the replacement to
happen (the spline socket button head cap screw) is adapted to
receive an Allen key that the shooter, user or soldier may carry
when afield, and is preferably supplied as part of a kit with each
bipod. The kit preferably includes the bipod clamping assembly and
upper leg tubes along with a selection of different legs along with
the key or tool. In this way, a user's logistical support
organization such as the Defense Department can provide soldiers
and marines with one bipod system adapted for use in every type of
terrain in the world, all in one bipod system and kit.
[0024] The bipod system and kit includes the bipod with a
rail-connecting clamp assembly and left and right upper legs, along
with a selection of lower legs with different feet including a self
leveling foot, a claw-shaped foot or terrain gripping end effector,
a sled or ski shaped foot, a cushioned or grippy rubber foot and a
spiked foot (not shown) having spikes depending from circular
flanges or disks where the spike protruding from the bottom
(prototypes have been very effective in mud and alpine
settings).
[0025] An exemplary spike foot is conically shaped spike and points
downwardly from the center of a disk. The outside diameter of the
circular flange or disk is approximately 21/2 inches, and the disk
would be oriented in such a way that it provides level contact with
a planar surface or the ground the spikes depend from the flange or
protrude vertically when the bipod legs are deployed.
[0026] A tensioning control including a knob enables the user to
allow or lock against tilt and pan movements when the bipod is
attached to a rifle. Early prototypes of a similar bipod purchased
by the Army had no provisions for limiting tilt/pan movement and
complaints were received from the users or troops.
[0027] Pan/tilt movement arises from a movable coupling between the
pan/tilt ball shaped member on the top of a bracket and that ball
shaped member has planar surfaces adjoined by substantially
spherical surfaces. The ball shaped member is releasably clamped or
grasped between left and right clamping members (referred to as the
rail adapter and plate, terms describing the coupling to the rifle
or other weapon). The clamping members each have inward facing
substantially hemispherical interior surfaces and each one of those
are aligned with the axis of bores dimensioned to receive the
threaded transverse bolt, where the bolt has two ends and the
distal end receives a knurled, threaded knob. When the threaded
knob is tightened along the threaded shaft of the bolt, the two
opposing jaws grip or come closer together so that they grip the
ball member in such a way that they can either limit completely or,
by frictionally engaging the ball, provide resistance to either
panning or tilting.
[0028] What the soldiers or users wanted was the ability to have a
wider range of motion than previous offerings, but then they also
wanted to be able to lock the bipod's position down more firmly.
The wider range of motion is provided by having passages cut
through the ball opened up to more than a transverse cylindrical
bore. The transverse bore in the ball member has flared ends that
actually flare out towards the outer surfaces.
[0029] Turning back to the feet to be used, the claw-like terrain
gripping end effecter includes a substantially planar central
segment having an upper surface defining a polygon resembling a
truncated triangle with the first, second and third corners
projecting downwardly at an acute angle (e.g., downwardly at an
angle of approximately 80 degrees, relative to the plane of the
upper surface) to define a dirt-compacting cup shaped periphery
functioning as a snow, slush, mud or dirt flow impeding
"drag-chute" effect generator. The claws terminate in depending
points which dig into and hold ice and other harder surfaces.
[0030] In an illustrative embodiment, the present invention is
directed to use for mounting a firearm bipod of the type including
a mounting block with an integral clamp assembly affixed beneath
the forearm stock of the firearm. The mounting block is releasably
attachable to a bipod mounting frame. The bipod mounting frame
includes a pair of extensible/retractable legs, each having a pair
of telescoping sections to enable the height of the bipod to be
adjustable as desired.
[0031] The resulting attachment of the clamp assembly to the
forearm stock provides a quick and easy attachment of the bipod to
the firearm (or some other instrument requiring support) and
enables the assembly to mount securely in a stable, secure selected
position. This prevents the bipod, from shifting fore and aft or
wobbling during use.
[0032] With the assembly securely mounted to the forearm stock of
the firearm, the attached bipod frame is placed in locking
engagement with the firearm. Optionally, a detachable sling loop
can be provided with the clamp assembly for attachment of a rifle
sling to the stock of the firearm. The kit and assembly thus
provides a bipod providing a selection of end effectors adapted to
support the muzzle or stock of a firearm on smooth surfaces,
slanted surfaces, snow, mud, soil, soft terrain, hard terrain or
other surfaces, as the situation dictates.
[0033] Various other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art
upon a review of the following specification, when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a rifle configured with a well known
bipod assembly having rubber or elastomeric feet or end
effectors.
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the components in an
exemplary embodiment of the bipod assembly and kit, including a
selection of end effectors, in accordance with the present
invention.
[0036] FIGS. 3a-3c. illustrate a bipod assembly carrying the
claw-shaped end effecters shown in the kit of FIG. 2, in accordance
with the present invention.
[0037] FIGS. 4a-4c illustrate the bipod assembly of FIGS. 3a-3c,
with the bipod legs deployed, in accordance with the present
invention.
[0038] FIGS. 5a-5c illustrate a bipod assembly carrying the self
leveling end effectors, in accordance with the present
invention.
[0039] FIGS. 6a-6c illustrate the bipod assembly of FIGS. 5a-5c
with the bipod legs deployed, in accordance with the present
invention.
[0040] FIGS. 7a-7c illustrate an embodiment of the right upper leg
assembly, in accordance with the present invention.
[0041] FIGS. 8a-8d illustrate an embodiment of the right leg
extension carrying a claw-foot end effecter, in accordance with the
present invention.
[0042] FIGS. 9a-9d illustrate an embodiment of the right leg
extension carrying a self leveling end effecter, in accordance with
the present invention.
[0043] FIGS. 10a-10c illustrate a compressed or retracted
embodiment of the right leg assembly, including the right leg
extension carrying a claw-foot end effecter of FIG. 8a-8c, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0044] FIGS. 11a-11c illustrate a compressed or retracted
embodiment of the right leg assembly, including the right leg
extension carrying self leveling end effecter of FIG. 9a-9d, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0045] FIGS. 12a-12c illustrate an embodiment of the left upper leg
assembly, in accordance with the present invention.
[0046] FIGS. 13a-13d illustrate an embodiment of the left leg
extension carrying a claw-foot end effecter, in accordance with the
present invention.
[0047] FIGS. 14a-14d illustrate an embodiment of the left leg
extension carrying a self leveling end effecter, in accordance with
the present invention.
[0048] FIGS. 15a-15d illustrate a compressed or retracted
embodiment of the left leg assembly, including the left leg
extension carrying a claw-foot end effecter of FIG. 13a-13c, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0049] FIGS. 16a-16d illustrate a compressed or retracted
embodiment of the left leg assembly, including the left leg
extension carrying self leveling end effecter of FIG. 14a-14d, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0050] FIGS. 17a-17d illustrate the right lower leg as seen in the
right leg extension carrying the self leveling end effecter of
FIGS. 9a-9d, in accordance with the present invention.
[0051] FIGS. 18a-18c illustrate the pivoting bipod leg catch, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0052] FIGS. 19a-19c illustrate the bipod leg catch bracket, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0053] FIGS. 20a and 20b illustrate the spline socket button head
cap screw, in accordance with the present invention.
[0054] FIGS. 21a-21e illustrate the lower leg as seen in the leg
extensions carrying the claw foot end effecters, in accordance with
the present invention.
[0055] FIGS. 22a-22c illustrate the bipod leg cap, in accordance
with the present invention.
[0056] FIGS. 23a-23d illustrate the bipod leg tube or upper leg, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0057] FIGS. 24a-24d illustrate the claw foot end effecter
embodiment as seen in the bipod assembly and kit of FIG. 2, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0058] FIGS. 25a-25f illustrate a method for making an alternative
embodiment claw foot end effecter, in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 1-25f in which like numerals indicate
like parts throughout the several views, the present invention
comprises, in a first embodiment, a kit 200 including a bipod
assembly adapted to support a firearm such as rifle 100 or another
instrument when in the field.
[0060] Referring now to the exploded perspective view of FIG. 2,
multi-end effecter kit 200 preferably includes a bipod support
assembly with a leg location bracket 201, a main spring 202, a
pivot pin 203, a right bent leg 204 carrying a first self leveling
foot 208, left and right leg caps 205, left and right catch pegs
207, left and right catch hinge pins 209, left and right catch
members 210, left and right catch springs 211, left and right catch
brackets or bands 212, left and right claw-foot legs 213 carrying
claw-shaped foot members 229, left and right spline socket screws
214, left and right upper leg tubes 215, left and right leg
extension springs 216, a left bent leg 217 carrying a second self
leveling foot 208, a first rail adapter 219, an upper bolt 220, a
lower bolt 221, a second rail adapter 222, a control knob 223, a
hex nut 224, a camming lever 225, a flat spring 226, a ball-member
clamping plate 227 and a lever actuation hinge pin 228.
[0061] The kit includes a bipod support assembly configured to be
releasably affixed to or mounted upon the forearm stock (e.g., 104)
of a firearm (e.g., 100) and includes a selection of
interchangeable bipod legs (e.g., 204, 213, 217) having a variety
of feet or end effectors (e.g., 208, 229). Each bipod assembly
includes first and second two-part, coaxially nested, tubular,
spring-loaded telescopically extendable legs 214, 218 terminating
distally in selected end effectors.
[0062] The bipod system of the present invention allows the user
(e.g., the shooter or the armorer) to change between bipod legs
having different feet or end effectors. As noted above, this
feature was developed while re-engineering the leg design. In this
applicant's previous designs (such as shown in the Versa-Pod.TM.
detachable bipod assembly 102 illustrated in FIG. 1), the legs had
leg-extension latching or locking notches to the rear facing the
shooter when in the prone position. Running longitudinally along
the length of the leg is a long central slot or groove dimensioned
to receive a pin that prevents the extended bipod leg from falling
out and prevents the leg from twisting or turning about the leg's
central axis or rotating freely. Heavy use revealed that the leg
extension springs in the leg eventually caused the latching notches
to wear excessively in a very short period of time.
[0063] The notches showing this wear were the transverse notches
adapted to receive the leg extension catch. The wear was most
prominent exactly at the intersection between each transverse notch
and the intersecting longitudinal slot or groove that ran down the
leg and through all of the transverse notches. The notch corners
were worn within a couple weeks use and some became almost rounded,
thereby providing a poor securing surface for the leg catch.
[0064] In response to this wear problem, the applicant has
developed a system where instead of relying on an inwardly
projecting pin that rests underneath the leg catch to hold the legs
in, the pin is relocated to the opposing side of the bipod upper
leg and lower leg's longitudinal groove is now machined into the
opposite side of the bipod lower leg and away from the shooter, so
as not to intersect the transverse catch receiving notches. A
hex-head screw 214 (as shown in FIGS. 2, 10b, 20a and 20b) projects
into the lower leg's longitudinal groove to retain the leg and
prevent it from turning. This allows the transverse notches to
provide increased solid bearing surfaces and also provides for much
better contact because, as compared to the previous design, where
the latch was engaging only part of the transverse notch wall,
since much of the transverse notch wall was machined away when the
intersecting longitudinal groove was made.
[0065] Put another way, the Raptor.TM. bipod of the previous
designs include, on the distal bipod leg, six transverse notches on
a lower bipod leg received in a hollow tubular upper bipod portion.
The transverse notches are equally spaced and since the bottom of
the leg is substantially circular in section, each notch defines a
sidewall that looks like a section of a circle, and so the pin that
prevents the bipod's foot from rotating about the central axis of
the leg rides in a longitudinal groove that was on the same side of
the bipod leg as the transverse notches. So the portion of the
bipod leg facing the shooter has an intersection of one long
longitudinal groove and six transverse notches. And an intersection
of the longitudinal groove with each of the transverse notches
creates a bearing surface on the transverse notches, and those
bearing surfaces which receive the catch are significantly smaller
because they've each been reduced in area by the material removed
for the longitudinal groove.
[0066] So the difference in the bipod structure of the instant
application is that the longitudinal groove is re-located from the
side of the leg that has the transverse notches to the other side
of the leg, thereby significantly increasing the amount of bearing
surface in each one of the transverse notches that receives the
catch.
[0067] In the process of making this switch, the pin that had
previously held the leg captive, prevented rotation of the leg and
positioned the leg catch has been re-positioned. The pin is
replaced by hex-head fastener 214 on the other side of the leg, on
the bipod assembly of the present invention, but it is shortened
and is less likely to interfere with the extension movement of the
leg. Band 212 supports pivoting leg catch 210 and carries a hinge
pin 209 upon which catch 210 pivots and has to be made dramatically
thicker because band 212 is welded onto a thicker outer tubing 215
into which hex-head screw/pin 214 is threaded.
[0068] Referring again to FIGS. 2, 10b, 11b, 20a and 20b, the band
or bracket is identified as catch bracket 212, and it receives the
pin 214 which is called the spline socket button head cap screw
214. The when threadably inserted into the aligned bores defined in
band 212 and upper leg tubular wall 215, inwardly projecting facing
end of screw or pin 214 slidably engages and rides in the
longitudinal groove (e.g., 310, 360) in each of the bipod leg
extensions (as best seen in FIGS. 10b and 11b). The catch bracket
212 is also fastened by a straight axle or pin called a spring-type
straight pin 209 which serves as the pivot for each leg's leg catch
210. In a preferred embodiment, five evenly spaced TIG welds into
band 212 affix band 212 to each bipod upper leg outer tubing wall
215.
[0069] Catch bracket or band 212 is attached to the outer surface
of the leg tube 212 or the upper portion of the bipod by five (5)
tig welds that may be spaced along the length of the band, but are
preferably proximate the side carrying the hinge, with two above
and below the upper and lower ends of the band on either side and
one weld between the two ends on the lower side, near where the
retaining pin 214 penetrates the band 212.
[0070] In use, a selected bipod assembly (e.g., 300 or 340) is
adapted for use with interchangeable bipod end effecters and is
attached to instrument 100 by it's a clamping body, whereupon the
user can release spring biased first and second tubular upper leg
segments 215, each having a proximal ends hingedly attached to the
clamp body. The first or left tubular upper leg segment 215 has an
open distal end opposite the proximal end to define a first
interior lumen enclosed within a solid sidewall and has spring
biased catch 210 with it's transverse end, where the catch is
hingedly movable to a locking position (as seen in FIGS. 3c, 5c,
10b and 11b) having the catch's transverse end project into the
first tubular upper leg segment's interior lumen. The first tubular
upper leg segment further includes removable threaded retaining pin
member 214 which has a distal pin end, where retaining pin 214 is
movable to a retaining position having the pin's distal end project
into the first tubular upper leg segment's interior lumen. The
first leg extension member (e.g., 204) has a proximal end opposing
a distal end and an exterior sidewall, where the first leg
extension is dimensioned to be slidably received within the first
tubular upper leg segment with said first leg extension member's
proximal end adapted to be releasably retained within the first
tubular upper leg segment and where the first leg extension
member's distal end carries a first selected end effecter (e.g.,
208) selected from a plurality of available distinct end effecters
(e.g., 208, 229 or 400). The first leg extension's sidewall defines
an elongate longitudinal groove dimensioned to slidably receive
retaining pin 214 when retaining pin 214 is threadably advanced
into said first tubular upper leg segment (as best seen in FIGS.
10b and 11b). The first leg extension's sidewall also defines a
plurality of transverse notches dimensioned to receive and
releasably engage the transverse end of pivoting catch 210, to
allow the user to select how far the spring biased leg extension is
to project out from the tubular upper leg segment 215. A user may
remove the first leg extension from the bipod assembly by
withdrawing retaining pin 214 away from engagement with the first
leg extension's longitudinal groove and by actuating spring biased
catch 210 to disengage the catch's transverse end from the selected
leg extension's transverse notch.
[0071] As can be seen in the Figs, the bipod assembly also carries
a second tubular upper leg segment carrying a second leg extension
that works just the same way, since it also has a second spring
biased catch 210 that releasably engages transverse notches on the
second leg extension's sidewall and also has a removable threaded
retaining pin member 214 engaging the second leg extension's
longitudinal groove, such that a user may remove the second leg
extension from the bipod assembly (e.g., 300 or 340) by withdrawing
the second retaining pin away from engagement with the second leg
extension's longitudinal groove and by actuating the second spring
biased catch 210 to dis-engage the second catch's transverse end
from one of the second leg extension's transverse notches.
[0072] The end effectors or feet of leg 213 include a claw-shaped
foot 229 having downwardly depending spaced members that don't have
a very pronounced point. However these downwardly depending spaced
members are actually a little bit deeper than this applicant's
previous designs and more securely engage the sand.
[0073] The end effectors or feet of legs 204 and 217 include a
leveler foot 208 having a specially dimensioned ball in socket self
leveling engagement with the ground that is similar to a Vleir.TM.
style leveling device as customarily used in supports for
industrial equipment.
[0074] The interchangeable feature allows an armorer or shooter to
remove one type of bipod leg (e.g., self leveling foot bipod legs
204 and/or 217) by unthreading and retracting or removing the left
and right spline socket button head cap screws 214 from one or both
upper bipod legs 215 to release the then installed bipod lower
extension or bipod leg (e.g., 204 and/or 217). From a practical
standpoint, the leg is removed against spring tension (i.e., from
the captive leg biasing extension spring 216) and so bipod leg
removal is not something that should be attended to when in the
field and engaged in stressful or demanding activities (e.g., when
actually under fire). Instead, leg removal and installation is
something that is hopefully done with enough advance knowledge to
enable configuration of bipods for the anticipated terrain or
surfaces. Bipod leg 213, carrying claw foot 229 is best for sand
and for muddy conditions or for snow, whereas the self-leveling
foot 208 of legs 204 and 217 would be better for use in or on a
patrol car while actually using the vehicle as a barricade and as a
shooting platform.
[0075] The threaded retaining pin that is removed to permit the
replacement to happen, spline socket button head cap screw 214,
illustrated in FIGS. 20a and 20b is adapted with a proximal
hex-shaped head socket to receive an Allen key (not shown) that the
user or soldier may carry when afield, and is preferably supplied
as part of kit 200 with each bipod assembly. The kit preferably
includes the bipod clamping assembly (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2 or
with the Versa-Pod.RTM. spigot mount shown at 104 in FIG. 1)
hingedly carrying upper leg tubes 215 along with a selection of
different legs having varying length extensions and a suitable
variety of feet or end effecters, along with the retaining pin
removal key or tool. In this way, a user's logistical support
organization such as the Defense Department can provide the user
with one bipod system adapted for use in every type of terrain in
the world, all in one bipod system and kit.
[0076] It will be appreciated that bipod system and kit 200
includes the bipod with a connecting clamp assembly and left and
right upper legs 215, along with a selection of lower legs with
different feet including a self leveling foot 208, a claw-shaped
foot or terrain gripping end effecter 229, a sled or ski shaped
foot (not shown), a cushioned or grippy rubber foot (as shown in
the bipod of FIG. 1) and a spiked foot (not shown) having spikes
depending from circular flanges or disks where the spike protrudes
from the bottom (prototypes have been very effective in mud and
alpine settings).
[0077] An exemplary spike foot (not shown) carries a conically
shaped spike and points downwardly from the center of a disk-shaped
flange (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 25b and 25c). The outside diameter
of the circular flange or disk is approximately 21/2 inches, and
the disk is oriented in such a way that it provides level contact
with a planar surface or the ground the spikes depend from the
flange or project down vertically when the bipod legs are
deployed.
[0078] A tensioning control including knob 223 enables the user to
allow or prevent (lock against) tilt and pan movements when the
bipod is attached to a rifle. Early prototypes of a similar bipod
purchased by the Army had no provisions for limiting tilt/pan
movement and complaints were received from the troops.
[0079] The original prototypes didn't move smoothly enough or far
enough. As a result, the bipod system of the present invention has
a pan/tilt ball and leg location bracket 201 that have been made
with a geometry set up to allow more movement between transverse
bolt 221 and the interior surfaces of the oval receiving slots
defining the distal ends of the transverse bore in the pan/tilt
ball 201. Tightening tensioning knob 223 against bolt 221 increases
clamping force of the inner clamping surfaces defined in
ball-engaging members 219 and 227 and allows the user to slow,
dramatically limit or eliminate any of the pan/tilt movement.
[0080] Pan/tilt movement arises from a movable coupling between the
pan/tilt ball shaped member on the top of bracket 201 and that ball
shaped member has planar surfaces adjoined by substantially
spherical surfaces. The ball shaped member is releasably clamped or
grasped between left and right clamping members 219 and 227 (also
referred to as rail adapter 219 and plate 227, where these
descriptive terms describe the coupling to the weapon). The
clamping members 219 and 227 each have inward facing substantially
hemispherical interior surfaces and each one of those are aligned
with the axis of bores dimensioned to receive the threaded
transverse bolt 221 (best seen in FIG. 2. Transverse bolt 221 has
two ends and the distal end receives threaded knob 223. When
threaded knob 223 is tightened along the threaded shaft of the bolt
221 the two opposing jaws grip or come closer together so that they
grip the ball member in such a way that they can either limit
completely or, by frictionally engaging the ball, provide a damping
resistance to panning, tilting or other movement.
[0081] What the soldiers or users wanted was the ability to have a
wider range of motion than previous bipod offerings, but then they
also wanted to be able to lock the bipod down into a fixed
orientation more firmly. The wider range of motion is provided by
having the passages cut through ball 201 opened up or flared to
more than a transverse cylindrical bore. The transverse bore in the
ball member 201 has opposing open ends that actually flare out
towards the outer surfaces.
[0082] The pan tilt ball on the leg location bracket 201 has an
oval-sectioned transverse bore and the effect of that is to allow
lateral (e.g. left and right or panning) motion of the upper part
of the bipod when clamped to a rifle in relation to the bipod's
legs when the legs are fixed in or upon the ground. This pan/tilt
ball structure and the clamping jaws bearing upon the ball allow a
very smooth panning movement when the bipod is mounted on the
weapon, because even though the ball's openings are flared towards
the outside, they are flared basically to allow panning left and
right, and the up and down motion of the bipod is not controlled by
that. The tilting or up and down movement is constrained by the
lower surfaces of the two clamping members 219, 227 which are
constrained by the upper surfaces of the parallel, spaced fore and
aft hinge pin (203) receiving plates. This way the bipod allows a
user to follow objects in motion in a very smooth form.
[0083] The pan tilt ball sits atop the leg location bracket 201 and
has parallel, spaced fore and aft hinge pin receiving plates
adapted to engage pivot leg pin 203 which carries the left and
right upper bipod leg caps 205. Pivot leg pin 203 is optionally
permanently affixed and so is not a user-serviceable connection.
The legs will be interchangeable, and the legs (e.g., 204, 217 or
213) will be the only parts adapted for removal and
interchangeability.
[0084] The term "end effecter" (e.g., 208 or 229), for purposes of
nomenclature, means the structural element that is engaged with the
ground or support surface to provide stability and so should be
read to broadly include any support termination member engaging the
ground when placing the end effecter on the ground, and so can
include any combination of ski-shaped members, rubber feet,
pivoting feet 208 or straight or curved wall segments with or
without downwardly projecting members.
[0085] An alternative embodiment of the soil, sand or snow engaging
end effecter 400, and the method for making it are illustrated in
FIGS. 25a-25f. Step one of the process is illustrated in FIGS.
25a-25c, where a substantially circular disk shaped end effecter
provided and is clamped in preparation for application of bending
force at first, second and third radially equidistant spaced edges,
along bend lines that intersect to form a substantially equilateral
triangle, best seen in FIG. 25a. The second step completes first,
second and third bends to define first, second and third rounded
downwardly projecting wall segments. Each wall segment's bend
radius is preferably spaced at 18 mm from the disk's center (as
best seen in FIGS. 25 d-25f).
[0086] Optionally, end effecter 400 can be used as an intermediate
component to make claw-shaped end effecter 229 by cutting along the
first second and third intersecting cut lines shown in FIG. 25d,
thereby defining first second and third downwardly depending
triangular, clipped-end claw members.
[0087] Further, it will be understood by those skilled in the art
that while the present invention has been disclosed for use
primarily with a Parker-Hale style firearm bipod assembly, the
present invention also can be used for mounting the types of bipods
having a bipod leg frame that is releasably mountable to a mounting
block for a firearm.
[0088] It will be understood that while the foregoing relates to
preferred embodiments of the invention, various modifications,
additions and changes may be made thereto without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the
following claims.
* * * * *