U.S. patent application number 12/271925 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-20 for portable gun rack.
Invention is credited to Ray M. Bliss.
Application Number | 20100122960 12/271925 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42171157 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100122960 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bliss; Ray M. |
May 20, 2010 |
PORTABLE GUN RACK
Abstract
A portable gun rack for accommodating a plurality of long bore
firearms is disclosed. The gun rack includes a collapsible frame
stand, a collapsible muzzle sconce, which includes a scalloped
edge, and a collapsible butt sconce, wherein the muzzle and butt
sconces include non-marring surfaces.
Inventors: |
Bliss; Ray M.; (Crystal,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jeffrey C. Brown & Associates PLLC
100 South Fifth Street, Suite 1900
Minneapolis
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
42171157 |
Appl. No.: |
12/271925 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 43/00 20130101;
A47B 81/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/64 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/00 20060101
A47F007/00 |
Claims
1. A portable gun rack comprising: a. a collapsible frame stand; b.
a collapsible muzzle sconce, including a scalloped edge and a
non-marring surface adapted to accommodate at least one muzzle of a
long bore firearm, including a rifle or shotgun; and c. a
collapsible butt sconce, including a shelf, a flange, and a
non-marring surface adapted to accommodate at least one butt of a
long bore firearm, including a rifle or shotgun.
2. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the collapsible butt
and muzzle sconces are adapted to accommodate a plurality of long
bore firearms, including rifles and shotguns.
3. The portable gun rack of claim 2, wherein the butt and muzzle
sconces can accommodate four long bore firearms, including rifles
and shotguns.
4. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the non-marring
scalloped edge of the collapsible muzzle sconce and the non-marring
surface of the butt sconce comprises felt.
5. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein a length of the
collapsed frame is about 100 to about 107 centimeters.
6. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein a depth of the
collapsed frame is about 7 to about 9 centimeters.
7. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein a width of the
collapsed frame is about 11 to about 13 centimeters.
8. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein a width of the
unfolded frame is about 37 centimeters to about 41 centimeters when
in the unfolded position.
9. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the frame includes at
least one bracket to secure the frame in the unfolded position.
10. The portable gun rack of claim 9, wherein the bracket includes
a friction lock.
11. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the muzzle sconce
includes at least one bracket to secure the muzzle sconce in the
unfolded position.
12. The portable gun rack of claim 11, wherein the bracket includes
a friction lock.
13. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a
hook and eye latch adapted to secure the frame in the collapsed
position.
14. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the sconces include
friction locks adapted to secure the frame in the collapsed
position.
15. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the sconces include
friction locks adapted to secure the frame in the unfolded
position.
16. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the muzzle and butt
sconces include a plurality of hinges adapted to collapse the
sconces proximate the frame when in the collapsed position.
17. The portable gun rack of claim 16, wherein the muzzle and butt
sconces include at least one self-locking hinge.
18. The portable gun rack of claim 17, wherein the at least one
self-locking hinge includes a friction lock.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to sporting goods, more
specifically, a temporary storage device for long bore firearms
like shotguns and rifles.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] When using long bore firearms like shotguns and rifles in
the field for hunting or target shooting, it is common for such
firearms to be carried in a flexible gun case, like a leather or
canvas bag, which maintains the firearm in a clean and safe
environment. Such gun cases, however, lack means to temporarily
store the firearm in a manner that makes it readily accessible or
interchangeable with another firearm. Placing the firearm on the
ground is not a desirable option because the firearm can become
soiled or damaged. Leaning the firearm against an object like a
tree or fence might provide better access and support, but will not
elevate the dirt and damage problems because such objects tend to
accumulate dirt by exposure to the elements and are not reliable
supports for the smooth metal muzzle of a typical long bore
firearm. In addition such objects are not portable and serve to
limit the user's mobility. Consequently, the art includes many
devices for temporarily storing a shotgun or rifle when in the
field. These devices, however, lack the degree of portability of
the present invention and other useful features, like the ability
to hold several firearms simultaneously and protect the firearm
from damage and dirt.
[0005] Thus, there is a need for a portable gun rack that collapses
efficiently and is adapted to hold several firearms simultaneously
in a manner that protects the firearm from excess dirt and
damage.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a portable gun rack
comprising a collapsible or foldable frame stand, a collapsible or
foldable muzzle sconce, and a collapsible or foldable butt sconce.
The collapsible frame stand comprises at least two frame pivots and
at least one collapsible frame bracket adapted to provide lateral
support to the frame. The frame stand may also include at least one
additional bracket that provides additional lateral support to the
frame and also supports the muzzle sconce when in an unfolded
position. The frame stand also includes at least one handle adapted
to allow a user to easily grasp and carry the gun rack when fully
collapsed. The collapsible muzzle sconce is operably connected to
the frame and comprises a plurality of hinges adapted to collapse
the muzzle sconce proximate the frame when fully collapsed. The
muzzle sconce further comprises a peripheral surface covered with a
suitable material to protect a rifle muzzle or barrel from marring
and/or damage. Suitable materials include felt, rubber or other
non-marring materials. The peripheral surface of the muzzle sconce
further comprises a scalloped edge adapted to accommodate a
plurality of rifles. The collapsible butt sconce includes a
collapsible or foldable shelf including a flange or lip to prevent
the rifle butt from slipping off the shelf. The shelf and flange
also may include a surface covered with a suitable material, like
felt or rubber, to protect a rifle butt, including a portion of a
rifle stock, from marring, damage and/or slipping. The flange also
may include means to secure or lock the gun rack in the collapsed
position, including a hook and eye latch. The butt sconce further
includes a plurality of hinges adapted to collapse the butt sconce
proximate the frame when fully collapsed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The invention can be better understood by reference to the
following drawings, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the portable gun rack.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a further embodiment of the portable gun rack in a
fully collapsed position.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the portable gun rack in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are
shown by way of illustration specific embodiments or examples.
These embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be
utilized, and structural, logical, and procedural changes may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to
be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present
invention is defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
[0012] In an embodiment of a portable gun rack 10 shown in FIG. 1,
the gun rack 10 includes a collapsible frame stand 101 comprising
at least two frame pivots 102 and at least one collapsible frame
bracket 103 adapted to provide lateral support to the frame. As
further shown in FIG. 1, the frame stand 101 may also include at
least one additional bracket 104 that provides additional lateral
support to the frame 101 and also supports a collapsible muzzle
sconce 105 when the sconce 105 is in an unfolded position 105a.
Preferably, the brackets 103, 104 are adapted to lock in place
using self-locking mechanisms that are well known in the art. The
frame stand 101 also includes at least one handle 106 adapted to
allow a user to easily grasp and carry the gun rack 10 when fully
collapsed as shown in FIG. 2.
[0013] As further shown in FIG. 1, the collapsible muzzle sconce
105 is operably connected to the frame stand 101 and comprises a
plurality of hinges 107 adapted to allow the muzzle sconce 105 to
be collapsed proximate the frame 101 when fully collapsed as shown
in FIG. 2. The muzzle sconce 105 further comprises a peripheral
surface 108 covered with a suitable material to protect a rifle
muzzle from marring and/or damage. Suitable materials include felt,
rubber, or other non-marring materials. The peripheral surface of
the muzzle sconce 108 further comprises a scalloped edge 108a
adapted to accommodate a plurality of rifles as shown in FIG.
3.
[0014] As also shown in FIG. 1, the gun rack 10 includes a
collapsible butt sconce 109 further comprising a collapsible or
foldable shelf 110 including a flange 111 to prevent a rifle butt
from slipping off the shelf 110. The flange 111 may be attached to
the shelf 110 by any suitable means, including by way of
non-limiting example only, screws and/or nails. The shelf and
flange 110, 111 also include a surface 110a covered with a suitable
material, like felt, rubber, or other non-marring materials, to
protect the rifle butt, including a portion of a rifle stock, from
marring and/or damage. The butt sconce 109 further includes a
plurality of hinges 112, 112a adapted to allow the butt sconce to
be collapsed proximate the frame 101 when fully collapsed as shown
in FIG. 2. By way of non-limiting example only, a pair of lateral
hinges 112 operably connects the frame 101 and butt sconce 109. A
center hinge 112a allows the butt sconce 109 to fold and collapse
proximate the frame 101 when the frame is fully collapsed.
[0015] FIG. 2 of the portable gun rack 20 shows the frame 201 in
the fully collapsed, portable position. In this position, the
collapsible frame bracket 202 has been unlocked and folded along
its longitudinal axis. When the frame 201 is in the collapsed
position, both the muzzle 203 and butt 204 sconces are folded along
their respective hinge axes and rest proximate the frame 201. As
further shown in FIG. 2, and by way of non-limiting example only,
if an embodiment of the gun rack 20 includes two handles 205, the
handles are close enough to each other in the fully collapsed
position to allow a user to grasp both handles and lift the gun
rack 20 for easy carrying. Another embodiment of the portable gun
rack 20 includes a latch to secure the frame sides 201 so the sides
stay collapsed during carrying or transport. The latch may include
a hook and eye latch attached to a posterior surface 207 of the
flange 206 opposite the covered surface. In the embodiment
including a hook and eye latch, the hook 208 may be attached to one
side of the flange and the eye 209 may be attached to the other
side of the flange so that when the frame is collapsed and the
sconces are in the folded position, the hook is proximate to and
can engage the eye for latching 210. Other mechanisms may be
employed to secure the frame sides 201 so the sides stay collapsed
during carrying or transport, like, by way of example only,
friction or self-locking locks built into the butt and/or muzzle
sconces, and/or butt and/or muzzle sconce hinges.
[0016] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the gun rack 30 in use. As a
shown in FIG. 3, a user would carry the portable gun rack 30 to the
desired location using the handle(s) 301 and unfold the frame 302
and lock the brackets 303, 304 to sturdy the frame stand 302 and
muzzle sconce 305. Once the gun rack 30 is secure, long bore
firearms like rifles and shotguns can be placed in the gun rack 30
as shown in FIG. 3. The user would place the butt of the rifle on
the butt sconce 306, which includes a flange 307, and place the
rifle muzzle or barrel within one of the plurality of scalloped
edges 308 on the muzzle sconce 305 to rest the firearm in the gun
rack. The non-marring surfaces of the butt sconce 306a, the flange
307a, and the scalloped edge 308a will help prevent the firearm
from slipping out of the gun rack 30 and thereby reduce the
possibility of marring or damaging the rifle butt, stock, and
barrel, including the rifle muzzle.
[0017] By way of non-limiting example only, an embodiment of the
portable gun rack includes a length of the collapsed or folded
frame of about 100 to about 107 centimeters and a depth of the
collapsed or folded frame of about 7 to about 8 centimeters. A
further non-limiting embodiment of the portable gun rack includes a
width of about 37 centimeters to about 41 centimeters when in the
unfolded position. The gun rack components, including the frame,
sconces, brackets, and handles may be comprised of any suitable
material including wood products, metals, fiberglass, synthetic
fibers, natural products, plastics, or combinations thereof.
[0018] It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the
above-described embodiments and variations may be used in
combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be
apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above
description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be
determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the
full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the
appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as
the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising"
and "wherein."
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