Field

Embodiments of the invention relate to shooting rests or bags for supporting a firearm by its buttstock, and more specifically, relate to rests for supporting a firearm by its buttstock, and having scissor linkages for vertical adjustment thereof.

Background

Competition shooting is fast becoming a more popular pass time with many shooting enthusiasts. Competition shooting, and by extension, long range precision shooting typically involves highly accurate and precise rifles tailored to the needs and preferences of each individual shooter. These shooters often customize their personal rifles to specifications that is unique to each individual shooter, and can include different types of rifles scopes, modifications to a handguard, modifications to a barrel, modifications to a buttstock, and can also include additions of many different types of accessories, including adjustable bag riders, which are adapted to support the firearm by its buttstock.

Often, competition shooters use bags filled with various materials to help stabilize a rifle during shooting. These bags can be used to support a front end or the foregrip of the rifle, and can also be used to support a back end or the buttstock of the rifle. For additional support, bags riders can be removably attached to the buttstock to provide additional support, or in some cases, in lieu of a shooting bag.

There are many different types of shooting bags that support the buttstock of a rifle. Certain models currently available can be removably attached to a buttstock, and in some embodiments, the bag rider can be permanently affixed or even incorporated into the buttstock.

Furthermore, bag riders can be made to be vertically adjustable, allowing an individual shooter to further refine their shooting position. These types of adjustable bag riders typically have at least two vertically extending pins, at least one of the pins having threads, such as a screw, and a knob for vertically adjusting a height of the bag rider.

However, such designs are limited in vertical travel, depending on a height of the vertically extending pins. Further still, such vertically extending pins can interfere with the buttstock of the rifle.

Summary

The present invention relates to an adjustable bag rider as either an attachment or built-in component that allows a shooter to mechanically adjust the position, height, or angle at the rear of a rifle. Bag riders can be an attachment to the buttstock or may be built into the buttstock. The term bag rider refers to a mechanical device that is removably or permanently attached to the buttstock for supporting the buttstock on a shooting surface. Embodiments of the present invention is not limited to resting upon a support bag, but can be adapted to rest on any shooting surface.

In a broad aspect, an adjustable bag rider for supporting a buttstock of a firearm on a surface has an upper rail adapted for mounting the adjustable bag rider to the buttstock of a firearm, a lower rail for supporting the firearm on the surface, and a linkage system for operatively connecting the upper rail to the lower rail. In embodiments, the linkage system is actuable by an operator to extend the lower rail away from the upper rail or retract the lower rail towards the upper rail, to a desired position that supports the buttstock of the firearm on the surface, that is most comfortable for the operator.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, a linkage system operatively connecting an upper rail with a lower rail;

Figure 2 is a side cross sectional view of the embodiment in accordance to Fig. 1 , illustrating the connection of the linkage system with the upper rail and the connection of the linkage system with the lower rail; Figure 3 is a partial side cut away view of the embodiment in accordance to Fig. 1 , illustrating the upper rail having a carriage, an adjustment screw with a knob, and buttstock mounting means;

Figure 4 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the upper rail having the carriage, adjustment screw and knob and push button;

Figure 5 is a detailed cut away view of the embodiment in accordance to Fig. 3, illustrating the carriage, adjustment screw and knob;

Figure 6A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a carriage operatively connected to an adjustment screw and knob;

Figure 6B is a cross sectional perspective view of the embodiment in accordance to Fig. 6A;

Figure 7A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a carriage and push button;

Figure 7B is a cross sectional view of the embodiment in accordance to Fig. 7A;

Figure 8A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a push button;

Figure 8B is a cross sectional view of the embodiment in accordance to Fig. 8A, illustrating a biasing member;

Figure 8C is a cross sectional view of the embodiment in accordance to Fig. 8 A, illustrating a cavity for housing the biasing member;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a linkage system having a scissor linkage and a single linkage arm, both being operatively connected to a linkage connector;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the embodiment in accordance to Fig. 9, illustrating a spring mounting block positioned within the linkage connector;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment in accordance to Fig. 1 , shown from a different perspective to highlight a lower rail; Figure 12A is a perspective view of the lower rail in accordance to Fig. 11 , illustrating a housing and a skid plate;

Figure 12B is a perspective view of the lower rail in accordance to Fig. 12A with the skid plate removed, illustrating a spring mounting block operatively connected to a spring;

Figure 12C is a perspective view of the lower rail in accordance to Fig. 12B without the spring; and

Figure 12D is cross sectional view of the embodiment in accordance to Fig. 12C, illustrating a channel extending a length of the housing.

Detailed Description

An adjustable bag rider can comprise a linkage system operatively connecting an upper rail to a lower rail. The linkage system further comprises connecting linkages or arms which are adapted to transmit linear movement of an adjustment knob into vertical actuation of the lower rail. That is, as an operator manually adjusts a screw, using an adjustment knob, in a horizontal direction, the lower rail can correspondingly move vertically up or down, extending away from or retracting towards the upper rail. In embodiments, the linkage system can comprise at least a scissor linkage. In other embodiments, the linkage system can further comprise rollers to assist in the horizontal or longitudinal movement thereof.

In embodiments, the upper rail further comprises means for affixing the adjustable bag rider onto a compatible buttstock of a firearm. In certain embodiments, the affixing of the adjustable bag rider can be removable. In certain embodiments, affixing of the adjustable bag rider can be permanent. Further still, in embodiments, the adjustable bag rider can be incorporated directly into a buttstock.

Embodiments of the present invention differs from bag riders currently known and commercially available by utilizing connecting linkages, such as scissor linkages, which can transmit linear movement/adjustments into vertical movement, allowing for the adjustment of a height of the buttstock of a firearm. Embodiments allows for quick coarse adjustment, followed by precise or fine adjustment, and is much more compact (for the range of travel it provides) than bag riders of current technology. As discussed above, in embodiments, the linkages can ride on rollers which can be housed in the upper and lower rails. In embodiments, the linkage system can simply slide longitudinally within the lower rail. In embodiments, there can be both the fixed and unfixed ends, which can be repositioned, pushed, or pulled together by linear horizontal force, actuating the linkage system to transmit horizontal or longitudinal movement thereof into positioning of the lower rail vertically.

Further still, in embodiments, a fine or precision adjustments can be solved by a locking mechanism, adjustment wheel, and screw thread, such as a fine adjustment screw.

In other embodiments, biasing means, such as springs (either in tension or in compression) can be positioned to either push or pull or otherwise provide a biasing force to assist in the actuation of the linkage system. The addition or ability to add various spring weights or strengths can be used to assist in lifting the buttstock of the rifle or otherwise compensate for various weights of the rifles.

Embodiments of the present invention obviates or otherwise eliminates the need for guide pins (used in all other designs) used in the current technology. Such use of vertically extending guide pins limit the amount of adjustment to the length of pins extending above the upper mounted rail, which interferes with the buttstock of the rifle. Positioning of the vertically extending guide pins to either the left or right side of the system can add additional and unwanted bulk, and therefore is not desirous.

Other systems require vertically extending guide pins to be considered into the buttstock design. Embodiments of the present invention also obviates or otherwise eliminates that issue. Other systems or designs use a screw thread which is positioned vertically along the screw thread’s axis, and push or pull the lower rail to the upper rail, transmitting motion vertically. The vertically mounted screw thread poses the same adjustment and design limitations as guide pins. The linkage system of the embodiments of the present invention provide both stability of the guide pins and the adjustment of the screw thread. The way the system collapses into a compact footprint makes it a better option for both, as an added attachment or integral system within the buttstock. With reference to Fig. 1 , and as shown, an adjustable bag rider 10 comprises an upper rail 100 operatively connected by a linkage system 200 to a lower rail 300. The bag rider 10 defines a proximal end 20, a distal end 30, a top end 40 and a bottom end 50. Adjacent the proximal end 20, along the top end 30, the bag rider 10 further comprises a buttstock mounting surface 60 adapted to operatively and removably attached the bag rider 10 to a buttstock (not shown). The buttstock mounting surface 60 can be adapted to have various profiles, such as a flat planar profile, or a tapered profile, in order to match a corresponding surface of the buttstock ensuring a secure and snug fit thereto. To secure the bag rider 10 to a buttstock (not shown), mounting means such as mounting screws 70 can be provided.

With reference to Fig. 2, and as shown, in operation, an operator can manually actuate the lower rail 300 using coarse adjustments followed by fine or micro adjustments to position the lower rail 300 in a desired position to establish a comfortable shooting position. Although not shown, the lower rail 300 is biased in a fully extended position by a biasing means, such as a spring 310, disposed within a channel 320 of the lower rail 300. Although it will be discussed in greater detailed below, the biasing member or spring 310, exerts a force onto the lower rail 300 to prevent the lower rail 300 from actuating into a fully closed position. That is, when the lower rail 300 is actuated into its fully closed position, the spring 310 is fully extended. Those skilled in the art would also understand that the lower rail 300 can be fixed into a position between the fully extended position and the fully closed position.

As discussed above, and with references to Figs. 1 , 3 and 4, the bag rider 10 defines a proximal end 20 and a distal end 30, and is comprised of an upper rail 100, a lower rail 300, and a linkage system 200 interlinking or interconnecting the upper rail 100 to the lower rail 300. Adjacent the proximal end 20, the bag rider 10, and therefore the upper rail 100 is the buttstock mounting surface 60. At the distal end of the upper rail 100, the upper rail 100 further comprises an adjustment knob 110 connected to an adjustment screw 120. As shown, the adjustment screw 120 extends from the distal end 30 toward the proximal end 20, and is disposed within a cavity 130.

A carriage 140, also housed within the cavity 130, can be operatively connected to the adjustment screw 120. In embodiments, the carriage 140 can be operatively connected to the adjustment screw 120 by threaded friction engagement therewith. In other embodiments, the adjustment screw 120 simply passes through the carriage 140.

With reference to Figs. 5, 6A, and 6B, the cavity 130 further defines a guiding slot 150 which is adapted to receive a shoulder 160 of the carriage 140. The shoulder 160 travels within the guided slot 150 ensuring that any longitudinal movement of the carriage 140 is maintained within the cavity 130, and ensures unhindered travel and operation. The longitudinal travel of the carriage 140 can also be guided by the adjustment screw 120, as the adjustment screw 120 is positioned within the carriage 140.

As shown in Figs. 7A and 7B, the carriage 140 further defines a passage 170 through which the adjustment screw 120 pass therethrough. An operator can manipulate or actuate the carriage to travel longitudinally along the adjustment screw 120 to actuate the linkage system for lowering or raising the lower rail 300. Once the operator actuates the carriage 140 to position the lower rail 300 at a desired height, the operator can secure the longitudinal position of the carriage 140.

As shown, the carriage 140 comprises a biased push button 180 which operates between a first biased fine adjustment position and a second coarse adjustment position. The push button is typically biased and in its first biased fine adjustment position by way of a biasing means, such as a push button spring 190. When not actuated by an operator, the push button spring 190 exerts a force onto the push button 180, encouraging the push button 180 to physically engage the adjustment screw 120. This physical engagement between the push button 180 and adjustment screw 120 results in a friction engagement therebetween, resulting in hinderance and prevention of free longitudinal movement of the carriage 140 along the adjustment screw 120.

With reference to Figs. 8A to 8C, and as shown, the push button 180 further comprises its own corresponding passage 182 which is in alignment with the passage 170 of the carriage 140. Accordingly, the adjustment screw 120 passes through both the carriage 140 and the push button 180 (shown in Figs. 6B and 7B.) In embodiments, the adjustment screw 120 further comprises threading having a thread pitch. In embodiments, the push button pass-through 182 can also further comprises a threaded bottom surface 184 for direct physical engagement with the adjustment screw 120. The threaded bottom surface 184 can have threading with a thread pitch that corresponds to the thread pitch of the adjustment screw 120, allowing for interlocking threaded engagement between the adjustment screw 120 and the push button 180. This interlocked thread engagement between the adjustment screw 120 and the push button 180 allows a fine adjustment of the longitudinal positioning of the carriage 140 by the rotating the adjustment knob 110.

Coarse longitudinal positioning of the carriage 140 can be accomplished by depressing the push button 180 (ie. exerting a manual force to overcome the biasing force exerted by the push button spring 190) to disengage the interlocking threaded engagement between the push button 180 and the adjustment screw 120, and sliding the carriage 140 longitudinally along the adjustment screw 120. The disengagement of the interlocking thread engagement between the adjustment screw 120 and the push button 180 causes the push button 180 to go from its biased first fine adjustment position into its second coarse adjustment position.

With reference to Figs. 9 and 10, the linkage system 200 comprises a scissor linkage 210 having a first arm 215 and a second arm 220, a single linkage 230, and a linkage block 240, operatively connecting the single linkage 230 and the scissor linkage 210.

Referring back to Fig. 1 , the linkage system 200 operatively connects the upper rail 100 to the lower rail 300. Shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the linkage system 200 can be operatively connected to the upper rail 100 at three attachment points, and can be operatively connected to the lower rail 300 at three attachment points. In both instances, two of the three attachment points connect the upper rail 100 and lower rail 300 to the first and second arms 215, 220 of the scissor linkage 210, while the third attachment point connect the upper rail 100 and the lower rail 300 to the single linkage 230.

Further, and as shown, two of the attachment points to the upper rail 100 are permanently fixed, while a third attachment point is to the carriage 140 of the upper rail. Thus, movement of the carriage 140 along the adjustment screw 120 results in a scissor motion of the scissor linage 210. That is the scissor linkage 210 will actuate, extending away from or retracting towards the upper rail 100 when the carriage 140 moves longitudinally along the adjustment screw 120.

With specific reference to Fig. 9, the single linkage 230 and the scissor linkage 210 are interconnected by the linkage block 240. As shown in Fig. 10, the linkage block 240 can comprise two opposing but parallel sides 250. The interconnection of the scissor linkage 210 and the single linkage 230 by the linkage block 240, ensures that both the single linkage 230 and the scissor linkage 210 have a coordinated movement. That is, movement of the scissor linkage 210 results in a corresponding movement of the single linkage 230.

Thus, and referring back to Fig. 3, longitudinal movement of the carriage 140 along the adjustment screw 120, results in the combined movement of the scissor linkage 210 and the single linkage 230.

In embodiments, the single linkage 230 can further comprise an arcuate linkage arm.

Referring back to Fig. 10, the linkage block 240 further comprises a mounting block 260 positioned between the two opposing sides 250, 250. The mounting block 260 further comprises lateral attachment points 270 to secure the linkage system 200 with the lower rail 300, and one or more pre-load attachment points 280 adapted to accept attachment of a compression spring 290 (see Figs. 2 and 12B). A shown, in embodiments, the compression spring 290 can be attached to the linkage block 240 by threadable attachment means, such as a screw.

In an embodiment, the compression spring 290 exerts a compression force onto the lower rail 300, biasing the lower rail 300 to be extended away from the upper rail 100, unless the compression force is overcome by an external biasing force (such as manual manipulation of the carriage 140 by the operator). Thus, by depressing the push button 180, and disengaging the carriage 140 from adjustment screw 120, the compression spring 290 will cause the lower rail 300 to drop and extend away from the upper rail 100. To overcome the compressive force of the compression spring 290, the operator can manually position the lower rail 300 at a desire height by depressing the push button 180 (allowing for a coarse position adjustment of the lower rail 300), and then allowing for the threaded engagement of the push button 180 and the adjustment screw 120 to permit fine adjustment of the carriage 140 by rotating the adjustment knob 110.

As shown, the mounting block can have more than one or more pre-load attachment points 280. This permits the operator to adjust the compressive force (increase the range of the compressive force) that can be exerted by a single compression spring 290, depending on a weight of the firearm or rifle.

Although not shown, in embodiments, the linkage system 200, the linkage block 240, and/or the mounting block 260, can further comprise rollers to assist in the lateral or horizontal movement, such as the longitudinal movement of the linkage block 240 within the lower rail 300.

With reference to Figs. 11 to 12D, the lower rail 300 can further comprise a tubular lower rail housing 310 and a bottom plate 320. The lower rail housing 310 defines a channel 330 extending longitudinally therethrough and accepts the linkage block 240 therein. The channel 330 permits the linkage block 240 to travel a longitudinal length of the lower rail 300 as the lower rail 300 is actuated to extend away from or retract towards the upper rail 100.

With specific reference to Fig. 12C, in embodiments, the bottom plate 320 can be removably attached to the tubular rail housing 310 by threadable means, such as screws. This permits an operator to expose the one or more pre-load attachment points 280 and the compression spring 290, allowing the operator to adjust the compressive force exerted onto the linkage block 240 and the linkage system 200.