METHODS AND APPARATUS TO SUPPORT AND STABILIZE EQUIPMENT

• US 20100287810A1
• Filed: 07/27/2010
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shirley Kleppe
• Original Assignee: Shirley Kleppe
• Inventors: KLEPPE, SHIRLEY
• Granted Patent: US 8,959,822 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/94
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/26 by telescoping, with or without folding details concerning the constructional features of telescoping parts only F16B7/10
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/28 Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/32 Undercarriages for supports with three or more telescoping legs
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 23/16 Testing mounts
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 23/16 Forestocks; Handgrips; Hand guards pump-action guns F41C7/02
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/22 Balancing or stabilising arrangements on the gun itself, e.g. balancing weights
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Methods and apparatus to support and stabilize equipment according to various aspects of the present invention include a conformable support surface mounted to a rigid base. The rigid base may comprise a connector suitably configured to attach the rigid base to a secondary supportive device or stand. The conformable support surface may be configured to receive and support a piece of equipment such as a rifle or camera without a permanent or semi-permanent connection between the cushioned support surface and the equipment.

Claims

1. A supportive device for a hand-held object, comprising:

a rigid base comprising a first side and a second side;

a connector coupled to the first side of the rigid base; and

a support member coupled to the rigid base and extending outward from the second side of the rigid base.

2. A supportive device according to claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a conforming surface having a slope relative to at least one side of the rigid base, wherein the conforming surface conforms to the hand-held object in response to a placement of the hand-held object on the conforming surface.

3. A supportive device according to claim 2, wherein the conforming surface comprises:

a cushion having an inner volume, and

a selectively accessible opening on a surface of the cushion, wherein the selectively accessible opening is configured to provide access to the inner volume.

4. A supportive device according to claim 3, further comprising a filler material disposed within the inner volume.

5. A supportive device according to claim 4, wherein the filler material is contained within a non-rigid pouch configured for placement within the inner volume.

6. A supportive device according to claim 1, wherein the rigid base further comprises:

a first plate; and

a second plate coupled to the first plate, wherein a portion of the support member is disposed between the first plate and the second plate.

7. A supportive device according to claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a threaded receptacle extending at least partially into the first side of the rigid base.

8. A supportive device according to claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a selectively extendable protrusion configured to be positioned between an extended position and a non-extended position relative to the first side of the rigid base.

9. A support device for a firearm, comprising:

a rigid plate comprising a first side and a second side;

a connector positioned on the first side of the rigid plate; and

a conformable support member coupled to the rigid plate and extending outward from the second side of the rigid plate, wherein;

a top surface of the conformable support member forms a slope between a first end of the rigid plate to a second end of the rigid plate; and

the cushioned support member is configured to receive and conform to at least a portion of the firearm.

10. A supportive device according to claim 9, wherein the cushioned support member comprises an inner volume configured to receive a filler material.

11. A support device according to claim 10, wherein the filler material is disposed within a pouch configured to fit within the inner volume.

12. A support device according to claim 10, wherein the cushioned support member further comprises a resealable opening configured to provide access to the inner volume.

13. A support device according to claim 10, wherein the rigid plate further comprises:

a first plate member disposed within the inner volume of the cushioned support member; and

a second plate member coupled to the first plate member, wherein the second plate member is adjacent to an exterior portion of the cushioned support member.

14. A support device according to claim 9, wherein the connector comprises a threaded receptacle extending at least partially into the first side of the rigid plate.

15. A support device according to claim 9, wherein the connector comprises a selectively extendable protrusion configured to be positioned between an extended position and a non-extended position relative to a surface of the first side of the rigid plate.

16. A method of forming a support device for a hand-held object, wherein the support device is configured to engage a stand comprising:

coupling a conformable cushion to a rigid plate, wherein the conformable cushion comprises a top surface forming a slope relative to the rigid plate between a first end of the rigid plate and a second end of the rigid plate; and

positioning a connector on a first side of the rigid plate, wherein the connector is configured for selectable attachment to the stand.

17. A method of stabilizing an object according to claim 18, further comprising filling an inner volume of the conformable cushion with a filler material.

18. A method of stabilizing an object according to claim 19, further comprising placing the filler material within a pouch prior to placement within the inner volume, wherein the pouch is configured to fit inside the inner volume through a resealable opening disposed along a portion of the conformable cushion.

19. A method of stabilizing an object according to claim 16, wherein coupling the conformable cushion to the rigid plate comprises placing a portion of the conformable cushion between a first and second plate coupled together to form the rigid base.