Unified Bipod Cant-Pivot Assembly With Single Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm bipods lack the ability to simultaneously cant and pivot while requiring separate controls for each degree of freedom, leading to bulkiness and increased weight, and do not offer a simple means to adjust tension for these features.
Innovation Solution
A bipod design incorporating a housing with a pivot rod, locking knob, and pivot block, featuring detent receiving hollows of alternating arcuate widths to enable both canting and pivoting with a single control mechanism, allowing for adjustable tension and compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate controls are provided for cant and pivot features, then each degree of freedom can be controlled independently, but the bipod becomes bulky and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cant and pivot controls into a single integrated control mechanism. The leg assembly includes a single control element that can independently adjust both the cant angle and pivot angle, eliminating the need for separate controls and reducing overall device complexity and weight while maintaining independent adjustment capability for both degrees of freedom
Solution Approach 2:
The single control mechanism on the leg assembly is designed to perform multiple functions - it can control both canting and pivoting operations. This multi-functional design allows one component to replace what would traditionally require two separate controls, thereby reducing bulk and weight while preserving full operational independence for both adjustment types
2Device complexity
If multiple adjustment features are integrated, then the bipod becomes more compact and lighter, but tension adjustment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism incorporates a dynamic tension adjustment feature that allows the user to easily modify the spring tension or friction resistance within the mechanism. This enables simple field adjustment of the control force required to operate the cant and pivot controls, maintaining ease of operation despite the integrated compact design
3Device complexity
If a single control mechanism is used for cant and pivot, then bulk and weight are reduced, but control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The single control mechanism is segmented into distinct functional zones or elements - one portion controls canting while another portion controls pivoting. Each segment can be independently adjusted and locked, ensuring precise control for each degree of freedom while maintaining the benefits of an integrated single-control design
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for a bipod having pivot and cant functionality built into a unified cant/pivot assembly, housing, and pivot block. Rotation of a locking knob under the housing can gradually increase or decrease friction of the cant and pivoting degrees of freedom. Sufficient loosening of the locking knob can allow a pivot block to be lifted from the housing and rotated 180°, and then retightened to lock in a given pivot position. Before this 180 rotation of the pivot block, the pivot block and hence the firearm is free to pivot up to 10°, or up to 20°, or up to 30°.