Bipod Dual-Axis Rotation for Firearm Panning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bipods do not easily accommodate panning of a firearm without repositioning bipod leg feet and struggle with uneven surfaces, making it cumbersome to maintain a preferred shooting position, especially in hostile environments.
Innovation Solution
A bipod design featuring a leg mounting body, an interposer body, and a firearm mounting body that allows independent rotation about two perpendicular axes, enabling panning without repositioning leg feet and accommodating uneven surfaces by allowing the firearm to be rotated to a preferred shooting position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional bipod leg feet are fixed on support structure, then bipod provides stable platform, but firearm cannot be panned (rotated side-to-side) without repositioning leg feet
Solution Approach 1:
The bipod system is segmented into distinct functional components: a stable base (leg feet fixed on support structure), a mounting body, and a firearm mounting assembly. This segmentation allows the base to remain fixed for stability while the mounting assembly enables panning motion, resolving the contradiction between stability and panning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The firearm mounting assembly incorporates dynamic elements including a rotatable mounting body and articulation enabling assembly that allows the firearm to be panned and tilted independently of the fixed leg feet. This dynamic capability enables panning without requiring repositioning of the stable base.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bipod legs are pre-set for level shooting surface, then bipod is configured for specific shooting position, but cannot accommodate uneven surfaces without repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation enabling assembly with dual-axis rotation capability allows the firearm mounting body to dynamically adjust its orientation to compensate for uneven surfaces. The shooter can pan and tilt the firearm independently to achieve the preferred shooting position without repositioning the bipod legs on the support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the shooter to self-adjust the firearm orientation using the articulation mechanisms without requiring external assistance or repositioning of the bipod legs. The dual-axis rotation enables the shooter to independently compensate for uneven surfaces and maintain accurate aim.
3Ease of operation
If bipod leg feet are disengaged for panning, then firearm can be rotated, but operation becomes cumbersome and loses precision
Solution Approach 1:
The bipod system separates the stable base function (fixed leg feet) from the panning function (articulation enabling assembly). This allows panning to be performed through the articulation mechanisms without disengaging the leg feet, eliminating the need for time-consuming repositioning while maintaining both ease of operation and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A bipod that allows for panning (i.e., via pivoting) of a firearm mounted on the bipod without repositioning one or both of the bipod leg feet. To this end, the bipod is configured for allowing a firearm attached thereto to be independently rotated about and perpendicular to an axis extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the barrel of the firearm. Advantageously, in many situations, this will allow the shooter to position the firearm in a preferred shooting position and to follow or acquiring a target with a sighting device of the firearm without having to reposition one or both of the bipod leg feet.