Firearm Sling with Bifurcated Deformable Rest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional firearm slings lack a practical solution for providing both comfortable carrying and quick setup as a shooting rest, especially for long-range shooting, as traditional shooting bags are heavy, bulky, and inconvenient for long journeys.
Innovation Solution
A firearm sling with a pliable rest portion that can bend to conform to the shoulder and underlying surfaces, featuring a bifurcated cavity filled with deformable media such as granular materials or an inflatable air bladder, allowing it to function as both a carrying sling and a shooting rest without the need for detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional shooting bags are used to provide stable firearm support, then shooting stability is improved, but weight and bulk increase making them inconvenient for long journeys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the firearm sling and shooting rest into a single integrated device. The sling includes a rest portion with deformable media (granular material or inflatable bladder) that provides stable firearm support when needed, while maintaining the lightweight, compact form factor of a sling for travel. This merging eliminates the need to carry separate shooting bags.
Solution Approach 2:
The sling is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a carrying sling during travel and transforms into a stable shooting rest when needed. The rest portion with deformable media can support the firearm in various positions, providing both carrying and shooting functions in one device.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid rest structure is used to support the firearm, then shooting stability is improved, but adaptability to different surfaces and conformability to shoulder decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rest portion uses deformable media (granular material or inflatable bladder) that can dynamically adapt its shape and firmness. When the firearm is placed on the rest, the media deforms to conform to the firearm's shape and the underlying surface, providing stable support while adapting to various conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the rest portion can be changed by inflating or deflating the bladder, or by allowing the granular media to shift. This parameter change allows the rest to transition between a compact state for carrying and an expanded, supportive state for shooting.
3Ease of operation
If the rest portion is made thick and bulky to provide adequate support, then shooting comfort is improved, but quick setup and low profile capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rest portion can be quickly inflated or activated only when needed for shooting, rather than being permanently in an expanded state. This periodic activation allows the user to maintain a compact profile during travel and quickly set up comfortable support when shooting is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable media is pre-positioned within the rest portion structure, so when inflated or activated, it immediately provides the necessary support and comfort without requiring additional setup or adjustment time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides improved comfort during carrying and quick setup as a shooting rest, reducing weight distribution pressure and allowing for stable firearm support without the bulk of traditional shooting bags, enhancing usability and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
The rest portion is pliable allowing the rest portion to bend along its length in a first direction to allow the top surface to at least partially conform about a shoulder of a user
Implementation Method 2
an inflatable rest portion coupled to or integrated with the strap. The inflatable portion includes an internal chamber that may be inflated when desired
Implementation Method 3
a media within the bifurcated cavity, the media forming a pair of lobes within the rest portion. In some instances, the internal cavity contains granular media that includes one or more of beans, rice, corncob media, beads, or sand
Data Source
AI summary
A firearm sling includes a shooting rest. The shooting rest may include a bifurcated cavity filled with deformable media. The bifurcated cavity defines a trough along at least a portion of a length of the shooting rest. The firearm sling may be coupled to a firearm to facilitate carrying the firearm over a shoulder or across a torso, the shooting rest providing padding for comfort in carrying the firearm as well as a support for the firearm to improve marksmanship.