Rack-and-Pinion Gun Support Elevation Adjustment From Firing Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gun supports, particularly bipods, are difficult to adjust from a firing position and often lack fine adjustment capabilities, and electromechanical rests are cumbersome and require electrical power.

Innovation Solution

An elevation adjuster for gun supports featuring a support mount, a base portion with a pinion and an extendible member connected by a rack, allowing manual fine adjustment without electrical power, with locking mechanisms for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If telescoping legs are used for height adjustment, then the bipod offers coarse adjustment capability, but it becomes difficult to adjust from a firing position and lacks fine adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelevation adjustment precisionVSAvoidease of adjustment from firing position

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional telescoping mechanical leg adjustment system with a rack and pinion gear mechanism. The pinion gear rotates within a rack, providing precise mechanical advantage for fine elevation adjustments. This mechanical substitution enables fine adjustment capability while maintaining ease of operation through rotational motion that can be easily controlled from a firing position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the adjustment mechanism from linear telescoping motion to rotational gear engagement. The pinion gear's rotational parameter is converted into linear displacement of the bipod legs through the rack mechanism, enabling precise control of elevation angle. This parameter transformation allows for fine adjustment increments that were not achievable with simple telescoping legs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Extent of automation

If electromechanical firearm rests are used, then automation is improved, but device complexity and need for electrical power source increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of elevation adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a purely mechanical rack and pinion system that operates without external power sources. The mechanism is self-contained, using the user's manual rotation of the pinion gear to achieve elevation adjustment. This self-service approach eliminates the need for batteries, motors, or electrical systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining full automation of the adjustment function through mechanical means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If manual adjustment mechanisms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adjustment precision and control are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of mechanismVSAvoidelevation adjustment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes a simple sliding or telescoping mechanical mechanism with a rack and pinion gear system. This mechanical substitution provides inherent precision through the gear teeth engagement, where each rotation of the pinion advances the rack by a fixed, precise amount determined by the gear tooth pitch. The mechanical advantage of the gear system amplifies small rotational movements into controlled linear displacements, achieving high adjustment precision without complex electronics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables easy and precise elevation adjustment of gun supports from a firing position, maintaining stability without the need for electrical power, enhancing accuracy and usability.

Implementation Method 1

a pinion rotatably connected to the base portion; an extendible member slidably engaged with the base portion, wherein the extendible member comprises a rack portion which is engaged with the pinion, such that rotation of the pinion causes the extendible member to move relative to the base portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRack and pinion: Rack and Pinion

Data Source

PatentUS12467711B2Gun support elevation adjuster

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 AMP ANNEALING

AI summary

An elevation adjuster for a gun support includes a support mount for detachably mounting the elevation adjuster to a gun support, a base portion connected to the support mount, and a pinion rotatably connected to the base portion. The elevation adjuster further includes an extendible member slidably engaged with the base portion. The extendible member comprises a rack portion which is engaged with the pinion, such that rotation of the pinion causes the extendible member to move relative to the base portion. The pinion is connected to a handle for manipulation by a user of a gun which is connected, in use, to the elevation adjuster. The extendible member comprises a gun mount for detachably connecting the elevation adjuster to a gun.