Rifle Rest With Automatic Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional joystick-style rifle rests lose the point of aim when the control stick is released, requiring time to reacquire the target, which is critical in competitive shooting where rapid shooting is essential.
Innovation Solution
A rifle rest with a movable rifle support connected to a base, featuring an elevation mechanism with adjustable height and a windage mechanism with a pivoting arm, allowing for independent vertical and lateral adjustments without losing the aim, and a mechanism to retain the rifle's position even when the control stick is released.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional joystick-style rifle rest is used, then the rifle can be supported for shooting, but the rifle rest loses the point of aim when the control stick is released
Solution Approach 1:
The rifle rest employs a dynamic locking mechanism that transitions from an unlocked state (during adjustment) to a locked state (during firing). The control stick engages a positive locking system with detents or cam locks that automatically secure the rifle in the adjusted position, preventing drift when the stick is released while maintaining ease of repositioning when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary locking components between the control stick and the rifle support mechanism. These intermediaries (such as pawls, detents, or cam-locked levers) act as mediators that hold the rifle steady in the adjusted position without requiring continuous pressure on the control stick, thus maintaining both reliability and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If the shooter releases the control stick, then the shooter can focus on shooting, but the rifle rest moves and loses the point of aim
Solution Approach 1:
The rifle rest incorporates preliminary locking action where the control stick, when moved to the desired position, automatically engages the locking mechanism before the shooter releases it. This preliminary engagement ensures the rifle is secured in the correct position in advance, maintaining aim stability without requiring the shooter to continuously hold the stick, thus preserving shooting speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-servicing, where the control stick's movement itself triggers the locking action. As the shooter moves the stick to adjust the rifle position, the mechanism automatically locks into place, eliminating the need for separate locking actions and maintaining both aim stability and rapid shooting capability.
3Reliability
If the rifle rest is designed to maintain position without control stick pressure, then point of aim is retained, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: an adjustment phase (unlocked) and a firing phase (locked). The locking mechanism is divided into separate elements such as the control stick, locking lever, detent, and spring, each performing a specific function. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable point of aim retention through a relatively simple, modular design that is easy to manufacture and maintain.
Data Source
AI summary
Rifle rests have a base, a rifle support configured to support a forward portion of a rifle, the support movably connected to the base and operable to move vertically and laterally with respect to the base to aim the rifle, an elevation mechanism operably connecting the support to the base and having an adjustable height, a windage mechanism operable to adjust a lateral position of the rifle support with respect to the base, the windage mechanism including an arm having a forward end and opposed rear end, the forward end operably connected to the rifle support to establish a lateral position of the support based on a lateral position of the rear end of the arm, such that lateral movement of the rear end of the arm adjusts the windage of the rifle, and the elevation mechanism including an elevation control element connected to the rear end of the arm.