Shooting Support Bag with Non-Slip Surface and Composite Fill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shooting support bags often result in unsteady shooting platforms due to slippery surfaces and small contact areas, leading to potential firearm slippage or falling, and the fill materials used can lose shape and compress over time, requiring frequent additions.
Innovation Solution
A shooting support bag with butterfly-shaped sides and a top portion featuring a non-slip exterior surface and a fill material composed of pellets that bind and lock, providing a stable, gel-like feel and conforming to the firearm's shape without compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If plastic beads are used as fill material to provide flexibility, then the bag can conform to the shape of the firearm, but the material cannot hold the shape well and compresses over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite fill material consisting of shot (metal pellets) combined with a viscoelastic polymer coating. The shot provides structural integrity and shape retention, while the viscoelastic coating provides flexibility and conformability to the firearm. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between shape retention and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the fill material by using coated pellets instead of simple plastic beads. The coating material properties (viscoelasticity) and pellet characteristics (density, surface texture) are specifically selected to achieve both shape retention and conformability, resolving the contradiction through parameter optimization.
2Ease of operation
If ordinary plastic pellets are used as fill material, then the bag provides flexibility, but the pellets lose shape and compress over time requiring addition of more fill
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure where metal shot pellets are coated with viscoelastic polymer material. The metal core provides permanent shape retention and resistance to compression, while the viscoelastic coating maintains flexibility and allows the bag to conform to the firearm. This resolves the reliability issue of ordinary plastic pellets that compress over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different aspects of the fill material: the metal shot provides local rigidity and shape retention where needed, while the viscoelastic coating provides local flexibility and conformability. This spatial differentiation of material qualities resolves the contradiction between flexibility and long-term stability.
3Area of stationary object
If the bag has a small surface area for the firearm to rest upon, then the bag remains compact, but the firearm may fall off due to insufficient support area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the bearing surface by creating a contoured, three-dimensional support structure within the bag that extends vertically and provides multiple contact points. The angled sections and raised portions create additional support dimensions, effectively increasing the stable support area without significantly increasing the bag's footprint, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and support stability.
4Ease of manufacture
If the bag surface is smooth for easy cleaning, then maintenance is easier, but the firearm may slip due to slippery bearing surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface characteristics to different areas of the bag: the exterior surfaces are made smooth and non-absorbent for easy cleaning, while the interior bearing surfaces that contact the firearm are made with high-friction, non-slip materials. This spatial differentiation of surface qualities resolves the contradiction between ease of cleaning and prevention of firearm slippage.
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 bag offers a stable and secure shooting platform with reduced pellet shifting, maintaining shape and support over time without needing additional fill, ensuring consistent performance and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The top portion has an exterior surface. The exterior surface comprises a non-slip surface
Implementation Method 2
The fill material includes a plurality of pellets that are configured to reduce shifting of the pellets against each other and provide a gel-like soft feel to the shooting support bag
Data Source
AI summary
A shooting support bag is provided. The shooting support baq includes first and second opposite sides. The first side has a butterfly shape and has at least one panel. The shooting support bag further includes a top portion. The top portion is positioned between the first and second sides. The top portion includes a top section and a first angled section. The first angled section extends downwardly and outwardly relative to the top section. The first angled section defines a first bearing surface area. The top portion has an exterior surface. The exterior surface comprises a non-slip surface.