Sling Stud Bipod Mount With Spring-Loaded Pawl Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bipods, particularly those attaching to a sling stud, are finicky and difficult to install, prone to mounting errors, and lack a simpler and more secure attachment method.
Innovation Solution
A bipod system featuring a sling stud clasp assembly with spring-loaded pawls that open and close via a rotating locking mechanism, allowing for quick and secure attachment to a firearm's sling stud, and a firearm forend interface that includes a canting mechanism for various accessory interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional sling stud attachment method is used, then the bipod can be mounted to the firearm, but the installation process is finicky and difficult, prone to mounting errors
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism uses spring-loaded pawls that automatically engage with the sling stud when the bipod is brought into position. The spring force causes the pawls to flex outward and then snap into place on the sling stud, allowing the bipod to self-attach without requiring complex manual alignment or fastening procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (screws, bolts, or complex clamps) with a spring-loaded pawl mechanism. This substitution simplifies the attachment process by using elastic potential energy stored in springs to automatically secure the bipod to the sling stud through a simple drop-in motion.
2Reliability
If a secure attachment method is implemented, then the bipod mounting becomes more reliable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is divided into separate functional components: spring elements, pawls, and a mounting plate. Each component has a specific function - the springs provide force, the pawls provide the locking action, and the mounting plate provides the interface. This segmentation allows for simple individual parts that combine to create a reliable overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a mechanism that requires active engagement (screwing, clamping, or locking), the patent uses a passive engagement system where the pawls are biased outward by springs and naturally snap onto the sling stud when the bipod is positioned. The security comes from the spring force holding the pawls against the stud, not from active fastening.
3Loss of time
If a quick attachment method is used, then the installation time is reduced, but the mounting precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is designed with a flat surface that interfaces with the firearm's sling stud area, creating an equipotential mounting surface. The spring-loaded pawls are positioned to engage with the sling stud at a predetermined location, ensuring that when the bipod is dropped into place, the mounting geometry is automatically correct without requiring precise manual alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The pawls are pre-positioned on the mounting plate in a retracted or neutral position before attachment. When the bipod is brought to the firearm, the pawls are already in the correct location to engage with the sling stud, eliminating the need for real-time alignment adjustments during the attachment process.
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 a simpler, more secure, and quicker attachment method for bipods to firearms, reducing mounting errors and enabling easy access for sling or accessory attachment while maintaining stability through the use of spring-loaded pawls and a rotating locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
spring-loaded pawls that open and close via a rotating locking mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a rotating locking mechanism coupled to the sling stud clasp assembly
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An interface for coupling a bipod to a sling stud of a firearm forend. The interface can include two pawls that pivot to release or grasp the sling stud. The pawls can be biased upward via a detent that rides within a vertical aperture in a pivot holder. The pivot holder can move up and down within a vertical aperture in a mounting plate of the interface, and via this movement the pawls may be forced open or closed. A bottom surface of one or both pawls can include an irregular surface different portions of which interface with a top of the detent depending on a vertical position of the pivot holder within the aperture in the mounting plate.