A PORTABLE SUPPORT

Abstract

A portable support including a mounting assembly configured to be releasably located relative to a surface or object, a body associated with a portion of the mounting assembly and extending at an angle therefrom and a substantially U-shaped or V-shaped yoke provided relative to the body.

Claims

1. A portable support including a mounting assembly configured to be releasably located relative to a surface or object, a body associated with a portion of the mounting assembly and extending at an angle therefrom and an attachment portion provided relative to the body to allow attachment of implement relative thereto.

2. The portable support as claimed in claim wherein the mounting assembly includes a mounting member to abut the surface of the object relative to which the portable support is attached.

3. The portable support as claimed in claim 2 wherein the mounting member is provided with a high friction abutment surface or portion over at least a part of the mounting member which faces the object relative to which the support is to be attached.

4. The portable support as claimed in claim 3 wherein the high friction abutment surface or portion is or includes one or more protrusions adapted to abut the surface or object relative.

5. The portable support as claimed in claim 3 wherein the high friction abutment surface or portion is or includes a resilient portion.

6. The portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting assembly includes a length adjustable member to be wrapped about the object and tightened in order to apply a clamping force to the mounting member in order to clamp the mounting member to the surface or object.

7. The portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting assembly includes one or more U-shaped members or fasteners associated with the mounting member in order to apply a clamping force to the mounting member in order to clamp the mounting member to the surface or object.

8. The portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is detachably mounted to the mounting member.

9. The portable support as claimed in claim 8 wherein a groove is provided in one of the body or mounting member and a corresponding flange on the other of the body or mounting member to allow quick and easy attachment and detachment of the body and mounting member.

10. The portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is pivotally mounted to the mounting member to allow the rotation of the body relative to the mounting member.

11. The portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body extends substantially perpendicularly to the mounting member.

12. The portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body extends from the mounting member such that a free end of the body is spaced apart from the mounting member.

13. The portable support as claimed in claim 1 including a substantially U-shaped or V-shaped rest provided relative to the body.

14. The portable support as claimed in claim 13 wherein an opening is provided in the body for receiving a downcomer portion associated with the U-shaped or V-shaped rest to attach the U-shaped or V-shaped rest and allow the rotation of the U-shaped or V-shaped rest relative to the body.

15. The portable support as claimed in claim 13 wherein U-shaped or V-shaped rest is releasably attachable from the body in order to be interchangeable with other items suited for other purposes but using the opening as an attachment point.

16. The portable support as claimed in claim 1 including an attachment portion provided relative to the body to allow releasable attachment of a detachable implement relative thereto.

17. The portable support as claimed in claim 16 wherein the attachment portion includes one of the following: an opening provided into the body; an extension provided from the body; an adapter configured to attach to the body and to attach the detachable implement relative thereto.

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. The portable support as claimed in claim 8 wherein the body is provided with an attachment portion at one end thereof to engage with corresponding receiving portion on the mounting plate or assembly for detachable mounting of the body relative to the mounting assembly.

21. The portable support as claimed in claim 20 wherein the attachment portion is substantially V-shaped with a narrower lower portion and a wider upper portion and the receiving portion is correspondingly shaped so that the attachment portion can slide into the receiving portion.

22. The portable support as claimed in claim 21 further including a slide plate which is removably attachable relative to the body corresponding in shape to the receiving portion provided on the mounting plate so that the slide plate can slide into the receiving portion for storage.

23. A portable support including a mounting assembly configured to be releasably located relative to a surface or object, a body associated with a portion of the mounting assembly and extending at an angle therefrom and a substantially U-shaped or V-shaped yoke provided relative to the body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0066] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0067] FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of a portable support according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] FIG. 2 is a view from the front of the portable support illustrated I FIG. 1.

[0069] FIG. 3 is a view from the rear of the portable support illustrated I FIG. 1.

[0070] FIG. 4 is a photograph showing the portable support illustrated in FIG. 1 in use attached to a tree and supporting a rifle.

[0071] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a portable support according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] FIG. 6 is an axonometric view of the portable support illustrated in FIG. 5 with the cover slightly separated from the rear of the mounting plate.

[0073] FIG. 7 is an axonometric view of the able support illustrated in FIG. 5 with the cover opened.

[0074] FIG. 8 is a view from above of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0075] FIG. 9 is a view from above of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0076] FIG. 10 is an isometric exploded view of the portable support illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0077] FIG. 11 is an isometric exploded view of the alternative adaptors that could be used with the portable support illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0078] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] FIG. 13 is an isometric exploded view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12.

[0080] FIG. 14 is an alternative view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12 with the foam cover removed.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0081] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a portable support 10 is provided.

[0082] The portable support 10 illustrated in the accompanying Figures includes a mounting assembly including a mounting plate 11 and a strap 12 configured to releasably locate the portable support 10 relative to a surface or object such as a tree 13 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The portable support 10 also includes a body 14 associated with the mounting plate 11 and extending at an angle therefrom and a substantially U-shaped yoke 15 provided relative to the body 14, preferably configured for rotation relative to the body 14.

[0083] The portable support of the present invention may have any use although the bulk of the present discussion is directed toward the support being used in outdoor applications such as for hunting, photography and the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the portable support 10 will be attached relative to an object in order to use the surface and/or object to support an item which would otherwise be held by a user embraced against the body of the user, such as a hunting rifle, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0084] The support 10 of the present invention is portable. In addition, it is preferred that the support 10 is relatively small in order to fit into a waist-mounted rucksack, Fanny pack or bum bag for example. This will minimise and preferably eliminate the need for the user to have a backpack with shoulder straps which may interfere with the placement of a butt of a rifle or similar on the shoulder of the user. In addition, the small size of the support 10 will preferably allow the user greater latitude for the user to have both hands available once the support is either stored or in position relative to an object without the need to provide additional manual bracing of the support 10 when in position.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 4, the support 10 is attached relative to the tree 13 such that the support 10 extends laterally to one side of the tree 13. Due to this positioning when attached to the tree 13, the user 16 can use the support 10 from cover behind the tree whilst still using the support 10 to brace the rifle 17. The support 10 can be attached to the tree 13 on either side of the tree 13 and therefore, can provide support whilst the user 16 remains under cover behind the tree 13 whether the user 16 is right-handed or left-handed and using either their dominant hand or their off hand to aim and fire the rifle 17.

[0086] Normally, the mounting assembly includes a mounting member or plate 11 to abut the surface of the object relative to which the portable support 10 is attached. The mounting member illustrated in the Figures is planar plate 11.

[0087] The mounting plate 11 is substantially rigid and one portion or surface of the mounting plate is provided with a high friction abutment surface or portion over at least a part of the mounting plate which faces the object relative to which the support 10 is to be attached.

[0088] In the illustrated embodiment, the high friction abutment surface includes a number of spikes 18 which are adapted to abut and preferably engage the surface of the tree 13 relative to which the support 10 is attached in order to form a more secure engagement between the support 10 and the tree 13. The spikes 18 are provided in an array with multiple spikes provided in a regular array. The spikes of the preferred embodiment are a metal or plastic material. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, a number of spikes 18 are provided extending from the abutment surface of the mounting plate 11 in order to engage with the surface of the tree relative to which the support 10 is attached and are maintained there by pressure or partial penetration into the surface of the tree caused by tightening the strap 12.

[0089] The strap 12 is wrapped about the tree 13 and tightened in order to apply a clamping force to the mounting plate 11 in order to clamp the mounting plate 11 and thereby the support 10, to the tree. Preferably, the strap 12 is length adjustable and flexible attached to the support 10 through the body 14 and about the rear of the mounting plate 11 in order to apply the clamping force.

[0090] The strap 12 has a pair of free ends with a clip assembly provided at the respective free ends in order to allow the strap 12 to be opened to pass about the tree and then clipped about the tree 13. Tightening the length adjustable strap 12 once clipped about the tree 13 applies pressure to the spikes 18 on the mounting plate 11 ember in order to engage the spikes 18 with the surface of the tree 13.

[0091] In the illustrated embodiment, the strap 12 is formed from a woven material for strength and abrasion resistance, preferably a polyester or similar material.

[0092] The clip may have any form but will preferably be manufactured from a strong but lightweight material. A simple snap fit clip having a male portion and a female portion associated with respective ends of the strap 12 is a particularly preferred option.

[0093] The body 14 is associated with the mounting plate 11 on the opposite side of the mounting plate 11 to the spikes 18. The body 14 is mounted directly to the mounting plate 11. It is preferred that the body and the mounting member be integrally formed with one another for example, in a one-piece construction or attached thereto permanently as illustrated. The body 14 extends substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the mounting plate 11.

[0094] The body 14 extends from the mounting plate 11 such that a free end of the body 14 is spaced from the plane of the mounting plate 11.

[0095] The substantially U-shaped rest or yoke 15 of the illustrated embodiment formed from a substantially Y-shaped portion with a U-shaped yoke portion and a downcomer portion extending from the yoke portion. The downcomer portion is substantially linear and is received at least partially into an opening provided in the body 14 which will both attach the yoke 15 relative to the body 14 and allow rotation of the yoke 15 relative to the body 14.

[0096] Any method of construction or material of construction can be used but the preferred embodiment includes a shaped core of metal material which is then coated with a slightly resilient material such as rubber or a substitute for example, plastic.

[0097] As mentioned above, an opening will normally be provided in the body 14 for receiving the downcomer portion to attach the yoke 15 and allow the rotation.

[0098] Preferably, the rest or yoke 15 is spaced from the mounting plate 11 in order to separate the yoke 15 from the tree relative to which the support 10 is attached in use. Typically, the rest or yoke 15 is sized to allow an object, such as the rifle 17 to be placed within the substantially U-shaped yoke 15 and to allow some movement relative to the yoke 15 but to limit large movements. This will allow a user 16 to support the rifle 17 on the support 10 of the preferred embodiment which is attached to the tree 13.

[0099] In the form illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 11, the portable support 10 includes a support body 14 releasably attached to a mounting plate 11 with a strap 12 attached and a yoke 15 with an overmoulded rubber grip 19. A cover assembly including a cover plate 20 is mounted to the mounting member using a hinge 21 to releasably cover the spikes 18 on the mounting plate 11 if required.

[0100] A latch with a release button 24 is typically associated with the cover assembly to allow a user to release the cover plate 20 from the closed condition (shown in FIG. 5), preferably with only one hand. Normally the hinge 21 is provided at a lower side of the cover plate 20 to allow gravity to move the cover plate 20 to the open condition once released.

[0101] The side of the cover plate 20 that is oriented towards the spikes 18 when closed, is provided with a corresponding number of guide formations 25 to at least partially receive each of the spikes 18 when the cover plate 20 is closed. The guide formations also add mechanical strength to the hinge 21 and the cover plate 20. The spikes 18 are shown attached to the mounting plate with washers 150 between the spike and the mounting plate.

[0102] An outer surface of the cover plate 20 is provided with a high friction layer 22, preferably of a resilient material such as EVA foam or similar as this material will provide a soft surface for abutment and also forgiveness to allow for a variety of different shapes.

[0103] As mentioned above, the body 14 may be detachable from the mounting assembly. In one preferred configuration shown in FIG. 10, the body 14 is provided with an attachment portion 26 at one end thereof to engage with corresponding receiving portion 27 on the mounting plate 11. The attachment portion 26 illustrated in FIG. 10 is generally V-shaped with a narrower lower portion and a wider upper portion. The receiver portion 27 is normally correspondingly shaped so that the attachment portion 26 can be slide into the receiver portion 27.

[0104] Also illustrated in FIG. 10 is a preferred form of releasable yoke 15. As shown a push button 23 release is provided in the body 14 which is associated with a spring 28 to bias the push button 23 outwardly. The push button 23 has an opening 29 provided through a locking portion 30 into which the neck 31 of the yoke 15 or adapter 32 is located. The neck 31 of the yoke 15 or adapter 32 has a recess or opening into at least one side thereof (a circumferential groove or notch is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11) and a portion of the periphery of the opening 29 engages the recess or opening when the push button 23 is biased outwardly. A spring retainer 33 is provided to hold the push button 23 in the body 14 and the spring against the body 14. Depression of the push button 23 moves the periphery of the opening 29 out of the recess or opening against the bias of the spring 28 allowing insertion and release of the neck 31 of the yoke 15 or adapter 32 from the body 14 and when released, the button 23 is driven outwardly by the spring 28 into a locking position.

[0105] A general adapter 32 is provided to allow for various types of specific adapters to be engaged with the body 14. The adapter 32 has a neck 31 of the same configuration as the yoke 15. The general adapter 32 has an opening for receiving insert portions of other adapters specific to purpose such as a camera adapter 35, or threaded adapters 36, 37 for a scope or for other devices. A mini adapter/converter 38 may be provided to allow for attachment of different types of threaded adapters. A transversely extending locking spindle 39 may be provided. The provision of the adapter configurations may allow a user to mount a general adapter 32 to any one or more alternative pieces of field kit for quick and easy swapping of these devices with the yoke.

[0106] The configuration illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 is similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 10 with similar reference numbers referring to similar features. The main difference between the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 from that illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 10 is the provision of the high friction layer 22, typically of EVA foam or similar directly to the rear of the mounting plate 11 without any spikes, protrusions or similar provided. The provision of the high friction layer 22 of EVA foam or similar will allow the device to be mounted relative to an object such as a tree or pole with the resilient EVA foam adjusting for any inconsistencies in the shape of the object and provide a secure mount. The removal of the spikes in this embodiment also lightens the device considerably.

[0107] Also shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is a slide plate 120 which is attachable relative to the body 14 through the use of a threaded fastener 121 through an opening in the slide plate and into a correspondingly threaded opening 122 in the body 14. A correspondingly threaded opening is provided in both sides of the body 14 (or a single opening may be provided extending through the body 14 and threaded in opposite directions on opposed ends) to allow the slide plate to be removably mounted on either side of the body 14 at the preference of the user.

[0108] The slide plate 120 corresponds in shape to the receiver portion 27 provided on the mounting plate 11 so that the slide plate can slide into the receiver portion 27 for storage or when the user is on the move which will locate the body 14 close to the user's body rather than extending transversely from the mounting plate in the use condition.

[0109] A number of engagement teeth are provided between the slide plate and the body surrounding the opening 122 to allow the slide plate 120 to be temporarily retained relative to the body in any one or more of a number of orientations. Where a threaded fastener 121 is used, the threaded fastener 121 can be tightened to fix the slide plate 120 relative to the body in a desired orientation using the engagement teeth.

[0110] The device can then be worn about the user's waist using strap 12 or over the shoulder on either side of the user's body as desired when not being used.

[0111] FIG. 14 shows the facing side of the mounting plate 14 provided with a pair of mounting openings 150 which can then engage with dowels or similar provided on (and extending from) the object. In use, the high friction EVA foam layer 22 or cover can be removed from the mounting plate 14 to expose the mounting openings 122 which can then engage with dowels or similar provided on (and extending from) the object to position the support 10 in a required or desired position relative to the object with precision.

[0112] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0113] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.