Stabilization Shooting Platform

Abstract

The present invention provides a shooting stabilization support apparatus with a saddle adapted to receive and support a variety of firearms. The saddle is supported by a hinge block or support mount and connected to a swivel mount allowing the saddle to freely and completely rotate in the horizontal and vertical plane space. The vertical or pitch elevation of the firearm resting in the shooting platform is easily adjusted and secured into position with a brake or a brake handle-brake clamp assembly that enables the user to easily adjust the elevation or pitch angle of the firearm muzzle and secure the rifle in the desired position. The shooter may then discharge the weapon with improved accuracy on target. The shooting platform apparatus may be permanently or detachably affixed to any fixed surface such as the floor, ceiling or wall of any enclosed space or it may be integrated or attached to vehicles, boats, aircraft or other transport equipment.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a saddle with at least two support legs connected with a front support base and a rear support base;   a front gun support and a rear gun support attached to the front support base and rear support base of the saddle for supporting a firearm;   a hinge block hingedly connected to the saddle and about which the saddle may pitch in the vertical direction;   a rear control arm connected to the bottom surface of the rear support base; and,   a brake hingedly connected to the hinge block and rear control arm.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an adjustment control operable to increase or decrease the width of the front gun support. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a swivel attached to the bottom surface of the hinge block. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an extension arm connected to the bottom surface of the hinge block. 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the brake further comprises:
 a rotatable brake handle with a brake piston secured partially within the brake handle; 
 a link attached or formed as part of the brake piston; and, 
 a friction plate attached to or formed as part of the link. 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising:
 a brake pin substantially enclosed in a friction plate wherein the brake pin is in contact with an inclined surface of the link. 
 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a saddle with a front support base and a rear support base positioned at opposing ends of the saddle;   a front gun support and a rear gun support connected to front support base and rear support base of the saddle for supporting a firearm;   a clamp brake attached to the saddle wherein the clamp brake includes a rotatable brake handle for adjusting the clamping force of the clamp brake applied to a dowel rod extending through an orifice in the clamp brake and attached to a support mount and which acts to link and provide a rotational axis about which the pitch elevation of the cradle may be fixed or adjusted by rotating or counter-rotating the brake handle.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a swivel attached to the support mount.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an extension arm attached to the support mount.   
     
     
         10 . A method, comprising:
 resting a firearm in a shooting platform with a saddle, a front gun support and a rear gun support and a brake handle;   orienting the shooting platform with the firearm resting in the saddle in alignment on a target;   rotating the brake handle so as to lock the shooting platform in the desired orientation.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 unlocking the shooting platform by counter-rotating the brake handle of the brake. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 attaching an extension arm to the shooting platform.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 attaching a swivel mount to the shooting platform.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 attaching the shooting platform to a fixed structure.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 attaching the shooting platform to a vehicle.