Support

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of firearms, and in particular, though not exclusively to a support for a firearm. One aspect provides a support for a firearm for supporting the firearm above a surface, the support comprising a support body and at least two surface-engaging support legs, the support further comprising a projection which is received within a recess defined by a connection element attached to or integral with the firearm to longitudinally restrain the firearm with respect to the support, in which the support further comprises a ball detent mechanism, the ball detent mechanism including at least one ball which is biased to engage a further recess defined by the connection element attached to or integral with the firearm, the ball detent mechanism being operated by a release mechanism to withdraw the said at least one ball from the further recess, and in which the release mechanism comprises a user grippable element which extends below the projection.

1 . A support for a firearm for supporting the firearm above a surface, the support comprising a support body and at least two surface-engaging support legs, the support further comprising a projection which is received within a recess defined by a connection element attached to or integral with the firearm to longitudinally restrain the firearm with respect to the support, in which the support further comprises a ball detent mechanism, the ball detent mechanism including at least one ball which is biased to engage a further recess defined by the connection element attached to or integral with the firearm, the ball detent mechanism being operated by a release mechanism to withdraw the said at least one ball from the further recess, and in which the release mechanism comprises a user grippable element which extends below the projection. 
     
     
         2 . A support for a firearm according to  claim 1 , in which the release mechanism is operated by a downward movement to withdraw the said at least one ball from the or each further recess. 
     
     
         3 . A support for a firearm according to  claim 1  in which the or each further recess is part-spherical whereby a ball is held laterally in such a part-spherical recess. 
     
     
         4 . A support for a firearm according to  claim 3  in which a plurality of further part-spherical recesses is provided whereby each associated ball of the ball detent mechanism is held laterally in each of such part spherical recesses. 
     
     
         5 . A support for a firearm according to  claim 1  in which the or each further recess is an elongate groove whereby a ball of the ball detent mechanism is able to move along such an elongate groove. 
     
     
         6 . A support for a firearm according to  claim 1  in which the user grippable element of the release mechanism includes a user grippable collar. 
     
     
         7 . A support for a firearm according to  claim 6  in which the collar extends about the projection and can be moved downwardly by a user to retract the ball detent mechanism to release the support from a connected firearm. 
     
     
         8 . A combination comprising a firearm, and the support for a firearm according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A combination according to  claim 8 , in which the firearm is formed to define a connection element in the bottom portion of the fore stock of the firearm to receive the projection of the support to permit connection of the support to the firearm. 
     
     
         10 . A combination according to  claim 8 , in which the firearm has an attached interconnection element which defines a recess formed in the bottom portion of the fore stock of the firearm to receive the projection of the support to connect the support to the firearm. 
     
     
         11 . A connection comprising a firearm connected to a support for a firearm according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A connection according to  claim 11  in which the support can be detached from the firearm by downward movement of the release mechanism of the support, to permit disengagement of the ball detent mechanism from the connection element.