Firearm supports, such as shooting bags, and firearm support assemblies

Abstract

Firearm supports (e.g., firearm shooting bags) and firearm support assemblies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a firearm support includes a generally pliable cover at least partially enclosing an internal space, and a generally inflexible support structure coupled to the pliable cover and configured to assist the pliable cover in maintaining a particular shape.

1 . A firearm support bag, comprising:
 an at least partially flexible enclosure defining at least a portion of a cavity, the enclosure including an upper portion configured to carry a firearm and a lower portion configured to be positioned at an external support surface;   a generally rigid support structure positioned at least partially within the cavity; and   filler material within the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm support bag of  claim 1  wherein:
 the generally rigid support structure is attached to the enclosure; 
 the enclosure comprises a fabric material; 
 the enclosure has a first height and the generally rigid support structure has a second height at least one-half of the first height; 
 the filler material fills less than 75% of the cavity; 
 the filler material comprises particulate matter; and 
 the generally rigid support structure comprises at least one of a metallic, plastic, or foam member. 
 
     
     
         3 . The firearm support bag of  claim 1  wherein the generally rigid support structure comprises a container having a compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm support bag of  claim 1  wherein:
 the generally rigid support structure comprises a container; 
 the filler material comprises a first filler material within the cavity and external to the container; 
 the firearm support bag further comprises a second filler material in the container; and 
 the second filler material is different than the first filler material. 
 
     
     
         5 . The firearm support bag of  claim 1  wherein the generally rigid support structure comprises a first portion at the upper portion of the enclosure and a second portion at the lower portion of the enclosure. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm support bag of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure has a first height and the generally rigid support structure has a second height at least one-half of the first height. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm support bag of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure has a first length and the generally rigid support structure has a second length at least one-half of the first length. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm support bag of  claim 1  wherein the filler material fills less than 75% of the cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The firearm support bag of  claim 1  wherein the generally rigid support structure comprises a generally rigid foam block. 
     
     
         10 . The firearm support bag of  claim 1  wherein the generally rigid support structure comprises a plastic member. 
     
     
         11 . The firearm support bag of  claim 1  wherein the generally rigid support structure comprises a metallic member. 
     
     
         12 . The firearm support bag of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure comprises a fabric material. 
     
     
         13 . The firearm support bag of  claim 1  wherein the generally rigid support structure is attached to the flexible enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . The firearm support bag of  claim 1  wherein the filler material comprises particulate matter. 
     
     
         15 . A firearm support, comprising:
 a first portion configured to receive a filler material including a first generally pliable cover at least partially enclosing first internal space having a top u-shaped surface configured to receive a first section of a firearm and a first generally inflexible support structure coupled to the first pliable cover and configured to assist the first pliable cover in maintaining a particular shape; and   a second portion configured to receive a filler material including a second generally pliable cover at least partially enclosing a second internal space having a top u-shaped surface configured to receive a second section of a firearm and a second generally inflexible support structure coupled to the second pliable cover and configured to assist the second pliable cover in maintaining a particular shape,   wherein the first and second generally inflexible support structures are configured to directly contact a common planar support surface external to the firearm support, and   wherein the first and the second portions are separate and discrete portions.   
     
     
         16 . The firearm support of  claim 15 , further comprising particulate matter in the first and second internal spaces. 
     
     
         17 . The firearm support of  claim 15  wherein:
 the first and second generally pliable cover comprises first external surface and a second external surface, respectively; and 
 the first and second generally inflexible support structures are attached to the first and second external surfaces, respectively. 
 
     
     
         18 . The firearm support of  claim 15  wherein:
 the first generally pliable cover comprises an external surface; 
 the first generally inflexible support structure is attached to the external surface of the first pliable cover; and 
 the first generally inflexible support structure includes a surface having a configuration corresponding to the external surface. 
 
     
     
         19 . The firearm support of  claim 15  wherein the generally inflexible support structure is positioned at least partially within the internal space. 
     
     
         20 . The firearm support of  claim 15  wherein:
 the generally inflexible support structure is positioned at least partially within the internal space; 
 the generally inflexible support structure comprises a compartment; and 
 the firearm support further comprises particulate matter in the internal space but external to the compartment. 
 
     
     
         21 . A firearm support, comprising:
 a first body including an at least partially flexible first cover defining at least a portion of a first cavity, filler material in the first cavity, first upper portion positioned to carry a first section of a firearm, and a first lower portion opposite the first upper portion, the first cover having a first flexibility, the lower portion including a plurality of edges;   a first base attached to the first lower portion and positioned proximate to at least three edges, the first base being positioned to directly contact generally planar support surface external to the firearm support, the first base including a polymeric material and having a second flexibility less than the first flexibility;   a second body including an at least partially flexible second cover defining at least a portion of a second cavity, filler material in the second cavity, a second upper portion positioned to carry a second section of a firearm, and a second lower portion opposite the second upper portion, the second cover having the first flexibility, the second lower portion including a plurality of edges; and   a second base attached to the second lower portion and positioned proximate to at least three edges, the second base being positioned to directly contact the generally planar support surface, the second base including a polymeric material and having the second flexibility less than the first flexibility,   wherein the first base and the second base are not connected.   
     
     
         22 . The firearm support of  claim 21  wherein:
 the first lower portion of the first body further includes a first bottom surface; 
 the first base covers at least approximately the entire first bottom surface 
 the second lower portion of the second body further includes a second bottom surface; and 
 the second base covers at least approximately the entire second bottom surface. 
 
     
     
         23 . The firearm support of  claim 21  wherein:
 the lower portion of the body further includes a bottom surface with a perimeter section and a central section; and 
 the base covers at least a portion of the perimeter section and does not cover the central section. 
 
     
     
         24 . The firearm support of  claim 21  wherein:
 the first lower portion of the first body further includes a first bottom surface with a plurality of first corners; 
 the first base is attached to the first bottom surface at the first corners; 
 the second lower portion of the second body further includes a second bottom surface with a plurality of second corners; and 
 the second base is attached to the second bottom surface at the second corners. 
 
     
     
         25 . The firearm support of  claim 21  wherein the first and second bases comprises generally planar surfaces for contacting the generally planar support surface. 
     
     
         26 . The firearm support of  claim 21  wherein the base comprises a surface and a plurality of features projecting from the surface and positioned to contact the external surface. 
     
     
         27 . The firearm support of  claim 21  wherein:
 the lower portion of the body further includes a bottom surface with a first corner and a second corner; 
 the base comprises a first portion positioned at the first corner and a second portion positioned at the second corner; and 
 the first and second portions are separate and discrete portions. 
 
     
     
         28 . The firearm support of  claim 21  wherein the first and second bases comprise molded or cast bases. 
     
     
         29 . The firearm support of  claim 21  wherein the covers of the first and second bodies comprises an inorganic material. 
     
     
         30 . The firearm support of  claim 21  wherein the first and second at least partially flexible covers comprises first and second fabric covers, respectively. 
     
     
         31 . The firearm support of  claim 21  wherein:
 the first and second bodies further includes side surfaces extending between the first and second upper and lower portions; and 
 the first and second bases covers a portion of the side surfaces. 
 
     
     
         32 . The firearm support of  claim 21  wherein the base comprises a bushing attached to the lower portion of the body and a foot removably attached to the bushing. 
     
     
         33 . A firearm support bag, comprising:
 a first body including a first fabric enclosure at least partially enclosing a first cavity and filler material in the first cavity, the first body further including an first upper portion configured to carry a first portion of a firearm and a first lower portion opposite the first upper portion;   a first molded or cast base attached to the first lower portion of the first body;   second cavity and filler material in the second cavity, the second body further including a second upper portion configured to carry a second portion of the firearm and a second lower portion opposite the second upper portion; and   a second molded or cast base attached to the second lower portion of the second body,   wherein the first and second molded or cast bases are configured to directly contact a common planar support surface external to the firearm support bag, and   wherein the first base and the second base are independent and separate.   
     
     
         34 . The firearm support bag of  claim 33  wherein:
 the first lower portion of the body includes a first bottom surface; 
 the first molded or cast base is attached to the first bottom surface and covers at least approximately the entire first bottom surface; 
 the second lower portion of the second body includes a second bottom surface; and 
 the second molded or cast base is attached to the second bottom surface and covers at least approximately the entire second bottom surface. 
 
     
     
         35 . The firearm support bag of  claim 33  wherein:
 the first and second bodies further includes side surfaces extending between the first and second upper and lower portions; and 
 the first and second molded or cast bases covers portions of the side surfaces. 
 
     
     
         36 . A firearm support assembly for supporting a firearm having a first section and a second section spaced apart from the first section, the support assembly comprising:
 a first support for carrying the first section of the firearm;   a second support for carrying the second section of the firearm; and   a connector attached to and extending between the first and second supports, the connector including a flexible section such that the first and second supports can move relative to each other.   
     
     
         37 . The firearm support assembly of  claim 36  wherein:
 the first support comprises a body including a flexible enclosure and filler material in the enclosure; and 
 the second support comprises a body including a flexible enclosure and filler material in the enclosure. 
 
     
     
         38 . The firearm support assembly of  claim 36  wherein the connector comprises a handle. 
     
     
         39 . The firearm support assembly of  claim 36  wherein the connector is a generally planar member. 
     
     
         40 . The firearm support assembly of  claim 36  wherein the connector is non-removably attached to the first and second supports.