Shooting rests for supporting firearms

Abstract

One aspect of the invention is directed to shooting rests for supporting a firearm having a first portion and a second portion rearward of the first portion. In one embodiment, a shooting rest includes a frame, a front support for supporting the first portion of the firearm, a support member for carrying one or more weights, and a stop for inhibiting rearward movement of the firearm relative to the shooting rest. The front support is coupled to the frame, and the support member is positioned at least proximate to the frame. The stop includes a flexible portion and is also coupled to the frame.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A shooting rest for supporting a firearm having a first portion and a second portion rearward of the first portion, the shooting rest comprising:
 a frame;   a front support for supporting the first portion of the firearm, the front support being coupled to the frame;   a support member for carrying one or more weights, the support member being positioned at least proximate to the frame; and   a stop for inhibiting rearward movement of the firearm relative to the shooting rest, the stop including a flexible portion, the stop being coupled to the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The shooting rest of  claim 1  wherein:
 the frame comprises an upper horizontal section and a lower horizontal section; 
 the front support is movably coupled to the upper horizontal section of the frame such that the front support can move in a direction generally parallel to the upper horizontal section; and 
 the shooting rest further comprises a rear support for supporting the second portion of the firearm. 
 
     
     
         3 . The shooting rest of  claim 1  wherein the stop comprises a flexible strap. 
     
     
         4 . The shooting rest of  claim 1 , further comprising a rear support for supporting the second portion of the firearm, the rear support being coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The shooting rest of  claim 1  wherein the stop further comprises a pocket sized to receive a butt of the firearm. 
     
     
         6 . The shooting rest of  claim 1  wherein the support member comprises a projection projecting from the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The shooting rest of  claim 1  wherein the support member comprises a section of the frame configured to removably carry the one or more weights. 
     
     
         8 . The shooting rest of  claim 1  wherein the support member comprises a flexible strap. 
     
     
         9 . The shooting rest of  claim 1  wherein the support member is detachably coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         10 . A shooting rest for supporting a firearm having a rear portion and a first portion forward of the rear portion, the shooting rest comprising:
 a frame;   a rear support coupled to the frame and positioned to carry the rear portion of the firearm;   a front support movably coupled to the frame and positioned to carry the first portion of the firearm, the front support being selectively movable in a direction generally parallel to an axis defined by the firearm;   a support member proximate to the frame, the support surface including a surface for carrying a removable weight; and   an inhibiting member coupled to the frame and configured to inhibit rearward movement of the firearm relative to the rear support.   
     
     
         11 . The shooting rest of  claim 10  wherein the inhibiting member comprises a clamping device positioned to releasably secure the firearm. 
     
     
         12 . The shooting rest of  claim 10  wherein:
 the direction is a first direction; and 
 the front support includes a first portion attached to the frame and a second portion movably coupled to the first portion such that the second portion can move in a second direction generally transverse to the first direction to adjust the horizontal aim of the firearm. 
 
     
     
         13 . The shooting rest of  claim 10  wherein the inhibiting member comprises a flexible strap configured to contact the rear portion of the firearm. 
     
     
         14 . The shooting rest of  claim 10  wherein the support member is detachably coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         15 . The shooting rest of  claim 10  wherein the support member comprises a projection projecting from the frame. 
     
     
         16 . The shooting rest of  claim 10  wherein:
 the frame comprises an upper horizontal section and a lower horizontal section; and 
 the support member is attached to the upper horizontal section. 
 
     
     
         17 . A shooting rest for supporting a firearm having a first portion and a second portion rearward of the first portion, the shooting rest comprising:
 a front support for supporting the first portion of the firearm;   a rear support for supporting the second portion of the firearm, the rear support being disconnected with the front support;   a support member for carrying a supplemental weight, the support member being coupled to the rear support; and   a stop for inhibiting rearward movement of the firearm relative to the shooting rest, the stop being coupled to the rear support.   
     
     
         18 . The shooting rest of  claim 17 , further comprising a frame coupling the rear support to the support member, wherein the support member comprises a tray. 
     
     
         19 . The shooting rest of  claim 17 , further comprising a frame coupling the rear support to the support member, wherein the support member comprises a projection projecting from the frame. 
     
     
         20 . The shooting rest of  claim 17  wherein the stop comprises a rigid member positioned to be adjacent to the second portion of the firearm. 
     
     
         21 . The shooting rest of  claim 17  wherein the stop comprises a flexible member positioned to be adjacent to the second portion of the firearm. 
     
     
         22 . The shooting rest of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a first frame coupling the rear support to the support member; and   a second frame attached to the front support;   wherein the first frame is disconnected from the second frame.   
     
     
         23 . A shooting rest for supporting a firearm having a first portion and a second portion rearward of the first portion, the shooting rest comprising:
 a frame;   a front support for supporting the first portion of the firearm, the front support being coupled to the frame;   means for supporting a removable weight at least proximate to the frame; and   means for inhibiting rearward movement of the firearm relative to the frame.   
     
     
         24 . The shooting rest of  claim 23  wherein the means for supporting the removable weight comprise a projection projecting from the frame. 
     
     
         25 . The shooting rest of  claim 23  wherein the means for supporting the removable weight comprise a support member attached to the frame. 
     
     
         26 . The shooting rest of  claim 23  wherein the means for supporting the removable weight comprise a section of the frame configured to carry the removable weight. 
     
     
         27 . The shooting rest of  claim 23  wherein the means for inhibiting rearward movement comprise a flexible strap coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         28 . The shooting rest of  claim 23  wherein the means for inhibiting rearward movement comprise a clamping device for releasably securing the firearm.