Bipod

Abstract

An exemplary bipod for stabilizing a firearm having a rail for attachment of accessories includes a first carriage, a turret rail member, a second carriage, first and second leg housings, and first and second linking members. The first carriage slidingly receives the rail. The turret rail member rotatably couples with the turret carriage such that the turret carriage may pan the firearm. The second carriage slidingly receives a rail portion of the turret rail member. The first and second leg housings each have an upper end pivotally coupled with the first carriage and a mount disposed distal to the upper end. The first and second linking members each include a distal end pivotally coupled with a respective mount and a proximal end pivotally coupled with the second carriage.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bipod for stabilizing a firearm having a rail for attachment of accessories, comprising:
 a first carriage configured to slidingly receive the rail;   a turret rail member that rotatably couples with the turret carriage such that the turret carriage may pan the firearm;   a second carriage that slidingly receives a rail portion of the turret rail member;   first and second leg housings, each having an upper end pivotally coupled with the first carriage and a mount disposed distal to the upper end; and   first and second linking members, each including a distal end pivotally coupled with a respective mount and a proximal end pivotally coupled with the second carriage.   
     
     
         2 . The bipod of  claim 1 , further comprising a first lock assembly that selectively prevents translation of the first carriage relative to the rail. 
     
     
         3 . The bipod of  claim 2 , further comprising a second lock assembly that selectively prevents translation of the second carriage relative to the turret rail member. 
     
     
         4 . The bipod of  claim 3 , further comprising a third lock assembly that selectively prevents rotation of the turret carriage relative to the turret rail member. 
     
     
         5 . The bipod of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second removable feet on distal ends of the first and second leg housings, each including a body member that flexes relative to a base member. 
     
     
         6 . The bipod of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable grip that couples with the second carriage. 
     
     
         7 . A bipod for stabilizing a firearm having a rail for attachment of accessories, comprising:
 first and second carriages configured to slidably receive the rail;   first and second leg housings, each having an upper end pivotally coupled with the first carriage and a mount disposed distal to the upper end; and   first and second linking members, each including a distal end pivotally coupled with a respective mount and a proximal end pivotally coupled with the second carriage.   
     
     
         8 . The bipod of  claim 7 , further comprising a first lock assembly that selectively prevents translation of the first carriage relative to the rail. 
     
     
         9 . The bipod of  claim 7 , further comprising a second lock assembly that selectively prevents translation of the second carriage relative to the rail. 
     
     
         10 . The bipod of  claim 7 , further comprising first and second removable feet on distal ends of the first and second leg housings, each including a body member that flexes relative to a base member. 
     
     
         11 . The bipod of  claim 7 , further comprising a removable grip that couples with the second carriage. 
     
     
         12 . A bipod for stabilizing a firearm having a rail for attachment of accessories, comprising:
 a first carriage configured to slidingly receive the rail;   first and second leg housings, each having an upper end pivotally coupled with the first carriage; and   first and second feet on distal ends of the first and second leg housings, each including a body member that flexes relative to a base member.   
     
     
         13 . The bipod of  claim 12 , further comprising a first lock assembly that selectively prevents translation of the first carriage relative to the rail. 
     
     
         14 . The bipod of  claim 12 , further comprising a second carriage configured to slidingly receive the rail. 
     
     
         15 . The bipod of  claim 14 , further comprising a mount disposed distal to the upper end of each of the first and second leg housings. 
     
     
         16 . The bipod of  claim 15 , further comprising first and second linking members, each including a distal end pivotally coupled with a respective mount and a proximal end pivotally coupled with the second carriage. 
     
     
         17 . The bipod of  claim 14 , further comprising a second lock assembly that selectively prevents translation of the second carriage relative to the rail. 
     
     
         18 . The bipod of  claim 14 , further comprising a removable grip that couples with the second carriage. 
     
     
         19 . The bipod of  claim 12 , further comprising a turret rail member that rotatably couples with the first carriage such that the first carriage may pan the firearm and a second carriage that slidingly receives a rail portion of the turret rail member. 
     
     
         20 . The bipod of  claim 19 , further comprising a third lock assembly that selectively prevents rotation of the turret carriage relative to the turret rail member.