Recoil absorbing gun mount device
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With the increased popularity of hunting, particularly for large game animals, there has been a corresponding increase in the use of high powered rifles. Typically the high powered rifle will include a telescopic sight. The sight needs to be in precise alignment with the gun barrel for accuracy in hitting the animal or other target. The increasing use of high powered rifles has also been followed with an increasing need for target practice. The problem arises that the high powered rifle has considerable recoil. Repeated firing of a rifle in a short length of time as required for target practice and gun sight alignment is not always desirable due to the large recoil. 
     Prior attempts have been made to provide a mount for a gun or high powered rifle to absorb recoil. U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,563 discloses an apparatus for aligning a gun sight which includes a gun receiving member which pivots relative to a base. A spring is fixed between the gun receiving member and the base for absorbing horizontal and vertical components of recoil when the gun is fired. The device provides gripping of the gun over very little of its surface and relies upon the gun being cradled within the gun receiving member for recoil absorption through a spring. Access to the butt end is prohibited with the gun received in the gun receiving member. Firing of the gun in a natural position with the butt against the shoulder is not possible. This renders the device not entirely satisfactory for practicing during target shooting or gun sight alignment. U.S. Pat. No. 2,729,975 discloses another recoil mount for a high powered rifle. Once again the device is relatively complicated and does not allow for shooting the gun in a natural position with the butt against the shoulder. U.S. Pat. No. 125,743 discloses a stand for testing fire arms in which a barrel of the gun is clamped between clamping members at a fore end. This allows the gun to be shot in a more natural position against the shoulder. However, the device is not entirely satisfactory for absorbing recoil, particularly from the modern day high powered rifle. 
     Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a recoil absorbing gun mount which is simple in construction and use and yet reliably grips a gun for recoiled absorption during testing and target practice. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective recoil absorbing gun mount which is small and portable. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a small portable recoil absorbing gun mount which clamps a high powered rifle in a secure clamping position for absorbing recoil in a manner that the rifle may be fired in a natural position abutting the shoulder of the gunner. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a recoil absorbing gun mount which will reliably clamp a wide variety of gun shapes and sizes for absorbing recoil when the gun is mounted and fired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above objectives are accomplished according to the invention by providing a gun mount device for absorbing recoil from a gun mounted and fired on the device which includes an elongated base having a front and a rear end. A pair of elongated clamping jaws are carried by the elongated base which have upper and lower edges. The clamping jaws have front and rear edges. A friction gripping material is carried adjacent the upper edges of the clamping jaws for frictionally gripping a portion of the gun along its length. A pivot carries the clamping jaws on the base in a manner that the lower edges of the jaws move in translation and in pivotal roll motion. The front and rear edges of the clamping jaws move independently of each other in a pivotal yaw motion so the ends of the clamping jaws may be made to converge or diverge. In this way, a wide variety of shapes and sizes of gun stocks may be effectively clamped for recoil absorption. A clamp operator applies a clamping force to the clamping jaws which moves them towards each other. The base and clamping jaws have a sufficient mass so that recoil from the gun frictionally gripped in the jaws is effectively absorbed by the device when fired. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. 
     The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recoil absorbing gun mount according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a recoil absorbing gun mount according to the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a recoil absorbing gun mount frictionally clamping a gun according to the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration illustrating the movement of a pair of clamping jaws carried for pivotal motion in a yaw direction according to the invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is a rear elevation of a recoil absorbing gun mount illustrating a pair of clamping jaws carried for pivotal movement in a roll direction. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now in more detail to the drawings, as can best be seen in FIG. 1, a gun mount device designated generally as A is provided for mounting a gun such as a high powered rifle 10. The term gun means a rifle, shotgun, hand gun, or any other fire arm. While the gun mount of the present invention may frictionally clamp guns and like articles, and absorb any recoil from any type gun, the mount has particular advantages for a high powered rifle. Accordingly, the invention will be described in connection with a high powered rifle while it is understood that the mount may be used for mounting any gun. The mount may clamp any portion of the gun as desired for firing. However, it is most advantageous that the mount be used to clamp a portion of the gun stock 12 of rifle 10 as can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4. The term gun stock is to be read as any portion of the gun desired for clamping. In this position, gun 10 has the trigger 14 in firing position. The gunner may quite naturally place the butt of the gun against his shoulder in a natural firing position. The other hand of the gunner may then grip the fore end 16 of the rifle. While not illustrated, the barrel of a gun may also be effectively clamped by the gun mount of the invention. 
     Referring now in more detail to the gun mount, the gun mount includes an elongated base 20 having a front end 22 and a rear end 24. Front end 22 is advantageously widened. This acts to stabilize the base for recoil absorption. Widened front end 22 carries two depending legs 26 and 28 with rubber tips 26a and 28a. As can best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 7, front end 22 includes side projections 22a and 22b. Legs 26 and 28 are spread apart giving the base a wide foundation at the front end for stabilization. At rear end 24, a third depending leg 30 has a rubber tip 30a. Threads 30b are provided on the leg for mating with a star wheel 32. Leg 30 extends loosely through an unthreaded opening 24a in the rear 24 of the base. Leg 30 threadably mates with star wheel 32 to provide a means for varying the inclination of the base of sighting the gun on target. Leg 30 is free in the opening 24a, but the base abuts atop the star wheel. A top cap 30c prevents leg 30 from falling out of opening 24a. As wheel 32 is turned and run upwardly on the leg, the rear 24 of the base is raised. Now the advantage of clamping the gun into the position shown in FIG. 4 can best be understood. With the finger on trigger 14, the hand may easily finger the star wheel 32 to raise and lower the rear of the base for sighting the gun on target. An advantageous base platform is provided which is very stable, yet simply and effectively provides for varying the inclination of the base and the gun mounted. The rubber tips of the three depending legs further facilitate recoil absorption by frictionally and resiliently gripping a surface such as a table top on which the gun mount is placed. 
     Clamping means B includes a pair of clamping members in the form of spaced clamping jaws 40 and 42 pivotally carried on base 20. The clamping jaws have upper free edge portions 40a and 42a, and lower free edge portions 40b and 42b. Clamping jaws have front free edge portions 40c and 42c and rear free edge portions 40d and 42d. Clamping jaws 40 and 42 are elongated to clamp a length of the gun such as the gun stock forward of the trigger. A layer of friction material 44 and 46 are carried by the clamping jaws 40 and 42. Any suitable friction material such as rubber, polyurethane, etc., having a high coefficient of friction for gripping the gun may be used. Elongated base 20 and clamping jaws 40 and 42 are preferably constructed from aluminum or other heavy material having a sufficient mass to absorb the recoil of gun 10 through friction material 44 and 46. As can best be seen in FIG. 3, a clamping space 48 is defined between opposing clamping jaws 40 and 42 which may be varied in its cross-section from front to rear and top to bottom as will now be fully explained. 
     Pivot means C for allowing clamping jaws 40 and 42 to move and pivot in two degrees of freedom is provided. Pivot means C includes a pair of vertical slots 40e formed in jaw 40 and like vertical slots 42e formed in jaw 42. These slots are open at the lowermost ends of the jaws. Vertical slots 40e of clamping jaw 40 are carried over spaced raised land 50 carried by base 20. Vertical slots 42e of jaw 42 are carried over spaced raised lands 52 on the opposing side of the base. As can best be seen in FIG. 2, there is a major clearance 54 between the vertical slots 40e and 42e and the lands 50 and 52. Lower edges 40b, 42b of the clamping jaws are free and not fixed to a pivot at base 20. Clearance 54 provides a loose fit between the slots and the land so that clamping jaws 40 and 42 may pivot in two directions of freedom. First about a roll axis in a roll direction, and second about a yaw axis in a yaw direction. The front and rear ends of the jaws may move in a yaw direction indicated by arrows 56. Similarly, the upper and lowermost edges move freely so clamping jaws 40 and 42 may pivot in a roll direction as indicated by arrows 58. This is important because it allows the clamping jaws to converge or diverge toward the front or rear of the base and at the same time the upper and lower free edge portions of the clamping jaws may pivot either in or out. This provides for pivotal movement in two degrees of freedom to adjust clamping space 48 to clamp a wide variety of gun shapes and sizes, and portions of the gun such as the stocks, barrels, etc. Lands 50, 52 and slots 40e, 42e provide guide means for guiding the clamping jaws in this pivotal motion. 
     Clamp operating means D is provided for applying a clamping force to the clamping jaws 40 and 42. The clamp operating means includes angled slots 40f and 42f formed in clamping jaws 40 and 42, respectively. The angled slots allow the plates to pivot about an operator rod 60 which provides an actuation means for applying a clamping force. Operator rod 60 extends through the angled slots and through a spacer block 62 which is between clamping jaws 40 and 42. As illustrated, operator rod 60 is a threaded rod with a wing nut 64 attached to a threaded end 60a. Rod head 60b abuts an inclined cam 40g and wing nut 64 abuts a corresponding inclined cam 42g. Slots 40f and 42f are angled at about 30 degrees to a horizontal. Cams 40g and 42g form about a 10 degree angle with a vertical. This combination provides a desired clamping force and pivotal movement. 
     As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, spacer block 62 provides an abutment at 62a for the lowermost edge portions 40b and 42b of the clamping jaws. This abutment occurs as edge portions 40b and 42b first move in translational motion as wing nut 64 is tightened on bolt 60. After reaching the abutment 62a, the lower edges of the clamping jaws are fixed in abutment and the clamping jaws then begin to pivot inwardly to clamp gun stock 12. For adjustability, it may also be that for a widened gun stock, that the lowermost edge portions 42b and 40b not abut spacer block 62, but remain at a distance therefrom. Angled slots 40f and 42f allow clamping plates 40 and 42 to pivot about the base and slide and pivot over operator rod 60. Clearance 54 also allows jaws 40, 42 to pivot about base 20 in the yaw direction about an imaginary yaw axis, without striking abutment 62a. Clamp operating means E works at two longitudinally spaced points established at the two slots 40e, 40f and two rods 60. As can best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, these two spaced operators are located at the pivot guides and apply the clamping force at longitudinally spaced points that facilitates pivotal movements in opposite yaw directions. This also allows the yaws to converge or diverge to either end. 
     As can best be seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, by locating operator rod 60 and wing nut 64 as shown, a reduced graduated clamping force is applied at a clamping region shown generally at 66. Since this gripping region is about 1/2 the distance between the application point of a main clamping force and the upper edges of the clamping jaws, a reduced gripping force of about 1/2 the main clamping force will be applied at clamping region 66 which is graduated from the application point. This is important for several reasons. Portions of the wooden stock of the gun adjacent the clamped area are often hollow. The wooden stock is a very expensive part of the gun. If too much clamping force is applied to the wooden gun stock, splitting of the wood gun stock may occur, particularly through the hollow areas. The reduced clamping force reduces the chances that the gun may be damaged by excessive clamping force. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.