The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of support structures for safely carrying weapons and more specifically relates to a gun mounting apparatus for utility terrain vehicles.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of ATVs and UTVs has become increasingly popular. Given that weapons are often used in outdoor activities, many people install gun racks or gun mounts to their ATVs or UTVs to safely transport their weapons. Weapon racks and mounts for vehicles' prime function is to safely secure and transport weapons. The use of weapon racks and mounts for vehicles may further protect weapons against damage and accidental discharge which may occur if a weapon is not secured during transportation. Weapon racks and mounts should also facilitate uncomplicated, rapid, and hassle free access to the weapon.
Various gun racks and mounts have been proposed for vehicles. Unfortunately, many traditional gun racks that are currently available may be cumbersome and unsafe. Many may take up space in the personal cabin of vehicles, causing passengers to shift uncomfortably to avoid the guns. This also threatens the safety of passengers, as the guns or racks may strike them while vehicles are in motion. Many gun racks may be difficult to install, and may not allow for efficient application and removal of guns. Many gun racks and mounts comprise many parts, making it complicated to install or uninstall them from vehicles and to store them.
Therefore a need exists for a gun mount for a vehicle which comprises few parts, is easy to install, keeps the weapon in a safe and comfortable position for driver and passenger and which simultaneously provides for easy access to the weapon and protects the weapon from accidental discharge and from being scratched or damaged.
Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,495,969, 3,876,078, 2,251,271, 6,986,446, 7,137,511, and 4,995,537. This prior art is representative of support structures for safely carrying weapons. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.
Ideally, a gun mounting apparatus for utility terrain vehicles should be easy to assemble, comprise few parts, be easy to install and, yet, operates reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable UTV Gun Mount System to securely store and transport weapons and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.