US20100126055A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20100126055A1
Application number: US12/276,223
Authority: US
Inventors: Russell A. Potterfield
Original assignee: Battenfeld Technologies Inc
Current assignee: AOB Products Co
Priority date: 2008-11-21
Filing date: 2008-11-21
Publication date: 2010-05-27

Abstract

Firearm support and rest assemblies having nested stacking geometries are disclosed herein. One embodiment of the disclosure, for example, is directed to a firearm rest assembly for supporting a firearm having a first section spaced apart from a second section. The firearm rest assembly includes a base having a lower surface spaced apart from an upper surface, and an intermediate surface positioned between and generally parallel to the lower and upper surfaces. The firearm rest assembly further includes first and second supports coupled to the base in a configuration selected from a stored arrangement and a support arrangement. The stored arrangement includes the first and second supports positioned between the lower surface and the intermediate surface, and the support arrangement includes the first support extending from the base beyond the upper surface to support the first section of the firearm, and the second support extending from the base beyond the upper surface to support the second section of the firearm.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed generally to firearm support assemblies and more specifically to firearm support assemblies that can be stacked in a nested configuration.

BACKGROUND

Shooters often use firearm rests or supports to steady a firearm during operation (e.g., target practice, accuracy testing, etc.). Holding a firearm without a stable support may not provide the required repeatability to determine the accuracy of the firearm. Many shooters accordingly use a firearm support in an attempt to reduce or eliminate human movement inherent to holding the firearm. For example, a shooter may position the front or forestock section of a firearm on a front firearm support, and the rear or buttstock section on a rear firearm support. Firearm supports can also conveniently hold a firearm, or portions of a firearm, for cleaning and maintenance. For example, placing the firearm in a firearm support can conveniently position the firearm and free the user's hands to clean or disassemble the firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements. The size and relative position of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles may not be drawn to scale, and some of these elements may be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility.

FIG. 1 is a side isometric view of a firearm rest assembly configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of a firearm support configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a side isometric view andFIG. 3B is a top plan view of the firearm rest assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom isometric view of the firearm rest assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is side view of a stacked assembly of firearm rest assemblies configured in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an isometric side view of a packaged firearm rest assembly configured in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an isometric side view of a firearm rest assembly configured in accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a firearm rest assembly configured in accordance with a further embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A. Overview

The following disclosure describes several embodiments of firearm rest assemblies and associated methods of use and manufacture. One embodiment of the disclosure, for example, is directed to a firearm rest assembly for supporting a firearm having a first section spaced apart from a second section. The firearm rest assembly includes a base having a lower surface spaced apart from an upper surface, and an intermediate surface positioned between and generally parallel to the lower and upper surfaces. The assembly also includes first and second supports coupled with the base in a configuration selected from a stored arrangement and a support arrangement. In the stored arrangement, the first and second supports are positioned between the lower surface and the intermediate surface, and in the support arrangement the first support extends from the base beyond the upper surface to support the first section of the firearm, and the second support extends from the base beyond the upper surface to support the second section of the firearm.

A further aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method of packaging shooting rest assemblies that are used for supporting a firearm having a first section spaced apart from a second section. The method includes providing a first shooting rest assembly having a first base with a storage cavity, a first support configured to project from the first base to support the first section of the firearm, and a second support configured to project from the first base to support the second section of the firearm. The method also includes placing the first and second supports in the storage cavity of the first base. The method further includes providing a second shooting rest assembly that is generally similar to the first shooting rest assembly. The second shooting rest assembly includes a second base, and the method further includes positioning at least a portion of the second base in the support cavity of the first base in a nested configuration.

Specific details of several embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the following description and inFIGS. 1-8 to provide a thorough understanding of these embodiments. A person skilled in the art will understand, however, that the disclosure may be practiced without several of these details or that additional details can be added to the disclosure. Several details describing well-known structures or processes often associated with firearms and firearm supporting devices have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of the disclosure. Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include the plural or singular terms, respectively. Moreover, unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of two or more items, the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. Additionally, the term “comprising” is used throughout to mean including at least the recited feature(s) such that any greater number of the same feature or additional types of features are not precluded.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics of the different embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.

B. Embodiments of Firearm Supports

FIG. 1 is a side isometric view of a firearm rest assembly100 (“assembly100”) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Theassembly100 is configured to support a firearm102 (shown in broken lines). For example, theassembly100 can be used to support thefirearm102 when shooting or cleaning thefirearm102. In the illustrated embodiment, theassembly100 includes multiple supports120 (identified individually as afirst support120aand asecond support120b) that are removably attached to abase110. Thesupports120 can be operably coupled to thebase110 in a configuration selected from a support arrangement and a stored arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, thebase110 removably receives thesupports120 in the support arrangement with thefirst support120aextending from thebase110 to support a buttstock section of thefirearm102, and thesecond support120bextending from thebase110 to support a forestock section of thefirearm102. As described in detail below, thebase110 also removably receives thesupports120 in astorage cavity130 in the stored arrangement. According to one feature of the illustrated embodiment, when thestorage cavity130 removably retains thesupports120 in the stored arrangement, theentire assembly100 can be stacked in a nested configuration with similar firearm rest assemblies to provide a reduced overall stacked height of multiple firearm rest assemblies.

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of one of thesupports120 illustrated inFIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, thesupport120 includes anupper portion222 extending from alower portion224. Theupper portion222 has a generally U-shaped configuration that is designed to receive a section of a firearm (FIG. 1). In other embodiments, theupper portion222 can include other shapes suitable for supporting a firearm (e.g., a V-shape, ridged portions, planar portions, etc.). The illustratedupper portion222 includes apad member221 attached to thesupport120 to at least partially cushion or protect the firearm. For example, thepad member221 can be made from a cushioned, pliable, or non-marring material (e.g., rubber, leather, etc.) that can provide a slip-resistant contact surface for the firearm. In other embodiments, however, thepad member221 can be made from the same material as thesupport120 and integrally formed with thesupport120. In still further embodiments, thepad member221 can be omitted from thesupport120.

Thelower portion224 of thesupport120 has a tapered width that is configured to allow thesupport120 to be removably inserted into a corresponding opening in thebase110. More specifically, thesupport120 has a first width W₁, and thelower portion224 of thesupport120 has a second width W₂that is less than the first width W₁. Accordingly, in the support arrangement (FIG. 1), thesupport120 can be at least partially retained in thebase110 by inserting thelower portion224 into an opening in the base110 to frictionally engage thebase110. In other embodiments and as described below with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8, thesupports120 can attach to the base110 in other configurations. For example, thelower portion224 can have the same width as thesupport120 and be inserted into a tapered opening in thebase110.

According to another feature of the illustrated embodiment, thesupport120 includes multiple protrusions226 (identified individually as a first through third protrusions226a-226c) extending laterally from thesupport120. The protrusions226 act as retaining features to removably retain eachsupport120 in the base110 when thesupport120 is in the stored arrangement. For example, as explained in detail below with reference toFIG. 3A, the protrusions226 engage corresponding retaining features (e.g., openings, tabs, etc.) in the base110 when thesupport120 is in the stored position. In certain embodiments, thesupport120, as well as other components of theassembly100 such as thebase110, can be molded (e.g., injection molded, thermoformed, etc.) from plastic materials to provide a lightweight configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, thesupport120 includes a plurality of ribs orstiffeners225 to provide adequate reinforcement to thesupport120 and allow thesupport120 to be formed with a reduced thickness and weight. In other embodiments, however, thesupport120 can be formed from other manufacturing methods or from other materials suitable for firearm rests.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2, thelower portion224 of thesupport120 also includes aretention opening228. Theretention opening228 is configured to facilitate attachment of thesupport120 to the base110 in the stored arrangement. For example, a fastener (e.g., a cable tie, zip tie, string, wire, etc.) can pass through theretention opening228 to attach thesupport120 to the base110 when theassembly100 is packaged for retail sale or shipment.

FIG. 3A is a side isometric view andFIG. 3B is a top plan view of theassembly100 ofFIG. 1. Referring toFIGS. 3A and 3B together, thesupports120 are shown in the stored arrangement in thestorage cavity130 of thebase110. More specifically, thebase110 includes anintermediate portion336 in thestorage cavity130. Theintermediate portion336 divides thestorage cavity130 into asupport cavity338 and ahandle cavity339. Theintermediate portion336 also has anintermediate surface333 that is positioned between alower surface332 and anupper surface334 of thebase110. In the stored arrangement, thebase110 retains thesupports120 in thesupport cavity338 between thelower surface332 and theintermediate surface333. According to one feature of the illustrated embodiment, the distance from thelower surface332 to theintermediate surface333 is approximately equal to the thickness of thesupports120. In other embodiments, however, the distance from thelower surface332 to theintermediate surface333 can be greater than or less than the thickness of thesupports120.

The base110 also includes retainingmembers342 in a sidewall portion340 (FIG. 3A) of thebase110. The retainingmembers342 are configured to engage the correspondingthird protrusions226c(FIG. 2) of eachsupport120 to retain thesupports120 in the stored arrangement in thesupport cavity338. Theintermediate portion336 also includes retaining members342 (FIG. 3B) to engage the correspondingfirst protrusions226aandsecond protrusions226bof eachsupport120. In certain embodiments, the retainingmembers342 can be flexible tabs that are integrally formed with thebase110. To move thesupports120 from the stored arrangement to the support arrangement, a user can disengage eachsupport120 from the retainingmembers342 and insert thelower portion224 of eachsupport120 into a corresponding support opening344 (identified individually as a first support opening344aand a second support opening344b) in thebase110. The support openings344 frictionally engage the tapered width of thelower portion224 of eachsupport120 to securely retain thesupports120 in thebase100. In other embodiments, however, the retainingmembers342 can be attached or otherwise operably coupled to the base110 to engage or retain thesupports120 in the stored arrangement. For example, the retainingmembers342 can include bumps or other types of extensions that are attached or integrally formed with the base110 to engage the corresponding protrusions226 of thesupports120. In still further embodiments, thesupports120 can be formed without the protrusions226, and retainingmembers342 protruding from the base110 can engage thesupports120 to retain thesupports120 in the stored arrangement.

Theassembly100 also includes ahandle312 that can be used to carry theentire assembly100. Thehandle312 is pivotally attached to the base110 in a configuration selected from a stored position (FIG. 1) and a carrying position (FIGS. 3A and 3B). In the stored position, thehandle storage cavity339 receives thehandle312 between thelower surface332 and theintermediate surface333 of thebase110. In the carrying position, thehandle312 extends from the base110 in a direction generally perpendicular to theintermediate surface333 to allow a user to carry theassembly100. In certain embodiments, the base100 can include retaining features to retain thehandle312 in the stored or carrying positions. For example, the base110 can include protrusions or tabs that engage thehandle312 in either of the stored or carrying positions.

According to another feature of the illustrated embodiment, thebase110 includes multiple storage features in addition to thesupport cavity338 and thehandle cavity339. For example, thebase110 includesmultiple recesses346 in theupper surface334 andintermediate surface333 for holding various firearm paraphernalia (e.g., tools, accessories, cleaning supplies, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, therecesses346 include various shapes and sizes, such as relativelylarge recesses346 having generally hemispherical shapes or frusto-conical shapes, or relativelysmall recesses346. Therecesses346 enable a user to easily store and access various firearm accessories or cleaning supplies in thebase110. The base110 also includesgrooves349 in theupper surface334. Thegrooves349 can be configured to hold, for example, a firearm cleaning rod or other firearm accessory. Another feature of theassembly100 illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B is that the base110 also includes generally contouredcorners347. For example, eachcorner347 has a generally concaveupper portion348 that facilitates the stacking ofmultiple assemblies100 as described below with reference toFIG. 5.

The illustrated embodiment also includes a display area353 (FIG. 3A) on the base110 that is configured to display information related to theassembly100. In certain embodiments, thedisplay area353 can show graphical or textual information related to theassembly100. For example, labels or stickers can be attached to the base110 in thedisplay area353 to illustrated the use or advertise other features of theassembly100. In other embodiments, information related to theassembly100 can be applied directly (e.g., printed, molded, etc) on thedisplay area353. Moreover, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thedisplay area353 can be positioned at various locations on thebase110, or that that theassembly100 can includemultiple display areas353.

FIG. 4 is an isometric bottom view of thefirearm rest assembly100 ofFIG. 1 illustrating anunderside460 of thebase110. Theunderside460 is shaped to allow theassembly100 to be stacked in a nested configuration with similar firearm assemblies. For example, in certain embodiments the base110 can be formed from a molded plastic material (e.g., with injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, etc.). Accordingly, several of the features of the base110 described above with reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B are visible inFIG. 4 extending into theunderside460 of thebase110. For example, thesupport cavity338, thehandle cavity339, the second support opening344b,and thevarious recesses346 are shown inFIG. 4 projecting into theunderside460. The retainingmembers342 can also be seen from theunderside460 of thebase110. Moreover, eachcorner347 of thebase110 includes one ormore stiffeners464 extending from aleg retention portion462. Theleg retention portion462 can include an opening (e.g., a threaded hole) that receives a corresponding foot or leg (not shown). Thestiffeners464 provide support or rigidity to thecorners347. Eachstiffener464 is also configured to align with the concaveupper portion348 of eachcorner347 whenmultiple assemblies100 are in a stacked or nested configuration.

According to another feature of the illustrated embodiment, thebase110 includes retention holes452 in the lower surface of thesupport cavity338. The retention holes452 can be used to secure thesupports120 in the base110 when theassembly100 is packaged or shipped. For example, when thesupports120 are in the stored arrangement, the retention holes452 align with theretention openings228 in eachsupport120. A fastener (e.g., a cable tie, zip tie, wire, string, etc.) can be inserted through the retention holes452 in thebase110 andcorresponding retention openings228 in thesupports120 to securely retain thesupports120 to the base110 during shipment or for retail sale. In other embodiments, however, thesupports120 can be retained in the stored arrangement with other methods suitable for keeping thesupports120 in thesupport cavity338. For example, thesupports120 can be retained in thesupport cavity338 for shipment or retail sale with an adhesive (e.g., tape, glue, non-drying silicon glue, etc.), molded protrusions, tabs, vacuum wrapping, etc.

FIG. 5 is side view of a stacked or nestedassembly502 including two firearm rest assemblies500 (identified individually as a firstfirearm rest assembly500aand a secondfirearm rest assembly500b). Each firearm rest assembly500 (“assembly500”) is generally similar in structure and function to theassembly100 described above with reference toFIGS. 1-4. For example, each assembly500 carries supports or other components (not shown) in a stored arrangement to provide the stacked nested geometry of the assemblies500. According to one aspect of the illustrated embodiment, thestacked assembly502 has an overall nested height H_nthat is appreciably less than the sum of individual heights H_iof each assembly500. In certain embodiments, for example, the nested height H_nis approximately 1.3 times greater than the individual height H_iof each assembly500. In other embodiments, however, the nested height H_ncan be as great as approximately 1.8 times the individual height H_iof each assembly500. In still further embodiments, the nested height H_ncan be greater than 1.8 times, or less than1.3 times, the individual height H_iof each assembly500.

The reduced overall nested height H_nof the stackedassembly502 provides several advantages for shipping and storing the assemblies500. For example, the nested height H_nof the stackedassembly502 can provide reduced shipping costs by allowing more units or assemblies500 per volume when shipping. Retailers can also maximize shelf space due to the reduced nested height H_nof the assemblies500. For example, and as explained in detail below with reference toFIG. 6, complete packaged assemblies500, including all of the components associated with each assembly500, can be stacked or nested together while still retaining the reduced overall nested height H_nof the stackedassembly502.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a packaged firearm rest assembly600 (“assembly600”) configured in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly600 includes a base610 that is generally similar in structure and function to the bases of theassemblies100,500 described above with reference toFIGS. 1-5. For example, thebase610 includes multiple cavities and recesses for storing supports620 (identified individually as afirst support620aand asecond support620b), ahandle612, and other firearm paraphernalia. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the assembly600 also includespackaging material604 at least partially covering thebase610. Thepackaging material604 can help to at least partially retain accessories, components, or hardware associated with the assembly. Moreover, thepackaging material604 is configured to allow the assembly600 to be stacked or nested with other similar assemblies while still maintaining an overall reduced nested height.

In the illustrated embodiment, thepackaging material604 generally conforms to the shape and contour of the base610 to thereby allow the assembly600 to be stacked in the nested configuration with similar packaged assemblies. More specifically, the illustratedpackaging material604 includes a series of folds or bends that follow the shape of the cavities in thebase610. In certain embodiments, thepackaging material604 can be made from paper or a paper-based material (e.g., cardboard) that is folded to match the shape or contour of thebase610. In other embodiments, however, thepackaging material604 can be made from other materials, including, for example, plastic. In one embodiment, for example, the assembly600 can include plastic packaging that is vacuum sealed to at least partially cover thebase610 and generally conform to the shape and contour of thebase610. In still further embodiments, the assembly600 can include shrink wrap packaging that conforms to the shape of thebase610. In yet another embodiment, the assembly600 can include a box generally surrounding the base610 with cut-out portions corresponding to projections from the underside of a similar assembly to allow stacking of the assemblies in a nested configuration.

In certain embodiments, thepackaging material604 can also include textual or graphical information relating to the assembly600. For example, thepackaging material604 can include instructions relating to the use of the assembly600, features of the assembly600, pictures of the assembly600, etc. Thepackaging material604 can also include brand identifying information such as a trademark or logo for the assembly600. Moreover, in certain embodiments thepackaging material604 is configured to be positioned under thehandle612 to allow thehandle612 to pivot between the stored and carrying positions when thepackaging material604 is in place. In other embodiments, however, thepackaging material604 can at least partially cover thehandle612 to retain thehandle612 in the stored position.

According to another aspect of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6, thepackaging material604 also includes retention holes606. A retention member608 (e.g., a wire, twist tie, cable tie, zip tie, string, etc.) can pass through eachretention hole606 in thepackaging material604 and corresponding holes in the supports620 andbase610. In this manner, theretention member608 can secure the supports620 to thebase610 and thepackaging material604, and still allow the assembly600 to be stacked with a similar assembly in a nested configuration.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a firearm rest assembly700 (“assembly700”) configured in accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure. Theassembly700 includes several features that are generally similar in structure and function to theassemblies100,500,600 described above with reference toFIGS. 1-6. For example, theassembly700 includes a base710 with supports720 (identified individually as afirst support720ashown in the stored arrangement and asecond support720bshown in the support arrangement). Similar to the embodiments described above, the supports720 can be positioned in the stored arrangement in astorage cavity730. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the supports720 are pivotally coupled to the base710 to move from the stored arrangement to the support arrangement, and vice versa. More specifically, theassembly700 includes hinges721 (only one of which is visible inFIG. 7) that pivotally attach each support720 to thebase710. The base710 also includes storage retaining members742 (identified individually as a firststorage retaining member742aand a secondstorage retaining member742b) and support retaining members744 (only one of which is visible inFIG. 7). The storage retaining members742 and thesupport retaining members744 can be generally similar to the retainingmembers342 described above with reference toFIGS. 3A-4. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the storage retaining members742 retain the supports720 in the stored arrangement, and thesupport retaining members744 retain the supports720 in the support arrangement. In this manner, the supports720 can be pivotally attached to thebase710 and securely retained in each of the stored and support arrangements. Moreover, when the supports720 are in the stored arrangement, theassembly700 can be stacked with similar assemblies in a nested configuration.

In certain embodiments, the supports720 can be retained in the storage or support positions with features other than the storage retaining members742 and thesupport retaining members744. For example, in certain embodiments thehinges721 can be spring-loaded hinges that can be used to position and retain the supports720 in the desired configuration. In still further embodiments, other biasing features can be used to move or retain the supports720 in the stored or support arrangements.

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a firearm rest assembly800 (“assembly800”) configured in accordance with a further embodiment of the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, theassembly800 includes a base810 with asupport opening844 configured to receive anadjustable support820. For purposes of illustration, the cross-sectional view shown ofFIG. 8 is taken substantially along the line8-8 ofFIG. 3B, although the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3B does not include anadjustable support820. Referring toFIG. 8, in the illustrated embodiment theassembly800 includes fasteners874 (identified individually as afirst fastener874aand asecond fastener874b) that are rotatably retained in the base810 in thesupport opening844. The fasteners874 receive corresponding threaded shafts872 (identified individually as afirst shaft872aand asecond shaft872b) extending from thesupport820. In certain embodiments, each fastener874 can be a threaded nut having an exterior surface that facilitates rotation of the fastener874 by a user. For example, the fasteners874 can include a knurled exterior surface, a hexagonal surface, a wing nut configuration, etc. When a user rotates each fastener874, the fasteners874 move the corresponding shafts872 up or down in the directions indicated byarrow876. Accordingly, a user can adjust the height of thesupport820 to move the section of the firearm positioned in thesupport820. Moreover, similar to the embodiments described above, thesupport820 can also be removably retained in the base810 in a stored configuration to allow theassembly800 to be stacked with similar assemblies in a nested configuration.

Although the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 8 includes two shafts872 and corresponding fasteners874, in other embodiments theassembly800 can include a different number of adjustment mechanisms, including, for example, a single shaft872 and corresponding fastener874. In still further embodiments, theassembly800 can include other adjustment mechanisms to adjust the height of thesupport820 when thesupport820 is in the support arrangement. Moreover, although only a singleadjustable support820 is shown inFIG. 8, one skilled in the art will appreciate that theassembly800 can include at least a second adjustable support that is generally similar to the illustratedadjustable support820.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications can be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, the base of the assemblies described herein may have other configurations or include other suitable packaging assemblies (e.g., plastic clamshell packaging, shrink-wrapped packaging, etc.). Moreover, specific elements of any of the foregoing embodiments can be combined or substituted for elements in other embodiments. Furthermore, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described in the context of these embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A firearm rest assembly for supporting a firearm having a first section spaced apart from a second section, the firearm rest assembly comprising:

a base having a lower surface spaced apart from an upper surface, and an intermediate surface positioned between and generally parallel to the lower and upper surfaces;

first and second supports coupled with the base in a configuration selected from a stored arrangement and a support arrangement, wherein—

the stored arrangement includes the first and second supports positioned between the lower surface and the intermediate surface; and

the support arrangement includes the first support extending from the base beyond the upper surface to support the first section of the firearm, and the second support extending from the base beyond the upper surface to support the second section of the firearm.

3. The firearm rest assembly ofclaim 2, further comprising a packaging material at least partially covering the base of the first firearm rest assembly, wherein the packaging material does not interfere with the nested configuration of the first firearm rest assembly and the second firearm rest assembly.

4. The firearm rest assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the base further comprises a support cavity configured to receive the first and second support members in the stored arrangement, and wherein the firearm rest assembly further includes a packaging material at least partially covering the base, wherein the packaging material generally conforms to the shape of the support cavity and at least partially retains the first and second supports in the support cavity in the support arrangement.

5. The firearm rest assembly ofclaim 4 wherein the packaging material includes a paper-based material having a series of bends conforming to the shape of the support cavity.

6. The firearm rest assembly ofclaim 4 wherein the packaging material includes vacuum-wrapped plastic generally conforming to the shape of the support cavity.

7. The firearm rest assembly ofclaim 1 wherein:

each of the first and second supports includes a tapered end portion; and

the base further includes a first opening configured to removably retain the tapered end portion of the first support in the support arrangement, and a second opening configured to removably retain the tapered end portion of the second support in the support arrangement.

8. The firearm rest assembly ofclaim 1 wherein in the stored arrangement the first and second supports are positioned generally parallel to the lower and intermediate surfaces, and in the support arrangement the first and second supports extend from the base in a direction generally perpendicular to the upper surface.

9. The firearm rest assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising a handle operably coupled to the base, wherein the handle is movable between a stored position between the lower surface and the intermediate surface and a carrying position extending from the base beyond the intermediate surface.

10. The firearm rest assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the intermediate surface is spaced apart from the lower surface by a distance approximately equal to a thickness of the first support member.

11. The firearm rest assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the base further comprises:

a support cavity configured to receive the first and second support members in the stored arrangement;

a first retaining member carried by a sidewall portion of the support cavity, wherein the first retaining member at least partially retains the first support in the stored arrangement; and

a second retaining member carried by the sidewall portion of the support cavity, wherein the second retaining member at least partially retains the second support in the stored arrangement.

12. The firearm rest assembly ofclaim 11 wherein each of the first and second supports includes a plurality of protrusions extending laterally from an edge portion of each support, and wherein the protrusions are generally aligned with the retaining members when the first and second supports are in the stored arrangement.

13. The firearm rest assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the first support is coupled to the base with a first hinge, and the second support is coupled to the base with a second hinge, and wherein the first and second supports pivot between the stored arrangement and the support arrangement.

14. The firearm rest assembly ofclaim 1 wherein in the support arrangement each support has an adjustable height extending from the base.

15. A stacked assembly of individual shooting rests, the stacked assembly comprising:

a first packaged shooting rest comprising:

a base having a storage cavity;

first and second supports coupled to the base in a configuration selected from a first arrangement and a second arrangement;

a handle coupled to the base in the configuration selected from the first and second arrangements;

packaging material covering at least a portion of the base, wherein the packaging material at least partially conforms to the shape of the storage cavity, wherein—

in the first arrangement the first support, the second support, and the handle are each positioned in the storage cavity; and

in the second arrangement the first support, the second support, and the handle extend from the base; and

a second packaged shooting rest generally similar to the first packaged shooting rest, wherein the second packaged shooting rest is at least partially received in the storage cavity of the first packaged shooting rest in a nested configuration, and wherein the combined height of the nested first and second packaged shooting rests is less than the sum of the heights of the individual first and second packaged shooting rests.

16. The stacked assembly ofclaim 1 wherein:

the base further includes a lower surface spaced apart from an upper surface, and an intermediate portion having an intermediate surface positioned between the lower and upper surfaces;

the storage cavity includes a support cavity separated from a handle cavity by the intermediate portion;

in the first arrangement the first and second supports are positioned in the support cavity between the first surface and the intermediate surface, and the handle is positioned in the handle cavity between the first surface and the intermediate surface; and

in the second arrangement the first and second supports extend from the base beyond the upper surface, and the handle extends from the intermediate portion beyond the intermediate surface.

17. The stacked assembly ofclaim 15 wherein each of the first and second packaged shooting rests includes means for retaining the corresponding first and second supports in the support cavity in the first arrangement.

18. The stacked assembly ofclaim 17 wherein the means for retaining the first and second supports in the support cavity include a plurality of retaining members in the support cavity that engage protrusions extending from each of the first and second supports.

19. A method of packaging shooting rest assemblies that are used for supporting a firearm having a first section spaced apart from a second section, the method comprising:

providing a first shooting rest assembly having a first base with a storage cavity, a first support configured to project from the first base to support the first section of the firearm, and a second support configured to project from the first base to support the second section of the firearm;

placing the first and second supports in the storage cavity of the first base;

providing a second shooting rest assembly that is generally similar to the first shooting rest assembly, wherein the second shooting rest assembly includes a second base; and

positioning at least a portion of the second base in the support cavity of the first base in a nested configuration.

20. The method ofclaim 19 wherein positioning at least a portion of the second base in the support cavity of the first base includes stacking the first and second firearm rest assemblies to have a combined height in the nested configuration that is less than the sum of the individual heights of the first and second firearm rest assemblies.

21. The method ofclaim 19, further comprising individually packaging the first firearm rest assembly with a packaging material when the first and second supports are in the storage cavity, wherein the packaging material generally conforms to the shape of the storage cavity of each of the first and second bases.

22. The method ofclaim 19 wherein placing the first and second supports in the storage cavity of the first base comprises engaging each of the first and second supports with retaining members carried by a sidewall portion of the first base, wherein the retaining members at least partially retain the first and second supports in the storage cavity.