Bipod for a small arms weapon, variably selectable surface interface apparatus, and method for reconfiguring same

1 . A variably selectable surface interface for a small arms bipod leg comprising:

an anchor for connecting to a small arms bipod leg

a body mated to the anchor, the body comprising

a proximal receptacle for mating with the anchor,

a distal opening spaced from the proximal receptacle along a first longitudinal axis, and

a starboard axial bore adjacent to the proximal receptacle and the distal opening, the starboard axial bore comprising a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis being transverse to the first longitudinal axis, the starboard axial bore and the articulating surface interface comprising a joint such that the articulating surface interface oscillates about the second longitudinal axis; and

a distal support member pivotably connected to the body, the distal support member comprising

an articulating surface interface, and

a control mechanism for selectively fixing the articulating surface interface with respect to the body, the control mechanism comprising

a first disperse load bearing configuration such that the variably selectable surface interface is arranged with respect to the body to form a disperse load bearing support, and

a first point force load bearing configuration such that the variably selectable surface interface is arranged with the body to form a point force load bearing support.

2 . The variably selectable surface interface of claim 1 , wherein the control mechanism comprises a tubular drive cylinder and a coil spring.

3 . The variably selectable surface interface of claim 2 , wherein the tubular drive cylinder and the coil spring are housed in the body.

4 . The variably selectable surface interface of claim 3 , wherein the tubular drive cylinder and the coil spring bias the articulating surface interface with respect to the body.

5 . The variably selectable surface interface of claim 4 , wherein the control mechanism further comprises a locking bar for blocking relative movement between the body and the articulating surface interface.

6 . The variably selectable surface interface of claim 5 , wherein the articulating surface interface comprises a first receptacle, and in the first disperse load bearing configuration the first receptacle and the locking bar interlock to fix the articulating surface interface with respect to the base to form the disperse load bearing support.

7 . The variably selectable surface interface of claim 6 , wherein the articulating surface interface further comprises a second receptacle, and in the first point force load bearing configuration the locking bar and the second receptacle interlock to fix the articulating surface interface with respect to the base to form the point force load bearing support.

8 . The variably selectable surface interface of claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises a base, a stem and latch.

9 . The variably selectable surface interface of claim 8 , wherein the anchor is configured and adapted to be selectively received in a small arms bipod leg.

10 . The variably selectable surface interface of claim 1 , wherein the disperse load bearing support is claw-shaped.

11 . The variably selectable surface interface of claim 10 , wherein the point force load bearing support is spike-shaped.

12 . A method of reconfiguring a bipod for a small arms weapon comprising:

providing a bipod for a small arms weapon comprising a first leg assembly which comprises a rubberized foot;

providing a variably selectable surface interface of claim 1 ; and

replacing the rubberized foot in the first leg assembly with the variably selectable surface interface.

13 . A bipod for a small arms weapon comprising:

a head portion for connecting to a small arms weapon;

a first leg assembly connected to the head portion, the first leg assembly comprising

a first elongated member, and

a first variably selectable surface interface connected to the first elongated member, the first variably selectable surface interface comprising

a first anchor interlocked with the first elongated member, and

a first body secured to the first anchor, the first body comprising

a proximal receptacle for mating with the first anchor,

a distal opening spaced from the proximal receptacle along a first longitudinal axis, and

a starboard axial bore adjacent to the proximal receptacle and the distal opening, the starboard axial bore comprising a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis being transverse to the first longitudinal axis, the starboard axial bore and the articulating surface interface comprising a joint such that the articulating surface interface oscillates about the second longitudinal axis; and

a first distal support member pivotably connected to the first body to form a first pivot axis about which the first distal support member is free to oscillate, the first pivot axis being transverse to the first longitudinal axis, the first distal support member comprising a first articulating surface interface and a first control mechanism for selectively fixing the first articulating surface interface with respect to the first body, the first control mechanism comprising

a first disperse load bearing configuration such that the first variably selectable surface interface is arranged with respect to the first body to form a first disperse load-bearing support, and

a first point force load bearing support configuration such that the first variably selectable surface interface is arranged with the first body to form a first point force load bearing support.

14 . The bipod of claim 13 , wherein the head portion comprises a clamp.

15 . The bipod of claim 14 , wherein the clamp is configured and dimensioned to be secured to an accessory rail.

16 . The bipod of claim 15 , wherein the accessory rail is a Picatinny rail.

17 . A method of supporting a firearm with a surface comprising:

providing a bipod of claim 13 ;

securing the head portion to a firearm;

deploying the first leg assembly to support the firearm on a surface;

changing the first variably selectable surface interface from the first disperse load bearing configuration to the first point force load bearing support configuration; and

implanting the first variably selectable surface interface into the surface to support the firearm.

18 . The method of claim 17 further comprising replacing the first variably selectable surface interface with another distal support which comprises a rubberized foot.

19 . The bipod of claim 13 , further comprising:

a second leg assembly connected to the head portion, the second leg assembly comprising

a second elongated member, and

a second variably selectable surface interface connected to the second elongated member, the second variably selectable surface interface comprising

a second body connected to the second elongated member; and

a second distal support member pivotably connected to the second body, the second distal support member comprising a second articulating surface interface and a second control mechanism for selectively fixing the second articulating surface interface with respect to the second body, the second control mechanism comprising

a second disperse load bearing configuration such that the second variably selectable surface interface is arranged with respect to the second body to form a second disperse load-bearing support, and

a second point force load bearing support configuration such that the second variably selectable surface interface is arranged with the second body to form a second point force load bearing support.