Retractable firearm support assembly

A retractable support assembly for a firearm, the assembly comprising:

• a swiveling support structure configured for attachment to or adjacent to the forward end of a firearm extension component on the firearm, the support structure, when attached, being substantially centered on the longitudinal axis of the firearm barrel and permitting movement of the longitudinal axis of the firearm barrel relative to a position fixed by deployment of the assembly for variable aiming of the firearm;
• a plurality of legs pivotably connected to the support structure for movement between an extended position wherein the assembly supports the outer end of the longitudinal axis of the firearm and a retracted position;
• and
• a leg-locking mechanism connected to the support structure for locking the legs in the extended position,
• wherein the support structure comprises a central ball unit configured for rotatable movement within a socket, the plurality of legs comprising a pair of legs connected to opposing sides of the ball unit or to the socket,
• wherein the pair of legs is connected to opposing sides of the ball unit and the socket is formed by rearward and forward ball retention elements each including curved inner ball contact surfaces, wherein the rearward retention element is substantially immobilized relative to the extension component, and
• further comprising an adjustment mechanism comprising a tensioner ring configured to exert variable pressure on a spring member located between the tensioner ring and the forward retention element, wherein rotation of the tensioner ring in one direction causes tightening of pivoting motion of the ball, and rotation of the tensioner ring in another direction causes loosening of the pivoting motion of the ball.