Patent Application
20230168063
The present invention relates to firearms and components therefore, and in particular to an adjustable swivel assembly situated at the butt of a rifle or shotgun to interface with the shoulder of the user, providing customizable orientation of the firearm relative to the shoulder of the user, while being easily and quickly re-adjusted depending on user preference and circumstances of use. The present invention provides a pivotal connection to facilitate supported adjustment of the orientation of the firearm via pivoting or rotation which can be locked to a desired position or provide pivotal support via swivel connection during operation, while maintaining contact with the user.
In use, rifles, shotguns and the like generally rest against a shoulder of the user (typically at an area referenced as the pocket of the shoulder) to provide support for the weapon and for providing a line-of-sight anchor point for aiming as well as absorb any recoil during firing. With most fixed stocks, the butt of the stock is placed firmly against the shoulder of the user to provide the anchor point, thus providing a limited swath of movement of the firearm when in use to maintain line of sight, as the user must reposition the shoulder depending on the location (and the required positioning to maintain line of sight) relative to that user.
Repositioning the firearm for line of sight aiming outside of a limited range without repositioning the anchor point (the user's shoulder) may result in only partial engagement of the firearm to the user's shoulder, which can increase the amount of recoil force against a diminished contact area of the user's shoulder, as well as increasing the possibility of injury or discomfort due to insufficient support during, and decreasing the accuracy of any resulting shot.
Recoil pads or the like provided at the butt or distal end of the rear stock can lessen the shock of the recoil, but will not eliminate the problem of having to adjust the shoulder commensurate with the line of sight to maintain anchor point between each shot, decreasing accuracy, as well as slowing response time if one is required to reposition one's shoulder and reacquire the target between shots.
Further, if the butt-plate of the firearm is not fully seated against the shoulder of the user, rapid repeated firings such as via a semi-automatic or automatic weapon can jar any unstable anchor point against the shoulder and possibly force repositioning of the butt-plate vis a vis the shoulder, resulting in reduced accuracy and control.
While various prior patents may contemplate limited aspects related to the present invention, none embody the unique combination wherein the pivotal butt-plate is adjustable to the extent provided, nor the functional configuration of the various components of the present invention to accomplish same.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,342 to Griggs issued Feb. 23, 1982 illustrates a device designed to facilitate pivotal repositioning of the rear stock of the firearm relative to the user for recoil dampening/absorption. See also Wittman U.S. Pat. No. 2,543,394 issued Nov. 9, 1948.
U.S. Pat. No. 843,227 to Munson issued Feb. 5, 1907 and 243553 to Hape et al issued Jun. 28, 1881 illustrate pivoting rear stocks are adjustable to optimize the configuration for the user and circumstances of use.
Patent Application Publication US2013/0000175A1 to Quaedpeerds et al published Jan. 3, 2013 provides a rear stock having an end with recoil pad engaged thereto via ball joint which can be adjustably positioned, so as to facilitate adjustment pad to best engage the shooter in use.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,215,045 teaches a ball and socket assembly used to pivotally mount and secure, via straps or the like, the buttstock of an assault rifle to the shoulder of a user, to stabilize same and maintain position during operation.
The present invention provides a uniquely adjustable, pivotable butt-plate adjustably emanating from the rear stock of a rifle or shotgun, which is configured to facilitate optimal engagement to the shoulder of the user, while providing diverse and various adjustment features to fully customize the shoulder to firearm interface, as well as providing the capability for ready re-configuration to accommodate user preference and circumstances of use.
The present invention is particularly suited for competitive shooting, providing a stable, non-moving anchor point for rifles or the like to keep line of sight anchor point consistent through the motions associated with aiming the firearm while maintaining a firm anchor point for line of sight.
A ball joint built associated with the butt end of the gun stock provides an enhanced anchor point of the rifle to provide an expanded target acquisition area for line-of-sight aiming while maintaining a stable anchor point at the user's shoulder, and allowing for pivotal readjustment at the anchor point via pivotal, ball and socket connection. While this is particularly useful in competitive shooting, law enforcement as well as military use, and other situations, also will find this a significant performance enhancement over prior systems.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a first slot formed along the butt of the rear stock and having an opening formed along the rear edge of the stock. A second slot emanating from the butt end of the rear stock engages the first slot. The first slot is formed to slidingly receive a ball joint retainer, which has a threaded passage formed therethrough to engage a pivot ball having a base via a threaded portion emanating from said base and passing through a second slot at the end of the stock to engage pivot ball retainer (in the second slot) via its threaded passage, so that the base of the pivot ball rests against the butt end of the rear stock.
An enveloping nut with friction washer and adjustable buttstock connector combination engage the pivot ball to provide a ball and socket-type swivel connection, while allowing the ball to be adjustably situated along the butt end of the buttstock, via the slotted connection.
The cylindrical nut has first and second ends, each forming an opening, and is provided to slide over and partially envelope the ball portion of the pivot ball, as well as receive the friction washer about the neck of the pivot ball to retain same in place. The adjustable buttstock connector has a threaded connector member emanating therefrom formed to engage the inner wall of the nut partially enveloping the pivot ball, providing pivotal engagement while engaging the buttstock connector to the ball portion of the pivot ball.
In use, the present invention allows multiple adjustments as to the position/orientation of the buttstock/butt plate to the shoulder of the user. Further, the pivot ball can be adjusted as to line of sight orientation of the firearm relative to the anchor point at the shoulder of the user, and either be fixed in a particular predetermined orientation (via tightening the friction washer via the threaded connection of the adjustable buttstock connector with the nut), or provide an active pivotal feature to allow the user to pivot the firearm relative to the user in real time (by loosening the nut pressure against friction washer at the pivot ball), while maintaining the buttstock securely against the shoulder of the user to maintain a firm anchor point for line-of-sight orientation.
The present thereby provides an easily implemented, reliable, cost effective, unique and innovative system to customize how the rear stock engages the shoulder of the user during use, while quickly and easily allowing re-adjustment to accommodate changes in operating requirements of a firearm and circumstances of use, etc.
For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are given like reference numerals, and wherein:
Referring to
Continuing with Figures, situated at the butt 8 end of the stock, either integrally or as an add-on, is a ball-joint carrier 10 assembly comprising a butt plate 10′ at its end, the butt plate 10′ situated over the length of a first slot 11, which slot is formed in the stock (or add-on applied thereto). The slot 11 is formed to provide an outer access opening 11′ near the heel 9 of the butt 8, providing a passage from the first 5′ end extending therethrough to about the second 5″ end of the butt 8, situated in alignment behind the butt plate 10′. An access opening could also be provided in addition to or alternatively near the toe 9′ of the butt 8 of stock 5.
The butt plate 10′ at the end of the stock has a formed laterally therethrough a second slot 12 medially 12′ situated along its length, and has a length 13 and width 13′ dimensioned to allow a threaded shaft to adjustably pass therethrough to access the first slot and slidably adjusted along its length, as will be further discussed herein.
The first slot 11 is formed to slidingly receive a ball joint retainer 14, which has a threaded passage 15 formed therethrough. A pivot ball joint 16 having base 19 with a ball 17 having a top 17″ on one end, a neck 18 between the ball 17 portion and the base 19, and a threaded shaft 20 on the other end is provided with the threaded shaft 20 formed to pass through the second slot 12 and engage the pivot ball retainer 14 slidably situated therein via its threaded passage 15, so that the base 19 of the pivot ball joint 16 is slidably adjustable 38 along the length of the butt 8 of the stock or ball joint carrier 10 mounted thereto, depending on whether it (the ball joint carrier) is an add-on, or formed in the stock itself. After adjusted to the desired position, the ball joint 16 can rotated so as to threadingly engage the threaded passage 15 of ball retainer 14 via hex socket 17′ on the top 17″ of ball 17 to tighten 39 and retain the ball joint 15 against butt plate 10′ to the in the desired position along slot 12.
The ball 17 has an OD 20′ formed to receive thereabout a nut 21 having an ID 22 and a length having first 23 and second 23′ ends, each end forming an opening, the first end 23 of nut 21 having an inwardly projecting lip 24 around its inner circumference, the second end 23′ having taper 25′ in the wall thickness narrowing toward said second end 23′, the nut formed to slidingly, partially envelope 24′ ball 17. Further provided is a threaded area 25 along the ID 22 of the nut 21 at its second end 23′.
A friction washer 26 having an outer 26″ diameter, an inner 27 diameter and first 27′ and second 27″ open ends, an edge 28 at the first 27′ end and an outwardly facing radial taper 28′ formed to engage the outer surface of ball 17 at the second 27″ end, the friction washer situated about the neck 18 of the ball joint 16 to retain same in place, with the nut 21 enveloping both the OD 26″ of friction washer 26,′ and ball 17 of ball joint 16, with the edge 28 of friction washer which is split, comprising two components for separation during installation 26, 26′ about the neck 16 of ball joint 16, then enveloped and contained by the nut which is slipped over, engaging the lip 24 of nut 21.
An adjustable buttstock connector 30 is provided having first 31 and second 31′ ends and a medial area 32′ therebetween, and a length 32 being radially curved 33″ away from the stock 5, with a front 33 and rear 33′ side. Emanating from the front 33, medial 32′ area is a swivel extension 35 having a length 36″ having an outer diameter (OD) 36 which is threaded 36′, and a hemispherical cavity 37 formed therein having an inner wall 37′ provided to engage the outer surface 29 of the top 17′ of the ball 17, with the OD 36 formed to engage the threaded 25 inner diameter 25 of the nut 21 when enveloping/engaging the pivot ball (as shown in
The final component in the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a shoulder rest 40 having a length 41 and opposing first 42 and second 42′ sides and first 43 and second 43′ ends, the second side 42′ formed to receive a relief pad 55 mounted thereto for contacting the shoulder of the user, the shoulder rest further comprising a first slot 44 formed along its length 41 to slidingly 52 receive a position lock plate 47 therein for adjustably mounting the shoulder rest to the buttstock connector 30, the position lock plate 47 formed to receive two fasteners 51, 51′ which lengths pass through a second slot 45 formed through the first and second sides of the shoulder rest 40. First and second fasteners 51, 51′ engage first 49 and second 40′ countersunk 40 passages in the lock plate 47 which is shown slidably positioned in the first slot 44, respectively engaging first 34 and second 34′ threaded passages in adjustable buttstock connector, respectively, so that the shoulder rest 40 is positionable (see
In use, continuing with
The present invention is particularly suited to aid in the competition shooting, hunting, or military use of firearms, providing a stable, non-moving anchor point for the rifle (via shoulder rest 42 engaging the pocket of the shoulder S of the user U to keep line of sight 57 anchor point consistent through motion shooting and twisting of the gun in use in a variety of applications, including but not limited to improving line-of-sight aiming and target acquisition for a fixed stationary as well as moving target, or providing rapid sequential targeting in the case of multiple targets.
The use of one or more rail mounts for firearms for mounting accessories is well known, and can include such diverse configurations as the Picatinny/NATO rail (shown in
Continuing with
In such a configuration, if the user U decides to utilize the iron or open site option, with the shoulder rest 42 in place, the firearm is pivoted to axially orient 58, 58′ the firearm to position the eye E of the user in alignment with the rear 68 and front 68 iron or open sights along the line of sight 57′ aligned with the target.
In such a configuration, if the user U decides to utilize the reflex site in use, with the shoulder rest 42 in place against the shoulder of the user, the firearm is pivoted to axially orient 58, 58′ the firearm to position the eye E of the user in alignment with the reflex site 68 along the line of sight 57″, in alignment with the target T.
Accordingly, the present invention allows a user the option of choosing from a variety of aiming options in real time by mounting an aiming option about the firearm as disclosed above, then utilizing the previously disclosed pivotal connection (21′ in
The invention embodiments herein described are done so in detail for exemplary purposes only, and may be subject to many different variations in design, structure, application and operation methodology. Thus, the detailed disclosures therein should be interpreted in an illustrative, exemplary manner, and not in a limited sense.
