This disclosure relates to adjustable stock systems for weapons.
Certain weapons (e.g., firearms, airsoft guns, cross-bows, etc.) can have an adjustable stock system. Traditionally, these systems have required a user to remove a hand from a weapon and actuate a movable component. This causes loss of grip, loss of cheek weld, a loss of sight picture, and overall loss of control of the weapon while a hand is removed from the weapon.
Such conventional methods and systems have generally been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is still a need in the art for improvements. This disclosure provides a solution for this need.
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a stock system for weapons and/or other suitable devices can include a stock. The stock system can also include a moveable assembly within the stock that has one or more moveable components configured to move relative to the stock. The moveable assembly can include a rack and pinion assembly configured to bias a buttpad toward an extended position.
In certain embodiments, the system can include a mounting box disposed within or defined by the stock to define an interior cavity at least partially containing the moveable assembly. In certain embodiments, the rack and pinion assembly can include a rack configured to be connected, directly or indirectly, to a buttpad. In certain embodiments, the rack and pinion assembly can include a gear within the mounting box and configured to be meshed with the rack. In certain embodiments, at least one of the gear or the rack can be biased to actuate a buttpad toward the extended position.
In certain embodiments, the gear can be pinned to the mounting box to rotate relative to the mounting box. In certain embodiments, the gear can be biased to urge the rack to the extended position by a constant force spring mounted to the stopping block.
In certain embodiments, the rack can include rack teeth on at least a side of the rack configured to abut and mesh with the gear. In certain embodiments, the rack can include latch teeth on a latch side of the rack.
In certain embodiments, the system can include a rod configured to be connected to the buttpad and move with the rack. In certain embodiments, the system can include a stopping block disposed within the mounting box and attached to the mounting box. In certain embodiments, the rod and/or the rack form a catch interface configured to catch the stopping block to limit extension of the buttpad. In certain embodiments, the rod and rack are connected at a distal end to form the catch interface.
In certain embodiments, the system can include a mounting plate configured to enclose the mounting box and/or guide the rack and/or rod. In certain embodiments, the system can include an actuator and a latch configured to be actuated by the actuator to move between a latched position engaged with the rack and pinion assembly to hold the rack and pinion assembly, and an unlatched position disengaged from the rack and pinion assembly.
In certain embodiments, the actuator can be connected to a connector member configured to transfer force from the actuator. In certain embodiments, the stock can include a connector member channel, wherein the connector member is disposed within and/or travels inside the connector member channel within the stock to operatively connect to the latch.
In certain embodiments, the latch can include a latch assembly comprising a first member configured to be moved by the connector member, and a second member configured to move relative to the first member between a latched position engaged with the rack and pinion assembly, and a second position disengaged from the rack and pinion assembly. In certain embodiments, the latch assembly can be the same or similar to a latch assembly as shown and/or described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,928,159 (e.g.,
In certain embodiments, the stock can be a fixed stock for a long rifle and/or includes a curved shape and a rear portion. In certain embodiments, the actuator can be positioned such that the user can actuate the actuator with a digit without removing the users hand from the device to which the stock system is mounted.
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a firearm can include a trigger assembly, and a stock system connected to the trigger assembly. The stock system can be or include any suitable embodiment of a stock system disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the stock can be single piece fixed stock mounted to the trigger assembly.
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a device can include a trigger assembly, and stock system connected to the trigger assembly. The stock system can be or include any suitable embodiment of a stock system disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the rack and pinion assembly can be biased by at least a constant force spring.
These and other features of the embodiments of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:
Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, an illustrative view of an embodiment of an adjustable stock system in accordance with the disclosure is shown in
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, referring to
In certain embodiments, the system 100 can include a mounting box 109 disposed within or defined by the stock 100a to define an interior cavity 110 at least partially containing the moveable assembly 100b (e.g., enclosing all parts in the collapsed position, and enclosing all but a portion of a support structure, e.g., a rack and/or rod as disclosed herein, in an extended position). The mounting box 109 can have any suitable shape, e.g., a rectangular shape, a circular cross-section, or any other suitable shape for containing components as disclosed herein.
In certain embodiments, the rack and pinion assembly 101 can include a rack 104 configured to be connected, directly or indirectly, to a buttpad 115. In certain embodiments, the rack and pinion assembly 101 can include a gear 106 within the mounting box 109 and configured to be meshed with the rack 104 (e.g., rack teeth 104a thereof). In certain embodiments, at least one of the gear 106 or the rack 104 can be biased to actuate a buttpad 115 toward the extended position (e.g., the fully extended position shown in
In certain embodiments, the gear 106 can be pinned to the mounting box 109 (e.g., interior lateral walls forming the cavity 110) to rotate relative to the mounting box 109. In certain embodiments, the gear 106 can be biased to urge the rack 104 to the extended position, e.g., by a biasing member 107 (e.g., a rotational constant force spring). In certain embodiments, the system 100 can include a stopping block 108 (e.g., of any suitable shape) disposed within the mounting box 109 and attached to the mounting box 109.
As shown in
In certain embodiments, the rack 104 can include rack teeth 104a on at least a gear side of the rack 104 configured to abut and mesh with the gear 106 (e.g., with gear teeth 106a of the gear 106). The rack teeth 104a can be on an inner (e.g., downward) surface of the rack 104. In certain embodiments, e.g., as shown, the rack 104 can include rack latch teeth 104b on a latch side of the rack 104 (e.g., facing a latch 103). The rack latch teeth 104a can be on an outer (e.g., upper) surface of the rack 104. The rack latch teeth 104a can extend the entire length of the outer (e.g., upper) surface of the rack 104, or any other suitable portion to allow desired contact over the stroke length of the rack and pinion assembly 101.
The rack teeth 104a can be the same as or different than the rack latch teeth 104b. The rack latch teeth 104b can be configured to mesh with or otherwise interact with latch teeth 113 of the latch 103. The fineness of the latch teeth 104b and corresponding latch teeth 113 can define how many extension positions of the buttpad there are and a distance between such positions.
In certain embodiments, the system 100 can include a rod 105 configured to be connected to the buttpad 115 and to move with the rack 104. In certain embodiments, the rod 105 and/or the rack 104 can form a catch interface 105a (e.g., a connected portion, two ends near each other, or any other suitable structure or protrusion) configured to catch the stopping block 108 to limit extension of the buttpad 115. In certain embodiments, the rod 105 and rack 104 can be connected at a distal end (e.g., the right end as shown) to form the catch interface 105, e.g., as shown. In certain embodiments, the rack 104 and rod 105 can be separate components that are otherwise unconnected directly. The rack 104 and/or rod 105 can include any suitable cross-sectional shape. In certain embodiments, the system 100 can include a mounting plate 109a configured to enclose the mounting box 109 and/or guide the rack 104 and/or rod 105 (e.g., via guide holes defined therethrough, e.g., as shown).
In certain embodiments, the rack 104 and/or rod 105 and/or the catch interface 105a can be directly biased with a coil spring or other suitable biasing member (e.g., a constant force spring) between the stock 100b and the rack 104. While a constant force spring (e.g., on the gear 106 or in other suitable location) can provide smooth operation and constant feedback for a user, any other suitable type, number, and location of biasing members are contemplated herein.
In certain embodiments, the system 100 can include an actuator 111 and a latch 103 configured to be actuated by the actuator 111 to move between a latched position (e.g., as shown in
In certain embodiments, the latch 103 can include a latch assembly having a first member 103a configured to be moved by the connector member 102, and a second member 103b configured to move relative to the first member 103a between the latched position engaged with the rack and pinion assembly 101 (e.g., as shown in
In certain embodiments, the stock 100b can be a fixed stock for a long rifle (e.g., as shown) and/or includes a curved shape and a rear portion. Any other suitable type of stock for any suitable type of firearm, weapon, or other sighted device is contemplated herein. In certain embodiments, the actuator 111 can be positioned such that the user can actuate the actuator 111 with a digit (e.g., a thumb) without removing the user's hand from the device to which the stock system 100 is mounted (and/or without removing a finger from the trigger and/or without losing cheek weld).
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a firearm can include a trigger assembly 117, and a stock system connected to the trigger assembly 117. The stock system can be or include any suitable embodiment of a stock system 100 disclosed herein, e.g., as described above. In certain embodiments, the stock 100b can be single piece fixed stock mounted to the trigger assembly 117 (e.g., as shown in
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a device (e.g., a firearm, a weapon, or other suitable device) can include a trigger assembly 107, and stock system connected to the trigger assembly. The stock system can be or include any suitable embodiment of a stock system 100 disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the rack and pinion assembly 101 can be biased by at least a constant force spring. Other suitable biasing members in addition to one or more constant force springs, are contemplated herein.
Embodiments disclosed herein can include a stock system 100 having a stock 100a. In certain embodiments, the stock 100a can be a fixed stock for a long rifle (e.g., as shown) having a curved shape and a rear portion. Any other suitable stock type for any suitable firearm or other suitable devices are contemplated herein. The stock 100a can be made of any suitable number of components (e.g., a single piece, multiple pieces).
The system 100 can include a moveable assembly 100b within the stock 100a that has one or more moveable components configured to move relative to the stock 100a. The movable assembly 100b can include an actuator 111 (e.g., a flush mounted slidable or rotatable or pressable or pullable button that can be positioned to be actuated by a thumb of a user without having to move a user's hand off of the weapon or lose sight picture, cheek weld, etc.). The actuator 111 can be connected to a connector member 102 (e.g., a cable, a rod, a series of linkages, etc.) configured to transfer force from the actuator 111. The connector member 102 can be disposed within and/or travel inside a connector member channel 102a within the stock 100a (e.g., to a cavity defined by a mounting box 109 disclosed below).
The moveable assembly 100b can include a latch 103 connected to the connector member 102 to be actuated by the connector member 102 (e.g., by being pulled). In certain embodiments, the moveable assembly 100b can include a rack 104 (e.g., a toothed adjustment rack). In certain embodiments, the moveable assembly 100b can include a rod 105 (e.g., a stabilizing rod). As shown, the latch 103 can include teeth on a bottom configured to engage with teeth on the rack 104. In certain embodiments, the latch 103 can be or include one or more embodiments of a latch assembly as shown and/or described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,928,159, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In this regard, in certain embodiments, when the connector member 102 moves a first component of the latch assembly, it is cammed by a second component of the latch assembly (e.g., with the teeth) to lift up and/or away from the rack 104 such that the teeth disengage allowing the rack 104 to translate (e.g., urged by a bias).
In certain embodiments, a butt pad 115 can be attached (directly or indirectly) to the rack 104. In certain embodiments, the butt pad 115 can also be attached to the rod 105. The rack 104 and rod 105 can be configured to slide between a collapse position (e.g., as shown) and an extended position (in a rearward direction toward the user), and the butt pad 115 can move with the rack 104 and the rod 105.
In certain embodiments, the moveable assembly 100b can include a gear 106 pinned relative to the stock 100a and configured to rotate to engage with teeth of the rack 104. The gear 106 can be engaged with a spring 107 (e.g., a spiral spring and/or a constant force spring) configured to bias the gear in a direction to bias the toothed engagement member 104 toward an extended position. The spring 107 can be mounted to a fixed location (e.g., a plate, the stopping block 108, or any other suitable location) at one end, and to the gear 106 at another to rotationally bias the gear 106. Other suitable spring arrangements are contemplated herein. In this regard, the gear 106 can push adjustment rack 104 out of the stock 100a when the latch 103 is in an unengaged position from the rack 103.
The system 100, the stock 100a, and/or the moveable assembly 100b can include a stopping block 108 configured to limit motion of the rack 104 or rod 105 (e.g., which can have an L shape or other suitable shape to engage the stopping block 108 when moved to the maximum extended position (e.g., defining a length of pull of about 10 inches to about 15 inches in certain embodiments).
The system 100 can include a mounting box 109. The mounting box 109 can be defined by the stock 100a and/or be or include an insertable box or portion thereof. The mounting box 109 can contain one or more components of the moveable assembly 100b, e.g., as shown. The system 100 can include a mounting plate 109a configured to mount over the mounting box 109 with one or more fasteners 109b (e.g., screws) to enclose the mounting box 109 and/or fix it to the stock 100a (e.g., if it is a separate assembly). In certain embodiments, the mounting plate 109a can include a conforming hole for each of the toothed rack 103 and the rod 104 to slide through, and can thus guide and limit the motion thereof to sliding motion. Any other suitable passageway or transmission through the mounting plate 109a is contemplated herein.
In certain embodiments, the moveable components can be entirely contained within the fixed stock 100a and can provide easy length of pull adjustment without requiring a user to lose their view through the scope or otherwise take their hands off of the weapon (or trigger). A user can actuate the actuator 111 with a thumb of their firing hand, for example, and allow the spring action of the gear 106 to move the butt pad 115 outwardly or apply pressure to the butt pad 115 to push the assembly inward against the force of the spring 107. The actuator 111 can be held while motion is desired, and released when a lock is desired. The teeth in the assembly can be arranged and have any suitable number/size thereof to allow any suitable number of positions of locking.
Those having ordinary skill in the art understand that any numerical values disclosed herein can be exact values or can be values within a range. Further, any terms of approximation (e.g., “about”, “approximately”, “around”) used in this disclosure can mean the exact stated value and the stated value within a range. For example, in certain embodiments, for the stated values disclosed herein, the range is within (plus or minus) 20% of the stated value. In certain embodiments of the stated values disclosed herein, the range is within (plus or minus) 10% of the stated value. In certain embodiments, for the stated values disclosed herein, the range is within (plus or minus) 5% of the stated value. In certain embodiments, for the stated values disclosed herein, the range is within (plus or minus) 2% of the stated value. In certain embodiments, for the stated values disclosed herein, the range is within (plus or minus) 1% of the stated value. In certain embodiments, for the stated values disclosed herein, the range is within (plus or minus) 0.5% of the stated value. In certain embodiments, for the stated values disclosed herein, the range is within (plus or minus) 0.25% of the stated value. In certain embodiments, for the stated values disclosed herein, the range is within (plus or minus) 0.1% of the stated value. In certain embodiments, for the stated values disclosed herein, the range is within (plus or minus) 0.05% of the stated value. In certain embodiments, for the stated values disclosed herein, the range is within (plus or minus) 0.01% of the stated value. In certain embodiments, for the stated values disclosed herein, the range is within (plus or minus) 0.001% of the stated value. In certain embodiments, for the stated values disclosed herein, the range is within any other suitable percentage or number as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art (e.g., for known tolerance limits or error ranges). In certain embodiments, any combination of the above ranges for any combination of stated values are contemplated herein.
The articles “a”, “an”, and “the” as used herein and in the appended claims are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element.
The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.”
Any suitable combination(s) of any disclosed embodiments and/or any suitable portion(s) thereof are contemplated herein as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure.
The embodiments of this disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for improvement in the art to which they pertain. While the subject disclosure includes reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject disclosure.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/540,839, filed Sep. 27, 2023, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
This invention was made with government support under contract no. (identify the contract) awarded by the (identify the Federal agency). The government has certain rights in the invention.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63540839 | Sep 2023 | US |