Patent Application
20090133308
The purpose of the invention is to produce a device and a method to warm up or cool outer surfaces of a firearm to be touched or handled. Another feature in the present invention is related to an energy source to warm up or cool a firearm.
Most sport hunting seasons are conducted during cold weather. While shooting or hunting game in cold weather, shooters or hunters often need to remain hidden, quiet and nearly motionless in blinds or in stands or are often walking in open areas and are exposed to wind and cold.
Also during the hunting season there is occasionally a need to check a zeroing of the firearm, so that a point of impact of bullets, slugs or pellets are close enough to a line of sight. Consequently, a hunter in cold weather is confronted with the alternatives of wearing heavy gloves or shooting bare handed with cold, stiff fingers. Both alternatives will limit the hunters' ability to operate the firearm safely and effectively. A hunter with heavily gloved or cold, numb fingers is more likely to misfire or leave a safety off when it is thought to be engaged. Accordingly, for reasons of safety and comfort, there exists a continuing need for a simple, reliable device that locally heats a selected portion of the firearm stock surface so that a hunter using the firearm can operate it more comfortably and effectively with a warm, reliable triggering hand.
Most hunting firearms are equipped with a stock, which is made traditionally of walnut, beech, maple, ebony, birch etc. There is also available firearms, in which the stock is of composite, plastic, fibreglass, rubber or something else related artificial material or a combination of previously mentioned ones, which is typically fed into a mold to produce a gunstock or a blank to be finished a one. There are also solutions in which the stock or part of it is coated with an insulating or comfortable material to prevent a direct contact of a cold surface of a firearm next to a hunter's hands or cheeks.
No matter whether the firearm stock is of natural or artificial material, it will feed cold to a hunter's wrists, palms, fingers or a cheek during any longer duration of hunt in cold circumstances. On the other hand, there are is also a need for hot conditions to cool down surfaces to be touched with a bare hand or skin.
A heated firearm stock is known to exist in the prior art. For example, Miller in U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,003 describes a firearm stock for a long firearm having a pistol grip. This specification teaches warming the pistol grip using electrical current which is conducted in to a volume below to an area to be warmed.
In order to increase the amount of energy available there is a possibility to increase the mass of batteries, which will affect the unwanted weight of the firearm.
Usually a point of balance is designed to in the area of receiver (in over/under or side by side shotguns to the proximity of a hinge pin, around which barrels are turned to open or close the receiver or action). This is done in order to get a specific feeling of the firearm for shooting, so called “between the hands”.
In order to support this feeling as well, the most weight of a firearm is usually located close to the receiver in order to decrease a moment of inertia to help handling and pointing the firearm.
Miller places the batteries inside the stock quite close to the buttplate, which will affect both the point of balance and the moment of inertia to point the firearm. To overcome the problem of point of balance can be compensated by decreasing the weight in the area of butt or by increasing the weight in forepart of the firearm, in barrels. Both these remedies will affect to the moment of inertia of the firearm.
In Miller's solution energy is transferred from the batteries to areas to be heated by a electrical circuit.
The invention relates to a stock for a firearm, and more particularly to such a stock which is adapted to be heated or cooled in handling portions of the stock. The invention is directed to improved stocks for long firearms such as rifles, shotguns and the like. While not intended to be so limited, the invention will be described in its application to a rifle or a shotgun. It will be understood that the basic teachings of the present invention can be applied to stocks for other types of firearms, like revolvers, pistols, sniper firearms, law enforcement firearms, military firearms etc.
The present invention relates to a device for heating a portion of the surface of a firearm stock and specifically pertains to warming the fingers of the shooting hand of a hunter in cold conditions to improve his or her comfort, and markmanship as well as to improve his or her ability to safely operate the trigger and safety mechanism of the firearm.
It is an objective of the invention to provide a lightweight gunstock with an excellent balance and ergonomics when combined with other parts of the firearm in order to build up a whole firearm, which fulfils requirements of easy and fast handling firearm with excellent pointability.
It is an other objective of the invention to provide a gunstock with a reliable and economic way to change the temperature of those parts of the stock to be in touch with a hunter's body, more specifically fingers, palms, wrists and a cheek.
A further objective of the invention to provide a gunstock, which is warmed or cooled in those parts to be touched by a human body and the warming or cooling method is robust to mechanical shocks, moisture and water.
These and other advantageous objectives are fulfilled by providing a thermal element that can be inserted into the stock of the firearm.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided an aesthetic gunstock, which can be warmed or cooled without any significant difference in appearance to recognise it from a firearm that has not a capability to be warmed or cooled. If wanted, it is also possible to provide the gunstock with a visible mark or logo to show its capability to be warmed or cooled.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a gunstock, which can loaded with a separate thermal element.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a gunstock, which can be loaded with several thermal elements.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a thermal element, which can be inserted in a gunstock.
Also, according to an aspect of the invention there is provided a recyclable or rechargeable thermal element, which can be inserted in a gunstock.
The following detailed description refers to the attached drawings in which:
Symbols and numbers used in the description:
It will be understood by one skilled in the art that, for each type or model of long firearm to which the stock of the present invention is to be applied, the stock and the thermal element must be appropriately designed with each other in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
The firearm stock 2 of
There are also firearm models, in which a distinguishable pistol grip is missing and the area behind the trigger guard is straight extending as a straight line from the trigger guard to the heel. This stock model is called “English stock”, typically used in side by side shotguns. There is also a stock model between a one with a pistol grip and a “English stock”, in which the pistol grip area is something in between these two extremes and forms only a little hump in the lower contouring line between the trigger guard and the heel. This stock model is called a half or a quarter pistol grip or a “Prince of Wales” grip. These models may also be adapted to receive a thermal element inside the gripping portion of the stock.
A pistol grip is typically curved down forming a comfortable and ergonomic grip to grasp. In the tip of the pistol grip there is usually a plane or rounded plate, which is often used also for decorative purposes. These parts may be utilized to create an aesthetic appearance of the invention. They may also be utilized to conceal the openable cavity inside the pistol grip.
The above mentioned features can also be utilized with other embodiments of the invention.
The thermal element 10, illustrated in
In case of warming, it is also possible to utilize electrical energy in the form of a battery or an accumulator. These could be chargeable or non-chargeable ones. In a very simple way to do this is to use a commercial, cheap, easily available batteries for example in standard sizes, like A, AA or AAA sizes. A single or multiple ones can be used. Use of batteries or accumulators requires a simple electrical circuit to connect the poles of the battery or accumulator to each other to generate a short circuit. Once connected the battery will start heating up, while it has a proper resistance in it. The electrical circuit may comprise also a potentiometer to adjust the heating ratio. Commercial batteries have a metal cover on them, which also transfers the warming energy further.
In general a thermal element can inserted into any designated cavity. However, it is preferred to have a cavity, which can be opened and closed by a hatch to keep the thermal element safely in its position and also to conduct the heat to the right places in the stock—not to waste the heat to the open air. It is preferred to insulate metal parts—barrel, receiver and trigger assembly—from a thermal energy. It would be waste of energy and also warping metal parts would harm the accuracy of the firearm. These metal parts can be insulated with insulative material. In order to have a good conduction of heat, the mechanical clearance between the cavity and the thermal element is preferred to be quite tight. The mechanical clearance may be arranged so that the fitting between the cavity and the thermal element allows extraction any time, regardless of any thermal expansion. This rather tight clearance enables to have fast response in warming up the stock. Soon after the thermal element is inserted into the cavity, energy of the element starts warming up the designated portions of the stock and it can be felt as a comforting feeling on hands and on a cheek, if the firearm is raised to point.
According one embodiment of the invention the pistol grip 3 is designed to have an empty cavity 11, in which a separate thermal element 10 can be inserted. This is shown in
An alternative to opening and closing the cavity is to use a hatch with bayonet joint and the opening and closing can be made fast, reliable and easy.
In one embodiment, surfaces of the cavity facing an inserted thermal element are covered with a material, which has a good conductivity of thermal energy. This kind of preferred materials are metals such as light metals, aluminium, titanium, zinc, etc. Copper or steel may be used in thin layers, carbon fiber has also suitable conductivity. These are only examples among many suitable materials for this purpose of thermal connection.
Extraction of the thermal element out of the cavity can be made for example, by pulling an end of a flat band 14, which is fitted to be on a loop between the cavity 11 and the thermal element 10 when inserting the thermal element 10. An alternative to this embodiment is a cage, in which the thermal element is inserted and then the cage together with the thermal element is inserted to the stock. It is also possible to equip the thermal element itself with a strap of string at the outer end, by which it can drawn out. Yet another alternative is to have a spring 17 at the bottom of the cavity or on the inner end of the thermal element so that when the hatch is opened, the spring 17 pushes the thermal element 10 partly out.
It is the second embodiment of the invention that feeds the thermal element into the stock by arranging an entrance to the cavity from rear. This embodiment is suitable especially for “English stock”. The hatch can built in the proximity of the buttplate 4. The hatch 13 could be integrated in the buttplate 4, or the buttplate 4 could be the hatch 13 itself. It is also possible to have the entrance on the side of the stock 2 between the pistol grip 3 and the buttplate 4. Another position of entrance is on the lower edge of the stock 2 behind the triggerguard 6. This feature is preferred in case of an English stock, which usually has a quite slender cross-section of stock behind the triggerguard 6. Rather than feeding the thermal element 10 directly into a straight pistol grip area, it is inserted into the cavity 11 in a stock 2 behind the pistol grip. Thermal effect can be directed from the thermal element 10 to the pistol grip 3 area with thermally conductive material 16, as it is explained later. Thermally conductive material 16 can be used also to strengthen the pistol grip 3 area. Opening, closing and locking of the hatch 13 can be similarly, as explained in case of the hatch 13 in the pistol grip 3.
It is the third embodiment of the invention that inserts the thermal element 10 into the forestock 5 of the firearm 1. The cavity 11 can be opened and closed for example with an aid of a hatch 13, which could be hinged in its front, rear or side edge. Another embodiment of opening and closing the cavity 11 for a thermal element 10 is to have a sliding chest, which has a specific cavity 11 in it. The chest can be pushed sideways from the forestock to open an access to the cavity 11. The thermal element 10 can be inserted in a cavity 11, the chest pushed sideways back to its position inside of the stock. In order to increase the aesthetic appearance of the stock 2 and fade the joint of the chest and the stock 2, the sliding surfaces of the chest may join the outer edges of the checkering 21, or some inner lines of the checkering 21. It is also possible to manufacture the chest and the stock 2 of different materials, and emphasize difference of appearance between the chest and the stock 2. For example, the stock 2 can be made of a composite and the chest can be made of rubber, or only the outer sidepanels of the chest can be covered with a rubber. The chest can be locked in its working position with a locking device to prevent premature or unwanted opening. An alternative to set the thermal element 10 in a stock 2 is to build the forestock 5 of two or several pieces, and the thermal element 10 can be placed between them. A releasable portion of the forestock 5 can be fixed to the stock 2 with a screw, a release 12 or with any other of the methods described earlier to close the cavity 11 in the area of the triggering hand.
It is the fourth embodiment of the invention that conducts warming energy to the most wanted directions through thermally conductive materials 16. This can made by using metal inserts with sophisticated cross-sectional profiles. Material to be used is for example steel, copper or any light weight alloyed metal, which is the preferred option in this embodiment. Another possibility is to use an insert portion which is made of a thermally insulating material which prevents most of generated energy from transferring into the remainder of firearm stock 2 where it would dissipate and be wasted.
It is the fifth embodiment of the invention that directs the thermal energy to most efficiently to wanted areas. It is possible to have a specific thermal conduction valve 15 on a path from the thermal element 10 to the wanted area or volume to be warmed or cooled. A possibility to perform this is to have a layer or a piece of thermally conductive material 16 starting from the thermal element 10 to the valve 15 and continuing from the valve 15 to the area or volume to be warmed or cooled. For example, a hunter may select the warming effect only to the pistol grip by turning the valve 15. If desired, the warming can be selected to warm also a comb 22 or a cheekpiece 23 of the stock 2 in order to give comfort of the warmth also to the cheek of a hunter.
The thermal conduction valve 15 can be manufactured as a rotating cylinder, which has a thermal conducting path through it when turned “ON”. The valve can also be rotated to position “OFF” and the conductive path is closed between the paths of thermally conductive material 16 to the valve 15 and further from it. The preferred location of the valve 15 is close to a thermal element 10 to avoid unnecessary loss of energy in a case when the valve 15 is closed.
The thermal conductive valve 15 can also surround the thermal element 10, as in
In
FIGS. 6,7 and 8 clearly demonstrate the thermal connection from the thermal element 10 through the thermal conductive valve 15 to the thermally conductive material p and c, with those sectors in the proximity of the valve 15. Thermal connection is continuous in a way that “p” is connected thermal conductive material 16 ending to pistol grip 3 and “c” is connected to thermal conductive material 16 ending to cheekpiece 23.
Another alternative of a selective device as a fifth embodiment for thermal conductivity is a piston, which can pushed in a designated position to give a desired effect for areas to be warmed or cooled. There may be several designated positions in the piston to give combinations of warmed or cooled areas in the stock for a firearm. For example, the piston can be placed behind the pistol grip and it can be moved sideways. Conductive layers in the stock added with conductive layers in the piston will generate a combination chart, which can be presented for example, in a Boolean table.
A stock may comprise a single or multiple cavities for a single or multiple thermal elements. So a hand and/or hands and/or a cheek can be warmed or cooled during handling of the firearm. On the other hand, also a single thermal element can be used to warm or cool hands and cheek. In order to give highest efficiency of the energy and comfort, different models can be delivered to right hand or left hand shooters.
To activate or charge or store energy in a thermal element can be done in various ways based on a physical or chemical phenomenon.
A method to activate the element is to pre-heat it in a microwave oven or in boiling water. Another method is to use two component system, which are in separate containers in the thermal element. A mechanical shock or stress may break the internal containers in order to create a mixture, causing a release of energy based on a chemical process. It is a matter of optimization to pick up proper combination of chemicals involved. The optimization can focus on maximum temperature, duration of warming, warming rate to reach the maximum temperature, maximum content of energy, slow rate to cool down from the maximum temperature, safe handling of chemicals, recycleability, etc.
The thermal element can be rewarmable, rechargeable and/or recyclable.
It is also possible to have the hatch integrated in a thermal element and the cavity is closed when the thermal element is inserted in a gunstock.
An arrangement according to the invention is capable of generating energy and transferring it reliably to an area to be warmed or cooled. Reliability of the invention is better, if compared for instance to an arrangement, in which energy is transferred through an electrical circuit.
An arrangement according to the invention is a lightweight construction and requires only a modest volume inside of the gunstock. The arrangement for the thermal element is practically not affecting the point of balance nor the moment of inertia of the firearm.
An arrangement according to the invention is capable of producing energy for warming or cooling on extended duration, depending on the chemical or physical characteristics of the thermal element (combination of materials, dimensions etc.). The capability of the thermal element to produce warming (or cooling) energy is not affected by the surrounding temperature. For example, batteries have a tendency to weaken or loose their charge in cold temperatures.
Electrical circuits in general are sensitive to mechanical shocks, which will occur e.g. if a hunter falls down in the woods and the firearm is exposed to a mechanical shock. The severest shocks will be caused by a recoil of the firearm. Any mechanical shock might impart the conductivity of the electrical circuit of warming arrangement. The invention according the thermal element is robust against mechanical shocks.
Reliability of the invention is better also against problems of moisture, which is known to be critical as long the electrical circuits are concerned. During hunting season there is typically moisture or water available more often than wanted. The firearm stock will be exposed to rain, snow and fog. A hunter's own warmth and perspiration will generate some moisture which might condensate on the surface of the stock. The condensate will attack on the firearm stock at the latest, when hunter returns with his or her firearm from cold hunting grounds back to indoors.
As it is easily understood the thermal characteristics of a thermal element can be utilized to also cool down the gunstock in a hot environment. A proper combination of materials and dimensioning in a cooling element and/or gunstock may have to be picked up in order to avoid possible problems of thermal expansion or conductivity to make sure of a satisfying performance.
As can be seen from the foregoing, warmed or cooled firearm stock accomplishes the objectives of the invention. A warmed or cooled firearm stock can look very much like an ordinary firearm stock, yet includes a simple and robust means for locally warming or cooling a selected portion of the firearm stock. A hunter may use warmed firearm stock without resorting to any specialized equipment or processes and a hunter using warmed firearm stock will experience the comfort and safety enhancing advantages of aiming and firing with a warm and comfortable trigger hand. In case of cooling, shooters hands are not so easily prone to sweat, and handling of the gun is safer.
The skilled reader, in view of this specification may envision numerous modifications and variations. It is possible to build combinations of explained embodiments. These modifications and variations may be in the invention without departing from the spirit of it.
While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. Furthermore, in the claims means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.
