1. The Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a stock for a shoulder fired weapon. More specifically, the invention relates to a gun stock which can be used in connection with a firearm and which allows a user to position his or her head in-line with the sights of the weapon, without interference by the gun stock.
2. The Relevant Technology
During the last several years, paintballing has become increasingly more popular. Large tracts of land and buildings, such as warehouses, have been transformed into paintball ranges. Many of these ranges have been designed to replicate certain surroundings, such as war zones. Participants are able to enter these ranges and compete with one another, the object of the competition being shooting the opponent with a paintball before being shot.
To increase a user's comfort and accuracy and to decrease user fatigue, many guns are equipped with, or can be altered to include, a gun stock. Such stocks are generally mounted on the rear end of the gun and allow a user to position the end of the stock against a portion of their body, such as their shoulder. Positioning of the stock against the user's body helps the user to stabilize the gun while aiming and shooting, thus increasing accuracy. Further, use of a stock allows a user to place some of the weight of the gun on the user's shoulder, thereby decreasing the amount of load carried by the user's arms. This decreased load on the arms can decrease user fatigue, which in turn can allow the user to maintain a higher level of activity and accuracy over a longer duration.
Despite the many benefits stocks provide when used in association with typical guns, stocks are often not well suited for use with paintball guns or other firearms. For example, a user of a paintball gun or other firearm may use a facemask, helmet, or other type of protective device. In a paintball setting, the facemasks are designed to protect the user's face from incoming paintballs. In other settings, a facemask may serve other purposes. For example, in a military or SWAT setting, a user may utilize a facemask to guard against bullets, shrapnel, dust, toxic chemicals or gasses, or possibly even from the recoil of the gun.
To improve a user's accuracy with a firearm, many firearms are equipped with gun sights. Such gun sights are generally aligned along the top surface of the barrel of the firearm. Helmets and facemasks are used during paintballing or in other settings often extend out from the user's face such that, when using a stock known in the art, the stock interferences with the user's head and/or facemask when the user aligns his or her head, and thus the line-of-sight, with the gun sights. To minimize the interference, the user may need to tilt his or her head at an awkward angle to view down the gun sights. While tilting the head can potentially reduce some of the interference from the stock, it often does not reduce all of the interference. As a result, the user may be unable to properly align their face and line-of-sight with the top of the gun or the gun's sight. This interference, which makes the user unable to properly align their face with the gun sight, can limit the user's ability to accurately aim at a target. Moreover, the interference may cause the user to rest a portion of his or her head or protective gear on the stock. This increases the weight carried on the gun and thereby also increases user fatigue.
The present invention is designed to provide a firearm user with the benefits associated with the use of a stock, such as decreased fatigue and increased comfort and accuracy, as well as allowing a user to wear a protective facemask free from interference from the stock.
The invention relates to a stock for use in connection with a firearm such as a hunting rifle, assault weapon, paintball gun or other shoulder-supported firearm. According to one aspect of the invention, the stock includes an opening therein. One feature of an opening in the stock is that a user can place his or her head in the opening to easily and effectively align the user's line-of-sight with the sights of the firearm, thereby increasing the user's accuracy. In some cases, the user may also have a mask or helmet on his or her head, in which case the opening in the stock can be configured to be large enough to accommodate the mask or helmet without the mask or helmet being interfered with by the gun stock.
According to one example embodiment, a gun stock includes a first lateral member which is configured to be coupled to a firearm at, for example, a stock portion of the firearm. An elongate member having opposing ends may be coupled to the first lateral member and extend therefrom in a direction which is about perpendicular to the first lateral member. A second lateral member may be coupled to the second end of the elongate member and extend perpendicularly therefrom. The second lateral member can include a butt portion configured to be placed against the shoulder or other portion of the body of the user. According to such an example embodiment, the elongate member can create an opening between the first and second lateral members into which a user of a firearm can position his or her head without interference from the gun stock. The elongate member may be a fixed length or may be adjustable so as to allow a user to selectively create an opening of a size necessary to accommodate the user's head and/or a mask or helmet on the user.
In another example embodiment, a gun stock comprises a first lateral member configured to be coupled to a firearm, the first lateral member being configured to offset the stock to allow a user to position his or her head in-line with the sight of a firearm, without interference from the stock. An elongate member is coupled to and extends from the first lateral member, and connects to a second lateral member that includes a butt portion. In such an embodiment, the elongate member can offset the first and second lateral members to form an opening within the gun stock to facilitate positioning of the user's head at least partially in line with, and between, the first and second lateral members.
According to another example embodiment, a firearm system is disclosed which includes a firearm for discharging projectiles, and a stock coupled to the firearm. The stock includes a first end coupled to the firearm and a second end which opposes the first end and includes a butt portion configured to be positioned against the body of a user of the firearm while projectiles are discharged from the firearm. Offset means may also be included in the stock and positioned between the first and second ends of the stock to allow a user to position his or her head in line with, and/or between, the first and second ends of the stock without interference from the stock.
In some example embodiments, a stock can comprise a first lateral member which is configured to be coupled to a firearm, a second lateral member having a butt affixed thereto, and an elongate member connecting the first and second lateral members together. The configuration of the stock enables a user wearing a protective mask to position his or her face to sight down the top of the firearm without the user's head or mask substantially interfering with such sight alignment.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
The invention relates to a stock of a firearm being configured to allow a user, including a mask wearing user, to position his or her head in-line with the sight of the firearm without the stock interfering with the mask. The configuration of the stock enables a user to comfortably use the firearm's sight without the user's head and/or protective mask substantially contacting or being interfered with by either the stock or the firearm. The ability of a user to sight down the firearm without the user's head and/or mask being substantially interfered with by other parts of the firearm provides a more enjoyable and effective experience for the user of the firearm.
Turning now to
As discussed herein, a gun stock such as stock 100 illustrated in
As further illustrated in the example embodiment in
As noted previously, first lateral member 120 is, in this example embodiment, offset from second lateral member 130. As illustrated in
An offset between first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130 can be created in any suitable manner which allows a void to be created within stock 100 which allows a user to position his or her head therein to sight down firearm 150. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, an elongate member 110 is coupled to each of first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130. In particular, elongate member 110 is connected to ends of each of first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130 in a manner which offsets them along an axis parallel to the elongate axis of firearm 150, and in a manner which defines a void between first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130.
As illustrated in
As will be appreciated in light of the disclosure herein, stock 100 may be coupled to firearm 150 in any of a variety of suitable manners. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of
As seen best in
In the illustrated embodiment, elongate member 110 connects to and/or transitions into second lateral member 130 at a second bend 190. According to the illustrated embodiment, second bend 190 thus re-directs stock 100 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of firearm 150. Second lateral member 130 can, accordingly, be configured to provide a surface which can be supported against a user to facilitate firing of firearm 150. Moreover, second lateral member 130 may include and/or be attached to a butt portion 140 configured to be positioned proximate a portion of the user's body, such as the user's shoulder, in preparation for aiming and firing firearm 150.
Butt portion 140 may be sized and configured any number of ways to effectuate its purpose, and to accommodate for a user's preference. Butt portion 140 may also be sized and configured to enhance the comfort of its use by the user. In one embodiment, butt portion 140 includes a comfort portion 200 which is adapted to enhance the comfort of the user when using stock 100. For example, comfort portion 200 may be contoured to match or accommodate curves of a user's shoulder or other portion of the user's body. Additionally, or alternatively thereto, comfort portion 200 can include a cushioning material 200, such as a resilient rubber, foam, or fabric. As will be appreciated in light of the disclosure herein, comfort portion 200 can be a separate portion which is attached to butt portion 140 and/or second lateral member 130, may be integrally formed with butt portion 140 and/or second lateral member 130, or may even replace butt portion 140 and/or second lateral member 130.
As will also be appreciated in view of the disclosure herein, elongate member 110 and first and/or second lateral members 120, 130 can also be separate pieces or an integral construction. For example, according to one embodiment, a single piece of material is formed to create bends 180, 190 so as to form elongate member 110 and integral first and second lateral members 120, 130. In alternative embodiments, however, elongate member 110 is formed independent of one or both of first lateral member 120 or second lateral member 130. For example, first lateral member 120, second lateral member 130, and elongate member 110 can each be formed separately, from separate materials, and thereafter connected together. For example, first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130 can each be welded or otherwise permanently secured to elongate member 110. Alternatively, elongate member 110 can be selectively and removable secured to first lateral member 120 and/or second lateral member 130. In yet another embodiment, any of first lateral member 120, second lateral member 130, or elongate member 140 can be formed of multiple separate pieces which are permanently or selectively removably coupled together.
As best shown in the embodiment illustrated in
In other example embodiments, a gun stock according to the present invention can include only one of first and second lateral members and/or can include only an elongate member shaped to create a void into which user can insert their heads to position their lines-of-sight in line with the gun sights without substantial interference from the stock or firearm. Accordingly, a gun stock according to the present invention could have a generally “C”, “U” or “V” shape, a generally “O” or “?” shape, or have any other shape or configuration suitable to define a void in the stock into which users can insert their heads or protective head gear.
Elongate member 110 may further be configured to facilitate the proper positioning of butt portion 140 of stock 100 in relation to a user and to firearm 150. Such a configuration to facilitate proper positioning of the butt portion 140 of stock 100 in relation to firearm 150 may include, by way of representation and not limitation, elongate member 110 having a bend 110A therein. As best illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, bend 110A in elongate member 110 results in second lateral member 130 being disposed at a lower vertical position in relation to first lateral member 120. Bend 110A in elongate member 110, in addition to creating an offset between of first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130, further facilitates a user's ability to sight down the top of firearm 150 without stock 100 substantially interfering with the user's head or any worn mask or other headgear.
Additionally, while
Stock 100 may be positioned in relation to firearm 150 in a variety of ways without interfering with a user's ability to comfortably and effectively sight firearm 150. For instance, the embodiment illustrated in
Furthermore, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of types of materials may be used to form stock 100. For example, stock 100 may comprise a metal material, a plastic material, a composite material, or some combination of any of the foregoing. Stock 100 should be able to withstand the forces exerted upon it through its normal use without failure. Thus, a variety of sizes and configurations can be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Furthermore, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, stock 100 may be sized, shaped and configured to adapt in size so as to accommodate users of varying shapes and sizes, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, stock 100 may be sized to fit a smaller user or may be enlarged to accommodate a larger sized user. Such size adjustment could be realized in a number of ways, for example, elongate member 110 can be formed from two or more pieces which are connected together at various lengths with the use of a series of openings and selector pins. In one embodiment, stock 100 may include one or more curves to obtain a desired substantially non-interfering offset. In another embodiment, stock 100 may include one or more substantially straight members having one or more bends therein to accomplish any desired offset. In another embodiment, stock 100 can include one or more members having one or more substantially straight members and one or more curved member to form a stock of a configuration according to the present invention.
As discussed herein, a gun stock according to the present invention can be used in connection with any of a variety of types of firearms. For example, as illustrated in
As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, a firearm 205 which operates using compressed air or another fluid, is generally connected to a canister of compressed fluid (not shown), which is situated behind the butt of firearm 205, or otherwise positioned with respect to firearm 205. To facilitate such connection, firearm 205 is equipped with a flexible hose which runs between the canister and the firing mechanism.
In some embodiments, a gun stock, such as gun stock 200 illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, gun stock 200 thus includes an air transfer system 205 used to transport fluid between the canister and the air system of firearm 205. According to one embodiment, for example, air transfer system 205 includes a firearm coupling 230 which connects air transfer system 205 of stock 200 to the air system of air-powered firearm 205. Firearm coupling 205 is in turn connected to a hose 240 which is included within stock 200. Firearm coupling 205 can be directly coupled to hose 240 or, as illustrated in
As illustrated, firearm coupling 205 and hose 240 may be aligned along a first lateral portion of stock 240, and hose 240 can run along substantially the entire length of stock 200, to a canister coupling 255, where air transfer system 225 connects to the canister (not shown) containing the compressed fluid which powers firearm 205. At or near canister coupling 255, air transfer system 225 can include one or more additional couplings 245, 250 which are configured to transfer fluid from the canister to firearm 205, and to connect canister coupling 255 to hose 240.
In the illustrated embodiment, it can be seen that hose 240 can run along an interior surface 210 of stock 200, and is secured thereto by fasteners 260, and has a shape which generally conforms to the configuration of stock 200, such that canister coupling 255 is positioned proximate the butt portion of stock 200. One feature of positioning canister coupling 255 in this manner is that it allows the canister to be removed from a position proximate the butt of firearm 205. In this manner, a user can attach a stock, such as stock 200, to firearm 205, which allows the user to aim firearm 205 in a manner that does not interfere with the visual sighting of firearm 205.
As discussed herein, gun stock 200 may be positioned against a portion of a body of a user, such as the user's shoulder. Accordingly, a canister used to power firearm 205 can thus be connected near the butt portion of stock 200 and the canister can be positioned adjacent the body of the user. This allows, for example, a user to position the canister under his or her arm where it does not interfere with the user's use of the gun sights. Moreover, the canister is removed from the firearm such that the weight of the canister is not cantilevered on firearm 205, but is more easily supported by the user, thereby reducing the weight of firearm 205 as felt by the user and decreasing user fatigue.
While
While the foregoing description provides an example in which a stock is attached to a paintball gun or other air-powered gun, it will be appreciated in light of the disclosure herein that a stock according to the present invention is not limited to use with paintball guns and air-powered guns, but can be used with any type of firearm. For example, any user of a firearm who desires to position his or her head in line with the sight of a firearm may use a stock according to the present invention, either with or without a protective mask or helmet.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/763,635, filed Jan. 31, 2006, and entitled DOGLEG STOCK, and U.S. Design Patent Application Ser. No. 29/253,022, filed Jan. 31, 2006, and entitled DOGLEG STOCK, each of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60763635 | Jan 2006 | US |