Firearm interface for a buttstock and pistol grip

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6662485
  • Patent Number
    6,662,485
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, January 31, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, December 16, 2003
    21 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Carone; Michael J.
    • Buckley; Denise
    Agents
    • Shlesinger, Arkwright & Garvey LLP
Abstract
A firearm interface for a buttstock and pistol grip that provides a means to attach a pistol grip or a buttstock assembly to a firearm, and shotguns in particular. It can be used for either modality individually or both in combination. It allows the utilization of an M16/M4 style pistol grip and the adjustable, as well as the fixed buttstocks of M4/M16 style rifles and carbines. The buttstock and pistol grip interface confers the ability to configure the firearm to different requirements and to the ergonometric needs of diverse individuals. By facilitating the use of M4/M16 style receiver extensions and M16/M4 style pistol grips the buttstock and pistol grip interface brings a vast array of options to the firearms to which it is affixed. For those individuals with military experience the use of M16/M4 style components imparts a degree of familiarity and utility.
Description




BACKGROUND




1. Field of the Invention




This invention relates generally to the field of firearms, and more particularly to a firearm interface for a buttstock and pistol grip which can accept fixed as well as adjustable style buttstocks and pistol grips separately or in combination. The invention allows the use of a M4/M16 or variant style of buttstock and pistol grips to be used with the firearm to which it is affixed.




BACKGROUND




2. Description of Prior Art




Heretofore firearms, and shotguns in particular have utilized various styles of stocks, buttstock, and forends. The principal use of the firearm has dictated the design of these components. The ability to modularize a firearm has been largely unaddressed within the manufacture.




U.S. Pat. No. 3,348,328 to Robert Earl Roy (Oct. 24, 1967) discloses a receiver extension rod for firearms with an elongated rib extending radially outward and a buttstock assembly which can be adjusted in length for individuals of different size. This buttstock has heretofore been confined to its use on M4 style carbines and variants thereof firearms.




U.S. Pat. No. 3,618,248 to Henry A. Into, and John K. Jorczak (Nov. 9, 1971) disclose a buttstock assembly for a firearm with a cylindrical receiver extension of, and a buttstock that provides for an internal storage compartment. This buttstock has heretofore been confined to its use on M16 style rifles and variants thereof.




U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,101 to Harold J. Waterman Jr. (Apr. 23, 1985) discloses a buttstock similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,618,248 with an increase in strength from improved construction. This patent has similarly been confined to M16 style rifles and variants thereof.




The ability to configure firearms for specific needs and egonometrics for the user has largely been unaddressed, and specifically for shotguns.




OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES




Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are to provide the option of a fixed buttstock of the style utilized on M16 firearms and variants thereof, as well as the optional addition of a pistol grip for a firearm.




Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. They depict the abiltiy to utilize an adjustable buttstock of the style used by M4 firearms and variants thereof, as well as the optional addition of a pistol grip for a firearm.




A further object of the invention is to allow the use of a pistol grip upon a firearm.




Yet another object of the present invention is to allow the use of an M16 style firearm or variant thereof buttstock that provides an internal storage compartment for use on firearms.




Still another object of the present invention is to provide for optional configurations and modularity for firearms.




Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings




SUMMARY




A firearm interface for a buttstock and pistol grip that provides a means to attach a pistol grip or a buttstock assembly to a firearm, and shotgun in particular. It can be utilized for either a buttstock or a pistol grip individually or both in combination. The firearm interface allows for the use of M16/M4 style buttstock of the adjustable, and fixed with internal stowage type, as well as a pistol grip. The firearm interface for a buttstock and pistol grip confers the ability to configure a firearm for diverse requirements and differing ergonometric needs of individuals. By facilitating the use of M4/M16 style receiver extensions and M16/M4 style pistol grips, this invention brings a vast array of options to the firearms to which it is affixed. For those with military experience the use of M4/M16 components brings a level of familiarity and utility.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a front perspective of the buttstock and pistol grip interface of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 2

is a back perspective view according to a preferred embodiment of my invention.





FIG. 3

is a side view according to a preferred embodiment of my invention.





FIG. 4

is a perspective view of a buttstock and pistol grip interface fastener according to a preferred embodiment of my invention.





FIG. 5

is a back perspective view of a buttstock and pistol grip interface and pistol grip according to a preferred embodiment of my invention.





FIG. 6

is a side view of a buttstock and pistol grip interface and fastener assembly according to a preferred embodiment of my invention.





FIG. 7

is a is a back perspective view of a buttstock and pistol grip interface and fastener assembly according to a preferred embodiment of my invention.





FIG. 8

is a is a cross-sectional side view of an adjustable buttstock assembly as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,348,328.





FIG. 9

is a cross-sectional side view of a buttstock assembly with a latchable door for a compartment formed therein as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,618,248.





FIG. 10

is a a perspective view of a shotgun without a buttstock.





FIG. 11

is a perspective view of the buttstock and pistol grip adapter according to a preferred embodiment of my invention attached to the back of a shotgun with an adjustable buttstock assembly and pistol grip fastened to it.





FIG. 12

is a detail view of reference number


12


in FIG.


11


.





FIG. 13

is a is a cross-sectional side view of a shotgun with a buttstock and pistol grip interface according to a preferred embodiment of my invention and adjustable buttstock assembly and pistol grip.





FIG. 14

is a view in detail of a section of

FIG. 13

indicated by reference number


14


.





FIG. 15

is a a perspective view of my invention attached to a shotgun with a fixed buttstock assembly and pistol grip fastened to it.





FIG. 16

is a cross-sectional side view of the shotgun in FIG.


15


.





FIG. 17

is a detail view of a section of

FIG. 16

referenced by number


17


.





FIG. 18

is a cross-sectional side view of my invention with an adjustable buttstock assembly attached.





FIG. 19

is a cross-sectional side view of my invention with a fixed buttstock assembly attached.





FIG. 20

is a rear perspective of my invention with an adjustable buttstock receiver extension attached.





FIG. 21

is a rear perspective view of my invention with a fixed buttstock receiver extension attached.











REFERENCE NUMERALS






10


buttstock and pistol grip interface






13


pistol grip mounting flange






15


threaded bore






16


fastening bore






18


fastener counterbore






20


fastener






22


pistol grip






24


receiver extension threaded bore






26


receiver endplate






28


adjustable receiver extension locknut






30


adjustable receiver extension






32


adjustable buttstock






34


adjustable buttstock assembly






36


pistol grip fastener






38


fixed buttstock assembly






40


tubular receiver extension






42


fixed buttstock body






44


shotgun receiver






46


shotgun assembly






48


adjustment lever






50


locating pin






52


locating pin nut






54


locating pin spring






56


upper buttplate fastener






58


buttplate






60


lower buttplate fastener






62


sling swivel






64


elongated rib




SUMMARY




A firearm interface for a buttstock and pistol grip that provides a means to attach a pistol grip or a buttstock assembly to a firearm, and shotguns in particular. It can be utilized for either a buttstock or a pistol grip individually or both in combination. The firearm interface allows for the use of M16/M4 style buttstocks of the adjustable, and fixed with internal stowage type, as well as a pistol grip. The firearm interface for a buttstock and pistol grip confers the ability to configure a firearm for diverse requirements and differing ergonometric needs of individuals. By facilitating the use of M4/M16 style receiver extensions and M16/M4 style pistol grips this invention brings a vast array of options to the firearms to which it is affixed. For those with military experience the use of M4/M16 style components brings a level of familiarity and utility.




DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION





FIGS. 1-3

show the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


from front perspective, back perspective, and side views respectively. A pistol grip mounting flange


13


is shown, which has a threaded bore


15


to allow for a pistol grip


22


to be threadably attached to buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


. Shown in

FIG. 2

is a fastening bore


16


through which a fastener


20


shown in

FIG. 4

can pass and secure buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


to rear of a shotgun receiver threadably. A fastener counterbore


18


is shown which provides a stop for a said fastener.

FIGS. 2

,


5


, and


7


show back perspective views of their respective figures, and receiver extension threaded bore


24


. FIG.


6


and

FIG. 7

show a side and back perspective view of buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


with fastener


20


inserted.

FIG. 8

shows a adjustable buttstock assembly


34


in a cross-sectional side view. It is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 3,348,328 and representative of the style of buttstock assembly employed by M4/M16 style carbines and rifles. Shown are adjustable receiver extension


30


, adjustable buttstock


32


, adjustable receiver extension locknut


28


, receiver endplate


26


, adjustment lever


48


, locating pin


50


, locating pin nut


52


, elongated rib


64


, and locating pin spring


54


.





FIG. 9

shows a cross-sectional side view of a fixed buttstock assembly


38


. Said buttstock assembly contains a latchable door for a compartment formed therein and is described in detail U.S. Pat. No. 3,618,248 and representative of a style of fixed buttstock utilized by M16/M4 style rifles and carbines. Key elements of the figure are tubular receiver extension


40


, fixed buttstock body


42


, upper buttplate fastener


56


, buttplate


58


, lower buttplate fastener


60


, and sling swivel


62


.

FIG. 10

represents a typical shotgun without a buttstock attached to the back of the shotgun receiver


44


. For descriptive purposes it is referenced as a shotgun assembly


46


.

FIG. 11

is a perspective view of a shotgun assembly


46


with buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


attached to the back of shotgun receiver


44


with a pistol grip


22


attached to pistol grip mounting flange


13


(not shown) and an adjustable buttstock assembly


34


threadably attached to receiver extension threaded bore


24


(not shown).

FIG. 12

is a detail view of section


12


of FIG.


11


. Shown is receiver endplate


26


, adjustable receiver extension locknut


28


, adjustable receiver extension


30


, and adjustable buttstock


32


, which are components of adjustable buttstock assembly


34


shown in FIG.


11


.





FIGS. 13 and 14

show a side cross-sectional views of a shotgun assembly


46


with buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


, adjustable buttstock assembly


34


, and a pistol grip


22


.

FIG. 14

shows detail view


14


of FIG.


13


.

FIG. 13

shows buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


threadably attached by fastener


20


to the back surface of shotgun receiver


44


. Attached to buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


is pistol grip


22


which is connected to pistol grip mounting flange


13


by pistol grip fastener


36


which is threadably inserted within threaded bore


15


.

FIG. 14

shows adjustable receiver extension


30


which is threadably inserted within receiver extension threaded bore


24


. Adjustable receiver extension


30


is tubular in shape with an elongated rib


64


which extends radially outward from its bottom surface. Approximating the back surface of buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


, is receiver endplate


26


, secured by adjustable receiver extension locknut


28


that is threadably attached to the front surface of adjustable receiver extension


30


.

FIG. 11

shows adjustable buttstock


32


that is slidably inserted upon adjustable receiver extension


30


.





FIG. 15

is a back perspective view of a shotgun with a fixed buttstock assembly


38


of the M16/M4 style rifles and carbines and the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 3,618,248 threadably attached to receiver extension threaded bore


24


.

FIGS. 16 and 17

are cross-sectional side views of the shotgun shown in

FIG. 15

, with

FIG. 17

a detail view of reference number


17


of FIG.


16


. Shown is tubular receiver extension


40


, which is a component of fixed buttstock assembly


38


that is threadably inserted within receiver extension threaded bore


24


. Buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


is threadbly attached by fastener


20


to the back surface of a shotgun. Pistol grip


22


is shown to be threadably attached to pistol grip mounting flange


13


of buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


by pistol grip fastener


36


. Fixed buttstock body


42


is shown to be slidably inserted upon tubular receiver extension


40


and approximating the back surface of buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


.





FIG. 18

is a cross-sectional side view of adjustable buttstock assembly


34


threadably inserted within receiver extension threaded bore


24


of buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


.

FIG. 19

is a cross-sectional side view of fixed buttstock assembly


38


threadably inserted within receiver extension threaded bore


24


of buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


.





FIG. 20

is a back perspective view of buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


with adjustable receiver extension


30


threadably inserted within receiver extension threaded bore


24


(not shown) of buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


located by receiver endplate


26


, and secured by adjustable receiver extension locknut


28


. Shown is pistol grip


22


which is attached to buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


.

FIG. 21

is a back perspective view of buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


with tubular receiver extension


40


threadably inserted within receiver extension threaded bore


24


(not shown) of buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


. Also shown is pistol grip


22


which is attached to buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


.




PREFERRED EMBODIMENT—OPERATION




The preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in

FIGS. 1-3

provides a buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


that allows a fastener


20


shown in

FIG. 4

that can attach it to the rear surface of a firearm receiver. Shown is shotgun receiver


44


which is part of a shotgun assembly


46


as shown in FIG.


10


. Affixed to said shotgun assembly


46


buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


allows a pistol grip


22


, shown in

FIG. 5

of the style commonly employed on M4/M16 style firearms to be attached with pistol grip fastener


36


shown in

FIGS. 14

, and


17


, which threadably inserts within threaded bore


15


shown in

FIGS. 2

,


7


,


14


,


17


,


18


, and


19


, of pistol grip mounting flange


13


shown in

FIGS. 1

,


2


,


3


,


6


,


7


, of buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


, the object of the present invention. Said buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


also allows an adjustable receiver extension


30


shown in

FIGS. 8

,


12


,


14


,


18


, and


20


of the M4/M16 family of firearms style which is tubular in configuration with an elongated rib


64


which extends radially outward from its bottom surface to be threadably attached to receiver extension threaded bore


24


of buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


as viewed in

FIGS. 2

,


5


, and


7


.

FIGS. 11

,


12


,


13


,


14


, and


18


show adjustable buttstock assembly


34


, with its adjustable receiver extension


30


threadably inserted within buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


.




The buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


permits the attachment of an M16 style and variant thereof fixed buttstock tubular receiver extension


40


shown in

FIGS. 9

,


17


,


19


and


21


used for a fixed buttstock assembly


38


with an internal stowage compartment as shown in

FIGS. 9

,


15


,


17


, and


19


as well as the previous described adjustable buttstock assembly


34


.




The buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


allows a shotgun assembly


46


to utilize a pistol grip


22


and a military style buttstock assembly depicted by either adjustable buttstock assembly


34


, and fixed buttstock assembly


38


, as utilized by M4/M16 style firearms and variants.




Additionally the buttstock and pistol grip interface


10


allows the use of either a pistol grip


22


with a firearm, such as a shotgun assembly


46


without a buttstock, or an adjustable buttstock assembly


34


, or fixed buttstock assembly


38


without a pistol grip.




CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE




Accordingly, it can be seen that the buttstock and pistol grip interface of this invention for firearms, and shotguns in particular affords a great degree of utility and modularity to the configuration options available in the production and utilization of various firearms for various purposes.




Furthermore the buttstock and pistol grip interface of this invention has the additional advantages in that:




It involves only a buttstock and pistol grip interface and a means for fastening it to a firearm receiver; and




It can allow a firearm configuration that can have a pistol grip configuration; or




It can allow for a firearm configuration that has a military style of buttstock of either an adjustable buttstock assembly as found on an M4 style firearm, or a fixed buttstock with internal storage capability as found on an M16 style firearm; or




It can allow a firearm with a pistol grip, and either a military style of buttstock of either an adjustable buttstock assembly, or a fixed buttstock with internal storage.




Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Various other embodiments and ramifications are possible within it's scope. For example,




The buttstock and pistol grip interface can be made from various materials to accommodate different requirements;




the buttstock and pistol grip interface can be made in configurations to fit different firearms;




the buttstock can be secured with various fastening means to different firearms; and




the buttstock and pistol grip interface brings the functionality and options that are available to military style carbines and rifles to shotguns as well as other firearms which imparts a familiarity to the handling and use of these firearms for those that have military experience.




It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and substitutions can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing form the spirit and scope of the invention.




Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.



Claims
  • 1. A combination of a buttstock, a pistol grip and an interface for a firearm, wherein:a) said interface includes a first bore for receiving a first bolt for attaching said interface to a receiver of the firearm; b) said interface includes a second threaded bore for receiving a second bolt to attach said pistol grip to said interface; c) said interface includes a third threaded bore; and d) said buttstock includes a receiver extension having a threaded end secured to said third threaded bore.
  • 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said buttstock is adjustable in length.
  • 3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said buttstock is fixed in length.
  • 4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said buttstock is M4 style buttstock.
  • 5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said buttstock is an M16 style buttstock.
  • 6. The combination of claim 1, wherein:a) said interface includes a mounting flange; and b) said pistol grip includes a recess for receiving said mounting flange.
  • 7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said second threaded bore is disposed in said mounting flange.
  • 8. The combination of claim 1, wherein said interface includes a first and second diagonal front surfaces.
  • 9. A combination of a buttstock, a pistol grip, an interface and a shotgun, wherein:a) said interface includes a first bore for receiving a first bolt to attach said interface to a receiver of said shotgun; b) said interface includes a second threaded bore for receiving a second bolt to attach said pistol grip to said interface; c) said interface includes a third threaded bore; and d) said buttstock includes a receiver extension having a threaded end secured to said third threaded bore.
  • 10. The combination of claim 9, wherein said buttstock is adjustable in length.
  • 11. The combination of claim 9, wherein said buttstock is fixed in length.
  • 12. The combination of claim 9, wherein said buttstock is M4 style buttstock.
  • 13. The combination of claim 9, wherein said buttstock is an M16 style buttstock.
  • 14. The combination of claim 9, wherein:a) said interface includes a mounting flange; and b) said pistol grip includes a recess for receiving said mounting flange.
  • 15. The combination of claim 14, wherein said second threaded bore is disposed in said mounting flange.
  • 16. The combination of claim 9, wherein:a) said interface includes a first and second diagonal front surfaces; and b) said receiver includes third and fourth diagonal surfaces that mate with respective said first and second diagonal surfaces.
US Referenced Citations (12)
Number Name Date Kind
1755034 Stange Apr 1930 A
3323246 Loffler Jun 1967 A
3348328 Roy Oct 1967 A
3618248 Into et al. Nov 1971 A
4512101 Waterman Apr 1985 A
5173564 Hammond, Jr. Dec 1992 A
5303859 Jenkin Apr 1994 A
5907918 Langevin et al. Jun 1999 A
5946842 Nyzell Sep 1999 A
6260748 Lindsey Jul 2001 B1
6374528 Davis et al. Apr 2002 B1
6591533 Wygant Jul 2003 B2
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number Date Country
2581745 Nov 1986 FR
2026659 Feb 1980 GB