The present invention is directed generally to a folding stock assembly. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a folding stock assembly that can be mounted on the rearwardly extending neck portion of a handgrip for a firearm.
In various exemplary embodiments, the primary components of the folding stock assembly are the elongated stock, the structure for controlling rotation of the stock from a stored position to a deployed position, and structure for securing the stock to the rear end of the neck portion of a handgrip. The elongated stock is preferably made of metal rod that is bent to form laterally spaced elongated left and right arm members each having a front end and a rear end. The metal rod is also bent to form a U-shaped shoulder rest portion whose top ends are connected to the rear ends of the respective elongated arm members. There is sufficient springiness to the metal rod that allows the front ends of the elongated arm members to be squeezed together for a purpose to be discussed later. The elongated stock could also be made of a proper plastic material.
There are front end members connected to the front ends of the respective elongated arm members. Extending inwardly from the respective front end members is a left shaft and a right shaft. A left disc is secured to the left shaft and the right disc is secured to the right shaft. There are diametrically opposed secondary apertures formed in the rear end of the tubular portion at the rear end of the neck portion of the handgrip. There are diametrically opposed primary apertures in the end cap that telescopes over the tubular rear end of the neck portion. The left and right shafts are inserted into the respective primary and secondary apertures prior to the left and right discs being installed on the inner ends of the respective shafts. The respective discs are tightened onto the shafts by set screws that can be reached by an Allen wrench inserted through the open front end of tubular member on the rear end of the neck portion of the handgrip.
Accordingly, this invention provides a folding stock assembly having novel structure for limiting both forward and rearward rotation.
This invention separately provides a folding stock assembly having novel structure for locking it in its static forward stored position and also locking it in its rearward functional deployed position.
This invention separately provides a folding stock assembly having a novel structure for securing it to a rearwardly extending neck portion formed adjacent the top end of a handgrip.
This invention separately provides a folding stock assembly that is economical to manufacture and market.
This invention separately provides a folding stock assembly that is easily installed.
These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in or are apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary, non-limiting embodiments.
The exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
For simplicity and clarification, the design factors and operating principles of the folding stock according to this invention are explained with reference to various exemplary embodiments of a folding stock according to this invention. The basic explanation of the design factors and operating principles of the folding stock is applicable for the understanding, design, and operation of the folding stock of this invention.
It should also be appreciated that the terms “firearm”, “rifle”, and “shotgun” are used for basic explanation and understanding of the operation of the systems, methods, and apparatuses of this invention. Therefore, the terms “firearm”, “rifle”, and “shotgun” are not to be construed as limiting the systems, methods, and apparatuses of this invention.
Turning now to the drawing Figs.,
Elongated stock 22 has laterally spaced left elongated arm member 23 and right elongated arm member 24. A U-shaped shoulder rest portion 26 has its top end connected to the rear end of the respective right and left elongated arm members 23 and 24. In certain exemplary embodiments, elongated stock 22 comprises a continuous portion of material that extends from the left elongated arm member 23 to the right elongated arm member 24. Alternatively, elongated stock 22 may comprise a discrete left elongated arm member 23 and a discrete right elongated arm member 24, secured to one another via the shoulder rest portion 26.
The structure that illustrates how left disc 36 and right disc 52 are captured in end cap 62 is best illustrated in
When left front end member 30 and right front end member 45 are squeezed together left disc 36 and right disc 52 travel inwardly. This causes raised boss member 40 and raised boss member 55 to disengage from the respective grooves 74 and 76 in receptacles 70 and 72. At this time, elongated stock 22 can be pivoted between its static forward stored position and its rearward functional deployed position. The rotation is limited by the stops on the respective shoulders on the inner surface of discs 52 and 36 when they contact the rotation stops 82 and 84 of dog member 80.
Each of the locking channels 29 is formed so as to accept one of the left shaft member 33 or the right shaft member 50, such that, in order to secure the folding stock assembly to the tubular portion 19 of the neck portion 18 the left shaft member 33 and the right shaft member 50 are each aligned with one of the locking channels 29. As the folding stock assembly is urged onto the tubular portion 19 of the neck portion 18, the left shaft member 33 and the right shaft member 50 move within the locking channels 29 such that the folding stock assembly is twisted until the left shaft member 33 and the right shaft member 50 are seated within the locking portions 27 of the locking channels 29.
The frictional fit of the left shaft member 33 and the right shaft member 50 within the locking portions 27 of the locking channels 29 may be sufficient to secure the folding stock assembly to the tubular portion 19 of the neck portion 18.
In certain exemplary embodiments, one or more textured areas, protrusions, or bumps may be formed in or along the locking channels 29 to provide additional frictional engagement between the left shaft member 33, the right shaft member 50, and the locking channels 29.
In certain exemplary embodiments, a set screw 90 is provided within an aperture 87 formed in the end cap 62. If the set screw 90 is provided, when the folding stock assembly is secured to the tubular portion 19 of the neck portion 18, the set screw 90 can be tightened to engage the surface of the tubular portion 19 of the neck portion 18 and further secure the folding stock assembly to the neck portion 18 by providing resistance to the rotation of the end cap 62 relative to the neck portion 18.
While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiment(s) outlined above, it is evident that this invention is not limited to particular variation(s) set forth and many alternatives, adaptations, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
It is to be understood that the phraseology of terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
In addition, it is contemplated that any optional feature of the inventive variations described herein may be set forth and claimed independently, or in combination with any one or more of the features described herein.
Such alternatives, adaptations, modifications, and variations should and are intended to be and are comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed exemplary embodiment(s) and may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting and the fundamental design should not be considered to be necessarily so constrained. Various changes, modifications, and/or adaptations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
This is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/704,023, filed Feb. 8, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,698,848, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/771,754 filed Feb. 8, 2006.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1016695 | Kimmel | Feb 1912 | A |
1315215 | Davidson | Sep 1919 | A |
1477445 | Petritsch | Dec 1923 | A |
2424194 | Sampson et al. | Jul 1947 | A |
2466017 | Farber | Apr 1949 | A |
3201887 | Sedelow | Aug 1965 | A |
3256632 | Beretta | Jun 1966 | A |
3269380 | Stevens | Aug 1966 | A |
3570162 | Suddarth | Mar 1971 | A |
3648396 | Smith | Mar 1972 | A |
3782019 | Venturini | Jan 1974 | A |
4291482 | Bresan | Sep 1981 | A |
4788785 | White | Dec 1988 | A |
6560911 | Sharp | May 2003 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60771754 | Feb 2006 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11704023 | Feb 2007 | US |
Child | 12660632 | US |