SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF PROVIDING RECOIL REDUCTION IN A FIREARM

Abstract

A recoil reduction device for a firearm is provided. The device includes a main body having a proximal end, a distal end, a first interior hollow compartment, and a second interior hollow compartment; a first recoil reduction assembly arranged at least partially within the first interior hollow compartment at the proximal end of the main body; and a second recoil reduction assembly arranged at least partially within the second interior hollow compartment at the distal end of the main body. The first recoil reduction assembly provides recoil reduction during a first stage of a firing cycle of the firearm, and the second recoil reduction assembly provides recoil reduction during a second stage of the firing cycle of the firearm, wherein the second stage is different than the first stage. The recoil reduction mechanisms provided by the first and second recoil reduction assemblies are different from each other.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed generally to systems and methods of reducing the felt recoil and other effects that are present when a round is fired from a firearm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recoil-operated firearms, there are two distinct phases of recoil that are referred to as primary recoil and secondary recoil. Primary recoil is associated with the forward movement of a round, projectile, or bullet down the barrel of a firearm. Secondary recoil is associated with the propulsion gases that escape from the muzzle at the end of the barrel of the firearm behind the round. However, primary and secondary recoil are distinguished from felt recoil, which is recoil experienced by the user or operator of the firearm. In a firing cycle of a recoil-operated firearm, the recoil of the initial firing sends the bolt carrier group in a rearward direction, compressing return springs and forcing the buffer that is located behind the bolt carrier group also in the rearward direction. The fired round is ejected, and the bolt returns to facilitate loading of a new round into the chamber. During the firing cycle, this rearward movement of the bolt and barrel causes felt recoil. The bolt drives the buffer and spring inside the buffer tube to absorb the energy from the recoil. After the initial firing, the buffer can impact the back of the buffer tube and result in additional felt recoil. In addition to the felt recoil of the sharp impact at the end of the buffer tube, the impact can generate high strain energy that can cause buckling, resonant harmonics, and other detrimental effects on the system.

Conventional semi-automatic and automatic firearms use a single mechanism, such as, one or more springs to reduce recoil with a buffer system. Buffer systems, or buffer assemblies, manage or reduce recoil in firearms and control the action of the bolt carrier group or bolt carrier assembly. For example, felt recoil can be reduced and controlled when a buffer component absorbs the energy of the bolt carrier group as it compresses the spring inside the buffer tube and pushes the bolt carrier group back into the upper receiver to chamber another round. Using multiple springs can provide a controlled rearward movement. However, these systems do not address the recoil felt if the buffer impacts the back or bottom of the buffer tube. Additionally, these systems to not provide any damping, as most systems use an undamped mass, thus, undamped harmonics can occur.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved systems and methods for reducing muzzle rise, felt recoil, and other effects, such as, the high strain energy that occurs when a round is fired from a firearm and the buffer bottoms or impacts inside the buffer tube.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed generally to inventive devices, systems, and methods for reducing felt recoil and improving shock absorption in firearms using different mechanisms at different stages of the firing cycle. Generally, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to devices, systems, and methods that feature dual recoil reduction mechanisms. The dual recoil reduction mechanisms include a first recoil reduction mechanism configured to primarily reduce recoil during a first stage of a firing cycle and a second recoil reduction mechanism configured to primarily reduce recoil after the first stage of the firing cycle, where the first and second recoil reduction mechanisms are different from each other. Applicant has recognized and appreciated that a first recoil reduction mechanism involving hydraulics, for example, can be used to take the initial jolt out of the firing cycle, as that is where a majority of the recoil is generated and where the velocities are highest. After the initial jolt and in the event the buffer device impacts the back of the buffer tube of a firearm, an external impact member can be activated to further reduce the rearward travel of the buffer and other effects. The external impact member can reduce recoil with a non-hydraulic mechanism or a combination of mechanisms not involving hydraulics. Thus, the multi-staged recoil reduction mechanisms contemplated herein can be achieved with hydraulics in a first stage and a different mechanism or combination of mechanisms thereafter. The multi-staged recoil reduction mechanisms also provide damping to improve system stability and remove energy rather than recycling the energy as spring potential energy for example. The improved devices, systems, and methods exhibit improvements in life cycle, recoil reduction, stability, and performance as described herein.

Generally, in a first example aspect, a recoil reduction device for a firearm is provided. The recoil reduction device includes a main body having a proximal end, a distal end, a first interior hollow compartment, and a second interior hollow compartment; a first recoil reduction assembly arranged at least partially within the first interior hollow compartment at the proximal end of the main body; and a second recoil reduction assembly arranged at least partially within the second interior hollow compartment at the distal end of the main body. The first recoil reduction assembly provides recoil reduction during a first stage of a firing cycle of the firearm, and the second recoil reduction assembly provides recoil reduction during a second stage of the firing cycle of the firearm, and wherein the second stage is different than the first stage.

According to an embodiment, the first recoil reduction assembly extends through the proximal end of the main body and the second recoil reduction assembly extends through the distal end of the main body.

According to an embodiment, the first recoil reduction assembly provides recoil reduction according to a first mechanism and the second recoil reduction assembly provides recoil reduction according to a second mechanism that is different than the first mechanism.

According to an embodiment, the first mechanism is a hydraulic damping mechanism.

According to an embodiment, the first interior hollow compartment and the second interior hollow compartment are coaxial about a central longitudinal axis of the recoil reduction device.

According to an embodiment, the second recoil reduction assembly comprises a plunger and a resilient member.

According to an embodiment, a first end of the plunger is configured to extend outward from the distal end of the main body when not in a fully compressed state.

According to an embodiment, the plunger comprises a first end and a second end that is opposite the first end, and the resilient member of the second compressible assembly is configured to be received in a seat that is provided in the second end of the plunger, and the resilient member extends outward from the seat in the second end of the plunger.

According to an embodiment, the main body further comprises an end wall positioned between the first interior hollow compartment and the second interior hollow compartment.

According to an embodiment, the end wall comprises an orifice extending between a first side of the end wall that faces the first interior hollow compartment and a second side of the end wall that faces the second interior hollow compartment.

According to an embodiment, when the recoil reduction device is driven axially in a rearward direction, a hydraulic resistance is generated by the first recoil reduction assembly, and when the recoil reduction device is driven further axially in the rearward direction and the recoil reduction device contacts a buffer tube of the firearm, a non-hydraulic resistance is generated by the second recoil reduction assembly.

According to an embodiment, when the recoil reduction device is driven axially in a rearward direction, a first resistance is generated by the first recoil reduction assembly, and when the recoil reduction device is driven further axially in the rearward direction and the recoil reduction device contacts a buffer tube of the firearm, a second resistance is generated by the second recoil reduction assembly, wherein the second resistance is different than the first resistance.

According to an embodiment, the first recoil reduction assembly includes a first resilient member to provide preload in a first direction, and the second recoil reduction assembly includes a second resilient member to provide preload in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

According to an embodiment, the first recoil reduction assembly comprises a piston head and an accumulator that is configured to collect a damping medium from the interior hollow compartment through at least one opening in the piston head or through an opening between an exterior of the piston head and an interior surface of the main body.

Generally, in a second example aspect, a method of reducing recoil during operation of a firearm is provided. The method includes displacing a recoil reduction device in a rearward direction and actuating a first recoil reduction assembly of the recoil reduction device; displacing the recoil reduction device further in the rearward direction and actuating a second recoil reduction assembly of the recoil reduction device; compressing a plunger or resilient member of the second recoil reduction assembly to slow a rearward motion of the recoil reduction device; and moving, in a direction different from the rearward direction, the recoil reduction device to a battery position within the firearm after actuation of the first and second recoil reduction assemblies; wherein the first and second recoil reduction assemblies operate according to different mechanisms.

According to an embodiment, the first or second recoil reduction assembly operates according to a hydraulic damping mechanism.

According to an embodiment, actuating the first recoil reduction assembly occurs during a first stage of a firing cycle of the firearm and actuating the second recoil reduction assembly occurs during a second stage of the firing cycle, wherein the second stage is different than the first stage.

According to an embodiment, the actuating of the first recoil reduction assembly comprises generating a first resistance when the recoil reduction device is driven in the rearward direction, and actuating of the second recoil reduction assembly comprises generating a second resistance when the recoil reduction device is driven further in the rearward direction and the recoil reduction device contacts a buffer tube of the firearm, wherein the first and second resistances are different in type.

According to an embodiment, the first recoil reduction assembly comprises a piston head and an accumulator that is configured to collect a damping medium from the first interior hollow compartment through at least one opening in the piston head.

According to an embodiment, the first recoil reduction assembly comprises a piston head and an accumulator that is configured to collect a damping medium from the first interior hollow compartment through an opening between an exterior of the piston head and an interior surface of the main body.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual action recoil reduction device, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the dual action recoil reduction device of FIG. 1, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dual action recoil reduction device of FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dual action recoil reduction device of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 within a buffer tube in a first uncompressed position, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dual action recoil reduction device of FIG. 4 in a second position where the second recoil reduction assembly is in contact with a surface of a buffer tube, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dual action recoil reduction device of FIG. 4 in a third position where the second recoil reduction assembly is in a fully compressed state, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an example process for reducing recoil with a dual action recoil device in a firearm, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A description of example embodiments of the invention follows. The example embodiments include a recoil reduction device for a firearm and methods of reducing recoil in a firearm using a recoil reduction device. The recoil reduction device includes a main body having a first interior hollow compartment and a second interior hollow compartment, a first recoil reduction assembly, and a second recoil reduction assembly. The first recoil reduction assembly provides recoil reduction during a first stage of a firing cycle of the firearm and the second recoil reduction assembly provides additional recoil reduction during a second stage of the firing cycle, where the second stage of the firing cycle is different than the first stage of the firing cycle. The term “different” as used herein with reference to the first and second stages of a firing cycle means not identical and offset in relation to timing during a firing cycle. For example, a first stage of a firing cycle can start at a beginning of a firing cycle and a second stage can begin at any point after the beginning of the firing cycle. The length of the stages can be the same or different. In example embodiments, the first stage can account for half of a firing cycle. In addition to providing recoil reduction during different stages or points in time during a firing cycle, the first and second recoil reduction assemblies provide recoil reduction by different mechanisms. Applicant has recognized and appreciated that a recoil reduction mechanism of a first type can be used during a first stage of the firing cycle and a recoil reduction mechanism of a second type that is different than the first type can be used during a second stage of the firing cycle. Example embodiments can use hydraulics as a first type or mechanism for recoil reduction during a first stage and springs as a second type or mechanism for recoil reduction during a second stage and vice versa. These embodiments are merely illustrative and should not limit the claims. It should be appreciated that any combination of recoil reduction mechanisms can be used during the first and/or second stages of a firing cycle. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the recoil reduction mechanisms can be used during additional stages of a firing cycle.

A particular goal of utilization of the embodiments and implementations herein is to provide recoil mechanisms within a fully-contained buffer system or buffer assembly to provide recoil reduction in firearm platforms, for example, those chambered in 0.410, 12, or 20 gauge applications where recoil is excessive and causes the internal buffer to bottom inside the buffer tube. Example firearm platforms include firearms manufactured by ArmaLite rifle (AR) or Defense Procurement Manufacturing Services (DPMS) Panther Arms or any suitable alternatives. However, the components of the recoil reduction device described herein may be utilized with any suitable firearm or any non-firearm machine or system. This disclosure should not be limited by the specific embodiments depicted and described.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, there are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 schematic elevational views of an example dual action recoil reduction device 100 for a firearm according to aspects of the present disclosure. Recoil reduction device 100 broadly includes main body or housing or cylinder 102, first recoil reduction assembly 104, and second recoil reduction assembly 106 as further described below. Recoil reduction device 100 provides an interface between a bolt carrier assembly (not shown) and a buffer tube 200 of a firearm (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). In particular examples, device 100 is configured to be placed inside buffer tube 200 and resilient member 202 surrounds the exterior of main body or cylinder 102. In operation within an example firearm, a bolt carrier assembly can be positioned to force the device 100 in rearward direction RD1 within buffer tube 200. It should be appreciated that any intermediary component can be included between device 100 and buffer tube 200 and/or between device 100 and a bolt carrier assembly.

When a firearm is fired, a bolt carrier assembly is driven in rearward direction RD1 and first recoil reduction assembly 104 of recoil reduction device 100 initially generates a resistance to remove the initial jolt from the firing cycle. In example embodiments, the resistance to remove the initial jolt from the firing cycle is a hydraulic resistance however, any suitable resistance is contemplated. As the device 100 is driven further in rearward direction RD1, resilient member 202, such as, a spring, activates and reduces the speed of the device 100. As further described below, in the event that device 100 impacts or otherwise contacts inside surface 204 of buffer tube 200 during the firing cycle (as shown in FIG. 5), an additional recoil reduction assembly (i.e., second recoil reduction assembly 106) is activated to reduce the felt recoil of the impact between device 100 and tube 200. In addition to reducing or preventing the harsh impact, second recoil reduction assembly 106 reduces or prevents the high strain energy that would otherwise be generated from the impact and the buckling, resonant harmonics, and other effects.

As shown in FIG. 3, main body or cylinder 102 of device 100 includes first interior hollow compartment 108, second interior hollow compartment 110, first (i.e., proximal) end 112, second (i.e., distal) end 114, and end wall 116. Cylinder 102 is preferably made of stainless steel, however, it should be appreciated that cylinder 102 can also be made of carbon steel, aluminum, steel, aluminum alloys, composite, or any combination thereof. It should further be appreciated that cylinder 102 can be made of any other suitable materials. As depicted, first interior hollow compartment 108 extends from a first side of end wall 116 and is at least partially open at first proximal end 112 of cylinder 102. Although not depicted in the figures, cylinder 102 can further include a guide flange arranged radially outward of first proximal end 112 to engage resilient member 202 arranged within buffer tube 200. As shown, a guide flange 123 can alternatively be positioned on an outer circumferential surface of first recoil reduction assembly 104, specifically, an outer surface of piston cap 124. Second interior hollow compartment 110 extends from a second side of end wall 116, opposite the first side of end wall 116, and second interior hollow compartment 110 is at least partially open at second distal end 114 of cylinder 102. First and second hollow compartments 108 and 110 are coaxial with central longitudinal axis A passing through device 100.

First interior hollow compartment 108 is defined by diameters D1 and D2. Diameter D1 is proximate to end wall 116 and diameter D2 is proximate to first proximal end 112. Diameter D1 is smaller than diameter D2. Diameter D2 is larger than diameter D1 to accommodate bearing 126. Additionally, diameter D1 is smaller than diameter D2 so as to prevent bearing 126 from moving axially within first interior hollow compartment 108 during operation. As shown, first interior hollow compartment 108 is defined by diameter D1 for a majority of its length. Toward the at least partially open end of first interior hollow compartment 108, the diameter increases to diameter D2 by a shoulder or taper S. Second interior hollow compartment 110 is defined by diameter D3. In an example, diameter D3 is larger than diameter D1 and diameter D2. However, it should be appreciated that diameter D3 can also be smaller than diameter D1 and/or diameter D2 in other embodiments.

In example embodiments, first recoil reduction assembly 104 includes piston head 118, inertial accumulator 120, piston rod 122, piston cap 124, and resilient member 125. Piston head 118 is slidably retained within cylinder 102 and piston rod 122 extends from piston head 118 through the first end 112 of the cylinder 102. Piston head 118 includes one or more sliding bearing surfaces and/or one or more annular protrusions. An annular orifice is defined between the sliding bearing surfaces and/or the annular protrusion and the interior surface of the cylinder 102.

In example embodiments, accumulator 120 is coupled to the piston head 118 (integrally or connected) on the proximate side of piston head 118 and is configured to collect fluid or any other suitable damping medium from the first interior hollow compartment 108 of cylinder 102 that is displaced by piston rod 122 when the piston head 118 moves toward the second end 114 of the cylinder 102 and the piston rod 118 is introduced into the first interior hollow compartment 108. In embodiments where the first recoil reduction assembly 104 is hydraulic, accumulator 120 is required to prevent the device from hydraulically locking because the closed space of the first interior hollow compartment 108 would not otherwise be capable of accepting the additional volume of the piston rod 122 when the portion of the piston rod 118 that was outside the compartment 108 is introduced into the compartment 108 upon compression of the device 100. Accumulator 120 can be made of a closed-cell foam containing one or more gases within the foam that can compress, unlike hydraulic fluid. In embodiments, accumulator 120 can include a compressible liquid instead. The fluid within or inside first interior hollow compartment 108 is preferably a suitable military-specification hydraulic oil however, it should be appreciated that the fluid can also be silicone, any other suitable damping alternative, or any combination thereof. Thus, the hydraulic recoil device 100 can include any suitable damping medium. However, it should be appreciated that accumulator 120 can be made of any suitable material. Additionally, it should be appreciated that accumulator 120 can be positioned on the distal side of piston head 118 or any suitable location rather than the proximate side of piston head 118.

The damping medium from interior hollow compartment 108 can flow through one or more openings or orifices in piston head 118. Additionally or alternatively, the damping medium from interior hollow compartment 108 can flow through an annular opening within piston head 118 or formed between piston head 118 and the interior surface of main body 102. Any suitable orifice technology is contemplated.

Bearing 126 acts as a support for recoil reduction assembly 104 by supporting the piston rod 122. Bearing 126 is secured within cylinder 102 by shoulder S and retaining ring 134 and can be made of brass, bronze, or any other suitable materials. Seals 128 and 130 help enable device 100 to maintain hydraulic fluid or any suitable damping medium within first interior hollow compartment 108 of cylinder 102. Seal 128 can be an O-ring made of a synthetic rubber material, such as Buna-N also known as nitrile or NBR or any suitable alternative. In example embodiments, seal 128 can be made of a fluoropolymer elastomer, such as, Viton™, natural rubber, other elastomers, or any combination thereof. In the embodiment depicted, seal 128 is arranged in an annular channel of bearing 126. Seal 130 can be any suitable rod seal made of rubber or any of one or more suitable elastomers. In the embodiment depicted, seal 130 is arranged within bearing 126 at a first proximal end of bearing 126. Seal 132 can be any suitable wiper seal made of any one or more suitable plastic materials. In the embodiment depicted, seal 132 is arranged at a proximal end of bearing 126. Retaining ring 134 is provided on the first proximal end 112 of cylinder 102 on the proximal side of seal 132 and can be made of spring steel or stainless steel or any other suitable materials. Each of the piston head 118, accumulator 120, bearing 126, seals 128, 130, and 132, and retaining ring 134 include a center opening allowing piston rod 122 to extend therethrough along center longitudinal axis A.

At the opposite end of first interior hollow compartment 108, fill plug 136 is provided within orifice 140 of end wall 116. Orifice 140 extends between a first side of end wall 116 that faces first interior hollow compartment 108 in direction RD2 and a second side of end wall 116 that faces second interior hollow compartment 110 in direction RD1. Orifice 140 is configured to receive fill plug 136. Fill plug 136 can be embodied as a sealing screw and can further include sealing means 142 arranged on an exterior portion thereof to provide a fluid-tight seal for orifice 140 within end wall 116. The fluid or damping medium that fills the first interior hollow compartment 108 can be added through orifice 140. Similarly, the fluid or damping medium can be drained or replaced from first interior hollow compartment 108 through orifice 140.

Resilient member 125 is arranged within first interior hollow compartment 108. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, resilient member 125 is embodied as a coil spring that is positioned between the proximal or first side of end wall 116 and the distal end of first recoil reduction assembly 104. In example embodiments, resilient member 125 contacts the first side of end wall 116 that faces direction RD2 and piston head 118 of first recoil reduction assembly 104. The piston head 118 and piston cap 124 are configured to move axially against the bias of resilient member 125. Thus, when the piston head 118 and piston cap 124 or other movable components of first recoil reduction assembly 104 are not moving axially in direction RD1, resilient member 125 biases first recoil reduction assembly 104 in direction RD2. Resilient member 125 helps the piston of first recoil reduction assembly 104 return to its uncompressed position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Second recoil reduction assembly 106 is provided within second interior hollow compartment 110 of cylinder 102 and can include plunger 146 and resilient member 148. Plunger 146 and resilient member 148 are coaxial with central longitudinal axis A in the example depicted in the FIGS. However, in alternate embodiments, plunger 146 and resilient member 148 need not be coaxial with central longitudinal axis A. Plunger 146 is configured to reduce the felt recoil in case of an impact between device 100 and the bottom of buffer tube 200 during operation of a firearm as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Plunger 146 is slidably retained within second interior hollow compartment 110 of cylinder 102 and includes first end 150 and second end 152. In example embodiments, first and second ends 150 and 152 are integral with each other; however, first and second ends 150 and 152 need not be integral and can be otherwise coupled to each other in any suitable manner. First end 150 extends outwardly from the at least partially open end of second interior compartment 110 at second distal end 114 of cylinder 102 when second recoil reduction assembly 106 is in the uncompressed position (as shown in FIG. 4) and even when second recoil reduction assembly 106 contacts surface 204 of buffer tube 200 (as shown in FIG. 5).

Second end 152 of plunger 146 includes seat 154 which is configured to receive resilient member 148. Resilient member 148 extends from seat 154 within second end 152 to the second side of end wall 116 that faces second interior hollow compartment 110 in direction RD1. Resilient member 148 biases plunger 146 in rearward direction RD1 away from the second side of end wall 116. Plunger 146 further includes wear band 156 or any suitable guide ring to absorb the slide forces of plunger 146 and to prevent metal-to-metal contact between exterior surfaces of plunger 146 and interior surfaces of interior hollow compartment 110 of cylinder 102. Plunger 146 can be made of one or more rigid materials such as stainless steel or titanium. Alternatively, plunger 146 can be made of one or more elastomeric materials, such as, rubber. In embodiments, one or more rigid materials can be combined with one or more elastomeric materials and the combination of materials can be used to make plunger 146. It should be appreciated that plunger 146 can be made of any suitable material so that plunger 146 can reduce the energy from the impact between device 100 and buffer tube 200 and reduce or prevent the high strain energy that would otherwise be generated from the impact between device 100 and buffer tube 200 during operation of a firearm.

Plunger 146 is removable so as to allow access to removable fill plug 136, orifice 140, and first interior hollow compartment 108. In the example shown in the FIGS., resilient member 148 surrounds fill plug 136 and orifice 140. In other words, resilient member 148 can be coaxial with fill plug 136 and orifice 140 along central longitudinal axis A. In the example shown in the FIGS., resilient member 148 is defined by a diameter that is larger than the diameters of the fill plug 136 and orifice 140. In one embodiment, resilient member 148 is defined by a diameter that is substantially equal to or equal to the diameter of resilient member 125, although resilient member 148 could alternatively have a diameter that is larger than or smaller than that of resilient member 125.

Resilient member 148 can be embodied as a coil spring or any other suitable component. As shown in the FIGS., resilient member 148 can be positioned between the distal side of end wall 116 and seat 154 of plunger 146. When there is no contact between device 100 and inside surface 204 of buffer tube 200 during operation of a firearm (shown in FIG. 4), resilient member 148 is configured to bias second recoil reduction assembly 106 in direction RD1 such that first end 150 of plunger 146 is at its most extended position. When first end 150 of plunger 146 contacts inside surface 204 of buffer tube 200 during operation of a firearm and first end 150 is moved axially in direction RD2, resilient member 148 is configured to compress axially. The contact between first end 150 of plunger 146 and surface 204 of buffer tube 200 is shown in FIG. 5. The compression of resilient member 148 and the axial movement of plunger 146 in direction RD2 after the contact is shown in FIG. 6. After the contact between first end 150 of plunger 146 and buffer tube 200, resilient member 148 helps second recoil reduction assembly 106 return to its fully extended or uncompressed position shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 6, after there is contact between device 100 and inside surface 204 of buffer tube 200 during operation of a firearm, plunger 146 can be moved in direction RD2 such that second end 152 of plunger contacts end wall 116 against the bias of resilient member 148. In the position shown in FIG. 6, first end 150 of plunger 146 is substantially flush with second distal end 114 of cylinder 102. However, it should be appreciated that in alternate embodiments when second recoil reduction assembly 106 is in its fully compressed state plunger 146 need not be substantially flush with second distal end 114 of cylinder 102. For example, in embodiments plunger 146 can still extend outwardly from distal end 114 of cylinder 102 even when second recoil reduction assembly 106 is in its fully compressed state. Alternatively, in embodiments plunger 146 can be recessed within second distal end 114 of cylinder 102 when second recoil reduction assembly 106 is in its fully compressed state. After the second end 152 of plunger 146 contacts end wall 116, resilient member 148 helps second recoil reduction assembly 106 return to its extended or uncompressed position shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 7, an example method 700 of reducing recoil in a firearm using recoil reduction device 100 is described. It should be appreciated that recoil reduction device 100 can be mounted for sliding axially within a buffer tube of a firearm in directions RD1 and RD2 as described herein. Device 100 can be configured to move in rearward direction RD1 against the bias of resilient member 202 in buffer tube 200; thus, device 100 can compress resilient member 202 when it is moved or displaced in rearward direction RD1 by a bolt carrier assembly or any suitable component or components. Subsequently, resilient member 202 urges device 100 in direction RD2, opposite rearward direction RD1, when device 100 moves from a recoil position to a battery position.

At step 710, upon firing of a firearm including recoil reduction device 100, device 100 is moved or displaced axially along center longitudinal axis A or parallel to center longitudinal axis A in rearward direction RD1 and first recoil reduction assembly 104 is actuated to absorb at least an initial jolt felt from the firing.

At step 720, after first recoil reduction assembly 104 is actuated, device 100 is moved further axially along center longitudinal axis A or parallel to center longitudinal axis A in rearward direction RD1 until second recoil reduction assembly 106 contacts surface 204 of buffer tube 202 of the firearm. Second recoil reduction assembly 106 is actuated upon contact between assembly 106 and buffer tube 202.

At step 730, due to the impact between device 100 and buffer tube 202 and activation of second recoil reduction assembly 106, plunger 146 and/or resilient member 148 of second recoil reduction assembly 106 compress. During the compression, plunger 146 can move axially in direction RD2, opposite rearward direction RD1. As the plunger 146 and/or resilient member 148 compress, the rearward travel of the recoil reduction device 100 is slowed.

In embodiments, after the second recoil reduction assembly 106 is actuated, the first recoil reduction assembly 104 is actuated again to assist with the recoil reduction. In embodiments, the actuation of the first recoil reduction assembly 104 that occurs after the actuation of the second recoil reduction assembly 106 involves displacing piston rod 122 in direction RD1 and collecting, at accumulator 120, a damping medium from first interior hollow compartment 108 through at least one opening in piston head 118 or an opening between an exterior of piston head 118 and an interior surface of main body 102. It should be appreciated that the re-actuation or continued actuation of first recoil reduction assembly 104 can overlap with a portion of the actuation of the second recoil reduction assembly 106. Alternatively, the re-actuation or continued actuation of first recoil reduction assembly 104 can occur after the entirety of the actuation of the second recoil reduction assembly 106. It should further be appreciated that in embodiments, the actuation of first recoil reduction assembly 104 that occurs after the actuation of the second recoil reduction assembly 106 involves movement of piston rod 122 in direction RD2 and releasing the damping medium collected at accumulator 120.

At step 740, after recoil reduction by first and second recoil reduction assemblies 104 and 106, device 100 is moved axially in direction RD2 to a battery position within the firearm. Resilient member 202 urges device 100 in direction RD2, resilient member 148 urges plunger 146 in direction RD1, and resilient member 125 urges the first recoil reduction assembly 104 in direction RD2.

In an optional step, after second recoil reduction assembly 106 is actuated in step 730, first recoil reduction assembly 104 can continue to absorb energy. In an example including a hydraulic first recoil reduction assembly, piston head 118 moves axially in rearward direction RD1 into first interior hollow compartment 108 to displace a volume of hydraulic fluid or any suitable damping medium. Accumulator 120 collects hydraulic fluid or any suitable damping medium displaced by piston head 118 and rod 122. The action of first recoil reduction assembly 104 provides further recoil reduction in addition to that provided by second recoil reduction assembly 106. When first recoil reduction assembly 104 is moved axially in direction RD2 by resilient member 125 after the recoil stages, piston cap 124 assumes its fully extended position relative to cylinder 102. The fluid or any suitable damping medium that was collected by accumulator 120 flows back into first interior hollow compartment 108 on the distal side of first recoil reduction assembly 104.

It should be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

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.

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.”

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A recoil reduction device for a firearm, comprising: a main body having a proximal end, a distal end, a first interior hollow compartment, and a second interior hollow compartment;a first recoil reduction assembly arranged at least partially within the first interior hollow compartment at the proximal end of the main body; anda second recoil reduction assembly arranged at least partially within the second interior hollow compartment at the distal end of the main body;wherein the first recoil reduction assembly provides recoil reduction during a first stage of a firing cycle of the firearm, and the second recoil reduction assembly provides recoil reduction during a second stage of the firing cycle of the firearm, and wherein the second stage is different than the first stage.

2. The recoil reduction device of claim 1, wherein the first recoil reduction assembly extends through the proximal end of the main body and the second recoil reduction assembly extends through the distal end of the main body.

3. The recoil reduction device of claim 1, wherein the first recoil reduction assembly provides recoil reduction according to a first mechanism and the second recoil reduction assembly provides recoil reduction according to a second mechanism that is different than the first mechanism.

4. The recoil reduction device of claim 3, wherein the first mechanism is a hydraulic damping mechanism.

5. The recoil reduction device of claim 1, wherein the first interior hollow compartment and the second interior hollow compartment are coaxial about a central longitudinal axis of the recoil reduction device.

6. The recoil reduction device of claim 1, wherein the second recoil reduction assembly comprises a plunger and a resilient member.

7. The recoil reduction device of claim 6, wherein a first end of the plunger is configured to extend outward from the distal end of the main body when not in a fully compressed state.

8. The recoil reduction device of claim 6, wherein the plunger comprises a first end and a second end that is opposite the first end, and the resilient member of the second recoil reduction assembly is configured to be received in a seat that is provided in the second end of the plunger, and the resilient member extends outward from the seat in the second end of the plunger.

9. The recoil reduction device of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises an end wall positioned between the first interior hollow compartment and the second interior hollow compartment.

10. The recoil reduction device of claim 9, wherein the end wall comprises an orifice extending between a first side of the end wall that faces the first interior hollow compartment and a second side of the end wall that faces the second interior hollow compartment.

11. The recoil reduction device of claim 1, wherein when the recoil reduction device is driven axially in a rearward direction, a hydraulic resistance is generated by the first recoil reduction assembly, and when the recoil reduction device is driven further axially in the rearward direction and the recoil reduction device contacts a buffer tube of the firearm, a non-hydraulic resistance is generated by the second recoil reduction assembly.

12. The recoil reduction device of claim 1, wherein when the recoil reduction device is driven axially in a rearward direction, a first resistance is generated by the first recoil reduction assembly, and when the recoil reduction device is driven further axially in the rearward direction and the recoil reduction device contacts a buffer tube of the firearm, a second resistance is generated by the second recoil reduction assembly, wherein the second resistance is different than the first resistance.

13. The recoil reduction device of claim 1, wherein the first recoil reduction assembly includes a first resilient member to provide preload in a first direction, and the second recoil reduction assembly includes a second resilient member to provide preload in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

14. The recoil reduction device of claim 1, wherein the first recoil reduction assembly comprises a piston head and an accumulator that is configured to collect a damping medium from the interior hollow compartment through at least one opening in the piston head or through an opening between an exterior of the piston head and an interior surface of the main body.

15. A method of reducing recoil during operation of a firearm, comprising: displacing a recoil reduction device in a rearward direction and actuating a first recoil reduction assembly of the recoil reduction device;displacing the recoil reduction device further in the rearward direction and actuating a second recoil reduction assembly of the recoil reduction devicecompressing a plunger or resilient member of the second recoil reduction assembly to slow a rearward motion of the recoil reduction device; andmoving, in a direction different from the rearward direction, the recoil reduction device to a battery position within the firearm after actuation of the first and second recoil reduction assemblies;wherein the first and second recoil reduction assemblies operate according to different mechanisms.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first or second recoil reduction assembly operates according to a hydraulic damping mechanism.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein actuating the first recoil reduction assembly occurs during a first stage of a firing cycle of the firearm and actuating the second recoil reduction assembly occurs during a second stage of the firing cycle, wherein the second stage is different than the first stage.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the actuating of the first recoil reduction assembly comprises generating a first resistance when the recoil reduction device is driven in the rearward direction, and actuating of the second recoil reduction assembly comprises generating a second resistance when the recoil reduction device is driven further in the rearward direction and the recoil reduction device contacts a buffer tube of the firearm, wherein the first and second resistances are different in type.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the first recoil reduction assembly comprises a piston head and an accumulator that is configured to collect a damping medium from the first interior hollow compartment through at least one opening in the piston head.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the first recoil reduction assembly comprises a piston head and an accumulator that is configured to collect a damping medium from the first interior hollow compartment through an opening between an exterior of the piston head and an interior surface of the main body.