Abstract:
The present invention relates to a recoil reducer for a firearm. The recoil reducer includes a means to reduce the energy transmitted from the firearm via the use of a soft viscoelastic gel, which is surrounded by means to further reduce the energy transmitted, above that provided solely by the characteristics of the gel, while at the same time holding the soft gel in place and assisting it to return to its pre-distortion state.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/701,599 (filed Sep. 15, 2012) is claimed, and that provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERAL SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEV. 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    The present disclosure relates to a recoil reducer in the realm of reducing or eliminating the recoil normally associated with the discharge of firearms. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a recoil reducer which dissipates the recoil from a firearm by introduction of this invention onto the end of an existing gun stock or grip used on said firearms. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  shows one version of the recoil reducer from a top and bottom view, as mounted onto an existing stock of a shoulder-fired firearm. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  shows one version of the recoil reducer from a side view. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  shows a version of the recoil reducer from 3-D view. 
       
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in specific language contained herein. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended; any alterations and further modifications of the described or illustrated embodiments and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
         [0008]    A common problem associated with the discharge of firearms, particularly those that are shoulder-fired, is the recoil or kick that occurs upon the discharge of the firearm. This recoil is generated by the fact that a projectile is being launched from the firearm at great velocity. The energy associated with the projectile leaving the firearm causes the firearm to move backward toward the user of the firearm. This situation is experienced in handguns (those that are meant to be held and discharged with one or two hands) as well as shoulder-fired firearms (those that are meant to be placed with a stock against the shoulder prior to discharge). While the present invention has application, in one form or another, to all firearms, it is ideally suited to deal with shoulder-fired firearms. 
         [0009]    Recoil reducers have been used for almost as long as firearms have been around as a means to increase the comfort of the firearm&#39;s user. The need for such reducers has increased over time as firearms have gotten lighter while, at the same time, ammunition is more powerful than in the past, both of which contribute to greater force to the user, commonly known as “kick.” 
         [0010]    Historically, a variety of approaches have been seen in this area. Early on a soft material, such as rubber, was merely affixed to the end of the gun stock. The softness of the rubber used would vary from hard to soft. The use of hard solid rubber recoil reducers, which are still in use today, is limited as the rubber does not significantly deform upon the introduction of force, thus only a small amount is dissipated and the user still feels significant “kick.” There are also the issues of user “feel” since the length of stock is increased with the introduction of this item. While hard rubber was common, on the other end of the spectrum, soft rubber was also used and would dissipate more force, but would be unstable and subject to color transfer and would be become dirty. Also, all rubber recoil reducers continue to cure and thus, harden over time. 
         [0011]    Of the rubber versions originally developed, the harder version was more universally adopted and thus people undertook to improve this design. One way in which this was done was to introduce voids or venting in the cross section of the hard rubber to attempt to increase the force dissipation characteristics of the rubber. While this provided greater force reduction, it did not eliminate the force transmitted to the user in a significant way. Further, this design did not address the fact that voids or venting could break down over time as a result of the movement associated with use or that the rubber would continue to harden as it aged, which would further lessen the force dissipation characteristics over time. 
         [0012]    The next approach was attempts to use thin fluid in an open cellular structure. This method was meant to lessen the force transmitted to the user by using friction forces, as fluid moved within the structure. However, reduction was minimal because the size of the structure and amount of fluid was limited. Attempts to eliminate the open cellular structure and increase the amount of fluid would only increase the force felt versus reducing it. 
         [0013]    The next iteration of development included the introduction of viscoelastic gels such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,115 (Cook). However the problem with these is that they would use some solid core and would combine this with gels which were too hard (Shore OO hardness of above 60), which provided improved, but limited, amount of force reduction. Coupled with this is the fact that the size was limited to that which was substantially similar to the stock in which they were used. Further, they also failed to incorporate additional elements, in addition to the gel, to ensure that the force was effectively reduced, while at the same time assisting the gel returned to their pre-compressed form. 
         [0014]    These prior solutions have not succeeded in effectively and optimally reducing the recoil transmitted to the user, while keeping the recoil pad low cost, simple, easy to manufacture and lightweight. Thus, there is still a need for a recoil pad that meets the goals noted above. 
       DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    One form of the present invention includes a receiver element  1 , which is placed onto the stock  2  of a shoulder-fired firearm, as identified in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . This receiver  1  element is such that it fits snugly onto the stock  2  and deflects very little in standard use. A preferred choice of material for the receiver element  1  is some form of durable fabric and not rubber. Rubber degrades over time and cracks with use. The methods of putting this receiver element  1  onto the stock  2 , includes any method in which the movement or deflection of the invention within the stock is minimized. This could include a friction fit with Velcro, string cinching, or other means understood as a way to ensure minimal movement between the invention and the stock. In the preferred embodiment, there is a tab  3 , small ribbon or similar element, on the bottom underside of the receiver element which is used to cinch the receiver element around the stock, while the Velcro  4  is secured. This ensures a snug fit with minimal movement of the receiver element on the stock. 
         [0016]    In the preferred embodiment, the Velcro  4  used to hold the receiver element in place does not use any elements that are the vertical portion of the receiver element, but is rather contained on the bottom underside of the receiver element. In this way, it eliminates the possibility that an unintentional snag may occur, which could cause inadvertent removal of the recoil reducer or damage to the user&#39;s clothes or equipment. 
         [0017]    Fixedly attached to the back edge of receiver element of the preferred embodiment is the energy dissipation element  5 . This element includes an exterior portion  6  which contains the other portions, a cushioning portion  7  which extends from the areas in which the receiver element is attached to energy dissipation element and continues back to the point where the user places the recoil reducer against their shoulder in normal operation. The cushioning portion  7  contains a viscoelastic material, preferably silicon gel, with a Shore OO hardness of less than 60, having a minimum depth along the trailing edge of the energy dissipation element (that which is placed against the users&#39; shoulder) of at least ½ inch from the energy containment portion  8 . The energy containment portion  8  surrounds a portion of the cushioning portion. In the preferred embodiment, the energy containment portion  8  consists of cording numbering at least three, which go around the outside of the cushioning portion  7  and are spaced at least ⅛ of an inch from each other. This energy containment portion  8  serves to allow the gel in the cushion portion to deform around the cording, which allows for additional energy dissipation, but also maintains the relative position of the recoil reducer and to speed the return of cushioning portion  7  to its pre-distortion form. This method allows for the use of much softer cushioning portion than previously used as the energy containment portion provides the stability which previously was obtained through the use of harder cushioning elements. 
         [0018]    It also an element of this invention that the energy dissipation element  5  be significantly larger than the stock. One of the main reasons prior versions of recoil reducers were not as efficient, as they were limited to substantially similar size as the stock. This limitation would reduce the potential energy dissipation capacity of the unit and ultimately lead to a device that was ineffective. In the present invention, an energy dissipation element  5  of, a minimum, of at least 25% larger than the stock in which it is attached, is necessary. It should be noted that this amount is somewhat adjustable, dependent upon the power of the firearm involved. Certain firearms, which are more powerful and thus generate greater recoil, might require an even larger amount of differential from the stock or grip. Notwithstanding, it is imperative that there be some means in which to dissipate the force generated by the recoil over a greater area than that which is provided by the standard recoil reducers. It is in this way that greater comfort is achieved for the firearm user. 
         [0019]    The exterior portion  6  of the energy dissipation element is any fabric well known in the art which provides a reasonable amount of movement, such that the material within can work effectively, but is not so much movement that the user experiences difficulty maintaining control of the firearm. 
         [0020]    In use, the recoil reducer is placed against the shoulder of a user along the section noted as  9  in the Figures which could be called the user engagement point. The user engagement point is what actually comes into contact with the shoulder of the user, opposite the end in which the receiver element is attached. When the firearm is discharged, force from the discharge travels along the stock  2  and is transmitted to the energy dissipation element  5  where the viscoelastic material contained therein undergoes deformation which dissipates the energy. Further energy dissipation occurs by the energy containment portion  8  as the energy is transmitted through the viscoelastic material to the energy containment element  8  which causes the energy containment elements to deflect. The combination of these portions greatly lessens the energy ultimately transmitted to and received by the user at the user engagement point  9 . 
         [0021]    Another form of the present invention is such that the energy dissipation element  5  is incorporated into the manufacture of the firearm such that the need for a receiver element  1  is eliminated. In this way, the energy dissipation element  5  is fixedly connected to the stock during the manufacturing process. 
         [0022]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail with the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.