Gunstock system having an internal magazine

A gunstock system having an internal magazine for storage of ammunition cartridges and for providing ambidextrous delivery of the ammunition cartridges. The gunstock has a vertically-oriented internal magazine having an upper opening and a lower reload/discharge opening, an operable cover for closing the upper opening, a biasing element, such as a spring, extending from the cover within the internal magazine to apply downward pressure upon the ammunition cartridges, and biased-retaining arms for operatively opening and closing the reload/discharge opening to permit and restrict removal of the ammunition cartridges from the internal magazine. The ammunition cartridges exit the reload/discharge opening in a forward manner and along the bottom of the gunstock. The gunstock has a bore extending therethrough from a rearward to a forward end of the gunstock for receiving a bolt to secure the gunstock to the receiver or adjacent portion of the firearm.

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a firearm and more specifically it relates to a gunstock system having an internal magazine for storage of various types of ammunition and for providing ambidextrous delivery of the ammunition into the user's hand when desired.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many firearms include a magazine, such as for holding one or more spare ammunition cartridges. However, the space allotted within the magazine is generally not suitable or adequate for holding a desired number of ammunition cartridges.

Attempts have been made to provide for a space to hold additional cartridges. Such attempts have included sleeves having holders for a plurality of cartridges, wherein the sleeve is removably received by the gunstock. However, the sleeves are generally not aesthetically pleasing, may not adequately hold the cartridges, may provide difficulty in removing the cartridges, may provide for uncomfortable shooting of the firearm, among other faults.

Other cartridge holders have been integrated into the gunstock; however these also have many faults, such as being difficult to remove the cartridges, making the firearm unbalanced, not aesthetically pleasing, not suited for left or right handed shooters, among various other deficiencies.

Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved gunstock system having an internal magazine for storage of various types of ammunition and for providing ambidextrous delivery of the ammunition into the user's hand when desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for storage of various types of ammunition and for providing ambidextrous delivery of the ammunition to the user. The invention generally relates to a firearm which includes a gunstock having a vertically-oriented internal magazine having an upper opening and a lower reload/discharge opening, an operable cover for closing the upper opening, a biasing element, such as a spring, extending from the cover within the internal magazine to apply downward pressure upon the ammunition cartridges, and biased-retaining arms for operatively opening and closing the reload/discharge opening to permit and restrict removal of the ammunition cartridges from the internal magazine. The ammunition cartridges exit the reload/discharge opening in a forward manner and along the bottom of the gunstock. The gunstock has a bore extending therethrough from a rearward to a forward end of the gunstock for receiving a bolt to secure the gunstock to the receiver or adjacent portion of the firearm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,FIGS. 1 through 6illustrate a gunstock system having an internal magazine10, which comprises a gunstock20having a vertically-oriented internal magazine30having an upper opening31and a lower reload/discharge opening32, an operable cover40for closing the opening31, a first biasing element51, such as a spring, extending from the cover40within the internal magazine30to apply downward pressure upon the ammunition cartridges13-16, and biased-retaining arms61,65for operatively opening and closing the reload/discharge opening32to permit and restrict removal of the ammunition cartridges13-16from the internal magazine30. The ammunition cartridges13-16exit the reload/discharge opening32in a forward manner and along the bottom of the gunstock20. The gunstock20has a bore21extending therethrough from a rearward to a forward end of the gunstock20for receiving a bolt12to secure the gunstock20to the receiver or adjacent portion11of the firearm. Although not numbered, extending from the receiver11is also a barrel, trigger, chamber, and other elements of a conventional firearm.

It is appreciated that four ammunition cartridges13-16are described and illustrated as being contained within the magazine30, however the magazine30may be sized to receive more or less cartridges and more or less cartridges may be present in the magazine30at any one time. Further, the number of ammunition cartridges described and shown herein is just for exemplary purposes. Additionally, although shotgun ammunition cartridges are shown, the present invention is equally suited for holding rifle ammunition cartridges.

The gunstock20is suitable for being secured to various firearms and thus may be configured in a variety of sizes and shapes. The gunstock20may be of a plastic-synthetic type, wood material, or other. The gunstock20also may be retrofitted to an existing firearm or manufactured with a new firearm. The gunstock20preferably includes a bore21extending through the length of the gunstock20for aligning with a bore21of the receiver or adjacent portion11of the firearm to collectively receive an elongated bolt12or other type of fastener for securing the gunstock20to the receiver or adjacent portion11of the firearm. The bolt12generally has exterior threads or other securing means for connecting to the receiver11. The bore21also generally has a shoulder22or other structure to retain the head of the bolt12within the gunstock20yet permit at least a portion of the shaft of the bolt12to enter a bore of the receiver11for connecting thereto. The gunstock20may also be formed of an integral part or two halves.

The gunstock20has a rear portion23and a front portion24, with the rear portion23having the internal magazine30and the front portion24abutting the adjacent portion or receiver11of the firearm. The internal magazine30generally vertically extends with the rear portion23of the gunstock20from an upper end to a lower end of the gunstock20so that the ammunition cartridges13-16are substantially horizontally oriented and vertically-stacked within the internal magazine30. The internal magazine30also generally angled slightly rearwardly so that the forward end of the ammunition cartridges13-16angles downwardly for providing ease in ejecting the ammunition cartridges13-16. The magazine30is generally fully enclosed except for exposed portion29thus keeping the ammunition cartridges13-16substantially free from contact with foreign elements.

The gunstock20includes a lower support26which extends substantially from the rearward to the forward end of the lower end of the internal magazine30, wherein the lowermost ammunition cartridge13is supported by the lower support26. Because the bottom of the internal magazine30is covered via the lower support26, the reload/discharge opening32of the magazine30is located at the forward side of the lower end of the magazine30so that the ammunition cartridges13-16are ejected forwardly at the bottom of the rear portion of the gunstock20. A cavity27is also located within the gunstock20forwardly of the reload/discharge opening32and along the bottom of the gunstock20to provide adequate space for the second biasing assembly60to move and for the user to remove the ammunition cartridges13-16.

Although the internal magazine30may be incorporated into the gunstock20, the internal magazine30is preferably defined via a hollow casing having front, back, first side, and second side walls, as well as a partial bottom that follows the lower support26.

It is appreciated that the gunstock20may also have a recoil pad or back plate18secured to the rearward end of the rear portion23of the gunstock20. The recoil pad or back plate18generally extends over the rear, access opening of the bore21such as to cover and conceal the rear, access opening of the bore21. The recoil pad or back plate18may be secured to the gunstock20via using various types of fasteners (not shown).

The top cover40is used to close the upper opening31of the magazine30. The top cover40may be secured to the gunstock20over the opening31in various manners, such as being secured via fasteners42, a hinged connection, etc. Preferably the top cover40is easily opened and closed such as to permit an operator of the firearm to have convenient access to the magazine30to access internal components to clean or repair. In addition, the opening31is used by the manufacturer for installing necessary components. The top cover40is also generally flush with the gunstock20such as to be substantially inconspicuous.

The first biasing assembly50preferably extends from the top cover40such as to extend downwardly within the magazine30for applying a biasing, downward force upon the ammunition cartridges13-16within the magazine30. The preferred biasing assembly50is comprised of a first biasing element51, such as a spring, and a follower element53secured to the end of the first biasing element51for maintaining constant contact with the uppermost ammunition cartridge16within the magazine30, wherein the contacting surface area of the follower element53is sized much larger than the terminal end of the first biasing element51.

The follower element53is adapted to disperse the downward force from the first biasing element51along the length of the ammunition cartridge16such as to ensure a constant downward force is applied to the ammunition cartridge16in the direction with and parallel to the lengthwise axis of the magazine30. It is appreciated that alternate configurations of the first biasing assembly50may be appreciated and the first biasing element51may be comprised of other types of biasing structures.

The second biasing assembly60is to permit for opening and closing of the reload/discharge opening32. The second biasing assembly60is supported by the gunstock20within the cavity27and forms the forward wall of the lower end of the magazine30such that the forward end of the lower ammunition cartridges13-15rest upon the second biasing assembly60. The second biasing assembly60generally includes a lower retaining arm61, an upper retaining arm65and a second biasing element70interconnecting the lower retaining arm61and the upper retaining arm65.

Both of the dynamic lower retaining arm61and the dynamic upper retaining arm65are pivotally attached and both the lower retaining arm61and the upper retaining arm65apply pressure upon the second biasing element70when pivoted. In particular, the second biasing element70is preferably comprised of a tension spring that is supported via a pin72and as the lower retaining arm61is pivoted upwardly, the second biasing element70compresses. Likewise, as the upper retaining arm65is pivoted downwardly, the second biasing element70also compresses.

The lower retaining arm61covers the reload/discharge opening32when in the relaxed or substantially non-compressed state of the second biasing element70. When the lower retaining arm61is pivoted forwardly and upwardly within the cavity27, the reload/discharge opening32is uncovered thus permitting the operator to remove the lowermost ammunition cartridge13. The upper retaining arm65is for ensuring that the lower retaining arm61does not move forwardly and upwardly after shooting the firearm due to the recoil force of the firearm. The upper retaining arm65applies pressure upon the lower retaining arm61such as to retain the lower retaining arm61in the closed position so that the ammunition cartridges13-16are retained in the magazine30at all times unless the lower retaining arm61is manually adjusted.

The lower retaining arm61generally comprises a side edge62, an upper edge63, and a connecting portion64extending upwardly from the connecting edge63. The side edge62being vertical in the retaining position of the lower retaining arm61and the connecting edge63being horizontal in the retaining position and extending forwardly within the cavity27from the top of the side edge62as illustrated inFIG. 3. The side edge62rests against the forward wall of the casing34of the internal magazine30. The lower end of the side edge62of the lower retaining arm61preferably does not extend to the bottom of the reload/discharge opening32such that a forward, lower corner of the lowermost ammunition cartridge13is left exposed for an operator to grasp as illustrated by the exposed portion29between the lower end of the lower retaining arm61and the lower support26. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the retaining edge62is horizontal in the open position and the edge63is vertical in the open position.

The upper retaining arm65generally comprises a side edge66, a forward recess67, and a connecting portion68. The connecting portion68of the upper retaining arm65generally connects to the second biasing element70and may overlap the connecting portion64of the lower retaining arm61. The side edge66of the upper retaining arm65extends vertically upwards from the side edge62of the lower retaining arm61. Both the side edge66and the side edge62share a common rear edge that rests against the forward wall of the casing34of the internal magazine30, wherein the upper retaining arm65is generally positioned above the lower retaining arm61.

The forward recess67is formed on the lower forward corner of the upper retaining arm65and regulates the degree that the retaining arm65is able to pivot in a downward manner when the firearm is shot or discharged as illustrated inFIG. 4and also receives the lower retaining arm61when pivoting upwardly to release a cartridges13-16as illustrated inFIG. 5. The lower retaining arm61is unable to pivot rearwardly because of the presence of ammunition cartridges13-16within the magazine30and thus the upper retaining arm65is stopped from downward pivotal movement when engaging the lower retaining arm61.

F. Operation of Preferred Embodiment.

In use, the magazine30is loaded with ammunition cartridges13-16generally through the reload/discharge opening32. The first biasing assembly50is caused to engage the uppermost ammunition cartridge16and apply downward pressure thereon, thus ensuring that the ammunition cartridges13-16remain properly stacked within the magazine30as illustrated inFIG. 3.

When the lowermost ammunition cartridge13is desired to be removed from the magazine30, the exposed forward and lower corner of the lowermost ammunition cartridge13via the exposed portion29is grasped and pulled forwardly. The exposed portion29is large enough and is purposely located at a corner of the ammunition cartridge for permitting the operator to easily grasp the ammunition cartridge with gloved-hands. Forward movement of the ammunition cartridge13causes the lower retaining arm61to rotate forwardly and upwardly and into the cavity27, thus compressing the second biasing element70(i.e. tension spring) as illustrated inFIG. 5.

As the ammunition cartridge13is pulled forward and out the first biasing assembly50including the second biasing element70and follower element53push down on the reserve ammunition cartridges14-16within the magazine30until the lowermost cartridge14of the remaining ammunition cartridges14-16engages the lower support26as illustrated inFIG. 6. The lower retaining arm61also maintains pressure upon the ammunition cartridge13being removed to ensure steady removal of the ammunition cartridge13. After removal, the removed ammunition cartridge13is now ready to reload the empty chamber of the firearm (e.g. shotgun, rifle, etc.) and the lower retaining arm61returns to an initial position, thus being substantially vertical to close the reload/discharge opening32and retain the remaining ammunition cartridges14-16within the magazine30. The bore21is not typically used in the rifle embodiment of the firearm with the gunstock20; however the bore21is used when the firearm is comprised of a shotgun embodiment.

By permitting the ammunition cartridges14-16to be removed from the bottom of the gunstock20, the present invention permits ambidextrous use, wherein either left or right-handed operators may comfortably remove the ammunition cartridges14-16. Also by permitting the ammunition cartridges14-16to be removed forwardly, the ammunition cartridges14-16are easily and fluidly transferred to the chamber of the firearm.

Discharging the firearm often results in significant recoil force. The recoil force causes the upper retaining arm65to rotate downwards and forwardly towards the lower retaining arm61, which increases the tension of the second biasing element70thus holding the lower retaining arm61in position which ensures that the remaining ammunition cartridges14-16are retained within the magazine30and that the lower retaining arm61does not pivot forwardly as illustrated inFIG. 4.

It is appreciated that the mass of the upper retaining arm65is varied with the type of firearm and amount of recoil force the firearm outputs. In the preferred embodiment the upper retaining arm65is considerably heavier than the lower retaining arm61. The lower retaining arm61is generally comprised of aluminum or other lightweight material that would permit the lower retaining arm61to easily pivot forwardly when the user removes ammunition cartridges13-16. Because of the lightweight of the lower retaining arm61, the upper retaining arm65is needed to retain the lower retaining arm61in a retaining position when the firearm is discharged such as to hold back the ammunition cartridges13-16within the magazine30.