Shoulder stock assembly for a pistol

Implementations of a shoulder stock assembly for a pistol are provided. The shoulder stock assembly is configured for use in attaching a shoulder stock to a handgun, thereby providing additional stability to a user aiming and firing the handgun. In some implementations, the shoulder stock assembly is also configured to position an optical sight (e.g., a reflex type sight) so that is can be used to aim the handgun. In some implementations, the shoulder stock assembly comprises a chassis configured to be secured to a frame of a handgun and used to position an optical sight over a slide of the handgun, a shoulder stock secured to the chassis by a hinge assembly, a removable backstrap assembly configured to further secure the chassis to the handgun frame, and a charging handle that can be used to manually operate the slide of the handgun or another suitable combination thereof.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of a shoulder stock assembly for a pistol.

BACKGROUND

A pistol (or handgun) is a short-barreled firearm than can be held and used with one hand. Compared to a rifle with a shoulder stock, pistols are relatively hard to shoot accurately. Shoulder stocks are configured to be braced against the shoulder for stability while the rifle is being fired. This is one feature of the rifle that allows the shooter to mitigate recoil, and increase speed and accuracy while firing. Therefore, it would be advantageous if a shoulder stock could be attached to a pistol.

Also, the majority of pistols come from the factory with iron sights. Typical iron sights provided on a pistol include a front post and a rear notch which must be aligned to aim the pistol. Mounting an optical sight on a pistol offers a shooter several advantages over using iron sights alone. Optical sights provide a simplified sight picture comprised of a single illuminated aiming point in place of the front post and rear notch of iron sights. In this way, a shooter's accuracy and/or speed with a pistol may improve. Further, a shooter may be able to aim with the illuminated aiming point of an optical sight in environmental conditions that would make visual alignment of the iron sights difficult or impossible, low light conditions for example.

However, given the design of most pistols, attaching an optical sight may be difficult to do. In order to accommodate an optical sight, the slide of the pistol may need to be permanently modified in order to mount an optical sight thereon, milled for example. If the user decides to switch to a new optical sight, further modifications to the pistol may be required. In some instances, the pistol may not be suitable for further modification.

Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for the shoulder stock assembly disclosed herein. It is to the provision of a shoulder stock assembly that is configured to address these needs, and others, that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Implementations of a shoulder stock assembly for a pistol are provided. The shoulder stock assembly is configured for use in attaching a shoulder stock to a handgun, thereby providing additional stability to a user aiming and firing the handgun. In some implementations, the shoulder stock assembly is also configured to position an optical sight (e.g., an Aimpoint® Micro sight or other reflex type sight) so that it can be used to aim the handgun.

In some implementations, the shoulder stock assembly comprises: a chassis configured to be secured to the frame of a handgun; a shoulder stock secured to the chassis by a hinge assembly; and a backstrap assembly configured to be mounted to the grip portion of the handgun frame and attached directly to the chassis. The chassis includes a mounting platform configured to position an optical sight mounted thereon over the slide.

In another implementation, the shoulder stock assembly comprises: a chassis configured to be removably secured to the grip portion of a handgun frame; a fastening pin configured to secure the chassis to the grip portion of the handgun frame; and a shoulder stock secured to the chassis. The fastening pin extends through a portion of the chassis and the grip portion of the handgun frame.

In yet another implementation, the shoulder stock assembly comprises: a chassis configured for use with a handgun; a fastener configured to secure the chassis to the frame of the handgun; and a shoulder stock secured to the chassis. The fastener extends through an opening in the chassis and a trigger pin hole in the handgun frame. A portion of the chassis is configured to be secured directly to the dustcover of the handgun frame.

In still yet another implementation, the shoulder stock assembly comprises: a chassis configured to be removably secured to the dustcover of a handgun frame; and a shoulder stock secured to the chassis. The chassis includes a clamp arm comprising a fixed bracket that is used in conjunction with an electronic device (e.g., a weapon mounted light) to secure the fixed bracket, and thereby the chassis, to the dustcover of the handgun frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-8illustrate an example implementation of a shoulder stock assembly for a pistol100according to the principles of the present disclosure. In some implementations, the shoulder stock assembly100may be configured for use in attaching a shoulder stock130to a handgun102, thereby providing additional stability to a user aiming and firing the handgun102. In some implementations, the shoulder stock assembly100may also be configured to position an optical sight108(e.g., an Aimpoint® Micro sight or other reflex type sight) for use aiming the handgun102.

As shown inFIGS. 1-8, in some implementations, the shoulder stock assembly100comprises a chassis110configured to secure to a frame103of the handgun102and position an optical sight108over a slide104thereof, a shoulder stock130secured to the chassis110by a hinge assembly132, a removable backs trap assembly116configured to further secure the chassis110to the handgun frame103, and a charging handle150that can be used to manually operate the slide104of the handgun102; or another suitable combination thereof.

As shown inFIGS. 3, 6, and 8, in some implementations, the chassis110may comprise a reciprocation channel114for the handgun slide104, a mounting platform120, the hinge assembly132, a clamp arm118that can be used to secure the chassis110to the dustcover105(e.g., an accessory rail thereon) of a handgun102; or a suitable combination thereof.

As shown inFIGS. 1-3 and 6, in some implementations, the reciprocation channel114may be a longitudinally extending cutout in the chassis110. In some implementations, reciprocation channel114may be configured (i.e., dimensioned) so that the handgun slide104is able to reciprocate therein when the handgun102is fired or otherwise manipulated. In some implementations, the reciprocation channel114may include a debris opening117that extends through a bottom side thereof (see, e.g.,FIG. 6). In this way, debris (e.g., fowling from the discharge of ammunition, water, environmental debris, etc.) may be prevented from accumulating and retarding the reciprocation of the handgun slide104when the handgun102is fired or the slide104is being manually manipulated.

As shown inFIGS. 4, 6, and 8, in some implementations, the chassis110is configured to be secured to the frame103of the handgun102by a fastener115extending through a trigger pin hole in the frame103. In some implementations, the fastener115may extend through an opening in a first side119aof the chassis110, through the trigger pin hole in the handgun frame103, and into an opening in a second side119bof the chassis110(see, e.g.,FIGS. 4 and 5).

As shown inFIG. 8, in some implementations, the mounting platform120may be supported by a first sidewall124aand a second sidewall124b, (collectively sidewalls124), that extend from the first side119aand the second side119b, respectively, of the chassis110. In some implementations, the mounting platform120and the sidewalls124define an opening therebetween that is configured (i.e., dimensioned) so that the handgun slide104is able to pass therethrough (see, e.g.,FIGS. 4 and 5). In this way, the slide104is able to reciprocate when the handgun102is fired or otherwise manipulated. In some implementations, the mounting platform120may be configured so that sights mounted on the slide104can be used to aim the handgun102(see, e.g.,FIG. 14). In some implementations, the mounting platform120may be configured to position an optical sight mounted thereon as close to the handgun slide104as is possible without interfering with the operation thereof (not shown).

As shown inFIG. 8, in some implementations, the mounting platform120and the sidewalls124may be a single unitary piece.

In some implementations, the mounting platform120may be removably secured between the first sidewall124aand the second sidewall124bof the chassis110by threaded fasteners (not shown). Thus, a user may change the type of optical sight positioned for use aiming the handgun102by selecting the appropriate mounting platform120and securing it between the sidewalls124of the chassis110.

As shown inFIG. 8, in some implementations, the mounting platform120of the shoulder stock assembly100may comprise a relief (or channel) configured to receive at least a portion of an optical sight108therein. In some implementations, the mounting platform120may not include a relief (not shown). In some implementations, the mounting platform120may be configured (e.g., contoured, shaped, etc.) to interface with the mount compatible surface (e.g., the bottom side) of any suitable optical sight. In some implementations, the mounting platform120may include one or more openings that extend therethrough. In this way, fasteners127(e.g., screws) may be used to secure an optical sight108onto the top side of the mounting platform120.

As shown inFIG. 8, in some implementations, the mounting platform120may include at least one recoil lug122thereon. In some implementations, each recoil lug122may be a projection extending from the top side of the mounting platform120that is configured to interface with a corresponding receptacle in the underside of the optical sight108. In this way, an attached optical sight may be prevented from sliding back-and-forth due to the incidental vibrations associated with the discharge of a firearm. In some implementations, the mounting platform120may not have a recoil lug121thereon.

As shown inFIG. 7, in some implementations, the chassis110may comprise two portions that are removably secured to each other, a first end that includes the mounting platform120and a second end (or back end) that includes the hinge assembly132. In some implementations, the second end of the chassis110may be removed from the first end thereof. In this way, the first end of the chassis110having the optical sight108thereon remains secured to the handgun frame103while the overall bulk of a handgun102is reduced by removing the hinge assembly132and shoulder stock130. In some implementations, the chassis110may comprise a single unitary piece that includes both the mounting platform120and the hinge assembly132(not shown inFIGS. 1-8).

As shown inFIG. 4, in some implementations, the clamp arm118of the chassis110includes a fixed bracket162that can be used in conjunction with the mounting system of a weapon light170(e.g., a Surefire® model X300U-B® weapon light) to secure the chassis110to the dustcover105of the handgun frame103, thereby further stabilizing the chassis110and the shoulder stock assembly100as a whole. Also, this configuration allows a weapon light170to be positioned on the handgun dustcover105, as was intended, without offsetting it further from the bore axis of the handgun102. In some implementations, the clamp arm118extends from one side (e.g., the first side119a) of the chassis110and the fixed bracket162thereof is configured to interface with one side of a dustcover accessory rail (e.g., a Universal Rail or a MIL-STD 1913 accessory rail, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art). In some implementations, the weapon light107may be held in position on the dustcover105by a screw174extending through an opening in a clamp portion172of the weapon light170, through a cross-slot in the dustcover105accessory rail, that is threadedly secured to the fixed bracket162of the clamp arm118(see, e.g.,FIGS. 4 and 8). In this way, both the weapon light170and the chassis110may be secured to the handgun frame103.

In some implementations, the shoulder stock assembly100may further comprise an adjustable bracket and a screw that are used in conjunction with the fixed bracket162on the clamp arm118of the chassis110, instead of a weapon light170, to secure (e.g., clamp) the chassis110to the dust cover105of the handgun frame103(not shown).

As shown inFIGS. 1-8, in some implementations, the shoulder stock130is a folding stock. In some implementations, the shoulder stock130includes a proximal portion that is secured to the chassis110and a distal portion configured for engaging with a shoulder of a user. In some implementations, the shoulder stock130may be moved between an unfolded position (see, e.g.,FIG. 1) and a folded position (see e.g.,FIG. 2), the handgun102may be fired with the shoulder stock130in either position. In some implementations, the shoulder stock130may be pivotally mounted to the back end of the chassis110by the hinge assembly132.

In some implementations, the shoulder stock130may not be a folding stock (not shown). Instead, in some implementations, the shoulder stock130may be secured in a fixed (i.e., unfolded) position to the back end of the chassis110.

In some implementations, the shoulder stock130may be configured to provide for an adjustable length of pull (i.e., be a telescoping shoulder stock) (not shown).

As shown inFIGS. 1-2, 5, and 7-8, in some implementations, the shoulder stock130may comprise a spring-loaded latch assembly131. In some implementations, the spring-loaded latch assembly131may be configured to secure the shoulder stock130in the folded position by engaging with the head of a fastener148extending from the second side119bof the chassis110. In some implementations, the latch131aof the latch assembly131may include a cam surface which cooperates with the head of the fastener148. In this way, the spring-loaded latch assembly131may be configured to removably engage with the fastener148and thereby secure the shoulder stock130in the folded position. In some implementations, one or more threaded fasteners may be used to secure the spring-loaded latch assembly131to the shoulder stock130.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 6, in some implementations, the hinge assembly132of the chassis110may be configured to permit the shoulder stock130to be folded substantially adjacent to the chassis110of the shoulder stock assembly100. In this way, the overall length of the handgun102may be reduced for ease of transportation and/or concealment.

As shown inFIG. 8, in some implementations, the hinge assembly132may comprise a hinge pin133(e.g., a shoulder bolt) used to pivotally attached the shoulder stock130between two opposing spaced apart flanges112a,112bextending from the chassis110of the shoulder stock assembly100, and a latch assembly configured to secure the shoulder stock130in the unfolded position.

In some implementations, the latch assembly may comprise a button134operably connected to a spring-biased latch138by a screw136, the screw136being nested in the head of the button134(see, e.g.,FIGS. 4 and 8). In some implementations, the latch138may be configured to engage with a latch receiving structure140located on the proximal portion of the shoulder stock130. In this way, the latch assembly may be used to secure the shoulder stock130in the unfolded position (see, e.g.,FIG. 1). In some implementations, the latch assembly may be configured so that pressing the button134thereof causes the latch138to disengage from the latch receiving structure140of the shoulder stock130, thereby allowing the shoulder stock130to pivot on the hinge pin133and be folded (see, e.g.,FIG. 2).

As shown inFIG. 5, in some implementations, the hinge assembly132may further comprise a roll pin142that extends through a bore in the flange112bof the chassis110, the bore is positioned so that the roll pin142will interface (i.e., make contact) with the hinge pin133. In this way, the hinge pin133may be held in position while the shoulder stock130is moved between the folded and unfolded positions. In some implementations, a roll pin142may not be used to secure the hinge pin133in position.

As shown inFIGS. 1-5 and 7, in some implementations, the removable backs trap assembly116is configured to be selectively mountable to the grip portion of the handgun frame103and attached to the chassis110of the shoulder stock assembly100. In this way, the removable backs trap assembly116may be used to further secure the chassis110to the handgun frame103.

As shown inFIG. 8, in some implementations, the removable backs trap assembly116may comprise an elongate backstrap126and a beavertail128. In some implementations, the elongate backs trap126and the beavertail128may be removably secured together. In some implementations, the elongate backs trap126and the beavertail128may be a single unitary piece (not shown). In some implementations, when the backs trap126and the beavertail128of the backs trap assembly116are mounted on the grip portion of the handgun frame103, the through holes164,166of the handgun frame103and the beavertail128are aligned such that a fastening pin129can be inserted (see, e.g.,FIGS. 4 and 5). In some implementations, a flange portion144of the beavertail128may be attached to the bottom side of the chassis110by two fasteners160, thereby securing the backstrap assembly116to the chassis110. In this way, the backs trap assembly116may be used to further secure the chassis110to the handgun frame100.

As shown inFIGS. 1, 3, and 8, in some implementations, the beavertail128of the backs trap assembly116may include a first upwardly extending arm146aand a second upwardly extending arm146bthat are configured to interface with a first edge146aand a second edge146bof the chassis100. In this way, the backstrap assembly116may be configured to assist with resisting longitudinal forces placed on the chassis110as a result of a user shouldering the handgun102equipped with the shoulder stock assembly100.

In some implementations, the beavertail128may be used, without the elongate backstrap126, to further secure the chassis110to the handgun frame100.

In some implementations, the elongate backstrap126and/or beavertail128may include anchoring structures that are complementary to the anchoring structures found on the handgun frame103. Thus, in some implementations, the elongate backstrap126and/or beavertail128may be secured to the frame of a Glock® handgun in the same, or in a similar, manner as prior art removable backs traps. In particular, in some implementations, the fastening pin129of the backs trap assembly116can also be used to secure the trigger mechanism housing, well known to one of ordinary skill in the art, within the handgun frame103.

As shown inFIGS. 1-8, in some implementations, the charging handle150is attachable to the slide104of the handgun102and configured to function as a slide pull apparatus. In this way, for example, the handgun102may be loaded and/or unloaded. In some implementations, the charging handle150may be used as an independent part. In some implementations, the charging handle150may be configured to facilitate ambidextrous operation of the handgun slide104.

As shown inFIG. 8, in some implementations, the charging handle150may comprise a handle portion152secured to a slide cover plate154by a fastener156(e.g., a threaded fastener such as a screw). In some implementations, the fastener156of the charging handle159extends through an opening in the handle portion152and into a threaded bore in the protuberance158of the slide cover plate154. In some implementations, the handle portion152may form a T-shaped gripping portion when secured to the slide cover plate154(see, e.g.,FIG. 6). In this way, the charging handle150facilitates ambidextrous operation of the handgun slide104. In some implementations, the slide cover plate154of the charging handle150may be configured to attach to the handgun slide104in the same, or in a similar, manner as the factory slide cover plate of a Glock® handgun, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

FIGS. 1-8illustrate an implementation of the shoulder stock assembly100in which the mounting platform120is configured for an Aimpoint® Micro optical sight108to be mounted thereon. However, it should be understood that, in some implementations, the mounting platform120may be configured so that a DOCTER® red dot sight, a Leupold® Deltapoint, a Trijicon RMR®, an Aimpoint® Acro P-1, or other optical sights having a similar foot print can be mounted onto the top side thereof.

In some implementations, the chassis110of the shoulder stock assembly100may be made of aluminum and/or another material that is suitably wear and impact resistant.

In some implementations, the shoulder stock130of the shoulder stock assembly100may be made of aluminum, an injection molded polymer, another material that is suitably wear and impact resistant, or a combination thereof.

While a shoulder stock130comprising a proximal portion that is secured to the chassis110and a distal portion configured for engaging with a shoulder of a user is shown and described herein, it should be understood that, in some implementations, the shoulder stock130could be replaced with a forearm stabilizing brace or other similar device.

FIGS. 9-15illustrate another example implementation of a shoulder stock assembly200according to the principles of the present disclosure. In some implementations, the shoulder stock assembly200is similar to the shoulder stock assembly100discussed above but the chassis210is a single unitary piece and the first side219aof the chassis210does not include a clamp arm. As shown inFIGS. 9-14, the shoulder stock assembly200may be attached to a handgun202without the use of a clamp arm.

As another nonlimiting example, in some implementations, a shoulder stock assembly100,200may comprise a chassis110,210having a shoulder stock130connected thereto by a hinge assembly132, and a backs trap assembly116; the mounting platform120for an optical sight being omitted therefrom.

As yet another nonlimiting example, in some implementations, the beavertail128, or similar structure, may be a part (or portion) of the chassis110of the shoulder stock assembly100. In this way, the fastening pin129can be used to secure the chassis110to the frame103of the handgun102.

FIGS. 1-15illustrate implementations of the shoulder stock assembly100,200that have been configured for use with a Glock handgun102,202. However, it should be understood that, in some implementations, a shoulder stock assembly100,200could be configured for use with one or more other handgun designs.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in some implementations” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.