# Patent

## Title
Under-fold firearm stock assembly

## Abstract

An under-fold firearm stock assembly includes a main body having a longitudinal channel and a firing mechanism opening, a forearm stock having an elongated quick release lever opening, and a shoulder stock that is pivotally secured along the back of the main body via a pivot assembly.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/444,075 filed on Jul. 28, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/739,386 filed on Jan. 11, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.


TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to firearms and more particularly to an under-fold firearm stock assembly for use with the RUGER® 10/22 TAKEDOWN®.
BACKGROUND
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Many firearm owners routinely modify their weapons to suit a particular interest or desired look. To this end, it is a common practice for some to adapt or modify firearms to suit a particular need or desired look. Accordingly, there are a seemingly infinite number of aftermarket apparatuses and/or devices available to users in furtherance of this goal.
One of the most popular rifles for user customization is the commercially available RUGER® 10/22 semi-automatic 22 caliber rifle. This rifle is available in several variants, including the Takedown® version which comes with an easily removable barrel that is accessed from the underside of the weapon. This rifle does not include an adjustable stock, which can be advantageous during storage and transport, as well as for use in a close quarter environment.
Accordingly, there remains a need for an under-fold firearm stock assembly which can function in an aftermarket capacity to provide this feature to a RUGER® 10/22 Takedown® rifle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an under-fold firearm stock assembly. One embodiment of the present invention can include a main body having a longitudinal channel and opening to receive and engage a conventional rifle firing mechanism. The assembly can also include a forearm stock having an elongated opening for receiving a quick release lever of the rifle firing mechanism. A pivotally mounted stock and butt stock are positioned along the back of the main body. The stock can transition from an open position extending away from the main body, and a closed position beneath and alongside the main body.
This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
FIG. 1 is an exploded parts view of an under-fold firearm stock assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view of an under-fold firearm stock assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded parts view of a pivot assembly for use with the firearm stock assembly, in accordance with one embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the under-fold firearm stock assembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the under-fold firearm stock assembly in operation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the under-fold firearm stock assembly in operation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.
Identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.
As will be described below, the present invention includes an under-fold firearm stock assembly designed to replace the butt stock, hand grip, and forearm grip of a factory RUGER® 10/22 Takedown® semi-automatic 22 caliber rifle (herein described as “rifle”). To this end, the assembly will include dimensions for receiving the firing mechanism and barrel of the rifle and positioning the same into the assembly without requiring modification to the rifle firing mechanisms.
Although illustrated herein as for use with a particular rifle, those of skill in the art will recognize that other embodiments can be utilized with other firearms without departing from the invention claimed.
FIGS. 1-6 illustrate one embodiment of the under-fold firearm stock assembly 10, which is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. As shown, the assembly 10 can include a main body 11 having a removable forearm stock 13, a removable hand grip 15, and a pivotally mounted shoulder stock 20.
The main body 11 can act to receive the rifle firing mechanism 1 (see FIG. 5) of a Ruger 10/22 rifle, and can include an elongated member having a front end 11a, a back end 11b, and a pair of opposing generally parallel side walls 11c and 11d that are joined together by a bottom wall 11e to form a generally U shaped longitudinal channel.
The forearm stock 13 can function to engage a rifle barrel in order to provide a safe grip for the forward hand of a user when operating the rifle. As shown, the forearm stock 13 can include a front end 13a, a back end 13b, and a pair of opposing generally parallel side walls 13c and 13d that are joined together by a bottom wall 13e to form a generally U shaped longitudinal channel. The forearm stock can include a length and width that are complementary to the length and width of the removable barrel of a Ruger 10/22 takedown rifle, and can be secured thereon when the barrel is both connected to the main body, and disconnected from the main body. An elongated opening 14 can be disposed within the bottom wall 13e in order to receive the locking lever 9a of the rifle and to allow the same to slide linearly within the opening. Additionally, a barrel bolt opening 13e4 can be positioned along the bottom wall 13e and can function to receive a bolt for securing the removable barrel of the rifle onto the forearm stock 13.
The top surface of the bottom wall 11e can include a plurality of raised sections relative to the upper portions of the side walls 11c and 11d. In one embodiment, the upper side of the bottom wall 11e can include a raised section 11e3 for receiving the connector of the firing mechanism, and a bolt opening 11e4 that is positioned within the raised section 11e3 of the bottom wall and positioned so as to receive a bolt for securing the main body into the connector of the firing mechanism.
Likewise, the top surface of the bottom wall 13e can include a plurality of raised sections relative to the upper portions of the side walls 13c and 13d. In one embodiment, the upper side of the bottom wall 13e can include a first raised section 13e1 for receiving a rifle barrel, a second raised section 13e2 extending below a received riffle barrel and terminating along the second end 13b. 
As shown, a firing mechanism opening 12 extends from the edge of the raised section 11e3 to the forward wall of the pivot housing 11b1. Opening 12 can also include a ridge 12a having a shape that is complementary to the ridge of the firing mechanism (see FIG. 5) of a Ruger 10/22 takedown rifle, so as to provide a shelf onto which the firing mechanism can be secured.
A removable hand grip 15 can be positioned along the bottom of the main body 11e at a location beneath the pivot housing. As shown, the grip can be secured to the main body via a bolt 15a and bolt receiver 15b, and can further include a rough surface area for increasing traction with the hand of a user, and a plurality of finger ridges 15c. An opening 15d along the bottom of the grip allows the bolt to be accessed at all times to enable a user to quickly change the grip.
A pivot housing can be disposed along the back end of the main body and can be defined by an upper surface 11f blending into the top end of the side walls, the upper portion of the removable grip 15 and walls 11c, 11d, 11b, and 11b1. Each of these surfaces forming a generally cavernous space into which the pivot assembly 30 can be located.
Each of the main body 11, the forearm stock 13 and the hand grip 15 can be constructed from any number of strong, impact resistant materials such as wood, metal or plastic, for example, capable of withstanding the rigors of weapon usage. In one preferred embodiment, the ridge 12a can be integrated into the construction of the opening 12, in accordance with known construction methodologies.
The pivoting shoulder stock 20 can include a pair of laterally spaced elongated arms 21 and 22, each having a first end 21a and 22a (See FIG. 3) and a second end 21b and 22b, respectively. A generally U-shaped butt stock 23 can be secured to the second end of each arm via a pair of axel pins 24 to allow the butt stock to pivot, see arrow a, between a generally vertical/open position (FIG. 1) and a generally horizontal/closed position (FIG. 2).
In one embodiment, the shoulder stock 20 can be secured to the back end of the main body so as to pivot from an open position to a closed position. In one preferred embodiment, the locking pivot assembly 30 described below can be utilized; however, it is to be understood that any suitable device capable of transitioning the elongated stock between an open position and a closed position can be utilized herein.
FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a pivot assembly for use herein. As shown, the pivot assembly 30 can include an axel 31, a button spring 32, a button 33, a split pin 34, a lock pin 35, a washer 36, and a retaining ring 37.
The axel 31 can include an elongated hollow shaft having an outside dimension suitable for being inserted through the hole 21a1 of the stock arm 21, and a hollow inside dimension suitable for receiving the button spring 32 and button 33. The button spring 32 can be positioned within the hollow portion of the axel and can receive the button 33 on one end.
The split pin 34 can be inserted through openings 31a and 33a of the axel and button respectively, to prevent separation of the components. As such, the upper portion of the split pin 34 can be positioned flush with the upper portion of the axel, and the lower portion of the split pin can extend from the bottom of the axel. The extended portion of the split pin being configured to be inserted into the opening 35a of the locking pin 35.
As shown, the main body 11 can include a generally circular hollow channel 19 having a suitable inside dimension for receiving the axel 31. A second hollow channel 19a is blended into the lowermost portion of the channel 19 and includes a dimension suitable for receiving the locking pin 35. To this end, the axel 31 having the spring 32, the button 33 and the split pin 34 are inserted through the opening 21a1 of the stock arm 21 and into the opening 19. Likewise, the locking pin 35 is inserted into the opening 19a. As the axel includes a first end having an enlarged faceplate 31b with a dimension that is greater than opening 21a1, the axel remains within the opening 19.
When so positioned, the second end of the axel 31c will extend out of the channel 19 and through opening 22a1 of the second stock arm 22 and the washer 36. A small groove 31c1 is disposed along a periphery of the second side of the axel, and acts to receive a retaining ring 37 to lock the assembly into place.
In operation, when the button 33 is pressed, the split pin 34 moves the lock pin 35 out of position, and allows the stock arms 21 and 22 to rotate around the axel. When the button 33 is released, the button spring 32 will place outward pressure on lock pin 35 through the button 33 and the split pin 34. When the stock arms 21 and 22 are rotated to a fully open position or a fully closed position the lock pin 35 slides into position and secures the assembly in place. Accordingly, the assembly 30 acts to allow a user to rotate the stock arms a full 180 degrees between an open position (FIG. 2) and a closed position (FIG. 6) and to automatically lock the same.
FIG. 4 illustrates the under-fold firearm stock assembly 10 transitions from the open position to a closed position, wherein the stock arms 21 and 22 are rotated 180 degrees (see arrow b) about the pivot assembly until being positioned alongside main body side walls 11d and 11c, respectively. When so positioned, the butt stock 23 can be rotated to a closed position (see arrow a), so as to rest directly beneath the bottom wall of the main body 11e and the forearm stock 13e. When so located, the locking member of the pivot assembly can engage the openings, so as to prevent the arms from moving, as described above.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate one embodiment of the under-fold firearm stock assembly 10 in operation with the firing mechanism 1 of a rifle. As shown, the rifle firing mechanism 1 can include a quick release factory barrel 2, receiver 3, cartridge receiver 4, trigger guard assembly 5, bolt 6, and bolt operating handle 7. A ridge R separates the upper portion of the trigger guard assembly 5 and the lower portion of the receiver 4, and a connector 8 that is positioned along the end of the receiver 3 and adjacent to the cartridge receiver. A forearm stock connector 9 is positioned beneath one end of the barrel 2 and includes a quick release locking lever 9a which functions to detach the barrel 2 from the receiver 3. A pair of threaded openings 8b and 9b function to secure the receiver 3 and barrel 2 to a factory stock (not illustrated). These and other components of the rifle firing mechanism are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,302,881, to Tertin, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Accordingly, the shape of the firing mechanism opening 12 of the main body conforms to the shape of firing mechanism 1 so as to allow the lowermost portions of the trigger assembly 5 and the cartridge receiver 4 to penetrate the opening 12 and be positioned beneath the bottom wall of the main body 11e. Likewise, the quick release locking lever 9a can penetrate the elongated opening 14, so as to be accessible from beneath the assembly. Additionally, the ridge 12a, the third raised section 11e3, and the first raised section 13e1 can act as a shelf upon which the ridge R, the stock connector 8 and the barrel 2 of the firing mechanism can rest, respectively.
When so positioned, bolt opening 11e4 can align with the threaded opening 8b of the receiver, and the bolt opening 13e4 can align with the threaded opening 9b of the barrel connector in order to receive the factory supplied bolts (not illustrated) for securing the firing mechanism 1 into the under-fold firearm stock assembly 10.
In this regard, once the under-fold firearm stock assembly 10 has been secured onto the firing mechanism 1, the main body 11, the shoulder stock 20 and handle 15, can remain securely attached to the receiver unit (i.e., elements 3-8), and the forearm stock 13 can remain securely attached to the removable barrel unit (i.e., elements 2 and 9) of the firing mechanism 1, regardless of whether the barrel 2 is secured to the receiver 3 or detached from the receiver.
As described herein, one or more elements of the under-fold firearm stock assembly 10 can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individual elements such as the main body 11 and the grip 15, for example, may be formed together as one continuous element, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof.
As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

## Claims

1. An under-fold firearm stock assembly for a Ruger 10/22 takedown rifle, said assembly comprising:
a main body that includes
a front end, a back end, pair of opposing generally parallel side walls joined together by a bottom wall and forming a generally U shaped channel,
a first generally circular channel that is disposed along the back end of the main body and extending between the pair of opposing side walls,
a second generally circular channel that is disposed along a lower portion of the first circular channel, said second channel extending between the pair of opposing side walls, and
a firing mechanism opening disposed within the bottom wall, said opening including an internal ridge having a shape and dimension that is complementary to a trigger assembly and a cartridge receiver of a Ruger 10/22 firing mechanism;

a hand grip that is removably secured to the bottom wall of the main body via a connector;
a separable forearm stock that includes
a front end, a back end, pair of opposing generally parallel side walls joined together by a bottom wall and forming a generally U shaped channel, and
an elongated opening disposed within the bottom wall, said opening being configured to receive a locking lever of a rifle firing mechanism, and to allow the same to slide in a linear manner;

an elongated shoulder stock that includes
a pair of laterally spaced arms each having a first end and a second end, and
a butt stock that is pivotally secured to the second end of each of the laterally spaced arms; and

a pivot assembly that is configured to rotate the elongated stock 180 degrees vertically between an open position and a closed position, said pivot assembly including a locking mechanism that is configured to lock the shoulder stock at each of the open position and the closed position,
wherein in the closed position the hand grip is located between the pair of laterally spaced arms.

2. The under-fold firearm stock assembly of claim 1, wherein the hand grip is removably secured to the main body via a bolt that is accessible via an opening along a bottom end of the hand grip.

3. The under-fold firearm stock assembly of claim 2, wherein the hand grip is constructed from a different material than the main body and further includes a rough surface area, and a plurality of finger ridges.

4. The under-fold firearm stock assembly of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the bottom wall includes a plurality of raised sections configured to engage the firing mechanism.

5. The under-fold firearm stock assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the laterally spaced arms are secured in a direction that is in-line, and away from the back end of the main body when the elongated shoulder stock is in the open position.

6. The under-fold firearm stock assembly of claim 5, wherein the each of the laterally spaced arms are secured below and alongside the side walls of the main body when the elongated shoulder stock is in the closed position.

7. The under-fold firearm stock assembly of claim 6, wherein the butt stock is positioned below the separable forearm stock when the elongated shoulder stock is in the closed position.

8. The under-fold firearm stock assembly of claim 1, wherein the butt stock is pivotally secured to the second end of each of the laterally spaced arms via a pair of axel pins.

9. The under-fold firearm stock assembly of claim 8, wherein the butt stock is configured to pivot between an open position and closed position.

10. The under-fold firearm stock assembly of claim 9, wherein the butt stock is in a generally vertical orientation while in the open position.

11. The under-fold firearm stock assembly of claim 10, wherein the butt stock is in a generally horizontal orientation while in the closed position.

12. The under-fold firearm stock assembly of claim 1, wherein the butt stock is configured to make contact with the bottom wall of the separable forearm stock when each of the elongated shoulder stock and the butt stock are in the closed positions, respectively.

13. An under-fold firearm stock assembly for a Ruger 10/22 takedown rifle, said assembly consisting of:
a main body that includes
a front end, a back end, pair of opposing generally parallel side walls joined together by a bottom wall and forming a generally U shaped channel,
a first generally circular channel that is disposed along the back end of the main body and extending between the pair of opposing side walls,
a second generally circular channel that is disposed along a lower portion of the first circular channel, said second channel extending between the pair of opposing side walls, and
a firing mechanism opening disposed within the bottom wall, said opening including an internal ridge having a shape and dimension that is complementary to a trigger assembly and a cartridge receiver of a Ruger 10/22 firing mechanism;

a hand grip that is removably secured to the bottom wall of the main body via a connector;
a separable forearm stock that includes
a front end, a back end, pair of opposing generally parallel side walls joined together by a bottom wall and forming a generally U shaped channel, and
an elongated opening disposed within the bottom wall, said opening being configured to receive a locking lever of a rifle firing mechanism, and to allow the same to slide in a linear manner;

an elongated shoulder stock that includes
a pair of laterally spaced arms each having a first end and a second end, and
a butt stock that is pivotally secured to the second end of each of the laterally spaced arms; and

a pivot assembly that is configured to rotate the elongated stock 180 degrees vertically between an open position and a closed position, said pivot assembly including a locking mechanism that is configured to lock the shoulder stock at each of the open position and the closed position,
wherein in the closed position the hand grip is located between the pair of laterally spaced arms.