Abstract:
The present invention relates to a stock for a small arms weapon and a modular detachable accessory housing (DAH) for the stock. The DAH may be used to hold a tactical accessory (e.g., a magazine) or provide a closed container. The stock may define a profile which comprises a forward facing segment and a bottom facing segment. The forward facing segment and the bottom facing segment may intersect to form a step. The intersection of the forward facing segment and the bottom facing segment may define an oblique angle. The oblique angle may be an obtuse angle. The forward facing segment may include an accessory mounting rail. Also, the body of the stock may include a cylindrical cavity for receiving a receiver extension, a nested lever receiving cavity, as well as a bore that intersects the lever receiving cavity and the cylindrical cavity.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/973,831 filed on Apr. 1, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 29/496,645 filed Jul. 15, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Also, this application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 29/496,646 filed Jul. 15, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a stock for a small arms weapon. More particularly, the invention relates to a stock and an accessory housing that may be secured to the stock. The accessory housing may be used to store tactical accessories or spare parts for a firearm. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Small arms may be defined as man-portable individual or crew-served weapon systems used against protected and unprotected personnel and light/unarmored vehicles. Man portable individual weapon systems such as an M4 carbine or AR-15 type firearm may be configured to mission requirements or individual preferences. For example, the stock of these weapons may be customized or adjusted for a user&#39;s size or preference. Adjustable stocks, however, may be connected loosely to these weapons, causing unwanted noise and movement. Additionally, these weapon systems may include laser pointers, fire control devices, night vision devices, optics, thermal weapon sights and other devices. Many of these accessories require one or more batteries to operate. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Hence, the present invention is directed toward a stock of a small arms weapon having a modular detachable accessory housing (DAH). The DAH may be used to hold a tactical accessory (e.g., a magazine) or provide a closed container that may be used to store spare parts. Also, the present invention is directed toward a latch mechanism for adjusting the position of the stock on a receiver extension. 
         [0005]    In one aspect, the stock for a small arms weapon may include a frame having a longitudinal axis. The frame may include a fore-end having a receiver extension attachment site opening, and a butt. The butt may be spaced from the fore-end along the longitudinal axis. The butt may include an upper area aligned with the receiver extension attachment site opening, an intermediate area situated next to the upper area, and a lower area disposed below the intermediate area. The intermediate area may include a rear opening having a Y-shaped cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis, and the lower area may include a butt plate attachment site. 
         [0006]    Further, the frame may include a body disposed between the fore-end and the butt. The body may include an upper surface extending from the upper area to the fore-end, as well as a lower surface extending from the lower area to the fore-end. Also, the body may include a cylindrical cavity situated in the body between the upper surface and the lower surface, which may be bounded by a sidewall and a track that are disposed between the receiver extension attachment site and the upper area such that the cylindrical cavity is configured and dimensioned to telescopically receive a receiver extension tube from the receiver extension attachment site opening. The lower surface of the body may define a profile which comprises a forward facing segment and a bottom facing segment. The forward facing segment and the bottom facing segment may intersect to form a step with respect to the longitudinal axis. The forward facing segment may include an accessory mounting rail. Further, the body may include a lever receiving cavity connected to the rear opening which extends toward the fore-end, as well as a bore that intersects the lever receiving cavity and the cylindrical cavity. 
         [0007]    Additionally, the frame may include a stock latch lever pivotally disposed in the lever receiving cavity, and a locking pin situated in the locking pin bore, the locking pin extending from the lever receiving cavity into the cylindrical cavity such that the locking pin may be operatively associated with the stock latch lever to selectively withdraw the locking pin from the cylindrical cavity. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, the lower surface of the stock body may include the intersection of the forward facing segment and the bottom facing segment to define an oblique angle. The oblique angle may be an obtuse angle. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, the detachable accessory housing may be mounted on the accessory mounting rail of the stock body. The detachable accessory housing may include an accessory mounting rail attachment site. The accessory mounting rail attachment site may include a channel, a port side retention member adjacent to the channel, and a starboard side retention member opposite the port side retention member. The channel, portside retention member, and starboard side retention member may be configured and dimensioned to slidably mate with the accessory mounting rail. Additionally, the detachable accessory housing may include an accessory well. 
         [0010]    The detachable accessory housing further may include an accessory latch having first and second operable configurations. In the first operable configuration, the accessory latch may project into the accessory well. In the second operable configuration, the latch may be withdrawn from the accessory well. The accessory latch may include a catch, a stem connected to the catch, a release button connected to the stem, and a resilient member disposed about the stem between the release button and the catch such that the resilient member biases the catch into the first configuration. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, the detachable accessory housing may be fixed to the bottom facing segment by a fastener. In yet another aspect, the accessory well may comprise a four sided compartment. The four sided compartment may be configured and dimensioned to receive a box magazine. The box magazine may have a maximum capacity of ten rounds. 
         [0012]    In yet another aspect, stock may include a back plate secured to the butt. The back plate may include a first side which faces the stock, and a second side which faces away from the stock. The first side may include a hook which is configured and dimensioned to be received in the butt plate attachment site. The second side may include an over molded layer of resilient material. 
         [0013]    In another aspect, the present invention relates to a detachable accessory housing for a stock. The detachable accessory housing may include a cradle for holding an accessory. The cradle may include an accessory well, and an accessory mounting rail attachment site spaced from the accessory well. The accessory mounting rail attachment site may include a channel, a port side retention member adjacent the channel and a starboard side retention member opposite the port side retention member. The channel, the port side retention member, and the starboard side retention member may be configured and dimensioned to slidably mate with an accessory mounting rail. 
         [0014]    The cradle further may comprise an accessory latch for securing an accessory in the well. The latch may include first and second operable configurations such that in the first operable configuration the accessory latch projects into the accessory well, and in the second operable configuration, the latch is withdrawn from the accessory well. The accessory well and latch may be configured and dimensioned to selectively fix a box magazine in the cradle. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals (or designations) are used to indicate like parts in the various views: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an AR-15 weapon platform with an embodiment of a small arms weapon stock and an exemplary detachable accessory housing (DAH) in accordance with the present invention, along with a rifle magazine disposed in the DAH; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the stock and DAH of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the stock and DAH of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the stock of  FIG. 3  with the magazine removed from the DAH; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the stock and DAH of  FIG. 1 , along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the stock and DAH of  FIG. 1 , along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the stock and DAH of  FIG. 1 , along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the stock and DAH of  FIG. 1 , along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the stock and DAH of  FIG. 1 , along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a rear side view of the stock of  FIG. 1  with the back plate removed; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a partially exploded view of the stock of  FIG. 4  with the stock and DAH disengaged; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the DAH of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the DAH latch of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the DAH latch of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the DAH release button of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the DAH release button of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the stock and DAH of  FIG. 1 , along line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  is an exploded view of the stock of  FIG. 11 ; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the stock and another embodiment of the DAH of  FIG. 1 , along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]      FIG. 1  shows an AR-15 type rifle  10 . The firearm  10  may include a receiver  12 , a barrel  14 , a receiver extension  16 , a telescopic sight  18 , a magazine  20 , and a stock  22  secured to the receiver extension  16 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the stock  22  may include a frame  24 , a receiver extension tube opening (or attachment site)  26 , a replaceable back plate  28 , a detachable accessory housing (DAH), and a  10  round, spare magazine in the DAH  32 . The stock  22  further may include a bushing  34  at the distal end of the stock, as well as another bushing  36  at the lower part of the distal end. The bushings may be configured and dimensioned to receive a sling attachment fitting. The stock  22  may include a side opening  38  near the proximal end of the frame. The side opening  38  may pass from one side of the frame to the other side. A stock latch finger button  40  may be disposed in the side opening. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the stock latch finger button (or activation portion)  40  may be part of a lever  42  that is part of an assembly, which biases a stock latch locking pin  44  into the receiver extension tube attachment site  26 , and which lowers the stock latch locking pin  44  out of the receiver extension attachment site  26  when the finger activation portion  40  of the lever  42  is pulled upward by a user. Referring to  FIG. 18 , the stock latch assembly may include a stock latch lever  42 , a stock latch pivot pin  46 , a stock latch locking pin  44 , a stock latch compression spring  48 , a stock latch ring pin  50 , and a stock latch retention pin  52 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 18 , the stock latch lever  42  may include a locking pin end  54  and a finger end  56 . The locking pin end  54  may include a port side arm  58  and a starboard side arm  60 . The port side arm  58  and the starboard side arm  60  may rest on top of two lateral extensions  62  on the stock latch ring pin  50 . As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the stock latch ring pin  50  may seat around the locking pin  44 . The locking pin  44  may include an upper portion  64  with a first diameter and a lower portion  66  with a second diameter. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter. The ring pin  50  may seat around the upper portion  64  and rest on the lower portion  66 . The locking pin  44  may be hollow and include an opening  68  at the bottom of the lower portion  66 . The top  70  of the locking pin  44  may be closed. Additionally, the locking pin  44  may have a cross slot  72  in the lower portion. The stock latch compression spring  48  may be placed inside the locking pin  44  from the bottom opening  68  and secured within the opening with the stock latch retention pin  52 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the locking pin  44  may be biased in an upward (or extended) position to fix the relative position of the receiver extension  16  with respect to the frame  24 . By contrast, pulling upward on the stock latch finger button  40  rotates the lever  42  about the pivot pin  46 . Referring to  FIG. 17 , the port side arm  58  and starboard side arm  60  of the stock latch lever  42  may push down on the lateral extensions  62  on the ring pin  50 . The ring pin  50  may transfer downward force from the latch lever  42  to the locking pin  44 , which in turn compresses the compression spring  48 . In this manner, the locking pin  50  may be selectively retracted from the receiver extension tube attachment site  26 . When the locking pin  50  is withdrawn, the stock  22  and the receiver extension tube  16  may slide with respect to each other. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  10 , the stock latch lever  42  may be disposed within a cavity  74  in the stock frame  24 . The cavity  74  may be located below the receiver extension tube attachment site  26  and mostly proximal of the stock latch locking pin  44 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the stock latch lever  42  may be inserted into the cavity  74  from an opening on the rear side (proximal end) of the frame  24 . Referring to  FIG. 18 , the stock latch lever  42  may be pinned into place through aligned openings  78  in the stock frame and a bore  78  in latch lever body. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 ,  8  and  18 , the opening  76  to the stock latch receiving cavity  74  may be closed with a rigid back plate  78 . The rigid back plate  78  may include a fastener receiving bore  80  at the top of the back plate; two press fit connectors  82  for interfacing with the stock frame in a more central region of the back plate, and a hook  84  at the base of the rigid back plate. The back plate further may include a rubber coating or resilient cover  86 , which may be formed by an over molding process. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 18 , the hook  84  may interlock with an anchor portion  88  of the frame  24  to help secure the back plate  78  to the stock. Additionally, a fastener  90  may be used to secure the top portion of the back plate  78  to the proximal end portion of the stock frame  24  at a fastener attachment site  92 . Moreover, referring to  FIG. 5 , the pair of press fit connectors  82  may interlock with slots  94  on opposing internal side walls of the stock latch receiving cavity  74  to enhance the connection. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , the stock frame  24  further may include an accessory mounting rail  94 . The accessory mounting rail  94  may be T-shaped or some other form. Although the stock may be used in the configuration shown in  FIG. 11 , the accessory mounting rail  94  may provide the stock with the capability to securely receive an accessory, such as a pouch or holster device (or detachable accessory housing)  96 , which may provide a way of storing tactical accessories with the stock. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the accessory mounting rail  94  may be configured and dimensioned to receive a channel structure  98  on the DAH. The channel may be formed, in part, by port side and starboard side retention members  100 ,  102 , respectively. The accessory mounting rail may include recoil grooves, and the profile of the accessory mounting rail and the dimensions and spacing of the recoil grooves may conform to military standards, such as MIL-STD-1913 published by the US Department of Defense on Feb. 3, 1995. 
         [0043]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the channel  98  of the DAH  96  may be slid onto the accessory mounting rail  94  until the top of the DAH contacts the lower portion of the stock frame. A threaded fastener  104  may be inserted into the DAH fastener receiving bore  106  and advanced into a mating fastener attachment site  108  in the stock frame to lock the items together. An accessory well  110  open at the bottom of the DAH may be used to receive a tactical accessory such as a magazine. The interior side wall  106  of the accessory well  110  may be configured and dimensioned to receive a particular type of magazine. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the interior side wall  112  of the accessory well may include an accessory latch catch  114  for securing the accessory in the well. Referring to  FIGS. 7 ,  9  and  12 , pressing the DAH release button  116  may translate the DAH latch stem  118  and move the DAH latch catch  114  out of the accessory well to allow an accessory (e.g., a magazine)  120  to be removed from the accessory well  110 .  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4  and  6  show various views of the DAH secured to the stock. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , the DAH latch may further include a compression spring. The DAH latch compression spring may be seated around the DAH latch stem and may be positioned between the DAH catch  114  and the DAH release button  116  so as to bias the DAH release button  116  outward while at the same time pulling the DAH latch catch  114  into the accessory well. In this manner, the DAH latch may be biased into an accessory locking configuration. The DAH latch assembly may be repurposed from a standard AR-15 magazine catch assembly. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , the DAH latch catch  114  and DAH latch stem  118  may form an L-shaped member. A projection  124  on the DAH latch catch  114  may be adapted to interlock with an opening on the accessory  120  in order to retain the accessory in the DAH accessory well. As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the DAH stem  118  may be threaded. Referring to  FIG. 12 , the screw threads  126  may be configured and dimensioned to mate with a bore(s)  126  on the DAH latch release button  116 . Various views of the latch release button, including two DAH stem attachment bores  126 , are presented in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . 
         [0046]    Although the detachable accessory housing (DAH), in this embodiment may be configured and dimensioned to hold a magazine for an AR-15 type weapon, the DAH may take any suitable form for securing or holding an accessory, provided the DAH is secured to the mounting rail  96  or the fastener attachment site  108  near the distal end of the stock. For example, the DAH may take the form of a closed container with one or more openings and a similar number of mating waterproof covers, which may be used to store spare parts, batteries or other equipment. 
         [0047]    In the illustrative embodiment of  FIGS. 4 ,  11  and  12 , the DAH  96  may include a DAH cradle  128  and latch  130 . The DAH cradle  128  may form a body which connects to the stock and which holds the accessory. For example, the DAH  96  may include a hollow member with multiple sides (e.g., a front side  132 , rear side,  134 , port side  136 , and starboard side  138 ). 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the DAH also may include an open top portion  140 . The DAH cradle may include a port side window  142 , a starboard side window  144 , a DAH fastener bore opening  106 , a DAH latch catch opening  144 , a DAH latch release button opening and a stem opening  146  ( FIG. 9 ). The DAH latch stem opening  146  ( FIG. 12 ) may include an outer end wall and an inner end wall. Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the DAH latch release button opening may be partially surrounded by a raised surface or guard  152  to prevent inadvertent release of the DAH latch. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , the DAH cradle  128  further may include a DAH fastener bore  106  near the distal end of the device and a receiving channel  98  near the proximal end of the device. As previously described, these structures may be used to secure the DAH  96  to the stock. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the nose of the DAH cradle  128  may be tapered to streamline the profile of the storage device. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the DAH cradle  128  further may include a stock mating surface  156  which is configured and dimensioned to securely interface with the corresponding profile of the stock to promote a tight fit. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 19 , the detachable accessory housing (DAH)  96  may include an internal compartment  158  and a cover  160  to form a closed container  162 . Although the cover  160  shown in  FIG. 19  may be a hinged cover, other cover configurations such as a plug, a screw top, or locking cover may be used, as long as the cover provides a secure and reliable mechanism for closing the internal compartment. The closed container  162  may be water resistant or water proof. 
         [0051]    Also, the DAH may have a shape or configuration other than as disclosed in  FIG. 5  or  19 . For example, a DAH may be circular cylindrical in shape, and may include a screw thread proximate the open end of the internal compartment. A round cap with an internal sealing element (e.g., O-ring) and mating screw threads may be secured to the circular cylindrical DAH to form a waterproof container. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the stock  22  may be configured for modular attachment to an M4 or an AR-15 type firearm  10 . The receiver extension attachment site  26  may be configured and dimensioned, however, to connect with receiver extensions  16  of other small arms weapons. In a preferred embodiment the stock  10  may be a fiber-reinforced polymer, such as nylon 6/6 with 30% glass, carbon or aramid fiber threads, but other strong and durable materials may be used. 
         [0053]    In use, the locking pin of the stock may be retracted with the lever, and the receiver extension may be slid into the receiver extension attachment site. The receiver extension may be advanced into the stock until a set position (or locking pin hole) has been selected by the user. The lever then may be released and the stock manipulated until one locking pin hole in the bottom of the receiver extension interlocks with the locking pin. The DAH may be secured to the stock and an accessory (e.g., a loaded ammunition magazine) may be stored in the DAH. The magazine may be removed by pressing the DAH latch release button and withdrawing the magazine from the cradle. 
         [0054]    While it has been illustrated and described what at present are considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that this invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein, but that the invention include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.