Abstract:
The present invention is directed towards a rifle recoil absorption system comprising a harness attached to a rifle support and shooting surface for absorbing recoil force generated when a high powered rifle is fired.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority date of the provisional application entitled Recoil Strap filed by Thomas W. Hall on Nov. 12, 2007, with application Ser. No. 60/987,129. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for absorbing rifle recoil, and more particularly to absorbing rifle recoil and kick back force while preventing excess movement of the rifle after each shot fired from the rifle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    High powered rifles are very popular for both target shooting as well as hunting. There are a number of reasons rifle users desire to absorb recoil while firing a high-powered rifle. For example, rifle users who fire repetitive shots from high-powered rifles are subjected to large impact forces from the butt of the stock of the rifle. These impacts can bruise, fatigue, and often injure the user of the rifle. Rifle recoil absorption is desirable in order to minimize these undesired physical impacts to the user. 
         [0004]    Another important reason for the absorption of rifle recoil is to prevent excess movement of the rifle during and after each shot fired from the rifle. Accuracy and precision of the shots fired are diminished if the high-powered rifle is allowed to uncontrollably recoil. Also, if recoil is not suppressed, the user of the rifle has to re-aim the weapon after each shot, reducing the number of shots that can be accurately fired in a given time. 
         [0005]    The suppression and absorption of recoil is especially important when adjusting the sighting of a high-powered rifle. It is important to have steady firing conditions when sighting a rifle so that the fired mark on a target can be trusted as a reference for adjusting the sight of the rifle. If a rifle is allowed to uncontrollably recoil, the user may have increased difficulty in setting the sights on his weapon. 
         [0006]    In order to solve the problems associated with firing a high powered rifle, rifle recoil absorption systems are commonly known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,447 is directed to a recoil absorbing device and method. This rifle recoil system is directed generally to a strap that is attached to the butt of the rifle for absorbing recoil. The device in a preferred embodiment uses a weighted bag resting on a horizontal support surface to absorb recoil. Potential problems with this device include that that strap does not run parallel to a horizontally resting rifle thus apparently the strap does not absorb recoil force at the same angle from which the force is generated. This could potentially lead to the problem of the absorption system not maximizing recoil absorption. Additionally, the weighted bag is not attached to the table; it merely rests on the table and therefore the bag may absorb the full amount of recoil and may not transfer recoil force to the table. Furthermore, the device does not appear to provide for a kick back absorption mechanism, where in kick back is generally considered to be the force generated when the rifle is fired that generally forces the rifle up away from the barrel rest. 
         [0007]    Another example of a recoil reduction system amongst multiple examples is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,720. In this system the device is also mountable to a horizontal surface. The system involves a strap attached to the system as well as to the butt of the rifle such that when the rifle is fired the rifle recoil force is distributed to the recoil reduction device. The structure houses a series of rubber balls in a compression mechanism such that when the rifle is fired, the recoil energy is generally absorbed through the strap attached to the butt of the rifle and transferred to the rubber balls. A potential problem with this device is that the device itself is relatively large and potentially cumbersome to transport. Additionally, this device does not appear to be easily attached and removed from the shooting surface as it appears large and bulky. 
         [0008]    Accordingly an object of the invention is to provide a rifle recoil absorption mechanism to absorb when a rifle is fired. 
         [0009]    Another object of the invention is to provide a rifle recoil absorption system that is mountable on a variety of surfaces. 
         [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide a recoil absorption system that also absorbs kick back forces generated when a rifle is fired. 
         [0011]    Another object of the invention is to provide a system wherein recoil is absorbed to minimize the amount of rifle movement when a rifle is fired to facilitate a user firing multiple rounds within a short amount of time. 
         [0012]    These and other objects will become clear to those having ordinary skill in the art upon viewing the invention as a whole. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention is a recoil absorption system that is comprised of lightweight materials that are easily stored and easy to transport. The present invention is composed of band type material such as textile webbing in a preferred embodiment. The webbing is configured in a number of loops that serve as a structure or harness that attaches to the rifle. A large loop of the webbing material is configured to run along both sides of the forestock and stock of the rifle and wrap around the butt of the stock. This large loop of material is held in place by smaller loops of material attached to the large loop. The smaller loops are attached to the large loop in two places. The first small loop is attached to the large loop such that the small loop wraps around the stock of the rifle near the butt. The second small loop is attached to the large loop so that the second small loop wraps around the forestock and barrel of the rifle. Both small loops are typically adjustable using a hook and loop system and may accommodate rifle stocks and forestocks of varying diameters. 
         [0014]    After the harness is attached to the rifle, the rifle may be placed on a horizontal firing surface. The recoil absorption system can then be attached to the firing surface. The present invention also requires the barrel and/or forestock of the rifle to be supported by some type of firing support such that the barrel may rest in the horizontal firing position. 
         [0015]    In a preferred embodiment, the present invention utilizes an attachment strap that is stitched to the second small loop on the rifle harness mentioned above. The rifle is positioned on the table, for instance, such that the attachment strap hangs from its attachment to the harness and is allowed to hang over the front edge of the table nearest the muzzle of the rifle. In order to attach the recoil absorption device to the table, the attachment strap is pulled underneath the table and attached to the rear edge of the table nearest the butt of the stock of the rifle. The end of the attachment strap is fixed to the table by a U-shaped clamp that may be temporarily fixed to the rear edge of the table. Once the clamp is fixed to the rear edge of table, a tightening mechanism such as a come-a-long cam may be used to reduce the slack in the attachment strap between the rifle and the U-shaped clamp. This removal of slack and tightening of the attachment strap ensures that the recoil generated while firing the rifle is transferred to the table. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, the harness is comprised of a loop configured for extending around the rifle butt and extending towards the muzzle of the rifle. The loop has two extensions that are configured generally adjacent to the stock and forestock of the rifle and the loops are configured to absorb recoil force when the rifle is fired. A second loop and a third loop are configured to extend from the first loop such that the second loop extends around the barrel and forestock of the rifle and the third loop extends over and around the stock of the rifle to hold the first strap of the harness in place relative to the stock of the rifle. This loop is configured to absorb rifle kick back force when the rifle is fired. The first loop of the harness extends around the rifle support and around the front edge of the firing surface to a tensioning means. The tensioning means is configured such that the harness can be tightened and loosened to fit different sized rifles and absorb the recoil generated when the rifles are fired. The tensioning means is generally attached to a C-style clamp that is attached to the rear edge of the firing surface. The tensioning means is generally attached to the C-clamp via an attachment strap. Additionally, in this embodiment the second loop and the third loop can be configured to be adjustable to fit rifles of varying sizes. The first loop and second loop are generally adjustable using a hook and loop system in this embodiment. 
         [0017]    The invention described above may easily be disconnected from the table and remain on the rifle while carrying the weapon. The invention is also easily removed from the rifle and stowed in a compact manner. The textile webbing construction of the device allows for relatively easy stowing, weighs a relatively small amount, and occupies a relatively small amount of space in comparison to the prior art. 
         [0018]    The purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
         [0019]    Still other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a view of the rifle harness attached to a rifle in a firing position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 
         [0022]    The invention is directed to a harness for absorbing recoil and kick back forces when a rifle is fired. The system is designed to be attached to a shooting surface and a rifle support such that when the rifle is fired, the harness transfers the recoil and kick back forces to the shooting surface. In this manner the recoil absorption system absorbs recoil that would otherwise be transferred to the shooter. 
         [0023]    In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “or” indicates a non-exclusive alternative without limitation unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” means “including, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  depicts a preferred embodiment of the recoil absorption system attached to a rifle in a firing position. The present invention is a recoil absorption system that is comprised of lightweight materials that are easily stored and easy to transport. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is composed of band type material such as textile webbing. The webbing is configured in a number of loops that serve as a structure or harness  15  that attaches to the rifle. A large loop  17  of the webbing material is configured to run along both sides of the forestock  25  and stock  27  of the rifle and wrap around the butt  29  of the stock  25 . This large loop  17  of material is held in place by smaller loops  13 ,  19  of material attached to the large loop  17 . The smaller loops  13 ,  19  are attached to the large loop  17  in two places. The first small loop  13  is attached to the large loop  17  so that the small loop  13  wraps around the stock  27  of the rifle near the butt  29 . This small loop  13  is fixed or stitched to the large loop  17  on either side of the stock  27  such that the small loop  13  is positioned roughly perpendicular to the large loop  17 . The second small loop  19  is attached to the large loop  17  such that the second small loop  19  wraps around the forestock  25  and barrel  23  of the rifle. The second small loop  19  is also fixed or stitched to the large loop on either side of the forestock  25  such that the small loop  19  is oriented roughly perpendicular to the large loop  17 . Both small loops  13 ,  19  are adjustable and may accommodate rifle stocks and forestocks of varying diameters. This is accomplished in a preferred embodiment by the use of a fastening device such as Velcro. 
         [0025]    After the harness  15  is attached to the rifle, the rifle may be placed on a horizontal firing surface  31 . The recoil absorption system must then be attached to the firing surface  31 . The present invention requires the barrel  23  and/or forestock  25  of the rifle to be supported by some type of firing support  33  such that the barrel may rest in the horizontal firing position. This support may be in the form of a padded roll, a sandbag, a Y-shaped barrel support, a tripod of bipod, or a block attached to a table surface, amongst other supports known in the art. 
         [0026]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes an attachment strap  21  that is stitched to the second small loop  19  on the rifle harness mentioned above. This attachment strap  21  may be a single strap or an extended portion of the large loop  17  mentioned above. The rifle is positioned  15  on the table  31 , for instance, such that the attachment strap  21  hangs from its attachment to the harness and is allowed to hang over the front edge of the table  31  nearest the muzzle  35  of the rifle. In order to attach the recoil absorption device to the table  31 , the attachment strap  21  is pulled underneath the table and attached to the rear edge of the table nearest the butt  29  of the stock of the rifle. The end of the attachment strap is fixed to the table by a U-shaped clamp  37  that may be temporarily fixed to the rear edge of the table. Once the clamp  37  is fixed to the rear edge of table, a tightening mechanism  11  such as a come-a-long cam  11  may be used to reduce the slack in the attachment strap between the rifle and the U-shaped clamp. Other examples of a tightening device or tensioning means include, but are not limited to, a locking pulley system, a winch type system, or any other similar system known in the art. This removal of slack and tightening ensures that the recoil generated while firing the rifle is transferred to the table or shooting surface. 
         [0027]    The invention described above may easily be disconnected from the table  31  and remain on the rifle while a user is carrying the weapon. The invention is also easily removed from the rifle and stowed in a compact manner. The textile webbing construction of the device allows for easy stowing and weighs little and occupies little space in comparison to the prior art. 
         [0028]    Another embodiment of the present invention features a one piece main loop  17  in which the loop extends to the rifle support device  33  and pivots  43  on the rifle support device  33  such that the harness  15  extends to the front edge of the table  41  and extends around the table to extend beneath the table in a generally parallel manner to the position of the rifle. Subsequently the harness loop is attached to a cam  11  that can be used for tightening and loosening the harness  15 . Additionally a strap attaching the cam to the C-clamp  37  is also provided. The strap  39  is positioned such that when the cam is tightened, the recoil will be absorbed by the harness  15  and transferred to the strap  39  and the C-clamp  37  and subsequently to the shooting surface  31 . 
         [0029]    While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto, but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.