Patent Publication Number: US-11035644-B2

Title: Gun stock

Description:
The present invention relates to a gun stock, particularly for long firearms, such as rifles and carbines. 
     The stock is a part of the firearm body that is extended so that it can rest against the shoulder so that the energy of the recoil is absorbed. 
     The stock can be shaped variously so as to make it particularly ergonomic and also suitable for the physical measurements of the individual shooter. 
     Various systems are known for mounting the stock so as to be able to adjust various parameters thereof in order to adapt it to the specific requirements of the shooter. 
     Adjustment systems of the known type can be complicated both from the production standpoint and from the point of view of the user. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,631,398, 179,075 and 243,553 disclose adjustable gunstocks. 
     The aim of the present invention is to provide a new stock, particularly for long firearm, that offers different possibilities of adjustment and is constructively simple and has a low cost. 
     Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a stock that has an integrated mechanism for adjusting the drop and/or cast of the stock. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a stock that has a significantly lower industrial production cost than the systems used up to now to obtain comparable results. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a stock that has an integrated system for adjusting the distance between the buttstock and the trigger. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a stock that has an integrated system for adjusting the height of the comb. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a stock that has an integrated system for adjusting the length of the pull of the trigger, i.e., the distance between the grip and the trigger. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a stock that has an integrated system for adjusting the shape of the grip. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a structure which, by virtue of its particular constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use. 
     This aim, these objects and others which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a gun stock comprising a hollow body which comprises at least one cavity; a seat formed in said cavity and adapted to receive an insert; said insert comprising a passage hole for the passage of a bar; said bar having a first end and a second end; said first end being fastened to the body of said gun; said free end being threaded and engaging a locking nut; said stock further comprising a fastener plate arranged between said locking nut and said insert; said fastener plate having a calibrated hole; said free end of said bar passing through said calibrated hole; said fastener plate being arrangeable in different positions with respect to said insert in order to change the inclination of said stock with respect to the line of sight of the gun. 
    
    
     
       Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a longitudinally sectional perspective view of the stock according to the invention, in an embodiment made of polymeric material; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the stock of the preceding figure; 
         FIGS. 3-5  are perspective views of the locking insert and of the front plate of the stock of the preceding figure, shown in different positions of adjustment of the drop of the stock; 
         FIGS. 6-8  are front views of the locking insert and of the front plate, shown in different positions of adjustment of the cast of the stock; 
         FIG. 9  is a longitudinally sectional perspective view of the stock, in an embodiment made of polymeric material, shown without the buttstock and the buttstock support; 
         FIG. 10  is a view, similar to the preceding one, where the insert and the plate are extracted from the stock; 
         FIG. 11  is a longitudinally sectional perspective view of the stock according to the invention, in the embodiment made of wood; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the stock of the preceding figure; 
         FIGS. 13-15  are perspective views of the locking insert and of the front plate of the stock of the preceding figure, shown in different adjustment positions; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the buttstock and of the buttstock support; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the buttstock assembled with a pair of spacers; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the buttstock assembled with two pairs of spacers; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a pair of spacers, a fixed one and a movable one; 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of the stock provided with a standard buttstock; 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of the stock provided with a high buttstock; 
         FIG. 22  is a side view of the stock provided with a standard buttstock with a pair of spacers; 
         FIG. 23  is a side view of the stock provided with a high buttstock with a pair of spacers; 
         FIG. 24  is a side view of the stock provided with a standard buttstock with two pairs of spacers; 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of the stock provided with a high buttstock with two pairs of spacers; 
         FIGS. 26-28  are side views of the stock in the embodiment made of polymeric material provided with combs of different sizes; 
         FIGS. 29-30  are side views of the stock in the embodiment made of wood, provided with lugs of different dimensions; 
         FIG. 31  is a side view of the stock; 
         FIG. 32  is a plan view of the stock; 
         FIGS. 33-34  are perspective views of the region for coupling the stock to the frame, which show different combinations of adjustments of the pull of the trigger; 
         FIG. 35  is a side view of the stock without the grip; 
         FIG. 36  is a sectional view, taken along the sectional plane XXXVI-XXXVI of the preceding figure; 
         FIG. 37  is a bottom view of the stock without the grip; 
         FIG. 38  is a front view of the stock without the grip; 
         FIG. 39  is a top view of the stock without the grip; 
         FIG. 40  is a side view of the stock with the grip assembled; 
         FIG. 41  is a sectional view, taken along the sectional plane XLI-XLI of the preceding figure; 
         FIG. 42  is a bottom view of the stock, with the grip assembled; 
         FIG. 43  is a front view of the stock, with the grip assembled; 
         FIG. 44  is a top view of the stock, with the grip assembled; 
         FIG. 45  is a perspective view of the grip; 
         FIG. 46  is a side view of the grip; 
         FIG. 47  is a sectional view, taken along the sectional plane XLVII-XLVII of the preceding figure; 
         FIG. 48  is a front view of the grip. 
     
    
    
     With reference to the cited figures, the stock according to the invention, designated generally by the reference numeral  1 , has a hollow body  2  which has at least one cavity  3 . 
     A seat  4  is formed in the cavity  3  and is adapted to receive an insert  5 . 
     The insert  5  has a hole for the passage of a bar  6 , which has a first end  7  and a second free end  9 . 
     The first end  7  is fastened to the frame  8  of the firearm by threading. 
     The free end  9  is threaded and engages a locking nut  10 . 
     The stock  1  is fastened to the frame  8  of the firearm by tensioning the nut  10  and the tightening torque allows to lock the stock in a sandwich-like manner between the insert  5  and a front plate  13 . 
     According to the present invention, a fastener plate  11  is inserted between the nut  10  and the insert  5  and has a calibrated hole  12  for the passage of the free end  9  of the bar  6 . 
     The fastener plate is provided in two embodiments: a fastener plate  11 , in which the calibrated hole  12  is in a central position, and a fastener plate  111 , in which the calibrated hole  112  is in an axially offset position. 
     The plate  111  with the axially offset hole  112  can be seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     The passage hole of the insert  5  is wide enough to allow a displacement of the free end  9  within the hole. 
     The fastener plate  11 ,  111  has side teeth  14  which engage a pair of toothed abutments  15 ,  115  which are formed on the insert  5 ,  105 , allowing to arrange the fastener plate  11 ,  111  in positions at different heights with respect to the insert  5 ,  105 . 
     The structure described above allows to adjust the drop of the stock  1 ,  101  with respect to the firearm, i.e., the vertical inclination of the stock with respect to the line of sight, as shown schematically by the double arrow  16  in  FIG. 31 . 
     According to the present invention, the toothed profiles of the insert  5 ,  105  and of the fastener plate  11 ,  111  allow to make the stock  1 ,  101  assume different drops by arranging the fastener plate in different positions, in terms of height, with respect to the insert. 
     Advantageously, the fastener plate  11  is symmetrical to avoid inappropriate assemblies. 
     The insert  5  can be a single one both for wood stocks and for polymer stocks, or can be dedicated to the specific stock type. 
       FIGS. 1-10  show an embodiment of a stock made of polymeric material, designated by the reference numeral  1 , while  FIGS. 11-15  show an embodiment of a wood stock, designated by the reference numeral  101 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11-15 , the insert  105  is shaped adequately with respect to the seat  104  of the cavity  103  of the hollow body  102  of the wood stock  101 . 
     In  FIGS. 11-15 , the reference numerals that are identical to the reference numerals used in  FIGS. 1-10  identify similar components. 
     The front plate  13 , interposed between the stock  1 ,  101  and the rest of the firearm, is preferably compatible with the set drop. 
       FIGS. 3, 6, 7, 8 and 13  show the position of the fastener plate  11 ,  111  that corresponds to a drop of the stock that is close to the maximum one. 
       FIGS. 4 and 14  show the position of the fastener plate  11  that corresponds to a medium drop. 
       FIGS. 5 and 15  show the position of the fastener plate  11  that corresponds to a minimum drop of the stock. 
     This type of adjustment is discrete and predefined: the number and the pitch of the vertical teeth determines the number of drops and their amount. 
     In order to facilitate the setting of the drop, indicator symbols are provided on the plate  11 ,  111  and allow to align the plate with respect to an indicator  17  engraved on the abutments  15 ,  115  of the insert  5 ,  105 . 
     In the embodiments shown in the figures, the letters H, J, K, Y constitute the indicator symbols on the plate  11 ,  111  which identify respective drops of the stock. 
     The system according to the present invention also allows to adjust the cast, or offset, of the stock, which is the inclination on the horizontal plane, i.e., to the left or right, of the stock with respect to the line of sight. 
     In order to vary the cast of the stock, the fastener plate  111  is used, in which the calibrated hole  112  is in an axially offset position, i.e., horizontally off-center, which can be seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     With the plate  11 , provided with a central calibrated hole  12 , visible in  FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 14 and 15 , it is possible to vary exclusively the drop of the stock, i.e., the vertical inclination. 
     With the plate  111 , provided with an axially offset calibrated hole  112 , visible in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , it is possible to vary the drop and cast of the stock, i.e., both the vertical inclination and the horizontal inclination. 
     By using the two fastener plates  11  and  111  it is therefore possible to have three casts: none ( FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 14, 15 ), to the right ( FIG. 7 ) and to the left ( FIG. 8 ). 
     The right or left cast of the stock is obtained by mounting the plate  111  in positions that are reversed horizontally with respect to each other. 
     The fixing and adjustment system has been conceived to be the same both for polymer stocks and for wood stocks. 
     The core of the adjustment system is constituted by the combination of the insert  5 ,  105  and of the fastener plate  11 ,  111 , which are preassembled, with the desired drop and/or cast, outside the stock and are then inserted in it. 
     Preferably, the front plate  13  interposed between the stock  1 ,  101  and the rest of the firearm must be compatible with the set drop. 
       FIG. 10  shows schematically the step of assembly of the insert-fastener plate assembly inside the stock. 
     A way of increasing the number of cast positions of the stock, is that of adopting the toothed system described above to vary the drop, providing the fastener plate and the corresponding insert with the teeth arranged horizontally instead of vertically. 
     Another system for increasing the number of cast positions of the stock is to provide multiple plates  111  with the calibrated hole  112  axially offset in different positions. 
     The structure described above allows to adjust the cast of the stock  1 ,  101  with respect to the firearm, i.e., the inclination on the horizontal plane of the stock  1 ,  101  with respect to the line of sight, as indicated schematically by the double arrow  116  in  FIG. 32 . 
     The stock according to the present invention also provides for a system for adjusting the distance between the buttstock and the trigger, the so-called LOP (length of pull). 
     The system for adjusting the distance between the buttstock and the trigger has a buttstock  18 ,  118  that has a variable thickness and/or a buttstock support  19  that has a variable thickness. 
     Advantageously, the buttstock support  19  is constituted by a recoil reducer device of the type described in patent EP2711660B1, which has a boxlike body  20  in which a damping means is inserted which have a fixed part and a movable part; the fixed part is integral with the boxlike body and the movable part can slide in an axial direction inside the boxlike body; the buttstock  18 ,  118  is integral with the movable part. 
     According to the present invention, the buttstock is provided in various thicknesses.  FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 20, 22 and 24  show a buttstock  18  of reduced thickness;  FIGS. 21, 23 and 25  show a buttstock  118  with an increased thickness. 
     The variation of the thickness of the buttstock support  19  is provided by means of a pair of spacers, respectively a fixed spacer  191  and a movable spacer  192 . 
     The fixed spacer  191  is integral with the fixed part of the support, i.e., with the boxlike body, while the movable spacer  192  is integral with the movable part of the support. 
     The user can choose whether to use only the buttstock or whether to use both (buttstock and spacer). 
       FIG. 20  shows the use of a standard buttstock  18 , while  FIG. 21  shows the use of an enlarged or high buttstock  118 . 
       FIG. 22  shows the use of a standard buttstock  18  with a pair of spacers  191 ,  192 , while  FIG. 23  shows the use of an enlarged or high buttstock  118  with a pair of spacers  191 ,  192 . 
       FIG. 24  is a view of the use of a standard buttstock  18  with two pairs of spacers  191 ,  192 , while  FIG. 25  shows the use of an enlarged or high buttstock  118  with two pairs of spacers  191 ,  192 . 
     The spacers  191 ,  192  have been designed to work in pairs, compatibly with the recoil damping system described in EP2711660B1: the fixed spacer  191  remains integral with the stock of the rifle, while the movable spacer  192  can move during firing and ensures the free sliding of the entire damping system with respect to the stock. 
       FIG. 16  is a view of a standard buttstock  18  applied to the support  19  without the use of spacers;  FIGS. 17 and 18  show respectively the use of one pair of spacers and of two pairs of spacers. 
       FIGS. 20-25  show some embodiments combining spacers and buttstocks. 
     The stock according to the present invention also has a system for varying the height of the comb. 
     Advantageously, the stock has an interchangeable comb which has a main body and a comb that is detachably associated with the body and has a supporting structure and a cheek-resting pad which rests on an elastic member associated with the structure. 
     The elastic member is constituted by a leaf spring which is associated with the structure and is easily interchangeable. 
     The comb is applied to the body of the stock by means of a quick coupling, with or without the use of tools. 
     Advantageously, the interchangeable comb is of the type described in European patent EP3214400B1. 
     The quick coupling system allows to easily replace the comb with one that has a different height. 
       FIGS. 26-30  show some embodiments of stock with combs of different height. 
       FIGS. 26, 27 and 28  are views of the stock  1 , made of polymeric material, provided with combs of different height, designated respectively by the reference numerals  21 ,  121 ,  221 . 
       FIGS. 29 and 30  are views of the wood stock  101  provided with the combs of different height, designated respectively by the reference numerals  321  and  421 . 
     The stock according to the present invention also has a system for adjusting the length of pull of the trigger, i.e., the distance between the grip  22 ,  122  and the trigger of the firearm, which is not visible in the figures. 
     The pull adjustment system has a number of adjustment plates  23  which can be inserted between the head of the hollow body  2 ,  102  and the front plate  13 . 
     The user can choose, on the basis of the dimensions of his hand, the number and/or thickness of the plates  23  to be fitted. 
     The stock according to the present invention also has a system for adjusting the shape of the grip. 
     The grip adjustment system allows to modify both the ergonomics of the grip, by varying its dimensions, and its tactile perception, by varying the material and/or finish of the grip. 
     According to the present invention, the grip adjustment system has a number of inserts  24  that can be removed and easily replaced. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 35-48 , a removable insert  24  is constituted by a contoured body that can be engaged with a contoured portion  222  of the grip  22 . 
     Advantageously, the removable insert has hook-shaped edges  241  which are adapted to engage respective ribs  223  formed at the borders of the contoured portion  222  of the grip  22 . 
     The removable insert  24  is made of various materials, with various finishes and external dimensions, so as to offer the user the possibility to vary the dimensions and tactile perception of the grip according to tastes and requirements. 
     In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a gun stock that has an integrated mechanism for adjusting the drop and/or cast of the stock. 
     The adjustment system constitutes an innovative solution that has a significantly lower industrial cost than the systems used so far in order to obtain comparable results. 
     Another advantage of the stock according to the present invention is constituted by the presence of integrated systems that allow to adjust the LOP (length of pull), i.e., the distance between the buttstock and the trigger, to adjust the height of the lug, to adjust the length of pull of the trigger, i.e., the distance between the grip and the trigger, and to adjust the shape of the grip. 
     The materials used, as well as the dimensions, may of course be any according to the requirements and the state of the art. 
     This application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102019000007998, filed on Jun. 4, 2019, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.