Abstract:
The present invention is a replacement gunstock assembly for rifles. The assembly comprises a stock body with a uniform mounting structure and one of a series of adapters made to accept the mounting structure and then mount, in turn, on a given rifle platform. Also disclosed is attachment means for holding the stock body and adapter together.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application claims priority as a non-provisional perfection of prior filed U.S. Provisional Application 60/884,617, filed on Jan. 11, 2007 and incorporates the same by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of firearms and more particularly relates to a gunstock and adapters so that the gunstock may be attached to existing rifle platforms. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is a replacement gunstock for various rifle platforms. It should be noted, that while technically not rifles, the invention may be practiced with other long guns, like shot guns, and the term “rifle” should be read to include any type of personal long gun. Replacement stocks are known in the prior art and are usually made for one particular rifle platform, e.g either the M16/AR15, AK-47, FAL or other existing platforms. However, replacement stocks made for one of these platforms are usually not made for another. As such, adapters are occasionally made to convert one type of stock to fit on another. These adapters typically become a weak point on the rifle or create extra length which makes a rifle more cumbersome. The factor causing these drawbacks is simple, a replacement stock is made and then an adapter is made to accommodate platforms other than the one for which it was created. No replacement stock on the market is made with universal use on rifle platforms in mind. 
         [0004]    The present invention represents a departure from the prior art in that the gunstock of the present invention is actually designed from the onset as being used on all platforms. As such it is specially structured to interface with an adapter which is likewise structured for enhanced strength and adaptability to a given platform. The resultant gunstock is therefore stronger, has a better interface with the platform and more ergonomically desirable than replacement gunstocks on the market. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of gunstocks, this invention provides a gunstock designed to be adaptable to any platform without sacrificing strength and ergonomics. As such, the present invention&#39;s general purpose is to provide a new and improved gunstock that is adaptable for use on any rifle platform. 
         [0006]    To accomplish these objectives, the gunstock comprises a stock body component of any design desired but also having a uniform structured interface for cooperation with an adapter. The invention also comprises an adapter which cooperates with the stock body&#39;s interface and presents the stock interface for a given rifle platform. The structure of the adapter and stock component are such that they cooperatively strengthen each other in use, and not merely serve as a means of attaching the stock to a given rifle. As such the ergonomic and durability features of the gunstock as a whole are superior to those found in the prior art. 
         [0007]    The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
         [0008]    Many objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
         [0009]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0010]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a gunstock according to the present invention with an adapter for a G3 style rifle. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a right plan view of the gunstock of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a left plan view of the gunstock of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a rear plan view of the gunstock of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a front plan view of the gunstock of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 , of the gunstock of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of just the stock component of the gunstock of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the adapter shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a front plan view of the adapter of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a rear plan view of the adapter of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 9 , of the adapter of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the gunstock according to the present invention with an adapter for an AK-47 style rifle. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the gunstock according to the present invention with an adapter for a FAL style rifle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the gunstock and the adapters therefore are herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an” and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0025]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the whole gunstock system comprises a stock body  10  an adapter  20  and connection means to join them together. In  FIG. 1 , the adapter  20  is designed for a G3 style rifle and the stock body  10  is a precision rifle stock, or sniper stock. The type of stock body is, in itself, not relevant to the invention, except that whatever type of stock is chosen, the stock body  10  must have structure to interface with the adapter  20 . The structure of the stock body is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Stock body  10  presents the desired features of the chosen stock, in this case adjustable plates  2 ,  6  and adjustment dials  4 ,  8  and attachment structure. The attachment structure of the stock body  10  includes a spur  16  extending from a forward position of the stock body  10  and interfacing grooves  18  to accommodate the adapter  20 . Pass through holes  15  and a central bore  17  are located on the spur  16 . 
         [0026]    The adapter, shown in  FIGS. 7-11 , comprises a central body  24  and two interfacing ends  22 ,  26 . Hind end  22  interfaces with the stock body  10  with access to sleeve  28  for the spur  16  and a pair of ear like structures  27  that rest within interfacing grooves  18  of the stock body  10 . Structure for attachment also includes two sets of pass through holes  21  on either ear structure  27  that correspond to stock body pass through holes  15 . 
         [0027]    In assembly, the spur  16  is inserted into the adapter  20  through a sleeve  28  located on a distal side of the adapter&#39;s main body  24  ( FIG. 6 ). Ear-like projections  27  then rest in cut out surfaces  18  of the stock body when the adapter  20  and stock body  10  are assembled. The preferred connection means is a pair of bolts  14  driven through the pass-through holes of the adapter  21  and of the stock body  15  ( FIG. 1  ) and bracing at least one pressure plate  12  against the adapter hind section  22  ( FIG. 2 ). Opposite the pressure plate  12  is a fastening means  13 , shown in  FIG. 3 . The means depicted are two simple nuts that secure threaded bolt ends. Other possible means are a receiving pressure plate, with threaded bolt holes, or a specialized sling fitting which could provide fastening means. The structures described are usable on either side of the adapter front section  22 , which is particularly useful as pass through bore  17  is designed to accommodate a sling fitting in a switchable manner, that is the user may decide for right or left mounting of the sling fitting, and connection means should be likewise adaptable. Ideally, a detent  25  is provided in the adapter  20  to seat the pressure plate  12 . 
         [0028]    Attachment to the rifle is accomplished in regular means for the rifle&#39;s stock. Different rifles will require different adapters. Two examples of such are shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , which depict adapters for AK and FAL type rifles respectively. The utility of the invention lies in the fact that the stock body  10  is itself common and made specifically to interact with an adapter as a whole stock for a rifle. As such any adapter, including the G3 adapter  20 , the AK adapter  30 , the FAL adapter  40 , or any other desired to be made, will have the same structures at its hind end  22  while the structure at the fore end  26  will vary with the known structure to attach a regular stock for a given rifle style. As such, instead of creating molds or three or more separate stocks, the stock body of the present invention needs only be made from one mold or procedure while each adapter may then be molded as needed for demand. Each adapter&#39;s mold is also much less complicated and smaller than a mold for each stock that the present invention is to replace. Other adapters may of course be made for future platforms or other current platforms such as the AR15. 
         [0029]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.