Abstract:
Apparatuses are provided that include a rifle stock. For example, in one embodiment the stock includes an upper portion. The upper portion includes a proximal end and a distal end. A front portion and a rear portion are connected to the proximal end and the distal end of the upper portion, respectively. A bottom portion is connected to the front portion and rear portion. A first sidewall and a second sidewall are connected to the upper portion, the front portion, the rear portion, and the bottom portion. A channel is provided between the first and second sidewall. The upper portion, the front portion, the rear portion, and the bottom portion further define the channel. The first and second sidewalls include openings for accessing a computer device residing in the channel.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to weapon stocks and more specifically to stocks specifically configured to receive a computer device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Rifles have stocks. Many of those rifles have adjustable stocks. Stocks are an integral part of the rifle that are typically near the armpit/shoulder of the rifle user. 
     There are instances when the rifle user needs to view/transmit data (or have access thereto) from/to a computer device while holding the rifle (and other equipment). For example, the data can be a mission update, send/receive pictures, send/receive video, view maps, and/or receive/transmit GPS data. 
     For the rifle user&#39;s safety/efficiency there often needs to be little time that it takes the rifle user to move back and forth between the computer device and obtaining/maintaining a “ready position.” 
     One option is for the rifle user to hold the computer device. However, this approach requires the user to either continually hold the computer device or remove/insert the computer device from/into it&#39;s storage location. When utilizing this option, the rifle user can be distracted and looses valuable time acquiring the ready position. 
     Another approach is to add a separate accessory holder that mounts onto an existing stock. This approach typically requires that the computer device (e.g., phone) have a commercial available off-the-shelf phone case/enclosure inserted into the accessory holder. This approach is unwieldy, overly bulky, and ultimately degrades the user&#39;s ability to sight and fire the weapon. 
     There is a need for a design that eliminates the need for additional bulk and extra pieces to mount/access a computer device. There is a need for a design that is smaller, lighter, and ultimately more integrated with the rifle user experience. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to weapon stocks and more specifically to stocks specifically configured to receive a computer device. For example, in one embodiment the stock includes an upper portion. The upper portion includes a proximal end and a distal end. A front portion and a rear portion are connected to the proximal end and the distal end of the upper portion, respectively. A bottom portion is connected to the front portion and rear portion. A first sidewall and a second sidewall are connected to the upper portion, the front portion, the rear portion, and the bottom portion. A channel is provided between the first and second sidewall. The upper portion, the front portion, the rear portion, and the bottom portion further define the channel. The first and second sidewalls include openings for accessing a computer device residing in the channel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary weapon stock in accordance with aspects disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2  depicts another perspective view of the exemplary weapon stock in accordance with aspects disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 3  depicts yet another perspective view of the exemplary weapon stock in accordance with aspects disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 4  depicts another perspective view of the exemplary weapon stock in accordance with aspects disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a close-up perspective view of the exemplary weapon stock in accordance with aspects disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 6  depicts another close-up perspective view of the exemplary weapon stock in accordance with aspects disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a rear side perspective view of the exemplary weapon stock in accordance with aspects disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a rear view of the exemplary weapon stock in accordance with aspects disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 9  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary door in accordance with aspects disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 10  depicts another perspective view of the exemplary door in accordance with aspects disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 11  depicts yet another perspective view of the exemplary door in accordance with aspects disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary button in accordance with aspects disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 13  depicts another perspective view the exemplary button in accordance with aspects disclosed herein; and 
         FIG. 14  depicts another perspective view of the exemplary button, depicted in  FIG. 13 , in accordance with aspects disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 15  depicts another rear side perspective view of the exemplary weapon stock in accordance with aspects disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 16  depicts yet another rear side perspective view of the exemplary weapon stock in accordance with aspects disclosed herein; 
     
    
    
     To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, wherever possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, various changes using different configurations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the invention. Thus, the invention is not considered limited to the particular illustrative embodiments shown in the specification and all such alternate embodiments are intended to be included in the scope of the appended claims. 
     Embodiments disclosed herein relate to weapon stocks that are adapted to receive a computer device (e.g., a cell phone or a personal data assistant (“PDA”), etc.) without significant interference of operation of the weapon or other equipment. 
     The rifle stock taught herein can be used alone without the rifle, it could act as a networked user equipment case, and without the networked user equipment it would serve as a functional stock. 
     The Outdoor Industry and Sporting Industry would be able to market this to hunters and sport shooters for carriage of their cell phones. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary weapon stock  100  in accordance with aspects disclosed herein. For illustrative purposes only, the weapon stock  100  is described (and depicted) herein as a weapon stock that is adapted for use with an M4 Carbine type weapon. However, that description/depiction (and other descriptions/depictions herein) is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the material taught herein. For example, in various embodiments, the weapon stock  100  is utilized with other devices (e.g., an M16 type device, a rifle utilizing a non-collapsible stock, a collapsible stock, etc.). 
     Various methods can be used to make the weapon stock  100  (e.g., 3D modeled and printed using a 3D printer). Returning to  FIG. 1 , the weapon stock  100  includes a buffer tube receiver  102 , a front wall  104 , a back wall  108 , and a bottom wall  106 . 
     The buffer tube receiver  102  includes an interior bore  110  that passes through the entire longitudinal axis of the buffer tube receiver  102 . Substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the buffer tube receiver  102  is a threaded bore  112 . The threaded bore  112  is an access point to install a spring loaded guide locking mechanism (not shown) for the weapon stock  100 . Operation of the spring loaded guide locking mechanism is described in greater detail below. 
     The buffer tube receiver  102  also includes slot  116  and slot  120 . Slot  116  and slot  120  are rear attachment points and are adapted to receive one end of a sling (not shown) for carrying the weapon. A corresponding slot (not shown), positioned near the barrel of the weapon, acts as a front attachment for the sling. 
     Connected to the buffer tube receiver  102  is an upper bracket  122 . The upper bracket  122  provides structural support and strength to the weapon stock  100 . The upper bracket  122  includes a quick release rocker  114  that it also connected to (and extends from) the buffer tube receiver  102 . 
     The quick release rocker  114  is hollow so that a spring (not shown) can reside therein. The quick release rocker  114  has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the buffer tube receiver  102 . The longitudinal axis of the quick release rocker  114  is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the threaded bore  112 . 
     The buffer tube receiver  102 , the front wall  104 , the bottom wall  106 , and the back wall  108  form part of a boundary for cavity  126 . In addition, a rear wall support  130  and a front wall support  132  are connected to and substantially perpendicular to the front wall  104 , the bottom wall  106 , and the back wall  108 . The rear wall support  130  and the front wall  132  also form part of the boundary for cavity  126 . The height (and strength) of the rear wall support  130  and front wall support  132  is sufficient to secure a device (not shown) within the cavity  126  without obscuring functionality of the device. Front support wall  132  and rear support wall  130  include access windows that allow access to the front (not shown) and back (not shown) of a computer device (not shown). 
     Between the rear support wall  130  and the front support wall  132  is a channel  118 . The channel  118  includes four interior walls  118   1 ,  118   2 ,  118   3 , and  118   4  that are collectively referred to herein as “channel  118 .” Inside the channel  118 , the opposing interior walls are substantially parallel to one another (i.e., interior walls  118   1  and  118   4  are substantially parallel to one another and interior walls  118   3  and  118   2  are substantially parallel to one another. 
     In various embodiments, the cavity  126  and channel  118  are large enough to accommodate a computer device that is already in a protective case. Some protective cases provide added impact resistance while other cases provide greater protection against water damage. In these embodiments, the computer device would have two layers of protection (i.e., one layer of protection from the protective case and another layer of protection from the stock  100 ). For example, a PDA can be inside of a commercially available protective case. The PDA, while still in the protective case, can be inserted into the stock  100 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a left side perspective view of the exemplary weapon stock  100  depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a front perspective view of the exemplary weapon stock  100  depicted in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  shows the baffle tube receiver interior  110 .  FIG. 3  also shows a bore  300  disposed within the cavity  124  on slanted wall  128 . Cavity  124  is adapted to receive a sling connector (not shown) while bore  300  is used to secure the sling connector to the stock  100 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a right side perspective view of the exemplary weapon stock  100  depicted in  FIG. 1 . Specifically,  FIG. 4  depicts the surface of rear support wall  130  on the inside of the cavity  126  and the surface of the front support wall  132  exposed to the exterior of the weapon stock  100 . Also depicted on the right side of the weapon stock  100  is a power button  400  (explained in greater detail below). 
       FIG. 5  depicts a close-up perspective view of the exemplary weapon stock  100  in accordance with aspects disclosed herein. Specifically,  FIG. 5  depicts a quick release lever  500  that is secured to the weapon stock  100  by a spring loaded locating pin  506 . The quick release lever  500  includes an arm  502  and a handle  504 . The quick release lever  500  is used to adjust the position of the weapon stock  100  on a the buffer tube  102 . The handle  504  can be rotated counter-clockwise to cause the arm  502  to correspondingly rotate. The arm  502  urges the spring loaded locating pin  506  downward. 
       FIG. 6  depicts another close-up perspective view of the exemplary weapon stock  100  in accordance with aspects disclosed herein. For illustrative purposes, a smartphone  600  is depicted in the channel  118  and between the back support wall  130  and front support wall  132  (i.e., inside the cavity  126 ). 
       FIG. 7  depicts a rear side perspective view of the exemplary weapon stock  100  in accordance with aspects disclosed herein. Specifically,  FIG. 7  depicts the cavity  126 , the interior surface of the rear support wall  130 , the front support wall  132 , and the channel  118  that is between the front support wall  132  and the rear support wall  132 . 
     Secured to the channel  118  are cushioned supports  704 . The cushioned supports  704  can be secured to at least one of the interior walls (i.e.,  118   1 ,  118   2 ,  118   3 , and/or  118   4 ) within the channel  118 . For example, a cushioned support  704  can be secured to interior wall  118   1  and  118   4 . Note that in  FIG. 7 , interior wall  118   4  is not visible. Interior wall  118   4  is the opposing inside wall on back door  700 . 
     The back door  700  is depicted in a “closed” position. Back door  700  includes pinch clips  702  that when pinched together allows placing of the back door  700  in an “open” position. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a rear view of the exemplary weapon stock  100  in accordance with aspects disclosed herein.  FIG. 8  depicts a screw  800  for insertion into bore  300  to hold an alternative sling mount (e.g., a “D” shaped ring). 
       FIG. 9  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary door  700  in accordance with aspects disclosed herein. The door  700  is depicted in an “open” position and is sufficient in size to allow insertion/extraction of a computer device (e.g., a PDA, “smartphone,” networked device, etc.) into/out of the cavity  126 . Each of the pinch clips  702  (located on the outside of door  700 ) includes a “V-shaped” distal end  900  and an extended member  902 . Each V-shaped distal end  900  acts to bias the extended member  902  to an “at rest” position. Back wall  108  includes cavities  904  that are adapted to receive the V-shaped distal ends  900  (when the pinch clips  702  are pinched). When the pinch clips  702  are released (while the V-shaped distal ends  900  are in the cavities  904 , the bias exerted by the V-shaped members  900  causes the extended members  902  to engage a portion of the back wall  108  and “lock” the door  108  in a “closed” position. In short, the extended members  902  act as a latching mechanism with the back wall  108 . 
     When a sufficient pinching force is applied to the pinch clips  702 , the extended members  902  move from the at rest position to a “pinched” position. While in the pinched position, the extended members  902  are no longer in contact with the back wall  108 . Because the extended members  902  no longer impede movement of the door  700 , the door  700  is free to open/close. 
       FIG. 9  also depicts an optional lanyard  906 . One end of the lanyard  906  is attached to the door  700  and the other end of the lanyard  906  is attached to the back wall  108 . The lanyard  906  helps to prevent loss of the door  700 . 
       FIG. 10  depicts another perspective view of the exemplary door  700  in accordance with aspects disclosed herein. Specifically,  FIG. 10  depicts the door  700  detached from the lanyard  906  and back wall  108 . 
     Door  700  also includes a plurality of male members  1000 . The male members  1000  act as stopping mechanisms and have corresponding female mating portions (not shown) on the back wall  108  of the stock  100 . Although the  FIG. 10  depicts the door  700  as having two male members  1000 , it is appreciated that in various embodiments, the door  700  has one or more male members  1000 . 
     In addition, the door  700  has been described herein as being mounted on the back wall  108 . However, that description is for illustrative purposes only. It is appreciated that in various embodiments, the door  700  (and corresponding access into the stock  100 ) has a different mounting location on the stock  100 . 
     For example, the door  700  (and corresponding opening for the door  700 ) can be mounted on the bottom wall  106 , the front wall  104 , the rear wall support  130 , or the front wall support  132 . In addition, in other embodiments, the door  700  utilizes a lock other than the pinch clips depicted. For example, in various embodiments, the locking mechanism is at least one screw in the door  700  and back wall  108 ; or a sliding latch. 
       FIG. 11  depicts yet another perspective view of the exemplary door  700  in accordance with aspects disclosed herein. Specifically,  FIG. 11  depicts the inside of the door  700  (i.e., interior wall  118   4 ). The inside of the door  700  includes a relief section  1100  and a relief section  1102 . 
     The relief sections  1100  and  1102  are essentially recessed areas that are adapted to receive an item. For example relief section  1100  is adapted to receive cushioned supports (e.g., cushioned support  704 ). Note that each interior walls  118   1 ,  118   2 ,  118   3 , and  118   4  can include a relief section  1100  that is adapted to have a cushioned support  704  attached thereto. 
     Relief section  1102  is a connection location for the lanyard  906 . 
       FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary button in accordance with aspects disclosed herein. Illustratively, the button is depicted as a single button control button and is described herein as power button  400 . Power button  400  can be made of any pliable and durable material (e.g., rubber). 
     The power button  400  includes multiple features. For example, surface  1200  has a size and shape sufficient for a user to depress. 
     A flanged surface  1202  is around the periphery of surface  1200 . The flanged surface  1202  is contoured to define the surface  1200  and to act as part of a securing mechanism to secure the power button  400  in a cavity (not shown) in the stock  100 . 
     The power button  400  also includes a recessed ring  1204  and a gasket  1206 . The recessed ring  1204  is located around the periphery of the power button  400  and is between the flanged surface  1202  and the gasket  1206 . 
     The power button  400  is inserted into a cavity (not shown) in the stock  100 . The cavity includes a protruding ring (not shown) that mates with the recessed ring  1204 . The power button  400  is held in place by the protruding ring and those portions of the power button  400  that sandwich the recessed ring  1204  (i.e., the flanged surface  1202  and the stopper  1206 ). 
     The power button  400  also includes features not shown in  FIG. 12 . For example, on the interior (i.e., the underside) of the power button  400  is a recessed area (not shown). The recessed area allows the power button  400  to be positioned over a power button located on the computer device. The recessed area increases the likelihood that the power button on the computer device is actuated by the power button  400  when desired (and not unintentionally actuated). 
       FIG. 13  depicts another perspective view the exemplary button  1300  in accordance with aspects disclosed herein. Illustratively, the button  1300  is depicted as a two-button control button and is described herein as a volume control button  1300 . Volume control button  1300  can be made of any pliable and durable material (e.g., rubber). The volume control button  1300  includes two protruding volume buttons  1304   1  and  1304   2  (collectively “volume buttons  1304 ”). One of the volume buttons  1304  is used to increase the volume of the computer device and the other volume button is used to decrease the volume of the computer device. The volume control buttons  1304  are defined by flanged surfaces  1308 . The volume control buttons  1304  reside on gasket  1302 . A recessed ring  1306  is located on the circumference of the volume control button  1300  and is between the gasket  1302  and a gasket  1310 . 
     The volume control button  1300  is inserted into a cavity (not shown) in the stock  100 . The cavity includes a protruding ring (not shown) that mates with the recessed ring  1306 . The volume control button  1300  is held in place by the protruding ring and those portions of the volume control button  1300  that sandwich the recessed ring  1306  (i.e., the gasket  1302  and the gasket  1310 ). 
       FIG. 14  depicts another perspective view of the exemplary button, depicted in  FIG. 13 , in accordance with aspects disclosed herein. Specifically,  FIG. 14  depicts the underside of the volume control button  1300  as having a recessed area  1400 . The recessed area allows the volume control button  1300  to be positioned over a volume button (not shown) located on the computer device. The recessed area  1400  rests over the volume buttons on the computer device and prevents unintentional actuation by the volume control button  1300 . 
     In various embodiments, the stock  100  also includes a means of connecting a cover to the stock. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , a mechanism (similar to the mechanism used in a “window shade”) is used to spool a flexible flap  1600 . The flap  1600  can be made of any flexible and durable material (e.g., CORDURA® fabric which is a registered trademark of INVISTA located in Wichita, Kans.). Further, the material can be an opaque material or a translucent material. Bosses  1602  on each end of the spool can secure the window shade type spool to the stock  100 . 
     When the flap  1600  is not needed, the flap  1600  is pulled upon to cause the spool to retract the flap  1600  onto the spool. To use the flap  1600 , the flap  1600  is pulled upon to extend the flap  1600  from the spool. An end of the flap  1600  can be secured to the stock  100  by a securing mechanism (e.g., a hook and loop fastener  1604  located on the stock  100  is mated to a corresponding hook and loop fastener  1606  on the end of the flap  1600 ). 
     In other embodiments, the flap  1500  is a piece of material (flexible or otherwise) secured on at least two ends to the stock  100 . For example, hook and loop fasteners  1504   1 ,  1504   2 ,  1504   3 , and  1504   4  (collectively “hook and loop fasteners  1504 ”) located on ends of the flap  1500  mate with hook and loop fasteners  1502   1 ,  1502   2 ,  1502   3 , and  1502   4  (collectively “hook and loop fasteners  1502 ”) located on the stock  100 . When not needed, a force is applied to the flap sufficient to overcome the mating of the hook and loop fasteners. 
     While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.