Recoil reducer
A recoil reducing device that reduces the recoil felt by users of rifles and shotguns. The recoil reducing device includes of a force-distribution member that increases the area over which the recoil force is distributed, thereby reducing the force per unit area, and a compressible element that cushions the user from the force of recoil. The force-distribution member can include tabs along its edges. Any number of the tabs may be bent outward, relative to the shoulder of the user to better form the recoil reducing device to the user. Also alternatively, the force-distribution member can include a plurality of grooves along a portion of its edge, and can also include interior cuts within.
This application claims the benefit of copending U.S. provisional application entitled, “Recoil-Reducer,” having Ser. No. 60/759,816, filed Jan. 17th, 2006, and is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application entitled, “Recoil-Reducer,” having Ser. No. 11/172,311, filed on Jun. 28th, 2005, which claimed the benefit of U.S. provisional application entitled, “Recoil Protector,” having Ser. No. 60/583,546, filed Jun. 29, 2004, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to recoil-reducing devices, and specifically to an improved recoil reducing device for users of shoulder mounted firearms.
2. Background
A basic law of physics can be paraphrased as: “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”. In the case where force is applied to accelerate an object in one direction, an equal force occurs in the opposite direction. One manifestation of this phenomenon is the recoil felt by users of rifles and shotguns, hereinafter referred to as felt recoil. The recoil felt by rifle and shotgun users, or shooters, as it increases, progresses from uncomfortable to painful, and frequently leads to an undesirable and uncontrollable habit of “flinching”. Felt recoil becomes increasingly detrimental to shooters as the weight and velocity of the projectile increases, particularly when high-powered loads are used in relatively lightweight rifles and shotguns, hereinafter referred to as longarms.
For many years, shooters have used various means to reduce felt recoil. These have mostly involved attaching compressible pads to the ends of longarm butt stocks. Early recoil pads typically consisted of solid rubber that provided a cushion against the force of recoil. However, solid rubber recoil pads suffer from disadvantages such as the limited amount of reduction of felt recoil. Furthermore, solid rubber recoil pads may gradually degrade over time, thereby reducing their effectiveness, which results in an increase in the felt recoil as the solid rubber recoil pad degrades. In addition, solid rubber recoil pads provide secondary recoil, which is caused by the pads expanding after being compressed by the initial recoil.
The development of vented rubber recoil pads represented a limited, but significant, improvement over the solid rubber pads, in terms of felt recoil. Vented rubber recoil pads have an open, thin-walled structure which provides for greater compressibility, and hence, greater cushioning against the force of recoil. However, the tendency toward loss of elasticity and secondary recoil remained.
Similarly, recoil reduction has also been achieved through various methods placing compressible pads between the butt stock and the shooter's shoulder. This technique provides the benefit of compound felt recoil reduction when used with pads fixed to the butt stock. However, it possesses the same limitations as devices attached to the butt stock.
With the development of new materials, other components, such as foams and gels have been utilized to cushion the shooter from the recoil force. Improvements due to improved cushioning have been incremental. Prior solutions have not filled the need for an improved recoil-reducing device for longarm users with a high level of need, such as those who use high-powered calibers or carry out highly repetitive shooting sports.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGSMany aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Referring to
The pouch 112 can be adapted to couple to clothing of the shooter 102. For example, the pouch 112 might include fasteners such as, but not limited to, Velcro®, snaps, buckles and buttons, for coupling the pouch to clothing. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,115 the pouch 112 can be coupled to a pouch-suspension (not shown). Typically, the pouch-suspension is configured to support the pouch 112 in the desired position on the user 102. Alternative pouch-suspensions include straps, harnesses, and articles of clothing. Preferably, these straps, harness and/or other pouch-suspension measures may be adjusted to support the pouch 112 in the desired position of the shooter 102.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the recoil-reducer 100 can be removably attached to the longarm's butt stock 109. In use, the shooter 102 brings the longarm's butt stock upward to brace against the cushioned portion 104 of the shooter's front side 106. Thus, in operable position, the recoil-reducer 100 is disposed over cushioned portion 104 by the shooter 102 placing the longarm's butt stock in shooting position.
In other alternative embodiments of the present invention, the recoil-reducer 100, which is designed to fit on the front of the user's shooting shoulder 108, can be placed in a pocket that is integrated with a garment. Thus, the garment functions as the pouch and pouch-suspender. In a further embodiment, the recoil reducer 100 or pouch 112 containing a recoil reducer 100 may be held in place by the shooter 102, between the butt stock of the longarm and the cushioned portion 104 of the shooter.
When the shooter 102 wears a pouch 112 that is maintained in the desired position by a suspension, the pouch 112 containing the recoil reducer 100 is disposed over the cushioned portion 104 of the shooter 102. Further embodiments include garments with pockets and/or other integrated systems that secure the pouch 112 containing a recoil reducer 100 over the cushioned portion 104 of the shooter 102.
Among other things, the pouch 112 may have open, or fastenable compartments, or permanently fastened compartments for holding the recoil-reducer 100. The pouch 112 with open or fastenable compartments allows the user to interchange recoil reducers 100 with different recoil dampening characteristics depending on the individual's needs.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the recoil reducer 100 is covered with protective material, including but not limited to canvas, nylon or leather; thus, the cover is considered an integral part of the recoil reducer 100. The recoil reducer 100 is uncovered in alternative embodiments of the present invention.
In other alternative embodiments of the present invention, the force-distribution member 114 and the compressible member 118 need not be coupled together. For example, in one alternative embodiment of the present invention, the pouch 112 may receive the force-distribution member 114 and the compressible member 118, and the pouch 112 may be configured to hold and/or align the force-distribution member 114 and the compressible member 118 in a predetermined relative position. Typically, the pouch 112 may hold and/or align the force-distribution member 114 and the compressible member 118 such that there is little, or no, relative motion between the force-distribution member 114 and the compressible member 118.
The force-distribution member 114 is comprised of rigid or semi-rigid material capable of withstanding, with virtually no plastic deformation or compression, the impulse caused by the discharging of a longarm against the force-distribution member 114. The force-distribution member 114 may be constructed of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, polycarbonate, polypropylene, and polyethylene thermoplastics. As a non-limiting example, the force-distribution member 114 is made from Lexan by General Electric Plastics such as Lexan 9030 or Lexan 9034, which both have a Flexural Modulus of 345,000 pounds per square inch (psi) as measured by the American National Standards Institute ASTM D790 test (D790). Additional suitable materials for the force-distribution member 114 include, but are not limited to; hard rubber, hard neoprene, aluminum, and steel. Typically, the force-distribution member is made from a material having a D790 flexural modulus of less than 15,000 psi to 700,000 psi or more.
The material specifications can be varied, while using the same basic principles to meet a broad array of applications. For instance, in the case of skeet shooting competition the firearms may recoil with as little as 5 ft/lb of recoil energy. However, the skeet shooter must move while shooting and is often required to fire a hundreds of shots in the course of a day's competition, thus, a thinner more flexible force-distribution member 114 would be desirable to facilitate ease of movement while still retaining perceivable recoil dampening characteristics. Conversely, shooters who fire heavy recoiling firearms (sometimes in excess of 200 ft/lb of recoil energy per shot in the case of 4 bore rifles) will require greater rigidity in the force-distribution member 114. The flexibility, and consequent recoil distributing characteristics, of the force-distribution member 114 can be controlled by using materials listed above, in thicknesses ranging approximately from 0.015 inch to 1.0 inch. The thickness can also be varied across the force-distribution member 114 to achieve desired flexing and recoil dispersing characteristics for given applications. The terms “approximately,” “generally” and “substantially” are used herein to refer to a range of values or relative orientations, understood by a person skilled in the pertinent field or skill, as being substantially equivalent to the herein stated values, orientations or positions in achieving the desired results, in a range typical to the accuracy and precision of conventional tooling, instrumentation or techniques, or a functionally equivalent positioning or orientation of features to produce equivalent results to those described herein.
It should be noted that
Referring to
The force-distribution member 1114 shown in
Because the tabs are attached to the remainder of the force-distribution member 1114 in only one axis, the tab portion(s) 1118 have greater flexibility along their length and can flex independently from the remainder of the force distribution member 1114.
In additional alternative embodiments of the present invention, the force-distribution member 1114 is configured to approximately conform to the vertical contour of the cushioned portion 104 of the user 102, which is illustrated by the dashed line 1136. In some embodiments of the present invention, the outer tabs 1120 extend generally outward and approximately parallel to the users front side 106.
All configurations of the present invention, wherein part or all of the edges 1130 and 1132 of the force-distribution member 1114 are formed to angle away from the recoil-receiving cushioned portion 104 of the user's shoulder, are intended to be within the scope of this invention. All configurations of the present invention wherein a portion of, or all of the force-distribution member 1114 is formed to approximately conform to the contours of the cushioned portion 104 of the user's shoulder are within the scope of this invention.
As illustrated by
The force-distribution member 114, in conjunction with the compressible member 118, distributes the recoil force over a surface area greater than the impinging portion of the recoiling longarm (see
Because the recoil reducer 100 is interposed between the butt stock and the shooter, the firearm must be extended by the thickness of the recoil reducer 100 from the shooter. Thus, the thinner the total thickness of the recoil reducer 100 the more convenient it is to use. Typically, the thickness of the recoil reducer 100, including the pouch 112, would range from an approximate minimum of 0.125 inch to an approximate maximum of 3.00 inches or more. In this way, by using the same fundamental principles the present invention can be fashioned in a thin-flexible configuration to suit the needs of high volume-low recoil user up to a virtually rigid-maximum thickness configuration for users of heavy recoiling firearms.
All configurations wherein one or more of the components of the recoil-reducer 100 are of uniform thickness are intended to be within the scope of this invention. All configurations wherein one or more of the components of the recoil-reducer 100 are of varying thickness are also intended to be within the scope of this invention
All configurations wherein one or more of the components of the recoil-reducer 100 are flat are intended to be within the scope of this invention. All configurations wherein one or more of the components of the recoil-reducer 100 are shaped to conform to the contours of the cushioned portion 104 of the user's body are also intended to be within the scope of this invention. All configurations wherein one or more of the components of the recoil-reducer 100 are shaped to conform to the contours of the recoil-imparting device (e.g., butt stock) are intended to be within the scope of this invention.
All configurations wherein the components of the recoil-reducer 100 are fixedly attached to each other are within the scope of this invention. All configurations wherein the components of the recoil-reducer 100 are not fixedly attached to each other are also within the scope of this invention.
All configurations wherein the compartment of the pouch 112 is permanently closed are within the scope of this invention. All configurations wherein the compartment of the pouch 112 is temporarily closed are within the scope of this invention. All configurations wherein the compartment of the pouch 112 is open are within the scope of this invention.
In another alternative embodiment of the present invention the recoil-reducer 100 is removably attached to or suspended from the butt of a gun.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any “preferred”, “exemplary”, or “alternative” embodiments disclosed herein, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. It should also be appreciated that any particular embodiment may include only some of the various aspects of the present invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention.
Claims
1. A recoil reducing device comprising:
- a force-distribution member having a force surface area that is substantially greater than the given surface area of a recoil imparting end of a longarm's butt stock, and wherein the force-distribution member is configured to approximately conform to a shooting shoulder of a user; and
- a compressible member having a compressible surface area that is substantially greater than the given surface area of the recoil imparting end of a longarm's butt stock.
2. The recoil reducing device of claim 1, wherein the force surface area of the force-distribution member ranges in size of approximately 1.5 times to 12.5 times greater than the given surface area of the recoil imparting end of the butt stock.
3. The recoil reducing device of claim 1, wherein the force-distribution member includes a polycarbonate thermoplastic.
4. The recoil reducing device of claim 1, wherein the compressible member includes a urethane foam.
5. The recoil reducing device of claim 1, wherein:
- the force-distribution member includes an edge, the edge formed to protrude away from the shooting shoulder of the user; and
- the force-distribution member includes a plurality of tabs along a portion of the edge.
6. The recoil reducing device of claim 1, wherein;
- the force-distribution member includes an edge the edge formed to protrude away from the shooting shoulder of the user; and
- the force-distribution member includes a plurality of grooves along a portion of the edge.
7. The recoil reducing device of claim 1, wherein the force-distribution member includes an interior cut.
8. The recoil reducing device of claim 5, wherein at least one of the tabs is bent at an angle approximately in the range of 10 degrees to 90 degrees relative to a front surface of the force distribution member.
9. The recoil reducing device of claim 5, wherein:
- the force-distribution member includes a second edge; and
- the second edge includes a second plurality of tabs.
10. The recoil reducing device of claim 9, wherein with the recoil reducing device in an operable position, at least a tab of the second plurality of tabs extends in a direction generally towards the shooting shoulder of the user.
11. The recoil reducing device of claim 9, wherein with the recoil reducing device in operable position, at least a tab of the second plurality of tabs extends generally outward from the front of the user.
12. The recoil reducing device of claim 1, wherein the force-distribution member has a thickness in the range of approximately 0.015 inch to 1 inch.
13. The recoil reducing device of claim 1, wherein the compressible member has a thickness in the range of approximately 0.1 inch to 3 inches.
14. The recoil reducing device of claim 1, wherein the force-distribution member has a D790 flexural modulus in the range of approximately 15,000 psi. to 700,000 psi.
15. The recoil reducing device of claim 1, wherein the force-distribution member and the compressible member are coupled together to form a coupled force-distribution member and compressible member.
16. The recoil reducing device of claim 15, wherein the force-distribution member is coupled to the compressible member by an adhesive.
17. The recoil reducing device of claim 15, further including:
- an outer member that substantially covers the coupled force-distribution member and compressible member.
18. The recoil reducing device of claim 17, wherein the outer member comprises a pouch, the pouch defines a generally hollow interior, and at least a portion of the coupled force-distribution member and compressible member is receivable into the generally hollow interior of the pouch.
19. The recoil reducing device of claim 1, further including an outer member that covers a substantial portion of the force-distribution member and the compressible member.
20. The recoil reducing device of claim 19, wherein:
- the outer member comprises a pouch, the pouch defines a generally hollow interior; and
- at least a portion of the force-distribution member and at least a portion of the compressible member are receivable into the hollow interior of the pouch.
21. A recoil reducing device for reducing the recoil felt by a user of a longarm, the longarm including a butt stock, the butt stock including a recoil imparting end having a given surface area, the recoil reducing device comprising:
- a force-distribution member having a surface area that is substantially greater than the given surface area of the recoil imparting end of the butt stock, the force-distribution member configured to approximately conform to a shoulder of the user, and the force-distribution member including an edge that protrudes away from the user;
- a compressible member coupled to and abutted to the force-distribution member, the compressible member having a surface area that is substantially greater than the given surface area of the recoil imparting end of the butt stock; and
- an outer member that covers a substantial portion of the force-distribution member and the compressible member.
22. The recoil reducing device of claim 21, wherein:
- the force-distribution member includes a first portion, a second portion, and a central portion, the first portion having a first plurality of tabs, the second portion having a second plurality of tabs, and the central portion extending between the first portion and the second portion; and
- at least one tab of the first plurality of tabs is bent outward, relative to the shoulder of the user, from the central portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 24, 2006
Publication Date: Jun 29, 2006
Inventors: Thomas McCoy (Selah, WA), Jeannette McCoy (Selah, WA)
Application Number: 11/361,542
International Classification: A41D 27/26 (20060101);