Anchor for vest mounted assault weapon

Abstract

Anchor for vest mounted assault weapon is disclosed which may be used for a body armor vest to provide a secure method of removably affixing the anchor. A conventional assault rifle may be removably affixed to the anchor. Once so affixed to the vest, the assault rifle is held firmly with the rear of the stock in an appropriate firing position. The anchor may also be used as a hands-free carrying device for the assault rifle.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relies for priority upon the Provisional Patent Application filed by Jeffrey Paul Whittle entitled True anchor point stock system vest mounted assault weapon mount true point, Ser. No. 61/198,059, filed Nov. 3, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to combat gear and more specifically to a device which provides a stable, releasable, mount on a protective vest for an assault rifle.

2. Background Information

In the United States and throughout the world, thousands of soldiers, police officers, and others in similar positions wear some type of body when proceeding into potentially dangerous situations. Most often, this body armor is in the form of an armored vest. Although there are various types of body armor, most often the armor is in the form of a vest which includes armored portions which cover the chest and back and various straps to secure the armor to the user including shoulder straps.

Nearly all rifles, including automatic assault rifles, are designed to be carried and used by a person not wearing body armor. Although there are a number of ways to shoot a rifle, most commonly, the rifle includes a stock and a shooter presses one cheek against the stock such that the shooting eye is generally aligned with the front and rear sights of the rifle. The rear of the stock is most often pressed against the hollow of one shoulder to provide a solid shooting position and to absorb the recoil in a relatively harmless manner when a rifle is shot. Body armor is currently relatively thick (about one inch). Most body armor, when correctly worn, intrudes upon the hollow of the shoulder. A shooter wearing body armor cannot press the rear of the stock into the hollow of the shoulder, because the body armor is in the way. Because the rifle is effectively an inch or so further from the body of a shooter wearing body armor, it is also very difficult to press the cheek against the stock and align the eye with the sights as is conventionally done when shooting without body armor. In most instances, a shooting attempting to shoot in body armor is able to secure the assault rifle against the body only by pressing the very bottom tip of the rear of the stock against the top portion of the body armor. This does not provide a solid shooting base.

The anchor for vest mounted assault weapon of the instant invention solves a number of problems which arise when a shooter attempts to shoot a rifle or automatic assault rifle while wearing body armor. The instant invention provides a device for removably affixing a rifle or assault rifle (hereafter, assault rifle is deemed to include any weapon which is often fired with the stock against one shoulder) to body armor such that the assault rifle is held securely to the body armor in a good shooting position. This solves several problems relating to firing an assault rifle while wearing body armor. Most importantly, the assault rifle is automatically positioned in a good shooting position such that a shooter may properly align the sights with the shooting eye and recoil is appropriately absorbed because the stock is held securely against the shoulder.

The ideal anchor for vest mounted assault weapon of the instant invention solves the above problems by removably securing the stock of the rifle to the shooter in an appropriate shooting position. The ideal invention should also insure that the end of the stock is secured against the body to absorb recoil. The ideal invention should also provide a method for quickly and simply releasing the assault rifle from the securing device. The ideal invention should also provide a convenient method of carrying an assault rifle when not in use. It should also be simple, reliable, inexpensive, and easy to operate and maintain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The anchor for vest mounted assault weapon of the instant invention is made to be used with conventional body armor which ordinarily includes armor over the front and rear of the body of a user which is secured in place using a number of straps including shoulder straps which connect the front and rear armor over the shoulders of a user. As will be seen, the instant invention could also be used with a non-armored hunting vest or similar garment.

The instant invention includes a clip which may be removably affixed to the appropriate shoulder strap of body armor. With left-handed people, for instance, this is typically the shoulder strap over the left shoulder. The clip includes the ball portion of a ball and socket joint which protrudes slightly outward from the shoulder. A connector is also provided. The connector includes the socket portion of the ball and socket joint at the rear of the connector. (Rearward is considered to be toward a shooter.) The forward end of the connector includes a receiver which may be removably affixed to the rear of the stock of an assault rifle. The socket of the connector may be removably affixed to the ball of the clip such that the connector my rotate freely about the ball.

The receiver portion of the connector is configured such that it may be removably affixed to the rearward end of the stock of an assault rifle. This connection may be accomplished either by modifying an existing, conventional stock or by manufacture of a stock specific to the instant invention.

The clip is positioned on the shoulder strap such that the assault rifle is in the appropriate shooting position when the stock of the rifle is affixed to the connector. Not only is the assault rifle positioned appropriately for aligning the shooting eye with the sights of the rifle, but the rifle is secured to the body appropriately to absorb recoil. When not in use, the assault rifle can be carried, leaving both hands free, by letting the rifle dangle from the connector. The assault rifle may be quickly and easily released from the connector and may still be used in a conventional manner.

One of the major objects of the present invention is to provide a secure shooting position by removably securing the stock of the rifle to the shooter in an appropriate shooting position.

Another objective of the present invention is to insure that the end of the stock is secured against the body to absorb recoil.

Another objective of the present invention to provide a method for quickly and simply releasing the assault rifle from the securing device.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a convenient method of carrying an assault rifle when not in use

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an anchor for vest mounted assault weapon which is simple, reliable, inexpensive, and easy to use and maintain.

These and other features of the invention will become apparent when taken in consideration with the following detailed description and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an orthographic view of the clip portion of the instant invention secured to an armored vest;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the clip portion of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of connector portion of the instant invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the connector portion of the instant invention taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the stock portion of the instant invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the stock portion of the instant invention taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the stock portion of the instant invention taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a buffer tube which is typical of many assault rifles and generally connects the rest of the assault rifle to the stock of the rifle; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the buffer tube taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-7 there is shown an anchor for vest mounted assault weapon of the instant invention. FIG. 1 also shows portions of typical body armor employing a vest configuration and is not considered part of the invention. FIGS. 8 and 9 show a buffer tube which is typical of many conventional assault rifles and is also not considered a part of the invention. An example of an assault rifle having such a buffer tube is the Bushmaster XM15 M4A3 Type Carbine made by Bushmaster Firearms, Inc. of Windham, Me. The buffer tube is not considered to be either a part of or necessary to the instant invention and is included only to illustrate one method of securing the rest of an assault rifle to the stock. The instant invention may be adapted to be used with nearly any rifle which has a stock.

Now referring to FIG. 1, an orthographic view of the clip portion of the instant invention secured to an armored vest is shown. A portion of a conventional vest 2 is shown. Armor 4 of the vest 2 is shown. This is intended to depict a portion of a typical body armor vest and is not considered part of the invention. The armor 4 in this Figure is that portion of the armor which would cover the upper, left chest of a wearer, but the instant invention would work equally well with the right portion of said armor 4 or with any vest or clothing. A shoulder strap 6 protrudes upward from the top of said armor 4. The left shoulder 8 of a person wearing said vest 2 (a shooter) is also shown to indicate the position of said vest 2 relative to the body of a wearer.

Still referring to FIG. 1, a clip 10 is removably affixed to the shoulder strap 6 near the top of said armor 4. (Toward the shooter is considered rearward and away from the shooter is considered forward.) The clip 10 has the general shape of a “C” such that it may be pushed onto said shoulder strap 6. Said clip 10 may be secured to said shoulder strap 6 by tightening a clip bolt 12 which passes through the open ends of said clip 10 using a wing nut 14. A ball 16 is affixed to the forward surface of said clip 10 and protrudes forward from said clip 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a side view of said clip 10 of the instant invention is shown. This view better shows the manner of attachment of said clip 10 to said shoulder strap 6 and the configuration of the ball 16. This view shows that the clip bolt 12 passes through an aligned pair of clip holes 18 through the sides of said clip 10 at the open end of said clip 10. The sides of said clip 10 may be pressed together by tightening the wing nut 14 to secure said clip 10 the said shoulder strap 6. As may be seen, the position of said clip 10 may be adjusted to the appropriate position on said shoulder strap 6. Said ball 16 is offset from the forward surface of said clip 10 by a ball stem 20 which is affixed to the forward surface of said clip 10 and the rearward edge of said ball 16. It may be readily understood that the instant invention is shown in this embodiment with said clip 10 and consequently the ball stem 20 being affixed to an existing, conventional version of said vest 2. However, in a second embodiment, said vest 2 could just as easily be manufactured such that said ball stem 20 and said ball 16 are made as a part of said vest 2. That is, the instant invention is shown as being an attachment to said vest 2, but it could easily be adapted such that said ball stem 20 and said ball 16 are made a part of said vest 2 which would eliminate the necessity for said clip 10, said clip bolt 12, the clip holes 18, and said wing nut 14.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a side view of connector portion of the instant invention is shown. A connector 26 is provided which has a socket 28 at its rearward end and a receiver 30 at its forward end. The connector 26 has the general shape of a cylinder split into two halves. The two halves are held together by a connector bolt 32. The connector bolt 32 passes through a hole in one of the halves of said connector 26 and screws into a connector nut 34 in the other half of said connector bolt 32. The connector nut 34 is embedded into said connector 26 such that it does not turn. A connector spring 36 on said connector bolt 32 tends to press the two halves of said connector 26 apart. The two halves of said connector 26 may be forced together by tightening said connector bolt 32. The socket 28 is a spherical hollow on the interior of said connector 26 slightly larger than said ball 16. Said connector 26 may be removably secured to said clip 10 by loosening said connector bolt 32 and inserting said ball 16 into said socket 28 and tightening said connector bolt 32. Said connector bolt 32 is tightened enough to secured said ball 16 within said socket 28, but not so tight that said ball 16 cannot rotate within said socket 28.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the receiver 30 has a generally cylindrical shape, but has a connector keyway 40 protruding outward from one side. The connector keyway 40 has a generally rectangular cross section and runs the length of said receiver 30. The forward end of said connector keyway 40 slants inward. There is a connector hole 42 in said connector keyway 40 near the forward end of said connector keyway 40. The connector hole 42 is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said receiver 30.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a sectional view of said connector 26 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 is shown. This view shows the cylindrical shape of said receiver 30 and the configuration of said connector keyway 40. This view also better shows the position and configuration of said connector hole 42.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a side view of a typical assault rifle stock is shown. A stock 50 is affixed to any conventional assault rifle and is not considered a part of the instant invention except for the method of attachment to said connector 26 as described below. The rest of the assault rifle is not considered a part of or relevant to the instant invention. A new stock 50 could be manufactured to accommodate the instant invention or an existing stock could be modified to use the instant invention. The following description of removably affixing said connector 26 to an assault rifle is illustrative of one method of affixing said connector 26, but a variety of other methods could be used.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the stock 50 includes a hollow, cylindrical stock tube 52 which runs the length of said stock 50. The interior diameter of the stock tube 52 is slightly larger than the exterior diameter of said receiver 30. Said stock tube 52 includes a stock keyway 54 which is complementary to said connector keyway 40. That is, said receiver 30 and said connector keyway 40 may be slid into said stock tube 52 and said stock keyway 54. A stock pin 56 protrudes into the interior of said stock keyway 54. The stock pin 56 has a stock pin head 58 at its outer end and a stock pin tip 60 at its interior end. The stock pin tip 60 protrudes into the interior of said stock keyway 54. The diameter of said stock pin tip 60 is slightly smaller than the diameter of said connector hole 42. The diameter of the body of said stock pin 56 is slightly smaller than the diameter of said stock pin tip 60.

Still referring to FIG. 5, The inner surface of the stock pin head 58 abuts a stock pin plate 64. A stock pin spring 66 on the body of said stock pin 56 is interposed between the stock pin plate 64 and the inner surface of said stock pin tip 60. Thus, the stock pin spring 66 tends to force said stock pin tip 60 inward toward said stock tube 52. Said receiver 30 and said connector keyway 40 may be pressed into said stock tube 52 and said stock keyway 54. The slant on said connector keyway 40 makes this insertion easier. Said stock pin tip 60 engages said connector hole 42 and holds said connector 26 in place within said stock 50. Stock pin head 58 may be pulled outward against the force of said stock pin spring 66 which disengages said stock pin tip 60 from said connector hole 42 and allows said connector 26 to be removed from said stock 56.

Still referring to FIG. 5, there is a buffer tube pin 70, buffer tube pin head 72, buffer pin tip 74, and buffer tube pin spring 76 forward of said stock pin 56 which are all configured and operate in the same manner as the complimentary elements which make up the said stock pin 56 and its similar associated elements. The only difference between the buffer tube pin 70 and said stock pin 56, is that rather than abutting a plate like said stock pin plate 64, said buffer tube pin 70 abuts a buffer tube pin trigger 80. (While said stock pin 56 and its associated elements are considered a part of the instant invention, said buffer tube pin 70 and its associated elements are conventional and a well known part of many assault rifles.) The buffer tube pin trigger 80 is held in place by the buffer tube pin head 72. The rearward portion of said buffer tube pin trigger 80 is angled downward and rearward from the forward portion. Pulling rearward and upward on the rearward portion of said buffer tube pin trigger 80 causes the buffer tube pin head 72 to be withdrawn from said stock keyway 54.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a sectional view of said stock 50 of the instant invention taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 is shown. This view perhaps better shows the interaction and configuration of said buffer tube pin 70, said buffer tube head 72, said buffer tube pin tip 74, said buffer tube pin spring 76, and said buffer tube pin trigger 80. Said buffer tube pin trigger 80 encloses the lower, forward end of said stock 50 and is held in place by said buffer tube pin head 72. When said buffer tube pin trigger 80 is pulled, the forward end of said buffer tube pin trigger 80 pulls said buffer tube pin head 72 downward which pulls said buffer tube pin tip 74 downward and out of said stock keyway 54.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a sectional view of said stock 50 of the instant invention taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 is shown. This view perhaps better shows the relationship and configuration of said stock pin 56, said stock pin head 58, said stock pin tip 60, said stock pin plate 64, and said stock pin spring 66. There is a stock pin opening 84 shown between said stock pin plate 64 and the bottom, outer surface of said stock keyway 54. The stock pin opening 84 is not critical to the function of the instant invention, but makes it easier to retrofit the instant invention to an existing assault rifle stock. Said stock pin opening 84 makes it easier, for example, to place said stock pin spring 66 on said stock pin 56. Said stock pin plate 64 does not exist on a conventional stock and must be fastened in place when a conventional assault rifle is retrofitted to accommodate the instant invention. In addition, the material of said stock 50 around said stock pin head 58 must be removed in most cases when a conventional assault rifle is retrofitted as well. Of course, when said stock 50 is purpose built for the instant invention, these elements may be built into said stock 50.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a side view of a buffer tube which is typical of many assault rifles and generally connects the rest of the assault rifle to the stock of the rifle is shown. Again, this element, a buffer tube 90 is not considered a part of the invention and is shown to illustrate the functionality of the instant invention. The rest of the assault rifle is not shown. The buffer tube 90 is often threaded at the forward end to provide fastening means for fastening said buffer tube 90 to other elements of the assault rifle. Said buffer tube 90 also includes a buffer tube keyway 94 which is very similar to said connector keyway 40. The buffer tube keyway 94 also includes a buffer tube keyway hole 94 which serves a function similar to that of said connector hole 42. The rearward end of said buffer tube 90 may be inserted into the forward end of said stock tube 52 and is held in place within said stock tube 52 when said buffer tube pin tip 74 engages the buffer tube keyway hole 94. Said buffer tube 90 may be removed by pulling back on the rearward portion of said buffer tube pin trigger 80 which acts to disengage said buffer tube pin tip 74 from said buffer tube keyway hole 94.

Now referring to FIG. 9, a sectional view of said buffer tube 90 taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 is shown. This view, perhaps, better shows the interaction and configuration of said buffer tube 90, said buffer tube keyway 92, and said buffer tube keyway hole 94.

In operation the anchor for vest mounted assault weapon described above works as follows. Said clip 10 is removably affixed to said shoulder strap 6 of said vest 2 as described in detail above. Said connector bolt 32 is loosened if necessary such that said ball 16 may be inserted into said socket 28 at the rearward end of said connector 26. Said connector bolt 32 is then tightened sufficiently to secure said ball 16 within said socket 28 without the connection being so tight that said ball 16 will not rotate smoothly within said socket 28. The forward end of said receiver 30 is inserted into the rearward end of said stock tube 52. The assault rifle and said stock 50 is then pressed rearward until said stock pin tip 60 engages said connector hole 42. Said stock pin spring 66 forces said stock pin 56 into connector hole 42 and securely, but removably, affixes the assault rifle to said connector 26. The assault rifle may then be fired in s proficient manner because the assault rifle is firmly secured to the body of the shooter with the shooter's shooting eye properly aligned with the sights of the assault rifle. The shooter may let the assault rifle dangle from the instant invention to provide a convenient method of carrying the assault rifle. The assault rifle may easily and quickly be removed from said connector 26 by pulling down on said tock pin head 58 which disengages said stock pin tip 60 from said connector hole 42. The assault rifle may then simply be pulled away from the instant invention. As may be seen, the functionality of the assault rifle is not changed in any manner when used apart from the instant invention.

All elements of the variable anchor for vest mounted assault weapon are made of steel except for those described below, but other material having similar strength, weight, and weather resistance could be used. Said stock 50 is molded from tough, high impact plastic which is weather resistant.

While preferred embodiments of this invention have been shown and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. That is, the device could be used for a wide variety of purposes either in combination or separately.

Claims

1. An anchor for vest mounted assault weapon for use with a body armor vest, the body armor vest having a shoulder strap which passes over a user's shoulder from back to front comprising:

(1) a clip which may be removably affixed to the shoulder strap of the vest such that the clip is positioned near the hollow at the front of a user's shoulder;

(2) a ball which is affixed to said clip and which protrudes forward from said clip away from a user; and

(3) a receiver which is removably affixed at the rearward end of the receiver to the ball such that said receiver may rotate about said ball; the forward end of said receiver being capable of being removably affixed to the stock of a rifle.

2. An anchor for vest mounted assault weapon for use with a body armor vest, the body armor vest having a shoulder strap which passes over a user's shoulder from back to front comprising:

(1) a ball which is affixed to the shoulder strap of the vest at a point near the hollow at the front of a user's shoulder and which protrudes forward from the shoulder strap away from a user; and

(2) a receiver which is removably affixed at the rearward end of the receiver to the ball such that said receiver may rotate about said ball; the forward end of said receiver being capable of being removably affixed to the stock of a rifle.