RAIL MOUNTED RECOIL SYSTEM FOR THE FOREND OF A FIREARM
A recoil reduction system for use with firearms. The recoil reduction system uses a lever coupled with a spring system and a slide rail to provide reduction of to the recoil of a firearm. The recoil reduction system can be is installed in a handgrip or in a forend. Accessories may be attached to the recoil reduction means in order to gain the benefits of recoil reduction.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/008,558, filed Jan. 11, 2008 entitled “Recoil System,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/132,872, filed May 19, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,340,857 entitled “Recoil System For The Forend Of A Firearm,” both of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to firearms and more specifically to a recoil system for rifles and shotguns. One age-old problem that has existed with firearms is the fact that many of them have severe recoil that affects the person firing the weapon. In firearms such as shotguns and rifles, the rear end of the butt stock is positioned against the shooter's shoulder. When discharged, the recoil from the discharge applies a centrifugal force to the firearm, often causing the shooter to raise the front. Also, recoil varies depending upon the amount of explosive being fired and the recoil can result in pain and/or bruising to the shoulder area of the person firing the weapon. One example of the recoil being detrimental to a shooter's accuracy is where the firearm is a shotgun being used for skeet shooting by a male or a female.
In the past, the best prior art recoil systems for the butt stock of a firearm have been very expensive and the inexpensive systems did not function properly. Two examples of expensive systems are a hydro-coil fluid dampening system and a pneumatic air chamber system. The present inexpensive recoil systems utilize compression coil springs to absorb the recoil forces. If the compression coil spring is a little too strong, you get more recoil than with a regular firearm. If the compression coil spring is not strong enough it is worse, in that it gives the gun some travel and it is the same as holding the butt stock too loosely.
One improvement in recoil systems for a firearm is illustrated in the Bentley et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,195. It has a pistol grip recoil assembly having a recoil base member and a pistol grip. The recoil base member is detachably secured to the rear end of the receiver of the firearm and it has an inverted T-shaped rail formed on its bottom wall. This inverted T-shaped rail is captured within and slides in an inverted T-shaped groove in the top end of the pistol grip. A recess formed in the front wall of the pistol grip adjacent its top end allows the trigger guard of the firearm to travel rearwardly with respect to the pistol grip when the firearm is fired. Various embodiments utilize springs to return the recoil base member forwardly to its static position after dissipating the recoil of the firearm resulting from its being fired.
Another recent improved recoil system for a firearm is illustrated in the Bentley et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,339. This patent discloses a recoil system for the butt stock of a firearm having a recoil suppressor assembly whose front end is mounted in the cavity in the rear end of the gun stock. The piston ram of the recoil suppressor assembly in its static position extends rearwardly into a bore hole cavity of a elongated recoil housing. When the firearm is shot, the elongated body portion of the recoil suppressor assembly and its transversely extending mounting flange portion instantaneously travel rearwardly into the bore cavity with the bore hole of the body housing reciprocally traveling over the piston ram. A coil spring whose front end is secured to the front end of the body portion whose rear end is secured to a cam assembly returns the elongated body portion to a static position once the recoil of the firearm has been suppressed.
Previous recoil systems have had success, but also have some inherent drawbacks. For example, many firearms have various mechanisms located in the stock, such as a bolt return spring, that precludes the use of a recoil system located in the stock. Further, many traditional recoil systems are too large to be used within the forend of a firearm that does not employ the use of “Kelly” or pistol grips.
Additionally, previous recoil systems are generally difficult to attach to an existing firearm. Many such recoil systems use permanent or semi-permanent connecting means that require disassembling the firearm, drilling openings, and/or installing screws or bolts into the firearm to attach the recoil system, making the quick attachment or removal of a recoil system difficult at best. Further, past recoil systems have generally been designed to be used with specific firearms or with firearms that fit within specific parameters and have not been available to be used universally, with any firearm
It would be beneficial to provide recoil reduction system that is quickly attachable and detachable. It would also be beneficial to provide a recoil reduction system that can be used with any firearm.
The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of one or more of the issues set forth above.
SUMMARYOne embodiment of the invention is a recoil reduction system comprising a handgrip member having a top end, bottom end and a chamber that extends within the handgrip member, wherein a track is formed in the top end of the handgrip member. A sliding member may be slidably connected to the track and a mounting means may be connected to the sliding member. The mounting means may be configured to connect to a firearm. A recoil reduction means may be mounted within the chamber and may be configured to oppose sliding by the sliding member.
The sliding member may be a rail. The mounting means may be configured to connect to a picatinny rail, a weaver rail, or a universal rail. The recoil reduction system may be connected to a firearm. The recoil reduction system may comprise at least one accessory mount which may connect to an accessory, such as a light, sight, scope, laser sight, or bipod. The recoil reduction means may comprise a torsion spring connected to a cam. The torsion spring and the cam may pivot about the same axis. The recoil reduction means may have substantially no linear rebound.
Another embodiment of the invention is a recoil reduction means comprising a lever having a first end, a middle, and a second end, a pivot pin pivotally securing the lever to a recoil reduction means housing, a spring connected to the lever, and a sliding member that may be configured to be slidably connected to a forend. The lever and spring may be configured to oppose sliding by the sliding member in at least one direction, and the first end of the lever may be configured to interface with a surface of the sliding member.
The lever may comprise a cam, and the spring may comprise a torsion spring. The recoil reduction means housing may comprise a handgrip member, having a top end. A track may be formed in the top end. The recoil reduction means may be mounted in a chamber that extends within the handgrip member, and the sliding member may be slidably connected to the track. The sliding member may be configured to connect to a forend via a mounting means. The mounting means may be configured to connect to a picatinny rail, a weaver rail, or a universal rail. The recoil reduction means housing may comprise a forend with a recess formed therein, and the recoil reduction means may be mounted within the recess of the forend. The spring may comprise a coil spring, a threaded rod surrounded by a coil spring held in place by a nut, a leaf spring, an elastomer block, or a torsion spring.
Another embodiment of the invention is a recoil reduction system, comprising an elongated forend portion having a front end, a rear end, a left side wall, a right side wall and a bottom wall. A recoil reduction means may be attached to the forend and may further comprise a longitudinally extending picatinny rail extending downwardly from the bottom surface of the forend portion. The embodiment may further comprise an upright oriented handgrip having a top end, a bottom end, a front end, and a primary chamber that extends upwardly. A track may be formed in the top end of the handgrip; and the recoil reduction means may be mounted in the primary chamber of the handgrip. A rail may be slidably received in the track and a mounting means may be connected to the rail and the picatinny rail.
The recoil reduction system may further comprising a firearm which may comprise a receiver having a front end and a rear end, an elongated gun barrel having a front end and a rear end. The rear end of the gun barrel may be connected to the front end of the receiver. The recoil reduction system may further comprise an elongated magazine for shells, having a front end and a rear end which may be connected to the front end of the receiver.
These and other embodiments of the present application will be discussed more fully in the description. The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the claimed invention, or may be combined in yet other embodiments.
Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIn the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that modifications to the various disclosed embodiments may be made, and other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
The novel recoil reduction system for a firearm will now be described by referring to
Forend 35 is rigidly secured to the magazine 34 or other structure that is rigidly secured to receiver 32. When the shotgun is fired, a forend 35 recoils rearwardly causing rail 46 to also travel in the same direction. The elastomer block 51 is compressed to reduce some of the recoil. Cam roller 58 is pivoted rearwardly about pivot pin 57 causing coil spring 63 to be stretched and then returned to its static position and this also provides recoil reduction.
A first variation of the recoil reducing structure in the handgrip member 36 is illustrated in
A second alternative recoil reducing structure is illustrated in
A third alternative recoil structure is illustrated in
In
The structure for mounting the recoil reduction system is illustrated in
As shown in
In
As shown in
The recoil reduction system may also comprise a mounting means. The mounting means may comprise a member, such as a rail mount receiver 247, as shown in
Some embodiments of a recoil reduction system may further comprise one or more accessory mounts 237, as shown in
The recoil reduction means illustrated by
Referring again to
In some embodiments, the cam 356 may be shaped to better conform to the torsion spring 370, as shown in
The recoil reducing structure may further comprise a cam roller 358 connected to the top end of the cam 356 by pin 359. The top end of the cam 356 may be positioned such that the cam roller 358 is substantially within a cavity 353, formed within the rail 346. The cam roller 358 may contact a wall of the cavity 353, which may pre-stress the torsion spring 370.
The recoil reduction system is configured to oppose rearward travel of the rail 346. For example, when connected to a firearm, the recoil from the firearm, when discharged, may apply a rearward force to the rail 346, causing it to move. Rearward movement of the rail 346 may apply force to the cam roller 358 and thus to the connected cam 356 which will pivot at the pivot pin 357. This movement will stress the torsion spring 370 which advantageously moves in the same arc as the cam 356. As the torsion spring 370 is twisted by the cam 356, the load on the torsion spring 370 increases. This loading of the torsion spring 370 creates a greater resistance to further twisting of the torsion spring 370 and movement of the cam 356, thus reducing the recoil.
As previously discussed, the torsion spring 370 can move in the same arc as the cam 356, therefore the torsion spring 370 can also move within the same space as the cam 356, and may be configured to overlap the cam 356, creating a compact assembly with respect to traditional spring recoil systems. A compact torsion spring 370 and cam 356 assembly may be used advantageously in smaller areas than traditional spring systems and may have fewer moving parts. For example, an elongated forend may have limited space for a recoil reduction system, requiring such systems to be generally flat and run the length of the forend. Prior recoil system adapted for elongated forends have required a number additional moving parts to accommodate the size and shape of the space available within the forend. One example is the embodiment described above and shown in
The cam 356 is pivotally mounted to the forend 385 by a pivot pin 357. The cam 356 may further comprise with a cam roller 358 mounted to the cam 356 with a pin 359. The torsion spring 370 is also mounted to the forend with the pivot pin 357 which may pass through the torsion spring coils 373 (shown in
While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those specifically shown and described, certain features may be used independently of other features, and the number and configuration of various vehicle components described above may be altered, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended Claims.
Such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed exemplary embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology of terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting.
Various changes, modifications, and/or adaptations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
Claims
1. A recoil reduction system comprising:
- a handgrip member having a top end, bottom end, and a chamber that extends within the handgrip member, wherein a track is formed in the top end of the handgrip member;
- a sliding member that is slidably connected to the track;
- a mounting means connected to the sliding member and configured to connect to a firearm; and
- a recoil reduction means mounted within the chamber,
- wherein the recoil reduction means of the recoil reduction system is configured to oppose sliding by the sliding member in at least one direction.
2. The recoil reduction system of claim 1, wherein the sliding member is a rail.
3. The recoil reduction system of claim 1, wherein the mounting means is configured to connect to a picatinny rail, a weaver rail, or a universal rail.
4. The recoil reduction system of claim 1, wherein the recoil reduction system is connected to a firearm.
5. The recoil reduction system of claim 1, further comprising at least one accessory mount connected to the recoil reduction system.
6. The recoil reduction system of claim 5, further comprising a light, sight, scope, laser sight, or bipod connected to at least one accessory mount.
7. The recoil reduction system of claim 1, wherein the recoil reduction means comprises a torsion spring connected to a cam.
8. The recoil reduction system of claim 7, wherein the torsion spring and cam are configured to pivot about the same axis.
9. The recoil reduction system of claim 1, wherein the recoil reduction means has substantially no linear rebound.
10. A recoil reduction means comprising:
- a lever having a first end, a middle, and a second end;
- a pivot pin pivotally securing the lever to a recoil reduction means housing;
- a spring connected to the lever; and
- a sliding member that is configured to be slidably connected to a forend,
- wherein the lever and spring are configured to oppose sliding by the sliding member in at least one direction, and
- wherein the first end of the lever is configured to interface with a surface of the sliding member.
11. The recoil reduction means of claim 10, wherein the lever comprises a cam, and wherein the spring comprises a torsion spring.
12. The recoil reduction means of claim 10, wherein the recoil reduction means housing comprises a handgrip member, having a top end, a track being formed in the top end,
- wherein the recoil reduction means is mounted in a chamber within the handgrip member, and
- wherein the sliding member is slidably connected to the track.
13. The recoil reduction means of claim 12, wherein the sliding member is configured to connect to a forend via a mounting means.
14. The recoil reduction means of claim 13, wherein the mounting means is configured to connect to a picatinny rail, a weaver rail, or a universal rail.
15. The recoil reduction system of claim 10, wherein the recoil reduction means housing comprises a forend with a recess formed therein,
- wherein the recoil reduction means is mounted within the recess of the forend.
16. The recoil reduction system of claim 10, wherein the spring comprises a coil spring, a threaded rod surrounded by a coil spring held in place by a nut, a leaf spring, an elastomer block, or a torsion spring.
17. A recoil reduction system, comprising:
- an elongated forend portion having a front end, a rear end, a left side wall, a right side wall and a bottom wall;
- a recoil reduction means attached to said forend portion, wherein said recoil reduction means further comprises a longitudinally extending picatinny rail extending downwardly from said bottom wall of said forend portion;
- an upright oriented handgrip having a top end, a bottom end, a front end, and a primary chamber that extends upwardly within said handgrip, wherein a track is formed in said top end of said handgrip; and wherein said recoil reduction means is mounted in said primary chamber of said handgrip;
- a rail slidably received in said track; and
- a mounting means connected to said rail and said picatinny rail, for supporting said handgrip.
18. The recoil reduction system of claim 17, further comprising a firearm comprising:
- a receiver having a front end and a rear end;
- an elongated gun barrel having a front end and a rear end; said rear end of said gun barrel being connected to said front end of said receiver;
- an elongated magazine for shells; said magazine having a front end and a rear end, said rear end of said magazine being connected to said front end of said receiver;
19. The recoil reduction system of claim 17, further comprising at least one accessory mount connected to said handgrip.
20. The recoil reduction system of claim 17, wherein said recoil reduction means further comprises a torsion spring connected to a cam, and
- wherein the recoil reduction means is configured to oppose sliding by the sliding member in at least one direction.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 3, 2008
Publication Date: Nov 4, 2010
Inventor: James K. Bentley (Meridian, ID)
Application Number: 12/263,674
International Classification: F41A 25/06 (20060101); F41A 25/10 (20060101); F41A 25/00 (20060101);