REAR STABILIZER FOR PISTOLS
A rear stabilizer for a pistol includes an extension and a movable support. The extension may comprise a rail or other structure which is connectable to the pistol so as to extend rearwardly from the pistol, and the support may comprise a body which extends downwardly from the extension for supporting the extension generally opposite the pistol. The position of the support may be changed, such as by moving the support up and down relative to the extension, thus changing the height of the extensions when the support is located on a supporting surface.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/167,840, filed Mar. 30, 2021, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to stabilizing devices for hand-held firearms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTwo main types of firearms are rifles and pistols. Rifles are commonly referred to as shoulder-mounted firearms, in that they include an elongate stock for engagement with a user's shoulder when being fired. Pistols are commonly referred to as hand-held firearms, in that they are configured to be held by one or both hands of the user when being fired.
An advantage to a hand-held firearm such as a pistol is that it is generally shorter and thus smaller and lighter, and thus easier to conceal and transport. However, hand-held firearms are generally more difficult to fire with accuracy. In particular, even if the user rests the barrel of the pistol on a support, the user must support the rear of the pistol with one or both hands, such as by gripping the pistol grip. The rear support for the pistol is much less stable, including relative to a rifle where the shoulder or, often, a sandbag or other rest is utilized as a rear support.
One solution to this problem is to add a shoulder-stock to the rear of the pistol. However, this effectively changes the pistol to a rifle, including from a legal definition. Thus, a solution to the above-described accuracy problem that does not involve a change to the nature of the pistol, including its legal classification, is desired.
Some configurations of rear supports for rifles are known, wherein the support is designed to support the rear of the rifle by other than or in addition to the user's shoulder. These rifle supports are generally designed to support the stock of the rifle. As such, they are generally incompatible for use with a pistol. Further, the design of such supports is often undesirable, such as by being too complex, being unstable or the like. Thus, any support for a pistol, and particularly the rear of a pistol, preferably overcomes these issues as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAspects of the invention comprise rear stabilizers for a pistol. In one embodiment the rear stabilizer comprises an extension and a support. The extension may comprise a rail or other structure which extends rearwardly from the pistol, and the support may comprise a body which extends downwardly from the extension for supporting the extension generally opposite the pistol. In other embodiments, the rear stabilizer may comprise a rear pistol mount and a downwardly extending support.
Additional aspects of the invention comprise methods of mounting and adjusting the position of a rear stabilizer support for a pistol, such as to change a height of the rear stabilizer.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.
One embodiment of the invention is a rear stabilizer for a pistol. In one embodiment the rear stabilizer comprises an extension and a support. The extension may comprise a rail or other structure which extends rearwardly from the pistol, and the support may comprise a body which extends downwardly from the extension for supporting the extension generally opposite the pistol. In other embodiments, the rear stabilizer may comprise a rear pistol mount and a downwardly extending support. Additional aspects of the invention comprise methods of mounting and adjusting the position of a rear stabilizer support for a pistol, such as to change a height of the rear stabilizer.
One embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to
The rail 22 comprises an elongate, generally rigid structure or body. The rail 22 has a first or front end 24 and a generally opposing second or rear end 26. As indicated, the rail 22 is preferably generally elongate, that is, generally substantially longer than it is wide or tall. In this configuration, the rail 22 may have a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. As indicated below, the rail may have other configurations, including cross-sectional shapes.
The rail 22 may be constructed from various materials, including metals and composites. In one embodiment, in order to reduce the weight of the rail 22, the rail may include one or more lightening holes 30. These holes 30 may be separated by one or more ribs 32.
Preferably, the rail 22 includes means for mounting or connecting it to a pistol or a feature of a pistol (labeled P in the figures). In one embodiment, this means may comprise a Picatinny mount 34 which is located at the first end 24 of the rail 22. In one embodiment, the Picatinny mount 34 is located at a face 28 of the first end and extends generally vertically for connection to a corresponding generally vertically extending Picatinny mount associated with a pistol (wherein the Picatinny mount 34 might comprise a mount for connection to a Picatinny rail associated with the pistol or a Picatinny rail for connection to a mount associated with the pistol). In addition, the means for mounting or connecting may include one or more passages 36 for accepting a threaded fastener (not shown). As illustrated, the passage 36 may extend generally parallel to the rail 22. In one embodiment, the passage 36 may begin at one of the opening 30 in the rail 22 and extend through the Picatinny mount 34.
As indicated, the rear stabilizer 20 may further comprise a support 38. In one embodiment, the support 38 is mounted to the rail 22 at or near the second or rear end 26 and extends downwardly therefrom. In one embodiment, the support 38 extends generally perpendicular to an axis which extends along the length of the rail 22.
The support 38 has a first or top end 42 and a second or bottom end 44. In one embodiment, the support 38 is a generally cylindrical body and might be constructed from various materials such as wood, composites, plastic or even metal. The body may have a plurality of spaced, circumferential insets 40 between the first end 42 and second end 44. The support 38 may have various shapes and dimensions.
In one embodiment, the first or top end 42 of the support 38 is connected or connectable to the rail 22, and the bottom of the second end 44 is designed to contact a supporting surface. In one embodiment, the support 38 may be detachably connected to the rail 22, thus allowing it to be disconnected from the rail 22. In a preferred embodiment, means are provided for changing the effective height or length of the support 38. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by having the support 38 be adjustably connected to the rail 22.
As illustrated in
Further aspects of the rear stabilizer 20 will be appreciated from a description of its use.
The user of the pistol P may, instead of holding the pistol P with his hands, elect to support the pistol P on a support surface during firing. In one embodiment, the user might support the front of the pistol P on a support surface, such as by directly resting the front of the pistol P on a shooting bag, gun rest or the like. For example, as illustrated, the user may attach a bi-pod B to the pistol P at the front end thereof. The bi-pod serves to support the front end of the pistol P in a raised, fixed position. However, even so supported at the front end, the user must grab the grip G with one or both hands and support the rear of the pistol P with his hands, whereby the rear of the pistol is not supported in a fixed position.
In accordance with the invention, the user may attach a rear stabilizer 20 of the invention to the pistol P. As illustrated, the user may connect the Picatinny mount 34 at the first end 24 of the rail 22 to the mating mount/rail on the frame/chassis E of the pistol P. The user may pass a fastener (not shown) through the passage 36 in the rail 22 and into engagement with the chassis E, thus securing the rail 22 to the chassis E in a fixed position. At this time, the rear stabilizer 20 extends rearwardly from the pistol P, generally parallel to a barrel of the pistol P.
As illustrated, the support 38 extends downwardly from the second end 26 of the rail 22. The user may adjust the position of the support 38 relative to the rail 22, thus effectively making the support 28 shorter or longer (relative to the rail 22). In particular, as described above, the user may rotate or thread the support 38 relative to the rod 48, towards or away from the rail 22. The user may adjust the position of the support 38 so that when the bottom of the second end 44 of the support 38 is contacting a support surface, the pistol P is in the desired orientation/position. As illustrated, at that time, the pistol P is effectively supported by the bi-pod B at the front and the rear stabilizer 20 at the rear (and where a height of the second end 26 of the rail 22 varies depending upon the position of the support 28).
This embodiment rear stabilizer 20 has many advantages or benefits. The rear stabilizer 20 extends generally rearwardly from the pistol P, generally parallel thereto. The rear stabilizer 20 is securely connectable to the pistol P, but at the same time can easily be removed, folded or collapsed, thus not changing the character of the pistol P. The user can adjust the position of the support 38 in order to raise or lower the rear end of the pistol P to a desired position. The support 38 can be rested on a supporting surface, thus providing a stable platform for the pistol (as where the front of the pistol P might be supported in various manners, including by direct support on a supporting surface or other element, including a mount such as a bi-pod, whereby both the front and rear of the pistol are supported by supports, rather than by hand).
Another embodiment of a rear stabilizer 120 in accordance with the invention will be described with reference to
In this embodiment, the rail 122 includes one or more elongate supports, such as first and second rods 150A,B. The rail 122 again has a first end 124 and a second end 126. The first end 124 may be defined by a first end of the rods 150A,B. The rail 22 further comprise a support mount 152 located at the second end 126. In one embodiment, the second ends of the rods 150A,B are connected to the support mount 152. A pistol mount 154 is preferably connected to the rods 150A,B at their front ends (or might be slidably mounted on the rods).
In one embodiment, the rods 150A,B are generally cylindrical in shape and are spaced from one another, but may lie in the same plane. As indicated, a second end of each rod 150A,B is preferably connected to the support mount 152. The support mount 152 may define a generally cylindrical passage 156 therethrough. The cylindrical passage 156 has an axis therethrough that extends generally parallel to the rods 150A,B but which is located above the rods 150A,B. In one embodiment, a threaded aperture 158 may extend through the support mount 152 and intersect the cylindrical passage 156.
The pistol mount 154 is preferably configured to connect the rail 22 to a pistol or a feature thereof. In one embodiment, the pistol mount 154 is particularly suited for connecting the rail 22 to a generally cylindrical receiver extension tube of a pistol. In this configuration, the pistol mount 154 may comprise a somewhat “C-shaped” clamp, having a top portion which defines a generally cylindrical passage 160, a first downwardly extending leg 162 and an opposing second downwardly extending leg 164. The cylindrical passage 160 has an axis therethrough which is preferably aligned with the passage 156 through the support mount 152. The first and second legs 162,164 may be connected by a threaded fastener 166 which engages aligned threaded passages through the legs 162,164, thus permitting the position of the legs to be adjusted (where when the fastener 166 does not engage the legs, 162,164, they may have a gap between them at their free ends, but where the fastener 166 can be used to pull the legs 162, 164 towards one another).
As illustrated, the first and second legs 162,164 may each define a mounting passage for accepting one of the rods 150A,B, thereby connecting the pistol mount 154 to the rods.
Once again, the rear stabilizer 120 includes a support 138. As illustrated, the support 138 may have a similar configuration to the support 38 described above, and so the details of the support 138 will not be repeated.
The support 138 is preferably connected to the support mount 152, so as to extend downwardly therefrom. Once again, means are preferably provided which allow the position of the support 138 to be adjusted relative to the rail 122, and most preferably, allowing the effective length of the support 138 to be changed. For example, a rod may again extend downwardly from the rail 122 and the support 138 may be threadingly mounted on a second end of the rod, thus allowing the support 138 to be rotated or threaded along the rod towards and away from the rail 122.
Further aspects of this embodiment of the rear stabilizer 120 will be appreciated from a description of its use. This embodiment rear stabilizer 120 is particularly suited for use with a pistol having a rearwardly extending receiver extension tube. For example, an AR-15 pistol may be fitted with a receiver extension buffer tube T. This tube T extends rearwardly from the receiver of the pistol and is generally cylindrical in shape, except that it may include a rib or rail which extends along a portion of the bottom thereof, such as for receiving a butt-stock in an inter-engaging relationship.
As illustrated in
The distance that the tube T extends rearwardly along the rail 22 may depend upon various factors, including the length of the tube T and the desired position of the rear stabilizer 120. For example, the tube T may extend rearwardly along the rails 150A,B, all of the way back to the support mount 152 and through the passage 156 therein.
As indicated above, such a receiver extension buffer tube T often includes a downwardly extending rib or rail. Thus, in one embodiment, the generally cylindrical passage 160 may include a slot section at the bottom thereof to facilitate passage of the rib portion of the tube T therethrough. Further, the design of the rail 122 as comprising spaced first and second rods 150A,B, allows the downwardly extending rib on the tube T to be located in the space between the rails 150A,B, while the rails still contact the outside of the tube T.
As with the embodiment rear stabilizer 20 described above, on the rear stabilizer 20 is connected to the pistol (such as the tube T extending therefrom), the user may then adjust the position of the support 138, such as to make it longer or shorter.
This embodiment rear stabilizer 120 has many of the same advantages or benefits as the rear stabilizer 20 described above. In particular, the rear stabilizer 120 extends generally rearwardly from the pistol, generally parallel thereto. The rear stabilizer 120 is securely connectable to the pistol (via the tube T), but at the same time can easily be removed, thus not changing the character of the pistol. The user can adjust the position of the support 138 in order to raise or lower the rear end of the pistol to a desired position. The support 138 can be rested on a supporting surface, thus providing a stable platform for the pistol (as with the pistol illustrated in
The rear stabilizer of the invention may have various other configurations to facilitate mounting on various makes, models, and types of pistols using existing and future mounting surfaces and adapters.
For example, yet another embodiment of a rear stabilizer 220 is illustrated in
Referring again to
Once again, a support 238 is connected to or is connectable to the support mount 252. The support 238 may have a similar configuration to the supports 38,138 described above, again including a threaded rod 248 (see
In use, the fasteners 260 may be loosened and the support mount 252 may be slid onto a cylindrical receiver extension or adapter that extends rearwardly from a pistol. The support mount 252 may be slid along the receiver extension to a desired location and then the use may tighten the fasteners 260 to lock the support mount 252 to the receiver extension or adapter. The user may then adjust the position of the support 238, such as to make it longer or shorter. In this manner, the rear of the pistol may be supported by the support 238.
As one aspect of the invention, the rear stabilizer may include a base, such as where the base is removably attachable, such as to permit replacement thereof. For example, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Another variation of a rear stabilizer 320 is illustrated in
However, in this embodiment, the rail 322 includes a Picatinny mount 382 (such as a Picatinny rail) at the bottom at the second end 324. The Picatinny mount 382 facilitates connection of other compatible elements (e.g. those that include a corresponding Picatinny mount), such as other types of supports than that described herein, including bi-pods, mono-pods, bag riders and other devices. For example, a bi-pod might include a Picatinny rail mount that allows it to be mounted to a Picatinny rail at the front of a pistol, as illustrated in
Various additional aspects of the invention will now be described.
In one embodiment, the rear stabilizer of the invention has been described as including a Picatinny mount for connection of the stabilizer to a pistol or pistol feature. However, when the stabilizer includes a rail-type mount, it might have other forms now known or later developed, such as Weaver or ARCA Swiss style rail mounts. Further, as indicated herein, the means for connecting the stabilizer to the pistol or pistol feature might comprise other elements, including clamp-type elements or other fasteners or connectors (which might include, for example, brackets, threaded fasteners, bayonet or twist-lock mounts, etc.).
As indicated, in a preferred embodiment, the support of the rear stabilizer of the invention is height adjustable. This feature may be implemented in various manners. For example, while a threaded rod may extend from the support into engagement with the rail, a threaded rod could extend from the rail into engagement with a threaded aperture of the support. In another embodiment, the support might comprise two or more pieces, such as where one piece has an elongate threaded extension which can be threaded into and out of a threaded hollow second portion of the stabilizer. While not preferred, the means that facilitates adjustment might comprise other mechanisms such as a sliding extension with stops, a sliding extension with a locking mechanism, a rotating mount (such as where the rotational position determines the effective distance between the rail and the bottom of the support), a geared adjustment system, etc.
As indicated herein, the support is preferably both height adjustable, but is also preferably removable, or foldable and/or collapsible. In one embodiment, these features may be integrated, such as where the height adjustment feature of the support also allows the support to fold or collapse. In other embodiments, the height adjustment feature and the removability/foldability/collapsibility feature may be separate. For example, the threaded rod might be hingedly connected to the rail, thus permitting it (and the associated support) to be folded or collapsed, or extended, and the support may then be height adjustable by movement of the support along the rod.
When the rear stabilizer comprises a rail and support, other means now known or later developed might be utilized for connecting the support to the rail. For example, the support and rail might be connected to one another by a ball joint, such as where the rail defines a socket for accepting a ball which is located at the top of or otherwise associated with the support.
As indicated, an advantage of the invention that it provide for a removable, foldable and/or collapsible rear stabilizer for a pistol. The stabilizer adds stability to a pistol, thus improving firing accuracy. As noted herein, however, the stabilizer does not comprise a shoulder stock, and thus does not change the legal classification of the pistol. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the stabilizer is removable, foldable, and/or collapsible, thus allowing the user to conveniently use the pistol with or without the stabilizer.
The stabilizer of the invention is simple in design and facilitates connection to a pistol or feature thereof, including common pistol features such as pistol receiver extensions, including buffer tubes. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the stabilizer comprise a simple “mono” support design, e.g. is supported by a single support. This allows a user to support the pistol on a support having a small dimension (such as, for example, a railing, window-sill or the like). In addition, the support is height-adjustable. In the preferred embodiment, height-adjustability is permitted via a secure, strong and simple threaded rod construction which, unlike some types of rifle supports, does not include complex mechanisms and may be relatively unstable. In addition, the “screw-type” adjustment of the preferred embodiment has the advantage that it provides infinite adjustment of the support relative to the rail (as opposed to a type of connection that may, for example, allow height adjustment to designated stops or positions).
It will be understood that the above described arrangements of apparatus and the method there from are merely illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
Claims
1. A rear stabilizer for a pistol, comprising:
- a rail having a proximal end and a distal end;
- means for detachably connecting said proximal end of the rail to said pistol; and
- a support, said support extending downwardly from said distal end of said rail.
2. The rear stabilizer in accordance with claim 1, wherein a position of said support relative to said rail is adjustable, whereby a height of said distal end of said rail is adjustable.
3. The rear stabilizer in accordance with claim 2, wherein said support is threadingly connected to said rail.
4. The rear stabilizer in accordance with claim 1, wherein said rail has a bottom, an aperture extending upwardly into said bottom of said rail, a first end of a threaded stud engages said aperture and said support is connected to a second end of said threaded aperture.
5. The rear stabilizer in accordance with claim 1, wherein said support is connected to said rail by a Picatinny mount.
6. An adjustable rear stabilizer support for a pistol comprising:
- a support mount, said support mount defining an aperture for accepting an extension of a pistol;
- a support movably mounted to said support between a first retracted position and a second extended position.
7. The adjustable rear stabilizer support for a pistol in accordance with claim 6, wherein a first end of a threaded stud is connected to said support mount and said support is movably mounted to said threaded stud.
8. The adjustable rear stabilizer support for a pistol in accordance with claim 6, further comprising a base detachably connected to a bottom end of said support opposite said support mount.
9. The adjustable rear stabilizer support for a pistol in accordance with claim 6, wherein said support has a top end and a bottom end, and an aperture extending upwardly into said bottom end.
10. The adjustable rear stabilizer support for a pistol in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a base, said base having a stem configured to be inserted into said aperture.
11. The adjustable rear stabilizer support for a pistol in accordance with claim 10, wherein said base has a foot opposite said stem.
12. The adjustable rear stabilizer support for a pistol in accordance with claim 11, wherein said foot comprises a spike.
13. The adjustable rear stabilizer support for a pistol in accordance with claim 6, wherein a diameter of said aperture of said support mount is adjustable.
14. The adjustable rear stabilizer support for a pistol in accordance with claim 6, further comprising at least one rail extending from said support mount.
15. The adjustable rear stabilizer support for a pistol in accordance with claim 14, wherein said at least one rail comprise first and second rods.
16. The adjustable rear stabilizer support for a pistol in accordance with claim 15, further comprising a pistol mount connected to said first and second rods and spaced from said support mount.
17. A method of changing a height of a rear stabilizer of a pistol comprising the steps of:
- connecting a first end of a rail of said rear stabilizer to a pistol, whereby said rail generally extends away from said pistol;
- moving a support which is connected to a rear end of said rail and which extends downwardly from said rail upwardly towards said rail or downwardly away from said rail.
18. The method in accordance with claim 17, wherein said step of moving comprise rotating said support relative to a threaded stud.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 28, 2022
Publication Date: Oct 6, 2022
Inventors: CHRISTOPHER K. HEUSS (Austin, TX), Jeremy M. Siwek (Round Rock, TX)
Application Number: 17/705,506