CA2566603A1

CA2566603A1 - Shoulder brace

Info

Publication number: CA2566603A1
Application number: CA002566603A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Johannes Murello; Wilhelm Fischbach
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Heckler und Koch GmbH
Priority date: 2004-06-03
Filing date: 2005-05-11
Publication date: 2005-12-15
Also published as: WO2005119161A1; ZA200610075B; EP1751488B1; EP1751488A1; ATE386246T1; DE102004027123B3; DE502005002840D1; KR20070020273A

Abstract

The rest has an adjustable shaft end (2) which can move within a weapon and having a covered lockable bolting device (5), connected to an element and a handle (7) so that the element (6) between the bolting device and an unblocking position is tiltable. A rest rail (12) is within the housing and the bolting device position moves so the shaft end in one position is locked. The rest rail and bolting device are in a distance parallel to each other. The bolting device is spring-tensioned so that the bolting device element is held in the bolting device without manipulation.

Description

Shoulder Brace The present invention concerns an adjustable shoulder brace for a handgun with an adjustable shaft end that includes a locking rail, which may be locked in position in the direction of movement. The locking rail supports a locking element that locks in position by making contact with a click-stop bar on the side of the weapon and locking the shaft end.

Such adjustable shoulder braces are used to adjust the weapon to the respective arm lengths of various users, on one hand, while minimizing the dimension of the weapon when the shoulder brace is collapsed, on the other hand.

US 3,267,601 shows a shoulder braces that telescopes and that may be locked in position in several extensions, where two bars that are parallel to each other and to the weapon can be clicked into position such that a stop pin on one bar clicks into matching notches on the other bar. In this configuration, one bar of the shoulder brace may be rotated around its longitudinal axis by means of a lever on the shoulder brace end, where the other bar is fixed with respect to the weapon. The two bars are concentric, such that they serve to facilitate a support or rail function, in addition to the locking function as such.
Such a structure requires an exact fit of the bars to achieve an appropriate control function, particularly when the shoulder brace is fully extended. This result can be achieved only if the control bars or rails are sufficiently solid, thus thick-walled or heavy.
An additional support is required to prevent the extendable shoulder brace end from turning. Debris on the bar surfaces will have a negative influence on the functional safety of such an arrangement.

It is the objective of the present invention to make an adjustment mechanism for an adjustable shoulder brace available that is functionally secure, not affected by debris, and stable.

Starting from the known state of the art, this is accomplished by a locking shaft as described in Claim 1, which supports a handle and a locking element. The locking shaft is attached at the adjustable end of the shaft and extends parallel at a distance from a locking rail. The locking element connects to the locking rail to lock the adjustable shaft end into a particular position relative to the weapon. The handle turns the locking shaft such that the locking element detaches from the locking rail, which permits movement of the shaft end relative to the weapon. The parallel position of locking shaft and locking rail at a distance decouples the locking function from the support function.
Consequently, the locking mechanism itself is not affected by dirt or debris.
In addition, it is feasible to produce the components with greater ease and with higher production tolerances, thus at lower cost, given that they are only subject to loads in the direction of the main axis. The linear support and the prevention of twisting of the shaft end relative to the weapon are thus functionally independent of the locking mechanism itself and may thus be designed merely as required for the weapon.

The improvements shown in Claims 2 and 3 concern the spring-loaded embodiment of the locking shaft. Claim 2 shows that the locking shaft is held in the locked position by means of a spring, such that the movable shaft end is locked into position relative to the weapon without manipulating the handle. In order to move the shaft end, the locking element must be moved by rotating the locking shaft by means of the handle against the spring into the unlocked position. It is preferable here that the spring is in contact with the handle and that it has the shape of an angled spring.

Claims 4 and 5 concern the close connection between locking element and locking rail, which is particularly impervious to external impacts, such as debris, moisture, temperature variations etc. Claim 5 indicates that this close connection may be designed such that, for example, a saw tooth ratchet facilitates the pulling out of the shaft end (extension) without moving the handle, whereas the pushing in (compression) of the shaft end or the shoulder brace requires use of the handle. Such as ratchet design has the advantage that the shaft end may be removed easily, for example in order to make the weapon ready for action quickly and without additional complicated manipulations, but where the recoil of the weapon via the shoulder brace against the shoulder does not cause the shaft end to compress.

A concentric design of the locking rail relative to the main axis of the weapon, as described in Claim 6, where this axis extends through the center of the barrel, transfers the recoil force to the shoulder directly and without significant torque. That avoids sideways torque, which would cause the weapon to deviate from the target after a shot has been fired. Thus, the targeting precision in multiple shots is increased.
This reduces deviation of the fired bullets significantly, particularly in the case of automatic weapons, which permit bursts or continuous fire.

The design of the locking elements described in Claim 7 on the weapon side, i.e. the end of the locking shaft furthest from the shooter and the position of the handle on the end of the locking shaft closest to the shoulder has several advantages. The lock with the locking rail may be done at maximum extension of the shaft, without requiring that the matching ends of the locking rail and the locking shaft are parallel to each other over long distances. Both elements may be as short as feasible. The position of the handle on the shoulder end facilitates handling the shaft end to be extended in the vicinity of the handle and simultaneously to move the handle with one hand and to extend or compress the shaft end.

Claim 8 indicates that the locking bar is inserted into a receptacle in a bayonet fitting, where the bar is removable. This design allows for an unambiguous insertion position relative to the weapon. An error in insertion is precluded and it is certain that the locking element will always insert into the appropriate recesses of the locking rail.
Claim 9 describes a limit stop on the shoulder end of the locking bar (opposite the weapon and pointing to the shaft end), which makes contact even if the locking element is unlocked, such that it is impossible to extend the shaft end beyond a desired end point.
A complete extension or removal of the removable shaft end may be facilitated by removing the limit stop by twisting the locking bar from the contact area of the locking element, such that it may be removed beyond the end of the locking bar. Claim 10 indicates that the locking bar may be designed to contact an adapter element attached to the weapon.
Claim 11 indicates that the weapon adapter, the weapon housing itself and the locking rail include holes that are aligned to each other when the system is assembled, into which a locking pin may be inserted to link the components in a specified position.

Claim 12 indicates that the linear support and the prevention of rotation of the extendable shaft end is accomplished by inserting a piston-like segment on the shaft end into a sleeve-like segment on the housing or on the housing component that accepts the shaft end. Claim 13 improves the linear support and the prevention of rotation by an additional tongue and groove support, either on the outside of the shaft end or on the inside of the housing or of the housing component that accepts the shaft end.
With appropriate manufacturing tolerances, this tongue and groove support or supports can guarantee a stable linear support, even for a fully extended shaft end, i.e.
in cases of minimal contact between the piston-like segment and the sleeve-like segment.
The shaft end cannot be bent against the housing or the housing component that accepts the shaft end. Thus, it cannot bind in the housing or housing component. In addition, the precise manufacturing tolerances may be limited to the segment of the tongue and groove support. Major warranty repairs or expensive manufacturing tools may be largely avoided.

Claims 14 and 15 indicate that the housing component attached to the housing may also provide additional functions. Thus, it may serve to hold a recoil spring unit, as well as a dampening element, which may be elastomeric, for example, on the end of the locking bar closest to the weapon, which dampens the transfer of the residual energy of the recoiling weapon breech to the locking bar and via the locking shaft and the shaft end to the shoulder of the user.

In addition, Claim 16 indicates that parts of the shoulder brace, specifically the housing or the housing component and/or the shaft end, may be padded. For example, these pads may touch the cheek of the shooter, when the weapon is in an aiming position.

At the same time, the end at the shoulder may have such a pad to offset recoil.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention can be taken from the following description of a sample embodiment, provided by means of the drawings, which show the following:

Fig. 1 a schematic depiction of a shoulder brace according to the invention, where the outlines of the expandable shaft end and the housing component on the weapon side are shown in dashed lines.

Fig. 2 a longitudinal cross section through a shoulder brace according to the invention.
Fig. 3 a cross section through the housing component and the housing along line A-A in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 a cross section through the housing component and the shaft end along line B-B in Fig. 2.

The designations front, back, up, down, right, and left are referenced from the standpoint of a shooter with a weapon at the firing position. In other words, the muzzle is in the front, the shoulder brace end is in the back, an aiming device, for example, is on the upper side, and the trigger, for example, is on the lower side.

The drawing in Fig. 1 depicts a shoulder brace 1 according to the invention with an expandable shaft end 2 and a housing component 3, where the housing component can be linked onto a weapon 4 partially depicted in Fig. 2. Shaft end 2 and housing component 3 are indicated in Fig. 1 by a dashed line. The key components to lock shaft end 2 in a particular locking position are shown in the interior of shaft end 2 and housing component 3.

Shaft end 2 contains a locking shaft 5, which has a locking element 6 on its end closest to the weapon, which is solidly connected to the locking shaft. There is a handle 7 on the locking shaft in the rear segment of the locking shaft, where the handle is also attached solidly. The locking shaft itself extends to the rear beyond the handle and is supported in a bushing 8 in such a manner that it can rotate, but that it is fixed axially.
Handle 7 extends towards the rear from shaft end 2 and is in intimate contact with end component 9, which fonns the contact with the shoulder. Only the locking element 6 extends beyond the shaft end 2 at the front end of the shaft, whereas locking shaft 5 itself is fully contained in the interior of shaft end 2. Movement of handle 7 generates a matching movement of locking element 6 via locking shaft 5. Handle 7 is connected to the locking shaft by means of a pin 10 in the present embodiment example, whereas locking element 6 is welded onto locking shaft 5. The connection may alternatively be handled in a different appropriate manner (such as gluing, manufacture as a single piece, close insertion connection, etc.). Locking shaft 5 is parallel to and at a distance from main axis 11 of the weapon, which in the present case is identical with the axis of the weapon barrel (not depicted here).

A locking rail 12 embodied as a pipe is placed in the interior of shaft end 2 concentric to main axis 11. Locking rail 12 has several recesses 13 that are equally spaced, into which the camlike locking element 6 can be inserted. Locking rail 12 may be removed from the housing component by means of a bayonet lock to be described in the following, and its working position may be fixed by a cross pin 14 (Fig. 3).

Angled spring 15, inserted between handle 7 and end piece 9, pushes locking element 6 into a locked position, where it is inserted into a corresponding recess 13.
The shaft end has a piston-like segment 16, which extends into the interior of housing component 3.
The interior of housing component 3 has a sleeve-like design and corresponds essentially to piston-like segment 16. The user uses handle 7 to move shaft end 2 and adjusts the handle, pushing against the spring, such that locking element 6 is pushed out of a recess 13 by the action of locking shaft 5. Starting from this position, the piston-like segment 16 of shaft end 2 may either be pushed into the sleeve-like interior of housing component 3 or be pulled out. When handle 7 is released, the force of angled spring 15 pushes the locking element against locking rail 12. Shaft end 2 may now be adjusted until locking element 6 slides along the outside of the locking rail to snap into the next recess 13, thus locking shaft end 2 relative to housing component 3. There is a protuberance 17 on the rear end of locking rail 12, which is perpendicular to locking rail 12. This protuberance 17 prevents the locking element moved by handle 7, i.e. in an unlocked condition, from extending beyond the rear end of locking rail 12. This precludes an unintentional removal of shaft end 2 from housing component 3 (Fig. 4).

In order to improve the linear support of shaft end 2 in housing component 3, the piston-like segment 16 of shaft end 2 has grooves 18 on the left and right side, which surround guide rails 19 in the interior of housing component 3. Grooves 18 and rails 19 are dimensioned such that they assure a perfect linear support, even if housing component 3 is at maximum extension, and prevent shaft end 2 from bending against housing component 3, such that the two components cannot bind against each other (Fig. 4).

Housing component 3 is attached to weapon 4 as follows. A bushing segment 20 is designed at the front end, which surrounds a corresponding segment of the weapon housing. Housing component 3 is pushed onto the weapon housing. This generates a bore 21 that aligns locking rail 12, housing 3 and the weapon housing itself.
The insertion of pin 141inks the components in the transactional position. The inserted pin 14 prevents locking rail 12 from twisting out of position. Locking rail 12 has a receptacle on its front end, which contains an elastic element 22 that makes contact with a recoiling breech. Housing component 3 also contains guide bar 23, which extends into weapon 4 and which supports breech spring 24. A false bottom 25, which closes the rear of the weapon, is located between the sleeve-like segment of housing component 3, which supports the piston-like segment 16 of shaft end 2, and sleeve segment 20, which surrounds the weapon housing. This design precludes debris from entering into the weapon and impeding its function.

The shoulder brace is disassembled (see Fig. 4) by removing pin 14 from bore 21, such that housing component 3 can be removed from the weapon 4. The front end of locking rail 12 may be rotated. This also rotates protuberance 17, specifically beyond the upper end of locking element 6. Moving the handle then pulls locking element 6 beyond the rear end of locking rail 12, and shaft end 2 may be removed from the housing component.

Locking rail 12 may be removed from the housing component towards the rear (see Fig.
3), because the blocking protuberances 26 attached to the front end of locking rail 12 are aligned with grooves 27 in bushing 28 in this rotational position, such that locking rail 12 may be removed from bushing 28.

The front end of locking rail 12 is inserted into bushing 28 such that blocking protuberances 26 are aligned with grooves 27 and is then pushed through bushing 28, until offset 29 is in contact with bushing 28. Shaft end 2 is inserted into housing component 3, together with locking shaft 5 and locking element 6. Handle 7 is used to push locking element 6 over the rear end and the protuberance 17 of locking rail 12 towards the front. Locking rail 12 is rotated such that blocking protuberances 26 are behind bushings 28 and are no longer aligned with grooves 27. This locks locking rail 12 in an axial direction. Grooves 27 and blocking protuberances 26 are designed with differences (see Fig. 4), such that locking rail 12 can be inserted into housing component 3 in only one defined position. This guarantees that recesses 13 will always be on the side in the interior of housing component 3, which is in contact with locking element 6.
Once housing component 3 is pushed onto weapon 4, pin 14 is inserted to link components 3, 4, 12 and to preclude locking rail 12 from turning.

Housing component 3 and shaft end 2 support pads 30 to reduce recoil and improve handling.

Locking element 6 and recesses 13 are dimensioned in the depicted embodiment example such that the locked position of locking element 6 prevents shaft end 2 from being pulled out or being pushed in. Another embodiment (not depicted here) has these elements (6, 13) designed such that shaft end 2 may be removed from housing component 3 without using the handle. For example, this may be handled by a ratchet design of the locking element and the matching counter areas on recesses 13, such that locking element 6 is pulled against the spring in an unlocked position, glides along the pipe and then snaps into the next recess 13. Such a ratchet mechanism would make it possible to pull out shaft end 2 without using handle 7. This facilitates a simple and fast removal. However, it simultaneously prevents a compression of the shaft end into the housing component, such as from recoil during shooting. Another embodiment (not depicted here) features the connection between locking element 6 and locking rail 12 as a frictional contact. The shaft end may be adjusted to any setting, without discrete steps. Another embodiment attaches the shaft end to the weapon by means of a removable hinge. Such an embodiment facilitates a further decrease in the length of the weapon, such as during transport.

Claims

1. An adjustable shoulder brace (1) for a handgun with an adjustable shaft end (2), which includes a locking shaft (5) extending in the direction of movement and which may be locked in position, with a associated locking element (6) and a handle (7) that cannot rotate, such that the locking element (6) can be moved by means of a handle (7) over the locking shaft (5) between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a locking rail (12), which is fixed relative to the weapon housing, and which is in contact with the locking element (6) in the locked position, thus fixing the shaft end (2) in at least one position, characterized by having the locking rail (12) and the locking shaft (6) as parallel shafts at a distance from each other.

2. The shoulder brace of Claim 1, where the locking shaft (5) is spring-loaded, such that the locking element (6) is held in the locked position without using the handle (7).

3. The shoulder brace of Claim I or 2, where the spring (15) is in contact with the handle (7) and is embodied specifically as an angled spring.

4. The shoulder brace of one of the previous claims, where the locking rail (12) has at least one recess (13) matching the locking element (6), into which the latter extends in the locked position and positively precludes the shaft end (2) from movement.

5. The shoulder brace of Claim 4, where the recess (13) and the locking element are designed such that the positive engagement prevents only a compression of the shaft end (2).

6. The shoulder brace of one of the previous claims, where the locking rail (12) is specifically embodied as a locking bar that extends concentrically to the main axis of the weapon.

7. The shoulder brace of one of the previous claims, where the locking element (6) is located on the end of the locking shaft closest to the weapon and the handle (7) is located on the end of the locking shaft closest to the shoulder.

8. The shoulder brace of Claim 6 or 7, where locking bar (12) has a protuberance (26) at the end closest to the weapon, which forms a bayonet mount to insert and lock locking bar (12) in a specified position, when used in conjunction with a corresponding locking pin (27) in a insertion bushing (28) on the housing side and an offset (29) on locking bar (12).

9. The shoulder brace of one of Claims 6 to 8, where there is a limit stop (17), specifically on the shoulder side of locking bar (12), such that locking element (6) makes contact with this limit stop (17), when the shaft is fully extended and unlocked with the locking bar in the stop position, such that the shaft end (2) cannot be extended further or removed.

10. The shoulder brace of one of Claims 6 to 9, where the locking bar (12) is located in a removable housing component (3) that can be affixed to the weapon housing.

11. The shoulder brace of Claim 9 or 10, where housing component (3), weapon housing and locking bar (12) are perforated by bores (21) that match in certain positions and that can be linked by a pin (14) inserted in such bores (21).

12. The shoulder brace of one of the previous claims, where the housing or the housing component (3) contains a sleeve-like segment, which is connected to a piston-like segment (16) of shaft end (2) such that it is linearly supported within the same.

13. The shoulder brace of Claim 12, where an additional tongue and groove support (18, 19) is included between the housing or housing component (3) and the shaft end (2), such that a linear support is guaranteed, even if the piston-like segment (16) is inserted into the sleeve-like segment only a short distance.

14. The shoulder brace of one of Claims 9 to 13, where the removable housing component (3) supports a recoil spring unit (23, 24) and/or closes the housing.

15. The shoulder brace of one of Claims 9 to 14, where locking bar (12) supports a dampening unit (22) on its end closest to the weapon, which makes contact with a weapons breech.

16. The shoulder brace of one of the previous claims, where the housing or the housing component (3) and/or the shaft end (2) is equipped with pads (30), at least in part.