CA2653737A1 - Shoulder stock comprising a storage compartment - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a shoulder stock comprising a shoulder stock base (1), a stock plate (3), at least one storage compartment (23) defined by the shoulder stock base (1), and a liquid-tight closing cover which is formed by the stock plate (3), said stock plate being detachably fastened to the back of the shoulder stock base (1) by means of a bayonet lock (9, 21, 25).

Description

, CA 02653737 2008-11-24 Shoulder Stock Comprising a Storage Compartment The invention relates to a shoulder stock comprising a shoulder stock base, a stock plate and at least one storage compartment defined by the shoulder stock base, which for example is equipped for holding a battery.

For positional terms such as "above", "to the front", "vertical" etc. a weapon in normal, uncanted firing position with horizontal barrel is assumed, whose shoulder stock is equipped with a storage compartment.

Rifles often have a storage compartment in the rear gunstock or in the shoulder stock, said storage compartment serving the purpose of the storage of cartridges, for example shotgun barrel cartridges and ball cartridges, cleaning kits or the like. Such storage compartments have been known von alters her and prior to the middle of the 19th century served the purpose of the storage of flints, wadding and the like. At least in the case of military rifles, for example the US carbine .30 M 1, in which case a cleaning kit was stored in the storage compartment, the storage compartment was supposed to be moisture repellent, which to this day however, at least at a price which is also bearable in the case of mass production, has not been managed. For example in the case of the named US
carbine there was a box in the storage compartment which for its part was waterproof.
The storage compartment was sealed by a cover made of steel which was embedded in the stock plate and after negotiation of a catch around a hinge situated on the border was to be opened. It was not waterproof, because even with a grommet placed underneath said cover would have become permeable to water, since it would have been compressed differently on one side. In addition the cover was hard to open, which often resulted in broken off fingernails. Rust made this drawback even worse, while a broken catch spring allowed the cover to bandy back and forth and called the proper use of the weapon into question.

The stock plate was, as has been the case at least since the middle of the 18th century, screwed to the wood for the stock. This tradition of the screwing of the stock plate has become second nature to the designers to such an extent that even in the case of plastic stocks (e.g. the Remington rifle "Nylon") the stock plate is screwed to the shoulder stock base or the stock.

While it is true that there are weapons with a waterproof ammunition container (Komet-Signalstift), in which case the container is covered by a screwed cap, underneath which a gasket is embedded, this cap can only be fixed to the stock plate with considerable restrictions and in other respects, because it is rather small, constitutes a part that can be easily lost.

Modern automatic pistols or the like require often namely batteries, which must either be accommodated directly on the rifle or at least should be kept there in reserve. These batteries are to be housed moisture proof, in particular when they are joined to contacts, but should be easily accessible. While it is true that it is possible to store them in a separate moisture proof box which is in the storage compartment, which for its part then does not need to be moisture proof, this solution is awkward and also expensive. The aforementioned US carbine .30 M 1, whose production was begun in the 1940s, uses this principle, but would only be acceptable in price nowadays as a military weapon for task forces.

The tradition of handheld firearms is familiar with a multitude of solutions, such as so-called stock magazines, even the tubular magazines necessary for firing (Spencer, patented in 1860; FN-small caliber automatic "Browning"), which are produced in part at a considerable expense and even supply rather good moisture proofing, if also at a price which nowadays is only justifiable in the case of luxury rifles.

Although there are a number of practicable solution processes, if at all possible a better solution is to be sought, which is moisture proof, can be easily and repeatedly opened without suffering damages, is cost-effective and can be opened without tools.
If possible only very few additional parts should be necessary for the sealing of the storage compartment, and the storage compartment should only open to the rear, so that this has the best possible protection in the case of the use of the rifle. The suitability for mass production with little or no precision monitoring is a prerequisite.

This problem is solved by the fact that the storage compartment exhibits a liquid-tight closing cover which is formed by the stock plate, said stock plate being detachably fastened to the back of the shoulder stock base by means of a bayonet lock.
The storage compartment or storage compartments has or have no separate cover, but rather are covered by the stock plate, as has already been the case with the Swiss military rifles, where however under the stock plate there was only a label with the name of the person to whom this rifle was issued. The stock plate in the case of the invention serves the purpose of a cover, however, not a place of concealment. The fastening of the stock plate on the shoulder stock base by means of a bayonet lock however breaks with every tradition. Nevertheless this fastening is reliable and permanent. However, particularly important here is the fact that this means of fastening of the stock plate leads to the carrying out of the moisture proof closure of at least one storage compartment with the lowest possible number of elements. In the ideal case there are two parts less than in the case of a normal stock plate, which requires at least two screws, but brings about no covering whatsoever of any compartments.

The bayonet lock can for example be off center, so that by swiveling of the stock plate practically the entire cross-sectional area of the shoulder stock base can be released, so that also correspondingly large storage compartments can be created. However one preferred embodiment of the invention lies in the fact that the bayonet lock is formed by a center bolt which extends from the shoulder stock base to the rear (Claim 2).
In the case of an automatic pistol then two storage compartments result on both sides of the vertical longitudinal plane of the rifle, wherein the breech path or its extension is kept free. Such storage compartments are ideally suited for the stowing of batteries.

In the case of this arrangement the advantage results that both storage compartments are equally close to the center bolt, so that said center bolt as a fixed anchoring point guarantees the sealing of the storage compartments.

In accordance with a further development it is preferred that the stock plate exhibits an indentation which holds the center bolt and secures the stock plate in the case of twisting (Claim 3). Thus an already present military rifle or automatic pistol can be retrofitted, wherein the existing rear gunstock base can be carried over, since all apparatuses for sealing of the storage compartments are behind the rear gunstock base and in the region of the stock plate.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention it is especially preferred that in the case of the closed stock plate an elastomer coating is arranged over the or over every storage compartment, said elastomer coating being engaged with the border of the storage compartment (Claim 4). This elastomer coating corresponds to the rubber gasket which seals a cylindrical screw sleeve, but the invention is of course not restricted to cylindrical storage compartments. This elastomer coating also ensures the sealing when certain clearances arise in mass production which can only be sealed by a compressible gasket.

A stock plate traditionally consisted of metal, however increasingly the tendency is to use a rubber or elastomer plate, since said rubber or elastomer plate not only adheres better to clothing and cushions the recoil, but in particular prevents the erect rifle, leaned against the wall or against an object, from sliding away and falling over. In the process in the case of hollow plastic shoulder stock bases a special problem lies in the fact that the stock plate is not uniformly supported by the shoulder stock base. For this reason it is preferred that the stock plate consists of a stiff coating and an elastomer coating mounted behind the stiff coating (Claim 5). The stiff coating can additionally form formations of the inventive bayonet lock, while the rear elastomer coating is suitable for forming the coating for the support of the weapon.

Thus it is especially preferred that the stiff coating exhibits the indentation which fits over the center bolt, that preferably over the or over every respective storage compartment in the stiff coating, in the case of a closed stock plate, a recess is arranged and that in the recess an elastomer coating is seated (Claim 6). In the process the stiff coating can be cast in simple and economic manner for example of from zinc or plastic and then provided with the sealing elastomer coating.

In the process it is especially preferred that the recess or recesses is or are continuous, and that the elastomer coating is formed by the elastomer coating which forms the rear part of the stock plate (Claim 7). The rear elastomer coating projects easily through the recesses, which are nothing more than holes, and seals the storage compartments. In the process the elastomer coating has been selected to be so stiff that it still exhibits the properties of an elastomer coating, but is so hard that it offers the necessary purchase for sealing. An elastomer material as is used for automobile tires is for example suitable.

In principle it is sufficient if the center bolt guides and holds the stock plate. However, in order to prevent the squeezing of objects such as straw or the like between the stock plate and shoulder stock base, it is proposed that, preferably on the border of the shoulder stock base, at least one formation protruding to the rear is provided, which engages the stiff coating of the stock plate (Claim 8). This hook-shaped formation engages the stiff coating preferably at the places which are the furthest away from the center bolt, namely above and below.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention it is especially preferred that the protruding formation or the at least one protruding formation exhibits a catch formation, into which a catch can fall, said catch being formed on the elastomer coating, said elastomer coating forming the rear part of the stock plate (Claim 9). In this way it is guaranteed that the stock plate sits firmly and unshakably, so that neither the firing is impaired nor is the elastomer coating scraped by a shifting of the elastomer coating on the storage compartments and/or the tightness is not impaired. Since the parts of the catch can be formed in one piece with the shoulder stock base or with the elastomer coating of the stock plate no additional production expenditure is required.

In the process it is especially preferred that the catch exhibits a protruding handle at a right angle to the stock plate, said handle engaging into the catch formation in a locking manner and which can be lifted from the catch formation (Claim 10). Thus the catch can be released without a tool but is additionally kept closed in firing because the shoulder then presses the handle into the catch.

Preferably the shoulder stock base consists of plastic (Claim 11). As a result of this the storage compartments are especially waterproof, because no water can seep through the lateral walls of the shoulder stock base, even if it is exposed to rain for days. In addition even complicated formations can be produced ready for use in a single operation. The working time per workpiece is reduced to seconds.

Preferably the elastomer coating and the stiff coating are affixed to each other, molded or vulcanized and the stiff coating consists of plastic (Claim 12). Thus the elastomer coating and the stiff coating can be produced in the injection molding with great precision, even if they should have differing thermal expansion, and can be precisely fastened to each other.
Especially preferably the bayonet lock, the formation(s) and/or the stiff coating are constructed in such a way that, at least in the last region of the rotation of the stock plate, in the fastening to the shoulder stock base, the stock plate presses against the shoulder stock base (Claim 13), for example through beveled guide ribs or paths on the center bolt.
As a result in simple manner it is ensured that the stock plate can be effortlessly placed, but then in the rotating approach the shoulder stock base, wherein the elastomer coating is pressed together over the storage compartments in such a way that it also compensates even great tolerances through this pressing together. Hence any resulting flash, gaps or the like are also sealed with the elastomer material of the elastomer coating.
Even in the case of the roughest production the sealing of the storage compartments is always guaranteed.

Thus a shoulder stock is created which exhibits fewer parts than was the case up to now, and nevertheless exhibits one or more storage compartments in the shoulder stock base and which is perfectly sealed, even if there is rough war production.

A further advantage of the invention lies in the fact that plates with different geometries (concave or convex) can be exchanged in a matter of seconds.

The subject matter of the invention will now be more closed described with the help of the drawing through an exemplary embodiment. The figures show the following:

- Figure 1 shows an inventive shoulder stock in lateral view, - Figure 2 shows the shoulder stock of Figure 1 in longitudinal section, - Figure 3 shows the top view of the shoulder stock, - Figure 4 shows an oblique projection of the shoulder stock base, with a removed stock plate, - Figure 5 shows a view of the shoulder stock base viewed from behind, - Figure 6 shows a representation as in Figure 1, however without the stock plate, and - Figure 7 shows a longitudinal section through the stock plate.

All the figures show the same embodiment. Therefore they are not discussed in detail.
A shoulder stock base 1 is injection molded out of plastic and ends with a plane, somewhat vertical surface which is limited by the lower and upper formations 15, 11 protruding to the rear. On this plane surface two storage compartments 23 with an altogether round cross-section join, which are arranged on both sides of an imaginary, vertical center line, which connects the upper and lower formations 11, 15 to each other.
The lower and upper formations 15, 11 are constructed hook-shaped turned in cross-section to each other, so that between each other they can accept and hold the stiff coating 5 of a stock plate 3. The upper formation possesses a diagonal inlet surface 13 and on the topside (Figure 4) an indentation 19 as well as a groove 31, into which a catch finger 17 (Figure 2) can fall.

About in the middle of the shoulder stock base 1 a center bolt 9 extends to the rear and beyond the plane surface. This center bolt 9, which is seated on the vertical center line, but not precisely on the horizontal center line, exhibits a guide rib 21 (Figure 4) to the right and left. The center bolt 9 is seated below the storage compartments 23 in close proximity to them.

The stiff coating 5 exhibits an indentation 25, which is constructed as a through hole and exhibits an extension above and below, so that the indentation 25 can be slipped over the center bolt 9 and its guide ribs 21 when the stiff coating 5 vis-a-vis the representation in Figures 1 or 2 is rotated by 90, thus is swiveled out of the image plane. The guide ribs vary in width, so that an incorrect placement of the plate (stock plate) is not possible.

If the stiff coating 5 is swiveled back to its position shown in Figure 1, then its upper and lower ends run into the hook-shaped upper and lower formations 11, 15. The outer surfaces pointing to the rear of the ridges of the stiff coating 5 assigned to the formations 11, 15 as well as also the guide ribs 21 are constructed as beveled edges 29, likewise if necessary also the correspondingly assigned surfaces of the formations 11, 15 directed to the front and of the guide ribs. Thus the stiff coating 5 is pressed firmly against the plane, rear surface of the shoulder stock base 1.

On the rear side of the rigid coating 5 an elastomer coating 7 (Figure 7) is affixed, which on the topside exhibits the catch finger 17, which points upwards. The upper formation 11 exhibits the groove 31 pointing to the rear, which joins the indentation 19 which is open and extended upward. The catch finger 17 of the elastomer coating 7 runs, when it is swiveled with the stiff coating 3 upward into the final position (Figure 1), to the diagonal inlet surface 13 of the upper formation 11, is raised back and finally falls into the groove 31.
For the purpose of release one grasps the tip of the catch finger 17 in the indentation 19 and slides it flexibly a bit back until it comes out of the groove 31 and one can turn the stiff coating 5, which is affixed to the elastomer coating 7, back horizontally.

The elastomer coating 27 is guided by the stiff coating 5, so that said elastomer coating protrudes on this stiff coating somewhat in order to act as a sealing element.
As an alternative in the region of the stiff coating 5 which is turned to the storage compartments 23, a thin elastomer coating can be affixed, which presses together when the stiff coating is pressed into the diagonal surfaces 13 of the formations 11, 15 against the shoulder stock base 1. Now the storage compartments 23 are completely sealed.

Claims (12)

1. A shoulder stock comprising a shoulder stock base (1), a stock plate (3), at least one storage compartment (23) defined by the shoulder stock base (1), and a liquid-tight closing cover which is formed by the stock plate (3), said stock plate being detachably fastened to the back of the shoulder stock base (1) by means of a bayonet lock (9, 21, 25), wherein the bayonet lock (9, 21, 25) is formed by a center bolt (9) which extends from the shoulder stock base (1) to the rear.

2. The shoulder stock according to Claim 1, in which the stock plate (3) exhibits an indentation (25) which holds the center bolt (9) and axially secures the stock plate (3) in the case of twisting.

3. The shoulder stock according to any one of Claims 1 through 2, in which in the case of the closed stock plate (3) an elastomer coating (27) is arranged over the or over every storage compartment (23), said elastomer coating being engaged with the border of the storage compartment (23).

4. The shoulder stock according to any one of Claims 1 through 3, in which the stock plate (3) consists of a stiff coating (5) and an elastomer coating (7) mounted behind the stiff coating (5).

5. The shoulder stock according to Claim 4, in which the stiff coating (5) exhibits the indentation (25) which fits over the center bolt (9), wherein over the or over every respective storage compartment (23) in the stiff coating (5), in the case of a closed stock plate (3), a recess is preferably arranged and that in the recess an elastomer coating (27) is seated.

6. The shoulder stock according to Claim 5, in which the recess or recesses is or are continuous, and that the elastomer coating (27) is formed by the elastomer coating (7) which forms the rear part of the stock plate (3).

7. The shoulder stock according to any one of Claims 1 through 6, in which on the border of the shoulder stock base (1), at least one formation (11, 15) protruding to the rear is provided, which engages the stiff coating (5) of the stock plate (3).

8. The shoulder stock according to Claim 7, in which the protruding formation (11) or the at least one protruding formation (11) exhibits a catch formation (31), into which a catch (17) can fall, said catch being formed on the elastomer coating (7), said elastomer coating forming the rear part of the stock plate (3).

9. The shoulder stock according to Claim 8, in which the catch (17) exhibits a protruding handle at a right angle to the stock plate (3), said handle engaging into the catch formation (31) in a locking manner and which can be lifted from the catch formation (31).

10. The shoulder stock according to any one of Claims 1 through 9, in which the shoulder stock base (1) consists of plastic.

11. The shoulder stock according to any one of Claims 4 through 10, in which the elastomer coating (7) and the stiff coating (5) are affixed to each other, molded or vulcanized and the stiff coating (5) consists of plastic

12. The shoulder stock according to any one of Claims 1 through 11, in which the bayonet lock (9, 21, 25), the formation(s) (11, 15) and/or the stiff coating (5) are constructed in such a way that, at least in the last region of the rotation of the stock plate (3), for the purpose of fastening on the shoulder stock base (1) the stock plate (3) presses against the shoulder stock base (1).