EP0373087B1 - High accuracy carbine - Google Patents

Abstract

High accuracy carbine, comprising a barrel, a firing mechanism, an aiming system and a butt, characterised in that the butt (5) comprises a metal structure associated with the firing mechanism (3), the rear part (6) comprising a metal frame (13) forming an integral part of the firing mechanism, and in particular of the breech casing (14), the front part (7) consisting of a metal tube or profile (15) attached to the front part of the said breech casing (14). Field of application: manufacture of light firearms. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a precision rifle comprising a barrel, a firing mechanism, a sighting system and a stock.

The present invention will find its application, more particularly, in the industry specializing in the design and manufacture of small arms.

In general, a rifle consists of a barrel integral with the breech box, the latter being fixed on the stock.

The quality and precision of a rifle depends on the one hand, on the particular properties of the firing mechanism. This must ensure the maximum performance of the ammunition and therefore have the lowest possible impact dispersion. On the other hand, its technical characteristics must not change during sustained fire.

As for the stock, it constitutes the means of gripping the rifle and is in direct contact with the shooter. This stick is provided with five support points: right hand support, left hand support, cheek or cheek support, pectoral support and shoulder support. The first four presses are defined right or left depending on whether the shooter is right-handed or left-handed.

The quality of a rifle stock is determined by its ability to adapt to the shooter's morphology. To this end, it is frequent to associate with the basic structure of a stick adjustable supports making it possible to modify its position at will. However, the effectiveness of these adjustments is only real insofar as they give these different areas of contact with the shooter sufficient degrees of freedom to satisfy the most diverse dimensional conditions, in particular that of adapting to the shooter's morphology.

Note, moreover, that the settings of these supports are brought to be modified according to the shooting position, standing, kneeling or lying down. It is, in particular, thus, of the left hand support for a right-handed shooter located, more particularly, on the front part of the stick, under the barrel. Indeed, the distance separating this support from the axis of the barrel is widely different between the so-called prone position and the standing position. Furthermore, there is a transposition of this left hand support along the stick between the lying position and the kneeling position.

As mentioned above, there is a close relationship between the accuracy of the shot obtained and the immobility of the rifle with respect to the shooter. One can only seek to achieve a perfect stability of the rifle, despite the possibilities of adjusting multiple supports, only by a perfectly adapted conformation of these supports which must correspond strictly to that either of the right hand or of the cheekbone or of the shooter's cheek.

However, it cannot be envisaged, at the level of an industrial production, the serial production of rifles strictly adapted to each future user. It is for this reason that the latter is required to rework the contact areas on the stock himself. However, the latter being designed and produced in one piece, no error is allowed during the machining of this stock. In addition, to maintain such a rifle-shooter identity, the morphology of the latter must not change throughout the duration of use of the rifle, without which it would be necessary to replace the stock because it cannot be resized.

Another determining parameter of the degree of precision of a rifle concerns the quality of anchoring of the firing system and, in particular, of the breech box in the stock. This anchoring quality is significantly dependent on the dimensional stability that this stock shows at variable thermal and hygrometric conditions.

However, due to atmospheric pollution, the choice of fast-growing gasoline and industrial drying in an oven, it is practically impossible to find stable crossery wood. In order to reduce the influence of these variations on the accuracy of a rifle, several solutions have been proposed. The first consists of replacing the walnut usually used as crosswood with a structure called glulam made of beech. However, this results in a reduced adaptability of the stock to the shooter due to the increased machining difficulties due to the highly abrasive glue joints for wood tools.

Another solution making it possible to solve, partially, the problem of dimensional stability of the anchoring surface of the sticks in traditional walnut, consisted in carrying out this anchoring by means of hard synthetic resins. However, as specified above, all of these solutions do not in any case make it possible to solve the problem posed by the dimensional variations of a wooden stick as a function of the atmospheric conditions.

In addition, a wooden stick, whatever its nature or structure, has a negative influence on the accuracy of the shot. It plays, in fact, a role of shock absorber between the firing mechanism and the shooter, from which it results a drop in the performance of the ammunition and less good feelings for the shooter. It often happens, moreover, that a wooden stick, transported in an aircraft luggage hold, splits under the combined action of the drop in atmospheric pressure and the drop in temperature. Indeed, these variations cause the wood to swell and weaken it.

In order to remedy these drawbacks, it has been imagined to provide the stock with a metal retaining structure taking up the forces (US patent published under the number 3,830,003). The firing and triggering mechanisms are fixed to this structure by screws.

It has also been envisaged to produce the stock by two longitudinal sections connected together at the front and at the rear by plates so as to form a rigid frame (French patent published under No. 2,510,247). The structural block comprising the firing and triggering mechanisms can thus be fixed on the two profiles so as to reduce the phenomena of vibration and instability.

The object of the present invention is to remedy all of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a precision rifle whose stock, of specific design, makes it possible to overcome atmospheric conditions and to maintain a constant degree of precision.

Another object of the present invention consists in proposing a precision rifle capable of being adapted, easily, to the morphology of one or more shooters due to the interchangeability of the different supports or contact zones.

To this end, the invention relates to a precision rifle as defined in claim 1.

The advantages obtained thanks to this invention consist, essentially, in that the metal frame stock can be integrated directly into the firing mechanism, so that between these exists a rigid connection whatever the degree of hygrometry or room temperature.

Such a metal structure also allows the mounting of supports of the interchangeable and perfectly adjustable type, these supports being able, therefore, to be easily modified as a function of the shooter's morphology.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows and which is given, however, only by way of non-limiting example.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique de profil d'une carabine conforme à la présente invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique de profil de l'ensemble formant le boîtier de la culasse et l'ossature métallique de la crosse ;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique et en coupe partielle de l'appui épaule droite ou gauche ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3.

Understanding this description will facilitated by referring to the attached drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a rifle according to the present invention;
• Figure 2 is a schematic profile view of the assembly forming the cylinder head housing and the metal frame of the stock;
• Figure 3 is a schematic view in partial section of the right or left shoulder support;
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3.

Reference is made more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The invention relates to a rifle whose main quality required is the precision and reliability of the shot. More specifically, this invention aims to optimize its operation so that it is able to restore maximum precision to the ammunition. Furthermore, it seeks to reduce the number of parameters influencing this precision.

In general, a rifle 1 consists of a barrel 2 cooperating with a firing mechanism 3 provided with a sighting system 4. The assembly is associated with a stock 5 consisting of a rear part 6 and a front part 7. This butt 5 constitutes the means for gripping the rifle and, in this sense, has various supports 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 among which there is the right hand support 8, the left hand support 9, right or left cheek or cheek support 10, right or left pectoral support 11 and, finally, right or left shoulder support 12.

The description and the various figures attached in the appendix correspond, more precisely, to a rifle for right-handed shooters. Of course, we will find an identical construction in the case of a provision for a left-hander, the only distinction residing in the symmetrical arrangement of said supports relative to the longitudinal median plane of rifle 1.

In the usual context, the butt 5, as mentioned above, is designed in solid wood, most often in walnut or glued laminated hardwood. However, whatever the embodiment considered, these sticks have an identical drawback, namely, the lack of dimensional stability originating, essentially, from the material used.

Indeed, the properties of wood change under the influence of ambient temperature and humidity. This variation has undeniable repercussions on the quality of the anchoring of the firing mechanism at the level of said stock. In the ideal case, this anchoring must be perfect, in that the tightening torque of the fixing screws must remain stable. On the contrary, if this is not the case, the grouping of impacts moves to the target, during the shot. In critical cases, where the fixation takes play, we note, moreover, that the dispersion increases suddenly. The shooter usually uses a torque wrench before and during the shot to remedy this drawback.

Another disadvantage of wood is that it acts as a shock absorber between the firing mechanism and the shooter. This damping has a negative effect on the regularity of the shot and the sensations of the shooter.

The present invention aims to remedy all of these drawbacks by replacing the usual stock, a stock 5 with a metallic structure associated with the firing mechanism 3. More specifically, the rear part 6 of this stock 5 is presented in the form of a metal frame 13 forming an integral part of said firing mechanism 3 and, in particular, of the breech box 14 of the latter.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to increase notably the overall rigidity of the rifle 1 and to create a perfect connection as described above between the firing mechanism 3 and the support on the right shoulder 12, which corresponds to the reaction axis of the weapon when fired. All the parts concerned being metallic, we thereby remove the influence of weather conditions, as well as the damping effect encountered in current rifles.

As for the front part 7 of the butt 5, traditionally made of wood, it is substituted for it, according to the invention, a metal tube or section 15 of constant section fitted on the front part 47 of the cylinder head box 14. The advantage which results essentially consists of an improvement of the left hand support in the prone position, while simultaneously contributing to the rigidity of the assembly.

For a question of stability of the shooter, the hand, in contact with the front part of the stock, should preferably be located as close as possible to the axis of the barrel and, in particular, in the supine position. However, in this position, the regulation requires that the left forearm forms a minimum angle of thirty degrees with the ground. For a question of resistance, the front part of a traditional wooden stick, has a very thick, which brings the fulcrum left hand closest to the barrel at a distance of the order of fifty to sixty millimeters under this one.

The use of a metal tube or profile 15, in addition to offering increased resistance, goes in the direction of improving stability. Indeed, the left hand fulcrum, located near the barrel can easily be brought closer to the latter, up to a distance of the order of twenty to twenty five millimeters.

Note that on the metal tube or section 15 can be mounted a gripping member 16 constituting the left hand support 9 and of determined shape based on ergonomic criteria. This gripping member 16 is, moreover, provided sliding on this metal tube or section 15 which, for its part, is provided with a marking system 17 such as a graduation allowing a reproducibility of adjustment in position of the member grip 16.

Advantageously, the latter will be provided of the interchangeable type so as to offer the user the possibility of easily modifying and adapting this left hand support 9 to his personal morphology. In addition, this interchangeability avoids the final allocation of the rifle 1 to a single user.

Another advantage of this system is that the distance between the left hand fulcrum and the barrel can be made easily adjustable, for example, by the use of shims. The purpose of this is to compensate for the differences in target height encountered from one shooting range to another, without the shooter having to change his position.

Another advantage is that a machining or modeling error in the gripping member 16 avoids the replacement of a particularly expensive whole stock.

Preferably, the metal tube or section 15 is also equipped with fixing means 18 for a handle 19 constituting the left hand support 9 in the standing firing position. Such a handle 19 has the specific interest of compensating for the distance separating the axis of the barrel 2 from the gunner's left hand, a distance existing due to the blocking of the left arm on the chest. Like the gripping member 16, the shapes of this handle 19 are determined according to ergonomic criteria.

Advantageously, the two parts 16 and 19 will be replaced by a single one alternately fulfilling the two functions.

Three-dimensional adjustment means 20 allow the user to move, at will, this handle 19 in order to find the best shooting position. According to a preferred embodiment, said adjustment means 20 are constituted by a system 21 with double ball joint 22, 23 which is interposed between the handle 19 and the fixing means 18 located on the tube or metal profile 15. Note that said fixing means 18 can be provided sliding on said tube or metal profile 15. Of course, other embodiments of these three-dimensional adjustment means 20 can be envisaged.

Advantageously, the solution of the interchangeability of the supports is also taken up at the rear part 6 of the stock 5. Also, there is the possibility of adapting, easily, each of these supports 8, 10, 11 and 12 to the morphology of one or more shooters.

In particular, with regard to the cheekbone or right cheek support 10, it is removably mounted on the upper edge 24 of the metal frame 13. The latter is provided with adjustment means 25, 26 allowing movement , vertical or transverse, relative to the longitudinal median plane of the rifle, of this cheekbone or right cheek support 10.

More specifically, the adjustment means in the vertical direction 25 are constituted by an adjustment screw 27 passing through a vertical bore 28 produced in the metal frame 13 and cooperating with a threaded end piece 29 of a "T" shaped connecting piece "30. These oblong openings 32 serve, in fact, for the passage of fixing members, such as screws, cooperating with the cheekbone or right cheek support 10. This is preferably designed in a profiled part. , either plastic or wood, facilitating its subsequent modeling. In addition, graduations present on the metal frame 13 and / or on the "T" shaped connecting piece 30 allow the identification in position of this cheekbone or right cheek support 10.

The right hand support 8, ensuring the grip of the rifle, substantially, under the firing mechanism 3, is reported, with the aid of removable fixing means 33 appropriate, to said firing mechanism 3. These means removable fasteners 33 are provided with sufficient strength so as to give perfect stability to this right hand support 8. The user adopting a final position on the rifle 1 by the first action of his right hand index finger on the trigger tail 48 of the firing mechanism 3, the shape of this right hand support 8 is determined as close as possible to the morphology of the shooter and, for this purpose, it is preferably designed, from a material which can be worked easily, such as materials synthetics, in particular, thermoplastics and wood.

The right shoulder support 12, usually called, by a person skilled in the art, a buttplate, more precisely, has the function of ensuring intimate cooperation between the rifle 1 and the shooter's shoulder but also of maintaining of said rifle 1 by means of an underarm grip 34 preventing any possible displacement in the longitudinal direction. Also, this right shoulder support 12 must be adjustable in height and angularly about a vertical axis 35, a function that is found in the context of the present invention.

Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, represented in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, this right shoulder support 12 or diaper plate is pivotally mounted on a vertical pin 36 fixed on the vertical wing 37 of a bracket 38. That -its is reported, by its horizontal wing 39, on the lower edge 40 of the metal frame 13 corresponding to the butt 6.

More specifically, said layer plate 12 comprises, in its front vertical edge 41, a recess 42 of semi-circular section adjusted to the diameter 43 of the spindle 36. Clamping means 44 such as screws or the like, accessible from the zone 45 in direct contact with the shooter, ensure the axial and angular locking of this right shoulder support 12 on the said spindle 36.

Finally, the right pectoral support 11 consists of a cover 46 inserted from the bottom, on the metal frame 13 and fixed on the bracket 38.

In view of the above description, it can be seen that each support 8 to 12, whatever it is, is a part that can easily be dissociated from all of the other constituent elements of the rifle 1. These supports 8 to 12 can thus , be adapted, individually, to the shooter's morphology.

This characteristic gives the manufacturer the possibility of proposing, on the basis of a reduced number of different models for each support, a rifle personalized and adapted to the best of the morphology of the buyer so as to guarantee a maximum yield whatever the conditions of use imposed.

This output can still be optimized either by the user himself or by a professional, by proceeding subsequently to the reshaping of each of the supports. However, it should be noted that a machining error does not, however, have as dramatic consequences as in the case of a traditional wooden stock. Indeed, each support being interchangeable, and of a relatively reduced cost price, the user will be able to search, without real danger, the shape and the dimensions offering him the best shooting conditions.

Note, also, the possibility of using synthetic materials facilitating the adjustment of these supports.

Claims (10)

1. Precision firing rifle (1) consisting of a barrel (2), a firing mechanism (3) comprising a breech casing (14), an aiming system (4) and a butt (5) consisting of a rear part (6) and a front part (7), characterised in that:

   . the butt is an entirely metal structure, of which the breech casing and the firing mechanism are components;

   . the rear part (6) comprises a framework (13) which is integral with the metal breech casing (14) of the firing mechanism (3);

   . the front part (7) consists of a metal profiled section (15) attached by one end to the front of the breech casing (14).
2. Precision firing rifle (1) in accordance with Claim 1, characterised in that on the entirely metal structure which constitutes the butt (5), there are a left hand support (9), a right hand support (8), a right or left cheek bone or cheek support (10), a right or left pectoral support (11), and a right or left shoulder support (12), these various supports being detachable and interchangeable.
3. Precision firing rifle (1) in accordance with Claim 2, characterised in that the right or left hand support (9) on the front part (7) of the butt (5) consists of a gripping unit (16) mounted so as to slide on the tube or metal profiled section (15), the latter comprising a reference system (17) such as graduated markings which permit reproducibility of positioning of this gripping unit (16) on the said tube or metal profiled section (15).
4. Precision firing rifle (1) in accordance with Claim 2, characterised in that the right or left hand support (9) on the front part (7) of the butt (5) consists of a handle (19) which is connected by three-dimensional adjustment means (20) to attachment means (18) provided on the tube or metal profiled section (15).
5. Precision firing rifle (1) in accordance with Claim 4, characterised in that the three-dimensional adjustment means (20) consist of a double ball joint (21, 22) which is interposed between the handle (19) and the said attachment means (18).
6. Precision firing rifle (1) in accordance with Claim 2, characterised in that the right or left cheek bone or cheek support (10) consists of a profiled section which is made of either plastics material or wood attached to the upper edge (24) of the metal framework (13), and cooperates with means of adjustment (25, 26) accommodated in the said metal framework (13), thus enabling the support to be displaced vertically and transversely relative to the longitudinal plane of the rifle (1).
7. Precision firing rifle (1) in accordance with Claim 6, characterised in that the means of vertical adjustment (25) of the right or left cheek bone or cheek support (10) consist of an adjustment screw (27) which passes through a vertical bore (28) provided in the metal framework (13), this adjustment screw (27) cooperating with a tapped joining piece of a T-shaped connection piece (30) and in that the adjustment means (26) which are transverse relative to the longitudinal median plane of the rifle (1) consist of oblong apertures (32) which permit the passage of attachment units such as screws, and cooperate with the said right or left cheek bone or cheek support (10).
8. Precision firing rifle (1) in accordance with Claim 2, characterised in that the left or right hand support (8) which is disposed substantially beneath the firing mechanism (3), has a form which is determined by ergonomic criteria, and is connected to the said firing mechanism (3) by removable attachment means (33).
9. Precision firing rifle in accordance with Claim 2, characterised in that the right or left shoulder support or fitting plate (12) is mounted so as to pivot on a vertical spindle (37) which is attached to the vertical leg (37) of an angle bracket (38), of which the horizontal leg (39) is rendered integral with the lower edge (40) of the metal framework (13) corresponding to the rear part (6) of the butt (5).
10. Precision firing rifle (1) in accordance with Claims 2 and 9, characterised in that the right or left pectoral support (46) is in the form of a cover (46) which is connected to the metal framework (13) and is attached to the angle bracket (38).

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