US3754344A

US3754344A - Gun recoil absorber

Info

Publication number: US3754344A
Application number: US00248609A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Spiliotis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-04-28
Filing date: 1972-04-28
Publication date: 1973-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 1990-08-28

Abstract

A mechanism is disclosed for absorbing recoil shocks upon the discharge of any ordnance device having a high muzzle velocity, particularly, of the shoulder-support type. A separate movable member encloses the gunstock end and is coupled to springtensioned axially actuated means. The end member resting against the shoulder of the user remains substantially stationary while the remainder of the mechanism housed within the gunstock moves to absorb all the energy.

Description

United States Patent Spiliotis Aug. 28, 1973 GUN RECOIL ABSORBER 3,604,138 9/1971 Wilson 42/74 [76] Inventor: 1:25;: 8 Klrkland Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-CT. Jordan [22] Filed: Apr. 28, 1972 Attorney-Edgar 0. Rest [21] Appl. No.: 248,609

[57] ABSTRACT [52] Cl 42/74 A mechanism is disclosed for absorbing recoil shocks [51] In. CL. 23/00 p the discharge of y ordnance device having a [58] Field 'f 'g r 42/74 high muzzle velocity, particularly, of the shoulderpp yp A separate movable member encloses the 56] References Cited gunstock end and is coupled to spring-tensioned axially actuated means. The end member resting against the UNITED STATES PATENTS shoulder of the user remains substantially stationary 480,587 Jones 6! al. the remainder of the mechanism housed within 2; the gunstock moves to absorb all the energy. 3,208Zl79 9/1965 Hrebicek 10 Claims, 5 Drawing Flgures Patented Aug. 28, 1973 3,754,344

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Aug. 28, 1973 3,754,344

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 GUN RECOIL ABSORBER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to ordnance devices and more particularly, to recoil absorbers for shoulder-supported firearms.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art is replete with various schemes and structures for recoil absorption. In U. S. Pat. No. 3,208,l79 issued Sept. 28, 1965 to J. I-Irebicek, a mechanism is shown involving ramps and rollers coupled to movable means to provide a riding surface for a gunstock upon recoil. Such a mechanism is rather complex, expensive, and subject to frequent failure due to jamming. Wider acceptance has thereby been prevented.

Another example is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,604,138, issued Sept. 14, 1971 to Jack W. Wilson, in which a series of levers and springs are actuated sideways upon the incidence of the discharge of the firearm. The manner of absorbing the shock is somewhat awkward due to the change of direction of the forces which are actually in an axial direction. Further, the adaptation of the recoil absorber mechanism to existing devices is impossible and can only be incorporated into new units. Still another example is shown in U. S. Pat. No. 3,001,312, issued Sept. 26, 1961 to C. S. Campbell wherein a spring-actuated member is provided together with a liquid container. The difficulty with this structure resides in the fact that the method of anchoring the absorbing mechanism results in a jerking movement of the gunstock away from the shoulder of the user. This motion prevents accurate sighting and yields particularly poor results when telescopic lenses are used.

A need arises, therefore, for a positive acting recoil absorber which is inexpensive, simple to install, easy to operate and capable of absorbing high recoil velocities without reducing accuracy and effectiveness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention a recoil absorber mechanism is disclosed having spring-tensioned lever-actuated means anchored within a cavity in a gunstock. The mechanism is adapted to reciprocate in an axial direction and is operatively associated with a hollow movable end member conforming to the shape and dimensions of an adjacent conventional wooden gunstock. This member may be fabricated of a durable, lightweight material, such as any of the well known thermoplastic materials and be clear or colored to match the gunstock coloring.

Compression of the spring-loaded members results in movement of a movable yoke arrangement including pivoted interconnecting lever arms in the opposite direction as the high velocity forces ejecting the projectile from the muzzle. Such movement effectively pulls the entire gunstock toward the movable end member which is resting against the users shoulder. The entire pressure exerted by the recoil is spent in moving the solid gunstock in this manner and the end resting against the shoulder remains substantially stationary after firing.

Means are provided for adjusting the spring tension, confining the movement of the spring-loaded members and guiding the movement of the yoke arrangement.

Alternative embodiments include dual or single springloaded means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Details of the invention will be readily understood after consideration of the following description and reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional of an embodiment of the invention before firing of the device;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 after firing;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 44 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 a dual spring-loaded recoil absorber mechanism is illustrated. Gunstock 10 is provided with a main cavity section 12 of sufficient magnitude to permit free movement of the scissorstype recoil absorber mechanism 14. In addition

cylindrical cavity sections

16 and 18 and an axial elongated passage 20 are provided in the gunstock 10. A final alteration required to the existing gunstock is the drilling of

elongated holes

22 and 24 to accommodate

guide rods

26 and 28. The main cavity section 12 is separated from the

remaining cavities

16 and 18, passage 20 and

holes

22 and 24 by an anchor plate 30.

Referring now to FIG. 3 as well as FIGS. 1 and 2 the arrangement of the recoil absorber mechanism 14 will be described. A central axial-reciprocating rod member 32 extends within passage 20 and aperture 34 in anchor plate 30. Suitable bushing means 33 are provided for longer wearing and to prevent binding. The outer end of rod 32 threadably engages hollow movable gun stock end member 38 having a shape to conform the conventional wooden gunstock 10. Member 38 may be made of a lightweight thermoplastic material. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a plain metallic plate shaped for comfort against the shoulder of the user which would resemble a T-shaped structure.

The recoil absorber mechanism 14 further includes spring-tensioned

coaxial members

40 and 42 housed within cavities l6 and 18.

Metallic cylinders

41 and 43 are provided to line the wooden walls of the cavities for improved operation. Each of

members

40, 42 comprise

central rods

44, 46 and

springs

48, 50. The appropriate adjustment of spring tension to absorb the high velocity recoil forces is provided by

plates

52, 54 and

nuts

56, 58 secured to the inner end of

rods

44, 46. Oval-

shaped apertures

60, 62 in anchor plate 30 provide for introduction of

rods

44, 46 and a means for restraining

springs

48, 50 upon compression. The outer end of

rods

44, 46 are connected as by peened

pins

64, 66 welded to

pivoted lever arms

68 and 70 to form a substantially scissors-type movable yoke arrangement resembling a caret (A) in the before-firing position and a V after fir- The pivot arrangement to enable free movement of the yoke formed by

lever arms

68, 70 will now be described by referring to FIG. 4. A slot 72 is machined in rod member 32. Each of the

lever arms

68, 70 are also provided with a slot 74. A pin and rivet arrangement 76 together with washers 78 provides for interconnection of the lever arms. Intermediate washer 79 may be provided for ease of operation. To guide the movement of the gunstock after firing in a direction towards the end member 38

parallel guide rods

26, 28 are intermediately disposed and attached to lever

arms

68, 70 by

pins

80, 82. The

guide rods

26, 28 are disposed within

holes

22, 24. The anchor plate 30 is secured to the gunstock cavity walls by means of four screws 84.

In FIG. 2 the spring-tensioned

members

40, 42 are shown as compressed and it will be noted that

lever arms

68, 70 of the recoil absorber mechanism 14 have now assumed an inverted or V-shaped configuration. All the recoil forces are absorbed by movement of gunstock 10 while the end member 38 resting against the shoulder of the user remains substantially stationary. The recoil forces can be adjusted for any rifle or shotgun by adjustment of the spring tension.

In FIG. 5 an alternative embodiment is shown incorporating a single spring-tensioned axial member 88 provided with cavity 89 having a rod member 90 and spring 92. Lever

arms

94, 96 are provided with

slots

98, 100 at each end of

lever arms

94, 96 along with

similar slots

102, 104 for joining them to central rod member 90.

Parallel rods

106, 108 are provided within

bushings

110, 112 and

holes

114, 116.

Rods

106, 108 are joined to lever

arms

94, 96 and

rods

106, 108 and 90.

Guide rods

118, 120 are also provided in

holes

122, 124. The hollow end member 38 is similar to the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and only dual connection means 126, 128 are required. In this embodiment an opposite inversion configuration is provided. The tension is adjusted by nut 130 against plate 132.

There is thus disclosed a novel recoil absorber for all ordnance devices. Many variations and alterations will be evident to those skilled in the art. It is intended therefore that the foregoing described embodiments be considered in their broadest aspects and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A recoil absorber mechanism fora gunstock comprising:

spring-loaded axially actuated means; housed within the gunstock;

means for limiting movement of said spring-loaded means;

means for actuating said spring-loaded means including a reciprocating member;

a movable yoke mechanism including interconnected arm members operatively associated with said reciprocating member and said spring-loaded means;

means for supporting the gunstock and recoil ab-' sorber means against the shoulder of a user affixed to the outer end of said reciprocating means; and

means for guiding movement of said arm members.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said shoulder supporting means comprise a hollow movable end member conforming to the shape of the associated gunstock.

3. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said hollow movable end member is formed ofa lightweight thermoplastic material.

4. The mechanism according to claim 1 and means for adjusting the tension of said spring-loaded means.

5. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said reciprocating member is provided with a central slot to freely accomodate the ends of said arm members.

6. The mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said arm members ends are slotted and a pin member interconnects all the members in a scissors-type arrangement.

7. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said limiting movement means comprise an anchor plate secured to the gunstock with restricted apertures for said spring-loaded means and clearance apertures for said reciprocating member.

8. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said guiding means comprise rod members disposed within elongated holes disposed in said gunstock.

9. A recoil absorber mechanism for a gunstock comprising:

plural paraliel disposed spring-loaded axially actuated members;

an anchor plate for limiting movement of said springloaded members secured to said gunstock;

a central reciprocating rod member;

a movable yoke mechanism including pivotally interconnected arm members operatively associated with said reciprocating member and each of said spring-loaded members;

a movable end member affixed to said central reciprocating rod member; and

guide rod means secured intermediately to the ends of said arm members.

10. A recoil absorber mechanism for a gunstock comprising:

a centrally disposed spring-loaded axially-actuated member;

an anchor plate for limiting movement of said springloaded member secured to said gunstock;

reciprocating rod members disposed parallel to said spring-loaded member;

a movable yoke mechanism including interconnected arm members operatively associated with each of said reciprocating members and said spring-loaded member;

a movable end member affixed to said reciprocating members; and

guide rod means secured interrnediately to the ends of said arm members.

=8 i i i

Claims

1. A recoil absorber mechanism for a gunstock comprising: spring-loaded axially actuated means; housed within the gunstock; means for limiting movement of said spring-loaded means; means for actuating said spring-loaded means including a reciprocating member; a movable yoke mechanism including interconnected arm members operatively associated with said reciprocating member and said spring-loaded means; means for supporting the gunstock and recoil absorber means against the shoulder of a user affixed to the outer end of said reciprocating means; and means for guiding movement of said arm members.

3. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said hollow movable end member is formed of a lightweight thermoplastic material.

9. A recoil absorber mechanism for a gunstock comprising: plural parallel disposed spring-loaded axially actuated members; an anchor plate for limiting movement of said spring-loaded members secured to said gunstock; a central reciprocating rod member; a movable yoke mechanism including pivotally interconnected arm members operatively associated with said reciprocating member and each of said spring-loaded members; a movable end member affixed to said central reciprocating rod member; and guide rod means secured intermediately to the ends of said arm members.

10. A recoil absorber mechanism for a gunstock comprising: a centrally disposed spring-loaded axially-actuated member; an anchor plate for limiting movement of said spring-loaded member secured to said gunStock; reciprocating rod members disposed parallel to said spring-loaded member; a movable yoke mechanism including interconnected arm members operatively associated with each of said reciprocating members and said spring-loaded member; a movable end member affixed to said reciprocating members; and guide rod means secured intermediately to the ends of said arm members.