WO2022172206A1

WO2022172206A1 - A recoil compensation ballistics bench

Info

Publication number: WO2022172206A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/051224
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Jurgens STEYN
Original assignee: Steyn Johannes Jurgens
Priority date: 2021-02-12
Filing date: 2022-02-11
Publication date: 2022-08-18

Abstract

This invention relates to a recoil compensating ballistics bench (10) for developing a load for a rifle (12) and for sighting of the rifle (12). To this end, the ballistics bench (10) includes a base (13) and a buttstock cradle (15) which is configured removably to receive a buttstock of the rifle (12) and is pivotally mounted to a slide (16) which is linearly displaceable relative to the base (13). A forearm stock cradle (17) is also provided and is secured to a depending carriage (21) of a pendulum (22). The bench (10) further includes an arrestor which is connected to the slide to arrest recoil of the rifle (12) when the rifle (12) is fired whilst still permitting linear and angular displacement of the buttstock cradle (15) and rearward and upward angular displacement of the pendulum (22), and hence the forearm stock cradle (17), in order to mimic rifle (12) motion when fired out of the shoulder.

Description

A RECOIL COMPENSATION BALLISTICS BENCH

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to firearms in general. More specifically, it relates to a recoil compensating ballistics bench for a rifle. The bench permits firing of the rifle by way of remote trigger activation so as to avoid any human contact with the rifle or bench whilst still mimicking recoil movement of a rifle fired from the shoulder.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Over the years there has been an ever-increasing growth and interest in the art of reloading of ammunition. Gun owners, shooting enthusiasts and hunters are showing an increased interest in this pastime which was previously primarily enjoyed by those involved in competition target shooting.

The development of a perfect load for ammunition provides a marksman with the ability to choose components which will ensure optimum performance of his/her firearm. That said, the process of developing the perfect load is time- consuming. It requires altering loads and checking velocities amongst other factors which could affect performance of the ammunition. The way a person goes about this process not only impacts upon the accuracy and success of the process but also the level of enjoyment experienced whilst doing so. Here is where the equipment used plays a major role. Also, this process requires exercise of great care and meticulous precision. In addition, testing and refining of the load requires substantial time spent on the shooting range.

The Applicant is aware that the field of shooting benches or sighting stands has received significant attention from inventors in the past. That said, the Applicant is of the view that there is a need for a ballistics bench which not only compensates for recoil of the rifle, but also accurately mimics movement of a rifle fired from the shoulder thus simulating actual handheld firing conditions which ultimately yields better test results. Furthermore, to minimise and limit inaccuracies during testing, it is crucially important to ensure that, after each shot, the rifle returns to the exact same position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a recoil compensating ballistics bench which addresses this need.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a recoil compensating ballistics bench for a rifle, the bench including: a base which is configured to be supported on and/or secured to a surface; a buttstock cradle which is configured removably to receive a buttstock of the rifle and is pivotally mounted to a slide which is connected to the base in a manner in which the slide is linearly displaceable relative to the base; and a forearm stock cradle which is configured to receive a forearm stock of the rifle and is pivotally secured to a depending carriage of a pendulum which is pivotally secured to a front of the base such that the carriage depends from the front of the base, wherein the bench further includes an arrestor which is connected between the base and either one of the buttstock or forearm stock cradles, indirectly, in order to arrest recoil of the rifle when the rifle is fired whilst still permitting marginal linear and angular displacement of the buttstock cradle relative to the base and rearward and upward angular displacement of the pendulum, and hence the forearm stock cradle, relative to the base, in order to mimic rifle motion when fired out of the shoulder.

The base may include a planar base plate and a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, raised mountings which are secured to the base plate. The pendulum may have two pairs of depending arms. Operatively upper ends of one pair of depending arms may be pivotally connected to the opposing raised mountings to define a first pendulum pivot axis. Upper ends of the other pair may be pivotally connected to the opposed raised mountings to define a second pendulum pivot axis which is parallel to the first pendulum pivot axis. The depending carriage may be pivotally connected to lower ends of the depending arms such that the carriage is in a state of stable equilibrium. If displaced, the carriage, under influence of its own weight, tends to return to a lowermost, at-rest position.

The depending carriage may include an upright support to which a base of the forearm stock cradle is pivotally connected such that the forearm stock cradle operatively stands proud of the depending carriage and of the first and second pendulum pivot axes.

The base may include a pair of parallel guide rails which are raised with respect to the base plate and are connected thereto by way of opposing rail anchors. The slide may be slidably attached to the guide rails in a configuration in which the slide is linearly displaceable relative to the base plate in a longitudinal direction.

The upright support of the carriage may include stops which delimit angular displacement of the forearm stock cradle relative to the upright support. In addition, a return spring may be attached to the carriage and base. The return spring may be configured to ensure that, after firing, the carriage returns to its at-rest position.

The arrestor may be in the form of a pneumatic cylinder. One end of the pneumatic cylinder may be connected to the base, the other end may be connected to the slide, to arrest recoil of the rifle when fired.

The pneumatic cylinder may be a pneumatic shock absorber or gas spring. The end of the pneumatic cylinder mounted to the base is operatively rearward of the end mounted to the slide. The ballistics bench may include a plurality of height adjustable legs which support the base from below.

The ballistics bench may include a remote trigger controller which is operatively connectable to the rifle and is configured to permit remote activation of the rifle trigger to fire the rifle without causing any unwanted movement of the rifle.

The buttstock cradle may include a clamp mechanism configured releasably to secure the buttstock of the rifle to the buttstock cradle. The forearm stock cradle includes at least one clamp member for removably securing the forearm stock of the rifle to the forearm stock cradle.

The slide and depending carriage of the pendulum may be interconnected by at least one longitudinally extending arm which ensures simultaneous displacement of the slide and depending carriage.

The ballistics bench may include a fine adjustment mechanism which includes a pair of opposing fine adjustment knobs which are screwed to screw- threaded ends of a pivot pin which is connected to the buttstock cradle and protrudes from a slide mounting.

In order to facilitate fine side-ways or lateral adjustment of the rifle, the fine adjustment knobs may be rotated which draws the pivot pin and hence the buttstock cradle left or right relative to the slide mounting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1A shows a three-dimensional view of a recoil compensating ballistics bench in accordance with the invention, absent of a rifle and in an at- rest position;

Figure 1 B shows a three-dimensional view of a pendulum and a forearm stock cradle of the ballistics bench of Figure 1 A;

Figure 1C shows a three-dimensional view of the recoil compensating ballistics bench of Figure 1 A with a rifle mounted thereto;

Figure 2 is a side view of the ballistics bench of Figure 1C, in its at-rest position;

Figure 3 is a side view of the ballistics bench of Figure 2 shortly after the rifle has been fired; and

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the ballistics bench of Figure 1 A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognise that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still attaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be attained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilising other features. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognise that modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances, and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not a limitation thereof.

In the figures, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a recoil compensating ballistics bench used to develop or determine a suitable ammunition load for a rifle 12. The bench 10 can also be used as a shooters’ bench for sighting of the rifle 12. To this end, the recoil compensating ballistics bench 10 includes a base 13 which includes a planar base plate 13.1 which is supported on a surface or table (not shown) by a plurality of height adjustable legs 14 which facilitate levelling of the bench 10. In addition, removable clamps (not shown) such as G or F clamps may be provided for removably securing the base 13 to the table. Preferably, tie-down straps (not shown), which hook onto the base 13 by way of holes 9 formed in the base plate 13.1 proximate an outer periphery of the base plate 13.1 , are used to secure the base 13 to the table.

Each leg 14 includes a screw-threaded rod or stud 14.1 which passes through a complementary threaded sleeve in the base plate 13.1. A knob 14.2, for adjusting the height of each leg 14 relative to the base plate 13.1 , is attached to an operatively upper end of each screw-threaded rod 14.1. A distal end of each stud 14.1 terminates in a pointed tip or spike which is configured to grip into the table or support surface below. In an alternative configuration not shown in the Figures, a circular foot is attached to an operatively lower, distal end of the rod 14.1 and operatively abuts the surface below. When seen in plan view, the base plate 13.1 has forward and rearward lateral lobes. A leg

14 is provided through each of these lobes. A leg 14 is also provided through a medial spine of the base plate 13.1 . Rotation of the knob 14.2 of the leg 14 raises or lowers the base plate 13.1 with respect to the table or support surface below.

With reference to Figures 1A, 1C and 2, the recoil compensating ballistics bench 10 further includes a buttstock cradle 15 which is configured removably to receive a buttstock of the rifle 12. The buttstock cradle 15 is hingedly/pivotally connected to a rearward end of a square slide 16 by way of a laterally extending pivot pin 8. The buttstock cradle 15 is laterally adjustable relative to the slide 16 by way of a fine adjustment mechanism. The fine adjustment mechanism includes the pivot pin 8 which passes through a pair of laterally spaced apart registering holes formed in a slide mounting 7 which is mounted to the slide 16. The pin 8 is fixed relative to the buttstock cradle 15 by way of a grubscrew 6 which passes through a central cradle mounting 5 which is flanked on either side by the slide mounting 7. The buttstock cradle

15 includes a planar cradle backplate 15.1 , a roughly V-shaped base 15.2 connected to a forward-facing face of the backplate 15.1 and a complementary top 15.3 which has opposing lateral flanges which are configured to be screwed down over complementary flanges of the V-shaped base 15.2 using bolts 19 with oversized heads for tightening by hand. The top 15.3 is positioned over the buttstock of the rifle 12 which is operatively received in the V-shaped base 15.2. The cradle backplate 15.1 is roughly teardrop-shaped and is hingedly and adjustably connected to the slide 16. To this end, the fine adjustment mechanism includes a pair of opposing fine adjustment knobs 4 which are screwed to screw-threaded ends of the pin 8 which protrude from the slide mounting 7. In order to facilitate fine side-ways or lateral adjustment of the rifle 12, the fine adjustment knobs 4 are rotated which draws the pin 8 and hence the cradle 15 left or right relative to the slide mounting 7.

The slide 16 further includes a pair of linear bearings 16.1 which engage a pair of parallel, circular cylindrical guide rails 18 below such that the slide 16 is linearly displaceable relative to the base 13 in a longitudinal direction. The guide rails 18 are mounted between two longitudinally spaced apart rail anchors 20 which are secured to the base plate 13.1 .

In addition, and with reference to Figure 1 B, the ballistics bench 10 includes a forearm stock cradle 17 which is configured to receive, and hold captive, a forearm stock of the rifle 12. The forearm stock cradle 17 is pivotally secured to a depending carriage 21 of a pendulum 22 (see Figure 1 B). The pendulum 22 is pivotally secured to laterally spaced apart, raised mountings 23 provided on the base plate 13.1 such that the carriage 21 depends from the raised mountings 23. The raised mountings 23 are upright and planar and each is supported by a pair of triangular gussets 25 for reinforcement. The forearm stock cradle 17 comprises a substantially U-shaped base 17.1 having laterally extending flanges, each having a threaded sleeve for receiving a bolt 19. Each bolt 19, which is tightened by hand, operatively passes through a hole in an angled clamp member 26 which is configured to press down upon the forearm stock of the rifle 12 in order to hold it in the U-shaped base 17.1. The pendulum 22 is suspended from the raised mountings 23 by two pairs of depending arms 24.1 , 24.2. Operatively upper ends of a first pair of depending arms 24.1 are coaxially pivotally connected to opposing raised mountings 23 by way of stub axles journaled within bearings to define a first pendulum pivot axis Xi. Upper ends of a second pair 24.2 are coaxially pivotally connected to opposing raised mountings 23 by way of stub axles journaled within bearings to define a second pendulum pivot axis X2 which is parallel to the first pendulum pivot axis Xi. The depending carriage 21 has a planar base 21.1 which is pivotally connected, by way of suitable bearings, to lower ends of the depending arms 24.1 , 24.2 such that the carriage 21 is able to sway backwards. The carriage 21 is designed to be in a state of stable equilibrium in which, if displaced, it, under influence of its own weight, tends to return to a lowermost, at-rest position shown in Figures 1A, 1 B and 1C.

The depending carriage 21 further includes a pair of triangular upright supports 21.2 which extend operatively upward from the planar base 21.1. In turn, the U-shaped base 17.1 of the forearm stock cradle 17 is pivotally connected between the upright supports 21.2 such that the forearm stock cradle 17 operatively stands proud of the depending carriage 21 and of the first and second pendulum pivot axes Xi and X2. The upright supports 21.2 include stops (not shown) which delimit angular displacement of the forearm stock cradle 17 relative to the upright supports 21.2 such that the forearm stock cradle 17 remains substantially upright.

With reference to Fig. 4, the slide 16 and depending carriage 21 of the pendulum 22 are interconnected by a pair of parallel, longitudinally extending arms 3 which ensure simultaneous rearward and simultaneous forward displacement of the slide 16 and depending carriage 21. Interconnection of the slide and pendulum prevents substantial relative longitudinal displacement of the slide and pendulum upon recoil of the rifle 12. To facilitate relative angular displacement, ends of the arms 3 are pivotally mounted to the slide 16 and planar base 21 .1 of the depending carriage 21 , respectively, by ball joints 2.

The base plate 13.1 defines an opening 27 below the guide rails 18 through which an arrestor in the form of a pneumatic shock absorber 28 extends. The shock absorber 28 is pivotally connected between the rearmost rail anchor 20 and a bottom of the slide 16. The shock absorber 28 is configured to compress as the slide 16 moves backwards on the guide rails 18 due to rifle recoil when the rifle is fired, thus arresting recoil of the rifle 12 and, after the rifle has been fired, to extend to return the slide 16 and pendulum 22 to its at- rest position. Due to the slide 16 and hinge of the buttstock cradle backplate 15.1 , linear and marginal angular displacement of the buttstock cradle 15 relative to the base 13 is permitted (see Figure 3). Also, rifle recoil results in rearward and upward angular displacement of the pendulum 22, carriage 21 and hence the forearm stock cradle 17 (as can be seen in Figure 3), relative to the base 13. A return spring 30 is attached to the carriage 21 and base plate 13.1. Although the carriage 21 tends to return to its at-rest position naturally, the return spring 30 is there to ensure that, after firing, the carriage 21 returns to its at-rest position. As a result of this configuration and resultant recoil movement, the ballistics bench 10 mimics rifle motion when fired out of the shoulder. For additional support, a strap 31 is folded around the stock of the rifle 12 and secured to opposite sides of the buttstock cradle backplate 15.1 by way of threaded studs 33. Tightening of the threaded studs 33 ensure that the strap 31 is taut.

Furthermore, a remote trigger controller (not shown) is provided and is operatively connected to the rifle 12 to permit remote activation of the rifle trigger to fire the rifle 12 without causing any unwanted movement of the rifle 12.

Provision of the buttstock cradle 15 hingedly connected to the slide 16, shock absorber 28 and the forearm stock cradle 17 on the depending carriage 21 of the pendulum 22, results in controlled, shock absorbed rearward and upward motion of the rifle 12 upon discharge. In addition, the pendulum 22 ensures that the rifle 12 returns to the exact same rest position it was in prior to firing. This configuration attempts to eliminate human error and/or other inaccuracies brought about by inconsistent movement and should ensure the accuracy of each shot which provides ideal conditions for developing the perfect load. The recoil compensating ballistics bench 10 in accordance with the invention therefore reacts as if the rifle were fired out of the shoulder, mimicking human firing of the rifle.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A recoil compensating ballistics bench for a rifle, the bench including: a base which is configured to be supported on and/or secured to a surface; a buttstock cradle which is configured removably to receive a buttstock of the rifle and is pivotally mounted to a slide which is connected to the base in a manner in which the slide is linearly displaceable relative to the base; and a forearm stock cradle which is configured to receive a forearm stock of the rifle and is pivotally secured to a depending carriage of a pendulum which is pivotally secured to a front of the base such that the carriage depends from the front of the base, wherein the bench further includes an arrestor which is connected between the base and either one of the buttstock or forearm stock cradles, indirectly, in order to arrest recoil of the rifle when the rifle is fired whilst still permitting marginal linear and angular displacement of the buttstock cradle relative to the base and rearward and upward angular displacement of the pendulum, and hence the forearm stock cradle, relative to the base, in order to mimic rifle motion when fired out of the shoulder.

2. The recoil compensating ballistics bench as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base includes a planar base plate and a pair of opposing, laterally spaced apart, raised mountings which are secured to the base plate, wherein the pendulum has two pairs of depending arms, operatively upper ends of one pair of depending arms being pivotally connected to the opposing raised mountings to define a first pendulum pivot axis whilst upper ends of the other pair are pivotally connected to the opposed raised mountings to define a second pendulum pivot axis which is parallel to the first pendulum pivot axis, and wherein the depending carriage is pivotally connected to lower ends of the depending arms such that the carriage is in a state of stable equilibrium in which, if displaced, it, under influence of its own weight, tends to return to a lowermost, at-rest position.

3. The recoil compensating ballistics bench as claimed in claim 2, wherein the depending carriage includes an upright support to which a base of the forearm stock cradle is pivotally connected such that the forearm stock cradle operatively stands proud of the depending carriage and of the first and second pendulum pivot axes.

4. The recoil compensating ballistics bench as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the base includes a pair of parallel guide rails which are raised with respect to the base plate and are connected thereto by way of opposing rail anchors and wherein the slide is slidably attached to the guide rails in a configuration in which the slide is linearly displaceable relative to the base plate in a longitudinal direction.

5. The recoil compensating ballistics bench as claimed in claim 3, wherein the upright support of the carriage includes stops which delimit angular displacement of the forearm stock cradle relative to the upright support.

6. The recoil compensating ballistics bench as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a return spring is attached to the carriage and base, wherein the return spring is configured to ensure that, after firing, the carriage returns to its at-rest position.

7. The recoil compensating ballistics bench as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arrestor is in the form of a pneumatic cylinder, one end of which is connected to the base, the other end of which is connected to the slide, to arrest recoil of the rifle when fired.

8. The recoil compensating ballistics bench as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pneumatic cylinder is a pneumatic shock absorber or gas spring and wherein the end mounted to the base is operatively rearward of the end mounted to the slide.

9. The recoil compensating ballistics bench as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes a plurality of height adjustable legs which support the base from below.

10. The recoil compensating ballistics bench as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a remote trigger controller which is operatively connectable to the rifle and is configured to permit remote activation of the rifle trigger to fire the rifle without causing any unwanted movement of the rifle.

11. The recoil compensating ballistics bench as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buttstock cradle includes a clamp mechanism configured releasably to secure the buttstock of the rifle to the buttstock cradle.

12. The recoil compensating ballistics bench as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the forearm stock cradle includes at least one clamp member for removably securing the forearm stock of the rifle to the forearm stock cradle.

13. The recoil compensating ballistics bench as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slide and depending carriage of the pendulum are interconnected by at least one longitudinally extending arm which ensures simultaneous displacement of the slide and depending carriage.

14. The recoil compensating ballistics bench as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a fine adjustment mechanism which includes a pair of opposing fine adjustment knobs which are screwed to screw- threaded ends of a pivot pin which is connected to the buttstock cradle and protrudes from a slide mounting.

15. The recoil compensating ballistics bench as claimed in claim 14, wherein, in order to facilitate fine side-ways or lateral adjustment of the rifle, the fine adjustment knobs are rotated which draws the pivot pin and hence the buttstock cradle left or right relative to the slide mounting.