U.S. patent application number 10/973177 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-10 for recoil dampening assembly.
Invention is credited to Poff, Charles R. JR..
Application Number | 20050246931 10/973177 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35238129 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050246931 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Poff, Charles R. JR. |
November 10, 2005 |
Recoil dampening assembly
Abstract
A recoil dampening assembly includes a sleeve and an elastomeric
member received within the sleeve. A piston and rod retain the
elastomeric member within the sleeve, and the elastomeric member
includes a plurality of cone-like wall portions that form inner and
outer annular ring surfaces. When the elastomeric member is
compressed, the outer annular surfaces frictionally engage the
sleeve, and the inner annular surfaces frictionally engage the rod
to thereby dampen a force generated during discharge of a
firearm.
Inventors: |
Poff, Charles R. JR.; (Vero
Beach, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PRICE HENEVELD COOPER DEWITT & LITTON, LLP
695 KENMOOR, S.E.
P O BOX 2567
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49501
US
|
Family ID: |
35238129 |
Appl. No.: |
10/973177 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60515858 |
Oct 30, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/1.06 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 23/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/001.06 |
International
Class: |
F41A 021/00 |
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A recoil absorbing device for firearms, comprising: an outer
housing defining a cavity and a stop; a sleeve disposed in the
cavity of the housing, the sleeve defining an interior surface and
a stop at a first end of the sleeve; a rod disposed within the
sleeve and having a first end connected to the sleeve; a piston
member slidably connected to the rod adjacent a first end of the
rod; a connector retaining the piston member on the rod; an
elastomeric member disposed within the sleeve with a first end
adjacent the stop at the first end of the sleeve, the elastomeric
member having a second end disposed adjacent the piston member, the
elastomeric member defining at least one annular outer surface
disposed adjacent the interior surface of the sleeve, and an
annular inner surface disposed about the rod, and including a
generally conical sidewall extending from the annular outer surface
to the annular inner surface such that the elastomeric member
deforms and frictionally engages the sleeve and the rod when a
force is applied to the sleeve.
2. The recoil absorbing device of claim 1, wherein: the interior
surface of the sleeve is generally cylindrical, the sleeve having a
cover at the first end defining the stop.
3. The recoil absorbing device of claim 1, wherein: the piston
member has a generally cylindrical outer surface and an end wall
having an aperture therethrough; the rod having an elongated
portion adjacent the first end of the rod configured to be slidably
received through the aperture, and an enlarged portion at a second
end of the rod forming a stop that does not fit through the
aperture.
4. The recoil absorbing device of claim 3, wherein: said
elastomeric member includes a plurality of conical sidewall
portions forming a plurality of annular outer surfaces and a
plurality of annular inner surfaces.
5. The recoil absorbing device of claim 4, wherein: the elastomeric
member has a circular first end wall at the first end of the
elastomeric member abutting the cover of the sleeve.
6. The recoil absorbing device of claim 5, wherein: the first end
wall has an opening therethrough, the first end of said rod
extending through the opening.
7. The recoil absorbing device of claim 6, wherein: the elastomeric
member has a circular second end wall at the second end of the
elastomeric member, the second end wall abutting the end wall of
the piston member.
8. The recoil absorbing device of claim 1, wherein: the connector
comprises a stop member and a threaded fastener retaining the stop
member to the first end of the rod.
9. The recoil absorbing device of claim 8, wherein: the stop member
and piston are made of a hard elastomeric material having a
durometer of at least 90.
10. A recoil absorbing device for firearms, comprising: a sleeve
defining an interior surface; a rod movably interconnected to the
sleeve for movement between extended and retracted positions
relative to the sleeve; a resilient member having a first end
operably connected to the sleeve and a second end operably
connected to the rod, the resilient member having a tapered wall
portion extending between an outer surface adjacent the interior
surface of the sleeve and an inner surface adjacent the rod, such
that said outer surface shifts into contact with the interior
surface of the sleeve and the inner surface shifts into contact
with the rod as the rod is moved from the extended position to the
retracted position to thereby frictionally engage the sleeve and
the rod and provide a force tending to act against movement to the
retracted position.
11. The recoil absorbing device of claim 10, wherein: the tapered
wall portion has generally conical inner and outer surfaces.
12. The recoil absorbing device of claim 11, wherein: the interior
surface of the sleeve is cylindrical; the rod has an outer
cylindrical surface; and the inner and outer surfaces of the
resilient member are annular rings.
13. The recoil absorbing device of claim 12, wherein: the resilient
member includes a plurality of tapered wall portions having
generally conical inner and outer surfaces that interconnect to
define a plurality of annular rings defining inner and outer
surfaces.
14. A firearm, comprising: a fixed member; a bolt that shifts
rearwardly along an axis relative to the fixed member upon firing
of the firearm; a first member attached to a selected one of the
fixed member and the bolt; a second member attached to the other of
the fixed member and the bolt such that the first and second
members shift relative to one another upon firing of the firearm; a
resilient member having a first surface adjacent the first member,
and a second surface adjacent the second member, the resilient
member having an angled portion extending between the first and
second surfaces at a non-zero angle relative to the axis such that
the first surface frictionally engages the first member and the
second surface frictionally engages the second member when the
first member shifts relative to the second member upon firing of
the firearm.
15. The firearm of claim 14, wherein: the first member comprises a
sleeve; and the second member comprises a rod disposed in the
sleeve.
16. The firearm of claim 15, wherein: the angled portion of the
resilient member has generally conical inner and outer
surfaces.
17. The firearm of claim 16, wherein: the first and second surfaces
are annular rings.
18. The firearm of claim 17, wherein: the resilient member includes
a plurality of conical inner and outer surfaces.
19. The firearm of claim 15, wherein: the sleeve is made of a
carbon fiber composite and the rod is made of a titanium
material.
20. The firearm of claim 16, wherein: the conical inner and outer
surfaces form a wall having a uniform thickness.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/515,858, filed on Oct. 30, 2003,
entitled RECOILED DAMPENING ASSEMBLY, the entire contents of which
are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a recoil dampening device,
and in particular to a recoil dampening device for reducing the
forces exerted onto a weapon system during the operation of the
firearm.
[0003] Recoil absorbing devices are used in a variety of
applications within firearms to reduce the forces as exerted on
various portions of the firearm as well as the operator. These
recoil dampening devices typically include at least two or more
parts movable with respect to one another and a recoil dampening
device positioned so as to absorb the forces generated during
operation of the firearm.
[0004] Heretofore, recoil dampening devices have included multiple
components that are difficult to assemble and/or require special
tools for assembly and/or adjustment, thereby making assembly and
adjustment of the recoil dampening devices difficult in high
pressure situations. Also, such devices may lose their
effectiveness in the harsh environments typically associated with
military operations. Further, previous recoil dampening devices do
not sufficiently reduce the recoil associated with heavy caliber
firearms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a recoil absorbing
device for firearms including an outer housing defining a cavity
and a stop. A sleeve is disposed in the cavity of the housing, and
the sleeve defines an interior surface and a stop at a first end of
the sleeve. A rod has a first end connected to the sleeve, and the
rod is disposed within the sleeve. A piston member is slidably
connected to the rod adjacent a first end of the rod. A connector
retains the piston member on the rod. The recoil absorbing device
also includes an elastomeric member disposed within the sleeve with
a first end adjacent the stop at the first end of the sleeve. The
elastomeric member has a second end disposed adjacent the piston
member. The elastomeric member defines at least one annular outer
surface disposed adjacent the interior surface of the sleeve, and
an annular inner surface disposed about the rod. The elastomeric
member includes a generally conical sidewall extending from the
annular outer surface to the annular inner surface, such that the
elastomeric member deforms and frictionally engages the sleeve and
the rod when a force is applied to the sleeve.
[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is a recoil
absorbing device for firearms including a sleeve defining an
interior surface, and a rod movably interconnected to the sleeve
for movement between extended and retracted positions relative to
the sleeve. The recoil absorbing device also includes a resilient
member having a first end operably connected to the sleeve and a
second end operably connected to the rod. The resilient member has
a tapered wall portion extending between an outer surface adjacent
the interior surface of the sleeve, and an inner surface adjacent
the rod. The outer surface shifts into contact with the interior
surface of the sleeve, and the inner surface shifts into contact
with the rod as the rod is moved from the extended position to the
retracted position to thereby frictionally engage the sleeve and
the rod and provide a force tending to act against movement to the
retracted position.
[0007] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a firearm
including a fixed member and a bolt that shifts rearwardly along an
axis relative to the fixed member upon firing of the firearm. A
first member is attached to a selected one of the fixed member and
the bolt, and a second member is fixed to the other of the fixed
membrane and the bolt such that the first and second members shift
relative to one another upon firing of the firearm. The firearm
also includes a resilient member having a first surface adjacent
the first member, and a second surface adjacent the second member.
The resilient member has an angled portion extending between the
first and second surfaces at a non-zero angle relative to the axis,
such that the first surface frictionally engages the first member,
and the second surface frictionally engages a second member when
the first member shifts relative to the second member upon firing
of the firearm.
[0008] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the
present invention will be further understood and appreciated by
those skilled in the art by reference to the following
specification, claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a partially schematic view of a firearm according
to one aspect of the present invention, including a recoil
dampening assembly;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a partially fragmentary view of the recoil
dampening assembly of the firearm of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the recoil
dampening assembly of FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the recoil dampening assembly;
and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the resilient member of
the recoil dampening assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper,"
"lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical,"
"horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention
as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the
invention may assume various alternative orientations and step
sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is
also to be understood that the specific devices and processes
illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following
specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive
concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions
and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments
disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the
claims expressly state otherwise.
[0015] A firearm 1 (FIG. 1) includes a barrel 2, stock 3, and a
bolt mechanism 4. The recoil dampening assembly 10 is in contact
with the bolt 5 of the mechanism 4 and to the stock 3, such that
forces are transmitted from the bolt 5 through the recoil dampening
assembly 10, and into stock 3 upon firing of the firearm 1.
[0016] Bolt mechanism 4 is biased forwardly by main spring 6. Upon
firing of the firearm 1, bolt 5 is shifted rearwardly, compressing
main spring 6. The recoil dampening assembly 10 is positioned
within a housing 11, as is the bolt 5 and main spring 6. The recoil
dampening assembly 10 includes a control sleeve 12 made of a carbon
fiber material, and a titanium end cap 13 is secured to a first end
14 of control sleeve 12 (see also FIG. 4). The cap 13 and sleeve 12
may include threads 15 and 16, respectively, to secure the end cap
13 to the sleeve 12. Other suitable connecting arrangements may
also be utilized to secure the end cap 13 to the sleeve 12. A
piston 17 is made of a lightweight structural plastic material, and
is secured to a rod 18 by a hard stop 19 and threaded retaining
screw 20. Hard stop 19 may be made of a hard elastomeric material
having a durometer of at least 90, and retaining screw 20 may be
made of an aluminum material. Rod 18 may be made of a titanium
material, and includes a threaded first end 21 that is received in
a threaded opening 22 in an end cap 13. The screw 20 extends
through clearance opening 23 in hard stop 19, and is received in
threaded opening 24 of rod 18.
[0017] During assembly, the elongated cylindrical portion 27 of rod
18 is slidably inserted through opening 28 in the base wall 30 of
piston 17, until the side surface 25 of head 26 of rod 18 contacts
the inner surface 29 of base wall 30 of piston 17. Thus, the head
26 of rod 18, hard stop 19, and screw 20 are slidably positioned
within the cylindrical cavity 31 of piston 17 when assembled. The
elongated cylindrical portion 27 of rod 18 extends through
elastomeric member 35, and the first end 21 of rod 18 is threadably
received in the threaded opening 22 of end cap 13. Thus, when
assembled, forces "F" (FIG. 3) that are applied to the piston 17
and end cap 13 will tend to compress the elastomeric member 35.
However, piston 17 cannot travel outwardly beyond the position
illustrated in FIG. 3 because it is retained within sleeve 12 by
rod 18.
[0018] With further reference to FIG. 5, elastomeric member 35
includes a first end 36 having an end wall 37 with an opening 38
therethrough that receives the end 32 of rod 18 when assembled.
Second end 39 of elastomeric member 35 includes an end wall 40 with
an opening 41 therethrough that receives the elongated cylindrical
portion 27 of rod 18 when assembled. When assembled, the first end
36 of elastomeric member 35 abuts the inner surface 33 of end cap
13, and the second end 39 of elastomeric member 35 abuts the end
surface 34 of wall 30 of piston 17, such that forces applied to end
cap 13 and piston 17 tend to compress elastomeric member 35.
Elastomeric member 35 includes a plurality of sidewalls 42 that
extend between annular outer ring surfaces 43 and annular inner
ring surfaces 44. The sidewalls 42 thus have a generally truncated
conical shape with adjacent sidewalls 42 being oriented in opposite
directions. The sidewalls 42 as shown have a uniform thickness.
However, the wall shape and thickness may vary depending upon the
requirements for a particular application.
[0019] When assembled, the outer surfaces 43 are positioned
adjacent the cylindrical inner surface of sleeve 12, and annular
inner ring surfaces 44 are positioned adjacent the elongated
cylindrical portion 27 of rod 18. If a compressive force F is
applied to the elastomeric member 35, the outer annular surface 43
tends to shift outwardly as indicated by the arrow "A," and the
inner annular surfaces 44 tend to deflect inwardly as indicated by
the arrows "B." In use, the outer surfaces 43 contact the inner
surface 46 of sleeve 12, and inner surfaces 44 contact the
elongated cylindrical portion 27 of rod 18 upon application of a
force F. As the elastomeric member 35 is further compressed, the
sliding contact between the outer surfaces 43 in sleeve 12 and
between the inner surfaces 44 and rod 18 create a frictional
engagement that resists further compression of elastomeric member
35 as piston 17 slides relative to sleeve 12 and rod 18. If the
elastomeric member 35 is further compressed, the walls 42 tend to
collapse and the outer surfaces 47 of adjacent walls 42 may contact
one another, and the inner surfaces 48 of adjacent sidewall
portions 42 may also contact each other.
[0020] With reference again to FIG. 2, when assembled, the recoil
dampening assembly 10 is held in contact with the bolt by the
operating spring such that the recoil dampening assembly 10
translates with the bolt 5 during operation of the firearm. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, prior to firing of the firearm, the end
surface 49 of piston 17 is spaced apart from a stop surface 50 in
the stock 3. When the firearm is discharged, the force generated
shifts the bolt 5 and recoil dampening assembly 10 rearwardly.
After traveling the distance "X," the surface 49 of piston 17
contacts the stop surface 50 of stock 3. As the bolt 5 continues to
travel rearwardly, the piston 17 compresses the elastomeric member
35, thereby transferring force through the recoil dampening
assembly 10. As discussed above, the elastomeric member 35
frictionally engages sleeve 12 and rod 18 as it is compressed,
thereby generating a force tending to act against further
compression of elastomeric member 35. If the bolt 5 continues to
travel rearwardly, the hard stop 19 will eventually contact the
surface 50 of stock 3, thereby preventing further movement of bolt
5 relative to the stock 3.
[0021] In the illustrated example, the recoil dampening assembly 10
is in contact with the bolt 5 of firearm 1, such that the assembly
10 travels with the bolt 5. The recoil dampening assembly 10 may
also be fixed to the stock, such that the recoil dampening assembly
10 remains stationary relative to bolt 5. For example, with
reference to FIG. 2, the recoil dampening assembly 10 could be
oriented 180 degrees in an opposite direction, and the end cap 13
could then be secured to the stock 3. In this example, the bolt 5
would travel rearwardly until it contacted the end 49 of piston
17.
[0022] As discussed above, the end cap 13 may be made of a titanium
material, and the control sleeve 12 may be made of a carbon fiber
material. Also, piston 17 may be made of a lightweight structural
polymer material, and the stop rod 18 may be made of a titanium
material. Also, hard stop 19 may be made of a hard elastomeric
material, and the screw 20 may be made of aluminum material. The
elastomeric member 35 is preferably made of an elastomeric material
having resilient and frictional properties providing the desired
degree of dampening. However, other materials may be utilized for
the various components based upon the impact, wear, friction,
weight, and other properties required for a particular
application.
[0023] The recoil dampening assembly of the present invention
provides a durable, yet effective, device that absorbs forces
generated by discharge of a firearm. The components can be readily
disassembled.
[0024] In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated
by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the
invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein.
Such modifications are to be considered as included in the
following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly
state otherwise.
* * * * *