U.S. patent application number 14/662448 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-22 for recoil pads including gas chambers and a base plate assembly, firearms including such recoil pads, and related methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lawrence V. Butler. Invention is credited to Lawrence V. Butler, Russ Martin.
Application Number | 20160273874 14/662448 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56924954 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160273874 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Butler; Lawrence V. ; et
al. |
September 22, 2016 |
RECOIL PADS INCLUDING GAS CHAMBERS AND A BASE PLATE ASSEMBLY,
FIREARMS INCLUDING SUCH RECOIL PADS, AND RELATED METHODS
Abstract
A recoil pad for a firearm includes at least one gas chamber, at
least one access port to the gas chamber, and a base plate
assembly. The access port retains gas pressure within the gas
chamber, and also allows pressurization and depressurization of the
gas chamber. The base plate assembly may include a first base plate
and the second base plate. The first base plate may at least
partially define a surface of the gas chamber. Methods of
fabrication of firearms include forming the base plate assembly and
attaching such a recoil pad to a stock or grip of a firearm.
Methods of using such recoil pads and firearms include the
selective pressurization or depressurization of a gas chamber in a
recoil pad.
Inventors: |
Butler; Lawrence V.;
(Hailey, ID) ; Martin; Russ; (La Habra,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Butler; Lawrence V. |
Hailey |
ID |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56924954 |
Appl. No.: |
14/662448 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 23/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41C 23/08 20060101
F41C023/08 |
Claims
1. A recoil pad configured to be attached to a firearm, the recoil
pad comprising: an elastomeric body at least partially defining at
least one gas chamber; at least one access port extending through a
wall of the elastomeric body to the at least one gas chamber, the
at least one access port configured to retain gas pressure within
the at least one gas chamber of the recoil pad and to allow
selective pressurization and depressurization of the at least one
gas chamber by moving gas into and out from the at least one gas
chamber through the at least one access port; and a base plate
assembly comprising a first base plate and a second base plate.
2. The recoil pad of claim 1, wherein the recoil pad includes two
or more discrete gas chambers, each gas chamber of the two or more
discrete gas chambers having a respective access port for
independently selectively pressurizing and depressurizing each of
the two or more discrete gas chambers.
3. The recoil pad of claim 2, wherein the two or more discrete gas
chambers comprises four discrete gas chambers.
4. The recoil pad of claim 1, wherein the first base plate of the
base plate assembly is at least partially enclosed within the
elastomeric body and the second base plate of the base plate
assembly is exterior to the elastomeric body.
5. The recoil pad of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric body has at
least one column of elastomeric material extending from a closed
end of the elastomeric body to an open end of the elastomeric body,
the at least one column of elastomeric material having a annular
flange extending along an outer circumference of the at least one
column and extending away from the at least one column, and wherein
the annular flange is oriented between the first base plate and the
second base plate.
6. The recoil pad of claim 5, the elastomeric body further
comprising a peripheral flange extending along an inner perimeter
of the elastomeric body proximate the open end of the elastomeric
body.
7. The recoil pad of claim 6, wherein the first base plate and the
second base plate are configured to compress the annular flange of
the at least one column and the peripheral flange of the
elastomeric body and to form a gas tight seal.
8. The recoil pad of claim 1, wherein the first base plate of the
base plate assembly comprises two or more individual plates.
9. A firearm, comprising: a stock or grip extending from a firing
mechanism, the stock or grip configured to abut against a body of a
person firing the firearm; a recoil pad disposed on the stock or
grip, the recoil pad including an elastomeric body at least
partially defining at least one gas chamber and having at least one
access port extending through a wall of the elastomeric body to the
at least one gas chamber, the at least one access port configured
to retain gas pressure within the at least one gas chamber of the
recoil pad during use of the firearm and to allow selective
pressurization and depressurization of the at least one gas chamber
by moving gas into and out from the at least one gas chamber
through the at least one access port; and a base plate assembly at
least partially enclosed within the elastomeric body of the recoil
pad and comprising a first base plate and a second base plate.
10. The firearm of claim 9, wherein the recoil pad includes two or
more discrete gas chambers, each gas chamber of the two or more
discrete gas chambers having a respective access port for
independently selectively pressurizing and depressurizing each of
the two or more discrete gas chambers.
11. The firearm of claim 10, wherein the two or more discrete gas
chambers comprises four discrete gas chambers.
12. The firearm of claim 9, wherein the elastomeric body of the
recoil pad includes a plurality of flanges that extend at least
partially between the first base plate and the second base plate
and connect the elastomeric body to the base plate assembly.
13. The firearm of claim 9, wherein the first base plate of the
base plate assembly is at least partially enclosed within the
elastomeric body and the second base plate of the base plate
assembly is exterior to the elastomeric body.
14. The firearm of claim 9, wherein the elastomeric body of the
recoil pad includes at least one column of elastomeric material
extending through an interior of the elastomeric body and an
aperture extending through the at least one column of the
elastomeric body of the recoil pad, and wherein the recoil pad is
attached to the stock or the grip using a fastener extending
through the aperture and into the stock or the grip of the
firearm.
15. The firearm of claim 9, wherein a surface of the first base
plate of the base plate assembly at least partially defines the at
least one gas chamber.
16. A method of manufacturing a recoil pad for attachment to a
stock or grip of a firearm, the method comprising: forming an
elastomeric body at least partially defining at least one gas
chamber; providing at least one access port extending through a
wall of the elastomeric body to the at least one gas chamber, the
at least one access port configured to retain gas pressure within
the at least one gas chamber of the recoil pad and to allow
selective pressurization and depressurization of the at least one
gas chamber by moving gas into and out from the at least one gas
chamber through the at least one access port; and forming a base
plate assembly having a first base plate and a second base plate
and enclosing the first base plate at least partially within the
elastomeric body.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising forming the recoil
pad to include two or more discrete gas chambers.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing each gas
chamber of the two or more discrete gas chambers with a respective
access port for independently selectively pressurizing and
depressurizing each of the two or more discrete gas chambers.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising enclosing the first
base plate at least partially within the elastomeric body such that
a surface of the first base plate at least partially defines the at
least one gas chamber.
20. The method of claim 16 further comprising: attaching the
elastomeric body to the base plate assembly by attaching the second
base plate to the first base plate with fasteners such that a
plurality of flanges of the elastomeric body are compressed between
the second base plate and the first base plate; forming a gas tight
seal between the elastomeric body and the first base plate; and
forming the at least one gas chamber.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recoil pad configured
for use on a firearm to absorb recoil force experienced upon firing
the firearm, to a firearm carrying such a recoil pad, to a base
plate assembly for connecting the recoil pad to a firearm, and to
methods of making and using such a recoil pad and firearm.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A shoulder firearm is a firearm having a firing mechanism
and an associated firing chamber, a barrel extending in the forward
direction from the firing mechanism and firing chamber, and what is
referred to as a "stock" extending in the rearward direction from
the firing mechanism. The stock is configured to abut against the
shoulder of a person firing the firearm, and is used to assist in
supporting and steadying the firearm while aiming and firing the
firearm. Shoulder firearms include, for example, rifles, shotguns,
muzzleloaders, etc.
[0003] Upon firing ammunition from a firearm, the forces generated
by the exploding gun powder force the bullet or other projectile(s)
in the forward direction through the barrel, but also force the
firearm in the opposite, backward direction toward the body of the
person firing the firearm. The force acting on the firearm in the
backward direction is referred to in the art as the "recoil force,"
and the movement of the firearm in the backward direction
responsive to the recoil force is referred to simply as
"recoil."
[0004] Recoil forces of a shoulder firearm can be significant
enough to cause pain and/or injury (e.g., bruising) to a person
firing the shoulder firearm, especially when using ammunition
having relatively high firing power and/or when firing numerous
rounds of ammunition over a relatively short period of time. It is
known in the art to provide what is referred to in the art as a
"recoil pad" on the end surface of the stock of a shoulder firearm
in an effort to reduce such pain and injury. Recoil pads are
commonly formed of a material, such as rubber, that is softer and
more flexible than the material of the stock, which usually
comprises wood, metal, or a relatively rigid polymeric material. A
few different methods for attaching recoil pads to the stock of a
firearm are known in the art. For example, recoil pads can be
attached to a single plate adjacent the buttstock of a firearm with
adhesive, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,813 to Mazzola. As
another example, recoil pads can be attached directly to the
buttstock of a firearm with screws, as shown in U.S. Pat. No.
488,855 to R. Townsend. In such examples, when the material used in
the recoil pad, such as rubber, wore out, a complete new recoil pad
was required.
[0005] Some other recoil pads use a bladder filled with air and
having an outer membrane. The membrane was, in turn, attached to a
single plate adjacent the buttstock of a firearm with adhesive or
vulcanization. In such examples, when the membrane wore out due to
use, a complete new recoil pad was required. Furthermore, these
membrane and bladder combination recoil pads consistently failed at
maintaining air pressure after firing of the firearm. As a result,
these membrane and bladder combination recoil pads failed in the
marketplace.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form. These concepts are described in
further detail in the detailed description of example embodiments
of the disclosure below. This summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0007] In some embodiments, the present disclosure includes a
recoil pad configured to be attached to a firearm. The recoil pad
may include an elastomeric body that at least partially defines at
least one gas chamber. The recoil pad may further include at least
one access port extending through a wall of the elastomeric body to
the at least one gas chamber. The at least one access port may be
configured to retain gas pressure within the at least one gas
chamber of the recoil pad and to allow selective pressurization and
depressurization of the at least one gas chamber by moving gas into
and out from the at least one gas chamber through the at least one
access port. The recoil pad may further include a base plate
assembly that has a first base plate and a second base plate.
[0008] In additional embodiments, the present disclosure includes a
firearm that may include a stock or grip extending from a firing
mechanism. The stock or grip may be configured to abut against a
body of a person firing the firearm. The firearm may also include a
recoil pad disposed on the stock or grip, the recoil pad including
an elastomeric body at least partially defining at least one gas
chamber and having at least one access port extending through a
wall of the elastomeric body to the at least one gas chamber. The
at least one access port may be configured to retain gas pressure
within the at least one gas chamber of the recoil pad during use of
the firearm and to allow selective pressurization and
depressurization of the at least one gas chamber by moving gas into
and out from the at least one gas chamber through the at least one
access port. The recoil pad may further include a base plate
assembly that is at least partially enclosed within the elastomeric
body of the recoil pad and has a first base plate and a second base
plate.
[0009] In yet further embodiments, the present disclosure includes
a method of manufacturing a recoil pad for attachment to a stock or
grip of a firearm. The method may include forming an elastomeric
body that at least partially defines at least one gas chamber and
providing at least one access port extending through a wall of the
elastomeric body to the at least one gas chamber. The at least one
access port may be configured to retain gas pressure within the at
least one gas chamber of the recoil pad and to allow selective
pressurization and depressurization of the at least one gas chamber
by moving gas into and out from the at least one gas chamber
through the at least one access port. The method may further
include forming a base plate assembly having a first base plate and
a second base plate and enclosing the first base plate at least
partially within the elastomeric body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoulder firearm that
includes a recoil pad as described herein.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment
of a recoil pad of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the recoil
pad of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment
of a recoil pad of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be
actual views of any particular recoil pad, firearm, or component
thereof, but are merely idealized representations that are used to
describe embodiments of the disclosure.
[0015] As used herein, the term "proximal," when used in relation
to a firearm or a component of a firearm, means proximate or nearer
to the body of a person firing the firearm. As used herein, the
term "distal," when used in relation to a firearm or a component of
a firearm, means remote or farther from the body of a person firing
the firearm.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a shoulder firearm 100 that
includes a recoil pad 102 having one or more gas chambers therein,
as described in further detail below. In some embodiments, the gas
pressure within the one or more gas chambers may be selectively
adjusted by a user. In some embodiments, the recoil pad 102 may
include two or more gas chambers, and the gas pressure in at least
one gas chamber may differ from the gas pressure in at least one
other gas chamber. In other embodiments, the gas pressure in the
gas chambers may be the same.
[0017] The shoulder firearm 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a
shotgun that is configured to fire shotshell type ammunition,
although the shoulder firearm 100 may comprise any type of shoulder
firearm in other embodiments. For example, the firearm 100 may
comprise a rifle or a muzzle loader in other embodiments. The
shoulder firearm 100 includes a central body 104 comprising a
firing mechanism, a stock 106, and a barrel 108. The central body
104 has a firing chamber therein, as well as a firing mechanism for
firing ammunition within the firing chamber. The firing mechanism
includes a trigger 110 and associated components, such as a firing
pin or a hammer, which will depend upon the type of the firearm
100. The stock 106 extends proximally from the central body 104 of
the firearm 100 toward the body of a person using the firearm 100.
The barrel 108 extends distally from the central body 104 of the
firearm 100 away from the body of a person using the firearm
100.
[0018] The stock 106 has a proximal end 112 that is configured to
abut against a shoulder of a person firing the shoulder firearm
100. As previously mentioned, the stock 106 may be used to assist
in supporting and steadying the firearm 100 while aiming and firing
the firearm 100. The stock 106 may comprise a rigid material such
as wood, metal, or a rigid polymeric material.
[0019] The recoil pad 102 is disposed on the proximal end 112 of
the stock 106, such that the recoil pad 102 is disposed between the
shoulder of a person firing the firearm 100 and the proximal end
112 of the stock 106. The recoil pad 102 may be used to reduce
(e.g., eliminate) pain and injury that might result from the recoil
forces generated upon firing the shoulder firearm 100. The recoil
pad 102 optionally may be configured to allow repeated attachment
to and detachment from, the proximal end 112 of the stock 106.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the recoil pad 102
of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective
view of the recoil pad 102 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
the recoil pad 102 may include an elastomeric body 114 and a base
plate assembly 128 attachable to the elastomeric body 114. The
elastomeric body 114 may define at least partially at least one gas
chamber 132 within an interior 138 of the elastomeric body 114. The
elastomeric body 114 may have a closed end 103, an open end 105
opposite the closed end 103, one or more columns 119 of elastomeric
material extending through the elastomeric body 114, at least one
annular flange 140 connected to the one or more columns 119, and a
peripheral flange 142. Furthermore, the base plate assembly 128 of
the recoil pad 102 may be at least partially enclosed within the
elastomeric body 114 while defining at least a portion of the at
least one gas chamber 132 and may form a gas tight seal with the
elastomeric body 114.
[0021] The elastomeric body 114 may comprise a material that
exhibits a relatively low modulus of elasticity and a relatively
high yield strain. By way of example and not limitation, the
elastomeric body 114 may comprise a rubber material such as
polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polychloroprene, polystyrene,
acrylonitrile, silicone, or a fluoropolymer, or a copolymer of two
or more such materials.
[0022] The one or more columns 119 of elastomeric material may be
disposed within the interior 138 of the elastomeric body 114 and
may extend from the closed end 103 to the open end 105 of the
elastomeric body 114. The elastomeric body 114 may include one or
more holes 118 extending through the one or more columns 119 of the
elastomeric body 114, and one or more corresponding fasteners, such
as screws 120, may be inserted through the holes 118 and into the
proximal end 112 (FIG. 1) of the stock 106 (FIG. 1). The screws 120
may include threads that engage internal surfaces of the stock 106
(FIG. 1) in such a manner as to prevent retraction of the screws
120 out from the stock 106 (FIG. 1) without deliberate rotation of
the screws 120. In other embodiments, the recoil pad 102 may be
permanently attached to the proximal end 112 (FIG. 1) of the stock
106 (FIG. 1) using, for example, an adhesive, and may not include
any holes 118 for receiving fasteners (e.g., screws 120). Each
column of the one or more columns 119 may include a distal end 152
opposite the closed end 103 of the elastomeric body 114 and
proximate the open end 105 of the elastomeric body 114. The distal
end 152 of each column of the one or more columns 119 may include
the annular flange 140 extending along an outer circumference of
each column 119 and extending outward from each column 119.
Furthermore, the elastomeric body 114 may further include the
peripheral flange 142, which extends along an inner perimeter of
the interior 138 of the elastomeric body 114 proximate the open end
105 of the elastomeric body 114. The annular flange 140 of each
distal end 152 of each column of the one or more columns 119 may
include a planar end surface 150a, 150b. The peripheral flange 142
of the elastomeric body 114 may include an additional planar end
surface 150c. The planar end surfaces 150a, 150b may be coplanar
with the additional planar end surface 150c.
[0023] The base plate assembly 128 may comprise a material that is
relatively rigid compared to the elastomeric body 114. For example,
the base plate assembly 128 may comprise a metal, wood, or a
relatively rigid polymer material, such as a thermoplastic material
or an epoxy material. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in some
embodiments, the base plate assembly 128 may include at least a
first base plate 129 and a second base plate 131. The first and
second base plates 129, 131 may be fastened together to form the
base plate assembly 128. The base plate assembly 128 may be
attached to the open end 105 of the elastomeric body 114. The base
plate assembly 128 may be attached the elastomeric body 114 by
compressing (e.g., squeeze, press, clamping) portions (i.e. the
annular flanges 140 and peripheral flange 142) of the elastomeric
body 114 between the first base plate 129 and the second base plate
131, described in further detail below. The base plate assembly 128
may be disposed on the side of the recoil pad 102 adjacent the
stock 106 and may assist in attachment of the recoil pad 102 to the
stock 106.
[0024] In some embodiments, when the base plate assembly 128 is
attached to the elastomeric body 114, the first base plate 129 may
be at least partially enclosed within the elastomeric body 114
while the second base plate 131 may remain exterior to the
elastomeric body 114. In other words, the first base plate 129 of
the base plate assembly 128 may be inserted into the open end 105
of the elastomeric body 114. Furthermore, when the base plate
assembly 128 is attached to the elastomeric body 114, the one or
more annular flanges 140 and the peripheral flange 142 may be at
least partially disposed between the first and second base plates
129, 131 such that a gas tight seal may be formed between the base
plate assembly 128 and the elastomeric body 114.
[0025] For example, the first base plate 129 may have a
substantially planar shape and may include a first major inner
surface 134 and a second major outer surface 136, wherein the first
major inner surface 134 and the second major outer surface 136 are
generally parallel. When at least partially enclosed within the
elastomeric body 114, the first major inner surface 134 of the
first base plate 129 may face the interior 138 of the elastomeric
body 114 such that the first major inner surface 134 defines at
least a portion of the at least one gas chamber 132. The first base
plate 129 may also include one or more apertures 144, one or more
annular grooves 146, and a peripheral groove 148. The one or more
apertures 144 may extend through the first base plate 129 and may
be sized and shaped to permit a corresponding column of the one or
more columns 119 of the elastomeric body 114 to extend therethrough
when the first base plate 129 is at least partially enclosed within
the elastomeric body 114.
[0026] The one or more annular grooves 146 and peripheral groove
148 may be defined by the second major outer surface 136 of the
first base plate 129 and may be sized and shaped to receive the
annular flanges 140 of the one or more columns 119 of the
elastomeric body 114 and the peripheral flange 142 of the
elastomeric body 114, respectively. For example, the second major
outer surface 136 may define an annular groove 146 corresponding to
each aperture of the one or more apertures 144 extending through
the first base plate 129, and each annular groove 146 may surround
a circumference of a corresponding aperture of the one or more
apertures 144. In other words, each aperture of the one or more
apertures 144 may have a corresponding annular groove 146, wherein
each aperture of the one or more apertures 144 and corresponding
annular groove 146 are oriented in a concentric fashion. The second
major outer surface 136 of the first base plate 129 may further
define the peripheral groove 148, which extends in a loop proximate
an outer periphery of the first base plate 129 and corresponds to
the peripheral flange 142 of the elastomeric body. When the first
base plate 129 is at least partially enclosed within the
elastomeric body 114, portions of the annular flanges 140 and the
peripheral flange 142 may at least partially fit into the one or
more annular grooves 146 and peripheral groove 148,
respectively.
[0027] Furthermore, in some embodiments, when the first base plate
129 is at least partially enclosed within the interior 138 of the
elastomeric body 114, the second major outer surface 136 of the
first base plate 129 may be substantially flush or coplanar with
the planar end surfaces 150a, 150b of each annular flange 140 and
the additional planar end surface 150c of the peripheral flange
142. In other embodiments, the second major outer surface 136 of
the first base plate 129 may be sunken within the elastomeric body
114 such that the second major outer surface 136 is not flush with
the planar end surfaces 150a, 150b of each annular flange 140 and
the additional planar end surface 150c of the peripheral flange
142. In such embodiments, a distance between the second major outer
surface 136 of the first base plate 129 and the closed end 103 of
the elastomeric body 114 may be smaller than a distance between the
planar end surfaces 150a, 150b of each annular flange 140 and the
additional planar end surface 150c of the peripheral flange 142 and
the closed end 103 of the elastomeric body 114.
[0028] The second base plate 131 may include a plurality of
apertures 154 extending therethrough. Furthermore, the second base
plate 131 may be attachable to the first base plate 129 with a
plurality of fasteners, such as screws 151, extending though the
plurality of apertures 154 in the second base plate 131 and
engaging the first base plate 129. In such embodiments, the screws
151 may include threads that engage internal surfaces of the first
base plate 129 in such a manner as to prevent retraction of the
screws 151 out from the first base plate 129 without deliberate
rotation of the screws 151. In other embodiments, the second base
plate 131 may be permanently attached to the first base plate 129
using, for example, an adhesive, and may not include any apertures
154 for receiving the screws 151.
[0029] The second base plate 131 may be attachable to the first
base plate 129 while the first base plate 129 is enclosed within
the elastomeric body 114. When the second base plate 131 is
attached to the first base plate 129 and when the first base plate
129 is at least partially enclosed within the elastomeric body 114,
the second base plate 131 may abut against the planar end surfaces
150a, 150b of each annular flange 140 and the additional planar end
surface 150c of the peripheral flange 142. In such embodiments, the
one or more annular flanges 140 of the one or more columns 119 and
the peripheral flange 142 of the elastomeric body 114 may be
disposed between the first base plate 129 and the second base plate
131. Furthermore, in embodiments where the second base plate 131 is
attached to the first base plate 129 and the second major outer
surface 136 of the first base plate 129 is sunken within the
elastomeric body 114 (as described above), the first base plate 129
and the second base plate 131 may press against (e.g., squeeze,
compress, clamp) the one or more annular flanges 140 and the
peripheral flange 142 of the elastomeric body 114 such that a gas
tight seal is formed between the first base plate 129 and the
elastomeric body 114, thus, forming at least one gas chamber 132,
which is gas tight.
[0030] Attaching the elastomeric body 114, which may comprise, for
example rubber, to the base plate assembly 128, which may comprise
a rigid material, by compressing the annular flanges 140 and
peripheral flange 142 between the first and second base plates 129,
131 may provide advantages over other methods of attaching an
elastomeric body to a rigid plate, such as, adhesive or
fasteners.
[0031] For example, attaching a flexible elastomeric body to a
rigid base plate with adhesive may cause the adhesive and resulting
connection area of the flexible elastomeric body (portion of the
elastomeric body adhered to the rigid base plate) to experience
concentrations of stress when the flexible elastomeric body is
pressurized (i.e. gas chamber inside of the elastomeric body
pressurized). In other words, when a gas chamber within the
flexible elastomeric body is pressurized, the flexible elastomeric
body may tend to stretch (e.g., expand) due to the increased
pressure. However, along the connection area, the elastomeric body
would be restrained from expanding due to the adhesive and direct
connection to a rigid base plate. Therefore, the adhesive would
have to withstand any stress associated with retaining the flexible
elastomeric body against the rigid base plate, in addition, to any
stress associated with preventing the connection area of the
flexible elastomeric body adhered to the rigid base plate from
expanding. Such increased stresses may cause the flexible
elastomeric body to partially or completely separate from the rigid
base plate. On the other hand, by removing the need for adhesive
and by attaching the elastomeric body 114 to the base plate
assembly 128 by compressing the annular flanges 140 and peripheral
flange 142 between the first and second base plates 129, 131, the
previously described increased stresses may be reduced or
nonexistent. Furthermore, the connection between the elastomeric
body 114 and base plate assembly 128 may be able to withstand
higher pressures within the elastomeric body 114 than a connection
of adhesive.
[0032] As another example, attaching a flexible elastomeric body to
a rigid base plate with fasteners, such as screws, extending
through holes in the flexible elastomeric body, may cause increased
stress concentrations and separation of the flexible elastomeric
body from the rigid base plate. For example, attaching the flexible
elastomeric body to a rigid base plate with screws would allow
portions of the flexible elastomeric body between the screws to
bulge against the rigid base plate when a gas chamber within the
flexible elastomeric body is pressurized. Bulging of the flexible
elastomeric body against the rigid base plate would place
additional stress on the areas of the flexible elastomeric body
immediately surrounding the screws. Furthermore, upon continued
pressure, the holes in the flexible elastomeric body through which
the screws extend would likely stretch and expand, such that, the
heads of the screws could slip through the holes and separate the
flexible elastomeric body from the rigid base plate. On the other
hand, attaching the elastomeric body 114 to the base plate assembly
128 by compressing the annular flanges 140 and peripheral flange
142 between the first and second base plates 129, 131, may reduce
the likelihood of the elastomeric body 114 detaching from base
plate assembly 128 by increasing the area (e.g., annular flanges
140 and peripheral flange 142) at which the elastomeric body 114 is
attached to the base plate assembly 128. Furthermore, by having the
first base plate 129 define a portion of the at least one gas
chamber 132, any problem of the elastomeric body 114 bulging
against the base plate assembly 128 and pushing the elastomeric
body 114 away from the baseplate assembly is removed.
[0033] In some embodiments, the elastomeric body 114 may be readily
detachable and re-attachable to the base plate assembly 128. For
example, a user may be able to switch between different elastomeric
bodies 114 having different characteristics such as, for example,
stiffness, shape, material, weight, color, design, texture,
pressure limit, and size. Thus, attaching the elastomeric body 114
to the base plate assembly 128 by compressing the annular flanges
140 and peripheral flange 142 between the first and second base
plates 129, 131, may provide an advantage over other methods of
attachment by allowing a user to switch between different
elastomeric bodies 114 for comfort or preference. Furthermore,
attaching the elastomeric body 114 to the base plate assembly 128
by compressing the annular flanges 140 and peripheral flange 142
between the first and second base plates 129, 131, may provide an
advantage by allowing a user to replace a worn out elastomeric body
114 without having to replace the base plate assembly 128.
[0034] In some embodiments, the elastomeric body 114 may not define
any portion of a gas chamber but, rather, may be substantially
solid. For example, the elastomeric body 114 may comprise a solid
rubber material. In such embodiments, the substantially solid
elastomeric body 114 may include a cavity sized and shaped to
receive a first base plate, similar to the first base plate 129
previously discussed but absent the one or more apertures and one
or more annular grooves. The substantially solid elastomeric body
114 may further include a peripheral flange 142, similar to the
peripheral flange 142 previously discuss, such that the
substantially solid elastomeric body 114 may be attached to a base
plate assembly in substantially the same manner as previously
discussed.
[0035] In other embodiments, the elastomeric body 114 may have an
interior similar to the interior 138 previously discussed but with
a foam pad disposed therein. In such embodiments, the foam pad may
leave sufficient space such that a first base plate similar to the
first base plate 129 previously discussed may be disposed at least
partially within the interior of the elastomeric body 114. The
elastomeric body 114 containing the foam pad may further include a
peripheral flange 142, similar to the peripheral flange 142
previously discuss, such that the elastomeric body 114 containing
the foam pad may be attached to a base plate assembly in
substantially the same manner as previously discussed.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second base plate 131 may
include one or more holes 180 that correspond to the one or more
holes 118 extending through the one or more columns 119 or the
elastomeric body 114. The holes 180 may permit the screws 120 to
extend therethrough and to connect the recoil pad 102, including
the base plate assembly 128, to the proximal end 112 (FIG. 1) of
the stock 106 (FIG. 1).
[0037] The recoil pad 102 may further include at least one access
port 172 extending through an exterior wall 126 of the elastomeric
body 114 to the at least one gas chamber 132 enclosed therein. The
at least one access port 172 may be configured to retain gas
pressure within the at least one gas chamber 132 of the recoil pad
102, and to also allow selective pressurization and
depressurization of the at least one gas chamber 132 by moving gas
into and out from the at least one gas chamber 132 through the at
least one access port 172. In some embodiments, the access port 172
may comprise a valve.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment
of a recoil pad 102 of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4,
the recoil pad 102 may include an elastomeric body 114 and a base
plate assembly 128 similar to the recoil pad 102 illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 3. However, the elastomeric body 114 may include
multiple gas chambers 158a, 158b, 158c, 158d defined by one or more
walls 160 within the interior 138 of the elastomeric body 114. In
some embodiments, the elastomeric body 114 may include two or more
gas chambers. In other embodiments, the elastomeric body 114 may
include three or four or more gas chambers. For purposes of the
present disclosure, the elastomeric body 114 is described as having
four gas chambers. When the recoil pad 102 includes multiple gas
chambers 158a, 158b, 158c, 158d, the first base plate 129 may
include multiple plates 168a, 168b, 168c, 168d. For example, in
some embodiments, the first base plate 129 may include the multiple
plates 168a, 168b, 168c, 168d, each of which corresponds to one of
the multiple gas chambers 158a, 158b, 158c, 158d. In such
embodiments, the elastomeric body 114 may include the one or more
walls 160, which separate the interior 138 of the elastomeric body
114 into the multiple gas chambers 158a, 158b, 158c, 158d. Each
wall 160 may include an end 162 opposite the closed end 103 of the
elastomeric body 114 and proximate the open end 105 of the
elastomeric body 114. The end 162 of each wall of the one or more
walls 160 may include an end flange 164 similar to the annular
flanges 140 and peripheral flange 142 (previously discussed in
reference to FIGS. 2 and 3), which may be squeezed or compressed
between the second base plate 131 and the multiple plates
comprising the first base plate 129 when the second base plate 131
is attached to the multiple plates comprising the first base plate
129. When the end flange 164 of each wall of the one or more walls
160, the annular flanges 140, and the peripheral flange 142 are
compressed between the second base plate 131 and multiple plates
168a, 168b, 168c, 168d comprising the first base plate 129, a gas
tight seal may be formed between the multiple plates 168a, 168b,
168c, 168d and the elastomeric body 114, thus, forming the multiple
gas chambers 158a, 158b, 158c, 158d.
[0039] In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more walls
160 may be connected to or extend from the one or more columns 119
of the elastomeric body 114. For example, a wall 160 may extend
from opposite sides of a single column of the one or more columns
119 and may extend to and connect to an exterior wall 126 of the
elastomeric body 114, as shown in FIG. 4. In other embodiments, the
at least one of the one or more walls 160 may not connect to or
extend from the one or more columns 119 but may extend from one
portion of the exterior wall 126 of the elastomeric body 114,
through the interior 138 of the elastomeric body 114, and to
another portion of the exterior wall 126 of elastomeric body 114.
In some embodiments, the second base plate 131 may include multiple
plates. In such embodiments, the second base plate 131 may include
a same number of plates as the first base plate 129. In other
embodiments, the first and second base plates 129, 131 may have a
differing number of plates.
[0040] In some embodiments, the one or more walls 160 may include
at least one hole extending therethrough to allow gas to flow
between two or more of the gas chambers of the multiple gas
chambers 158a, 158b, 158c, 158d. In other embodiments, the one or
more of walls 160 may not include any holes extending therethrough.
In such embodiments, each gas chamber of the multiple gas chambers
158a, 158b, 158c, 158d may include a respective access port 172
similar to the access port described above such that each gas
chamber of the multiple gas chambers 158a, 158b, 158c, 158d may be
selectively pressurized and depressurized, as described above. In
other embodiments, the multiple gas chambers 158a, 158b, 158c. 158d
may be sealed gas chambers that cannot be selectively pressurized
and depressurized by a user of the firearm 100. Further, a first
gas pressure within a first gas chamber may be different from a
second gas pressure within a second gas chamber. The gas pressures
in the two or more gas chambers may be determined and set at the
time of manufacture of the recoil pad 102, and each of the gas
pressures may be greater than or equal to atmospheric pressure.
[0041] By providing a recoil pad 102 having a stiffness that may be
selectively adjusted as described herein, one or more gas chambers
within the recoil pad 102 may be selectively pressurized or
depressurized. The recoil pad 102, while disposed on the end of the
stock 106 of the firearm 100, may be abutted against the shoulder
of a person and the person may fire the firearm 100. The gas
pressure within the one or more gas chambers then may be increased
or decreased to the liking of the person using the firearm 100, and
the recoil pad 102 and the firearm 100 may again be abutted against
the shoulder of the person and the firearm 100 may be fired.
[0042] Although the recoil pads discussed previously herein are
configured to be attached to an end of a stock of a shoulder
firearm, in additional embodiments, recoil pads as described herein
may be used with other types of firearms, such as handguns and
other firearms that include a hand grip.
[0043] The example embodiments of the disclosure described above do
not limit the scope of the invention, since these embodiments are
merely examples of embodiments of the invention, which is defined
by the scope of the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Any equivalent embodiments are intended to be within the scope of
this invention. Indeed, various modifications of the disclosure, in
addition to those shown and described herein, such as alternate
useful combinations of the elements described, will become apparent
to those skilled in the art from the description. Such
modifications and embodiments are also intended to fall within the
scope of the appended claims.
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