U.S. patent application number 14/703285 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-10 for stock assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Magpul Industries Corp.. Invention is credited to Yehezkel Eitan, Brian L. Nakayama, Timothy E. Roberts.
Application Number | 20160327361 14/703285 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57210984 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160327361 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roberts; Timothy E. ; et
al. |
November 10, 2016 |
Stock Assembly
Abstract
A stock assembly and method are disclosed. The stock assembly
may have a receiver extension assembly and a lower stock assembly
removably and slidingly attached to the receiver extension
assembly. The receiver extension assembly may have a receiver
extension including an outer tube shaped to fit around the receiver
extension, and an end plate. The end plate may be shaped to at
least partially fit around the receiver extension and engage a
distal end of the outer tube and a proximal end of a receiver to
maintain the outer tube in alignment with the receiver. The lower
stock assembly may have a lock box including at least one rail
shaped to slidingly engage at least one rail in the outer tube, and
at least one pawl biased towards selective engagement with one or
more teeth in the outer tube.
Inventors: |
Roberts; Timothy E.;
(Broomfield, CO) ; Eitan; Yehezkel; (Johnstown,
CO) ; Nakayama; Brian L.; (Arvada, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Magpul Industries Corp. |
Boulder |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57210984 |
Appl. No.: |
14/703285 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 23/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41C 23/14 20060101
F41C023/14 |
Claims
1. A stock assembly for a firearm, the stock assembly comprising: a
receiver extension assembly; and a lower stock assembly removably
and slidingly attached to the receiver extension assembly; wherein:
the receiver extension assembly comprises a receiver extension
including a distal end and a proximal end, and an outer tube shaped
to fit around the receiver extension; and the lower stock assembly
comprises a lock assembly having a lock box including at least one
rail shaped to slidingly engage at least one lower rail in the
outer tube, and at least one pawl biased towards selective
engagement with one or more teeth in the outer tube.
2. The stock assembly of claim 1, wherein: the lower stock assembly
comprises a motion limiter, and an outer body substantially
encasing the lock assembly; wherein the motion limiter comprises at
least one surface on the outer body and an elastic element
positioned between the outer body and the lock box to allow the
outer body of the lower stock assembly to slide relative to the
lock box within a predetermined range.
3. The stock assembly of claim 1, wherein: the lower stock assembly
comprises an outer body including a material with a first hardness;
and the at least one pawl is movably coupled to the lock box, the
lock box comprising a material including a second hardness that is
greater than the first hardness, and the at least one pawl
comprising a material including a third hardness that is greater
than the first hardness.
4. The stock assembly of claim 3, wherein: the third hardness is
greater than the second hardness, and the second hardness is
greater than the first hardness.
5. The stock assembly of claim 1, wherein: the proximal end of the
receiver extension comprises a drive; a distal region of the
receiver extension comprises a shoulder; the end plate is
positioned between the shoulder and a distal end of the outer tube;
the receiver extension assembly comprises a nut engaged with the
proximal end of the receiver extension; and wherein: the nut and
the end plate are shaped to abut opposing ends of the outer tube
and prevent the outer tube from sliding off the receiver
extension.
6. The stock assembly of claim 1, wherein: the outer tube comprises
at least one upper rail shaped to slidingly receive a rail in a
cheek piece and to removably retain the cheek piece.
7. The stock assembly of claim 1, wherein: the lock assembly
comprises a fore body and an aft body, and the at least one pawl
and the lock assembly are biased towards an engaged configuration,
and one of the fore body and the aft body comprises a grip and a
release member coupled to the grip; and wherein: the one or more
teeth comprise at least one positioning tooth and at least one safe
tooth, the at least one safe tooth extending further from a main
body of the outer tube than does the at least one positioning
tooth; the grip is shaped and positioned for handling by a user to
cause the one of the fore body and the aft body to move relative to
the other one of the fore body and the aft body and cause the lock
assembly to move into a first disengaged configuration wherein the
at least one pawl is forcibly moved into a position suitable for
disengaging from the at least one positioning tooth in the one or
more teeth; the release member is biased towards engagement with a
stop surface when the lock assembly is in the first disengaged
configuration, and positioned such that movement of the release
member towards the grip moves the release member away from
engagement with the stop surface and allows the user to cause the
one of the fore body and the aft body to further translate relative
to the other one of the fore body and the aft body and cause the
lock assembly to move into a second disengaged configuration
wherein the at least one pawl is forcibly moved into a position
suitable for disengaging from the at least one safe tooth in the
one or more teeth.
8. The stock assembly of claim 7, wherein: the fore body comprises
the grip; compression of the fore body and the aft body cause the
at least one pawl to engage a surface in the fore body; and the
grip and the release member are positioned and shaped for
simultaneous operation using a single hand.
9. The stock assembly of claim 8, wherein: the release member is
pivotally coupled to the grip; and the lock box comprises the stop
surface.
10. The stock assembly of claim 1, wherein: the lower stock
assembly comprises a polymeric outer body comprising at least one
body rail for receiving the receiver extension assembly, the at
least one body rail comprising a recess for receiving the least one
rail in the lock box; and wherein the lock assembly and the outer
tube are configured for buffered movement relative to the outer
body.
11. A stock assembly for a firearm, the stock assembly comprising:
a receiver extension assembly; and a lower stock assembly removably
and slidingly attached to the receiver extension assembly; wherein:
the receiver extension assembly comprises a receiver extension
including a distal end and a proximal end, an outer tube shaped to
fit around the receiver extension, and an end plate, the end plate
shaped to maintain the outer tube in alignment with the receiver;
and the lower stock assembly comprises a compressible lock assembly
biased towards an engaged configuration, the lock assembly
comprising a lock box including at least one rail shaped to
slidingly engage at least one rail in the outer tube, and at least
one pawl biased towards selective engagement with one or more teeth
in the outer tube.
12. The stock assembly of claim 11, wherein: the at least one pawl
comprises a first metal including a first hardness; the lock box,
the receiver extension, and the outer tube comprise one or more
other metals, each of the one or more other metals including a
hardness that is less than the first hardness; and the lower stock
assembly further comprises an outer body comprising a polymeric
material.
13. The stock assembly of claim 11, wherein the compressible lock
assembly comprises a grip and a release mechanism, and wherein:
application of a proximal force on the grip causes the lock
assembly to move into a first disengaged configuration wherein the
fore body is compressed towards the aft body a first distance and
the at least one pawl is rotated a first angle away from the
selective engagement, and simultaneous application of a distal
force on the release mechanism and a proximal force on the grip
causes release mechanism and the grip to move towards one another,
and the lock assembly to move into a second disengaged
configuration wherein the fore body is compressed towards the aft
body a second distance greater than the first distance, and the at
least one pawl is rotated a second angle away from the selective
engagement, the second angle greater than the first angle.
14. The stock assembly of claim 13, wherein: the lower stock
assembly comprises an outer body including a body rail shaped to
slidingly engage the at least one rail in the outer tube, the body
rail in the outer body further including a recess to slidingly
engage the at least one rail in the lock box, the recess further
shaped to limit a distance the lock box may slide relative to the
outer body.
15. The stock assembly of claim 11, wherein: the lower stock
assembly further comprises an outer body shaped to receive an
anti-rotational removable quick-disconnect socket, the outer body
comprising a recess including a depth, and at least one
inwardly-protruding ridge, the inwardly-protruding ridge extending
less than the depth of the recess.
16. A stock assembly for a firearm, the stock assembly comprising:
a lower stock assembly; and a receiver extension assembly removably
and slidingly attached to the lower stock assembly; wherein the
receiver extension assembly comprises: a receiver extension, an
outer tube comprising a plurality of teeth and shaped to fit around
the receiver extension, and the lower stock assembly comprises an
outer body and a lock assembly, the lock assembly comprising: a
lock box shaped to slidingly engage a tube rail in the outer tube,
at least one pawl shaped to selectively engage the plurality of
teeth, a fore body and an aft body biased away from each other by a
first elastic element, a second elastic element shaped and
positioned to buffer motion of the lock assembly relative to the
outer body, and a release mechanism biased away from the fore body
by a third elastic element.
17. The stock assembly of claim 16, wherein: the at least one pawl
is biased towards engagement with the plurality of teeth by a
fourth elastic element.
18. The stock assembly of claim 17, wherein: a surface in the fore
body forcibly moves the at least one pawl away from an engagement
with the one of the plurality of teeth when the fore body and the
aft body are compressed towards one another.
19. The stock assembly of claim 18, wherein: the one of the
plurality of teeth is a safe tooth extending further from a main
body of the outer tube than does another one of the plurality of
teeth; and compression of the release mechanism towards the fore
body moves the release mechanism away from engagement with a stop
surface to allow the fore body and the aft body to further compress
towards one another and the surface in the fore body to forcibly
move the at least one pawl further away from the engagement to
disengage from the safe tooth.
20. The stock assembly of claim 18, wherein: the lower stock
assembly comprises a polymeric outer body having a recess the
recess shaped to receive an anti-rotational removable
quick-disconnect socket; and wherein the recess has a plurality of
protrusions extending therein, the protrusions shaped to engage
with one or more braces in the quick-disconnect socket.
21. The stock assembly of claim 16, wherein: the fore body and the
aft body are translatable relative to each other; and the lock
assembly is configured to translate as a unit relative to the outer
body.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field
[0002] The present invention relates generally to firearms, and
more specifically to firearm stock assemblies.
[0003] 2. Background
[0004] Firearms that are designed to be braced by a shoulder
generally include a stock to provide this support. It is common in
the industry for users to replace the stock with one that is more
suitable to the users' needs, such as to give flexibility in
adjusting a length of pull. However, currently-available
replacement stocks may cause the weapon to be unsuitably inaccurate
due to loose tolerance standards and/or may cause the weapon to be
heavy, loose and/or weak, and/or have insufficient drop
strength.
[0005] In some currently-available firearms, a receiver extension
is provided including a keyed slot into which another part fits,
and a protrusion or rail along the bottom to allow locking
positions for stocks that are adjustable in length. In some
currently-available designs, a castle nut is required to tighten an
end plate and lock the receiver extension to the receiver. It may
be difficult to access the receiver in some cases.
[0006] Another feature of some currently-available designs is that
they comprise three components: a receiver extension, an end cap to
an interface, and a screw fastener.
[0007] Finally, it is desirable to provide a stock assembly that
provides greater bending strength and rigidity, improved firing
accuracy, an improved drop strength, a reduced parts count, and/or
a reduced weight, as compared to currently-available designs and/or
other new and innovative features.
SUMMARY
[0008] Some embodiments described below address the above stated
needs by providing a stock assembly having some of the aspects
described herein. For example, the stock assembly may have a
receiver extension assembly and a lower stock assembly that is
removably and slidingly attached to the receiver extension
assembly. The receiver extension assembly may have a receiver
extension having a distal end and a proximal end, an outer tube
shaped to fit around the receiver extension, and an end plate. The
end plate may be shaped to at least partially fit around the
receiver extension and to engage a distal end of the outer tube and
a proximal end of a receiver to maintain the outer tube in
alignment with the receiver. The lower stock assembly comprises a
lock box including at least one rail shaped to slidingly engage at
least one rail in the outer tube, and at least one pawl biased
towards selective engagement with one or more teeth in the outer
tube.
[0009] In some aspects, the receiver extension assembly has a
receiver extension including a distal end and a proximal end, an
outer tube shaped to fit around the receiver extension, and an end
plate. The end plate may be shaped to at least partially fit around
the receiver extension and engage a distal end of the outer tube
and a proximal end of a receiver to maintain the outer tube in
alignment with the receiver. The lower stock assembly may have a
compressible lock assembly biased towards an engaged configuration.
The lock assembly may have a lock box including at least one rail
shaped to slidingly engage at least one rail in the outer tube, and
at least one pawl biased towards selective engagement with one or
more teeth in the outer tube.
[0010] In some aspects, the receiver extension assembly has a
receiver extension, an outer tube with a plurality of teeth and
shaped to fit around the receiver extension, and an end plate
shaped to fit around at least a portion of the receiver extension
and engage a distal end of the outer tube and a proximal end of a
receiver. The lower stock assembly may have an outer body and a
lock assembly. The lock assembly may have a lock box shaped to
slidingly engage a rail in the outer tube, at least one pawl shaped
to selectively engage one of the plurality of teeth, a fore body
and an aft body biased away from each other by a first elastic
element, a second elastic element shaped and positioned to buffer
motion of the lock assembly relative to the outer body, and a
release mechanism biased away from the fore body by a third elastic
element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary stock assembly
illustrating some aspects;
[0012] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the stock assembly in FIG.
1, in an extended configuration and without a storage
compartment;
[0013] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the stock assembly in FIG.
1, extended and with a cheek piece disassembled;
[0014] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the stock assembly in FIG.
1, with a cheek piece and lower stock assembly disassembled;
[0015] FIG. 1D is a side view of the stock assembly in FIG. 1,
illustrating an opposing side;
[0016] FIG. 1E is a perspective view of a panel and door assembly
suitable for use with the stock assembly illustrated in FIG.
1A;
[0017] FIG. 1F is a rear perspective view of the panel and door
assembly illustrated in FIG. 1E;
[0018] FIG. 1G is a detailed view of an exemplary cheek piece;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary receiver
extension and nut;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary receiver
extension assembly;
[0021] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an exemplary adapter tool
that may be used to interface with the nut illustrated in FIG.
3;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary receiver end
plate;
[0023] FIG. 4A is a rear perspective view of the end plate in FIG.
4;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary lock
assembly;
[0025] FIG. 5A is a side view of an exemplary lock assembly
attached to an exemplary tube assembly;
[0026] FIG. 5B is a detailed side view illustrating the lock
assembly in FIG. 5 interfacing with a tube assembly;
[0027] FIG. 5C is a detailed perspective view illustrating the lock
assembly in FIG. 5 interfacing with other components of the stock
assembly;
[0028] FIG. 5D is a side view of the lock assembly in FIG. 5 with
some features transparent;
[0029] FIG. 5E is a side view illustrating another side of the lock
assembly illustrated in FIG. 5;
[0030] FIG. 5F is a front view of the lock assembly illustrated in
FIG. 5;
[0031] FIG. 5G is a rear view of the lock assembly illustrated in
FIG. 5;
[0032] FIG. 5H is a top view of the lock assembly illustrated in
FIG. 5, with some features transparent;
[0033] FIG. 5I is a perspective view illustrating the lock assembly
in FIG. 5 interfacing with a body of a stock;
[0034] FIG. 5J is a rear section view illustrating the lock
assembly in FIG. 5 interfacing with a body of a stock and an outer
tube of a tube assembly;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary lock box;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary Quick
Disconnect (QD) socket;
[0037] FIG. 7A is a side view of a stock body for interfacing with
the QD socket in FIG. 7;
[0038] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the QD socket in FIG. 7 and
the stock body in FIG. 7A;
[0039] FIG. 7C is a cross-section view illustrating two opposing QD
sockets in a firearm;
[0040] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of using a firearm;
and
[0041] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of making a stock assembly
for a firearm.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] With initial reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary stock
assembly 100 according to some embodiments is now described in
detail. By way of introduction, the stock assembly 100 may be a
stock assembly 100 that enables a user or manufacturer to easily
align and attach the stock assembly 100 and/or components thereof
to a firearm. The stock assembly 100 may provide an end user with
the ability to adjust the overall length of the stock assembly 100,
an improved manner for disassembling a portion or all of the stock
assembly, and/or an improved ability to connect accessories (e.g.
an improved Quick Disconnect or QD socket). It should be understood
that the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an
example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described
herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as
preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
[0043] The stock assembly 100 may include a receiver extension
assembly 200 having a threaded receiver interface 104, and a lower
stock assembly 300. The stock assembly 100 may also include a butt
pad 106 substantially opposing the threaded receiver interface 104,
a removable cheek piece 108, and an outer stock body 154. A quick
disconnect socket, or QD socket 146, may be provided as a feature
in the stock assembly 100. A receiver end plate 124 may provide an
alignment feature between the stock assembly 100 and a firearm. A
grip 140 may provide a user with the ability to adjust the overall
length of the stock assembly 100, so that the stock/firearm can be
adjusted for different users.
[0044] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, the stock assembly 100 may be
extendable, and the tube assembly 200 may be removably and
slidingly attached to the lower stock assembly 300. That is, the
stock assembly 100 may include a receiver extension assembly 200,
or tube assembly 200 for short, a distal end of which may be
affixed to a firearm, optionally with the cheek piece 108 attached,
while the proximal end (e.g. butt pad 106) of the lower stock
assembly 300 may be adjustable relative to the distal end of the
stock assembly 100, such as relative to the distal end of the tube
assembly 200, to adjust an overall length of the stock assembly
100. The lower stock assembly 300 may be removable from the tube
assembly 200.
[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the optional cheek piece 108,
when assembled, remains in a fixed position relative to the firearm
and the tube assembly 200, while the lower stock assembly 300 is
translated for adjusting the overall length of the stock assembly
100. A visual aid 102, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, may be provided
to give the user an indication of the extended length of the stock
assembly 100. In some embodiments, the stock assembly 100 may be
extended up to about 4 (four) inches, possibly in one-half inch
increments, or any suitable increment, from a fully collapsed
configuration, although this specific example is not limiting, and
greater or less than 4 inches of extension are envisioned.
[0046] As described above, the cheek piece 108 may remain attached
to the tube assembly 200, and, in contrast to cheek pieces
generally in the currently-available art as they relate to
collapsible stocks, the cheek piece 108 does not move with the
lower stock assembly 300 when the length is adjusted. In this
manner, the tube assembly 200 remains mostly covered, regardless of
the length of extension, ensuring that an insulating bather is
provided between the tube assembly 200 and the user. Although the
particular cheek piece 108 does not move, it should be understood
that a user could have multiple cheek pieces 108 available, to fit
the preferences or needs of different users and/or weapon
configurations.
[0047] As most clearly apparent in FIG. 1C, in some embodiments,
the cheek piece 108 may be attached to the outer tube 116 by
sliding the cheek piece 108 onto a proximal end of the outer tube
116 of the tube assembly 200 and into place. Thereafter, the lower
stock assembly 300 may be attached to the tube assembly 200,
generally stated, by sliding the lower stock assembly 300 onto the
proximal end of the outer tube 116 and into place. Further details
of assembly and/or disassembly procedures will be described in
further sections below.
[0048] With brief reference to FIG. 1G, the cheek piece may include
one or more rails 108a for slidingly engaging one or more upper
rails 122 in the outer tube 116 (shown in FIG. 1C), and a detent
108b on an interior surface of the cheek piece at one or more of
the proximal region and the distal region of the cheek piece 108
for maintaining the cheek piece 108 in place when attached to the
outer tube 116 (shown in FIG. 1C). As illustrated in FIG. 1G, the
cheek piece 108 includes a detent 108b at a proximal region of the
cheek piece 108, and, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a recess 114a in
the nut 114 may accept the detent 108b.
[0049] Continuing with FIG. 1, the outer stock body 154 may include
a sling interface 193 and/or a storage compartment 121. The storage
compartment 121 may be comprised of a first side 129 and a second
side 133 assembled to the outer stock body 154. The first and
second sides 129, 133 are most clearly illustrated in FIG. 1E, and
may be shaped to be coupled to each other via one or more fasteners
137 (shown in FIG. 1B). The first and second sides 129, 133 may be
coupled to the outer stock body 154, for example, by tightening the
fastener(s) 137 and causing the first side 129 and the second side
133 to firmly abut opposing recessed walls 145 in the outer stock
body 154 to form the storage compartment 121. The storage
compartment 121 or first and second sides 129, 133 may be
reversible to more comfortably accommodate a right- or left-hand
user.
[0050] In some embodiments, the first side 129 and the second side
133 may each include score lines 151. The score lines 151 may be
provided to allow a user who desires to have a simple sling mounted
higher on the stock 100 than the sling loop 193 would allow, for
additional stability and prevention of weapon roll in certain carry
methods, to remove a small section of material from the first side
129 and the second side 133. Removal of this material would allow a
user the flexibility of threading a sling or other carrying device
through the newly-created slot to allow the user to carry the
weapon in a more vertical position without removing the storage
compartment 121 completely. The user would still have the
flexibility to remove the storage compartment 121 completely and
carry the firearm in the same manner.
[0051] In some embodiments, the first side 129 and the second side
133 may each have a recess (not shown) for allowing a sling or
other attachment feature to pass through, either placed by a
manufacturer or after removal of material at the score lines 151 by
the user.
[0052] Continuing with FIGS. 1E and 1F, the second side 133 may
include a first portion 133a that provides both a stationary
surface and a surface to which the first side 129 may be attached,
and a second portion 133b, shaped to pivot relative to the first
portion 133a. The second portion 133b may include a tab 133c
biased, such as by a spring, towards engagement with the outer
stock body 154 to cause the second side 133 to engage multiple
surfaces in the outer stock body 154.
[0053] The first side 129 may similarly include a fixed flange
portion 129a to allow the user to assemble the first and second
sides 129, 133 to the outer stock body 154 (shown in FIG. 1) to
form the storage compartment 121.
[0054] To form the storage compartment 121 as shown in FIG. 1, the
user may insert the first side 129 into the through passage of the
outer stock body 154 at an angle and then pivot the first side 129
to cause both sides of the fixed flange 129a to interface with
multiple surfaces in the outer stock body 154. The user may
similarly retract the tab 133c to attach the second side 133 to the
outer stock body 154, and thereafter may cause the fastener(s) 137
to couple the first side 129 and the second side 133 together such
that the first side 129 and the second side 133 are coupled to the
outer stock body 154.
[0055] Turning now to FIGS. 2, 3, and 3A, a receiver extension 110
(shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) may be provided, in which the distal end
or distal region of the receiver extension 110 may comprise a
threaded receiver interface 104 and a flange or shoulder 105
between the threaded receiver interface 104 and the proximal end
112, while the proximal end 112 of the receiver extension 110 may
comprise a threaded nut interface, for receiving a threaded nut
114.
[0056] The receiver extension 110 may be assembled into a receiver
extension assembly 200 by assembling the receiver extension 110,
the end plate 124, an outer tube 116, and the threaded nut 114, as
illustrated in FIG. 3. The remaining components of the stock
assembly 100 may be attached after attaching the tube assembly 200
to the firearm, as will be described in further detail later
portions of this document, in a manner that reduces the potential
for damage to the receiver extension 110 and/or an error in
attachment as compared to other currently-available designs.
[0057] A nut adapter tool 115, illustrated in FIG. 3A, may be
provided to allow a user to interface with the nut 114 using
standard tooling.
[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the end plate 124 may
include a receiver alignment mechanism 126, a QD socket 127, and an
outer tube alignment mechanism 128. That is, the end plate 124 is
shaped to align the outer tube 116 to the receiver of a firearm,
and may provide a QD interface, suitable for use when the lower
stock assembly 300 is not in full abutment with the end plate 124,
such as when the lower stock assembly 300 is in any extended
position, such as when extended as illustrated in FIG. 1A.
[0059] Returning to FIGS. 4 and 4A, to assemble the tube assembly
200 (shown in FIG. 3) as a stand-alone assembly, the end plate 124
may be slid over the receiver extension 110, then the outer tube
116 may be slid over the receiver extension 110, at which point the
end plate 124 is rotated to mate the outer tube alignment mechanism
128 with a corresponding key alignment mechanism 125 (see FIG. 5A)
in the outer tube 116 (shown in FIG. 3), such as a tab that extends
from a distal end of the outer tube 116. The threaded nut 114 is
then screwed on to the proximal end of the receiver extension
110.
[0060] The tube assembly 200 eliminates the need to attach a
proximal end to the assembly, which is required in some
currently-available embodiments, thereby providing a lighter weight
design and improved firing accuracy while avoiding significant
assembly, welding, and/or machining procedures.
[0061] Moreover, the construction of the tube assembly 200 using
the threaded nut 114 as illustrated allows the receiver extension
110 to serve as the back end of the core weapon mechanism in a
manner similar to a carbine type receiver extension while
simultaneously retaining the strength of a rifle type receiver
extension. Another advantage of constructing the tube assembly 200
in this manner is that it allows the outer tube 116 to be extruded
without further assembling an end cap thereon.
[0062] To assemble the tube assembly 200 and/or stock assembly 100
to a firearm, the receiver extension 110 may be attached to a
weapon receiver, such as by threading onto a weapon receiver. The
end plate 124 may be placed on the receiver extension 110 and
seated against the receiver, and the outer tube 116 may be placed
on the receiver extension 110 and keyed into the end plate 124. The
threaded nut 114 may then be attached and tightened to lock the
tube assembly 200 on the receiver. A cheek piece 108 may be slid
over the outer tube 116 and locked into place prior to attaching a
lower stock assembly 300.
[0063] Providing a tube assembly in this manner improves the ease
of aligning the tube assembly 200 to the firearm, and also reduces
undesirable torsional stresses between the tube assembly 200 and
the firearm.
[0064] Returning to FIG. 3 and FIG. 1C, the outer tube 116 may have
a lower rail 120 or a pair of lower rails 120 for mounting a lock
assembly (see e.g. lock assembly 500 in FIG. 5A), and/or an upper
rail 122 or a pair of upper rails 122 for mounting a cheek piece
108 (see e.g. FIG. 1). That is, the tube assembly 200 may be
configured such that a lock assembly, such as lock assembly 500,
may slide onto a first rail, such as lower rail(s) 120. Similarly,
the tube assembly 200 may be configured to interface with a rail
(see e.g. rail 108a in FIG. 1G) in a cheek piece and to removably
retain the cheek piece 108, by allowing the cheek piece 108 to
slide onto the tube assembly 200 using another rail or rails, such
as the upper rail(s) 122. It should be understood that the cheek
piece 108, while optional, should be assembled to the tube assembly
200 prior to attaching the lower stock assembly 300, and/or that
the lower stock assembly 200 should be removed prior to removal of
the cheek piece 108.
[0065] Continuing with FIG. 3, the outer tube 116 may include a
plurality of teeth 118, 119 that provide a number of recesses or
catches for adjusting the length of the stock assembly 100. The
plurality of teeth 118, 119 may include at least one positioning
tooth 118 which may be selectively engaged for selecting and/or
adjusting an overall length of the stock assembly 110. At least one
safe tooth 119 of the plurality of teeth 118, 119 may have a
profile that is larger than the profile of the other teeth, that
is, the positioning teeth 118, so as to provide an end stop
feature. More specifically, a safe tooth 119 may extend further
from a main body of the outer tube 116 than does a positioning
tooth 118, to prevent a user from unintentionally removing the
lower stock assembly 300 from the tube assembly 200. To remove the
lower stock assembly 300 from the tube assembly 200, an override
mechanism should be engaged, as will be described in subsequent
portions of this document.
[0066] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the proximal end 112 of the
receiver extension 110 may include a drive 123. The drive 123 may
provide the user with the ability to attach the receiver extension
110 to the firearm, and tighten the receiver extension 110 to a
desired torque specification. In some embodiments, the drive 123
may be shaped for engagement by a user without using specialized
assembly tools and without compromising a maximized torque
application. In some embodiments, the drive 123 may be a square
socket drive, as illustrated, although it should be understood that
any suitably-shaped drive is contemplated, including but not
limited to, external knurling, ribbing, or polygonal drives such as
square, hex, or pentagonal drives, or internal drives such as
slotted, Phillips, Torx, spanner, piloted, square, hex, pentagonal,
or security drives, or any combinations thereof.
[0067] Turning now to FIGS. 5-5J, the stock assembly 100 may
include a lock assembly 500. The lock assembly 500, generally
speaking, is what provides the user with the ability to adjust the
overall length of the stock assembly 100. The lock assembly 500 may
include a lock box 131 that has a first rail 132 and a second rail
134 for slidingly engaging the tube assembly 200, such as at the
lower rail(s) 120 (see FIG. 3). To maintain the lock assembly 500
(and hence the lower stock assembly 300 and butt pad 106) in a
fixed position relative to the tube assembly 200, the lock assembly
500 may be configured to engage teeth 118, 119 using one or more
pawls 136, 138. In some embodiments, the lock box 131 may have a
first pawl 136 and a second pawl 138 movably or pivotally attached
thereto, for engaging one of a plurality of teeth 118, 119 in the
tube assembly 200.
[0068] The outer body 154 may be manufactured of a material having
a first hardness, and in some embodiments, the outer body 154 is
made substantially of a polymeric material. The outer tube 116 may
be manufactured of a metallic material, which may be an aluminum
alloy or a steel, such as a carbon steel or a steel alloy. The lock
box 131 may be manufactured of a material having a second hardness,
and in some embodiments, the lock box 131 is made of a metallic
material, which may be an aluminum or a steel, such as a carbon
steel or steel alloy. The pawl(s) 136, 138 may be manufactured of a
material having a third hardness, and in some embodiments, the
pawl(s) 136, 138 are made of a metallic material, which may be a
steel, such as a carbon steel or steel alloy. That is, in some
embodiments, the lock box 131 and/or the outer tube 116 is made of
a material that has a hardness greater than that of the outer body
154, and the pawl(s) 136, 138 are made of a material that has a
hardness greater than that of the lock box 131. Selecting the
materials as described above results in a stock assembly 100 that
is lighter in weight as compared to currently-available designs,
yet provides an improved firing accuracy.
[0069] The lock assembly 500, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, may be
attached to the outer tube 116 by way of the rails 132, 134. That
is, the rails 132, 134 may slide over the lower rail(s) 120 in the
outer tube 116 as the stock assembly 100 is being assembled or
disassembled. It should be understood that the lower stock assembly
300 comprising the lock assembly 500 is a stand-alone assembly, and
may be assembled to the tube assembly 200 before or after the tube
assembly 200 is attached to a firearm.
[0070] FIG. 5A illustrates in a side view details of the lock
assembly 500 attached to the tube assembly 200 (with the end plate
124 removed). As previously mentioned, the lock assembly 500 has a
fore body 160 and an aft body 162. An elastic element such as a
spring 150 between the fore and aft bodies 160, 162 is provided to
keep the fore and aft bodies 160, 162 biased towards the surface
156 and the opposing surface 158 in the outer stock body 154, as
illustrated in FIG. 5B. However, the fore and aft bodies 160, 162
may be compressed towards one another to allow the pawl(s) 136, 138
to disengage from the teeth 118, 119, such as when the lower stock
assembly 300 is pulled or pushed along the tube assembly 200.
[0071] As illustrated in FIGS. 5B-5C, an elastic element, such as a
spring 152, which may be a torsional spring, may be provided to
bias the one or more pawls 136, 138 towards engagement with the
teeth 118, 119, while another elastic element such as a spring 150,
which may be a compression spring, may be provided to bias the fore
body 160 and the aft body 162 in an expanded configuration. It
should be understood that a variety of elastic elements may be used
to achieve the biasing effect. When a user pulls on the grip 140
hard enough to overcome the spring bias of the spring 150, the fore
body 160 is pulled towards the aft body 162, into a first
compressed figuration. This first compressed configuration allows
the user to push or pull the lower stock assembly 300 along the
lower rail(s) 120 to achieve a desired overall length of the stock
assembly 100.
[0072] To enable this functionality, the pawl(s) 136, 138 may
include pawl pin(s) 182 shaped to engage a surface(s) 183 in the
fore body 160 as the lock assembly 500 is compressed and forcibly
cause the pawl(s) 136, 138 to rotate out of engagement with the one
or more positioning teeth 118. More specifically, and as is most
clearly seen in FIGS. 5B and 5C, as the user causes the fore body
160 to move towards the aft body 162 (by pulling on the grip 140,
for example), the surface(s) 183 will abut the pawl pin(s) 182, and
force the pawl(s) 136, 138 to pivot out of engagement with the
positioning teeth 118. As the pawl(s) 136, 138 pivot out of
engagement, they may abut and ride down a ramped surface(s)
172.
[0073] A surface(s) 174 in the grip 140 may be shaped to abut a
stop surface(s) 173 when the lock assembly 500 reaches the first
compressed configuration, and to prevent the lock assembly 500 from
compressing more than the first compressed configuration. In some
embodiments, the stop surface(s) 173 may be one or more shoulders
in the lock box 131, as illustrated in FIGS. 5D and 5E. Those of
skill in the art will understand that the stop surface(s) 173 could
be placed in other components of the stock assembly 110, such as
the outer stock body 154, the pawl(s) 136, 138, the aft body 162,
or any other feature that is or may be modified to be suitable for
providing a stop surface.
[0074] To disengage the lower stock assembly 300 from the tube
assembly 200 completely, the user may pivot, translate, or compress
a release member 142 relative to the grip 140 or fore body 160, to
cause the surface(s) 174 to move relative to the stop surface 173
and/or disengage from the stop surface 173. After ensuring the
release member 142 or surface 174 is disengaged from the stop
surface 173, the user may further compress the fore body 160
relative to the aft body 162 and forcibly cause the pawl(s) 136,
138 to pivot further away from the engaged configuration to ensure
the pawl(s) 136, 138 disengage from the safe tooth 119 and/or do
not engage the safe tooth 119 as the lower stock assembly 300 is
translated relative to the tube assembly 200, thus allowing the
user to remove the lower stock assembly 300 from the tube assembly
200. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5D, the release member
142 may be biased away from the grip 140 by way of spring 143.
[0075] As illustrated in FIG. 5E, in some embodiments, a first
release mechanism 141 includes the grip 140, the spring 150, a pawl
pin(s) 182, and the surface(s) 183, shaped and positioned to cause
the lock assembly 500 to move into a first compressed
configuration. Similarly, a second release mechanism 147 may
include the release member 142, the spring 143, the surface(s) 174,
and the stop surface(s) 173, shaped and positioned to bias the lock
assembly 500 towards the first compressed configuration, and allow
a user to override the bias and cause the lock assembly 500 to move
into a second compressed configuration. The release member 142 may
remain in a first position relative to the fore body 160 during
actuation of the first release mechanism, and the release member
142 may translate, pivot, or otherwise move to a second position
relative to the fore body 160 during actuation of the second
release mechanism 147.
[0076] With simultaneous reference to FIGS. 5B and 5F, the aft body
162 may include a pin retaining feature 169. The pin retaining
feature 169 may be a passage for mounting a pin(s) 167 to retain
the pawl(s) 136, 138 pivotally coupled to the aft body 162.
Similarly, and with reference to FIG. 6, the lock box 131 may also
include a passage(s) or pin retaining feature(s) 176 to retain the
pawl(s) 136, 138 pivotally coupled to the lock box 131, such that
the pawl(s) 136, 138 may pivot relative to the aft body 162 and the
lock box 131 to disengage from the teeth 118 or the safe tooth
119.
[0077] Although the figures and the description above refer to a
compressed configuration as being suitable for disengagement from
the tube assembly 200, those of skill in the art will understand
that the lock assembly may be arranged to require a first extended
configuration to allow the user to adjust the length of the stock,
and a second extended configuration to allow the user to remove the
lower stock assembly from the tube assembly 200. That is, the lock
assembly may include an elastic element, in some embodiments a
tension spring that biases the lock assembly towards an engaged
configuration. The engaged configuration may be a configuration in
which a fore body is compressed, instead of extended, relative to
an aft body, and one or more pawls 136, 138 in the lock assembly
are biased towards engagement with one or more teeth in a tube
assembly 200, to lock the lower stock assembly to the tube assembly
200. A grip may be coupled to the fore body or the aft body, to
allow the user to override the elastic element to cause one of the
fore body and the aft body of the lock assembly to translate
relative to the other one of the fore body and the aft body. The
grip may allow the user to pull the aft body towards the user while
maintaining the fore body in a fixed position, thus causing the
lock assembly to move into an extended configuration or a first
disengaged configuration. As the lock box is moved into the first
disengaged configuration, one or both of the fore body and aft body
may override the bias of one or more pawls to forcibly cause the
one or more pawls to pivot into a first disengaged configuration in
which the one or more pawls are disengaged from one or more teeth
in the tube assembly 200. The first disengaged configuration may
allow the user to translate a lower stock assembly relative to a
receiver extension assembly or tube assembly 200 to adjust an
overall length of a stock assembly.
[0078] An elastic element may allow a user to override a safety
stop to remove the lower stock assembly from the tube assembly 200.
In some embodiments, the elastic element providing an override
mechanism may be a third elastic element such as spring 143, as
illustrated in FIG. 5D. For example, the elastic element may bias a
release member towards engagement with a stop surface when the lock
assembly is in the first disengaged configuration. The user may
override the bias of the elastic element and move the release
member relative to the stop surface, thereby causing the release
member to disengage from the stop surface. In some embodiments,
spring 150 may be a first elastic element, nub 144 may be a second
elastic element, spring 143 may be a third elastic element, and
spring 152 may be a fourth elastic element, although it should be
understood that four elastic elements are not required in all
embodiments. With the release member disengaged from the stop
surface, the user may cause the fore body or aft body to further
translate relative to the other of the fore body and aft body, and
forcibly disengage the one or more pawls from a safe tooth in the
tube assembly 200.
[0079] With reference to FIG. 6, the lock box 131 may include a
first rail 132 and a second rail 134 having a first profile 132a
and a second profile 134a, wherein the first and second profiles
132a, 134a are shaped to limit the lock box 131 to linear movement
along the outer tube 116. The lower rail(s) 120 in the outer tube
116 may include a corresponding profile that limits the distance
from center that the rail(s) 132, 134 can deflect.
[0080] In some embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 5-5I, a
motion limiter between an outer stock body 154 and a lock box 131
and/or tube assembly 200 may be provided. In some embodiments, an
elastic element or compression mechanism, such as a deformable nub
144, and one or more protrusions 148 may be affixed to or part of
the aft body 162 such that, when the assembled stock assembly 100
is slammed to the ground, such as by a user attempting to clear a
portion of the firearm or dropping the firearm, a limiter in the
outer stock body 154, such as a surface 156 compresses the nub 144,
and may travel (relative to the lock box 131 and tube assembly 200)
until the outer stock body 154 abuts the protrusion(s) 148. That
is, the lock assembly 500 and tube assembly 200 do not move
relative to each other, but the other portions of the lower stock
assembly 300 may move or "give" relative to the lock assembly 500
and tube assembly 200. The motion limiter may be comprised of the
deformable nub 144 and protrusion(s) 148 in the lock box assembly
500 and the surface 156 in the outer body 154. The motion limiter
may also provide some additional shock absorption when the firearm
is fired. It should also be understood that an opposing surface 158
in the outer stock body 154 may provide a wall against which the
fore body 160 may be compressed when the lock assembly 500 is
biased towards an extended configuration.
[0081] As seen most clearly in FIG. 5A, the lock assembly 500 may
be compressible. The lock assembly 500 may have a first compression
mechanism that allows for an overall change in length of the lock
assembly, and specifically a reduction in distance between the fore
body 160 and the aft body 162. In some embodiments, a first elastic
element or a spring 150 between the fore body 160 and the aft body
162 of the lock assembly 500 may bias the fore body 160 and the aft
body 162 away from each other. A user may compress the fore body
160 towards the aft body 162 to overcome the biasing effects of the
first elastic element or spring 150, thereby decreasing the overall
length of the lock assembly 500 and allowing the pawl(s) 136, 138
to pivot relative to the aft body 162. To maintain the lock
assembly 500 in alignment with the outer stock body 154 of the
stock assembly 100, the aft body 162 may include rails 164a, 166a,
seen most clearly in FIGS. 5 and 5H, that align with rails 164, 166
of the lock box 131 and engage the outer stock body 154.
[0082] Referencing now FIGS. 5, 5B, and 5D, FIG. 5D illustrates
another side view of the lock assembly 500 with the lock box 131
drawn transparently, to illustrate how the pawl(s) 136, 138
interface with the fore body 160, and specifically the ramped
surface(s) 172. As can be seen in FIG. 5D, when the fore body 160
and the aft body 162 are in the extended configuration, the pawl(s)
136, 138 are biased by spring 152 towards engagement with the teeth
118, 119. The lock assembly 500 would therefore remain fixed
relative to the tube assembly 200 when in the extended
configuration (see e.g. FIG. 5A).
[0083] However, when the user compresses the fore body 160 towards
the aft body 162 (by pulling on the grip 140, for example), the
pawl(s) 136, 138 are forcibly rotated a first distance away from
engagement with the positioning teeth 118. This may be achieved by
causing a surface(s) 183 to abut the pawl pin(s) 182 or other
portions of the pawl(s) 136, 138 and force the pawl(s) 136, 138 to
move away from engagement with the positioning teeth 118 as the
assembly is compressed. Simultaneously, the pawl(s) 136, 138, may
slide down the ramped surface(s) 172 as the ramped surface(s) 172
is moved proximally with the fore body 160. When the fore body 160
is moved towards the aft body 162 into a first compressed
configuration, the surface 174 may abut a stop surface 173, thus
preventing the user from compressing the lock assembly 500 beyond
the first compressed configuration, unless and until an override
mechanism is engaged. While holding the lock assembly 500 in the
compressed configuration, the user may adjust the length of the
stock assembly 100 by translating the lower stock assembly 300
relative to the tube assembly 200. During this adjustment, the
pawl(s) 136, 138 pass over the positioning teeth 118.
[0084] When the lower stock assembly 300 (illustrated in FIG. 1A)
is pulled out enough such that the pawl(s) 136, 138 engage the safe
tooth 119, the user may then engage an override mechanism to allow
the lower stock assembly 300 to be removed from the tube assembly
200. Here, the user may additionally depress the release member
142, causing the surface(s) 174 to rotate down or otherwise
disengage from the surface(s) 173, thereby allowing the user to
compress the lock assembly 500 even further and forcibly causing
the pawl(s) 136, 138 to rotate further away from the engaged
configuration and disengage from the safe tooth. The lower stock
assembly 300 may be removed at this point.
[0085] In some cases, the user may compress the release member 142
before or at any time during compressing the lock assembly 500, so
that the user may remove the lower stock assembly 300 in a single
motion.
[0086] FIG. 5E illustrates an opposing side view of the lock
assembly 500, demonstrating that many components, such as the
pawl(s) 136, 138 and other portions of the lock assembly 500 may be
mirrored on either side of a center of the lock assembly 500.
Similarly, FIGS. 5F-5H illustrate, respectively, front, rear and
top views of the lock assembly 500, with the lock box 131
transparent.
[0087] In FIG. 5I, the lock assembly 500 is illustrated with a
first half 155 of the outer stock body 154 only, to illustrate how
the lock assembly 500 may slide relative to the outer stock body
154 (see also FIG. 1A). That is, a recess 139 (see e.g. FIG. 1C)
may be provided in the lower stock assembly 300, such that a gap
198 may be remain between the rail(s) 132, 134 and corresponding
rail(s) 199 in the first half 155 and/or second half (not
illustrated in FIG. 5I) of the outer stock body 154, such that,
while the tube assembly 200 does not experience a weakened rail
interface, the lower stock assembly 300 may deflect if the firearm
is slammed or fired, minimizing the potential for damage to the
components of the stock assembly 100 and/or providing some
additional recoil reduction as the nub 144 is compressed until the
protrusion(s) 148 and/or a surface of the lock box 131 makes
contact with an outer stock body 154 of the lower stock assembly
300. The size of the gap 198 may complement a desired compression
distance of the nub 144 and/or spacing between the protrusion(s)
148 and the surface 156 to provide an evenly distributed stopping
force for the outer stock body 154, such as through an evenly
distributed stopping force for the first half 155 and/or second
half of the outer stock body 154.
[0088] In FIG. 5J, a rear section view of the stock assembly is
illustrated, demonstrating the interfaces between the lock box 131
and the outer tube 116 and the outer stock body 154, the details of
which will be described below.
[0089] Turning to FIG. 6, and in light of the preceding figures,
the lock box 131 is now described in further detail. The lock box
131 may have a first rail 132 and a second rail 134 for engaging
the lower rail(s) 120 of the outer tube 116, while rails 164, 166
are shaped to engage the outer stock body 154 of the lower stock
assembly 300. The pawls 136, 138 may be positioned to be pivotally
coupled at passages or pin retaining feature(s) 176 in the lock box
131, as well as a corresponding passage 167 in the aft body 162
(see e.g. FIGS. 5F and 5H). The pawl stop(s) 178 may limit the
pawls 136, 138 from rotating beyond a maximum and/or minimum
distance by engaging pawl pin(s) 182 in the pawl(s) 136, 138. In
some embodiments, the lock box 131 may be manufactured of aluminum,
so as to provide a strong but light attachment point between the
lower stock assembly 300 and the tube assembly 200.
[0090] In some embodiments, and with simultaneous reference to FIG.
5J and 6, the first rail 132 and/or the second rail 134 and/or the
corresponding lower rail(s) 120 in the outer tube 116 may be shaped
such that the lock box 131 is limited to 1-dimensional travel when
the rail(s) 132, 134 in the lock box 131 are engaged with the lower
rail(s) 120 in the outer tube 116. For example, and without
limitation, 1-dimensional travel may be achieved by providing an
interface between the lock box 131 and the outer tube 116 that has
a dovetail, t-slot, and/or sinusoidal curvature, such as to provide
abutting surfaces that have varying normals. Causing the lock box
131 to engage the rail(s) 120 at surfaces that have varying normals
effectively causes the lock box 131 to grip the rail(s) 120 from
multiple directions and under varying load conditions in a manner
that limits deformation of the rail(s) 120 and or lock box 131.
[0091] The recess 180 may provide the lock box 131 with a receiving
space for components of the fore body 160 when the lock assembly
500 is brought into the compressed configuration.
[0092] Turning now to FIGS. 7-7C, the QD socket 146 is now
described in further detail. The QD socket 146 may be an
anti-rotational QD socket 146, and, instead of a common friction
interface between the QD socket and the stock body, the QD socket
146, as illustrated, may include one or more braces 184 extending
between a socket entry 186 and a socket base 188. The socket entry
186 may be formed to mate with known or standardized QD components,
having, for example a generally cylindrical shape. The brace(s)
184, however, may be shaped to engage with one or more protrusions
192 (see FIG. 7A) in the outer stock body 154, to prevent the QD
socket 146 from rotating within the outer stock body 154 and/or
stripping the interior portions of the outer stock body 154. For
the QD socket 146 to provide the ability to lock a QD device to the
QD socket 146, the outer stock body 154 may have protrusions 192
that leave a gap 190 between the outer stock body 154 and/or the
protrusions 192 and the QD entry 186 (see e.g. FIG. 7B). Providing
a QD socket 146 as illustrated allows a lighter weight and/or less
expensive material, such as a polymer, to be used, in contrast to
currently-available friction interface designs which, by their
nature, require the manufacturer use a stronger material, such as a
metal, thereby increasing the weight and cost of the firearm. That
is, the disclosed QD socket 146 may provide excellent wear
characteristics and solid QD retention with a lighter
construction.
[0093] In some embodiments, the outer stock body 154, or surface to
which the QD socket 146 should be attached, may include a through
passage 196, such that an opposing interface may be attached on the
other side, as seen in FIGS. 7A and 7C.
[0094] Continuing with FIG. 7B, the QD socket 146 may also be
removable. For example, a fastener 194 may be used to removably
fasten the QD socket 146 to the outer stock body 154 or any
suitable location of the firearm or stock assembly 100.
[0095] The fastener 194 may also connect a first QD socket 146a to
a second or opposing QD socket 146b to the firearm or the outer
stock body 154, as illustrated in FIG. 7C. In some embodiments, the
first QD socket 146a may include a non-threaded socket base 188a,
while the opposing QD socket 146b may include a threaded socket
base 188b, to allow the two QD sockets 146a, 146b to be tightened
towards one another by a fastener 194 without adding undesirable
stresses to the assembly.
[0096] Turning now to FIG. 8, a method 800 of using a stock
assembly for a firearm is now described. The method 800 may include
one or more of assembling 802 a tube assembly to a firearm,
attaching 804 a cheek piece to the tube assembly, attaching 806 a
lower stock assembly to the tube assembly, adjusting 808 an overall
length of the stock assembly, firing 810 the firearm, and
disassembling 812 the lower stock assembly from the tube
assembly.
[0097] Assembling 802 a tube assembly to a firearm may include
threading a firearm interface of a receiver extension into a
threaded socket of the firearm, sliding an end plate over the
receiver extension, sliding an outer tube around the receiver
extension, and threading a nut onto the receiver extension. The end
plate may be used to align the outer tube to a desired orientation
relative to the receiver socket. Assembling 802 a tube assembly to
a firearm may be achieved using one or more embodiments of the tube
assembly 200 previously described or illustrated in this
document.
[0098] Attaching 804 a cheek piece to the tube assembly may include
causing a rail or rails of a cheek piece to slide onto a rail or
rails in the outer tube of the tube assembly. Attaching 804 a cheek
piece may be such that the cheek piece is stationary relative to
the tube assembly, including when the lower stock assembly is
adjusted relative to the tube assembly. Attaching 804 a cheek piece
may be achieved using one or more embodiments of the cheek piece
108 or tube assembly 200 previously described in this document with
reference to FIGS. 1-7C.
[0099] Attaching 806 a lower stock assembly to the tube assembly
may include sliding a rail of a lower stock assembly onto a rail of
an outer tube in the tube assembly, and allowing one or more
spring-biased pawls in the stock assembly to engage one or more
teeth in the outer tube. Attaching 806 may be achieved using the
lower stock assembly 300 and the tube assembly 200 previously
described or illustrated elsewhere in this document, with or
without the cheek piece and/or the storage compartment 121.
[0100] Adjusting 808 an overall length of the stock assembly may
include causing the pawl(s) to disengage from the one or more
teeth, and pushing or pulling the lower stock assembly along the
rail(s) in the outer tube to a desired position relative to the
tube assembly. Causing the pawl(s) to disengage may include pulling
on a first release mechanism to cause a lock assembly in the lower
stock assembly to compress, thereby forcibly moving the pawl(s) out
of engagement with the tooth. With the pawl(s) out of engagement,
adjusting 808 may include pushing or pulling the lower stock
assembly relative to the tube assembly. Adjusting 808 an overall
length may be achieved using embodiments of the stock assembly 100
previously described or illustrated in this document.
[0101] Disassembling 812 the lower stock assembly from the outer
tube assembly may include compressing a release member against a
fore body in the lower stock assembly while simultaneously pulling
on the first release mechanism, thereby causing a surface in the
release member to move out of or avoid engagement with a stop
surface, allowing a user to compress the fore body further and
force the pawl(s) to disengage from or avoid engagement with a safe
tooth in the tube assembly as the lower stock assembly is
translated off of the tube assembly. Disassembling 812 may be
achieved using embodiments of the stock assembly previously
described or illustrated in this document.
[0102] Turning now to FIG. 9, a method 900 of making a stock
assembly for a firearm is now described. The method 900 may include
providing 902 a lock box, providing 904 an outer tube, providing
906 a receiver extension, providing 908 a pawl, and assembling 910
a stock assembly.
[0103] Providing a lock box 902 may include providing a lock box
substantially as previously illustrated or described in this
document. The lock box may be aluminum, and have upper and lower
rails for receiving an outer body of a stock assembly, and
inwardly-protruding rails for engaging rails in a tube assembly.
The lock box may include a point for pivotally attaching one or
more pawls, and a rotation limiter. Providing a lock box 902 may
include providing a lock box machined and/or pressed from an
extruded blank.
[0104] Providing an outer tube 904 may include providing an outer
tube substantially as previously illustrated or described in this
document. The outer tube may be aluminum and include a plurality of
teeth, including at least one positioning tooth and at least one
safe tooth, the safe tooth extending further from a main body of
the outer tube than the positioning tooth. Providing an outer tube
904 may include providing an outer tube machined from an extruded
tube.
[0105] Providing a receiver extension 906 may include providing a
receiver extension substantially as previously illustrated or
described in this document. The receiver extension may include a
shoulder and a threaded distal end, and a threaded proximal end.
The receiver extension may be aluminum. Providing a receiver
extension 906 may include providing a receiver extension machined
from an extruded tube.
[0106] Providing a pawl 908 may include providing a pawl
substantially as previously illustrated or described in this
document. The pawl may be made of steel, any other metal or other
suitably strong material now known or as yet to be developed. The
pawl may be made of a material that is harder than the material
that makes up the receiver extension and/or outer tube and or lock
box. Providing a pawl may include providing a pawl that is stamped,
machined, and/or hardened from a blank.
[0107] Assembling the stock assembly 910 may include assembling a
stock assembly 100 as previously herein described.
[0108] In another aspect, a method of making a firearm is
disclosed, and includes making a stock assembly for a firearm 900
as previously herein described and assembling the stock assembly
100 to a firearm as previously herein described.
[0109] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will
be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
the present invention is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed
herein.
* * * * *