Forearm Mounted Brace for Firearm

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a brace that allows for the rapid firing of a semi-automatic firearm. More specifically, the present invention relates to a forearm mounted brace that allows for the bump firing of a pistol.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates a device for increasing the firing rate of a semi-automatic firearm. Over the years various techniques have been employed to allow the shooter of a semi-automatic weapon to use a method commonly known as “bump-firing,” that is to fire follow-up shots more quickly by using the gun's recoil in order to allow the sear to re-engage more quickly. In particular, various stock arrangements have been devised to allow for “bump firing” of a weapon. These generally include a slide-able stock that fits over the receiver of the weapon. As the weapon oscillates within the stock, the user's finger successfully triggers the firing of the next round.

An example of this system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,607,687 to Cottle. Cottle discloses a bump stock and interface system for a semi-automatic firearm. The interface system includes first and second bearing elements. A handle is provided with an integral finger rest. The finger rest is concave to form a cradle for the user's trigger finger. In use the user grasps the handle with one hand and places the index of the same hand firmly on the finger rest. When intending to fire a round of ammunition, the user pushes the receiver forward with the other hand so the trigger collides with the stabilized finger. The recoil force quickly separates the trigger from the user's finger on the finger rest. The user again pushes forward the receiver to operate and repeat the firing cycle.

Likewise WO 2014/078462 to Cottle discloses a slide-action stock assembly for a semi-automatic firearm. The slide-action stock enables adjustment of the trigger pull length. An adjustable length interface connects a commercial off-the-shelf shoulder stock with a pistol grip and finger rest to a handle unit that slide-ably supports the firing unit portion of the firearm.

Further US Pub. No. 2014/0007763 to Foster discloses a forward pressed finger rest for a slide-action stock. The slide-action stock includes a handle provided with an integral finger rest. The finger rest forms a cradle for the user's trigger finger. In use, the user grasps the handle of one hand while pressing the dorsal side of their index finger firmly against the cradle. When intending to fire a round of ammunition, the user pushes the receiver forward with their other hand so the trigger collides with the stabilized index finger. Recoil force quickly separates the trigger from the user's finger against the cradle. The user pushes the receiver forward to repeat the firing cycle.

Although these various systems all achieve their own and individual objective they all suffer from common drawbacks. Namely in each of these systems the user's contact with the weapon is either their finger upon the trigger while grasping a handle and/or resting their shoulder on the back of the stock. Thus there is no means by which the user is firmly secured to the weapon. If the user's grip slips or the stock becomes dislodged from the user's shoulder the firing sequence comes to an abrupt halt.

What is needed, therefore, is a forearm mounted brace that allows for the rapid firing of a semi-automatic weapon. The brace of the present disclosure is designed to fulfill these and other shortcomings present with existing stocks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sliding brace that permits the bump firing of a pistol.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a forearm mounted brace that can be securely fastened to the user such that the rapid firing of the weapon is not interrupted.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a firing system with a forearm brace that allows the firearm to be securely fastened to a user's forearm. Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a modular and retrofittable system that allows it to be fitted to any of a variety of different semi-automatic weapons.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a firing system that can be more easily and effectively used by people with disabilities, handicaps, or with a limited range of motion.

Various embodiments of the invention may have none, some, or all of these advantages. Other technical advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side profile view of a semi-automatic weapon employing the forearm mounted brace of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of the stabilizer and forearm brace removed from the associated semi-automatic weapon.

FIG. 3A is a depiction of the firing unit of an AK-47.

FIG. 3B is a depiction of the firing unit of an AR-15.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the stabilizer and forearm brace of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the stabilizer and forearm brace of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the forearm brace of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a elevational view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the system used in connection with a pistol.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure relates to system that allows for the rapid firing of a semi-automatic weapon. The system includes both a stabilizer and a forearm brace that are adapted to receive the cylindrical receiver tube of an associated firearm. The receiver tube is adapted to be slide-ably received within both the stabilizer and the brace. A bearing surface upon the main housing of the firearm cooperatively engages an associated bearing surface within the stabilizer. Along with a finger rest, this allows the firearm to be rapidly fired as the receiver oscillates within the stabilizer and brace. The brace includes a sleeve that allows the system to be mounted upon the forearm of a user. The various components of the present disclosure, and the manner in which they interrelate, are described in greater detail herein after.

With reference now to FIG. 1 the system of the present invention is depicted. In particular the system 10 is made up of a firearm 12, an associated stabilizer 28, and a forearm brace 52. As is known in the art firearm 12 includes a firing unit 14 comprising of barrel 16, a main housing 18, and a receiver tube 22. Receiver tube 22 is adapted to be inserted into any of a variety of different stabilizers 28 to accommodate different uses of the weapon. Firearm 12 further includes a trigger 24 surrounded by a trigger housing. Detailed views of two different firing units 14 are depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In particular FIG. 3A discloses the firing unit 14 of an AK-47. Likewise FIG. 3B discloses the firing unit 14 of an AR-15. Each of these firing units 14 includes a main housing 18, and a trigger 24, and a surrounding trigger housing. In accordance with the present invention each of these firing units 14 includes a bearing surface 26 which is adapted to contact a mating bearing surface 44 within the stabilizer 28 in a manner described in greater detail hereafter.

Although system 10 is depicted in use with a rifle, it can similarly be used with shorter barreled firearms, such as pistols and other firearms. FIG. 8 illustrates system 10 employed on a pistol. Pistol is defined as a firearm designed to be fired with one hand, and having a chamber integral to the barrel.

The stabilizer 28 is next described in conjunction with FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. Stabilizer 28 is defined by a forward extent 32, a rearward extent 34 and an intermediate extent 36 therebetween. A bore 38 is formed through stabilizer 28 and is dimensioned to receive the receiver tube 22 of firearm 12. A recess 42 is formed in the major component of the stabilizer 28 with the recess being dimensioned to receive a main housing 18 of the firearm 12. Recess 42 acts to receive the majority of the firearm's housing 18. Recess 42 further includes a cooperative bearing surface 44 that mates with the bearing surface 26 on the main housing 18. When the weapon is being bump fired these mating surfaces 26 and 44 come into repeated contact with one another. Stock 28 further includes a finger rest 46 and an associated grip 48.

The forearm brace 52 is next described in conjunction with FIGS. 2, 6 and 7. Forearm brace 52 is preferably integrally formed with stabilizer 28. Namely, stabilizer 28 and brace 52 are formed as one unitary piece. In the alternative they can be formed as two separate pieces that are attached to one another. Forearm brace 52 is preferably formed from a soft, pliable, elastomeric material. Forearm brace 52 includes a forward extent 54, a rearward extent 56 and an intermediate extent therebetween 58. As with stabilizer 28, brace 52 includes a cylindrical bore 62 that extends from its forward extent 54 to its rearward extent 56. This bore 62 is aligned with bore 38 of stabilizer 28. This allows the receiver 22 to be slide-ably received within both the forearm brace 52 and the stabilizer 28. A forearm sleeve 64 is secured along the rearward extent 56 of the brace. The sleeve is a cylindrical opening 64 that allows a user's forearm to be inserted within the brace 52. An adjustable forearm strap 66 is secured about the forearm sleeve. The length of the strap 66 can be adjusted by way of buckles to accommodate forearms of varying size.

In use, receiver tube 22 is positioned within the bores 38 and 62 of the stabilizer 28 and brace 52. The tube 22 can be associated with a pistol or rifle. In either event, housing 18 is received within recess 42 of the stabilizer 28. This is shown most clearly in FIG. 1. The user is then free to insert their forearm within the forearm sleeve 64. The buckle can be adjusted to allow strap 66 to securely fasten the forearm brace 52 to the user.

The user then places their finger upon the finger rest 46 of the stabilizer 28. The user then pushes the firing unit 14 and housing 18 forward so that it slide forwardly relative to the stabilizer 28 and brace 52. This as the effect of engaging trigger 24 and discharging a round. The resulting recoil then drives the housing 18 back into the stabilizer 28 such that mating surfaces 26 and 44 come into contact with one another. In particular, bearing surface 44 of the stabilizer 28 contacts the bearing surface 26 on the firing unit 14. This in turn causes the housing 18 to reciprocate forwardly to again engage trigger 24. The repeated oscillation of these components allows for the rapid firing of firearm 12. Moreover, this all occurs while the user's forearm is securely fastened to system 10 via sleeve 64.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.