rifle

The semi-automatic rifle's innovative butt design with a damper group efficiently distributes recoil, addressing user discomfort and weapon stability issues with a simpler mechanism.

EP4711702A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-03-18FABBRICA DARMI PIETRO BERETTA SPA
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-08-07
Publication Date
2026-03-18

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing rifles, particularly semi-automatic rifles for sporting use, face inefficiencies in damping the recoil action, leading to unwanted movements and discomfort for the user, with existing solutions being complex and ineffective.

Method used

A semi-automatic rifle design featuring a butt with a damper group comprising a support device, abutment device, piston, and spring, which effectively distributes and dampens recoil through a sliding butt tube and tie-rod mechanism, preventing recoil from reaching the user.

Benefits of technology

The rifle's butt design effectively dampens recoil, minimizing user discomfort and weapon movement, while being simpler and more efficient than prior solutions.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a rifle (1) comprising a main body (2) that houses a shooting kinematic system and a butt (4). The butt (4) comprises a butt body (5) extending in length along a butt axis (C-C), a butt tube (6), engaged with the main body (2), extending along the butt axis (C-C) being housed in the butt body (5), and a damper group (8). The damper group (8) comprises: - a support device (80) comprising a base (800) and at least two arms (801) extending parallel to the butt axis (C-C) inside the butt body (5) from the base (800); - an abutment device (81) extending at least partially into the butt tube (6), comprising a radial abutment (810) suitable for abuttingly engaging the butt tube (6), wherein said abutment device (81) is engaged with the arms (801) movable in the axial direction; - a hydraulic piston (82) engaged with a first piston end (821) to the abutment device (81) and with a second piston end (822) to the support device (80); - a spring (83) positioned between the base (800) and the radial abutment (810). Said main body (2) transmits the pushing action to the butt tube (6), which in turn pushes the radial abutment (810) and thus the piston (82), while the spring (83) transmits a return action in the opposite direction.
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Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a rifle.

[0002] In particular, by "rifle" is meant a rifle for sporting use, for example for hunting.

[0003] Preferably, the rifle is a semi-automatic rifle.

[0004] In known embodiments, rifles comprise a main body, also known as receiver, in which specific components are housed or to which they are engaged, such as those of the shooting kinematic system or the trigger assembly.

[0005] Said main body is also suitable for supporting the barrel and the butt.

[0006] In known rifle solutions, with particular reference to their butts, multiple problems are identified relating to the methods of damping the recoil action of the rifle.

[0007] In fact, it is required that the recoil action is effectively damped so that it does not reach, or only minimally reaches, the user's body, but above all so that the weapon is not subject to particular movements.

[0008] For this reason, in the prior art this need has been addressed, also by the Applicant of the present application, by designing solutions that comprise multiple damping elements suitable for operating in parallel.

[0009] However, such solutions have proven to be not particularly effective in solving the above-mentioned problems, in addition to being particularly complex to manufacture and produce.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative rifle solution to the solutions of the prior art, in which the aforementioned needs are addressed by solving the problem of known solutions, that is, by proposing a butt solution that is extremely effective yet extremely simple.

[0011] This object is achieved by the rifle according to claim 1. The dependent claims seek protection for further features and entail additional technical advantages.

[0012] In addition, further features and advantages of the invention will appear from the description below of its preferred embodiments, provided by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the attached figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a rifle according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a disassembled butt of the rifle of figure 1; Figures 3a and 3b respectively show two perspective views of an abutment device included in the butt; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a support device included in the butt; Figures 4' and 4'' represent a top view and a side view of the support device of figure 4; Figures 5a and 5b illustrate two sectional views of the rifle of figure 1, and in particular of its butt, respectively in a resting configuration, in which the butt is mounted to a main body, and in a compressed configuration of the butt alone.

[0013] With reference to the attached figures, number 1 denotes, as a whole, a rifle in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] Preferably, said rifle 1 is a rifle for sporting use, for example for hunting.

[0015] Preferably, said rifle 1 is a semi-automatic rifle.

[0016] In accordance with the present invention, the rifle 1 comprises a main body 2. Preferably, said main body 2 is also known as receiver.

[0017] Said main body 2 houses or supports all the various components suitable for performing the shooting action. For example, said main body 2 houses all the components of the shooting kinematic system.

[0018] Preferably, the rifle 1 further comprises a barrel 3, which extends in length from the main body 2. Said barrel 3 extends along a barrel axis X-X.

[0019] In accordance with the present invention, the rifle 1 comprises a butt 4 for the support or grip of the rifle 1 by the user.

[0020] Said butt 4 comprises a butt body 5, which extends in length from the main body 2 in a second direction, along a butt axis C-C.

[0021] Preferably, the butt body 5 extends in length along the butt axis C-C, between a head end 51 facing the main body 2 and a bottom end 52.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the barrel axis X-X and the butt axis C-C lie on the same imaginary plane.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the barrel axis X-X and the butt axis C-C lie on distinct imaginary planes.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the barrel axis X-X and the butt axis C-C are substantially aligned.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the barrel axis X-X and the butt axis C-C are mutually misaligned.

[0026] Preferably, the main body 2 also extends along the barrel axis X-X and / or along the butt axis C-C.

[0027] Preferably, the butt body 5 is adjustable in its position with respect to the main body 2. A preferred embodiment of said adjustment is described below.

[0028] Preferably, the butt body 5 is also known as stock.

[0029] According to the present invention, the butt 4 further comprises a butt tube 6 that extends along the butt axis C-C housed in the butt body 5.

[0030] Preferably, the butt tube 6 is slidable inside the butt body 5.

[0031] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the butt body 5 comprises a butt cavity 500 and the butt tube 6 has an outer section complementary to said butt cavity 500.

[0032] Preferably, the walls defining said butt cavity 500 guide the axial movement of the butt tube 6.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, said shape coupling between butt body 5 and butt tube 6 prevents relative rotation between the two.

[0034] In particular, said butt tube 6 is engaged with the main body 2 in such a way as to receive the recoil action from the main body 2.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the butt 4 further comprises a rod group 7. Preferably, said rod group 7 is suitable for mutually locking the main body 2 and the butt 4, in particular the butt tube 6.

[0036] According to the present invention, the rod group 7 comprises a tie-rod 70 fixedly engaged with the butt tube 6 and with the main body 2.

[0037] Preferably, the tie-rod 70 extends along a tie-rod axis T-T.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, said tie-rod 70 comprises a first tie-rod end 701 fixedly engaged with the main body 2 and a second tie-rod end 702 engaged with the butt tube 6.

[0039] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the butt tube 6 comprises an inner transverse wall 60 engaged with the tie-rod 70, preferably at said second tie-rod end 702. Preferably, the tie-rod 70 engages said inner transverse wall 60 by means of a nut element engageable with said second tie-rod end 702.

[0040] Preferably, said inner transverse wall 60 is indicatively positioned at the axial centreline of the butt tube 6.

[0041] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the butt tube 6 comprises a head member 65 positioned at one of its ends.

[0042] Preferably, the head member 65 engages the main body 2 identifying the relative inclination between the butt axis C-C and the main body 2.

[0043] Preferably, the tie-rod 70 crosses said head member 65.

[0044] Preferably, depending on the shape of the head member 65 and its engagement with the main body 2, the relative position between the butt axis C-C and the tie-rod axis T-T varies.

[0045] Preferably, the tie-rod axis T-T and the butt axis C-C are mutually inclined lying on the same imaginary plane.

[0046] Preferably, the tie-rod axis T-T and the butt axis C-C are mutually inclined and lie on different imaginary planes.

[0047] Preferably, said head member 65 is housable at the end of the butt tube 6 opposite to an abutment device 81 (described below).

[0048] In accordance with the present invention, the butt 4 further comprises a damper group 8, aimed at damping the recoil action to eliminate or minimise its discharge onto the user.

[0049] The damper group 8 comprises a support device 80, an abutment device 81, a piston 82, and a spring 83.

[0050] In particular, the damper group 8 can indeed be engaged by the user, being engaged with the butt body 5, but above all being suitable for cooperating with the butt tube 6.

[0051] According to the invention, the damper group 8 comprises a support device 80 comprising a base 800 fixedly engaged with the bottom end 52.

[0052] Furthermore, the support device 80 comprises at least two arms 801 that extend from the base 800, parallel to the butt axis C-C inside the butt body 5. Said arms 801 are suitable for cooperating with said abutment device 81.

[0053] The abutment device 81, in fact, extends at least partially inside the butt tube 6 and comprises a radial abutment 810 suitable for abuttingly engaging the butt tube 6.

[0054] In accordance with the present invention, the abutment device 81 is indeed suitable for being engaged by the butt tube 6 in its axial movement induced by the main body 2.

[0055] In accordance with the invention, the abutment device 81 is engaged with the arms 801 movable in the axial direction.

[0056] In particular, the abutment device 81 on one side is engaged by the butt tube 6, while on the other side it is engaged by the support device 80, being engaged with its arms 801.

[0057] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the butt tube 6 comprises a tube cavity 600 and the abutment device 81 comprises an axial segment 811 shaped complementarily to said tube cavity 600.

[0058] Preferably, the main body 2 comprises a body protrusion 25 at least partially housed in the tube cavity 600 on the side opposite to the damper group 8.

[0059] Preferably, said body protrusion 25 is shaped to engage the head member 65 and discharge the recoil action onto said head member 65.

[0060] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the head member 65 comprises outer walls that engage the walls of the tube cavity 600.

[0061] Preferably, said shape coupling between the tube cavity 600 and the head member 65 is such as to prevent relative rotation between the two components.

[0062] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the abutment device 81, in particular in said axial segment 811, comprises outer walls that engage the walls of the tube cavity 600.

[0063] Preferably, the walls defining said tube cavity 600 engage the abutment device 81.

[0064] Preferably, said shape coupling between the tube cavity 600 and the abutment device 81 is such as to prevent relative rotation between the two components.

[0065] Preferably, said abutment device 81 is a flat body, except for specific guide housings 8110 for the arms 801 and for a cavity in which the hydraulic piston 82 is partially housed. Preferably, said arms 801 are suitable for sliding inside said guide housings 8110.

[0066] According to the present invention, the hydraulic piston 82 is engaged with a first piston end 821 to the abutment device 81 and with a second piston end 822 to the support device 80.

[0067] Therefore, the pushing action induced by the butt tube 6 onto the abutment device 81 is discharged onto the hydraulic piston 82 which then acts on the support device 80.

[0068] According to the present invention, the spring 83 is positioned between the base 800 and the radial abutment 810.

[0069] Preferably, the spring 83 is suitable for performing a return action bringing the abutment device 81, and thus the butt tube 6, back to position once the recoil action is completed.

[0070] In accordance with the present invention, therefore, the main body 2 transmits the pushing action to the butt tube 6 which in turn pushes the radial abutment 810 and thus the piston 82, while the spring 83 transmits a return action in the opposite direction.

[0071] According to a preferred embodiment, the spring 83 is concentric to the piston 82 along the butt axis C-C.

[0072] According to a preferred embodiment, the spring 83 is a helical spring.

[0073] Preferably, the support device 80 comprises a travel stop on which the abutment device 81 rests at the end of its translation.

[0074] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the arms 801 comprise a retaining tooth 8010 that snap engages the abutment device 81.

[0075] Preferably, said retaining tooth 8010 comprises a sliding wall 8011 suitable for allowing the sliding into the abutment device 81 by forcing the arm 801 to bend.

[0076] According to a preferred embodiment, the sliding wall 8011 is shaped with a varying inclination so that the sliding of a first initial segment is forced more compared to the sliding of a further segment.

[0077] According to a preferred embodiment, the sliding wall 8011 comprises a first inclination and a second inclination. Preferably, said first inclination is greater than the second inclination. By "inclination" is meant a smooth inclined wall, but also an arcuate wall.

[0078] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the abutment device 81 is moved in the axial direction by pressing the hydraulic piston 82, in such a way as to press said teeth and cause the arms 801 to slide in said guide housings 8110.

[0079] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, under the action of the spring 83, the abutment device 81 is moved in the axial direction until it is latched by the retaining teeth 8010, suitable for finding housing in specific radial cavities 815.

[0080] According to a preferred embodiment, the support device 80 comprises four arms 801. Preferably, the abutment device 81 is specifically shaped to cooperate with said four arms 801.

[0081] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the base 800 is engaged with the bottom end 52 by means of transverse fastening members 9, for example two screws.

[0082] Preferably, the support device 80 comprises a buttpad 805 engaged with the base 800 on the side opposite to that comprising the arms 801.

[0083] Innovatively, the rifle object of the present invention fully achieves the intended purpose.

[0084] Advantageously, the rifle object of the present invention is an alternative solution to known ones.

[0085] Advantageously, the rifle object of the present invention features a butt provided with a damper group suitable for operating effectively and above all suitable for correctly distributing the recoil action.

[0086] Advantageously, in the rifle object of the present invention, the butt tube engages and discharges the pushing action onto the abutment device, which in turn is suitable for discharging the action onto the piston. Advantageously, the damper group comprises annular components suitable for receiving the actions and discharge them annularly.

[0087] It is clear that a person skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent needs, could make changes to the invention described above, all within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A rifle (1), preferably of the semi-automatic type, comprising a main body (2) which houses a kinematic shooting system and a butt (4), wherein said butt (4) comprises: i) a butt body (5) extending in length along a butt axis (C-C), between a head end (51) facing the main body (2) and a bottom end (52); ii) a butt tube (6), engaged with the main body (2), extending along the butt axis (C-C) housed in the butt body (5); iii) a damper group (8) comprising: - a support device (80) comprising a base (800) integrally engaged with the bottom end (52), and at least two arms (801) extending parallel to the butt axis (C-C) inside the butt body (5) from the base (800); - an abutment device (81) extending at least partially into the butt tube (6) comprising a radial abutment (810) suitable for abuttingly engaging the butt tube (6), wherein said abutment device (81) is engaged with the arms (801) movable in the axial direction; - a hydraulic piston (82) engaged with the abutment device (81) at a first piston end (821) and with the support device (80) at a second piston end (822); - a spring (83) positioned between the base (800) and the radial abutment (810); wherein the main body (2) transmits the thrust action to the butt tube (6) which in turn pushes the radial abutment (810) and therefore the piston (82), while the spring (83) transmits a return action in the opposite direction.

2. Rifle according to claim 1, wherein the butt tube (6) comprises a tube cavity (600) and the abutment device (81) comprises an axial segment (811) shaped complementarily to said tube cavity (600).

3. Rifle according to claim 2, wherein the main body (2) comprises a body protrusion (25) at least partially housed in the tube cavity (600) on the opposite side to the damper group (8).

4. Rifle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the butt body (5) comprises a butt cavity (500) and the butt tube (6) has an outer section complementary to said butt cavity (500).

5. Rifle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arms (801) extend into the abutment device (81) comprising a retaining tooth (8010) which snap engages the abutment device (81), wherein said retaining tooth (8010) comprises a sliding wall (8011) suitable for allowing the sliding into the abutment device (81) forcing the arm (801) to bend.

6. Rifle according to claim 5, wherein said sliding wall (8011) is shaped with a varying inclination so that the sliding of a first initial segment is further forced compared to the sliding of a further segment.

7. Rifle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support device (80) comprises four arms (801).

8. Rifle according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a rod group (7) comprising a tie-rod (70) substantially extending along a tie-rod axis (T-T) between an end engaged with the main body (2) and an end engaged with the butt tube (6).

9. Rifle according to claim 8, wherein the butt tube (6) comprises an inner transverse wall (60) engaged with the tie-rod (70), wherein, preferably, said inner transverse wall (60) is indicatively positioned at the axial centerline of the butt tube (6).

10. Rifle according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the butt tube (6) comprises a head member (65) through which the tie-rod (70) extends, wherein the head member (65) engages the main body (2) identifying the relative inclination of the butt axis (C-C) with respect to the main body (2).

11. Rifle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring (83) is concentric to the piston (82) along the butt axis (C-C).

12. Rifle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (800) is engaged with the bottom end (52) by means of transverse fastening members (9), for example two screws.

13. Rifle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support device (80) comprises a buttpad (805) engaged with the base (800) on the opposite side to that comprising the arms (801).

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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