Firearm Stock Reinforcement Member for Drop-Resistant Locking Pin Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Firearm stocks made of lightweight polymeric materials often deform or break when dropped, leading to failure in the locking pin mechanism, buffer tube deformation, and jamming issues due to inadequate drop strength.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcing member made of a harder material, such as metal, is positioned between the locking pin and the housing, providing additional strength and rigidity to prevent deformation and improve the drop strength by dissipating impact forces through a channel and tabs that engage the housing and buffer tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If lightweight polymeric materials are used for the firearm stock housing, then the firearm weight is reduced, but the drop strength and resistance to deformation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining a polymeric housing with a metal reinforcement member. The polymeric material provides lightweight properties while the metal reinforcement member (made of aluminum, steel, or other metals) provides enhanced strength and rigidity. This composite approach allows the firearm to maintain low weight while achieving sufficient drop strength and resistance to deformation.
2Weight of moving object
If the housing material is made lighter, then the firearm becomes more portable, but the locking pin mechanism becomes susceptible to deformation and misalignment upon impact
Solution Approach 1:
The metal reinforcement member acts as an intermediary element between the locking pin mechanism and the polymeric housing. It provides a rigid support structure that prevents the housing from deforming under impact forces, thereby maintaining the alignment and reliability of the locking pin mechanism while allowing the housing to remain lightweight.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stock is designed to be adjustable, then the adaptability is improved, but the structural complexity and vulnerability to impact damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable stock mechanism is segmented into discrete components including the polymeric housing, metal reinforcement member, locking pin, and buffer tube with multiple engagement holes. This segmentation allows for controlled movement and adjustment while the metal reinforcement member provides structural support to prevent damage during adjustment operations and normal use.
4Ease of manufacture
If the housing is made of polymeric material, then manufacturing ease is improved, but the resistance to impact forces and deformation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by inserting a metal reinforcement member specifically in the regions where impact forces are most likely to occur, such as around the locking pin channel and buffer tube engagement areas. This allows the housing to remain made of easy-to-manufacture polymeric material while providing localized high-strength zones to resist impact forces and prevent deformation.
Data Source
AI summary
A firearm stock with a reinforcing member and related methods are disclosed. A reinforcing member has a proximal end having at least one proximal tab shaped to engage a firearm housing, and a distal end having a locking pin engagement surface and at least one distal tab shaped to engage at least one of the firearm housing or a battery tube. The member also has a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a first wall having a longitudinal length greater than a width. The member also has at least one sidewall one of coupled to or unitary with the first wall, and at least one side tab positioned on the sidewall and extending towards a center portion of the reinforcing member.