Modular Gun Stock with Grid Pattern for Weight and Cost Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gun stocks made from advanced composite materials are costly and require complex assembly, while also needing to balance weight reduction with maintaining stiffness and recoil absorption, and lack a cost-efficient method to add functional attachments.

Innovation Solution

A modular gun stock system featuring structural members in a grid pattern, formed from lightweight materials like carbon fiber, with hollow sections for storage and a removable end piece, allowing for the integration of modular attachments through a co-curing or adhesive process, reducing weight and enhancing recoil absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If advanced composite materials are used to reduce gun stock weight, then weight is reduced and strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegun stock weightVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gun stock is divided into multiple separate components (receiver, stock body, forend, buttstock) that can be manufactured independently using conventional methods, then assembled together. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while using cost-effective manufacturing processes, avoiding the need to manufacture the entire stock as a single complex composite piece.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes composite materials strategically in specific high-stress areas of the gun stock where weight reduction is most beneficial, rather than throughout the entire structure. This selective application maintains necessary strength and stiffness while reducing overall weight and cost compared to full composite construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If advanced composite materials are used to reduce gun stock weight, then weight is reduced and strength is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegun stock weightVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs consistent joining methods and interface designs across all component connections, using standardized fasteners and attachment mechanisms. This homogenization of assembly procedures reduces complexity by making the assembly process repetitive and predictable rather than requiring different specialized techniques for each joint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

3Weight of moving object

If gun stock weight is reduced, then shooter fatigue is reduced and aiming duration is improved, but recoil absorption capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegun stock weightVSAvoidrecoil absorption capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The gun stock features varying material properties and structural characteristics in different regions: denser, more rigid materials and thicker sections are used in the buttstock and receiver areas where recoil forces are concentrated, while lighter materials are used in the forend and non-critical areas. This local optimization ensures adequate recoil absorption where needed while minimizing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional manufacturing methods are used, then production cost is reduced, but weight reduction and performance improvement are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidgun stock weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS10066899B2Modular attachment system for gun stock

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 SIMPSON CRAIG B

AI summary

A modular attachment system is disclosed having one or more surfaces designed to compatibly interconnect with a receptacle formed by a grid pattern of a structural support of a gun stock. The grid pattern can be an is a grid pattern, an orthogrid pattern, or a pattern having a combination of both isogrid and orthogrid portions.