Viscoelastomeric Recoil Pad for Firearm Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional firearm recoil pads fail to effectively absorb recoil forces, lack rebounding capacity, and are uncomfortable, leading to reduced aiming stability and accuracy during repetitive firing.
Innovation Solution
A recoil absorbing assembly using a thermoset viscoelastomeric polymeric material with high absorbency and tackiness, integrated into a shooting garment to provide superior recoil absorption and stabilization, even in thin forms, and featuring flexible and cohesive properties to maintain firearm alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional rubber pads are used to absorb recoil, then some recoil absorption is achieved, but the pads are bulky, cumbersome, and fail to effectively absorb firearm recoiling forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional rubber to viscoelastomeric polymer, which fundamentally alters the mechanical properties to achieve superior recoil absorption in a thinner profile. The viscoelastomeric material exhibits time-dependent strain response, providing both immediate shock absorption and gradual energy dissipation, allowing effective recoil management with reduced pad thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining viscoelastomeric polymer material with a fabric backing or housing. This composite approach integrates the high shock-absorption capability of the viscoelastomeric core with the structural support and comfort of the fabric layer, creating a thin yet effective recoil pad that conventional single-material pads cannot achieve.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional rubber pads are used, then some shock absorption is provided, but they lack rebounding capacity to stabilize repetitive recoil firing sequences
Solution Approach 1:
The viscoelastomeric material provides periodic action through its characteristic rebound behavior. After initial compression from recoil impact, the material gradually rebounds, returning energy in a controlled manner. This periodic energy return stabilizes the firearm during repetitive firing sequences, allowing the shooter to maintain aim between shots more effectively than with conventional rubber pads that lack this rebound characteristic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the dynamic, time-dependent nature of viscoelastomeric materials, which exhibit different mechanical properties at different time scales. The material provides immediate stiffness upon impact to arrest recoil, then gradually softens during the rebound phase, and continues to adapt its properties throughout the duration of repetitive firing. This dynamic response enables both short-term shock absorption and long-term aiming stability.
3Ease of operation
If conventional rubber pads are used, then they are simple in structure, but they are uncomfortable and motion inhibitive to the shooter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin-film viscoelastomeric pad structure that is significantly thinner than conventional rubber pads. This thin-film approach, combined with a flexible fabric backing, allows the pad to conform to the shooter's shoulder contours and move naturally with the body, eliminating the bulky, motion-inhibitive characteristics of traditional thick rubber pads while maintaining effective recoil absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric backing or housing serves as an intermediary layer between the viscoelastomeric core and the shooter's skin. This intermediate fabric layer provides comfort, breathability, and flexibility, while the viscoelastomeric core handles the recoil absorption. The fabric mediator allows the advanced polymer material to function effectively without directly contacting the shooter, combining high performance with comfort.
4Reliability
If conventional rubber pads are used, then they are easy to manufacture, but they lack surface tack and allow the firearm to bounce off the shoulder mount
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of viscoelastomeric polymer with fabric backing creates inherent surface tack through the interaction between the polymer surface and the firearm butt. The viscoelastomeric material's molecular structure provides natural adhesion properties that prevent firearm bounce, while the fabric backing maintains this tackiness throughout the pad's service life. This composite approach achieves reliable firearm retention without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The assembly significantly reduces recoil-related discomfort and fatigue, enhances aiming stability, and maintains dexterity by effectively absorbing and rebounding recoil forces, ensuring accurate and comfortable shooting.
Implementation Method 1
The pad is made from a thermoset viscoelastomeric polymeric material which exhibits an unusually high order of firearm recoiling absorbency
Implementation Method 2
The thermoset viscoelastomeric pads used herein also possess a sufficient degree of tackiness to prevent the recoiling firearm from bouncing off its shoulder aiming mount
Data Source
AI summary
A highly effective firearm recoil absorbing combination is obtained by providing a shoulder mountable assembly containing a viscoelastomeric thermoset polymerizate pad possessing excellent cushioning and rebounding characteristics along with sufficient surface tack to cohesively steady a firing firearm against the pad. The assembly may securely affixed to the shoulder region of a garment or detachably mountable thereto.