CHEEK RISER FOR A RIFLE

Abstract

Cheek risers for rifles have a shell configured to closely receive at least a portion of the tapered butt, the shell defining a stud aperture configured to receive the stud when the shell closely receives the butt, and an adjustable cheek rest connected to the shell and operable for vertical position adjustment with respect to the shell. The stud aperture may be circular. The stud aperture may be configured to closely receive a sling stud. The shell may have an upper portion and a lower portion selectably and removably connected to each other. The upper portion and lower portion may be unitary and connected via a live hinge. The upper portion and lower portion may include a separable hinge interface on one side, and a connection facility on an opposed side. The separable hinge interface may include a pin element and a hook element configured to engage the pin element.

Claims

1. A cheek riser for a rifle having a stock with a tapered butt having an upper comb and a lower edge below the comb and including a protruding stud, the cheek riser comprising: a shell configured to closely receive at least a portion of the tapered butt; the shell defining a stud aperture configured to receive the protruding stud when the shell closely receives the tapered butt; and an adjustable cheek rest connected to the shell and operable for vertical position adjustment with respect to the shell.

2. The cheek riser of claim 1 wherein the stud aperture is circular.

3. The cheek riser of claim 1 wherein the stud aperture is configured to closely receive a sling stud.

4. The cheek riser of claim 1 wherein the shell has an upper portion and a lower portion selectably and removably connected to each other.

5. The cheek riser of claim 4 wherein the upper portion and lower portion are unitary and connected via a live hinge.

6. The cheek riser of claim 4 wherein the upper portion and lower portion include a separable hinge interface on one side, and a connection facility on an opposed side.

7. The cheek riser of claim 6 wherein the separable hinge interface includes a pin element on one of the upper and lower portions and a hook element configured to engage the pin element on the other of the upper and lower portions.

8. The cheek riser of claim 1 wherein the shell is configured to tightly encompass the tapered butt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a bottom isometric exploded view of a rifle suitable for use with the current embodiment of a rifle stock mounting rail system.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a bottom isometric exploded view of the rifle of FIG. 1 with the current embodiment of a rifle stock mounting rail system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention attached to the forend.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the rifle of FIG. 1 with the current embodiment of a rifle stock mounting rail system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention attached to the forend.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a bottom isometric exploded view of the rifle of FIG. 1 with the current embodiment of a cheek riser assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention attached to the buttstock.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a bottom isometric view of the rifle of FIG. 1 with the current embodiment of a cheek riser assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention attached to the buttstock.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the rifle of FIG. 1 with the current embodiment of a cheek riser assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention attached to the buttstock.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a front view of the current embodiment of the mount of the cheek riser assembly removed from the buttstock of the rifle of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the rifle with the current embodiment of a rifle stock mounting rail system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention attached to the forend.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a partially exploded isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a cheek riser assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of the alternative embodiment of a cheek riser assembly of FIG.

[0018] 9 in the opened condition.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the alternative embodiment of a cheek riser assembly of FIG.

[0020] 9 in the closed condition.

[0021] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

[0022] An embodiment of the rifle stock mounting rail system of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10. An embodiment of the alternative embodiment of a cheek riser assembly of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 400.

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art rifle 100. More particularly, the rifle has a stock body 102 including a forend 104 and a butt stock 106. A barrel 108 is attached to the forend. A bolt handle 110 protrudes from the stock body in front of the butt stock. The forend has a lower surface 112 that defines a forward sling stud aperture 114 that threadedly receives a forward sling stud 130. The fixed position of the sling stud on the forend limits the ability of the user to adjust their hand position while still maintaining the necessary sling tension, thereby decreasing accuracy. The lower surface of the forend also defines a magazine well 116 that receives a detachable 5-round box magazine (not shown). A trigger guard 118 is attached to the lower surface of the forend and is an integrally molded part of the forend in the current embodiment. A second fastener 120 is threadedly received in an aperture 122 defined by the lower surface of the forend that is associated with the trigger guard. The second fastener conventionally serves as the rear screw of the magazine floor plate or magazine box. A trigger 124 protrudes from the lower surface of the forend and is encircled by the trigger guard.

[0024] The butt stock 106 has a lower surface 126 that defines a rear sling stud aperture 132 (shown in FIG. 3) that threadedly receives a rear sling stud 128. The butt stock also has an upper comb surface 134. The upper comb surface is a steep low comb that results in a poor cheek weld and sight alignment for the user.

[0025] FIGS. 2 & 3 illustrate the improved rifle stock mounting rail system 10 of the present invention. More particularly, the rifle stock mounting rail system has an elongated rail 12 including a forward end 14, an opposed rear end 16, upper surface 18, and bottom 20. The bottom of the elongated rail defines an elongated channel 22 that extends from the forward end to the rear end. The elongated rail is molded to conform to the underside of the existing butt stock 106. The elongated rail defines a magazine passage 24 that is axially registered with the magazine well 116 on the lower surface 112 of the forend 104. The magazine passage enables the detachable 5-round box magazine (not shown) to pass through the magazine passage and be received in the magazine well on a broader range of rifles than just the rifle illustrated, thereby increasing the versatility of the elongated rail. The forward end of the elongated rail is attached to the forend by a first fastener 26 received in a forward mounting aperture 28 defined by the elongated rail proximate to the forward end and threadedly received in the forward sling stud aperture 114. The rear end of the elongated rail is attached to the forend by the second fastener 120 received in a rear mounting aperture 30 proximate to the rear end and threadedly received in the aperture 122 (shown in FIG. 3).

[0026] The elongated channel 22 serves as an accessory mounting facility that has at least a plurality of mounting locations, can define a multitude of mounting locations, and preferably defines an unlimited number of mounting locations. Any suitable accessory, such as handstops, palm blocks, or bipods (not shown), can be attached to the elongated rail 12 using the elongated channel in any desired location along the elongated rail provided the magazine passage 24 is not obstructed by the accessory. The forward sling stud aperture 114 and rear sling stud aperture 132 are both stock apertures associated with a sling stud. The aperture 122 is a stock aperture associated with the second fastener 120. The forward and rear mounting apertures 28, 30 are spaced apart by a distance 32 based on a selected spacing 136 (shown in FIG. 1) between the forward sling stud 130 and the second fastener or the aperture 122. In the current embodiment, the rear mounting aperture is forward of the trigger guard 118. The upper surface 18 of the elongated rail is contoured to closely abut the lower surface 112 of the forend 104, and in the current embodiment is molded to conform to the underside of the existing stock. The elongated rail is a straight body in the current embodiment.

[0027] FIGS. 4-7 illustrate an improved cheek riser assembly 200 of the present invention. More particularly, the cheek riser assembly 200 has a mount 202 and a cheek piece 204. The mount has a top 206 and a bottom 208 that are connected by a clamshell hinge molded into the portion 210. The top defines vertical apertures 212, and the bottom defines vertical apertures 214. The vertical apertures 212, 214 are axially registered with one another when the butt stock 106 is received by the mount such that mount fasteners 216 received by vertical apertures 212, 214 create a clamping action to tightly secure the mount to the butt stock. The top of the mount also has a flat portion 234 that defines horizontal apertures 218.

[0028] The cheek piece 204 has an upper portion 220 that is contoured create a seamless fit over the top 206 of the mount 202 and the upper comb surface 134 of the butt stock 106. The cheek piece has a lower portion 222 that closely abuts the flat portion 234 of the top of the mount. The lower portion defines two height adjustment slots 224 that are aligned with the horizontal apertures 218 in the top of the mount. Two Allen head set screws 226 are received by the height adjustment slots and threadedly received by the horizontal apertures to releasably secure the cheek piece at a selected height relative to the upper comb surface. Thus, the height of the cheek piece can be adjusted to enable the user to change their head position relative to the sights (not shown) on the rifle 100.

[0029] The mount has a lower portion 228 that closely abuts the lower surface 126 of the butt stock 106. The lower portion of the mount defines an aperture 230 that is axially registered with the rear sling stud aperture 132 in the lower surface of the butt stock. The rear sling stud is threadedly received by the rear sling stud aperture. The aperture 230 is a smooth hole molded in the lower portion of the mount that slips over the rear sling stud 128 to prevent the mount from sliding forward or rearward on the butt stock. The mount has an upper portion that closely abuts the upper comb surface 134 of the butt stock. The clamshell hinge portion 210 also closely abuts the butt stock. Thus, the mount is a tapered sleeve that closely receives the tapered butt stock.

[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates the improved rifle stock mounting rail system 10 of the present invention. More particularly, the rifle stock mounting rail system is shown installed on an alternative embodiment of a rifle 300. The rifle includes a stock aperture 302 associated with a lower plate 304 and proximate to a trigger 306. The rear mounting aperture 30 in the rear end 16 of the elongated rail 12 is configured to receive a second fastener 308 that is threadedly received in the stock aperture. It should be appreciated that the hole locations for mounting fasteners and the locations of any existing screws in the rifle are specific to a particular rifle. To enable the elongated rail to be compatible with an individual rifle, additional holes can be made in the rifle to match the mounting holes in the elongated rail, or mounting holes can be made in different locations in the elongated rail to match the mounting holes in the rifle. Furthermore, clearance holes to accommodate any existing screws in the rifle can be added to the elongated rail in the necessary locations.

[0031] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate an improved alternative embodiment of a cheek riser assembly 400 of the present invention. More particularly, the cheek riser assembly 400 has a mount 402 that receives the cheek piece 204 shown in FIGS. 4-7. The mount has an upper portion 406 and a lower portion 408 that are connected by a live hinge molded into the portions 404, 410. The upper portion defines vertical apertures 412, and the lower portion defines vertical apertures 414. The vertical apertures 412, 414 are axially registered with one another when the tapered butt stock 106 is received by the mount such that mount fasteners 416 received by vertical apertures 412, 414 create a clamping action to tightly secure the mount to the butt stock.

[0032] The lower portion 408 of the mount 402 closely abuts the lower surface 126 of the tapered butt stock 106. The lower portion of the mount defines an aperture 430 that is axially registered with the rear sling stud aperture 132 in the lower surface of the butt stock. The rear sling stud 128 is threadedly received by the rear sling stud aperture. The aperture 430 is a smooth hole molded in the lower portion of the mount that slips over the rear sling stud 128 to prevent the mount from sliding forward or rearward on the butt stock. The upper portion 406 of the mount closely abuts the upper comb surface 134 of the butt stock. The live hinge molded into the portions 404, 410 also closely abuts the butt stock. Thus, the mount is a tapered sleeve that closely receives the tapered butt stock.

[0033] In addition, it should be appreciated that the mount 402 is a shell configured to closely receive at least a portion of the tapered butt stock 106. The shell defines a stud aperture 430 configured to receive the protruding stud 128 when the shell closely receives the tapered butt stock. An adjustable cheek rest (cheek piece 204) is connected to the shell and operable for vertical position adjustment with respect to the shell. In the current embodiment, the stud aperture is circular, and the stud aperture is configured to closely receive a sling stud. The shell has an upper portion 406 and a lower portion 408 selectably and removably connected to each other. The upper portion and lower portion are unitary. The upper portion and lower portion include a separable hinge interface on one side (portions 404, 410), and a connection facility (vertical apertures 412, 414 and mount fasteners 416) on an opposed side. The separable hinge interface includes a pin element 418 on one of the upper and lower portions and a hook element 420 configured to engage the pin element on the other of the upper and lower portions. The shell is configured to tightly encompass the tapered butt stock, including a gap 422 between the upper portion and lower portion where the mount fasteners 416 received by vertical apertures 412, 414 create tension.

[0034] While current embodiments of a rifle stock mounting rail system and a cheek riser assembly have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the rifle stock mounting rail system and the cheek riser assemblies are suitable for use with a variety of rifles in addition to the Base Savage MK II FVT described. Furthermore, both the rifle stock mounting rail system and the cheek riser assemblies can be used alone or in combination with each other. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0035] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.