RETAINER AND SYSTEM FOR AN ELASTOMERIC DAMPER IN A FIREARM

Abstract

A firearm damper and damping system is provided. The elastomeric damper can be retained in a cavity of a firearm component without the use of fasteners or adhesives. The damper can reduce the wear between surfaces that are subject to impact during firing and can extend the life of components such as the frame or receiver.

Claims

1. A firearm comprising: a first rigid component; a second rigid component adjacent the first rigid component; a damper positioned between the first rigid component and the second rigid component, the damper having a top surface and a bottom surface; and the first or second rigid component defining a cavity for receiving the damper, the cavity having an open end and a floor opposed to the open end, wherein a planar cross-sectional area across the open end of the cavity is less than the cross-sectional area of the cavity across at least one parallel plane between the open end and the floor.

2. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the damper has a height greater than a depth of the cavity.

3. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the first rigid component has a first planar surface and the second rigid component has a second planar surface and the two planar surfaces are substantially parallel to each other.

4. The firearm of claim 1 wherein during operation of the firearm the first rigid component moves in relation to the second rigid component.

5. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the damper prevents contact of the first rigid component with the second rigid component.

6. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the first rigid component comprises a frame.

7. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the second rigid component comprises a grip module.

8. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the damper comprises an elastomer having a Shore A hardness of less than 100.

9. The firearm of claim 8 wherein the damper comprises an elastomer selected from at least one of TPV, silicone, natural rubber and polyurethane.

10. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the damper is substantially a trapezoidal prism.

11. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the damper includes a cutout that increases flexibility of the damper.

12. The firearm of claim 11 wherein the cutout defines a void of at least 10% of the volume of the damper.

13. (canceled)

14. The firearm of claim 11 wherein the cutout extends at least 10% into the height of the damper.

15. The firearm of claim 2 wherein a portion of the damper retained in the cavity has a greater average cross-sectional area than does a portion of the damper that extends above the cavity.

16. The firearm of of claim 1 wherein the cavity is substantially a trapezoidal prism.

17-18. (canceled)

19. The firearm of claim 1 wherein one or both of the first and second rigid components exhibit a shear modulus of greater than 10 GPa.

20. A method of installing a damper in a firearm, the method comprising: squeezing opposing sides of the damper to collapse the walls of the damper inwardly; pushing the damper into a cavity formed in a rigid component of the firearm; allowing the walls of the damper to expand; and retaining the damper in the cavity.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the cavity has an opening that is smaller than a bottom surface of the elastomeric damper when the damper is in an uncompressed state.

22. The method of claim 21 comprising assembling the firearm so that the damper is in contact with two distinct rigid components of the firearm.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein the damper comprises an elastomeric polymer.

24. (canceled)

25. The method of claim 20 wherein the damper is retained in the cavity without the use of a fastener or adhesive.

26. The method of claim 20 comprising squeezing together the walls of the damper and removing the damper from the cavity.

27. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pistol showing the interface between the frame and the grip;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a damper system;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a top side profile view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

[0009] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2;

[0010] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 with some components removed for clarity;

[0011] FIG. 6 is a profile view of one embodiment of a damper;

[0012] FIG. 7 is a second view of the damper of FIG. 6;

[0013] FIG. 8 is an engineering drawing for the damper of FIG. 6;

[0014] FIG. 9 provides a profile of a cavity of one embodiment; and

[0015] FIG. 10 provides a profile of a cavity of another embodiment.

[0016] The figures depict various embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of illustration only. Numerous variations, configurations, and other embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed discussion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Disclosed are systems and methodologies for damping the shock between components in a firearm. The dampers disclosed herein can be of a resilient elastomer and can include a cutout that provides for additional flexibility. This additional flexibility allows a relatively rigid elastomer to be inserted into a receiving cavity by hand. The receiving cavity can be a dovetail design that secures the damper in place once it has been allowed to return to its natural, extended shape. Once installed, the damper can prevent adjacent components from making contact, or can significantly soften the impact. This can extend the life of, for example, a frame when the frame is isolated from the grip by a damper.

[0018] When a pistol is fired, the slide impacts the frame which is in turn secured to the grip. The recoil impact is transferred to the grip where much of the force can be absorbed. Grips made of polymer resin are capable of absorbing much of the shock, softening the impact of the frame against the grip and of the slide against the frame. However, a metal frame mounted against a metal grip may not absorb the shock as well as does a metal frame mounted on a polymer grip. The contact of the slide against the frame is more impactful in a pistol with a metal grip than in one with a polymer grip because there is less absorption of the impact at the frame/grip interface. This can result in more wear and earlier failure of components such as the frame.

[0019] The dampers and damper systems described herein can soften the interaction between the slide and the frame by providing a more forgiving interface between the frame and grip. By placing a damper between the frame and the grip, the impact of the slide against the frame can be modulated without any modification to the slide/frame interface. It is the downstream impact absorption that provides for a less damaging interaction between the slide and frame. As used herein, the term frame refers to the serialized component of a firearm and is meant to include fire control unit and receiver.

[0020] The dampers described herein can be used between any two or more components of the firearm that may impact each other. The components may be non-polymeric components and may be comprised of metal or a metal alloy such as stainless steel. The components may have one or more generally planar surfaces and the damper can be positioned between two opposed planar surfaces. As used herein, the term generally planar means that the surface need not be planar on a microscopic level, but that one of skill in the art would view the surface as flat rather than curved or spherical or polygonal. The components can include a cavity constructed to retain the damper. The cavity can be positioned below the surface of the component and can be formed in the component using any number of methods, including casting, machining, milling, laser cutting and water jetting. The components may be rigid components having a shear modulus of greater than 1 GPa, greater than 2 GPa, greater than 5 GPa, greater than 10 GPa, greater than 20 GPa or greater than 50 GPa. Shear modulus is determined using ASTM E1876 Test for Dynamic Young's Modulus, Shear Modulus, and Poisson's Ratio by Impulse Excitation of Vibration. The components can also exhibit high density and may have a density that is greater than 1.5, greater than 2, greater than 3 or greater than 5 g/cm.sup.3. They may also have a hardness that is greater than that of glass reinforced polymers, and can exhibit, for example, a Rockwell B hardness of greater than 30, greater than 50, greater than 60, greater than 70 or greater than 80.

[0021] The dampers disclosed herein can be made from a resilient material such as a resilient elastomeric polymer. Resilient materials are those that return to their original shape after deformation. Suitable polymers can be, for example, unsaturated rubbers, saturated rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers and polysulfide rubber. Exemplary unsaturated rubbers include natural rubber, isoprene rubber, polybutadiene, chloroprene, butyl rubber, styrene-butadiene and nitrile rubber. Exemplary saturated rubbers include ethylene propylene rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, acrylic rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, fluoroelastomers, perfluoroelastomers, polyether block amides, chlorosulfonated polyethylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate. In specific embodiments, one or more of natural rubbers, polyurethanes, thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) or silicones are used. The damper can be made using techniques known to polymer molders, for example, molded or extruded, and in specific embodiments, the damper is injection molded. If the damper includes a cutout, the cutout can be incorporated into the damper during molding or can be formed in a secondary process. Dampers can be of various shapes including, for example, trapezoidal prisms, truncated cones, truncated pyramids and partial spheres. The elastomer used can be selected to provide adequate cushioning between adjoining components while still exhibiting a toughness to provide long life. In various embodiments, the elastomer used can have a Shore A hardness of less than 125, less than 100, less than 75, less than 50, greater than 25, greater than 50, greater than 75 or greater than 100.

[0022] In various embodiments, the dampers can be installed without tools and/or can be retained without fasteners. For instance, various embodiments can be void of retention mechanisms such as fasteners or adhesives. Fasteners include, for example, screws, bolts, expansion bolts, clips, washers, bushings and clamps. In many embodiments, the dampers can be installed into a cavity by hand, and once the damper is released after insertion into the cavity it is retained therein due to the difference in size between the damper and the opening of the cavity. The damper can fit loosely in the cavity so that it is capable of movement along one or more axes without falling out. In other embodiments, the damper may be securely retained by the cavity and no movement of the damper in the cavity will be perceived. In some cases, the damper can be installed in the field, and in many embodiments the dampers can be changed out when the firearm is disassembled by the user.

[0023] The cutout in the damper can be symmetric and can mimic the shape of the damper itself. For example, if the damper is a trapezoidal prism, then the cutout can also be a trapezoidal prism. The cutout can be shaped and positioned so that it provides flexibility to the damper in the horizontal direction but retains most of the damper's rigidity in the vertical direction. This can be achieved, for example, by centering the cutout in the bottom of the damper. The width of the cutout defines the distance that the damper can be compressed in the horizontal direction without compressing the elastomer polymer. This helps to provide for manual insertion into the cavity. In a horizontal plane across the cutout, the width of the damper assumed by the cutout can be greater than 10%, greater than 20%, greater than 30%, greater than 40% or greater than 50%. In one example, if a damper has a width of 6 mm at the bottom, and the cutout has a width of 3 mm at the bottom, then the cutout assumes 50% of the width of the damper.

[0024] In the vertical direction the damper can retain most or all of its material rigidity. The design of the cutout in the damper means that the structure does not collapse under pressure in the vertical direction as it does in the horizontal direction. To compress the damper vertically, at least a portion of the elastomer itself must be compressed, not just the void formed by the cutout. It is the vertical direction that generally provides the damping function to the impacting surfaces. For example, when the frame impacts the grip during recoil, most or all of the compression of the damper is provided by the elasticity of the material and not by collapse of the damper around its cutout. This means that the full resiliency of the damper material is available to resist the compression of the components and prevent them from contacting, or at least reduce the impact of contact. Thus, the cutout allows the damper can be collapsed in the horizontal direction to fit through the opening in the cavity, but resists collapse in the vertical direction, the direction that provides the damping function.

[0025] The cavity that the damper is seated in can be sized and shaped to fit the specific damper that it is designed for the firearm. The cavity can increase in area from the opening downwards towards the floor of the cavity, so that the area across the opening is smaller than the area across a lower section of the cavity. The size of the cavity can expand all the way to the floor of the cavity or part of the way to the floor of the cavity. A damper shaped to fill the cavity can be compressed to fit through the opening in order to be inserted. Once the damper is in the cavity, it can be allowed to expand and is retained in the cavity because its width is greater than the cavity opening. Examples of cavity shapes include trapezoidal prisms, truncated cones, truncated pyramids and partial spheres. The cavity may have a height that is less than the height of the damper that it is paired with. In some embodiments, if a damper has a height of x, then the cavity can have a height of less than x, less than 0.95, less than 0.9 or less than 0.8. Similarly, the damper can have a height that is more than 5%, more than 10% or more than 20% greater than the depth of the cavity. The depth of the cavity is measured from the point where the damper bottoms out in the cavity when installed.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The embodiments described below center on the interface between a frame and a grip in a pistol. However, the dampers and damper systems described can be used at various points in a firearm where adjacent components are subjected to high impact or wear. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross section of a portion of a pistol 101. The cross-sectional view shows how frame 112 contacts metallic grip 110. Planar surfaces of each component are in contact with each other, and any impact to frame 112 is transferred directly to grip 110. Metallic grip 110 does not absorb impact and vibration as much as a polymer grip would. As a result, frame 112 is butted up against an unforgiving surface, and the impact of the slide on the frame takes a greater toll than if the grip where comprised of a more forgiving material.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross section of a portion of pistol 102 that incorporates one embodiment of a damping system. The components of pistol 102 can be identical to that of FIG. 1 except that a cavity 130 has been milled into grip 110 and damper 114 has been installed into cavity 130. Frame 112 is unaltered from FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, grip 110 and frame 112 are in direct contact. In FIG. 2, grip 110 and frame 112 are each in contact with damper 114 but are not in contact with each other. In some embodiments, the components in contact with the damper never come into contact with each other while the firearm is assembled. Damper 114 is shaped as a trapezoidal prism and includes cutout 116. Cutout 116 provides a void that is essentially the same geometry as the damper. The vertical walls of the damper are intact, and the opening of the cutout is on the bottom surface. Damper 114 can be inserted into cavity 130 by squeezing the walls of the damper together and inserting it into the cavity.

[0028] FIG. 3 provides a top down view of damper 114 positioned in cavity 130. Upper damper surface 118 is the portion of damper 114 that contacts frame 112 (not shown in FIG. 3.). When the slide impacts frame 112, frame 112 compresses damper 114 against grip 110, and the damper prevents frame 112 from impacting grip 110. At the same time, the shock of the impact is absorbed by the damper, and the damper provides cushioning to the frame, resulting in less stress on the frame itself. As can be seen, there may be some space in between the walls of damper 114 and the walls of cavity 130. This space can be, for example, more than 0.05 mm, more than 0.1 mm or more than 0.5 mm.

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a closeup of the embodiment of FIG. 3 and illustrates the state of compression of damper 114 between frame 112 and grip 110. As shown, frame 112 and grip 110 keep the damper compressed so that its height is less than if it were allowed to fully expand. When subjected to an instantaneous recoil force that pushes frame 112 against grip 110, the distance between frame 112 and grip 110 will momentarily decrease, but, in the embodiment shown, the frame and grip will not contact each other (in the area shown) at any time during the shooting cycle.

[0030] FIG. 5 provides a top-down view of the embodiment of FIG. 3, with frame 112 removed for clarity. When the firearm is fully assembled, upper damper surface 118 would be in contact with a lower facing surface of frame 112, and damper 114 would be partially compressed. Cavity 130 is filled by both the elastomer and the cutout of damper 114. Cutout 116 as shown contains air but could be filled with an easily compressible material, such as a soft, expanded foam. Damper 114 is retained in cavity 130 without any fasteners or adhesives.

[0031] FIGS. 6 and 7 provide different profile views of the damper of FIGS. 2-5, uninstalled. Damper 114 includes upper damper surface 118, bottom damper surface 144 and side wall 142. Cutout 116 forms an opening in bottom damper surface 144. To install the damper, side wall 142 is squeezed against its counterpart on the opposite side of damper 114. This compresses cutout 116 and allows damper 114 to temporarily become narrow enough to be inserted into an appropriate cavity. In the embodiment shown, damper 114 comprises SANTOPRENE 101 87 TPV elastomer (Celanese).

[0032] FIG. 8 provides an engineering drawing for molding the damper shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown, the walls of the cutout are angled out at 14 and the walls of the damper are 24. In other embodiments, the cutout and walls can be sloped at different angles, can be curved, and can vary across the length or the width of the damper. The walls of the damper and the walls of the cutout do not need to be angled outwardly, as shown, but this configuration may provide for easier injection molding of the part.

[0033] FIGS. 9 and 10 provide cross-sections of profiles of two different embodiments of a cavity. Complementary dampers can be fashioned in the same shape to fit these cavities. In FIG. 9, the cavity is similar to that of the embodiment of FIG. 2 as walls 152 and 154 of the cavity are sloped outwardly on both sides. In FIG. 10, wall 156 is sloped outwardly while wall 158 is vertical. Each of the profiles of FIGS. 9 and 10 can be milled into a firearm component, using, for example, a dovetail cutting tool. In FIG. 9, upper line x represents the area in a horizontal plane at the top of the cavity. Lower line x represents the area in a plane that is parallel to x but is at a lower point in the cavity. As shown, the area of the plane at the opening of the cavity is less than the area of the plane at a lower point in the cavity. In various embodiments, this difference in area between the two planes can be more than 5%, more than 10% or more than 20%. This feature can help to retain the damper in position because the damper can expand into the larger portion of the cavity after it is compressed to pass through the smaller opening. Note that this is true for the embodiment of FIG. 10 as well as for that of FIG. 9. Sharp edges around the opening and floor 162 of the cavity can be avoided, and the curvature of the edges in the cavity can be selected to render easier installation of the damper and/or, for example, to provide reduced wear on the damper. As shown, provides the radius of curvature at the opening of the cavity and is the radius of curvature at a transition from the wall to the floor 162 of the cavity. In various embodiments, and can be, independently, less than 10 mm, less than 5 mm, less than 1 mm, less than 0.1 mm, greater than 0.1 mm, greater than 1 mm or greater than 5 mm.

FURTHER EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The following examples pertain to further embodiments, from which numerous permutations and configurations will be apparent.

[0035] Example 1 is a firearm, the firearm including a first rigid component, a second rigid component adjacent the first rigid component, a damper positioned between the first rigid component and the second rigid component, the damper having a top surface and a bottom surface, and the first or second rigid component defining a cavity for receiving the damper, the cavity having an open end and a floor opposed to the open end, wherein a planar cross-sectional area across the open end of the cavity is less than the cross-sectional area of the cavity across at least one parallel plane between the open end and the floor.

[0036] Example 2 is Example 1 wherein the damper has a height greater than a depth of the cavity.

[0037] Example 3 is any of the previous examples wherein the first rigid component has a first planar surface and the second rigid component has a second planar surface and the two planar surfaces are substantially parallel to each other.

[0038] Example 4 is any of the previous examples wherein during operation of the firearm the first rigid component moves in relation to the second rigid component.

[0039] Example 5 is any of the previous examples wherein the damper prevents contact of the first rigid component with the second rigid component.

[0040] Example 6 is any of the previous examples wherein the first rigid component comprises a frame.

[0041] Example 7 is any of the previous examples wherein the second rigid component comprises a grip module.

[0042] Example 8 is any of the previous examples wherein the damper comprises an elastomer having a Shore A hardness of less than 100, less than 75, less than 50, greater than 25, greater than 50, greater than 75 or greater than 100.

[0043] Example 9 is any of the previous examples wherein the damper comprises an elastomer selected from at least one of TPV, silicone, natural rubber and polyurethane.

[0044] Example 10 is any of the previous examples wherein the damper is substantially a trapezoidal prism.

[0045] Example 11 is any of the previous examples wherein the damper includes a cutout that increases flexibility of the damper.

[0046] Example 12 is any of the previous examples wherein the cutout defines a void of at least 10% of the volume of the damper.

[0047] Example 13 is any of the previous examples wherein an opening in the bottom surface of the damper defines the cutout.

[0048] Example 14 is any of examples 11-13 wherein the cutout extends at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30% or at least 40% into the height of the damper.

[0049] Example 15 is any of the previous examples wherein a portion of the damper retained in the cavity has a greater average cross-sectional area than does a portion of the damper that extends above the cavity.

[0050] Example 16 is any of the previous examples wherein the cavity is substantially a trapezoidal prism.

[0051] Example 17 is any of the previous examples wherein one, two, three, four or more walls of the cavity flare outwardly from the cavity opening to the cavity floor.

[0052] Example 18 is any of the previous examples wherein the damper consists of an elastomeric polymer, the first rigid component consists of a metal or metal alloy and/or the second rigid component consists of a metal or metal alloy.

[0053] Example 19 is any of the previous examples wherein one or both of the first and second rigid components exhibit a shear modulus of greater than 1 GPa, greater than 2 GPa, greater than 5 GPa, greater than 10 GPa, greater than 20 GPa or greater than 50 GPa.

[0054] Example 20 is a method of installing a damper in a firearm, the method comprising squeezing opposing sides of the damper to collapse the walls of the damper inwardly, pushing the damper into a cavity formed in a rigid component of the firearm, allowing the walls of the damper to expand, and retaining the damper in the cavity.

[0055] Example 21 is the method of Example 20 wherein the cavity has an opening that is smaller than a bottom surface of the elastomeric damper when the damper is in an uncompressed state.

[0056] Example 22 is Example 20 or 21 comprising assembling the firearm so that the damper is in contact with two distinct rigid components of the firearm.

[0057] Example 23 is Example 20, 21 or 22 wherein the damper comprises an elastomeric polymer.

[0058] Example 24 is any one of Examples 20-23 wherein the rigid component has a shear modulus of greater than 1 GPa, greater than 2 GPa, greater than 5 GPa, greater than 10 GPa, greater than 20 GPa or greater than 50 GPa.

[0059] Example 25 is any of Examples 20-24 wherein the damper is retained in the cavity without the use of a fastener or adhesive.

[0060] Example 26 is any one of Examples 20-25 comprising squeezing together the walls of the damper and removing the damper from the cavity.

[0061] Example 27 is a firearm comprising a first rigid component having a shear modulus of greater than 10 GPa, a second rigid component having a shear modulus of greater than 10 GPa adjacent the first rigid component, a damper positioned between the first rigid component and the second rigid component, the damper having a top surface and a bottom surface, and the first or second rigid component defining a cavity for receiving the damper, the cavity having an open end and a floor opposed to the open end, wherein a planar cross-sectional area across the open end of the cavity is less than the cross-sectional area of the cavity across at least one parallel plane between the open end and the floor.

[0062] The foregoing description of example embodiments has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the present disclosure be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. Future-filed applications claiming priority to this application may claim the disclosed subject matter in a different manner and generally may include any set of one or more limitations as variously disclosed or otherwise demonstrated herein.