US20080000132A1

US20080000132A1 - Dogleg stock

Info

Publication number: US20080000132A1
Application number: US11/669,717
Authority: US
Inventors: Jared Orvis; Josh MacLee
Original assignee: SPECIAL OPS HOLDING LLC
Current assignee: SPECIAL OPS HOLDING LLC
Priority date: 2006-01-31
Filing date: 2007-01-31
Publication date: 2008-01-03

Abstract

A stock of a gun comprising a first lateral member configured to offset the stock sufficiently to allow a user to position their head in-line with the sight of the gun. The stock further comprises an elongate member having first and second ends wherein the first end is linked to the first lateral member. The stock also includes a second lateral member linked to the second end of the elongate member and includes a butt portion. The configuration of the first lateral member, the elongate member, and the second lateral member facilitate positioning of the user's head between the first lateral member and the second lateral member to utilize the sight of the gun without substantial interference by the stock with the user's head or a mask or helmet worn by the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/763,635, filed Jan. 31, 2006, and entitled DOGLEG STOCK, and U.S. Design Patent Application Ser. No. 29/253,022, filed Jan. 31, 2006, and entitled DOGLEG STOCK, each of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a stock for a shoulder fired weapon. More specifically, the invention relates to a gun stock which can be used in connection with a firearm and which allows a user to position his or her head in-line with the sights of the weapon, without interference by the gun stock.
2. The Relevant Technology
During the last several years, paintballing has become increasingly more popular. Large tracts of land and buildings, such as warehouses, have been transformed into paintball ranges. Many of these ranges have been designed to replicate certain surroundings, such as war zones. Participants are able to enter these ranges and compete with one another, the object of the competition being shooting the opponent with a paintball before being shot.
To increase a user's comfort and accuracy and to decrease user fatigue, many guns are equipped with, or can be altered to include, a gun stock. Such stocks are generally mounted on the rear end of the gun and allow a user to position the end of the stock against a portion of their body, such as their shoulder. Positioning of the stock against the user's body helps the user to stabilize the gun while aiming and shooting, thus increasing accuracy. Further, use of a stock allows a user to place some of the weight of the gun on the user's shoulder, thereby decreasing the amount of load carried by the user's arms. This decreased load on the arms can decrease user fatigue, which in turn can allow the user to maintain a higher level of activity and accuracy over a longer duration.
Despite the many benefits stocks provide when used in association with typical guns, stocks are often not well suited for use with paintball guns or other firearms. For example, a user of a paintball gun or other firearm may use a facemask, helmet, or other type of protective device. In a paintball setting, the facemasks are designed to protect the user's face from incoming paintballs. In other settings, a facemask may serve other purposes. For example, in a military or SWAT setting, a user may utilize a facemask to guard against bullets, shrapnel, dust, toxic chemicals or gasses, or possibly even from the recoil of the gun.
To improve a user's accuracy with a firearm, many firearms are equipped with gun sights. Such gun sights are generally aligned along the top surface of the barrel of the firearm. Helmets and facemasks are used during paintballing or in other settings often extend out from the user's face such that, when using a stock known in the art, the stock interferences with the user's head and/or facemask when the user aligns his or her head, and thus the line-of-sight, with the gun sights. To minimize the interference, the user may need to tilt his or her head at an awkward angle to view down the gun sights. While tilting the head can potentially reduce some of the interference from the stock, it often does not reduce all of the interference. As a result, the user may be unable to properly align their face and line-of-sight with the top of the gun or the gun's sight. This interference, which makes the user unable to properly align their face with the gun sight, can limit the user's ability to accurately aim at a target. Moreover, the interference may cause the user to rest a portion of his or her head or protective gear on the stock. This increases the weight carried on the gun and thereby also increases user fatigue.
The present invention is designed to provide a firearm user with the benefits associated with the use of a stock, such as decreased fatigue and increased comfort and accuracy, as well as allowing a user to wear a protective facemask free from interference from the stock.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a stock for use in connection with a firearm such as a hunting rifle, assault weapon, paintball gun or other shoulder-supported firearm. According to one aspect of the invention, the stock includes an opening therein. One feature of an opening in the stock is that a user can place his or her head in the opening to easily and effectively align the user's line-of-sight with the sights of the firearm, thereby increasing the user's accuracy. In some cases, the user may also have a mask or helmet on his or her head, in which case the opening in the stock can be configured to be large enough to accommodate the mask or helmet without the mask or helmet being interfered with by the gun stock.
According to one example embodiment, a gun stock includes a first lateral member which is configured to be coupled to a firearm at, for example, a stock portion of the firearm. An elongate member having opposing ends may be coupled to the first lateral member and extend therefrom in a direction which is about perpendicular to the first lateral member. A second lateral member may be coupled to the second end of the elongate member and extend perpendicularly therefrom. The second lateral member can include a butt portion configured to be placed against the shoulder or other portion of the body of the user. According to such an example embodiment, the elongate member can create an opening between the first and second lateral members into which a user of a firearm can position his or her head without interference from the gun stock. The elongate member may be a fixed length or may be adjustable so as to allow a user to selectively create an opening of a size necessary to accommodate the user's head and/or a mask or helmet on the user.
In another example embodiment, a gun stock comprises a first lateral member configured to be coupled to a firearm, the first lateral member being configured to offset the stock to allow a user to position his or her head in-line with the sight of a firearm, without interference from the stock. An elongate member is coupled to and extends from the first lateral member, and connects to a second lateral member that includes a butt portion. In such an embodiment, the elongate member can offset the first and second lateral members to form an opening within the gun stock to facilitate positioning of the user's head at least partially in line with, and between, the first and second lateral members.
According to another example embodiment, a firearm system is disclosed which includes a firearm for discharging projectiles, and a stock coupled to the firearm. The stock includes a first end coupled to the firearm and a second end which opposes the first end and includes a butt portion configured to be positioned against the body of a user of the firearm while projectiles are discharged from the firearm. Offset means may also be included in the stock and positioned between the first and second ends of the stock to allow a user to position his or her head in line with, and/or between, the first and second ends of the stock without interference from the stock.
In some example embodiments, a stock can comprise a first lateral member which is configured to be coupled to a firearm, a second lateral member having a butt affixed thereto, and an elongate member connecting the first and second lateral members together. The configuration of the stock enables a user wearing a protective mask to position his or her face to sight down the top of the firearm without the user's head or mask substantially interfering with such sight alignment.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a gun stock having a lateral offset to allow mask wearing users to position their heads in-line with the sight of the gun without the stock substantially interfering with the mask;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the exemplary gun stock of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the exemplary gun stock of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a right side view of the exemplary gun stock of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a left side view of the exemplary gun stock of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a first end view of the exemplary gun stock of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a second end view of the exemplary gun stock of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 8 is a side view of an example embodiment of a gun stock which includes an air transfer system configured to be coupled to a compressed air tank and an inlet of an air powered firearm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention relates to a stock of a firearm being configured to allow a user, including a mask wearing user, to position his or her head in-line with the sight of the firearm without the stock interfering with the mask. The configuration of the stock enables a user to comfortably use the firearm's sight without the user's head and/or protective mask substantially contacting or being interfered with by either the stock or the firearm. The ability of a user to sight down the firearm without the user's head and/or mask being substantially interfered with by other parts of the firearm provides a more enjoyable and effective experience for the user of the firearm.
Turning now to FIG. 1, a firearm 150 is illustrated which has coupled thereto an example stock 100 which is configured to allow a user to sight down the top of firearm 150 without firearm 150 and/or stock 100 substantially interfering with the user's head or protective headgear. It will be appreciated that firearm 150 can be any type of firearm suitable for use in connection with a stock such as stock 100, and that stock 100 is not necessarily limited to any particular type of firearm. In particular, stock 100 may be used in connection with a variety of firearms such as, by way of example and not representation, hunting firearms, military firearms, law enforcement firearms, assault weapons, paintball guns, air-powered rifles, or any other suitable firearm.
As discussed herein, a gun stock such as stock 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 can be configured to allow users to position their heads to sight down firearm 150 while placing their heads in any upright or angled position which is comfortable to the users, and without substantial interference from firearm 150 or stock 100. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, the stock 100 comprises a first elongate member 120 connected to a firearm 150. First elongate member 120 is connected, in this embodiment, to the butt of firearm 150 and extends laterally therefrom. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, first lateral member 120 extends from the butt of firearm 150 in a lateral direction, to the right side of firearm 150, although it will be appreciated that this is exemplary only and that in other embodiments, first lateral member 120 may extend in other directions, such as to the left of, below, or at an angle from, the butt of firearm 150.
As further illustrated in the example embodiment in FIG. 1-3, gun stock 100 also includes a second lateral member 130 which is offset from first lateral member 120, with second lateral member 130 defining at least a portion of the butt of stock 100. Second lateral member 130 may thus be positioned proximate the shoulder, arm, or chest of a user and thereby used to secure and stabilize firearm 150 for firing. As further illustrated, second lateral member 130 is optionally connected to one or more additional butt portions 140, 200 which are configured to allow a user to comfortably support stock 100 and firearm 150 against the user's body.
As noted previously, first lateral member 120 is, in this example embodiment, offset from second lateral member 130. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the offset between first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130 is in a direction substantially aligned with an elongate axis of firearm 150, such that first lateral member 120 is proximate the butt of firearm 150, while second lateral member 130 is distanced and offset therefrom. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, such an offset between first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130 creates a void between first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130. It is within this void between first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130 that a user of firearm 150 can position his or her head to comfortably sight down firearm 150. In particular, first lateral member 120 is sufficiently offset from second lateral member 130 so as to enable a user to position his or her head behind the butt of firearm 150, and at least partially between first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130, and take aim without firearm 150 or stock 100 substantially interfering with the head or mask of the user.
An offset between first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130 can be created in any suitable manner which allows a void to be created within stock 100 which allows a user to position his or her head therein to sight down firearm 150. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, an elongate member 110 is coupled to each of first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130. In particular, elongate member 110 is connected to ends of each of first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130 in a manner which offsets them along an axis parallel to the elongate axis of firearm 150, and in a manner which defines a void between first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, first lateral member 120 is configured to be coupled to the end of a firearm 150 and provide an offset to substantially effectuate the non-interfering purpose of the stock 100. As noted above, first lateral member 120 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the elongate length of firearm 150. The first lateral member 120 is configured to provide an offset to the stock 100 sufficient to allow a user to place their face in-line with the sight 160 of the firearm 150. Enabling the user to place their face in-line with the sight 160 of a firearm 150 facilitates more accurate aiming of the firearm 150.
As will be appreciated in light of the disclosure herein, stock 100 may be coupled to firearm 150 in any of a variety of suitable manners. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, first lateral member 120 of stock 100 includes one or more recesses 170 therein through which a bolt, screw, rivet, or other mechanical fastener may be inserted and fastened to the butt end of the firearm 150. It will be appreciated, however, that other measures may also be taken to secure stock 100 to firearm 150. For example, clasps, clamps, lock-fits, snap-fits, cotter pins, or any other suitable connector or mechanical fastener may also be used to operatively couple stock 100 to firearm 150.
As seen best in FIGS. 1-3, first lateral member 120 can transition into and/or connect into elongate member 110 at a first bend 180. In the illustrated embodiment, first bend 180 re-directs stock 100 in a direction substantially parallel to the elongate length of the firearm 150 and substantially perpendicular to the elongate length of first elongate member 120. Elongate member 110 may further be configured to connect first lateral member 120 to second lateral member 130, which in turn is connected to butt 140 of stock 100.
In the illustrated embodiment, elongate member 110 connects to and/or transitions into second lateral member 130 at a second bend 190. According to the illustrated embodiment, second bend 190 thus re-directs stock 100 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of firearm 150. Second lateral member 130 can, accordingly, be configured to provide a surface which can be supported against a user to facilitate firing of firearm 150. Moreover, second lateral member 130 may include and/or be attached to a butt portion 140 configured to be positioned proximate a portion of the user's body, such as the user's shoulder, in preparation for aiming and firing firearm 150.
Butt portion 140 may be sized and configured any number of ways to effectuate its purpose, and to accommodate for a user's preference. Butt portion 140 may also be sized and configured to enhance the comfort of its use by the user. In one embodiment, butt portion 140 includes a comfort portion 200 which is adapted to enhance the comfort of the user when using stock 100. For example, comfort portion 200 may be contoured to match or accommodate curves of a user's shoulder or other portion of the user's body. Additionally, or alternatively thereto, comfort portion 200 can include a cushioning material 200, such as a resilient rubber, foam, or fabric. As will be appreciated in light of the disclosure herein, comfort portion 200 can be a separate portion which is attached to butt portion 140 and/or second lateral member 130, may be integrally formed with butt portion 140 and/or second lateral member 130, or may even replace butt portion 140 and/or second lateral member 130.
As will also be appreciated in view of the disclosure herein, elongate member 110 and first and/or second lateral members 120, 130 can also be separate pieces or an integral construction. For example, according to one embodiment, a single piece of material is formed to create bends 180, 190 so as to form elongate member 110 and integral first and second lateral members 120, 130. In alternative embodiments, however, elongate member 110 is formed independent of one or both of first lateral member 120 or second lateral member 130. For example, first lateral member 120, second lateral member 130, and elongate member 110 can each be formed separately, from separate materials, and thereafter connected together. For example, first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130 can each be welded or otherwise permanently secured to elongate member 110. Alternatively, elongate member 110 can be selectively and removable secured to first lateral member 120 and/or second lateral member 130. In yet another embodiment, any of first lateral member 120, second lateral member 130, or elongate member 140 can be formed of multiple separate pieces which are permanently or selectively removably coupled together.
As best shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, which illustrates a bottom view of stock 100, in which first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130 each extend substantially perpendicular from opposing ends of elongate member 110, first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130 can each extend from lateral member 110 in the same direction, such that first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130 are substantially parallel, and such that stock 100 has a generally “C” shaped configuration. It will be appreciated, however, that such a configuration is exemplary only and that other configurations are contemplated. For example, in other embodiments, a gun stock according to the present invention can have a generally “C” shaped construction in which first and second lateral members are not parallel, such as where first and/or second lateral member 120, 130 extends from elongate member 110, but is not substantially perpendicular thereto. For example, first and/or second lateral members 120, 130 can be between, in one example embodiment, between zero and forty-five degrees offset from perpendicular.
In other example embodiments, a gun stock according to the present invention can include only one of first and second lateral members and/or can include only an elongate member shaped to create a void into which user can insert their heads to position their lines-of-sight in line with the gun sights without substantial interference from the stock or firearm. Accordingly, a gun stock according to the present invention could have a generally “C”, “U” or “V” shape, a generally “O” or “?” shape, or have any other shape or configuration suitable to define a void in the stock into which users can insert their heads or protective head gear.
Elongate member 110 may further be configured to facilitate the proper positioning of butt portion 140 of stock 100 in relation to a user and to firearm 150. Such a configuration to facilitate proper positioning of the butt portion 140 of stock 100 in relation to firearm 150 may include, by way of representation and not limitation, elongate member 110 having a bend 110A therein. As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, bend 110A can be configured so as to create an offset between first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130 in a second direction. For instance, first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130 are offset by elongate member 110 in a first direction, e.g. a direction which is about parallel to the elongate length of firearm 150, to create a void into which a user can insert his or her head, while bend 110A in elongate member 110 creates an offset in a second direction, e.g. a vertical direction, to facilitate positioning of butt portion 140 on a user. The resulting vertical offset between first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130, resulting from bend 110A, can be seen best in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7.
In the illustrated embodiment, bend 110A in elongate member 110 results in second lateral member 130 being disposed at a lower vertical position in relation to first lateral member 120. Bend 110A in elongate member 110, in addition to creating an offset between of first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130, further facilitates a user's ability to sight down the top of firearm 150 without stock 100 substantially interfering with the user's head or any worn mask or other headgear.
Additionally, while FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a stock 100 which includes bend 110A, it will be appreciated that this feature is exemplary only. For example, in other embodiments, bend 110A may be eliminated, such that there is no offset between first lateral member 120 and butt portion 140, or bend 110 may be moved from elongate member 110 to the interface between elongate member 110 and first lateral member 120. Further, while the illustrated embodiment depicts one bend 110A in elongate member 110 to facilitate creation of an offset between the first lateral member 120 and second lateral member 130, in alternative embodiments, elongate member 110 and/or first and second lateral members 120, 130 may have multiple bends or may define an arch shape resulting in an offset between the first lateral member 120 and the second lateral member 130 in a second direction.
Stock 100 may be positioned in relation to firearm 150 in a variety of ways without interfering with a user's ability to comfortably and effectively sight firearm 150. For instance, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 shows elongate member 110 being laterally offset from firearm 150 in a first direction, e.g., the offset is on the right side of the firearm 150. However, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the disclosure herein, such an offset may be made in a variety of directions to effectuate the non-interfering purpose of the stock 100. For example, in another embodiment, elongate member 110 may be offset and positioned vertically below firearm 150. In another example embodiment, elongate member 110 may be offset and positioned to the left side of the firearm 150. Accordingly, stock 110 can be positioned and re-positioned to accommodate different shooting preferences of the user, such as if the user is left handed.
Furthermore, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of types of materials may be used to form stock 100. For example, stock 100 may comprise a metal material, a plastic material, a composite material, or some combination of any of the foregoing. Stock 100 should be able to withstand the forces exerted upon it through its normal use without failure. Thus, a variety of sizes and configurations can be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Furthermore, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, stock 100 may be sized, shaped and configured to adapt in size so as to accommodate users of varying shapes and sizes, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, stock 100 may be sized to fit a smaller user or may be enlarged to accommodate a larger sized user. Such size adjustment could be realized in a number of ways, for example, elongate member 110 can be formed from two or more pieces which are connected together at various lengths with the use of a series of openings and selector pins. In one embodiment, stock 100 may include one or more curves to obtain a desired substantially non-interfering offset. In another embodiment, stock 100 may include one or more substantially straight members having one or more bends therein to accomplish any desired offset. In another embodiment, stock 100 can include one or more members having one or more substantially straight members and one or more curved member to form a stock of a configuration according to the present invention.
As discussed herein, a gun stock according to the present invention can be used in connection with any of a variety of types of firearms. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, and by way of example only, a gun stock 200 according to the present invention can be used in connection with a firearm 205 which includes a firing mechanism (not shown) powered by a compressed fluid. Accordingly, firearm 205 can include a paintball gun.
As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, a firearm 205 which operates using compressed air or another fluid, is generally connected to a canister of compressed fluid (not shown), which is situated behind the butt of firearm 205, or otherwise positioned with respect to firearm 205. To facilitate such connection, firearm 205 is equipped with a flexible hose which runs between the canister and the firing mechanism.
In some embodiments, a gun stock, such as gun stock 200 illustrated in FIG. 8, is further configured to facilitate the connection of firearm 205 to the canister of compressed air. As will be appreciated, a canister which is situated immediately behind firearm 205 may interfere with a gun stock positioned proximate thereto. Accordingly, according to one embodiment of the present invention, gun stock 200 is configured to displace the canister of compressed fluid from firearm 205, so as to allow firearm 205 to be used with both a canister of compressed fluid and gun stock 200.
In the illustrated embodiment, gun stock 200 thus includes an air transfer system 205 used to transport fluid between the canister and the air system of firearm 205. According to one embodiment, for example, air transfer system 205 includes a firearm coupling 230 which connects air transfer system 205 of stock 200 to the air system of air-powered firearm 205. Firearm coupling 205 is in turn connected to a hose 240 which is included within stock 200. Firearm coupling 205 can be directly coupled to hose 240 or, as illustrated in FIG. 8, can be connected to hose 240 by using one or more hose couplings 235.
As illustrated, firearm coupling 205 and hose 240 may be aligned along a first lateral portion of stock 240, and hose 240 can run along substantially the entire length of stock 200, to a canister coupling 255, where air transfer system 225 connects to the canister (not shown) containing the compressed fluid which powers firearm 205. At or near canister coupling 255, air transfer system 225 can include one or more additional couplings 245, 250 which are configured to transfer fluid from the canister to firearm 205, and to connect canister coupling 255 to hose 240.
In the illustrated embodiment, it can be seen that hose 240 can run along an interior surface 210 of stock 200, and is secured thereto by fasteners 260, and has a shape which generally conforms to the configuration of stock 200, such that canister coupling 255 is positioned proximate the butt portion of stock 200. One feature of positioning canister coupling 255 in this manner is that it allows the canister to be removed from a position proximate the butt of firearm 205. In this manner, a user can attach a stock, such as stock 200, to firearm 205, which allows the user to aim firearm 205 in a manner that does not interfere with the visual sighting of firearm 205.
As discussed herein, gun stock 200 may be positioned against a portion of a body of a user, such as the user's shoulder. Accordingly, a canister used to power firearm 205 can thus be connected near the butt portion of stock 200 and the canister can be positioned adjacent the body of the user. This allows, for example, a user to position the canister under his or her arm where it does not interfere with the user's use of the gun sights. Moreover, the canister is removed from the firearm such that the weight of the canister is not cantilevered on firearm 205, but is more easily supported by the user, thereby reducing the weight of firearm 205 as felt by the user and decreasing user fatigue.
While FIG. 8 illustrates an air transfer system 225 which conforms to the shape of stock 200 and runs along an interior surface 210 thereof, it will be appreciated in light of the disclosure herein that this is exemplary only and that other configurations can be implemented without departing from the spirit or characteristics thereof For example, in one embodiment, hose 240 and/or other features of air transfer system 225 may run through the interior of the materials used to manufacture stock 200. In still other embodiments, air transfer system 225 may run wholly or partially along an upper, lower, or outer surface of stock 200, or run along only a portion of stock 200.
While the foregoing description provides an example in which a stock is attached to a paintball gun or other air-powered gun, it will be appreciated in light of the disclosure herein that a stock according to the present invention is not limited to use with paintball guns and air-powered guns, but can be used with any type of firearm. For example, any user of a firearm who desires to position his or her head in line with the sight of a firearm may use a stock according to the present invention, either with or without a protective mask or helmet.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A gun stock comprising:

a first lateral member configured to be coupled to a firearm;

an elongate member having opposing first and second ends, said first end being linked to said first lateral member, wherein said elongate member extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to said first lateral member; and

a second lateral member linked to said second end of said elongate member, said second lateral member extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said elongate member.

2. The gun stock of claim 1, wherein said second lateral member extends in a direction substantially parallel to said first lateral member.

3. The gun stock of claim 1, wherein said elongate member is adjustable in length.

4. The gun stock of claim 1, wherein said first lateral member includes one or more attachment members configured to couple said first lateral member to a firearm.

5. The gun stock of claim 1, wherein said one or more attachment members include one or more recesses defined by said first lateral member, said one or more recesses being configured to receive a mechanical fastener to attach said first lateral member to said firearm.

6. The gun stock of claim 1, wherein said first lateral member and said elongate member comprise a single unitary piece.

7. The gun stock of claim 1, wherein said first lateral member and said elongated member are discrete pieces.

8. The gun stock of claim 1, wherein said elongated member creates a vertical offset between said first lateral member and said second lateral member when said first lateral member extends in a horizontal direction

9. The gun stock of claim 8, wherein said second lateral member is positioned lower than said first lateral member.

10. The gun stock of claim 1, wherein said second lateral member comprises a butt portion.

11. The gun stock of claim 10, wherein said butt portion comprises a cushioning material.

12. The gun stock of claim 1, further comprising an air transfer system coupled to at least one of said first lateral member, said second lateral member or said elongate member.

13. A gun stock, comprising:

a first lateral member configured to be coupled to a firearm, said first lateral member being configured to offset said stock to allow a user to position their head in-line with a sight of said firearm;

an elongate member having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein said first end is coupled to and extends from said first lateral member; and

a second lateral member linked to said second end of said elongate member, said second lateral member including a butt portion,

wherein said elongate member offsets said first lateral member from said second lateral member to form an opening within the gun stock to facilitate positioning of said user's head between said first lateral member and said second lateral member.

14. The gun stock of claim 13, wherein said first lateral member, said elongate member, and said second lateral member comprise a unitary piece.

15. The gun stock of claim 13, wherein said first lateral member, said second lateral member, and said elongate member comprise at least two discrete pieces.

16. The gun stock of claim 13, wherein said butt portion comprises a resilient cushioning material.

17. The gun stock of claim 13, wherein said elongate member is configured to allow for adjustment of a size of said gun stock.

18. The gun stock of claim 17, wherein said elongate member has an adjustable length.

19. The gun stock of claim 17, wherein said elongate member comprises at least two pieces, each of said at least two pieces being movable with respect to the other of said at least two pieces, and comprising a selector to allow a user to selectively increase or decrease a size of the gun stock.

20. The gun stock of claim 13, wherein said first lateral member is configured to be coupled to an air-powered firearm, the gun stock further comprising an air transfer system coupled to at least one of said first lateral member, said second lateral member, or said elongate member, wherein said air transfer system is configured to transfer air from an air supply to a firing mechanism of said air-powered firearm.

21. A firearm system comprising:

a firearm configured to discharge projectiles; and

a stock coupled to a stock portion of said firearm, said stock comprising:

a first end coupled to said stock portion of said firearm;

a second end opposing said first end, said second end comprising a butt portion configured to be positioned against a body of a user of the firearm system while projectiles are discharged from said firearm; and

between said first end and said second end of said stock, means for offsetting said first and said second ends to allow a user's head to be positioned in line with, and between, said first end and said second end of said stock.

22. The firearm system of claim 21, wherein said first end comprises a lateral member extending horizontally from said stock portion of said firearm, and wherein said lateral member is vertically offset from said second end of said stock.

23. The firearm system of claim 21, wherein said offset means comprises a lateral member extending from said stock portion of said firearm and an elongate member extending from, and substantially perpendicular to, said lateral member.

24. The firearm system of claim 21 wherein said offset means comprises an elongate member configured to selectively control a length of said stock.

25. The firearm system of claim 21, wherein said firearm is a paintball gun.

26. The firearm system of claim 25, further comprising:

an air transfer system coupled to said stock, said air transfer system being configured to transfer compressed air to a firing mechanism of said paintball gun.