US20150338187A1

US20150338187A1 - Firearm stock with storage

Info

Publication number: US20150338187A1
Application number: US14/713,963
Authority: US
Inventors: Brian David Priddy; Gregory Bernard Landers; Doug Buccheit
Original assignee: Mule Tactical LLC
Current assignee: Mule Tactical LLC
Priority date: 2014-05-15
Filing date: 2015-05-15
Publication date: 2015-11-26

Abstract

A firearm stock with an upper member and a lower member pivotally connected to the upper member at a front portion of the firearm stock, such that the lower member is rotatable between an open position and a closed position, such that when the lower member is in the closed position, the upper member and the lower member collectively define an internal cavity of the firearm stock. The firearm stock also including an attachment mechanism for removably attaching a storage module in the form of a friction holster or clamshell container, such that, when the lower member is in the closed position, the storage module is contained within the internal cavity of the firearm stock. The firearm stock also including one or more storage tubes with front and rear plugs for insertion into the storage tubes, and a removable nose cone that includes one or more sling inserts.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/993,634, filed May 15, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to firearm stocks. Specifically, presently disclosed subject matter relates to firearm stocks which include an internal cavity.

BACKGROUND

Firearms are often made from a number of components that are designed and configured for easy assembly and disassembly. This allows the firearm to be disassembled quickly and easily for storage, shipping, and cleaning. Furthermore, the removable components can be exchanged with replacement components for high levels of customization.
One such removably and replaceable component of a firearm is the stock. Many replacement firearm stocks provide additional beneficial features such as length adjustment, folding mechanism for storage against the firearm, or storage compartments. The volume of such storage compartments, however, is typically small and oftentimes is difficult to access. Accordingly, the utility of such storage compartments is fairly limited both in the size and type of item which can be stored in the firearm stock.
Accordingly, a firearm stock that provides a large storage volume that is quickly and easily accessible would be both highly desirable and beneficial.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to firearm stocks. Specifically, presently disclosed subject matter relates to firearm stocks which include an internal cavity. According to one embodiment of the invention, a firearm stock is comprised of a front portion, an upper member and a lower member pivotally connected to the upper member such that the lower member is moveable between a closed position and an open position.
The upper member comprises a top portion with a first upper panel and a second upper panel extending downward from the top portion of the upper member substantially parallel to each other and spaced a predetermined distance away from each other. Furthermore, a back panel spans between the first upper panel and the second upper panel at the end of the firearm stock opposite from the front portion of the firearm stock.
The lower member comprises a first lower panel and a second lower panel which extend substantially parallel to each other and are spaced a predetermined distance away from each other, such that when the lower member is in the closed position, the first upper panel of the upper member mates with the first lower panel of the lower member to form a substantially continuous first sidewall of the firearm stock on the right side of the firearm stock, and, the second upper panel of the upper member mates with the second lower panel of the lower member to form a substantially continuous second sidewall of the firearm stock on the left side of the firearm stock. The lower member further includes a bottom panel that extends between the first lower panel and the second lower panel, such that when the lower member is in the closed position, the bottom panel of the lower member mates with the back panel of the upper member. Furthermore, the edges of the first and second upper panels of the upper member include a lip and the edges of the first and second lower panels of the lower member include a lip, such that, when the lower member is in the closed position, the lips of the upper member overlap with the lips of the lower member and the internal cavity of the firearm stock is effectively sealed.
With regard to the movement of the lower member between the closed position and the open position, the upper member defines one or more first pivot holes, located at the front portion of the firearm stock, and the lower member similarly defines one or more second pivot hole located at the front portion of the firearm stock. In operation, the first pivot holes of the upper member are placed in registry with the second pivot holes of the lower member and a hinge pin is accommodated within the first pivot holes as well as the second pivot holes to facilitate pivotal movement of the lower member relative to the upper member about a longitudinal axis of the hinge pin. In particular, when the lower member moves from the closed position to the open position, the lower member rotates downward and forward relative to the upper member about the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin.
The firearm stock further comprises one or more hinge springs operably connected to the upper member and the lower member, such that the one or more hinge springs bias the lower member to the open position. In the exemplary firearm stock, the one or more hinge springs are helical torsion springs with a first end connected to the upper member and a second end connected to the lower member, such that when the hinge spring decompresses the hinge spring forces the lower member to rotate downward and forward relative to the upper member.
In order to maintain the lower member in the closed position, the exemplary firearm stock of the present invention further comprises a two-sided latching system. Specifically, a first button, a first leaf spring, and a first retainer are located on the right side of the firearm stock; a second button, a second leaf spring, and a second retainer are located on the left side of the firearm stock; and a compression spring spans between the first button and the second button, as further discussed below.
Each of the buttons are movable between a nondepressed position and a depressed position such that the lower member is maintained in the closed position until both the first button and the second button are concurrently moved to the depressed position. The buttons are comprised of a main body which is accessible from the exterior of the firearm stock through a button hole defined in the upper member. The buttons also include a leg extending downward from the back of the main body which terminates in a lateral flange with a lower sloped surface, as further discussed below. The buttons further include a spring post extending outward from the leg of the button, as further discussed below.
The leaf springs and retainers are connected to both the button and the upper member such that when a force is applied to the main body of each button from the exterior of the firearm stock, the button moves to the depressed position (i.e., the button moves away from the interior surface of the respective upper panel of the upper member) flexing the leaf springs and the retainers. Furthermore, when concurrently depressing both buttons, the compression spring, which is connected to both the spring post of the first button and the spring post of the second button, will compress between the buttons. When the force is no longer applied to the buttons, the leaf spring, the retainer, and the compression spring return the buttons to the original nondepressed position.
As previously mentioned, the lower member includes a bottom panel that extends between the first lower panel and the second lower panel. A first catch and a second catch extend upward from the bottom panel of the lower member, and are configured to engage the lateral flanges of the first and second buttons respectively. Specifically, each catch defines a locking hole and includes a sloped surface positioned immediately above the locking hole. The locking hole of the first catch is configured to receive the lateral flange of the first button and the locking hole of the second catch is configure to receive the lateral flange of the second button. Specifically, when the lower member is in the closed position and the buttons are in the nondepressed position, the lateral flange of each button is positioned within the locking hole of the respective catch, and the lower member is therefore unable to rotate downward relative to the upper member. When the button is moved to the depressed position, however, the lateral flange of the button is removed from the locking hole of the respective catch. As such, in order to release the lower member from the closed position and allow the lower member to rotate into the open position, a user must concurrently depress both the first button and the second button thus removing the lateral flanges of the first and second buttons from the respective locking holes of the catches. The one or more hinge springs then bias the lower member into the open position by rotating the lower member away from the upper member.
In order to further provide customization and added functionality to the internal cavity of the firearm stock, the firearm stock of the present invention further includes an attachment mechanism configured to removably attach a storage module to the lower member of the firearm stock, such that when the lower member is in the closed position, the storage module is contained within the internal cavity of the firearm stock. In particular, the lower member further comprises a first set of dovetail rails position on the interior surface of the first lower panel and a second set of dovetail rails positioned on the interior surface of the second lower panel such that each set of dovetail rails act as a female dovetail connector.
The storage module includes a first dovetail panel on one side of the storage module and a second dovetail panel on the other side of the storage module such that each dovetail panel acts as a male dovetail connector. The two sets of female dovetail connectors of the lower member are configured for sliding engagement with the two dovetail panels of the storage module such that the storage module is removably attachable to the lower member of the firearm stock on either side by a sliding dovetail joint. Specifically, by positioning the storage module above the lower member such that the first male dovetail panel is aligned with the first set of female dovetail rails and the second male dovetail panel is aligned with the second set of female dovetail rails, the storage module can be slid downward relative to the lower member until fully inserted. Similarly, the storage module can be removed by simply sliding the storage module upward relative to the lower member until the first male dovetail panel is free from the first set of female dovetail rails and the second male dovetail panel is free from the second set of female dovetail rails.
One exemplary storage module is provided in the form of a friction holster which is capable of securing a sidearm, such as a pistol, to the lower member of the firearm stock, such that when the lower member of the firearm stock is in the closed position, the sidearm is contained within the internal cavity of the firearm stock. In particular, the friction holster includes a first side panel and a second side panel which function as trigger guards when the sidearm is holstered within the friction holster. Furthermore, a series of nubs extend away from the interior surface of the first and second side panels of the friction holster. The nubs are particularly sized and positioned such that they engage the trigger guard of the sidearm when the sidearm is holstered within the friction holster securely retaining the sidearm within the friction holster. Accordingly, it is contemplated that depending on the exact model of sidearm intended to be contained within the internal cavity of the firearm stock of the present invention, a friction holster with appropriately designed nubs is first installed on the firearm stock of the present invention.
Another exemplary storage module is provided in the form of a clamshell container which comprises a hinge on one side of the clamshell container and one or more closing mechanism, on an opposite side of the clamshell container. As the clamshell container does not have to resist the forces associated with the withdraw and return of a sidearm, it is contemplated that it is not necessary for the clamshell container to include male dovetail panels which fully engage the female dovetail rails of the lower member. Accordingly, as an alternative to the male dovetail panels of the friction holster described above, the clamshell container includes a first set of projections positioned on a side surface of the clamshell container and a second set of projections positioned on the opposite side surface of the clamshell container. Similar to the male dovetail panels of the friction holster described above, the projections of the clamshell container are configured to slidably engage the female dovetail rails of the lower member such that the clamshell container is installed and removed in substantially the same manner as the friction holster as described above, but with significantly less contact between the projections of the clamshell container and female dovetail rails of the lower member.
In addition to storage within the internal cavity of the firearm stock, in the exemplary firearm stock of the present invention the upper member of the firearm stock further defines one or more storage tubes. Each storage tube has a first opening facing towards the front portion of the firearm stock, and a second opening facing opposite the first opening. The firearm stock further includes a one or more front plugs which are configured for insertion into the first openings of the storage tubes, such that the front plugs seal the first openings of the storage tubes. The firearm stock further includes one or more rear plugs which are configured for insertion into the second openings of the storage tubes, such that one of the rear plugs seal the second opening of the first storage tube. The rear plugs further includes a retaining strip extending laterally from the each rear plug which keeps the rear plugs attached to the firearm stock even when the rear plugs are removed from the storage tubes.
Specifically, the upper member includes a back surface opposite the front portion of the firearm stock and the back surface of the upper member defines a channel having a first end and second end opposite the first end. Each end of the channel is positioned adjacent to the second openings of the one or more storage tubes such that the retaining strip of each of the one or more rear plugs is housed within the channel and the retaining strip is capable of sliding along the channel. The two ends of the channel are narrower than the rest of the channel and each retaining strip has t-shaped distal ends such that the retaining strips are able to freely slide within the channel, but the t-shape distal ends prevent the retaining strips from sliding past the ends of the channel.
The exemplary firearm stock comprises a removable nose cone attached to the upper member at the front portion of the firearm stock. The nose cone can therefore easily be switched in order to match with a particular firearm. For example, one exemplary nose cone is configured for mounting on AR style firearms and an alternative nose cone is configured for mounting on non-AR style firearms. Regardless of the particular configuration of the nose cone, it is contemplated that an exemplary nose cone of the present invention includes one or more sling inserts which are configured to accept a typical quick detach sling mount well known in the art. One exemplary nose cone includes one or more sling inserts that extend through the width of the nose cone such that a sling insert is accessible on either side of the firearm stock, and an alternative nose cone includes a single sling insert located at the center of the bottom of the nose cone.
A bumper is also positioned between the upper member and the removable nose cone such that when the lower member is in the open position, the lower member contacts the bumper. In this way, the bumper prevents the lower member from rotating beyond the open position.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in or apparent from the detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention found below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary firearm stock made in accordance with the present invention and shown with a lower member in the closed position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the firearm stock of FIG. 1 but shown with the lower member in the open position.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the firearm stock of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the firearm stock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing the internal cavity of the firearm stock of FIG. 1 with a housing and a retainer partially cut away to show the interaction of the various components of the latching system.

FIG. 6 is an exploded detail view of components of the latching system located within the internal cavity of the firearm stock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing the interaction of a storage module in the form of a friction holster and the lower member.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the friction holster of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing the interaction of a storage module in the form of a clamshell container and the lower member.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial view showing the interaction of the butt pad and the first and second rear plugs.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the nose cone of the exemplary firearm stock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11B is a sectional view of the nose cone of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of an alternative nose cone made in accordance with the present invention and removably attachable to the firearm stock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12B is a sectional view of the nose cone of FIG. 12A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to firearm stocks. Specifically, the present invention is related to firearm stocks which include an internal cavity. The stock of the present invention is capable of being attached to, and used in conjunction with, a firearm with a front portion of the firearm stock removably attached to the firearm.
The orientation descriptions of top and bottom, up and down, front and back, rear and forward, and left and right, are all in relation to the firearm stock as attached to a firearm and as manipulated by a user when the firearm is in use. In most positions the user will hold the firearm and connected firearm stock with the firearm stock against the body of the user, gripping the trigger portion of the firearm with the dominant hand and stabilize the firearm with the other hand. In this position, the back of the firearm stock will be away from the barrel of the firearm, the top of the firearm stock will be up, and the right side of the firearm stock will be to the right when viewing the back of the firearm stock with the firearm pointing away.
As used throughout this document, the term firearm is understood to include devices capable of launching a projectile through the use of: a controlled explosion, such as, shotguns, rifles, assault rifles, and the like; compressed gas, such as, air guns, bb guns, pellet guns, airsoft guns, paintball guns and the like; stored potential energy, such as, cross bows, spring powered pellet guns, and the like; or any other similar devices.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, an exemplary firearm stock 10 made in accordance with the present invention is comprised of a front portion 12, an upper member 20 and a lower member 30 pivotally connected to the upper member 20 such that the lower member 30 is moveable between a closed position (as shown in FIG. 1) and an open position (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). The firearm stock 10 further includes a buffer tube 76 and a removable nose cone 90 attached to the upper member 20 and which provide the means of attaching the firearm stock 10 to a firearm, as further discussed below.
The upper member 20 comprises a top portion 21 which functions as a cheek guard for the firearm stock 10. A first upper panel 22 a and a second upper panel 22 b extend downward from the top portion 21 of the upper member 20 substantially parallel to each other and spaced a predetermined distance away from each other. Furthermore, a back panel 23 (shown in FIG. 5) spans between the first upper panel 22 a and the second upper panel 22 b at the end of the firearm stock 10 opposite from the front portion 12 of the firearm stock 10 with a butt pad 50 attached to the back panel 23 of the upper member 20. The butt pad 50 is designed to rest against a user's shoulder when the firearm with attached firearm stock 10 is in use. To this end, and as shown in FIG. 4, in the exemplary firearm stock 10, the butt pad 50 is removably attached to the firearm stock 10 by two fasteners, as further discussed below, and interchangeable with other similar butt pads having varying thicknesses so that multiple users can choose a butt pad with a desired thickness in order to optimize comfort and control in the use of a firearm with attached firearm stock 10.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 3, the upper member 20 further includes a highly textured cleat 49 positioned directly below the butt pad 50. In the exemplary firearm stock 10, the cleat 49 is a textured area comprised of an array of protruding pyramidal shaped points which advantageously provides an area of the firearm stock 10 with improved traction and resistance. For example a user in a seated or crouched position may use a firearm with attached firearm stock 10 to maintain his or her balance. Similarly, a user may use the firearm with attached firearm stock 10 in rising to a standing position. Placing the cleat 49 against the ground provides greater stability as the texture of the cleat 49 makes it less likely that the firearm stock 10 will slip. Furthermore, the cleat 49 may be used to as a blunt instrument for striking an object, for example, to break glass, or in combat situations for hand-to-hand combat. Of course, the cleat 49 of the present invention may include other patterns and textures without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Referring once again to FIGS. 1-3, the lower member 30 comprises a first lower panel 32 a, and a second lower panel 32 b which extend substantially parallel to each other and are spaced a predetermined distance away from each other, such that when the lower member 30 is in the closed position, the first upper panel 22 a of the upper member 20 mates with the first lower panel 32 a of the lower member 30 to form a substantially continuous first sidewall 16 a of the firearm stock 10 on the right side of the firearm stock 10 and the second upper panel 22 b of the upper member 20 mates with the second lower panel 32 b of the lower member 30 to form a substantially continuous second sidewall 16 b (shown in FIG. 5) of the firearm stock 10 identical to the first sidewall 16 a but on the left side of the firearm stock 10. The lower member 30 further includes a bottom panel 33 that extends between the first lower panel 32 a and the second lower panel 32 b, such that when the lower member 30 is in the closed position, the bottom panel 33 of the lower member 30 mates with the back panel 23 of the upper member 20. In the exemplary firearm stock 10, the first and second upper panels 22 a, 22 b of the upper member 20 each include a lip 28 a, 28 b running along the edges of the first and second upper panels 22 a, 22 b. Similarly the first and second lower panels 32 a, 32 b of the lower member 30 include a lip 38 a, 38 b running along the edges of the first and second lower panels 32 a, 32 b, such that, when the lower member 30 is in the closed position, the lips 28 a, 28 b of the upper member 20 overlap with the lips 38 a, 38 b of the lower member 30 and the internal cavity 18 of the firearm stock 10 is effectively sealed.
With regard to the movement of the lower member 30 between the closed position and the open position, and referring now specifically to FIG. 4, the upper member 20 defines two outer pivot holes 29 a, 29 b (one or more first pivot holes), located at the front portion 12 of the firearm stock 10, and the lower member 30 similarly defines one inner pivot hole 39 (one or more second pivot holes) located at the front portion 12 of the firearm stock 10. In operation, the one inner pivot hole 39 of the lower member 30 is placed in registry with the two outer pivot holes 29 a, 29 b of the upper member 20 and hinge pin assembly comprising a pin 54 a, a first fastener 54 b, and a second fastener 54 c is accommodated within the two outer pivot holes 29 a, 29 b as well as the one inner pivot hole 39. More specifically, the one inner pivot hole 39 of the lower member 30 is placed between the two outer pivot holes 29 a, 29 b of the upper member 20, the pin 54 a is inserted through one of the two outer pivot holes 29 a, through the one inner pivot hole 39, and then through the second of the two outer pivot holes 29 b, and then the fasteners 54 b, 54 c, for example screws, are used to hold the pin 54 a in place. Of course, alternate configurations of pivot holes can also be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Regardless of the particular configuration of the pivot holes, after the pivot holes are placed in registry, the hinge pin assembly facilitates pivotal movement of the lower member 30 relative to the upper member 20 about a longitudinal axis of the pin 54 a. In this way, when the lower member 30 moves from the closed position to the open position, the lower member 30 rotates downward and forward relative to the upper member 20 about the axis defined by the pin 54 a (i.e., counter-clockwise in FIGS. 1-3).
Referring still to FIG. 4, the firearm stock 10 further comprises one or more hinge springs 55 a, 55 b operably connected to the upper member 20 and the lower member 30, such that the one or more hinge springs 55 a, 55 b bias the lower member 30 to the open position. In the exemplary firearm stock 10, the one or more hinge springs 55 a, 55 b are helical torsion springs with a first end 56 a′, 56 b′connected to the upper member 20 and a second end 56 a″, 56 b″ connected to the lower member 30. More specifically, and referring now to FIG. 5, the first end 56 b′ of one of the hinge spring 55 b is positioned within a spring housing 57 b defined by the upper member 20 and located in the internal cavity 18 of the firearm stock 10. The second end 56 b″ of the hinge spring 55 b is positioned adjacent to an interior surface 31 of the bottom panel 33 of the lower member 30. Accordingly, when the hinge spring 55 b decompresses, the hinge spring 55 b forces the lower member 30 to rotate downward and forward relative to the upper member 20. Although not show, the other hinge spring 55 a is configured and operates in exactly the same way as the one hinge spring 55 b described above. Of course, alternate spring types, numbers, and placements are also contemplated with suitable means of connecting the alternate springs to the upper member and the lower member of the firearm stock. Regardless of the particular configuration of the hinge springs or means of connection, the hinge springs have sufficient resilience to move the lower member into the open position while still allowing a user to move the lower member back to the closed position.
Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, in order to maintain the lower member 30 in the closed position, the exemplary firearm stock 10 of the present invention further comprises a two-sided latching system. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a first button 63 a, a first leaf spring 60 a, and a first retainer 70 a are located on the right side of the firearm stock 10; a second button 63 b, a second leaf spring 60 b, and a second retainer 70 b are located on the left side of the firearm stock 10; and a compression spring 69 spans between the first button 63 a and the second button 63 b, as further discussed below.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 6, the second button 63 b includes a main body 64 b with a leg 65 b extending downward from the back of the main body 64 b. The leg 65 b terminates in a lateral flange 66 b with a lower sloped surface 67 b, as further discussed below The second button 63 b further includes a spring post 68 b extending outward from the leg 65 b of the second button 63 b, as further discussed below.
The second leaf spring 60 b includes a lower end 61 b which is connected to the main body 64 b of the second button 63 b such that the second leaf spring 60 b extends upward from the second button 63 b and terminates in a bent upper end 62 b opposite the lower end 61 b, as further discussed below.
The second retainer 70 b also includes an upper end 71 b which is bent similar to the upper end 62 b of the second leaf spring 60 b and further includes an angled body 72 b which extends away from the bent upper end 71 b of the second retainer 70 b. A lateral extension 73 b extends from the angled body 72 b of the second retainer 70 b, as further discussed below.
Referring still to FIG. 6, the second upper panel 22 b of the upper member 20 has an interior surface 24 b and defines a second button hole 25 b which extends through the width of the second upper panel 22 b. The upper member 20 further includes a housing 26 b that extends outward from the interior surface 24 b of the second upper panel 22 b above the second button hole 25 b, the housing 26 b defining an L-shaped cavity 27 b, as further discussed below.
Referring now to FIG. 5, when the latching system is assembled, the bent upper end 62 b of the second leaf spring 60 b is nested within the bent upper end 71 b of the second retainer 70 b (shown in partial cut-away) with both the bent upper end 62 b of the second leaf spring 60 b and the bent upper end 71 b of the second retainer 70 b positioned within the L-shaped cavity 27 b of the housing 26 b (shown in partial cut-away). In this way, the housing 26 b effectively prevents the second retainer 70 b and the second leaf spring 60 b from moving upward or downward as well as preventing the bent upper ends 71 a, 75 a of the second leaf spring 60 b and the second retainer 70 b from rotating relative to the upper member 20. As also shown in FIG. 5, when the latching system is assembled, the angled body 72 b of the second retainer 70 b extends away from the second leaf spring 60 b and the second button 63 b, but the lateral extension 73 b of the second retainer 70 b is in contact with the second button 63 b, the importance of which is discussed below.
Furthermore, when the latching system is assembled and the second button 63 b is in a nondepressed position, a portion of the main body 64 b of the second button 63 b is positioned within the second button hole 25 b and therefore the main body 64 b of the second button 63 b is accessible from the exterior of the firearm stock 10 (as perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 where a portion of the main body 64 a of the first button 63 a is shown extending past the first button hole 25 a defined by the first upper panel 22 a of the upper member 20). When a force is applied to the main body 64 b of the second button 63 b from the exterior of the firearm stock 10, the second button 63 b moves to a depressed position (i.e., the second button 63 b moves away from the interior surface 24 b of the second upper panel 22 b of the upper member 20). Because the lower end 61 b of the second leaf spring 60 b is connected to the second button 63 b, when the second button 63 b is in the depressed position, the lower end 61 b of the second leaf spring 60 b also moves away from the interior surface 24 b of the second upper panel 22 b of the upper member 20, but due to the position of the bent upper ends 62 b, 71 b of the second leaf spring 60 b and the second retainer 70 b within the L-shaped cavity 27 b of the housing 26 b, the second leaf spring 60 b flexes. To this end, the second leaf spring 60 b is comprised of a material which allows the second leaf spring 60 b to flex away from the interior surface 24 b of the second upper panel 22 b when a force is applied to the second button 63 b (i.e., when the second button 63 b is in the depressed position), while providing a strong enough biasing force to return the second leaf spring 60 b and the second button 63 b to the original nondepressed position once the force is no longer applied to the second button 63 b. It is contemplated that the compression spring 69 and/or the second retainer 70 b also provide additional biasing force to return the second button 63 b to the nondepressed position, as further discussed below.
Specifically, and as previously mentioned, the lateral extension 73 b of the second retainer 70 b is always in contact with the second button 63 b, and therefore, when the second button 63 b is in the depressed position, the angled body 72 b of the second retainer 70 b also moves away from the interior surface 24 b of the second upper panel 22 b of the upper member 20, similar to the second leaf spring 60 b, as described above. The second retainer 70 b therefore provides an additional biasing force to return the second button 63 b to the nondepressed position once the force is no longer applied to the second button 63 b.
Referring once again to FIG. 5, in the exemplary firearm 10 of the present invention, the upper member 20 further includes a second stopping plate 74 b positioned on a lower portion of the back panel 23 which the leg 65 b of the second button 63 b contacts upon depressing the second button 63 b a predetermined distance (i.e., the depressed distance). In this way, the stopping plate 74 b of the upper member 20 defines a maximum depression distance of the second button 63 b.
As previously mentioned, the lower member 30 includes a bottom panel 33 that extends between the first lower panel 32 a and the second lower panel 32 b. Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a first catch 35 a and a second catch 35 b extend upward from the bottom panel 33 of the lower member 30, and are configured to engage the lateral flanges 66 a, 66 b of the first and second buttons 63 a, 63 b respectively. Specifically, and as perhaps best shown in FIG. 6, the second catch 35 b defines a locking hole 36 b and includes a sloped surface 37 b positioned immediately above the locking hole 36 b. The locking hole 36 b of the second catch 35 b is configure to receive the lateral flange 66 b of the second button 63 b. Specifically, when the lower member 30 is in the closed position and the second button 63 b is in the nondepressed position (as shown in FIG. 5), the lateral flange 66 b of the second button 63 b is positioned within the locking hole 36 b of the second catch 35 b, and the lower member 30 is therefore unable to rotate downward relative to the upper member 20. When the second button 63 b is moved to the depressed position, however, the lateral flange 66 b of the second button 63 b is removed from the locking hole 36 b of the second catch 35 b.
Although the above discussion has focused on the second button 63 b, the second leaf spring 60 b, the second retainer 70 b located on the left side of the left side of the firearm stock 10, the first button 63 a, first leaf spring 60 a, and first retainer 70 a positioned on the right side of the firearm stock 10 are identical but mirrored to the respective second button 63 b, second leaf spring 60 b, and second retainer 70 b described above and operate in the same way. Specifically, and referring now to FIG. 3, when the lower member 30 is in the closed position and the first button 63 a is in the nondepressed position, the lateral flange 66 a of the first button 63 a is positioned within the locking hole 36 a of the first catch 35 a, and when the first button 63 a is moved to the depressed position, the lateral flange 66 a of the first button 63 a is removed from the locking hole 36 a of the first catch 35 a.
As such, in order to release the lower member 30 from the closed position and allow the lower member 30 to rotate into the open position, a user must concurrently depress both the first button 63 a and the second button 63 b thus removing the lateral flanges 66 a, 66 b of the first and second buttons 63 a from the respective locking holes 36 a, 36 b of the catches 35 a, 35 b. The one or more hinge springs 55 a, 55 b are then able to rotate the lower member 30 away from the upper member 20 and into the open position. It should be noted that when concurrently depressing both buttons 63 a, 63 b, the compression spring 69, which is connected to both the spring post of the first button 63 a and the spring post 68 a of the second button 63 b, will compress between the buttons 63 a, 63 b and thus provide additional biasing force to return the first and second buttons 63 a, 63 b to the nondepressed position.
To return the lower member 30 to the closed position, a user rotates the lower member 30 back towards the upper member 20. In doing so, the sloped surfaces 67 a, 67 b of the lateral flanges 66 a, 66 b of the first and second buttons 63 a, 63 b first come in contact with the sloped surfaces 37 a, 37 b of the first and second catches 35 a, 35 b and then proceed to slide across the sloped surfaces 37 a, 37 b of the first and second catches 35 a, 35 b causing the first and second buttons 63 a, 63 b to move slightly inward and thus allowing the lateral flanges 66 a, 66 b of the first and second buttons 63 a, 63 b to pass into the locking holes 36 a, 36 b of the first and second catches 35 a, 35 b.
In the exemplary firearm stock 10 described above, the leaf springs and the buttons are two individual pieces attached to one another, for example by press fitting the button to the lower end of the leaf spring; however it is contemplated that as a further refinement of the present invention, the leaf spring and the button may be formed as a unitary member comprised of a material which still allows the button to be depressed inward and return to its original position. Furthermore, although in the exemplary firearm stock 10 described above the retainers 70 a, 70 b provides an additional biasing force to return the button to the nondepressed position, as a further refinement, in some embodiments of the present invention, the lateral extension at the end of the retainer is shorter than the lateral extension shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 such that the shorter lateral extension only contacts the button after the button has been partially depressed. As yet a further refinement, in some other embodiments of the present invention, the lateral extension is not present at all, such that the button contacts the angled body of the retainer directly. In such an embodiment it is contemplated that the retainer can be made from a material rigid enough to prevent the leaf spring from flexing any further once the button contacts the angled body of the retainer, such that the angled body of the retainer defines a maximum depression distance of the button.
In order to further provide customization and added functionality to the internal cavity 18 of the firearm stock 10, and referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the firearm stock 10 of the present invention further includes an attachment mechanism configured to removably attach a storage module 82 to the lower member 30, such that when the lower member 30 is in the closed position, the storage module 82 is contained within the internal cavity 18 of the firearm stock 10. In particular, the lower member 30 further comprises a second set of dovetail rails 80 b′, 80 b″ positioned on the interior surface 34 b of the second lower panel 32 b. As shown in FIG. 3, a first set of dovetail rails 80 a′, 80 a″ is similarly positioned on the interior surface of the first lower panel 32 a. As perhaps best shown in FIG. 5, the second set of dovetail rails 80 b′, 80 b″ extend along the interior surface 34 b of the second lower panel 32 b parallel to each other with each of the two dovetail rails 80 b′, 80 b″ having a beveled edge 81 b′, 81 b″ on the side facing the other of the two dovetail rails 80 b′, 80 b″, such that the second set of dove tail rails 80 a′, 80 b″ act as a female dovetail connector, as further discussed below. Although not clearly shown in the figures, the first set of dovetail rails 80 a′, 80 a″ positioned on the interior surface of the first lower panel 32 a are configured the same, but a mirror image to, the second set of dovetail rails 80 b′, 80 b″ and include similar beveled edges, such that the first set of dovetail rails 80 a′, 80 a″ also act as a female dovetail connector.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 7, the storage module 82 includes a first dovetail panel 85 a having two externally facing beveled edges 86 a′, 86 a″ such that the dovetail panel 85 a acts as a male dovetail connector. The storage module 82 further includes a second dovetail panel (not shown in the figures) on the opposite side of the storage module 82 from the first dovetail panel 85 a which is similarly configured to the first dovetail panel 85 a with two externally facing beveled edges such that the second dovetail panel also acts as a male dovetail connector. In this way, the storage module 82 is removably attachable to the lower member 30 of the firearm stock 10 by a sliding dovetail joint. Specifically, the beveled edges 86 a′, 86 a″ of the first dovetail panel 85 a are configured to slidably engage the beveled edges of the first set of dovetail rails 80 a′, 80 a″ positioned on the interior surface 34 a of the first lower panel 32 a of the lower member 30 and the beveled edges of the second dovetail panel are configured to slidably engage the beveled edges 81 b′, 81 b″ of the second set of dovetail rails 80 b′, 80 b″ positioned on the interior surface 34 b of the second lower panel 32 b of the lower member 30. By positioning the storage module 82 above the lower member 30 such that the first dovetail panel 85 a is aligned with the first set of dovetail rails 80 a′, 80 a″ and the second dovetail panel is aligned with the second set of dovetail rails 80 b′, 80 b″, the storage module 82 can be slid downward relative to the lower member 30 until fully inserted. Similarly, the storage module 82 can be removed by simply sliding the storage module 82 upward relative to the lower member 30 until the first dovetail panel 85 a is free from the first set of dovetail rails 80 a′, 80 a″ and the second dovetail panel is free from the second set of dovetail rails 80 b′, 80 b″.
Referring once again to FIGS. 7 and 8, the exemplary storage module 82 is provided in the form of a friction holster 82 which is capable of securing a sidearm, such as a pistol, to the lower member 30 of the firearm stock 10, such that when the lower member 30 of the firearm stock 10 is in the closed position, the sidearm is contained within the internal cavity 18 of the firearm stock 10. In particular, the friction holster 82 includes a first side panel 83 a and a second side panel 83 b which function as trigger guards when the sidearm is holstered within the friction holster 82. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, a series of nubs 84 extend away from the interior surface of the second side panel 83 b of the friction holster 82. Although not shown in the figures, a similar set of nubs also extend away from the interior surface of the first side panel 83 a of the friction holster 82. The nubs 84 are particularly sized and positioned such that they engage the trigger guard of the sidearm when the sidearm is holstered within the friction holster 82 securely retaining the sidearm within the friction holster 82. Accordingly, it is contemplated that depending on the exact model of sidearm intended to be contained within the internal cavity of the firearm stock of the present invention, a friction holster with appropriately designed nubs is first installed on the firearm stock 10 of the present invention.
In order to store a sidearm in the firearm stock 10 of the present invention, a user first concurrently depresses both the first button 63 a and the second button 63 b allowing the lower member 30 to move to the open position. The user then pushes the sidearm forward into the friction holster 82 in a direction generally parallel to the bottom panel 33 of the lower member 30 until the trigger guard of the sidearm is fully engaged by the nubs 84, thus holstering the sidearm in the friction holster 82. Once the firearm is holstered in the friction holster 82, each of the side panels 83 a, 83 b covers each side of the sidearm such that the trigger is inaccessible thus preventing an accidental discharge of the sidearm when holstered in the friction holster 82. The user can then move the lower member 30 back into the closed position so that the sidearm is contained within the internal cavity 18 of the firearm stock 10. In order to then withdraw the sidearm from the friction holster 82, a user once again concurrently depresses both the first button 63 a and the second button 63 b allowing the lower member 30 to move to the open position. The user then pulls the sidearm out of the friction holster 82 in a direction generally parallel to the bottom panel 33 of the lower member 30. Advantageously because the two sets of dovetail rails 80 a′, 80 a″, 80 b′, 80 b″ extend at about a 90° angle relative to the direction of force in holstering and withdrawing the firearm, the friction holster 82 is securely held in place in the lower member 30 during withdrawal and return of a sidearm from the friction holster 82.
It is contemplated that when the lower member 30 is in the open position the spacing between the back of the lower member 30 and the back of the upper member 20 is sufficient to allow a user to easily withdraw and return a sidearm into the friction holster 82. To this end, and as perhaps best shown in FIG. 3, the area between the first catch 35 a and the second catch 35 b of the lower member 30 is left open in order to facilitate in the withdraw and return a sidearm into the friction holster 82.
Referring now to FIG. 9, as a further refinement of the present invention, another exemplary storage module 182 is provided in the form of a clamshell container 182 which comprises a hinge 187 on one side of the clamshell container 182 and one or more closing mechanisms 188 a, 188 b, on an opposite side of the clamshell container 182. As the clamshell container 182 does not have to resist the forces associated with the withdraw and return of a sidearm, it is contemplated that it is not necessary for the clamshell container 182 to include dovetail panels which fully engage the dovetail rails 80 a′, 80 a″, 80 b′, 80 b″ of the lower member 30. Accordingly, as an alternative to the dovetail panels of the friction holster described above, the clamshell container 182 includes a first set of projections 189 a′, 189 a″ positioned on one side side surface of the clamshell container 182. Although not shown in the figures, a second set of projections are also present on the opposite side surface of the clamshell container 182. Similar to the male dovetail panels of the friction holster described above, the projections of the clamshell container are configured to slidably engage the dovetail rails 80 a′, 80 a″, 80 b′, 80 b″ of the lower member 30 such that the clamshell container 182 is installed and removed in substantially the same manner as the friction holster as described above, but with significantly less contact between the projections of the clamshell container 182 and female dovetail rails of the lower member 30. In particular, by first positioning the clamshell container 182 above the lower member 30 such that the first set of projections 189 a′, 189 a″ are aligned with the first set of dovetail rails 80 a′, 80 a″ and the second set of projections are aligned with the second set of dovetail rails 80 b′, 80 b″, the clamshell container 182 is slid downward relative to the lower member 30 until fully inserted. Similarly, the clamshell container 182 can be removed by sliding the clamshell container 182 upward relative to the lower member 30 until the first set of projections 189 a′, 189 a″ are free from the first set of dovetail rails 80 a′, 80 a″ and the second set of projections are free from the second set of dovetail rails 80 b′, 80 b″.
In addition to storage within the internal cavity 18 of the firearm stock 10, and referring once again to FIGS. 1-4, the exemplary firearm stock 10 of the present invention also includes a first storage tube 40 a located at the top portion 21 of the upper member 20 on the right side of the upper member 20 and a second storage tube located at the top portion 21 of the upper member 20 on the left side of the upper member 20. The first storage tube 40 a has a first opening 41 a facing towards the front portion 12 of the firearm stock 10 and a second opening 44 a facing opposite the first opening 41 a. Although not shown in the figures, the second storage tube similarly has a first opening facing towards the front portion of the firearms tock 10 and a second opening facing opposite the first opening It is contemplated that the first storage tube 40 a and the second storage tube are substantially circular and sized to hold small items such as, for example CR123, AA, and AAA batteries, however the storage tubes may be other shapes and sizes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Regardless of the size and shape of the first storage tube 40 a and the second storage tube, and as perhaps best shown in FIG. 4, the exemplary firearm stock 10 further includes a pair of front plugs 42 a, 42 b which are configured for insertion into the storage tubes 40 a, 40 b, such that a first one of the front plugs 42 a seals the first opening 41 a of the first storage tube 40 a and the other front plug 42 b seals the first opening of the second storage tube. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the first front plug 42 a also includes a tab 43 a that extends laterally from the side of the front plug 42 a. As shown in FIG. 1, when the first front plug 42 a is inserted into the first opening 41 a of the first storage tube 40 a, the tab 43 a is positioned in front of the first opening 41 a and extends outward past the edge of the first storage tube 40 a. Accordingly, the tab 43 a provides a convenient grip to assist in the removal of the first front plug 42 a from the first openings 41 a of the first storage tubes 40 a. The second front plug 42 b has a similar tab which assists in the removal of the second front plug 42 b from the second opening of the second storage tube.
Referring once again to FIGS. 1-4, the exemplary firearm stock 10 further includes a pair of rear plugs 45 a, 45 b which are configured for insertion into the storage tubes 40 a, 40 b, such that a first one of the rear plugs 45 a seals the second opening 44 a of the first storage tube 40 a and the other rear plug 45 b seals the second opening of the second storage tube. Furthermore, and also similar to the front plugs 42 a, 42 b, the rear plugs 45 a, 45 b also include a tab 46 a, 46 b which assists in the removal of the rear plug 45 a, 45 b from the respective second opening 44 a of the first and second storage tubes 40 a, 40 b.
In order to adequately seal the storage tubes 40 a, 40 b the front plugs 42 a, 42 b and the rear plugs 45 a, 45 b are preferably comprised of a resilient material, such as a rubber, or rubberized plastic which provides a strong seal through an interference fit with the interior of the first and second openings of the storage tubes 40 a, 40 b, while still allowing for easy insertion and removal of the front plugs 42 a, 42 b and the rear plugs 45 a, 45 b.
In order to keep the rear plugs 45 a, 45 b attached to the firearm stock 10 even when they are removed from the storage tubes 40 a, 40 b, each of the rear plugs 45 a, 45 b also includes a retaining strip 47 a, 47 b extending laterally from the each rear plug 45 a, 45 b. Specifically, and referring now to FIG. 10, the butt pad 50 has a back surface 51 which is positioned adjacent to the back panel 23 of the upper member 20. The back surface 51 of the butt pad 50 defines a channel 52 having two ends 53 a, 53 b, such that when the butt pad 50 is attached to the upper member 20, the two ends 53 a, 53 b of the channel 52 are positioned adjacent to the second openings of the storage tubes 40 a, 40 b and the retaining strips 47 a, 47 b are positioned within the channel 52 between the butt pad 50 and the back panel 23 of the upper member 20. As shown in FIG. 10, the two ends 53 a, 53 b of the channel 52 are narrower than the rest of the channel 52. Similarly, each retaining strip 47 a, 47 b has a t-shaped distal end 48 a, 48 b, such that the retaining strips 47 a, 47 b are able to freely slide within the channel 52, but the t-shape distal end 48 a, 48 b prevents the retaining strip 47 a, 47 b from sliding past the ends 53 a, 53 b of the channel 52. In this way, when the butt pad 50 is attached to the upper member 20 with the retaining strips 47 a, 47 b housed in the channel 52 defined on the back surface 51 of the butt pad 50, the rear plugs 45 a, 45 b remained attached to the firearm stock 10 even when they are removed from the second openings of the storage tubes 40 a, 40 b.
It should be noted that although in the exemplary firearm stock 10 the butt pad 50 is attached to the back panel 23 of the upper member 20 by two screws (as shown in FIG. 4), it is also contemplated that as a further refinement to the present invention that the butt pad is removably attached by two rubber snaps which extend from the back surface of the butt pad and which engage corresponding holes in the back panel of the upper member. Specifically, in this embodiment, the rubber snaps have a body which extends from the butt pad and terminates in a head with a lip having a diameter larger than the diameter of the body. The holes in the back panel of the upper member have diameters larger than the body of the rubber snaps but smaller than the lip on the head of the rubber snap. To install such a butt pad a user aligns the rubber snaps of the butt pad with the corresponding holes in the back panel of the upper member and applies force to the butt pad. The lip on the head of the rubber snaps deforms allowing the rubber snap to pass through the hole in the back panel of the upper member. Once fully inserted, the lip on the head of the rubber snap prevents the butt pad from accidentally falling off. To remove such a butt pad, a user simply pulls on the shoulder pad forcing the rubber snap out of the hole in the back panel of the upper member.
Turning now the connection between the firearm stock 10 of the present invention and a firearm, and referring once again to FIGS. 1-4, the buffer tube 76 includes a threaded front end 77 which provides the means of attaching the buffer tube 76, and thus the firearm stock 10 to the firearm. A standard 1 3/16″-16 thread connector is typically used to connect the firearm stock 10 to shotguns, rifles, assault rifles as well as other firearms known in the art, however it is, of course, contemplated that the buffer tube 76 may be sized to attach to any firearm known in the art. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the buffer tube 76 is attached to the upper member 20 of the firearm stock 10 by a screw accessible through the back panel 23 of the upper member 20. As such, in the exemplary firearm stock 10, the buffer tube 76 is fixedly attached to the upper member 20; however as a further refinement, in some embodiments of the present invention, it is contemplated that the upper member is slidably adjustable along the length of the buffer tube. In this way, the position of the firearm stock in relation to the firearm may be adjusted to provide further comfort to a user using the firearm with the firearm stock attached.
Referring now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the removable nose cone 90 of the firearm stock 10 is attached to the upper member 20 at the front portion 12 of the firearm stock 10. To this end, the nose cone 90 includes two rearward projecting tabs 94 a, 94 b, which mate with corresponding receptacles 95 a, 95 b on the upper member 20 of the firearm stock 10. The tabs 94 a, 94 b of the nose cone 90 are inserted into corresponding receptacles 95 a, 95 b in the upper member 20 and then affixed by screws (as shown in FIG. 4). The nose cone can therefore easily be switched in order to match with a particular firearm. For example, the exemplary nose cone 90 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B is configured for mounting on AR style firearms. In order to provide proper mounting with the AR style firearms, a locking nut 96 is also provided which is shown in FIGS. 1-3 positioned on the buffer tube 76 forward of the nose cone 90.
Referring now to FIGS. 12A and 12B, in another embodiment, an alternative nose cone 290 is configured for mounting on non-AR style firearms. The alternative nose cone 290 includes two rearward projecting tabs 294 a, 294 b which mate with corresponding receptacles 95 a, 95 b on the upper member 20 of the firearm stock 10, similar to the nose cone 90 described above with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B.
Regardless of the particular configuration of the nose cone, as shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B each exemplary nose cone 90, 290 of the present invention includes one or more sling inserts 91, 291 which are configured to accept a typical quick detach sling mount well known in the art. The nose cone 90 shown in FIG. 11A, 11B, includes one or more sling inserts 91 that extend through the width of the nose cone 90 such that a sling insert 91 is accessible on either side of the firearm stock 10. The alternative nose cone 290 shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B includes a single sling insert 291 located at the center of the bottom of the nose cone 290. Of course, alternative numbers and placements of sling inserts are also contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Each of the exemplary nose cones 90, 290 further includes a bumper 92, 292 located at a lower rear end of the nose cone 90, 290. When the nose cone 90, 290 is attached to the upper member 20 of the firearm stock 10, the bumper 92, 292 is positioned between the nose cone 90, 290 and the upper member 20, such that when the lower member 30 of the firearm stock 10 is in the open position, the lower member 30 contacts the bumper 92, 292. Not only does the bumper 92, 292 thus prevent the lower member 30 from rotating beyond the open position, but the bumper 92, 292 is preferably made of a material which provides a soft contact surface for the lower member 30 which functions as a shock absorber.
One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional steps and configurations are possible without departing from the teachings of the invention. This detailed description, and particularly the specific details of the exemplary embodiment disclosed, is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modifications will become evident to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A firearm stock, comprising:

a front portion;

an upper member; and

a lower member pivotally connected to the upper member at the front portion of the firearm stock, such that the lower member is rotatable between an open position and a closed position;

wherein when the lower member is in the closed position, the upper member and the lower member collectively define an internal cavity of the firearm stock.

2. The firearm stock of claim 1, further comprising:

a first pivot hole defined by the upper member at the front portion of the firearm stock;

a second pivot hole defines by the lower member at the front portion of the firearm stock; and

a pin;

wherein the first pivot hole is placed in registry with the second pivot hole and the pin is accommodated within the first and second pivot holes to facilitate pivotal movement of the lower member relative to the upper member about a longitudinal axis of the pin.

3. The firearm stock of claim 1, further comprising one or more hinge springs operably connected to the upper member and the lower member, such that the one or more hinge springs bias the lower member to the open position.

4. The firearm stock of claim 1, wherein the upper member further defines one or more storage tubes, each storage tube having a first opening facing towards the front portion of the firearm stock, and a second opening facing opposite the first opening.

5. The firearm stock of claim 4, further comprising:

one or more front plugs, each front plug configured for insertion into the first opening of one of the one or more storage tubes; and

one or more rear plugs, each rear plug configured for insertion into the second opening of one of the one or more storage tubes.

6. The firearm stock of claim 5, wherein the upper member includes a back surface opposite the front portion of the firearm stock, the back surface defining a channel having a first end and second end opposite the first end, each end of the channel positioned adjacent to the second opening of one of the one or more storage tubes; and

wherein each of the one or more rear plugs comprises a retaining strip housed within the channel, such that the retaining strip is capable of sliding along the channel.

7. The firearm stock of claim 1, wherein the lower member further comprises an attachment mechanism, the attachment mechanism configured to removably attach a storage module to the firearm stock such that when the lower member is in the closed position, the storage module is contained within the internal cavity of the firearm stock.

8. The firearm stock of claim 7, wherein the lower member includes an interior surface; and

wherein the attachment mechanism is a sliding dovetail connector positioned on the interior surface of the lower member and configured for sliding engagement with a mating sliding dovetail connector positioned on the storage module, such that the storage module is removably attached to the firearm stock by a sliding dovetail joint.

9. The firearm stock of claim 1, wherein the upper member comprises a first upper panel and a second upper panel extending substantially parallel to the first upper panel and spaced a predetermined distance from the first upper panel; and

wherein the lower member comprises a first lower panel and a second lower panel extending substantially parallel to the first lower panel and spaced the predetermined distance from the first lower panel, such that when the lower member is in the closed position the first upper panel of the upper member mates with the first lower panel of the lower member to form a substantially continuous first sidewall of the firearm stock and the second upper panel of the upper member mates with the second lower panel of the lower member to form a substantially continuous second sidewall of the firearm stock.

10. The firearm stock of claim 1, wherein the firearm stock further comprises a removable nose cone attached to the upper member at the front portion of the firearm stock; and

wherein the removable nose cone includes one or more sling inserts.

11. The firearm stock of claim 10, further comprising a bumper positioned between the upper member and the removable nose cone;

wherein when the lower member is in the open position, the lower member contacts the bumper, such that the bumper prevents the lower member from rotating beyond the open position.

12. A firearm stock, comprising:

an upper member;

a lower member pivotally connected to the upper member, such that the lower member is rotatable between an open position and a closed position where the upper member and the lower member collectively define a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an internal cavity of the firearm stock;

a first button located on the first sidewall of the firearm stock and movable between a nondepressed position and a depressed position; and

a second button located on the second sidewall of the firearm stock and moveable between a nondepressed position and a depressed position;

wherein the lower member is maintained in the closed position until both the first button and the second button are concurrently moved to the depressed position.

13. The firearm stock of claim 12, further comprising:

one or more latching springs that bias the first button and the second button in the nondepressed position.

14. The firearm stock of claim 13, wherein the upper member includes a first interior surface and a second interior surface opposite the first interior surface; and

wherein the one or more latching springs comprise

a first leaf spring having an upper end connected to the first interior surface of the upper member and a lower end connected to the first button; and

a second leaf spring having an upper end connected to the second interior surface of the upper member and a lower end connected to the second button.

15. The firearm stock of claim 13, wherein the one or more latching springs comprise a compression spring spanning between the first button and the second button.

16. The firearm stock of claim 12, wherein the first button includes a first lateral flange;

wherein the second button includes a second lateral flange;

wherein the lower member defines a first locking hole configured to receive the first lateral flange of the first button and a second locking hole configured to receive the second lateral flange of the second button;

wherein, when the lower member is in the closed position and the first button is in the nondepressed position, the first lateral flange of the first button is positioned within the first locking hole of the lower member;

wherein, when the lower member is in the closed position and the second button is in the nondepressed position, the second lateral flange of the second button is positioned within the second locking hole of the lower member;

wherein, upon moving the first button to the depressed position, the first lateral flange of the first button is removed from the first locking hole; and

wherein, upon moving the second button to the depressed position, the second lateral flange is removed from the second locking hole.

17. The firearm stock of claim 16, further comprising one or more hinge springs operably connected to the upper member and the lower member, such that the one or more hinge springs bias the lower member to the open position when both (1) the first lateral flange is removed from the first locking hole and (2) the second lateral flange is removed from the second locking hole.

18. A firearm stock assembly, comprising:

a firearm stock including:

an upper member, and

a lower member pivotally connected to the upper member, such that the lower member is rotatable between an open position and a closed position where the upper member and the lower member collectively define an internal cavity of the firearm stock; and

a storage module configured for insertion into the internal cavity of the firearm stock such that when the lower member is in the closed position, the storage module is contained within the internal cavity of the firearm stock.

19. The firearm stock assembly of claim 18, wherein the storage module is a friction holster for a sidearm.

20. The firearm stock assembly of claim 18, wherein the storage module is a clamshell container.