US4610034A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shoulder protection device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-06-22
•
Granted: 1986-09-09
•
Expires: 2004-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A thin flexible lightweight shoulder protection device for attachment to a shooter's garments to absorb rifle or similar firearm recoil loads. The device includes a flexible cover portion within which an energy absorbing pad is retained. One form of the pad includes a flexible sealed envelope which houses an internal solid polyurethane elastomer matrix which provides the device with its damping or energy absorbing capability. Alternate embodiments of the pad comprise an elastomer matrix formed with periodic recesses or depressions in the user facing surface, or with hollow compression chambers within the matrix, to provide an improved energy absorbing internal geometry to the device. Retention means are provided for removably locating and securing the device at desired garment locations.
Inventors
- 👤 Sam E. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:48
CPC Classifications
A; A41; A41D; A41D13/00; A41D13/015; A41D13/0156; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24273
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
A shoulder protection device having a cover portion, and an energy absorbing pad carried within said cover portion and comprising a lightweight resilient soft polyurethane elastomer solid internal matrix for absorbing and dissipating recoil forces generated during the dischargeof a firearm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
41 words
A shoulder protection device having a cover portion, and an energy absorbing pad carried within said cover portion and comprising a lightweight resilient soft polyurethane elastomer solid internal matrix for absorbing and dissipating recoil forces generated during the dischargeof a firearm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said polyurethane elastomer of said solid internal matrix has a specific gravity range of from approximately 1.02 to approximately 1.03, and has an elongation range of from approximately 300 percent to approximately 1,200 percent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said polyurethane elastomer of said solid internal matrix has a Shore durometer 00-scale value of from approximately 15 to approximately 35.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said polyurethane elastomer of said solid internal matrix has a specific gravity of approximately 1.033, a hardness of approximately 20 durometer on the Shore 00-scale, and an elongation range of from approximately 565 percent to approximately 590 percent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said polyurethane elastomer of said solid internal matrix has a Shore durometer A-scale value of from 0 to approximately 20, and is formed with a plurality of discrete non-communicating through apertures formed therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said solid internal matrix possesses a thickness dimension in the direction of recoil loading of said pad, and said through apertures extend generally in the direction of said thickness dimension.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said polyurethane elastomer of said solid internal matrix has a Shore durometer 00-scale value of from approximately 35 to approximately 80.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention according to claim 7 wherein said solid internal matrix possesses a thickness dimension in the direction of recoil loading of said pad, and said through apertures extend generally in the direction of said thickness dimension.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said solid internal matrix defines a user facing surface having a plurality of recesses extending therefrom and into said matrix.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said polyurethane elastomer of said solid internal matrix has a Shore durometer 00-scale value of from approximately 20 to approximately 35.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said soid internal matrix possesses a thickness dimension in the direction of recoil loading of said pad, and said recesses have a depth which is less than one half of said thickness dimension.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said recesses are spaced along said user facing surface in a periodic fashion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said recesses are generally rectangular in cross-section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said recesses are generally circular in cross-section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said recesses are generally star-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said recesses are generally triangular in cross-section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said recesses are generally hexagonal in cross-section.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said recesses possess a polygonal cross-sectional shape.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said recesses are generally elliptical in cross-section.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said plurality of recesses comprise a first series of spaced parallel elongated channels extending along said user facing surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention according to claim 20 wherein said channels are rectangular in cross-section.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention according to claim 20 wherein said plurality of recesses further comprise a second series of spaced parallel elongated channels extending along said user facing surface and which intersect said first series of parallel elongated channels.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention according to claim 22 wherein said first and second series of parallel elongated channels cooperatively define a diamond shaped relief grid along said user facing surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
74 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said solid internal matrix defines a firearm surface, a user facing surface, and a thickness dimension in the direction of recoil loading of said pad and extending between said firearm facing surface and said user facing surface, with said solid internal matrix being formed with at least one elongated compression chamber extending within said solid internal matrix between said user facing surface and said firearm facing surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention according to claim 24 wherein each said compression chamber extends within said solid internal matrix generally perpendicularly of said thickness dimension.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention according to claim 24 wherein said solid internal matrix is formed with a plurality of said compression chambers extending substantially parallel of one another within said matrix.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention according to claim 24 wherein each said compression chamber is generally circular in cross-section.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said solid internal matrix is formed to define a user facing surface, and a first series of raised elongated ribs extending along said user facing surface and substantially parallel of one another.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said solid internal matrix is carried within a sealed flexible internal envelope retained within said cover portion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention according to claim 29 wherein said internal envelope is defined by a pair of opposing flexible thin sheets matingly secured to one another adjacent their respective outer peripheral edges.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention according to claim 30 wherein said internal envelope comprises a pair of thin flexible sheets of plastic film matingly assembled to each other adjacent their respective outer peripheral edges by a heat sealing process.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cover portion is formed from a flexible cloth fabric.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cover portion is formed from a single elongated piece of flexible material folded upon itself and matingly assembled along its longitudinal edges to define an external envelope having a front face and a back face and within which said solid internal matrix is retained.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cover portion defines a closed external envelope within which said solid internal matrix is carried and a tongue portion depending from said external envelope and having means for attaching said device to a portion of the garment of a user.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said energy absorbing pad is substantially rectangular in shape, and said device further comprises an auxiliary solid polyurethane elastomer pad portion retained within said cover portion laterally adjacent said energy absorbing pad and operative to extend over the ball of a user's shoulder.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said energy absorbing pad defines a firearm facing surface, a user facing surface, and a thickness dimension in the direction of recoil loading of said pad and extending between said firearm facing surface and said user facing surface, with said thickness dimension being between approximately 1/8 and approximately 3/4 inches.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-08 | 1990-03-10 | 1990-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-08 | 1994-03-10 | 1994-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-08 | 1998-03-10 | 1998-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |