Weapon Ball Stock With Integrated Weapon Orientation

Abstract

A weapon ball-and-socket-based weapon mounting system for removably attaching a to the body of a user. A ball stock adapted to be attached to a weapon at one end and configured with a substantially ball-shaped ball element on the other end replaced the conventional weapon butt stock. The ball stock mates with a body-supported socket adapted to receive the ball element by clicking in to the socket. The user is able to articulate the weapon into a rest position as well as rotating it through a full range of elevation and sweeping orientations.

1 . A butt stock for use with a weapon comprising:
 a substantially ball-shaped ball element;   an axis member protruding from a portion of the ball element; and   a weapon attachment mechanism at the end of the axis.   
   
   
       2 . The butt stock according to  claim 1 , wherein the axis member comprises a length adjusting means operable to adjust the length between a range of maximum and minimum lengths. 
   
   
       3 . The butt stock according to  claim 1 , wherein the weapon attachment mechanism is adapted to retro fit to a conventional weapon without modification of the weapon. 
   
   
       4 . The butt stock according to  claim 1 , wherein the axis comprises a recoil reducing mechanism. 
   
   
       5 . The butt stock according to  claim 1 , wherein the ball element is adapted to mate with a body-supported receiving socket. 
   
   
       6 . The butt stock according to  claim 1 , wherein the ball element is adapted to be selectively separated from the axis by a retractable cord. 
   
   
       7 . The butt stock according to  claim 1 , wherein the weapon is a weapon selected from the group consisting of a rifle, a machine-type pistol, a recoilless rifle, a shot gun and a shoulder fired rocket launcher. 
   
   
       8 . A ball-and-socket-based weapon mounting system comprising:
 a butt stock configured with a weapon attaching mechanism and a ball element interconnected by an axis member; and   a body-supported receiving socket adapted to receive the ball element and permit the butt stock to rotate within the socket.   
   
   
       9 . The weapon mounting system according to  claim 8 , wherein the axis member comprises a length adjusting means operable to adjust the length between a range of maximum and minimum lengths. 
   
   
       10 . The weapon mounting system according to  claim 8 , wherein the weapon attachment mechanism is adapted to retro fit to a conventional weapon without modification of the weapon. 
   
   
       11 . The weapon mounting system according to  claim 8 , wherein the axis comprises a recoil reducing mechanism. 
   
   
       12 . The butt stock according to  claim 1 , wherein the ball element is adapted to be selectively separated from the axis by a retractable cord. 
   
   
       13 . The butt stock according to  claim 12 , wherein the ball element remains in the socket when separated from the axis. 
   
   
       14 . The weapon mounting system according to  claim 8 , wherein the socket comprises a pair of receiving yokes adapted to restrain the ball member. 
   
   
       15 . The weapon mounting system according to  claim 14 , wherein the socket comprises an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing between the receiving yokes. 
   
   
       16 . The weapon mounting system according to  claim 8 , wherein the receiving socket comprises a variable tensioning means operable to adjust a tension of the ball element within the socket. 
   
   
       17 . The weapon mounting system according to  claim 8 , wherein the receiving socket is attached to a ballistic garment. 
   
   
       18 . The weapon mounting system according to  claim 8 , wherein the receiving socket is attached to a support garment. 
   
   
       19 . The weapon mounting system according to  claim 8 , wherein the receiving socket is supported by at least one body-supported strap. 
   
   
       20 . The weapon mounting system according to  claim 8 , wherein the receiving socket may be moved within a range of possible locations on the user's body. 
   
   
       21 . The weapon mounting system according to  claim 8 , wherein the weapon is a weapon selected from the group consisting of a rifle, a machine-type pistol, a recoilless rifle, a shot gun and a shoulder fired rocket launcher. 
   
   
       22 . A method for supporting a weapon to a user's body comprising:
 replacing the weapon's butt stock with ball stock;   supporting a receiving socket with the body of a user of the weapon; and   engaging a ball element of the ball stock with the receiving socket.   
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 22 , the step of replacing comprising removing the weapon's butt stock and attaching a ball stock using an attachment mechanism having the same dimensions as the butt stock. 
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 22 , the step of supporting comprising attaching the receiving socket to a garment worn by the user. 
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 22 , the step of supporting comprising attaching the receiving socket to a ballistic garment worn by the user. 
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 22 , the step of supporting comprising attaching the receiving socket to at least one strap worn by the user. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 22 , the step of engaging comprising clicking a ball element of the ball stock into the receiving socket. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 22 , the step of engaging comprising adjusting a separation distance between two or more yokes of the receiving socket to accommodate a ball element of the ball stock. 
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising adjusting a tensioning mechanism in the receiving socket to control the resistance to motion of a ball element of the ball stock within the receiving socket. 
   
   
       30 . A ball-and-socket-based weapon mounting system comprising:
 a weapon butt stock configured with a weapon attaching mechanism and a receiving socket element connected to each other by an axis member; and   a body-supported ball element, wherein the socket element is adapted to receive the ball element and permit the weapon butt stock to rotate within the socket.