Retainer and system for an elastomeric damper in a firearm

Abstract

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

1 . A firearm comprising:
 a first rigid component;   a second rigid component adjacent the first rigid component;   a damper positioned between the first rigid component and the second rigid component, the damper having a top surface and a bottom surface; and   the first or second rigid component defining a cavity for receiving the damper, the cavity having an open end and a floor opposed to the open end, wherein a planar cross-sectional area across the open end of the cavity is less than the cross-sectional area of the cavity across at least one parallel plane between the open end and the floor.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm of  claim 1  wherein the damper has a height greater than a depth of the cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm of  claim 1  wherein the first rigid component has a first planar surface and the second rigid component has a second planar surface and the two planar surfaces are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm of  claim 1  wherein during operation of the firearm the first rigid component moves in relation to the second rigid component. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm of  claim 1  wherein the damper prevents contact of the first rigid component with the second rigid component. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm of  claim 1  wherein the first rigid component comprises a frame. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm of  claim 1  wherein the second rigid component comprises a grip module. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm of  claim 1  wherein the damper comprises an elastomer having a Shore A hardness of less than 100. 
     
     
         9 . The firearm of  claim 8  wherein the damper comprises an elastomer selected from at least one of TPV, silicone, natural rubber and polyurethane. 
     
     
         10 . The firearm of  claim 1  wherein the damper is substantially a trapezoidal prism. 
     
     
         11 . The firearm of  claim 1  wherein the damper includes a cutout that increases flexibility of the damper. 
     
     
         12 . The firearm of  claim 11  wherein the cutout defines a void of at least 10% of the volume of the damper. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The firearm of  claim 11  wherein the cutout extends at least 10% into the height of the damper. 
     
     
         15 . The firearm of  claim 2  wherein a portion of the damper retained in the cavity has a greater average cross-sectional area than does a portion of the damper that extends above the cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The firearm of of  claim 1  wherein the cavity is substantially a trapezoidal prism. 
     
     
         17 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The firearm of  claim 1  wherein one or both of the first and second rigid components exhibit a shear modulus of greater than 10 GPa. 
     
     
         20 . A method of installing a damper in a firearm, the method comprising:
 squeezing opposing sides of the damper to collapse the walls of the damper inwardly;   pushing the damper into a cavity formed in a rigid component of the firearm;   allowing the walls of the damper to expand; and   retaining the damper in the cavity.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the cavity has an opening that is smaller than a bottom surface of the elastomeric damper when the damper is in an uncompressed state. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  comprising assembling the firearm so that the damper is in contact with two distinct rigid components of the firearm. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the damper comprises an elastomeric polymer. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the damper is retained in the cavity without the use of a fastener or adhesive. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20  comprising squeezing together the walls of the damper and removing the damper from the cavity. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled)