# US 2014/0196336 A1 · Recoil pads including gas chambers, firearms including such recoil pads, and related methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196336 A1 - Document ID: US20140196336A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/740,742 - Filed: 2013-01-14 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-14 - Inventors: Lawrence V. Butler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196336A1 ## CPC - F41C 23/08: Recoil absorbing pads - F41C 23/06: Stocks {or firearm frames} specially adapted for recoil reduction - Y10T 29/49615: Resilient shock or vibration absorber utility - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - F41C: SMALLARMS, e.g. PISTOLS, RIFLES (functional features or details common to both smallarms and ordnance, mountings therefor F41A; projecting missiles without use of explosive or combustible propellant charge F41B); ACCESSORIES THEREFOR - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A recoil pad for a firearm includes at least one gas chamber, and at least one access port to the gas chamber. The access port retains gas pressure within the gas chamber, and also allows pressurization and depressurization of the gas chamber. In additional embodiments, a recoil pad encloses two or more gas chambers having different pressures therein. Firearms include such recoil pads. Methods of fabrication of firearms include attaching such a recoil pad to a stock or grip of a firearm. Methods of using such recoil pads and firearms include the selective pressurization or depressurization of a gas chamber in a recoil pad. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A recoil pad configured to be attached to a firearm, the recoil pad comprising: an elastomeric body enclosing at least one gas chamber; and at least one access port extending through a wall of the elastomeric body to the at least one gas chamber, the at least one access port configured to retain gas pressure within the at least one gas chamber of the recoil pad and to allow selective pressurization and depressurization of the at least one gas chamber by moving gas into and out from the at least one gas chamber through the at least one access port. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The recoil pad of claim 1, wherein the recoil pad includes two or more discrete gas chambers, each gas chamber of the two or more discrete gas chambers having a respective access port for independently selectively pressurizing and depressurizing each of the two or more discrete gas chambers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The recoil pad of claim 2, wherein the two or more discrete gas chambers comprises four discrete gas chambers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The recoil pad of claim 1, wherein the recoil pad includes a base plate attached to the elastomeric body. ### Claim 5 A recoil pad configured to be attached to a stock or a grip of a firearm, the recoil pad comprising an elastomeric body enclosing at least a first gas chamber and a second gas chamber, wherein a first gas pressure within the first gas chamber is different from a second gas pressure within the second gas chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The recoil pad of claim 5, further comprising at least one access port extending through a wall of the elastomeric body to the first gas chamber, the at least one access port configured to retain gas pressure within the first gas chamber and to allow selective pressurization and depressurization of the first gas chamber by moving gas into and out from the first gas chamber through the at least one access port. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The recoil pad of claim 5, further comprising at least one additional gas chamber enclosed within the elastomeric body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The recoil pad of claim 5, wherein the recoil pad includes a base plate attached to the elastomeric body. ### Claim 9 A firearm, comprising: a stock or grip extending from a firing mechanism, the stock or grip configured to abut against a body of a person firing the firearm; and a recoil pad disposed on the stock or grip, the recoil pad including an elastomeric body enclosing at least one gas chamber and having at least one access port extending through a wall of the elastomeric body to the at least one gas chamber, the at least one access port configured to retain gas pressure within the at least one gas chamber of the recoil pad during use of the firearm and to allow selective pressurization and depressurization of the at least one gas chamber by moving gas into and out from the at least one gas chamber through the at least one access port. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The firearm of claim 9, wherein the recoil pad includes two or more discrete gas chambers, each gas chamber of the two or more discrete gas chambers having a respective access port for independently selectively pressurizing and depressurizing each of the two or more discrete gas chambers. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The firearm of claim 10, wherein the two or more discrete gas chambers comprises four discrete gas chambers. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The firearm of claim 9, wherein the recoil pad includes a base plate attached to the elastomeric body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The firearm of claim 9, wherein the recoil pad is configured to allow repeated attachment to and detachment from the stock or the grip. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The firearm of claim 9, wherein the recoil pad includes at least one aperture extending through the recoil pad, and wherein the recoil pad is attached to the stock or the grip using a fastener extending through the aperture and into the stock or the grip. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The firearm of claim 9, wherein the firearm comprises one of a shoulder firearm and a handgun. ### Claim 16 A firearm, comprising: a stock or grip extending from a central body comprising a firing mechanism, the stock or grip configured to abut against a body of a person firing the firearm; and a recoil pad disposed on the stock or the grip, the recoil pad including an elastomeric body enclosing at least a first gas chamber and a second gas chamber, wherein a first gas pressure within the first gas chamber is different from a second gas pressure within the second gas chamber. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The firearm of claim 16, further comprising at least one access port extending through a wall of the elastomeric body to the first gas chamber, the at least one access port configured to retain gas pressure within the first gas chamber and to allow selective pressurization and depressurization of the first gas chamber by moving gas into and out from the first gas chamber through the at least one access port. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The firearm of claim 16, further comprising at least one additional gas chamber enclosed within the elastomeric body. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The firearm of claim 16, wherein the recoil pad includes a base plate attached to the elastomeric body. ### Claim 20 A method of manufacturing a recoil pad for attachment to a stock or grip of a firearm, the method comprising: forming an elastomeric body enclosing at least one gas chamber; and providing at least one access port extending through a wall of the elastomeric body to the at least one gas chamber, the at least one access port configured to retain gas pressure within the at least one gas chamber of the recoil pad and to allow selective pressurization and depressurization of the at least one gas chamber by moving gas into and out from the at least one gas chamber through the at least one access port. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising forming the recoil pad to include two or more discrete gas chambers. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, further comprising providing each gas chamber of the two or more discrete gas chambers with a respective access port for independently selectively pressurizing and depressurizing each of the two or more discrete gas chambers. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising attaching a base plate to the elastomeric body. ### Claim 24 A method of manufacturing a recoil pad for attachment to a stock or grip of a firearm, the method comprising: forming an elastomeric body enclosing at least a first gas chamber and a second gas chamber; pressurizing the first gas chamber to a first gas pressure; and pressuring the second gas chamber to a second gas pressure different from the first gas pressure in the first gas chamber. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, further comprising providing at least one access port through a wall of the elastomeric body to the first gas chamber, the at least one access port configured to retain gas pressure within the first gas chamber and to allow selective pressurization and depressurization of the first gas chamber by moving gas into and out from the first gas chamber through the at least one access port. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, further comprising attaching a base plate to the elastomeric body. ### Claim 27 A method of manufacturing at least a portion of a firearm, comprising: providing a recoil pad including an elastomeric body enclosing at least one gas chamber and having at least one access port extending through a wall of the elastomeric body to the at least one gas chamber, the at least one access port configured to retain gas pressure within the at least one gas chamber of the recoil pad and to allow selective pressurization and depressurization of the at least one gas chamber by moving gas into and out from the at least one gas chamber through the at least one access port; and attaching the recoil pad to a stock or grip of a firearm. ### Claim 28 A method of manufacturing at least a portion of a firearm, comprising: providing a recoil pad including an elastomeric body enclosing at least a first gas chamber and a second gas chamber, wherein a first gas pressure within the first gas chamber is different from a second gas pressure within the second gas chamber; and attaching the recoil pad to a stock or grip of a firearm. ### Claim 29 A method of using a firearm, comprising: selectively pressurizing or depressurizing at least one gas chamber within a recoil pad on a stock or grip of a firearm; and abutting the recoil pad against a shoulder of a person and firing the firearm. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, further comprising: increasing or decreasing a gas pressure within the at least one gas chamber after firing the firearm; and abutting the recoil pad against a shoulder of a person and again firing the firearm.