Ambidextrous Controls

FIELD

The present invention relates to firearm controls. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ambidextrous firearm control.

BACKGROUND

Armalite style rifles (ARs) are a very popular shooting platform for shooting enthusiasts around the world. The AR style platform can be easily customized to accommodate any user's preferences. One such popular customization is an AR style upper and lower receivers designed with ambidextrous firearm control to allow right handed users and left handed users to operate the AR style firearm.

The ARs with ambidextrous firearm control have a number of weaknesses. One of these is the use of custom parts that are expensive to manufacture.

What is needed is an ambidextrous firearm control that is easy to assemble and provides reliable ambidextrous operation of a firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of an embodiment presently disclosed.

FIG. 2 depicts an assembled partial view of the embodiment presently disclosed.

FIG. 3 depicts another assembled partial view of the embodiment presently disclosed.

FIG. 4 depicts another assembled partial view of the embodiment presently disclosed.

FIG. 5 depicts another assembled partial view of the embodiment presently disclosed.

FIG. 6 depicts a front partial view of the embodiment presently disclosed.

FIG. 7 depicts another front partial view of the embodiment presently disclosed

FIG. 8 depicts a bolt catch mechanism assembly according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 9 depicts another view of the bolt catch mechanism assembly according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 10 depicts another bolt catch mechanism assembly according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 11 depicts another view of the bolt catch mechanism assembly according to some embodiments presently disclosed

FIG. 12 depicts an exploded view of an embodiment presently disclosed.

FIG. 13 depicts another exploded view of the embodiment presently disclosed

FIG. 14 depicts an assembled partial view of the embodiment presently disclosed.

FIG. 15 depicts another assembled partial view of the embodiment presently disclosed.

FIG. 16 depicts another assembled partial view of an embodiment presently disclosed

FIG. 17 depicts another assembled partial view of an embodiment presently disclosed

FIG. 18 depicts a front partial view of the embodiment presently disclosed.

FIG. 19 depicts another front partial view of the embodiment presently disclosed.

In the following description, like reference numbers are used to identify like elements. Furthermore, the drawings are intended to illustrate major features of exemplary embodiments in a diagrammatic manner. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of every implementation nor relative dimensions of the depicted elements, and are not drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to clearly describe various specific embodiments disclosed herein. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the presently claimed invention may be practiced without all of the specific details discussed below. In other instances, well known features have not been described so as not to obscure the invention.

Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, a bolt catch mechanism assembly 10 is shown according to some embodiments presently disclosed. The bolt catch mechanism assembly 10 comprises a primary bolt catch 15, a secondary bolt catch lever 20, a bolt catch spring 25, a primary bolt catch plunger 30, and a secondary bolt catch plunger 35. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the assembly 10 is coupled with a lower receiver 40 as shown in FIGS. 2-7.

The primary bolt catch 15 is configured to move from a first (open) position (shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 8) to a second (blocking) position (shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 7 and 9). According to some embodiments, at least a portion of the primary bolt catch 15 moves vertically from the first (open) position to the second (blocking) position. When the primary bolt catch 15 is in the first (open) position, the bolt (not shown) and the bolt carrier assembly (not shown) are able to freely move forward to battery upon firing and ejecting one or more rounds (not shown). When the primary bolt catch 15 is in the second (blocking) position, the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly are prevented from moving forward to battery. The primary bolt catch 15 may also comprise one or more thumb-actuated portions 45, 50 to allow the user (i.e. operator of the firearm) to manually move the primary bolt catch 15 between the first and second positions and back. According to some embodiments, the bolt catch spring 25 and the primary bolt catch plunger 30 prevent the primary bolt catch 15 from accidently moving to the second (blocking) position during the firing of the gun.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the second (blocking) position is any position of the primary bolt catch 15 that is away from the first (open) position.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the primary bolt catch 15 is configured to remain in the first (open) position as long as there is at least one round in a magazine (not shown). According to some embodiments, when the last round is fired/ejected from the magazine, a magazine follower of the magazine is configured to move the primary bolt catch 15 from the first (open) position to the second (blocking) position. According to some embodiments, the primary bolt catch 15 comprises one or more protrusions 55 configured to interact with the magazine follower when the last round is fired/ejected from the magazine. According to some embodiments, when the last round is fired/ejected from the magazine, the magazine follower is configured to interact with the one or more protrusions 55 and move the primary bolt catch 15 from the first (open) position to the second (blocking) position.

According to some embodiments, when the user replaces the empty magazine with a magazine containing one or more rounds, the user's activation of the thumb-actuated portion 45 manually moves the primary bolt catch 15 from the second (blocking) position to the first (open) position to allow the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly to move forward to battery. Moving the primary bolt catch 15 to the first (open) position resets the assembly 10 until it is once again activated by the magazine follower after the last round is fired/ejected from the magazine.

According to some embodiments, the user's activation of the thumb-actuated portion 50 manually moves the primary bolt catch 15 from the first (open) position to the second (blocking) position to prevent the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly from moving forward to battery.

According to some embodiments, the secondary bolt catch lever 20 is configured to abut the primary bolt catch 15 as shown in FIGS. 8-9 and is configured to move the primary bolt catch 15 from the first (open) position (shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 8) to the second (blocking) position (shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 7 and 9).

According to some embodiments, at least a portion of the secondary bolt catch lever 20 moves vertically from a first (lower) position to a second (raised) position. The secondary bolt catch lever 20 may comprise a thumb-actuated portion 60 to allow the user to manually move the secondary bolt catch lever 20 from the first (lower) position to the second (raised) position. Moving the secondary bolt catch lever 20 from the first (lower) position to the second (raised) position causes at least a portion of the primary bolt catch 15 to move vertically from the first (open) position to the second (blocking) position. Moving the primary bolt catch 15 to the second (blocking) position prevents the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly from moving forward to battery.

According to some embodiments, the primary bolt catch 15 is configured to abut the secondary bolt catch lever 20 as shown in FIGS. 8-9 and is configured to move the secondary bolt catch lever 20 from the first (lower) position to the second (raised) position and back again. According to some embodiments, when the primary bolt catch 15 is in the first (open) position, the secondary bolt catch lever 20 is in the first (lower) position. According to some embodiments, when the primary bolt catch 15 is in the second (blocking) position, the secondary bolt catch lever 20 is in the second (raised) position.

According to some embodiments, the bolt catch spring 25 and the secondary bolt catch plunger 35 prevent the secondary bolt catch lever 20 from accidently moving to the second (raised) position during the firing of the gun.

According to some embodiments, the user's activation of the thumb-actuated portion 60 manually moves the secondary bolt catch lever 20 from the first (lower) position to the second (raised) position to prevent the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly from moving forward to battery. According to some embodiments, the user's activation of the thumb-actuated portion 60 manually moves the secondary bolt catch lever 20 from the first (lower) position to the second (raised) position to cause the primary bolt catch 15 to move to the second (blocking) position and prevent the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly from moving forward to battery.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the lower receiver 40 comprises a bolt catch channel 75 (shown in FIG. 1) to accommodate the assembly 10. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the lower receiver 40 comprises a bolt catch channel 75 (shown in FIG. 1) to accommodate the primary bolt catch 15, the secondary bolt catch lever 20, the bolt catch spring 25, the primary bolt catch plunger 30 and the secondary bolt catch plunger 35.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, a fastener 80 is used to rotationally couple the primary bolt catch 15 with the lower receiver 40. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, a fastener 85 is used to rotationally couple the secondary bolt catch lever 20 with the lower receiver 40. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the fasteners 80, 85 are pins. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the lower receiver 40 comprises a plurality of apertures 90 configured to accommodate the fasteners 80, 85. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the primary bolt catch 15 and the secondary bolt catch lever 20 comprise apertures 95 configured to accommodate the fasteners 80, 85.

As shown above, the one or more thumb-actuated portions 45, 50 of the primary bolt catch 15 and the thumb-actuated portion 60 of the secondary bolt catch lever 20 are positioned on opposite sides of the lower receiver 40 to allow ambidextrous operation of the assembly 10.

Referring to FIGS. 10-19, a bolt catch mechanism assembly 100 is shown according to some embodiments presently disclosed. The bolt catch mechanism assembly 100 comprises a primary bolt catch 115, a secondary bolt catch lever 120, a bolt catch spring 125, a primary bolt catch plunger 130, and a secondary bolt catch plunger 135. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the assembly 100 is coupled with a lower receiver 140 as shown in FIGS. 14-19.

The primary bolt catch 115 is configured to move from a first (open) position (shown in FIGS. 10, 14, and 18) to a second (blocking) position (shown in FIGS. 11 and 19). According to some embodiments, at least a portion of the primary bolt catch 115 moves vertically from the first (open) position to the second (blocking) position. When the primary bolt catch 115 is in the first (open) position, the bolt (not shown) and the bolt carrier assembly (not shown) are able to freely move forward to battery upon firing and ejecting one or more rounds (not shown). When the primary bolt catch 115 is in the second (blocking) position, the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly are prevented from moving forward to battery. The primary bolt catch 115 may also comprise one or more thumb-actuated portions 145, 150 to allow the user (i.e. operator of the firearm) to manually move the primary bolt catch 115 between the first and second positions and back. According to some embodiments, the bolt catch spring 125 and the primary bolt catch plunger 130 prevent the primary bolt catch 115 from accidently moving to the second (blocking) position during the firing of the gun.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the second (blocking) position is any position of the primary bolt catch 115 that is away from the first (open) position.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the primary bolt catch 115 is configured to remain in the first (open) position as long as there is at least one round in a magazine (not shown). According to some embodiments, when the last round is fired/ejected from the magazine, a magazine follower of the magazine is configured to move the primary bolt catch 115 from the first (open) position to the second (blocking) position. According to some embodiments, the primary bolt catch 115 comprises one or more protrusions 155 configured to interact with the magazine follower when the last round is fired/ejected from the magazine. According to some embodiments, when the last round is fired/ejected from the magazine, the magazine follower is configured to interact with the one or more protrusions 155 and move the primary bolt catch 115 from the first (open) position to the second (blocking) position.

According to some embodiments, when the user replaces the empty magazine with a magazine containing one or more rounds, the user's activation of the thumb-actuated portion 145 manually moves the primary bolt catch 115 from the second (blocking) position to the first (open) position to allow the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly to move forward to battery. Moving the primary bolt catch 115 to the first (open) position resets the assembly 100 until it is once again activated by the magazine follower after the last round is fired/ejected from the magazine.

According to some embodiments, the user's activation of the thumb-actuated portion 150 manually moves the primary bolt catch 115 from the first (open) position to the second (blocking) position to prevent the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly from moving forward to battery.

According to some embodiments, the secondary bolt catch lever 120 is configured to abut the primary bolt catch 115 as shown in FIGS. 10-11 and is configured to move the primary bolt catch 115 from the first (open) position (shown in FIGS. 10, 14 and 18) to the second (blocking) position (shown in FIGS. 11 and 19).

According to some embodiments, at least a portion of the secondary bolt catch lever 120 moves vertically from a first (lower) position to a second (raised) position. The primary bolt catch 115 may also comprise one or more thumb-actuated portions 159, 160 to allow the user (i.e. operator of the firearm) to manually move the secondary bolt catch lever 20 from the first (lower) position to the second (raised) position and back.

Moving the secondary bolt catch lever 120 from the first (lower) position to the second (raised) position causes at least a portion of the primary bolt catch 115 to move vertically from the first (open) position to the second (blocking) position. Moving the primary bolt catch 115 to the second (blocking) position prevents the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly from moving forward to battery. Moving the secondary bolt catch lever 120 from the second (raised) position to the first (lower) position causes at least a portion of the primary bolt catch 115 to move vertically from the second (blocking) position to the first (open) position. Moving the primary bolt catch 115 to the first (open) position allows the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly to move forward to battery.

According to some embodiments, the primary bolt catch 115 is configured to abut the secondary bolt catch lever 120 as shown in FIGS. 10-11 and is configured to move the secondary bolt catch lever 120 from the first (lower) position to the second (raised) position and back again. According to some embodiments, when the primary bolt catch 115 is in the first (open) position, the secondary bolt catch lever 120 is in the first (lower) position. According to some embodiments, when the primary bolt catch 115 is in the second (blocking) position, the secondary bolt catch lever 120 is in the second (raised) position.

According to some embodiments, the bolt catch spring 125 and the secondary bolt catch plunger 135 prevent the secondary bolt catch lever 120 from accidently moving to the second (raised) position during the firing of the gun.

According to some embodiments, the user's activation of the thumb-actuated portion 159 manually moves the secondary bolt catch lever 120 from the second (raised) position to the first (lower) position to allow the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly to movie forward to battery. According to some embodiments, the user's activation of the thumb-actuated portion 159 manually moves the secondary bolt catch lever 120 from the second (raised) position to the first (lower) position to cause the primary bolt catch 115 to move to the first (open) position and allow the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly to move forward to battery.

According to some embodiments, the user's activation of the thumb-actuated portion 160 manually moves the secondary bolt catch lever 120 from the first (lower) position to the second (raised) position to prevent the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly from moving forward to battery. According to some embodiments, the user's activation of the thumb-actuated portion 160 manually moves the secondary bolt catch lever 120 from the first (lower) position to the second (raised) position to cause the primary bolt catch 115 to move to the second (blocking) position and prevent the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly from moving forward to battery.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the lower receiver 140 comprises a bolt catch channel 175 (shown in FIGS. 12-13) to accommodate the assembly 100. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the lower receiver 140 comprises a bolt catch channel 175 (shown in FIGS. 12-13) to accommodate the primary bolt catch 115, the secondary bolt catch lever 120, the bolt catch spring 125, the primary bolt catch plunger 130 and the secondary bolt catch plunger 135.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the thumb-actuated portion 159 lines up with the bolt catch channel 175 and the thumb-actuated portions 145. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the thumb-actuated portion 159 is positioned directly across from the thumb-actuated portions 145. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, center of the thumb-actuated portion 159 is positioned directly across from a center of the thumb-actuated portions 145.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the thumb-actuated portion 159 is positioned on one side of the lower receiver 140 and the thumb-actuated portions 145 is positioned on the opposite side of the lower receiver 140. In this embodiment, the thumb-actuated portion 159 is positioned directly across from the thumb-actuated portions 145.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, a fastener 180 is used to rotationally couple the primary bolt catch 115 with the lower receiver 140. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, a fastener 185 is used to rotationally couple the secondary bolt catch lever 120 with the lower receiver 140. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the fasteners 180, 185 are pins. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the lower receiver 140 comprises a plurality of apertures 190 configured to accommodate the fasteners 180, 185. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the primary bolt catch 115 and the secondary bolt catch lever 120 comprise apertures 195 configured to accommodate the fasteners 180, 185.

As shown above, the one or more thumb-actuated portions 145, 150 of the primary bolt catch 115 and the thumb-actuated portions 159, 160 of the secondary bolt catch lever 120 are positioned on opposite sides of the lower receiver 140 to allow ambidextrous operation of the assembly 100.

Referring to FIGS. 16-19, an upper receiver 200 is show according to some embodiments presently disclosed. The upper receiver 200 comprises a dust cover 220 pivotably couple with the upper receiver 200. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the dust cover 220 is configured to move from a first (closed) position to a second (open) position (shown in FIGS. 16-19). According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the dust cover 220 covers the ejection port 225 when it is in the first (closed) position. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the dust cover 220 prevents dust, dirt, particles from entering the ejection port 225 when it is in the first (closed) position.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the dust cover 220 is positioned away from the first (closed) position when it is in the second (open) position. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the dust cover 220 allows cartridges to be ejected through the ejection port 225 when it is in the second (open) position.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the dust cover 220 comprises an inner surface 230 and an outer surface 232. The outer surface 232 is positioned opposite the inner surface 230. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, a portion of the inner surface 230 abuts at least a portion of the upper receiver 200 when the dust cover 220 is in the first (closed) position. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the outer surface 232 faces away from the upper receiver 200 when the dust cover 220 is in the first (closed) position.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, at least a portion of the inner surface 230 faces away the upper receiver 200 when the dust cover 220 is in the second (open) position. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, at least a portion of the outer surface 232 faces towards the upper receiver 200 when the dust cover 220 is in the second (open) position. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, at least a portion of the outer surface 232 faces towards the lower receiver 140 when the dust cover 220 is in the second (open) position.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the dust cover 220 comprises a hinge mechanism to move between the first (closed) position and the second (open) position and back again. The hinge mechanism may comprise a rod 236 and a spring 236.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the dust cover 220 comprises a locking mechanism to prevent the dust cover 220 from pivoting away from the first (closed) position. The locking mechanism may comprise a detent 241 configured to engage aperture 242 located on the upper receiver 200. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the detent 241 may abut a spring (not show).

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the outer surface 232 of the dust cover 220 abuts the thumb-actuated portions 159 when the dust cover 220 is in the second (open) position (FIGS. 16-19).

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, applying pressure to the inner surface 230 of the dust cover 220 when the dust cover 220 is in the second (open) position causes the outer surface 232 of the dust cover 220 to manually activate the thumb-actuated portion 159 which in turn moves the secondary bolt catch lever 120 from the second (raised) position to the first (lower) position to allow the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly to movie forward to battery.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, applying pressure to the inner surface 230 of the dust cover 220 when the dust cover 220 is in the second (open) position causes the outer surface 232 of the dust cover 220 to manually activate the thumb-actuated portion 159 which in turn moves the secondary bolt catch lever 120 from the second (raised) position to the first (lower) position to cause the primary bolt catch 115 to move to the first (open) position and allow the bolt and the bolt carrier assembly to move forward to battery.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the thumb-actuated portion 159 abuts the outer surface 232 of the dust cover 220 when the secondary bolt catch lever 120 is in the second (raised) position (FIGS. 17 and 19). According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the thumb-actuated portion 159 abuts the outer surface 232 of the dust cover 220 when the secondary bolt catch lever 120 is in the first (lower) position (FIGS. 16 and 18).

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the thumb-actuated portion 159 pushes the dust cover 220 towards the first (closed) position when the secondary bolt catch lever 120 is in the second (raised) position (FIGS. 17 and 19).

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the dust cover 220 is positioned closer to the first (closed) position when the secondary bolt catch lever 120 is in the second (raised) position than when the secondary bolt catch lever 120 is in the first (lowered) position.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the dust cover 220 is positioned closer to the first (closed) position when the primary bolt catch 115 is in second (blocking) position (FIG. 19) than when the primary bolt catch 115 is in the first (open) position (FIG. 18).

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the dust cover 220 is positioned further away from the first (closed) position when the secondary bolt catch lever 120 is in the first (lowered) position than when the secondary bolt catch lever 120 is in the second (raised) position.

According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the dust cover 220 is positioned further away from the first (closed) position when the primary bolt catch 115 is in first (open) position (FIG. 18) than when the primary bolt catch 115 is in the second (blocking) position (FIG. 19).

According to some embodiments, the bolt catch mechanism assemblies 10 and 100 may be implemented in M16/AR15/AR10/M4 type firearms. It is to be understood that the bolt catch mechanism assemblies 10 and 100 presently disclosed may be used on other types of firearms, such as those with a gas system which utilizes a piston and cylinder. It is to be understood that the bolt catch mechanism assemblies 10 and 100 presently disclosed may be used on other types of firearms, such as those with a gas system which utilizes a gas tube.

While several illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternative embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term “plurality” includes two or more referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains.

The foregoing detailed description of exemplary and preferred embodiments is presented for purposes of illustration and disclosure in accordance with the requirements of the law. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise form(s) described, but only to enable others skilled in the art to understand how the invention may be suited for a particular use or implementation. The possibility of modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. No limitation is intended by the description of exemplary embodiments which may have included tolerances, feature dimensions, specific operating conditions, engineering specifications, or the like, and which may vary between implementations or with changes to the state of the art, and no limitation should be implied therefrom. Applicant has made this disclosure with respect to the current state of the art, but also contemplates advancements and that adaptations in the future may take into consideration of those advancements, namely in accordance with the then current state of the art. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims as written and equivalents as applicable. Reference to a claim element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated. Moreover, no element, component, nor method or process step in this disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for . . . ” and no method or process step herein is to be construed under those provisions unless the step, or steps, are expressly recited using the phrase “step(s) for . . . .”

Ambidextrous Controls

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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Applications (1)