Patent Application
20250237466
The present disclosure relates generally to firearms, and more particularly to control systems for firearms. In some aspects, the disclosure pertains to bolt release and magazine release mechanisms for rifle platforms, including pistol caliber rifles. The disclosure may also relate to ambidextrous controls for firearms that allow for operation by both left-handed and right-handed users. Additionally, the disclosure may concern adaptations of rifle platforms to utilize pistol caliber ammunition and magazines.
Firearms, particularly rifles and carbines, have evolved to meet various operational needs and user preferences. In recent years, there has been growing interest in pistol caliber carbines (PCCs), which combine the handling characteristics of a rifle with the ammunition compatibility of a pistol. These firearms may offer advantages in certain scenarios, such as reduced recoil, lower cost of ammunition, and potential for use in indoor shooting ranges that restrict rifle calibers.
However, adapting traditional rifle platforms to accommodate pistol caliber ammunition and magazines presents several challenges. One significant issue relates to the magazine release mechanism. In many rifle designs, the magazine release is typically actuated by a lever or button located under the frame, which may be less ergonomic or intuitive for users accustomed to pistol-style controls. This configuration can lead to slower magazine changes and may be particularly problematic for users transitioning between pistols and PCCs. Furthermore, the traditional under-frame magazine release may not be optimally positioned for use with pistol magazines, which often have different dimensions and retention features compared to rifle magazines. This can result in awkward manipulation of the firearm during reloading procedures, potentially impacting the user's efficiency and effectiveness.
Another consideration in firearm design is the growing demand for ambidextrous controls. Many existing rifle platforms are primarily configured for right-handed operation, which can present difficulties for left-handed users or in situations where a shooter needs to operate the firearm with their non-dominant hand. This limitation becomes more pronounced in PCCs, where users may desire consistent control layouts between their pistols and carbines.
The present disclosure addresses these and other challenges by providing innovative solutions for integrating bolt release and magazine release mechanisms in firearm platforms, with particular emphasis on adaptations suitable for pistol caliber carbines. The systems described herein may offer improved ergonomics, enhanced ambidextrous functionality, and better compatibility with pistol-style magazines, while maintaining the familiar handling characteristics of rifle platforms.
The present disclosure relates to control systems for firearms, particularly to an ambidextrous integrated bolt and magazine release system. In some aspects, the system may include a chassis designed to be received within a firearm frame or receiver. The chassis may house various components of an integrated bolt release and magazine release mechanisms. In some implementations, the system may comprise a first bolt actuator rotatably received within the chassis. The first bolt actuator may have an upward position and a downward position and may be configured to engage a bolt of a firearm when in the upward position. A second bolt actuator may also be rotatably received within the chassis and operatively engaged with the first bolt actuator such that the first bolt actuator and second bolt actuator move in unison.
The system may further include a magazine release slidably received within a slot in the chassis. In some aspects, the magazine release may be capable of sliding between a secure position and a release position. In one embodiment, the magazine release include a left position, center position and right position. In one embodiment, the left and right position can be the release position, and the center position can be the secure position. A magazine catch may be rotatably received within the chassis and in operable communication with the magazine release. When the magazine release is in the center position, the magazine catch may engage a magazine within a magazine well. When the magazine release is in the right position or left position, the magazine catch may be rotated away from the magazine well, disengaging the magazine.
In some implementations, the first bolt actuator may include a magazine follower engagement arm. This arm may be configured to operatively engage a magazine follower to move the first bolt actuator to the upward position when the magazine is empty.
The system may provide ambidextrous functionality, allowing users to operate the bolt release and magazine release mechanisms from either side of the firearm. This may be achieved through the use of mirrored controls on both sides of the firearm platform.
In some aspects, the disclosure may also relate to an upper receiver for a firearm. The upper receiver may include features such as an ejection port adapted for pistol caliber spent cartridges and one or more openings to allow attachment to a lower receiver. The upper receiver may also include an opening adapted to receive an ejector, which may facilitate the ejection of spent cartridges from the firearm.
These and other features of the disclosed system may provide improved ergonomics, enhanced ambidextrous functionality, and better compatibility with pistol-style magazines in rifle platforms, particularly in pistol caliber carbines.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples are described with reference to the following figures.
The following description sets forth exemplary aspects of the present disclosure. It should be recognized, however, that such description is not intended as a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. Rather, the description also encompasses combinations and modifications to those exemplary aspects described herein. The integrated magazine and bolt release system described herein may provide a novel approach to firearm control mechanisms, particularly for pistol caliber carbines (PCCs) and similar platforms. This system may incorporate both bolt release and magazine release functionalities into a single, compact assembly that can be housed within a firearm's frame which can be defined by the lower receiver, the upper receiver and a combination or both. The frame can include the lower receiver and can be defined by the lower receiver.
The present disclosure addresses disadvantages when the bolt release and the magazine release are separated and not integrated. This design provides improved ergonomics, enhanced ambidextrous functionality, and better compatibility with pistol-style magazines, while maintaining the familiar handling characteristics of rifle platforms. In high-stress environments, such as law enforcement operations, military applications, and competitive shooting scenarios, the benefits of ambidextrous controls and improved ergonomics become even more pronounced. Users may need to operate their firearms quickly and efficiently, often while maintaining situational awareness or under physical duress. In these situations, ambidextrous controls may allow for faster and more intuitive manipulation of the firearm, regardless of the user's hand dominance or current shooting position. This versatility may be particularly advantageous when transitioning between different firing stances or when operating the firearm with an injured hand.
Furthermore, enhanced ergonomics may contribute to reduced fatigue during extended use, potentially improving accuracy and overall performance. By positioning controls in more natural and accessible locations, users may be able to maintain proper grip and stance while manipulating the bolt or changing magazines. This improved control interface may also facilitate faster target acquisition and follow-up shots, which can be critical in dynamic shooting environments. This design does not necessarily require that user's hand to be repositioned just to release a magazine. The integration of ambidextrous controls may also provide benefits in training scenarios, allowing instructors to demonstrate techniques from either side of the firearm and enabling users to practice manipulations with both hands. This versatility may contribute to more comprehensive firearms training and may help users develop a broader range of skills applicable to various tactical situations.
In some cases, the improved ergonomics and ambidextrous functionality may also enhance safety by allowing users to maintain better control of the firearm during administrative handling and malfunction clearance procedures. The ability to operate controls from either side of the firearm may reduce the need for awkward movements or shifts in grip, potentially decreasing the risk of unintended discharges or drops.
Referring to
The magazine release mechanism may include a magazine release 112 that is slidably received within the chassis 100. This magazine release 112 may be capable of movement between left, center, and right positions. A magazine catch 118 may be operatively connected to the magazine release 112 and may rotate to engage or disengage a magazine within the firearm's magazine well. The system may also incorporate various springs, connectors, and other components to ensure smooth and reliable operation. For example, a biasing spring 110 may provide tension for the bolt actuators, while a leg spring 116 may assist in the operation of the magazine catch 118.
In some implementations, the system may interface with an upper receiver 500 (
The integrated nature of this system may allow for improved ergonomics and faster, more intuitive operation of both the bolt release and magazine release functions. In one embodiment, the magazine release is received in a magazine slot. By providing ambidextrous controls, the system may enhance the firearm's usability for both left-handed and right-handed shooters, as well as in situations requiring off-hand operation. The chassis 100 forms the central structure of the assembly, providing mounting points and channels for other components. The first bolt actuator 140 and second bolt actuator 104 are components of the bolt release mechanism. The first bolt actuator 140 includes a follower engagement arm 102, which may interact with a magazine follower to automatically engage the bolt when a magazine is empty. The first bolt actuator 140 also features a pivot point 134 and an arm receptacle 136, allowing for rotational movement within the chassis 100. The second bolt actuator 104 includes an actuator arm 138 that may interface with the first bolt actuator 140, ensuring synchronized movement. The bolt actuators are equipped with user interface elements, including a first push button 144 on the first bolt actuator 140 and a second push button 142 on the second bolt actuator 104. These push buttons may allow users to manually operate the bolt release mechanism from either side of the firearm.
The magazine release mechanism can comprise several interconnected parts. The magazine release 112 is designed to slide within an actuator slot 126 in the chassis 100. It includes button attachment points 127 for user interface elements. The magazine catch 118 connects to a catch receptacle 120 and features a stud hole 124 that interfaces with a stud 122. This arrangement allows the magazine catch 118 to rotate in response to movement of the magazine release 112. Additional components include a cap 108 and a biasing spring 110 that work in conjunction with actuator mounting points 128 to provide proper tension and positioning for the bolt actuators. A connector pin 106 may be used to secure various components together. The magazine release mechanism can also include a catch connector 114 that secures to a catch mounting point 130, and a leg spring 116 that provides the necessary biasing force for proper operation of the magazine catch 118.
The chassis 100 features several structural elements to accommodate these components, including a mounting receptacle 132 for attachment to the firearm frame, and various channels and recesses to house the moving parts of the mechanism. This exploded view demonstrates the intricate interrelationships between the various components, illustrating how they work together to create an integrated system for bolt release and magazine release operations. The design allows for compact packaging of these functionalities within the limited space of a firearm receiver, while still providing robust and reliable performance.
Referring to
The magazine release 112 is integrated within the chassis 100, positioned for easy access by the user's trigger finger or thumb, depending on hand orientation. This placement may allow for quick and intuitive magazine changes. The magazine catch 118 is visible in the lower portion of the assembly. Its position relative to the magazine release 112 allows for coordinated movement, enabling the catch to engage or disengage the magazine as needed. The assembled views demonstrate how the components are arranged to allow for interaction between the bolt actuation and magazine release functions within a compact form factor. The design may enable ambidextrous operation while maintaining a streamlined profile that integrates well with existing firearm platforms. The positioning of these components within the chassis 100 may allow for efficient transfer of force from user inputs to the functional elements of the mechanism. This arrangement may contribute to the smooth and reliable operation of both the bolt release and magazine release functions.
Referring to
The chassis pin 301 secures the control system within the firearm. It may be configured to engage with the pin receptacle 303 in the receiver frame 305, locking the chassis 100 and its associated components in place. This method of attachment may allow for easy disassembly for maintenance while ensuring rigid and secure mounting during operation. A release button 307 is positioned on the side of the receiver frame 305. This button may interface with the magazine release 112 of the control system, providing a user interface for operating the release mechanism. The positioning of this button may allow for ambidextrous operation, enhancing the firearm's usability for both left-handed and right-handed shooters. The chassis can be position forward of the safety selector 312 which can be forward the buffer tube 300.
The positioning of the chassis 100 forward of the trigger group 314 may offer several advantages in terms of ergonomics and efficiency. This arrangement may allow users to manipulate both the bolt release and magazine release mechanisms without significantly altering their grip or trigger hand position. By placing these controls in close proximity to the trigger area, this design may reduce the need for extensive hand movement during operation. This configuration may enable shooters to maintain better control of the firearm while performing reloading or malfunction clearing procedures. The reduced hand movement may also contribute to faster and more intuitive operation, potentially improving overall shooting performance and reducing fatigue during extended use. Additionally, this layout may enhance the user's ability to maintain situational awareness by minimizing the time and attention required for firearm manipulation. The integration of the control system within this larger assembly may provide several advantages. It may allow for a more compact overall design, improved ergonomics, and enhanced functionality compared to traditional separate bolt release and magazine release mechanisms. The unified system may also contribute to improved reliability and durability by reducing the number of separate components and potential points of failure.
Referring to
The receiver body includes various openings and recesses designed to house internal components. These may include spaces for the trigger mechanism, safety selector, and magazine well. The magazine well may be specifically designed to accommodate pistol caliber magazines, reflecting the firearm's potential use as a pistol caliber carbine (PCC). The receiver can include features that would allow for the installation of the integrated bolt and magazine release system. These may include mounting points for the chassis 100 and openings for user interface elements such as the release button 307 shown in
The overall construction demonstrates an integrated design that combines the receiver and grip into a single unit. This approach may offer advantages in terms of strength, weight reduction, and simplified manufacturing compared to designs where these components are separate. This lower receiver assembly illustrates how the integrated bolt and magazine release system may be incorporated into a complete firearm design. The assembly may provide a platform that enhances the functionality of the control system while maintaining familiar ergonomics and handling characteristics expected in modern firearm designs.
Referring to
The upper receiver design demonstrated in these figures may offer several advantages for a pistol caliber carbine platform. Its compact design may contribute to overall firearm balance and handling. The specific adaptations for pistol caliber use, such as the ejector placement and internal geometries, may enhance reliability and performance with these cartridges. Additionally, the use of a top rail and threaded barrel attachment point may offer flexibility for customization and accessory mounting. This upper receiver design, when combined with the lower receiver assembly and integrated control system, may result in a cohesive and efficient firearm platform specifically tailored for pistol caliber operation. The design may offer improved ergonomics, reliability, and versatility compared to adapting traditional rifle receivers for this purpose.
In one embodiment, the bolt is locked to the rear, either after the last round is fired or manually, the user may activate the bolt release mechanism using either the first push button 144 or the second push button 142. These buttons may be positioned on opposite sides of the firearm for ambidextrous operation. Pressing either button may cause the first bolt actuator 140 and second bolt actuator 104 to rotate in unison, disengaging the bolt catch and allowing the bolt to move forward under spring pressure. In some cases, when an empty magazine is inserted, the follower engagement arm 102 may interact with the raised magazine follower. This interaction may automatically rotate the first bolt actuator 140 to the upward position, engaging the bolt catch and holding the bolt open. This feature may provide a visual and tactile indication that the magazine is empty. To release a magazine, the user may activate the magazine release 112 by pressing the release button 307 on either side of the firearm. This action may cause the magazine release 112 to slide within the actuator slot 126 of the chassis 100. As the magazine release 112 moves, it may interact with the magazine catch 118 through the catch connector 114 and associated components.
When the magazine release 112 is moved to either the left or right position, it may cause the magazine catch 118 to rotate away from the magazine well, disengaging from the magazine. This rotation may be facilitated by the interaction between the stud 122 and the stud hole 124 in the magazine catch 118. Once the magazine catch 118 is disengaged, the magazine may drop freely from the magazine well. The leg spring 116 may provide return force to bring the magazine catch 118 back to its default position when the user releases the magazine release 112.
The system's integrated nature may allow for smooth transitions between bolt and magazine operations. For example, after inserting a fresh magazine, the user may be able to release the bolt using the same hand position used for magazine insertion, potentially speeding up reloading processes. The ambidextrous design may allow for efficient operation by both left-handed and right-handed users, as well as in situations requiring off-hand manipulation of the firearm. This versatility may be particularly beneficial in dynamic shooting scenarios or for users who need to adapt to different shooting positions. The compact design of the integrated system, housed within the chassis 100, may allow for these enhanced functionalities without significantly altering the external profile or handling characteristics of the firearm. This may allow users familiar with traditional rifle platforms to easily adapt to this system while benefiting from its enhanced capabilities.
The modular design of the integrated bolt and magazine release system may allow for efficient repair or replacement by enabling the removal and installation of the chassis without significant modifications to the firearm. This approach may offer several advantages in terms of maintenance, customization, and longevity of the firearm platform. The chassis 100, which houses the key components of the control system, may be designed as a self-contained unit that can be inserted into or removed from the firearm frame 305. This modular approach may allow for ease of maintenance in the event of wear or damage to any component within the control system, the entire chassis 100 may be removed from the firearm frame 305. This may allow for bench-level repair or replacement of individual components without the need for extensive disassembly of the entire firearm. In one aspect, the entire chassis 100 may be swapped out with a replacement unit. This may minimize downtime and allow the firearm to return to service quickly, which may be particularly valuable in law enforcement, military and competitive shooting contexts. As new features and improvements that become available can be installed to upgrade their firearms by simply replacing the chassis 100 with an updated version. This may allow for enhanced functionality without the need to replace the entire firearm. In one aspect, varying magazine with magazine catch system can be substituted as the chassis can be adapted to various magazine designs. The modular design may allow for separate production and quality control of the control system components, potentially streamlining the overall manufacturing process of the firearm. In some cases, the design may allow for field-level replacement of the chassis 100, enabling users to address issues or perform upgrades without the need for specialized tools or facilities.
This modular approach may also facilitate future design iterations or adaptations of the control system. Manufacturers may be able to develop new chassis designs that are compatible with existing firearm frames, potentially extending the lifespan and versatility of the platform. The ability to remove and replace the chassis 100 without significant modifications to the firearm may contribute to the overall sustainability and longevity of the firearm platform. It may reduce the need for complete firearm replacement due to wear or damage to the control system components, potentially offering both economic and environmental benefits.
Referring to
It is understood that the above descriptions and illustrations are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. Other embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventor did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/623,237 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63623237 | Jan 2024 | US |
