Patent Application
20150128468
This application relates generally to firearms, and more particularly, to firearms that utilize a bolt assembly.
In at least some known automatic, semi-automatic, and manual bolt firearms, a bolt comprises an extractor and an ejector. The extractor and ejector work together to cycle used cartridges from the chamber. Specifically, an extractor may grip a cartridge to slide it through the chamber, while an ejector may apply pressure to the spent cartridge as it slides rearward through the chamber. The effect of the forces applied by the ejector and extractor results in the spent cartridge being ejected from the chamber along its rearward path. The small extractor and ejector pieces must be removably fastened to a bolt assembly. In at least some known bolt assemblies, small pins are inserted through the assembly to retain the ejector and extractor in a movable fashion.
The manufacturing of bolt assemblies must be very precise and the small size of the components for securing extractors and ejectors can require timely, difficult lathing or machining. The method of securing the components also creates a complex, timely process to clean or “field strip” the bolt assembly.
In one exemplary embodiment, a firearm bolt spring clip assembly is provided. The firearm bolt spring clip assembly includes a bolt assembly that includes a bolt member, an extractor cavity, an ejector cavity, a cartridge seat, and at least one spring clip receiving groove. An extractor may be removably coupled to the bolt assembly and positioned within the extractor cavity. An ejector may be slidably coupled to the bolt assembly and positioned within the ejector cavity. A spring clip may be used to secure the extractor or the ejector to the bolt member. Alternatively, a first spring clip may secure the extractor and a second spring clip may secure the ejector.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method of assembling a firearm bolt spring clip assembly is provided. The method includes providing a bolt assembly that includes a bolt member, an extractor cavity, an ejector cavity, a cartridge seat, and at least one spring clip receiving groove. An extractor may be removably coupled to the bolt assembly and positioned within the extractor cavity. An ejector may be slidably coupled to the bolt assembly and positioned within the ejector cavity. A spring clip may be used to secure the extractor or the ejector to the bolt member. Alternatively, a first spring clip may be used to secure the extractor and a second spring clip may be used to secure the ejector.
Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which:
Aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and related figures directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.
As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.
Bolt 202 may have a groove 218 running around the circumference of bolt 202 and substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. Groove 218 may cut into ejector tube 206. A spring clip 220 may be inserted into groove 218. Ejector assembly 204 may be inserted into ejector tube 206 such that ejector spring 210 is depressed and narrow section 212 of ejector plunger 208 aligns with groove 218. Ejector spring 210 may be capable of supplying pressure to slide ejector plunger 208 toward front end 250, or resist depression of ejector plunger 208 into ejector tube 206. Spring clip 220 may restrict the sliding of ejector plunger 208 to the length of narrow section 212. In an exemplary embodiment, ejector spring 210 may apply pressure to ejector plunger 208 so that a back portion 214 of ejector plunger 208 rests against spring clip 220, allowing a front portion 216 of ejector plunger 208 to protrude from ejector tube 206 and into cartridge seat 252.
A second cutout in
The movement of spring clips 220, 230 within grooves 218, 228 may be limited by staking. As a result of staking, groove dimples 222, 232 may be created proximate grooves 218, 228, displacing material into grooves 218, 228 and preventing spring clips 220, 230 from rotating around a circumference of bolt 202. In some exemplary embodiments, four staking dimples may be created per groove, one on each side of the groove at each desired location to restrict the ends of a spring clip. In other exemplary embodiments, two staking dimples may be used per groove, one on either side of the groove at each desired location to restrict the ends of a spring clip.
An exemplary embodiment may operate as such: The bolt may slide forward, stripping a cartridge from the magazine and seating it on the face of the bolt. The extractor claw may grab a portion of the rear end of the casing and a rear face of another portion of the casing may depress the ejector plunger as it is seated on the face of the bolt. When the bolt locks in the forward position, a round may be fired. After a round is fired, the bolt may unlock and begin sliding rearward. A spent cartridge may be retracted with the bolt, by the grip of the extractor claw. As a spent cartridge is retracted, the ejector plunger may apply forward pressure to an opposing side of the cartridge from the grip of the extractor claw. These forces may cause the spent cartridge to eject through an ejection port as it is freed from the chamber. A spring clip assembly may secure the extractor to the bolt by being inserted in a groove around the circumference of the bolt and a matching groove on the extractor. The spring clip may be sized to allow the bolt to freely slide as required. A dovetailed portion of the extractor may also assist in properly securing it to the bolt. The extractor may function by having a leaf spring portion apply force to a claw portion, which may grip the rear of a cartridge, as it is seated to the face of the bolt assembly.
A spring clip assembly may also secure the ejector plunger. An ejector cavity may be disposed longitudinally through the bolt. A spring clip groove around the circumference of the bolt may intersect the ejector cavity. An ejector spring may be inserted into the ejector cavity, followed by an ejector plunger. The ejector plunger may depress the spring as it is forced into the cavity. The ejector plunger may be depressed until a narrow section on the plunger aligns with the intersecting spring clip groove. A spring clip may be inserted in the groove and limit the travel of the plunger to the length of the narrow section. The distance of travel may be equal to the depth of a cartridge seat disposed in the face of the bolt. The spring clip may be sized to allow the bolt to slide as required. The ejector spring may apply pressure so that the natural position of the ejector plunger is extended through the cartridge seat to a front end of the bolt. When a cartridge is seated, it may be depressed to align with the face of the cartridge seat, allowing the cartridge to align properly.
The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
