Patent Application
20250237444
The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to an improved firearm bolt, and methods of making same, having a larger diameter bold head coupled to a smaller diameter bolt body used with a feed ramp and improved extractor geometry to enable firing of intermediate firearms cartridges.
The bolt is the component of a weapon that holds the base of the round while it is being chambered, fired, and extracted. It is also called the breech block. Bolts can be open or closed. Weapon that fire from a closed bolt have a round in the chamber before the trigger is pressed. Weapons that fire from an open bolt have the working parts to the rear and no round in the chamber when the trigger is pressed. Open-bolt weapons are less subject to heating, but are also less accurate than those firing from a closed bolt. Bolt action refers to a gun mechanism activated by manual operation of the breech block that resembles a common door bolt.
One of the most popular firearms platforms is the AR-15. An AR-15-style rifle is any lightweight semi-automatic rifle based on or similar to the Colt AR-15 design. The Colt model removed the selective fire feature of its predecessor, the original ArmaLite AR-15, itself a scaled-down derivative of the AR-10 design by Eugene Stoner. The AR-15 platform has been adopted by militaries world-wide, as well as sportsmen. Due to this wide use, a tremendous amount of standardization allows for numerous ways to customize the AR-15 platform. However, one limitation of the platform is the cartridge it shoots. It only has a maximum effective range of approximately 600 meters depending on the barrel length, cartridge specifics, etc. While this is more than enough for some, many end users wish to extend the range of the weapon system. This has led to several companies and individuals trying to “shoehorn” a larger cartridge into the AR-15 while maintaining the smaller overall size and weight. This has had limited to moderate success in the past.
Users of the AR-15 platform wishing for extended range have turned to using intermediate cartridges with the system. An intermediate cartridge is a rifle/carbine cartridge that has significantly greater power than a pistol cartridge but still has a reduced muzzle energy compared to fully powered cartridges (such as the .303 British, 7.62×54 mmR, 7.65×53 mm Mauser, 7.92×57 mm Mauser, 7.7×58 mm Arisaka, .30-06 Springfield, or 7.62×51 mm NATO), and therefore is regarded as being “intermediate” between traditional rifle and handgun cartridges.
As their recoil is significantly reduced compared to full-power cartridges, fully automatic rifles firing intermediate cartridges are relatively easy to control. However, even though they are less powerful than a traditional full-power cartridge, the external ballistics are still sufficient for an effective range of 300-600 meters (330-660 yd).
The first known early intermediate cartridge to see service was the 10.4×38 mmR Swiss used in the Vetterli rifle, which gave it controllable handling and a then high-capacity magazine of 12 rounds. Predominant intermediate cartridges in mainstream circulation came around 50 years later and saw widespread use with the German 7.92×33 mm Kurz used in the StG 44 and the .30 Carbine used in the American M2 select fire carbine during the late years and closing days of World War II.
With the data collected during World War II and the Korean War, the benefits of intermediate cartridges became apparent. This resulted in the development of “modern” cartridges such as the Soviet 7.62×39 mm M43 (used in the SKS, AK-47 and AKM). Later an international tendency emerged towards relatively small-sized, lightweight, high-velocity intermediate military service cartridges. Cartridges like the American 5.56×45 mm M193 (1964; originally used in the M16), Soviet 5.45×39 mm M74 (1974; used in the AK-74, which replaced the AKM), Belgian SS109/5.56×45 mm NATO (1980; used in most AR-15 systems), and the Chinese 5.8×42 mm (1987; used in the QBZ-95) allow for carrying more ammunition for the same weight compared to their larger and heavier predecessor cartridges, have favorable maximum point-blank range, and produce relatively low bolt thrust and free recoil impulse, favoring lightweight arms design and fire accuracy.
The current front-runner for an intermediate cartridge that shows tremendous promise in this vein is the 6 mm Advanced Rifle Cartridge (6 ARC). (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6 mm_ARC) The 6 ARC allows the small frame AR-15 to extend the range to approximately 1000 meters. This does have some drawbacks, however. The bolt in the weapon must be modified to accept the larger cartridge case. This creates a very thin portion of a bolt, which is technically load bearing during operation. This means the bolt of the weapon will have premature failure for what is considered appropriate for a bolt lifespan.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved bolt design to accommodate intermediate cartridges in existing AR-15 style platforms.
Citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such a document is available as prior art to the present disclosure.
The above objectives are accomplished according to the present disclosure by providing in one instance a firearm bolt system. The system may include at least one firearm bolt comprising at least two lugs with at least one web located between the at least two lugs; at least one feed ramp; at least one barrel extension configured to engage with the at least one feed ramp; and the at least one firearm bolt configured to have a bolt geometry that lacks angled corners on at least the at least two lugs but is instead configured to possess curves on at least the at least two lugs to avoid a stress concentration within the firearm bolt system. Further, the at least one firearm bolt may have a minimum web thickness of 0.093 inches between the at least two lugs. Still, the at least one firearm bolt may cooperate with intermediate cartridges selected from the group of 6 ARC, .450 bushmaster, .458 SOCOM, .50 Beowulf, and .350 legend. Further again, the at least one feed ramp may be configured to be interchangeable and removably affixed to at least one upper receiver. Yet further, a first feed ramp and a second feed ramp may be configured to be different sizes with respect to one another. Moreover, a first feed ramp and a second feed ramp may be configured to be different shapes with respect to one another. Also, the bolt geometry may define a radius of at least 0.070 inches between the at least two lugs. Still yet again, a load bearing surface of the at least one firearm bolt may have a load being surface area of at least 0.074 inches. Further again, at least two extractor spring orifices may be defined in the at least one firearm bolt. Further yet, a cam pin insertion hole may be formed in the at least one firearm bolt and counter bored.
In a further instance, a method for making a firearm bolt system is provided. The method may encompass forming a firearm bolt from a single billet; forming the at least one firearm bolt to define at least two lugs with at least one web located between the at least two lugs; forming at least one feed ramp and at least one barrel extension, wherein the at least one feed ramp and at least one barrel extension are configured to engage with one another; configuring the at least one firearm bolt to have a bolt geometry that lacks angled corners on at least the at least two lugs but is instead configured to possess curves on the at least two lugs and the at least one web located between the at least two lugs to avoid at least one stress concentration on the firearm bolt system. Further, the at least one firearm bolt may be configured with a minimum web thickness of 0.093 inches between the at least two lugs. Still further, the at least one firearm bolt may be configured to cooperate with intermediate cartridges selected from the group of 6 ARC, .450 bushmaster, .458 SOCOM, .50 Beowulf, and .350 legend. Moreover, the at least one feed ramp may be interchangeable and removably affixed to at least one upper receiver. Further again, a first feed ramp and a second feed ramp may be configured to define different sizes with respect to one another. Still yet again, a first feed ramp and a second feed ramp may be configured to define different shapes with respect to one another. Even further, the bolt geometry may be configured to define a radius of at least 0.070 inches between the at least two lugs. Yet again, a load bearing surface of the at least one firearm bolt may be configured to define a load being surface area of at least 0.074 inches. Further still, at least two extractor spring orifices may be defined in the at least one firearm bolt. Still yet further, a cam pin insertion hole may be defined in the at least one bolt and counter bored.
These and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the example embodiments will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of example embodiments.
An understanding of the features and advantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the disclosure may be utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:
The figures herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Before the present disclosure is described in greater detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular embodiments described, and as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.
Unless specifically stated, terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise.
Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.
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 this disclosure belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, the preferred methods and materials are now described.
All publications and patents cited in this specification are cited to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. All such publications and patents are herein incorporated by references as if each individual publication or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Such incorporation by reference is expressly limited to the methods and/or materials described in the cited publications and patents and does not extend to any lexicographical definitions from the cited publications and patents. Any lexicographical definition in the publications and patents cited that is not also expressly repeated in the instant application should not be treated as such and should not be read as defining any terms appearing in the accompanying claims. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present disclosure is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior disclosure. Further, the dates of publication provided could be different from the actual publication dates that may need to be independently confirmed.
As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order that is logically possible.
Where a range is expressed, a further embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within the respective ranges, as well as the recited endpoints. Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the disclosure. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure. For example, where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure, e.g. the phrase “x to y” includes the range from ‘x’ to ‘y’ as well as the range greater than ‘x’ and less than ‘y’. The range can also be expressed as an upper limit, e.g. ‘about x, y, z, or less’ and should be interpreted to include the specific ranges of ‘about x’, ‘about y’, and ‘about z’ as well as the ranges of ‘less than x’, less than y′, and ‘less than z’. Likewise, the phrase ‘about x, y, z, or greater’ should be interpreted to include the specific ranges of ‘about x’, ‘about y’, and ‘about z’ as well as the ranges of ‘greater than x’, greater than y′, and ‘greater than z’. In addition, the phrase “about ‘x’ to ‘y’”, where ‘x’ and ‘y’ are numerical values, includes “about ‘x’ to about ‘y’”.
It should be noted that ratios, concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data can be expressed herein in a range format. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. It is also understood that there are a number of values disclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as “about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. For example, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms a further aspect. For example, if the value “about 10” is disclosed, then “10” is also disclosed.
It is to be understood that such a range format is used for convenience and brevity, and thus, should be interpreted in a flexible manner to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. To illustrate, a numerical range of “about 0.1% to 5%” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 0.1% to about 5%, but also include individual values (e.g., about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, and about 4%) and the sub-ranges (e.g., about 0.5% to about 1.1%; about 5% to about 2.4%; about 0.5% to about 3.2%, and about 0.5% to about 4.4%, and other possible sub-ranges) within the indicated range.
As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” and the like, when used in connection with a measurable variable such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, are meant to encompass variations of and from the specified value including those within experimental error (which can be determined by e.g. given data set, art accepted standard, and/or with e.g. a given confidence interval (e.g. 90%, 95%, or more confidence interval from the mean), such as variations of +/−10% or less, +/−5% or less, +/−1% or less, and +/−0.1% or less of and from the specified value, insofar such variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosure. As used herein, the terms “about,” “approximate,” “at or about,” and “substantially” can mean that the amount or value in question can be the exact value or a value that provides equivalent results or effects as recited in the claims or taught herein. That is, it is understood that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art such that equivalent results or effects are obtained. In some circumstances, the value that provides equivalent results or effects cannot be reasonably determined. In general, an amount, size, formulation, parameter or other quantity or characteristic is “about,” “approximate,” or “at or about” whether or not expressly stated to be such. It is understood that where “about,” “approximate,” or “at or about” is used before a quantitative value, the parameter also includes the specific quantitative value itself, unless specifically stated otherwise.
The term “optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequent described event, circumstance or substituent may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
As used herein, “tangible medium of expression” refers to a medium that is physically tangible or accessible and is not a mere abstract thought or an unrecorded spoken word. “Tangible medium of expression” includes, but is not limited to, words on a cellulosic or plastic material, or data stored in a suitable computer readable memory form. The data can be stored on a unit device, such as a flash memory or CD-ROM or on a server that can be accessed by a user via, e.g. a web interface.
As used herein, the terms “weight percent,” “wt %,” and “wt. %,” which can be used interchangeably, indicate the percent by weight of a given component based on the total weight of a composition of which it is a component, unless otherwise specified. That is, unless otherwise specified, all wt % values are based on the total weight of the composition. It should be understood that the sum of wt % values for all components in a disclosed composition or formulation are equal to 100. Alternatively, if the wt % value is based on the total weight of a subset of components in a composition, it should be understood that the sum of wt % values the specified components in the disclosed composition or formulation are equal to 100.
Various embodiments are described hereinafter. It should be noted that the specific embodiments are not intended as an exhaustive description or as a limitation to the broader aspects discussed herein. One aspect described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced with any other embodiment(s). Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “an example embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the disclosure. For example, in the appended claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.
All patents, patent applications, published applications, and publications, databases, websites and other published materials cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as though each individual publication, published patent document, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated as being incorporated by reference.
Any of the bolts described herein can be presented as a combination kit. As used herein, the terms “combination kit” or “kit of parts” refers to the components, parts, pieces, modules, and any additional components that are used to package, sell, market, deliver, and/or provide the combination of elements or a single element, such as the bolt(s) described herein alone or the bolt included in an upper receiver or other construct. Such additional components include, but are not limited to, packaging, blister packages, and the like. When one or more of the components, parts, pieces, modules, and any additional components described herein or a combination thereof (e.g., a bolt provided alone or a bolt provided with constituent parts/pieces for installation or a bolt provided as part of an upper receiver) contained in the kit are provided simultaneously, the combination kit can contain the bolt alone or the bolt provided with other accoutrements for installation, modification, and/or upkeep. When the components, parts, pieces, modules, and any additional components described herein or a combination thereof and/or kit components are not provided simultaneously, the combination kit can contain the bolt and constituent parts in separate combinations. The separate kit components can be contained in a single package or in separate packages within the kit.
In some embodiments, the combination kit also includes instructions printed on or otherwise contained in a tangible medium of expression. The instructions can provide information regarding the bolt, installation/upkeep/maintenance information, information regarding use, etc. In some embodiments, the instructions can provide directions and protocols for installing a bolt or providing maintenance to same. In some embodiments, the instructions can provide one or more embodiments of the methods for making bolts of the current disclosure as any of the methods described in greater detail elsewhere herein.
The current disclosure provides a bolt that consists of a larger bolt head and smaller diameter bolt body. This is unique for the purposes of firing an “intermediate cartridge” in a small frame AR based rifle. The bolt combined with a separate feed ramp and extractor geometry provide improved performance for the AR-15 platform.
Until now, there have been two standards sizes for AR based rifle systems, AR-15 and AR-10. (5.56×45 and 7.62×51 respectively) The difference between the two revolves around the physical size of the cartridge they shoot and the stresses in the parts during shooting. AR-15 systems have the benefit of being smaller and easier to carry/use for the end user. AR-10s, meanwhile, are larger rifle systems, which weigh more and are generally less “handy” of a rifle for the user.
In addition, AR-15 platforms are easier for manufacturers to create parts for due to their being a tremendous amount of standardization of the product due to the rifle being adopted by the US and foreign militaries as a standard service weapon. The commercial market for these rifles largely follows suit and is in line with these standards. If one makes a product for one of these rifles, it is almost certainly a requirement for the product to adhere to these standards for the commercial market. Many end users have developed their own distinct preference for their AR-15 rifles they purchase. These preferences extend to handguards, grips, charging handles, dust covers, etc. Owners like customization and many users purchase individual components and assemble the rifles themselves in their garage in order to build a completely custom rifle for their own enjoyment. This phenomenon is only available due to the aforementioned standardization that has occurred on the AR-15 platform.
The newly designed bolt has a minimum web thickness of 0.093″. It should be noted also that the geometry of a bolt or “bolt geometry” of the current disclosure is also different. Instead of having or defining sharp or angular corners, which cause stress risers, the newly designed bolt is configured to avoid possessing sharp or angular corners or turns on the bolt and instead forms constant or continuous curves, see
The current disclosure seeks to alleviate three main problems with AR-15 platforms seeking to employ 6 ARC cartridges:
The current disclosure will also allow for revitalization of other intermediate cartridges which exhibit similar problems to the 6 ARC cartridge when incorporating these cartridges into the AR-15 platform, these include but are not limited to .450 bushmaster, .458 SOCOM, .50 Beowulf, .350 legend, etc.
The bolt of the current disclosure is manufactured from solid billet via a series of cutting or grinding operations to shape modified bold 202 as shown in
The current disclosure combines bolt 202 with an interchangeable feed ramp 302 affixed to an upper receiver 306, see
Barrel extension 304 works in conjunction with feed ramp 302 to assist in loading cartridges. Feed ramp positioners 306 are configured to engage and cooperate with barrel extension guiders 308 to guide a bullet into upper receiver 310. Feed ramp positioners 306 and barrel extension guiders 308 may be interchangeable with the various ramp positioners 306 and barrel extension guiders 308 varying in slope, concavity, depth, length, and width from one another. A standard upper must have the feed ramp portion clearance for the install of the feed ramp, and the area where the barrel extension installed made slightly larger in diameter. (1.030″ vs 1.000″) but otherwise no modification is necessary. The modification of the upper allows the feed ramp and barrel extension to interact. The ability for the upper to accept all other “accessories” is part of the allure. Every end user has their “best” opinion on what to use vis-à-vis handguards, optics, dust covers etc.
Further, a bolt of the current disclosure may be assembled with other components to form a firearm, see
Referring to
Various modifications and variations of the described methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Although the disclosure has been described in connection with specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and that the disclosure as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the disclosure that are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure following, in general, the principles of the disclosure and including such departures from the present disclosure come within known customary practice within the art to which the disclosure pertains and may be applied to the essential features herein before set forth.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/623,226, filed Jan. 20, 2024, the disclosure of this application is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63623226 | Jan 2024 | US |
