FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of the invention relates to firearm receiver assemblies for firearms, particularly receiver assemblies designed for handguns.
BACKGROUND
Many modern firearms and firearm accessories (including handguns, rifles, carbines, shotguns, etc.) are designed based on existing modular firearm systems. For example, many firearms and related accessories are designed for compatibility with existing handgun platforms. Many of these products follow traditional designs based on industry standards and/or military specification (milspec). However, many of the existing components are not optimized for different or multiple materials, and require labor-intensive construction and assembly techniques.
To increase comfort and convenience for a greater number of operators, it may be desirable to design new firearm components or accessories. Manufacturing methods utilizing multiple materials to create hybrid parts facilitate the use of specialized materials that more efficiently distribute and dissipate energy while better absorbing vibration and reducing weight for the firearm. Such designs may result in modular firearm components or accessories that increase reliability, reduce perceived recoil, increase safety, and reduce manufacturing/assembly costs.
SUMMARY
The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a firearm receiver assembly comprises: a receiver body comprising a plurality of cavities; and a plurality of rails, wherein: each of the plurality of rails is disposed in one of the plurality of cavities; and each of the plurality of rails comprises at least one retaining feature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a top rear perspective view of a firearm with a firearm receiver assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 1B is a bottom rear perspective view of the firearm of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of a front rail of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view of a front rail of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of a front rail of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 5B is a bottom perspective view of a front rail of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 6A is a top perspective view of a front rail of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 6B is a bottom perspective view of a front rail of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a receiver body of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 8A is a top rear perspective view of a firearm with a firearm receiver assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 8B is a bottom rear perspective view of the firearm of FIG. 8A.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 8A.
FIG. 10A is a bottom perspective view of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 8A.
FIG. 10B is a cross-section view of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 10A.
FIG. 11A is a top perspective view of a front rail assembly of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 8A.
FIG. 11B is a bottom perspective view of a front rail assembly of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 8A.
FIG. 12A is a left side partial perspective view of a firearm with a firearm receiver assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 12B is a cross-section view of the firearm of FIG. 12A.
FIG. 13A is a top rear perspective view of a rear rail assembly of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 12A.
FIG. 13B is a bottom front perspective view of the rear rail assembly of FIG. 13A.
FIG. 14 is a top partial perspective view of a receiver body of the firearm receiver assembly of FIG. 12A.
FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of a firearm with a firearm receiver assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of a firearm with a firearm receiver assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.
Although the illustrated embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-16 illustrate components of firearms, the features, concepts, and functions described herein are also applicable (with potential necessary alterations for particular applications) to handguns, semiautomatic, automatic, rifles, carbines, pistols, shotguns, or any other type of firearm.
In some embodiments, a firearm receiver assembly 100 may attach to or be a component of a firearm 10. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 8A, and 8B, the firearm receiver assembly 100 may be attached to a slide assembly 11 such that a magazine 20 may be inserted into the firearm receiver assembly 100. The slide assembly 11 may include a front sight 13 and a rear sight 14. In some embodiments, the firearm receiver assembly 100 includes a receiver body 101. For interfacing with various portions of the slide assembly 11, the firearm receiver assembly 100 may include at least one front rail 102, at least one rear rail 111, a locking block 16, a trigger assembly 30, a trigger housing 35, a slide catch assembly 40, and/or various relevant components. In some cases, a pin 17 secures the locking block 16 and/or the trigger assembly 30. The trigger assembly 30 may be designed such that at least a portion of the trigger pivots about pin 17. In some embodiments, a pin 18 also secures the locking block 16. The firearm receiver assembly 100 may also include a pin 19 for securing the at least one rear rail 111. As seen in FIGS. 1A-2, 8A, and 8B, the firearm receiver assembly 100 may include a magazine release 25. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the system may be adapted for different size magazines such that some embodiments include a shorter grip for smaller magazines (see FIG. 15) and some embodiments include a longer grip for larger magazines (see FIG. 16).
As shown in FIGS. 2-7 and 9-11B, the at least one front rail 102 includes two separate rails that are independently inserted into the receiver body 101. In some embodiments, the at least one front rail 102 is a single component with an overall U shape similar to the rear rail 111 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 7, and 9. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, in some cases, a front left rail 102a is inserted into cavity 122a of the receiver body 101 and a front right rail 102b is inserted into cavity 122b of the receiver body 101. Each rail 102 may include at least one slide interface portion 103 at or near the top of the rail 102 and at least one retaining feature 104. Although not shown in the drawings, each rail 102 may include a hole that extends through some or all portions such that the hole is designed to interface with a pin (similar to hole 113 for the rear rail 111).
In some embodiments, the retaining feature(s) 104 function to secure the corresponding front rail 102 relative to the receiver body 101. As shown in FIGS. 4A-5B, the retaining feature(s) 104 may include protrusions or barbs that engage and/or penetrate a portion of the receiver body 101 (i.e., the interior of the appropriate cavity 122). This means that the retaining feature(s) 104 may be an integral feature of the respective front rail 102. For example, after the receiver body 101 is manufactured, the front rail 102 may be inserted into the receiver body 101 such that the retaining feature(s) 104 secure or lock the front rail 102 in the appropriate position. Conventional systems often use a pin to lock a front rail in position. In some embodiments, the retaining feature(s) 104 are designed to function in a single direction such that the front rail 102 can be inserted but cannot be removed after installation. In other words, the retaining feature(s) 104 may ensure that installation of the front rail 102 is permanent and irreversible. In some cases, the retaining feature(s) 104 require that any attempt to uninstall the corresponding front rail 102 would require cutting, severing, and/or machining of the receiver body 101 such that the receiver body 101 would be unusable after removal of the front rail 102. For the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the retaining feature(s) 104 may deflect or bend during installation of the front rail 102. However, any attempt to pull the front rail 102 out of cavity 122 would cause the end of each retaining feature 104 to dig, poke, or otherwise engage the interior of the cavity 122. Similarly, due to their geometry, the retaining feature(s) 104 for the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B would dig, poke, or otherwise engage the interior of the cavity 122 during any attempt to pull the front rail 102 out of cavity 122. In some embodiments, the retaining feature(s) 104 illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B are less likely to deflect than the retaining feature(s) 104 illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B.
Another option for the retaining feature(s) 104 is illustrated in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. These retaining feature(s) 104 have an overall disc or cylindrical shape with an asymmetrical portion 104.1 with at least one protrusion or barb for engaging an interior portion of the cavity 122. In some embodiments, the asymmetrical portion 104.1 is a portion that is approximately flat with at least one protrusion or barb. During installation into the receiver body 101, the at least one retaining feature 104 would rotate or pivot relative to the front rail 102. For example, for the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6A, the two retaining features 104 would rotate clockwise as the front rail 102 is pushed into the cavity 122. In some embodiments, the retaining feature 104 would rotate until a flat portion 104.2 of the retaining feature 104 presses against a corresponding flat portion 102.1 of the front rail 102. However, any attempt to pull the front rail 102 out of cavity 122 would cause the retaining feature(s) 104 to try rotating counter-clockwise which would cause the at least one protrusion or barb of each retaining feature 104 to dig, poke, or otherwise engage the interior of the cavity 122. Although the front rail 102 embodiments shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B include two retaining features 104, the front rail 102 may include any number of retaining features 104 including as few as one or as many as one hundred. The retaining feature(s) 104 are illustrated on one side of the front rail 102 but may be included on both sides.
In some embodiments, at least a portion of each front rail 102 is metallic. For example, the majority of each front rail 102 may be a high strength polymer material (or other non-metal) and the at least one slide interface portion 112 may be metallic. In some cases, the at least one slide interface portion 103 may be over-molded or co-molded such that the interface portion 103 is permanently attached to the other portions of the front rail 102. In other embodiments, each front rail 102 is a single sheet metal component that is bent from a flat pattern. In some embodiments, each front rail 102 is a single polymer component designed for high strength and high temperature capability. Each front rail 102 may be thermoplastic, carbon composite, plastic, nylon, polyethylene, polyetherimide, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, steel, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, high strength aluminum alloy, other plastic or polymer materials, other metallic materials, other composite materials, or other similar materials. Similarly, the receiver body 101 (and thus each cavity 122) may be at least one of thermoplastic, carbon composite, plastic, nylon, polyethylene, polyetherimide, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, steel, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, high strength aluminum alloy, other plastic or polymer materials, other metallic materials, other composite materials, or other similar materials. In some embodiments, the receiver body 101 is the same material as each front rail 102 while in other embodiments, these components are different materials. In some embodiments, the receiver body 101 is at least one of thermoplastic, carbon composite, plastic, nylon, polyethylene, polyetherimide, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, other plastic or polymer materials, other composite materials, or other similar materials.
The at least one rear rail 111, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 7, 9, and 12A-13B, may be a single component that is inserted into cavity 124 of the receiver body 101. As shown in FIGS. 3, 9, 13A, 13B, 15, and 16, the rear rail 111 may have an overall U shape with at least one slide interface portion 112 at or near the top of the rear rail 111 such that the rear rail 111 may be adjacent to the trigger housing 35. In some cases, the overall shape of the rear rail 111 is symmetric with two slide interface portions 112. Each slide interface portion 112 may include a perpendicular, angled, and/or bent portion designed to interface with the slide assembly 11. The rear rail 111 may include a hole 113 that extends through some or all portions such that the hole 113 is designed to interface with pin 19. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the rear rail 111 is metallic. For example, the majority of the rear rail 111 may be a high strength polymer material (or other non-metal) and the at least one slide interface portion 112 may be metallic. In some cases, the at least one slide interface portion 112 may be over-molded or co-molded such that the interface portion 112 is permanently attached to the other portions of the rear rail 111. In other embodiments, the rear rail 111 is a single sheet metal component that is bent from a flat pattern. In some embodiments, the rear rail 111 is a single polymer component designed for high strength and high temperature capability. The rear rail 11 may be thermoplastic, carbon composite, plastic, nylon, polyethylene, polyetherimide, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, steel, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, high strength aluminum alloy, other plastic or polymer materials, other metallic materials, other composite materials, or other similar materials. Similarly, the receiver body 101 (and thus each cavity 124) may be at least one of thermoplastic, carbon composite, plastic, nylon, polyethylene, polyetherimide, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, steel, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, high strength aluminum alloy, other plastic or polymer materials, other metallic materials, other composite materials, or other similar materials. In some embodiments, the receiver body 101 is the same material as the rear rail 111 while in other embodiments, these components are different materials. In some embodiments, the receiver body 101 is at least one of thermoplastic, carbon composite, plastic, nylon, polyethylene, polyetherimide, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, other plastic or polymer materials, other composite materials, or other similar materials.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the rear rail 111 may include stabilizing feature where the stabilizing feature is a notch 114 and/or a protrusion 115. The notch 114 may engage a corresponding feature of the receiver body 101 to reduce or eliminate movement (e.g., sliding and/or tilting) of the slide interface portion(s) 112 (in the lateral and/or fore/aft directions). For example, see member 107 of the receiver body 101 in FIGS. 12B and 14. In some embodiments, the protrusion 115 is configured to engage a corresponding recess or groove of the receiver body 101 which can help reduce or eliminate movement (e.g., sliding and/or tilting) of the slide interface portion(s) 112 (in the lateral and/or fore/aft directions). One example of a recess or groove of the receiver body 101 is shown in FIG. 14 as feature 108.
As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the rear rail 111 may include at least one internal interface portion 116, 117. In some embodiments, the rear rail 111 includes a lower internal interface portion 116 and an upper internal interface portion 117 (see FIG. 13B). The lower internal interface portion 116 may be designed to stabilize the trigger housing 35 and prevent this component from moving relative to the receiver body 101 using pressure from the right side of the trigger housing 35. The upper internal interface portion 117 may be designed to stabilize the trigger housing 35 and prevent this component from moving relative to the receiver body 101 using pressure from the left side of the trigger housing 35.
In some embodiments, the receiver body 101 includes multiple materials. For example, the receiver body 101 may include a primary material and a secondary material. The primary material may be a structural material designed for strength, durability, longevity, etc. In some embodiments, the secondary material is designed to improve ergonomics, grip, aesthetics, and/or other relevant factors. In some embodiments, the primary material may be at least one of thermoplastic, carbon composite, plastic, nylon, polyethylene, polyetherimide, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, steel, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, high strength aluminum alloy, other plastic or polymer materials, other metallic materials, other composite materials, or other similar materials. The secondary material may be a softer more compliant material with a lower Shore hardness such as rubber, thermoplastic vulcanizates, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane, synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, polypropylene, and/or other similar materials. In some cases, the secondary material may be overmolded or co-molded onto or relative to other portion(s) of the receiver body 101. The receiver body 101 may include specific area (a) for the secondary material. For example, the receiver body 101 may include outlined area(s) 109, 110 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. These outlined area(s) may be recessed from other surfaces of the receiver body 101. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the magazine release 25 and/or the slide catch assembly 40 include some of the secondary material. The secondary material may be applied with a constant thickness in some cases. In other cases, the secondary material varies in thickness to create textures and/or features designed to enhance grip. The secondary material may be secured relative to the primary material with one or more mechanical features, including, for example, interlocking feature(s). For example, the edges 109a-h and/or edges 110a-k may include grooves designed for the secondary material to flow into, which would create a mechanical interlock. In other cases, the secondary material is attached or bonded by other means including, but not limited to, chemically, molecularly, with adhesive, with mechanical fasteners, removably attached, and/or any other relevant means.
As shown in FIGS. 8A-11B, in some embodiments, the front rail(s) 102 may each include multiple components. For example, a left front rail 102a may include a first member 105 and a second member 106 where at least one of the members includes at least one retaining feature 104. In some embodiments, the first member 105 and the second member 106 can be inserted together into the corresponding cavity 122. The second member 106 may be a flat plate that includes a “L” shape. In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8B, 10A, and 10B, the receiver body 101 includes at least one cavity 122 that is accessible from above (for inserting the portion of the front rail 102 that includes the slide interface portion 103) but also includes a lower opening 123. For example, the left cavity 122a may include left lower opening 123a and the right cavity 122b may include left lower opening 123b. In some embodiments, the second member 106 is inserted through the lower opening 123 to lock the first member 105 into the appropriate position. Similar to the other embodiments for the front rails 102 described above, when the at least one retaining feature 104 (which may include at least one protrusion or barb) digs, pokes, or otherwise engages the interior of the cavity 122, the front rail 102 is permanently and irreversibly inserted into the cavity 122. Although the second member 106 is illustrated with a single retaining feature 104, the second member 106 may include a plurality of retaining features 104 on multiple sides. In addition, the first member 105 may include at least one retaining feature 104 in addition to or in lieu of the retaining feature(s) 104 of the second member 106.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the first member 105 includes a lower protrusion 105.1 that is configured to sit under a corresponding feature or shelf in the cavity 122 (e.g., see ledge 122.1 in FIG. 10B). For example, to insert the first member 105 (from above), the first member 105 would need to rotate until pressed sufficiently downward for the lower protrusion 105.1 to slide under ledge 122.1. The subsequent addition of the second member 106 would lock the components in position to prevent rotation of the first member 105 such that the lower protrusion 105.1 will remain secure under ledge 122.1.
Although the illustrated embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-11B illustrate components of handguns, the features, concepts, and functions described herein are also applicable (with potential necessary alterations for particular applications) to semiautomatic, automatic, rifles, carbines, pistols, shotguns, AR-15, AR-10, AR-9, AR-18, AR-180, AK-47, AK-74, AKM, SCAR, and any other appropriate firearm.
The components of any of the components described herein may be formed of materials including, but not limited to, thermoplastic, carbon composite, plastic, nylon, polyethylene, polyetherimide, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, steel, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, high strength aluminum alloy, other plastic or polymer materials, other metallic materials, other composite materials, or other similar materials. Moreover, the components of the devices described herein may be attached to one another via suitable fasteners, which include, but are not limited to, screws, bolts, rivets, welds, over-molding, co-molding, injection molding, or other mechanical or chemical fasteners.
Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described, are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.
Patent Application
20250155208
