U.S. patent application number 13/998245 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-16 for lower receiver for firearms.
This patent application is currently assigned to Curtis Arms, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Curtis Arms, LLC. Invention is credited to Kevin D. Curtis.
Application Number | 20150101230 13/998245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52808444 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150101230 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Curtis; Kevin D. |
April 16, 2015 |
Lower receiver for firearms
Abstract
A lower receiver for a firearm is disclosed that includes a
trigger and hammer assemblies receiving section and a magazine well
section, a raised bolt catch mount and a trigger access opening
defined between the sections. The bolt catch mount includes an
opening for insertion of a bolt catch mounting pin, a pin insertion
relief formed at the magazine well section aligned with bolt catch
mount opening. A trigger finger guide feature is defined between
the trigger access opening and the magazine well section below the
bolt catch mount.
Inventors: |
Curtis; Kevin D.; (Longmont,
CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Curtis Arms, LLC |
Longmont |
CO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Curtis Arms, LLC
Longmont
CO
|
Family ID: |
52808444 |
Appl. No.: |
13/998245 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/75.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 3/66 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/75.01 |
International
Class: |
F41A 3/66 20060101
F41A003/66 |
Claims
1. Firearm features comprising: a trigger with a width, a user
interface receiver at one side of said trigger and a forward
portion structure opposite said trigger from said user interface,
said forward portion structure having a width greater than said
width of said trigger; and a trigger finger guide feature
comprising a first detent surface defined in said forward portion
structure at a position adjacent to said trigger, said first detent
surface having a maximum depth into said forward portion structure
relative to said forward portion structure width selected so that
said first detent surface is raised relative to said trigger
width.
2. The firearm features of claim 1 wherein said first detent
surface has an overall width and an overall length extending away
from the trigger, said maximum depth, said overall width and said
overall length of said first detent surface configured to rest a
trigger finger therein.
3. The firearm features of claim 2 wherein said first detent
surface maximum depth is between about 7.6 mm and 10.15 mm, said
overall width is between about 27.90 mm and 33.0 mm, and said
overall length is between about 17.75 mm and 20.35 mm.
4. The firearm features of claim 2 further including a trigger
guard connected at said forward portion structure and with a width
greater than said trigger width but less than said forward portion
structure width, said trigger finger guide feature further
characterized by said first detent surface overall width extending
to a position adjacent to said trigger guard.
5. The firearm features of claim 4 wherein said first detent
surface maximum depth is no greater than one half the difference
between said trigger guard width and said forward portion
structure. width.
6. The firearm features of claim 1 further comprising a second
detent surface on an opposite side of the firearm and directly
opposite said first detent surface, said second detent surface
having a maximum depth into said forward portion structure relative
to said forward portion structure width selected so that all of
said second detent surface is raised relative to said trigger
width.
7. The firearm features of claim 1 wherein said first detent
surface includes an arcuate leading edge spaced from said
trigger.
8. The firearm features of claim 1 further comprising a lower
receiver having said forward portion structure and said user
interface receiver thereat and including a trigger and hammer
assemblies receiving structure adjacent to said user interface
receiver and a magazine well and bolt catch structure at said
forward portion structure and adjacent to said trigger and hammer
assemblies receiving structure, said magazine and bolt catch
structure comprising: opposite side walls defining a magazine well
section having a magazine receiving opening at one end thereof; and
a bolt catch mount at one of said side walls adjacent to said
magazine well section, said trigger finger guide feature formed in
one of said side walls below said bolt catch mount and adjacent to
said magazine well
9. The firearm features of claim 8 further comprising an opposite
finger guide feature at another of said side walls and opposite
said trigger finger guide feature.
10. The firearm features of claim 8 wherein said maximum depth of
said a detent surface into said one of said side walls is selected
so that all of said detent surface is no deeper than a surface of
the trigger and hammer assemblies receiving structure adjacent to
said one of said side walls of said magazine well section.
11. The firearm features of claim 8 wherein said bolt catch mount
includes an opening parallel to said one of said side walls for
insertion of a bolt catch mounting pin, said improved magazine well
and bolt catch structure further comprising an access relief at
said one of said side walls adjacent to said bolt catch mount at
said magazine well section and aligned with said bolt catch mount
opening for accommodating bolt catch mounting pin insertion into or
withdrawal from said opening at said bolt catch mount.
12. The firearm features of claim 11 wherein said access relief is
an elongated relief.
13. The firearm features of claim 11 wherein said bolt catch mount
opening includes first and second aligned passageways.
14. The firearm features of claim 13 wherein said access relief is
spaced from said aligned passageways of said bolt catch mount
opening.
15. The firearm features of claim 8 wherein trigger and hammer
assemblies receiving structure and said magazine well and bolt
catch structure, said firearm features further comprising: a raised
bolt catch mount defined at said magazine well and bolt catch
structure between said trigger and hammer assemblies receiving
structure and a magazine well section of said magazine well and
bolt catch structure, said bolt catch mount including an opening
for insertion of a bolt catch mounting pin, said trigger finger
guide feature defined between said trigger access opening and said
magazine well section below said bolt catch mount; a pin
manipulation access relief at said magazine well section and
aligned with said opening at said raised bolt catch mount; and said
user interface receiver including a buffer tube receiver adjacent
to one end of said trigger and hammer assemblies receiving
structure.
16. The firearm features of claim 15 further comprising a pistol
grip interface at said user interface receiver below said trigger
and hammer assemblies receiving structure, a selector assembly
receiver at said trigger and hammer assemblies receiving structure,
and a pivot pin receiver and a magazine catch assembly receiver at
said magazine well section, and wherein said pin manipulation
access relief is located above said magazine catch assembly
receiver at said magazine well section.
17. The firearm features of claim 15 wherein said maximum depth of
said detent surface of said trigger finger guide feature is
selected so that all of said detent surface is no deeper than a
surface of said trigger and hammer assemblies receiving structure
adjacent to said trigger access opening thereat.
18. The firearm features of claim of 17 wherein said detent surface
has an overall width and an overall length extending away from said
trigger access opening.
19. The firearm features of claim of 15 further comprising another
detent surface on an opposite side of said lower receiver between
said trigger access opening and said magazine well section.
20. The firearm features of claim of 15 wherein said access relief
is an elongated relief, wherein said bolt catch mount opening
includes first and second aligned passageways, and wherein said
access relief is spaced from said aligned passageways.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention is related to firearm assemblies and, more
particularly, relates to lower receivers for firearms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Semi-automatic firearms are in wide use. Lower receivers for
firearms (in particular semi-automatic firearms such as the AR-15)
are used to accommodate firearm assembly and deployment and are
well known and also widely utilized. A trigger assembly as well as
other components are received at the lower receiver.
[0003] When not firing, a user of the firearm must learn to remove
the trigger finger to a position remote from the trigger to prevent
accidental firing which may occur when the finger is left on the
trigger. Remote relocation of the trigger finger is a tactical
disadvantage and effects firing accuracy and speed. Several
solutions have been suggested for various firearms, though none are
completely satisfactory (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,474,169 and
6,023,874, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 7,786,397 suggestive of another
approach though addressing safety guards for pneumatic nailers).
Improved guides could thus be utilized better addressing tactical
advantage, firing accuracy and firing speed.
[0004] Moreover, heretofore known lower receivers have all included
structure that impedes bolt catch assembly installation, and in
particular that makes bolt catch roll pin installation and removal
a tedious and slow process. Improvements directed to accommodating
ease of bolt catch assembly mounting pin installation and removal
at the bolt catch mount of the receiver thus enhancing installation
and removal speed could thus be utilized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention provides a trigger finger guide feature for a
firearm. This invention also provides an improved magazine well and
bolt catch structure in a lower receiver for a firearm and a lower
receiver for a semi-automatic firearm each incorporating the guide
feature. The guide feature better addresses tactical advantage,
firing accuracy and firing speed. The bolt catch structure
improvements accommodate ease of bolt catch assembly mounting pin
installation and removal thus enhancing installation and removal
speed.
[0006] The trigger finger guide feature of this invention is
provided in a firearm having a trigger with a width, a user
interface at one side of the trigger and a forward portion
structure opposite the trigger from the user interface. The forward
portion structure has a width greater than width of the trigger.
The guide feature includes a detent surface defined in the forward
portion structure of the firearm at a position adjacent to the
trigger. The detent surface has a maximum depth into the forward
portion structure relative to forward portion structure width
selected so that the entire detent surface is raised (or lofted)
relative to the trigger width.
[0007] The improved magazine well and bolt catch structure of this
invention is defined at a lower receiver for a firearm adjacent to
a trigger and hammer assemblies receiving structure thereat. The
improved magazine well and bolt catch structure includes opposite
side walls defining a magazine well section having a magazine
receiving opening at one end. A bolt catch mount is located at one
of the side walls adjacent to the magazine well section. The
trigger finger guide feature is formed at least in one of the side
walls below the bolt catch mount.
[0008] The lower receiver of this invention is particularly well
adapted for a semi-automatic firearm. The lower receiver includes a
trigger and hammer assemblies receiving section and a magazine well
section, a trigger access opening defined between the sections. A
raised bolt catch mount is located between the trigger and hammer
assemblies receiving section and the magazine well section and
includes an opening for insertion of a bolt catch mounting pin. A
pin manipulation access relief is provided at the magazine well
section aligned with the opening at the raised bolt catch mount. A
buffer tube receiver is located adjacent to one end of the trigger
and hammer assemblies receiving section, the trigger finger guide
feature being defined between the trigger access opening and the
magazine well section below the bolt catch mount.
[0009] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a
trigger finger guide feature for a firearm.
[0010] It is another object of this invention to provide an
improved magazine well and bolt catch structure in a lower receiver
for a firearm incorporating a trigger finger guide feature.
[0011] It is still another object of this invention to provide a
lower receiver for a firearm incorporating a trigger finger guide
feature.
[0012] It is yet another object of this invention to provide a
trigger finger guide feature for a firearm that better addresses
tactical advantage, firing accuracy and firing speed.
[0013] It is still another object of this invention to provide an
improved magazine well and bolt catch structure in a lower receiver
for a firearm as well as a lower receiver for a firearm having bolt
catch structure improvements that accommodate ease and speed of
bolt catch assembly mounting pin installation and removal.
[0014] It is another object of this invention to provide, in a
firearm having a trigger with a width, a user interface at one side
of the trigger and a forward portion structure opposite the trigger
from the user interface, the forward portion structure having a
width greater than width of the trigger, a trigger finger guide
feature that includes a detent surface defined in the forward
portion structure of the firearm at a position adjacent to the
trigger, the detent surface having a maximum depth into the forward
portion structure relative to forward portion structure width
selected so that the entire detent surface is raised relative to
the trigger width.
[0015] It is still another object of this invention to provide, in
a lower receiver for a firearm including a trigger and hammer
assemblies receiving structure, an improved magazine well and bolt
catch structure adjacent to the trigger and hammer assemblies
receiving structure that includes opposite side walls defining a
magazine well section having a magazine receiving opening at one
end thereof, a bolt catch mount at one of the side walls adjacent
to the magazine well section, and a first trigger finger guide
feature formed in at least one of the side walls below the bolt
catch mount and adjacent to the magazine well.
[0016] It is yet another object of this invention to provide a
lower receiver for a semi-automatic firearm including a trigger and
hammer assemblies receiving section, a magazine well section, a
trigger access opening defined between the sections, a raised bolt
catch mount between the trigger and hammer assemblies receiving
section and the magazine well section, the bolt catch mount
including an opening for insertion of a bolt catch mounting pin, a
pin manipulation access relief at the magazine well section and
aligned with the opening at the raised bolt catch mount, a buffer
tube receiver adjacent to one end of the trigger and hammer
assemblies receiving section, and a trigger finger guide feature
defined between the trigger access opening and the magazine well
section below the bolt catch mount.
[0017] With these and other objects in view, which will become
apparent to one skilled in the art as the description proceeds,
this invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and
arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described, and
more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being
understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the herein
disclosed invention are meant to be included as come within the
scope of the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings illustrate a complete embodiment
of the invention according to the best mode so far devised for the
practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a semi-automatic firearm
including the lower receiver of this invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the lower receiver of
this invention having the trigger assembly and pistol grip mounted
thereon;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lower receiver of this
invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the trigger finger
guide feature of this invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the lower receiver of
this invention;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a top elevation view of the lower receiver of this
invention;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view of the lower receiver of
this invention;
[0026] FIG. 8 is an opposite side elevation view of the lower
receiver of this invention;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the lower receiver of
this invention; and
[0028] FIG. 10 is a bottom elevation view of the lower receiver of
this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The improved lower receiver 15 of this invention is
illustrated in the FIGURES. FIGS. 1 and 2 show lower receiver 15 in
various stages of assembly with other component assemblies of
firearm 17. Firearm 17 (as shown herein, an AR-15 type of
semi-automatic firearm that is well known in the art) typically
includes an upper receiver 19 connected with lower receiver 15. The
receivers are made of metal or other materials known for such
application using well know manufacturing techniques (milling,
molding and the like).
[0030] Upper receiver 19 is adapted for connection of the upper
assemblies of firearm 17 thereto (including barrel 21 and handguard
set 23, for example) as is well known. Lower receiver 15 is adapted
for connection of the lower assemblies of firearm 17, including
user interface assemblies 25 and 27 (a pistol grip assembly and a
stock assembly, respectively, the stock assembly including the
buttstock and buffer tube), magazine 29, magazine catch assembly
31, bolt catch assembly 33, trigger guard assembly 35, trigger
assembly 37 (including trigger 39), and selector, pivot pin, and
hammer assemblies (not shown, but well known in the art).
[0031] Turning now to FIGS. 3 through 10, lower receiver 15 will be
addressed in more detail. Receiver 15 includes forward portion 41
having magazine well and bolt catch structure 43 thereat. Trigger
and hammer assemblies receiving structure (or section) 45 is
adjacent to structure 43, trigger access opening 47 defined
therebetween. Pistol grip assembly interface/receiver 49 and buffer
tube threaded receiver 51 are located at end 53 of structure 45,
and pivot pin assembly receiver 55 is located at end 57 of forward
portion 41/structure 43. Structure 43 includes magazine well
section 59 and raised bolt catch mount 61 adjacent thereto. Well
section includes a magazine receiving opening 62 at one end of well
section 59. Hammer assembly pin receiver opening 63, selector
assembly receiver opening 65, trigger assembly pin receiver opening
67, and magazine catch assembly receiver and opening 69 are all
located in side wall 71 (opposite receiver openings 63', 65', 67'
and 69' for each also located at opposite side wall 73 as shown in
FIG. 8). It is of course to be appreciated that all the various
structures and sections of lower receiver 15 specified above are
incorporated in the monolithic manufacture (a unitary formation) of
receiver 15 and are not typically separate articles of manufacture
subsequently assembled.
[0032] Trigger finger guide features 77 and 77' of this invention
are located at side walls 71 and 73 (preferably, though location at
one or the other of the side walls could also be accommodated in
manufacture). As shown in FIG. 4 guide features 77/77' are defined
by detents having detent surfaces 79 formed in forward portion 41
of firearm 17 at a position adjacent to trigger access opening 47
and thus 39. Maximum depth of a detent surface 79 into side wall
71/73 at forward portion 41 relative to forward portion structure
width A-A (see FIG. 6) is selected so that a detent surface 79 is
raised relative to trigger 39 width B-B (see FIG. 6). In this way,
trigger 39 is always laterally spaced from a user's trigger finger
when positioned in a detent surface 79 while yet leaving the
trigger finger well aligned pointing at the target and ready to
shoot.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, a detent surface 79 has an overall width
C-C and an overall length D-D extending away from the trigger and
trigger access opening 47, the maximum depth, overall width and
said overall length configured to rest a trigger finger therein. By
way of example, maximum depth may preferably be between about 7.6
mm and 10.15 mm, overall width preferably between about 27.90 mm
and 33.0 mm, and overall length preferably between about 17.75 mm
and 20.35 mm. As noted in FIGS. 6 and 10, trigger guard 35 width is
greater than the trigger width B - B but less than the width A-A of
forward portion structure 41. As seen in FIG. 4, detent surface 79
overall width C-C extends to a position adjacent to trigger guard
35 to assure correct/optimal positioning of a user's trigger finger
adjacent to trigger 39. Detent surface 79 maximum depth is thus no
greater than about one half the difference between the trigger
guard width and the forward portion structure width and, as shown
in FIGS. 5 through 7, is no deeper than surface 81/81' of trigger
and hammer assemblies receiving structure 45 adjacent to one of
said side walls 71/73 at magazine well section 59 and to trigger
access opening 47 thereat. As shown, trigger finger guide feature
77/77' preferably includes an arcuate leading edge 83 spaced from
trigger access opening 47 (and thus trigger 39).
[0034] In accord with another aspect of this invention, bolt catch
mount 61 includes an opening 87 substantially parallel to side wall
71 for insertion of a bolt catch mounting pin. Opening 87 is
defined by first and second aligned passageways 89 and 91. An
elongated pin manipulation access relief 93 is formed in the
magazine catch assembly accommodating raised portion 95 of side
wall 71 above magazine catch assembly receiver 69 and adjacent to
bolt catch mount 61 at magazine well section 59. Relief 93 is
aligned with, but spaced from, bolt catch mount opening 87 (and
thus aligned passageways 89 and 91) for accommodating improved bolt
catch mounting pin insertion into or withdrawal from opening
87.
[0035] Assembly of lower receiver 15 of this invention with the
various lower assemblies is standard. As may be appreciated from
the foregoing, the improved lower receiver, including the improved
magazine well and bolt catch structure having the trigger finger
guide feature of this invention and bolt catch mounting pin
manipulation access relief thereat, will enhance tactical
advantage, firing accuracy and firing speed and accommodate ease
and speed of bolt catch assembly mounting pin installation and
removal thereby simplifying field deployment and use.
* * * * *