U.S. patent application number 15/334688 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-27 for universal bolt carrier group with interchangeable weights.
The applicant listed for this patent is Handl Defense, LLC. Invention is credited to Francis M. Plumb.
Application Number | 20170115078 15/334688 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58558315 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170115078 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Plumb; Francis M. |
April 27, 2017 |
Universal Bolt Carrier Group with Interchangeable Weights
Abstract
A bolt carrier group includes one or more interchangeable
weights that allows the user to control the weight of the bolt
carrier group. One or more interchangeable weights are secured
inside compartments of the bolt carrier group body such that the
weight of the bolt carrier group can be changed depending on
desired use of the firearm. The change in weight of the bolt
carrier group allows the user to control the recoil of the firearm,
the firing rate of the firearm, and the type and caliber ammunition
that may be used with the bolt carrier group.
Inventors: |
Plumb; Francis M.;
(Issaquah, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Handl Defense, LLC |
Auburn |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58558315 |
Appl. No.: |
15/334688 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62246212 |
Oct 26, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 3/26 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 3/56 20060101
F41A003/56 |
Claims
1. A bolt carrier group for a weapon comprising: a. a first
weighted mass; and b. a bolt carrier group body comprising a first
compartment configured to receive the first weighted mass.
2. The bolt carrier group of claim 1, further comprising a fastener
configured to secure the first weighted mass to the bolt carrier
group body.
3. The bolt carrier group of claim 2, wherein the fastener
comprises a threaded cap.
4. The bolt carrier group of claim 1, wherein the first weighted
mass comprises a metal material.
5. The bolt carrier group of claim 1, wherein the first weighted
mass comprises a composite material.
6. The bolt carrier group of claim 1, wherein the first weighted
mass comprises a ceramic material.
7. The bolt carrier group of claim 1, further comprising a second
weighted mass and a second compartment configured to receive the
second weighted mass.
8. The bolt carrier group of claim 1, further comprising a third
weighted mass and a third compartment configured to receive the
third weighted mass.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/246,212, entitled "Universal Bolt Carrier
Group with Interchangeable Weights and filed on Oct. 26, 2015. Such
application is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A bolt carrier group is an assembly that allows a firearm to
function by reciprocating back and forth along a track. Generally,
the bolt carrier group includes a main body, a bolt, and a firing
pin. The bolt holds the cartridge and is the part of the firearm
that feeds the cartridge into the chamber for firing. The firing
pin causes the cartridge to release from the bolt when the weapon
is fired. Once the weapon is fired and the cartridge is released
from the bolt, the casing of the cartridge is ejected from the bolt
and a new cartridge is chambered. The main body of the bolt carrier
group holds the bolt and the firing pin. During the reciprocating
movement of the bolt carrier group, the bolt carrier group feeds
the ammunition, chambers the ammunition, and then extracts and
ejects the ammunition. Thus, the bolt carrier group is responsible
for the cocking and the firing mechanisms of the weapon.
[0004] The present invention is a technological and engineering
innovation which changes the operation and function of firearms and
weapons. This invention involves a radical change to the bolt
carrier group of a firearm by making the weight of the bolt carrier
group adjustable by the end user. This manipulation of the weight
of the bolt carrier group of the firearm can help centralize
reciprocating mass, slow rate of fire, increase rate of fire, or
dampen recoil forces, as described more fully below.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed to firearms, and more
particularly to a bolt carrier group that can be implemented in a
number of different firearms based on its ability to control the
weight distribution during the operation of the firearm. It is an
object of the present invention to allow the use of different
calibers in the same firearm, with the same bolt carrier group. It
is also an object of the present invention to allow a firearm user
to adjust the operation of the firearm by controlling the weight of
the bolt carrier group.
[0006] These and other features, objects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood from a
consideration of the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments and appended claims in conjunction with
drawings as described following.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1A is a left side view of one embodiment of the present
invention showing an AR15 or AR10 styled bolt carrier group with
the compartment for the interchangeable weight, the interchangeable
weight, a threaded end cap, and a set screw to keep the end cap in
place.
[0008] FIG. 1B is a left side view of one embodiment of the present
invention showing an AR15 or AR10 styled bolt carrier group with
the interchangeable weight installed.
[0009] FIG. 2A is a left side view of one embodiment of the present
invention showing an MK17 or other similar style bolt carrier group
with multiple compartments for the interchangeable weights.
[0010] FIG. 2B is a left side view of one embodiment of the present
invention showing an MK17 or other similar style bolt carrier group
with the interchangeable weights installed.
[0011] FIG. 3A is a left side view of one embodiment of the present
invention showing an MK17 or other similar bolt carrier group with
a single compartment for the interchangeable weights.
[0012] FIG. 3B is a left side view of one embodiment of the present
invention showing an MK17 or other similar bolt carrier group with
the interchangeable weights installed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention is directed to firearms, and more
particularly to a bolt carrier group that can be implemented in a
number of different firearms based on its ability to control weight
distribution during the operation of the firearm. Generally, the
present invention uses removable weighted masses that may be
interchanged when different rifle calibers or different strength of
cartridges are used. Different types of cartridges expend different
amounts of energy when fired. For example, ammunition with a
diameter of 7.62 mm and a length of 51 mm and a bullet mass of 175
grains (denoted as 7.62.times.51 mm 175 gr), the characteristics of
one type of commonly used ammunition, expends 3800 joules of energy
when fired. The weight of the bolt carrier group and the strength
of the recoil spring are two primary elements in the dispersal of
the energy expended by firing the projectile. Traditionally, a bolt
carrier group is a solid item, with the bolt carrier group having a
designated, fixed weight to compensate for the energy of the
specific caliber they are designed to work with. The present
invention, on the other hand, provides hollow compartments in the
bolt carrier group that are capable of receiving interchangeable
weights such that the mass of the bolt carrier group can be
changed. Because the energy expended by different ammunition
affects the bolt carrier group in different ways, the ability to
change the weight of the bolt carrier group based on ammunition
used allows the user to modify the operation of the firearm.
Further, because the weight of the bolt carrier group of the
present invention may be changed, the present invention may be used
with a number of different calibers while existing bolt carrier
groups are limited to use with a single caliber.
[0014] The ability to manipulate the weight of the bolt carrier
group also allows the user to change the force of the impact of the
bolt carrier group's movement in the weapon, because change in the
mass of the bolt carrier group changes the overall kinetic energy.
This means that the function of the bolt carrier group can be
controlled completely by manipulating its operational stroke (i.e.
by changing the weight of the bolt carrier group). Changing the
weight of the bolt carrier group allows the user to optimize the
energy level of the recoil forces depending on the user's needs.
This invention helps centralize reciprocating mass, slow rate of
fire, increase rate of fire, and dampen recoil forces. While it is
understood that the present invention can be implemented in any
number of firearm style bolt carrier group assemblies, the present
invention is shown as being implemented in AR 15 or AR 10 style
firearms and MK17 or other similar style firearms. These examples
are non-limiting examples of implementation of the present
invention.
[0015] With reference to FIGS. 1A-3B, the components of the bolt
carrier group of the present invention may be described. The first
component of the bolt carrier group 1 is the bolt carrier body 2.
The bolt carrier body 2 has hollow compartments 3 such that a
weight or weights 4 may be placed inside of the bolt carrier body
2, thus changing the weight of the bolt carrier group 1. As noted
above, the present invention may be used in any number of weapon
systems and is not limited to the examples provided herein. The
bolt carrier body 2 may be a different shape or different style
depending on the weapon system used, but the underlying concept
remains the same. For example, FIGS. 1A-1B show a bolt carrier
group 1 of the present invention for an AR 15 style weapon, while
FIGS. 2A-2B and 3A-3B show a bolt carrier group 1 for an MK17 or
other similar style bolt carrier. The bolt carrier body 2,
regardless of shape or size, may have a compartment or compartments
3 for receiving a weight or weights 4 such that the total weight of
the bolt carrier group 1 may be changed. The bolt carrier body 2
may have a single hollow compartment 3 for receiving a single
interchangeable weight 4 (see FIG. 1A-1B) or may implement several
hollow compartments 3 such that several different weights 4 can be
positioned inside of the bolt carrier body 2 such that various
total weights of the bolt carrier group 1 can be achieved (as shown
in FIG. 2A-2B). The bolt carrier body 2 may also have a single
hollow compartment 3 for receiving multiple weights 4 (as shown in
FIG. 3A-3B). The removable weights 4 of the present invention
attach differently based upon the firearm platform being utilized.
For example, in one embodiment the weight or weights 4 may be
inserted into a compartment 3 located on the back of the bolt
carrier body 2 and may be secured by a threaded cap 5. A set screw
may 6 also be used to secure the threaded end cap 5 and weight 4 in
place. In another embodiment, the weights 4 may be positioned
inside compartments 3 located at the front or middle of the bolt
carrier body 2 of the bolt carrier group 1. It is understood that
any fastener may be used to secure the weight or weights 4 inside
the compartment or compartments 4 of the bolt carrier group
assembly 1.
[0016] The second component of the bolt carrier group of the
present invention is the interchangeable weight or weights 4. As
noted above, there may be one compartment 3 for receiving a single
interchangeable weight 4, there may be several compartments 3 for
receiving several different weights 4, or there may be a single
compartment 3 for receiving several different weights 4. Because
the potential energy of an object is dependent on the mass of the
object and the kinetic energy of an object is directly proportional
to the mass of the object and to the square of the velocity of the
object, the removable weights 4 function to alter the potential and
kinetic energy profiles of the bolt carrier group 1. Kinetic
energy, for example, is equal to one half times the mass of the
object times the square of the object's velocity. Thus, as the mass
(weight) of the object increases, kinetic energy also increases.
Likewise, potential energy is calculated by multiplying the mass of
the object times the object's acceleration due to gravity
(constant) and the height of the object. Thus, as mass increases
the potential energy also increases. Thus, an increase in the
weight of a bolt carrier group 1 causes an increase in kinetic
energy of the bolt carrier group 1 when fired. Differences in the
kinetic energy will lead to different amounts of firearm recoil and
to different rates of fire. For example, a heavier bolt carrier
group 1 will facilitate a slower rate of fire, making the weapon
more reliable. A lighter bolt carrier group 1, on the other hand,
will increase the rate of fire and will lead to less recoil, but
may also cause a decrease in accuracy.
[0017] The weights 4 are inserted and secured into the compartments
3 in the bolt carrier body 2 when the user desires a higher
weighted bolt carrier group 1. Alternatively, weights 4 may be
removed when the user desires a lighter weight bolt carrier group
1. As the weapon fires, the bolt carrier group 1 is pushed to the
rear of the weapon along its track. This is performed by a set
amount of gas from the weapon discharge that interacts with the
bolt carrier group 1 by direct impingement or by contact with a
piston. The removable weights 4 of the present invention add to or
reduce resistance to the movement of the bolt carrier group 1. This
helps slow or accelerate the rearward path of the bolt carrier
group 1, which will lead to different firearm operation. For
example, slowing the bolt carrier group 1 may be favorable for less
motion or a smoother operation of the gun, while a quicker bolt
carrier group 1 may be necessary for a higher rate of fire. With
each of these benefits of higher and lower weight bolt carrier
groups 1 come tradeoffs: for example, a bolt carrier group 1 that
travels too slowly will not allow the firearm to cycle properly and
one that moves too quickly will expend a greater amount of recoil
energy that may lead to higher wear and tear on the gun. Allowing
the user to manipulate the weight of the bolt carrier group 1
allows the user to customize the type of operation desired.
[0018] Because the purpose of the weighted masses 4 is to change
the weight of the bolt carrier group 1, it is preferred that the
weights 4 be made with a material with enough mass to have the
positive effects on the bolt carrier group 1. It is understood that
any suitable metal material may be used, including steel, tungsten,
lead, copper, or aluminum. Alternatively, composites and ceramic
materials may be used. Furthermore, the present invention may use
weights 4 of different masses or different materials such that
different effects on the operation of the firearm can be achieved
as desired. For example, weight may be added to the bolt carrier
group in order to centralize the reciprocating mass of the weapon.
The centralization of reciprocating mass requires less force to be
applied to the bolt carrier group in order for the bolt carrier
group to change direction. Because less force is needed for proper
functioning of the bolt carrier group, less recoil force will be
transmitted to the shooter, ultimately leading to a more
controllable firearm operation.
[0019] Alternatively, if the user wants to keep the center of
gravity as tight as possible, a heavier or denser material like
tungsten may be used. This type of operation may be desired in
firearms with a high rate of fire. The center of gravity of an
object is the average location of the weight of the object or, in
other words, the point where if a force is applied the object moves
in the direction of the force without rotation. In firearms, the
recoil force as the gun is fired applies a backward force on the
firearm which causes it to move reward past the center of gravity.
The more weight that is located at the center of the firearm, the
less reward movement the recoil forces will create, which means the
firearm will ultimately be easier to control and operate. Because
the bolt carrier group is typically located at a centralized point
on the firearm, altering the weight to the bolt carrier group using
an interchangeable weight will keep moving parts closer to the
center of gravity, improving control and operation of the
firearm.
[0020] In yet another example, if the user desires to stabilize the
recoiled energy profile, a lighter or less dense metal that takes
up more space may be used as the weighted material. Generally, when
a weapon is fired, energy is dispersed throughout the gun. An
energy profile can be generated and, typically, the energy profile
shows a spike in energy because a large amount of energy is
dissipated over a short period of time. The use of a weighted
material in the bolt carrier group increases the amount of energy
necessary to move the bolt carrier group, which creates an increase
in drag. This increase in drag creates an extended the time over
which the energy is fully dissipated. This leads to a better energy
distribution across the entire travel of the bolt carrier group, as
the energy profile is less of a spike and more of a wave pattern.
This change in energy profile and manipulation of the energy
distribution reduces wear on the optics of the firearm and the
firearm itself. It is understood that the interchangeable weights
may comprise any combination of mass, size, and material such that
the operation of the bolt carrier group can be customized based on
desired effect.
[0021] All terms used herein should be interpreted in the broadest
possible manner consistent with the context. When a grouping is
used herein, all individual members of the group and all
combinations and subcombinations possible of the group are intended
to be individually included. When a range is stated herein, the
range is intended to include all subranges and individual points
within the range. All references cited herein are hereby
incorporated by reference to the extent that there is no
inconsistency with the disclosure of this specification.
[0022] The present invention has been described with reference to
certain preferred and alternative embodiments that are intended to
be exemplary only and not limiting to the full scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *