AR based autoloading shotgun with a detachable magazine

Abstract

Disclosed is an autoloading shotgun firearm which shares interchangeable fully compatible modular sub-assemblies, ergonomics, parts commonality, and exterior appearance with the AR rifle platform. Rapidly reversible tool less conversion from rifle to shotgun and vice versa is accomplished by substitution of the AR rifle upper receiver and ammunition detachable magazine with fully compatible shotgun upper receiver and ammunition detachable magazine. Said shotgun utilizes standard rimmed shotgun ammunition via features in the detachable magazine which securely maintain the position and facilitate the feeding of the cartridges during normal operation. No alteration of the AR rifle lower receiver is required. A short-recoil action is integrated into the shotgun upper receiver. The external appearance and functionality of the AR rifle are retained while eliminating the complexity and inherent fouling issues of typical gas systems used in the AR rifle. A short-recoil action also enables the shotgun to function reliably with shorter length barrels.

Claims

1. An ammunition magazine for a shotgun firearm, the magazine comprising: a magazine body having an upper end and a lower end, the magazine body defining an interior space in which a plurality of shotgun cartridges are receivable; a forward feed ramp formed on a forward interior surface of the upper end of the magazine body; a pair of opposing rear feed ramps formed on a corresponding interior left and right side of the upper end of the magazine body; a pair of opposing flexible forward feed lips extending from the corresponding interior left and right sides of the upper end of the magazine body; a pair of slots defined through each of the left and right sides of the upper end of the magazine body, wherein one slot of each pair is located adjacent a forward edge of the corresponding forward feed lip and the other slot of each pair is located adjacent a rearward edge of the corresponding forward feed lip; a base plate releasably engaged with the lower end of the magazine body; and a spring-loaded follower received in the interior space to bias the toward the upper end of the magazine body; wherein a forward edge of an uppermost cartridge received in the interior space rides up the forward feed ramp when the cartridge is moved from the interior space into a barrel of the firearm.

2. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the forward feed ramp and the rear feed ramps work in conjunction to elevate the uppermost cartridge into position to be fed into a firing chamber by an advancing bolt upon cycling of the firearm.

3. The magazine of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of opposing rear feed lips integrally formed with and extending from the corresponding interior left and right sides of the upper end of the magazine body; and a pair of opposing raised flexible surface retention features extending from the corresponding interior left and right sides of the upper end of the magazine body; wherein the rear feed lips and the raised flexible surface retention features maintain the uppermost cartridge in a substantially horizontal position in the upper end of the magazine when the cartridge is under tension from the follower.

4. The magazine of claim 3, wherein: the rear feed lips are located above the rear feed ramps; and the raised flexible surface retention features are located rearward of the forward feed ramp and forward of the rear feed ramps.

5. The magazine of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of opposing rear feed lips integrally formed with and extending from the corresponding interior left and right sides of the upper end of the magazine body; wherein the rear feed lips and the flexible forward feed lips maintain the uppermost cartridge in a substantially horizontal position in the upper end of the magazine when the cartridge is under tension from the follower.

6. The magazine of claim 5, wherein: a forward portion of the follower includes at least one elevated section relative to a rearward portion of the follower.

7. The magazine of claim 6, wherein: the at least one elevated section is two elevated sections; each elevated section has a different elevation relative to the other elevated section; each elevated section is sized to receive a shotgun cartridge having a different diameter and maintain the cartridge against the rear feed lips and the flexible forward feed lips in a substantially horizontal position when the cartridge is under tension from the follower.

8. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the shotgun firearm comprises a lower receiver assembly for an AR10/AR15 platform rifle and a shotgun upper receiver assembly releasably engaged with the lower receiver assembly.

9. The magazine of claim 8, wherein the shotgun upper receiver assembly comprises a short-recoil operating mechanism.

10. The magazine of claim 8, wherein the shotgun upper receiver assembly comprises: an upper receiver; a barrel assembly attached to the upper receiver; and a handguard attached to the upper receiver; wherein a portion of the barrel assembly reciprocates back and forth within a portion of the upper receiver independently of the handguard when the shotgun firearm is discharged.

11. An ammunition magazine for a shotgun firearm, the magazine comprising: a magazine body having an upper end and a lower end, the magazine body defining an interior space in which a plurality of shotgun cartridges are receivable; a pair of opposing flexible forward feed lips extending from a corresponding interior left and right side of the upper end of the magazine body, the forward feed lips defined between a pair of slots extending through each of the left and right sides of the upper end of the magazine body, wherein one slot of each pair is located adjacent a forward edge of the corresponding forward feed lip and the other slot of each pair is located adjacent a rearward edge of the corresponding forward feed lip; a pair of opposing rear feed lips integrally formed with and extending from the corresponding interior left and right sides of the upper end of the magazine body; a base plate releasably engaged with the lower end of the magazine body; and a spring-loaded follower received in the interior space to bias the cartridges toward the upper end of the magazine body; wherein the rear feed lips and the flexible forward feed lips maintain the uppermost cartridge in a substantially horizontal position in the upper end of the magazine when the cartridge is under tension from the follower.

12. The magazine of claim 11, further comprising: a forward feed ramp formed on a forward interior surface of the upper end of the magazine body; and a pair of opposing rear feed ramps formed on the corresponding interior left and right sides of the upper end of the magazine body.

13. The magazine of claim 12, wherein: the rear feed lips are located above the rear feed ramps; and the flexible forward feed lips are located rearward of the forward feed ramp and forward of the rear feed ramps.

14. A shotgun upper receiver assembly for converting an AR10/AR15 platform rifle into a shotgun firearm, the shotgun upper receiver assembly comprising: an upper receiver; a barrel assembly attached to the upper receiver; and a handguard attached to the upper receiver; wherein the upper receiver is releasably engageable with a lower receiver assembly for the AR10/AR15 platform rifle to form the shotgun firearm; and wherein a portion of the barrel assembly reciprocates back and forth within a portion of the upper receiver independently of the handguard when the shotgun firearm is discharged.

15. The shotgun upper receiver assembly of claim 14, wherein: the barrel assembly includes: a barrel, a barrel extension attached to a rear end portion of the barrel, a barrel extension tab protruding from the barrel extension, an aperture defined through the barrel extension tab, a barrel extension flange extending from a portion of the barrel extension located forward of the barrel extension tab, and a recoil buffer ring attached to the barrel extension between the barrel extension tab and the barrel extension flange; and the upper receiver includes: a tenon in which the barrel extension is receivable, the tenon having a forward recoil stop surface which is contacted by the recoil buffer ring to arrest rearward movement of the barrel assembly during recoil of the shotgun firearm, a barrel stud protruding forwardly from the tenon, the barrel stud receivable in the aperture of the barrel extension tab when the barrel extension is received in the tenon, a recoil spring receivable on the barrel stud, and a stud nut releasably engageable with the barrel stud to retain the recoil spring on the barrel stud, secure the barrel assembly to the tenon, and provide a positive stop against a forward force exerted on the barrel assembly by the recoil spring.

16. The shotgun upper receiver assembly of claim 15, wherein the barrel extension reciprocates back and forth within the tenon when the shotgun firearm is discharged.

17. The shotgun upper receiver assembly of claim 14, further comprising a shotgun ammunition detachable magazine assembly releasably engageable with the lower receiver assembly.

18. The shotgun upper receiver assembly of claim 17, wherein the shotgun ammunition detachable magazine assembly comprises: a magazine body having an upper end and a lower end, the magazine body defining an interior space in which a plurality of shotgun cartridges are receivable; a forward feed ramp formed on a forward interior surface of the upper end of the magazine body; a pair of opposing rear feed ramps formed on a corresponding interior left and right side of the upper end of the magazine body; a base plate releasably engaged with the lower end of the magazine body; and a spring-loaded follower received in the interior space to bias cartridges toward the upper end of the magazine body.

19. The shotgun upper receiver assembly of claim 17, wherein the shotgun ammunition detachable magazine assembly comprises: a magazine body having an upper end and a lower end, the magazine body defining an interior space in which a plurality of shotgun cartridges are receivable; a pair of opposing rear feed lips extending from a corresponding interior left and right sides of the upper end of the magazine body; a pair of opposing forward feed lips extending from the corresponding interior left and right sides of the upper end of the magazine body; a base plate releasably engaged with the lower end of the magazine body; and a spring-loaded follower received in the interior space to bias cartridges toward the upper end of the magazine body; wherein the rear feed lips and the forward feed lips maintain an uppermost shotgun cartridge received in the interior space in a substantially horizontal position in the upper end of the magazine when the cartridge is under tension from the follower.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following descriptions, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. The same symbols in different drawings typically indicate similar or identical items. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings and claims are provided merely for illustration and are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized and other changes made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

(2) FIG. 1 is a representation of a commercially available AR rifle.

(3) FIG. 2 is the AR rifle of FIG. 1 disassembled to the three modular component sub-assemblies: the AR rifle lower receiver assembly (102); AR rifle upper receiver assembly (103); and AR rifle ammunition detachable magazine assembly (104).

(4) FIG. 3 is a representation of an embodiment of the AR shotgun (105) disclosed herein.

(5) FIG. 4 is the AR shotgun of FIG. 3 (105) disassembled to the three modular component sub-assemblies: the AR rifle lower receiver assembly (102); AR shotgun upper receiver assembly (107); and AR shotgun ammunition detachable magazine assembly (108).

(6) FIG. 5 is an embodiment of the innovative AR shotgun upper receiver assembly (107).

(7) FIG. 6 is the AR shotgun upper receiver assembly of FIG. 5 (107) with the handguard (111) and barrel assembly (112) removed.

(8) FIG. 7 is a portion of the AR shotgun upper receiver assembly of FIG. 5 (107) with the handguard (111) removed.

(9) FIG. 8 is a portion of FIG. 7 enlarged for detail illustrating the component parts of the short-recoil assembly, which consist of: tenon (113) of upper receiver (110); barrel extension (114); barrel (115); barrel stud (116); recoil spring (117); barrel extension tab (118); barrel stud nut (119); recoil stop surface (120); and recoil buffer ring (121). A cutaway view of the upper portion of the tenon (113) of the upper receiver (110) reveals the barrel stud (116) which accommodates the recoil spring (117).

(10) FIG. 9 is an embodiment of the barrel extension and bolt illustrating the barrel extension flange (122), extended feed ramp (123), and bolt with locking lugs (124).

(11) FIG. 10 is an embodiment of the innovative AR shotgun detachable ammunition magazine assembly (108) of FIG. 4 illustrating the magazine box (125), spring loaded follower (126), and base plate (127).

(12) FIG. 11 is the upper portion of the AR shotgun ammunition detachable magazine box assembly of FIG. 10 (125) illustrating the rear feed ramps (128) and the front feed ramp (129).

(13) FIG. 12 is another view of the upper portion of the AR shotgun ammunition detachable magazine box assembly of FIG. 10 (125), illustrating the rear feed lips (130) and an embodiment of the flexible raised surface retention features (131).

(14) FIG. 13 is an example of a standard commercially available shotgun ammunition cartridge (132) illustrating the protruding rim (133) and hull (134) which is of lesser diameter than rim (133).

(15) FIG. 14 is the upper portion of the AR shotgun ammunition detachable magazine assembly (108) of FIG. 10 with the exemplar shotgun ammunition cartridge (132) of FIG. 13 illustrating the relative positions of the rim (133) and hull (134) of the shotgun ammunition cartridge (132) and the ammunition feed components of the AR shotgun ammunition detachable magazine assembly (108), which include: rear feed ramps (128); front feed ramp (129); feed lips (130); and flexible raised surface retention features (131).

(16) FIG. 15 is an embodiment of the magazine box (125) in FIG. 10 and magazine follower (126) in FIG. 10 illustrating slots (136) cut in the magazine box (125) on either side of the flexible raised retention features (131) and an elevated section on the follower (126).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(17) FIGS. 3 through 15 illustrate embodiments of systems, techniques, methods, and devices to enable the use of standard commercially available rimmed shotgun ammunition in an AR rifle converted to an AR shotgun. The embodiments are not limited to any specific type or gauge (caliber) of standard commercially available rimmed shotgun ammunition. The dimensions of the AR shotgun upper receiver assembly in conjunction with the AR shotgun ammunition detachable magazine assembly would be altered accordingly to accommodate the desired shotgun firearm ammunition gauge (caliber). In addition to utilizing the unaltered AR rifle upper receiver assembly, the AR rifle to AR shotgun firearm conversion according to the embodiments may be considered AR compatible in that, while being capable of loading, firing, ejecting and reloading standard commercially available shotgun ammunition, the shotgun firearm utilizes the same ergonomic controls, parts commonality, and operational functionality as the AR rifle firearm platform.

(18) FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate the three modular rapidly dismantled sub-assemblies (lower receiver, upper receiver, and ammunition detachable magazine) design configuration common to the AR rifle and AR shotgun of the present disclosure.

(19) As embodied, the AR rifle to the AR shotgun conversion is accomplished by replacing the AR rifle upper receiver assembly (103) in FIG. 2 with the AR shotgun upper receiver assembly (107) in FIG. 4, then replacing the AR rifle ammunition detachable magazine assembly (104) in FIG. 2 with the AR shotgun ammunition detachable magazine assembly (108) in FIG. 4.

(20) As embodied, the upper receiver assemblies (103) in FIG. 2 and (107) in FIG. 4 would be interchangeable and fully compatible across the individual AR10 or AR15 platforms.

(21) As embodied, the ammunition detachable magazine assemblies (104) in FIG. 2 and (108) in FIG. 4 would be interchangeable and fully compatible across the individual AR10 or AR15 platforms.

(22) As embodied, no modifications or alterations would be required to the individual AR10 or AR15 platform lower receiver assemblies (102) in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 in order to support the reversible conversion between rifle and shotgun.

(23) The interchangeable fully compatible sub-assemblies facilitate the quick reversible conversion between a rifle type firearm and a shotgun type firearm. The overall external shape, function, controls, and appearance of the AR type autoloading firearm platform is maintained throughout.

(24) The similarity and compatibility of the AR rifle ammunition detachable magazine assembly (104) in FIG. 2 and the AR shotgun ammunition detachable magazine assembly (108) in FIG. 4 are illustrated in the present disclosure as sharing the same overall external shape, function, components, and appearance.

(25) The AR shotgun ammunition detachable magazine assembly (108) in FIG. 4 according to the present disclosure may be sized and configured to accommodate varying capacities of shotgun cartridges.

(26) FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment whereby commercially available standard rimmed shotgun cartridges may be fed through an innovative detachable AR shotgun ammunition magazine assembly (108) in FIG. 4 within the limitations presented by the design geometry of the AR rifle lower receiver assembly (102) in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, if the necessary features as noted are incorporated. These features include integrated: front feed ramp (129); rear feed ramps (128); rear feed lips (130); and flexible raised surface retention features (131).

(27) FIG. 15 illustrates embodiments of the magazine box (125) in FIG. 10 and magazine follower (126) in FIG. 10 wherein the ability to accommodate the lack of uniformity in the diameter of shotgun cartridges is enhanced by slots (136) cut in the magazine box (125) on either side of the flexible raised retention features (131) and an elevated section on the follower (126). The size of the slots (136) and size of the raised retention features (131) may be varied to provide optimum retention force on the hull (134) of the shotgun cartridge (132). The elevated section on the follower may be sized to accommodate the variations in the diameter of shotgun cartridges (132) from different manufacturers.

(28) The AR shotgun detachable ammunition magazine assembly (108) in FIG. 4 of the present disclosure includes an integrated front feed ramp (129) in FIG. 11. This integrated front feed ramp (129) in FIG. 11, working in conjunction with integrated rear feed ramps (128) in FIG. 11 magazine follower (126) in FIG. 10 and FIG. 15, serve to elevate the shotgun cartridge (132) in FIG. 13 into position and maintain parallel orientation with the bore of the firearm when the shotgun cartridge is mechanically forced forward by the advancing bolt (124) in FIG. 9. This action strips the uppermost shotgun cartridge from under the retaining and aligning function of the magazine feed lips (130) and flexible raised surface retention features (131) in FIG. 12 and FIG. 15, which causes the shotgun cartridge (132) in FIG. 13 to ride upon the front feed ramp (129) and rear feed ramps (128) in FIG. 11 such that the shotgun cartridge is elevated and fed into the barrel assembly (112) in FIG. 6 to be fired.

(29) As the shotgun cartridge (132) in FIG. 13 is mechanically forced forward by the advancing bolt (124) in FIG. 9, the integrated rear feed ramps (128) in FIG. 11 act upon the protruding rim (133) in FIG. 13 of the shotgun cartridge, while the integrated front feed ramp (129) in FIG. 11 acts upon the forward bottom edge of the hull (134) in FIG. 13 of the shotgun cartridge, the shotgun cartridge is then elevated into a position to be fed into the barrel assembly (112) in FIG. 6 to be fired.

(30) FIG. 12 and FIG. 15 illustrate embodiments of the flexible raised surface retention features (131) on the upper interior left and right sides of the magazine box (125) which provide retention force on the hull (134) in FIG. 13 of the shotgun cartridge (132) in FIG. 13 as it is being pressured upwards by the spring loaded follower (126) in FIG. 10 and FIG. 15 of the magazine assembly (108) in FIG. 10. This retention force holds the front of the shotgun cartridge (132) in FIG. 13 in place and maintains its parallel orientation with the bore of the firearm while the bolt (124) in FIG. 9 is reciprocating above it during normal operation of the firearm. This retention force is overcome by the hull (134) in FIGS. 13 and 14 of the shotgun cartridge (132) in FIG. 13 during the feeding process as the shotgun cartridge is mechanically forced forward by the advancing bolt (124) in FIG. 9 and simultaneously forced upwards by the rear feed ramps (128) and front feed ramp (129) in FIGS. 11 and 14 of the magazine. During this forward and upward movement, the hull (134) of the shotgun cartridge (132) in FIG. 13 is temporarily deformed by the flexible raised surface retention features (131) in FIG. 12 and FIG. 15 as it is forced past the flexible raised surface retention features (131) in FIG. 12 and FIG. 15. The flexible raised surface retention features (131) in FIG. 12 and FIG. 15 may be integrated into the interior side walls of the magazine box (125) of FIG. 10 by injection molding or it may be provided by a separate part attached to the interior side walls such as a spring loaded clip or mechanical detent. These flexible raised surface retention features (131) in FIG. 12 and FIG. 15 may be sized, positioned, and shaped as needed for functionality with various types of commonly available commercial shotgun ammunition.

(31) FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an embodiment of a short-recoil operating mechanism integrated into the AR shotgun upper receiver assembly (107) in FIGS. 4 and 5. This method is in contrast to the prior art which functioned via gas operated actions such as direct impingement or shot stroke gas piston. The short-recoil action can accommodate any desired barrel length with no adverse effects upon functionality unlike the prior art. The short-recoil action maintains the firearm cleaner and cooler during normal operations by preventing hot carbon laden combustion gases from entering the upper receiver area of the firearm. The barrel assembly (112) in FIG. 6 consists of the barrel (115) in FIG. 8 and barrel extension (114) in FIG. 8, when attached to one another by suitable means which may include male to female threads, reciprocate as single unit when the weapon is fired. The barrel extension (114) in FIG. 8 consists of: the recoil stop surface (120) in FIG. 8; the recoil buffer ring (121) in FIG. 8; the barrel extension flange (122) in FIGS. 8 and 9; and the barrel extension tab (1.18) of FIG. 8. The tenon (113) in FIG. 8 of the upper receiver (110) in FIG. 8 is a hollow sleeve sized to accommodate[s] the barrel extension (114) in FIG. 8 of the barrel assembly (112) in FIG. 6 allowing the barrel assembly (112) in FIG. 6 to reciprocate under the force of recoil generated during firing of the weapon. The handguard (111) in FIG. 6 is attached to the tenon (113) in FIG. 8 of the upper receiver (110) in FIG. 8 allowing the barrel assembly (112) in FIG. 6 to reciprocate independent of the handguard (111) in FIG. 6. A positive stop for the movement of the barrel extension (114) in FIG. 8 is provided by the interface between the recoil stop surface (120) in FIG. 8 and the recoil buffer ring (121) in FIG. 8 which is installed behind the barrel extension flange (122) in FIGS. 8 and 9 of the barrel extension (114) in FIG. 8. The recoil buffer ring (121) in FIG. 8 may be fabricated of a suitable non-metallic material to serve to dampen the impact between the recoil stop surface (120) in FIG. 8 and the barrel extension flange (122) in FIGS. 8 and 9 while the barrel extension (114) in FIG. 8, reciprocates within the tenon (113) in FIG. 8 cavity of the upper receiver (110) in FIG. 8.

(32) FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment wherein a barrel stud (116), a protrusion sized to accommodate the expanded and compressed length and inner diameter of the recoil spring (117), is integrated into the tenon (113) of the upper receiver (110). The recoil spring (117) is a coil spring of suitable size and compression force resistance which provides resistance to the rearward recoil force of the weapon when fired. The recoil spring (117) surrounds, is held in place and guided by the barrel stud (116). The cavity which surrounds the barrel stud (116) which is vacated by the rearward movement of the recoil spring (117) also acts as a guide for the barrel extension tab (118) to keep the barrel extension (114) properly oriented axially and thus synchronized in order to accurately mesh with the protruding locking lugs of the bolt (124) in FIG. 9. The barrel stud nut (119) secures the recoil spring (117) onto the barrel stud (116) and secures the barrel assembly (112) in FIG. 6 to the tenon (113) via the barrel stud (116). The non-fixed sleeve union of the barrel assembly (112) in FIG. 6 and tenon (113) allows the barrel assembly (112) in FIG. 6 to reciprocate within the tenon (113). The recoil spring (117) compresses which serves to absorb the rearward force of the recoil then expands which returns the barrel assembly (112) in FIG. 6 to its original forward position.

(33) FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment wherein the barrel extension (114) features an integrated extended feed ramp (123) that serves as an advance guide to bring the protruding locking lugs of the advancing bolt (124) into alignment with the corresponding slots in the extended feed ramp (123) prior to the advancing bolt (124) going fully into battery.

(34) The example embodiments of the disclosure described are merely examples of embodiments of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the scope of the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Equivalent embodiments are intended to be within the scope of this invention. Various modifications of the disclosure, in addition to those shown and described herein, such as alternate useful combinations of the elements described, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. Such modifications and embodiments are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.