BOLT CATCH FOR A FIREARM
20230003482 · 2023-01-05
Inventors
Cpc classification
F41A3/66
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F41A3/72
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F41A35/06
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F41A17/36
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
F41A35/06
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F41A17/36
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F41A3/66
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
A bolt catch lever for a firearm, including receivers and associated elements for receiving the bolt catch lever. In particular, a bolt catch lever comprising an upper lever arm, a lower lever arm, and a center element including a catch which is designed so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis in a lower receiver, where the center element has a recess for optionally receiving a connection section of a second bolt catch lever.
Claims
1. A bolt catch lever for a firearm, comprising: an upper lever arm; a lower lever arm; and a center element coupled to the upper lever arm and the lower lever arm, the center element comprising a catch which is designed so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis in a lower receiver of the firearm; wherein the center element defines a recess for optionally receiving a connection section of a second bolt catch lever.
2. The bolt catch lever according to claim 1, wherein the recess is designed in such a way as to, in a rest position and a working position, at least partially cover the connection section of the second bolt catch lever with the lower receiver.
3. The bolt catch lever according to claim 1, wherein the recess is designed in such a way as to, when in a disassembly position, release the connection section of the second bolt catch lever for installation or removal of the second bolt catch lever.
4. The bolt catch lever according to claim 1, wherein the recess is substantially groove-shaped.
5. The bolt catch lever according to claim 1, wherein the recess further defines a bearing recess which widens the center element at least in or counter to a barrel direction of the firearm.
6. A bolt catch lever according to claim 5, wherein the bearing recess is designed as a bearing hole which passes at least in part through the center element in the barrel direction.
7. A bolt catch lever according to claim 1, further comprising a second bolt catch lever configured to be received in the bolt catch lever, wherein the second bolt catch lever has a connection section which can be form-fittingly connected to the recess of the bolt catch lever.
8. A bolt catch lever according to claim 5, further comprising a second bolt catch lever configured to be received in the bolt catch lever, wherein the second bolt catch lever has a connection section which can be form-fittingly connected to the recess of the bolt catch lever, and includes a bearing protrusion formed on the connection section.
9. A bolt catch lever according to claim 8, wherein the bearing protrusion has a greater longitudinal extension, at least in or counter to the barrel direction, than on a contact surface between the rest of the connection section and the recess.
10. A bolt catch lever according to claim 7, wherein the connection section, viewed transversely and/or normally to a barrel direction, is subsequently flush with the center element of the bolt catch lever.
11. A bolt catch lever according to claim 7, wherein the second bolt catch lever has a lever arm which, relative to the connection section, is angled and/or bent in at least one spatial direction.
12. A firearm receiver, comprising: a lower receiver for receiving a first bolt catch lever, the first bolt catch lever including an upper lever arm; a lower lever arm; and a center element coupled to the upper lever arm and the lower lever arm, the center element comprising a catch which is designed so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis in the lower receiver; and a second bolt catch lever configured to be received in the first bolt catch lever; wherein the second bolt catch lever includes a connection section which can be form-fittingly connected to a recess defined by the first bolt catch lever; wherein the lower receiver has a bolt catch receptacle which is continuous in a transverse direction and can optionally be closed on a right-hand side.
13. The firearm receiver according to claim 12, further comprising a right-hand opening in the bolt catch receptacle to temporarily receive a plug in order to close the bolt catch receptacle.
14. The firearm receiver according to claim 13, wherein the plug is designed to temporarily close the right-hand opening in the bolt catch receptacle.
15. The firearm receiver according to claim 12, further comprising an upper receiver having a cover protrusion on its inside in a right-hand region of the bolt catch receptacle.
16. The firearm receiver according to claim 15, further comprising a bolt catch curb formed on the upper receiver, the bolt catch curb at least partially surrounding an upper lever arm of the first bolt catch lever when in an installed position.
17. The firearm receiver according to claim 16, wherein a height of the bolt catch curb is substantially the same as a level of the upper lever arm relative to the upper receiver.
18. The firearm receiver according to claim 16, wherein the bolt catch curb is substantially H-shaped.
19. A firearm, comprising a firearm receiver according to claim 13, wherein a grip part and/or a shaft of the receiver defines a cavity for receiving the second bolt catch lever and/or the plug.
20. The firearm receiver according to claim 13, further comprising a fixation recess complementary in shape to the plug and configured to temporarily receive the plug in order to close the bolt catch receptacle.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The bolt catch of the present disclosure is explained in greater detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, shown schematically:
[0019]
[0020]
[0021]
[0022]
[0023]
[0024]
[0025]
[0026]
[0027]
[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The bolt catch lever, or first bolt catch lever, of the present disclosure, which can be pivoted about a pivot axis, has a center element comprising an exemption, or recess, which can be used for optionally receiving a second bolt catch lever. The recess is substantially complementary in shape to a connection section of the second bolt catch lever.
[0030] A first bolt catch lever designed in this way offers the advantage of temporarily attaching a second, optional bolt catch lever, which can be easily inserted into the recess of the first bolt catch lever. As a result of the recess, the second bolt catch lever can be partially received by the first bolt catch lever in such a way that, viewed in the barrel direction, the connection section to be inserted does not protrude beyond the original dimensions of the center element of the first bolt catch lever. This makes it possible to easily insert the first bolt catch lever according to the present disclosure into an existing receiver of an AR-style firearm. If the second bolt catch lever is intended to be installed, only one opening in the bolt catch receptacle of an existing receiver is required on the “right-hand” receiver wall, as viewed from the viewpoint of the shooter. A bolt catch receptacle of this kind, which is continuous in the transverse direction, is relatively simple to produce by machining, for example by milling or broaching, or in extreme cases even by means of a file. Ideally, a receiver designed according to the present disclosure is provided, as described later.
[0031] In other cases, it may be desirable to only use a bolt catch lever which can be operated on the right-hand side and has a modified geometry, such as an extended operating element and/or a different shape. In this case too, the solution according to the present disclosure enables the left-hand, first bolt catch lever to be left in the lower receiver and a correspondingly shaped, second bolt catch lever to be exchanged relatively easily.
[0032] A bolt catch lever is usually arranged on the lower receiver so as to be pivotable between a rest position, in which a catch of the bolt catch is arranged outside the movement path of the bolt in the lower receiver, and a working position, in which the bolt catch blocks the bolt in its movement path.
[0033] With the present concept, it has proven to be advantageous if the recess of the first bolt catch lever is designed in such a way as to, in the rest position and the working position, at least partially cover the connection section of the second bolt catch lever with the lower receiver. In this way, the risk of an unintentional release of the second bolt catch lever from the recess can be effectively reduced in a relatively simple manner.
[0034] The recess of the first bolt catch lever is arranged in the center element, preferably on the rear face, i.e., counter to the barrel direction. The recess can preferably be substantially groove-shaped and extends laterally and/or underneath such that, in the assembly position, the connection section of the second bolt catch lever can be received but, in the rest position and/or the working position, the second bolt catch lever can project from the receiver on the right-hand side.
[0035] A bolt catch lever usually has a lower lever arm which, when the bolt catch is activated, either manually or as a result of an empty magazine for example, is used as a stop on the lower receiver. According to the present disclosure, however, it is particularly advantageous if the lower and/or upper receiver and the first bolt catch lever are optimized for the use of the two-part bolt catch device according to the present disclosure.
[0036] In this case, the lower lever arm of the first bolt catch lever and/or the mount or the stop on the lower receiver can be designed in such a way that the first bolt catch lever can be pivoted into a third position for the installation or removal of the second bolt catch lever when the upper receiver is opened or removed. This third position is called the assembly/disassembly position. In this case, it is advantageous if the recess is correspondingly arranged on the center element in order to, in the disassembly position, release the connection section of the second bolt catch lever for the installation or removal of the second bolt catch lever.
[0037] According to the present disclosure, the installation/removal of the second bolt catch lever can thus be carried out in a very simple and tool-free manner. The second bolt catch lever is simply pushed into the first bolt catch lever substantially from “behind.”
[0038] In particular cases, it can be advantageous if the recess in the center element of the first bolt catch lever, which recess is used to receive the second bolt catch lever, defines an additional bearing recess which widens the first recess (or exemption) at least in the barrel direction. In this way, an additional contact surface for the connection section or the second bolt catch lever can be formed on the first bolt catch lever, whereby any transverse forces, e.g., when rotating or tilting the second bolt catch lever, can be absorbed in the first bolt catch lever even more effectively. This can significantly reduce the risk of the second bolt catch lever jamming within the bolt catch receptacle. It is correspondingly advantageous to provide, on the connection section of the second bolt catch lever, a bearing portion which is substantially complementary in shape to the bearing recess.
[0039] Further possible embodiments of the bolt catch according to the present disclosure offer corresponding possibilities for attaching the second, optional bolt catch lever so as to be optimally positioned for the shooter and/or the possibility for mounting said lever with as little loss as possible.
[0040] Some further aspects according to the present disclosure deal with possible adaptations of the upper and/or lower receiver, as well as the use of an optional plug to minimize the bolt catch against the undesired penetration of foreign bodies, in particular sand, dirt and dust, into the receiver. These aspects relate, inter alia, to a receiver for receiving the bolt catch, a grip part, receiver or shaft comprising a cavity for temporarily storing the unrequired second bolt catch lever and/or a plug. In summary, these aspects should be understood as a means for reducing the penetration of foreign bodies, but can also be used as a means for limiting the deflection of the first bolt catch lever in the cases described.
[0041] Throughout the description and the claims, “in front of” or “forward” is used as the direction toward the muzzle of the barrel, “back(ward)” is used as the direction toward the shaft, “down(ward)” is used as the direction for the bolt toward the magazine, and “up(ward)” is used as the direction away from the magazine. The terms “weapon central plane,” “bore axis,” “barrel axis,” “bore,” etc. have the usual meaning assigned thereto in the prior art by a person skilled in the art. “Left” is thus related to the weapon central plane, “from the left” corresponds to a movement, actuation, or exertion of force in the direction of the weapon central plane, proceeding from a starting position “to the left” thereof, etc. Accordingly, the bolt or the bolt carrier is moved “backward” under the effect of the gases after a shot is fired and moves “forward” again under the action of a closing spring, etc.
[0042] In the context of the present disclosure, a bolt catch device which is suitable for arrangement in a firearm, preferably an AR-style firearm, is designated by reference sign “15” and simply referred to in the following as a bolt catch.
[0043] In the figures of the drawings, an attempt was made to designate everything that relates to the receiver 1 with “1 n,” as well as using “2n” for the first bolt catch lever according to the present disclosure, using “3n” for the second bolt catch lever, “4n” for the bolt carrier, and “5n” for the coordinate system relative to the receiver for orientation.
[0044]
[0045] Furthermore, it can be seen in
[0046] In the installed state, the first bolt catch lever 2 projects at least partially from the receiver 1 leftward in the transverse direction 52, as can be clearly seen in all of
[0047] In a preferred variant, this bolt catch curb 152 is designed to protrude at the same height with respect to the upper receiver 12 as the upper lever arm 22 in the rest state (cf.
[0048] In a further particularly preferred variant, the bolt catch curb 152 substantially has an “H” shape. This means that the curb 152 can be designed to protect the upper lever arm 22 not only at the bottom in the vertical direction 53 but also at the top, whereby a shaded region is created. This region can be used, for example, to attach a number, such as a registration code, a weapon serial number or even a logo, and is largely protected against mechanical abrasion by the curb 152.
[0049] The operating principle of the bolt catch 15 is shown schematically in
[0050] Upon closer inspection of
[0051] Upon closer inspection of
[0052] As is clearly visible in
[0053] In the disassembly position 36 first shown by way of example in
[0054] There are a wide variety of possibilities for the design of the bolt catch 15 according to the present disclosure, some of which are mentioned here by way of example. As is clearly visible in
[0055] As can be clearly seen from
[0056] From the oblique view in
[0057]
[0058] A further preferred embodiment is shown in
[0059] In certain cases it can be advantageous if the recess 24 has a bearing hole 26 in one or more places, as shown in
[0060]
[0061] As explained at the outset, a further object of the present disclosure is to reduce the risk of penetration of foreign bodies into the receiver 1 as much as possible while still allowing relatively simple operability. This object can be achieved in several ways, which can be used individually or in combination. As shown in
[0062] In order to further contribute to achieving the aforementioned objects, it is possible to adapt a lower receiver 11 of an existing firearm for the use of a bolt catch 15 according to the present disclosure. In such a case, the bolt catch receptacle 151 only needs to be widened to the right in the transverse direction 52 by an opening. It is easy to conceive that, when only the first bolt catch lever 2 is used, this opening remains and thus foreign bodies can penetrate.
[0063] In one particular embodiment, a plug 153 is provided which is used to temporarily close the right-hand opening in the bolt catch receptacle 151. As can easily be seen in
[0064] The bolt catch receptacle 151 is particularly preferably shaped on the right-hand side in the end region to accommodate the plug 153 and to minimize the risk of falling out unintentionally. As shown in
[0065] A plug 153 of this kind can be made of metal or preferably of an elastically deformable polymer, which is particularly beneficial for sealing.
[0066] Due to the relatively small dimensions of the second bolt catch lever 3 and/or the plug 153, said components can be “temporarily stored” in a cavity provided for this purpose in the receiver 1 or a shaft or grip part (not shown). The cavity of the receiver 1 can also have the same shape as the, e.g., lateral opening region of the bolt catch receptacle 151 comprising fixation recesses 154, for example in order to receive the plug 153. It is also possible for the cavity to have a similar shape to the recess 24 of the first bolt catch lever 2 in order to temporarily receive the second bolt catch lever 3. In this way, it is possible to convert from an ambidextrous to one-sided bolt catch 15, or vice versa, relatively quickly, since the required components always remain with the shooter or the firearm. In addition, such a holder is used to significantly reduce rattling caused by loose parts.
[0067] It is clear to a person skilled in the art that the embodiments shown were selected as schematic and/or exemplary representations and it is easily possible for a person skilled in the art to transfer the relationships according to the present disclosure to embodiments that have not been explicitly shown, and therefore these implicitly disclosed embodiments can be implicitly understood both in the description of the figures and in the claims.
TABLE-US-00001 List of Reference nos. 1 Receiver 27 Lower lever arm 11 Lower receiver 28 Catch 12 Upper receiver 29 Bolt catch finger 13 Magazine well 14 Magazine release 3 Second bolt catch lever 141 Magazine release aperture 31 Secong lever arm 15 Bolt catch 32 Connection section 151 Bolt catch receptacle 33 Bearing protrusion 152 Bolt catch curb 34 Rest position 153 Plug 35 Active or Working position 154 Fixation recess(es) 36 Dis-/assembly position 16 Cover protrusion 17 Pivot pin 18 Biasing means 2 First bolt catch lever 4 Bolt carrier 21 Pivot axis 41 Bolt head 22 Upper lever arm 42 Gas key 23 Center element 24 Exemption/recess 51 Barrel direction 25 Bearing recess(es) 52 Transverse direction 26 Bearing hole 53 Vertical direction