NON-METALLIC FIREARM BOLT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF

Abstract

A non-metallic sleeve device adapted for use with a firearm bolt. The non-metallic sleeve is generally durable, heat resistant, and generally nonmalleable. The bolt may be used on a bolt action, semiautomatic, or automatic firearm. There are two steel ends of the bolt each with an inner portion and an outer portion, said inner portion having a reduced diameter and screw threading thereon. A non-metallic tube, comprising a material such as carbon fiber, may be epoxied in position onto the screw threading. The result is reduced weight of the firearm bolt.

Claims

1. A firearm bolt with a non-metallic tube comprising: a first bolt piece having an outer end and an inner end; a second bolt piece having an outer end and an inner end; wherein said first bolt piece inner end additionally comprises sleeve threading; wherein said second bolt piece inner end additionally comprises sleeve threading; a non-metallic tube with an inner diameter and an outer diameter, said non-metallic tube having a first end and a second end; wherein said inner diameter of the non-metallic tube at the first end is sized so as to receive the first bolt piece inner end sleeve threading; and wherein said inner diameter of the non-metallic tube at the second end is sized so as to receive the second bolt piece inner end sleeve threading.

2. The firearm bolt with a non-metallic sleeve of claim 1, wherein said non-metallic tube comprises carbon fiber.

3. The firearm bolt with a non-metallic tube of claim 2, further comprising epoxy on the sleeve threading of the first bolt piece inner end, and further comprising epoxy on the sleeve threading of the second bolt piece inner end.

4. The firearm bolt with a non-metallic tube of claim 3, wherein the outer end of the first bolt piece additionally comprises a bolt lug.

5. The firearm bolt with a non-metallic tube of claim 4, wherein the inner end diameter of the first bolt piece is a lesser diameter than the outer end diameter of the first bolt piece, and wherein the inner end diameter of the second bolt piece is a lesser diameter than the outer end diameter of the second bolt piece.

6. The firearm bolt with a non-metallic tube of claim 5, wherein said first bolt piece and said second bolt piece are both constructed of steel.

7. The firearm bolt with a non-metallic tube of claim 6, wherein the sleeve threading of the first bolt piece inner end is cross-hatched.

8. The firearm bolt with a non-metallic tube of claim 7, wherein the sleeve threading of the second bolt piece inner end is cross-hatched.

9. The firearm bolt with a non-metallic tube of claim 8, wherein multiple layers of carbon fiber are wrapped around the non-metallic tube outer diameter.

10. A firearm bolt with a non-metallic sleeve comprising: an elongate generally cylindrical bolt body with an outer bolt body diameter, said cylindrical bolt body having a first distal end with an outer first distal end diameter, a second distal end with an outer second distal end diameter, and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween the first distal end and the second distal end; the bolt body having a diameter measurement which is less than a diameter measurement of the first distal end and wherein the bolt body diameter measurement is less than a diameter measurement of the second distal end; and wherein a non-metallic sleeve is applied around the entirety of the bolt body.

11. The firearm bolt with a non-metallic sleeve of claim 10 wherein said non-metallic sleeve comprises carbon fiber.

12. The firearm bolt with a non-metallic sleeve of claim 11 further comprising sleeve threading on the bolt body.

13. The firearm bolt with a non-metallic sleeve of claim 12 wherein the sleeve threading on the bolt body is cross-hatched.

14. The firearm bolt with a non-metallic sleeve of claim 13 wherein epoxy is applied onto said cross-hatched sleeve threading and wherein said non-metallic sleeve is applied onto the epoxy.

15. The firearm bolt with a non-metallic sleeve of claim 14 wherein said first distal end further comprises a plurality of bolt lugs thereon.

16. The firearm bolt with a non-metallic sleeve of claim 15 wherein multiple additional layers of carbon fiber are wrapped around the entirety of the non-metallic sleeve.

17. A method of manufacturing a firearm bolt having a non-metallic sleeve comprising: providing a first steel component end having an inner end and an outer end; providing at least one bolt lug on the outer end of the first steel component; forming a sleeve threading on the inner end of the first steel component; providing a second steel component end having an inner end and an outer end; forming a sleeve threading on the inner end of the second steel component; providing epoxy on the sleeve threading of the inner end of the first steel component; providing epoxy on the sleeve threading of the inner end of the second steel component; and providing a non-metallic tube having a first open end and a second open end, wherein said first open end surrounds and engages the sleeve threading of the inner end of the first steel component, and wherein the second open end surrounds and engages the sleeve threading of the inner end of the second steel component.

18. The method of manufacturing a firearm bolt having a non-metallic sleeve of claim 17, wherein said non-metallic tube is carbon fiber.

19. The method of manufacturing a firearm bolt having a non-metallic sleeve of claim 18, wherein said sleeve threading of the inner end of the first steel component is cross-hatched.

20. The method of manufacturing a firearm bolt having a non-metallic sleeve of claim 19, wherein said sleeve threading of the inner end of the second steel component is cross-hatched.

Description

DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION

[0025] One or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the disclosed invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout and in which: It is specifically contemplated that other materials with similar characteristics which are non-metallic may be employed within the spirit of this disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the non-metallic firearm bolt;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a sectional side-view of a preferred embodiment of the non-metallic firearm bolt;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a sectional side-view of an embodiment of the non-metallic firearm bolt;

[0029] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the non-metallic firearm bolt;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a top-down view of a generally cylindrical non-metallic tube, depicting the hollow interior thereof;

[0031] FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the non-metallic firearm bolt, wherein a second bolt piece end is not connected with the non-metallic tube of the firearm bolt;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bolt carrier group with non-metallic firearm bolt material upon the bolt carrier of said bolt carrier group;

[0033] FIG. 8 is an alternative perspective view of a bolt carrier group with non-metallic firearm bolt material upon the bolt carrier of said bolt carrier group;

[0034] FIG. 9 is a generic firearm with an open bolt position;

[0035] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a generic firearm and chamber throat thereof; and

[0036] FIG. 11 is a method of manufacturing a firearm bolt having a non-metallic sleeve.

[0037] Before explaining one or more embodiments of the disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited in its application to the details or modes of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or previously disclosed illustrations. This invention is capable of multiple embodiments and modes, which can be practiced or carried out in many various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description, and should not be regarded as limiting, or used as an absolute.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0038] Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a non-metallic firearm bolt 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. This particular embodiment is shown as a generic firearm bolt 20. Said bolt 20 is displayed with a bolt first end 30 and a bolt second end 40. As used and described herein by way of explanation, the first end 30 is the portion of the bolt 20 wherein the lugs 50 are positioned, if applicable.

[0039] Said lugs 50 are known as the portion of material which makes contact with the firearm chamber throat 150, as shown in FIG. 10. Going back to FIG. 1, the bolt 20 is shown where the bolt first end 30 and the bolt second end 40 are made of metallic material 70, such as steel. The portion of material disposed therebetween said first end 30 and second end 40 is the non-metallic firearm bolt 10. Said non-metallic firearm bolt 10 is constructed of non-metallic material 60 such as carbon fiber, though it may additionally be comprised as described above, being one of: synthetic fiber such as Kevlar, Nomex, composites such as reinforced plastics or polymers, ceramics, fiberglass, or the like.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure of the non-metallic firearm bolt 10 which is a sectional view thereof. As shown, the non-metallic material 60 surrounds the bolt 20 such that the metallic material 70 of the interior of the bolt 20 itself is generally enclosed by the non-metallic firearm bolt 10. The bolt first end 30 is displayed with the additional material forming a lug 50, as described above. The bolt second end 40 is disposed at the opposing end of the generally cylindrical bolt 20 displayed, wherein the non-metallic firearm bolt 10 is disposed at a position therebetween said two ends of the bolt 20.

[0041] Turning now to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the non-metallic firearm bolt 10 is shown. Similarly to the previously viewed FIG. 2, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a firearm bolt 20, wherein a non-metallic material 60 enwreathes a generally metallic 70 central portion of the firearm bolt 20, established at a centrally located position as the bolt first end 30 and the bolt second end 40. The non-metallic firearm bolt 10 as shown is affixed such that a pocket 80 is formed between the central metallic 70 portion of the firearm bolt 20 and the non-metallic firearm bolt 10 itself. Additionally, epoxy 160 is utilized here, wherein the non-metallic firearm bolt 10 is epoxied in its position.

[0042] Looking to FIG. 4, an exploded view of the non-metallic firearm bolt 10 is shown wherein the main components are disengaged from each other, pre-assembly. The non-metallic tube 300 is positioned within the center between the first bolt piece 180 and the second bolt piece 250. The non-metallic tube 300 has a tube first end 310 and a tube second end 320. The tube 300 has an exterior, or outer, diameter 340. The first bolt piece 180 has an inner end 210 being the reduced diameter, or the first bolt piece inner end diameter 190 section. The first bolt piece 180 increases its diameter at the outer end 220, at a portion known as the bolt piece lip 230. The first bolt piece outer end diameter 200 is the greater of the diameters of the first bolt piece 180 itself.

[0043] On the exterior of this particular bolt 20 are a plurality of bolt lugs 50. Upon the first bolt piece inner end 210 is sleeve threading 240, which as mentioned above may be alternatively referred to as screw threading. The sleeve threading here 240 is cross-hatched, to create greater torque resistance once connected with the non-metallic tube 300. Upon the sleeve threading 240, epoxy 160 is applied, as shown in FIG. 3. Turning back to FIG. 4, the second bolt piece 250 is now addressed. The second bolt piece 250 has an inner end 280 and an outer end 290. The second bolt piece inner end diameter 260 is lesser than that of the second bolt piece outer end diameter 270, as shown. Upon the exterior of the second bolt piece inner end diameter is cross-hatched sleeve threading 240.

[0044] A non-metallic tube 300 is shown in FIGS. 5 with a top-down view. As shown here, the non-metallic tube 300 is generally cylindrical, and is hollow, or defining a hole therethrough. The non-metallic tube 300 thus has an inner diameter 330, which is sized so as to fit the exterior of the first bolt piece inner end diameter 190, as shown in FIG. 4, as to the tube first end 310, and is sized so as to fit the exterior of the second bolt piece inner end diameter 260 as to the tube second end 320. At the distal end of the tube first end 310 and at the symmetrically distal end of the tube second end 320 is a tube contact lip 350, which is known as the portion of material that makes direct physical contact with the bolt piece lip when the tube 300 receives the first bolt piece 180 and the second bolt piece 250, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0045] Turning now to FIG. 6, an embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein the second bolt piece 250 is not connected with the non-metallic tube 300. As is now clear, when the tube 300 encapsulates the first piece inner end diameter 190, the tube contact lip 350 (shown in FIG. 5) makes physical contact with the first bolt piece lip 230 (shown in FIG. 4), such that the tube 300 is affixed in place. The tube outer diameter 340 is thus approximately equal to the first bolt piece outer end diameter 200. The tube second end 320 has an inner diameter 330 sized so as to fit the second bolt piece inner end diameter 260, upon which the tube contact lip 350 will allow the tube 300 to be positioned in place, and wherein epoxy 160 applied to the sleeve threading 240 will secure the tube 300 in position, thus creating a final non-metallic firearm bolt, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0046] FIGS. 7-8 highlights a generic firearm bolt carrier group 120. This is known as the combination of a firing pin, an ejector, a bolt carrier and a bolt 20. The bolt carrier group 120 here has a first end 100, which is the portion upon which the bolt 20 extrudes therefrom, and a bolt carrier second end 110 at a distal end therefrom, wherein a non-metallic firearm bolt 10 is positioned therebetween. The non-metallic firearm bolt 10 is made of non-metallic material 60, and is attached by epoxy, molded thereto, or applied by frictional, tension, or applied force. It may also be mechanically affixed into position. The bolt 20 of this bolt carrier group 120 is positioned within a bolt carrier cavity, and slides upon the non-metallic material 60 therein as shown in FIG.

[0047] 6.

[0048] Now looking at FIG. 9, a generic firearm 130 is displayed with what is known as an open-bolt position. In said position, the bolt 20 is locked in a rear position, and opens up the firearm chamber 140 itself. This is the position wherein ammunition is loaded within the firearm.

[0049] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a generic firearm 130. This shows the view of a firearm chamber 140 wherein the chamber throat 150 is shown. This is where the lugs 50 of a bolt 20 generally connect when the firearm 130 is ready for firing.

[0050] Lastly, FIG. 11 highlights a method of manufacturing a firearm bolt with a non-metallic sleeve 400. The steps therefore are providing a first steel component end which has an inner end and an outer end 401. Next, providing a bolt lug on the outer end of the first component 402. Next, forming a sleeve threading, otherwise known as screw threading, on the inner end of the first steel component 403. Next, providing a second steel component end with an inner end and an outer end 404. Next, providing sleeve threading on the inner end of the second steel component 405. Next, providing and applying epoxy onto the sleeve threading of the first steel component 406 and providing and applying epoxy onto the sleeve threading of the second steel component 407. Next, providing a non-metallic tube, which is generally hollow and has a first open end and a second open end, wherein the first open end receives the sleeve threading of the inner end of the first steel component and the second open end of the non-metallic tube receives the sleeve threading of the inner end of the second steel component 408. The non-metallic tube thus is affixed by way of the epoxy to the sleeve threading of both the first steel component and the sleeve threading of the second steel component.

[0051] Understandably, the present invention has been described above in terms of one or more preferred embodiments and methods. It is recognized that various alternatives and modifications may be made to these embodiments and methods that are within the scope of the present invention. Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. It is also to be understood and appreciated that, although the foregoing description and drawings describe and illustrate in detail one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention, to those with skill in the art to which the present invention relates, the present disclosure will suggest many modifications and constructions, as well as widely differing embodiments and applications without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and method disclosed thereof.