MULTI-CALIBER BOLT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USING DIFFERENT SIZES OF AMMUNITION IN A FIREARM

Abstract

A multi-caliber bolt assembly includes a bolt body, a bolt face, an extractor, a case guide, and a resilient element. The extractor is movably coupled to the bolt body. The extractor is designed to engage and retain a rim of the cartridge casing. The case guide is movably coupled to the bolt body opposite the extractor. The case guide is designed to engage the cartridge casing. The resilient element is coupled to the extractor and the case guide. The resilient element is designed to exert a force to move the extractor and the case guide together to engage and hold the cartridge casing against the bolt face when the extractor and the case guide are moved apart against the force by insertion of the cartridge casing between the extractor and the case guide regardless of the size of the cartridge casing.

Claims

1. A multi-caliber bolt assembly comprising: a bolt body; a bolt face, the bolt face being positioned at an end of the bolt body, the bolt face being configured to engage a cartridge casing for chambering; an extractor, the extractor being movably coupled to the bolt body, the extractor being configured to engage and retain a rim of the cartridge casing; a case guide, the case guide being movably coupled to the bolt body opposite the extractor, the case guide being configured to engage the cartridge casing together with the extractor; and a resilient element, the resilient element being coupled to the extractor and the case guide, the resilient element being configured to exert a force to move the extractor and the case guide together to engage and hold the cartridge casing against the bolt face when the extractor and the case guide are moved apart against the force by insertion of the cartridge casing between the extractor and the case guide regardless of the size of the cartridge casing.

2. The multi-caliber bolt assembly of claim 1, wherein: the extractor includes a first extractor end, a second extractor end, and a pivot pin positioned between the first extractor end and the second extractor end to pivotably mount the extractor on the bolt body; the case guide includes a first case guide end, a second case guide end, and a pivot pin positioned between the first case guide end and the second case guide end to pivotably mount the case guide on the bolt body; the resilient element is coupled to and between the second extractor end and the second case guide end; the resilient element is configured to compress when the first extractor end and the first case guide are moved apart by the cartridge casing and the second extractor end and the second case guide end are thereby moved toward one another; and the resilient element is configured to resiliently expand to exert the force to move the second extractor end and the second case guide end apart to thereby move the first extractor end and the first case guide end toward one another to engage and hold the cartridge casing.

3. The multi-caliber bolt assembly of claim 1, wherein the resilient element is a spring.

4. The multi-caliber bolt assembly of claim 2, wherein: the first extractor end includes a hook configured to be inserted into a case rim groove in the cartridge casing behind the rim of the cartridge casing to engage a front rim face of the rim to pull the cartridge casing out of a chamber of the firearm after firing; and the first case guide end includes an outward protrusion configured to engage an outer rim edge of the rim of the cartridge casing to press the cartridge casing against the first extractor end.

5. The multi-caliber bolt assembly of claim 4, wherein the hook and the outward protrusion are configured such that, during ejection of the cartridge casing from the firearm, the outer rim edge is pushed out of engagement with the outward protrusion and the cartridge casing is pivoted around the hook in engagement with the rear face of the rim and out of the firearm.

6. The multi-caliber bolt assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the hook and the outward protrusion includes curved or beveled side surfaces for insertion of the cartridge casing in an upward direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge casing.

7. The multi-caliber bolt assembly of claim 1, wherein: the bolt body includes a pair of recessed slots opening in the bolt face; each of the case guide and the extractor are positioned in a respective one of the recessed slots; and each of the case guide and the extractor are configured to engage and be stopped by a slot surface of a respective one of the recessed slots when pivoted maximally toward one another.

8. The multi-caliber bolt assembly of claim 2, wherein the resilient element is a spring.

9. The multi-caliber bolt assembly of claim 8, wherein: the first extractor end includes a hook configured to be inserted into a case rim groove in the cartridge casing behind the rim of the cartridge casing to engage a front rim face of the rim to pull the cartridge casing out of a chamber of the firearm after firing; and the first case guide end includes an outward protrusion configured to engage an outer rim edge of the rim of the cartridge casing to press the cartridge casing against the first extractor end.

10. The multi-caliber bolt assembly of claim 9, wherein the hook and the outward protrusion are configured such that, during ejection of the cartridge casing from the firearm, the outer rim edge is pushed out of engagement with the outward protrusion and the cartridge casing is pivoted around the hook in engagement with the rear face of the rim and out of the firearm.

11. The multi-caliber bolt assembly of claim 10, wherein each of the hook and the outward protrusion includes curved or beveled side surfaces for insertion of the cartridge casing in an upward direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge casing.

12. The multi-caliber bolt assembly of claim 11, wherein: the bolt body includes a pair of recessed slots opening in the bolt face; each of the case guide and the extractor are positioned in a respective one of the recessed slots; and each of the case guide and the extractor are configured to engage and be stopped by a slot surface of a respective one of the recessed slots when pivoted maximally toward one another.

13. A method of using different sizes of ammunition in a firearm, the method comprising the steps of: providing a multi-caliber bolt assembly comprising: a bolt body; a bolt face, the bolt face being positioned at an end of the bolt body, the bolt face being configured to engage a cartridge casing for chambering; an extractor, the extractor being movably coupled to the bolt body, the extractor being configured to engage and retain a rim of the cartridge casing; a case guide, the case guide being movably coupled to the bolt body opposite the extractor, the case guide being configured to engage the cartridge casing together with the extractor; and a resilient element, the resilient element being coupled to the extractor and the case guide, the resilient element being configured to exert a force to move the extractor and the case guide together to engage and hold the cartridge casing against the bolt face when the extractor and the case guide are moved apart against the force by insertion of the cartridge casing between the extractor and the case guide regardless of the size of the cartridge casing; loading a first cartridge casing of a first diameter in between the extractor and the case guide and thereby spacing the extractor and the case guide apart a first distance corresponding to the first diameter; ejecting the first cartridge casing; and loading a second cartridge casing of a second diameter different than the first diameter in between the extractor and the case guide and thereby spacing the extractor and the case guide apart a second distance corresponding to the second diameter, the second distance being different than the first distance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-caliber bolt assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0016] FIG. 5A is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0017] FIG. 5B is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0018] FIG. 5C is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0019] FIG. 6A is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0020] FIG. 6B is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0021] FIG. 6C is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0024] FIG. 9A is a partial top view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0025] FIG. 9B is a partial top view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0026] FIG. 9C is a partial top view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0027] FIG. 10 is a close-up view of a component of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 10 thereof, a new multi-caliber bolt assembly embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0029] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10, the multi-caliber bolt assembly 10 generally comprises a bolt body 12, a bolt face 14, an extractor 16, a case guide 18, and a resilient element 20. The bolt face 14 is positioned at an end of the bolt body 12. The bolt face 14 is designed to engage a cartridge casing 64 for chambering. The extractor 16 is movably coupled to the bolt body 12. The extractor 16 is designed to engage and retain a rim 66 of the cartridge casing 64. The case guide 18 is movably coupled to the bolt body 12 opposite the extractor 16. The case guide 18 is designed to engage the cartridge casing 64 together with the extractor 16.

[0030] As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the resilient element 20 is coupled to the extractor 16 and the case guide 18. The resilient element 20 is designed to exert a force to move the extractor 16 and the case guide 18 together to engage and hold the cartridge casing 64 against the bolt face 14 when the extractor 16 and the case guide 18 are moved apart against the force by insertion of the cartridge casing 64 between the extractor 16 and the case guide 18 regardless of the size of the cartridge casing 64. The extractor 16 and the case guide 18 work together to maintain the ammunition centered and aligned with a chamber or a barrel throughout the loading and firing cycle, which can happen at a very high rate of speed, such as 18 cycles per second. The extractor 16 and the case guide 18 work together to control the movement of the ammunition throughout the loading and firing cycle to prevent the ammunition from jamming or becoming misaligned or dislodged.

[0031] In the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 7 and 8, the extractor 16 includes a first extractor end 22, a second extractor end 24, and a pivot pin 26 positioned between the first extractor end 22 and the second extractor end 24 to pivotably mount the extractor 16 on the bolt body 12. The case guide 18 includes a first case guide end 28, a second case guide end 30, and a pivot pin 32 positioned between the first case guide end 28 and the second case guide end 30 to pivotably mount the case guide 18 on the bolt body 12. The resilient element 20 is coupled to and between the second extractor end 24 and the second case guide end 30.

[0032] The resilient element 20 is designed to compress when the first extractor end 22 and the first case guide end 28 are moved apart by the cartridge casing 64 and the second extractor end 24 and the second case guide end 30 are thereby moved toward one another. The resilient element 20 is designed to resiliently expand to exert the force to move the second extractor end 24 and the second case guide end 30 apart to thereby move the first extractor end 22 and the first case guide end 28 toward one another to engage and hold the cartridge casing 64 throughout the feeding, loading, and firing process.

[0033] In this exemplary embodiment, the resilient element 20 is a spring 34. The spring 34 is a coil spring, though leaf springs or other types of springs could be used. However, in another possible embodiment, different resilient structures, such as elastomeric, elastic, or rubber elements, could be used. The resilient element 20 could also be positioned elsewhere, such as coupled to the first extractor end 22 and the first case guide end 28.

[0034] The first extractor end 22 includes a hook 36 designed to be inserted into a case rim groove 70 in the cartridge casing 64 behind the rim 66 of the cartridge casing 64 to engage a front rim face 68 of the rim 66 to pull the cartridge casing 64 out of a chamber of a firearm 62 after firing. As best seen in FIG. 10, the first case guide end 28 includes an outward protrusion 38 designed to engage an outer rim edge of the rim 66 of the cartridge casing 64 to press the cartridge casing 64 against the first extractor end 22. The outward protrusion 38 is an outward protrusion that is generally rounded or bulging or convex or substantially convex and not pointed like the hook 36. Also unlike the hook 36, the outward protrusion 38 does not project into the case rim groove 70, such that the outward protrusion 38 engages to grip or hold the cartridge casing 64, but does not retain the cartridge casing 64 against axial forward movement like the hook 36 does.

[0035] The hook 36 and the outward protrusion 38 are designed such that, during ejection of the cartridge casing 64 from the firearm 62, the outer rim edge is pushed out of engagement with the outward protrusion 38 and the cartridge casing 64 is pivoted around the hook 36 in engagement with the rear face of the rim 66 and out of the firearm 62. This action can be done manually by loading a round by hand, such as with a bolt action rifle, or automatically during reloading after firing from a cartridge, such as with an automatic or semi-automatic firearm.

[0036] In the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the hook 36 and the outward protrusion 38 includes curved or beveled side surfaces for insertion of the cartridge casing 64 in an upward direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge casing 64.

[0037] The bolt body 12 includes a pair of recessed slots 40 opening in the bolt face 14. Each of the case guide 18 and the extractor 16 is positioned in a respective one of the recessed slots 40. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 7, each of the case guide 18 and the extractor 16 is designed to engage and be stopped by a slot surface 42 of a respective one of the recessed slots 40 when pivoted maximally toward one another.

[0038] The multi-caliber bolt assembly 10 allows a user to use different sizes of ammunition, such as different calibers of ammunition, in a firearm 62. Further, the multi-caliber bolt assembly 10 maintains control of the ammunition and the cartridge casing 64 during all phases of operation. The bolt body 12 is designed to reciprocate within a receiver 60 or slide of a firearm 62. Generally speaking, the user loads a first cartridge casing 64 of a first diameter in between the extractor 16 and the case guide 18 and thereby spaces the extractor 16 and the case guide 18 apart a first distance corresponding to the first diameter. The user then ejects the first cartridge casing 64, usually after firing the firearm 62. The user can then load a second cartridge casing 64 of a second diameter different than the first diameter in between the extractor 16 and the case guide 18 and thereby space the extractor 16 and the case guide 18 apart a second distance corresponding to the second diameter. The second distance is different than the first distance.

[0039] FIGS. 7 and 8 show an example of this concept. In FIG. 7, the first cartridge casing 64 is a smaller caliber having the first diameter, whereas in FIG. 8, the second cartridge casing 64 is a larger caliber having the second diameter, which in this scenario is larger than the first diameter, though these could be reversed. Because of the spring 34 and the pivoting design of the extractor 16 and case guide 18, the extractor 16 and case guide 18 can be moved further apart in order to accommodate the second cartridge casing 64 but will be automatically moved closer together when engaging the first cartridge casing 64, and vice versa. Therefore, regardless of the size and/or caliber of the ammunition, the multi-caliber bolt assembly 10 can handle the ammunition, unlike standard bolt devices that only are designed to handle one type or size or caliber of ammunition.

[0040] To further explain, the figures show in detail the operation of the multi-caliber bolt assembly 10. FIG. 3 shows the multi-caliber bolt assembly 10 installed in a firearm 62. The multi-caliber bolt assembly 10 functions like most any known bolt in the firearm 62. As shown in FIG. 4, the multi-caliber bolt assembly 10 holds the cartridge casing 64 aligned with a barrel of the firearm 62.

[0041] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show how the multi-caliber bolt assembly 10 engages and moves the cartridge casing 64 forward into the barrel. This operation is further shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C. In 6A, the extractor 16 and the case guide 18 are positioned above the cartridge casing 64. In the exemplary embodiment, the ammunition is located in a magazine and is ready to be advanced upward and forward along a ramp 72, such as a ramp, into the barrel. However, in other possible embodiments, the magazine could be replaced with various types of ammunition feeding devices, such as tubes, as are well known in the firearms industry.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B, as the ammunition is moved forward by the bolt body 12, the ammunition deflects on the ramp 72, which in turn pushes the cartridge casing 64 up between the extractor 16 and the case guide 18, which are consequently forced apart against the force of the spring 34. As shown in FIGS. 5C and 6C, and the ammunition is moved even further forward and upward along the ramp 72, the cartridge casing 64 is now centered in between the extractor 16 and the case guide 18.

[0043] FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C show another feature in the operation of the multi-caliber bolt assembly 10. As mentioned above, the extractor 16 has a hook 36 that projects into the case rim groove 70 of the cartridge casing 64. Once the ammunition has been fired and it is time to eject the cartridge casing 64, the multi-caliber bolt assembly 10 retracts and the cartridge casing 64 is engaged by an ejector (not shown) as is standard in firearms 62. Since the case guide 18 is only pressing against the rim 66, the cartridge casing 64 is pushed past and out of engagement with the case guide 18. However, since the hook 36 of the extractor 16 is engaged in the case rim groove 70 behind the rim 66, the cartridge casing 64 cannot be pushed past the extractor 16. Instead, the hook 36 functions as a pivot point and the cartridge casing 64 is rotated to the side of the extractor 16 and ejected out of the firearm 62. This particular configuration is for right-handed users, but the positions of the extractor 16 and the case guide 18 could be reversed such that the cartridge casing 64 is ejected out the other side for left-handed users.

[0044] In at least one possible embodiment, the multi-caliber bolt assembly 10 can be used in essentially any firearm, such as, but not limited to, a slide-operated pistol, a semi-automatic rifle with or without barrel lockup, a bolt-action rifle, a lever-action rifle, semi-automatic and fully-automatic rifles and pistols, and fully-automatic machine guns.

[0045] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0046] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word comprising is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article a does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.