BUFFER SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSFERRING MOMENTUM IN A DIRECTION OTHER THAN IN LINE WITH AN OPERATING GROUP RECOIL DIRECTION

Abstract

A firearm comprising an operating group and a buffer system. The operating group may include a recoiling structure configured to translate in a recoil direction from a forward position to a rearward position. The buffer system may include a buffer and an actuator. The buffer may be configured to be compressed in a compression direction from an extended configuration to a compressed configuration. The compression direction may be different from the recoil direction. The actuator may be configured to selectively engage the recoiling structure and the buffer and to cause the buffer to be compressed from the extended configuration to the compressed configuration when the recoiling structure translates from the forward position to the rearward position.

Claims

1. A firearm comprising: an operating group comprising: a recoiling structure configured to translate in a recoil direction from a forward position to a rearward position; and a buffer system comprising: a buffer configured to be displaced in a displacement direction from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the displacement direction is different from the recoil direction; and an actuator configured to selectively engage the recoiling structure and the buffer and to cause the buffer to be displaced from the first configuration to the second configuration when the recoiling structure translates from the forward position to the rearward position.

2. The firearm of claim 1, wherein: the displacement direction comprises an expansion direction; the first configuration comprises a contracted configuration; the second configuration comprises an expanded configuration; and the expansion direction of the buffer is substantially parallel to, but laterally offset from, the recoil direction of the recoiling structure.

3. The firearm of claim 1, wherein: the displacement direction comprises a compression direction; the first configuration comprises an extended configuration; the second configuration comprises a compressed configuration; and the compression direction of the buffer is substantially parallel to, but laterally offset from, the recoil direction of the recoiling structure.

4. The firearm of claim 3, wherein: the compression direction is opposite to the recoil direction; and the recoiling structure comprises one of a bolt, bolt carrier, carrier, slide, operating rod, or integral recoil mass.

5. The firearm of claim 3, wherein the recoiling structure comprises a carrier.

6. The firearm of claim 3, wherein the actuator is pivotally coupled to a stationary component of the firearm, the stationary component comprising a component that remains stationary relative to the recoiling structure during translation of the recoiling structure from the forward position to the rearward position.

7. The firearm of claim 3, further comprising a receiver extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to house at least a portion of the operating group and the buffer system; wherein the recoiling structure is configured to translate relative to the receiver.

8. The firearm of claim 7, wherein the actuator is pivotally coupled to the receiver.

9. The firearm of claim 7, wherein the actuator comprises a rocker arm comprising: a first portion configured to engage the recoiling structure during translation from the forward position to the rearward position; and a second portion configured to engage the buffer to compress the buffer from the extended configuration to the compressed configuration.

10. The firearm of claim 9, wherein the rocker arm is pivotally coupled to the receiver at an intermediate location via an axis pin, and is configured to pivot from a first position to a second position as the recoiling structure translates from the forward position to the rearward position.

11. The firearm of claim 10, wherein the rocker arm is further configured to pivot from the second position back to the first position as the recoiling structure translates from the rearward position to the forward position.

12. The firearm of claim 9, wherein the rocker arm is pivotally coupled to the receiver at an intermediate location via an axis pin, and is configured such that a first portion of the rocker arm is engaged and driven rearward by the recoiling structure as the recoiling structure translates from the forward position to the rearward position, thereby causing the rocker arm to pivot from a first position to a second position, and further causing a second portion of the rocker arm to engage and move a piston of the buffer from an extended position to a compressed position.

13. The firearm of claim 12, wherein the rocker arm is further configured to pivot from the second position back to the first position as the recoiling structure translates from the rearward position to the forward position, thereby allowing the piston of the buffer to translate from the compressed position to the extended position.

14. The firearm of claim 3, wherein: the buffer comprises a first buffer and the actuator comprises a first actuator; the buffer system further comprises a second buffer and a second actuator; and each actuator is configured to engage a respective buffer and the recoiling structure to compress the respective buffer during translation of the recoiling structure from the forward position to the rearward position.

15. The firearm of claim 14, wherein the first actuator is configured to engage the recoiling structure during a first portion of the translation of the recoiling structure from the forward position to the rearward position, and the second actuator is configured to engage the recoiling structure during a second, later portion of the translation of the recoiling structure from the forward position to the rearward position.

16. The firearm of claim 3, wherein the buffer comprises one of a hydraulic buffer, pneumatic buffer, or spring buffer; and wherein the buffer comprises a housing and a piston configured to translate relative to the housing.

17. The firearm of claim 3, wherein: the firearm comprises an open-bolt, belt-fed configuration; and the firearm is configured to operate in one of a fully-automatic mode or a semi-automatic mode.

18. A firearm comprising: an operating group comprising: a carrier configured to translate in a recoil direction from a forward position to a rearward position; and a buffer system comprising: a buffer configured to be compressed in a compression direction from an extended configuration to a compressed configuration, wherein the compression direction of the buffer is substantially parallel to, but laterally offset from, the recoil direction of the carrier; and an actuator configured to engage the carrier as the carrier translates from the forward position to the rearward position and, as a result of the engagement with the translating carrier, to cause the buffer to be compressed from the extended configuration to the compressed configuration.

19. The firearm of claim 18, further comprising a receiver extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to house at least a portion of the operating group and the buffer system; wherein: the compression direction is opposite to the recoil direction; and the actuator comprises a rocker arm pivotally coupled to the receiver.

20. The firearm of claim 19, wherein the rocker arm comprises: a first portion configured to engage the carrier during translation from the forward position to the rearward position; and a second portion configured to engage the buffer to compress the buffer from the extended configuration to the compressed configuration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.

[0011] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a portion of a firearm in accordance with one or more examples of the disclosure, showing portions of a receiver, a stock, a mount, a buffer, and an actuator of the firearm, with the stock in an extended position, the buffer in an extended configuration, and the actuator in a first configuration.

[0012] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a portion of the firearm of FIG. 1A, showing the stock in a folded position, the buffer in the extended configuration, and the actuator in the first configuration.

[0013] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a portion of the firearm of FIG. 1A, showing an operating group of the firearm in a forward position, the buffer in the extended configuration, and the actuator in the first configuration.

[0014] FIG. 1D is a perspective view of a portion of the firearm of FIG. 1A, showing the operating group in an intermediate position, the buffer in the extended configuration, and the actuator in the first configuration.

[0015] FIG. 1E is a perspective view of a portion of the firearm of FIG. 1A, showing the operating group in a rearward position, the buffer in a compressed configuration, and the actuator in a second configuration.

[0016] FIG. 1F is a top view of a portion of the firearm of FIG. 1A, showing the operating group in the intermediate position, the buffer in the extended configuration, and the actuator in the first configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0017] The present disclosure is directed to buffer systems, firearms, and methods for dampening, dissipating, or otherwise modifying a rearward impulse generated by rearward movement of an operating group of a firearm during discharge. As discussed above, various types of firearms may include a buffer system for reducing an operator's perception of recoil. Conventional buffer systems generally may include one or more resilient and/or deformable components or mechanisms, such as springs, hydraulic shock absorbers, or pneumatic shock absorbers, disposed rearward of the operating group, with such buffer systems typically having an in-line arrangement, with the axis of movement of the buffer system being in line with, such as coaxial with, the axis of movement of the operating group. According to this arrangement, in some instances, the buffer system may occupy a relatively large amount of space between the operating group and the rearward end of the firearm, which can a significant constraint in the design of certain firearms. Additionally, for shoulder-fired firearms having a folding stock, an in-line arrangement of a buffer system may present significant drawbacks. According to certain designs, the in-line buffer system may undesirably protrude from a portion of the receiver and/or the stock and lengthen the firearm. With other designs, the stock may be required to be in its extended position (i.e., unfolded position) prior to firing the firearm. According to still other designs, the in-line buffer system may eliminate the folding functionality of the stock altogether. The buffer systems, firearms, and methods provided herein may address one or more of the above-described challenges by providing compact buffer system arrangements that also allow use with folding stocks without sacrificing the folding functionality of the stock.

[0018] In one aspect, as disclosed herein, a firearm may include an operating group and a buffer system. The operating group may include a recoiling structure configured to translate in a recoil direction of the operating group from a forward position to a rearward position. As used herein, the term recoiling structure may refer to any component of an operating group that translates in a recoil direction during firing, such as a bolt, bolt carrier, slide, operating rod, or op rod, or other integral recoil mass or member. As used herein, for the sake of description, the term recoiling structure may be replaced with the term carrier, but unless otherwise limited in the appended claims, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure may apply to any type of recoiling structure.

[0019] The buffer system may include a buffer and an actuator. In general, the buffer may be configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration along a displacement direction that is different from the recoil direction of the operating group. The actuator may be configured to selectively engage the recoiling structure and the buffer such that, upon recoil of the operating group, the actuator causes the buffer to displace from the first configuration to the second configuration. The displacement may comprise any suitable form of motion, including compression or expansion, depending on the particular embodiment. This arrangement allows flexibility in the buffer design and placement, including configurations in which the buffer is oriented transversely or orthogonally relative to the path of the recoiling structure. Such versatility supports integration into firearms with constrained internal geometries or specialized external features, such as folding stocks or side-mounted components. In some arrangements, the buffer system may include multiple buffers and/or multiple actuators positioned in various locations and configured to actuate independently, sequentially or in parallel along the recoil stroke. These general principles underpin more specific configurations described in subsequent paragraphs.

[0020] According to one arrangement, the buffer may be configured to be compressed from an extended configuration to a compressed configuration, with a compression direction of the buffer being different from the recoil direction of the operating group. The actuator may be configured to selectively engage the carrier (or other recoiling structure) and the buffer. The actuator may be configured to cause the buffer to be compressed from the extended configuration to the compressed configuration when the carrier translates from the forward position to the rearward position. As described, this configuration of the buffer and the actuator may allow the buffer to be disposed at various locations that are not in line with the operating group, which advantageously enables a compact configuration of the buffer system. Additionally, when implemented with a shoulder-fired firearm having a folding stock, the buffer system may be disposed in a manner that does not impact the folding functionality of the stock and even allows the firearm to be fired while the stock is in its folded position. According to various examples, the buffer system may include more than one buffer and more than one actuator, which may be provided in various arrangements relative to the operating group and may be actuated at different points along the rearward stroke of the carrier (or other recoiling structure).

[0021] According to another arrangement, the buffer may operate by expanding rather than compressing in response to the motion of the recoiling structure. As the recoiling structure translates in the recoil directionfrom a forward position to a rearward positionthe actuator engages the buffer, causing it to displace in an expansion direction, transitioning from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration. This expanded state absorbs or mitigates the energy of recoil by increasing the volume or length of the buffer assembly, rather than compacting it. The expansion may store mechanical energy in tension (such as through a tensile spring or resilient telescoping component) or enable a gradual deceleration of the recoiling structure. This mode of buffering is structurally and functionally distinct from compression-based systems. By employing expansion as the energy-absorbing mechanism, it allows for different architectural and kinetic profilesenabling other geometries (like outward-folding actuators or deployable chambers), and offering integration flexibility in nontraditional recoil management systems. This configuration may be defined by: a displacement direction comprising an expansion direction, indicating the buffer increases in length or volume; a first configuration in which the buffer is in a contracted configuration, representing the initial, compacted state; and a second configuration in which the buffer reaches an expanded configuration, corresponding to its deployed or extended state in response to the actuator's engagement.

[0022] Further benefits and advantages of the disclosed buffer systems, firearms, and related methods for dampening, dissipating, or otherwise modifying a rearward impulse generated by rearward movement of an operating group of a firearm during discharge will be appreciated by one skilled in the art upon review of the following description in conjunction with the appended drawings.

Example Firearms and Buffer Systems

[0023] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-IF illustrate a portion of a firearm 100 in accordance with one or more examples of the disclosure. In some examples, the firearm 100 may be an open-bolt, belt-fed firearm, although portions and/or aspects of the disclosed firearm 100 may be implemented in other types of firearms. In some examples, the firearm 100 may be configured to operate in a fully-automatic mode as well as a semi-automatic mode. In other examples, the firearm 100 may be configured for operating in only a semi-automatic mode. As shown, the firearm 100 may include a receiver 110, a stock 120 (which also may be referred to as a folding stock or a receiver extension), a mount 130 (which also may be referred to as a folding mount, a stock hinge, or simply a hinge), an operating group 140, and a buffer system 150. It will be appreciated that the firearm 100 may include other components, in addition to those shown in the drawings, that are omitted for the purpose of illustrating the components most relevant to the present disclosure.

[0024] The receiver 110 may be formed as an elongate structure having a forward end and a rearward end disposed opposite one another along a longitudinal axis of the receiver 110. As shown, the receiver 110 may be configured to house, entirely or at least partially, other components and/or assemblies of the firearm 100, including at least portions of the operating group 140 and the buffer system 150, as described below. In this manner, the receiver 110 may define an interior space that receives such components and/or assemblies of the firearm 100. It will be appreciated that various configurations of the receiver 110 may be used in different examples, and that the receiver 110 may include other components and/or features in addition to those shown in the FIGURES.

[0025] The stock 120 may be formed as an elongate structure having a forward end and a rearward end (as viewed when the stock 120 is in its extended position) disposed opposite one another along a longitudinal axis of the stock 120. In some examples, as shown, the stock 120 may be a folding stock, although a fixed stock may be used in other examples of the firearm 100. The stock 120 may be configured to move, relative to the receiver 110, between an extended position, as shown in FIG. 1A, and a folded position, as shown in FIG. 1B. For example, the stock 120 may be configured to pivot, via the mount 130, relative to the receiver 110, as shown, between the extended position and the folded position. It will be appreciated that various configurations of the stock 120 may be used in different examples, and that the stock 120 may include other components and/or features in addition to those shown in the FIGURES. Moreover, although the firearm 100 of the illustrated example is shown as including the stock 120, in other examples, the firearm 100 may not include the stock 120. In other words, in some examples, the buffer system 150 and the functionality provided thereby may be implemented in a firearm that does not include a stock at all.

[0026] The mount 130 may be disposed between the receiver 110 and the stock 120 and configured to couple the stock 120 to the receiver 110. As shown, the mount 130 may have a front end coupled to a rear end of the receiver 110 and a rear end coupled to a front end of the stock 120. In some examples, as shown, the mount 130 may include one or more pivot mechanisms configured to allow pivotal movement of the stock 120, relative to the receiver 110, between the extended position and the folded position of the stock 120. In other examples, the mount 130 may include other types of mechanisms configured to allow movement, pivotal or otherwise, of the stock 120, relative to the receiver 110, between the extended position and the folded position of the stock 120. In some examples, the mount 130 may include one or more locking mechanisms configured to selectively lock the stock 120 in the extended position and/or the folded position. It will be appreciated that various configurations of the mount 130 may be used in different examples, and that the mount 130 may include other components and/or features in addition to those shown in the FIGURES.

[0027] The operating group 140 may be disposed, entirely or at least partially, within the receiver 110 and configured to translate relative to the receiver 110. As shown, the operating group 140 may include a carrier 142 (which, as used herein, includes reference broadly to any recoiling structure, including a bolt, bolt carrier, slide, operating rod or op rod, or other integral recoil mass or member) having an elongate shape, with a forward end and a rearward end disposed opposite one another along a longitudinal axis of the carrier 142. The carrier 142 (or other recoiling structure) may be configured to translate along with the overall operating group 140, relative to the receiver 110, between a forward position, as shown in FIG. 1C, and a rearward position, as shown in FIG. 1E, during firing of the firearm 100. In particular, during a firing cycle, the carrier 142 may be configured to translate rearward in a recoil direction of the operating group 140 from the forward position to the rearward position and then to translate forward in a return direction from the rearward position to the forward position. The rearward movement of the carrier 142 in the recoil direction of the operating group 140 may be caused by discharge of a cartridge within the firearm, while the forward movement of the carrier 142 in the return direction may be facilitated by a return spring (not shown) acting on the carrier 142 or another portion of the operating group 140. As described below, the carrier 142 may be configured to engage and cooperate with one or more actuators 170 of the buffer system 150 when the carrier 142 translates rearward in the recoil direction of the operating group 140 from the forward position to the rearward position. It will be appreciated that various configurations of the operating group 140 may be used in different examples, and that the operating group 140 may include other components and/or features in addition to those shown in the FIGURES.

[0028] The buffer system 150 may include one or more buffers 160 (which also may be referred to as hydraulic buffers) and one or more actuators 170 (which also may be referred to as actuator mechanisms). In some examples, as shown, a single buffer 160 and a single actuator 170 may be used, although two or more buffers 160 and/or two or more actuators 170 may be used in other examples. According to the illustrated example, the buffer 160 may be coupled to the receiver 110 along a lateral side of the receiver 110 by a buffer mounting block 161 and bushing, although other positions of the buffer(s) 160 may be used in other examples. According to the illustrated example, the actuator 170 may be disposed partially within the receiver 110 and partially outside of the receiver 110, although other arrangements of the actuator(s) 170 relative to the receiver 110 may be used in other examples. It will be appreciated that various configurations of the buffer system 150 may be used in different examples, and that the buffer system 150 may include other components and/or features in addition to those shown in the FIGURES.

[0029] Each buffer 160 may be formed as an elongate structure having a forward end and a rearward end disposed opposite one another along a longitudinal axis of the buffer 160. As shown, the buffer 160 may include a housing 162 and a piston 164 extending rearward from the housing 162 and configured to translate relative to the housing 162. In some examples, the buffer 160 may be a hydraulic buffer, including a hydraulic fluid that is disposed within the housing 162 and acted upon by the piston 164, although other types of buffers, such as pneumatic buffers or spring buffers, may be used in other examples. The buffer 160 may be configured to move between an extended configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and 1F, in which the piston 164 is in an extended position extending rearward from the housing 162, and a compressed configuration, as shown in FIG. 1E, in which the piston 164 is in a compressed position relative to the housing 162. At times, the buffer 160 may assume various intermediate configurations (which also may be referred to as partially-compressed configurations) between the extended configuration and the compressed configuration, as the buffer 160 transitions from the extended configuration to the compressed configuration. Likewise, at times, the piston 164 may assume various intermediate positions (which also may be referred to as partially-compressed positions) between the extended position and the compressed position, as the piston 164 translates from the extended position to the compressed position.

[0030] In general, the buffer may be configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration along a displacement direction that is different from the recoil direction of the operating group. The actuator may be configured to selectively engage the recoiling structure and the buffer such that, upon recoil of the operating group, the actuator causes the buffer to displace from the first configuration to the second configuration. The displacement may comprise any suitable form of motion, including compression or expansion, depending on the particular embodiment. This arrangement allows flexibility in the buffer design and placement, including configurations in which the buffer is oriented transversely or orthogonally relative to the path of the recoiling structure.

[0031] As shown in the FIGURES, the buffer 160 may be configured to be compressed from the extended configuration to the compressed configuration, with a compression direction of the buffer 160 being different from the recoil direction of the operating group 140. In this manner, the direction of movement of the buffer 160 (i.e., in the compression direction) may be different than the direction of movement of the operating group 140 (i.e., in the recoil direction). This functionality of the buffer system 150 may provide certain advantages over conventional in-line buffer systems, such as allowing for a more compact buffer system that does not undesirably protrude from the firearm 100 and does not require the stock 120 to house any portion of the buffer system 150. As a result, the folding functionality of the stock 120 is not impacted by the buffer system 150, and the firearm 100 may be fired with the stock 120 in the folded position without impacting the function of the buffer system 150. In some examples, as shown, the longitudinal axis of the buffer 160 may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the operating group 140, such that the compression direction is opposite but not in line with the recoil direction of the operating group 140. In other examples, the longitudinal axis of the buffer 160 may extend non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the operating group 140. Various positions and orientations of the buffer 160 relative to the operating group 140 may be used in different examples. Further, when the buffer system 150 includes multiple buffers 160, various arrangements of the buffers 160 and individual positions and orientations of the respective buffers 160 relative to the operating group 140 may be used. It will be appreciated that various configurations of the buffer(s) 160 may be used in different examples, and that the buffer(s) 160 may include other components and/or features in addition to those shown in the FIGURES.

[0032] Each actuator 170 may be configured to selectively engage and cooperate with the carrier 142 (or other recoiling structure) and one or more of the buffers 160 and to cause the buffer 160 to be compressed from the extended configuration to the compressed configuration when the carrier 142 translates from the forward position to the rearward position during recoil. In other example embodiments, an actuator 170 may be configured to selectively engage and cooperate with the carrier 142 (or other recoiling structure) and a plurality of the buffers 160 and to cause the plurality of the buffers 160 to be compressed from the extended configuration to the compressed configuration when the carrier 142 translates from the forward position to the rearward position during recoil. Continuing with the case in which the actuator 170 interacts with a single buffer 160, the actuator 170 may be configured to move between a first configuration, in which the buffer 160 is in the extended configuration, and a second configuration, in which the buffer 160 is in the compressed configuration. At times, the actuator 170 may assume various intermediate configurations between the first configuration and the second configuration, as the actuator 170 moves and the buffer 160 transitions from the extended configuration to the compressed configuration. It will be appreciated that various configurations of the actuator 170 may be used to achieve this functionality, and that the illustrated example is merely one configuration of the actuator 170 for providing the desired functionality. According to the illustrated example, the actuator 170 may include a rocker arm 172 that is formed as an elongate member having a first end and a second end disposed opposite one another in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the rocker arm 172. The rocker arm 172 may be configured to pivot relative to the receiver 110 between a first position, in which the actuator 170 is in the first configuration and the buffer 160 is in the extended configuration, and a second position, in which the actuator 170 is in the second configuration and the buffer 160 is in the compressed configuration. At times, the rocker arm 172 may assume various intermediate positions between the first position and the second position, as the actuator 170 moves and the buffer 160 transitions from the extended configuration to the compressed configuration. As shown, the rocker arm 172 may be configured to pivot about an axis pin 178 between the first position and the second position. In other words, the axis pin 178 may define the pivot axis of the rocker arm 172, which may be disposed at an intermediate portion of the rocker arm 172, such as at or near a midpoint of the rocker arm 172 between the first and second ends thereof. As shown, the axis pin 178, and thus also the rocker arm 172, may be coupled to a rear-end portion of the receiver 110. The axis pin 178 and a portion of the rocker arm 172 may be disposed within the receiver 110, while another portion of the rocker arm 172 may extend through an opening of the receiver 110 and be disposed outside of the receiver 110 for interacting with the buffer 160. In other embodiments, the buffer system 150, including the buffer(s) 160, mounting brackets 161, axis pin 178 and the rocker arm 172, may be partially or entirely disposed within the receiver 110. In this manner the mechanism may be completely enclosed and protected.

[0033] As shown, the rocker arm 172 may include a first portion 174 and a second portion 176. The first portion 174 may be disposed at the first end of the rocker arm 172 and extend toward the second portion 176, while the second portion 176 may be disposed at the second end of the rocker arm 172 and extend toward the first portion 174. The first portion 174 may be configured to selectively engage and cooperate with the operating group 140, in particular the carrier 142 (or other recoiling structure) thereof, and the second portion 176 may be configured to engage and cooperate with the buffer 160, in particular the piston 164 thereof. In some examples, as shown, the first portion 174 may be configured to engage the rear end of the carrier 142. In other examples, the first portion 174 may be configured to engage another portion of the carrier 142, such as one of the lateral sides, the top side, or the bottom side thereof. As described below, during recoil, the first portion 174 may engage and cooperate with the carrier 142 as the operating group 140 translates rearward in the recoil direction, causing the rocker arm 172 to pivot from the first position to the second position, such that the second portion 176 engages the piston 164 and causes the buffer 160 to be compressed in the compression direction from the extended configuration to the compressed configuration. In some examples, as shown, the first portion 174 and the second portion 176 may be angled relative to one another, with each of the first portion 174 and the second portion 176 having a linear or generally linear shape and a rounded end, although other shapes and arrangements of the first portion 174 and the second portion 176 may be used in other examples. As discussed above, the buffer system 150 may include multiple actuators 170 and thus may include multiple rocker arms 172. In some examples, the buffer system 150 may include one actuator 170 for each buffer 160, with each actuator 170 including one rocker arm 172, or alternatively, one actuator 170 may be configured to engage multiple buffers 160. In some examples, multiple relatively small buffers may be utilized based on spaced considerations, such as when fitting the buffer system 150 within the receiver, the rocker arm(s) 172 may be configured to actuate each buffer simultaneously. In other examples, the first portion 174 of a first rocker arm 172 of a first actuator 170 may engage and cooperate with the carrier 142 during a first portion of the rearward stroke of the carrier 142 (i.e., the rearward translation of the carrier 142 from the forward position to the rearward position), and the first portion 174 of a second rocker arm 172 of a second actuator 170 may engage and cooperate with the carrier 142 during a different, second portion of the rearward stroke of the carrier 142. It will be appreciated that various configurations of the rocker arm 172 may be used in different examples, and that the rocker arm 172 may include other features in addition to those shown in the FIGURES. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that various configurations of the actuator 170 may be used in different examples, including examples that do not include the rocker arm 172. Alternative configurations of the actuator 170 may include other types of mechanical members or mechanisms configured to provide the desired functionality and interaction between the operating group 140 and the buffer(s) 160. Additionally, as described, an actuator may engage multiple buffers 160.

[0034] According to another arrangement, the buffer may operate by expanding rather than compressing in response to the motion of the recoiling structure. In this configuration, the same fundamental buffer assembly and actuator components described above may be used, with the actuator-such as a rocker arm-reoriented or arranged to pull a piston or other buffer element outward from the buffer body rather than drive it inward. As the recoiling structure translates in the recoil directionfrom a forward position to a rearward positionthe actuator selectively engages the buffer and causes it to displace in an expansion direction, transitioning from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration. The expanded state absorbs or mitigates the energy of recoil by increasing the volume or length of the buffer assembly, rather than compacting it. The expansion may store mechanical energy in tension (e.g., through a tensile spring, elastic strap, or resilient telescoping component), or it may facilitate a controlled deceleration of the recoiling structure through kinematic resistance. In this configuration, the displacement direction may be defined as an expansion direction, indicating the buffer increases in length or volume. Further, the initial or a first configuration is one in which the buffer is in a contracted configuration, representing the compacted or retracted state, while the second configuration is one in which the buffer reaches an expanded configuration, representing the deployed or extended state caused by the actuator's engagement.

[0035] With reference to the drawings, the following describes examples of how the buffer system 150 may operate during discharge of a cartridge within the firearm 100, which may occur while the stock 120 is in the extended position, as shown in FIG. 1A, or in the folded position, as shown in FIG. 1B. Prior to discharge of the cartridge, as shown in FIG. 1C, the operating group 140 may be in the forward position, the buffer 160 may be in the extended configuration, and the actuator 170 may be in the first configuration. Upon discharge of the cartridge, the operating group 140 may begin its rearward translation in the recoil direction from the forward position toward the rearward position. FIG. 1D shows the operating group 140 at an intermediate position when the carrier 142 (or other recoiling structure) initially contacts the first portion 174 of the rocker arm 172 of the actuator 170. At this point, the actuator 170 is still in the first configuration, and the buffer 160 is still in the extended configuration. Continued rearward movement of the operating group 140 from the intermediate position to the rearward position may cause the actuator 170 to move from the first configuration to the second configuration, which may cause the buffer 160 to be compressed in the compression direction from the extended configuration to the compressed configuration, as shown in FIG. 1E. Specifically, the first portion 174 of the rocker arm 172 may be engaged and driven rearward by the carrier 142, such that the rocker arm 172 pivots from the first position to the second position, which causes the second portion 176 of the rocker arm 172 to engage and move the piston 164 of the buffer 160 from the extended position to the compressed position. At the end of the rearward stroke of the operating group 140, the return spring of the firearm 100 may cause the operating group 140 to translate forward from the rearward position to the forward position, while the buffer 160 moves from the compressed configuration to the extended configuration and causes the actuator 170 to move from the second configuration to the first configuration, such that the respective components again assume the arrangement shown in FIG. 1C.

[0036] Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described, numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, among others, can, could, might, or may, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.