Abstract
System for a multi-caliber self-loading action. Specifically, the system is comprised of a multi-position locking assembly and a self-regulating gas assembly. The multi-position locking assembly is comprised of a bolt carrier, a spring, a bolt, a lock, and a cam assembly. The cam assembly will interface between the bolt carrier and the bolt to rotate the bolt through the bolt carrier. The lock will interface with the bolt, to lock the bolt in at least one locked position based on the caliber of the round inserted. The self-regulating gas assembly directs gas from the gas regulation to at least one piston cup, which will then cause the piston to act on the multi-position locking assembly.
Claims
1. A multi-position locking assembly comprising: a bolt configured to interface with a chamber of a firearm; a bolt carrier configured to interface with the bolt; a spring configured to provide a closing force on the bolt; a lock configured to lock the bolt in battery in a plurality of locking positions; and a cam assembly configured to interface between the bolt carrier and the bolt.
2. The multi-position locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the cam assembly is further configured to rotate the bolt through the bolt carrier when a round is inserted into the firearm.
3. The multi-position locking assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of locking positions is determined by a length of the round inserted into the firearm.
4. The multi-position locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the lock is further configured to interface with a lock receiver.
5. The multi-position locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the bolt further comprises a chamber stem, wherein the chamber stem is configured to fit inside the chamber of the firearm.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures.
(2) FIG. 1a depicts the multi-caliber self-loading action assembly with the large caliber round inserted.
(3) FIG. 1b depicts the multi-caliber self-loading action assembly with the small caliber round inserted.
(4) FIG. 2 depicts the lock receiver implemented onto a barrel extension.
(5) FIG. 3a depicts the lock on the bolt and the lock receiver on the barrel extension.
(6) FIG. 3b depicts the lock on the barrel extension and the lock receiver on the bolt.
(7) FIG. 4a depicts the self-regulating gas assembly in the sliding plate embodiment in the configuration with the small caliber round inserted.
(8) FIG. 4b depicts the self-regulating gas assembly in the sliding plate embodiment in the configuration with the large caliber round inserted.
(9) FIG. 5a depicts the self-regulating gas assembly in the coaxial piston embodiment in the configuration with the small caliber round inserted.
(10) FIG. 5b depicts the self-regulating gas assembly in the coaxial piston embodiment in the configuration with the large caliber round inserted.
(11) FIG. 6a depicts the self-regulating gas assembly in the dual piston embodiment in the configuration with the small caliber round inserted.
(12) FIG. 6b depicts the self-regulating gas assembly in the dual piston embodiment in the configuration with the large caliber round inserted.
(13) FIG. 7a depicts the multi-caliber self-loading action assembly in the embodiment with the gas regulation occurring in the bolt in the configuration with the small caliber round inserted.
(14) FIG. 7b depicts the multi-caliber self-loading action assembly in the embodiment with the gas regulation occurring in the bolt in the configuration with the large caliber round inserted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(15) In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.
(16) In FIG. 1a and FIG. 1B, a non-limiting embodiment of the multi-caliber self-loading action assembly is shown. This embodiment shows two locked positions that can be used with two different caliber rounds. In the illustrated embodiment, the large caliber round 8 is characterized by a longer length than the small caliber round 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the large caliber round 8 and the small caliber round 9 have the same bullet diameter. When the large caliber round 8 is used, the bolt 1 is locked into the large caliber locked position 6, as shown in FIG. 1a. When the bolt 1 is in the large caliber locked position 6, the chamber stem 13 of the bolt 1 does not enter the chamber 2. When the small caliber round 9 is used, the bolt 1 is locked into the small caliber round locked position 7, as shown in FIG. 1B. When the bolt 1 is in the small caliber locked position 7, the chamber stem 13 of the bolt 1 enters the chamber 2. The bolt 1 may be locked in into either the large caliber locked position 6 or the small caliber locked position 7 in order to accommodate the differing lengths of the large caliber round 8 and the small caliber round 9, respectively. When the bolt 1 is pushed through the barrel extension 5, because of the rotational force applied to it, it is then locked into place. In this embodiment the lock 12 is in the form of a locking lug and is found on the bolt 1. The lock receiver is the channel on the barrel extension 5 that forms the large caliber locked position 6 and small caliber locked position 7 (seen clearer in FIG. 2). The rotational force is achieved through the use of a cam system, in the form of a cam pin 10 and cam channel 11, in this embodiment. In the cross sectional view the cam channel 11 appears as holes. The force to push the bolt 1 through the barrel extension 5 is due to the spring 4. A coaxial piston is then shown being used in the gas block 14 in this embodiment. The coaxial piston is comprised of the large caliber piston 16, the large caliber piston cup 17, the small caliber piston 18, and the small caliber piston cup 19. When the firearm is discharged, the gas will travel from the barrel 28 through the gas port 15 into the gas block 14 and then act on the coaxial piston. The coaxial piston will act on the bolt carrier 3, causing the spent casing of the round to be ejected, and a new round to be loaded into the firearm.
(17) In FIG. 2, a non-limiting embodiment of the lock receiver 20 is shown. In this embodiment, the lock receiver 20 is in the form of a locking channel and is found on the barrel extension 5. The large caliber locked position 6 and the small caliber locked position 7 are shown in the locking channel.
(18) In FIG. 3a, a non-limiting embodiment of the multi-position locking assembly is shown. In this embodiment the lock 12 is on the bolt 1, and the lock receiver (seen clearer in FIG. 2) is on the barrel extension 5. The lock 12 is in the form of locking lugs in this embodiment. The bolt 1 can interface with the barrel extension 5 into two locked positions: the large caliber locked position 6 and small caliber locked position 7. The chamber stem 13 is shown on the bolt 1.
(19) In FIG. 3b, a non-limiting embodiment of the multi-position locking assembly is shown. In this embodiment the lock 12 is on the barrel extension 5, and the lock receiver (seen clearer in FIG. 2) is on the bolt 1. The lock 12 is in the form of locking lugs in this embodiment. The bolt 1 can interface with the barrel extension 5 into two locked positions: the large caliber locked position 6 and small caliber locked position 7. The chamber stem 13 is shown on the bolt 1.
(20) In these configurations as shown in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b, the bolt carrier (not shown) could either be situated behind the bolt 1 and push the bolt into position; or the bolt carrier could be in front of the bolt and pull the bolt into position (not shown).
(21) In FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b, a non-limiting embodiment of the self-regulating gas assembly is shown. In this embodiment, the gas regulation occurs through a sliding plate 22, but can also be accomplished through another blocking body (not shown). The sliding plate's 22 position moves through the gas block 14, where the sliding plate's 22 multiple positions are based on the position of the multi-position locking assembly, which is based on the caliber of the round used (not shown). In FIG. 4a, the sliding plate 22 is in the small caliber position, such that the gas can pass through both the small caliber aperture 23 and the large caliber aperture 24. In FIG. 4b, the sliding piston 22 is in the large caliber position, such that the gas can only pass through the large caliber aperture 24. In this embodiment, gas flows from the barrel (not shown) through the gas port 15 into the gas block 14 after the firearm is discharged. In this embodiment, the sliding plate spring 21 acts on the sliding plate 22 to keep the sliding plate in the correct position, based on what caliber round is inserted into the firearm. When the larger caliber (not shown) is inserted, the aperture that allows the gas to pass through to the action (which could be but not limited to a direct impingement, short stroke piston, or long stroke system) is smaller than when the small caliber round is inserted. This is because the smaller caliber produces less gas when discharged, so more gas will need to be let through to actuate the multi-position locking assembly, so that the spent casing can successfully be ejected, and a new round can be loaded into the firearm. This is also why the aperture is smaller when the larger caliber round is inserted, as there is a lot more gas that is generated from the discharge, so the aperture should be smaller. Both aperture sizes will be configured so that the force from the gas is optimal for that specific caliber in use, as excessive or insufficient force can cause malfunctions when the firearm is cycled.
(22) In FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b, a non-limiting embodiment of the self-regulating gas assembly is shown. In this embodiment, there are two coaxial, pistons, and two piston cups. The coaxial pistons and piston cups correspond to two different caliber rounds. In FIG. 5a, the small caliber round is inserted into the firearm (not shown) and both pistons are engaged. In FIG. 5a, the large caliber piston 16 and thus large caliber piston cup 17 is engaged; as well as the small caliber piston 18 and thus the small caliber piston cup 19. In FIG. 5b, the large caliber round is inserted into the firearm (not shown). In FIG. 5b only the large caliber piston 16 and thus large caliber piston cup 17 is engaged. In this embodiment, gas flows from the barrel (not shown) through the gas port 15 into the gas block 14 after the firearm is discharged. As compared to FIG. 5a where both pistons need to be engaged due to the small amount of gas generated by the small caliber round, in FIG. 5b, only one piston is engaged as the larger caliber round generates more gas. Excess gas is vented from the system when the large caliber round is inserted, as shown in the excess gas vent 25 in FIG. 5b. The reduction in piston and piston cup engagement counterbalances the increase in gas generation, thus resulting in a similar force when the action is cycled. The pistons in this system then interface with the bolt carrier (not shown) and push that back when the firearm is discharged. The piston cup sizes will be configured so that an appropriate force is distributed to the bolt carrier so that the spent casing can successfully be ejected, and a new round loaded into the firearm.
(23) In FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b, a non-limiting embodiment of the self-regulating gas assembly is shown. This is the same premise as shown in FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b, except that FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b use two separate pistons instead of a coaxial piston. In this embodiment, there is a long piston and a short piston. For this embodiment, the long piston should be regarded as the large caliber piston 16 and the short piston regarded as the small caliber piston 18. In FIG. 6a, the small caliber round is inserted into the firearm (not shown) and both pistons are engaged. In FIG. 6a, the large caliber piston 16 and thus large caliber piston cup 17 is engaged; as well as the small caliber piston 18 and thus the small caliber piston cup 19. In FIG. 6b, the large caliber round is inserted into the firearm (not shown). In FIG. 6b, only the large caliber piston 16 and thus large caliber piston cup 17 is engaged. In this embodiment, gas flows from the barrel (not shown) through the gas port 15 into the gas block 14 after the firearm is discharged. As compared to FIG. 6a where both pistons need to be engaged due to the small amount of gas generated by the small caliber round, in FIG. 6b, only one piston is engaged as the larger caliber round generates more gas. Excess gas is vented from the system when the large caliber round is inserted, as shown in the excess gas vent 25 in FIG. 6b. The reduction in piston and piston cup engagement counterbalances the increase in gas generation, thus resulting in a similar force when the action is cycled. The pistons in this system then interface with the bolt carrier (not shown) and push that back when the firearm is discharged. The piston cup sizes will be configured so that an appropriate force is distributed to the bolt carrier so that the spent casing can successfully be ejected, and a new round loaded into the firearm.
(24) In FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b, a non-limiting embodiment of the multi-caliber self-loading action assembly is shown. This embodiment depicts the multi-position locking assembly as in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, with the gas regulation taking place within the bolt 1 instead of the gas block (not shown). In this embodiment, the two different caliber rounds result in two different locked positions, with the bolt 1 rotating through the bolt carrier 3 utilizing the cam system of the cam pin 10 and the cam channel 11. In the cross sectional view the cam channel 11 appears as holes. The bolt 1 also has a gas regulator component. In this embodiment, gas is received from the gas block (not shown) unregulated, through the gas port 15. There are different intake ports on the bolt 1, where the intake port's position is based on the rotated position of the bolt 1. If the larger caliber is inserted into the firearm, the bolt will be configured to intake more of the gas than when the small caliber round is inserted. This will be configured with different sized intake ports that will be rotated in position based on the locked position of the bolt. FIG. 7a depicts the multi-caliber self-loading action assembly with the small caliber inserted into the firearm (not shown). The small caliber intake 26 is rotated to receive the gas from the gas port 15 in this configuration. FIG. 7b depicts the multi-caliber self-loading action assembly with the large caliber inserted into the firearm (not shown). The large caliber intake is rotated to receive the gas from the gas port 15 in this configuration. In this configuration, the gas that was taken into the system causes the firearm to cycle utilizing the same manner as an AR-15 rifle.
