Ambidextrous Bolt Catch Actuator for Left- and Right-Handed Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bolt catches in firearms are not ambidextrous, making them inconvenient for left- and right-handed users.
Innovation Solution
An ambidextrous bolt catch system is designed for a firearm receiver, featuring a neck with upper, middle, and lower portions, a bolt catch at the upper portion, and an ambidextrous actuator at the lower portion with a spring retention structure, allowing operation from either side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional bolt catch design is used, then the structure is simple, but it is not convenient for left- and right-handed users
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed with asymmetric geometry featuring a first portion and a second portion that are mirror images of each other, allowing the actuator to be operated from either the left or right side of the firearm. This asymmetric design enables ambidextrous operation while maintaining a unified structural form.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves multiple functions: it can be operated from either side (left or right), it engages and disengages the bolt catch, and it incorporates a spring retention structure. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate components for left-handed and right-handed users.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an ambidextrous actuator is designed with mirror-image portions, then usability for both handeds is enabled, but the actuator geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator incorporates a first portion and a second portion that are mirror images of each other, with each portion configured to engage a corresponding cam surface. This asymmetric mirror-image geometry enables the actuator to function equally well when operated from either the left or right side, providing true ambidextrous capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An ambidextrous bolt catch system for a firearm receiver includes a neck having upper, middle, and lower portions; a bolt catch at the upper portion; and an ambidextrous actuator at the lower portion having a spring retention structure. The middle portion extends along a plane perpendicular to a vector extending from the rear to the front of the receiver, and includes a first terminal point towards one side of the receiver, the upper portion extends along the plane and includes a second terminal point towards the side and further than the first terminal point, and the lower portion extends along the plane and includes a third terminal point towards the side and beyond the first terminal point.