Ambidextrous Rifle Chassis with Sealing Plug for Trigger Well
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current modular rifle systems require separate components for right- and left-handed shooters, making them less efficient and more costly, as they need different bolt catch devices to be engaged easily with one hand.
Innovation Solution
An ambidextrous chassis with sidewalls that define a trigger well and cutouts for a plug, allowing for easy engagement of a bolt catch device with either hand, and a design that accommodates both right- and left-handed actions by positioning the lever arm of the bolt within specific cutouts, with a plug to seal the trigger well and prevent debris entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate components are used for right- and left-handed shooters, then each shooter can engage the bolt catch device with ease and dexterity, but inventory costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is designed with bilateral symmetry, featuring identical cutouts on both left and right sidewalls. This allows a single universal chassis to accommodate both right-handed and left-handed actions, eliminating the need for separate chassis variants while maintaining ease of operation for all users
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies asymmetry in reverse (symmetry) by designing the chassis with mirror-image cutouts on opposite sidewalls. This symmetric configuration enables the same chassis to function for both right-handed and left-handed shooters, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and device complexity
2Ease of operation
If separate components are used for right- and left-handed shooters, then each shooter can engage the bolt catch device with ease and dexterity, but manufacturing costs and inventory time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a universal ambidextrous chassis that serves both right-handed and left-handed configurations, the patent reduces the number of SKUs that manufacturers must produce and stock. This single chassis design improves inventory turnover and reduces carrying costs while maintaining full operational capability for all users
3Ease of operation
If the trigger well is left open to accommodate the lever arm, then the action can be engaged, but debris can enter and foul the trigger mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
A plug is introduced as an intermediary component that seals the trigger well when not in use, preventing debris entry. When the action needs to be engaged, the plug is removed to allow lever arm access. This mediator component resolves the contradiction by providing protection during storage while enabling operation when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is pre-installed in the trigger well to provide immediate protection against debris. This preliminary protective action is in place before any potential harmful exposure, and can be quickly removed when action engagement is required, thus preventing fouling while maintaining operational readiness
Data Source
AI summary
An ambidextrous chassis for a firearm includes sidewalls and a plug. The sidewalls define a trigger well that is configured to receive a trigger mechanism. Each of the sidewalls also defines a cutout adjacent the trigger well. The plug is received within one of the cutouts of the sidewalls to seal the trigger well of the chassis. Each of the cutouts is sized and dimensioned to receive the plug.