Compact AR Stock Buffer Locking for Unimpeded Receiver Rotation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current compact stocks for AR-style firearms are insufficiently compact, unreliable, and cumbersome to manipulate, especially during assembly or disassembly, due to the standard receiver extension adding significant length and the buffer assembly impeding rotational movement of the upper receiver.
Innovation Solution
A compact stock design featuring a receiver extension that secures to the lower receiver, a buffer assembly that reciprocates between the receiver extension and upper receiver, a buffer biasing member to bias the assembly into an extended position, and a buffer locking mechanism to retain the assembly in a retracted position, allowing unimpeded rotational movement of the upper receiver during assembly or disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard receiver extension is used in compact stocks, then the buffer assembly is retained, but the overall length of the firearm increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer assembly is nested within the upper receiver during storage, with the buffer locking mechanism allowing the buffer to be retained in a compact retracted position when not in use. This nesting approach allows the buffer assembly to be kept secure while minimizing the overall length of the firearm in compact configurations.
2Reliability
If the buffer assembly is positioned for operation, then firing function is enabled, but rotational movement of the upper receiver is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer locking mechanism is designed to be dynamic, allowing the buffer assembly to transition between a retracted storage position that permits upper receiver rotation and an extended operational position that enables firing function. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs.
3Length of moving object
If compact stock design is implemented, then firearm size is reduced, but assembly and disassembly becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer locking mechanism is segmented into distinct components that can be independently manipulated, allowing for simplified assembly and disassembly procedures. The mechanism separates the buffer retention function from the positioning function, enabling users to quickly assemble and disassemble the compact stock without complex interlocking parts.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design provides a compact and reliable stock that facilitates easier assembly and disassembly of AR-style firearms by allowing the upper receiver to rotate freely relative to the lower receiver, reducing complexity and time required for maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a buffer biasing member at least partially housed within the receiver extension and configured to bias the buffer assembly toward an extended in-battery position within the upper receiver
Implementation Method 2
a buffer assembly configured to reciprocate back and forth between the receiver extension and an upper receiver of the firearm
Data Source
AI summary
A compact stock for an AR-style firearm includes a receiver extension configured to attach to a lower receiver, a buffer assembly receivable in the receiver extension, a buffer biasing member receivable in the receiver extension, and a buffer locking mechanism. The buffer assembly is configured to reciprocate between a retracted position wherein the buffer assembly is contained within the receiver extension, and an extended position wherein the buffer assembly is in-battery within an upper receiver. The buffer biasing member is configured to bias the buffer assembly toward the extended position. The buffer locking mechanism is configured to selectably retain the buffer assembly and the buffer biasing member within the receiver extension when the buffer assembly is in the retracted position such that the upper receiver is rotatable relative to the lower receiver about a forward take down pin of the firearm unimpeded by the buffer assembly and buffer biasing member.