Bolt-on Collapsible Stock Assembly with Integrated Buffer Tube
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collapsible stock designs for firearms, such as the AR-15, are heavy, cumbersome, and have awkward locking mechanisms, requiring the removal of proprietary components and adding unnecessary weight and weakness, while existing retrofit designs compromise the strength and rigidity of the stock system.
Innovation Solution
A bolt-on collapsible stock assembly with a stock connector component, extension rods, and a latch assembly that uses rod apertures and dimples/detents to maintain structural integrity and allow for adjustable length without removing the upper receiver from the lower receiver, featuring a cheek rest for improved user interaction and a smooth locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a typical variable position stock is used, then the stock can be locked into various positions, but the stock becomes relatively heavy and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The stock is divided into a collapsible stock portion and a separate buffer tube assembly. The buffer tube is detached from traditional collapsible stock designs and integrated directly into the receiver, allowing the stock to collapse without requiring a proprietary buffer tube system. This segmentation reduces overall weight while maintaining adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer tube function is extracted from the collapsible stock mechanism and integrated directly into the receiver. This allows the stock to achieve collapse functionality without being constrained by proprietary buffer tube designs, reducing weight and eliminating the need for specialized components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If retrofit collapsible stock assemblies are installed, then collapsible functionality is achieved, but the upper receiver cannot be separated from the lower receiver without removing the entire assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into separate functional components: the buffer tube assembly integrated into the receiver, and the collapsible stock portion attached via a stock adapter. This allows the upper receiver to be separated from the lower receiver while the stock remains attached to the buffer tube, enabling inspection and cleaning without removing the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
A stock adapter serves as an intermediary component between the buffer tube and the collapsible stock. This adapter allows the stock to be mounted on the buffer tube independently, enabling receiver separation while maintaining stock functionality. The adapter acts as a mediator that decouples the dependency between the receiver and the collapsible stock mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary bolt carriers with built-in buffers are used, then collapsible stock functionality is achieved, but additional weight and complexity are added to the system
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer function is extracted from the bolt carrier and integrated into the receiver as part of the buffer tube assembly. This eliminates the need for proprietary bolt carriers with built-in buffers, reducing weight and simplifying the system. The buffer can now be a standard component rather than a specialized integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer tube assembly in the receiver serves multiple functions: it houses the buffer, provides the mounting interface for the stock adapter, and enables collapsible stock functionality. This universal design eliminates the need for specialized proprietary components, reducing overall system weight and complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If stock adapters are used to mount collapsible stocks, then collapsible functionality is achieved, but the adapters add weakness to the stock system
Solution Approach 1:
The stock adapter is merged with the buffer tube assembly, creating a unified structure that is directly integrated into the receiver. This combination eliminates the need for separate, potentially weak adapter components. The integrated design distributes structural loads more effectively across the receiver-buffer tube-adapter-stock assembly, maintaining strength while enabling collapsible functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A receiver having a stock connector component having a stock connector aperture formed therethrough; two rod apertures formed through the stock connector component, wherein each extension rod aperture is formed so as to slidably receive an extension rod extending from a stock, such that each extension rod is slidably movable within one of the rod apertures; wherein each extension rod comprises a rod channel and two or more rod dimples/detents formed along the rod channel; and a latch that is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein when the latch is in the engaged position, a protrusion portion urges latch elements into the rod apertures a distance that seats the latch elements into the rod dimples/detents, and wherein when the latch is in the disengaged position, the protrusion portion allows the latch elements to retract from the rod dimples/detents and into the rod channels.