Firearm Bolt Release Mechanism Single-Action Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bolt release mechanisms in firearms are susceptible to unintentional release due to accidental bumps or jarring, and often require users to actuate the bolt release twice to lock and unlock the breech.
Innovation Solution
A bolt release mechanism that engages positively to resist accidental release and allows the breech to be locked rearward with a single action, requiring only a short rearward pull of the bolt to automatically return to the closed position without needing a second manual release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bolt release mechanism uses a design that positively locks the bolt rearward, then the bolt is securely locked and resistant to accidental release, but the mechanism may require the user to actuate the bolt release twice - once to lock and another to release
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt release mechanism is designed to automatically return the bolt to the closed position after being actuated once to lock it rearward. The spring-loaded release mechanism self-acts to reclose the breech without requiring a second manual operation, making the system serve itself after the initial user action.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt release mechanism incorporates a spring-loaded system that provides dynamic behavior - the release is actuated once by the user, then automatically returns to its original position to reclose the breech. This dynamic spring action eliminates the need for a second static manual operation.
2Ease of operation
If a bolt release mechanism uses a design that allows easy manual operation, then the user can easily lock and unlock the breech, but the mechanism may be susceptible to unintentional release due to accidental bumps or jarring
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt release mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a user-actuated release lever and a spring-loaded return mechanism. This segmentation allows the user to easily actuate the release once, while the spring-loaded component provides automatic return and resistance to accidental release, separating the ease of operation function from the reliability function.
Data Source
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AI summary
A firearm with manually operated bolt release includes a receiver defining a longitudinally- extending cavity, a barrel, and a bolt slideably mounted in the receiver for reciprocating axial movement between a forward closed breech position in battery with the barrel and a rearward open breech position. A recoil spring biases the bolt forward towards the closed breech position. A manually actuated bolt release is pivotably mounted in the firearm and movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The bolt release includes a locking portion configured to selectively engage a locking recess formed on the bolt for holding the bolt in the open breech position, and disengage the locking recess for releasing the bolt to reclose the breech. In one embodiment, the bolt may be automatically disengaged from the bolt release by retracting the bolt a second time.