Charging Slide Locking Mechanism for Foldable Firearms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable firearms lack an effective mechanism to securely lock in a folded position and maintain operational functionality, particularly in the charging process, which is essential for efficient storage and carrying.
Innovation Solution
A charging slide with a projection and grip mechanism that engages the bolt and locks the firearm in a folded position by interacting with the handguard, allowing the firearm to be compactly stored while maintaining operational readiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a foldable firearm is designed to decrease overall length for compact storage and carrying, then portability and storage efficiency are improved, but the firearm lacks an effective locking mechanism to prevent unwanted pivoting between folded and firing positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the charging slide mechanism with the folding lock mechanism into a single integrated component. The charging slide body includes a locking surface that engages with the handguard slot, merging the bolt charging function with the folding position lock function. This eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms while maintaining both portability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging slide is designed to perform multiple functions: it charges the bolt for operational readiness, locks the firearm in the folded position during transport, and provides a release mechanism for unfolding. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by making the same component serve both compact storage and secure locking purposes.
2Ease of operation
If a charging slide mechanism is added to a foldable firearm, then operational functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the charging slide with the folding lock mechanism, so that a single component performs both bolt charging and position locking. The charging slide body includes built-in engagement features that interact with the handguard slot, eliminating the need for additional separate mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging slide is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides operational charging capability and folding position locking. By making the charging mechanism universal for both functions, the patent avoids adding separate complexity while maintaining full operational functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the charging slide engages the bolt through a slot in the housing, then bolt accessibility is improved, but the structural complexity of the receiver assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the receiver assembly into modular components: the housing with its slot, the charging slide with its projection, and the bolt. The projection on the charging slide body engages through the housing slot to access the bolt, allowing independent design and manufacturing of each component while maintaining functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing slot acts as an intermediary element that allows the charging slide projection to access and engage the bolt without requiring direct exposure. This intermediate structure enables bolt accessibility while maintaining the integrity and simplicity of the receiver assembly housing.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging slide for carrying a bolt and latching a firearm in a folded position. The charging slide comprises a body, a projection, and a grip. The projection extends away from a first surface of the body along a first axis. The projection is configured to engage the bolt. The grip extends away from a first side of the body along a second axis oriented transversely to the first axis. The grip comprises a surface configured to engage an edge of a slot in a handguard of the firearm when the firearm is in the folded position. A receiver assembly and foldable firearm comprising the charging slide are also included.