Firearm Delay Mechanism Using Reciprocating Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic repeating firearms, such as M4 and M16 machine guns, have high firing rates that result in decreased accuracy and increased ammunition consumption, necessitating a mechanism to variable the firing rate.
Innovation Solution
A firearm mechanism comprising a hammer, auto-sear, and bolt carrier with a reciprocating weight that moves the striker to operate the auto-sear, providing a time delay in the firing cycle through a buffer cavity, allowing for adjustable firing rates by varying the weight's size, material, and configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high firing rate is used in automatic machine guns, then productivity is improved, but accuracy deteriorates and ammunition consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a delay mechanism that introduces a time delay between successive firing cycles. The weight moves through a buffer cavity during the rearward motion of the bolt carrier, creating a periodic interruption in the automatic firing cycle. This periodic action reduces the overall firing rate while maintaining the automatic repeating function, thereby improving accuracy by allowing more time between shots.
2Productivity
If a high firing rate is used in automatic machine guns, then productivity is improved, but ammunition consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delay mechanism creates periodic interruptions in the firing cycle by requiring the weight to traverse the buffer cavity before the next shot can be fired. This periodic action effectively reduces the rate of ammunition consumption while preserving the automatic repeating capability of the firearm.
3Measurement precision
If a delay mechanism with a weight and buffer cavity is added, then firing rate is reduced and accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the delay function with the existing bolt carrier group by integrating the weight and buffer cavity into the rearward motion path of the bolt carrier. Rather than adding a completely separate delay mechanism, the invention combines the delay function with the existing cyclic operation of the bolt carrier, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving the desired firing rate reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight and buffer cavity serve multiple functions: they provide the time delay necessary to reduce firing rate, and they are integrated into the existing bolt carrier group which already performs cycling and locking functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing device complexity.
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 mechanism enables a firearm to fire more slowly than traditional automatic firearms, allowing for adjustable cycle rates and improved accuracy by introducing a time delay in the firing sequence, reducing ammunition consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The striker is biased to the first position by a biasing mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a reciprocating weight arranged to move the striker to the second position
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a firearm comprises a lower receiver, a bolt carrier and a weight. The lower receiver is arranged to support a hammer and an auto-sear. The bolt carrier comprises a body and a striker moveable with respect to the body between a first position and a second position. The body defines a first cavity adjacent the striker. A weight is positioned in the first cavity and arranged to move the striker to the second position, wherein the striker is arranged to operate the auto-sear.