Firearm Receiver Assembly with Nested Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm receiver assemblies are not optimized for multiple materials, requiring labor-intensive construction and assembly techniques, which can lead to increased manufacturing and assembly costs, reduced comfort, and inefficiencies in energy distribution and vibration absorption.
Innovation Solution
A firearm receiver assembly comprising a receiver body with multiple cavities and a plurality of rails, where each rail is disposed in a cavity and includes at least one retaining feature, allowing for secure and irreversible installation, and enabling the use of multiple materials for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional single-material designs are used, then manufacturing and assembly processes are simpler, but energy distribution and vibration absorption are less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by integrating multiple rail components (front rail, rear sight rail, front sight rail) into the receiver body through injection molding. This allows different materials with complementary properties to be combined in a single hybrid structure, optimizing energy distribution and vibration absorption while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through automated processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing multiple rail components inside cavities of the receiver body. The front rail, rear sight rail, and front sight rail are each disposed within dedicated cavities in the receiver body, creating a nested configuration that optimizes space utilization and structural integrity while improving energy management.
2Ease of manufacture
If labor-intensive construction techniques are used, then assembly can be performed with traditional methods, but manufacturing and assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple manufacturing operations into a single injection molding process. The receiver body and multiple rail components are constructed together in one automated molding cycle, eliminating the need for separate machining, assembly, and fastening operations. This significantly reduces labor requirements and manufacturing costs while improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining features are designed to automatically secure the rail components within the receiver body during the injection molding process. The retaining feature on each rail engages with corresponding structures in the receiver body cavities, providing self-securing functionality that eliminates the need for additional fastening steps or manual assembly operations.
3Loss of time
If traditional assembly methods are used, then components can be assembled with simple techniques, but assembly time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rail components are pre-formed with integrated retaining features during the injection molding process. These retaining features are prepared in advance as part of the component manufacturing, enabling rapid assembly through simple insertion into the receiver body cavities without requiring additional fastening operations or complex assembly procedures.
4Weight of moving object
If conventional materials are used, then material selection is simpler, but weight reduction and safety improvements are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes composite materials comprising multiple polymers or polymer-metal combinations with different densities and mechanical properties. This enables strategic placement of lighter materials in non-critical areas to reduce overall weight while maintaining strength and safety in critical load-bearing regions, achieving weight optimization without compromising performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A firearm receiver assembly includes a receiver body with a plurality of cavities and a plurality of rails. Each of the plurality of rails is disposed in one of the plurality of cavities. Each of the plurality of rails includes at least one retaining feature for engaging the corresponding cavity.