Hybrid Molded Firearm Assemblies with Metal Skeletons

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing firearms manufacturing processes are complex and costly due to the need for precise machining of multiple metallic components, which complicates the assembly of components like triggers, hammers, and disconnectors.

Innovation Solution

The development of hybrid molded assemblies for firearms, which combine a metal skeleton with a molded plastic or polymer portion, simplifying the manufacturing process by using stamped metallic parts co-molded with plastic or polymer to create critical interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple metallic components are machined or forged to ensure precise engagement, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecise engagementVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate metallic components into a single hybrid molded assembly by co-molding plastic portions onto a simplified metal skeleton. This merging reduces the number of discrete parts and assembly steps while maintaining precise engagement through the integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining metal skeleton with plastic molded portions to create a hybrid assembly. This allows the metal skeleton to provide structural precision and the plastic portions to provide complex geometries and interfaces, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple metallic components are machined or forged to ensure precise engagement, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecise engagementVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate metallic components into a single hybrid molded assembly by co-molding plastic portions onto a simplified metal skeleton. This merging reduces the number of discrete parts and assembly steps while maintaining precise engagement through the integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive machined or forged metallic components with a more cost-effective hybrid molded construction using simpler metal skeletons and plastic portions, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining functional precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple metallic components are used to ensure precise engagement, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the number of manufacturing processes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecise engagementVSAvoidnumber of processes

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate metallic components into a single hybrid molded assembly by co-molding plastic portions onto a simplified metal skeleton. This merging reduces the number of discrete parts and assembly steps while maintaining precise engagement through the integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12215942B2Hybrid molded firearm assemblies

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 UNDERWOOD JAMES MATTHEW

AI summary

A hybrid molded assembly includes a trigger comprising a trigger skeleton and a trigger molded portion that at least partially encompasses the trigger skeleton, a hammer comprising a hammer skeleton and a hammer molded portion that at least partially encompasses the hammer skeleton, and a disconnector comprising a disconnector skeleton and a disconnector molded portion that at least partially encompasses the disconnector skeleton.