Modular Bolt Assembly With Floating Firing Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular firearms face challenges in safe and efficient reconfiguration for different calibers due to the risk of firing pin activation without the bolt head, leading to potential injury and damage, and existing solutions are cumbersome or expensive.
Innovation Solution
A self-aligning modular bolt assembly with a floating firing pin contained within the bolt head, which disconnects from the striker assembly when the bolt head is removed, preventing primer ignition unless properly assembled, utilizing tool-free mechanisms like threaded connections and sliding interlocks for easy reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a removable bolt head design is used to enable caliber reconfiguration, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but the risk of firing pin activation without bolt head increases safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component - the bolt head - that physically connects the firing pin to the primer. The firing pin cannot contact the primer without the bolt head being in place, as the bolt head's structure blocks this path. This intermediary prevents harmful activation while allowing caliber reconfiguration through bolt head removal and replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt assembly is segmented into separable components: bolt body, bolt head, and firing pin. The bolt head can be removed independently to change calibers, while the firing pin remains contained within the bolt body. This segmentation allows adaptability without compromising safety, as the firing pin is isolated when the bolt head is absent.
2Reliability
If multiple caliber-specific bolt assemblies are provided, then reliability and safety are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt body is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple bolt heads of different calibers. The standardized interface between bolt body and bolt head allows a single bolt body to serve multiple functions across different caliber configurations, reducing the need for multiple complete bolt assemblies while maintaining safety and reliability.
3Ease of operation
If tool-free reconfiguration mechanisms are used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt head and bolt body feature asymmetric geometric features including keyed interfaces and tapered surfaces. These asymmetric elements provide self-alignment during assembly, guiding the bolt head into the correct position on the bolt body without requiring external alignment tools. The asymmetric design ensures proper orientation while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reconfiguration mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-locking. The geometric features of the bolt head and bolt body automatically guide and secure the assembly without requiring user intervention for alignment or specialized tools. The system serves itself by using its own structural features to ensure precise positioning during tool-free reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular bolt assembly may include a bolt body, a striker assembly, and one or more removable bolt, head having a floating fixing pin, The removable bolt head may have a cartridge engagement surface, a back end that removably mates with a bolt body, and a floating firing pin with a front end that contacts a cartridge primer, and a rear end that receives force from the striker assembly. Bolt heads may be included for different caliber cartridges, allowing the modular bolt assembly to be used with different types of ammunition, the floating firing pin prevents the striker assembly from directly contacting a chambered round without the bolt head, thereby preventing catastrophic failure during use if a boll head is not present and properly positioned.