Receiver Cover Closure Assembly for Repeatable Firearm Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm receiver covers, particularly on AK-47 platforms, suffer from manufacturing tolerances that compromise the secure and repeatable mounting of accessories due to movable covers, leading to inaccuracies and ergonomic issues.
Innovation Solution
A firearm receiver cover and closure assembly with a latch system that includes a latch button and opening with frusto-conical or tapered shapes, ensuring fixed and repeatable vertical and lateral positioning of the cover relative to the receiver without user adjustment, using a slideable latch mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If larger manufacturing tolerances are employed to reduce manufacturing cost and simplify construction, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the latch button and opening by introducing frusto-conical or tapered shapes. This allows the cover to self-center through geometric constraint rather than relying on tight manufacturing tolerances, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision.
2Ease of operation
If a movable cover is used to facilitate access for cleaning and service operations, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism with frusto-conical geometry provides self-centering functionality, automatically ensuring proper alignment of the cover with the receiver each time it is closed. This self-correcting mechanism maintains reliability while preserving the ease of operation benefits of a movable cover.
3Ease of operation
If a movable cover is used to provide access to underlying components, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frusto-conical and tapered geometric shapes create a self-centering effect through curved surfaces that guide the cover into proper alignment with the receiver. This geometric approach eliminates the need for high-precision manufacturing while ensuring repeatable positioning.
4Ease of manufacture
If the latch button and opening have simple cylindrical shapes, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the shape parameters of the latch button and opening from simple cylindrical forms to frusto-conical or tapered geometries. This shape change enables self-centering functionality that ensures reliable alignment while remaining manufacturable with standard tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
A firearm receiver cover and closure assembly that allows the cover to be moved between respective open and closed positions relative to an underlying receiver. The closure assembly includes a latch that defines a latch button that cooperates with a latch button opening formed in the cover. Cooperation of the latch with the receiver and the cooperation of the latch button with the latch opening formed in the cover provide fixed and repeatable vertical and lateral positioning of the cover relative to the underlying receiver, without adjustment or operation of a centering mechanism or structure, during each closing of the cover relative to the underlying receiver.