Segmented Bolt Carrier for Compact AR-15 Buffer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current AR15 firearms with direct impingement gas systems require buffer tubes longer than 7-8 inches, making it impossible to fold the stock for compact carrying without rendering the firearm unsafe to fire after the first round, and existing shortening designs complicate disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A novel extremely short buffer system and bolt carrier design featuring a buffer tube and spring system with a pusher and bolt carrier assembly, where the bolt carrier head and tail travel in limited dimensions, allowing for compact configuration without compromising safety or disassembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the buffer tube is shortened to enable folding for compact carrying, then the weapon system length is reduced for portability, but the firearm becomes unsafe to fire after the first round
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt carrier is divided into two separate components: a bolt carrier head that houses the bolt assembly and a bolt carrier tail that engages with the buffer tube. This segmentation allows the bolt carrier head to travel a limited distance while the bolt carrier tail provides additional retraction space within the shortened buffer tube, enabling safe operation with a compact buffer tube length.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic coupling between the bolt carrier head and bolt carrier tail introduces a new dimension of movement control. The elastic element allows the bolt carrier head to travel a first dimension (limited linear travel) while the bolt carrier tail travels a second dimension (additional retraction), effectively distributing the required retraction distance across multiple components rather than relying solely on buffer tube length.
2Length of moving object
If the buffer tube is shortened to allow folding stock configuration, then the weapon system becomes more compact for carrying, but the direct impingement gas system cannot function properly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bolt carrier into head and tail portions with different travel characteristics, the system provides sufficient retraction space for the direct impingement gas system to function properly even within a shortened buffer tube. The bolt carrier head's limited travel ensures proper gas system operation while the overall compact configuration enables folding stock capability.
3Length of moving object
If existing shortening designs are implemented, then the buffer tube length is reduced, but disassembly of the firearm becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented bolt carrier design with separate head and tail components connected by elastic coupling maintains standard interface features that facilitate easy disassembly and reassembly. The modular construction allows for straightforward maintenance while achieving the shortened buffer tube length.
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
Enables safe operation and disassembly of the firearm while maintaining full-auto capability, even when the stock is folded, by providing the necessary compression length and retraction space without the need for extensive buffer tube length.
Implementation Method 1
a main spring (203)
Implementation Method 2
a buffer (202)...configured to be mounted on a rear end of a lower receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A device implementable in an AR-15 styled firearm includes a buffer tube and spring system and a bolt carrier assembly. The buffer tube and spring system is mounted on a lower receiver of the firearm and includes a pusher and a buffer tube which has a cavity that receives the pusher and the bolt carrier tail therein. The bolt carrier assembly includes a bolt carrier head and a bolt carrier tail connected to the pusher. The bolt carrier head includes a cavity that houses a bolt assembly of the firearm therein. The bolt carrier tail is elastically coupled to the bolt carrier head such that the bolt carrier head travels linearly at most by a first dimension, the bolt carrier tail travels linearly at most by a second dimension smaller than the first dimension, and the buffer travels linearly at most by a third dimension smaller than the second dimension.