AR-15 TYPE BULLPUP CONVERTED FIREARM AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY THEREOF
A bullpup assembly for converting an AR-15 type firearm having an AR-15 stock in unmodified assembly into a bullpup configuration. The bullpup assembly includes a frame body coupleable with the body of the firearm, the frame comprising a bullpup trigger, and the frame being configured to replace the AR-15 stock, and a trigger link coupled with the bullpup trigger and coupleable with a firearm trigger of the firearm, wherein actuation of the bullpup trigger actuates the firearm trigger via the trigger link.
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This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/513,744 filed on Aug. 1, 2011, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
Aspects of the present invention relate to AR-15 and similar type firearms, and more particularly an apparatus and method for converting AR-15 type firearms to bullpup configurations.
2. Background
Firearms with and without a bullpup configuration are well known for military and private use. Generally, conventional firearms include an elongated stock, also known as a buttstock, to which the barrel and firing mechanism are attached, that is held against one's shoulder when firing the gun. The stock provides a means for the shooter to firmly support the device and easily aim it. The stock also transmits recoil into the shooter's body.
Bullpups are firearm configurations in which the action is located behind the trigger group and alongside the shooter's face, so there is no wasted space for the stock as in conventional designs. This permits a shorter firearm length for the same barrel length for improved maneuverability, and reduces weight. Thus, firearm purchasers often prefer the bullpup configuration over the conventional configuration.
In the related art, firearms are generally manufactured to either have a conventional configuration or a bullpup configuration. Thus, one must decide whether to purchase a conventional or bullpup configuration, and converting an already manufactured conventional configuration firearm, in the related art, typically requires substantial reengineering by a professional gunsmith. Once converted, the bullpup configured firearm likewise is not easily converted back into a conventional configuration without substantial reengineering. Thus, there is a need in the art for an apparatus and method for converting a firearm from a conventional configuration to a bullpup configuration and converting back to a conventional configuration without substantially reengineering the firearm, such as by a professional gunsmith.
In particular, the AR-15 and similar type model firearms are generally manufactured with a conventional configuration. Thus, there is a need in the art for apparatuses and methods for converting conventional AR-15 type firearms to bullpup configurations and converting back to conventional configurations without substantially reengineering the firearm, such as by a professional gunsmith.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAspects of the present invention provide, among other things, features for reconfiguring a conventional AR-15 type firearm to a bullpup configuration.
Aspects of an example bullpup assembly include a bullpup frame securably engageable with a firearm. The bullpup frame includes a bullpup trigger and trigger link, wherein a first end of the trigger link is coupled to or otherwise interoperates with the bullpup trigger. The other end of the trigger link abuttably connects or otherwise interoperates with the original trigger of the firearm (also interchangeably referred to herein as the “firearm trigger”) so that actuation of the bullpup trigger actuates the firearm trigger.
Aspects of an example bullpup configured firearm in accordance with aspects of the present invention include a firearm body, a firearm barrel, a firearm trigger, a bullpup frame securably engageable with the firearm, and a shoulder butt portion securable to the firearm body. The bullpup frame includes or assembleably operates in conjunction with a bullpup trigger and trigger link, wherein a first end of the trigger link is coupled to or otherwise interoperates with the bullpup trigger. The other end of the trigger link abuts the trigger of the firearm so that actuation of the bullpup trigger actuates the firearm trigger.
Aspects of the present invention further provide methods for modifying a conventional AR-15 type firearm to a bullpup configuration. The method includes removing a stock and handle from a conventional configuration firearm and then securably engaging the bullpup frame to the disassembled firearm, such that actuation of a trigger of the lower bullpup frame actuates a trigger of the disassemble firearm. In addition, shoulder butt portion is secured to the firearm body.
Additional advantages and novel features of various aspects of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or upon learning by practice thereof.
In the drawings:
Aspects of the present invention include a bullpup assembly for an AR-15 type firearm, a bullpup configured AR-15 type firearm, and a method for converting a conventional AR-15 type firearm into a bullpup configured AR-15 type firearm.
The trigger link 106 may extend within the hollow body 110 of the bullpup frame 102, around the magazine 24 and/or magazine well, and operably engage the firearm trigger 22 via the firearm trigger engagement feature 104. Because the trigger link 106 operably engages the firearm trigger 22 on one end and is operably engaged with the bullpup trigger 108 on the other end, motion of the bullpup trigger 108 produces corresponding motion of the firearm trigger 22 via the trigger link 106, such as when the firearm is fired.
In assembly, in addition to the sight locking pin 31 being inserted through the pin receiving openings 120 to secure a portion of the bullpup frame to the firearm 50, the attachment screw receiving surface 32 is aligned with the opening for receiving a screw or other securing mechanism in the bullpup frame 102, and the securing mechanism 118 is engaged through the opening in the bullpup frame 102 and into the threaded opening in the screw receiving surface 32, in order to secure the bullpup frame to the firearm 50.
The bullpup frame may comprise any material suitable for use with a firearm. Of limited concern may be the heat produced within the barrel of a gun during firing. Thus, the material chosen for some portions of the bullpup frame may need to retain form and properties under high heat. In some variations, the frame or portions of the frame may comprise a hard plastic having a high melting point or a metal. Optionally, the bullpup frame may further comprise one or more heat shielding elements that may be located within the bullpup frame or that may be integral with one or both of these frames. Such heat shielding elements may comprise metal shielding, such as firearm grade aluminum, that is located within the bullpup frame at appropriate locations (e.g., near the barrel).
A method for assembling the modified firearm having a bullpup configuration will now be described. Starting with the conventional firearm 10 of
Next, the operator proceeds to attach the bullpup frame 102 (
After the above steps are taken, the bullpup configured AR-15 type firearm shown in
Example aspects have been described in accordance with the above advantages. It will be appreciated that these examples are merely illustrative of aspects of the invention. Many variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims
1. A bullpup assembly for converting an AR-15 type firearm having an AR-15 stock in unmodified assembly into a bullpup configuration, comprising:
- a frame body coupleable with the body of the firearm, the frame comprising a bullpup trigger, and the frame being configured to replace the AR-15 stock; and
- a trigger link coupled with the bullpup trigger and coupleable with a firearm trigger of the firearm,
- wherein actuation of the bullpup trigger actuates the firearm trigger via the trigger link.
2. The bullpup assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
- a shoulder butt coupleable with an end of the firearm.
3. The bullpup assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame body comprises openings coupleable with a sight locking pin of the firearm.
4. The bullpup assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame body comprises a handle adjacent to the bullpup trigger.
5. The bullpup assembly of claim 1, wherein the bullpup trigger is linearly coupled within the frame body via a coupling mechanism.
6. The bullpup assembly of claim 1, wherein the trigger link is configured to extend past a magazine of the firearm.
7. The bullpup assembly of claim 4, wherein the lower frame body further comprises a second handle.
8. The bullpup assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
- a firearm trigger engagement feature coupled to an end portion of the trigger link,
- wherein the firearm trigger engagement feature is configured to abut the firearm trigger.
9. The bullpup assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame body comprises an interior cavity, and wherein the trigger link is disposed within the interior cavity.
10. The bullpup assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame body comprises a trigger guard adjacent the bullpup trigger.
11. The bullpup assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame body further comprises a securing mechanism alignable with a receiving surface disposed at an end of the firearm.
12. The bullpup assembly of claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the frame body is configured to abut corresponding surface features of the firearm.
13. The bullpup assembly of claim 11, wherein the frame body is secured to the firearm when the securing mechanism is coupled to the receiving surface.
14. The bullpup assembly of claim 7, wherein the second handle is retractable by pivoting about a pivot point.
15. A method of converting an AR-15 type firearm into a bullpup configuration, the method comprising:
- removing a stock and a handle from the AR-15 type firearm;
- mating a lower portion of the firearm with a frame body, the frame body comprising a bullpup trigger and a trigger link coupled with the bullpup trigger; and
- coupling the trigger link with a trigger of the firearm such that actuation of the bullpup trigger actuates the firearm trigger via the trigger link.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the frame body further comprises a firearm trigger engagement feature coupled to an end portion of the trigger link, and wherein coupling the trigger link with the trigger of the firearm comprises abutting the firearm trigger engagement feature with the firearm trigger.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
- coupling a shoulder butt with an end of the firearm.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the frame body comprises openings,
- the method further comprising: securing the frame body to the firearm by mating a sight locking pin of the firearm with the openings.
19. The meth of claim 15, wherein the frame body further comprises a securing mechanism,
- the method further comprising: securing the frame body to the firearm by mating the securing mechanism to a receiving surface disposed at an end of the firearm.
20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- abutting an upper surface of the frame body with corresponding surface features of the firearm.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 25, 2012
Publication Date: Mar 20, 2014
Applicant: BALLISTA TACTICAL SYSTEMS INC. (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Inventor: Shawn JOHNSON (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Application Number: 13/558,264
International Classification: F41A 19/00 (20060101);