RIFLE VENTED UPPER RECEIVER
Methods for directing a casing are provided. The method can include firing a firearm. The firearm can comprise an upper receiver having a bore disposed therein. The bore can extend along a longitudinal axis of the upper receiver. The upper receiver can also include an ejection port disposed through a first side of the upper receiver. The upper receiver can also include a deflector extending from the upper receiver at a first end of the ejection port. The deflector can be designed to direct the casing in a forward direction.
Field
This invention relates to the general field of an upper receiver assembly for a firearm.
Description of the Related Art
Current firearms have many limitations that can potentially place a user at risk of harm. As an example, firearms are designed to direct an ejecting shell casing in a rearward or backward direction, which may result in the user or a bystander being contacted by the hot shell casing.
Many inventors have attempted to protect the shooter from ejected shell casings through the use of a shell deflector, as can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,406. Typical shell deflector designs deflect the ejected shell casing to the side or rear of the gun or shooter. However, the shell deflector designs in use today frequently fail to deflect the ejected shell casing away from the shooter in a dependable manner. A failure to reliably deflect the hot shell casing is especially harmful for left handed shooters where a non-properly deflected casing often hits them in the arms or face.
Additionally, certain components of a firearm, particularly rifles classified as semiautomatic rifles, can become hot when numerous rounds are fired in a short period of time. As a result, the firearm may become overheated and dangerous to continue firing. Also, the prior art contains components that are no longer necessary, but add to the weight of the firearm.
Accordingly, a need exists for a firearm that can eject a casing in a reliable matter and in a direction away from a user or bystander. A need also exists for a lighter firearm that is resistant to overheating.
A design and a method for using a firearm is provided. Referring to
The upper receiver 100 can include a main body having a bore 151 disposed therein, wherein the bore 151 extends along a longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 100. The bore 151 can define or otherwise be referred to as the inside or interior of the upper receiver 100.
An ejection port 111 can be disposed in the first side 101 or second side 103 of the upper receiver 100. The ejection port 111 can be an opening or window to the interior or bore 151 of the upper receiver 100. In other words, the ejection port 111 can traverse a wall of the upper receiver 100 and provide an opening perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 100. The ejection port 111 can be shaped such that a cartridge and/or a casing can fit through the ejection port 111 so that the cartridge and/or casing can be inserted into and/or removed from the interior of the upper receiver 100 through the ejection port 111. Accordingly, the ejection port 111 can have a generally elliptical or a generally rectangular shape. The ejection port 111 can be configured and/or sized to accommodate multiple sizes of cartridge and/or casing.
The deflector 123 can extend laterally and/or outwardly from the main body of the upper receiver 100. The deflector 123 can extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 100. One or more portions of the deflector 123 can be forged or cut from the same material as the main body of the upper receiver 100. In at least one embodiment, the deflector 123 can be a separate piece of material and the deflector 123 can be attached by any suitable means to the main body of the upper receiver 100. The deflector 123 can be positioned at or about the rear end 117, or first end, of the ejection port 111.
The deflector 123 can have four or more surfaces, five or more surfaces, six or more surfaces, seven or more surfaces, or eight or more surfaces. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 123 can have a first surface 125, which can also be referred to herein as the “contact surface,” a second surface 127, a third surface 129, a fourth surface 131, and a fifth surface 133. In one or more embodiments, the contact surface 125 can also be, or otherwise extend from, the rear end 117 of the ejection port 111. The contact surface 125 can be configured to have a concave shape and have the dimensions similar to or the same as the rear end 117 of the ejection port 111. In at least one embodiment, the contact surface 125 can have an elliptical shape having a radius greater than the radius of the elliptical shape of the ejection port 111. The contact surface 125 of the deflector 123 can be configured to deflect an ejecting or ejected cartridge or casing in a forward direction related to its longitudinal axis L. For example, the contact surface 125 can be configured to deflect an ejecting casing toward or in the general direction of the barrel connector 141.
The upper receiver 100 can include one or more vents 109, 113, 121. The vents 109, 113, 121 can include a hole or opening through the side(s) 101, 103 of the upper receiver 100. The vents 109, 113, 121 can provide air access to the inside or bore 151 of the upper receiver 100, which can provide cooling to the upper receiver 100 and any components located within the upper receiver 100 (e.g., a bolt carrier group). The vents 109, 113, 121 can enhance the usability and function of the upper receiver 100 as part of a firearm because the vents 109, 113, 121 reduce the overall weight of the upper receiver 100.
The upper receiver 100 can include one or more vents 113, 121 on the first side 101 of the upper receiver 100. One or more of these vents 113 (four are shown) can be positioned to the rear of or posterior to the deflector 123. The vents 113 located in the rear of the deflector 123 can be referred to herein as “posterior vents.” In one or more embodiments, the upper receiver 100 and the posterior vents 113 take the place of the forward assist mechanism typically found in semiautomatic rifles. Replacing a forward assist mechanism with vents 113 reduces the weight of the upper receiver 100 and provides more efficient cooling to the upper receiver 100 during use. The one or more vents 113 can be elongated in shape and can extend generally from about the top side 105 toward the bottom side 107 of the upper receiver 100. The upper receiver 100 can include one posterior vent, two posterior vents, three posterior vents, four posterior vents, five posterior vents, six posterior vents, seven posterior vents, eight posterior vents, nine posterior vents, ten posterior vents, eleven posterior vents, or twelve posterior vents on the first side 101 of the upper receiver 100.
In one or more embodiments, the upper receiver 100 can include one or more vents 121, or “subjacent vents,” below or subjacent to the ejection port 111 (eight are shown). The one or more subjacent vents can be located along the bottom of the first side 101 and/or the second side 103 of the upper receiver 100. The upper receiver 100 can include zero subjacent vents, one subjacent vent, two subjacent vents, three subjacent vents, four subjacent vents, five subjacent vents, six subjacent vents, seven subjacent vents, eight subjacent vents, nine subjacent vents, ten subjacent vents, eleven subjacent vents, twelve subjacent vents, thirteen subjacent vents, fourteen subjacent vents, fifteen subjacent vents, sixteen subjacent vents, seventeen subjacent vents, eighteen subjacent vents, nineteen subjacent vents, or twenty subjacent vents.
The upper receiver 100 can include one or more vents 109 (twelve are shown) one the second side 103 of the upper receiver 100. The one or more vents 109 can be elongated in shape and can extend generally from the top side 105 to the bottom side 107 of the upper receiver 100. The second side 103 of the upper receiver 100 can include zero vents, one vent, two vents, three vents, four vents, five vents, six vents, seven vents, eight vents, nine vents, ten vents, eleven vents, twelve vents, thirteen vents, fourteen vents, fifteen vents, sixteen vents, seventeen vents, eighteen vents, nineteen vents, or twenty vents.
The upper receiver 100 can be configured to attach to one or more additional components. For example, the upper receiver 100 can be configured to attach to a barrel, or rifle barrel, at or about the barrel connector 141. The barrel can be connected to the upper receiver 100 in such a way that a bore of the barrel aligns with the bore 151, or a portion of the bore 151, of the upper receiver 100. The top rail 149 can be configured to attach or otherwise connect to one or more rail attachments (not shown). For example, the top rail 149 can be configured to be attached to a scope, a light, a laser, and/or a handle. In one or more embodiments, the top rail 149 functions as an accessory mounting rail, widely known as a Picatinny rail or Weaver rail.
The one or more lower receiver connectors 143, 145 can include one or more takedown pins, and the takedown pins can secure a lower receiver to the upper receiver 100. The lower receiver can be attached to a butt stock and/or a pistol grip. A fire control group including any of a trigger, a selector/safety switch, and a bolt hold open device, can be coupled to the lower receiver. In one or more embodiments, any one or more component(s) of the fire control group can be coupled to the upper receiver 100. Additionally, a magazine well, a cartridge feeding device, and/or a belt feed device can be separately formed and connected to the upper receiver 100 or lower receiver.
When the firearm 900 is at rest (as shown in
The igniting powder causes a rapid build-up of pressure inside the cartridge until the pressure overcomes the press fit of the bullet in the cartridge. Once this pressure can be reached, the bullet can be expelled from the cartridge and projected down the barrel. As the bullet travels down the barrel, gas pressure can be trapped behind the bullet.
In one or more embodiments, once the bullet passes the gas port, part of this gas pressure can be allowed to escape through a gas tube and back to a bolt carrier key. In such an embodiment, the gas passes through the hollow bolt carrier key into the bolt. The high gas pressure inside the bolt causes the bolt carrier to be forced rearward. This action unlocks the bolt due to the bolt cam pin causing the bolt to turn inside the bolt carrier. As the bolt carrier group is driven rearward, it re-cocks the hammer for the next round. The bolt also carries the empty shell casing 1212 with it because the extractor has gripped the rim of the casing 1212. The ejector pin inside the bolt pushes forward on the casing 1212 on the left side, causing the casing 1221 to move to the right. A spring-loaded ejector can be located on the face of the bolt and the spring-loaded ejector can push in a rightward direction. With the casing 1212 held by the extractor on the right and being pushed at the left by the ejector, the casing 1212 can be ejected from the upper receiver 1210 once the casing 1212 has moved to the rear far enough that it can clear the ejection port 1211.
As the casing 1212 is ejected from the firearm 1200 through the ejection port 1211, the casing 1212 can rotate in a clockwise direction (as shown in
In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 15 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 30 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 40 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 45 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 50 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 60 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 75 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210.
In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 15 degrees to about 90 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 25 degrees to about 75 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 35 degrees to about 55 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 40 degrees to about 60 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 45 degrees to about 50 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210.
In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 0 degrees to about 20 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 5 degrees to about 20 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210. In one or more embodiments, the deflector 1123 can direct the casing 1212 along a path about 5 degrees to about 30 degrees from the longitudinal axis L of the upper receiver 1210.
A firearm equipped with the deflector described herein provides several benefits to the user. Primarily, by directing a casing in a forward direction, the user has a reduced risk of being struck by or otherwise coming into contact with a hot casing since the user is positioned to the rear of or otherwise behind the upper receiver of the firearm. These hot casings can cause serious burns if the casing comes into contact with a user's skin or clothing. The forward direction of the casing also prevents persons who may be standing next to the user from being struck or contacted by the hot casing. Therefore, the user and/or any bystanders will avoid the harm and destruction caused by casings directed in a rearward direction. Moreover, a left handed shooter will not be at risk of hot, ejected casing coming into contact with his/her body.
Certain embodiments and features have been described using a set of numerical upper limits and a set of numerical lower limits. It should be appreciated that ranges including the combination of any two values, e.g., the combination of any lower value with any upper value, the combination of any two lower values, and/or the combination of any two upper values are contemplated unless otherwise indicated. Certain lower limits, upper limits and ranges appear in one or more claims below. All numerical values are “about” or “approximately” the indicated value, and take into account experimental error and variations that would be expected by a person having ordinary skill in the art.
Various terms have been defined above. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined above, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in at least one printed publication or issued patent. Furthermore, all patents, test procedures, and other documents cited in this application are fully incorporated by reference to the extent such disclosure is not inconsistent with this application and for all jurisdictions in which such incorporation is permitted.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
Claims
1-3. (canceled)
4. An upper receiver, comprising:
- a bore extending along a longitudinal axis of the upper receiver;
- an ejection port disposed through a first side of the upper receiver; and
- one or more vents disposed through the first side of the upper receiver.
5. The upper receiver of claim 4, further comprising one or more vents disposed through a second side of the upper receiver.
6. The upper receiver of claim 5, wherein the one or more vents are elongated in shape and extend generally from a top side of the upper receiver toward a bottom side of the upper receiver.
7. The upper receiver of claim 5, wherein three or more vents are disposed through each of the first side and a second side of the upper receiver.
8. The upper receiver of claim 4, wherein at least one of the one or more vents is disposed behind the ejection port.
9. The upper receiver of claim 4, further comprising a deflector having a curved contact surface.
10. An upper receiver, comprising:
- a bore extending along a longitudinal axis of the upper receiver;
- an ejection port disposed through a first side of the upper receiver;
- a deflector having a curved contact surface; and
- one or more vents disposed through a first side and a second side of the upper receiver.
11. The upper receiver of claim 10, wherein the deflector extends from a section of the first side that is about three fourths the height of the first side of the upper receiver and wherein the deflector has five or more surfaces.
12. The upper receiver of claim 10, further comprising two lower receiver connectors configured to connect the upper receiver to a lower receiver, each having a takedown pin.
13. The upper receiver of claim 10, wherein at least one of the one or more vents is disposed through the first side behind the ejection port.
14. A method for directing a casing, comprising:
- firing a firearm, wherein the firearm comprises: an upper receiver having a bore disposed therein, wherein the bore extends along a longitudinal axis of the upper receiver; one or more vents disposed through the first side of the upper receiver; and an ejection port disposed through a first side of the upper receiver, wherein a deflector extends from the ejection port and directs a casing in a forward direction.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the deflector directs a casing forward along a path about 15 degrees to about 60 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the upper receiver.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the deflector directs a casing forward along a path about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the upper receiver.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the deflector directs a casing forward along a path about 45 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the upper receiver.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the deflector has a contact surface with an elliptical shape having a radius greater than the first end of the ejection port.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 9, 2016
Publication Date: Sep 14, 2017
Applicant: F-1 RESEARCH, LLC - PATENTS SERIES SPRING (SPRING, TX)
Inventor: STEVEN WALTER MORRIS (SPRING, TX)
Application Number: 15/065,182