Firearm bolt assembly with a pivoting handle

Firearms and bolt mechanisms are disclosed herein. The firearm can include a bolt assembly configured to provide leverage for extracting a cartridge. The bolt body can include a main cylindrical body, handle, and a pivot pin extending through a portion of the handle within the cylindrical body. The handle can be rotated relative to the main cylindrical body to push the bolt assembly along an internal passageway of the receiver.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to firearms. More specifically, the invention relates to firearms with bolt assemblies with pivoting handles for assisting with cartridge extraction.

BACKGROUND

Manual bolt-action rifles have bolt mechanisms configured to load cartridges into a chamber for firing and to remove empty cartridge shells from the chamber for ejection. Conventional bolt mechanisms have bolt handles fixedly connected to bolt bodies. Spent cartridges often stick to sidewalls of the chamber due to expansion of the cartridge bodies due to pressure built up during firing. Unfortunately, this can often require relatively high extraction forces for dislodging the spent cartridge. A helical extraction cam is typically located at the aft end of the receiver for generating such high forces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present technology is generally directed to, for example, bolt action firearms, bolt mechanisms, receivers and/or receiver-bolt connections and interactions. Specific details of numerous embodiments of the technology are described below with reference toFIGS.1-34. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the technology can have other embodiments with additional elements and features, or the technology can have other embodiments without several of the features shown and described below with reference toFIGS.1-34. The terms “rearward”, “forward”, “proximal”, and “distal” are used to describe the illustrated embodiments and are used consistently with the description of non-limiting exemplary applications. The terms rearward/aft/proximal and forward/fore/distal are used in reference to the user's body when a user fires a firearm, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Overview

In some embodiments, a bolt mechanism can include a pivoting bolt handle that acts as a lever that enables extraction of a cartridge from a receiver with significant force. The rotation of a main bolt body can be limited to, for example, unlocking/locking the bolt mechanism. The bolt handle can be rotated (e.g., rotated in the rearward/proximal direction) to linearly drive the unlocked bolt mechanism along the receiver while a pinned-connection can prevent or limit moments applied by the bolt handle to a main bolt body. This offers a tremendous advantage over traditional bolt actions which relay on, for example, a helical extraction cam along the receiver.

In some embodiments, a firearm assembly can include a receiver and a bolt mechanism. The receiver can have one or more receiver shoulders. The bolt mechanism can include a bolt body, a handle, and a handle pin rotatably coupling the handle to another component of the bolt mechanism. The handle can be rotated to lever the bolt body along the receiver. The pinned connection can substantially prevent or limit bolt body rotation, such as off-axis rotation. This allows the bolt mechanism to be pushed along the receiver while maintaining bolt body alignment. In one embodiment, the handle pin pivotally connects the handle to a central region (e.g., a region along a mid-sagittal plane or a center plane) of the bolt body. When the handle is rotated, a handle shoulder can push against the receiver shoulder facing the bolt body. The rotating handle applies a force to the handle pin in the opposite direction as the force applied to the receiver shoulder. This causes the displacement of the bolt body along a passageway of the receiver. In some embodiments, the pinned-connection limits, reduces, or substantially prevents lateral movement of the bolt body (e.g., off axis rotation) due to the handle leveraging the bolt mechanism rearwardly. To unlock the bolt mechanism, the handle is rotated about a longitudinal axis of the bolt body to rotate the bolt mechanism from a locked to unlocked position. The handle can be rotated about a handle axis of rotation (e.g., an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bolt mechanism) to drive the bolt body in the aft direction relative to the receiver.

In some embodiments, a bolt mechanism has a pivoting handle with an arm and a handle shoulder. The handle shoulder is positionable to contact a receiver shoulder such that a bolt body is leveraged rearwardly by rotating the handle with respect to the bolt body. The bolt body can be driven rearwardly to extract at least a portion of a cartridge from a firing chamber. In certain embodiments, the arm and shoulder are positioned on opposing lateral sides of the bolt body. For example, the handle shoulder and the arm can protrude from diametrically opposed positions along the bolt body. The bolt body can be a generally cylindrical, hollow tube surrounding at least a portion of the handle and/or handle pin. In certain embodiments, the handle can have a main body located between the arm and the handle shoulder. The main body can include a pin opening through which the handle pin extends and a firing pin assembly passageway. The handle can have a one-piece or multi-piece construction and can be made, in whole or in part, of metal, rigid plastic, composite materials, or other suitable rigid material.

In further embodiments, a firearm has a bolt assembly with a pivoting bolt handle used for spent cartridge extraction, and a cocking mechanism that is located behind the bolt handle pivot. A firing pin passes through a pin, which pivotally couples the handle to a main body.

In yet further embodiments, a bolt assembly for a bolt action rifle has a pivoting handle attached to a main bolt body by a pivot pin. The pivot pin passes through an approximately cylindrical body of the bolt. A firing pin assembly passes through the bolt handle.

In further embodiments, a bolt assembly for a bolt action rifle can have a pivoting handle with a short portion and a long portion. The short portion protrudes from the side of the bolt opposite the long portion of the handle. The short portion is configured to contact the receiver so that the bolt assembly can be levered in a proximal or rearward direction in order to extract at least a portion of a cartridge from a chamber. In some embodiments, the short portion can include a shoulder having a contact surface that lies along an imaginary plane generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bolt assembly. When the handle is rotated relative to the body of the bolt assembly, the shoulder can press against the receiver to drive the main body of the bolt assembly along the receiver in the rearward direction. In one embodiment, the main body of the bolt is pivotally connected to the handle such that substantially no movements, attributable to the pivoting handle, are applied to the main body when the handle is pivoted to displace the main body along the receiver.

In some embodiments, a bolt mechanism for a bolt action rifle includes a main bolt body configured to move along a passageway of a receiver and a handle. The handle is rotatably coupled to the main bolt body such that rotation of the handle relative to the main bolt body produces an extraction force with a line of action extending along the passageway. The line of action can be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the main bolt body. The main bolt body can be kept aligned with the passageway of the receiver while the handle pushes against an internal wall of the receiver to leverage the bolt mechanism away from a firing chamber.

FIG.1is an isometric view of a firearm100in accordance with one or more embodiments. The firearm100can include a bolt assembly or mechanism110(“bolt mechanism110”), a barrel120, a receiver130, a grip136, and a stock assembly138. The bolt mechanism110can be used to load a cartridge into a firing chamber and can hold a shell (or casing) of a cartridge during firing. The bolt mechanism110is configured to leverage spent shells from the chamber. For example, mechanical advantage provided by the bolt mechanism110can help dislodge an expanded shell from the chamber of the firearm, even if the shell has been expanded a significant amount during the firing process. The firearm100can be repeatedly loaded, discharged, and unloaded using minimal user-applied forces. In operation, after firing the projectile, the bolt mechanism110can be unlocked by vertically rotating a bolt handle112(“handle112”) from a lowered forward locked position (illustrated inFIG.1) to a raised forward unlocked position. After unlocking the bolt mechanism110, the handle112can then be rearwardly rotated to dislodge the spent cartridge. A pinned-connection can prevent or limit moments applied by the handle112to a main bolt body. After dislodging the spent cartridge, the handle112can be pulled rearwardly to slide the bolt mechanism110rearwardly along the receiver130until the spent cartridge is ejected via an ejection port142(seeFIGS.14,15, and16). After expelling the cartridge, the bolt mechanism110can be returned to the forward lowered position to reload the firearm100.

FIG.2is a top plan view of the unlocked bolt mechanism110after the handle112has been moved from a forward locked position (FIG.1) to an unlocked position in accordance with one embodiment.FIG.2Ais a detailed view of a handle shoulder170contacting an internal receiver shoulder180(illustrated in phantom line) of the receiver130. Referring now toFIG.2, the bolt mechanism110can include a cylindrical bolt body150, a lug152, and a handle pin160. The handle112extends through the bolt body150and has an elongated arm164(“arm164”) and a handle shoulder170. The handle shoulder170and the arm164are located on opposites sides of a longitudinal axis or midplane plane172of the bolt mechanism110. As the handle112pivots rearwardly (indicated by arrow182), the handle shoulder170contacts the stationary receiver shoulder180such that the handle112displaces the handle pin160and bolt body150rearwardly (indicated by arrow184). The handle pin160is freely rotatable relative to the bolt body150to minimize, reduce, or substantially prevent applied movements (e.g., moments about an axis of the handle pin160) from being applied to the bolt body150. This pinned connection ensures proper axial alignment of the bolt body150with an internal passageway of the receiver130.

Referring now toFIG.2A, an end181of the shoulder170can serve as a pivot point. When a user pulls rearwardly on the handle112, the end181can remain generally stationary with respect to a surface183of the receiver shoulder180. In other embodiments, the end181can have a rounded configuration for sliding along the surface183during handle rotation. The configuration of the shoulder171can be selected based on the configuration of the receiver and bolt body150.

FIG.3is a top plan view of the bolt mechanism110with the handle112in a rotated-rearward position after the bolt body150has been displaced rearwardly along the receiver.FIG.3Ais a detailed view of the shoulder170contacting the receiver shoulder180. As the handle112is rotated from the forward position (FIG.2) to the rotated-rearward position (FIG.3), the shoulder171can apply a force Fs(FIG.3A) to the shoulder180to produce an axial force FP applied to the pin160. The axial force FP is proportional to force applied to the handle112by the user. In some embodiments, the line of action of the force FP is generally aligned or collinear with the axis172(FIG.2) of the bolt body150. The direction of the axial force FP can be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis172of the bolt body150to limit frictional forces between the bolt mechanism110and the receiver. The mechanical advantage provided by this arrangement can be equal to or greater than about 2, about 5, about 10, about 15, or about 20 to overcome sticking of the cartridge case to the firing chamber wall. The configuration of the bolt mechanism110(e.g., length of the arm164) can be selected to achieve other mechanical advantages.

FIG.4is an exploded isometric view of the firearm100in accordance with an embodiment. An upper or action assembly192(“assembly192”) can include the bolt mechanism110and the receiver130. Components and operation of the assembly192are discussed in connection withFIGS.5-16.

FIG.5is an isometric view of the assembly192with the bolt mechanism110in the ready-to-fire locked configuration.FIG.6is a front view of the assembly192ofFIG.5.FIG.7is a cross-sectional view of the assembly192taken along line7-7ofFIG.6. Referring now toFIG.7, the bolt mechanism110extends forwardly through a passageway200of the receiver130. An extractor assembly153is configured to hold the rim of the cartridge210, illustrated in a firing chamber220. The lug152of a head229is held captively between a forward-facing shoulder228and the barrel120. A firing pin assembly230extends longitudinally through the bolt body150. In some embodiments, a striker screw232extends through an opening252of the handle112and a through-hole or opening254in the pin160. The opening252is large enough to allow rotation of the handle112relative to the striker screw232. The receiver130has a cam-less aft end to allow the bolt mechanism110to be translated proximally from the receiver130. For example, the bolt body150can be translated in the proximal direction while the bolt body150is substantially rotationally fixed (e.g., less than 5, 3, or 2 degrees of rotation) relative to the receiver130.

FIG.8is an isometric view of the assembly192with the bolt mechanism110in an unlocked configuration.FIG.9is a front view of the assembly192ofFIG.8.FIG.10is a cross-sectional view of the assembly192taken along line10-10ofFIG.9. Referring toFIGS.8-10, the handle112has been rotated upwardly about a longitudinal axis240(FIGS.8and10) of the bolt mechanism110. The arm164(FIG.10) can be generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis240. For example, a longitudinal axis242(FIG.10) of the arm164can be oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis240of the bolt mechanism110. Referring toFIG.10, the handle pin160defines the transverse axis of rotation243passing generally diametrically across the bolt mechanism110. The lug229has been moved away from the forward-facing shoulder228(FIG.7) to allow rearward movement of the bolt mechanism110.

FIG.11is an isometric view of the assembly192after the handle112has been rotated rearwardly to begin the cartridge case extraction process in accordance with one embodiment.FIG.12is a front view of the assembly192ofFIG.11.FIG.13is a cross-sectional view of the assembly192taken along line13-13ofFIG.12. As shown inFIG.13, the longitudinal axis242of the handle112has been rotated an angle α from an initial position244. The angle α can be equal to or greater than 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees, 40 degrees, 50 degrees, or any other angle selected based on the desired amount of handle movement. The handle shoulder170presses against the receiver shoulder180, as discussed in connection withFIGS.2and3, to drive the bolt mechanism110in the rearward direction to at least partially extract the spent cartridge210from the chamber220.FIG.13shows a gap270after the spent cartridge has been dislodged.

FIG.14is an isometric view of the assembly192with the bolt mechanism110in rearward position for discharging the spent cartridge210via the ejection port142.FIG.15is a front view of the assembly192ofFIG.14.FIG.16is a cross-sectional view of the assembly192taken along line16-16ofFIG.15. Referring now toFIG.16, the handle112can remain in the rotated position while the bolt mechanism110slides along the passageway200of the receiver130. To reload the firearm, the bolt mechanism110can be returned to the locked position discussed in connection withFIGS.5-7.

FIG.17is a front right-side isometric view of the assembly192in accordance with one or more embodiments.FIG.18is an exploded rear right-side isometric view of the assembly192. Referring now toFIG.18, the bolt mechanism110can be inserted into a rearward portion281of the receiver130. The extractor assembly153can be moved along the passageway200until the arm164is aligned with a slotted region310. The arm164can be moved distally along a longitudinal slot312, and once the arm164reaches a forward position against an abutment313, the handle112can be rotated vertically downward along a vertical slot314. Components of the bolt mechanism110in accordance with one embodiment are discussed in connection withFIGS.19-29. Another bolt mechanism is discussed in connection withFIGS.29-34.

Bolt Mechanisms

FIG.19is an isometric view of the bolt mechanism110in accordance with an embodiment.FIG.20is an exploded view of the bolt mechanism110. The bolt mechanism110can include the handle112, the bolt body150, the extractor assembly153, and a shroud350. The handle112can include a knob360fixedly or rotatably coupled to an end portion251of the arm164. The configuration of the arm164can be selected based on the desired gripping capabilities. The arm164and the shoulder170protrude from diametrically opposed sides of the bolt body150. The pin160extends transversely across the bolt body150and is located generally between the arm164and the shoulder170.

Referring toFIG.20, a striker screw lock413can be coupled to the striker screw232. A shroud350can be coupled to the bolt body150by a shroud locking pin420and spring430. A firing pin assembly230can include a striker bushing399, a striker spring402, a striker404, and the striker screw232. The striker screw232can extend through a cocking piece412, the shroud350, and the pin160. The configuration of the firing pin assembly230can be selected based on the configuration of the bolt mechanism110.

A bolt head member400can be connected to the bolt body150by a bolt head pin402. This arrangement may or can allow for rotation between the bolt head member400and bolt body150. Exemplary bolt heads, bolt head members, extractor assemblies, and connections are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,097,478 and 9,574,834, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. In some embodiments, the bolt head can be fixedly coupled to the bolt body150. For example, the bolt head member400can have one or more lugs and can be rotatably fixed to the bolt body150. The bolt body150can include a one-piece or multi-piece main cylindrical body configured to surround internal components. The configuration and functionality of the bolt head can be selected based on the desired interaction with receiver and/or the cartridge.

FIG.21is an isometric view of the bolt handle112in accordance with one embodiment.FIG.22is a plan view of the bolt handle112.FIG.23is a side view of the bolt handle112.FIG.24is a cross-sectional view of the bolt handle112taken along line24-24ofFIG.23. Referring now toFIG.21, the bolt handle112can include a main body450between the arm164and the shoulder170. The main body450can include the firing pin assembly opening252and the pivot pin opening254. The firing pin assembly opening252can be aligned with a firing pin passage in the bolt body (FIG.7) to allow the firing pin assembly to extend through the entire bolt assembly. In some embodiments, the pin opening254can intersect with the firing pin passage252to allow the handle pin160to extend past at least a portion of the firing pin assembly.

Referring now toFIG.22, the shoulder170can have a bearing surface470configured to bear against the receiver. The bearing surface470can be generally planar, curved, or have any configuration suitable for engaging the receiver. The length L of the shoulder170can be selected based on the dimensions of the shoulder of the receiver. In some embodiments, the length L is equal to or less than about 10 mm, 5 mm, 2 mm, or 1 mm. Other lengths L can be used.

Referring now toFIG.23, the firing pin passage252can have an elliptical cross section, circular cross section, or any other suitable cross section for allowing rotation of the handle112with respect to the firing pin assembly.FIG.24shows the passageway252having widened ends480,482. This allows the handle112to be rotated back and forth without damaging the striker screw.

FIG.25is a side view of the bolt mechanism110in accordance with an embodiment.FIG.26is a cross-sectional view of the bolt mechanism110taken along line26-26ofFIG.25. Referring now toFIG.26, the generally cylindrical bolt body150surrounds internal components of the firing pin assembly230. The bolt head400is rotatable relative to the striker404via the bolt head pin402. As the handle112rotates (indicated by arrow500), the internal components of the bolt mechanism110can remain generally stationary with respect to one another.

FIG.27is a side view of the bolt mechanism110in accordance with an embodiment.FIG.28is a cross-sectional view of the bolt mechanism110taken along line28-28ofFIG.27. As shown inFIGS.26and28, the striker screw232can be located at the opposite side of the widened ends480,482when the handle112is in an initial position (FIG.26) and the fully rotated position (FIG.28).

FIG.29is an isometric view of a bolt mechanism600in accordance with another embodiment. The bolt mechanism600can include a bolt body610and a handle612. The handle612includes an arm614and a shoulder616. The shoulder616protrudes from the bolt body610for contacting receiver so that the bolt body610can be levered rearwardly to extract cartridges from a chamber. A handle pivot620allows rotation of the handle612relative to other components of the bolt assembly600. The bolt mechanism600can further include a bolt shroud626, a cocking piece622, and a bolt head624.

FIG.30is an exploded view of the bolt mechanism600ofFIG.29. An extractor640can be adjacent to the bolt head624and can be configured to hold the rim of a cartridge. The bolt body610can house and surround a thrust washer642, a firing pin spring644, and other components. A spring retaining washer646and a spring retainer648can be received within the passageway of the bolt head member624. The pin620can extend through an opening660in the bolt body610. The opening660can be slightly larger than the pin620to prevent or limit frictional forces that would inhibit fore-aft rotation of the handle612. The bolt mechanism600can further include a striker pin674. The striker pin674can extend through the cocking piece672and an opening675in the pin620. The pin620can be positioned within an opening690in a main body700of the handle612. The striker pin674can extend through a striker pin passageway702of the main body700.

FIGS.31and32illustrate an assembly800that includes the bolt mechanism600and a receiver802. Referring now toFIG.31, the handle612is at a forward lowered position to lock the bolt mechanism600. The handle612can be rotated upwardly about an axis of rotation804that can be substantially aligned with or parallel to a longitudinal axis805of the bolt mechanism600.FIG.32shows the handle612in a forward raised position. As the handle612pivots, the shoulder (e.g., shoulder616ofFIG.29) can push against the receiver to utilize the mechanical advantage of leverage offered by the pivoting handle612. In this manner, the handle612forcefully extracts the cartridge640from the chamber. The handle612can be pulled rearwardly through a longitudinal slot820of the receiver802.

FIG.33shows the bolt mechanism600. The pin620can be rotatably fixed with respect to one or more other components, such as the bolt body610, striker pin674(FIG.30), or other components. The configuration of the firing pin assembly and other internal components can be selected based on desired bolt action. For example, the illustrated embodiment is configured for right-handed operation. In other embodiments, the handle612can be located on the opposite side for left-handed operation. Additionally, the handle612and the shoulder616are located on opposite sides of the bolt body610. This provides for a large mechanical advantage. In other embodiments, the shoulder616can be at other locations facing the receiver surface.

The embodiments, features, extractors, bolt mechanisms, methods and techniques described herein may, in some embodiments, be similar to and/or include any one or more of the embodiments, features, firing components, systems, devices, materials, methods and techniques described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,743,543; 8,572,885; application Ser. No. 13/771,021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/600,477; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/602,520. U.S. Pat. No. 7,743,543, U.S. Pat. No. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/771,021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/600,477; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/602,520 are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In addition, the embodiments, features, systems, devices, materials, methods and techniques described herein may, in certain embodiments, be applied to or used in connection with any one or more of the embodiments, firearms, features, systems, devices, materials, methods and techniques disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 7,743,543; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/600,477; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/602,520. The bolt mechanisms and other features disclosed herein can be incorporated into a wide range of different firearms (e.g., rifle, pistol, or other portable guns) to receive cartridges and removing empty cartridge shells. The following patents and applications are incorporated by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,743,543; 8,572,885; 9,097,478; 9,377,255. All patents, applications, and publications referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of at least some embodiments of the invention. Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include the plural or singular term, respectively. Unless the word “or” is associated with an express clause indicating that the word should be limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of two or more items, then the use of “or” in such a list shall be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a spring” refers to one or more springs, such as two or more springs, three or more springs, or four or more springs.