BOLT RETENTION SYSTEM

A firearm comprises a frame having a barrel and defining a passage registered with the barrel, with a bolt configured to reciprocate in the passage between a forward battery condition and a retracted condition. A latch that is movable between a retention position in which the bolt is prevented by the latch from moving from the retracted position to the battery position, and a release condition in which the bolt is prevented by the latch from moving from the retracted position to the battery position. The latch is biased to the retention position such that the bolt is retained in the retracted position after every shot; and an actuator connected to the latch and configured to move the latch to the release condition.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to modern sporting rifles.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

The modern sporting rifle is one of the most popular firearms being sold today. It is a very flexible platform that has applications such as hunting, self-defense, competition shooting, and more.

The modern sporting rifle is also heavily regulated by many federal and state governments. In its standard configuration, many state governments refer to it as an “assault weapon”, which is a designation that prevents purchase, sale, or transfer in applicable states.

A firearm comprises a frame having a barrel and defining a passage registered with the barrel, with a bolt configured to reciprocate in the passage between a forward battery condition and a retracted condition. A latch that is movable between a retention position in which the bolt is prevented by the latch from moving from the retracted position to the battery position, and a release condition in which the bolt is prevented by the latch from moving from the retracted position to the battery position. The latch is biased to the retention position such that the bolt is retained in the retracted position after every shot; and an actuator connected to the latch and configured to move the latch to the release condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The states that have “Assault Weapons Bans” often take a two-step approach to banning these rifles. First, they create a list of makes and models that are covered under the ban, and then they create a list of features that can be used to define “Assault Weapons”. These features often include, but are not limited to:A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and at least one of the following additional features:(1) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;(2) a thumbhole stock;(3) a folding or telescoping stock;(4) a grenade or flare launcher;(5) a flash suppressor; or(6) a forward pistol grip;A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than ten rounds;A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches;A semiautomatic pistol that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following: 1) a threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer; 2) a second handgrip; 3) a shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel allowing the bearer to fire the weapon without burning his or her hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel; or 4) the capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip;A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the capacity to accept more than ten rounds;A semiautomatic shotgun that has both a folding or telescoping stock, and a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, thumbhole stock, or vertical handgrip;A semiautomatic shotgun that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine;A shotgun with a revolving cylinder; orA semiautomatic centerfire firearm that is not technically a rifle, pistol, or shotgun, if it either has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, has an overall length of less than 30 inches, or does not have a fixed magazine but has at least one of the features associated with as sault weapons, as described above.

The Bolt Retention System (BRS) was designed to address such bans, and allow users to have banned features without being in violation of existing Assault Weapons bans. The BRS accomplishes this by converting a semiautomatic firearm into an interrupted-action firearm.

The BRS converts a semiautomatic firearm into an interrupted-action firearm by interrupting the semiautomatic firing cycle before a new cartridge is chambered and requires the user to manually load the new cartridge by interfacing with the BRS. It interrupts the firing cycle by physically stopping the bolt or breech face from chambering a cartridge. The BRS requires the user to act upon the interface in order to release the bolt or breech face, chamber the cartridge, and resume the firing cycle.

The BRS also prevents the user from defeating the device by way of a disconnector feature. Users cannot hold down the interface on the BRS to force semi-automatic functionality. An attempt to defeat the BRS causes the BRS to lock in place—at which point the user must release the pressure on the BRS from the bolt or breech face, and then interface with the BRS to release the bolt.

Where this operation meets the legal criteria, this change in the firearm's function prevents it from being able to be classified as an Assault Weapon.