Patent Publication Number: US-11041686-B2

Title: Electronic firing rifle assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/869,462, filed Jul. 1, 2019, the entirety of the same is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to electronic firearms, and, more particularly, relates to electronic firing rifle assemblies. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally, a Salvo rifle is a revolutionary departure from the known prior art. It combines well-proven technologies with a unique bolt and method of operation. Together the proven and new technologies result in a rifle with disruptive advantages in lethality and reliability. An important advantage is the ability to send multiple projectiles down range for a single perceived recoil of the firearm. In other words, “salvo firing.” It well known that using stacked projectiles inside the ammunition allows two or more projectiles to be fired for each perceived recoil of the firearm, i.e., salvo firings. This is well known to increase hit probability because projectile drop and gyroscopic drift will increase the impact area. This is especially true when firing upon fleeting targets. 
     The state of the art for current rifles is in a technological cul-de-sac. Conventional metallic cartridges and operating systems are approaching the outer limits of their capabilities and for many years, performance improvements have been incremental and have achieved diminishing returns. The Salvo rifle uses fewer and more robust parts than known prior art. There is no gas diversion, gas tube, piston or impingement of any kind. The result is that maintenance requirements will be less than known prior art. 
     Efforts to improve reliability, hit probability and functionality have all foundered. There is a demonstrated urgent requirement for improvements over current art. Prior attempts at producing a salvo capable weapon have failed for a variety of reasons. The Salvo rifle is the way out of this cul-de-sac. 
     Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides an electronic firing rifle assembly that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that provides a salvo rifle operable through electrical means to efficiently discharge a salvo of projectiles. The electronic firing rifle assembly includes a firearm receiver body that provides housing for internal action components, and is defined by an inner surface having cam slots. The assembly also includes a barrel subassembly having a barrel and a plurality of barrel guide cams extending radially within the cam slots formed in the firearm receiver body. The electronic firing rifle assembly also includes a reciprocating bolt defined by has an ammunition placement zone for retaining ammunition, such as a tround. The bolt houses a leaf spring that ejects the ammunition after discharge of projectiles. The bolt is defined by a cam track that allows the bolt to rotatably and longitudinally reciprocate along a bolt translation path in a helical path. 
     With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an electronic firing rifle assembly, such as a rifle salvo, which is operable to discharge multiple projectiles through electrical means. In some embodiments, the electronic firing rifle assembly comprises a firearm receiver body that is defined by an ejection port and with a sidewall defining an internal enclosed channel and a plurality of cam slots. The cam slots are independently defined and disposed on an inner surface of the sidewall of the firearm receiver body. At least one bolt cam follower protrudes from the inner surface of the sidewall for the firearm receiver body. 
     The firearm receiver body is also defined by a buttstock that houses electrical components for powering the discharge of the ammunition. For example, an electric current is used to ignite an ammunition ignitor, or propellant, which fires the ammunition. In one possible embodiment, the electrical components include a power source electrically coupled to an electronic controller and including an electronic trigger switch coupled thereto. 
     The assembly may also include a barrel subassembly coupled to the firearm receiver body, and having a barrel defining a barrel chamber and a plurality of barrel guide cams. The barrel guide cams are disposed on, and extend radially from an exterior surface thereof and at least partially within, respectively, the plurality of cam slots. In one embodiment, a bolt shield couples to the barrel and with a barrel face interposed between the bolt shield and the barrel. 
     In some embodiments, the assembly also comprises a bolt that works in conjunction with the firearm receiver body and the barrel subassembly. The bolt has an external surface that defines an ammunition placement zone for placing ammunition, such as a tround containing projectiles. The bolt is also defined by a cam track disposed and defined thereon. The at least one bolt cam follower that projects from the inner surface of the sidewall for the firearm receiver body is disposed within the cam track of the bolt. As the bolt is axially displaced during discharge and recoil, the bolt follows a recoil cam track path and a return cam track path. Each path follows a curvilinear shape different than one another. 
     As discussed above, the assembly is an electrical firearm. Thus, one or more electrical firing contacts are disposed proximal to the ammunition placement zone of the bolt, so as to be disposed on the external surface of the bolt. The electrical firing contacts actuate discharge of the assembly. And when discharged, the bolt is forcibly urged to rotatably and longitudinally translate along a bolt translation path defined by the at least one bolt cam follower disposed within the cam track of the bolt. 
     The bolt is thus, transposed between a firing position and a reloading position while following the bolt translation path. The firing position is configured, such that at least one of the electrical firing contacts is disposed on the external surface of the bolt, and the electrical firing contacts electrically coupled to the electronic controller and with the ammunition placement zone axially aligned with the barrel chamber. The reloading position is configured, such that at least one of the electrical firing contacts is disposed on the external surface of the bolt and the electrical firing contacts electrically uncoupled from the electronic controller. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, the bolt further comprises an ejector spring coupled thereto; and at least one ejector prong at least partially disposed within at least one prong hole defined by the bolt and having one end directly coupled to the ejector spring and another end operably configured to protrude into the ammunition placement zone with biasing force provided by the ejector spring. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, the ejector spring comprises a leaf spring. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, the ammunition placement zone is of a shape and size configured to contour and at least partially directly coupled to a piece of ammunition on at least two sides and at least one end of the piece of ammunition. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, the ammunition comprises an ammunition ignitor. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, the ammunition comprises a tround. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, the tround contains multiple projectiles. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, the cam slots are defined by the firearm receiver body are of a linear orientation; and the barrel guide cams are of a plate-like structure. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, the firing position of the bolt translation path includes the bolt shield superimposing the ammunition placement zone. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, the reloading position is oriented approximately 90° to 180° with respect to the firing position. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, the recoil cam track path orients the ammunition placement zone of the bolt to align with the ejection port of the firearm receiver body when in recoil. The track does not carry the chamber of the ejection port when it is returning to battery. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, the configuration of the bolt shield is C-shaped. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, the configuration of the barrel face is disc-shaped. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, further comprising a firing ignitor disposed at one end of the ammunition placement zone, the firing ignitor being in electrical communication with the electrical firing contacts, the firing ignitor further being selectively engaged with the ammunition when disposed in the ammunition placement zone. The firing ignitor is part of the ammunition, or tround. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, further comprising an electrical inlet and an electrical outlet formed at one end of the bolt, the electrical inlet and outlet being in communication with the electrical firing contacts. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, further comprising an electrical inlet and an electrical outlet formed in the bolt shield, the inlet and outlet being in communication with the electrical inlet and the electrical outlet formed at one end of the bolt. 
     In accordance with another feature of the electronic firing rifle assembly, further comprising a trigger subassembly coupled to the firearm receiver body, and operatively connected to the electrical firing contacts. 
     The preferred embodiment is to use electrical firing. However, a mechanical means of firing such as using a traditional hammer is an alternative. A preferred embodiment is to use multiple projectiles. However, single projectiles are also possible. A preferred embodiment is to use stacked or “telescoping” projectiles. However, multiple bores can be used as well to achieve the same result. The term “round” is defined as a triangular cartridge. See Dardick U.S. Pat. No. 3,434,380. This is the preferred embodiment. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a Electronic Firing Rifle Assembly, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
     Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale. 
     Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. Also, for purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof relate to the invention as oriented in the figures and is not to be construed as limiting any feature to be a particular orientation, as said orientation may be changed based on the user&#39;s perspective of the device. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the barrel subassembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary electronic firing rifle assembly, showing a salvo rifle, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevated side view of the electronic firing rifle assembly, showing a section buttstock with electrical components houses therein, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectioned side view of an exemplary firearm receiver body, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary bolt, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a transparent view of the bolt shown in  FIG. 4 , in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectioned side view of the bolt shown in  FIG. 4 , in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an exemplary ammunition in the shape of a tround, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectioned side view of the tround with projectiles housed therein, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an exemplary bolt, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an exemplary ammunition, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an exemplary barrel subassembly aligned with an exemplary bolt and ammunition, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the bolt rotatably and longitudinally sliding along a bolt translation path in a helical path, showing a firing position and a recoil position, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the bolt axially displaced during discharge and recoil, where the bolt follows a recoil cam track path and a return cam track path, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram of electrical components for the electrical salvo rifle, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the bolt being carried between a firing position and a reloading position, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a sectioned side view of the tround with projectiles housed therein, in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 17  is a frontal view of the tround, in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     The invention described herein provides an electronic firing rifle assembly that overcomes known disadvantages of those known devices and methods of this general type and that effectuates efficient and effective firing of an electronic firearm employing open chamber and/or triangular (or “tround”) technology. Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an electronic firing rifle assembly, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
     It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments herein are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for future claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. It is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale. 
     Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. 
     As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the barrel of the firearm, wherein “transverse” should be understood to mean a direction corresponding to a direction opposite of the longitudinal direction. The terms “program,” “software application,” and the like as used herein, are defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A “program,” “computer program,” or “software application” may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. 
     The attached figures are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. Moreover, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-17 , one embodiment depicting various components of the present invention is shown. A perspective view of an electronic firing rifle assembly  100  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The electronic firing rifle assembly  100 , hereafter “assembly  100 ” may be configured as an electrical salvo rifle  102 . An exemplary salvo rifle  102 , e.g., automatic rifle, seen in  FIG. 2 , along with other figures depicted herein, show several advantageous features of the present invention. But as will be described below, the salvo rifle  102  can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components. For this description, a rifle version of the assembly  100  is illustrated. However, in alternative embodiments, different variations of rifles and firearms may be used. 
     The electrical salvo rifle  102  is operable to simultaneously discharge one or more projectiles  800   a - n  from a piece of ammunition  310  through electrical actuation means. The use of a salvo firing mechanism improves reliability, hit probability, and functionality. Also, being electrical, an electrical current, rather than powder or primer, is used to ignite an ammunition ignitor  802 , so as to propel the ammunition  310 . The electrical means provides the advantage of reducing moving parts, since there is no gas diversion, gas tube, piston, or impingement of any kind. The result is that maintenance requirements will be less than known prior art. 
     Looking now at  FIG. 3 , the assembly  100  includes a firearm receiver body  104  that houses the internal action components of the salvo rifle  102 . The firearm receiver body  104  may be defined by a sidewall  108  having an inner surface  304 . The sidewall  108  may be rectangular or curved in shape. In some embodiments, the sidewall  108  of the firearm receiver body  104  defines an internal enclosed channel  300  and an ejection port  122  oriented towards the top end of the firearm receiver body  104 . The ejection port  122  provides an outlet for spent ammunition shells after discharge. 
     The inner surface of sidewall  108  also defines a plurality of cam slots  302   a ,  302   b ,  302   n  in the forestock of the firearm that are configured to receive a portion of the bolt shield  1102  (as best depicted in  FIG. 11 ) that is in front of the bolt  400 . In one possible embodiment, the cam slots  302   a - n  are of a linear orientation, extending along the longitudinal of the firearm receiver body  104  to the front of the firearm. The cam slots  302   a - n  may be independently defined and disposed on an inner surface  304  of the sidewall  108  of the firearm receiver body  104 . 
     As discussed below, the cam slots  302   a ,  302   b ,  302   n  help retain a barrel subassembly  110  in the firearm receiver body  104  during discharge and recoil of the rifle salvo  102 . Furthermore, at least one bolt cam follower  306  may protrude from the inner surface  304  of the sidewall  108 . In preferred embodiments, for stability, two bolt followers are utilized on opposing sides of the firearm receiver body  104 . As discussed below, the bolt cam follower  306  may of a pin-like structure that is inserted within and engages a cam track  406  in a bolt  400  to guide the bolt  400  along a bolt translation path during discharge and recoil of the rifle salvo  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the firearm receiver body  104  may include one or more components, including, but not limited to, the buttstock  110 , which may be disposed at the rear end of the salvo firearm  102 . The buttstock  110  may be sized and dimensioned to house various electrical components for igniting discharge of the ammunition  310 . In one possible embodiment, the electrical components include a power source  200  electrically coupled to an electronic controller  202  and including an electronic trigger switch  204  coupled thereto and housed within the firearm receiver body  104 . 
     Additional electrical components may include, without limitation, a power source  200 , a controller  202 , and a trigger switch  204 , a resistor, a wire, a circuitry, and a processor (see, e.g.,  FIG. 14 ). Other electrical components known in the art for operation of an electrical firearm may also be utilized. However, in other embodiments, the electrical components can be housed in a more forward position than the buttstock  100 , such as directly inside the firearm receiver body  104 . Data pertaining to the location and direction of projectile discharge is transmitted for identifying discharge locations and tracking. 
     As illustrated best in  FIG. 14 , a power source  200 , e.g., a battery, and all associated electronics may be enclosed within a sealed and protected casing that is inserted into the buttstock  110  of the Salvo rifle  102 , which is preferably embodied into a rifle. For example, MIL SPEC batteries that can fit into this space are able to generate a charge sufficient for several thousand firing cycles. For example, the rifle may employ the use of one or more salt lithium battery packs ranging from approximately 2-12V, and may have a range of rated capacities. One or more resistor(s) and/or capacitor(s) may also be utilized to ensure that a sufficient charge is available for even the most rapid fire. A controller  202  may also be operably configured to couple with and be electrically coupled to the one or more resistor(s) and/or capacitor(s) in sequence to ensure the rifle is always ready to fire. Said another way, the weapon is powered by a battery and supported by electronics on a circuit board. 
     Further, the rifle salvo  102  comprises a trigger subassembly  116  that is operatively coupled to the firearm receiver body  104  for actuating discharge of the ammunition  310  through finger action by an operator. The trigger subassembly  116  is operatively connected to multiple electrical firing contacts  500   a - b  that ignite the ammunition. For example, pulling on the trigger subassembly  116  actuates an electric current that ignites an ammunition ignitor  802 , or propellant, which fires the ammunition  310 . In yet other embodiments, a magazine  118  at the lower end of the firearm receiver body  104  retains the ammunition  310  until pickled up by the bolt  400 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 11 , the assembly  100  also includes a connected barrel subassembly  110  that couples to the firearm receiver body  104  through, for example, the plurality of barrel guide cams  1100   a - n , wherein “n” represents any number greater than one. In some embodiments, only one barrel cam guide may be utilized. The barrel subassembly  110  includes a barrel  112  through which one or more projectiles  800   a - n  for discharge during firing. The barrel subassembly  110  also includes a plurality of barrel guide cams  1100   a - n  that may be disposed on, and extend radially from an exterior surface thereof and at least partially within, respectively, the plurality of cam slots  302   a - n , which are in front of the bolt  400 . 
     Looking back at  FIG. 3 , the barrel subassembly  110  has a plurality of barrel guide cams  1100   a - n  on it which interact with the cam slots  302   a - n  on the forward part of an upper receiver of the firearm receiver body  104 . This guide cam-cam slot relationship is the means by which the barrel subassembly  110  can slide back-and-forth during discharge and recoil of the Salvo firearm  102 . In one possible embodiment, the plurality of barrel guide cams  1100   a - n  are of a plate-like structure. The plate-like structure is generally flat, so as to fit into the cam slots  302   a - n.    
     A bolt shield  1102  couples to the barrel  112 , which is preferably linear and enables discharging of the ammunition. The bolt shield  1102  serves as a barrier to protect the bolt  400  from contaminants and mechanical complications. In one non-limiting embodiment, the bolt shield  1102  is C-shaped. A barrel face  1104  is interposed between the bolt shield  1102  and the barrel  112 . The barrel face  1104  may restrict excessive recoil motion by the bolt  400  by blocking the recoil path after a predetermined path distance. In one non-limiting embodiment, the barrel face  1104  is disc-shaped. However, in other embodiments, different shapes and dimensions may be used. 
     The assembly  100  also comprises a reciprocating, rotating and/or linear-moving bolt  400  that works in conjunction with the firearm receiver body  104  and the barrel subassembly  110 .  FIGS. 4-5  depict a perspective and transparent view, respectively, of an exemplary bolt  400  employed with the Salvo rifle  102 . More specifically, the bolt  400  is uniquely configured to move back-and-forth linearly and rotationally during discharge and recoil action, so as to facilitate loading and unloading of ammunition  310  from the magazine at the lower end of the firearm receiver body  104 . This reciprocating motion follows a helical pathway between a firing position  314  and a reloading position  316 , described below. In one embodiment, the bolt  400  rotates approximately 90-180° during the discharge and recoil action. 
     The bolt  400  has an external surface  402  that forms an ammunition placement zone  404  for retaining and expelling ammunition  310  therefrom. In some embodiments, the ammunition placement zone  404  is of a shape and size configured to contour and at least partially directly coupled to a piece of ammunition  310  on at least two sides and at least one end of the piece of ammunition  310 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the ammunition placement zone  404  may have a V-shape, so as to accommodate a tround. 
     An exemplary tround is shown in  FIG. 8 . The tround is (triangular round, or tri-round), is a unique firearms cartridge for use in his open-chamber firearms. The tround is named for its convex triangular shape. The tround allows the firearm&#39;s chamber to be open on one side, removing the requirement for reciprocating motion when chambering and ejecting a cartridge. The bolt  400  aligned to receive such a V-shaped tround is shown in  FIG. 9 . The ammunition  310  is configured to contain multiple projectiles  800   a - n . The use of multiple projectiles retained inside a single tround is a component of the salvo-type firearm being used for the present invention. 
     As referenced in  FIG. 10 , the ammunition fitted into the ammunition placement zone  404  is a tround. In some embodiments, the tround contains multiple projectiles  800   a - n  sized to fit into the tround in a telescoping and/or adjacent arrangement and configuration. For example,  FIG. 16  illustrates a sectioned side view of the tround with projectiles  800   a - n  housed therein; and  FIG. 17  shows a frontal view of the tround. Being a Salvo rifle  102 , the projectiles  800   a - n  are configured to simultaneously disengage from the ammunition  310  during firing. This creates a Salvo effect that projects multiple projectiles at the same time during one round of fire. In some embodiments, a firing ignitor  410  is operable at one end of the ammunition placement zone  404 . The firing ignitor  410  is in electrical communication with the electrical firing contacts  500   a - b . The firing ignitor  410  is also selectively engaged with the ammunition  310  disposed in the ammunition placement zone  404 . 
     As  FIG. 8  shows, the ammunition  310  comprises an ammunition ignitor  802 , which serves as a propellant for the projectiles contained therein. In one embodiment, the firing ignitor  410  aligns with an ammunition ignitor  802  at the back end of the ammunition  310 . This allows an electrical current to ignite the firing ignitor  410 , which in turn ignites the ammunition  310  to propel the projectiles  800   a - n  through the barrel  112  of the barrel subassembly  110  during discharge of the electrical Salvo rifle  102 . 
     Using stacked projectiles  800   a - n  inside the ammunition  310  allows two or more projectiles to be fired for each perceived recoil of the firearm, i.e., Salvo firings. This is well known to increase hit probability because projectile drop and gyroscopic drift will increase the impact area. This is especially true when firing upon fleeting targets. In another embodiment, multiple barrels can be used with multiple projectiles arranged adjacent to each other in the tround as opposed to being stacked. Salvo firing also improve the suppressive fire effects. Multiple rounds impacting more accurately on target create a greater suppressive effect on an enemy than single shots or automatic but inaccurate fire. 
     Furthermore, extraction of the ammunition  310  from the ammunition placement zone  404  is also simplified, as the bolt  400  may use a very simple leaf spring and centrifugal force to eject spent projectiles  800   a - n  from the ammunition  310 . This is a much less failure prone method than the current art. For this purpose, the bolt  400  comprises an ejector spring  416  coupled thereto. In one non-limiting embodiment, the ejector spring  416  comprises a leaf spring. 
     As can be seen the sectioned side view of the bolt  400 , shown in  FIG. 6 , at least one ejector prong  504   a ,  504   b  is at least partially disposed within at least one prong hole  408   a ,  408   b  that form in the bolt  400 . The prong hole  408   a - b  have one end  506   a  directly coupled to the ejector spring  416  and another end  506   b  operably configured to protrude into the ammunition placement zone  404  with biasing force provided by the ejector spring  416 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the approximate centroid or center of mass of the bolt  400  may include an ejector spring  416 , e.g., a leaf spring, with two ejector prongs, e.g., prongs  504   a ,  504   b , operably configured to protrude into an ammunition placement zone defined by the bolt  400 . The one or more prongs  504   a - b  project through respective ejector prong holes  408   a ,  408   b  defined on the bolt  400  and into the ammunition placement zone  404  for assisting in ejecting spent projectiles  800   a - n  from the ammunition  310  and/or the ammunition shells. The spaced-apart disposition of the prongs  504   a - b  allows for greater flexibility for the ejector spring  416 . 
     The bolt  400  is also defined by a cam track  406  disposed and defined thereon. In  FIG. 12 , the bolt  400  is illustrated as rotatably and longitudinally sliding along a bolt translation path  312 , which may be helical and/or otherwise curvilinear, as the bolt cam follower  306  of the firearm receiver body  104  rides the cam track  406  of the bolt  400 . While following the bolt translation path  312 , the bolt  400 , through the cam track  406  engagement with the bolt cam follower  306 , is carried between a firing position  314  and a reloading position  316 , described below. 
     Looking now at  FIG. 13 , the at least one bolt cam follower  306  that projects from the inner surface  304  of the sidewall  108  for the firearm receiver body  104  is disposed within the cam track  406  of the bolt  400 . As the bolt  400  is axially displaced during discharge and recoil, the bolt  400  follows a recoil cam track path  1300  and a return cam track path  1302 . Each path  1300 ,  1302  follows a curvilinear shape different than one another. In one possible embodiment, the recoil cam track path  1300  orients the ammunition placement zone  404  of the bolt  400  to align with the ejection port  122  of the firearm receiver body  104 . 
     Various exemplary positions of the bolt  400 , with and without a piece of ammunition  310  retained and housed therein) along the bolt translation path can be specifically seen in  FIG. 15 . The bolt translation path may be reciprocating, i.e., operable to move back-and-forth from an end position to a start position and rotational. The bolt translation path may be inversely symmetrical or symmetrical. The bolt  400  may be operable to move in the longitudinal and rotational direction using a cam guide disposed within a cam guide of the bolt. Beneficially, however, the bolt  400  may be operable to return to the same position as it was before discharge, after discharge and recoil, and in a single rotational motion without stopping. In other potential embodiments, the bolt  400  may stop at a position of reloading (as best shown in  FIG. 12 , position  1200   c ), and then require user intervention to move the bolt back to the firing position. 
     In other embodiments, the bolt  400  may recoil longitudinally as is normal. However, unlike all other systems, the bolt  400  may rotate with respect to its longitudinal axis 180° during the recoil and return stroke (as best seen represented and depicted in  FIG. 12 ). The rotation may take place inside an interstitial space created by the bolt shield, bolt face, and receiver (wherein all of said components or other components of the firearm may be of a substantially rigid material, e.g., carbon steel, nickel, etc.). The longitudinal rotation is guided by a cam using separate cam tracks on both the recoil and return. The recoil may be compensated, in part, by using the mass of the barrel subassembly. The design allows different bolt and barrel assemblies to be used within the same receiver. 
     Said another way, the bolt  400  may be considered to be modular, in that it may change its mass depending on the desired ammunition. Said differently, different loads (ammunition) can be used within the same receiver and the mass of the barrel and bolt assemblies can be varied to accommodate the recoil forces. Further, a length of the barrel can also be altered. As such, there may be three (3) moving parts (barrel, bolt, ejector spring) compared to, for example, a fraction of parts in the AR-15 bolt assembly. As such, an open chamber bolt is disclosed that may move both rotationally and longitudinally. In one embodiment (as best shown in  FIGS. 11-12 ), the bolt shield  1102  includes a lower surface  1108  of a C-shape that superimposes the bolt entirely along the bolt translation path. 
     As discussed above, the assembly  100  is in essence, an electrical Salvo firearm. Thus, one or more electrical firing contacts  500   a ,  500   b  on the external surface of the bolt  400  are disposed proximal to the ammunition placement zone  404 . The electrical firing contacts  500   a - b  are operatively connected to the other electrical components, e.g., a battery  200 , controller  202 , trigger switch  204 , so as to actuate discharge of the assembly  100 . And when discharged, the bolt  400  is forcibly urged to rotatably and longitudinally translate along a bolt translation path  312  defined by the at least one bolt cam follower  306  disposed within the cam track  406  of the bolt  400 . 
     In one possible embodiment, an electrical inlet  412  and an electrical outlet  414  (or contacts  412 ,  414 ) are formed at one end of the bolt  400  to complete a circuit and/or otherwise transfer electrical current. The electrical inlet and outlet  412 ,  414  may be in electrical communication with the electrical firing contacts  500   a - b , as discussed below. In another embodiment, the assembly  100  provides an electrical inlet  1106   a  and an electrical outlet  1106   b  formed in the bolt shield  1102 . The inlet and outlet  1106   a - b  are in communication with the electrical inlet  412  and the electrical outlet  414  formed at one end of the bolt  400 . The electrical firing contacts  500   a - b  carry electrical current to the inlets  412 ,  1106   a  and outlets  414 ,  1106   b  for actuating discharge of the ammunition  310 . 
     An exemplary electrical schematic for the assembly  100  is depicted in  FIG. 14 . Exemplary supporting technology background and component structure, nomenclature, and interrelatedness can be found in Dardick, U.S. Pat. No. 3,503,300, Dardick, U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,892, Dardick, U.S. Pat. No. 3,041,939, Dardick, U.S. Pat. No. 3,434,380, Dardick, U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,931, Dardick et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,163,900, Dardick, U.S. Pat. No. 2,847,784, the entirety of the same are incorporated herein by reference. 
     While following the bolt translation path  312 , the bolt  400  is carried between a firing position  314  and a reloading position  316 . This reciprocating pathway occurs as the bolt cam follower  306  carries the cam track  406 . As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the bolt  400  rotates in both directions while being carried between a firing position  314  and a reloading position  316 . The firing position  314  is configured, such that at least one of the electrical firing contacts  500   a - b  is disposed on the external surface of the bolt  400 . The firing position  314  is also configured, such that the electrical firing contacts  500   a - b  are electrically coupled to the electronic controller  202  and with the ammunition placement zone  404  axially aligned with the barrel chamber  114 . 
     Said another way, the firing position  316  of the bolt translation path  312  includes the bolt shield  1102  superimposing the ammunition placement zone  404 . The bolt shield  1102 , thus, serves as a barrier to prevent the bolt  400  from recoiling beyond a predetermined point along the barrel subassembly  110 .  FIG. 15  shows an initial position  1500   a  in which the bolt  400  rests in the firing position with the ammunition initially oriented upwardly. As the discharge occurs, a position  1500   b  occurs, whereby the bolt rotates 45°, causing the ejector spring to expel the ammunition  310 . A final position  1500   c  shows the bolt fully turned over in anticipation for the reloading position  316 . 
     The bolt  400  also recoils to a reloading position  316 . The reloading position  316  is configured, such that at least one of the electrical firing contacts  500   a - b  is disposed on the external surface of the bolt  400  and the electrical firing contacts electrically uncoupled from the electronic controller  202 . Said another way, the reloading position  314  is oriented approximately 90° to 180°, with respect to the firing position  316 . Continuing with  FIG. 15 , the reloading position  316  finds the bolt  400  recoiling in an empty position  1502   a  ready to accept the ammunition from the magazine  118 . The next position  1502   b  illustrates the ammunition  310  entering the ammunition placement zone  304  of the bolt. A final position  1502   c  shows the new ammunition in place ready for firing again. 
     In some embodiments, the bolt  400  includes one or more electrical pathways  500   a - b  can also be seen depicted. The electrical pathways  500   a - b  provide channels where electrical connectors or connections may be established between a power source, e.g., battery, and other electrical components of the firearm, e.g., trigger switch, receiver contact, bolt shield contact, bolt contact. The battery may also be used to power ancillary items such as optics or laser sights. The rails on the receiver and fore stock can be connected to the battery for this purpose. Further, a hand powered generator can be incorporated into the pistol grip to create power as well. 
     The salvo rifle  102 , being electrical, generates an electric current to ignite a propellant, which fires multiple projectiles  800   a - n  from a single piece of ammunition  310 .  FIGS. 7 and 8  depicts a sectioned view and a perspective view, respectively, of an exemplary ammunition  310  employed with the salvo rifle  102 . The ammunition  310  can be a tround having a convex triangular shape, for example. The ammunition  310  may include one or more stacked and telescoped projectiles  800   a ,  800   b ,  800   n  housed therein for simultaneous discharge. 
     Said another way, an electrical charge is generated from the power source  200 , through the upper receiver  106 , to the bolt shield  1102 , to the bolt  400  and then finally to the ammunition  310 . The electrical input  701  and output  712  on the bolt shield  1102  is operably configured to align with an input  308  and an output  310  on the bolt  400  in a firing or static position along a bolt translation path. The bolt  400  may also include a reloading position along the bolt translation path. In the reloading position, the ammunition  310  can be discharged from the ammunition placement zone  304  and/or another piece of ammunition may be reloaded (this position may include the ejectment and reloading occurring simultaneously or after one another). More specifically, as seen in  FIG. 12 , the combined barrel  112 , barrel face  1104 , and bolt shield  1102  are used to seal (substantially watertight and/or hermetically) the open chamber of the bolt  400 . And the bolt  400  rotates under the bolt shield  1102 . Again, the mass of the barrel subassembly  110  to accommodate different ammunition types is effectuated while using the same firearm receiver. 
     Electric firing, as described herein, also has inherent accuracy advantages. Prior art has demonstrated that electrical firing reduces lock time by over 99%. This means that an electronically fired rifle will have the projectile leaving the muzzle at the same time that a simultaneously fired traditional rifle has the firing pin striking the primer. Further, reducing the mechanical linkages gives a commensurate reduction in mechanical kinetics which negatively impact accuracy. Barrel resonance is also reduced through use of the present invention. In this design the barrel has only a single attachment point. Known prior art has demonstrated that a single point of contact reduces barrel resonance which increases accuracy. Mechanical simplicity is also increased through use of the present invention, as the present invention includes a design vastly reducing the number of failure prone parts. 
     For example, the bolt group has only two (2) pieces, the bolt  400  and the ejector spring  416 . The trigger group also has similar advantages, as gas impingement is eliminated and there is no gas diversion which greatly reduces carbon build up and fouling. Additionally, there is more tolerance for debris. Further, the tround case, unlike brass casings, is flexible. This means that if debris is introduced into the chamber it is much less likely to cause a stoppage. There is also less likely to involve cook off, as the tround case acts as a heat sink. Before the heat generated from firing can be transmitted to the chamber the cartridge is ejected. This heat sink reduces heat build-up within the chamber. Slam fires are also eliminated through use of the present invention. The elimination of a firing pin eliminates slam fires. Trounds are also more reliable than current art, as trounds do not suffer from cartridge separation, stubbed cartridges, hard lock, dented casings, or double loads. 
     As such, the figures depict how a barrel subassembly  110  interacts with the bolt  400  to achieve unique firing results. A longitudinal rotational path is generated with the bolt and is guided by a cam using separate cam tracks on both the recoil and return (best seen in  FIG. 13 ). This causes the bolt to rotate and recoil at the same time in a “helical” fashion. The recoil is compensated by using the mass of the barrel subassembly, bolt and the buffer spring. 
     Said differently, the portion of the image to the right in  FIG. 13  depicts the open chamber with the two ejector prong ports. Beneath that are the input and output electrical contacts. The cam tracks are shown with arrows in opposing directions—a recoil path, and a return to battery path. The cam that acts upon it is located on the lower receiver  120  just to the rear and left of the ammunition feed point. The arrows at the bottom of the image show the cam track used in recoil. The track allows for a moment of rest after firing to ensure that the projectiles enter the barrel and gasses expelled prior to the turning motion. The arrows to the top of the image show the path for returning the system to battery. The straight part of the track allows the next cartridge to be stripped and properly seated in the chamber. Then the different pathway ensures that the cartridge is not placed directly over the ejection port preventing ejection. 
     The mass of the barrel can be altered to accommodate different ammunition. Additionally, the design allows different bolt and barrel assemblies to be used within the same receiver (See  FIG. 11 ). Thus, the user can change the ammunition type fired in seconds while still using the same rifle. Cartridges are fired by electrical ignition. The electrical path in the preferred embodiment is through the firearm receiver body  104 , bolt shield  1102 , bolt  400 , and to the ammunition  310 . However, there are a multitude of other pathways such as through the rear of the bolt  400  or the lower receiver  120 . Ejection may be partially or wholly effectuated through centrifugal force of the bolt and/or the ejector spring  416 . In another embodiment the positive air pressure created by displaced air during recoil is vented through the ports to cause ejection of the spent cartridge  600   a - n.    
     Through the entire operation the front of the bolt may be in continuous direct contact with the barrel face. As such, the bolt rotates inside a space created by the receiver, barrel face and bolt while the bolt may be in continuous contact with the face of the barrel. The cam system ensures that the bolt travels on a different path during recoil and return to battery. This ensures that only expended cartridges are ejected, while live trounds are retained in the ammunition placement zone  404 . 
     Some of the above-referenced figures and specifically  FIG. 12  show a specific and exemplary longitudinal rotation path of the bolt along the bolt translation path. However, two or more positions may occur in succession or may occur or be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted for the sake of brevity. The top drawing portion  1200   a  shows the bolt  400  in a battery position. Here, the bolt is underneath the bolt shield and forced by the buffer spring against the barrel face. The chamber is at the uppermost position. All electrical contacts are now aligned. 
     Continuing, the drawing portion  1200   b  shows the bolt  400  in recoil. The bolt retracts towards the buttstock  110 , but is still in the same position relative to the barrel subassembly  110 . The chamber is now turned to the ejection position. The third drawing portion  1200   c  shows the bolt  400  at full recoil. The fourth drawing portion  1200   d  shows the bolt  400  returning to battery. The chamber is now in a different position than the ejection position due to the differing cam tracks. As a result, the new piece of ammunition  310  will not eject as it is not over the ejection port  122 . The fifth drawing portion  1200   e  shows the bolt  400  returned to battery or ignition position. 
     Additional capabilities can be added beyond what is necessary for firing the weapon. For example, an accelerometer can be fitted. This would detect when the weapon was fired. That information may be stored locally on a non-transitory memory housed by the firearm or may be instantly and automatically transmitted to a headquarters communicatively coupled to the firearm using, for example, a network interface. The network interfaces may include one or more network interface cards (NIC) or a network controller. 
     In some embodiments, the network interface may include a personal area network (PAN) interface. The PAN interface may provide the capability for the firearm to communicate over a network using a short-range communication protocol, for example, a Bluetooth communication protocol. The PAN interface may permit the firearm to connect wirelessly to another electronic device via a peer-to-peer connection. In some embodiments, the network interface may also include a local area network (LAN) interface. The LAN interface may be, for example, an interface to a wireless LAN, such as a Wi-Fi network. The range of the LAN interface may generally exceed the range available via the PAN interface. Typically, a connection between two electronic devices via the LAN interface may involve communication through a network router or other intermediary device. 
     Additionally, the network interface may include the capability to connect to a wide area network (WAN) via a WAN interface. The WAN interface may permit a connection to, for example, a cellular mobile communications network. The WAN interface may include communications circuitry, such as an antenna coupled to a radio circuit having a transceiver for transmitting and receiving radio signals via the antenna from the firearm to another electronic device. The radio circuit may be configured to operate in a mobile communications network, including but not limited to global systems for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA, WCDMA, and the like. 
     The electronic device may also include a near field communication (NFC) interface. The NFC interface may allow for extremely close-range communication at relatively low data rates (e.g., 424 kb/s). The NFC interface may take place via magnetic field induction, allowing the NFC interface to communicate with other NFC interfaces located on other mobile computing devices or to retrieve information from tags having radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry. The NFC interface may enable initiation and/or facilitation of data transfer from the firearm to another computing device with an extremely close range (e.g. 4-25 centimeters). Such devices may be utilized to read the codes associated with RFID tags having information encoded therein to implement features of the present disclosure. 
     In this manner, the location of the action and the direction of the firing can also be transmitted. This would alert commanders that troops are in action instantly. Further, this information may allow commanders to identify blue-on-blue events earlier than would otherwise be possible. Also, supporting fires or orders to other units can be arranged at a faster tempo than in the past. 
     In conclusion, the electronic firing rifle assembly  100  includes an electrical salvo rifle  102  that is operable through electrical means to efficiently discharge a salvo of projectiles  800   a - n . The assembly  100  includes a firearm receiver body that provides housing for internal action components, and is defined by an inner surface having cam slots. The assembly  100  also includes a barrel subassembly having a barrel and a plurality of barrel guide cams  1100   a - n  extending radially within the cam slots formed in the firearm receiver body  104 . 
     Further, the assembly  100  also includes a reciprocating bolt  400  defined by has an ammunition placement zone  404  for retaining ammunition, such as a tround. A leaf spring ejects the ammunition after discharge of projectiles. The bolt  400  is defined by a cam track that allows the bolt to rotatably and longitudinally reciprocate along a bolt translation path in a helical path. Data pertaining to the location and direction of projectile discharge is transmitted for identifying discharge locations and tracking. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.