Patent Publication Number: US-11644269-B2

Title: Tool-free dust cover for firearms

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION(S) 
     The present disclosure is part of a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/702,878, filed 4 Dec. 2019, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/776,368, filed 6 Dec. 2018. The contents of aforementioned applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is generally related to firearms and, more particularly, to a tool-free dust cover for firearms. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Unless otherwise indicated herein, approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims listed below and are not admitted as prior art by inclusion in this section. 
     On firearms such as rifles, carbines and pistols based on the AR-15 platform, casings of spent rounds of ammunition cartridges are ejected out of a receiver portion of the firearm through an ejection port. To prevent dust and debris from entering the ejection port, an ejection port dust cover (herein interchangeably referred to as “dust cover” and “ejection port cover”) is typically provided to cover up the ejection port. However, when a user intends to remove or replace the dust cover (e.g., for cleaning or customization), a tool is usually needed since a conventional design of the dust cover utilizes a spring-loaded pin to securely couple the dust cover onto the receiver portion of the firearm. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. That is, the following summary is provided to introduce concepts, highlights, benefits and advantages of the novel and non-obvious techniques described herein. Select implementations are further described below in the detailed description. Thus, the following summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     An objective of the present disclosure is to provide innovative designs of a dust cover that can be mounted to and removed from a receiver portion (e.g., upper receiver) of a firearm (e.g., an AR-15 style firearm) without the need or use of a tool. Thus, a dust cover in accordance with the present disclosure may be considered a tool-free dust cover. 
     In one aspect, a device implementable on a firearm may include a dust cover as a monolithic piece having a plurality of components including a cover plate, a first connection portion, and a second connection portion. At least one of the first connection portion and the second connection portion of the dust cover may be elastically deformable to allow the dust cover to be pivotably coupled to a receiver portion of the firearm such that: (a) the first connection portion of the dust cover is received in a cavity of a first hinge knuckle on the receiver portion of the firearm next to a first long side of an ejection port of the receiver portion of the firearm, and (b) the second connection portion of the dust cover is received in a cavity of a second hinge knuckle on the receiver portion of the firearm next to the first long side of the ejection port. When the dust cover is in an open position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the cover plate may uncover the ejection port. When the dust cover is in a closed position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the cover plate may cover the ejection port. 
     In one aspect, a device implementable on a firearm may include a dust cover as a monolithic piece having a plurality of components including a cover plate, a first connection portion, a second connection portion, and a third connection portion. The dust cover may be pivotably coupled to a receiver portion of the firearm without any pin such that: (a) the first connection portion of the dust cover is received in a cavity of a first hinge knuckle on the receiver portion of the firearm next to a first long side of an ejection port of the receiver portion of the firearm, and (b) the second connection portion of the dust cover is received in a cavity of a second hinge knuckle on the receiver portion of the firearm next to the first long side of the ejection port. When the dust cover is in an open position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the cover plate may uncover the ejection port. When the dust cover is in a closed position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the cover plate may cover the ejection port. Moreover, when the dust cover is in the closed position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the third connection portion may latch onto a second long side of the ejection port opposite the first long side thereof. 
     In one aspect, an apparatus may include a firearm and a dust cover. The firearm may include a receiver portion having an ejection port. The dust cover may be a monolithic piece having a plurality of components including a cover plate, a first connection portion, and a second connection portion. At least one of the first connection portion and the second connection portion of the dust cover may be elastically deformable to allow the dust cover to be pivotably coupled to the receiver portion of the firearm such that: (a) the first connection portion of the dust cover is received in a cavity of a first hinge knuckle on the receiver portion of the firearm next to a first long side of the ejection port, and (b) the second connection portion of the dust cover is received in a cavity of a second hinge knuckle on the receiver portion of the firearm next to the first long side of the ejection port. When the dust cover is in an open position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the cover plate may uncover the ejection port. When the dust cover is in a closed position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the cover plate may cover the ejection port. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of the present disclosure. The drawings illustrate implementations of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. It is appreciable that the drawings are not necessarily in scale as some components may be shown to be out of proportion than the size in actual implementation in order to clearly illustrate the concept of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram of a display of various designs in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a diagram of a dust cover in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a diagram of a dust cover in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram of a dust cover in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED IMPLEMENTATIONS 
     Detailed embodiments and implementations of the claimed subject matters are disclosed herein. However, it shall be understood that the disclosed embodiments and implementations are merely illustrative of the claimed subject matters which may be embodied in various forms. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments and implementations set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments and implementations are provided so that description of the present disclosure is thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the description below, details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments and implementations. 
     OVERVIEW 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a display  100  of various designs in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. In display  100 , a conventional dust cover  10  as well as a dust cover  200 , a dust cover  300  and a dust cover  400  in accordance with the present disclosure are shown. Each of dust cover  10 ,  200 ,  300  and  400  may be pivotably mounted on or otherwise coupled to a receiver portion (e.g., upper receiver) of a firearm (e.g., AR-15 style firearm). In the example shown in  FIG.  1   , dust cover  10  may be pivotably mounted on or otherwise coupled to a receiver portion  50 , dust cover  200  may be pivotably mounted on or otherwise coupled to a receiver portion  250 , dust cover  300  may be pivotably mounted on or otherwise coupled to a receiver portion  350 , and dust cover  400  may be pivotably mounted on or otherwise coupled to a receiver portion  450 . When pivotably mounted on or otherwise coupled to the respective receiver portion of the firearm, each of dust covers  200 ,  300  and  400  may be pivoted between a closed position and an open position. Specifically, when each of dust covers  200 ,  300  and  400  is in the open position on the receiver portion of the firearm, each of dust covers  200 ,  300  and  400  may cover an ejection port of the receiver portion. Moreover, when each of dust covers  200 ,  300  and  400  is in the closed position on the receiver portion of the firearm, each of dust covers  200 ,  300  and  400  may uncover the ejection port of the receiver portion. 
     Illustrative Implementations 
       FIG.  2    illustrates dust cover  200  in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. Dust cover  200  may be a monolithic piece having a plurality of components including a cover plate  205 , a first connection portion  210  and a second connection portion  220 . At least one of the first connection portion  210  and the second connection portion  220  of dust cover  200  may be elastically deformable to allow dust cover  200  to be pivotably coupled to a receiver portion (e.g., receiver portion  250 ) of a firearm. In particular, the first connection portion  210  of dust cover  200  may be received in a cavity of a first hinge knuckle on receiver portion  250  next to a first long side of an ejection port of receiver portion  250 . Moreover, the second connection portion  220  of dust cover  200  may be received in a cavity of a second hinge knuckle on receiver portion  250  next to the first long side of the ejection port. Thus, when dust cover  200  is in an open position on receiver portion  250 , cover plate  205  may uncover the ejection port, and when dust cover  200  is in a closed position on receiver portion  250 , cover plate  205  may cover the ejection port. 
     In some implementations, the at least one of the first connection portion  210  and the second connection portion  220  that is elastically deformable may be separated from cover plate  205  by a gap which, when dust cover  200  is coupled to receiver portion  250 , extends radially from a dust cover pivotal axis around which dust cover  200  is pivotably coupled to receiver portion  250 . For instance, as shown in  FIG.  2   , the first connection portion  210  may be separated from cover plate  205  by a gap  215 . Gap  215  allows the first connection portion  210  to be temporarily and elastically deformed (e.g., pressed in a direction towards the second connection portion  220  such that a width of gap  215  is reduced), thereby temporarily reducing a dimension measured between the first connection portion  210  to the second connection portion  220 , such that a hinge joint on the first connection portion  210  and a hinge joint on the second connection portion  220  may be respectively received in a cavity of a first hinge knuckle on receiver portion  250  and a cavity of a second hinge knuckle on receiver portion  250  next to the ejection port to pivotably couple dust cover  200  to receiver portion  250 . 
     In some implementations, the plurality of components of dust cover  200  may also include a third connection portion  230 . When dust cover  200  is in the closed position on receiver portion  250 , the third connection portion  230  latches onto a second long side of the ejection port opposite the first long side thereof. For example, referring to  FIG.  2   , the third connection portion  230  may be elastically deformable to allow a protrusion or bump on the third connection portion  230  to latch onto the second long side of the ejection port. As the third connection portion  230  is elastically deformable and is an integral part of the monolithic piece of dust cover  200 , there is no need of external components, such as a plunger and spring, as in conventional designs. Advantageously, this can save both the cost and time in manufacturing. 
     In some implementations, dust cover  200  may be made of polymer. Alternatively, dust cover  200  may be made of metal. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates dust cover  300  in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. Dust cover  300  may be a monolithic piece having a plurality of components including a cover plate  305 , a first connection portion  310  and a second connection portion  320 . At least one of the first connection portion  310  and the second connection portion  320  of dust cover  300  may be elastically deformable to allow dust cover  300  to be pivotably coupled to a receiver portion (e.g., receiver portion  350 ) of a firearm. In particular, the first connection portion  310  of dust cover  300  may be received in a cavity of a first hinge knuckle on receiver portion  350  next to a first long side of an ejection port of receiver portion  350 . Moreover, the second connection portion  320  of dust cover  300  may be received in a cavity of a second hinge knuckle on receiver portion  350  next to the first long side of the ejection port. Thus, when dust cover  300  is in an open position on receiver portion  350 , cover plate  305  may uncover the ejection port, and when dust cover  300  is in a closed position on receiver portion  350 , cover plate  305  may cover the ejection port. 
     In some implementations, the at least one of the first connection portion  310  and the second connection portion  320  that is elastically deformable may be separated from cover plate  305  by a gap which, when dust cover  300  is coupled to receiver portion  350 , extends radially from a dust cover pivotal axis around which dust cover  300  is pivotably coupled to receiver portion  350 . For instance, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the first connection portion  310  may be separated from cover plate  305  by a gap  315 . Gap  315  allows the first connection portion  310  to be temporarily and elastically deformed (e.g., pressed in a direction towards the second connection portion  320  such that a width of gap  315  is reduced), thereby temporarily reducing a dimension measured between the first connection portion  310  to the second connection portion  320 , such that a hinge joint on the first connection portion  310  and a hinge joint on the second connection portion  320  may be respectively received in a cavity of a first hinge knuckle on receiver portion  350  and a cavity of a second hinge knuckle on receiver portion  350  next to the ejection port to pivotably couple dust cover  300  to receiver portion  350 . 
     In some implementations, the plurality of components of dust cover  300  may also include a third connection portion  330 . When dust cover  300  is in the closed position on receiver portion  350 , the third connection portion  330  latches onto a second long side of the ejection port opposite the first long side thereof. For example, referring to  FIG.  3   , the third connection portion  330  may be elastically deformable to allow a protrusion or bump on the third connection portion  330  to latch onto the second long side of the ejection port. As the third connection portion  330  is elastically deformable and is an integral part of the monolithic piece of dust cover  300 , there is no need of external components, such as a plunger and spring, as in conventional designs. Advantageously, this can save both the cost and time in manufacturing. 
     In some implementations, dust cover  300  may be made of polymer. Alternatively, dust cover  300  may be made of metal. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates dust cover  400  in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. Dust cover  400  may be a monolithic piece having a plurality of components including a cover plate  405 , a first connection portion  410  and a second connection portion  420 . At least one of the first connection portion  410  and the second connection portion  420  of dust cover  400  may be elastically deformable to allow dust cover  400  to be pivotably coupled to a receiver portion (e.g., receiver portion  450 ) of a firearm. In particular, the first connection portion  410  of dust cover  400  may be received in a cavity of a first hinge knuckle on receiver portion  450  next to a first long side of an ejection port of receiver portion  450 . Moreover, the second connection portion  420  of dust cover  400  may be received in a cavity of a second hinge knuckle on receiver portion  450  next to the first long side of the ejection port. Thus, when dust cover  400  is in an open position on receiver portion  450 , cover plate  405  may uncover the ejection port, and when dust cover  400  is in a closed position on receiver portion  450 , cover plate  405  may cover the ejection port. 
     In some implementations, the at least one of the first connection portion  410  and the second connection portion  420  that is elastically deformable may be separated from cover plate  405  by a gap which, when dust cover  400  is coupled to receiver portion  450 , extends radially from a dust cover pivotal axis around which dust cover  400  is pivotably coupled to receiver portion  450 . For instance, as shown in  FIG.  4   , the first connection portion  410  may be separated from cover plate  405  by a gap  415 , and the second connection portion  420  may be separate from cover plate  405  by a gap  425 . Gap  415  allows the first connection portion  410  to be temporarily and elastically deformed (e.g., pressed in a direction towards the second connection portion  420  such that a width of gap  415  is reduced), thereby temporarily reducing a dimension measured between the first connection portion  410  to the second connection portion  420 , such that a hinge joint on the first connection portion  410  and a hinge joint on the second connection portion  420  may be respectively received in a cavity of a first hinge knuckle on receiver portion  450  and a cavity of a second hinge knuckle on receiver portion  450  next to the ejection port to pivotably couple dust cover  400  to receiver portion  450 . Similarly, gap  425  allows the second connection portion  420  to be temporarily and elastically deformed (e.g., pressed in a direction towards the second connection portion  410  such that a width of gap  425  is reduced), thereby temporarily reducing a dimension measured between the first connection portion  410  to the second connection portion  420 , such that a hinge joint on the first connection portion  410  and a hinge joint on the second connection portion  420  may be respectively received in a cavity of a first hinge knuckle on receiver portion  450  and a cavity of a second hinge knuckle on receiver portion  450  next to the ejection port to pivotably couple dust cover  400  to receiver portion  450 . 
     In some implementations, the plurality of components of dust cover  400  may also include a third connection portion  430 . When dust cover  400  is in the closed position on receiver portion  450 , the third connection portion  430  latches onto a second long side of the ejection port opposite the first long side thereof. For example, referring to  FIG.  4   , the third connection portion  430  may be elastically deformable to allow a protrusion or bump on the third connection portion  430  to latch onto the second long side of the ejection port. As the third connection portion  430  is elastically deformable and is an integral part of the monolithic piece of dust cover  400 , there is no need of external components, such as a plunger and spring, as in conventional designs. Advantageously, this can save both the cost and time in manufacturing. 
     In some implementations, dust cover  400  may be made of polymer. Alternatively, dust cover  400  may be made of metal. 
     Feature Highlight 
     In view of the above, select features of various implementations in accordance with the present disclosure are highlighted below. 
     In one aspect, a device implementable on a firearm may include a dust cover as a monolithic piece that has a plurality of components including a cover plate, a first connection portion, and a second connection portion. At least one of the first connection portion and the second connection portion of the dust cover may be elastically deformable to allow the dust cover to be pivotably coupled to a receiver portion of the firearm such that: (a) the first connection portion of the dust cover is received in a cavity of a first hinge knuckle on the receiver portion of the firearm next to a first long side of the ejection port, and (b) the second connection portion of the dust cover is received in a cavity of a second hinge knuckle on the receiver portion of the firearm next to the first long side of the ejection port. When the dust cover is in an open position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the cover plate may uncover an ejection port of the receiver portion of the firearm. When the dust cover is in a closed position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the cover plate may cover the ejection port. 
     In some implementations, the at least one of the first connection portion and the second connection portion that is elastically deformable may be separated from the cover plate by a gap which, when the dust cover is coupled to the receiver portion of the firearm, extends radially from a dust cover pivotal axis around which the dust cover is pivotably coupled to the receiver portion of the firearm. 
     In some implementations, the plurality of components of the dust cover may further include a third connection portion. Accordingly, when the dust cover is in the closed position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the third connection portion may latch onto a second long side of the ejection port opposite the first long side thereof. 
     In some implementations, the third connection portion may be elastically deformable to allow a protrusion on the third connection portion to latch onto the second long side of the ejection port. 
     In some implementations, the dust cover may be made of polymer. 
     In some implementations, the dust cover may be made of metal. 
     In another aspect, a device implementable on a firearm may include a dust cover as a monolithic piece that has a plurality of components including a cover plate, a first connection portion, a second connection portion, and a third connection portion. The dust cover may be pivotably coupled to a receiver portion of the firearm without any pin such that: (a) the first connection portion of the dust cover is received in a cavity of a first hinge knuckle on the receiver portion of the firearm next to a first long side of the ejection port, and (b) the second connection portion of the dust cover is received in a cavity of a second hinge knuckle on the receiver portion of the firearm next to the first long side of the ejection port. When the dust cover is in an open position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the cover plate may uncover an ejection port of the receiver portion of the firearm. When the dust cover is in a closed position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the cover plate may cover the ejection port. Moreover, when the dust cover is in the closed position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the third connection portion may latch onto a second long side of the ejection port opposite the first long side thereof. 
     In some implementations, the third connection portion may be elastically deformable to allow a protrusion on the third connection portion to latch onto the second long side of the ejection port. 
     In some implementations, at least one of the first connection portion and the second connection portion of the dust cover may be elastically deformable to allow the dust cover to be pivotably coupled to a receiver portion of the firearm. 
     In some implementations, the at least one of the first connection portion and the second connection portion that is elastically deformable may be separated from the cover plate by a gap which, when the dust cover is coupled to the receiver portion of the firearm, extends radially from a dust cover pivotal axis around which the dust cover is pivotably coupled to the receiver portion of the firearm. 
     In some implementations, the dust cover may be made of polymer. 
     In some implementations, the dust cover may be made of metal. 
     In yet another aspect, an apparatus may include a firearm and a dust cover. The firearm may include a receiver portion having an ejection port. The dust cover may be a monolithic piece having a plurality of components including a cover plate, a first connection portion, and a second connection portion. At least one of the first connection portion and the second connection portion of the dust cover may be elastically deformable to allow the dust cover to be pivotably coupled to the receiver portion of the firearm such that: (a) the first connection portion of the dust cover is received in a cavity of a first hinge knuckle on the receiver portion of the firearm next to a first long side of the ejection port, and (b) the second connection portion of the dust cover is received in a cavity of a second hinge knuckle on the receiver portion of the firearm next to the first long side of the ejection port. When the dust cover is in an open position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the cover plate may uncover an ejection port of the receiver portion of the firearm. When the dust cover is in a closed position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the cover plate may cover the ejection port. 
     In some implementations, the at least one of the first connection portion and the second connection portion that is elastically deformable may be separated from the cover plate by a gap which, when the dust cover is coupled to the receiver portion of the firearm, extends radially from a dust cover pivotal axis around which the dust cover is pivotably coupled to the receiver portion of the firearm. 
     In some implementations, the plurality of components of the dust cover may further include a third connection portion. Accordingly, when the dust cover is in a closed position on the receiver portion of the firearm, the third connection portion may latch onto a second long side of the ejection port opposite the first long side thereof. 
     In some implementations, the third connection portion may be elastically deformable to allow a protrusion on the third connection portion to latch onto the second long side of the ejection port. 
     In some implementations, the dust cover may be made of polymer. 
     In some implementations, the dust cover may be made of metal. 
     In some implementations, the receiver portion may include a receiver based on an AR-15 platform. 
     In some implementations, the firearm may include a rifle, carbine or pistol based on an AR-15 platform. 
     Additional Notes 
     The herein-described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely examples, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components. 
     Further, with respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. 
     Moreover, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims, e.g., bodies of the appended claims, are generally intended as “open” terms, e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc. It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to implementations containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an,” e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more;” the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number, e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations. Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention, e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc. In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention, e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc. It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various implementations of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various implementations disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.