FIREARM BOTTOM METAL

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/645,519 filed May 10, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure pertains generally to firearms and firearm components. In particular aspects, the present disclosure pertains to repeating firearms including, but not limited to, rifles and shotguns. In certain aspects, the present disclosure pertains to firearms having a stock, a receiver, and a bottom metal.

Stocks often define one or more openings configured for receipt of the receiver, barrel, trigger assembly, and/or bottom metal assembly. For instance, the stock may define an upper opening for receipt of the receiver and barrel of the firearm, and the stock may define a lower opening (e.g., an inlet) for receipt of the bottom metal assembly.

Existing stocks are manufactured (e.g., cut) for either a bottom metal assembly configured to receive a detachable box magazine (DBM) or a bottom metal not configured to receive a detachable box magazine (e.g., a bottom metal with a hinged floor plate). Further, stocks are manufactured (e.g., cut) for either a short action or long action bottom metal assemblies. Accordingly, there is a lack of interchangeability between firearms having different styles and/or sizes of cartridge. For example, a stock for a bottom metal having a detachable box magazine may not be compatible as a substitute for stock manufactured for an ADL trigger guard or a bottom metal with a hinged floor plate, which does not have a detachable box magazine, or vice versa. Similarly, a bottom metal with a hinged floor plate may not be interchangeable with a bottom metal assembly for a detachable box magazine for a given firearm, or vice versa. Thus, there is a desire for improvement in this field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In existing firearms, a lower opening in the stock is often larger for a bottom metal assembly configured to receive a detachable box magazine (e.g., an M5 DBM inlet, a Hunter™ DBM or a Hawkins Precision™ M5 Oberndorf DBM inlet) as compared to a bottom metal assembly that is not configured to receive a detachable box magazine (e.g., a Remington Model 700 BDL inlet). For example, a lower opening in a stock configured to receive a short action caliber detachable box magazine bottom metal may have a width of more than 1 inch (25 mm). However, a lower opening in a stock configured to receive a hinged floor plate bottom metal for the same caliber may have a width of less than 1 inch (25 mm). As another example, a lower opening in a stock configured to receive a long action caliber detachable box magazine bottom metal may have a length of more than 4 inches (100 mm). However, a lower opening in a stock configured to receive a hinged floor plate bottom metal for the same caliber may have a length of less than 4 inches (100 mm).

In firearms wherein the bottom metal assembly is not configured to receive a detachable box magazine (e.g., a bottom metal with a hinged floor plate), the bottom metal assembly or the stock may define a bottom wall of the cartridge-receiving area of the firearm. In some instances, bottom metal assemblies may have a bottom wall (e.g., a hinged floorplate) configured to close the bottom of a cartridge-receiving area inside of the firearm. The bottom wall (e.g., hinged floorplate) may support a follower spring connected to a follower which is useful to advance cartridges vertically towards the action of the firearm.

The lower opening in the stock may be larger (e.g., longer) for a bottom metal assembly configured for a longer cartridge (e.g., a long action cartridge) as compared to a shorter cartridge (e.g., a short action cartridge). For example, the opening in the stock for large action cartridges may have a length greater than 3.5 inches, while the opening in the stock for short action cartridges may have a length of less than 3.5 inches. Long action cartridges may have an overall length over 3 inches, whereas short action cartridges have an overall length of up to about 3 inches (about 8 cm). Magnum length cartridges can have an overall length of over about 3.34 inches (about 8.48 cm). The table below lists various cartridges with the cartridge overall length and the action length.

		Cartridge	Cartridge
		Overall	Overall
		Length	Length
		(inches	(cm
Cartridge	Action Length	maximum)	maximum)

.22lr	Short Action	1	2.5
.22 WMR	Short Action	1.35	3.43
.17 HMR	Short Action	1.35	3.43
.22 Hornet	Short Action	1.72	4.37
.17 Hornet	Short Action	1.72	4.37
.17 WSM	Short Action	1.72	4.37
.222 Remington	Short Action	2.13	5.41
7.62 x 39 mm	Short Action	2.21	5.61
.350 Legend	Short Action	2.25	5.72
.450 Bushmaster	Short Action	2.26	5.74
.300 Blackout	Short Action	2.26	5.74
6.8 Remington SPC	Short Action	2.26	5.74
6.5 Grendel	Short Action	2.26	5.74
.22 Nosler	Short Action	2.26	5.74
.224 Valkyrie	Short Action	2.26	5.74
.223 / 5.56	Short Action	2.26	5.74
.204 Ruger	Short Action	2.26	5.74
.22-250	Short Action	2.35	5.97
6 mm BR	Short Action	2.44	6.20
.45-70 Govt	Short Action	2.55	6.48
.444 Marlin	Short Action	2.55	6.48
.30-30 Winchester	Short Action	2.55	6.48
.220 Swift	Short Action	2.68	6.81
.243 Winchester	Short Action	2.71	6.88
.338 Federal	Short Action	2.75	6.99
.308 Winchester	Short Action	2.8	7.1
7 mm-08 Remington	Short Action	2.8	7.1
.260 Remington	Short Action	2.8	7.1
6 mm Creedmoor	Short Action	2.8	7.1
6 mm Remington	Short Action	2.81	7.14
.300 Ruger (RCM)	Short Action	2.83	7.19
7 SAUM	Short Action	2.83	7.19
6.5 Creedmoor	Short Action	2.83	7.19
.22 Creedmoor	Short Action	2.83	7.19
7 WSM	Short Action	2.85	7.24
.325 WSM	Short Action	2.86	7.26
.300 WSM	Short Action	2.86	7.26
.270 WSM	Short Action	2.86	7.26
6.8 Western	Short Action	2.96	7.52
6.5 PRC	Short Action	2.96	7.52
7 mm Mauser	Long Action	3.07	7.80
.240 Weatherby	Long Action	3.1	7.9
Magnum
6.5 x 55 Swedish	Long Action	3.15	8.00
Mauser
.257 Weatherby	Long Action	3.21	8.15
Magnum
9.3 x 62 mm Mauser	Long Action	3.23	8.20
6.5-284 Norma Match	Long Action	3.23	8.20
7 mm Weatherby	Long Action	3.25	8.26
Magnum
.270 Weatherby	Long Action	3.25	8.26
Magnum
.25-06 Remington	Long Action	3.25	8.26
7 mm Rem Mag	Long Action	3.28	8.33
.280 Ackley Improved	Long Action	3.33	8.46
.280 Remington	Long Action	3.33	8.46
.458 Win Mag	Long Action/	3.34	8.48
	Magnum Action
.416 Ruger	Long Action	3.34	8.48
.375 Ruger	Long Action	3.34	8.48
.35 Whelen	Long Action	3.34	8.48
.33 Nosler	Long Action	3.34	8.48
.338 Win Mag	Long Action/	3.34	8.48
	Magnum Action
.30 Nosler	Long Action	3.34	8.48
.300 Winchester	Long Action/	3.34	8.48
Magnum	Magnum Action
.30-06 Springfield	Long Action	3.34	8.48
.28 Nosler	Long Action	3.34	8.48
.27 Nosler	Long Action	3.34	8.48
.270 Winchester	Long Action	3.34	8.48
.26 Nosler	Long Action	3.34	8.48
6.5 Weatherby RPM	Long Action	3.34	8.48
.264 Winchester	Long Action/	3.34	8.48
Magnum	Magnum Action
.300 Weatherby	Long Action/	3.56	9.04
Magnum	Magnum Action
7 STW	Magnum Action	3.59	9.12
.416 Remington	Magnum Action	3.6	9.1
Magnum
.375 H & H	Magnum Action	3.6	9.1
.338 RUM	Magnum Action	3.6	9.1
.340 Weatherby	Magnum Action	3.6	9.1
Magnum
.300 RUM	Magnum Action	3.6	9.1
6.5-300 Weatherby Mag	Magnum Action	3.6	9.1
.378 Weatherby	Magnum Action	3.65	9.27
Magnum
.338-378 Weatherby	Magnum Action	3.65	9.27
Mag
.338 Lapua Magnum	Magnum Action	3.68	9.35
.30-378 Weatherby Mag	Magnum Action	3.69	9.37
.300 PRC	Magnum Action	3.7	9.4
.416 Rigby	Magnum Action	3.75	9.53
.50 BMG	Magnum Action	5.45	13.8

Advantageously, the present disclosure provides bottom metal assemblies that are interchangeable for a given action or cartridge length. For example, the present disclosure provides bottom metal assemblies (e.g., bottom metal assemblies with a hinged floorplate and that are not configured for use with a detachable box magazine) that are interchangeable in firearms having a DBM bottom metal (i.e., a bottom metal configured for a detachable box magazine). Further, bottom metal assemblies of the present disclosure are configured to fit a stock manufactured (e.g., cut) for a DBM bottom metal, thus reducing the need for unique opening sizes and dimensions in stocks.

A firearm of the present disclosure has a forward (i.e., muzzle) end, a rearward end, an upper side, a lower side, a left side, and a right side. The firearm includes a barrel, a receiver, a, a trigger assembly, and a bottom metal assembly.

The barrel has a chamber end and a muzzle end. The chamber end of the barrel is attached to the receiver of the firearm and is configured to receive cartridges for firing.

The receiver at least partially contains and supports the action of the firearm, which includes a bolt that can be reciprocated to load cartridges into the chamber of the barrel and unload spent cartridges from the chamber. In some firearms the bolt is reciprocated by hand (e.g., by operation of a lever) from a forward position (e.g., closed breach) to a rearward position (e.g., open breach). In some firearms, such as auto-loading firearms, the bolt reciprocates automatically rearwardly in response to the firing of a cartridge in the chamber-such as in a gas-operated, piston operated, and/or direct block back operated firearms.

In many firearms, as the bolt moves forwardly towards the forward/closed position, a portion of the bolt (e.g., a lug) contacts a base end of a cartridge and pushes the cartridge forward so as to load the cartridge into the chamber of the barrel for firing. After the cartridge has been fired, reward movement of the bolt from the forward position towards the rearward position may extract the spent cartridge from the chamber of the barrel.

The stock is configured to support the receiver of the firearm and, preferably, allow a shooter to comfortably support the firearm during operation. The stock extends at least partially beneath the receiver. In many instances, the stock extends rearwardly of the receiver and defines a grip portion, a cheek comb, and a butt portion, The grip portion is configured for grasping by a hand of a shooter hand to support the firearm. Additionally, the grip portion can aid in retaining the hand of a shooter hand in relation to the firearm—e.g., such that a finger (e.g., the index finger) of the hand may reach and actuate a trigger of the firearm. The cheek comb is configured for contact with a cheek of the shooter, and the butt portion is configured to contact the body of a shooter so as to aid in stabilizing the firearm for aiming as well as transferring recoil of the firearm during firing to the body of the shooter. Some stocks may include an adjustable cheek comb and/or butt portion. In many instances, the stock has a portion that extends forwardly of the receiver (e.g., a foregrip).

The bottom metal assembly is positioned on a bottom side of the stock and has a portion extending at least partially into the stock. The stock has an upper opening for receipt of the receiver and barrel of the firearm and a lower opening (e.g., an inlet) for receipt of the bottom metal assembly.

Preferably, the bottom metal assembly sandwiches the stock between the bottom metal assembly and the receiver. For example, fasteners may extend between the bottom metal assembly and the receiver and pull the bottom metal assembly and the receiver towards one another with the stock positioned therebetween. Preferably, the fasteners extend through one or more openings in the stock.

The bottom metal assembly may include a bottom metal body, a hinged floorplate closing a bottom of a cartridge receiving area of the bottom metal, a follower, a follower spring positioned within the receiving area of the bottom metal body, a latch selectively retaining the hinged floorplate of the bottom metal assembly in a closed configuration, and an optional spacer positioned within the cartridge receiving area of the bottom metal body. Preferably the bottom metal assembly is not configured for the receipt of a detachable box magazine. Preferably the bottom metal body is a monolithic piece. Preferably, the bottom metal body comprises aluminum.

The bottom metal body has a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, a rear end and a forward end and a length extending along a direction from the rearward end to the forward end. The top side of the bottom metal body faces portions of the stock and or receiver when in the firearm assembly. The bottom side of the bottom metal body is opposite the top side and faces away from the stock of the firearm (e.g., faces downward during normal operation of the firearm) when positioned within the firearm. The rearward end of the bottom metal body is positioned further from the muzzle end of the barrel than the forward end of the bottom metal body.

The bottom metal body may comprise a reward portion defining an opening configured to allow access for a trigger on the firearm to project downwardly from within the stock of the firearm. In some instances, the bottom metal may define a trigger guard that extends substantially around the trigger. The trigger guard may be monolithic with the bottom metal body or may be a separate component attachable to the bottom metal body.

A forward portion is positioned forwardly of the rearward portion. The forward portion includes a first upwardly extending sidewall and a second upwardly extending sidewall on the top side of the bottom metal body. The first and second upwardly extending sidewalls each have a length, a height, and a thickness. The length of each of the first and second upwardly extending sidewalls is measured along the length of the bottom metal body. The height of each of the first and second upwardly extending sidewalls is measured along a direction extending from the bottom side to the top side of the bottom metal and orthogonal to the length of the bottom metal body. And, the thickness of each of the first and second upwardly extending sidewalls is measured between an inner surface, defining the cartridge receiving area, and an outer surface of each sidewall, respectively.

Between the first upwardly extending sidewall and the second upwardly extending sidewall is an area configured for the receipt of cartridges. This area is accessible from the top side of the bottom metal body between the first and second upwardly extending sidewalls. In embodiments disclosed herein, the area is also accessible through a bottom opening of the bottom metal body when the hinged floorplate is opened.

When assembled in the firearm, the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall of the forward portion of the bottom metal body extends into a bottom opening defined by the receiver. In some instances, the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall extends into the bottom opening along a portion of the length of the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall. In other instances, the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall extends into the bottom opening along the entirety of the length of the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall.

The bottom metal body may include a first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls. The first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls may extend along a direction transverse to the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall. For example, the first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls may extend orthogonal to the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall. Preferably, the first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls connect the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall.

The first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls preferably extend into the bottom opening defined by the receiver. The first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls may be positioned rearward of the cartridge receiving area and/or forward of the cartridge receiving area. When positioned rearward of the cartridge receiving area, the upwardly extending endwall preferably has a rearward-facing surface that faces and/or contacts a forward-facing surface of the receiver defining the bottom opening of the receiver. When positioned forward of the cartridge receiving area, the upwardly extending endwall preferably has a forward-facing surface that faces and/or contacts a rearward-facing surface of the receiver defining the bottom opening of the receiver.

Top ends of the first and second upwardly extending sidewalls and the first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls may each have an upward-facing surface. Preferably the upward-facing surfaces of the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewalls and/or first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls are preferably spaced from opposing downward-facing surfaces of the receiver. Advantageously, such an arrangement aids in transmitting all force between the bottom metal assembly and the receiver through the stock and fasteners extending between the bottom metal assembly and the receiver.

The wall thickness of the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewall and/or first and/or second upwardly extending endwall may vary along the height of the respective sidewall and/or endwall. For example, a portion of the sidewall and/or endwall extending into the bottom opening of the receiver may have a first thickness and a portion of the same sidewall and/or endwall outside of the bottom opening may have a second thickness. The first thickness may be less than the second thickness.

The first and/or second upwardly extending sidewall and/or first and/or second upwardly extending endwall are integral with the bottom metal body. For example, the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewall and/or first and/or second upwardly extending endwall may be monolithic with the bottom metal body. Preferably the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewall and/or first and/or second upwardly extending endwall comprise aluminum.

The first and/or second upwardly extending sidewall and/or first and/or second upwardly extending endwall preferably have a height sufficient to accommodate at least two vertically aligned cartridges received within the cartridge receiving area. Preferably cartridges within the cartridge receiving area can be arranged in an alternating (e.g., double stack) configuration.

The bottom metal assembly may include a spacer positioned within the cartridge receiving area, the spacer is separate from the follower and follower spring. The spacer is preferably removably fastened to the first and/or second upwardly extending endwall and/or the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewall. Preferably the spacer is fastened to one or more of these walls with a fastener such as a screw. Preferably the first and/or second upwardly extending endwall and/or the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewall define an opening for the fastener to extend therethrough.

The spacer may be used to reduce at least one dimension (e.g., length) and/or volume of the cartridge receiving area available to receive cartridges. Such an arrangement may allow for the cartridge receiving area to store cartridges of a smaller dimension (e.g., shorter length and/or smaller cross-sectional dimension) and reduce the space available for longitudinal and/or lateral movement of the cartridges while in the cartridge receiving area. For example, the bottom metal may be configured for 7 mm PRC without a spacer and 7 mm Remington Magnum with the spacer. Similarly, the bottom metal may be configured for 300 PRC without a spacer and 300 Winchester Magnum with the spacer.

Advantageously, the spacer can allow for the bottom metal assembly to reliably store and feed to the action of the firearm a greater range of cartridges (e.g., cartridges of shorter length) than existing bottom metals. Preferably, the spacer does not decrease the total number of cartridges (now of smaller size) that can be received within the cartridge receiving area. So, for example, if the cartridge receiving area can retain four cartridges of a first caliber with a follower and spring and without a spacer, the cartridge receiving area preferably can retain at least four cartridges of a second caliber with a follower, spring, and spacer—the second caliber being smaller in at least one dimension (e.g., length, cross-sectional dimension) than the first caliber.

The spacer has height measured from a bottom end to a top end of the spacer, a width measured from a first lateral side to a second lateral side, and a thickness measured from a rearward surface to a forward surface. When positioned within the firearm, the top end of the spacer is closer to the receiver of the firearm than the bottom end and the rearward surface of the spacer is further from the muzzle of the firearm than the forward surface of the spacer.

The top end of the spacer preferably does not extend above portions of the upward-facing surfaces of the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewalls and/or the first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls adjacent to the spacer. For example, the top end of the spacer may not extend above portions of the upward-facing surfaces of the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewalls along the thickness of the spacer. Similarly, the top end of the spacer may not extend above portions of the first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls contacting the spacer across the width of the bottom metal assembly.

Preferably, the top end of the spacer tapers downward towards a middle of the cartridge receiving area of the bottom metal assembly. For example, when positioned rearward of the cartridge receiving area, the top end of the spacer may taper downward along a direction moving towards the front end of the bottom metal assembly. When positioned forward of the cartridge receiving area, the top of the spacer may taper downward along a direction moving away from the front end of the bottom metal assembly.

The top end of the spacer may define a recess matching that of the first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls adjacent to the spacer. For example, the top end of the spacer may define a semicircular recess having a radius of curvature equal to or greater than a semicircular recess of the nearest first and/or second upwardly extending endwall. Preferably the recess of the top end of the spacer is aligned with the recess of the first and/or second upwardly extending endwall along the direction of the length of the bottom metal assembly.

The width of the spacer preferably approximates the width of the cartridge receiving area.

K its having a spacer and accompanying follower are envisioned. In such kits, the thickness of the spacer plus the length of the follower approximates the length of the internal area defined by the first and/or second endwalls and/or the first and/or second sidewalls. Kits may be provided with spacers and followers of different length so as to accommodate particular cartridges. For example, a first kit may have a thicker spacer and a shorter, in length, follower than a second kit. Advantageously, such arrangements may allow for bottom metal assemblies configured for one or more cartridges to be modified, by insertion of the spacer and replacement of the follower, to accommodate at least one cartridge or shorter length.

A trigger assembly is positioned within the stock, the receiver, and/or the bottom metal. The trigger assembly includes a trigger. When the trigger assembly is positioned within the firearm, the trigger that may extend downwardly through an opening in the bottom metal so as to expose a portion of the trigger for selective operation by a shooter. At least partially surrounding the trigger is a trigger guard. The trigger guard is configured to configured to resist inadvertent operation of the trigger (e.g., by the trigger becoming snagged on an object). Preferably the trigger guard is integral with the bottom metal. For example, the trigger guard and bottom metal may comprise a monolithic material. Alternatively, the trigger guard may be formed of a separately piece of material and attached to the bottom metal.

Preferably the bottom metal assemblies disclosed herein, such as the bottom metal assemblies with hinged floorplates, are sized and configured for receipt into a stock with a bottom opening (e.g., inlet cut) for a detachable box magazine (DB M) bottom metal. DBM openings are ordinarily greater in width than openings for existing style bottom metals with a hinged floor plate. Accordingly, the bottom metal assemblies disclosed herein are capable of replacing existing DBM bottom metal with a bottom metal having a hinged floor plate. This reduces the need to alter stocks and/or provide a different stock when changing a firearm from a DMB to a bottom metal with a hinged floor plate or vice versa. Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right side view of a firearm of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the firearm of FIG. 1 with the hinged floorplate of the bottom metal assembly in the open configuration.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a back right perspective view of the stock of the firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front left perspective view of the stock of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of an exemplary bottom metal assembly.

FIG. 7 is a front right perspective view of the bottom metal assembly of FIG. 6 with the hinged floorplate in the open configuration.

FIG. 8 is a back right perspective view of the bottom metal assembly of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a bottom right perspective view of the bottom metal assembly of FIG. 6 with the hinged floorplate, spring, and follower removed.

FIG. 10 is a right side view of a portion of the firearm with the stock removed.

FIG. 11 is bottom right front perspective view of a portion of the firearm with the stock and bottom metal assembly removed.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the firearm along line 12-12 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the firearm along line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the firearm along line 14-14 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the firearm along line 15-15 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a front, right perspective view of a spacer of a bottom metal assembly.

FIG. 17 is a back, right perspective view of the spacer of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity.

With respect to the specification and claims, it should be noted that the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, and the like include plural referents unless expressly discussed otherwise. As an illustration, references to “a device” or “the device” include one or more of such devices and equivalents thereof. It also should be noted that directional terms, such as “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, and the like, are used herein solely for the convenience of the reader in order to aid in the reader's understanding of the illustrated embodiments, and it is not the intent that the use of these directional terms in any manner limit the described, illustrated, and/or claimed features to a specific direction and/or orientation.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a firearm 100 of the present invention. The firearm has a forward (i.e., muzzle) end 102, a rearward end 104, an upper side 108, a lower side 112, a left side 116, and a right side 118. The firearm includes a barrel 130, a receiver 136, a stock 140, a trigger assembly 146, and a bottom metal assembly 150.

The barrel has a chamber end 160 and a muzzle end 164. The chamber end of the barrel is attached to the receiver of the firearm and is configured to receive cartridges for firing.

The receiver at least partially contains and supports the action of the firearm, which includes a bolt 170 that can be reciprocated to load cartridges into the chamber of the barrel and unload spent cartridges from the chamber. In some firearms the bolt is reciprocated by hand (e.g., by operation of a lever 174 from a forward position (e.g., closed breach) illustrated in FIG. 1 to a rearward position (e.g., open breach). In some firearms, such as auto-loading firearms, the bolt reciprocates automatically rearwardly in response to the firing of a cartridge in the chamber-such as in a gas-operated, piston operated, and/or direct block back operated firearms.

In many firearms, as the bolt moves forwardly towards the forward/closed position, a portion of the bolt (e.g., a lug) contacts a base end of a cartridge and pushes the cartridge forward so as to load the cartridge into the chamber of the barrel for firing. After the cartridge has been fired, reward movement of the bolt from the forward position towards the rearward position may extract the spent cartridge from the chamber of the barrel.

The stock is configured to support the receiver of the firearm and, preferably, allow a shooter to comfortably support the firearm during operation. The stock extends at least partially beneath the receiver. In many instances, the stock extends rearwardly of the receiver and defines a grip portion 190, a cheek comb 194, and a butt portion 198, The grip portion is configured for grasping by a hand of a shooter hand to support the firearm. Additionally, the grip portion can aid in retaining the hand of a shooter hand in relation to the firearm—e.g., such that a finger (e.g., the index finger) of the hand may reach and actuate a trigger of the firearm. The cheek comb is configured for contact with a cheek of the shooter, and the butt portion is configured to contact the body of a shooter so as to aid in stabilizing the firearm for aiming as well as transferring recoil of the firearm during firing to the body of the shooter. Some stocks may include an adjustable cheek comb and/or butt portion. In many instances, the stock has a portion that extends forwardly of the receiver (e.g., a foregrip 204).

The bottom metal assembly is positioned on a bottom side of the stock and has a portion extending at least partially into the stock. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate perspective views of the stock with upper opening 206 for receipt of the receiver and barrel of the firearm and a lower opening (e.g., an inlet) 208 for receipt of the bottom metal assembly.

Preferably, the bottom metal assembly sandwiches the stock between the bottom metal assembly and the receiver. For example, fasteners 210 may extend between the bottom metal assembly and the receiver and pull the bottom metal assembly and the receiver towards one another with the stock positioned therebetween. Preferably, the fasteners extend through one or more openings 214, 214 in the stock.

The bottom metal assembly may include a bottom metal body 300, a hinged floorplate 304 closing a bottom of a cartridge receiving area 308 of the bottom metal, a follower 312, a follower spring 316 positioned within the receiving area of the bottom metal body, a latch 320 selectively retaining the hinged floorplate of the bottom metal assembly in a closed configuration, and an optional spacer 326 positioned within the cartridge receiving area of the bottom metal body. Preferably the bottom metal assembly is not configured for the receipt of a detachable box magazine. Preferably the bottom metal body is a monolithic piece. Preferably, the bottom metal body comprises aluminum.

The bottom metal body has a top side 402, a bottom side 404, a left side 408, a right side 412, a rear end 416 and a forward end 420 and a length 426 extending along a direction from the rearward end to the forward end. The top side of the bottom metal body faces portions of the stock and or receiver when in the firearm assembly. The bottom side of the bottom metal body is opposite the top side and faces away from the stock of the firearm (e.g., faces downward during normal operation of the firearm) when positioned within the firearm. The rearward end of the bottom metal body is positioned further from the muzzle end of the barrel than the forward end of the bottom metal body.

The bottom metal body may comprise a reward portion 430 defining an opening 434 configured to allow access for a trigger on the firearm to project downwardly from within the stock of the firearm. In some instances, the bottom metal may define a trigger guard 440 that extends substantially around the trigger. The trigger guard may be monolithic with the bottom metal body or may be a separate component attachable to the bottom metal body.

A forward portion 450 is positioned forwardly of the rearward portion. The forward portion includes a first upwardly extending sidewall 460 and a second upwardly extending sidewall 464 on the top side of the bottom metal body. The first and second upwardly extending sidewalls each have a length, a height, and a thickness. The length of each of the first and second upwardly extending sidewalls is measured along the length of the bottom metal body. The height of each of the first and second upwardly extending sidewalls is measured along a direction extending from the bottom side to the top side of the bottom metal and orthogonal to the length of the bottom metal body. And, the thickness of each of the first and second upwardly extending sidewalls is measured between an inner surface, defining the cartridge receiving area, and an outer surface of each sidewall, respectively.

Between the first upwardly extending sidewall and the second upwardly extending sidewall is an area 308 configured for the receipt of cartridges. This area is accessible from the top side of the bottom metal body between the first and second upwardly extending sidewalls. In embodiments disclosed herein, the area is also accessible through a bottom opening of the bottom metal body when the hinged floorplate is opened.

FIG. 10 illustrates a right side view of a portion of the firearm without the stock. FIG. 11 shows a bottom right perspective view of the receiver, barrel, and trigger assembly. And, FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the firearm taken along line 12-12 shown in FIG. 3. When assembled in the firearm, the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall of the forward portion of the bottom metal body extends into a bottom opening 500 defined by the receiver. In some instances, the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall extends into the bottom opening along a portion of the length of the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall. In other instances, the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall extends into the bottom opening along the entirety of the length of the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall. FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 show cross-sections of the firearm as taken along lines 13-13, 14-14, and 15-15, respectively, shown in FIG. 12.

The bottom metal body may include a first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls 600, 602. The first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls may extend along a direction transverse to the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall. For example, the first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls may extend orthogonal to the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall. Preferably, the first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls connect the first upwardly extending sidewall and/or second upwardly extending sidewall.

The first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls preferably extend into the bottom opening defined by the receiver. The first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls may be positioned rearward of the cartridge receiving area and/or forward of the cartridge receiving area. When positioned rearward of the cartridge receiving area, the upwardly extending endwall preferably has a rearward-facing surface 610 that faces and/or contacts a forward-facing surface 612 of the receiver defining the bottom opening of the receiver. When positioned forward of the cartridge receiving area, the upwardly extending endwall preferably has a forward-facing surface 620 that faces and/or contacts a rearward-facing surface 622 of the receiver defining the bottom opening of the receiver.

Top ends of the first and second upwardly extending sidewalls and the first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls may each have an upward-facing surface. Preferably the upward-facing surfaces of the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewalls 630, 632 and/or first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls 640, 642 are preferably spaced from opposing downward-facing surfaces of the receiver 650, 652, 654, 656. Advantageously, such an arrangement aids in transmitting all force between the bottom metal assembly and the receiver through the stock and fasteners extending between the bottom metal assembly and the receiver.

As demonstrated in FIGS. 12 and 14, the wall thickness of the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewall and/or first and/or second upwardly extending endwall may vary along the height of the respective sidewall and/or endwall. For example, a portion of the sidewall and/or endwall extending into the bottom opening of the receiver may have a first thickness and a portion of the same sidewall and/or endwall outside of the bottom opening may have a second thickness. The first thickness may be less than the second thickness.

The first and/or second upwardly extending sidewall and/or first and/or second upwardly extending endwall are integral with the bottom metal body. For example, the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewall and/or first and/or second upwardly extending endwall may be monolithic with the bottom metal body. Preferably the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewall and/or first and/or second upwardly extending endwall comprise aluminum.

The first and/or second upwardly extending sidewall and/or first and/or second upwardly extending endwall preferably have a height sufficient to accommodate at least two vertically aligned cartridges received within the cartridge receiving area. Preferably cartridges within the cartridge receiving area can be arranged in an alternating (e.g., double stack) configuration.

The bottom metal assembly may include a spacer 326 positioned within the cartridge receiving area, the spacer is separate from the follower and follower spring. The spacer is preferably removably fastened to the first and/or second upwardly extending endwall and/or the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewall. Preferably the spacer is fastened to one or more of these walls with a fastener 700 such as a screw. Preferably the first and/or second upwardly extending endwall and/or the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewall define an opening for the fastener to extend therethrough.

The spacer may be used to reduce at least one dimension (e.g., length) and/or volume of the cartridge receiving area available to receive cartridges. Such an arrangement may allow for the cartridge receiving area to store cartridges of a smaller dimension (e.g., shorter length and/or smaller cross-sectional dimension) and reduce the space available for longitudinal and/or lateral movement of the cartridges while in the cartridge receiving area. For example, the bottom metal may be configured for 7 mm PRC without a spacer and 7 mm Remington Magnum with the spacer. Similarly, the bottom metal may be configured for 300 PRC without a spacer and 300 Winchester Magnum with the spacer.

Advantageously, the spacer can allow for the bottom metal assembly to reliably store and feed to the action of the firearm a greater range of cartridges (e.g., cartridges of shorter length) than existing bottom metals. Preferably, the spacer does not decrease the total number of cartridges (now of smaller size) that can be received within the cartridge receiving area. So, for example, if the cartridge receiving area can retain four cartridges of a first caliber with a follower and spring and without a spacer, the cartridge receiving area preferably can retain at least four cartridges of a second caliber with a follower, spring, and spacer—the second caliber being smaller in at least one dimension (e.g., length, cross-sectional dimension) than the first caliber.

The spacer has height measured from a bottom end 704 to a top end 708 of the spacer, a width measured from a first lateral side 712 to a second lateral side 716, and a thickness measured from a rearward surface 720 to a forward surface 724. When positioned within the firearm, the top end of the spacer is closer to the receiver of the firearm than the bottom end and the rearward surface of the spacer is further from the muzzle of the firearm than the forward surface of the spacer.

The top end of the spacer preferably does not extend above portions of the upward-facing surfaces of the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewalls and/or the first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls adjacent to the spacer. For example, the top end of the spacer may not extend above portions of the upward-facing surfaces of the first and/or second upwardly extending sidewalls along the thickness of the spacer. Similarly, the top end of the spacer may not extend above portions of the first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls contacting the spacer across the width of the bottom metal assembly.

Preferably, the top end of the spacer tapers downward towards a middle of the cartridge receiving area of the bottom metal assembly. For example, when positioned rearward of the cartridge receiving area, the top end of the spacer may taper downward along a direction moving towards the front end of the bottom metal assembly. When positioned forward of the cartridge receiving area, the top of the spacer may taper downward along a direction moving away from the front end of the bottom metal assembly.

The top end of the spacer may define a recess matching that of the first and/or second upwardly extending endwalls adjacent to the spacer. For example, the top end of the spacer may define a semicircular recess 730 having a radius of curvature equal to or greater than a semicircular recess of the nearest first and/or second upwardly extending endwall. Preferably the recess of the top end of the spacer is aligned with the recess of the first and/or second upwardly extending endwall along the direction of the length of the bottom metal assembly.

The width of the spacer preferably approximates the width of the cartridge receiving area.

Kits having a spacer and accompanying follower are envisioned. In such kits, the thickness of the spacer plus the length of the follower approximates the length of the internal area defined by the first and/or second endwalls and/or the first and/or second sidewalls. Kits may be provided with spacers and followers of different length so as to accommodate particular cartridges. For example, a first kit may have a thicker spacer and a shorter, in length, follower than a second kit. Advantageously, such arrangements may allow for bottom metal assemblies configured for one or more cartridges to be modified, by insertion of the spacer and replacement of the follower, to accommodate at least one cartridge or shorter length.

A trigger assembly is positioned within the stock, the receiver, and/or the bottom metal. The trigger assembly includes a trigger. When the trigger assembly is positioned within the firearm, the trigger that may extend downwardly through an opening in the bottom metal so as to expose a portion of the trigger for selective operation by a shooter. At least partially surrounding the trigger is a trigger guard. The trigger guard is configured to configured to resist inadvertent operation of the trigger (e.g., by the trigger becoming snagged on an object). Preferably the trigger guard is integral with the bottom metal. For example, the trigger guard and bottom metal may comprise a monolithic material. Alternatively, the trigger guard may be formed of a separately piece of material and attached to the bottom metal.

Preferably the bottom metal assemblies disclosed herein, such as the bottom metal assemblies with hinged floorplates, are sized and configured for receipt into a stock with a bottom opening (e.g., inlet cut) for a detachable box magazine (DBM) bottom metal. DB M openings are ordinarily greater in width than openings for existing style bottom metals with a hinged floor plate. Accordingly, the bottom metal assemblies disclosed herein are capable of replacing existing DBM bottom metal with a bottom metal having a hinged floor plate. This reduces the need to alter stocks and/or provide a different stock when changing a firearm from a DM B to a bottom metal with a hinged floor plate or vice versa.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected. A II publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.

Definitions

The language used in the present disclosure is to only have its plain and ordinary meaning, except for terms explicitly defined below. Such plain and ordinary meaning is defined here as inclusive of all consistent dictionary definitions from the most recently published (on the filing date of this document) general purpose Merriam-Webster dictionary.

As used herein, the following terms have the following defined meanings:

The term “Bottom metal assembly” as used herein shall mean a firearm component that serves as a floor of the action of the firearm and helps secure a receiver to a stock of the firearm. The bottom metal assembly may include a trigger guard, a follower, a follower spring, a hinged floorplate for closing the bottom of the cartridge receiving area, and a pivotable latch for selectively retaining the hinged floorplate in a closed configuration.

The term “magazine” as used herein shall mean a container for storing and feeding ammunition for firing in a repeating firearm. When attached to the firearm, magazines may be positioned entirely within the volume of the gun or may project outwardly from the gun.

The term “repeating firearm” as used herein is a firearm that can be fired repeatedly before having to be manually reloaded with new ammunition.

The term “detachable box magazine” as used herein shall mean a container capable of being loaded with cartridges, while being detached from a firearm, and then selectively inserted into the firearm to present those cartridges to the action of the firearm. Detachable box magazines may be removable from the firearm without removing the bottom metal assembly from the firearm.

CLAUSES

The following numbered clauses set out specific embodiments that may be useful in understanding the present invention:

1. A firearm, comprising: a stock, a receiver, a bottom metal, a barrel, and a trigger, wherein the stock is held against the receiver by the bottom metal, the barrel extends forwardly from the receiver, and the trigger extends downwardly through a portion of the bottom metal; wherein the bottom metal has a bottom metal body having a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, a rearward end, and a forward end; wherein when the bottom metal body is positioned within the firearm, the top side faces a receiver of the firearm and the rearward end is positioned further from a muzzle end of the barrel of the firearm than the forward end; wherein a rearward portion of the bottom metal body is positioned closer to the rearward end than a forward portion of the bottom metal body, and wherein the rearward portion defines an opening configured to allow access for a trigger of the firearm to project therefrom; wherein the forward portion of the bottom metal body has a first upwardly-extending sidewall and second upwardly-extending sidewall on the top side, said first and second upwardly-extending sidewalls extending along a length of the bottom metal body between the forward and rearward ends and defining an area therebetween for the receipt of cartridges; and wherein the first upwardly-extending sidewall extends into a bottom opening defined by the receiver.

2. The firearm of clause 1, wherein a portion of the first upwardly-extending sidewall extending into the bottom opening has a first material thickness; wherein a portion of the first upwardly-extending sidewall outside of the bottom opening has a second material thickness; and wherein the first material thickness is less than the second material thickness.

3. The firearm of any preceding clause, wherein the second upwardly-extending sidewall extends into the bottom opening defined by the receiver.

4. The firearm of clause 3, wherein a portion of the second upwardly-extending sidewall extending into the bottom opening has a first material thickness; wherein a portion of the second upwardly-extending sidewall outside of the bottom opening has a second material thickness; and wherein the first material thickness of the second upwardly-extending sidewall is less than the second material thickness of the second upwardly-extending.

5. The firearm of any preceding clause, wherein the bottom metal is not configured for the receipt of a detachable box magazine.

6. The firearm any preceding clause, wherein the stock defines an inlet opening for receipt of the bottom metal; wherein the inlet opening is sized and configured to receive a DBM bottom metal configured to receive a detachable box magazine; and wherein dimensions of the portions of the bottom metal that interface with the stock are of the same dimension of the DBM bottom metal.

7. The firearm of any preceding clause, wherein the bottom metal body is a monolithic piece.

8. The firearm of any preceding clause, wherein the first upwardly-extending sidewall comprises aluminum.

9. The firearm of any preceding clause, wherein the bottom metal body defines a trigger guard on the bottom side.

10. The firearm of any preceding clause, further comprising a hinged floorplate closing the bottom of the area for the receipt of cartridges.

11. The firearm of any preceding clause, wherein the forward portion further has an upwardly-extending endwall that extends transverse to and from the first upwardly-extending sidewall to the second upwardly-extending sidewall.

12. The firearm of clause 11, wherein the upwardly-extending endwall extends into a bottom opening defined by the receiver.

13. The firearm of clause 12, wherein a portion of the upwardly-extending endwall extending into the bottom opening has a first material thickness; wherein a portion of the upwardly-extending endwall outside of the bottom opening has a second material thickness; and wherein the first material thickness of the upwardly-extending endwall is less than the second material thickness of the upwardly-extending endwall.

14. The firearm of any preceding clause, wherein an upward-facing surface of the first upwardly-extending sidewall is spaced from an opposing, downward-facing surface of the receiver.

15. The firearm of any preceding clause, wherein positioned within the area for the receipt of cartridges is a removable spacer adjacent to a follower and a spring, the removable spacer configured to contact cartridges received within the area for the receipt of cartridges during operation of the firearm and reduce at least one dimension of the area for the receipt of cartridges.

16. The firearm of clause 15, wherein the removable spacer is fastened to the bottom metal with a fastener.

17. The firearm of clause 16 as dependent from claim 11 or a dependent thereof, wherein the fastener comprises a screw extending between the removable spacer and the upwardly-extending endwall; and wherein the spacer reduces a length of the area for the receipt of cartridges.

18. The firearm of any one of clauses 15-17, wherein the bottom metal assembly without the spacer is configured to retain a maximum number of cartridges of a first caliber; wherein the bottom metal assembly with the spacer is configured to retain a maximum number of cartridges of a second caliber; and wherein the maximum number of cartridges of the second caliber is the same or greater than the maximum number of cartridges of the first caliber.

19. The firearm of any one of clauses 15-18, wherein the spacer has a top portion that slopes downward towards a middle of the area for the receipt of cartridges.