US 12,066,267 B1
System for pivoting a buffer tube assembly
Charles David Williams, Geneseo, IL (US); Nathan A. Brinkmeyer, Le Claire, IA (US); Nick Ballard, Galva, IL (US); and Benjamin Boyd McKelvain, Geneseo, IL (US)
Assigned to Springfield, Inc., Geneseo, IL (US)
Filed by Springfield, Inc., Geneseo, IL (US)
Filed on Feb. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/176,168.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/315,050, filed on Feb. 28, 2022.
Int. Cl. F41C 23/04 (2006.01); F41A 3/66 (2006.01); F41A 3/84 (2006.01)
CPC F41A 3/66 (2013.01) [F41C 23/04 (2013.01); F41A 3/84 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A firearm comprising:
an upper receiver defining an upper receiver interior and an upper receiver longitudinal axis;
a lower receiver;
a first hinge portion integral with or coupled to the upper receiver or lower receiver and defining a first hinge opening;
a second hinge portion, wherein said second hinge portion is pivotally connected to said first hinge portion so that said second hinge portion may be configured in a folded configuration or an unfolded configuration with respect to said first hinge portion;
a bolt carrier group, wherein said bolt carrier group is translatable within said upper receiver interior;
a carrier block, wherein said carrier block is configurable in a blocking configuration and an unblocking configuration, and wherein said carrier block is configurable in said blocking configuration when said second hinge portion is configured in said unfolded configuration;
a lock, wherein said lock is configurable into a first position that resists pivoting of the second hinge portion relative to the first hinge portion from a second position in which the lock does not resist pivoting of the second hinge portion relative to the first hinge portion, and wherein said lock actuates said carrier block into said unblocking configuration when said lock is configured into said first position;
wherein said carrier block is in said blocking configuration when said lock is in said second position; and
wherein at least a portion of the carrier block is positioned within said first hinge opening when said carrier block is in said blocking configuration; and wherein said carrier block resists rearward translation of said bolt carrier group when said carrier block is in said blocking configuration.