Reinforced cartridge extractor for reciprocating firearm

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are provided for a cartridge extractor to improve the longevity and safety of direct gas operated firearms. The extractor comprises an elongate body having a first end and a second end. The first end comprises a claw portion that grips a rim of an ammunition cartridge. The extractor includes a lug and an elongated rib that reinforce the claw portion. The second end comprises a biased portion that ensures that the rim of the cartridge casing remains within a notch comprising the claw portion until the cartridge casing is ejected from the firearm. A pivot portion is disposed between the first end and the second end. The pivot portion couples the extractor with a bolt and presses the claw portion into a forward recess of the bolt due to spring forces acting on the biased portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An extractor for a direct gas operated firearm, comprising:
 an elongate body having a first end and a second end;   a claw portion comprising the first end configured to grip a rim of an ammunition cartridge;   a biased portion comprising the second end configured to ensure that the rim remains within the claw portion; and   a pivot portion disposed between the first end and the second end.   
     
     
         2 . The extractor of  claim 1 , wherein the extractor includes an upper surface that is rounded or curved in a circumferential direction so as to substantially match a curvature of an exterior surface of the bolt. 
     
     
         3 . The extractor of  claim 2 , wherein the extractor includes a lug and an elongated rib that extend above the upper surface above the claw portion. 
     
     
         4 . The extractor of  claim 3 , wherein the lug and the elongated rib comprise thicker portions of the extractor. 
     
     
         5 . The extractor of  claim 4 , wherein the lug and rib are configured to cooperatively reinforce the claw portion. 
     
     
         6 . The extractor of  claim 1 , wherein the claw portion is configured to grip the rim such that when lugs of a bolt assembly unlock from barrel extension lugs, the claw portion pulls the ammunition cartridge out of a firing chamber when the bolt assembly moves rearward. 
     
     
         7 . The extractor of  claim 6 , wherein the claw portion includes a leading edge and a notch disposed in a lower surface of the extractor. 
     
     
         8 . The extractor of  claim 7 , wherein the leading edge is rounded or chamfered to encourage the claw portion to slide over an edge of the rim. 
     
     
         9 . The extractor of  claim 8 , wherein the notch is configured to seat the rim during forward movement of a bolt assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The extractor of  claim 9 , wherein the notch is configured to mate with a complementary curved portion of the rim. 
     
     
         11 . The extractor of  claim 10 , wherein the notch is arcuate so as to engage the complementary curved portion. 
     
     
         12 . The extractor of  claim 1 , wherein the biased portion is configured to ensure that the rim of the cartridge casing remains within a notch comprising the claw portion until the cartridge casing is ejected from the firearm. 
     
     
         13 . The extractor of  claim 12 , wherein the biased portion is configured to be biased away from a bolt by way of a primary spring and a secondary spring that are disposed between the biased portion and the bolt. 
     
     
         14 . The extractor of  claim 13 , wherein the biased portion includes a primary counterbore and a secondary counterbore that are concentrically disposed in a lower surface of the extractor. 
     
     
         15 . The extractor of  claim 14 , wherein the primary counterbore and the secondary counterbore are configured to respectively retain the primary spring and the secondary spring. 
     
     
         16 . The extractor of  claim 15 , wherein the primary spring and the secondary spring are configured to provide a cooperative spring force that ensures that the notch reliably engages with the rim. 
     
     
         17 . The extractor of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot portion is disposed underneath the extractor and configured to couple the extractor with a bolt and press the claw portion into a forward recess of the bolt due to spring forces acting on the biased portion. 
     
     
         18 . The extractor of  claim 17 , wherein the pivot portion comprises: parallel prongs that extend from a lower surface of the extractor; and a transverse hole disposed in the parallel prongs. 
     
     
         19 . The extractor of  claim 18 , wherein the transverse hole is configured to receive an extractor pin. 
     
     
         20 . The extractor of  claim 19 , wherein the extractor pin causes the extractor to move in a seesaw manner when the claw portion engages the rim.