Composite receiver for firearms

Abstract

A composite receiver for a firearm having a skeletonized body formed from a metal and having a series of ports formed therein. A cover shell is applied over the receiver body to cover and substantially seal the ports.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A receiver for a firearm, comprising: 
 a receiver body formed from a durable, high strength material, said receiver body including a series of ports formed at spaced locations along said receiver body to significantly reduce the weight of said receiver body; and    a cover shell formed from a light weight material and adapted to cover and substantially seal said ports of said receiver body.    
     
     
         2 . The receiver of  claim 1  and wherein said cover shell comprises a synthetic material selected from plastic, nylon, carbon fibers, polyvinyl chloride, acetol resins, polyetheretherketone, composites and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The receiver of  claim 1  and wherein said cover shell comprises a synthetic composite, or metal material.  
     
     
         4 . The receiver of  claim 1  and wherein said high strength material of said receiver body comprises titanium.  
     
     
         5 . The receiver of  claim 1  and wherein said high strength material of said receiver body comprises steel.  
     
     
         6 . The receiver of  claim 1  and wherein said ports are of a size and number selected to optimize weight reduction of the receiver body without diminishing strength of said receiver body to withstand stresses acting thereon during firing of the firearm.  
     
     
         7 . The receiver of  claim 1  and wherein said receiver body is formed with a reduced profile.  
     
     
         8 . The receiver of  claim 1  and wherein said cover shell includes decorative design characteristics.  
     
     
         9 . The receiver of  claim 1  and wherein said cover shell is attached to said receiver body by an adhesive material.  
     
     
         10 . The receiver of  claim 1  and wherein said cover shell is attached to said receiver body by fasteners.  
     
     
         11 . A method of forming a high strength, light weight receiver for a firearm, comprising: 
 forming a receiver body from a high strength, durable material;    skeletonizing the receiver body to form a series of ports in the receiver body at spaced locations, with the number and size of the ports selected to provide optimum weight reduction while retaining sufficient strength in the receiver body to withstand stresses generated upon firing the firearm;    placing a cover shell in a position substantially covering the ports in the receiver body; and    attaching the cover shell to the receiver body.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  and further comprising forming the cover shell from a material selected from plastic, nylon, carbon fiber, polyvinyl chloride, acetol resins, polyetheretherketone, composites, metals, metal alloys and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  and wherein forming the receiver body comprises forming the receiver body from titanium or steel.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  and wherein forming the receiver body comprises casting the receiver body from a high strength metal material.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  and wherein forming the receiver body comprises forging the receiver body from a high strength metal material.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  and wherein attaching the cover shell to the receiver body comprises applying adhesive between the cover shell and receiver body.  
     
     
         17 . A firearm having reduced weight, without an enlarged profile, for enhanced maneuverability, the firearm comprising: 
 a barrel;    a fire control; and    a receiver in communication with the barrel, the receiver comprising: 
 a skeletonized body having a series of openings formed therein to provide a desired weight reduction to the body, and with the body formed from a durable, metal material adapted to withstand stresses generated upon firing a round of ammunition at a reduced weight and mass; and  
 a cover applied over the body so as to substantially cover the openings formed therein.  
   
     
     
         18 . The firearm of  claim 17  and wherein said cover shell comprises a synthetic material selected from plastic, nylon, carbon fibers, polyvinyl chloride, acetol resins, polyetheretherketone, composites or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The firearm of  claim 17  and wherein said cover shell comprises a synthetic composite, or metal material.  
     
     
         20 . The firearm of  claim 17  and wherein said cover shell includes decorative design characteristics.  
     
     
         21 . The firearm of  claim 17  and wherein the body is formed of aluminum and the cover is formed of a rigid synthetic material adapted to provide stiffness and structural support to the body.  
     
     
         22 . The firearm of  claim 17  and wherein the body comprises a high strength metal material such as titanium or steel.  
     
     
         23 . The firearm of  claim 17  and wherein said receiver body is formed with a reduced profile.