US 12264890

Here's a concise summary of US patent 12264890:

US Patent 12264890

• Title: Pistol with buffer
• Assignee: Xray Aerospace Corp.
• Inventors: Allen Farris, Charles Bastian
• Filing Date: 2023-12-05
• Issue Date: 2025-04-01
• Abstract: A pistol with buffer has a frame defining an upper horizontal slide plane, a forward muzzle end, and a receptacle. It includes a slide rail module removably received in a rear portion of the frame receptacle with a front face. A cross pin engages the slide rail module to the frame. A buffer is received in the frame receptacle, having a rear face abutting the front face of the slide rail module. A retention portion of the slide rail module is configured to contact the buffer to prevent its extraction when the slide rail module is in the frame receptacle. The retention portion may be positioned above a selected portion of the buffer to prevent its removal when the slide rail module is engaged to the frame by the cross pin. The slide rail module may also define a vertical front surface.

Independent Claims Overview:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a pistol that includes:
  • A frame with an upper horizontal slide plane, a muzzle end, and a receptacle.
  • A slide rail module that can be removed and is placed in the rear of the frame's receptacle, featuring a front face.
  • A cross pin that connects the slide rail module to the frame.
  • A buffer located in the frame's receptacle, with its rear face touching the slide rail module.
  • A retention part on the slide rail module designed to interact with the buffer, preventing the buffer from being pulled out when the slide rail module is in the frame receptacle.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:

A search for "CAFC 2026 dockets 12264890" did not return any specific case dockets directly referencing US Patent 12264890 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for the year 2026. This indicates that as of the current date, no public record of a case involving this specific patent number has appeared in the provided search results for CAFC 2026 dockets.

As of April 26, 2026, a comprehensive search of patent litigation databases, including Unified Patents and PACER, for US patent 12264890 did not reveal any known litigation directly involving this specific patent number.

While Unified Patents is a member-based organization that challenges the validity of patents owned by Non-Practicing Entities (NPEs) and monitors NPE activity, a search of their litigation case list did not return any results for US12264890.

PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) provides electronic public access to federal court records, and the PACER Case Locator allows for nationwide searches of district, bankruptcy, and appellate courts. However, searching these resources for US patent 12264890 yielded no specific litigation cases.

Therefore, based on the available information, there is no known litigation involving US patent 12264890 at this time.

Proceedings overview

There are no AIA trial proceedings (Inter Partes Review, Post-Grant Review, or Covered Business Method review) on file for US Patent 12264890 as of the current date, 2026-08-04. Both the USPTO ODP API and recent web searches confirm this absence of activity. This means the patent has not been subjected to any challenges before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Strategic summary

As there are no PTAB proceedings on file for US12264890, all claims (claims 1-14) of the patent are currently UNTESTED in the context of AIA trial proceedings. This implies that no claims have been canceled or sustained by a PTAB Final Written Decision, nor have any institution decisions been made. Consequently, there is no estoppel landscape established under § 315(e)(2) for any petitioner or their privies concerning this patent.

The absence of PTAB activity can be interpreted in several ways. It could indicate that the patent has not yet been asserted aggressively enough to provoke a challenge, or that potential challengers have not identified strong prior art grounds to justify an AIA trial.

Recommended next steps

If you are a defendant facing assertion of US Patent 12264890 today, the primary takeaway is that all claims (1-14) remain untested by the PTAB. There is no prior art estoppel from PTAB proceedings that would bar you from raising invalidity challenges based on prior art under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 or 103, or other grounds, in district court litigation or a newly-filed PTAB petition.

Given the current lack of PTAB activity, a defendant could consider:

• Conducting a thorough prior art search: To identify strong invalidity arguments that could form the basis of an IPR or PGR petition.
• Filing an AIA trial petition: If strong prior art is found, filing an Inter Partes Review (IPR) petition could be a viable strategy to challenge the patentability of the claims. The absence of previous PTAB challenges suggests this avenue is fully open.
• Monitoring for future activity: Keep an eye on the PTAB's P-TACTS system for any new petitions filed against US12264890, as this could change the defensive landscape.

Inventors

• Allen Farris
• Charles Bastian

Their employer at the time of filing is not determinable from the provided patent text.

Original assignee

The original assignee is Xray Aerospace Corp. The provided patent text does not indicate whether Xray Aerospace Corp. has shipped a product embodying the claims, nor does it explicitly state their primary line of business or current status.

Assignment timeline

As of today, August 4, 2026, a search of the USPTO Assignment Center for US Patent 12264890 shows no recorded assignments subsequent to its issuance. This means the original assignee, Xray Aerospace Corp., is still the recorded owner of the patent.

Xray Aerospace Corp. is listed as having a Federal Firearms License (FFL) under the business name MATRIX ARMS / MILITIAMEN, with an address in Claremont, NH. This suggests they are involved in the manufacturing or dealing of firearms. Allen Farris, one of the inventors, is also listed as the owner of Matrix Arms.

It's important to note that "Xray Aerospace Corp" might be a corporate name that is part of a larger group of companies, some of which are involved in non-destructive testing (NDT) services for the aerospace and defense industries, such as X-Ray Industries. However, the patent in question is for a "Pistol with buffer," and the FFL information directly links Xray Aerospace Corp to firearm manufacturing under the Matrix Arms / Militiamen name.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 12264890
    2023 : Filed by Xray Aerospace Corp
    2025 : Issued to Xray Aerospace Corp

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — not present. The current recorded owner, Xray Aerospace Corp., appears to be an operating company engaged in firearm manufacturing under the name Matrix Arms / Militiamen.
2. Known asserter in the chain — not present. Xray Aerospace Corp. is not on public NPE lists.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — not present. There are no recorded assignments to create a chain to evaluate for repeat correspondents.
4. Cascading transfers — not present. There are no recorded assignments.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — not present. There are no recorded assignments.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. There is no information to suggest Xray Aerospace Corp. has filed for bankruptcy.
7. Privateering — unclear. While Xray Aerospace Corp. appears to be an operating company, the absence of any assignment records makes it impossible to determine if a privateering arrangement exists without further external data.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The patent remains with the original assignee.

Verdict

Insufficient data. There are no recorded assignment records for US12264890 since its issuance. Therefore, it's impossible to determine if the patent has been transferred to a shell entity or a known asserter, or if other NPE-pattern signals are present. The patent remains with the original assignee, Xray Aerospace Corp., which appears to be an operating company involved in firearm manufacturing.

USPTO Assignment Center search: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

Obviousness Analysis of US Patent 12264890 under 35 U.S.C. § 103

This analysis of US Patent 12264890 for obviousness under 35 U.S.C. § 103 is based on the information provided within the patent document itself, including its abstract, description of the invention, and the list of cited prior art references. It is important to note that without direct access to the full text of the cited prior art patents, this analysis relies on the titles and general descriptions of those patents as inferable from the available information, in conjunction with the problem statement and claimed solution presented in US12264890.

The present invention, US12264890, describes a pistol with a buffer designed to reduce recoil in a striker-fired handgun. Key features include a frame with a receptacle, a removable slide rail module engaged by a cross pin, a buffer received in the frame receptacle and interfacing the slide rail module, and crucially, a retention portion of the slide rail module configured to prevent extraction of the buffer when the slide rail module is in place. The patent highlights the advantages of a removable and replaceable recoil-dampening buffer that protects the frame's front rail module from impact damage and reduces felt recoil.

Problem Addressed by US12264890

The background section of US12264890 clearly articulates the problems in prior art semi-automatic pistols: "The slide moves rapidly rearwards under recoil force until the slide is stopped by slamming into the pistol frame's front rail module. After many firings, the tabs on the front rail module that receive the brunt of the shock of the impacting slide can wear out, possibly requiring the entire frame of the pistol to be replaced at considerable expense. When the slide reciprocates back and hits into metal instead of the shock absorbing buffer of the current invention, the felt recoil of the firing of the pistol is also increased." This establishes that recoil, wear on the frame/rail module, and the desire for a "recoil dampening buffer that takes the shock of the slide when being thrust back and is also removable and replaceable" were known issues.

Prior Art References for Obviousness Combinations

The patent US12264890 cites several prior art documents. For the purpose of this analysis, we will consider the following based on their titles and relevance to the claimed invention:

1. US20200025470A1 (James Robert Patrick, IV): "Firearm with recoil mitigation"

   • This reference is highly relevant as its title directly addresses "recoil mitigation" in a "firearm." A person having ordinary skill in the art (POSA) would understand this patent to disclose a firearm incorporating a mechanism, likely a buffer, to absorb recoil forces. It is highly probable it teaches a pistol (a type of firearm) with a frame, slide, and a buffer component to reduce recoil, thus fulfilling aspects of claim 1 related to a pistol with a buffer.

2. US10184738B1 (Kel-Tec Cnc Industries, Inc.): "Handgun with improved slide"

   • This patent suggests advancements in handgun slides, which are the primary components interacting with a recoil buffer. It indicates prior art efforts to optimize slide mechanisms.

3. US20050247187A1 (Mcgarry James): "Camblock assembly for a firearm"

   • This title suggests a focus on the internal mechanisms or assemblies of a firearm, which could encompass the design of components within the frame, including how parts are mounted and interact.

4. General Knowledge in the Art (Implicit from US12264890's Background):

   • The background of US12264890 explicitly describes existing semi-automatic pistols where the slide slams into the "front rail module." This implies the modularity of pistol frames with removable or distinct "slide rail modules" was known.
   • The stated need for a "removable and replaceable" buffer indicates that while buffers might have existed, their easy removability and replaceability for maintenance was a recognized unmet need in the art. A POSA would understand that components subject to wear, especially those designed to absorb impact, are generally made removable and replaceable to extend the life of the larger assembly and facilitate maintenance across various mechanical fields.

Obviousness Argument for Claim 1

Claim 1 of US12264890 describes:

A pistol comprising:
a frame defining an upper horizontal slide plane, having a forward muzzle end, and defining a receptacle;
a slide rail module removably received in a rear portion of the frame receptacle and having a front face;
a cross pin engaging the slide rail module to the frame;
a buffer received in the frame receptacle and having a rear face interfacing the slide rail module; and
a retention portion of the slide rail module configured to interface the buffer to prevent extraction of the buffer when the slide rail module is received in the frame receptacle.

A POSA, motivated by the known problems of wear on pistol frames/rail modules and excessive felt recoil (as acknowledged by US12264890), would look for solutions in the prior art.

1. Initial Teaching from US20200025470A1: US20200025470A1 ("Firearm with recoil mitigation") would likely teach a pistol having a frame, a slide, and a buffer to reduce recoil. This addresses the core concept of a "pistol with buffer" and the functional benefit of recoil reduction. It is highly probable this reference would disclose a frame defining a slide plane and a receptacle for internal components, consistent with typical pistol designs.

2. Modularity and Removability (General Knowledge / US20050247187A1 / US10184738B1): The concept of a "slide rail module removably received in a rear portion of the frame receptacle and having a front face" is implicitly or explicitly known in the art. US12264890 itself describes the "front rail module" as the point of impact in prior art pistols. The use of modules and detachable components in firearms for assembly, maintenance, or customization would be within the general knowledge of a POSA, possibly reinforced by references like US20050247187A1 ("Camblock assembly for a firearm") which implies modularity of firearm assemblies, or US10184738B1 ("Handgun with improved slide") which would necessitate interaction with a frame/module structure. The use of a "cross pin engaging the slide rail module to the frame" is a common and obvious mechanical means for securing removable modules in place.

3. Combination for Buffer Retention: Given US20200025470A1 teaches a buffer for recoil mitigation, and the known problem (from US12264890) is that existing buffers might not be easily "removable and replaceable" leading to costly frame replacement, a POSA would be motivated to make such a buffer removable. The most logical way to secure a removable buffer that is positioned in front of a removable slide rail module would be to use a feature of the slide rail module itself. Thus, modifying the removable slide rail module to include a "retention portion...configured to interface the buffer to prevent extraction of the buffer when the slide rail module is received in the frame receptacle" would be an obvious design choice. This would ensure the buffer remains in place during pistol operation but can be easily accessed for replacement once the slide rail module (already removable) is disengaged.

Motivation for Combination:

A person having ordinary skill in the art would be motivated to combine these teachings for several reasons, all of which are highlighted as advantages in US12264890:

• Improve durability and longevity: By incorporating a sacrificial, replaceable buffer (as suggested by US20200025470A1's "recoil mitigation" in light of the wear problem described in US12264890) that is retained by an existing removable component (the slide rail module), the costly replacement of an entire frame due to wear on the impact surface would be avoided.
• Enhance maintainability: Making the buffer "removable and replaceable" (as explicitly identified as a need in US12264890) through an integrated retention feature on the already-removable slide rail module streamlines maintenance and repair.
• Optimize recoil reduction: Leveraging a known recoil mitigation system (from US20200025470A1) with an improved, modular design (implied from the general knowledge of firearm components and the problem statement) would lead to a more efficient and user-friendly solution for reducing felt recoil.

The combination of a firearm with a recoil buffer (as taught by US20200025470A1) with known modular firearm construction techniques (general knowledge in the art, potentially reinforced by US20050247187A1 and US10184738B1), and motivated by the desire to create a removable and replaceable wear component (as clearly articulated as a need in US12264890), would lead a POSA to design a retention mechanism for the buffer that utilizes the structure of an existing removable module like the slide rail module. Such a combination would have been obvious at the time of the invention.

Obviousness for Dependent Claims

Assuming Claim 1 is obvious, the dependent claims would also be obvious if their additional limitations are taught by the prior art or are obvious modifications thereof.

• Claim 2 (Retention portion positioned above buffer): Positioning a retention feature "above a selected portion of the buffer" to prevent removal is a common and obvious design choice for retaining a component within a channel or receptacle. This is a straightforward engineering implementation of a retention mechanism.
• Claim 3 (Slide rail module defines vertical front surface, buffer is forward): If the slide rail module is a component that the slide impacts, it naturally has a front surface. Placing a buffer "forward of the vertical front surface" of the slide rail module is the most logical position for it to absorb impact.
• Claims 4 & 5 (Retention portion is a flange or U-shaped element): Flanges or U-shaped elements are well-known, simple, and effective mechanical features for retaining components. These are standard design choices for a POSA implementing a retention portion. Claim 14 also describes the slide rail module including a U-shaped flange engaging the buffer, which would be obvious in light of the above.
• Claim 6 (Slide rail module and buffer define U-shaped channels registered with each other): This detail further specifies the interaction between the buffer and the slide rail module. If the buffer is to be retained and possibly guided, defining mating channels (U-shaped or otherwise) is a common design approach for fitting and stabilizing components within an assembly.
• Claim 7 (Slide rail module directly above frame, free of intervention beneath by buffer): This describes the positional relationship. The specific arrangement of components (slide rail module directly above the frame without the buffer underneath it) would be a design choice based on desired ergonomics, manufacturing, and functionality, and would be within the purview of a POSA.
• Claim 8 (Entire buffer forward of the cross pin): This specifies the buffer's location relative to the cross pin. If the cross pin secures the slide rail module, and the buffer is meant to be located forward of the slide rail module's primary impact face, then having the buffer forward of the cross pin is a logical consequence of its intended function and placement.
• Claims 9-11 (Materials: frame, slide rail module, buffer are different materials; metal/non-metallic; aluminum, steel, polymeric/high impact nylon): Using different materials for different components (e.g., strong metal for structural frame/rail, softer polymeric material for impact-absorbing buffer) is a well-known engineering principle to optimize performance, weight, and cost. US12264890 explicitly states "high impact nylon because it is softer than metal and reduces felt recoil." The choice of aluminum for the frame and steel for the slide rail module are also common materials in firearm manufacturing, each chosen for specific properties (e.g., lightweight aluminum, durable steel).
• Claim 12 (Frame defines channel with first width, receptacle for buffer has greater second width): Designing a receptacle with varying widths to properly seat and encase a component like a buffer is a routine engineering practice to ensure proper fit, support, and to "prevent collapsing" as described in the patent (Paragraph).
• Claim 13 (Frame defines a step supporting a forward portion of the buffer): A step or ledge is a fundamental mechanical feature for supporting or trapping a component, preventing its undesired movement. This is a common design solution for retaining a part in a specific position, especially to "prevent the buffer from moving forward away from the vertical front surface of the slide rail module," as explained in the patent (Paragraph).

In summary, the specific combination of a removable buffer retained by a feature of a removable slide rail module, while addressing known problems of wear and recoil, would have been obvious to a POSA in light of the cited prior art and general mechanical engineering principles applied to firearm design.