U.S. patent application number 10/420822 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for safety device for firearms with a firing pin lock.
Invention is credited to Prechtl, Gottfried.
Application Number | 20040211102 10/420822 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27797866 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040211102 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Prechtl, Gottfried |
October 28, 2004 |
SAFETY DEVICE FOR FIREARMS WITH A FIRING PIN LOCK
Abstract
The present invention provides a device wherein the safety is
arrested in a position in that secures the weapon. The safety
shaft, while securing the weapon, is fixed in such a way that any
force applied to the safety wing cannot result in a movement of
either the safety wing or the safety shaft.
Inventors: |
Prechtl, Gottfried;
(Weinheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Einar Stole
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
Suite 1100
1825 Eye Street, NW
Washington
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
27797866 |
Appl. No.: |
10/420822 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/70.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/70 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/070.08 |
International
Class: |
F41A 017/00 |
Claims
1-30. (canceled).
31: A safety device for firearms with a firing pin lock against
unintended unlocking of the firearm, comprising: a rotatable and
adjustable safety shaft connected to the firing pin lock with
locking surfaces, wherein the safety shaft can be set in the bore
for the firing pin or abuts a nut at the rear of the firing pin and
locks the firing pin, and further wherein the safety shaft is flat
in its middle portion and is arrestable in a locking position
within the weapon; and a lock bar perpendicular to the safety
shaft, wherein the lock bar, when the weapon is secured, can be
pushed towards the safety shaft into the existing space at the flat
portion of the safety shaft and then rests with its front side edge
on the flat portion thereby locking the safety shaft.
32: The safety device according to claim 31, wherein the lock bar
is pushed with its front side edge towards the safety shaft by
force of a spring.
33: The safety device according to claim 31, wherein the spring is
a coil spring which is inserted into a dead end bore in the part
opposite to the front side edge of the lock bar.
34: The safety device according to according to claim 31, wherein
the lock bar is wedge-shaped at least at the part opposite the
safety shaft.
35: The safety device according to claim 31, wherein the lock bar
is inserted into a slot in the shape of the lock bar alongside the
firing pin lock.
36: The safety device according to claim 31, wherein the existing
space is made axially within the firearm in front of the safety
shaft and partly uncovers the bore for the safety shaft.
37: The safety device according to claim 31, wherein the safety
shaft is disposed vertically to the firing pin lock.
38: A safety device for firearms with a firing pin lock against
unintended unlocking of the firearm, comprising: a rotatable and
adjustable safety shaft connected to the firing pin lock with
locking surfaces, wherein the safety shaft can be set in the bore
for the firing pin or abuts a nut at the rear of the firing pin and
locks the firing pin, and further wherein the safety shaft is flat
in its middle portion and is arrestable in a locking position
within the weapon; and a lock bar perpendicular to the safety
shaft, wherein the lock bar, when the weapon is secured, can be
pushed towards the safety shaft into the existing space at the flat
portion of the safety shaft and then rests with its front side edge
on the flat portion thereby locking the safety shaft and further
wherein the lock bar tilts around a retaining pin which is located
in about the middle of the lock bar.
39: The safety device according to claim 38, wherein the lock bar
is pushed with its front side edge towards the safety shaft by
force of a spring.
40: The safety device according to claim 38, wherein the spring is
a coil spring which is inserted into a dead end bore in the part
opposite to the front side edge of the lock bar.
41: The safety device according to according to claim 38, wherein
the lock bar is wedge-shaped at least at the part opposite the
safety shaft.
42: The safety device according to claim 38, wherein the lock bar
is inserted into a slot in the shape of the lock bar alongside the
firing pin lock.
43: The safety device according to claim 38, wherein the existing
space is made axially within the firearm in front of the safety
shaft and partly uncovers the bore for the safety shaft.
44: The safety device according to claim 38, wherein the safety
shaft is disposed vertically to the firing pin lock.
45: A safety device for firearms with a firing pin lock against
unintended unlocking of the firearm, comprising: a rotatable and
adjustable safety shaft connected to the firing pin lock with
locking surfaces, wherein the safety shaft can be set in the bore
for the firing pin or abuts a nut at the rear of the firing pin and
locks the firing pin, and further wherein the safety shaft is flat
in its middle portion and is arrestable in a locking position
within the weapon; and a lock bar perpendicular to the safety
shaft, wherein the lock bar, when the weapon is secured, can be
pushed by the force of a coil spring, which is inserted into a dead
end bore in the part opposite to the front side edge of the lock
bar, towards the safety shaft into the existing space at the flat
portion of the safety shaft and then rests with its front side edge
on the flat portion thereby locking the safety shaft and further
wherein the lock bar tilts around a retaining pin which is located
in about the middle of the lock bar.
46: The safety device according to according to claim 45, wherein
the lock bar is wedge-shaped at least at the part opposite the
safety shaft.
47: The safety device according to claim 45, wherein the lock bar
is inserted in a slot in the shape of the lock bar alongside the
firing pin lock.
48: The safety device according to claim 45, wherein the slot is
made axially within the firearm in front of the safety shaft and
partly uncovers the bore for the safety shaft.
49: The safety device according to claim 45, wherein the safety
shaft is disposed vertically to the firing pin lock.
50: A safety device for firearms with a firing pin lock against
unintended unlocking of the firearm, comprising: a rotatable and
adjustable safety shaft connected to the firing pin lock with
locking surfaces, wherein the safety shaft can be set in the bore
for the firing pin or abuts a nut at the rear of the firing pin and
locks the firing pin, and further wherein the safety shaft is flat
in its middle portion and is arrestable in a locking position
within the weapon; and a lock bar that tilts around a retaining pin
which is located in about the middle of the lock bar.
51: The safety device according to claim 50, wherein the lock bar
is pushed with its front side edge towards the safety shaft by
force of a spring.
52: The safety device according to claim 50, wherein the spring is
a coil spring which is inserted into a dead end bore in the part
opposite to the front side edge of the lock bar.
53: The safety device according to according to claim 50, wherein
the lock bar is wedge-shaped at least at the part opposite the
safety shaft.
54: The safety device according to claim 50, wherein the lock bar
is inserted into a slot in the shape of the lock bar alongside the
firing pin lock.
55: The safety device according to claim 50, wherein the existing
space is made axially within the firearm in front of the safety
shaft and partly uncovers the bore for the safety shaft.
56: The safety device according to claim 50, wherein the safety
shaft is disposed vertically to the firing pin lock.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a safety device for firearms with
a firing pin lock to prevent the unintended unlocking of the
firearm wherein the safety device comprises a rotatable safety
shaft connected to the firing pin lock with locking surfaces. The
safety shaft is adjustable in at least two positions for locking of
at least the firing pin.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Hunting rifles and other firearms are commonly equipped with
safety devices, which prevent unintended unlocking of the firearm.
These safety devices secure the trigger so that it cannot be
actuated. A safety device where the trigger is secured, is
described in DE 78 449. Other safety devices function by securing
the firing pins.
[0003] Safety devices where both the trigger as well as the firing
pin or bolt are secured are also known--the art. An example of such
a safety device is described in EP 0 143 625 B1. A safety shaft,
which is affixed at the firing pin lock, can be set to three
positions. The adjustment is usually done with the thumb via a
safety wing connected to the safety shaft. The safety shaft has
three depressions for the positions, into which a holding pin is
pushed by force of a spring. While the weapon is secured, the
safety wing points towards the back and is approximately parallel
to the weapons barrel. The safety shaft is then partly engaged in a
slot in the firing pin lock and thereby arrests the firing pin. At
the same time the lower part of the safety shaft rests on the
trigger thereby arresting it as well. Finally a pin, which runs
parallel to the firing pin lock and which is under the pressure of
a spring, is pushed forward into a bore, thereby preventing the
lock from turning. The lever for the lock is arrested as well.
Through a forward movement of the safety wing by 70.degree., the
pin is released and pulled out of the bore by force of the spring.
The lock can then be turned and the weapon loaded or unloaded. A
shot however cannot be fired, since the lower part of the safety
shaft has not unlocked the trigger. Only when the safety wing is
pushed forward into the next position, thereby unlocking the
trigger, will the safety be released and the weapon free to fire.
Several safety devices following this basic principle are
commercially available and are generally reliable.
[0004] These safety devices, however, suffer from the disadvantage
that the safety wing can be unintentionally pushed forward from the
secure position, especially while climbing an elevated blind, and
when the weapon is jarred or bumped during normal use when hunting.
Since for the release of the safety using such a safety device
requires only that the safety wing pass an angle of rotation less
than 180.degree., the inadvertent release of the safety during
normal use of the weapon cannot be excluded.
[0005] The present invention solves this problem by providing a
device that prevents the safety wing from being unintentionally
moved fro the secure position.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a device wherein the safety
shaft is arrested in a position in that secures the weapon. The
safety shaft, while securing the weapon, is fixed in such a way
that any force applied to the safety wing cannot result in a
movement of either the safety wing or the safety shaft.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the safety shaft can be fixed at
a firing pin lock by flattening in the middle part of the safety
shaft which can be set into the bore for the firing pin or the
nut/mother of the firing pin, and therefore results in a locking of
the firing pin. Such a lock can preferably have a lock bar
perpendicular to the safety shaft, which when the weapon is secured
can be pushed with the end that is directed towards the safety
shaft into the existing space of the flat portion of the safety
shaft and with its front side edge rests on the flat portion and
locks the safety shaft.
[0008] The lock bar pivots around a retaining pin which is located
approximately in the middle of the lock bar. It swivels into the
securing position by force of a spring. It is pushed with its front
side end in the direction of the safety shaft or the flattening of
the safety shaft. The lock bar may be swiveled out of the secure
position, thereby releasing the weapon, by applying finger pressure
on the reverse side of the lock bar, while simultaneously turning
the safety shaft through the safety wing.
[0009] A coil spring is preferably used and inserted into a dead
end bore on the reverse side of the lock bar. To assist the
moveability of the lock bar while swiveling, the lock bar is wedge
shaped at least at the side opposite the safety shaft.
[0010] A completely immobile alignment of the lock bar in its
longitudinal direction is accomplished by inserting the lock bar
into a slot--shaped like the lock bar--wherein the slot is located
alongside the firing pin lock. This slot confines the lock bar so
that even shearing the hinge pin on the wing will not bring the
wing out of the secure or securing-position. The slot is mounted
from an axial view of the weapon in front of the safety shaft and
partly uncovers the bore for the safety shaft. Therefore, the
safety shaft, and especially the herein existing flattening for the
lock bar, is accessible. The mounting of the lock bar in this
configuration is very advantageous, if the lock bar is affixed
perpendicular to or at the firing pin lock. In this configuration,
the safety wing and lock bar are then ergonomically situated
towards each other. The lock bar is swiveled out with pressure of
the index finger or the middle finger while at the same time the
safety wing is pushed forward with the thumb. To release the weapon
it is necessary to unlock the firing pin lock by pressure from the
side and then by pressure from behind in the direction of firing.
The simultaneous application of pressure in two different
directions greatly reduces or eliminates the possibility of an
unintentional discharge of the weapon. Finally, the matching
fitting of the lock bar prevents a shearing of the retaining
pin--even under extreme forces--at the safety wing.
[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a conventional firing pin lock
with safety shaft, and a partial sectional view of the
turn-secure-pin for the lock in different positions.
[0013] FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the firing pin, and a partial
sectional view of the lock bar in the secure or securing
position.
[0014] FIG. 3 depicts the view of FIG. 2 in the released
position.
[0015] FIG. 4 depicts the firing pin lock in side view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0016] The invention is being described further, by example of the
widespread firing pin lock type "Dakota". The arresting of the
safety shaft here is easily achieved. Notably, this invention can
be implemented or other locks of similar design, since a particular
advantage of the present invention is that it can be fitted to
already existing locks.
[0017] The firing pin lock 1 in FIG. 1 in top view is provided with
a safety shaft 2. The safety shaft 2 is situated in the lock 1 and
is turned by means of the safety wing 3 affixed to it. In the shown
position I of the safety wing 3 the weapon is completely secured.
The safety shaft 2 is swiveled into the firing pin bore 4 (FIG. 2)
and abuts to the nut/mother of the firing pin 5. Thereby the firing
pin 6 is blocked. At the same time the pin 8 is pushed forward
through the cam area 7 into a dead end bore existing close by the
socket, which is not shown in detail, and the lock 1 is thereby
secured against turning. The position of the pin 8 is shown in a
partial sectional view of the lock 1. In Position I, a loaded
weapon may be transported and carried. The pin 8 is compulsorily
pushed forward and thereby prevents an unintentional opening of the
closure chamber while the mother of the firing pin is secured
against flicking by the safety lever 3. In this position a large
amount of the safety shaft 8 is pushed in front of the nut 5 of the
firing pin.
[0018] Since the largest danger for an autonomous "Pushing-Forward"
of the safety wing 3 exists when during transport of the weapon,
especially during rough action such as bumping, falling or
dropping, this secure or securing position is secured once more
against unintentional releasing by the lock bar 10. Even a hard hit
against the bar 3, which could cause a shearing of the hinge shaft,
presents no danger, since the tight fit of the lock bar 10 in the
flute would not allow for such a deformation of the hinge pin 12
that would allow a shearing. Instead, the safety wing 3 would break
off before the shaft would being release.
[0019] The position of the lock bar 10 was chosen so that the
direction of operation for conscious unlocking is opposite by
90.degree. to the direction of releasing. An unintentional
operation of the lock bar 10 in conjunction with the safety wing 3
is ergonomically eliminated.
[0020] In Position II, the safety wing 3 is swiveled forward into
its second position. The pin 8 is pulled inward through the spring
gripping it and the securing against turning the lock 1 is
suspended. The safety shaft 2 still abuts to the nut of the firing
pin 5 and therefore the firing pin 6 is still blocked. Thus,
Position II is still secured. The safeguard for carrying in this
position is already suspended. Suspended as well is the safeguard
for opening the pin 8. This securing position is used when the
shooter is shortly before firing. Also this position is needed for
unloading the weapon. Ammunition that might still be in the muzzle
can be removed from the muzzle by opening the catch under a secured
condition. Also this position is used when the lock is
dismantled.
[0021] Position III shows the safety wing 3 when swiveled forward
completely. In this position of the safety wing 3 the firing pin is
unblocked and the weapon ready to fire. The securing Position III
is the position which is necessary for firing. It unblocks the nut
of the firing pin for a forward movement and allows the turning of
the catch for repeating.
[0022] In FIG. 2 the firing pin lock 1 is also shown in a trop
view. The existing partial sectional view in FIG. 2 shows the
horizontal middle level of the firing pin bore 4. Visible here is
the existing flattening 9 in the safety shaft 2. The safety shaft 2
is swiveled into the firing pin bore 4 and abuts to the front edge
of the nut of the firing pin 5. The firing pin 6 is blocked. At the
same time the lock bar 10 is swiveled around the retaining pin 12
by means of the spring 11 and abuts with the front side edge 13 to
the flattening 9. To accomplish this, the end 14 of the lock bar
10, which is directed towards the safety shaft 2, is swiveled into
the space 15 created by the flattening of the safety shaft 2. As
such, the safety shaft 2 is arrested. It can only be turned, and
the weapon therefore released, when the lock bar 10 is swiveled out
by pressure onto the part 16 opposite to the front edge 13 against
the force of the spring by the coil spring 11 inserted into the
dead end bore 17. The lock bar 10 is wedge-shaped on the part 16
opposite to the front edge 13 to aid in swiveling.
[0023] In FIG. 3 the position of the safety shaft 2 and the lock
bar 10 is shown for a released weapon. The safety wing 3 is turned
into the position pointing forward. This corresponds to Position
III of the safety wing 3 in FIG. 1. The space 15 unblocks the nut
of the firing pin 5. This space 15 of the safety shaft is formed in
such a way that it matches the cylindrical area of the bore 4, in
other words being cylindrical itself. The lock bar 10 abuts to the
safety shaft 2 with the end 14 directed towards the safety shaft 2.
The pin 8 shown in FIG. 1 is pulled in by the spring and the firing
pin lock 1 can be turned.
[0024] The firing pin lock 1 is shown in a side view in FIG. 4.
Visible is the lock bar 10, that can be swiveled around the
retaining pin 12 and is inserted into the slot 18. The shape of the
flute coincides with the contour of the lock bar 10, so that the
lock bar can almost completely disappear into the flute 18, as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The flute 18 is laid out in such a way that
it partly uncovers the bore 19 of the safety shaft 2 perpendicular
to the flute 18, so that the front side end 14 of the lock bar 10
can come in contact with the safety shaft 2 or the flattening 9 of
the safety shaft 2. As mentioned above, the weapon is secured in
the Position I of the safety shaft 2, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4,
and the safety shaft 2 is arrested by the lock bar 10 that abuts to
the flattening 9 with its front side edge 13. The pin 8 is pushed
forward and secures the lock 1 against turning and possibly taking
it out of the weapon. By pressure onto the part 16 of the lock bar
10, the lock bar 10 is swiveled slightly around the retaining pin
12 and the arresting of the safety shaft 2 is suspended. The safety
shaft 2 can then be turned forward into Position 11 (FIG. 1). In
Position 11 of the safety wing 3 and the safety shaft 2 the
safeguard against turning the lock 1 by the pin 8 and the arresting
of the lock bar 10 is suspended. The firing pin 6 is still secured.
The lock 1 can be turned and the weapon can be loaded or unloaded,
while the firing pin 6 is secured, since the safety shaft 2 still
reaches into the bore 4 for the firing pin 6 and abuts to the nut
of the firing pin 5. Only a complete forward turn of the safety
wing 3 turns the safety shaft 2 far enough, thereby unblocking the
nut of the firing pin 5, to slacken the weapon completely. In the
single Positions I, II and III of the safety wing 3, it is secured
by a stop bolt not specifically shown.
* * * * *