U.S. patent application number 10/874316 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-02 for extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun.
Invention is credited to Szabo, Atilla.
Application Number | 20050115127 10/874316 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46302239 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050115127 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Szabo, Atilla |
June 2, 2005 |
Extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun
Abstract
A system and method for extracting a round of ammunition from a
semi-automatic handgun having a slide with an opening are provided.
A single piece extractor assembly includes an elongate extractor
body configured to be disposed in the opening of the slide such
that the slide encloses the extractor body. The elongate extractor
body includes a first end and a second end. The second end of the
extractor body is resiliently biased in a direction toward a round
of ammunition and includes a portion configured to engage a rebate
on a round of ammunition.
Inventors: |
Szabo, Atilla; (Toronto,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW,
GARRETT & DUNNER L.L.P.
1300 I Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20005
US
|
Family ID: |
46302239 |
Appl. No.: |
10/874316 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10874316 |
Jun 24, 2004 |
|
|
|
10367682 |
Feb 19, 2003 |
|
|
|
6851212 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 15/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/046 |
International
Class: |
F41A 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. An extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun having a
slide with an opening, comprising: an elongate extractor body
configured to be disposed in the opening of the slide, the slide
enclosing the elongate extractor body, the elongate extractor body
including a first end and a second end; the second end of the
elongate extractor body being resiliently biased in a direction
toward a round of ammunition to thereby engage the round of
ammunition; and wherein the second end of the elongate extractor
body includes a portion configured to engage a rebate on a round of
ammunition.
2. The extractor assembly of claim 1, wherein the slide includes a
rear end face and a breech face and the elongate extractor body
extends from the first end at the rear end face of the slide to the
second end terminating beyond the breech face.
3. The extractor assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion
configured to engage the round of ammunition is a hook.
4. The extractor assembly of claim 3, wherein the second end of the
elongate extractor body includes a groove adjacent the hook that is
configured to engage the round of ammunition.
5. The extractor assembly of claim 4, wherein the hook includes an
engagement surface that is angled with respect to a rim of the
round of ammunition.
6. The extractor assembly of claim 5, wherein the engagement
surface is angled rearwardly at an angle of about 3-5 degrees.
7. The extractor assembly of claim 5, wherein the hook includes a
second engagement surface engaging the rebate on a round of
ammunition.
8. A semi-automatic handgun, comprising: a frame; a slide disposed
on the frame for movement between a forward position and a rearward
position, the slide including an opening; and a single piece
extractor assembly adapted to be disposed in the opening of the
slide, the single piece extractor assembly including: an elongate
extractor body configured to be disposed in the opening of the
slide, the slide enclosing the elongate extractor body wherein the
elongate extractor body includes a first end and a second end; the
second end of the elongate extractor body being resiliently biased
in a direction toward a round of ammunition to thereby engage the
round of ammunition; and wherein the second end of the elongate
extractor body includes a portion configured to engage a rebate on
a round of ammunition.
9. The extractor assembly of claim 8, wherein the slide includes a
rear end face and a breech face and the elongate extractor body
extends from the first end at the rear end face of the slide to the
second end terminating beyond the breech face.
10. The extractor assembly of claim 8, wherein the portion
configured to engage the round of ammunition is a hook.
11. The extractor assembly of claim 10, wherein the second end of
the elongate extractor body includes a groove adjacent the hook
that is configured to engage the round of ammunition.
12. The extractor assembly of claim 11, wherein the hook includes
an engagement surface that is angled with respect to a rim of the
round of ammunition.
13. The extractor assembly of claim 12, wherein the engagement
surface is angled rearwardly at an angle of about 3-5 degrees.
14. The extractor assembly of claim 12, wherein the hook includes a
second engagement surface engaging the rebate on a round of
ammunition.
15. A method of extracting a round of ammunition from a
semi-automatic handgun, comprising: loading a round of ammunition
having a casing into a chamber of the semi-automatic handgun;
engaging the round of ammunition with a single piece extractor
assembly disposed in an opening in a slide such that the slide
substantially encloses the single piece extractor assembly, the
single piece extractor assembly including an elongate extractor
body extending between a first and a second end, the second end
having a hook configured to engage a rebate on the round of
ammunition; and resiliently biasing the elongate extractor body
toward the round of ammunition such that the hook engages a rebate
on the round of ammunition.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the single piece extractor
assembly engages the round of ammunition as the round of ammunition
is loaded into the chamber of the semi-automatic handgun.
17. The method of claim 15, further including resiliently biasing
the elongate extractor body toward the round of ammunition to allow
the hook at the second end of the elongate extractor body to engage
a round of ammunition loaded into the chamber of the semi-automatic
handgun as the slide moves towards a forward position.
18. The method of claim 15, further including resiliently biasing
the elongate extractor body toward the round of ammunition such
that the hook engages a rebate on a round of ammunition.
19. An extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun having a
slide with an opening, comprising: an elongate extractor body
configured to be disposed in the opening of the slide, the slide
enclosing the elongate extractor body, the elongate extractor body
including a first end and a second end; wherein the second end of
the elongate extractor body includes a hook adapted to be
positioned forwardly of a rim of a round of ammunition, the hook
including an engagement surface that is angled rearwardly to engage
the rim of a round of ammunition.
20. The extractor assembly of claim 19, wherein the hook engages
substantially the entire rim of a round of ammunition.
21. The extractor assembly of claim 19, wherein the hook includes a
second engagement surface engaging the rebate of a round of
ammunition.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S.
patent application No. Ser. 10/367,682, filed Feb. 19, 2003, which
is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an improvement in a
semi-automatic handgun and, more particularly, the present
invention relates to an extractor assembly for a semi-automatic
handgun.
[0003] A semi-automatic handgun is designed to fire a round of
ammunition. Each semi-automatic handgun operates in a firing cycle
during which the round of ammunition is moved from a storage
location, such as a magazine, to a chamber in the handgun. The
round of ammunition is then fired and the spent ammunition casing,
or shell, is extracted from the chamber and ejected from the
handgun so that a new round may be loaded for firing.
[0004] Typically, each semi-automatic handgun includes a slide that
governs the movement of the ammunition round during the firing
cycle. The slide moves between a rearward position and a forward
position on the handgun. As the slide moves from the rearward
position to the forward position, the slide extracts a round of
ammunition from the storage location and moves the round into the
chamber and into position for firing.
[0005] Each round of ammunition typically includes a casing, an
explosive charge, and a projectile. The casing houses the explosive
charge and the projectile. The round is fired when a mechanical
force, such as from a firing pin or a striker, is delivered to the
casing. The force ignites the explosive charge, which then acts on
the projectile to propel the projectile down the barrel.
[0006] To remove a spent casing from the chamber and eject the
spent casing from the handgun, each handgun typically includes an
extractor and an ejector. The extractor may be mounted in the slide
and adapted to engage a rim, or lip, on the casing of the
ammunition round as the ammunition round moved from the storage
location to the chamber. The extractor remains in contact with the
casing rim as the ammunition round is positioned in the chamber and
the round is fired.
[0007] After the round is discharged, the force of the discharge
causes the slide and extractor to move towards the rearward
position. As the slide retracts, the extractor remains engaged with
the rim of the casing so that the casing moves with the slide.
Eventually, the spent casing comes into contact with the ejector,
which may be mounted on the frame. The resulting force on the
casing causes the casing to disengage from the extractor and exit
the handgun through an ejection port in the slide. The slide
continues moving rearward until it reaches its rearward position.
The slide then returns to its forward position, loading another
round of ammunition into the chamber in the process.
[0008] A jam or misfeed situation may occur when the handgun
experiences a problem in the firing cycle. This type of situation
may arise when, for example, the round of ammunition is not
properly fed into the chamber or when the spent casing is not
properly extracted from the chamber and ejected from the handgun.
In either of these circumstances, the firing cycle is interrupted
and the user must manually resolve the problem, either by
extracting the spent casing or by helping to guide the round of
ammunition into the chamber.
[0009] In some semi-automatic handguns, a known cause of a jam is a
dysfunctional extractor. Typically, the extractor is made of a
resilient, or spring-like, material and is placed in an extractor
opening that is drilled in the slide. The extractor opening extends
from the rear end of the slide to the breech face. The extractor
opening is designed to place the extractor into a position where
the extractor will engage the rim of the ammunition round as the
round is moved from the storage location to the chamber. The
elasticity of the extractor biases the extractor towards the
ammunition round to maintain the engagement of the extractor with
the round and ensure that the round is properly extracted upon
discharge. However, if the handgun has experienced heavy use, or if
the extractor opening is made slightly out of tolerance, the
extractor may not always maintain engagement with the rim of the
ammunition round. Either circumstance may result in the ammunition
round not being removed from the chamber or in the round not being
ejected from the slide.
[0010] In light of the foregoing there is a need for an improved
extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun that will reduce
the likelihood of a jam or misfeed situation during the firing
cycle of the handgun.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an
improved semi-automatic handgun that obviates one or more of the
limitations and disadvantages of the prior art semi-automatic
handguns. The advantages and purposes of the invention will be set
forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The advantages and purposes of the invention will be
realized and attained by the elements and combinations particularly
pointed out in the appended claims.
[0012] To attain the advantages and in accordance with the purposes
of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the
invention is directed to an extractor assembly for a semi-automatic
handgun having a slide with an opening. The extractor assembly
includes a first member configured to be disposed in the opening of
the slide. The slide encloses the first member. A second member has
a portion configured to engage a round of ammunition. A joint
connects the first member with the second member and is configured
to allow the second member to pivot relative to the first member to
thereby engage the round of ammunition.
[0013] According to another aspect, the invention is directed to a
method of assembling an extractor assembly for a semi-automatic
handgun having a slide. A first member is configured to be disposed
in an opening of a slide such that the slide encloses the first
member. A second member having a portion configured to engage a
round of ammunition is operatively engaged with the first member
such that the second member may pivot relative to the first member.
The first and second members are disposed in the opening of the
slide.
[0014] In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of
extracting a round of ammunition from a semi-automatic handgun. A
round of ammunition is loaded into a chamber of the semi-automatic
handgun. An extractor assembly disposed in an opening in a slide
and substantially enclosed by the slide engages the round of
ammunition. The extractor assembly includes a first member and a
second member that is configured to pivot relative to the first
member to allow a portion of the second member to engage the round
of ammunition. The second member is biased with a spring such that
the portion engages the round of ammunition.
[0015] In still another aspect, the invention is directed to an
extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun having a slide with
an opening. A first member is configured to be disposed in the
opening of the slide such that the slide encloses the first member.
A second member having a portion configured to engage a round of
ammunition is operatively engaged with the first member to allow
the first member to pivot relative to the first member. A spring is
configured to act on the second member to pivot the second member
into engagement with the round of ammunition.
[0016] In another aspect, the invention is directed to a single
piece extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun having a
slide with an opening. An elongate extractor body is configured to
be disposed in the opening of the slide such that the slide
encloses the elongate extractor body. The elongate extractor body
is resiliently biased in a direction toward a round of ammunition
such that an end of the elongate extractor body engages the round
of ammunition. The end of the extractor body is configured to
engage the neck, or rebate, on the casing of an ammunition
round.
[0017] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one embodiment
of the invention and together with the description, serve to
explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a semi-automatic handgun
according to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a top view of a slide and an extractor assembly in
accordance with the present invention, illustrating the slide in a
rearward position;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of an extractor assembly for a
semi-automatic handgun according to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the extractor assembly of FIG.
3;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a first member of an
extractor assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a second member of an
extractor assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a top pictorial view of an extractor in accordance
with an additional embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 8 is an enlarged pictorial view of the engagement
between the extractor of FIG. 7 and a round of ammunition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently
preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0028] In accordance with the present invention, a semi-automatic
handgun is provided. In the accompanying drawings and by way of
example, a 1911A1 model handgun is illustrated and described. It
should be noted, however, that the present invention may be applied
to other models of semi-automatic handguns. The 1911A1 model
handgun is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 984,519, which is hereby
incorporated by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 984,519 discloses the
overall structure and operation of the 1911A1 model handgun and its
disclosure of the basic structural components and operation will
not be repeated. The present invention may also be applied to
handguns that include variations on the conventional 1911A1 model
design, such as, for example, those handguns described in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,283,006 and 6,415,702, which are hereby incorporated by
reference. An exemplary 1911A1 model handgun is shown in FIG. 1 and
is designated generally by reference number 20.
[0029] As best illustrated in FIG. 1, semi-automatic handgun 20
includes a frame 30. Frame 30 includes a handle portion 36 that has
an opening 34 configured to receive a magazine. In an embodiment of
the present invention, the magazine is a high-capacity magazine.
The structure and operation of the frame and high-capacity magazine
are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,618, which is hereby
incorporated by reference. While the present embodiment utilizes
the high capacity magazine, it is contemplated that a standard
magazine, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 984,519, could also be
used.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 2, handgun 20 also includes a barrel
32. Barrel 32 includes a chamber 36. Chamber 36 is configured to
receive a round of ammunition 40 from the magazine. Ammunition
round 40 may include a casing 41 having a rim 42. Ammunition round
40 may also include an explosive charge disposed in casing 41 and a
projectile 43.
[0031] In a 1911A1 model handgun, barrel 32 is connected to frame
30 through a pivoting link. Barrel 32 includes a projection (not
shown) having an opening. A linking member (not shown) engages the
opening and establishes the pivoting link with frame 30.
[0032] Barrel 32 also includes a feed ramp 52. Feed ramp 52 is
positioned between the magazine and chamber 36. Projectile 43 of
ammunition round 40 may engage feed ramp 52 as ammunition round 40
is moved from the magazine to chamber 36. In this manner, feed ramp
52 may guide ammunition round 40 into chamber 36.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, semi-automatic handgun 20 also includes
a hammer 22. Hammer 22 is pivotally mounted with respect to frame
30. Hammer 22 is adapted to rotate between a rearward, or cocked
position, and a forward, or rest position. A sear (not shown) may
be mounted in frame 30 and configured to hold hammer 22 in the
cocked position.
[0034] Semi-automatic handgun 20 may also include a mainspring (not
shown) that is operatively connected to hammer 22. A rotation of
hammer 22 from the forward position towards the rearward position
and into engagement with the sear may act to compress the
mainspring. When the sear is disengaged to release hammer 22, the
mainspring acts on hammer 22 to rotate hammer 22 towards the
forward position.
[0035] In accordance with the present invention, the semi-automatic
handgun includes a slide that is mounted on the frame for
reciprocating movement between a forward position and a rearward
position. The slide includes a breech configured to receive a round
of ammunition. The slide also includes an opening configured to
receive an extractor assembly.
[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a slide 28 includes a front end 26
and a rear end 27. Front end 26 includes a barrel opening 29 that
is configured to receive barrel 32. As shown in FIG. 1, front end
26 of slide 28 may also include a front connector 38. Any of a
variety of front sights may be attached to connector 38. Similarly,
rear end 27 of slide 28 includes a rear connector 44, to which a
rear sight may be attached.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, slide 28 is mounted on frame 30. Slide
28 may include a pair of grooves (not shown) that are adapted to
engage a pair of corresponding rails (not shown) on the top of
frame 30. The engagement of the grooves of slide 28 and the rails
on frame 30 allow slide 28 to slide between a forward position (as
illustrated in FIG. 1) and a rearward position (as illustrated in
FIG. 2).
[0038] Slide 28 also includes a breech 48. As illustrated in FIG.
2, breech 48 includes a breech face 50 and an ejection port 46.
Breech face 50 is adapted to engage an ammunition round 40 held by
magazine as slide 28 moves from the rearward position to the
forward position. As slide 28 moves to the forward position, breech
face 50 moves ammunition round 40 up feed ramp 52 and into chamber
36. Ejection port 46 may be sized to allow a spent casing to be
ejected therethrough.
[0039] Slide 28 further includes a first opening 54 and a second
opening 56. First opening 54 extends from the rear end 27 face of
slide 30 to breech face 50. Second opening 56 also extends from
rear end 27 of slide 28 to breech face 50. The size of second
opening 56 may become narrower as second opening 56 approaches
breech face 50.
[0040] Second opening 56 is configured to receive a firing pin (not
shown) and to position the firing pin between hammer 22 and
ammunition round 40 housed in chamber 36. When hammer 22 is
released from the sear, the mainspring acts on hammer 22 to rotate
hammer 22 into engagement with the firing pin. The force generated
by the mainspring is transferred through the firing pin to
ammunition round 40 to thereby discharge ammunition round 40.
Second opening 56 may be adapted to guide the firing pin through an
opening in the breech face 50 and ensure that the firing pin
contacts ammunition round 40 when struck by hammer 22.
[0041] In accordance with the present invention, the semi-automatic
handgun also includes an extractor assembly. The extractor assembly
includes a first member and a second member. The first member is
configured to be disposed in the opening of the slide. The second
member includes a portion, such as, for example, a hook, configured
to engage a round of ammunition and is operatively engaged with the
first member to allow the second member to pivot relative to the
first member. The portion configured to engage the ammunition round
may take on alternative shapes. The extractor assembly may also
include a spring that acts on the second member to pivot the second
member into engagement with the rim of the round of ammunition.
[0042] An exemplary embodiment of an extractor assembly 60 is
illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown, extractor assembly 60 includes a
first member 62 and a second member 64. Second member 64 may
include a hook 82 and a groove 84. Hook 82 and groove 84 may be
adapted to engage a portion, such as for example, a rim 42, of
ammunition round 40. One skilled in the art will recognize that the
configuration of hook 82 and groove 84 may be modified to allow
extractor assembly 60 to engage any particular type of ammunition.
In addition, the configuration of hook 82 and groove 84 may be
adapted to engage different portions of the round of
ammunition.
[0043] A joint 70 connects first member 62 and second member 64.
Joint 70 allows second member 64 to pivot relative to first member
62. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, joint 70
includes a projection 72 on second member 64 that is engageable
with an opening 80 in first member 62. Preferably, projection 72
and opening 80 are adapted to allow projection 72 to move within
opening 80 to thereby allow second member 64 to pivot relative to
first member 62. One skilled in the art will recognize that joint
70 may have any configuration that will allow second member 64 to
pivot relative to first member 62, such as, for example, a pin
joint, a ball joint, or a hinge.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, opening 80 in first member 62 is defined
by a curved surface 88 and a straight surface 91. Curved surface 88
extends from a front edge 89 of the first member to straight
surface 91. Straight surface 91 extends substantially
perpendicularly to outer surface 90 of first member 62.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, second member 64 also includes a curved
surface 76 and a straight surface 77. Curved surface 76 is
configured to correspond to curved surface 88 of first member 62.
The radius of curvature of curved surface may increase as curved
surface 76 extends away from straight surface 77.
[0046] Projection 72 of first member 62 may be disposed in opening
80 of first member 62 to form joint 70. In this position, curved
surface 88 of first member 62 aligns with curved surface 76 of
second member 64 and straight surface 91 of first member 62 aligns
with straight surface 77 of second member 64. Curved surfaces 76
and 88 may be configured to guide second member 64 through a
pivoting movement relative to first member 62 (as shown by arrows
100 and 102 of FIG. 3). Straight surfaces 77 and 91 engage and
provide a contact surface when a force is exerted on extractor
assembly 60 in the direction of arrow 104 (referring to FIG.
3).
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, first member 62 may also include
a notch 86 disposed adjacent opening 80. Preferably, notch 86 has a
width substantially equivalent to the width of projection 72. When
projection 72 is engaged with notch 86 and opening 80, the close
tolerance between notch 86 and projection 72 prevents an undesired
motion, such as, for example, a twisting movement, of second member
64 relative to first member.
[0048] First member 62 also includes an outer surface 90. Outer
surface 90 may be rounded and configured to fit within opening 54
of slide 28. First member 62 may also include any other features
necessary for the operation of the particular handgun. For example,
first member 62 may include a groove 92 that is configured to
receive a firing pin plunger.
[0049] Second member 64 also includes an outer surface 78. Outer
surface 78 of second member 64 may also be rounded and adapted to
fit within opening 54 of slide 28. A first end 65 of second member
64, i.e. the end adjacent hook 82 and groove 84, may be smaller
than a second end 73 of second member 64, i.e. the end adjacent
projection 72. The smaller size of first end 65 provides a
clearance with opening 54 of slide 28 that allows second member 64
to pivot relative to first member 62 within opening 54 of slide
28.
[0050] An end 75 of projection 72 may also be rounded. End 75 of
projection 72 may be configured such that when projection 72 is
disposed within opening 80 of first member 62, end 75 substantially
conforms to the shape of outer surface 90 of first member 62. As
shown in FIG. 6, end 75 may also include an angle, .theta., that
slopes away from opening 80 between curved surface 76 and a rear
face 74. This angle provides additional clearance between
projection 72 and opening 54 in slide 28 to allow second member 64
to pivot relative to first member 62.
[0051] As further shown in FIG. 6, rear face 74 may also be
disposed at an angle, .alpha.. Angle, .alpha., may provide
additional clearance between projection 72 and first member 62.
This additional clearance allows second member 64 to pivot relative
to first member 62.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, first member 62 also includes a bore 94
that extends from notch 86. Bore 94 is adapted to receive a spring
66 and a pin 68 (referring to FIG. 4). Spring 66 may be disposed in
bore 94 to act on pin 68 to bias pin 68 out of bore 94 and into
engagement with rear face 74 of second member 64.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, frame 30 may also mount safety devices
for the handgun 20. These safety devices may include a manual, or
"thumb" safety and a grip safety 24. The manual safety may be
manually moved between a safe position where the manual safety
engages a notch in slide 28. In the safe position, the manual
safety prevents slide 28 from moving from the forward position to
the rearward position.
[0054] As also shown in FIG. 1, grip safety 24 is disposed in
handle portion 36 of frame 30. A spring (not shown) biases grip
safety 24 into a safe position where grip safety 24 engages a notch
in hammer 22. When grip safety 26 is engaged with the notch in
hammer 22, hammer 22 is prevented from moving relative to frame 30.
Grip safety 24 is typically disengaged from hammer 22 when a user
grips the handgun 20 in a standard firing position. The user's grip
overcomes the spring bias acting on grip safety 24, and the grip
safety pivots out of contact with hammer 22 to thereby allow hammer
22 to pivot relative to frame 30.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an additional embodiment of the
extractor assembly is illustrated. The extractor of FIG. 7 includes
a single piece extractor 110 including an elongate extractor body
116. The single piece extractor of FIGS. 7-8 is made of a
resilient, or spring-like, material. Exemplary materials for the
single piece extractor include 8620 spring steel and 17-4PH
stainless steel. The extractor 110 is placed in the extractor
opening 54 within the slide 28 similar to the placement of the
extractor assembly 60 of FIG. 2. The extractor 110 is designed to
engage the rim of the case as the round is moved from the storage
location to the chamber. The elasticity of the extractor 110 biases
the extractor towards the round of ammunition 40 to maintain the
engagement of the extractor 110 with the casing 41 and ensure that
a spent casing 41 is properly extracted.
[0056] FIG. 7 illustrates a round of ammunition 40 including a
casing 41 having a rim 42 and a neck, or rebate 45. As seen in FIG.
7, the elongate extractor body 116 extends from a first end 118 to
a second end 120. At the second end 120, the single piece extractor
110 includes a portion, such as, for example, a hook, configured to
engage the rim 42 of the casing 41. The portion of extractor 110
configured to engage the rim may have alternative shapes.
[0057] As seen in the enlarged view of FIG. 8, the second end 120
of single piece extractor 110 may include a hook 112 and a groove
114. Hook 112 and groove 114 may be adapted to engage a portion,
such as for example, a rim 42, of ammunition round 40. The hook and
groove may be further configured to substantially engage the entire
rim 42 all the way to the rebate 45 of the casing 41.
[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the hook 112 is positioned
forwardly of the rim 42 on the round of ammunition 40. The hook 112
includes an engagement surface that is angled rearwardly with
respect to the rim 42 in order to more substantially engage the
casing 41. The engagement surface of the hook 112 may be disposed
at an angle .beta. rearwardly with respect to the surface of the
rim 42 on ammunition round 40. In one exemplary embodiment, the
angle .beta. is about 3-5 degrees. The extractor configuration
allows a second surface of the hook to contact and thereby engage
the rebate 45 of ammunition round 40. One skilled in the art will
recognize that the configuration of hook 112 and groove 114 may be
modified to allow the single piece extractor 110 to engage the
rebate 45 of any particular type of ammunition.
[0059] The configuration of single piece extractor 110 allows for
engagement of up to 100% of the length of rim 42 extending from the
rebate 45. Such engagement allows for more reliable extraction and
ejection of casings 41 during the firing cycle of a semi-automatic
handgun. The consistent extraction of spent casings 41 helps
provide a safer and more reliable handgun.
[0060] The operation of the aforementioned device will now be
described with reference to the attached drawings. A user may
insert a magazine containing a number of rounds of ammunition into
the opening in the grip of frame 30. The user may then retract
slide 28 to its rearward position and release slide 28. As slide 28
returns to its forward position, breech face 50 engages ammunition
round 40 in the magazine and moves the ammunition round 40 into
breech 48 and towards chamber 36.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, when slide 28 moves ammunition round 40
from the magazine into breech 48, hook 82 and groove 84 of
extractor assembly 60 engage ammunition round 40. Spring 66 acts
through pin 68 to pivot second member 64 towards ammunition round
40 (in the direction of arrow 100 of FIG. 3). Hook 82 may be
adapted to engage the neck, or rebate, on the casing of ammunition
round 40.
[0062] The force of spring 66 acting through hook 82 may facilitate
the movement of ammunition round 40 along feed ramp 52 and into
chamber 36. The engagement of hook 82 with the neck of ammunition
round 40 may create less friction than a direct engagement of
groove 84 with the outer edge of rim 42. In addition, the force of
spring 66 may prevent an undesired lateral motion of ammunition
round 40. In this manner the extractor assembly may act to
positively control the feeding of a round of ammunition to chamber
36, thereby reducing the likelihood of a misfeed situation.
[0063] The force of spring 66 and the pivoting motion of second
member 64 allow extractor assembly 64 to fully engage rim 42 of
ammunition round 40 even when the dimensions of successive
ammunition rounds include variations in size or rim dimensions. The
force of spring 66 continues to act on second member 64 to ensure
hook 82 and groove 84 remain engaged with rim 42 of ammunition
round 40 during the firing cycle of the handgun 20. Thus, extractor
assembly 60 relies on the force of spring 66, instead of an
inherent material elasticity in the extractor material, to ensure
consistent extraction of spent casings.
[0064] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7-8, the single piece
extractor 110 relies on the inherent material elasticity of the
extractor material, while at the same time utilizing the increased
engagement available from the configuration of hook 112 in order to
provide reliable engagement and extraction of spent casings. The
elasticity of the extractor material may provide for biasing the
single piece extractor into engagement with the rim 42 and rebate
45 of a round of ammunition.
[0065] In certain circumstances, an ammunition round 40 may be
"dropped" or loaded into chamber 36 before slide 28 moves to the
forward position. In this situation, as slide 28 moves forward, rim
42 of ammunition round 40 will engage second member 64 and cause
second member 64 to pivot outwardly (i.e. in the direction of arrow
102 of FIG. 3) to move around rim 42. The force of spring 66 will
then act on second member 64 to pivot second member 64 such that
hook 82 and groove 84 engage rim 42 of ammunition round 40. Thus,
extractor assembly 60 may engage a pre-loaded ammunition round,
without unduly stressing and/or weakening the extractor.
[0066] After ammunition round 40 is positioned in chamber 36, the
user may discharge the handgun by pulling the trigger of handgun
20. The trigger pull disengages the sear from hammer 22, thereby
allowing the mainspring to rotate hammer 22 into contact with the
firing pin. The firing pin transmits the force generated by the
released mainspring to ammunition round 40, thereby discharging
ammunition round 40.
[0067] In response to the discharge of ammunition round 40, slide
28 recoils to its rearward position. As slide 28 recoils, extractor
assembly 60 pulls the spent casing rearwardly from chamber 36.
Eventually, the casing will engage an ejector that is positioned on
the opposite side of slide 28 from extractor assembly 60. The
contact between the spent casing and the ejector 90 causes the
spent casing to pivot, or spin, relative to extractor assembly 60.
Second member 64 may pivot outwardly (i.e. in the direction of
arrow 102 of FIG. 3) to allow rim 42 of the spent casing 91 to
disengage from hook 82 and notch 84 of extractor assembly 60. The
spent casing then ejects from handgun 20 through ejection port
46.
[0068] After the spent casing has ejected from slide 28, slide 28
continues to recoil to its rearward position. Slide 28 then returns
to its forward position and moves another round of ammunition into
chamber 36. The firing process may then be repeated.
[0069] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the method of
manufacture of the present invention and in construction of this
extractor assembly without departing from the scope or spirit of
the invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent
to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification
and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that
the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only,
with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by
the following claims.
* * * * *