U.S. patent application number 12/187175 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-12 for slide retraction levers for use with firearms.
Invention is credited to Wolfgang Bantle, Norbert Fluhr.
Application Number | 20090064556 12/187175 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37972669 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090064556 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fluhr; Norbert ; et
al. |
March 12, 2009 |
SLIDE RETRACTION LEVERS FOR USE WITH FIREARMS
Abstract
Slide retraction levers for use with firearms are described. In
one example implementation, the slide retraction lever for use with
a firearm includes a first handle and a second handle. The first
and second handles are used to retract the slide retraction lever.
Additionally, the first and second handles are positioned on
opposite sides of the slide retraction lever. The slide retraction
lever further includes a locking device that is associated with the
first handle. Operating the first handle releases an engagement
with the firearm. Additionally, the locking device is associated
with the second handle. Operating the second handle releases the
engagement with the firearm independent of the operation of the
first handle.
Inventors: |
Fluhr; Norbert; (Oberndorf,
DE) ; Bantle; Wolfgang; (Oberndorf-Hochmossingen,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HANLEY, FLIGHT & ZIMMERMAN, LLC
150 S. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 2100
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
37972669 |
Appl. No.: |
12/187175 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP2007/001005 |
Feb 6, 2007 |
|
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12187175 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 3/72 20130101; F41A
19/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/14 |
International
Class: |
F41A 3/00 20060101
F41A003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 9, 2006 |
DE |
10 2006 006 034.2 |
Claims
1. A slide retraction lever for use with a firearm, comprising: a
first handle; a second handle, wherein the first and second handles
are used to retract the slide retraction lever and wherein the
first and second handles are positioned on opposite sides of the
slide retraction lever; and a locking device that is associated
with the first handle, wherein operating the first handle releases
an engagement with the firearm, wherein the locking device is
associated with the second handle, wherein operating the second
handle releases the engagement with the firearm independent of the
operation of the first handle.
2. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the
locking device comprises a plurality of clips that removably engage
a plurality of recesses defined by the firearm to substantially
restrict the movement of the slide retraction lever relative to the
firearm.
3. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 2, wherein each
of the plurality of clips is coupled to the first handle or the
second handle.
4. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the
first handle engages the second handle.
5. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the
first handle is coupled to the second handle.
6. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the
first handle is hingeably coupled to the slide retraction lever and
wherein the second handle is hingeably coupled to the slide
retraction lever.
7. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the
first handle is provided with a protrusion that corresponds to a
recess defined by the second handle.
8. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 7, wherein the
position of the protrusion relative to the recess couples the
rotational movement of the first handle and the second handle
together.
9. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 7, wherein the
protrusion is provided with a rounded portion.
10. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 7, wherein the
recess has a rectangular profile.
11. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, further
comprising at least one spring that pre-stresses the first and
second handles in a rest position.
12. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the
first handle is provided with a first grip and the second handle is
provided with a second grip, wherein the first handle and second
handle are integrated into the slide retraction lever.
13. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein
operating the first handle or the second handle comprises moving
the first handle or the second handle in a direction substantially
opposite a force exerted by a spring.
14. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the
slide retraction lever moves relative to the firearm within a guide
in a longitudinal direction.
15. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein a
portion of the slide retraction lever removably engages a breech of
the firearm and wherein the first handle and the second handle are
substantially opposite the portion.
16. A hand-held firearm, comprising: a plurality of handles that
each include a clip that removably engages a corresponding recess
defined by the firearm, wherein the plurality of handles are
positioned on opposite sides of a slide retraction lever; wherein
independently operating one of the plurality of handles removes the
clips of the plurality of handles from the corresponding recesses
to disengage the slide retraction lever.
17. The hand-held firearm as defined in claim 16, wherein the
engagement between the clip and the recess substantially restricts
the movement of the slide retraction lever relative to the
hand-held firearm.
18. A hand-held firearm, comprising: a slide retraction lever
having a first handle and a second handle for the retraction of the
slide retraction lever, wherein the first handle is on an opposite
side of the firearm as the second handle; a locking device that is
coupled to the first handle, wherein operating the first handle
releases an engagement with the firearm; wherein the locking device
is associated with the second handle, wherein operating the second
handle releases the engagement with the firearm independent of the
operation of the first handle.
19. The hand-held firearm as defined in claim 18, wherein the first
handle is coupled to the second handle.
20. The hand-held firearm as defined in claim 18, wherein the first
handle and the second handle are hingeably coupled to the slide
retraction lever and, wherein the first handle and the second
handle rotationally engage one another to couple the rotational
movement of the first handle and the second handle together.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent is a continuation of International Patent
Application Serial No. PCT/EP2007/001005, filed Feb. 6, 2007, which
claims priority to German Patent Application 10 2006 006 034.2,
filed on Feb. 9, 2006, both of which are hereby incorporated herein
by reference in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] This patent relates generally to firearms and, more
specifically, to slide retraction levers for use with firearms.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Some semi-automatic hand held firearms, including lower-cost
semi-automatic rifles for small-caliber cartridges, are provided
with a slide retraction lever or locking device that is coupled to
the breech and extends through the weapon housing. The
slide-retraction lever can advantageously be used to press the
breech shut if it does not fully and/or properly close. However,
because the slide retraction lever is coupled to the breech, it
extends through the weapon housing and must be allowed to move
parallel to the firearm. Specifically, as the breech opens and
closes during firing, the slide retraction lever moves along with
the breech on the outside of the firearm. If the slide retraction
lever collides with an obstacle, there is a tendency for the
firearm to jam. Additionally, injury may occur if the slide
retraction lever collides with a body part of the marksman or a
person in close proximity to the marksman.
[0004] Prior to the First World War, reloading devices were
manufactured that were provided with a slide retraction lever that
decoupled from the breech after the breech was initially retracted
to chamber a round (e.g., a bullet). By decoupling the slide
retraction lever from the breech, the slide retraction lever no
longer had the tendency to collide with obstacles. However, the
slide retraction lever could not advantageously be used to close
the breech if it did not fully and/or properly close. Today, slide
retraction levers typically decouple from the breech.
[0005] Known slide retraction levers are attached to either the
right side or the left side of the firearm. For example, DE 101 22
345 C1, which is assigned to the assignee of the present patent,
describes a cocking lever that is attached to one side of the
firearm. The cocking lever may move the breech against the force of
a spring into various positions. The weapon housing is provided
with a longitudinal slot with a rigid clamping rail in which the
cocking lever can be inserted and clamped.
[0006] Additionally, for example DE 39 28 125 A1, which is assigned
to the assignee of the present patent, describes a slide retraction
lever that is rotatable between the right side and the left side of
the firearm. The slide retraction lever is inserted in a slot that
longitudinally extends in the weapon housing outside of the
firearm.
[0007] Further, DE 19545774 C2, which is assigned to the assignee
of the present patent, describes a self-loading rifle that includes
a cocking lever with a hand grip that protrudes from the weapon
housing. The cocking lever can only be operated on one side of the
firearm. The cocking lever is biased by a spring and includes a
nose that can engage a construction within the weapon housing. To
disengage the nose from the construction, the hand grip can be
rotated while sliding the cocking lever back.
[0008] The American M16A2 includes a slide retraction lever that
has a T-shaped hand grip that can be operated from both sides of
the firearm. However, an arm that is removably coupled to the
weapon housing between an unlocked and a locked position is only on
one side of the hand grip. Specifically, the arm includes a
protrusion that engages a recess defined by the weapon housing to
substantially prevent movement of the slide retraction lever
relative to the weapon housing. To release the slide retraction
lever, the protrusion is removed from the recess by rotating the
arm.
[0009] During operation and/or firing of military rifles,
conditions such as pollution and temperature vary, which impact the
likelihood of a cartridge getting jammed in a cartridge chamber. If
a cartridge gets jammed, the breech can no longer properly close
and the rifle may become inoperable. Additionally, significant
danger may be posed to the operator if the breech is unable to
close.
[0010] Known reloading devices can operate only from the right side
or the left side of the firearm. Specifically, in known firearms,
the slide retraction lever locks (e.g., engages the recess) on only
one side of the firearm. Therefore, known slide retraction levers
are designed for a right handed marksman or a left handed marksman,
but not a right handed marksman and a left handed marksman. Having
different firearms for right handed marksmen and left handed
marksmen impacts costs related to storage, distribution, logistics
and administration. Additionally, firearms manufactured for
left-handed marksman increase production and acquisition costs
because production runs are relatively low.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a partially sectional view of a portion
of an example firearm including an example slide retraction
lever.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example
firearm and the example slide retraction lever of FIG. 1 in a
locked position.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example
firearm and the example slide retraction lever of FIG. 1 in an
unlocked position.
[0014] FIG. 4a illustrates a top view of the example slide
retraction lever of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 4b illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the
example slide retraction lever of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the example slide
retraction lever of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 6a illustrates a perspective view of the example slide
retraction lever of FIG. 1 and an example guide.
[0018] FIG. 6b illustrates a bottom view of the example slide
retraction lever and the example guide of FIG. 6a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Certain examples are shown in the above-identified figures
and described in detail below. In describing these examples, like
or identical reference numbers are used to identify common or
similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and
certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown
exaggerated in scale or in schematic for clarity. Additionally,
several examples have been described throughout this specification.
Any features from any example may be included with, a replacement
for, or otherwise combined with other features from other examples.
Further, throughout this description, position designations such as
"above," "below," "top," "forward," "rear," "left," "right," etc.
are referenced to a firearm held in a normal firing position (i.e.,
wherein the "shooting direction" is pointed away from the marksman
in a generally horizontal direction) and from the point of view of
the marksman. Furthermore, the normal firing position of the weapon
is always assumed, i.e., the position in which the barrel runs
along a horizontal axis.
[0020] The example methods and apparatus described herein can be
used advantageously to retract a slide-retraction lever on either
the right hand side or the left hand side of a firearm. In
particular, the example methods and apparatus described herein can
be interchangeable used by both right handed marksmen and left
handed marksmen to retract the slide retraction lever to move the
breech system and/or to remove jammed cartridges from a cartridge
chamber. The example methods and apparatus described herein reduce
costs associated with storing and distributing the firearms because
the same firearms may be used by both right handed marksmen and
left handed marksmen. Further, the example methods and apparatus
described herein reduce costs associated with manufacturing because
different parts are no longer needed to manufacture weapons for
right handed marksmen and weapons for left handed marksmen.
[0021] The example methods and apparatus described herein relate to
a firearm that is provided with a slide retraction lever that
includes a first handle and a second handle to move the slide
retraction lever. The first handle and the second handle are
arranged on opposite sides of the weapon. The first handle and the
second handle each include a clip that is moveable between a locked
position and an unlocked position to release the slide retraction
lever upon operating either the first handle or the second
handle.
[0022] FIG. 1 is an illustrated example of a firearm 100 including
a weapon housing 2, a barrel 4, a breach system 6, a stock 8, a
trigger 10, and a handle 12. For clarity, some components are not
depicted and/or described herein such as, for example, a trigger
mechanism.
[0023] A cartridge chamber 102 is positioned towards the rear of
the barrel 4 and is adjacent the breech system 6. The breech system
6 can move within the weapon housing 2 to lock and/or move a
cartridge (not shown) into the cartridge chamber 102 (e.g., the
position in which the cartridge may be fired through the barrel 4).
The breech system 6 includes a breach head 16 and a breach block
support 18. A surface 104 of the breech head 16 defines a recess
106 that substantially corresponds to a size and/or a shape of the
cartridge. An extractor (not shown) is positioned adjacent the
recess 106 and engages an edge (e.g., a base edge) of the
cartridge. Additionally, the extractor assists in ejecting a casing
(not shown) of the cartridge from the cartridge chamber 102 after
the cartridge is fired.
[0024] Towards the rear of the weapon housing 2, a slide retraction
lever 22 is positioned above and substantially coaxial with the
barrel 4. The slide retraction lever 22 is provided with a hand
grip 24 (e.g., a T-shaped hand grip 24) that extends out of the
weapon housing 2 and towards the rear of the firearm 100.
[0025] Turning to FIG. 2, the hand grip 24 includes a first handle
26 and a second handle 28 that are positioned on opposite sides of
the firearm 100. The first handle 26 and the second handle 28
include a first gripping surface 202 and a second gripping surface
204, respectfully. Additionally, the first and second handles 26
and 28 are associated with unlocking the slide retraction lever 22.
To unlock the slide retraction lever 22, a force is applied to
either the first gripping surface 202 and/or the second gripping
surface 204 in a direction generally indicted by arrows 206 and
208. In this example implementation, the first and second gripping
surfaces 202 and 204 include ribs or ridges 212 or any other
suitable surface structure that may assist the marksman in gripping
the first and/or second handles 26 and 28. Additionally, the first
handle 26 and the second handle 28 define a first aperture 214 and
a second aperture 216, respectfully, that reduce the overall weight
of the hand grip 24.
[0026] The hand grip 24 may be manufactured or otherwise fabricated
(e.g., milled) from a single piece of material. The first handle 26
includes a protrusion 32 that substantially corresponds to a recess
34 defined by the second handle 28. The first handle 26 defines a
first bore 218 and the second handle 28 defines a second bore 220.
The first bore 218 and the second bore 220 each receive fasteners
222, 223 and, the first and second handles 26 and 28 respectfully
pivot around the fasteners 222, 223. Additionally, the first handle
26 defines a first spring seat 224 and the second handle 28 defines
a second spring seat 226. A spring 30 is positioned within a
transversal bore 228 defined by the hand grip 24 between the first
and second spring seats 224 and 226. The spring 30 exerts a force
and/or pre-stresses the first and second handles 26 and 28. FIG. 2
depicts the first and second handles 26 and 28 in a substantially
rest position.
[0027] A coupling mechanism between the first handle 26 and the
second handle 28 includes the protrusion 32 and the recess 34. As
discussed above, the protrusion 32 corresponds to the recess 34.
Specifically, the protrusion 32 and the recess 34 are positioned
adjacent each other to couple the rotational movement of the first
handle 26 and/or the second handle 28 together. More specifically,
the protrusion 23 includes a rounded portion 230 that engages a
substantially rectangular profile 231 of the recess 34. If the
first handle 26 is rotated around the fastener 222 in a direction
generally indicated by arrow 208, the protrusion 32 rotates along
with the first handle 26. As the protrusion 32 rotates, the rounded
portion 230 of the protrusion 32 engages and exerts a force within
the recess 34, which, in turn, rotates the second handle 28 around
the fastener 223 in a direction generally indicated by arrow 206.
Alternatively, if the second handle 28 is rotated around the
fastener 223 in a direction generally indicated by arrow 206, the
recess 34 rotates along with the second handle 28. As the recess 34
rotates, the rectangular profile 231 of the recess 34 engages and
exerts a force against the protrusion 32, which, in turn, rotates
the first handle 26 around the fastener 222 in a direction
generally indicated by arrow 208. The force applied to rotate
either the first and/or second handles 26 and 28 substantially
overcomes the force exerted by the spring 30.
[0028] The first handle 26 is provided with a first arm 232
including a first clip 234 that corresponds to a first recess 236.
The spring 30 exerts a force on the first handle 26 to urge the
first clip 234 to engage the first recess 236 and to substantially
lock the slide retraction lever 22 relative to the weapon housing 2
as shown in FIG. 2. However, if a force is applied to the first
handle 26 as described above, the first clip 234 disengages the
first recess 236 as shown in FIG. 3. Additionally, the second
handle 28 is provided with a second arm 238 including a second clip
240 that corresponds to a second recess 242. The spring 30 exerts a
force on the second handle 28 to urge the second clip 240 to engage
the second recess 242 and to substantially lock the slide
retraction lever 22 relative to the weapon housing 2 as shown in
FIG. 2. However, if a force is applied to the second handle 28 as
described above, the second clip 240 will disengage the second
recess 242 as shown in FIG. 3.
[0029] Additionally, the coupling mechanism may unlock and/or
release the slide retraction lever 22. For example, to release the
slide retraction lever 22, the marksman may apply a force to the
first handle 26 and the first clip 234 may disengage the first
recess 236, which, in turn, causes the second clip 240 to disengage
the second recess 242. Alternatively, to release the slide
retraction lever 22, the marksman may apply a force to the second
handle 28 and the second clip 240 may disengage the second recess
242, which, in turn, causes the first clip 234 to disengage the
first recess 236. The force applied to either the first and/or
second handles 26 and 28 (e.g., toward the rear of the firearm 100)
to disengage the first and/or second clips 234 and 240 is
substantially opposite the force applied by the spring 30.
[0030] In the rest position (e.g., the position in which the first
and second clips 234 and 240 engage the first and second recesses
236 and 242), the hand grip 24 of the slide retraction lever 22 is
adjacent to and/or rests on a surface 108 (FIG. 1) of the weapon
housing 2. Turning to FIG. 3, if the first and second clips 234 and
240 disengage the first and second recesses 236 and 242, an
elongated portion 302 of the slide retraction lever 22 may move
and/or slide within a guide 44 defined by the weapon housing 2 in a
direction generally indicated by arrow 304 toward the rear of the
firearm 100. A size and/or shape of the elongated portion 302
substantially corresponds to a size and/or shape the guide 44.
Specifically, the elongated portion 302 includes one or more ribs
56 (FIG. 6a) (e.g., horizontal ribs) that correspond to one or more
grooves 602 (FIG. 6a) (e.g., transversal groove) defined by the
guide 44. The interaction between the ribs 56 (FIG. 6a) and the
grooves 602 (FIG. 6a) may maintain the coaxial position of the
slide retraction lever 22 relative to the weapon housing 2. In some
examples, the elongated portion 302 may have two ribs 56 on
opposite sides of the elongated portion 302 that correspond to two
grooves 602 (FIG. 6a) defined by the guide 44.
[0031] Turning back to FIG. 1, the slide retraction lever 22
includes a nose 60 on an end of the slide retraction lever 22. The
nose 60 is adjacent to and may engage a surface 110 of a step 62 of
the breech system 6. If the slide retraction lever 22 is disengaged
and moved toward the rear of the firearm 100, the nose 60 engages
the step 62 and moves and/or retracts the breech system 6 to, for
example, initiate chambering a round (e.g., a cartridge). The
firearm 100 includes a gas extraction rod (not shown) that
interacts with the breech system 6. Specifically, after a round is
fired, the gas extraction rod moves the breech system 6 toward the
rear of the firearm 100 to initiate reloading.
[0032] Turning to FIG. 6a, the guide 44 defines an aperture 58 that
may be substantially semi-circular. The aperture 58 enables a
control bolt (not shown) to move at least partially within the
aperture 58 when the breech system 6 is being guided into a locked
position. To remove the slide retraction lever 22 from the guide
44, the breech system 6 (FIG. 1) is pulled and/or moved toward the
rear of the firearm 100 (FIG. 1) and rotated downwards, which then
provides access to the slide retraction lever 22. The slide
retraction lever 22 is then moved and/or pulled toward the rear of
the firearm 100 until the ribs 56 are substantially adjacent a
clearance 54. Once the ribs 56 are adjacent the clearance 54, the
ribs 56 may disengage the grooves 602 and, the slide retraction
lever 22 may be removed from the firearm 100 (e.g., removed
downwardly from the firearm 100). The slide retraction lever 22 may
be removed for any suitable purpose such as, for example, cleaning
and/or replacement.
[0033] Turning now to FIGS. 4a and 4b, the slide retraction lever
22 defines a slot 50 (e.g., a longitudinal slot) along the
elongated portion 302 between the nose 60 and the hand grip 24. The
slot 50 enables the breech block support 18 (FIG. 1) along with a
gas rod (not shown) to move back and forth freely within the slot
50. As the slide retraction lever 22 is moved toward the rear of
the firearm 100, the nose 60 engages and moves the breech block
support 18 (FIG. 1) into the clamped and/or locked position against
a force of a recoil spring (not shown). Once the breech system 6
(FIG. 1) and the breech block support 18 (FIG. 1) are retracted and
in the clamped and/or locked position, the slide retraction lever
22 may then be moved back to the position in which the first and
second clips 234 and 240 (FIG. 2) engage the first and second
recesses 236 and 242 (FIG. 2) (e.g., the locked position). However,
the breech system 6 (FIG. 1) and the breech block support 18 (FIG.
1) may remain in the clamped and/or locked position.
[0034] If the firearm 100 is a closed bolt position firearm,
retracting the slide retraction lever 22 may retract the breech
system 6 to guide a cartridge into the cartridge chamber 102 and
then the breech system 6 may close and/or lock. Alternatively, if
the firearm 100 is an open bolt position firearm, retracting the
slide retraction lever 22 may retract the breech system 6 until the
breech system 6 is engaged by the trigger mechanism behind a
cartridge feed (not shown).
[0035] If a cartridge becomes jammed within the firearm 100, for
example, within the cartridge chamber 102 and/or the breech system
6, the slide retraction lever 22 may be unlocked and pulled and/or
moved toward the rear of the firearm 100, as described above.
Moving the slide retraction lever 22 may engage the nose 60 with at
least a portion of the breech system 6 to dislodge and/or eject the
jammed cartridge and enable the firearm 100 to again be loaded and
fired.
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the first and second
handles 26 and 28 of the slide retraction lever 22 in the locked
position. Specifically, FIG. 2 depicts the first and second clips
234 and 240 engaging the first and second recesses 236 and 242 and,
the spring 30 in a substantially relaxed position.
[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates the first and second handles 26 and 28 in
an unlocked position and the elongated portion 302 partially
removed from the guide 44.
[0038] FIG. 4a illustrates a top of the slide retraction lever 22,
and FIG. 4b illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the slide
retraction lever 22.
[0039] As discussed above, the firearm 100 includes the slide
retraction lever 22 that has the first handle 26 and the second
handle 28 that are on opposite sides of the firearm 100 and may be
utilized to retract the slide retraction lever 22. The first handle
26 includes the first arm 232 with the first clip 234 that
corresponds to the first recess 236. In addition, the second handle
28 includes the second arm 238 with the second clip 240 that
corresponds to the second recess 242. By moving the first or second
handles 26 and 28, the first and second clips 234 and 240 disengage
their respective recesses 236 and 242. Specifically, the first
handle 26 may independently disengage the first recess 236 even if
the marksman does not move the second handle 28. Additionally, the
second handle 28 may independently disengage the second recess 242
even if the marksman does not move the first handle 26.
[0040] As discussed above, the first and second clips 234 and 240
may be disengaged from the first and second recesses 236 and 242
from either the right side or the left side of the firearm 100 by
moving either the first or second handles 26 and 28. Firearms that
may be universally used by both right handed marksmen and left
handed marksmen decrease the amount of time and cost associated
with procuring, managing and distributing the firearms,
specifically, for example, during military actions or in the
military field.
[0041] The methods and apparatus described herein may be used with
any suitable firearm or weapon such as, for example, any hand-held
firearm that includes a slide retraction lever, such as, an
automatic weapon, a semi-automatic weapon, a small-caliber weapon,
a large-caliber weapon, a machine gun, a submachine gun, a pistol,
etc. Additionally, the methods and apparatus described herein may
be advantageously used to remove and/or eject a jammed cartridge
within the firearm. Further, the methods and apparatus described
herein may reduce some dangers posed to the marksman and those in
close proximity to the marksman in addition to reducing operation
failures associated with known firearms. For example, if the
marksman is left handed, the marksman does not have to reach over
to the right hand side of the firearm 100 to retract the slide
retraction lever 22 as would be necessary if the left handed
marksman was operating a known right handed firearm. Additionally,
for example, if the marksman is right handed, the marksman does not
have to reach over to the left hand side of the firearm 100 to
retract the slide retraction lever 22 as would be necessary if the
right handed marksman was operating a known left handed
firearm.
[0042] As discussed above, the first handle 26 includes the
protrusion 32 that corresponds to the recess 34 defined by the
second handle 28. The first handle 26 is rotatably coupled to the
slide retraction lever 22 via the fastener 222 and the second
handle 28 is rotatably coupled to the slide retraction lever 22 via
the fastener 223. The interaction between the protrusion 32 and the
recess 34 are associated with coupling the rotational movement of
the first handle 26 to the second handle 28 and/or coupling the
rotational movement of the second handle 28 to the first handle 26.
Specifically, the interaction between the protrusion 32 and the
recess 34 may be similar to the interaction of the teeth on a gear
wheel. However, in some example implementations, the protrusion 32
must be slightly offset relative to the recess 34 to achieve the
desired leverage and to couple the rotational movement of the first
and second handles 26 and 28.
[0043] As described above, the protrusion 32 includes the rounded
portion 230 and the recess 34 has the rectangular profile 231.
However, the protrusion 32 and the recess 34 may have any other
suitable geometry such as, for example, a spherical geometry, a
conical geometry, a tear-drop shaped geometry, or a geometry that
includes rounded edges, etc. Additionally, the protrusion 32 and/or
the recess 34 may be undercut.
[0044] As discussed above, the slide retraction lever 22 is
provided with the spring 30 that pre-stresses the first and second
handles 26 and 28 in the rest position. Specifically, the spring 30
engages and/or is coupled to the first handle 26 and the second
handle 28. The spring 30 may be any suitable spring such as for
example, a leaf spring, a disk spring, a plurality of disc springs,
a compression spring, etc. Additionally, the spring 30 may be made
of any suitable material such as, for example, an elastomeric
material or a metal material.
[0045] As described above, the first and second handles 26 and 28
are coupled to the slide retraction lever 22 and are provided with
the first gripping surface 202 and the second gripping surface 204,
respectfully. Additionally, the first and/or second clips 234 and
240 may disengage the first and/or second recesses 236 and 242 by
pulling either the first or second handles 26 and 28 toward the
rear of the firearm 100. In other example implementations, the
first and second handles 26 and 28 may be arranged in any other
suitable position relative to the firearm 100 such as, for example,
the first and second handles 26 and 28 may be arranged latterally
or opposite the position as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0046] As discussed above, the first and second handles 26 and 28
are provided with the first and second arms 232 and 238,
respectfully. The first arm 232 includes the first clip 234 and the
second arm 238 includes the second clip 240. The first and second
clips 234 and 240 engage the first and second recesses 236 and 242
that are defined by the weapon housing 2. In other example
implementations, the first and second recesses 236 and 242 may be
defined by the barrel 4. However, it may be less expensive to
manufacture the firearm 100 if the weapon housing 2 defines the
first and second recesses 236 and 242.
[0047] In other example implementatiions, the slide retraction
lever 22 may be provided with the first and second handles 26 and
28. However, the slide retraction lever 22 may only be provided
with one arm such as, the first arm 232 or the second arm 238 that
enages the respective recess 236 and 242. Specifically, both the
first and second handles 26 and 28 would be operatively coupled to
the arm.
[0048] As described above, the slide retraction lever 22 includes
the elongated portion 302 that is movable within the guide 44 in
the longitudinal direction relative to the firearm 100.
Additionally, an end of the elongated portion 302 is provided with
the nose 60 that is to engage a portion of the breech system 6. The
first and second handles 26 and 28 are coupled to an opposite end
48 of the elongated portion 302 relative to the nose 60. In other
example implementations, the slide retraction lever 22 may be
positioned in any other suitable location on the firearm 100 such
as, for example, on the outside of the firearm 100.
[0049] The slide retraction lever 22 and the weapon housing 2 may
be manufactured from any suitable material such as, for example, a
metal material, a plastic material, a plastic material that is
reinforced with a fiber glass material, or a thin sheet metal
material.
[0050] In some examples, the slide retraction lever 22 may directly
engage the breech system 6. However, in other exmples, such as if
the breech system 6 includes the breech head 16 and the breech
support block 18, the slide retraction lever 22 may engage the
breech support block 18.
[0051] The slide retraction lever 22 may directly or indirectly
engage the breech system 6 such as, for example, the slide
retraction lever 22 may be coupled to a connecting element (not
shown) that is also coupled to the breech system 6. However, as
discussed above, the slide retraction lever 22 may engage the
breech system 6 as the slide retraction lever 22 is moved toward
the rear of the firearm 100.
[0052] Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of
manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of
this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent
covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly
falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or
under the doctrine of equivalents.
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