U.S. patent application number 12/384605 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-13 for no-skip recocking revolver pawl retainer.
Invention is credited to Leonard Storch.
Application Number | 20090199450 12/384605 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40937672 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090199450 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Storch; Leonard |
August 13, 2009 |
No-skip recocking revolver pawl retainer
Abstract
A pawl retainer for a revolver operates to prevent the cylinder
from advancing after decocking, thus allowing safe holstering while
maintaining uncompromised fire power. The retainer may be
automatically or manually "set" so that, when the gun is recocked,
the cylinder does not advance, and, after firing or a misfire, the
cylinder advances normally. A cocked revolver can discharge
accidentally. This is because Andrew Fyrberg's 1891 safety transfer
bar invention cannot function to prevent an accidental discharge
while a revolver is cocked. Nonetheless, shooters in pursuit, for
example, are tempted to holster a cocked revolver to avoid skipping
a live round that may be needed for the kill.
Inventors: |
Storch; Leonard; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Leonard Storch
Apt. 11F, 175 West 72nd Street
New York
NY
10023-3207
US
|
Family ID: |
40937672 |
Appl. No.: |
12/384605 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12217724 |
Jul 7, 2008 |
7536817 |
|
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12384605 |
|
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|
|
60994698 |
Sep 21, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/66 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/74 20130101;
F41A 9/28 20130101; F41A 19/52 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/66 |
International
Class: |
F41A 17/00 20060101
F41A017/00 |
Claims
1. Retaining means for a revolver having a hammer, a trigger, a
rotating cylinder with chambers therein and ratchet teeth, and a
cylinder rotating mechanism including a pawl that engages a ratchet
tooth on the cylinder to cause the cylinder to rotate one chamber
as the revolver is cocked in response to a shooter pulling the
hammer in a single action revolver or in response to either pulling
the hammer or pulling the trigger in a double action revolver,
comprising: the retaining means configured to be set and reset; the
retaining means when set preventing the cylinder from rotating when
the revolver is cocked, and when reset permitting the cylinder to
rotate when the revolver is cocked.
2. The retaining means for the revolver of claim 1 comprising a
pawl adapted to cooperate with the retaining means.
3. The retaining means for the revolver of claim 1 wherein a
shooter can hear, see or feel whether the retaining means is or has
been set or reset.
4. The retaining means for the revolver of claim 1 comprising a
spring configured to urge the retaining means.
5. The retaining means for the revolver of claim 1 comprising a
control element configured to set or reset the retaining means.
6. The retaining means for the revolver of claim 5 comprising a
control element configured to return after the retaining means is
set.
7. The retaining means for the revolver of claim 5 comprising a
spring configured to urge the control element.
8. A retainer for a revolver having a hammer, a trigger, a rotating
cylinder with chambers therein and ratchet teeth, and a cylinder
rotating mechanism including a pawl that engages a ratchet tooth on
the cylinder to cause the cylinder to rotate one chamber as the
revolver is cocked in response to a shooter pulling the hammer in a
single action revolver or in response to either pulling the hammer
or pulling the trigger in a double action revolver, comprising: an
accommodation in the revolver configured to accommodate the
retainer in a set and in a reset position; the retainer when set
preventing the cylinder from rotating when the revolver is cocked,
and when reset permitting the cylinder to rotate when the revolver
is cocked.
9. The retainer for the revolver of claim 8 comprising a pawl
adapted to cooperate with the retainer.
10. The retainer for the revolver of claim 8 wherein a shooter can
hear, see or feel whether the retainer is or has been set or
reset.
11. The retainer for the revolver of claim 8 comprising a spring
configured to urge the retainer.
12. The retainer for the revolver of claim 8 comprising a control
element configured to set or reset the retainer.
13. The retainer for the revolver of claim 12 comprising a control
element configured to return after the retainer is set.
14. The retainer for the revolver of claim 12 comprising a spring
configured to urge the control element.
15. In a revolver having a hammer, a trigger, a rotating cylinder
with chambers therein and ratchet teeth, and a cylinder rotating
mechanism including a pawl that engages a ratchet tooth on the
cylinder to cause the cylinder to rotate one chamber as the
revolver is cocked in response to a shooter pulling the hammer in a
single action revolver or in response to either pulling the hammer
or pulling the trigger in a double action revolver, an improvement
comprising: the pawl adapted to allow the cylinder to be prevented
from rotating when the revolver is cocked.
16. The revolver of claim 15 comprising a retainer configured to be
set or reset, the retainer when set preventing the cylinder from
rotating when the revolver is cocked, and when reset permitting the
cylinder to rotate when the revolver is cocked.
17. The revolver of claim 16 wherein a shooter can hear, see or
feel whether the retainer is or has been set or reset.
18. The revolver of claim 16 comprising a spring configured to urge
the retainer.
19. The revolver of claim 16 comprising a control element
configured to set or reset the retainer.
20. The revolver of claim 19 comprising a control element
configured to return after the retainer is set.
21. The revolver of claim 19 comprising a spring configured to urge
the control element.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
application Ser. No. 12/217,724 filed Jul. 7, 2008, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference;
application Ser. No. 12/217,724 claimed priority of provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/994,698 filed on Sep. 21, 2007
titled, "Improved Revolver: During Decocking, the Shooter, or the
Added Improvement, can Prevent the Cylinder Advancing when Next
Cocked", the entire disclosure of which also is incorporated herein
by reference. The specification of application Ser. No. 12/217,724
is printed below; additional pages start with paragraph 158.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The historically infamous Colt single action machines that
won the West, called revolvers, a handgun with a cylinder of
several chambers brought, by cocking a hammer, successively into
line with the weapon's barrel and discharged with the same hammer.
Samuel Colt's invention of the revolver in 1835 marked a great
moment in American history--his revolvers were referred to as "The
Great Equalizer" because, with a loaded Colt in hand, a frail
person could fend off a brute. A double action revolver, which
evolved after the single action, is a handgun with a cylinder of
several chambers brought, by cocking a hammer or pulling the
trigger, successively into line with the weapon's barrel and
discharged with the same hammer.
[0003] Typically, in a single action revolver, uncocking involves
pulling the trigger to release the hammer, releasing the trigger to
its forward position and slowly letting the hammer down, thus
allowing the pawl (which is pivotally connected by a pin or stud to
the hammer and is thus operated by the hammer) to lower so as to be
in position to rise when recocked to engage a tooth in the cylinder
indexing ratchet to advance the cylinder one chamber.
[0004] Typically, in a double action revolver, uncocking involves
pulling the trigger to release the hammer and slowly letting the
hammer down, and releasing the trigger to its forward position thus
allowing the pawl (which is pivotally connected by a pin or stud to
the trigger and is thus operated by the trigger) to lower so as to
be in position to rise when recocked to engage a tooth in the
cylinder indexing ratchet to advance the cylinder one chamber.
[0005] Typically, in a double action revolver, cocking the hammer
with the thumb causes the trigger to be pulled back toward the
handle to put the trigger into firing position (comparable to a
single action trigger position) so that only a small trigger travel
remains to be pulled by the shooter to fire the revolver.
Comparatively speaking, the trigger travel in a single action is
less, i.e., traversing less distance, than in a double action
revolver.
[0006] Some revolvers have more or less functions and features than
other revolvers. For example, some Colt single action revolvers can
be "fanned," like in a cowboy movie, to increase the rate of fire,
and they have multiple positions for the hammer and pawl which may
be described as follows:
(i) down and dangerous (hitting the hammer, which is resting on the
firing pin, with a round in the chamber under the hammer can
discharge the gun), with the pawl in the low position, (ii) safety,
the hammer is locked back a bit out of touch with the firing pin,
with the pawl in the low position, (iii) load or unload, with the
pawl having risen to mid position rotating the cylinder to align
with the loading gate, and allowing the cylinder to rotate by hand
in one direction to align each chamber successively with the
loading gate, and (iv) fully cocked, with the pawl having risen to
top position to align a chamber with the barrel, ready to fire.
[0007] The present invention may also be used with another valuable
revolver feature called a "Trigger Cocking Double Action" revolver
which is described below. The inventor of the present invention is
neither a gunsmith nor a machinist by trade. However, the inventor
is an avid shooter, passionate about Second Amendment Rights, and
an experienced inventor by trade having patented several diverse
inventions. The inventor has U.S. Army and civilian experience
target shooting and hunting with various hand guns and rifles and,
at least when younger, was a dead shot earning a marksman medal in
the Army.
[0008] It is the ambition of this improved revolver inventor to
have this present "Non-Skip Revolver" invention manufactured in
superior quality "Non-Skip Trigger Cocking Double Action Revolvers"
in 22 mag. and 44 mag. calibers for plinking and hunting, and in a
small light weight five shot .38 Spl. for personal protection, and
perhaps a licensed manufacturer(s) will offer a special edition set
including all three caliber revolvers celebrating the Supreme
Court's historic Jun. 26, 2008 Second Amendment Decision.
[0009] When you think about the improvement, it brings a modern
revolver's functioning in line with a semi-automatic pistol's
functioning; when you decock a pistol, it does not skip a round as
do revolvers--the innovation brings a key safety and functional
advantage of a pistol to a revolver.
[0010] In 1891, Andrew Fyrberg invented the "safety lifter" or
transfer bar (mentioned below). The present improvement represents
another revolver safety advance. Ill-advised as it may be, it is
just too tempting to hunters in the blood rush of hot pursuit of
game to holster a cocked revolver to avoid skipping a round, for
example, if their targeted game wanders off and they don't take
their shot. Many a leg has been shot this way. Revolver accidents
account for numerous lawsuits against manufactures. With this new
safety feature, a hunter can decock, avoid skipping a round and
holster safely.
PRIOR ART PUBLICATIONS
Ruger Revolver Online Manuals
[0011] Ruger single action and double action revolver manuals,
including instructions, exploded diagrams and parts lists, may be
found on Ruger's website.
[0012] "GUNS MAGAZINE" article discussing gun part names:
"The name game part II: revolvers" (portions reprinted below)
"Guns Magazine," March 2005, by J. B. Wood
[0013] "For readers who may have missed the first segment of this
series, on Auto Pistols, it may be a good idea to revisit one of
the terms discussed: Double Action. As used by Daniel Baird Wesson
in 1878, it described a revolver that could be operated in two
ways--by thumb-cocking the hammer and pulling the trigger, or by
pulling the trigger to cock and release the hammer. Thus, a
"double" action.
[0014] As time passed, the original meaning underwent a change.
Cocking with the thumb became single action and the other way came
to be called "double action." In more recent times, double action
is usually abbreviated "DA."
[0015] Among revolver terms, there is less room for error or
confusion. I mean, what else can you call a cylinder, frame and
barrel? The old-style guns with the tip-over barrel/cylinder unit
are sensibly referred to as top-breaks, and modern revolvers have a
swing-out cylinder, a good descriptive term for their
operation.
[0016] The only area that gets a little cloudy is the naming of
individual parts. Part of this can be attributed to the in-shop
language of various manufacturers. Here's an example: At Smith
& Wesson, the little gadget that arrests the rotation of the
cylinder and locks it in place has always been called the cylinder
stop, and that's the term I have used when writing about revolvers.
At Colt, however, this part is called the bolt. Ruger, by the way,
calls that part the cylinder latch.
[0017] In the same area is the lever that engages the ratchet to
rotate the cylinder. Both Colt and Smith & Wesson refer to it
as the cylinder hand. Ruger calls it the pawl, a proper engineering
term to go with ratchet.
[0018] Many modern revolvers use some form of a transfer bar
system. The hammer never touches the firing pin. Contact is made
only when the trigger has lifted the transfer bar to fill the
recessed space at the front of the hammer. When Andrew Fyrberg
designed the first one for Iver Johnson in 1891, he called it a
safety lifter.
[0019] Ruger sensibly calls this part the transfer bar. which
accurately describes its function, as it transfers the hammer force
to the firing pin. At Colt, it's the safety connector, and Charter
Arms refers to it as the hammer block.
[0020] How about the little flipper in the front of the hammer that
the trigger contacts to tip the hammer back in double action
firing? Charter calls it the hammer pawl. At Colt it's the hammer
strut, and the Ruger term is hammer dog. For some strange reason,
Smith & Wesson refers to it as the sear. In most of its usage,
that term denotes a part that holds the hammer at full cock until
the trigger moves it to the release point. Its use here, in a DA
function, is a little odd. While working on this series of
articles, I was discussing "the names of things" with a visiting
local gunsmith. At the time, he was holding a revolver with the
cylinder swung out. Jokingly, he indicated the open area of the
frame normally occupied by the cylinder, and said, "What would you
call that?"
[0021] My wife was nearby, and she said "That's easy. The cylinder
space." So, in the future. when anyone uses that term. be sure to
credit Judith Wood."
COPYRIGHT 2005 Publishers' Development Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group
PRIOR ART PATENTS & TRIBUTE
[0022] Curry et al's. U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,294, "Revolver-safety
lock mechanism," the description and Figures of which are
incorporated herein in their entirety for reference, provides the
Background Information: "A revolver includes a frame, a cylinder, a
firing mechanism, and a barrel. The cylinder includes an ejector, a
ratchet, a plurality of chambers, and a cylinder retaining
mechanism. The cylinder is mounted on the frame by a yoke pivotally
attached to the frame. In the cylinder-closed position, the
cylinder retaining mechanism retains the cylinder within the frame.
A cylinder release bar that can be moved via a thumb piece is
provided to actuate the retaining mechanism and thereby allow the
cylinder and yoke to be rotated away from the frame into the
cylinder-open position. The firing mechanism includes a trigger, a
sear, a hammer, a main spring, and a pawl that is sometimes
referred to as a `hand`. When the revolver is in an operable mode,
pulling the trigger causes the pawl to engage the ratchet and
thereby rotate the ratchet and attached cylinder. Pulling the
trigger also causes the sear and the hammer to rotate away from the
cylinder. The rotation away from the cylinder is resisted by the
main spring. After a predetermined amount of travel, the sear and
hammer disengage from the trigger and allow the spring to force the
hammer toward the cylinder. The hammer is aligned with one of the
cylinder chambers and the cylinder chamber, in turn, is aligned
with the barrel. A hammer nose attached to the hammer is positioned
to strike the cartridge disposed in the chamber."
[0023] Power's U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,888 ('888), "Revolver firing
mechanism with disengaging cylinder pawl" describes the operation
of a revolver. Power's description and Figures are incorporated
herein in their entirety for reference. Power's invention allows
the cylinder to be rotated in either direction; from Power's
ABSTRACT:
[0024] " . . . . The resulting disengagement of the engagement end
and the cylinder indexing ratchet provides for a free spin of the
cylinder of the revolver in either direction during loading and
unloading of the revolver."
[0025] A conventional revolver's pawl is biased or urged toward the
indexing ratchet on the end of the cylinder by some type of spring
or other urging means. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 of Power's
'888 patent, pawl 10 is biased toward the cylinder's indexing
ratchet as described in this excerpt from column 6, line 60 to
column 7, line 7:
[0026] "In this embodiment of the pawl 10, when the hammer 18
rotates on its mounting pin 39 to the at rest position 29, the cam
end 30 contacts the wall surface 34 of the conventional interior
shaft 14 formed in the revolver frame 36 of the revolver. Contact
of the cam end 30 with the wall surface 34 of the interior shaft 14
in the revolver frame 36 during travel upward and downward in the
interior shaft 14, is maintained by a biased plunger 38 in contact
on the first side 21 of the first section 19 opposite the second
side 23 adjacent to the cylinder indexing ratchet 22. The biased
plunger 38 is normally biased toward the indexing ratchet 22 by a
biasing means such as a spring 40. Such biased plunger 38
arrangements are common on conventionally manufactured revolvers
using the conventional permanently engaged conventional pawl
11."
[0027] Power's '888 patent comprises modified pawl and pawl
arrangements, including, for example, specially configured cylinder
pawl 10, their modified paths of travel, and parts and modified
parts associated therewith in order to free the cylinder to allow
for two-way rotation during loading and unloading. In prior art
revolvers to Power's '888 invention, the pawl prevents two-way
rotation. Parts and modified parts may include, for example, an
adjustable raised portion 54, fixed raised portion 52 or 56 and/or
lower edge 62 of window 60. As mentioned below, Power's various
parts and/or modified parts may be used in association with one or
more embodiments of the present invention as will be evident to
those skilled in gun smithing and related machinist arts.
[0028] Ruger et al's. U.S. Pat. No. 3,768,190 ('190) describes the
operation of a single action revolver. Ruger et al's. description
and Figures are incorporated herein in their entirety for
reference. Ruger et al's. invention comprises a spring loaded gate
retainer; from Ruger et al's. ABSTRACT:
" . . . to retain the loading gate in position on the frame and to
releasably detain the loading gate in its closed position when
closed and in its open position when open."
[0029] This is from Ruger et al's. '190 patent column 4, line 48 to
column 5, line 14:
"The cylinder 3 is formed with a plurality of cartridge receiving
chambers 20 and with a like number of cylinder notches 21 on the
outer surface thereof, and it is provided with a cylinder ratchet
22 at the rearward end thereof. A cylinder latch 23 is pivotally
mounted on the frame underneath the cylinder 3, the cylinder latch
having a nose 24 that is adapted to engage the cylinder notches 21
formed in the cylinder 3. A spring loaded cylinder latch plunger 25
urges the nose 24 of the cylinder latch into engagement with the
lowermost notch 21 of the cylinder 3 so that each chamber 20 of the
cylinder is successively held in alignment with the bore of the
barrel 2 when the nose 24 of the cylinder latch successively
engages the cylinder notches 21 formed in the cylinder 3.
[0030] "As shown best in FIG. 3, the hammer 5 is formed with a cam
surface 27 that is adapted to contact the rearward surface 28 of
the upwardly extending arm 29 of the trigger 7 when the hammer is
being cocked and with a sear notch 30 that is adapted to engage the
sear 31 of the trigger 7 when the hammer is cocked. A spring loaded
hammer latch plunger 33 is mounted on the hammer 5 in position to
momentarily contact the rearward arm portion 34 of the cylinder
latch 23 when the hammer is being cocked. As best shown in FIGS. 2
and 3, a cylinder pawl 36 is pivotally mounted on the hammer 5 by
means of the pin or stud 37. The upper end of the cylinder pawl 36
is formed with two vertically spaced ratchet engaging lugs 38 and
39. The lowermost lug 38 is adapted to engage the teeth of the
cylinder ratchet 22 when the hammer is being cocked, and the
uppermost lug 39 is adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet 22
when the cylinder is being loaded in the manner hereinafter
described."
[0031] This is from Ruger et al's. '190, patent column 10, lines 6
to 28:
"As previously noted, the cylinder pawl 36 is provided with two
vertically spaced ratchet engaging lugs--namely, the lowermost lug
38 and the uppermost lug 39. When the hammer 5 is rotated from its
rest position as shown in FIGS. 1, 8 and 9 to its cocked position
as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the lowermost lug 38 of the pawl 36
engages a tooth of the cylinder ratchet 22 and rotates the cylinder
3 a distance sufficient to position a new chamber 20 in alignment
with the bore of the barrel 2. When the hammer 5 is at rest and the
loading gate 16 is rotated from its closed position as shown in
FIG. 4 to its open position as shown in FIG. 5, the nose 24 of the
cylinder latch is lowered and the cylinder 3 is free to rotate. If
rotated in a counterclockwise direction, any chamber 20 may be
brought into alignment with the gate opening 53 by trial and error.
If the cylinder 3 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the tooth
22a of the cylinder ratchet 22 is rotated to and comes to rest
against the uppermost lug 39 of the cylinder pawl 36 as shown in
FIG. 10, thereby automatically aligning the chamber 20a with the
gate opening 53 as shown in FIG. 11. The chamber 20a can then be
loaded or unloaded in the usual manner."
[0032] Stone's U.S. Pat. No. 933,797 ('797), patented on Sep. 14,
1909, describes the operation of an improved self cocking (double
action) revolver.
[0033] The beginning of the first page of the specification of
Samual Colt's classic U.S. Pat. No. RE 124 reads as follows: [0034]
SAMUEL COLT, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT [0035] IMPROVEMENT IN
REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS [0036] Specification forming part of Letters
Patent No. 138, dated Feb. 25, 1836; Reissue No. 124, dated Oct.
24, 1848. Samual Colt
[0037] The present invention may also be used with another valuable
revolver feature called a "Trigger Cocking Double Action" revolver.
The following is from Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. home page;
click "Revolvers" on the drop down "Firearms" menu.
[0038] "Single Action, Double Action or Black Powder?"
"Single action revolvers are so-called because their trigger
performs the single action of firing the gun after the hammer is
cocked manually. They are simple, rugged, and of classic "old West"
design. They are loaded and unloaded one cartridge at a time--slow,
but rugged.
[0039] "Double action revolvers can be fired like single actions
(first cocking the hammer and then pulling the trigger) or in the
double-action mode (pulling the trigger through a longer arc, which
both cocks the hammer and then fires the revolver). Double Action
revolvers are quicker to shoot and reload, as they have a swing out
cylinder and simultaneous ejection."
[0040] Additional fire arms are described in the Wikipedia free
online encyclopedia, for example, by searching the words "trigger
(firearms)" and "revolver" and "automatic revolver".
[0041] The following is copied from the Wikipedia page found by
searching the term "automatic revolver". The underlined words in
the following four paragraphs may also be searched on Wikipedia to
find additional information about firearms.
[0042] "Double action revolvers use a long trigger pull to cock the
hammer, thus negating the need to manually cock the hammer between
shots. The disadvantage of this is the long, heavy pull that cocks
the hammer makes the double action revolver much harder to shoot
accurately than a single action revolver (although cocking the
hammer of a double action reduces the length and weight of the
trigger pull). There is a rare class of revolvers, the automatic
revolver, that attempts to overcome this restriction, giving the
high speed of a double action with the trigger effort of a single
action.
[0043] The Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver was the first
commercial example, introduced in 1901. It was recoil-operated, and
the cylinder and barrel recoiled backwards to cock the hammer and
revolve the cylinder. It was distinctive in that cam grooves were
milled on the outside of the cylinder to provide a means of
advancing to the next chamber--half a turn as the cylinder moved
back, and half a turn as it moved forward. .38 caliber versions
held 8 shots, .455 caliber versions 6. At the time, the few
available automatic pistols were larger, less reliable, and more
expensive. The automatic revolver was popular when it first came
out, but was quickly superseded by the creation of reliable,
inexpensive semi-automatic pistols.
[0044] In 1997, the Mateba company developed a type of
recoil-operated automatic revolver, commercially named the Mateba
Autorevolver, which uses the recoil energy to auto-rotate a normal
revolver cylinder holding 6 or 7 cartridges, depending on the
model. The company has made several versions of its Autorevolver,
including longer barreled and carbine variations, chambered for
.357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and .454 Casull. The Pancor Jackhammer is a
combat shotgun based on a similar mechanism to an automatic
revolver. It uses a gas action to move the barrel forward (which
unlocks it from the cylinder) and then rotate the cylinder and cock
the hammer."
[0045] "Iver Johnson made an unusual model from 1940 to 1947,
called the Trigger Cocking Double Action. If the hammer was down,
pulling the trigger would cock the hammer; if the trigger was
pulled with the hammer cocked, it would then fire. This meant that
to fire the revolver from a hammer down state, the trigger must be
pulled twice."
[0046] This Trigger Cocking Double Action may:
(i) Increase rate of fire over single action operation. (ii)
Improve accuracy over double action operation.
[0047] Whether a shooter's revolver is a single action or double
action, accuracy is superior when operated single action since
firing the weapon requires minimal trigger pull after the gun is
cocked. However, when a double action is operated single action
instead of double, more time is required between successive shots
to allow thumb cocking between shots, because, in order to cock the
gun with the thumb for the next shot, the palm must move away from
the revolver's handle's grip-panel to allow the cocking thumb
(which extends from the rear part of the shooter's hand's palm) to
rise upwards into position to cock the hammer. After thumb-cocking,
the hand's firm grasp on the gun's grip must be reestablished and
the gun may then be re-aimed and fired with minimal trigger
pull.
[0048] When using a Trigger Cocking Double Action revolver, a
shooter needn't disturb his grasp of the gun's hand grip to use his
thumb to cock to achieve single action like accuracy on a
subsequent shot, and therefore a subsequent shot can be taken
faster than using the thumb to cock the hammer.
[0049] Also, the 1976 movie "The Shootist," which marked the final
film role of America's iconic hero, a giant to be admired, John
Wayne, is incorporated herein by reference as a general tribute and
as a tribute for being the inspiration for the present invention.
There's a memorable quote from terminally ill J. B. Books (played
by John Wayne), the most celebrated shootist extant: "I won't be
wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I
don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from
them."
[0050] Revolvers are still quite popular. In 2006, for example,
Smith & Wesson sold about 153,400 of its 44 different models of
revolvers for $64.1 million which came to 27.3% of net sales.
Automatic pistols accounted for 33.3% of net sales. Generally,
police and military use automatic pistols while hand gun hunters
use revolvers.
[0051] Who'd have thought, in this day and age of Glocks and
tasers, old fashion six-shooters (six-chamber revolvers) could
still stand significant safety and functional improvement?
[0052] Quoted Merriam Webster dictionary definitions below are for
reference only and are not meant to be limiting:
[0053] Main Entry: re.cndot.volv.cndot.er
[0054] Pronunciation: ri-'val-v&r, -'vol- also -'va-v&r or
-'vo-v&r
[0055] Function: noun
[0056] Date: circa 1835 . . . . [0057] 2: a handgun with a cylinder
of several chambers brought successively into line with the barrel
and discharged with the same hammer
[0058] Main Entry: machine gun
[0059] Function: noun
[0060] Date: 1867 [0061] : a gun for sustained rapid fire that uses
bullets; broadly: an automatic weapon
[0062] Main Entry: gun.cndot.smith
[0063] Pronunciation: -''smith
[0064] Function: noun
[0065] Date: 1588 [0066] : one who designs, makes, or repairs small
firearms
[0067] -gun.cndot.smith.cndot.ing/-''smi-thi[ng]/noun)
[0068] Main Entry: ma.cndot.chin.cndot.ist
[0069] Pronunciation: m&-'shE-nist
[0070] Function: noun
[0071] Date: circa 1706 [0072] 1a: a worker who fabricates,
assembles, or repairs machinery b: a craftsman skilled in the use
of machine tools
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0073] The present invention comprises systems, methods, mechanical
elements and apparatus including control elements, buttons, slide
latches, springs etc. to be positioned by the shooter to set a
retainer to prevent the pawl from rotating the cylinder when
recocked and positioned by the shooter to reset a retainer to allow
the pawl to rotate the cylinder to improve the possible operation
of a single action or double action hand gun revolver and or
shoulder gun revolver (as opposed to a machine gun or
semi-automatic pistol) that can be operated as single action, i.e.,
e.g., typically using the thumb to cock the weapon (i.e., e.g.,
pull the hammer back from the at rest position to be held or
retained, by means built into the revolver, in the firing position)
and subsequently (thereafter) pulling the trigger to fire.
Revolvers of this type are generally described on this link: the
Wikipedia page found by searching the term "revolver".
[0074] The improvement comprises ways and mechanisms to improve the
operation of what is commonly called the cylinder pawl (or hand)
and associated gun parts. Typically, the cylinder pawl in single
action revolvers is connectively operated on a pin or stud by the
hammer; the cylinder pawl in double action revolvers is
connectively operated on a pin or stud by the trigger. Typically,
in either action, the pawl is in a lower disengaged from the
cylinder ratchet position when the hammer is down in the uncocked
position. Typically, in either action, the pawl rises engaging a
tooth on the cylinder indexing ratchet advancing the cylinder one
chamber as the revolver is cocked--by the hammer in a single
action, and by either the hammer or the trigger in a double
action--and the pawl remains so engaged while the revolver remains
cocked.
[0075] The improvement may be retrofitted or incorporated during
the manufacturing process of various revolvers such as Smith &
Wesson.RTM., Ruger.RTM., Charter Arms.RTM. and Colt.RTM.
revolvers.
[0076] Various websites show revolvers with cartridge cylinders
having chambers in the cylinder to typically hold 6 rounds more or
less.
[0077] The present invention comprises ways and mechanisms to
prevent the cylinder from advancing upon being recocked should the
revolver be cocked a first time and purposely uncocked (decocked)
without firing after the first cocking.
[0078] Embodiments of the present invention comprise an improvement
comprising added mechanical control elements to prevent the
cylinder from advancing to the next chamber under certain
circumstances. According to embodiments of the present invention,
upon recocking after purposely decocking, the cylinder does not
advance. For example, the cylinder ratchet is not engaged and
advanced by the pawl thereby advancing the cylinder and skipping a
live round upon recocking after decocking.
[0079] Various embodiments include, for example, manual control for
positioning, e.g., a control push button, knob, slidable latch cam,
slide element, etc. operated by the shooter associated with
decocking or after decocking to set (or engage) the cylinder
advance prevention mechanism (element), for example, a retainer,
either directly or through linkage that may include a one or more
springs and be may be spring loaded, or automatic control operation
while decocking to engage the cylinder advance prevention
mechanism, for example, a retainer, either directly or through
linkage, and manual and automatic ways to disengage the retainer
mechanism are disclosed, and other embodiments will become evident
to those skilled in gun smithing and related machinist arts.
[0080] Suppose, for example, a revolver has only one live round
(remaining, e.g., after shooting those in the other chambers) in a
chamber which is in the cylinder position that would advance and
fire next upon cocking with a finger (e.g., the thumb) and, if the
trigger were pulled, the weapon would then fire (i.e., discharge,
to shoot the gun) the one live round in the normal manner.
[0081] Using this example, however, suppose the shooter cocks the
revolver a first time advancing the cylinder with the one live
round to the firing position but then the shooter decides not to
shoot and therefore no longer wants the revolver in the cocked
position ready to fire. Typically, if the shooter were to let the
hammer down softly, gently, so as not to discharge the gun, i.e.,
uncock (also called decock) the weapon, the one live round would no
longer be in a chamber in the cylinder position that would advance
to the firing position upon a second cocking (or recocking)--if the
trigger were pulled after the recocking, the gun would not fire
because the one live round would have advanced past the firing
position.
[0082] As will be readily apparent to gunsmiths, e.g., one skilled
in the art who designs, makes, or repairs small firearms, and
machinists skilled in related gunsmith art, the present invention
is, of course, useful no matter how many live rounds are loaded in
adjacent chambers of the weapon's cylinder (there's one exception,
i.e., it is not as useful or not useful at all when all chambers
are loaded because it would be impossible to skip a live round when
recocking), so that, under typical circumstances, all live rounds
are in position to be fired one after the other no matter how many
are yet to be shot (unfired, not yet discharged, unspent) each time
the revolver is cocked. For clarity purposes and ease of
explanation, the example discusses a revolver with only one
remaining live round in a chamber in the cylinder position that
would advance and fire next upon cocking and pulling the
trigger.
[0083] According to various embodiments of the present invention,
mechanical means or components are added to the revolver to be set
(to prevent cylinder rotation when recocked) and reset (to allow
cylinder rotation when recocked) by the shooter. For example, by
moving or pressing a control element such as a depressible button
or knob or other control element, or by sliding a slidable latch
control element, or otherwise moving or operating a settable
mechanism, before slowly letting the hammer down, or while letting
the hammer down, or after letting the hammer down, a mechanical
retainer mechanism according to embodiments of the invention will
be set (or engaged) in order to prevent the cylinder from rotating
the next, and only the next, time the hammer is cocked and the
trigger pulled to fire the weapon.
[0084] According to various embodiments of the present invention,
the cylinder may be prevented from rotating even after repeated
cocking and decocking. In some embodiments, the added mechanism
must be reengaged if the revolver is decocked again after
recocking. After firing, added mechanism will automatically allow
the cylinder to rotate normally, or the added mechanism can be
reset manually by the shooter to allow the cylinder to rotate
normally. That is, the settable control element may also be
resettable by the shooter to disengage the retainer so the pawl
advances the cylinder when the revolver is recocked by positioning
the control element to the reset (disengaged) position.
[0085] If the weapon is also able to function as a double action
revolver, i.e., e.g., pulling the trigger cocks the hammer while
also advancing the cylinder and, after the hammer and cylinder are
positioned for firing by pulling the trigger far enough, the hammer
will be released to fire the weapon, embodiments similar to those
above are possible. Pulling the trigger after the hammer has been
slowly decocked cocks the hammer but does not advance the cylinder,
so that, after the hammer is positioned by the trigger for firing,
and the cylinder still being in a position for firing, pulling of
the trigger further releases the hammer to fire the weapon.
[0086] The added mechanisms may be set and reset by the shooter,
for example, with a slidable sliding latch similar in some regard
to the cylinder thumb latch release as previously depicted in
Picture 2 (shown in the provisional patent application), which was
an enlargement from a section of Picture 1 (also previously shown),
or some other control elements or apparatus on the frame or
elsewhere on the weapon, or the added mechanisms may be operated by
the shooter with the added control element button shown in FIGS. 1,
2, 4, 5 and 6, or the slide latch control element shown in FIG. 6a,
as described below. The button or slide control elements shown and
described below may be mounted on the either side of the revolver
or elsewhere on the revolver.
[0087] A revolver, having a hammer, a trigger, a rotating cylinder
with chambers therein and ratchet teeth, and a cylinder rotating
mechanism including a pawl that engages a ratchet tooth on the
cylinder to cause the cylinder to rotate one chamber as the
revolver is cocked in response to a shooter pulling the hammer in a
single action revolver or in response to either pulling the hammer
or pulling the trigger in a double action revolver, according to
some embodiments of the invention as claimed, also comprises a
settable and resettable retainer that is set in association with or
following a decocking after a first cocking. The retainer when set
preventing the pawl from engaging a cylinder ratchet tooth and
rotating the cylinder when the revolver is recocked, and when reset
permitting the cylinder to rotate when the revolver is
recocked.
[0088] Also according to some embodiments of the invention, the
revolver may comprise a control element coupled to the retainer
which sets and resets the retainer in response to positioning the
control element, the control element being accessible to the
shooter for setting and resetting the retainer.
[0089] Further according to some embodiments of the invention, the
revolver may comprise a control element coupled to the retainer and
to the cylinder ratchet mechanism, the control automatically
setting the retainer in response to movement of the cylinder
ratchet mechanism in association with decocking.
[0090] Still further, the retainer may be coupled to the cylinder
rotating mechanism and be automatically reset in response to the
revolver being recocked, or the retainer may be automatically reset
in response to firing recoil of the revolver.
[0091] Additionally, according to some embodiments of the
invention, the control element may be a depressible button which
sets and resets the retainer in response to the shooter positioning
the button, or the control element may be a slidable latch which
sets the retainer in response to the shooter positioning the
latch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0092] Some revolver parts (or components, or elements) shown in
the Figures are shown in different relative scale compared to other
parts for illustration and description clarity; i.e., not all parts
in are shown to the same scale. Parts shown and/or described for
one embodiment or one Figure may be combined with parts shown
and/or described for other embodiments or Figures.
[0093] FIG. 1 incorporates in reverse image FIG. 3 from Ruger et
al's. U.S. Pat. No. 3,768,190 combined with parts and their
numbering according to an embodiment of the present invention. The
numbered parts in Ruger et al's. '190's FIG. 3 are two digit
numbers as shown in the embodiment in FIG. 1 of the present
invention.
[0094] The added parts according to embodiments of the present
invention in all Figures are identified with three digit numbers.
The Figures herein show improved generic gun parts, components, to
which have been added elements according to embodiments of the
present invention which may with or without modification be added
to various brands and models of revolvers. Most Figures show
embodiments wherein the shooter positions the manual control
element to set and reset the pawl retainer to prevent (while set)
or to permit or allow (while reset, or un-set) the pawl to rotate
the cylinder.
[0095] FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 show a control element that is a
depressible button which sets and resets the retainer in response
to the shooter positioning the button.
[0096] FIG. 3 shows an automatic embodiment that sets the retainer
during decocking (without the shooter positioning a control
element). In this embodiment, provision is made for the shooter to
reset the retainer and allow cylinder rotation when recocked in the
event of a misfire.
[0097] FIGS. 5 to 7 have been added since the provisional
application was filed.
[0098] FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate improved generic gun parts and a
modified pawl with a widened lower portion depicted in the Figures
by the expanse or spread of 275 on lower portion 237 of pawl 236
according to embodiments of the present invention which may with or
without further modification be added to various brands and models
of revolvers. In FIG. 5, the added control element with knob 215
and spring loaded element 213 of assembly 203 according to an
embodiment of the invention is manually positioned (in this
embodiment, pushed in and held in) by the shooter to retain the
pawl during recocking so that as the pawl rises, it is prevented
from engaging the ratchet tooth on the cylinder.
[0099] In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 6, 6a and 7, the
shooter sets the nail head shaped retainer after decocking and
before recocking. When the retainer is set, the cylinder of the
revolver will not advance to the next chamber when recocked.
Recocking automatically resets the retainer by, for example, the
added pin stud 245 in FIG. 6 and by the channel 273 recessed or
indented into the pawl in FIG. 7, the retainer being urged or
positioned to reset position by spring loaded urging provided by
spring 223 between retainer control element 213 and, for example,
the frame shown as 221 in FIG. 6. Thus, after recocking, the
cylinder will advance the next time the revolver is cocked (unless
the shooter sets the nail head retainer again as he/she might want
to do after another decocking).
[0100] FIG. 6a depicts a slidable latch to be positioned by the
shooter. The retainer latch assembly control element depicted in
FIG. 6a is minimally susceptible to being inadvertently set. As the
shooter slides the latch, its inside slanted latch surface pushes
the rounded surface 291 of the retainer so that nail shaped head
231 traverses past slanted groove 243, 251 in the pawl to allow the
retainer to be set (the shooter may hear and/or feel a faint
"click" as the pawl is urged forward hitting the shaft of the nail
under the nail head when the retainer is set) as described below.
The nail head shape of retainer will be automatically reset as the
pawl rises to its upper position by being pushed flush with pawl
surface 237 by added pin stud 245 (or, as shown in FIGS. 6b and 6c,
the surfaces 247b or 247c of differently shaped studs 245b or 245c)
allowing spring 223 to reset the retainer by pushing the retainer's
rounded surface 291 against inside slanted latch surface 283
causing the latch to automatically slide to the reset (un-set)
position.
[0101] FIG. 7 depicts a recess or channel in a pawl which
automatically resets the retainer when the revolver is
recocked.
[0102] FIG. 8 shows a pawl with a beveled surface 237 which may be
useful in various embodiments in association with setting and/or
resetting the retainer.
[0103] FIG. 9 has a different perspective view of pawl 236 shown in
FIG. 6a. FIG. 9 shows the retainer latch assembly 281 shown in FIG.
6a in the "set" position.
[0104] In some embodiments described herein and illustrated by some
of the Figures, in a double action revolver, the hammer and the
trigger are decocked (meaning the hammer is let down and the
trigger is released to its forward position) in order to set the
retainer because, as mentioned above, typically, the cylinder pawl
in double action revolvers is connectively operated on a pin or
stud by the trigger (not the hammer). In a double action revolver,
decocking means letting the hammer down and releasing the trigger
to its forward position.
[0105] Picture 1 previously (shown in the provisional patent
application) showed a picture of the thumb slide latch mounted on
the exterior of the frame of a S&W Model 36 revolver so a
shooter holding the revolver in his right hand could operate the
slide latch with is right hand's thumb in order to release the
cylinder.
[0106] Picture 2 previously showed an enlargement from a section of
Picture 1 of the thumb slide latch located on the outside of the
revolver so as to be slid or pushed forward (sideways) by the
shooter to unlatch the cylinder to allow it to swing out for
emptying spend cartridges and reloading.
[0107] Picture 3 previously showed a small picture of the thumb
slide latch side view of a S&W Model 36 revolver with a 3 inch
barrel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0108] The descriptions use by way of example a revolver with only
one remaining live round in a chamber in the cylinder position that
would advance and fire next upon cocking a first time and pulling
the trigger.
[0109] Referring to FIG. 1, to set and reset the added mechanism,
shown generally as added means 111, the shooter pushes control
button 113, which may be accommodated in a hole or other suitable
aperture associated with the frame or body or other part of the
revolver. A lip or flange like ring (not shown) around the
right-hand side (non-button side) of hollow shaft 112 limits button
113's travel when the button is released.
[0110] Various control elements other than a button may be used by
the shooter to position or operate the added mechanisms, for
example, a suitably sized knob may be pushed in to set (engage) the
pawl retainer and pulled out to reset (disengage), or a generally
round cam on a suitable axis may be rotated by the shooter's thumb
or other wise, or a slide similar to the thumb slide latch
previously shown in pictures 1 to 3 (of the S&W Model 36
Revolver, as mentioned above, to unlatch the swing-out cylinder for
loading) may be positioned (moved or operated) by the shooter, etc.
A latch slide, such as, for example, latch 299 in the retainer
assembly 281 shown in FIG. 6a, may be accommodated in a suitable
slot to allow it to move sideways and/or up and down and it may be
associated with, for example, a flat, rounded or contoured angled
cam surface that may provide a prescribed motion that is
accommodated by a suitable follower, i.e., the output link of a cam
mechanism, such as depicted by retainer rod 217 rounded spring
loaded plunger head 291, the other end of which rod 217 is shown as
nail shaped retainer head 231 in FIG. 6a, and as is known by those
skilled in the arts. The detailed description below will focus on
the shooter operating the added means by use of a control button
such as shown generally in the added means 111 in FIG. 1.
[0111] Button 113 may be positioned to be set by pushing and
temporarily held by the shooter toward the gun frame, typically
with the hand not holding the gun, while slowly decocking the gun
(i.e., gently letting the hammer down so as not to discharge a
round) typically with the thumb of the gun hand controlling the
hammer while the gun hand trigger finger pulls the trigger to
release the hammer and also to allow the trigger to be released to
go to its fully forward position.
[0112] The push-button 113 may ride on pin axle 117 compressing
spring 123 and pushing boomerang part 115 which slides on the
center of boomerang 115 as shown on pin axle rod 117 to boomerang
115's activated or "on" or "set" position. The inside
(non-cylindrical) surface of hollow shaft 112 may cooperate with
spring 123 by pushing on the left end of axle 117 to push boomerang
115 so that retainer 121 engages pawl notch 141. As depicted in
FIG. 1, boomerang part 115 may be fashioned out of one solid piece
or two boomerang arm pieces may be joined and fastened together, to
become the central portion of the boomerang part 115 that rides on
pin 117. If boomerang part 115 is fashioned out of two boomerang
arm pieces and joined and fastened together, that boomerang part
115 so fashioned would function the way a boomerang part 115
fashioned out of one solid piece would function.
[0113] The pin axle 117 shaft may be solid; the shaft 117 is shown
round, but, for example, a square shaft (not shown) (or some other
shaped shaft) with square end accommodations are also possible. A
square shaft could prevent boomerang part 115 from rotating on the
shaft and this design may be suitable or preferred for use in some
revolvers as could be determined by a gunsmith. A square (or
polygonal) shaft in another example that was twisted one end to the
other a predetermined amount, so that the cross-section at one end
could be offset some number of degrees from the cross-section at
the other end, could be used to cause the boomerang part 115 to
rotate as it moves to and fro on the pin axle shaft 117. The number
of degrees in the twist from one end to the other could, typically,
be nominal, as determined by a gunsmith for a particular revolver
design.
[0114] Button 113's shaft 112 may be hollow 114 as shown to
accommodate one end of pin axle 117 (shown in FIG. 1 as the left
end of pin axle 117). Pin axle 117 is furthest into button 113's
hollow 114 when retainer 119 is not held by temporary retainer 131
(shown, as may other parts be shown, to a different scale than
other parts), and not as far into button 113's hollow 114 when
retainer 119 is held by temporary retainer 131 as described below.
There may be an accommodation 135 described below for the other end
(shown as the right end) of pin axle 117, i.e., the end that is not
into the hollow 114 of button 113's shaft. Pin axle 117 may be
fixed rigidly in accommodation 135 by adhesive means, mechanical
means such as threading on the right end of pin axle 117 which may
be screwed tight into accommodation 135, friction means (banged
into a tight fit that will hold it), by welding, hot glue or by
some other fastening means. Temporary retainer 131 and
accommodation 135 are built or molded in or cut in or in some other
way associated with the frame or body or other part of the
revolver.
[0115] Or boomerang 115 may be fixed on axle 117 which may be fixed
(as described above) into hollow 114 of shaft 112 and slide to and
fro in accommodation 135; with this arrangement (spring 123 would
not be needed), if control button 113 were pushed in to cause
engagement of retainers 119 and 121 with temporary retainers 131
and pawl notch 141 as described below, button 113 would stay in
until disengagement occurred (e.g., by recoil) or until manually
disengaged by the shooter pulling button 113 out or by some other
means at which point the retainers 119 and 121 would be "un-set" or
"reset." Pulling button 113 out could manually disengage retainers
119 and 121 from temporary retainer 131 and pawl notch 141. Manual
disengagement or resetting by the shooter would be desirable or
required in the different embodiments described below or otherwise,
for example, after a misfire (failure to fire) due to a dud
(defective round that did not discharge (fire)).
[0116] As a gunsmith or another skilled in the art would know,
alternate mechanical arrangements are possible. For example, since
boomerang 115 slides on pin axle 117, the left end of pin axle 117
may be fixed into button 113 and the right end of pin axle 117
could slide to and fro in accommodation 135. For another example,
boomerang 115 could be fixed fast to pin axle 117, and both ends of
pin axle 117 could slide in their respective end hollow or
accommodation housings, i.e., e.g., the left end could slide to and
fro in button 113's shaft 112 and the right could correspondingly
slide in accommodation 135. Embodiments described in association
with FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 use one arm, not two arms as shown in FIG. 1
as boomerang 115 with an arm with a pin stud 119 and another arm
with pawl retainer 121. The use of two arms, e.g., the second arm
with stud 119, may provide improved design flexibility and greater
construction options to suit a larger variety of revolvers.
[0117] Spring 123 rides around pin axle 117 pressing against button
113 on the left, holding it in the out position when it is not
being pressed by the shooter, and on boomerang 115 on the right.
Spring 125 rides around pin axle 117 pressing against boomerang 115
on the left and accommodation 135 on the right.
[0118] Temporary retainer 131 depicted in FIG. 1, may be adapted by
gunsmiths and those skilled in the art as required to different
brands of revolvers, and adapted to different models of those
brands as required. Accommodation 135, depicted in FIG. 1, will
also be adapted by those skilled in the art as required to
different brands of revolvers, and adapted to different models of
those brands as required.
[0119] Pin stud 119 on one end of boomerang part 115 may engage and
be held by, for example, friction by temporary retainer 131, as pin
stud cylinder pawl retainer to hold against and temporarily retain
a cylinder pawl such as pawl 36 (taken from 121 on the other end of
boomerang part 115 moves into position in pawl notch 141 FIG. 3 of
U.S. Pat. No. 3,768,190 which is shown by way of example) as shown
in FIG. 1, and such as the various cylinder pawls shown in each of
FIGS. 1 to 8 in U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,888. A pawl notch, such as 141
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, is shown
as a modification to pawl 36 in FIG. 3 of the '190 patent.
Typically, the pawl notch 141 may be shallow to allow the pin stud
cylinder pawl retainer 121 to slide in and out and or up and down
and or to pass over (e.g., slide over) notch 141 from either
direction depending on the particular implementation design for
different brands and models of revolvers.
[0120] In some of embodiments of the present invention described
herein, recoil from firing the weapon will allow parts held by
friction to become disengaged. Weapons with more recoil may allow
disengagement more readily than those with less recoil.
[0121] Although embodiments discuss the present invention by way of
example using pawl 36 shown in FIG. 3 and other Figures of the '190
patent, as would be apparent to a skilled artisan, the several
modified pawls and modified revolver parts associated therewith,
and their modified paths of upward travel, downward travel and
their line of travel, shown and described in the '888 patent,
"Revolver firing mechanism with disengaging cylinder pawl," may be
used and or modified further to benefit some of the embodiments
described for the present invention; e.g., to benefit the
disengagement and or the engagement of pawl retainer 121 and pawl
notch 141 and other added parts.
[0122] Pin stud cylinder pawl retainer 121 may be partially (wide
or narrow end) cone shaped at the end, or some other shape, as
opposed to being a straight pin stud. For example, an alternate pin
171 (shown at exaggerated length) for pin stud 121 is shown in
cutout 170; cone shape end 173 depicts the wide end of a cone shape
at the end of alternate 171. If a design similar to alternate pin
171 is utilized, a correspondingly accommodating shape may be
incorporated into the edge 175 of pawl 36 to more comfortably
accommodate cone shape end 173 of alternate pin 171. Accommodating
edge 175 may extend above and or below shallow notch 141 in pawl
36. Cone end alternate pin 171 may be used to, e.g., aid
temporarily retaining cylinder pawl 36. The use of alternate shapes
like a cone shape may tend to require more or less recoil for
disengagement to occur to allow the pawl to advance the cylinder
after firing. Other ways to require more or less recoil include,
e.g., using various textured or slippery surfaces, etc.
[0123] Storch et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,051,487 describes oblique
angles and edges that may be adapted to cooperate with alternate
pin 171 of FIG. 1 herein. For example, column 3, lines 36 to 51 of
the '487 patent read as follows:
"As the slide continues to move from its intermediate position
(FIG. 5) to its locked position (FIG. 6), the stem of rivets 41
passes from the bottom to the top of the upper parallel sections
52a of cam slots 52 so that the slide moves in a path parallel to
the edge of the film. However, slide 46 includes upper and lower
pin engagement edges 46b, 46c which are angled obliquely with
respect to the direction of travel of the slide as it moves between
the intermediate position (FIG. 5) and the locked position (FIG.
6). The angle and length of these engagement edges are selected so
that as slide 46 moves downwardly between the intermediate position
and the locked position, edge 46b comes into contact with pin 32,
while edge 46c substantially simultaneously comes into contact with
pin 34, rigidly locking the font in position."
[0124] And column 3, lines 59 to 64:
"Note also, that the engaging edges 46b and 46c of the slide 46 are
preferably beveled so that the angled portion of the engaging edges
tightens against the ball at a position lower on the ball than
would occur without the bevel providing a greater and more stable
contact area between the edges and the ball."
[0125] FIG. 8 depicts a modified pawl 236 according to an
embodiment of the invention. Surface 237 is beveled, for example,
as shown, the edge between 249a and 249b is not parallel to edge
249c and 249d. As the pawl 236 is raised by cocking and lowered by
decocking, the twisted or oblique beveled surface 237 will cause
contact between it and, for example, alternate pin 171 for pin stud
121, of the retainer assembly in FIG. 1, to change or vary. This
beveled surface 237 feature may be used as shown, or combined with
other features described, to set and/or reset the retainer, or aid
in setting and resetting the retainer, for example, to hold the
retainer set or to release the retainer to reset. Certain other
features in FIG. 8 are described below in association with like
numbered elements depicted in other Figures.
[0126] Pin stud cylinder pawl retainer 121 (or an alternate)
functions to prevent the revolver's particular cylinder pawl (shown
as pawl 36) from engaging the cylinder ratchet tooth when the gun
is next cocked (recocked). The orientations and shapes of boomerang
115, retainer 119, retainer 121, temporary retainer 131,
accommodation 135 and pawl notch 141 are shown by way of example in
FIG. 1. Parts such as pawl retainer 121, pin stud 119 and boomerang
part 115 will be adapted by those skilled in the art as required to
different brands of revolvers, and adapted to different models of
those brands as required.
[0127] Spring 123 may be designed and selected to naturally stretch
(extend, elongate) and cooperate with the friction between retainer
119 and temporary retainer 131 to hold retainer 119 and to push
button 113 out (depending on which of different possible
implementations are employed) after the shooter releases button
113. Springs 123 and or 125 may provide a twisting action as does,
e.g., a torsion springs which tends to produce rotation so as to
provide rotational urging to the one arm or to the boomerang with
two arms (torsion springs typically operate mouse traps and bear
paw traps (the inhuman, cruel variety)). Improved design
flexibility may also be provided if, e.g., springs 123 and or 125,
provided both pushing tension and twisting tension (rotational
urging). Spring 125 may be designed and selected to stretch to
overcome spring 123 in order to push and hold boomerang 115
directionally toward button 113 when retainer 119 is released from
temporary retainer 131 by recoil or other means as described
below.
[0128] Several embodiments are described below with only one
remaining live round. As will become apparent to skilled artisans
and those skilled in related arts, various functions and operations
described for one embodiment herein may also benefit and cooperate
with other embodiments. Further, as will also become apparent to
those skilled in gun smithing and related machinist arts, some
embodiments described herein may be more or less suitable for a
single action revolver where the pawl typically rises and lowers
with the movement of the hammer and some embodiments may be more or
less suitable for a double action revolver where the pawl typically
rises and lowers with the movement of the trigger. Differences
include, for example, that the pawl typically drops quickly in a
single action revolver as the hammer is released by the shooter
pulling the trigger to fire the weapon--the pawl lowers with speed
corresponding to the hammer dropping, while in a double action
revolver the pawl typically lowers with speed corresponding to the
speed at which the shooter releases the trigger after firing the
gun.
[0129] In an embodiment (A) the gun may be cocked, decocked with
control button 113 held in, cocked again (recocked) and then fired:
[0130] a. cock [0131] b. decock using button 113 [0132] c. recock
[0133] d. fire cylinder advances when next cocked
[0134] The gun in this embodiment may be fired after being cocked
and decocked (uncocked) a first time by the shooter-operator
holding in control button 113 while decocking in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention as described above so that
retainer 119 will engage temporary retainer 131 and retainer 121
will engage pawl notch 141 and retain pawl 36 so that when the
weapon is cocked again cylinder pawl 36 will not engage the
cylinder ratchet tooth and therefore will not advance the cylinder
so that the one remaining round will stay in place. When cocked
again (second cocking, or recocked) and this time fired, retainer
119 may be released from temporary retainer 131 by the recoil and
boomerang 115 is pushed by spring 125 compressing spring 123 so
that retainer 121 disengages from cylinder pawl 36 so that, when
next cocked, pawl 36 will engage the tooth on the cylinder ratchet
and rotate the cylinder one chamber normally.
[0135] When the hammer is cocked again, hammer latch plunger 33
momentarily contacts and rotates the arm 34 of the cylinder latch
23 which, in turn, momentarily withdraws the nose 24 of the
cylinder latch from engagement with the lowermost notch 21 of
cylinder 3 which are shown and described, for example, in Ruger et
al's. '190 patent in association with FIGS. 1 and 2. Insofar as
there is no rotational urging applied to the cylinder from cylinder
pawl 36 in accord with an embodiment of the present invention or
from extraneous means or else wise, while this momentary
withdrawing of nose 24 of the cylinder latch occurs, the cylinder
will remain in place and, after the momentary withdrawal, the nose
will reengage lowermost notch 21 of the cylinder 3.
[0136] In this and other embodiments of the present invention
described herein, as may be seen by those skilled in gun smithing
and related machinist arts, it may be desirable in some models of
some brands of revolvers to make additional mechanical provision in
implementing one embodiment or another of the present invention to
prevent nose 24 from disengaging while recocking after decocking
(uncocking) according to an embodiment of the invention, or, for
example, it may be desirable to retard, for example, frictionally
retard, cylinder 3 from rotating as freely as it may otherwise,
i.e., e.g., incorporate rubbing means (not shown) to rub against
cylinder 3 so that cylinder 3 has additional tendency to remain in
place when nose 24 momentary withdraws from the lowermost notch 21
of cylinder 3. Consideration must also be given to the shooter
accidentally causing cylinder rotation in association with or at
the same time as operating or positioning any control elements or
parts coupled to the retainer used to set the retainer to prevent
the cylinder from advancing to the next chamber when recocked after
decocking or resetting the retainer to allow rotation when next
cocked.
[0137] In this embodiment (A) the gun may be cocked, decocked with
button 113 held in, cocked again and uncocked without using button
113 again; in this embodiment the means to inhibit cylinder
rotation when cocked a third time remain engaged so the cylinder
does not rotate during the third cocking (or additional cockings
after additional decockings): [0138] a. cock [0139] b. decock using
button 113 [0140] c. recock [0141] d. decock [0142] e. recock
[0143] f. fire cylinder advances when next cocked
[0144] If the gun is not fired, but instead the hammer is again
decocked (a second time) but not using the 113 button this second
decocking time, temporary retainer 131 does not release retainers
119 and 121 does not disengage cylinder pawl 36 so that, when next
cocked (thrice cocked), pawl 36 will not engage the cylinder
ratchet and will not rotate the cylinder so that the one live round
remains in position to be shot. As described, the shooter does not
need to push button 113 more than once even if he cocks and decocks
the weapon more than once. Please note that the shooter may, if he
desires, hold button 113 during additional decockings; it doesn't
hurt or change anything. In this embodiment, the revolver can be
decocked (uncocked) multiple times, over and over cocked and
decocked, and the live round would stay put for firing when the
shooter is ready to fire the gun, or not (he can also decock,
unload and put the gun away).
[0145] In another embodiment (B) the gun may be cocked, decocked
with control button 113 held in, cocked again and decocked again
but in this embodiment button 113 must again be used in order to
keep the means to inhibit cylinder rotation engaged so the cylinder
does not rotate if cocked a third time after being decocked a
second time:
[0146] Not using button 113 a second time: [0147] a. cock [0148] b.
decock using button 113 [0149] c. recock [0150] d. decock (not
using button 113) [0151] e. recock [0152] f. no fire (one live
round skipped) [0153] Using button 113 a second time: [0154] a.
cock [0155] b. decock using button 113 [0156] c. recock [0157] d.
decock using button 113 [0158] e. recock [0159] f. fire; cylinder
advances when next cocked
[0160] If the gun is not fired after being cocked a first time, and
the hammer is released to decock the gun a first time while the
operator pushes and holds control button 113 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention as described above, after
cocking a second time and upon decocking a second time but during
this second uncocking the operator does not push and hold button
113, temporary retainer 131 releases retainers 119 and 121
disengaging cylinder pawl 36 so that, when next cocked, pawl 36
will engage the cylinder ratchet and will rotate the cylinder so
that the one live round advances and no longer remains in position
to be shot. In this embodiment, during decocking while retainer 119
is engaged in temporary retainer 131, temporary retainer 131
releasing retainer 119 can be accomplished by a gunsmith utilizing,
for example, modifications made to one or more revolver parts
comprised of but not limited to the following shown in FIGS. 1, 2
and 3 of the '190 and '888 patents: the trigger 32, cylinder pawl
10 and or hammer 18. As mentioned above, Power's '888 patent's
various parts and/or modified parts, for example, may be used in
association with some embodiments of the present invention as would
be apparent to those skilled in gun smithing and related machinist
arts.
[0161] Or, for example, referring to FIG. 1, if button 113 is not
held in during decocking while retainer 119 is engaged in temporary
retainer 131, temporary retainer 131 releasing retainer 119 can be
accomplished in the early travel portion of the hammer connectively
operating the pawl (in a single action revolver; in a double
action, it would be the early travel portion of the trigger
connectively operating the pawl) while traveling toward the safe
decocked position (while the trigger traveling to the forward most
position) as follows: added means poker 151, cooperating with the
hammer, for example, could rest slightly in temporary retainer 131
and then poke further into temporary retainer 131 from the right
(non-pin axle 117/boomerang 115 side shown in FIG. 1) so that, if
retainer 119 was engaged (but not so far engaged into temporary
retainer 131 to take up the whole temporary retainer 131 hole) from
the other side of temporary retainer 131 and held in temporary
retainer 131 as described, it will be poked loose. Poker means 151
may have a flange type ring 153 as shown with a spring 155 urging
it away from temporary retainer 131 while awaiting hammer 5 to
increasingly engage slanted surface 157 (which may be slanted some
number of degrees so that it is not perpendicular to the shaft of
poker means 151, as depicted in FIG. 1) urging it (nudging it)
toward retainer 119 in temporary retainer 131 as hammer 5 slowly
travels in the early portion of travel toward the decocked
position. The hammer 5 surface that contacts slanted surface 157
may be modified with an indent, lug, ridge and or a protrusion of
some sort to facilitate nudging slanted surface 157.
[0162] In this embodiment, recoil is not necessary to unseat
retainer 119 from temporary retainer 131. The right end with the
slanted surface 157 of poker means 151 may be accommodated in
accommodation 161 built or molded in or cut in or in some other way
associated with the frame or body or other part of the revolver.
Accommodation 161 is thin enough and poker means 151 is long enough
so that slanted surface 157 pokes through accommodation 161 so as
to be nudged by the hammer as described above. As described, poker
means 151 may be designed so that poker means 151 does not rotate
so that slanted surface 157 stays in position to greet the hammer's
nudging during decocking. For example, the part of poker means 151
to the right of the flange type ring may be square shaped and
accommodation 161 similarly shaped so as to prevent poker means 151
from rotating.
[0163] However, if the shooter in this embodiment wants to inhibit
cylinder advancement while cocking a third time after the second
decocking, he could push and hold button 113 during the second
decocking so pin stud retainer 119 on boomerang part 115 engages or
reengages temporary retainer 131 during the latter travel portion
of the hammer (latter travel portion of the trigger in a double
action) traveling toward the decocked position while connectively
operating the pawl so that pin stud cylinder pawl retainer 121 on
the other end of boomerang 115 moves into or stays in position to
hold against added temporary retaining notch 141 in the cylinder
pawl 36.
[0164] In this and other described embodiments, design
considerations for the particular embodiment and the construction
of a particular brand and model of revolver could influence the
timing relationship between retainer 119 engaging temporary
retainer 131 and retainer 121 engaging pawl notch 141; engagement
could be substantially simultaneous, or retainer 119 engaging
temporary retainer 131 could lead retainer 121 engaging pawl notch
141 or vice versa. As would be apparent to skilled artisans, the
modified pawls, associated parts and their modified paths of
travel, shown and described in the '888 patent, may be adapted for
use in some of the embodiments herein; for example, in relation to
disengagement and or the engagement arrangements.
[0165] In another embodiment (C), "automatic control operation" may
be achieved using recoil: if the gun is cocked but not fired, and
the hammer is released slowly to decock the weapon, the act of
uncocking alone (no button 113 or a part similar thereto--no thing
to push; shaft 112 could be mounted like comparable part shaft 167
in FIG. 3 described below) will cause means added by the gunsmith
or during manufacture to engage and hold the cylinder pawl so that
when cocked again, the cylinder pawl will not engage the cylinder
ratchet and the cylinder will not rotate. [0166] a. cock [0167] b.
decock [0168] c. recock [0169] d. decock [0170] e. recock [0171] f.
fire; cylinder advances when next cocked
[0172] Still referring to FIG. 1, for this embodiment, there would
be no button 113, but other parts and the operation thereof are
similar to the description in association with FIG. 1 above with
some differences comprised of the following. In this embodiment,
the shooter may have to adjust to the new feature by learning to
uncock the hammer more slowly to its forward position and or to
release the trigger more slowly to its fully forward position so as
not to fire the gun and to allow spring 123 to urge boomerang 115
to the right when pawl notch 141 comes into sufficient alignment
position with pin retainer 121 as pawl 36 lowers (described below)
so that retainer 121 will engage pawl notch 141 and retain pawl 36.
Such urging of boomerang 115 to the right will also allow retainer
119 to engage temporary retainer 131 so that, as above, when the
weapon is cocked again cylinder pawl 36 will not engage the
cylinder ratchet tooth and therefore will not advance the cylinder
so that the one remaining round will stay in place.
[0173] As is typical for single action revolvers, in the cocked
position, pawl 36, shown in FIG. 2 of the '190 patent for example,
is in the raised position of engagement with the tooth of the
cylinder ratchet. As the hammer goes from cocked to uncocked, the
pawl lowers, for example, according to the single action revolver
operation associated with the '190 patent. (Typically, in a double
action revolver, the pawl lowers as the trigger is released to its
forward most position). As shown in FIG. 1 of the '190 patent, pawl
36 is in the lower position, so that pawl 36 is unengaged with any
teeth of the cylinder ratchet.
[0174] In this embodiment the weapon can be cocked and decocked
more than once without advancing the cylinder.
[0175] Letting the Hammer Down: When the trigger is pulled to fire
the revolver in this embodiment (C), the hammer will come down
normally fast, fast enough to fire the weapon and fast enough to
deny spring 123 enough urging time so that engagement between
boomerang 115's pawl retainer 121 with pawl notch 141, and
engagement of pin stud 119 into temporary retainer 131, do not
occur, so that, when next cocked, the pawl will advance the
cylinder in the normal manner. And, if the revolver had been
decocked prior to firing so as to allow engagement of retainer 121
with pawl notch 141 and retainer 119 with temporary retainer 131,
the recoil of firing will release them from the prior engagement
thus allowing cylinder advance in the normal manner when next
cocked after firing--this would allow the weapon to fire again upon
pulling the trigger if a second live round were aptly chambered in
the cylinder.
[0176] In a related "automatic control operation" embodiment (D)
(no button 113 or a part similar thereto--no thing to push; shaft
112 could be mounted like comparable part shaft 167 in FIG. 3
described below), recoil is not utilized to disengage retainers 119
and 121 when the gun is fired after an decocking that sets (causes
engagement) of retainers 121 and 119 with temporary retainer 131
and pawl notch 141. If the gun is cocked but not fired, and the
hammer is released slowly to decock the weapon, the act of
uncocking will cause added means retainers 119 and 121 to engage
and hold the cylinder pawl so that when cocked again, the cylinder
pawl will not engage a tooth on the cylinder ratchet and the
cylinder will not rotate. In this embodiment, every cocking could
disengage retainers 119 and 121 if they are engaged, and every
decocking (instead of firing the gun) could engage retainers 119
and 121 (again). [0177] a. cock--if engaged will disengage
retainers 119 & 121 [0178] b. decock--engages retainers 119
& 121 [0179] c. recock--disengages retainers 119 & 121
[0180] d. decock--engages retainers 119 & 121 [0181] e.
recock--disengages retainers 119 & 121 [0182] f. fire--will not
engage retainers 119 & 121; cylinder advances when next
cocked
[0183] Referring to FIG. 1, added poker means 151 described above
could be modified to cooperate with the hammer upon cocking with,
for example, poker means similar to poker means 151. In essence,
poker means 151 could be turned upside down so slanted surface 157
may be rotated in an opposite orientation to that described above.
This slant angle is depicted as slant angle 187 in FIGS. 2 and 4
and described further below.
[0184] Attention need not be paid to earlier or latter travel of
the hammer as every cocking will disengage retainers 119 and 121 if
they are engaged, and, if the shooter decides to decock instead of
shooting, slowly uncocking will again engage retainers 119 and 121
as described above, and if the shooter shoots the shot, retainers
119 and 121 will not engage temporary retainer 131 and pawl notch
141 because the speed of the hammer falling to fire the gun will
not allow enough time for engagement to occur, as also described
above, so the cylinder will advance when next cocked.
[0185] Referring now to FIG. 2, which illustrates another
embodiment (E) of the present invention, fewer parts are employed.
This embodiment does not rely on recoil of the gun when it is fired
to disengage pin stud pawl retainer 165 if it is engaged in pawl
notch 141 of pawl 36 (pawl notch 141 and pawl 36 are described in
detail and depicted in FIG. 1; not shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4).
[0186] a. cock--if engaged will disengage retainer 165 [0187] b.
decock--engages retainer 165 using button 169 [0188] c.
recock--disengages retainer 165 [0189] d. decock--engages retainer
165 using button 169 [0190] e. recock--disengages retainer 165
[0191] f. fire--will not engage retainer 165; cylinder advances
when next cocked
[0192] During decocking, if the shooter pushes and holds button 169
in, retainer 165 will engage pawl notch 141 of pawl 36. When the
hammer is next cocked, the hammer passes and nudges slanted end
surface 187 (as described above in association with slanted surface
157 of poker means 151 which is rotated in an opposite orientation)
of rod 177 and the nudging pushes rod 177 in hole 183 enough to
disengage retainer 165 from notch 141 of pawl 36 so that the
cylinder will advance normally the next time the gun is cocked.
[0193] Only one arm 175 may be utilized in this embodiment. Arm 175
may be fixed on axle rod 177 (arm 175 does not slide on rod 177);
arm 175 has pin stud cylinder pawl retainer 165 on one end of arm
175 as shown. Rod 177 slides in and out (to and fro) of
accommodating opening 183 on the right and in and out of hollow
shaft 167's aperture or hole 174 on the left (opening 183 may be
provided on the frame or body or other part of the revolver).
[0194] According to FIG. 2, when the revolver is decocked, button
169 may be held in the in position by the shooter so that retainer
165 will engage pawl notch 141 as the pawl lowers while the shooter
slowly uncocks the gun; i.e., arm 175 and rod 177 are pushed
further into accommodating hole 183 and retainer 165 engages pawl
notch 141 (as shown and described for FIG. 1 above) as the pawl
lowers during uncocking. After decocking, button 169 may be pushed
by spring 181 back to the out position; spring 181 holds button 169
and its shaft 167 in the out position when it is not being pressed
by the shooter.
[0195] Spring 179 pushes against arm 175 on the left and the rim
surrounding and forming hole 183 on the right so as to prevent
engagement of retainer 165 with notch 141 on the pawl 36 by urging
arm 175 to the left with enough spring power (oomph) to over come
spring 181--spring 179 pushes arm 175 toward the left with more
force than spring 181 pushes toward the right so that engagement
does not occur unless button 169 is pushed by the shooter with
greater force yet to over come spring 179's oomph to allow
engagement as described above.
[0196] The distance arm 175 and rod 177 moves to the right may be
limited or stopped by an upper part of arm 175 when it come in
contact with pawl 36 (FIG. 1) or by some other means. For example,
a stopping or limiting lug or suitable protrusion may be provided
on the frame or body or other part of the revolver to aid, limit or
stop arm 175 in position when retainer 165 is satisfactorily
engaged in pawl notch 141. Once engaged in notch 141 on pawl 36 as
described above for FIG. 1, pawl retainer 165 may be held by
friction and or aided by using a shape shown exaggerated in the
cutout of FIG. 1 and described above for pin 171 and its cone
shaped end 173.
[0197] Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment (F) of the
present invention is illustrated. This embodiment uses recoil of
the gun when it is fired to disengage pin stud pawl retainer 165 if
it is engaged in pawl notch 141 of pawl 36 (pawl notch 141 and pawl
36 are described in detail and depicted in FIG. 1; not shown in
FIG. 3). [0198] a. cock [0199] b. decock--engages retainer 165
[0200] c. recock--(retainer 165 still engaged) [0201] d.
decock--(retainer 165 still engaged) [0202] e. recock--(retainer
165 still engaged) [0203] f. fire--cylinder advances when next
cocked
[0204] Much of the operation of this embodiment is described above.
However, in this embodiment, during decocking, spring 181 has
enough oomph to overcome spring 179's oomph and causes retainer 165
to engage pawl notch 141 of pawl 36. This engagement may continue
through cockings and decockings until the gun is fired at which
point, cooperating with spring 179 to over come spring 181, recoil
disengages retainer 165 from notch 141. This embodiment may be used
with weapons that have ample oomph, e.g., larger caliber weapons,
weapons that shoot magnum bullets and or magnum loads, etc.; i.e.,
this embodiment works with weapons that have sufficient recoil to
disengage retainer 165 from notch 141 when fired. FIG. 1's cone
shape end 173 as depicted in FIG. 1 may be less or not suitable for
this embodiment as it may impede disengagement.
[0205] The end of pawl retainer 165 may be similar to a cone shape
that tapers down to be somewhat (slightly) narrower at the end to
aid disengagement and allow the pawl to advance the cylinder after
firing. Various textured or slippery surfaces may also be employed
to improve reliability. A correspondingly accommodating shape may
be incorporated into notch 141 and edge 175 of pawl 36 (FIG. 1) to
more comfortably accommodate the end of pawl retainer 165.
[0206] When the hammer is cocked, the hammer does not contact
surface 189, which need not be slanted as it does not function as
does end 187 of rod 177 described above; i.e., the hammer does not
disengage 165 from pawl notch 141 during cocking. And, if
engagement occurred from prior decocking, the engagement is allowed
to continue if the gun is not fired. Rod 177 slides in and out (to
and fro) of accommodating opening 183 on the right of FIG. 3. In
this embodiment, mechanical means (not shown) for the shooter to
manually disengage retainer 165 could be operated by the shooter in
the event of a misfire so that, when cocked after a misfire, the
pawl would engage the ratchet tooth and rotate the cylinder. For
example, if the frame accommodated opening 183, and rod 177 were
long enough to stick out past the frame, the shooter could push rod
177 in order to disengage retainer 165 to allow the pawl to engage
the ratchet tooth and rotate the cylinder when the revolver is
cocked after a misfire. After a misfire, caution must be taken to
not allow the gun to point at anything or in any direction that
might be unsafe because a dud could discharge spontaneously after
some delay.
[0207] Smith & Wesson, for example, advises this:
"If a cartridge fails to fire, wait ten seconds while keeping the
muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Keep your finger off the
trigger and out of the trigger guard . . . . Remove the defective
cartridge and dispose of it in a method specifically approved for
live round disposal."
[0208] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment (G) of the present
invention. As described with FIG. 2, this embodiment does not rely
on recoil to disengage pin stud pawl retainer 165 if it is engaged
in pawl notch 141 of pawl 36 (pawl notch 141 and pawl 36 shown in
FIG. 1) when the gun is fired. Arm 175 may be fixed on axle rod
177; arm 175 has pin stud cylinder pawl retainer 165 on one end of
arm 175 as shown. Differing from FIG. 2, in FIG. 4 the left end of
rod 177 may be rigidly fixed in shaft 167 of button 169 so that
button 169, shaft 167 and rod 177 move in unison; button 169, shaft
167 and rod 177 act as one solid piece. Therefore, spring 181 may
be not needed in FIG. 4. Rod 177 slides in and out (to and fro) of
accommodating opening 183 on the right. [0209] a. cock--if engaged
will disengage 165 [0210] b. decock--engages retainer 165 using
button 169 [0211] c. recock--disengages retainer 165 [0212] d.
decock--engages retainer 165 using button 169 [0213] e.
recock--disengages retainer 165 [0214] f. fire--will not engage
retainer 165; cylinder advances when next cocked
[0215] During decocking, if the shooter pushes and holds button 169
in, retainer 165 will engage pawl notch 141 of pawl 36. In this
embodiment, button 169 stays in after it is held in during
decocking. When the hammer is next cocked, the hammer passes and
nudges slanted end surface 187 of rod 177 and the nudging pushes
rod 177 in hole 183 enough to disengage retainer 165 from notch 141
of pawl 36 and spring 179 will push against arm 175 and push rod
177 thus pushing the button 169 to the out position. The cylinder
will advance normally the next time the gun is cocked after the gun
is fired.
[0216] If the gun is decocked, the shooter must push the button 169
in again to prevent the cylinder rotating when next cocked. If the
shooter uses the button to cause engagement during decocking in
this embodiment, the button stays in as described, and the shooter
can manually pull the button 169 out to disengage retainer 165 from
the pawl so that the cylinder will rotate when recocked.
[0217] As mentioned above, FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a modified
pawl with a widened lower portion depicted in the Figures by the
expanse or spread of 275 on lower portion 237 of pawl 236 according
to an embodiment of the invention. When the retainer is set after
the revolver is decocked, the widened lower portion 237 of pawl 236
causes the pawl to be held (further) away from the cylinder's
ratchet teeth as the hammer in a single action, or the trigger in a
double action, allows the pawl to rise when the revolver is
recocked thus preventing the pawl from engaging a ratchet tooth and
rotating the cylinder.
[0218] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment (H) of the present
invention. In FIG. 5, the added control element retainer mechanism
is shown generally as assembly 203. Pawl 236 has no notch. Knob 215
of assembly 203, according to an embodiment of the invention, is
manually positioned [pushed in, through an opening in the frame
(the frame shown as 221 with dashed lines and diagonal markings)
and held in] by the shooter to retain the pawl while recocking,
i.e., during recocking, the shooter holds knob 215 in so that the
rounded (cylindrical) side surface at the right end of rod 217
rests flat against surface 241 of pawl 236. While the shooter holds
in knob 215 as pawl 236's lower portion 237 rises, lower portion
237 is pushed or urged back away from the ratchet tooth thus
preventing engagement of the upper portion of pawl 236 with the
ratchet tooth on the cylinder and rotating the cylinder when the
revolver is recocked.
[0219] If the revolver in this embodiment is decocked more than
once, retainer control element (or knob) 215 must be held in each
time while the revolver is recocked. [0220] a. cock [0221] b.
decock [0222] c. recock while knob 215 is depressed [0223] d.
decock [0224] e. recock while knob 215 is depressed [0225] f. fire;
cylinder advances when next cocked
[0226] In FIG. 5, when the shooter releases knob 215 after the
revolved has been recocked and cylinder rotation has been
prevented, spring 223 pushes assembly 203 retainer control element
213 coupled (in this embodiment, attached) to connecting element
219 and knob 215 out. Washer like part 227, which is fastened to
rod 217 in the position shown, limits the travel of the plunger
retainer of control element retainer assembly 203.
[0227] FIGS. 6, 6a, 6b, 6c and 7 illustrate embodiments (I) of the
present invention. In FIG. 6, the added control element retainer
mechanism is shown generally as pawl retainer assembly 211. Knob
215 of pawl retainer assembly 211, according to an embodiment of
the invention, is manually positioned to the set position by the
shooter (pushed in momentarily and released) through an opening in
frame 221. The frame 221 is shown with dashed lines and diagonal
markings. To set the retainer, the knob is pushed in after
decocking and before recocking, while the pawl is in the down
decocked position, so that nail shaped pawl retainer assembly 211
pushes, with edge 235 of nail head 231, pawl 236 which has been
modified as shown with a slanted groove 243, 251 to allow pawl 236
to be pushed back enough for inside (underside) surface 233 of nail
head 231 to go past the far edge of pawl 236 near pawl edge 249a so
as to then allow the pawl to come (snap) forward the distance it
had been moved back in response to the nail head 231 traversing or
sliding across the slanted grove from the groove's curved edge 243
to the far edge 251 of the groove.
[0228] When the pawl comes or snaps forward, the revolver's
retainer has been set. Depending on ambient noise and conditions,
the shooter may hear and/or feel a faint "click" as the pawl snaps
forward hitting the shaft of the nail rod 217 closest to the nail
head 231. The retainer having been set, the pawl's upper portion
239 will be prevented from engaging the ratchet tooth on the
cylinder and rotating the cylinder when the revolver is recocked.
[0229] a. cock--if set will reset (un-set) [0230] b. decock--then
set with pawl retainer assembly 211 [0231] c. recock--no advance,
then reset (un-set) [0232] d. decock--then set with pawl retainer
assembly 211 [0233] e. recock--no advance, then reset (un-set)
[0234] f. fire--not set, cylinder advances when next cocked
[0235] After the nail shaped retainer 231 shown in FIG. 6 is
manually positioned to the set position by the shooter after
decocking, when the shooter subsequently recocks the revolver, pawl
236 will rise but it will be prevented--by the shaft of nail rod
217 adjacent to the nail head 231 as the pawl surface 237 rises and
pawl edge 249a to 249b rides against the shaft of the retainer nail
rod 217 and surface 233 of the retainer nail head 231--from
engaging the cylinder's ratchet tooth and rotating the cylinder. A
shooter may be advised to set the retainer immediately after
decocking lest he forget to do so before recocking.
[0236] Automatic reset of this embodiment:
The nail shaped retainer assembly 211, which will prevent cylinder
rotation during the initial portion of recocking, will be
automatically reset as the pawl rises to its upper position as the
revolver approaches a fully cocked position. Nail head 231 will be
pushed flush by surface 247 of added pin stud 245 with pawl 236
surface 237, allowing spring 223 to reset the retainer by pushing
the retainer out as nail head surface 231 slides across pawl 236
surface 237, and out of contact with pawl surface 237, back to its
reset position (off position).
[0237] In FIG. 6, surface 247 of added pin stud 245 pushes the nail
head to reset the retainer when the pawl reaches its upper position
upon the revolver being recocked. Other shapes, such as ramp shapes
shown in FIG. 6b or 6c, could be utilized instead of pin stud 245
to reset (or un-set) the retainer as the pawl rises to its upper
position. Surfaces 247, 247 b and 247c, of added parts 245, 245b
and 245c, serve to push nail retainer head 231 flush with pawl 236
surface 237 allowing spring 223 to reset the retainer by pushing
the retainer sliding nail head 231 to its reset position.
[0238] FIG. 6a depicts a slidable latch to be positioned by the
shooter, a different added control element retainer mechanism than
pawl retainer assembly 211 in FIG. 6, shown generally as assembly
281. As the shooter slides the latch, its inside slanted latch
surface 283 pushes the rounded surface 291 of the retainer so that
nail shaped head 231 traverses past slanted groove 243, 251 in the
pawl to allow the retainer to be set by pushing the pawl back as
described above (the shooter may hear and/or feel a faint "click"
as the pawl is urged forward hitting the shaft of the nail under
the nail head when the retainer is set). The nail head shape of the
retainer will be automatically reset as the pawl rises to its upper
fully cocked position by being pushed flush with pawl surface 237
by 245 (or 245b or 245c) allowing spring 223 to reset the retainer
assembly 281.
[0239] As described above, the nail shaped retainer will be
automatically reset as the pawl rises. Still referring to FIG. 6a,
when recocking nears completion (i.e., as the hammer nears its
fully cocked position (all the way back or cocked) the pawl will
rise to its upper position and the nail edge 231 will become flush
with pawl surface 237 allowing spring 223 to push the left rounded
part 291 of the retainer plunger to reset the retainer
automatically by pushing the retainer's rounded surface 291 against
inside slanted latch surface 283 causing latch 299 to slide to the
reset (un-set) position. It will be understood that surfaces 283
and 291 are appropriately smooth and slippery; for example,
surfaces 283 and 291 may be polished, and/or lubricated and/or
Teflon coated so they slide readily to the reset position
automatically as the revolver reaches a fully recocked
position.
[0240] FIG. 9 has a different perspective view of pawl 236 shown in
FIG. 6a. The retainer latch assembly 281 in FIG. 6a is not shown in
the "set" position. FIG. 9 shows the same retainer latch assembly
281 as FIG. 6a, but in FIG. 9 the retainer latch assembly 281 is
shown in the "set" position.
[0241] After having set the latch 299 in FIG. 6a, if the shooter
were to slide the latch 299 to the reset position, it would not
reset the retainer since the retainer's nail head surface 233 is
held generally by the pawl edge 251,249a. However, the retainer
latch assembly 281 would be reset upon recocking, or, if the
shooter wanted the cylinder to advance before pulling the trigger
to fire the gun, he could recock, then decock and not set the latch
retainer, and recock a second time advancing the cylinder during
the second recocking.
[0242] In FIG. 6a, retainer latch assembly is shown generally as
281. Latch parts 289 and 285, and 293 and 297, position latch 299
so as to allow it to slide in elongated openings (slots) generally
depicted by openings 295 and 297 in the frame which is shown as 277
and 279 with dashed lines and diagonal markings. Note that it may
be advantageous to make the opening in the frame for retainer rod
217 thicker to, for example, discourage wear over time of the
opening and to minimize the possibility of wobble. It will be
understood that the surface of the plunger rod 217 which is in the
accommodating surface opening or cylindrical hole in the frame are
appropriately smooth and slippery, as are the surfaces that slide
against each other in elongated openings 295 and 297. For example,
the plunger rod 217 slides to and from in the frame's opening to
set and reset the pawl retainer, so the surfaces in contact with
each other may be polished, and/or lubricated and/or Teflon coated
so they can readily move back and forth positioned by the shooter
to the set position and automatically positioned to the reset
position as the revolver reaches a fully recocked position.
[0243] Retainer latch assembly shown generally as 281 in FIG. 6a
comprises a control element coupled to the retainer which sets and
resets the retainer in response to positioning the control element,
the control element being accessible to the shooter for setting and
resetting the retainer. Retainer latch assembly control element in
FIG. 6a is minimally susceptible to being inadvertently set.
[0244] In FIG. 7, a portion of the control element retainer
assembly 211 is shown generally as 207. As the retainer is set by
the shooter as described for FIG. 6 or FIG. 6a, the nail head
retainer 231 traverses past slanted groove 243, 251 in the pawl as
described above, but the pawl 236's recess will snap forward to
greet the nail head instead of pawl edge 251,249a of FIG. 6. The
recessed channel 273 is shown and generally defined with solid
lines 261 and 263 which are visible at the angle shown of the lower
portion 236a of pawl 236, and with dashed lines 265 and 267, and
269 and 271, not visible at the angle depicted. The shooter may
hear a click as the nail head 231 clears edge 251 of the recessed
grove 273 and the pawl 236 is urged or snapped forward. In FIG. 7,
the lower portion of the recess 273, shown between dashed curved
edges 269 and 271 of the recessed channel indented or cut into
surface 237 of the lower portion of the pawl 236, pushes the nail
head retainer 231 similar to pin stud 245 in FIG. 6 described above
to reset the retainer when the pawl reaches its upper fully
recocked position.
[0245] In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 6, 6a and 7, the
shooter sets the nail head shaped retainer as described after
decocking and before recocking. When the retainer is set, the
cylinder of the revolver will not advance to the next chamber when
recocked. Recocking automatically resets the retainer by the added
pin stud 245 in FIG. 6 and by the lower portion of channel 273
which is recessed or indented into the pawl in FIG. 7 as shown and
described. After recocking, the cylinder will advance the next time
the revolver is cocked (unless the shooter sets the nail head
retainer again after another decocking).
[0246] While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of
the "No-skip upon Recocking Revolver": After Decocking, the
Cylinder Does Not Advance Skipping a Round When Recocked have been
shown and described, it should be understood that various
substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those
skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit, or scope of
the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations
are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the
following claims.
Background History of the American "Six-Shooter"
[0247] Samuel Colt's invention of a revolver's cylinder ratchet and
pawl operating mechanism in 1835 marked a great moment in American
history. By allowing a shooter to fire 6 rounds in quick
succession, Colt's revolvers "Won the West." His six-shooters were
credited as "The Great Equalizer" because, with a loaded Colt in
hand, a frail person could fend off a bully or a beast.
[0248] Colt's revolvers, however, had two safety problems that
caused common revolver accidents. Avoiding these two risks was
possible, but it compromised rapid fire capacity.
[0249] First Problem: If you loaded a live round under the hammer,
the revolver could discharge accidentally. The safe capacity of
Colt's six-shooter was therefore five rounds.
The Transfer Bar Invention
[0250] An article by J. B. Wood in Gun Magazine in March 2005
explained how an 1891 invention allayed that safety risk thus
allowing all 6 rounds to be shot in quick succession:
[0251] " . . . modern revolvers use some form of a transfer bar
system. The hammer never touches the firing pin. Contact is made
only when the trigger has lifted the transfer bar to fill the
recessed space at the front of the hammer. When Andrew Fyrberg
designed the first one for Iver Johnson in 1891, he called it a
safety lifter."
[0252] Second Problem: It is dangerous to holster a cocked
revolver. If you holster a cocked revolver, it could discharge
accidentally. This is because today's revolvers' safety transfer
bar systems cannot function to prevent an accidental discharge
while a revolver is cocked.
The Pawl Retainer
[0253] If you cock a revolver after firing, and then decock, the
next time you cock the revolver it will skip a live round. Thus,
every time a shooter decocks, the rapid fire capacity of the
remaining rounds is reduced by one round. It is a common temptation
for a shooter to holster a cocked revolver to avoid skipping a live
round. Ill-advised as it may be, it is too tempting to a hunter or
police officer in the rush of hot pursuit to holster a cocked
revolver to avoid skipping a live round that may be needed.
[0254] The various embodiments of the present invention, first
filed in 2007, work to allay this safety risk by providing a way to
decock a revolver without subsequently skipping a live round. Thus,
the pawl retainer allows Andrew Fyrberg's transfer bar to function
and prevent an accidental discharge while safely maintaining full
consecutive fire power capacity.
Brief Description of FIGS. 5a and 9a to 15
[0255] Some revolver parts (or components, or elements) shown in
the Figures are shown in different relative scale compared to other
parts for illustration and description clarity; i.e., not all parts
in are shown to the same scale. Like parts in different Figures are
numbered similarly. Parts shown and/or described for one embodiment
or one Figure may be combined with parts shown and/or described for
other embodiments or Figures.
[0256] FIG. 5a is similar to FIG. 5 except that FIG. 5a has fewer
elements.
[0257] FIGS. 9a and 9b illustrate a retainer and a control element
latch with a return spring to return the latch after the retainer
is set.
[0258] FIGS. 10 (reset position), 11 ("setting" position) and 12
(set position) illustrate a retainer and a control element latch
with a return spring and a pawl retainer indicator.
[0259] FIGS. 13a to 14b are a bird's eye view of a control element
latch and pawl retainer indicator.
[0260] FIG. 15 depicts a flexible spring-loaded pawl.
Latch Return Spring
[0261] Paragraph [0152] above said: "After having set the latch 299
in FIG. 6a, if the shooter were to slide the latch 299 to the reset
position, it would not reset the retainer since the retainer's nail
head surface 233 is held generally by the pawl edge 251,249a.
However, the retainer latch assembly 281 would be reset upon
recocking, or, if the shooter wanted the cylinder to advance before
pulling the trigger to fire the gun, he could recock, then decock
and not set the latch retainer, and recock a second time advancing
the cylinder during the second recocking."
[0262] FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 6a, but FIG. 9 depicts the set
position for retainer latch assembly 281. Compared to FIG. 9, FIG.
9b has a latch return spring 303 mounted as shown (and also shown
in the cutout 301 of FIG. 9a and FIG. 10). Spring 303 is shown as
an extension spring. However, various types of return springs and
various mounting configurations and spring accommodations are
possible. By way of example, accommodations 305 and 307 hold the
ends of latch return spring 303; accommodation 305 is adapted to be
attached to frame 277 and accommodation 307 is adapted to be
attached to latch part 285.
[0263] As depicted in FIG. 9a, latch return spring 303 has pulled
accommodations 305 and 307 together. After the shooter decocks the
revolver and slides latch 299 to the set position to set the
retainer assembly 281 as shown in FIG. 9b, latch return spring 303
caused control element latch 299 to return--FIG. 9a shows latch 299
in the return position after the retainer assembly 281 has been
set.
[0264] As depicted and described above for FIG. 6a (and FIG. 10,
described below), when the revolver is recocked, spring 223 will
return retainer nail rod 217 to its reset position as previously
described, but, as shown in FIGS. 9b and 9a, spring 223 does not
need to push latch 299 to the reset position when the revolver is
recocked since latch return spring 303 has already done so.
Pawl Retainer Indicator
[0265] FIG. 10 depicts pin rod extension 311 extending from left
end rounded surface 291 of retainer rod 217 to indicate reset
position when pin rod extension 311 is poking out of latch 299. Pin
rod extension 311 is shown with dashed lines for the portion which
is not poking out of latch 299. FIG. 13a is a bird's eye view of
latch 299 (which is depicted in a side view, for example, in FIG.
10). In FIG. 13a, the tip of a pin rod extension 311a is shown from
a bird's eye view in slot 327 which is an elongated aperture.
[0266] FIG. 13b is also a bird's eye view of latch 299 (depicted in
FIG. 11). In FIG. 13b, the tip of a pin rod extension 311a is also
shown from a bird's eye view but in a different position in slot
327. FIGS. 14a and 14b are similar to FIGS. 13a and 13b except that
the pin rod extension is shown as an oval in FIGS. 14a and 14b, not
round as in FIGS. 13a and 13b. A pin rod extension can be various
shapes including but not limited to round and oval.
[0267] In some embodiments it may be desirable to prevent
contaminates (for example, dust, dirt, sand, moisture, water, food,
drinks, feathers, hair, blood, guts, etc.) from entering the
revolver through a slot such as 327 in FIGS. 13a and 13b and slot
329 in FIGS. 14a and 14b. A brush type of apparatus on each side of
the slot could be used (similar to the brushes in a gear shift
lever slot on some automobiles) or something else to provide
similar function (such as, for example, rubber, leather, cloth,
plastic etc.). Instead of a brush configuration, a solid piece
could be adapted to travel with pin rod extension 311 to provide
similar function.
[0268] FIG. 10 depicts the reset position of the retainer latch
assembly 281, and, as shown, pin rod extension 311 extending from
retainer rod 217 is poking out of latch 299 (as described for FIG.
13a). If the shooter can feel or see some of the tip of pin rod
extension 311, the shooter will know that the retainer assembly 281
is in the reset (not set) position. The tip of pin rod extension
311 (or 325) may be a color selected to contrast with the color of
the latch 299 to facilitate a visual indication of whether the
revolver is in the set or reset position.
[0269] FIG. 11 depicts latch 299 in the "setting" position, i.e., a
digit of the shooter's hand (not shown) is on latch 299 positioning
it to the set position. Once the shooter removes his or her digit
from latch 299, latch return spring 303 returns latch 299 to the
position shown in FIG. 12. When the pawl retainer assembly 281 is
in the set position as shown in FIG. 12, the nail shaped retainer
head 231 is held by pawl 236, and the tip of a pin rod extension
311 will not be poking out, i.e., pin rod extension 311 will be
recessed in the set position as shown in FIG. 12 (recessed compared
to FIG. 10).
A Flexible Pawl Embodiment
[0270] If the cylinder of a revolver is prevented from rotating, a
shooter could not fully cock the gun because the (rigid) pawl would
jam against the cylinder ratchet tooth and prevent full
cocking.
[0271] A flexible pawl or a compressible pawl could allow the
shooter to physically hold the cylinder to prevent it from
advancing when cocking. For example, if the pawl was made of
suitable flexible or compressible material (such as rubber,
plastic, metal, wood, silicone, etc.), the pawl could flex or
compress when the revolver is cocked, or a two-part pawl could have
a compression spring(s) connecting the two parts in the middle so
the pawl could compress when the revolver is cocked. As the pawl
rises during cocking, it engages the cylinder's ratchet tooth, and
if the shooter were physically holding the cylinder to prevent it
from advancing, the pawl could flex or compress and allow the
revolver to be fully cocked.
[0272] FIG. 15 shows a spring-loaded two-part flexible pawl 411
with a pivoted tongue and grove configuration. The bottom of the
top part 436 is tongue 436a, and the top of the bottom part 434 is
groove 434a. Pivot stud 436b is accommodated in the top groove 434a
as shown on the obverse of flexible pawl 411 (similar on the back
of flexible pawl 411 but not shown).
[0273] As described, the top 436 and bottom 434 of flexible pawl
411 can flex (bend) about the middle in one direction (similar to
hinge) but flexible pawl 411 is configured so that it cannot bend
in the other direction, i.e., it cannot bend backward. Edge 425 of
flexible pawl 411 is shown straight (180 degrees), but it need not
be straight.
[0274] In the many possible embodiments of this invention, any
surface of the pawl may be any angle including a straight
angle.
[0275] Torsion spring 417 holds the top of flexible pawl 411 with
spring end 417a and holds the bottom of flexible pawl 411 with the
other spring end 417b so that flexible pawl 411 is semi rigid in
the position depicted--rigid enough to advance the cylinder
normally if the cylinder is free to rotate, but not too rigid so it
can flex if the cylinder is held and thus allow the revolver to
fully cock while not causing the cylinder to advance. A recess
accommodation in the edge 425 side of flexible pawl 411 could allow
the torsion spring 417 to be recessed somewhat or flush with
flexible pawl's 411 edge 425.
[0276] Torsion spring 417 allows the slight angle depicted on the
(left) front of flexible pawl 411 to become less slight (toward
acute) so that surface 421 on the top 436 and surface 423 on the
bottom 434 of flexible pawl 411 can come toward each other (i.e.,
flex toward each other) enough to allow the revolver to fully cock
without advancing the cylinder when the cylinder is held to prevent
rotation.
[0277] Various kinds of springs could provide similar function to
torsion spring 417. For example, a leaf spring, accommodated at one
end to top 436 and the other end to bottom 434 of flexible pawl
411, could lend itself to be used similarly to a torsion
spring.
[0278] A flexible pawl could be configured to cooperate with a
cylinder latch-nose retainer (not shown, but a cylinder latch 23
with its cylinder nose 24 is described above and in Ruger et al's.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,768,190, and shown in FIG. 1 herein taken partially
from Ruger et al's. '190 patent) that could be configured to set
and lock the cylinder via a cylinder latch-nose retainer when
recocking after decocking. In this flexible pawl embodiment, the
shooter would not need to hold the cylinder to prevent its rotation
when recocking if a cylinder latch-nose retainer was set similar to
one or more embodiments of a pawl retainer of the present invention
described above. A cylinder latch retainer could be configured to
reset similar to one or more embodiments of the present invention
described above.
[0279] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a pawl
retainer could be made to cooperate with a cylinder latch-nose
retainer and a conventional or modified rigid pawl to eliminate the
possibility of the cylinder moving while the pawl retainer is being
set, as mentioned above.
Cylinder Rotation
[0280] As described in the BACKGROUND, some revolvers, such as Colt
single action revolvers, have multiple positions for the hammer and
pawl. In the "semi-cocked" load or unload position (iii), the nose
of the cylinder latch disengages from the lower most cylinder notch
and the pawl rises to mid position and rotates the cylinder to
align one chamber with the loading gate. In this position the
cylinder may be rotated by hand in one direction to allow the pawl
to align each chamber successively with the loading gate. In some
embodiments of the present invention, the pawl retainer can be
configured so that it may be engaged before a revolver is
semi-cocked into the load or unload position (iii) so that the
cylinder can rotate by hand in either direction. However, if the
pawl retainer prevents the pawl from engaging the cylinder ratchet,
chambers of the cylinder would not be caused by the pawl to align
successively with the loading gate.
Down to a Basic Embodiment
[0281] As shown in FIG. 5a (which is similar to FIG. 5 except that
FIG. 5a has fewer elements), a single accommodation, an opening in
the frame 221, is configured to accommodate the retainer rod 217.
Depending on the shape of pawls from different makers of their
different revolver models, this embodiment shown in FIG. 5 may work
with only rod 217 and an accommodation, an opening in the frame
221, suitably positioned on the frame of a revolver model that has
a suitable conventional pawl (one that needs no adaptation for some
embodiments of this invention) as follows:
[0282] Referring to FIG. 5a, retainer rod 217 of assembly 203, when
accommodated in the opening in the frame 221, may be configured to
position rod 217 in the set position so the pawl does not advance
the cylinder when the revolver is recocked, and may be configured
to position rod 217 in the reset position, so the pawl does advance
the cylinder when the revolver is recocked.
[0283] As mentioned above, while all of the fundamental
characteristics and features of the revolver's improvements have
been shown and described, it should be understood that various
substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those
skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit, or scope of
the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations
are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the
following claims.
* * * * *