U.S. patent application number 12/236009 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-04 for shotgun having an improved shotshell feeding mechanism.
This patent application is currently assigned to Browning. Invention is credited to Marc Lesenfants.
Application Number | 20100275486 12/236009 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43029316 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100275486 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lesenfants; Marc |
November 4, 2010 |
SHOTGUN HAVING AN IMPROVED SHOTSHELL FEEDING MECHANISM
Abstract
A shotgun includes an action that is capable of rapidly
chambering a shotshell after the shotgun has run out of shotshells
and is capable of allowing shotshells to be removed from the
magazine without cycling the shotshells through the action.
Inventors: |
Lesenfants; Marc; (Morgan,
UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOLLAND & HART
222 South Main Street, Suite 2200, P.O. Box 11583
Salt Lake City
UT
84110
US
|
Assignee: |
Browning
Morgan
UT
|
Family ID: |
43029316 |
Appl. No.: |
12/236009 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 23/16 20130101;
F41A 9/14 20130101; F41C 23/02 20130101; F41A 21/28 20130101; F41A
9/72 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/17 |
International
Class: |
F41A 9/01 20060101
F41A009/01 |
Claims
1. A shotgun comprising: a chamber; a magazine; and an action
including a bolt assembly; wherein the action is configured to move
a shotshell from the magazine to the chamber when the shotshell is
inserted into the magazine and released; and wherein the action is
configured to allow shotshells to be removed from the magazine
without moving the bolt assembly.
2. The shotgun of claim 1 wherein the action is configured to move
the shotshell from the magazine to the chamber when the shotshell
is inserted into the magazine and released, and the magazine is
empty.
3. The shotgun of claim 1 wherein the action is configured to move
the shotshell from the magazine to the chamber when the shotshell
is inserted into the magazine through a loading port and
released.
4. The shotgun of claim 3 wherein the loading port is on an
underside of the shotgun.
5. The shotgun of claim 1 wherein the action is configured to move
the shotshell from the magazine to the chamber when the shotshell
is inserted into the magazine through a loading port and released,
and the action is open.
6. The shotgun of claim 1 wherein the action is configured to move
the shotshell from the magazine to the chamber when the shotshell
is inserted into the magazine through a loading port and released,
the magazine is empty, and the action is open.
7. The shotgun of claim 1 wherein the action is configured to allow
shotshells to be removed from the magazine without moving the bolt
assembly.
8. The shotgun of claim 7 wherein the action is configured to allow
shotshells to be removed from the magazine through a loading port
without moving the bolt assembly.
9. The shotgun of claim 8 wherein the loading port is on an
underside of the shotgun.
10. A shotgun comprising: a chamber; a magazine; and an action
configured to move between a closed position and an open position
where the action is held in position, the action including: a
carrier including a first component that is used to hold the action
in the open position and a second component that is positioned to
cover a loading port of the shotgun; a carrier latch that moves
between a first position where the carrier latch cooperates with
the first component of the carrier to hold the action in the open
position and a second position where the carrier latch allows the
action to move from the open position to the closed position; and a
cartridge stop that moves between a first position where the
cartridge stop prevents shotshells from moving out of the magazine
and a second position where the cartridge stop allows the
shotshells to move out of the magazine; wherein the second
component of the carrier is pivotably coupled to the first
component of the carrier to allow a shotshell to be inserted into
the magazine when the action is in the open position; and wherein
the cartridge stop moves independently of the carrier latch.
11. The shotgun of claim 10 wherein the cartridge stop moves from
the first position to the second position independently of the
carrier latch.
12. The shotgun of claim 10 wherein the cartridge stop moves from
the first position to the second position without moving the
carrier latch.
13. The shotgun of claim 10 wherein the cartridge stop is in the
second position when the action is in the open position and the
magazine is empty.
14. The shotgun of claim 10 wherein the cartridge stop and the
carrier latch are pivotably coupled together.
15. The shotgun of claim 10 wherein the cartridge stop moves
independently of the carrier latch when the carrier latch is in the
first position.
16. A shotgun comprising: a chamber; a magazine; and an action
configured to move shotshells from the magazine to the chamber, the
action including a cartridge stop which moves between a first
position where the cartridge stop prevents the shotshells from
moving out of the magazine and a second position where the
cartridge stop allows the shotshells to move out of the magazine;
wherein the cartridge stop moves independently of the remainder of
the action; and wherein the cartridge stop is positioned in the
second position when the action is fixed in an open position.
17. The shotgun of claim 16 wherein the cartridge stop moves from
the first position to the second position independently of the
remainder of the action.
18. The shotgun of claim 16 wherein the cartridge stop moves from
the first position to the second position without moving the
remainder of the action.
19. The shotgun of claim 16 wherein the cartridge stop is
positioned in the second position when the action is in the open
position and the magazine is empty.
20. The shotgun of claim 16 wherein the action includes a carrier
that is configured to allow a shotshell to be inserted into the
magazine when the action is fixed in the open position.
21. The shotgun of claim 20 wherein the carrier includes a first
component that is configured to hold the action in the open
position and a second component that is positioned to cover a
loading port of the shotgun, and wherein the second component is
pivotably coupled to the first component to allow a shotshell to be
inserted into the magazine when the action is fixed in the open
position.
22. A shotgun comprising: a chamber; a magazine; and an action
including a bolt assembly; wherein the action is configured to
automatically move a shotshell from the magazine to the chamber
when the shotshell is inserted into the magazine; and wherein the
action is configured to allow shotshells to be removed from the
magazine without moving the bolt assembly.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Conventional shotguns suffer from a number of problems in a
variety of areas. The problems may be manifest in the operation and
reliability of the action, ease of disassembly for cleaning or
other purposes, ability to load and/or unload the firearm, and the
like. These problems may be especially applicable to autoloading
shotguns having semi-automatic or fully-automatic actions. The
following provides some background about some of the problems
associated with shotguns.
[0002] Most shotguns are designed to bias or retract the firing pin
rearward when the bolt is unlocked. This is done for a number of
reasons. For one, it is undesirable to have the firing pin
protruding forward out of the face of the bolt during the process
of chambering a new shotshell (also referred to as a shotgun shell
or shotgun cartridge). The rim of the shotshell may catch on the
firing pin and jam the action.
[0003] Over the years, a number of different designs have been
developed to bias or retract the firing pin rearward when the bolt
is unlocked. For example, one design uses a rotary bolt that has a
slot that guides rearward movement of the firing pin. As the bolt
rotates from a locked position to an unlocked position, the shape
of the slot forces the firing pin rearward and holds it in place
until the bolt rotates back to lock with the barrel. In other
designs, a spring may be used to bias the firing pin rearward. The
spring is provided with sufficient stiffness to prevent the firing
pin from moving forward during routine cycling of the action, but
still allow the hammer to push the firing pin forward when the bolt
is locked in place and the shotgun is ready to fire. Still other
designs may use a bolt assembly that is formed of a large number of
pieces that move in concert to restrain the firing pin as well as
perform all of the other functions of the bolt assembly when the
action cycles.
[0004] Unfortunately, existing designs for locking the firing pin
suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, rotary bolt
designs require a longer receiver, which increases the overall
length and weight of the shotgun. Also, rotary bolt designs are
relatively complex in operation, which makes them more susceptible
to reliability problems. Spring biased firing pins work well
initially but may fail with heavy usage (e.g., 6,000 to 10,000
cycles of the action). The typical failure point is the spring
which breaks, loses its spring, or is otherwise rendered
unusable--often at the most inopportune time such as during a hunt.
Bolt assemblies that use large numbers of pieces are also quite
complex, which renders them more susceptible to problems. They are
also regarded as being weaker than other designs. Accordingly, it
would be desirable to provide an improved shotgun that locks the
firing pin and uses a relatively simple and strong bolt
assembly.
[0005] Another problem area associated with conventional shotguns
is the mechanism used to couple the forearm to the remainder of the
shotgun. Conventional shotguns use a cap that screws on to the end
of the magazine tube to hold the forearm to the remainder of the
shotgun. In order to remove the forearm, the cap must be completely
removed through repeated twisting. Once removed, the cap may be
easily lost, especially if the cap is removed in the field, e.g.,
in a boat while hunting waterfowl, in tall grass while hunting
upland birds, etc.
[0006] It can be especially difficult to remove the forearm from a
conventional shotgun that has a sling. Most conventional shotguns
include a sling mount as part of the cap that holds the forearm to
the remainder of the shot. The sling mount provides a hole that is
sized to receive a conventional sling swivel that is, in turn,
coupled to the sling. The presence of the sling makes it more
difficult to rotate and remove the cap. Although it is possible to
remove the cap with the sling attached, many users find it easier
to detach the sling swivel then remove the cap. Accordingly, it
would be desirable to provide a fastening mechanism that is easy
and simple to use and is an improvement over conventional
designs.
[0007] Another problem area for conventional shotguns is associated
with the use of magazine plugs or magazine capacity reducers. A
magazine plug is a device that is placed in the magazine of a
shotgun to limit the number of shotshells that the shotgun can hold
at one time. The magazine plug is used to comply with laws that
restrict the maximum number of shotshells a shotgun can hold when
the user is hunting certain species of game, such as waterfowl.
Most of these laws allow a maximum of three shotshells to be in the
shotgun (e.g., one in the chamber and two in the magazine).
[0008] The law also requires that the shotgun must be disassembled
to some degree to place the plug into the magazine of the shotgun.
In order to comply, most shotguns are designed to require the user
to remove at least the magazine cap in order to insert the plug
into the magazine. If it is too easy to change the capacity of the
magazine, the user could hunt with the shotgun in a high capacity
setting until he sees the warden at which time he could quickly
change to the low capacity setting.
[0009] One problem with conventional shotguns is that when the user
removes the magazine cap to insert the plug, the spring inside the
magazine, which is under compression, tends to shoot out. If the
user is not careful, it is possible for the spring to come
completely out of the magazine and become lost or dirty. Another
problem is that even if the spring doesn't shoot out, the spring
retainer assembly--a small device positioned between the spring and
the cap--may shoot out or fall off and become lost or dirty.
[0010] Even if the cap is successfully removed without losing any
parts, the user must still fight the spring to get the plug into
the magazine. In order to insert the plug, the user must compress
the spring into the magazine, put the plug into position, and hold
everything in place while simultaneously putting the cap back on
the magazine. Any false moves and the plug, spring, and/or spring
retainer assembly may shoot out of the magazine. Accordingly, it
would be desirable to provide an improved shotgun and/or magazine
plug that allows the magazine plug to be inserted into the magazine
in an easier fashion while still complying with applicable laws
that require disassembly of the shotgun.
[0011] Another problem area associated with convention shotguns is
the shotshell feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism is part of
the action and is used to feed shotshells from the magazine to the
chamber of the shotgun. One problem with conventional feeding
mechanisms arises when the user desires to unload the magazine. In
many conventional shotguns, the user must cycle the shotshell
through the action and eject the shotshell through an ejection
port. Another problem arises when the user wants to quickly load
the shotgun. Most conventional shotguns require the user to insert
a shotshell into the magazine and push a button to close the action
(if it is open) or otherwise operate the action to load the
shotshell into the chamber. These additional steps eat up time that
may make the difference between bagging game or hitting the desired
target and going home empty handed or missing the target.
[0012] There are some shotguns that may have a solution for one of
these problems alone. However, it would be desirable to provide a
shotgun that allows the user the ability to quickly load the
chamber without any manual input beyond inserting the shotshell
into the magazine and to easily unload the magazine without cycling
and ejecting the shotshell through the ejection port.
[0013] Another problem area for conventional shotguns is associated
with the use of gas-operated actions. A gas-operated shotgun is a
shotgun that uses a portion of the high pressure gas generated when
the shotshell is fired to power a mechanism to extract the spent
shotshell and chamber a new shotshell. Energy from the gas is
typically harnessed through a port in the barrel. The high-pressure
gas enters a cylinder that contains a piston. The pressure in the
cylinder causes the piston to move which provides motion to unlock
the action, extract and eject the spent shotshell, cock the hammer,
chamber a new shotshell, and lock the action. In most gas-operated
shotguns, the piston is forced rearward and the force from the
rearward motion of the piston is transferred to the bolt assembly
thereby unlocking and opening the action and initiating the process
of ejecting the spent shotshell and chambering a new shotshell. A
gas-operated shotgun functions in much the same way as a
gas-operated rifle. However, unlike most rifles, the piston in a
shotgun surrounds the magazine.
[0014] Conventional gas-operated shotguns suffer from a number of
problems. Some shotguns use O-rings to form a seal around the
piston. However, this configuration is unreliable due to the
constant movement of steel and O-ring against each other. Over
time, excessive wear on either the rubber O-ring or the steel
allows the gas to leak out of the cylinder. Eventually, so much gas
leaks out of the cylinder that the force generated by the piston is
insufficient to extract the spent shotshell and chamber a new one.
Repairing the shotgun typically requires replacing or rebuilding
the worn parts, a task that can be time consuming and/or
expensive.
[0015] In an effort to reduce the wear, metal rings have been used
in place of O-rings. The metal rings have been fitted between the
piston and the magazine tube of the shotgun. The metal rings are
engineered to tight tolerances to prevent gas from leaking past the
rings. Although the rings successfully reduce the amount of wear,
they have been less successful in preventing gas from leaking out
of the cylinder. The combustion gas contains carbon, soot, and
other solid combustion products. The leaking gas causes these
materials to build-up on the shotgun's magazine as well as on other
components. This contributes to the negative perception of
gas-operated shotguns as being dirty and requiring frequent
cleaning. Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop a seal that
reduces wear associated with movement of the piston and still
maintains a good seal to prevent gas from leaking out of the
cylinder.
SUMMARY
[0016] A number of improvements to the various mechanisms and
components of firearms are described herein. Although most of the
improvements are described in connection with shotguns, it should
be appreciated that the various embodiments can also be applied to
other types of firearms as well. The various embodiments described
herein include improved (a) firing pin locking mechanisms for
firearms, (b) forearm fastening mechanisms for firearms, (c)
magazine plugs for shotguns, (d) shotshell feeding mechanism for
shotguns, and/or (e) gas-operated actions for firearms.
[0017] In one embodiment, a shotgun comprises a chamber, a
magazine, and an action. The action includes a bolt assembly. The
action is configured to move a shotshell from the magazine to the
chamber when the shotshell is inserted into the magazine and
released. The action is configured to allow shotshells to be
removed from the magazine without moving the bolt assembly.
[0018] In another embodiment, a shotgun comprises a chamber, a
magazine, and an action. The action is configured to move between a
closed position and an open position where the action is held in
position. The action includes a carrier, a carrier latch, and a
cartridge stop. The carrier includes a first component that is used
to hold the action in the open position and a second component that
is positioned to cover a loading port of the shotgun. The carrier
latch moves between a first position where the carrier latch
cooperates with the first component of the carrier to hold the
action in the open position and a second position where the carrier
latch allows the action to move from the open position to the
closed position. The cartridge stop moves between a first position
where the cartridge stop prevents shotshells from moving out of the
magazine and a second position where the cartridge stop allows the
shotshells to move out of the magazine. The second component of the
carrier is pivotably coupled to the first component of the carrier
to allow a shotshell to be inserted into the magazine when the
action is in the open position. The cartridge stop moves
independently of the carrier latch.
[0019] In another embodiment, a shotgun comprises a chamber, a
magazine, and an action configured to move shotshells from the
magazine to the chamber. The action includes a cartridge stop which
moves between a first position where the cartridge stop prevents
the shotshells from moving out of the magazine and a second
position where the cartridge stop allows the shotshells to move out
of the magazine. The cartridge stop moves independently of the
remainder of the action. The cartridge stop is positioned in the
second position when the action is fixed in an open position.
[0020] In another embodiment, a shotgun comprises a chamber, a
magazine, and an action. The action includes a bolt assembly and is
configured to automatically move a shotshell from the magazine to
the chamber when the shotshell is inserted into the magazine. The
action is configured to allow shotshells to be removed from the
magazine without moving the bolt assembly.
[0021] It should be noted that for purposes of this disclosure, the
term "coupled" means the joining of two members directly or
indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature
or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two
members or the two members and any additional intermediate members
being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another
or with the two members or the two members and any additional
intermediate member being attached to one another. Such joining may
be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or
releasable in nature.
[0022] The foregoing and other features, utilities, and advantages
of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the
following more particular description of certain embodiments as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an
autoloading shotgun.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bolt assembly and barrel
extension from the shotgun shown in FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bolt slide from the bolt
assembly shown in FIG. 2.
[0026] FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the bolt from the
bolt assembly shown in FIG. 2.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the firing pin from the bolt
assembly shown in FIG. 2.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the barrel extension shown
in FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a side view of the bolt assembly and the barrel
extension. This Figure shows what happens when the hammer hits the
firing pin.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bolt from the bolt
assembly shown in FIG. 2. This Figure shows an outline of the
firing pin positioned in the bolt.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bolt slide and bolt
assembly shown in FIG. 2 just after the shotgun is fired and the
bolt assembly begins to move rearwardly away from the barrel.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a cut-away perspective side view of one
embodiment of a fastening mechanism that is used to fasten a
forearm to the remainder of the shotgun. The forearm is in a first
position where the forearm is coupled to the remainder of the
shotgun.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a cut-away perspective bottom view of the
fastening mechanism from FIG. 11.
[0034] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the forearm and the
fastening mechanism from FIG. 11.
[0035] FIG. 14 is a cut-away perspective view of the fastening
mechanism from FIG. 11. The fastening mechanism is in a first
position where the forearm is coupled to the remainder of the
shotgun.
[0036] FIGS. 15 and 16 are cut-away perspective views of the
fastening mechanism from FIG. 11. The fastening mechanism is in a
second position where the forearm is uncoupled from the remainder
of the shotgun.
[0037] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the fastening mechanism
from FIG. 11. The fastening mechanism is in the second position and
a sling mount is open and configured to receive a sling swivel.
[0038] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the fastening mechanism
from FIG. 11. The fastening mechanism includes a locking mechanism
that is in a lock position.
[0039] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the fastening mechanism
from FIG. 18. The locking mechanism is in an unlocked position.
[0040] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the fastening mechanism
from FIG. 18. The fastening mechanism is in the second position
where the forearm is uncoupled from the remainder of the
shotgun.
[0041] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a
fastening mechanism that is used to fasten the forearm to the
remainder of the shotgun. The fastening mechanism is in a first
position where the forearm is coupled to the remainder of the
shotgun.
[0042] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the fastening mechanism
from FIG. 21. The fastening mechanism includes a lever that is
pivoted away from the forearm, but the forearm is still coupled to
the remainder of the shotgun.
[0043] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the fastening mechanism
from FIG. 21. The fastening mechanism is in a second position where
the forearm is uncoupled from the remainder of the shotgun.
[0044] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the fastening mechanism
from FIG. 21. The fastening mechanism is still in the second
position, but the lever has pivoted even further away from the
forearm than it was in FIG. 23.
[0045] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the fastening mechanism
from FIG. 21. The fastening mechanism is in the second position and
the forearm has been moved longitudinally to separate the forearm
from the remainder of the shotgun.
[0046] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
fastening mechanism that is used to couple the forearm to the
remainder of the shotgun.
[0047] FIGS. 27 and 28 are perspective views of the fastening
mechanism from FIG. 26 that shows the internal components of the
fastening mechanism with dotted lines.
[0048] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a spring retainer assembly
that has a hole sized to receive an anchor from the fastening
mechanism from FIG. 26.
[0049] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
fastening mechanism that is used to couple the forearm to the
remainder of the shotgun. The fastening mechanism includes a button
that is pushed to selectively couple and decouple the forearm to
and from the remainder of the shotgun. The internal components of
the fastening mechanism are shown with dotted lines.
[0050] FIG. 31 is a cut-away perspective view of the fastening
mechanism from FIG. 30. The fastening mechanism is in a first
position where the forearm is coupled to the remainder of the
shotgun.
[0051] FIG. 32 is a cut-away perspective view of the fastening
mechanism from FIG. 30. The fastening mechanism is shown with the
button partly depressed.
[0052] FIG. 33 is a cut-away perspective view of the fastening
mechanism from FIG. 30. The fastening mechanism is shown with the
button fully depressed so that the fastening mechanism is in a
second position where the forearm is uncoupled from the remainder
of the shotgun.
[0053] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a spring retainer assembly
that has a hole sized to receive an anchor from the fastening
mechanism from FIG. 30.
[0054] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
magazine plug for a shotgun. The magazine plug is shown partially
inserted into the magazine of the shotgun.
[0055] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the magazine plug from FIG.
35. The magazine plug is shown fully inserted into the magazine of
the shotgun.
[0056] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the magazine plug from FIG.
35. The magazine plug is fully inserted into the magazine and
rotated to prevent the magazine plug from coming back out of the
magazine.
[0057] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a spring
retainer assembly for the magazine that is configured to receive
the magazine plug from FIG. 35.
[0058] FIG. 39 is a partially cut-away side view of the magazine
plug from FIG. 35. The magazine plug is in a use position in the
magazine of the shotgun.
[0059] FIG. 40 is a partially cut-away side view of the magazine
plug from FIG. 35. The magazine plug is shown after the magazine
plug has been rotated to allow the magazine plug to exit out of a
hole in the front end of the magazine of the shotgun.
[0060] FIG. 41 is a partially cut-away side view of the magazine
plug from FIG. 35. The magazine plug is shown extending part of the
way out of the magazine of the shotgun.
[0061] FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the receiver from the
shotgun of FIG. 1. A shotshell is shown partially inserted into the
magazine of the shotgun.
[0062] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of FIG. 42 with the receiver
removed to expose the inner workings of the action.
[0063] FIG. 44 is another view of FIG. 43 from the other side of
the shotgun.
[0064] FIG. 45 is a bottom view of the action from FIG. 43. The
shotshell is shown fully inserted into the magazine.
[0065] FIG. 46 is a bottom view of the action from FIG. 43. The
shotshell is in an inclined position just before the bolt assembly
moves it into the chamber.
[0066] FIG. 47 is a side view of the action from FIG. 46. The
shotshell is shown in the inclined position just before the bolt
assembly moves it into the chamber.
[0067] FIG. 48 is another view of FIG. 47 from the other side of
the shotgun.
[0068] FIG. 49 is a side view of the action from FIG. 43. The bolt
assembly is shown part of the way forward and the shotshell is part
of the way in the chamber.
[0069] FIG. 50 is a bottom perspective view of the receiver and
action from FIG. 1. A cartridge stop is shown holding a shotshell
in the magazine of the shotgun.
[0070] FIG. 51 is a bottom perspective view of the receiver and
action from FIG. 50. The cartridge stop has been moved to allow the
shotshell to be ejected back out through the loading port of the
shotgun.
[0071] FIG. 52 is a side view of one embodiment of a gas-operated
action for the shotgun from FIG. 1. The gas-operated action is
shown with a sleeve in a forward position prior to the shotgun
being fired.
[0072] FIG. 53 is a side view of the gas-operated action from FIG.
52. The gas-operated action is shown with the sleeve in a rearward
position after the shotgun has been fired.
[0073] FIG. 54 is a side view of a bracket, cylinder, and piston of
the gas-operated action from FIG. 52 before the shotgun is
fired.
[0074] FIG. 55 is a side view of the bracket, cylinder, and piston
of the gas-operated action from FIG. 52 after the shotgun is
fired.
[0075] FIG. 56 is a perspective view of the sleeve and a valve of
the gas-operated action from FIG. 52.
[0076] FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the valve of the
gas-operated action from FIG. 52.
[0077] FIGS. 58 and 59 show cut-away views of the gas-operated
action from FIG. 52. The high pressure gas is shown entering the
cylinder of the gas-operated action.
[0078] FIGS. 60 and 61 show cut-away views of the gas-operated
action from FIG. 52. The high pressure gas is shown completely
filling up the cylinder of the gas-operated action and pushing the
sleeve rearward.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0079] A number of improvements for a firearm are described herein.
Although the various improvements are described in the context of
autoloading shotguns, it should be appreciated that the concepts
underlying these improvements and the advantages provided by these
improvements may also be applicable to other firearms such as
shotguns having manual actions (e.g., pump action, break action,
and the like), various automatic and manual action rifles, and so
forth. Accordingly, the improvements described herein should not be
considered as being limited in applicability to any particular
embodiment of firearm. For example, the improvements to the
gas-operated shotgun may also be applicable to other gas-operated
firearms. Also, it should be understood, that the features,
advantages, characteristics, etc. of one embodiment may be applied
to or combined with any other embodiment to form an additional
embodiment unless noted otherwise.
[0080] The embodiments described herein may include one or more of
the following improvements: (a) improved firing pin locking
mechanisms for firearms, (b) improved forearm fastening mechanisms
for firearms, (c) improved magazine plugs for shotguns, (d)
improved shotshell feeding mechanism for shotguns, and/or (e)
improved gas-operated actions for firearms. It should be understood
that these embodiments may be combined together in any suitable
manner to create additional embodiments. Each of these embodiments
is described in greater detail as follows.
[0081] With reference to FIG. 1, a shotgun 50 includes a stock 52,
a receiver 54, a barrel 56, and a forearm 58. The stock 52 is
coupled to the receiver 54 and extends rearward from the receiver
54. The barrel 56 and the forearm 58 are coupled to the receiver 54
and extend forward from the receiver 54. The terms rear, rearward,
back, and the like are used to refer to the general direction of
the shotgun 50 where the butt 66 is located. The terms front,
forward, and the like are used to refer to the general direction of
the shotgun 50 where the muzzle 68 is located.
[0082] The barrel 56 includes a rib 70, a sight 72, and a barrel
extension 100. The rib 70 extends along the top of the barrel 56 to
the muzzle 68. The sight 72 is a BB positioned on top of the rib 70
at the muzzle 68. The rib 70 and the sight 72 are used to aim the
shotgun 72. The barrel extension 100 is a portion of the barrel 56
that extends into the receiver 54 to hold the barrel 56 to the
receiver 54.
[0083] It should be appreciated that the barrel 56 may have any of
a number of configurations. For example, the shotgun 50 may be
configured to use other aiming devices besides the sight 72. The
shotgun 50 may use iron sights or a scope instead. The scope may be
mounted on the receiver 54 or the barrel 56. Iron sights and scopes
are especially popular to use with shotguns that fire slugs and are
used to hunt larger game, such as whitetail deer, at relatively
short distances. In other embodiments, the barrel 56 may not
include the rib 70.
[0084] The forearm 58 extends forward from the receiver 54 parallel
to and underneath the barrel 56. The forearm 58 is coupled to the
barrel 56 and conceals a tubular magazine 74 (FIG. 11) that holds
one or more shotshells. Since the shotgun 50 is an autoloading
shotgun, the forearm 58 is fixed so that it does not move as the
shotgun 50 is fired. It should be appreciated, however, that in
other embodiments, the forearm 58 may be configured to reciprocally
slide forward and rearward as the shotgun 50 is fired. An example
of such an embodiment is a pump shotgun where the forearm moves
forward and rearward to cycle shotshells through the action.
[0085] The receiver 54 houses an action 64 that cycles shotshells
through the shotgun 50. A trigger 60 and trigger guard 62 are
coupled to the underside of the receiver 54 within easy reach of
the user. The action 64 is a semi-automatic action that cycles
shotshells through the shotgun 50 as fast as the user can pull the
trigger 60. It should be appreciated that the shotgun 50 can be
configured to use any suitable action such as a fully automatic
action, pump action, break action, and the like. It should also be
appreciated that any reference to an automatic action is intended
to be a collective reference to a class of actions that include
both semi-automatic and fully-automatic actions.
[0086] The shotgun 50 may also include a sling (not shown) to allow
the user to easily carry the shotgun 50 over the user's shoulder.
One end of the sling may be coupled to a front end 76 of the
forearm 58, and the other end of the sling may be coupled to the
stock 52 near the butt 66. Conventional sling swivels may be used
to couple the sling to the forearm 58 and the stock 52. The sling
may be adjustable in length so that it can fit any user. It should
be understood that the sling can have any of a number of suitable
configurations.
[0087] The shotgun 50 may have any of a number of configurations.
For example, the shotgun 50 may be any suitable gauge such as a
0.410 bore, 20 gauge, 16 gauge, 12 gauge, 10 gauge, and the like.
The shotgun 50 can also have a full, modified, improved cylinder,
skeet, or other choke. In one embodiment, the shotgun 50 may use a
screw-in choke system that allows the user to change the choke
depending on the circumstances. In other embodiments, the shotgun
50 may have a detachable magazine or clip to hold the shotshells.
The stock 52 of the shotgun 50 may be cut-off, folding, telescopic,
or have any other suitable configuration. The stock 52 and/or
forearm 58 may be made of wood, metal, plastics, composites, and
the like.
[0088] The action 64 of the shotgun 50 may include an improved
firing pin locking mechanism as illustrated in FIGS. 2-10. The
action 64 includes a bolt assembly 78 that moves reciprocally
forward and rearward to cycle shotshells through the chamber of the
shotgun 50. When the bolt assembly 78 is in a forward position
(FIG. 2), the action is closed and the shotgun 50 is ready to be
fired. When the bolt assembly 78 is in a rearward position, the
action is open and the shotgun 50 is unable to be fired.
[0089] The bolt assembly 78 includes a bolt 80, a bolt slide 82,
and a bolt slide link 84. The bolt slide link 84 has an elongated
shape and extends rearwardly from the bolt slide 82. The bolt slide
82 includes a base 104, a first side wall 106 and a second side
wall 108. The walls 106, 108 extend upward from the base 104 and
are positioned on opposite longitudinal sides of the bolt slide 82
(FIG. 3). The bolt 80 is shaped to fit between the walls 106, 108
of the bolt slide 82. The bolt 80 is not coupled to the bolt slide
82. Instead, the bolt 80 floats between the walls 106, 108 of the
bolt slide 82 to allow the bolt 80 to move relative to the bolt
slide 82 as the action 64 cycles. The bolt 80 is kept in position
as the bolt assembly 78 moves by the walls 106, 108, the receiver
54 and the barrel extension 100.
[0090] The bolt assembly 78 also includes a firing pin 86 that
extends through the bolt 80. The firing pin 86 has a front end 88
and a rearward end 90. The action 64 includes a hammer 94 that is
positioned to strike the firing pin 86 when the trigger 62 is
pulled (FIG. 8). The bolt slide link 84 has an elongated hole in
the middle (FIG. 3) that the hammer 94 passes through to reach the
firing pin 86. The impact of the hammer 94 moves the firing pin 86
forward inside the bolt 80 from a retracted position where the
front end 88 of the firing pin 86 is positioned below a face 92 of
the bolt 80 to an extended position where the front end 88 of the
firing pin 86 extends out of a face 92 of the bolt 80 (FIGS. 8 and
9). As the front end 88 of the firing pin extends out of the face
92 of the bolt 80, it strikes the primer of the shotshell thereby
igniting the powder inside.
[0091] The action 64 is gas-operated, which means that gas
generated from combustion of the powder in the shotshell is used to
open the action 64 and cycle a fresh shotshell into the chamber 64.
The gas pressure is translated into mechanical force that pushes
the bolt slide 82 rearward to open the action 64. As the bolt
assembly 78 moves backward, the bolt slide link 84 compresses a
spring inside the stock 52. Once the bolt assembly 78 has moved all
the way back, the compressed spring pushes the bolt assembly 78
forward towards the breech. The bolt assembly 78 moves to the
forward position until the action 64 is closed. It should be
appreciated that the action 64 may also be an inertia operated
action or operated in any other suitable way.
[0092] As the action 64 cycles, the firing pin 86 is held in the
retracted position and prevented from moving to the extended
position. The firing pin 86 is only capable of moving to the
extended position when the action 64 is closed and the bolt 80 is
locked in the breech. The firing pin 86 is held in place by the
bolt slide 82. In order to understand how the bolt slide 82 holds
the firing pin 86 in place, it is important to understand how the
bolt 80 and the bolt slide 82 move as the action 64 cycles.
[0093] As the action 64 cycles, the bolt 80 moves relative to the
bolt slide 82 to prevent the firing pin 86 from moving to the
extended position except when the action 64 is closed. The bolt 80
is positioned between the walls 106, 108 of the bolt slide 82 so
that an inclined surface 110 on the rearward end of the bolt 80
moves up and down a corresponding inclined surface 112 on the
rearward end of the base 104 of the bolt slide 82 (FIGS. 3 and 4).
As the action 64 closes, the bolt 80 moves to the forward position
until the bolt 80 reaches the breech at which point the bolt 80
cannot move any further forward (FIG. 10). The bolt slide 82,
however, continues to move forward forcing the surface 110 on the
bolt 80 to slide up the corresponding surface 112 on the bolt slide
82. The surface 112 acts as a ramp for the surface 110.
[0094] The bolt 80 includes a protrusion 98 that extends outward
from the top of the bolt 80. The protrusion is used to hold the
bolt 80 in a locked position. The upward motion of the rearward end
of the bolt 80 moves the protrusion 98 into a corresponding recess
102 in the barrel extension 100. FIG. 10 shows the bolt assembly 78
just before the action 64 closes. As shown in FIG. 10, the rearward
end of the bolt 80 is down and the protrusion 98 is below the
recess 102. FIG. 2 shows the bolt assembly 78 in the forward
position when the action 64 is closed. The rearward end of the bolt
80 is up and the protrusion 98 is positioned in the recess 102 of
the barrel extension 100 to prevent the bolt 80 from moving
rearward when the shotgun 50 is fired.
[0095] A retaining member or pin 114 extends through a slot or hole
116 in the bolt 80 in a direction that is perpendicular to the
firing pin 86. The retaining member 114 also extends through a
recess 118 in the firing pin 86 so that the retaining member 114
moves with the firing pin 86 and holds the firing pin 86 in the
bolt 80 (FIG. 6). The retaining member 114 also limits the distance
that the firing pin 86 can move longitudinally to the size of the
slot 116.
[0096] With reference to FIG. 2, the retaining member 114 is free
to move in the slot 116 when the action 64 is closed. Since the
retaining member 114 is free to move, the firing pin 86 is also
free to move. When the hammer 94 strikes the firing pin 86, the
firing pin 86 moves from the retracted position to the extended
position to set off the shotshell.
[0097] The force of the expanding gas in the barrel 56 is
translated into mechanical force that pushes the bolt slide 82
rearward. As the bolt slide 82 moves rearward, the surface 110 on
the bolt 80 moves down the surface 112 on the bolt slide 82. This
causes the rearward end of the bolt 80 to pivot downward. The
protrusion 98 moves out of the recess 102 so that the bolt 80 can
move rearward with the bolt slide 82. The rearward motion of the
bolt slide 82 combined with the downward motion of the bolt 80
results in the first side wall 106 being positioned adjacent to the
retaining member 114 as shown in FIG. 10. The first side wall 106
holds the retaining member 106 at the rearward end of the slot 116.
The first side wall 106 stays in this position until the action 64
has gone through a complete cycle and closes again.
[0098] This design has a number of advantages over conventional
designs. This design mechanically holds the firing pin 86 in the
retracted position instead of relying on a spring. Also, this
design does not have a large number of separate parts that must fit
and move together which makes it more likely that one of the parts
might fail. This design also allows the use of a shorter and
lighter receiver. Numerous other advantages can also be
identified.
[0099] The shotgun 50 may include a fastening mechanism that
couples the forearm 58 to the remainder of the shotgun 50. One
embodiment of a fastening mechanism 120 is illustrated in FIGS.
11-20. The fastening mechanism 120 includes a lever 122, a sling
mount 124, and a locking mechanism 126. The fastening mechanism 120
is positioned on the underside of the forearm 58 with the sling
mount 124 positioned on the front end 76 of the forearm 58. It
should be appreciated that the fastening mechanism 120 can be
positioned on either side of the forearm 58.
[0100] The fastening mechanism 120 moves between a first position
(FIGS. 11-14) where the forearm 58 is coupled to the magazine 74 of
the shotgun 50 and a second position (FIGS. 15-17) where the
forearm 58 is uncoupled from the magazine 74. In the first
position, the forearm 58 is coupled to the magazine 74 with a
protrusion 130 that extends outward from the top of the lever 122
into a hole 132 in the underside of the magazine 74 (FIG. 16). When
the protrusion 130 is in the hole 132, the forearm 58 is unable to
be removed from the remainder of the shotgun 50.
[0101] The fastening mechanism 120 is a lever-type fastening
mechanism because the fastening mechanism 120 is operated with the
lever 122. The user pivots the lever 122 outward and away from the
underside of the forearm 58 to move the fastening mechanism 120 to
the second position and thereby uncouple the forearm 58 from the
magazine 74 of the shotgun 50. The lever 122 is coupled to a body
146 that pivots on an axis defined by a pin 134. The pin 134 is
fixed to the forearm 58 to allow the lever 122 to pivot the
fastening mechanism 120 relative to the forearm 58. The pin 134 is
positioned towards the front end 76 of the forearm 58 so that the
lever 122 pivots toward the front end 78 of the forearm 58. The
lever 122 is configured to pivot no more than 180 degrees, or no
more than 90 degrees, as the fastening mechanism 120 moves from the
first position to the second position.
[0102] The lever 122 may be positioned flush with the underside of
the forearm 58 to prevent the lever 122 from catching on nearby
objects (FIG. 13). The forearm 58 includes a recess 128 that the
lever 122 is sized and shaped to receive the lever 122. The recess
128 extends further rearward on the forearm 58 than the lever 122
to allow the user to insert a finger into the recess 128 and
operate the lever 122. The flush design is advantageous because it
prevents branches, brush, and other objects from catching on the
lever 122. However, it should be appreciated that in other
embodiments, the lever 122 may not be flush and may be further
recessed into or protrude outward from the forearm 58.
[0103] The locking mechanism 126 prevents the fastening mechanism
120 from moving and allowing the forearm 58 to come loose. The
locking mechanism 126 must be disengaged before the fastening
mechanism 120 can move from the first position where the forearm 58
is coupled to the magazine 74 to the second position where the
forearm 58 is uncoupled from the magazine 74.
[0104] The locking mechanism 126 includes an actuation member 136,
a locking member or pin 138, and a spring 140 (FIGS. 18-20). The
actuation member 136 includes a button 142 coupled to an actuation
body 144. The button 136 is exposed on the underside of the forearm
58 to allow the user to operate the locking mechanism 126. The
actuation body 144 extends upward from the button 142 through an
opening 148 in the body 146 of the fastening mechanism 120 to the
locking member 138. The locking member 138 is positioned vertically
in a hole in the forearm 58. The locking member 138 extends
downward and out of the hole to the actuation body 144 (FIG. 18).
The spring 140 is positioned between the locking member 138 and the
forearm 58. The spring 140 biases the locking member 138 downwards
toward the actuation body 144.
[0105] When the fastening mechanism 120 is in the first position
and the button 142 is not depressed, the spring 140 biases the
locking member 138 into the opening 148 in the body 146 of the
fastening mechanism 120 (FIG. 18). The locking member 138 prevents
the fastening mechanism 120 from being able to rotate from the
first position to the second position. When the button 142 is
depressed, the actuation body 144 moves lengthwise upward and
pushes the locking member 138 upward and out of the opening 148 in
the body 146 (FIG. 19). With the locking member 138 out of the
opening 148, the fastening mechanism 120 can now rotate to move
from the first position to the second position (FIG. 20).
[0106] The locking mechanism 126 is configured to only lock the
fastening mechanism 120 when it is in the first position where the
forearm 58 is coupled to the magazine 74. The locking mechanism 126
does not lock the fastening mechanism 120 in the second position.
When the fastening mechanism 120 is moved from the second position
to the first position, the locking member 138 is automatically
biased into the opening 148 in the body 146 of the fastening
mechanism 120 to lock the fastening mechanism 120 in place.
[0107] The sling mount 124 includes a hook 150 that extends outward
from the body 146 of the fastening mechanism 120 toward the front
end 76 of the forearm 58 and a base 152 that is positioned below
the hook 150 and is part of the forearm 58. The hook 150 pivots as
the fastening mechanism 120 moves between the first position and
the second position. When the fastening mechanism 120 is in the
first position, the hook 150 is positioned very close to or in
contact with the base 152 to form a hole 154 (FIG. 18) sized to
hold a sling swivel 156 (FIG. 17). Since the hook 150 and base 152
are next to each other, the sling mount 124 can be considered
closed.
[0108] When the fastening mechanism 120 is in the second position,
the hook 150 and the base 152 are spaced apart from each other. The
sling swivel 156 may be received between the hook 150 and the base
152 (FIG. 17). This design allows the user to easily attach or
remove a sling to the shotgun 50 by simply pivoting the lever 122.
Since the hook 150 and the base 152 are spaced apart to receive the
sling swivel 156, the sling mount 124 can be considered open.
[0109] Another embodiment of a fastening mechanism 160 is
illustrated in FIGS. 21-25. The fastening mechanism 160 includes a
lever 162, a sling mount 164, and a catch 166. Many aspects of the
fastening mechanism 160 are similar to the fastening mechanism 120.
For example, the fastening mechanism 160 is positioned on the
underside of the forearm 58 with the sling mount 124 positioned on
the front end 76 of the forearm 58 in similar manner as the
fastening mechanism 120. Also, the fastening mechanism 160 can be
positioned on either side of the forearm 58 just like the fastening
mechanism 120. Furthermore, the lever 162 may be positioned flush
with the underside of the forearm 58 just like the lever 122 is
positioned flush with the underside of the forearm 58. Accordingly,
it should be appreciated that much of the description related to
the fastening mechanism 120 may also apply to the fastening
mechanism 160.
[0110] The fastening mechanism 160 moves between a first position
(FIG. 21) where the forearm 58 is coupled to the magazine 74 of the
shotgun 50 and a second position (FIGS. 24-25) where the forearm 58
is uncoupled from the magazine 74. In the first position, the
forearm 58 is coupled to the magazine 74 with the catch 166. The
catch 166 extends through an opening 168 in the front end of the
magazine 74 and engages a lip 170 that defines the opening 168
(FIG. 21). When the catch 166 is engaged with the lip 170, the
forearm 58 is unable to be removed from the remainder of the
shotgun 50. The fastening mechanism 160 includes a body 172 and a
support member 174 that extends outward from the body 172 and holds
the catch 166 in engagement with the lip 170 when the fastening
mechanism 160 is in the first position. The lever 162 also extends
outward from the body 172.
[0111] The fastening mechanism 160 moves to the second position
when the lever 162 is pivoted outward and away from the underside
of the forearm 58. The lever 162 pivots the body 172 on an axis
defined by a pin 176. The pin 176 is fixed to the forearm 58 to
allow the fastening mechanism 160 to pivot relative to the forearm
58. The pin 176 is positioned towards the front end 76 of the
forearm 58 so that the lever 162 pivots toward the front end 78 of
the forearm 58. The lever 162 is configured to pivot no more than
180 degrees, or no more than 90 degrees, as the fastening mechanism
120 moves from the first position to the second position.
[0112] The catch 166 moves between a first position where the catch
166 couples the forearm 58 to the magazine 74 and a second position
where the catch 166 does not couple the forearm 58 to the magazine
74. The catch 166 is coupled to a body 178 that rotates on an axis
defined by a pin 180. The body 178 is also coupled to a hook 182
that pivots with the body 178. The catch 166 includes a biasing
member or spring 184 that biases the catch 166 to the second
position.
[0113] The lever 162 is used to move the fastening mechanism 160 to
the second position. As the lever 162 pivots, the body 172 and the
support member 174 also move (FIGS. 21-25). As the support member
174 begins to move, the support member 174 biases the catch 166
further into engagement with the lip 170. As the lever 162
continues to pivot, the support member 174 reaches an inflection
point at which the support member 174 begins to move away from the
catch 166 to allow the catch 166 to disengage from the lip 170
(FIG. 22). The biasing member 184 biases the catch 166 to the
second position as the support member 174 pivots away from the
catch 166.
[0114] The fastening mechanism 160 is lever-type fastening
mechanism that operates like a toggle. Instead of having an
affirmative locking mechanism like the fastening mechanism 120, the
fastening mechanism 160 is configured so that the force necessary
to pivot the lever 162 initially increases, reaches a maximum, and
then decreases. The initial increasing force required to pivot the
lever 162 is sufficient to keep the fastening mechanism 160 from
inadvertently moving to the second position where the forearm 58 is
uncoupled from the magazine 74.
[0115] The sling mount 164 operates in a similar fashion to the
sling mount 124. The hook 182 moves with the body 178 and the catch
166 from a first position where the hook 182 is positioned adjacent
to a base 186 and a second position where the hook 182 is spaced
apart from the base 186. The base is fixed to the forearm 58 and
does not move. When the hook 182 is in the first position, the
sling mount 164 is closed (FIG. 21). When the hook 182 is in the
second position, the sling mount 164 is open. (FIGS. 24-25).
[0116] Another embodiment of a fastening mechanism 200 is
illustrated in FIGS. 26-29. The fastening mechanism 200 is used to
couple the forearm 58 to the remainder of the shotgun 50. The
fastening mechanism 200 is positioned on the front end 76 of the
forearm 58. However, it should be appreciated that fastening
mechanism 200 can also be positioned on the sides of the forearm 58
or in any other suitable location.
[0117] The fastening mechanism 200 moves between a first position
where the fastening mechanism 200 couples the forearm 58 to the
remainder of the shotgun 50 and a second position where the
fastening mechanism 200 does not couple the forearm 58 to the
remainder of the shotgun 50. In the second position, the forearm 58
can be removed from the shotgun 50. The fastening mechanism 200
rotates to move between the first position and the second position.
In one embodiment, the fastening mechanism 200 rotates no more than
180 degrees, or no more than 90 degrees to move from the first
position to the second position.
[0118] The fastening mechanism 200 includes a rotatable member or
cap 202, an anchor 204, a support body 206, a sling mount 208, and
a biasing member or spring 210. The support body 206 is fixed
inside the rotatable member 202 so that the support body 206
rotates with the rotatable member. The support body 206 is coupled
to the anchor 204. Rotation of the rotatable member 202 also
rotates the support body 206 and the anchor 204.
[0119] The anchor 204 is shaped to fit through a hole or opening
212 in a spring retainer assembly 214 of the magazine 74 (FIGS. 28
and 29). The anchor 204 and the hole 212 both have an elongated
shape. The anchor 204 can only pass through the hole 212 when the
anchor 204 and the hole 212 are lined up.
[0120] The forearm 58 is coupled to the magazine 74 by lining up
the anchor 204 with the hole 212, inserting the anchor 204 through
the hole 212, and rotating the anchor 204 approximately 90 degrees
to a position where the anchor 204 is perpendicular to the hole
212. When the anchor 204 is perpendicular to the hole 212, the
fastening mechanism 200 is in the first position and the forearm 58
is coupled to the magazine 74. When the anchor 204 is parallel to
the hole 212, the fastening mechanism 200 is in the second position
and the forearm 58 is uncoupled from the magazine 74.
[0121] The anchor 204 rotates against an inner surface 216 of the
spring retainer assembly 214 (FIG. 29). The inner surface 216 is
shaped to have an initial incline to a halfway point where the
inner surface 216 then declines to a final resting position for the
anchor 204. Rotating the anchor 204 over the inner surface 216
forces the anchor 204 further into the magazine 74. This causes the
rotatable member 202 to also move toward the forearm 58 and
compress the biasing member 210. As the anchor 204 slides up the
initial incline of the inner surface 216, the amount of force
necessary to turn the rotatable member 202 increases. Once the
anchor 204 reaches the declining portion of the inner surface 216,
the force necessary to turn the rotatable member 202 decreases
until the anchor 204 reaches the final resting position where the
anchor is perpendicular to the hole 212. The anchor 204 rotates
back to be parallel to with the hole 212 in a similar fashion.
[0122] This design prevents the fastening mechanism 200 from
inadvertently coming loose in the field. The force required to
rotate the rotatable member 202 and overcome the biasing member 210
is sufficient to prevent the fastening mechanism 200 from coming
undone inadvertently, but is not so great that it makes it
difficult to rotate the rotatable member 202. Since threaded
connections are not used, the rotatable member 202 only needs to be
rotated a small amount.
[0123] The sling mount 208 is coupled to the rotatable member 202.
In one embodiment, the sling mount 208 rotates freely relative to
the rotatable member 202. In another embodiment, the sling mount
208 may be fixed to the rotatable member 202 so that the sling
mount 208 does not rotate relative to the rotatable member 202.
[0124] It should be appreciated that the fastening mechanism 200
may be modified in any of a number of suitable ways to provide
additional embodiments that are of a similar nature. For example,
in one embodiment, the inner surface 216 of the spring retainer
assembly 214 may be flat. In another embodiment, the anchor 204 and
the corresponding hole 212 may have a different shape so long as it
is possible to rotate the anchor 204 so that in one position the
anchor 204 is unable to exit the hole 212 and in another position
the anchor 204 is able to exit the hole 212.
[0125] Another embodiment of a fastening mechanism 220 is
illustrated in FIGS. 30-34. The fastening mechanism 220 is used to
couple the forearm 58 to the remainder of the shotgun 50. The
fastening mechanism 220 is positioned on the front end 76 of the
forearm 58. However, it should be appreciated that the fastening
mechanism 220 can also be positioned on the sides of the forearm 58
or in any other suitable location.
[0126] The fastening mechanism 220 moves between a first position
where the fastening mechanism 220 couples the forearm 58 to the
remainder of the shotgun 50 and a second position where the
fastening mechanism 220 does not couple the forearm 58 to the
remainder of the shotgun 50. In the second position, the forearm 58
can be removed from the shotgun 50.
[0127] The fastening mechanism 200 includes a fastening member 222,
an anchor 224, and a support member or pin 226. The anchor 224 is
coupled to the fastening member 222. The support member 226 is
stationary and extends through a hole 228 in the forearm 58. The
fastening member 222 has a spiral shaped groove 230 cut through it
to receive the support member 226. The forearm 58 includes a tip
232 that can move lengthwise while the remainder of the forearm 58
remains stationary. The support member 226 is positioned in the tip
232 so that as the tip moves lengthwise, the support member 226
rotates the fastening member 222 and, consequently, the anchor
224.
[0128] The anchor 224 is shaped to fit through a hole or opening
234 in a spring retainer assembly 236 of the magazine 74 (FIGS.
31-34). It should be noted that the spring retainer assembly 236 is
very similar to the spring retainer assembly 214 described
previously. The anchor 224 and the hole 234 both have an elongated
shape. The anchor 224 can only pass through the hole 234 when the
anchor 224 and the hole 234 are lined up.
[0129] The forearm 58 is coupled to the magazine 74 by lining up
the anchor 224 with the hole 234 and moving the tip 232 of the
forearm 58 rearward onto the remainder of the forearm 58. As the
tip 232 moves rearward, the support member 226 rotates the
fastening member 222 and the anchor 224. The groove 230 may be
sized to rotate the fastening member 222 and the anchor 224
approximately 90 degrees as the tip 232 moves forward and/or
rearward. The anchor 224 moves from being parallel to the hole 234
to being perpendicular to the hole 234. When the anchor 224 is
perpendicular to the hole 234, the fastening mechanism 220 is in
the first position and the forearm 58 is coupled to the magazine
74. When the anchor 224 is parallel to the hole 234, the fastening
mechanism 220 is in the second position and the forearm 58 is
uncoupled from the magazine 74.
[0130] The anchor 224 rotates against an inner surface 238 of the
spring retainer assembly 236 (FIG. 34). The inner surface 238 is
shaped to have an initial incline to a halfway point where the
inner surface 238 then declines to a final resting position for the
anchor 224. Rotating the anchor 224 over the inner surface 238
forces the anchor 224 further into the magazine 74. This causes the
fastening member 222 to try to move toward the forearm 58. As the
anchor 224 slides up the initial incline of the inner surface 238,
the amount of force necessary to continue to move the tip 232
lengthwise increases. Once the anchor 224 reaches the declining
portion of the inner surface 238, the force necessary to move the
tip 232 lengthwise decreases until the anchor 224 reaches the final
resting position where the anchor is perpendicular to the hole 234.
The anchor 224 rotates back to be parallel to with the hole 234 in
a similar fashion.
[0131] This design prevents the fastening mechanism 220 from
inadvertently coming loose in the field. The force required to move
the tip 232 of the forearm 58 forward and overcome the resistance
caused by the anchor 224 moving up the inclined inner surface 238
is sufficient to prevent the fastening mechanism 220 from coming
undone inadvertently, but is not so great that it makes it
difficult to move the tip 232 lengthwise. Since threaded
connections are not used, the rotatable member 202 only needs to be
rotated a small amount.
[0132] It should be appreciated that the fastening mechanism 220
may be modified in any of a number of suitable ways to provide
additional embodiments that are of a similar nature. For example,
in one embodiment, the inner surface 238 of the spring retainer
assembly 236 may be flat. In another embodiment, the anchor 224 and
the corresponding hole 234 may have a different shape so long as it
is possible to rotate the anchor 224 between one position where the
anchor 224 is unable to exit the hole 234 and another position
where the anchor 224 is able to exit the hole 234.
[0133] A magazine plug 250 may be positioned in the magazine 74 of
the shotgun 50 to reduce its capacity. One embodiment of the
magazine plug 250 as illustrated in FIGS. 35-41. The magazine plug
250 is designed to have sufficient length to reduce the capacity of
the magazine 74 to two shotshells. With the magazine plug 250 in
place, the shotgun 50 holds a total of three shotshells--one in the
chamber and two in the magazine 74.
[0134] It should be appreciated that the magazine plug 250 may be
any suitable length depending on the length and the desired
capacity of the magazine 74. In one embodiment, a single magazine
plug 250 may be used for shotguns (e.g., 12 gauge shotgun) that
fire 23/4 A inch shotshells, 3 inch shotshells, or 31/2 inch
shotshells. In another embodiment, the length of the magazine plug
250 may depend on the length of the shotshells that are used with
the shotgun 50.
[0135] The magazine plug 250 may be used with any suitable shotgun
50. In order to comply with local laws regulating the capacity of
the magazine 74, it is usually necessary to require some amount of
disassembly of the shotgun 50 to add or remove the magazine plug
250. In one embodiment, the shotgun 50 may be designed so that it
is necessary to remove at least a magazine cap to add or remove the
magazine plug 250. In another embodiment, the shotgun 50 may be
designed so that it is necessary to remove the forearm 58 to add or
remove the magazine plug 250.
[0136] The magazine 74 has a tubular shape and extends outward and
forward from the receiver 54 (FIG. 35). The magazine 74 includes a
spring 252 and a spring retainer assembly 254. The spring retainer
assembly 254 is positioned at a front end 257 of the magazine 74 to
hold the spring 252 inside the magazine 74. The spring 252 is used
to bias shotshells in the magazine 74 towards the receiver 54.
[0137] The spring retainer assembly 254 includes a spring retainer
member 262 (FIG. 38) and a washer 266 (FIGS. 39-41). The spring
retainer member 262 has an elongated opening 264 at the front end
257 of the magazine 74. The washer 266 has an elongated opening
268. The major axis of the opening 268 is smaller than the major
axis of the opening 264, and the minor axis of the opening 268 is
approximately the same as the minor axis of the opening 264.
[0138] The magazine plug 250 has a first end 256, a second end 258,
and an intermediate body portion 260 positioned between the first
end 256 and the second end 258. The magazine plug 250 has an
elongated cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the elongated
shape of the opening 264 in the spring retainer member 262. The
cross-sectional shape refers to the shape of a plane that extends
through the magazine plug 250 in a direction that is perpendicular
to a lengthwise axis of the magazine plug 250.
[0139] The magazine 74 is configured to receive the magazine plug
250 through the opening 264 in the spring retainer member 262. The
opening 264 is sized to allow both the first end 256 and the second
end 258 to pass through when the magazine plug 250 is in a first
orientation where the magazine plug 250 parallel to the opening
264. The opening 264 is sized to prevent the magazine plug 264 from
passing through when the magazine plug 250 is in a second
orientation where the magazine plug 250 is perpendicular to the
opening 264.
[0140] It should be appreciated that the magazine plug 250 and the
opening 264 can have any suitable cross-sectional shape so long as
the magazine plug 250 can be rotated between the first orientation
where the magazine plug 250 can move longitudinally into and out of
the opening 264 in the magazine 74 and the second orientation where
the magazine plug 250 is prevented from moving longitudinally out
of the opening 264 in the magazine 74. In one embodiment, the
magazine plug 250 has a cross-sectional shape where opposite sides
of the cross-sectional shape do not correspond to each other when
the opposite sides are divided along any straight line that extends
perpendicularly through a center axis of the magazine plug 250. The
lack of correspondence between the opposing sides makes it so that
the magazine plug 250 can be rotated between the first orientation
and the second orientation.
[0141] The major axis of the second end 258 of the magazine plug
250 is smaller than the major axis of the first end 256 of the
magazine plug 250 (FIG. 35). The minor axis of the second end 258
is approximately the same size as the minor axis of the first end
256. Thus, the second end 258 can fit through any hole or opening
that the first end 256 can fit through. However, the first end 256
cannot fit through any hole or opening that the second end 258 can
fit through because the first end 256 has a larger major axis.
[0142] The difference in the sizes of the major axes of the first
end 256 and the second end 258 make it so that the second end 258
can pass through the opening 268 in the washer 266 but the first
end 256 can't. The second end 258 passes through both the spring
retainer member 262 and the washer 266. However, the first end 256
is sandwiched between the spring retainer member 262 and the washer
266 (FIGS. 39 and 40). The spring 252 is positioned on the rearward
side of the washer 266 and biases the washer 266 towards the spring
retainer member 262.
[0143] The magazine plug 250 includes a recess 270 that is sized to
receive a tool that can be used to push the magazine plug 250 into
the magazine 74 and rotate the magazine plug 250 (FIG. 35). In one
embodiment, the recess 270 may be sized to receive a conventional
car key. The car key can be inserted into the recess 270 and used
to rotate the magazine plug 250 as part of the process of inserting
or removing the magazine plug 250.
[0144] The magazine plug 250 is inserted into and removed from the
magazine 74 as follows. The second end 258 is inserted through the
openings 264, 268 in the spring retainer member 262 and the washer
266, respectively, and into the magazine 74 as shown in FIG. 35.
The magazine plug 250 is positioned inside and parallel to the
spring 252. A tool is inserted into the recess 270 and the first
end 256 is pushed through the opening 264, but not through the
opening 268 (FIG. 36). The first end 256 is inserted far enough
beyond the opening 264 to be able to rotate freely.
[0145] The tool is used to rotate the magazine plug 250 from a
first orientation where the magazine plug 250 is positioned
parallel to the opening 264 to a second orientation where the
magazine plug 250 is positioned perpendicular to the opening 264
(FIG. 37). The tool is removed and the spring 252 biases the first
end 256 of the magazine plug 250 into a recess 272 on the backside
of the spring retainer member 262 to prevent the magazine plug 250
from inadvertently coming loose (FIG. 39). The magazine plus 250 is
now in an operable position and the shotgun 50 can be reassembled
and fired.
[0146] The magazine plug 250 may be removed by reversing the
process steps used to insert the magazine plug 250. FIGS. 39-41
illustrate the process of removing the magazine plug 250. It should
be noted that FIGS. 39-40 show the first end 256 of the magazine
plug 250 sandwiched between the washer 266 and the spring retainer
member 262.
[0147] It should be appreciated that the design of the magazine
plug 250 and/or the magazine 74 may be altered in any of a number
of ways to provide additional embodiments. For example, the
cross-sectional shape of the magazine plug 250 may be changed from
an elongated shape to any other shape as long as the shape allows
the magazine plug 250 to be rotated between the first orientation
and the second orientation.
[0148] The action 64 of the shotgun 50 is designed to allow the
user to rapidly load a shotshell into the chamber when the shotgun
50 is empty and to easily remove shotshells from the magazine 74
when the shotgun 50 is unloaded. The shotgun 50 is configured so
that when the last shotshell has been ejected, the action 64
remains open. Another shotshell can be quickly chambered by
inserting the shotshell into the magazine 74 and releasing it. The
shotshell does not stay in the magazine 74. Instead, the shotshell
is automatically cycled through the action 64 and chambered. The
magazine 74 can then be filled with additional shotshells. The
action 64 is also designed to allow shotshells to be easily removed
from the magazine 74 without cycling the action 64.
[0149] The action 64 is illustrated in FIGS. 42-51. The action 64
includes the bolt assembly 78, a loading port 300, an ejection port
302, a carrier 304, a carrier latch 306, and a cartridge stop 308.
The bolt assembly 78 between the forward position and the rearward
position as the action 64 cycles another shotshell into the
chamber. The loading port 300 is positioned on the underside of the
receiver 54 (FIG. 42). Shotshells are inserted into the magazine 74
through the loading port 300. The ejection port 302 is positioned
on the side of the receiver 54 (FIG. 42). Shotshells that have
cycled through the chamber are ejected through the ejection port
302.
[0150] The carrier 304 includes a first component 310 and a second
component 312. The first component 310 selectively holds the action
64 open in cooperation with the carrier latch 306. The second
component 312 covers the loading port 300 and lifts the shotshell
into the pathway of the bolt assembly 78 as it moves to the forward
position. The first component 310 and the second component 312 are
pivotably coupled together around an axis 314 (FIG. 44). The first
component 310 and the second component 312 can be pivoted together
or independently of each other.
[0151] The operation of the first component 310 of the carrier 304
to hold the action 64 open is illustrated in FIGS. 43-45. The first
component 310 is coupled to a pivot member 316 that extends between
the first component 310 and the bolt slide 82 (FIG. 44). In the
open position, the action 64 is biased forward by a spring (not
shown) acting on the bolt slide link 84. However, the pivot member
316 is holding the bolt slide 82 and, consequently, the bolt
assembly 78 from moving forward. In order for the bolt assembly 78
to move forward, the pivot member 316 must move downward and the
portion of the first component 310 that is on the opposite side of
the axis 314 from the pivot member 316 must move upward.
[0152] The carrier latch 306 is positioned directly above the first
component 310 to prevent the first component 310 from moving upward
and releasing the bolt assembly 78 to move to the forward position
(FIGS. 43 and 45). The only way to release the bolt assembly 78 is
to move the carrier latch 306 to allow the first component 310 of
the carrier 304 to move upward. A biasing member 322 is positioned
to bias the carrier latch away from the receiver housing and toward
the first component 310.
[0153] The carrier latch 306 pivots on an axis 318 (FIG. 45). One
way to move the carrier latch 306 out of the way is by pushing the
carrier release button 320. Pushing the carrier release button 320
releases the bolt assembly 78 to move to the forward position. The
carrier release button 320 may be pressed to close the action 64
without loading a fresh shotshell into the chamber.
[0154] Another way to move the carrier latch 306 is to eject a
shotshell from the magazine 74 rearward between the carrier latch
306 and the receiver 54. The shotshell is larger than the available
space between the carrier latch 306 and the receiver 54. Because of
this, the shotshell biases the carrier latch 306 out of the way of
the first component 310 of the carrier 304, thus releasing the bolt
assembly 78 to move to the forward position.
[0155] The process of loading the chamber of the shotgun 50 after
it has run out of shotshells is described in the following. With
the action 64 held open, a new shotshell is inserted into the
magazine 74. Because the action 64 is held open, the first
component 310 of the carrier is held in the position shown in FIG.
43 and cannot move. However, the second component 312 can pivot on
axis 314 independently of the first component 310. Thus, the second
component 312 can be pivoted upward to allow a shotshell to be
inserted into the magazine 74. The shotshell is inserted far enough
into the magazine 74 to clear the second component 312 and allow it
to swing back downward out of the way where it covers the loading
port 300 (FIG. 45).
[0156] The cartridge stop 308 is coupled to the carrier latch 306
so that the cartridge stop 308 pivots with the carrier latch 306 in
most circumstances. Since the carrier latch 306 is biased away from
the receiver 58, the cartridge stop 308, being on the other side of
the pivot axis 318, is positioned close to the receiver 58. The
cartridge stop 308 is positioned close enough to the receiver 58
that the cartridge stop 308 does not hold the shotshell in the
magazine 74.
[0157] Once the second component 312 is out of the way, the
shotshell is released by user's hand. Upon being released, the
shotshell is immediately biased backwards toward the carrier latch
306 by the spring 252 in the magazine 74. The shotshell pushes the
carrier latch 306 to the side as it moves rearward (FIG. 46 shows
the carrier latch 306 out of the way of the first component 310).
With the carrier latch 306 out of the way, the first component 310
is free to pivot upward as the bolt assembly 78 begins to move
forward. As the first component 310 of the carrier 304 moves
upward, it catches the second component 312 and moves it upward as
well. As the second component 312 rises, it carries the shotshell
until the shotshell reaches the position shown in FIGS. 47 and 48.
The bolt assembly 78 catches and chambers the shotshell as the bolt
assembly 78 moves forward (FIG. 49).
[0158] This entire process goes very fast from the time the user
releases the shotshell in the magazine 74. From the time of
release, the movement of the action 64 to chamber the shotshell is
almost instantaneous.
[0159] The cartridge stop 308 may be coupled to the carrier latch
306 in a manner that allows the shotshells to be ejected from the
magazine 74 through the loading port 300 without cycling the action
64. The cartridge stop 308 is pivotably coupled to the carrier
latch 306 at an axis 324 (FIG. 48) in such a manner that the
cartridge stop 308 can only pivot independently one way relative to
the carrier latch 306--toward the receiver 54. The cartridge stop
308 can only pivot away from the receiver 54 in conjunction with
the carrier latch 306. The cartridge stop includes a one-way member
326 that extends past the pivot axis 324 and acts to prevent the
cartridge stop 308 from pivoting away from the receiver 54
independently of the carrier latch 306. However, the cartridge stop
308 can pivot towards the receiver 54 independently of the carrier
latch 306. It should be noted that depressing the carrier release
button 320 moves both the cartridge stop 308 and the portion of the
carrier latch 306 that is on the same side of the axis 318 as the
cartridge stop 308 away from the receiver 54 and further into the
loading port 300.
[0160] Shotshells in the magazine 74 may be removed without cycling
the action 64 as follows. The second component 312 of the carrier
304 is depressed into the loading port 300 to allow the shotshells
to eject out of the loading port 300 (FIG. 50. The cartridge stop
308 can then be pivoted toward the receiver 54 by pushing it with
the user's finger until the shotshell is free to exit the magazine
74. The shotshell is biased out of the magazine 74 by the spring
252 (FIG. 51).
[0161] The action 64 of the shotgun 50 is gas-operated, which means
that gas generated from combustion of the powder in the shotshell
is used to open the action 64 and cycle a fresh shotshell into the
chamber 64. The gas pressure is translated into mechanical force
that pushes the bolt slide 82 rearward to open the action 64. As
the bolt assembly 78 moves backward, the bolt slide link 84
compresses a spring inside the stock 52. Once the bolt assembly 78
has moved all the way back, the compressed spring pushes the bolt
assembly 78 forward towards the breech. The bolt assembly 78 moves
to the forward position until the action 64 is closed.
[0162] The action 64 includes an improved gas-operated mechanism to
provide mechanical force to push the bolt slide 82 rearward and
cycle the action 64 as illustrated in FIGS. 52-61. The action 64
includes a bracket 350 coupled to the barrel 56 that channels high
pressure gases through one or more ports or holes 351 to a cylinder
352. The high pressure gases move a piston 354 rearward in the
cylinder 352 (FIGS. 54-55, 59 and 61). The piston 354 is coupled to
a sleeve 356 that surrounds the magazine 74 (FIG. 56). The sleeve
356 is coupled to a rod 358 that extends into the receiver 54 (FIG.
56). The piston 354 drives the sleeve 356 and the rod 358 rearward
when the shotgun 50 is fired. The rod 358 is positioned to push the
bolt slide 82 rearward and cycle the action 64.
[0163] The piston 354 includes a valve mechanism 360 that is used
to release excess gas pressure from the cylinder 352. The size of
the load in the shotshell determines how much gas pressure builds
up in the cylinder 352. The shotgun 50 is designed to fire the
lightest loads up to the heaviest magnum loads and still cycle the
action 64 without fail. For example, if the shotgun 50 is a twelve
gauge shotgun, it may be configured to fire the lightest 21/4 inch
shotshell as well as the largest 31/2 inch magnum shotshell. Since
the lightest shotshells move the piston 354 all the way rearward
and operate the action 64, the larger magnum shotshells often
provide too much high pressure gas. The valve mechanism 360
releases excess pressure from the cylinder 352 to prevent the
shotgun 50 from being damaged.
[0164] The valve mechanism 360 includes a valve 362 and a biasing
member or spring 364 (FIGS. 56-61). The biasing member 364 biases
the valve 362 toward the cylinder 352. If the pressure in the
cylinder 352 exceeds the force of the biasing member 364, then the
valve 362 is pushed rearward and the excess gas escapes through
holes 366 in the side of the piston 354. Once the pressure drops
below the force of the biasing member 364, the valve 362
closes.
[0165] The cylinder 352 has an inner wall 368 formed by the
magazine 74 and an outer wall 370 formed by the bracket 350 (FIGS.
59 and 61). When the shotgun 50 is assembled, the cylinder 352 is
formed when the magazine 74 is inserted through the bracket 350.
Because the cylinder 352 surrounds the magazine 74, the cylinder
352 and the piston 354 have an annular shape. A resilient member
372 is positioned between the bracket 350 and the magazine 74 to
seal the forward end of the cylinder 352 and prevent gases from
escaping (FIGS. 54-55, 59, and 61). In one embodiment, the
resilient member 372 is made of an elastomeric material such as
rubber and the like. The resilient member 372 may be an O-ring that
is positioned between the magazine 74 and the bracket 350. The
magazine 74 and the bracket 350 do not move relative to each other
when the shotgun 50 is fired. The lack of movement alleviates
concerns that the resilient member 372 may degrade over time or
that the area may experience undue wear.
[0166] The interface between the piston 354 and the outer wall 370
of the cylinder is sealed with a sealing ring 374 (FIGS. 57, 59,
and 61). The sealing ring 374 extends around the outer
circumference of the piston 354 and prevents gas from escaping
between the piston 354 and the outer wall 370 of the cylinder 352.
The sealing ring 374 moves with the piston 354 as it reciprocates
forward and rearward with each shot. The sealing ring 374 may be
made of any suitable material. In one embodiment, the sealing ring
374 is made of metal such as steel that is highly resistant to
wear.
[0167] The interface between the valve 362 of the piston 354 and
the inner surface 368 of the cylinder 352 is sealed with a sealing
ring 376. The sealing ring 376 extends around an interior
circumference of the piston 354 and prevents gas from escaping
between the piston 354 and the inner wall 368 of the cylinder 352.
The sealing ring 376 moves with the piston as it reciprocates
forward and rearward with each shot.
[0168] A resilient member 378 is positioned between the sealing
ring 376 and the valve 362 of the piston 354 (FIGS. 59 and 61). The
resilient member 378 prevents gas from escaping behind the sealing
ring 376 and biases the sealing ring 376 against the inner wall 368
of the cylinder 352 to provide a tighter seal. The resilient member
378 is not placed against any surfaces that move relative to the
resilient member 378, although the resilient member 378 moves with
the piston 354. Thus, the benefits of using the resilient member
378 are retained, but the disadvantages are gone. The resulting
seal is superior to the sealing ring 376 alone. In one embodiment,
the resilient member 372 is made of an elastomeric material such as
rubber and the like. The resilient member 372 may be an O-ring that
is positioned between the magazine 74 and the bracket 350.
[0169] The sealing ring 376 and the resilient member 378 are
positioned in a recess in the piston 354. However, it should be
appreciated that the sealing ring 376 and the resilient member 378
may be positioned in a recess in the inner wall 368 of the
cylinder.
[0170] It should be appreciated that the gas-operated mechanism of
the action 64 may have numerous other designs as well. For example,
the cylinder 352 may be positioned so that it does not surround the
magazine 74 and have an annular shape. In this embodiment, the
cylinder 352 would not have an inner wall 368 because the piston
354 fills up the entire space in the cylinder 352. This design is
similar to conventional pistons and cylinders used in combustion
engines. In another embodiment, a resilient member may be
positioned between the piston 354 and the sealing ring 374 to
provide a better seal between the piston 354 and the outer wall 370
of the cylinder 352. Other changes and modifications may also be
made.
Illustrative Embodiments
[0171] Reference is made in the following to a number of
illustrative embodiments of the subject matter described herein.
The following embodiments illustrate only a few selected
embodiments that may include the various features, characteristics,
and advantages of the subject matter as presently described.
Accordingly, the following embodiments should not be considered as
being comprehensive of all of the possible embodiments. Also,
features and characteristics of one embodiment may and should be
interpreted to equally apply to other embodiments or be used in
combination with any number of other features from the various
embodiments to provide further additional embodiments, which may
describe subject matter having a scope that varies (e.g., broader,
etc.) from the particular embodiments explained below. Accordingly,
any combination of any of the subject matter described herein is
contemplated.
[0172] In one embodiment, an autoloading shotgun comprises: a
firing pin that moves between an extended position and a retracted
position; and a bolt assembly that moves between a forward position
where the firing pin is capable of moving to the extended position
to allow the shotgun to be fired and a rearward position where the
firing pin is held in the retracted position and is unable to move
to the extended position; wherein the firing pin moves between the
extended position and the refracted position without being biased
by a spring. The bolt assembly may include a bolt and a bolt slide,
and the bolt slide may hold the firing pin in the refracted
position when the bolt assembly is in the rearward position. The
autoloading shotgun may comprises a retaining member that is
coupled to the firing pin, the retaining member being positioned in
a slot in the bolt assembly and being used to hold the firing pin
in the retracted position when the bolt assembly is in the rearward
position. The bolt assembly may include a bolt and a bolt slide,
and the bolt slide may hold the firing pin in the refracted
position when the bolt assembly is in the rearward position. The
bolt assembly may include a bolt and a bolt slide, and the bolt and
the bolt slide may move relative to each other between a first
position where the firing pin is capable of moving to the extended
position and a second position where the bolt slide holds the
firing pin in the refracted position and prevents the firing pin
from moving to the extended position. The bolt assembly may include
a bolt and a bolt slide, and the bolt may pivot toward the bolt
slide to move from a first position where the firing pin is capable
of moving to the extended position to a second position where the
bolt slide holds the firing pin in the retracted position and
prevents the firing pin from moving to the extended position.
[0173] According to another embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a bolt
slide including opposing walls that extend upward; a bolt
positioned between the opposing walls of the bolt slide; and a
firing pin that extends through the bolt and moves between an
extended position and a refracted position; wherein the bolt moves
between a forward position where the firing pin is capable of
moving to the extended position to allow the shotgun to be fired
and a rearward position where the bolt slide holds the firing pin
in the retracted position and prevents the firing pin from moving
to the extended position. At least one of the opposing walls of the
bolt slide may be used to hold the firing pin in the retracted
position and prevent the firing pin from moving to the extended
position. The shotgun may comprise a retaining member configured to
move with the firing pin as the firing pin moves between the
extended position and the retracted position, and the bolt slide
may be positioned adjacent to the retaining member to hold the
firing pin in the retracted position and prevent the firing pin
from moving to the extended position. The retaining member may be
positioned in a slot in the bolt. The bolt and the bolt slide may
move relative to each other between a first position where the
firing pin is capable of moving to the extended position and a
second position where at least one of the opposing walls of the
bolt slide holds the firing pin in the retracted position and
prevents the firing pin from moving to the extended position. The
bolt may pivot toward the bolt slide to move from a first position
where the firing pin is capable of moving to the extended position
to a second position where the bolt slide holds the firing pin in
the retracted position and prevents the firing pin from moving to
the extended position. The firing pin may move between the extended
position and the retracted position without being biased by a
spring.
[0174] According to another embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a bolt
and a bolt slide; a firing pin that extends through the bolt and
moves between an extended position and a retracted position; and a
retaining member positioned transverse to the firing pin and
configured to move with the firing pin as the firing pin moves
between the extended position and the retracted position; wherein
the bolt moves between a forward position where the firing pin is
capable of moving to the extended position to allow the shotgun to
be fired and a rearward position where the bolt slide holds the
firing pin in the retracted position and prevents the firing pin
from moving to the extended position. The bolt slide may not be in
contact with the retaining member when the bolt is in the forward
position. The retaining member may be positioned in a slot in the
bolt. The bolt may pivot relative to the bolt slide as the bolt
moves between the forward position and the rearward position. The
firing pin may move between the extended position and the retracted
position without being biased by a spring. The retaining member may
be coupled to the bolt, and the bolt may pivot toward the bolt
slide as the bolt slide moves rearward until the bolt slide is
positioned adjacent to the retaining member to hold the firing pin
in the retracted position and to prevent the firing pin from moving
to the extended position. The bolt may be positioned between
opposing walls of the bolt slide, and at least one of the walls of
the bolt slide may be positioned adjacent to the retaining member
to hold the firing pin in the retracted position and to prevent the
firing pin from moving to the extended position.
[0175] In one embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a forearm; and a
lever-type fastening mechanism that couples the forearm to the
remainder of the shotgun; wherein the lever-type fastening
mechanism includes a sling mount. The lever-type fastening
mechanism may move between a first position where the forearm is
coupled to the remainder of the shotgun and the sling mount is
closed and a second position where the forearm is uncoupled from
the remainder of the shotgun and the sling mount is open. The
lever-type fastening mechanism may pivots no more than 180 degrees
as the lever-type fastening mechanism moves between a first
position where the forearm is coupled to the remainder of the
shotgun and a second position where the forearm is uncoupled from
the remainder of the shotgun. The lever-type fastening mechanism
may be positioned on an underside of the forearm. The lever-type
fastening mechanism may include a locking mechanism that locks the
lever-type fastening mechanism in place when the forearm is coupled
to the remainder of the shotgun. The locking mechanism may include
a button that moves the locking mechanism from a locked position to
an unlocked position. The shotgun may be an autoloading shotgun.
The shotgun may comprise a magazine, and the lever-type fastening
mechanism may couple the forearm to the magazine. The lever-type
fastening mechanism may pivot outward from the forearm to move from
a first position where the forearm is coupled to the remainder of
the shotgun to a second position where the forearm is uncoupled
from the remainder of the shotgun.
[0176] According to another embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a
forearm; and a fastening mechanism that pivots no more than 180
degrees as the fastening mechanism moves between a first position
where the forearm is coupled to the remainder of the shotgun and a
second position where the forearm is uncoupled from the remainder
of the shotgun; wherein the fastening mechanism includes a sling
mount. The sling mount may be closed when the fastening mechanism
is in the first position and the sling mount may be open when the
fastening mechanism is in the second position. The fastening
mechanism may be positioned on an underside of the forearm. The
fastening mechanism may include a locking mechanism that locks the
fastening mechanism in the first position. The locking mechanism
may include a button that moves the locking mechanism between a
locked position and an unlocked position. The shotgun may be an
autoloading shotgun. The shotgun may comprise a magazine, and the
forearm may be coupled to the magazine when the fastening mechanism
is in the first position. The fastening mechanism may pivot outward
from the forearm as the fastening mechanism moves from the first
position to the second position. The fastening mechanism may be a
lever-type fastening mechanism.
[0177] According to another embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a
forearm; and a fastening mechanism that couples the forearm to the
remainder of the shotgun, the fastening mechanism including a sling
mount; wherein the fastening mechanism moves between a first
position where the forearm is coupled to the remainder of the
shotgun and the sling mount is closed and a second position where
the forearm is uncoupled from the remainder of the shotgun and the
sling mount is open. The sling mount may be on a front end of the
forearm. The fastening mechanism may be a lever-type fastening
mechanism. The fastening mechanism may pivot no more than 180
degrees as the fastening mechanism moves between the first position
and the second position. The fastening mechanism may be positioned
on an underside of the forearm. The fastening mechanism may include
a locking mechanism that locks the fastening mechanism in the first
position. The locking mechanism may include a button that moves,
the locking mechanism from a locked position to an unlocked
position. The shotgun may be an autoloading shotgun. The shotgun
may comprise a magazine, and the forearm may be coupled to the
magazine when the fastening mechanism is in the first position. The
fastening mechanism may pivot outward from the forearm as the
fastening mechanism moves from the first position to the second
position.
[0178] According to another embodiment, an autoloading shotgun
comprises: a forearm; and a lever-type fastening mechanism that
couples the forearm to the remainder of the autoloading shotgun.
The lever-type fastening mechanism may include a sling mount. The
lever-type fastening mechanism may pivot no more than 180 degrees
as the lever-type fastening mechanism moves between a first
position where the forearm is coupled to the remainder of the
autoloading shotgun and a second position where the forearm is
uncoupled from the remainder of the autoloading shotgun. The
lever-type fastening mechanism may be positioned on an underside of
the forearm. The lever-type fastening mechanism may include a
locking mechanism that locks the lever-type fastening mechanism in
place when the forearm is coupled to the remainder of the shotgun.
The locking mechanism may include a button that moves the locking
mechanism from a locked position to an unlocked position. The
autoloading shotgun may comprise a magazine, and the lever-type
fastening mechanism may couple the forearm to the magazine. The
lever-type fastening mechanism may pivot outward from the forearm
to move from a first position where the forearm is coupled to the
remainder of the shotgun to a second position where the forearm is
uncoupled from the remainder of the shotgun.
[0179] According to another embodiment, an autoloading shotgun
comprises: a forearm; and a fastening mechanism that pivots no more
than 180 degrees as the fastening mechanism moves between a first
position where the forearm is coupled to the remainder of the
autoloading shotgun and a second position where the forearm is
uncoupled from the remainder of the autoloading shotgun. The
fastening mechanism may include a sling mount. The fastening
mechanism may be a lever-type fastening mechanism. The fastening
mechanism may be positioned on an underside of the forearm. The
fastening mechanism may include a locking mechanism that locks the
fastening mechanism in the first position. The locking mechanism
may include a button that moves the locking mechanism from a locked
position to an unlocked position. The autoloading shotgun may
comprise a magazine, and the forearm may be coupled to the magazine
when the fastening mechanism is in the first position. The
fastening mechanism may pivot outward from the forearm to move from
the first position to the second position.
[0180] According to another embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a
forearm; a magazine; and a lever-type fastening mechanism that
couples the forearm to the magazine. The lever-type fastening
mechanism may pivot no more than 180 degrees as the lever-type
fastening mechanism moves between a first position where the
forearm is coupled to the magazine and a second position where the
forearm is uncoupled from the magazine. The lever-type fastening
mechanism may include a sling mount. The lever-type fastening
mechanism may be positioned on an underside of the forearm. The
lever-type fastening mechanism may include a locking mechanism that
locks the lever-type fastening mechanism in place when the forearm
is coupled to the magazine. The locking mechanism includes a button
that moves the locking mechanism from a locked position to an
unlocked position. The shotgun may be an autoloading shotgun. The
lever-type fastening mechanism may pivot outward from the forearm
to move from a first position where the forearm is coupled to the
magazine to a second position where the forearm is uncoupled from
the magazine.
[0181] According to another embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a
forearm; a magazine; and a fastening mechanism that pivots no more
than 180 degrees as the fastening mechanism moves between a first
position where the forearm is coupled to the magazine and a second
position where the forearm is uncoupled from the magazine. The
fastening mechanism may be a lever-type fastening mechanism. The
fastening mechanism may include a sling mount. The fastening
mechanism may be positioned on an underside of the forearm. The
fastening mechanism may include a locking mechanism that locks the
fastening mechanism in the first position. The locking mechanism
may include a button that moves the locking mechanism from a locked
position to an unlocked position. The shotgun may be an autoloading
shotgun. The fastening mechanism may pivot outward from the forearm
to move from the first position to the second position.
[0182] According to another embodiment, an autoloading shotgun
comprises: a forearm; and a fastening mechanism that couples the
forearm to the remainder of the autoloading shotgun; wherein the
fastening mechanism is positioned on an underside of the forearm.
The fastening mechanism may pivot no more than 180 degrees as the
fastening mechanism moves between a first position where the
forearm is coupled to the remainder of the autoloading shotgun and
a second position where the forearm is uncoupled from the remainder
of the autoloading shotgun. The fastening mechanism may include a
sling mount. The fastening mechanism may be a lever-type fastening
mechanism. The fastening mechanism may include a locking mechanism
that locks the fastening mechanism in place when the forearm is
coupled to the remainder of the autoloading shotgun. The locking
mechanism may include a button that moves the locking mechanism
from a locked position to an unlocked position. The autoloading
shotgun may comprise a magazine, and the fastening mechanism may
couple the forearm to the magazine. The fastening mechanism may
pivot outward from the underside of the forearm to move from a
first position where the forearm is coupled to the remainder of the
autoloading shotgun to a second position where the forearm is
uncoupled from the remainder of the autoloading shotgun.
[0183] According to another embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a
forearm; and a fastening mechanism that moves between a first
position where the forearm is coupled to the remainder of the
shotgun and a second position where the forearm is uncoupled from
the remainder of the shotgun, the fastening mechanism including a
locking mechanism that locks the fastening mechanism in the first
position. The locking mechanism may include a button that moves the
locking mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked
position. The button may be positioned on an underside of the
forearm. The fastening mechanism may include a lever and a pin, the
lever being used to move the fastening mechanism between the first
position and the second position, wherein the pin is biased into a
hole in the lever to lock the fastening mechanism in the first
position. The fastening mechanism may pivot no more than 180
degrees as the fastening mechanism moves between the first position
and the second position. The fastening mechanism may include a
sling mount. The fastening mechanism may be positioned on an
underside of the forearm. The shotgun may be an autoloading
shotgun. The shotgun may comprise a magazine, and the forearm may
be coupled to the magazine when the fastening mechanism is in the
first position. The fastening mechanism may pivot outward from the
forearm as the fastening mechanism moves from the first position to
the second position. The fastening mechanism may be a lever-type
fastening mechanism.
[0184] According to another embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a
forearm; and a fastening mechanism including a catch configured to
move between a first position where the catch holds the forearm and
the remainder of the shotgun together and a second position where
the catch allows the forearm to be separated from the remainder of
the shotgun, the catch being biased to the second position; and a
lever that is separate from the catch and pivots to move the catch
between the first position and the second position. The amount of
force needed to pivot the lever and thereby move the catch between
the first position and the second position initially increases,
reaches a maximum, and then decreases. The lever may be positioned
on an underside of the forearm. The fastening mechanism may include
a sling mount. The shotgun may be an autoloading shotgun. The
shotgun may comprise a magazine, and the catch may hold the forearm
and the magazine together when the catch is in the first position.
The lever may pivot outward from the forearm to move the catch from
the first position to the second position.
[0185] According to another embodiment, a method of disassembling a
shotgun comprises: unlocking a fastening mechanism that couples a
forearm of the shotgun to the remainder of the shotgun; and moving
the fastening mechanism from a first position where the forearm is
coupled to the remainder of the shotgun to a second position where
the forearm is uncoupled from the remainder of the shotgun. The
method may comprise pushing a button to unlock the fastening
mechanism. The fastening mechanism may pivot no more than 180
degrees as the fastening mechanism moves from the first position to
the second position. The fastening mechanism may be a lever-type
fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism may pivot outward from
the forearm of the shotgun as the fastening mechanism moves from
the first position to the second position. The fastening mechanism
may include a sling mount, and the sling mount may be closed when
the fastening mechanism is in the first position and the sling
mount is open when the fastening mechanism is in the second
position.
[0186] According to another embodiment, a method of disassembling a
shotgun comprises: pivoting a fastening mechanism that couples a
forearm of the shotgun to the remainder of the shotgun no more than
180 degrees to move the fastening mechanism from a first position
where the forearm is coupled to the remainder of the shotgun to a
second position where the forearm is uncoupled from the remainder
of the shotgun. The method may comprise unlocking the fastening
mechanism. The fastening mechanism may be a lever-type fastening
mechanism. The fastening mechanism may pivot outward from the
forearm of the shotgun as the fastening mechanism moves from the
first position to the second position. The fastening mechanism may
include a sling mount, and the sling mount may be closed when the
fastening mechanism is in the first position and the sling mount is
open when the fastening mechanism is in the second position.
[0187] In one embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a forearm removably
coupled to the remainder of the shotgun; and a fastening mechanism
that rotates no more than 180 degrees between a first position
where the forearm is coupled to the remainder of the shotgun and a
second position where the forearm is uncoupled from the remainder
of the shotgun; wherein the fastening mechanism is positioned at a
front end of the forearm. The fastening mechanism may include a
sling mount. The fastening mechanism may move toward the forearm as
the fastening mechanism rotates between the first position and the
second position. The fastening mechanism may include a spring that
biases the fastening mechanism outward from the forearm. The
shotgun may comprise a magazine, and the fastening mechanism may
include an anchor that is shaped to be received in a hole in the
magazine, and the anchor may be positioned so that it is unable to
exit the hole when the fastening mechanism is in the first position
and the anchor is positioned so that it is able to exit the hole
when the fastening mechanism is in the second position.
[0188] According to another embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a
magazine; a forearm removably coupled to the magazine; and a
fastening mechanism including an anchor that is shaped to be
received in a hole in the magazine; wherein the anchor rotates
between a first position where the anchor is unable to exit the
hole so that the forearm is coupled to the magazine and a second
position where the anchor is able to exit the hole so that the
forearm is uncoupled from the magazine. The hole may be in a front
end of the magazine. The magazine may include a spring retainer
assembly, and the hole may be in the spring retainer assembly. The
hole may have an elongated shape. The fastening mechanism may
include a sling mount. The fastening mechanism may move toward the
forearm as the anchor rotates between the first position and the
second position. The fastening mechanism may include a spring that
biases the fastening mechanism outward from the forearm. The
fastening mechanism may be positioned at a front end of the
forearm.
[0189] According to another embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a
forearm removably coupled to the remainder of the shotgun; and a
fastening mechanism that moves between a first position where the
forearm is coupled to the remainder of the shotgun and a second
position where the forearm is uncoupled from the remainder of the
shotgun; wherein the fastening mechanism is coupled to the
remainder of the shotgun without using corresponding threaded
parts. The fastening mechanism may include a sling mount. The
fastening mechanism may move toward the forearm as the fastening
mechanism moves between the first position and the second position.
The fastening mechanism may include a spring that biases the
fastening mechanism outward from the forearm. The shotgun may
comprise a magazine, and the fastening mechanism may include an
anchor that is shaped to be received in a hole in the magazine, and
the anchor may be positioned so that it is unable to exit the hole
when the fastening mechanism is in the first position and the
anchor is positioned so that it is able to exit the hole when the
fastening mechanism is in the second position. The fastening
mechanism may be positioned at a front end of the forearm. The
fastening mechanism may rotate no more than 180 degrees as the
fastening mechanism moves between the first position and the second
position.
[0190] According to one embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a forearm
including a tip that moves separately from the remainder of the
forearm; and a fastening mechanism; wherein moving the tip
lengthwise forward moves the fastening mechanism from a first
position where the forearm is coupled to the remainder of the
shotgun to a second position where the forearm is uncoupled from
the remainder of the shotgun. The shotgun may comprise a fastening
member that rotates as the tip moves lengthwise forward. The
fastening mechanism may include an anchor, the anchor being
positioned to hold the forearm and the remainder of the shotgun
together when the fastening mechanism is in the first position. The
shotgun may comprise a magazine, the fastening mechanism may
include an anchor that is received by a hole in the magazine to
couple the forearm to the magazine, the anchor being configured to
rotate as the fastening mechanism moves between the first position
and the second position. The hole may be in a front end of the
magazine. The magazine may include a spring retainer assembly, and
the hole may be in the spring retainer assembly.
[0191] According to another embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a
forearm including a tip that moves lengthwise separate from the
remainder of the forearm; and a fastening mechanism that moves
between a first position where the forearm is coupled to the
remainder of the shotgun and a second position where the forearm is
uncoupled from the remainder of the shotgun, the fastening
mechanism including a fastening member; wherein the tip of the
forearm moves forward to rotate the fastening member and move the
fastening mechanism between the first position and the second
position. The fastening mechanism may be biased to the first
position. The fastening mechanism may include an anchor, the anchor
being positioned to hold the forearm and the remainder of the
shotgun together when the fastening mechanism is in the first
position. The shotgun may comprise a magazine, the fastening
mechanism may include an anchor that is received by a hole in the
magazine to couple the forearm to the magazine, the anchor being
configured to rotate as the fastening mechanism moves between the
first position and the second position. The hole may be in a front
end of the magazine. The magazine may include a spring retainer
assembly, and the hole may be in the spring retainer assembly.
[0192] In one embodiment, a magazine plug is configured to be
positioned in a magazine of a shotgun to reduce the capacity of the
magazine, wherein one end of the magazine plug has an elongated
cross-sectional shape. The magazine plug may have an elongated
cross-sectional shape along the entire length of the magazine plug.
The one end may include a recess to receive a tool to facilitate
positioning the magazine plug in the magazine of the shotgun. The
one end may be a first end and the magazine plug may include a
second end, wherein the elongated cross-sectional shape of the
first end allows the first end to pass through an elongated opening
when the first end is oriented parallel to the elongated opening
and prevents the first end from passing through the elongated
opening when the first end is oriented perpendicular to the
elongated opening. The one end may be a first end and the magazine
plug may include a second end, wherein the first end and the second
end are sized so that the second end can fit through any opening
that the first end can fit through but the first end cannot fit
through any opening that the second end can fit through.
[0193] According to another embodiment, a magazine plug is
configured to be positioned in a magazine of a shotgun to reduce
the capacity of the magazine, and the magazine plug has a
cross-sectional shape where opposite sides of the cross-sectional
shape do not correspond to each other when the cross-sectional
shape is divided along any straight line that extends
perpendicularly through a center axis of the magazine plug. The
magazine plug may comprise a first end and a second end, wherein
the first end and the second end are sized so that the second end
can fit through any opening that the first end can fit through but
the first end cannot fit through any opening that the second end
can fit through. The cross-sectional shape may be at the first end
of the magazine plug. The magazine plug may comprise a first end
that includes a recess to receive a tool to facilitate positioning
the magazine plug in the magazine of the shotgun. The magazine plug
may comprise a first end and a second end, wherein the
cross-sectional shape is at the first end of the magazine plug, and
wherein the cross-sectional shape is an elongated shape that allows
the first end to pass through an elongated opening when the first
end is oriented parallel to the elongated opening and prevents the
first end from passing through the elongated opening when the first
end is oriented perpendicular to the elongated opening. The
cross-sectional shape may be at a first end of the magazine plug.
The cross-sectional shape may be an elongated shape.
[0194] According to another embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a
receiver; a barrel coupled to the receiver; a magazine coupled to
the receiver, the magazine extending forwardly away from the
receiver in a direction that is parallel to the barrel; and a
spring positioned in the magazine to bias shotshells toward the
receiver; wherein the shotgun is configured to receive a magazine
plug through a front end of the magazine while the spring is
retained inside the magazine; and wherein the shotgun is configured
so that rotating the magazine plug moves it between a first
orientation where the magazine plug can move longitudinally into
and out of the magazine and a second orientation where the magazine
plug is prevented from moving longitudinally out of the magazine.
The shotgun may comprise a spring retainer assembly positioned at
the front end of the magazine, the spring retainer assembly being
configured to retain the spring inside the magazine, the spring
retainer assembly including an opening to receive the magazine
plug, wherein the shotgun is configured to receive the magazine
plug through the opening in the spring retainer assembly while the
spring retainer assembly remains in place at the front end of the
magazine. The shotgun front end of the magazine may be configured
to receive the magazine plug while retaining the spring inside the
magazine. The shotgun may have an opening that is positioned at the
front end of the magazine and is sized to receive the magazine plug
and to prevent the spring from moving out of the magazine through
the opening. The shotgun may be configured to receive the magazine
plug into the magazine so that the magazine plug is positioned
inside and parallel to the spring. The shotgun may have an
automatic action. The automatic action may be gas-operated.
[0195] According to another embodiment, a method comprises:
inserting a magazine plug at least part way into a magazine of a
shotgun; and rotating the magazine plug from a first orientation
where the magazine plug can move longitudinally into and out of the
magazine to a second orientation where the magazine plug is
prevented from moving longitudinally out of the magazine. The
method may comprise disassembling the shotgun at least in part to
allow the magazine plug to be inserted at least part way into the
magazine. Disassembling the shotgun may include removing a magazine
cap. Disassembling the shotgun may include removing a forearm of
the shotgun. The magazine plug may be inserted into an opening in
the magazine that is shaped to allow the magazine plug to move
longitudinally into and out of the magazine in the first
orientation and to prevent the magazine plug from moving
longitudinally out of the magazine in the second orientation. The
magazine plug may have an elongated cross-sectional shape and the
opening may have an elongated shape, wherein the magazine plug is
positioned parallel to the opening in the first orientation to
allow the magazine to move longitudinally into and out of the
magazine, and wherein the magazine plug is positioned perpendicular
to the opening in the second orientation to prevent the magazine
plug from moving longitudinally out of the magazine. The magazine
may include a spring that is configured to bias shotshells toward a
receiver of the shotgun, and the spring may be retained inside the
magazine as the magazine plug is inserted at least part way into
the magazine. The magazine plug may be inserted through a front end
of the magazine. The magazine plug may be positioned inside and
parallel to a spring in the magazine, the spring being configured
to bias shotshells toward a receiver of the shotgun.
[0196] In one embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a chamber; a
magazine; and an action including a bolt assembly; wherein the
action is configured to move a shotshell from the magazine to the
chamber when the shotshell is inserted into the magazine and
released; and wherein the action is configured to allow shotshells
to be removed from the magazine without moving the bolt assembly.
The action may be configured to move the shotshell from the
magazine to the chamber when the shotshell is inserted into the
magazine and released, and the magazine is empty. The action may be
configured to move the shotshell from the magazine to the chamber
when the shotshell is inserted into the magazine through a loading
port and released. The loading port may be on an underside of the
shotgun. The action may be configured to move the shotshell from
the magazine to the chamber when the shotshell is inserted into the
magazine through a loading port and released, and the action is
open. The action may be configured to move the shotshell from the
magazine to the chamber when the shotshell is inserted into the
magazine through a loading port and released, the magazine is
empty, and the action is open. The action may be configured to
allow shotshells to be removed from the magazine without moving the
bolt assembly. The action may be configured to allow shotshells to
be removed from the magazine through a loading port without moving
the bolt assembly. The loading port may be on an underside of the
shotgun.
[0197] According to another embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a
chamber; a magazine; and an action configured to move between a
closed position and an open position where the action is held in
position, the action including: a carrier including a first
component that is used to hold the action in the open position and
a second component that is positioned to cover a loading port of
the shotgun; a carrier latch that moves between a first position
where the carrier latch cooperates with the first component of the
carrier to hold the action in the open position and a second
position where the carrier latch allows the action to move from the
open position to the closed position; and a cartridge stop that
moves between a first position where the cartridge stop prevents
shotshells from moving out of the magazine and a second position
where the cartridge stop allows the shotshells to move out of the
magazine; wherein the second component of the carrier is pivotably
coupled to the first component of the carrier to allow a shotshell
to be inserted into the magazine when the action is in the open
position; and wherein the cartridge stop moves independently of the
carrier latch. The cartridge stop may move from the first position
to the second position independently of the carrier latch. The
cartridge stop may move from the first position to the second
position without moving the carrier latch. The cartridge stop may
be in the second position when the action is in the open position
and the magazine is empty. The cartridge stop and the carrier latch
may be pivotably coupled together. The cartridge stop may move
independently of the carrier latch when the carrier latch is in the
first position.
[0198] According to another embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a
chamber; a magazine; and an action configured to move shotshells
from the magazine to the chamber, the action including a cartridge
stop which moves between a first position where the cartridge stop
prevents the shotshells from moving out of the magazine and a
second position where the cartridge stop allows the shotshells to
move out of the magazine; wherein the cartridge stop moves
independently of the remainder of the action; and wherein the
cartridge stop is positioned in the second position when the action
is fixed in an open position. The cartridge stop may move from the
first position to the second position independently of the
remainder of the action. The cartridge stop may move from the first
position to the second position without moving the remainder of the
action. The cartridge stop may be positioned in the second position
when the action is in the open position and the magazine is empty.
The action may include a carrier that is configured to allow a
shotshell to be inserted into the magazine when the action is fixed
in the open position. The carrier may include a first component
that is configured to hold the action in the open position and a
second component that is positioned to cover a loading port of the
shotgun, and wherein the second component is pivotably coupled to
the first component to allow a shotshell to be inserted into the
magazine when the action is fixed in the open position.
[0199] According to another embodiment, a shotgun comprises: a
chamber; a magazine; and an action including a bolt assembly;
wherein the action is configured to automatically move a shotshell
from the magazine to the chamber when the shotshell is inserted
into the magazine; and wherein the action is configured to allow
shotshells to be removed from the magazine without moving the bolt
assembly.
[0200] In one embodiment, a gas-operated firearm comprises: an
action; a cylinder that fills with high pressure gas when a
cartridge is fired, the cylinder including a wall; a piston
positioned in the cylinder and configured to move in response to
the high pressure gas in the cylinder, the piston supplying force
to operate the action of the firearm; and a resilient member
positioned between the piston and the wall of the cylinder to
prevent the high pressure gas from escaping between the piston and
the wall of the cylinder; wherein the resilient member and any
surface that the resilient member is in contact with do not move
relative to each other when the piston moves. The action may be an
automatic action. The resilient member may be positioned between a
sealing ring and either the piston or the wall of the cylinder, and
the sealing ring may move with the resilient member as the piston
moves. The sealing ring may be in contact with a surface, and the
sealing ring and the surface that is in contact with the sealing
ring move relative to each other when the piston moves. The
resilient member may be positioned in a recess in the piston or the
wall of the cylinder. A sealing ring may cover the resilient member
in the recess. The resilient member may be positioned in a recess
in the piston and a sealing ring may be positioned between the
resilient member and the wall of the cylinder. The resilient member
may be positioned in a recess in the wall of the cylinder and a
sealing ring is positioned between the resilient member and the
piston. The piston may include a valve that opens when excessive
pressure is in the cylinder, the resilient member being positioned
between the valve and the wall of the cylinder.
[0201] According to another embodiment, a gas-operated shotgun
comprises: an action; a magazine; a cylinder that fills with high
pressure gas when a cartridge is fired, the magazine forming at
least part of the cylinder, the cylinder including a wall; a piston
positioned in the cylinder and configured to move in response to
the high pressure gas in the cylinder, the piston supplying force
to operate the action of the shotgun; and a resilient member
positioned between the piston and the wall of the cylinder to
prevent the high pressure gas from escaping between the piston and
the wall of the cylinder, the resilient member being in contact
with one or more surfaces; wherein none of the one or more surfaces
and the resilient member move relative to each other when the
piston moves. The action may be an automatic action. The resilient
member may be positioned between a sealing ring and either the
piston or the wall of the cylinder, and the sealing ring may move
with the resilient member as the piston moves. The sealing ring may
be in contact with a surface, and the sealing ring and the surface
that is in contact with the sealing ring may move relative to each
other when the piston moves. The resilient member may be positioned
between the piston and the magazine that forms at least part of the
cylinder. The resilient member may be positioned in a recess in the
piston or the wall of the cylinder. A sealing ring may cover the
resilient member in the recess. The resilient member may be
positioned in a recess in the piston and a sealing ring may be
positioned between the resilient member and the wall of the
cylinder. The resilient member may be positioned in a recess in the
wall of the cylinder and a sealing ring may be positioned between
the resilient member and the piston. The piston may include a valve
that opens when excessive pressure is in the cylinder, the
resilient member being positioned between the valve and the wall of
the cylinder.
[0202] According to another embodiment, a gas-operated shotgun
comprises: a receiver; a barrel coupled to the receiver; a magazine
coupled to the receiver and configured to hold shotshells; a
cylinder that fills with high pressure gas when a cartridge is
fired, the cylinder having an annular shape and including an
interior wall and an exterior wall, the magazine forming at least
part of the interior wall; a bracket that channels the high
pressure gas from the barrel to the cylinder, the bracket forming
at least part of the exterior wall of the cylinder; a piston
positioned in the cylinder and configured to move in response to
the high pressure gas in the cylinder, the piston supplying force
to operate an action of the shotgun; and a resilient member
positioned between the piston and either the interior wall of the
cylinder or the exterior wall of the cylinder, the resilient member
being configured to prevent the high pressure gas from escaping
from the cylinder; wherein the resilient member and any surface
that the resilient member is in contact with do not move relative
to each other when the piston moves. The action may be an automatic
action. The resilient member may be positioned between the piston
and the interior wall of the cylinder. The resilient member may be
positioned between a sealing ring and either the piston, the
interior wall of the cylinder, or the exterior wall of the
cylinder, and wherein the sealing ring moves with the resilient
member as the piston moves. The sealing ring may be in contact with
a surface, and the sealing ring and the surface that is in contact
with the sealing ring may move relative to each other when the
piston moves. The resilient member may be positioned between the
sealing ring and the piston. The resilient member may be positioned
between the sealing ring and the interior wall of the cylinder. The
resilient member may be positioned between the sealing ring and the
exterior wall of the cylinder. The resilient member may be
positioned between the piston and the magazine that forms at least
part of the cylinder. The resilient member may be positioned in a
recess in the piston, the interior wall of the cylinder, or the
exterior wall of the cylinder. A sealing ring may cover the
resilient member in the recess. The resilient member may be
positioned in a recess in the piston and a sealing ring may be
positioned between the resilient member and either the interior
wall of the cylinder or the exterior wall of the cylinder. The
resilient member may be positioned in a recess in either the
interior wall of the cylinder or the exterior wall of the cylinder,
and wherein a sealing ring is positioned between the resilient
member and the piston. The piston may include a valve that opens
when excessive pressure is in the cylinder, the resilient member
being positioned between the valve and the interior wall of the
cylinder.
[0203] The terms recited in the claims should be given their
ordinary and customary meaning as determined by reference to
relevant entries (e.g., definition of "plane" as a carpenter's tool
would not be relevant to the use of the term "plane" when used to
refer to an airplane, etc.) in dictionaries (e.g., widely used
general reference dictionaries and/or relevant technical
dictionaries), commonly understood meanings by those in the art,
etc., with the understanding that the broadest meaning imparted by
any one or combination of these sources should be given to the
claim terms (e.g., two or more relevant dictionary entries should
be combined to provide the broadest meaning of the combination of
entries, etc.) subject only to the following exceptions: (a) if a
term is used herein in a manner more expansive than its ordinary
and customary meaning, the term should be given its ordinary and
customary meaning plus the additional expansive meaning, or (b) if
a term has been explicitly defined to have a different meaning by
reciting the term followed by the phrase "as used herein shall
mean" or similar language (e.g., "herein this term means," "as
defined herein," "for the purposes of this disclosure [the term]
shall mean," etc.). References to specific examples, use of "i.e.,"
use of the word "invention," etc., are not meant to invoke
exception (b) or otherwise restrict the scope of the recited claim
terms. Other than situations where exception (b) applies, nothing
contained herein should be considered a disclaimer or disavowal of
claim scope. The subject matter recited in the claims is not
coextensive with and should not be interpreted to be coextensive
with any particular embodiment, feature, or combination of features
shown herein. This is true even if only a single embodiment of the
particular feature or combination of features is illustrated and
described herein. Thus, the appended claims should be read to be
given their broadest interpretation in view of the prior art and
the ordinary meaning of the claim terms.
[0204] As used herein, spatial or directional terms, such as
"left," "right," "front," "back," and the like, relate to the
subject matter as it is shown in the drawing FIGS. However, it is
to be understood that the subject matter described herein may
assume various alternative orientations and, accordingly, such
terms are not to be considered as limiting. Furthermore, as used
herein (i.e., in the claims and the specification), articles such
as "the," "a," and "an" can connote the singular or plural. Also,
as used herein, the word "or" when used without a preceding
"either" (or other similar language indicating that "or" is
unequivocally meant to be exclusive--e.g., only one of x or y,
etc.) shall be interpreted to be inclusive (e.g., "x or y" means
one or both x or y). Likewise, as used herein, the term "and/or"
shall also be interpreted to be inclusive (e.g., "x and/or y" means
one or both x or y). In situations where "and/or" or "or" are used
as a conjunction for a group of three or more items, the group
should be interpreted to include one item alone, all of the items
together, or any combination or number of the items. Moreover,
terms used in the specification and claims such as have, having,
include, and including should be construed to be synonymous with
the terms comprise and comprising.
[0205] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such
as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used
in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as
modified in all instances by the term "approximately." At the very
least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the
doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter
recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the
term "approximately" should at least be construed in light of the
number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary
rounding techniques. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to
be understood to encompass and provide support for claims that
recite any and all subranges or any and all individual values
subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of 1 to 10 should be
considered to include and provide support for claims that recite
any and all subranges or individual values that are between and/or
inclusive of the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10;
that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more
and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10,
2.34 to 3.56, and so forth) or any values from 1 to 10 (e.g., 3,
5.8, 9.9994, and so forth).
* * * * *