U.S. patent application number 12/184808 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-27 for cylinder latching mechanism for revolver.
Invention is credited to JOSEPH J. ZAJK.
Application Number | 20110016761 12/184808 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40351071 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110016761 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ZAJK; JOSEPH J. |
January 27, 2011 |
CYLINDER LATCHING MECHANISM FOR REVOLVER
Abstract
A revolver with latching mechanism for swing-out type cylinder.
The revolver includes a frame, a rotatable cylinder movable from a
ready-to-fire position in the frame to a loading position laterally
displaced outwards from the frame, and a latching member retained
in the frame by a barrel insert that defines a bullet bore. In one
embodiment, the latching member may be a spring-loaded plunger
movable from a locked position in which the cylinder is locked in
the ready-to-fire position to an unlocked position in which the
cylinder is movable to the loading position. A cylinder crane
pivotally mounts the cylinder in the frame and moving the plunger
to the unlocked position allows the cylinder crane to be swung out
laterally from the frame by a user. In one embodiment, the plunger
is held in the frame by a retaining plug engaged by the barrel
insert.
Inventors: |
ZAJK; JOSEPH J.; (NEWPORT,
NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DUANE MORRIS LLP - Allentown
30 SOUTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-4196
US
|
Family ID: |
40351071 |
Appl. No.: |
12/184808 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60955723 |
Aug 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/62 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 19/42 20130101;
F41A 3/66 20130101; F41C 3/14 20130101; F41A 21/488 20130101; F41C
23/10 20130101; F41C 23/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/62 |
International
Class: |
F41C 3/14 20060101
F41C003/14 |
Claims
1. A cylinder latching mechanism for a revolver comprising: a frame
having a forwardly open cavity; a cylinder rotatably mounted in the
frame and movable from a ready-to-fire position in the frame to a
loading position laterally displaced outwards from the frame; an
axially slidable center pin rod extending through the cylinder; a
spring-loaded plunger slidably disposed in the forwardly open
cavity and retained in the frame by a barrel insert, the plunger
operably actuated by a front end of the center pin rod and movable
from a locked position in which the cylinder is locked in the
ready-to-fire position to an unlocked position in which the
cylinder is movable to the loading position; wherein the center pin
rod is operable to move the plunger from the locked position to the
unlocked position.
2. The cylinder latching mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a
cylinder crane pivotally mounting the cylinder in the frame,
wherein moving the plunger to the unlocked position allows the
cylinder crane to be swung out laterally from the frame by a
user.
3. The cylinder latching mechanism of claim 1, wherein the plunger
is held in the frame by a cylindrically-shaped retaining plug
removably positioned in the cavity, the plug being engaged by the
barrel insert.
4. The cylinder latching mechanism of claim 3, wherein the
retaining plug includes a stepped portion which is engaged by a
radially-enlarged boss on the barrel insert to trap the retaining
plug in the frame.
5. The cylinder latching mechanism of claim 3, wherein the
retaining plug includes a forward aperture that slidably receives a
stem of the plunger therethrough when the plunger is in the
unlocked position.
6. The cylinder latching mechanism of claim 1, wherein the plunger
has a generally cylindrical shape and is engageable with a rod
operably associated with the cylinder, the rod having an axial
frontal opening that receives a portion of the plunger to lock the
cylinder in the ready-to-fire position.
7. The cylinder latching mechanism of claim 1, wherein the barrel
insert threadably attaches to the frame.
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. A revolver with cylinder latching mechanism comprising: a frame
having a forwardly open cavity; a rotatable cylinder configured to
hold a plurality of cartridges; a barrel insert mounted in the
frame and defining a bore for receiving a bullet; a cylinder crane
supporting the cylinder in the frame for rotational movement and
being pivotable to swing the cylinder laterally outwards from the
frame to a loading position for loading cartridges into the
cylinder; an axially slidable center pin rod extending through the
cylinder; a latching member slidably disposed in the forwardly open
cavity and movable to lock the cylinder crane in the frame, the
latching member operably actuated by a front end of the center pin
rod and movable from a locked position to an unlocked position in
which the cylinder is movable to the loading position, the latching
member being retained in the frame by the barrel insert.
11. The revolver of claim 10, wherein the latching member is a
spring-loaded cylindrically-shaped plunger slidably disposed in the
forwardly open cavity of the frame.
12. The revolver of claim 10, wherein the latching member is held
in the frame by a cylindrically-shaped retaining member engaged by
the barrel insert.
13. The revolver of claim 12, wherein the retaining member is a
retaining plug that includes an enlarged head having an arcuate
surface and a stepped portion which is engaged by a
radially-enlarged boss on the barrel insert to trap the retaining
plug in the frame.
14. A revolver with cylinder latching mechanism comprising: a
cylinder frame having a forwardly open cavity; a cylinder rotatably
mounted in the frame and movable from a ready-to-fire position in
the frame to a loading position laterally displaced outwards from
the frame; an axially slidable center pin rod extending through the
cylinder; a spring-loaded latching member slidably disposed in the
forwardly open cavity and having a generally cylindrical shape, the
latching member operably actuated by a front end of the center pin
rod and movable from a locked position in which the cylinder is
locked in the ready-to-fire position to an unlocked position in
which the cylinder is movable to the loading position; and a
cylindrically-shaped retaining plug removably positioned in the
forwardly open cavity of the frame, the retaining plug operable to
maintain the latching member in the cavity.
15. (canceled)
16. The revolver of claim 14, further comprising a cylinder crane
pivotally mounting the cylinder in the frame, wherein moving the
latching member to the unlocked position allows the cylinder crane
to be swung out from the frame by a user.
17. (canceled)
18. A method of retaining a cylinder latching mechanism in a
revolver comprising: inserting a cylindrically-shaped retaining
plug into a forwardly open cavity formed in a revolver frame, the
retaining plug slidably receiving a cylindrically-shaped latching
member therein for locking a cylinder in the frame; inserting a
barrel insert into the frame; and engaging the barrel insert with
the retaining plug to secure the plug in the cylinder frame.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the engaging step includes
engaging an enlarged boss on the barrel insert with a stepped
portion of the retaining plug.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the barrel insert inserting
step includes threadably engaging the barrel inert with the
frame.
21. The revolver of claim 6, wherein the plunger has a biased
surface that engages the rod, the rod operable to move the plunger
between the locked and unlocked positions when the cylinder is
moved from the loading position displaced from the frame to the
ready-to-fire position.
22. The revolver of claim 21, further comprising a removable
cylindrically-shaped retaining plug inserted into the forwardly
open cavity of the frame, the retaining plug including a slot which
slidably receives a lug disposed on the plunger to maintain the
biased surface of the plunger in a first orientation.
23. The revolver of claim 1, wherein the forwardly open cavity has
a reduced diameter rear opening, the plunger including an enlarged
flanged portion which engages the rear opening to prevent the
plunger from being ejected rearwards from the cavity.
24. The revolver of claim 1, wherein the plunger is insertable into
the cavity only in a rearward direction through a front opening in
the frame communicating with the cavity.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/955,723 filed Aug. 14, 2007, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to firearms, and
more particularly to a cylinder retaining or latching mechanism for
a revolver.
[0003] Revolvers typically include a cylinder frame which rotatably
supports a revolving cylinder with a plurality of chambers for
holding cartridges and a grip frame that provides a structure for
mounting and supporting a hand grip attached thereto at the rear of
the revolver. The barrel of the revolver is also mounted to the
front of or forms part of the cylinder frame.
[0004] In some designs such as heavy duty revolvers capable of
firing magnum-type loads, a strong one-piece integral frame
construction is often preferred which combines both the cylinder
and grip frames into one integral unit for added durability needed
to sustain the shock loads and recoil resulting from firing such
high-caliber revolvers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,898 shows a typical
one-piece revolver frame. Other known designs such as the revolver
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,763 utilize a two-piece frame
construction in which a separate structurally light and relatively
thin grip frame is attached to the more robust cylinder frame which
absorbs the bulk of the recoil forces. In such two, piece designs,
the grip frame provides not much more than a narrow skeletal
framework for mounting a hand grip thereto. The firing control
mechanism components including the hammer, trigger, pawl, and
related parts are mounted together in a firing control housing that
typically is formed as an integral part of the substantially
heavier cylinder frame. The firing control housing is typically
located in the rear of the cylinder frame since these components
operably interact with and therefore must be located proximate to
the rear of the cylinder for striking a chambered cartridge. In
practice, it is difficult to achieve proper alignment and meshing
between the trigger and hammer operably coupled thereto if these
firing control components were mounted in separate frames. To
withstand the shock and stresses associated with firing the
revolver, the cylinder frame including the firing control housing
have traditionally been made of metal such as steel or
aluminum.
[0005] Reducing the weight of the component support structures for
firearms and therefore the overall weight is desirable for making
the firearm easier for a user to carry. This is especially true for
compact concealed-carry firearms where weight is an important
consideration. However, both cylinder and sometimes separate grip
frames used heretofore for revolvers have traditionally been made
completely of metal. This is largely because the firing control
components were mounted in the firing control housing portion of
the cylinder frame, which necessarily is made of metal. Because the
metal cylinder frame is far heavier than the grip frame even in
two-piece revolver frame constructions, there was little weight
savings possible by simply making the grip frame of a lighter
material. Although semi-automatic pistols have used non-metallic
polymer grip frames in combination with metal reciprocating slides
mounted thereon, the concept of using dual materials in revolvers
has not been used heretofore because of the limited potential gains
in weight reduction achievable using the foregoing conventional
revolver construction with mounting the firing control components
in the cylinder frame. Previous use of non-metallic materials such
as polymers in revolvers has been largely limited to the
non-structural handgrips which typically are attached to the metal
grip frame via threaded fasteners.
[0006] Accordingly, an improved revolver component support
structure and firing control arrangement is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one embodiment, a revolver is provided that includes a
cylinder frame for rotatably carrying the cylinder and a separate
firing control housing for mounting and supporting the firing
control mechanism components operably associated with the cylinder
for discharging the revolver. In one embodiment, the cylinder frame
is made of metal while the firing control housing preferably is
made of a light-weight non-metallic material, and more preferably
in one embodiment is made of a polymer possessing a combination of
high strength and toughness. In one embodiment, the rear of the
firing control housing includes an elongated rear grip tang for
mounting a hand grip thereto.
[0008] Advantageously, in contrast to aluminum which is sometimes
used for revolver frames, a polymer-based firing control housing
frame for example according to the preferred embodiment has
approximately equal strength to some aluminum alloys with only
approximately half of the weight. Furthermore, since the firing
control housing is not part of the heavier metal cylinder frame as
in known revolver designs, the length of the cylinder frame can be
truncated and shortened to allow more of the component support
structure to be made from the lighter weight non-metallic material.
The preferred embodiment therefore offers a revolver in the same
overall unit size to the user at a significantly reduced total
weight compared with known all metal revolvers. In addition, a
contrasting and/or textured non-metallic firing control housing
such as one made of a dark or otherwise colored polymer provides an
aesthetically interesting and pleasing appearance to many users not
seen heretofore in all metal frame revolver designs having a
substantially uniform appearance in color and texture.
[0009] According to another embodiment, a solid-frame revolver with
lateral or side swing-out cylinder is provided that includes a
cylinder latching system or mechanism for locking the pivotally
movable cylinder into a supportive cylinder frame. Such revolver
designs typically include a cylinder swing arm or crane to
pivotally mount the cylinder to the cylinder frame for loading
cartridges into or removing spent cartridge casings from the
cylinder. In one embodiment, a cylinder latching mechanism for a
revolver includes a cylinder rotatably mounted in a frame and a
spring-loaded plunger engageable with the cylinder or a component
operably associated with the cylinder, such as without limitation
an ejector in one embodiment. The plunger is moveable from a locked
position to an unlocked position to release the cylinder. In a
preferred embodiment, the plunger may be slidably disposed in a
cavity in the cylinder frame and retained therein by a retaining
member such as a retaining plug locked into the frame by an
interference fit between a barrel insert and the retaining
plug.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The features of the preferred embodiments will be described
with reference to the following drawings where like elements are
labeled similarly, and in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a left side cross-sectional view of one embodiment
of a revolver with a separate firing control housing;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a right side cross-sectional view of the revolver
of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a right side cross-sectional view of the firing
control housing of the revolver of FIG. 1 with firing control
components mounted therein;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a right side view of the firing control housing of
the revolver of FIG. 1 with firing control components mounted
therein;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a right side perspective view of the firing
control housing of the revolver of FIG. 1 with firing control
components mounted therein;
[0016] FIG. 6 is an exploded front perspective view of the revolver
of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a close-up cross-sectional side view of the barrel
portion of the revolver of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a rearward-looking exploded perspective view of
the barrel portion of the revolver of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a forward-looking exploded perspective view of the
barrel portion of the revolver of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 10 is left side perspective view of the firing control
housing of the revolver of FIG. 1 with firing control components
mounted therein; and
[0021] FIG. 11 is an exploded rear perspective view of the revolver
of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The features and benefits of the invention are illustrated
and described herein by reference to preferred embodiments. This
description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read in
connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be
considered part of the entire written description. In the
description of embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to
direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of
description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of
the present invention. Relative terms such as "lower," "upper,"
"horizontal," "vertical," "forward," "rearward," "front," "back,"
"above," "below," "up," "down," "top" and "bottom" as well as
derivative thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly,"
etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then
described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These
relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not
require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a
particular orientation. Terms such as "attached," "affixed,"
"coupled," "connected" and "interconnected," refer to a
relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one
another either directly or indirectly through intervening
structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or
relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the
features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference
to the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly
should not be limited to such preferred embodiments illustrating
some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist
alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the
invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, a revolver 10 in the form of a
double-action solid-frame revolver is shown as including a cylinder
frame 12 with cylinder 16 rotatably carried by frame 12 and
defining a plurality of chambers 13 formed inside therein for
holding cartridges. Cylinder 16 is supported by a cylinder crane
180 including an upper support tube 101 received through the hub
160 of the cylinder and a lower retaining pin 19 removably received
through aperture 56 of the crane. Cylinder crane 180 is used to
pivot cylinder 16 outwards from cylinder frame 12 from a
ready-to-fire position wherein the cylinder is positioned in the
frame and a chamber 13 may be aligned with barrel 14, to a lateral
loading position for loading cartridges into chambers 13 wherein
the cylinder is laterally displaced from the frame. Revolver 10
further includes barrel 14 extending forward from cylinder frame 12
and defining an internal bore 166 for receiving a bullet. In a
preferred embodiment, barrel 14 includes a barrel insert 140 which
defines bore 166 and is a separate component that is removably
received in barrel mounting bore 79 of cylinder frame 12 (best
shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) and supported by the frame as shown herein.
In other embodiments, the barrel may be formed as an integral part
of cylinder frame 12 (not shown). Preferably, barrel insert 140 is
made of tough metal such as steel that is capable of withstanding
deflagration pressures from discharging revolver 10 and capable of
withstanding the wear caused by the heat and friction of the bullet
as it travels through the internal bore 166. In a preferred
embodiment, cylinder frame 12 is preferably made of metal, and more
preferably may be aluminum, titanium, or steel.
[0024] With continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, revolver 10
further includes a spring-loaded ejector 106 for ejecting spent
cartridge casings from the revolver. Ejector 106 is disposed at the
rear of cylinder 16 and is configured to operably engage the rim of
a cartridge when disposed in each cylinder 13. An ejector rod 104
having a passageway disposed therethrough is coupled to ejector 106
and extends axially forward through cylinder 16. Ejector spring 103
biases ejector rod 104 forward and may be depressed by a user to
ejector spent casing from revolver 10 in a conventional manner. In
a preferred embodiment, ejector rod 104 preferably includes a
forward-extending ejector rod extension 17 which is configured to
engage an end cap 71 disposed thereon. Preferably, at least a
portion of ejector rod extension 17 is externally threaded to
engage complementary-configured internal threads on end cap 71,
further described herein.
[0025] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, revolver 10 further
includes a separate firing control housing 20 attached to the rear
of cylinder frame 12 for mounting and housing the firing control
components used to discharge and operate the revolver. In one
embodiment, firing control housing 20 is removably attachable to
cylinder frame 12. In one embodiment, the rear of firing control
housing 20 includes an elongated rear grip tang 22 for supporting
and mounting a one-piece or two-piece hand grip (not shown)
thereto. In one possible embodiment as shown, firing control
housing 20 preferably may include a forward extending portion
defining an integral trigger guard 23. In other embodiments,
trigger guard 23 may be a separate component that attaches to
firing control housing 20 and/or cylinder frame 12.
[0026] Preferably, firing control housing 20 may be made of a
light-weight non-metallic material, and more preferably in one
embodiment may be made from a polymer. In a preferred embodiment,
firing control housing 20 is made of a composite material such as a
fiber-reinforced polymer for added strength and toughness to
withstand the forces of firing revolver 10. Some typical suitable
and durable polymers that may be used without limitation are
fiber-reinforced nylons and urethanes. Any suitable non-metallic
light-weight material may be used so long as it has sufficient
strength and toughness to withstand forces generated from firing
revolver 10. In a preferred embodiment, firing control housing 20
is made by a molding process. Advantageously, in contrast to using
metals, fabricating firing control housing 20 from a polymer via
molding processes allows complex and intricate shapes and openings
to be economically created and which are needed to incorporate the
various firing control mechanism and other components. Moreover,
such intricate shapes and openings either cannot technically be
produced in metals or require extensive machining steps which are
cost prohibitive.
[0027] It will be appreciated that although firing control housing
20 is shown in application to a double-action revolver with an
internal hammer 18, the invention may also be used with equal
benefit for single-action and double-action revolvers having either
internal hammers or hammers with an exposed spur that is manually
cockable by a user. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to
double action and/or internal spurless hammer revolver designs as
illustrated by the preferred embodiment herein.
[0028] It will be appreciated that while a fiber reinforced polymer
is the preferred material for the firing control housing, certain
revolver cartridges generate very high firing pressures and
resulting forces on the revolver frame. These may exceed the
strength of the polymer fire control housing. Therefore, the
invention is not limited to polymers but may include metals such as
aluminum, titanium, or steel.
[0029] Fabricating firing control housing 20 from non-metallic
materials such as polymers offers numerous possibilities for
creating an aesthetically interesting and pleasing overall
ornamental appearance for revolver 10 not available in many
conventional revolver designs. For example, as best shown in FIG.
2, preferably non-metallic cylinder firing control housing 20 may
be made darker in color than contrasting metallic cylinder frame
12. Thus, in some possible embodiments, firing control housing 20
may be dark grey or black in color. In other possible embodiments,
however, the metallic cylinder frame may be darker (e.g. blued or
blackened) whereas the firing control housing may be made of a
contrasting lighter color in non-metallic material. In addition, in
some embodiments, firing control housing 20 may have various
surface textures such as graining, pebbling, dimples, etc.
Accordingly, numerous ornamental color and texture combinations are
advantageously possible for revolver 10 as a result of using
non-metallic materials for firing control housing 20.
[0030] Firing control housing 20 may be mounted to cylinder frame
12 in any suitable manner. In one possible embodiment as shown in
FIGS. 1, 6, 7, and 11, firing control housing 20 may be mounted to
cylinder frame 12 via an upper pinned connection 24 located
generally behind cylinder 16 and a forward lower pinned connection
25 above trigger guard 23. In a preferred embodiment, upper pinned
connection 24 may be formed by pin 94 received through two
spaced-apart holes 92 in a pair of projections 162 extending from
firing control housing 20 and a single hole 90 in a projection 164
on preferably cylinder frame 12 as shown. Since firing control
housing 20 is preferably made of a non-metallic material such as
polymer in a preferred embodiment while cylinder frame 12 is made
of metal, the added bearing surface provided by two projections 162
on the weaker polymeric housing 20 provides a strong connection to
absorb the recoil forces from discharging revolver 10 which are
distributed over a pair of polymeric projections defining holes
92.
[0031] In one embodiment, lower pinned connection 25 for mounting
firing control housing 20 to cylinder frame 12 may be formed by a
threaded hole 26 disposed in firing control housing 20 which
receives lower retaining pin 19 operably associated with forming a
pivot for cylinder crane 180. In one embodiment, pin 19 includes a
shaft having at least a portion being threaded to engage
complementary-shaped threads in hole 26. In a preferred embodiment
where firing control housing 20 is made of a non-metallic material
and pin 19 is metallic, a metallic threaded insert 105 (best shown
in FIG. 7) configured to threadably engage pin 19 may be disposed
in firing control housing hole 26 to prevent stripping of threads
in the generally softer non-metallic housing. In a preferred
embodiment, retaining pin 19 may have a head at one end configured
to be engaged by a tool such as a slotted, Phillips, or other
shaped screwdriver for securing pin 19 to firing control housing
20.
[0032] With continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, retaining
pin 19 in one embodiment may be received through a pair of
spaced-apart holes 96 defined in a lobed portion 93 fanned near the
bottom forward section of cylinder frame 12 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).
Lobed portion 93 further defines a recess 107 disposed between
holes 96 which is configured to receive the lower portion of
cylinder crane swing arm 100 with aperture 56. In one embodiment,
lobed portion 93 of cylinder frame 12 is received in a
complementary-shaped recess 91 formed on a forward portion of
firing control housing 20 as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. When
lobed portion 93 is seated in recess 91 of cylinder frame 12, holes
96 in lobed portion 93, aperture 56 in swing arm 100, and threaded
hole 26 in cylinder frame 12 preferably become concentrically
aligned so that retaining pin 19 may be inserted therethrough to
couple the cylinder frame 12 and cylinder crane 180 to the front of
firing control housing 20. Retaining pin 19 is threaded into hole
26 or metallic insert 105 to secure the cylinder frame 12 and
firing control housing 20 together.
[0033] It will be appreciated that the foregoing lower pinned
connection 25 construction with retaining pin 19 provides a robust
attachment of the cylinder frame to the preferably lighter-weight,
non-metallic firing control housing that is capable of withstanding
recoil forces generated by discharging revolver 10. Unlike the use
of polymer grip frames in semi-automatic pistols which have
reciprocating slides and recoil springs to absorb the recoil
forces, all of the recoil forces generated by revolvers are
absorbed by the historically metal cylinder frame and metal grip
frames, both of which traditionally have been made of steel and/or
aluminum. Therefore, pinned attachment of the metal-to-metal frame
components of conventional revolvers using relatively small metal
pins and fasteners have heretofore been relied upon to prevent
separation of the cylinder frames and grip frames due to recoil
forces. This traditional type of mounting technique would lack
sufficient strength and be generally unsuitable for coupling a
metal cylinder frame to non-metallic firing control housing or
similar structure, particularly for the front mount which
experiences the highest bending stresses when discharging a
revolver. The robust mounting arrangement provided herein provides
a secure mount capable of withstanding the recoil forces and stress
associated with recoil making the use of light-weight, non-metallic
firing control housings possible.
[0034] FIG. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of revolver 10.
Cylinder frame 12 defines an opening 15 which receives cylinder 16.
In contrast to conventional larger and heavier metal cylinder
frames, the truncated length and reduced size of the metal cylinder
frame 12 is made possible by mounting the firing control components
in a separate preferably non-metallic and lighter-weight firing
control housing 20 (see, e.g. FIGS. 3 and 4). In a preferred
embodiment, firing control housing 20 is made of a polymer and
includes grip tang 22 to further reduce weight.
[0035] FIGS. 3-5 show various right side views of the firing
control housing 20 with the firing control components supported and
mounted therein. As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment grip tang 22
is configured to define an opening 41 for receiving an optional
rotary mainspring lock 40 and its associated lock housing 42 (shown
in FIG. 4) mounted to the grip tang using pins inserted in holes
43. The rotary lock 40 interacts with hammer strut 64 to disable
the firing control mechanism.
[0036] Referring now primarily to FIGS. 1-5 and 10, revolver 10 in
a preferred embodiment includes a firing control mechanism
completely supported by firing control housing 20 that is
independent of the cylinder frame 12, and which mechanism generally
includes the following firing control components: trigger 11,
hammer 18, cylinder lock 32, hammer lever or dog 34, pawl 35, and
mainspring assembly 30 with mainspring 31. In one embodiment,
mainspring assembly 30 includes mainspring strut 64 having an upper
end 150 pinned connection to pin 36 of hammer 18 and a lower end 37
braced against a portion of grip tang 22. In one embodiment shown
in the figures, lower end 37 of strut 64 may be engaged with a
rotary lock 40 that may be provided and disposed in grip tang 22.
Hammer dog 34 is essentially a spring-biased lever that is
pivotably mounted to hammer 18 about a pinned connection 52 and is
operably positioned between trigger 11 and hammer 18. Hammer dog 34
is biased upwards (clockwise in FIG. 1) by a spring 54 (see FIG. 2)
towards hammer 18 and is engageable by the rear of trigger 11.
Hammer dog 34 is rotated upwards in response to a trigger pull to
fully cock and then release hammer 18 forward for discharging
revolver 10 in a conventional double action operating mode. When
released, trigger 11 then returns downward and forward after firing
to the position shown in FIG. 1.
[0037] Hammer 18 is pivotably mounted to firing control housing 20
about a pinned connection 53 and is movable in rearward and forward
arcuate motions. Hammer 18 is biased forward towards the cylinder
by mainspring 31 as noted above. As shown in the preferred
embodiment, hammer 18 is completely internal and movably disposed
in cavity 21 of firing control housing 20. In one embodiment, the
upper portion hammer 18 may have a rounded or arcuate profile and
upper surface as shown that complements a corresponding inner
profile of cavity 21. Since firing control housing 20 is
advantageously completely enclosed in the preferred embodiment,
foreign debris cannot enter cavity 21 and contaminate the firing
mechanism unlike some conventional housing designs which sometimes
have an upper opening even when spurless hammers are used.
Advantageously, the use of non-metallic materials such as molded
polymers for firing control housing 20 makes fabrication of
intricate details and curved contours possible and more economical
than fabricating comparable metal housings which may require
separate and additional machining steps to create these features.
In addition, raw production costs associated with molding polymers
to form firing control housing as shown and described herein is
advantageously significantly less than producing such a housing in
metal. Moreover, it should be noted that the smooth, rounded top
profile of firing control housing 20 is ideally suited for small
concealed-carry revolvers since the revolver will not snag on a
user's clothing when drawn. Although the preferred embodiment is an
enclosed spurless hammer, the invention is not be limited to this
design and may also include versions with an open slot for a
protruding, spurred hammer that can be manually operated by the
user.
[0038] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-5 and 10, trigger 11 is
pivotably mounted to firing control housing 20 about a pinned
connection 38 and moves arcuately in response to a trigger pull by
a user. Trigger 11 is biased downwards and forward by trigger
torsion spring 33. Cylinder lock 32 is mounted about pinned
connection 39 to firing control housing 20 and is actuated by
trigger 11. Cylinder lock 32 keeps one of the chambers 13
concentrically aligned with the bore 166 of barrel insert 140
during firing. Cylinder lock 32 is preferably biased upwards by a
spring (not shown) into engagement with a cylinder lock depression
50 formed in cylinder 16. Preferably, a cylinder lock depression 50
is provided for each chamber. When trigger 11 is pulled rearwards,
a front portion of the trigger ahead of pinned connection 38
rotates downwards (counter-clockwise in FIG. 1) which engages and
rotates cylinder lock 32 downwards in an opposite direction
(clockwise in FIG. 1) about pin 39. This motion disengages cylinder
lock 32 from one of the cylinder lock depressions 50 (see FIG. 1)
so that cylinder 16 may be rotated by pawl 35 in a conventional
manner to the next firing position in response to pulling the
trigger 11. When trigger 11 reaches a predetermined rearward point
and a cylinder 13 containing the next cartridge to be discharged
aligns with barrel insert 140, cylinder lock 32 is released by the
trigger and returns to its initially upward position to engage an
new cylinder lock depression 50. Further rearward motion of hammer
18 releases the hammer to strike and detonate the cartridge
directly or indirectly via an intermediate firing pin carried by
the cylinder frame 12 positioned between the hammer and
cartridge.
[0039] As described above, pulling trigger 11 also cocks and
releases hammer 18 to discharge revolver 10. When trigger 11 is
pulled, an extension arm 51 projecting rearwards from the trigger
engages and rotates hammer dog 34 upwards (clockwise in FIG. 1)
which in turn rotates hammer 18 rearwards (clockwise in FIG. 1) to
a predetermined point where the hammer is then released to strike a
cartridge in one of the chambers 13 or an intermediate firing pin
disposed between the hammer and cartridge.
[0040] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-5 and 10, the firing
control mechanism of revolver 10 may include a transfer bar 55 in
some embodiments. Transfer bar 55 is vertically movable in response
to a trigger pull and reduces the likelihood that the revolver will
fire in the absence of a trigger pull. In one embodiment, transfer
bar 55 may be positioned forward of hammer dog 34 and is movably
coupled to trigger 11 via a pinned connection 57. Pawl 35 may also
be movably coupled to trigger 11 via same pinned connection 57 or
by a different connection. A spring-loaded firing pin 60 (shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 without the spring for clarity) is received in a
recess formed in cylinder frame 12 and axially movable therein to
strike a cartridge when loaded in chamber 13. When trigger 11 is
pulled, transfer bar 55 moves vertically upwards in response and
becomes positioned between hammer 18 and firing pin 60. As hammer
18 becomes fully cocked and is then released as described herein,
the hammer strikes transfer bar 55 which in turn transfers the
force to firing pin 60 propelling the firing pin forward to strike
a cartridge. In the absence of a trigger pull, hammer 18 preferably
is incapable of reaching firing pin 60 when the hammer is in its
forward-most position.
[0041] With reference to FIGS. 1-2, 6, and particularly FIG. 7,
cylinder crane 180 includes an upper support tube 101 that includes
a rearward-extending cylindrical portion received in the hub 160 of
the cylinder 16 and a forward-extending portion that in one
embodiment is received in a complementary shaped recess 70 in the
forward portion of cylinder frame 12. In one embodiment best shown
in FIG. 6, the forward-extending portion of support tube 101 need
not be completely cylindrical in shape since it is disposed in
cylinder frame 12 and not the cylindrically-shaped cylinder hub.
Support tube 101 rotatably supports cylinder 16 in cylinder frame
12. In a preferred embodiment, upper support tube 101 preferably is
hollow to axially slidably receive center pin rod 62 and ejector
rod 104 received at least partially in tube 101. Cylinder center
pin rod 62 is biased rearward by spring 102 (best shown in FIG. 7)
and axially movable being actuated by a cylinder release latch 61
(shown in FIGS. 1 and 11). Center pin rod 62 allows a user to
disengage ejector rod extension 17 from cylinder frame 12 and pivot
cylinder 16 laterally outwards from the cylinder frame 12 as
further described herein to load cartridges into or eject spent
casings from cylinder chambers 13 using ejector 106.
[0042] In one possible embodiment, upper support tube 101 is
disposed on top of crane swing arm 100 (best shown in FIG. 6).
Support tube 101 may be formed as an integral part of swing awl 100
or may be a separate component attached thereto in other
embodiments. Aperture 56 is defined by a lower portion of swing arm
100 to receive crane retaining pin 19 therein.
[0043] FIGS. 7-9 show one embodiment of a cylinder crane latching
system including a latching member such as plunger 72, biasing
spring 73, and retaining member such as retaining plug 75. As best
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, retaining plug 75 includes an enlarged
front head 80 with hole therein to allow a portion of plunger 72
such as stem 98 to be projected therethrough and a generally
cylindrical rear sleeve 81 that is inserted into a cavity 74 formed
in cylinder frame 12. At least a portion of plunger 72 is slidably
disposed in cavity 74 of cylinder frame 12 as shown, which also
houses spring 73. In one embodiment, spring 73 is a helical
compression spring. Preferably, a portion of plunger 72 and spring
73 are disposed in sleeve 81 of retaining plug 75. Plunger 72
includes a generally cylindrical rear projection 87 that preferably
extends rearwards at least partially into recess 70 through a rear
opening 120 in cavity 74 as shown and is slidably received in an
axial opening 108 in the tip of end cap 71 such that the plunger
contacts and biases cylinder center pin rod 62 rearwards. The rear
of rod 62 is acted upon by cylinder release latch 61 (see FIGS. 1
and 10) which axially moves the rod against the force of spring 73
when actuated.
[0044] A front portion of plunger 72 in one embodiment includes a
stem 98 that is slidably received in a forward aperture 99 of
retaining plug 75. Stem 98 helps guide plunger 72 when spring 73 is
compressed and the plunger is moved forward as described herein,
thereby projecting a portion of stem 98 through aperture 99. The
interaction of stem 98 and aperture 99 adds stability to axial
movement of plunger 72 in cavity 74. In one embodiment, plunger 72
includes a flanged portion 86 that engages a portion of cylinder
frame 12 surrounding rear opening 120 adjacent to cavity 74 to
prevent the plunger from being ejected rearwards through the cavity
by spring 73. Preferably, flanged portion 86 is larger in diameter
than rear opening 120. In one embodiment, front opening 121 of
cavity 74 has a larger diameter than rear opening 120 and at least
a slightly larger diameter than flanged portion 86 to allow plunger
72 to be inserted into cavity 74 from the front. Cavity 74
preferably is bored, drilled, or otherwise formed in cylinder frame
12 from the front since the tooling necessary to produce the cavity
is generally not accessible from the rear of the cylinder frame,
which in a preferred embodiment has a generally solid structure at
the rear except for two small holes for the firing pin 60 and
center pin rod 62 (see FIG. 6).
[0045] With reference to FIGS. 7-10, when the user wishes to reload
revolver 10, cylinder release latch 61 is depressed which engages
the rear of center pin rod 62 and moves the rod forward against
spring-loaded plunger 72, which preferably is in contact with the
front of the rod as shown. Plunger 72 is forced forward and
retracted into cavity 74 while compressing spring 73 (not shown) to
a point where cap 71 may be disengaged from the plunger allowing
the cylinder 16 to be swung out laterally from cylinder frame 12.
After cylinder 16 is swung out and pin rod 62 disengages plunger
72, plunger 72 is free to re-emerge rearwards from cavity 74 into
recess 70 under the force of spring 73.
[0046] To return cylinder 16 to cylinder frame 12, the user pushes
the cylinder back into the frame. Cap 71 engages plunger 72 forcing
the plunger back again into cavity 74 until the hole in the end of
the cap becomes concentrically aligned with the plunger which then
re-enters the cap and returns to the position shown in FIG. 7
before release latch 61 was actuated. To facilitate smooth
engagement and movement between cap 71 and plunger 72, the rear
portion of the plunger such as rear projection 87 is preferably
shaped with a biased surface 82 that engages cap 71 which
preferably is cylindrically-shaped. In one embodiment, forward end
of cap 71 may also preferably be rounded as shown to facilitate
smooth engagement with plunger 72. In one embodiment, biased
surface 82 of plunger 72 may be retained in the orientation shown
by providing a longitudinal slot 83 in the bottom of plunger sleeve
81 which is adapted and configured to slidably receive a lug 84 on
the bottom of the plunger.
[0047] As best shown in FIGS. 7-10, plunger 72 and retaining plug
75 may be retained in cylinder frame 12 in a preferred embodiment
without the use of a cross-pin and complex arrangements as used in
some conventional revolver designs. Head 80 of retaining plug 75
may be configured with a stepped portion 76 which is engaged by a
radially-enlarged flange or boss 77 on the front of barrel insert
140. Preferably, barrel insert 140 may have an internal rifled
surface and external threads that engage complementary internal
threads in barrel mounting bore 79 in barrel 14 of cylinder frame
12. When barrel insert 140 is threaded into cylinder frame 12,
stepped portion 76 of retaining plug 75 is engaged by and trapped
behind boss 77 of barrel insert 140 via surface-to-surface contact,
thereby locking the end cap 71 to revolver 10. Advantageously, this
provides a mechanically simple means for securing retaining plug 75
in revolver 10 without the use of pins. The front horizontal part
of stepped portion 76 of retaining plug 75 preferably may be
arcuately shaped as shown to mate with the cylindrical contour of
boss 77 which rests thereon. This also helps maintain retaining
plug 75 in the position shown so that slot 83 in sleeve 81 remains
on bottom to in turn maintain biased surface 82 of plunger 72 in a
vertical position via sliding engagement of bottom lug 84 with the
slot.
[0048] The foregoing cylinder latching system advantageously is
mechanically simple, reliable, and accomplished in fewer parts than
some convention revolver designs that reduces production costs in
both materials and assembly labor. The cylinder latching system
also has economic advantage, as the cap 71 and/or retaining plug 75
may be produced from either metal or non-metallic materials, and
may be produced either by metal injection molding (MIM) or via
injection molding of a polymer.
[0049] A preferred method of assembling the cylinder latching
system will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7-9. The
method includes inserting plunger 72 into cavity 74 of cylinder
frame 12. Preferably, plunger 72 is inserted into cavity 74 from
the front of cylinder frame 12 through front opening 121. Plunger
72 is preferably oriented so that biased surface 82 faces the left
side of pistol 10 (as shown in FIG. 9) and lug 84 is on the bottom
to be subsequently received by slot 83 in sleeve 81. Next, spring
73 is inserted into cavity 74 and engaged with plunger flanged
portion 86 forcing the plunger rearwards and extending rear
projection 87 through rear opening 120 of the cavity (if not
already extended therethrough). Flanged portion 86 of plunger 72
engages a portion of cylinder frame 12 surrounding opening 120.
Retaining plug 75 is then inserted into cavity 74 with sleeve 81
being first received in the cavity. Preferably, slot 83 in sleeve
81 is slidably engaged with lug 84 of plunger 72. Stepped portion
76 of retaining plug 75 engages a complementary-shaped portion of
cylinder frame 12 and becomes seated in the frame. Barrel insert
140 is then rotationally inserted into barrel 14 engaging the
external threads on the insert with the internal threads 79 formed
on the barrel. Stepped portion 76 is engaged by a radially-enlarged
flange or boss 77 on the front of barrel insert 140, thereby
trapping and locking retaining plug 75 in cylinder frame 12.
[0050] In another alternative embodiment, spring 73 may be inserted
into sleeve 81 of retaining plug 75 followed by inserting plunger
72 into the retaining plug behind the spring. Slot 83 in sleeve 81
is preferably slidably engaged with lug 84 of plunger 72. The
retaining plug-plunger assembly 75, 72 may then be inserted into
cavity 74 of cylinder frame 12 in the position shown in FIGS. 7-9.
This is followed by threadably inserting barrel insert 140 into
barrel 40 as described above, and trapping retaining plug 75 in the
cylinder frame with the barrel insert.
[0051] While the foregoing description and drawings represent
preferred or exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it
will be understood that various additions, modifications and
substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope and range of equivalents of the accompanying claims. In
particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the
present invention may be embodied in other forms, structures,
arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements,
materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or
essential characteristics thereof. In addition, numerous variations
in the methods/processes as applicable described herein may be made
without departing from the spirit of the invention. One skilled in
the art will further appreciate that the invention may be used with
many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes,
materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of
the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific
environments and operative requirements without departing from the
principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed
embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being
defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof, and not
limited to the foregoing description or embodiments. Rather, the
appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other
variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range
of equivalents of the invention.
* * * * *