U.S. patent application number 15/921116 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-19 for firearm and firearm kit.
The applicant listed for this patent is Caesar Guerini S.r.l.. Invention is credited to Antonio Guerini.
Application Number | 20180202730 15/921116 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50336396 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180202730 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guerini; Antonio |
July 19, 2018 |
Firearm and Firearm Kit
Abstract
The firearm comprises a firearm frame, a barrel sleeve mounted
in a rotatable manner on the firearm frame, and at least one
rotation pin which extends between the firearm frame and the barrel
sleeve to guide the sleeve around a rotation axis. The rotation pin
and the firearm frame, or said pin and the barrel sleeve, lie in
abutment with each other by means of complementary sliding
surfaces, at least one sliding surface being borne by a wear
component connected in a releasable manner to the rotation pin, to
the firearm frame and/or to the barrel sleeve. The invention also
relates to a kit for a firearm.
Inventors: |
Guerini; Antonio; (Marcheno,
IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Caesar Guerini S.r.l. |
Marcheno |
|
IT |
|
|
Family ID: |
50336396 |
Appl. No.: |
15/921116 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14588727 |
Jan 2, 2015 |
9945624 |
|
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15921116 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 3/58 20130101; F41A
3/06 20130101; F41C 7/11 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 3/06 20060101
F41A003/06; F41A 3/58 20060101 F41A003/58; F41C 7/11 20060101
F41C007/11 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 2, 2015 |
IT |
BS2014A000001 |
Claims
1. A firearm comprising: a firearm frame; a barrel sleeve, which
extends in a longitudinal direction and which is mounted in a
rotatable manner on the firearm frame; at least one rotation pin
which extends between the firearm frame and the barrel sleeve to
guide said sleeve around a rotation axis; wherein the rotation pin
and the firearm frame lie in abutment with each other by means of
complementary sliding surfaces, at least one sliding surface being
carried by a wear component connected in a releasable manner to the
rotation pin.
2. Firearm according to claim 1, wherein the rotation pin is made
in one piece with the barrel sleeve.
3. Firearm according to claim 1, wherein, with respect to the
rotation axis, the wear component forms a predefined radial
thickness to correct or regulate the distance between the sliding
surface thereof and the rotation axis, and wherein the wear
component has variable dimensions to correct or regulate a lever
arm of the barrel sleeve, following a wear of the sliding
surfaces.
4. Firearm according to claim 1, wherein the material which the
wear component is composed of is the same as that which the firearm
frame is made of, or is a material of a hardness at least
comparable to said frame.
5. Firearm according to claim 1, wherein the wear component is
joined to the rotation pin, and wherein the sliding surface carried
by said component works on an opposite sliding surface made in one
piece with the firearm frame.
6. Firearm according to claim 1, wherein the wear component is
coupled by means of a shaped coupling to the rotation pin to form
therewith a prismatic torque.
7. Firearm according to claim 1, wherein the wear component
comprises at least one tooth projecting in a radial
direction--relative to the rotation axis--which delimits a tooth
surface alongside and rearward in relation to an end-stroke surface
of the barrel sleeve on the firearm frame, to limit the angle of
rotation of said sleeve.
8. Firearm according to claim 1, wherein the barrel sleeve is
rotatable between a closed configuration wherein said barrel sleeve
and an inner surface of the firearm frame act in conjunction to
close at least one firing chamber of the firearm, and an open
configuration wherein the sleeve is distanced from said surface
9. Firearm according to claim 8, wherein the barrel sleeve and the
firearm frame delimit opposite retention surfaces which, when said
sleeve is positioned in the closed configuration, interact to
retain said sleeve in a firing direction of the firearm, at least
one of said surfaces being delimited by a removable abutment shaped
correspondingly to the wear component.
10. Firearm according to claim 9, wherein the removable abutment is
placed in a seat of the firearm frame at a fixed radial distance
from the rotation axis, and wherein the retention surface of said
abutment is shifted in a radial direction depending on a desired
correction or regulation of a lever arm of the barrel sleeve or of
a distance between the respective sliding surface and the rotation
axis.
11. Firearm according to claim 9, comprising resleasable locking
means of the removable abutment to the firearm frame, wherein a
base of the removable abutment is inserted in an undercut seat of
said frame, wherein said seat comprises one or more inclined
surfaces on which said locking means act in thrust to retain the
removable abutment in said seat.
12. Firearm according to claim 9, wherein a separation line between
the retention surfaces extends at least partially along an arc of a
circle centered at the rotation axis.
13. Firearm according to claim wherein the detachable abutment is
divided into a pair of reinforcement peaks, between which a firing
chamber of the barrel sleeve is reversibly inserted.
14. Firearm according to claim 1, characterised in that it is a
rifle with one, two or three barrels.
15. Firearm according to claim 14, wherein the two or three barrels
are adjacent or superposed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/588,727, filed Jan. 2, 2015 which claims
priority to Italian Patent Application No. BS2014A000001, filed
Jan. 2, 2014, the disclosures of each of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a firearm, and to a kit for
a firearm.
2. Description of the Prior Art
[0003] From the publication U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,027 a combined
rifle is known of with a pair of barrels hinged to a main body to
allow the rear-loading of ammunition. The firearm described in this
document sets out to reduce the level of wear acting on the
body-barrel hinge pin by means of an abutment made on the frame (in
this regard see FIGS. 28 and 29 of the publication), which acts in
conjunction with corresponding shoulders positioned on the
barrels.
[0004] Despite such set-up being an improvement from some points of
view, such a technical solution in any case suffers from some
drawbacks.
[0005] In particular, manufacturing tolerances do not allow to
prevent the hinge pin from being completely freed from the firing
forces, so that the solution proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,027
makes it possible to delay, but not to prevent, the need to replace
said pin.
[0006] In addition, the inexorable consumption of the material of
the pin causes a progressive displacement of the rotation axis
which results, after a certain number of shots have been fired, in
the abutment of the body frame failing to couple precisely with the
shoulders of the barrels.
[0007] The present invention falls within this context, proposing
to provide a firearm with a construction such as to compensate for
the wear acting on the rotation pin, and such as to allow a
lengthening of the useful life of the firearm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Such objective is achieved by a firearm comprising a firearm
frame, a barrel sleeve extending in a longitudinal direction and
mounted in a rotatable manner on the firearm frame, and at least a
rotation pin which extends between the frame and the sleeve to
guide the sleeve around a rotation axis. The rotation pin and the
firearm frame, or said pin and the barrel sleeve, lie in abutment
with each other by means of complementary sliding surfaces, at
least one sliding surface being carried by a wear component
connected in a releasable manner to the rotation pin, to the
firearms frame and/or to the barrel sleeve.
[0009] Such objective is also achieved by a firearm kit comprising
one or more wear components suitable to be connected in a
releasable manner to a rotation pin, to a firearm frame and/or to a
barrel sleeve of the firearm according to any of the discussed
embodiments, and one or more removable abutments for such
firearm.
[0010] The dependent claims show preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The object of the present invention will now be described in
detail, with the help of the attached drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively show two perspective views from
different angles of a firearm according to the present invention
according to one embodiment, where the frame of the firearm in FIG.
2 is partially in cross-section at the rotation pin and where the
relative butt has been omitted for greater clarity;
[0013] FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views partly in cross-section through
the frame of the firearm and the barrel sleeve respectively, in a
closed configuration and in an open configuration of at least one
firing chamber;
[0014] FIGS. 5 and 6 are views with separated parts of the firearm
shown in FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 6a shows a perspective view, opposite that shown in the
previous FIG. 6, of a removable abutment;
[0016] FIG. 7 shows a firearm kit according to a possible variant;
and
[0017] FIG. 8 is a view from underneath of the barrel sleeve
according to a possible embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] With reference to the aforesaid drawings, reference numeral
1 globally denotes a firearm.
[0019] In the embodiments shown, the firearm is a rifle. For
example, such rifle may have two or three-barrels side by side or
superposed, or it could be a single-barrelled rifle. The invention
must not however be considered limited to the embodiment shown in
the figures, provided purely by way of a non-limiting example.
[0020] The firearm 1 comprises a firearm frame 2 and a barrel
sleeve 4, which extends in a longitudinal direction X and which is
mounted in a rotatable manner on the firearm frame 2.
[0021] In the embodiments shown, the longitudinal direction X of
the sleeve 4 and the relative axis of rotation R with respect to
the firearm frame are mutually incident (preferably orthogonal), at
least in projection. For example, the barrel sleeve defines one or
more firing chambers 30, 30' from which one or more firearm barrels
54, 54' extend frontally.
[0022] Preferably, the barrel sleeve 4 is hinged to the firearm
frame in an end (distal) position 2' of the frame. Preferably, the
firearm frame comprises a so-called "receiver".
[0023] Advantageously, the barrel sleeve 4 is hinged to the
aforesaid frame in an end position 4' of said sleeve, preferably in
a position 4' "upstream"--in a shooting direction S--of a
connection zone 58 of the at least one firearm barrel 54, 54' to
the sleeve.
[0024] In an alternative embodiment, at least one arm 48 for the
connection of a butt (not shown) extends rearwards from the firearm
frame--i.e. in the opposite direction to the direction in which the
barrel sleeve 4 extends.
[0025] Preferably, the firearm frame 2 delimits a frame compartment
46 inside which the barrel sleeve 4 is at least partially housed in
at least one of its operating configurations, preferably in both
the configurations illustrated below.
[0026] More specifically, the firearm frame comprises a pair of
side panels 52, 52' which, together with a bottom wall 20 and an
inner surface 28 facing the barrel sleeve 4, delimit the firearm
compartment 46, into which the sleeve is inserted so as to rotate.
Preferably, the side panels are connected and extend from the
bottom wall 20, for example at right angles.
[0027] According to one variant, the inner surface 28 is crossed by
at least one transit opening 74 for a firing pin (not shown),
operatively connected to a firing device. Preferably, the number of
transit openings 74, and thus of firing pins, is equal to the
number of firing chambers 30, 30' of the firearm.
[0028] Advantageously, the barrel sleeve 4 is rotatable in relation
to the firearm frame 2 between a closed configuration and an open
configuration: in the first of such configurations (FIG. 3), the
barrel sleeve 4 and the inner surface 28 of the firearm frame 2 act
in conjunction to close at least one firing chamber 30, 30' of the
firearm 1. Conversely, in the second of the aforementioned
configurations (FIG. 4), the sleeve 4 is distanced from the inner
surface 28, so that the firing chamber 30, 30' is accessible, for
example to load the firearm 1 or to remove the casings of the
cartridges already fired.
[0029] Optionally, associated with the frame 2 of the firearm a
constraint device may be provided configured to hold the barrel
sleeve 4 in the closed configuration. This constraint device has
been omitted from the figures, but one embodiment provides that an
actuating lever of such device protrudes from the top of the frame
2, and in particular is at least partly housed in a device seat 50,
represented in the drawings, of said frame 2. Consequently,
according to one embodiment, the actuating lever is at least
partially superposed vertically with the connecting arm 48.
[0030] The firearm 1 further comprises at least one rotation pin 6,
6', which extends between the firearm frame 2 and the barrel sleeve
4 to guide the sleeve around the rotation axis R. For example, the
embodiments of the figures show a rotation pin 6, 6' with an
ellipsoidal or ovoid cross-section.
[0031] In the embodiment shown for example in FIG. 6, a pair of
rotation pins 6 are provided positioned on opposite sides of the
firearm 1, in particular facing the side panels 52, 52'. One of
such pins is visible in FIG. 6, the other in FIG. 8.
[0032] According to one embodiment, the rotation pin 6, 6' is made
in one piece with the barrel sleeve 4, or with the firearm frame
2.
[0033] Consequently, the rotation pin 6, 6' and the firearm frame
2, or the pin 6, 6' and the barrel sleeve 4, lie in abutment with
each other by means of complementary sliding surfaces 8, 12, so as
to allow and guide the rotations of the sleeve 4. At least one
sliding surface 8 is borne by a wear component 14 detachably
connected to the rotation pin 6, 6', to the firearm frame 2 and/or
to the barrel sleeve 4.
[0034] It follows that, during the rotation of the sleeve between
the configurations discussed above, but especially during firing
operations, the resulting stresses will be borne primarily by the
wear component 14 which, as mentioned, is an easily replaceable
element of the firearm 1.
[0035] In other words, when the amount of wear of the sliding
surfaces 8, 12 is such as to no longer allow satisfactory closure
of the firing chamber (in that the firing gases escape for example
from between the inner surface 28 and a mouth 56 of such chamber),
a worn or deformed wear component 14 may be replaced with a new
component 14, so as to restore acceptable operating conditions.
[0036] In yet other words, since the recoil forces generated by
firing tend to spread the firearm frame and the barrel sleeve
apart, and since those forces are discharged essentially
exclusively on the rotation pin, in the presence of the wear
component 14 one or both sliding surfaces 8, 12 can be
reconstituted which will thus allow a reliable rotation of the
barrel sleeve 4.
[0037] For example, the material which the wear component is
composed of is the same as that which the firearm frame is made of,
or is a material of a hardness at least comparable to said
frame.
[0038] Preferably, the wear component 14 has variable dimensions to
correct or regulate the lever arm of the barrel sleeve 4, for
example following wear of the aforementioned sliding surfaces 8,
12.
[0039] Even more preferably, with respect to the rotation axis R,
the wear component 14 forms a predefined radial thickness 16 to
correct or regulate the distance between the sliding surface 8
thereof and the rotation axis R.
[0040] It follows that, since the forces of abrasion or recoil
acting on the sliding surfaces 8, 12 tend to produce a progressive
shift/advancement of the rotation axis R, the use of a suitable
wear component 14 makes it possible to reposition the
aforementioned lever arm or the aforementioned distance.
[0041] Advantageously, the firearm comprises releasable attachment
means 18 of the wear component 14 to the rotation pin 6, 6', to the
firearm frame 2 and/or to the barrel sleeve 4.
[0042] Preferably, such means are accessible when the barrel sleeve
is dismantled from the firearm frame, for example as represented in
FIG. 5.
[0043] In the embodiment shown, the releasable attachment means 18
comprise at least one screw, preferably a pair of screws placed
side by side. For example, such screw is screwed into the rotation
pin 6, 6'.
[0044] According to one variant, the wear component 14 is joined to
the rotation pin 6, 6'.
[0045] Preferably, the wear component 14 is shape-coupled to the
pivot pin 6, 6', or to the firearm frame 2, to form a prismatic
coupling therewith.
[0046] Advantageously, the wear component 14 is integral in
rotation with the barrel sleeve.
[0047] According to one embodiment, the wear component 14 is
partially hollow to accommodate at least a part of the rotation pin
6, 6'.
[0048] For example with reference to the variant shown in the
drawings, said component 14 is of a generally annular shape, so
that it can be fitted onto the rotation pin 6, 6', for example
coaxially to the rotation axis R.
[0049] According to one embodiment, the sliding surface 8 borne by
the wear component 14 works on an opposite sliding surface 12 made
in one piece with the firearm frame 2, or on the barrel sleeve
4.
[0050] For example, the opposite sliding surface 12 is concave, so
as to house part of the wear component and, optionally, a part of
the rotation pin.
[0051] For the variants which provide for side panels 52, 52', the
opposite sliding surface could be a swivelling cuff 60, 60', which
protrudes from the respective panel towards the compartment of the
frame 46. For example a pair of swivelling cuffs 60, 60' may be
provided staggered along the rotation axis R.
[0052] According to one embodiment, the wear component 14 comprises
at least one tooth 24 projecting in a radial direction--relative to
the rotation axis R--which delimits a tooth surface 26 alongside an
end-stroke surface 62 of the barrel sleeve 4 on the firearm frame
2, to limit the angle of rotation of the aforesaid sleeve.
[0053] Specifically, the tooth surface 26 is slightly rearward
relative to the end-stroke surface 62, so as to avoid a contact
with the frame in any operating configuration of the firearm.
[0054] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the
barrel sleeve 4 and the firearm frame 2 define opposite retention
surfaces 32, 34 which, when the sleeve is placed in the closed
configuration, interact to hold the sleeve in a firing direction S
of the firearm 1.
[0055] It follows that the retaining action of these surfaces 32,
34 contributes to reducing the mechanical stresses on the rotation
pin 6, 6', and thus delays the need to replace the wear
component.
[0056] Preferably, at least one of the aforementioned surfaces 32
is defined by a removable abutment 36, advantageously shaped in a
manner corresponding to the wear component 14.
[0057] This means that the removable abutment 36 can also be
replaced in the firearm and this has important consequences not
just for the maintenance of the same, but also in its
production.
[0058] In fact, in order to calibrate a correct closure of the at
least one firing chamber, it is possible to select the wear
component 14 geometrically most suitable. The longitudinal
displacement which such component produces on the barrel sleeve
must therefore also be compensated for the placement of the
removable abutment 36, for variants providing for such: an overly
forward or rearward retention surface 32 (for example in the
longitudinal direction X--when the barrel sleeve is in the closed
configuration) would result in an inaccurate coupling with the twin
surface 34.
[0059] Therefore, to also take into account the production
tolerances of the barrel sleeve, of the firearm frame and of the
rotation pin, the use of the removable abutment makes it possible
to considerably simplify the assembly or reassembly of the
firearm.
[0060] According to one advantageous embodiment, the removable
abutment 36 is placed in a seat 38 of the firearm frame 2 at a
fixed radial distance from the rotation axis R, but the retention
surface 32 of said abutment is shifted in a radial direction
depending on the correction or regulation discussed earlier.
[0061] In other words, for a given wear component the most
appropriate removable abutment may be chosen to ensure a proper
secondary sleeve-frame retention.
[0062] For example, a base 40 of the removable abutment 36 is
inserted in an undercut seat 38 of the firearm frame 2.
[0063] Optionally, the firearm 1 could comprise releasable locking
means 64 of the detachable abutment 36 to the firearm frame 2, for
example at least one screw or dowel screw. In the variant shown,
the releasable locking means 64 are inserted in a through seat 78
of the removable abutment 36 (for example threaded seat), which
crosses the thickness of the latter.
[0064] Preferably, the undercut seat 38 comprises one or more
inclined surfaces 76 on which said means 64 act in thrust to retain
the removable abutment in the seat 38. For example, the embodiment
shown in the drawings illustrates a pair of inclined surfaces 76
transversely distanced in the firearm.
[0065] Advantageously, the inclined surface 76 is made in the
bottom wall 20 of the frame 2 and, specifically, extends along an
inclined plane I (FIG. 4) incident to the longitudinal direction X
with an acute angle, when the barrel sleeve is positioned in the
closed configuration.
[0066] For example with reference to the variant in FIG. 3, a part
of the base 40 is inserted in the seat 38 placing itself under a
retention lip 66 of the firearm frame. Since the inclined surface
76 is facing the retention lip, when the releasable locking means
64 act in thrust on said surface, the removable abutment 36 will be
pushed towards the retention lip 66 thereby securing said abutment
firmly to the firearm frame.
[0067] Preferably, a separation line 42 between the retention
surfaces 32, 34 extends at least partially along an arc of a circle
centred at the rotation axis R.
[0068] In the embodiments shown, the detachable abutment 36 is
divided into a pair of reinforcement peaks 44, 44', between which a
firing chamber 30, 30' of the barrel sleeve 4 is reversibly
insertable.
[0069] In other words, in this variant, the aforesaid peaks are
transversely distanced from each other so as to define an insertion
space 68 for a portion of the sleeve.
[0070] Advantageously, a depression 70 delimited between said peaks
has a depth approximately equal to a bottom surface 72 of the
firearm frame.
[0071] The present invention also relates to a firearm kit which
comprises one or more wear components 14 connectable in a
releasable manner to a rotation pin 6, 6', to a firearm frame 2
and/or to a barrel sleeve 4 of the firearm 1 according to any of
the above embodiments, and one or more removable abutments 36 for
such firearm 1.
[0072] As regards the preferred or advantageous features of such
kit, reference is made to the embodiments above.
[0073] Advantageously, the firearm of the present invention makes
it possible to greatly facilitate the assembly and maintenance
operations of the rotation pin.
[0074] Advantageously, the firearm of the present invention has a
longer useful life than conventional firearms.
[0075] Advantageously, the firearm of the present invention is
constructionally simple, therefore suitable to be manufactured
inexpensively.
[0076] Advantageously, the firearm of the present invention is
configured to distribute the forces evenly along the sliding
surfaces, so as to reduce the impact of the mechanical stresses to
which they are subjected.
[0077] Advantageously, the firearm of the present invention has
been designed to faithfully maintain its operating
configurations.
[0078] Advantageously, the firearm of the present invention has
reliable mechanical and anti-rotation couplings.
[0079] A person skilled in the art may make variations to the
aforementioned embodiments of the firearm and of the kit, or
replace elements with others functionally equivalent so as to
satisfy specific requirements.
[0080] Such variants are also contained within the scope of
protection as defined by the following claims.
[0081] In addition, each variant described as belonging to a
possible embodiment may be realised independently of the other
embodiments described.
* * * * *