U.S. patent application number 17/180733 was filed with the patent office on 2021-06-10 for pistol.
This patent application is currently assigned to ZRODELTA, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is ZRODELTA, LLC. Invention is credited to Johnathan Charles Birk, Joel Edwards, Patrick L. Harrigan, Timothy Wayne Raley.
Application Number | 20210172702 17/180733 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005458709 |
Filed Date | 2021-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210172702 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harrigan; Patrick L. ; et
al. |
June 10, 2021 |
PISTOL
Abstract
Pistols have a body having a grip, the grip defining a magazine
passage, the body having a trigger guard defining a trigger space,
the body having an upper surface, the body having a first mounting
facility, an upper frame assembly removably connected to the body
in a connected position, the upper frame assembly including a
trigger element extending into the trigger space when in the
connected position, a protrusion extending upward from the upper
surface of the body, the protrusion having a forward-facing first
bearing surface, and the upper frame assembly having a rear-facing
second bearing surface adapted to abut the first bearing surface
when in the connected position to transmit recoil forces from the
upper frame assembly to the body. The upper frame assembly may have
a slide rail. The upper frame assembly may define a horizontal
slide plane.
Inventors: |
Harrigan; Patrick L.;
(Hickory, NC) ; Birk; Johnathan Charles; (Hickory,
NC) ; Edwards; Joel; (Valdese, NC) ; Raley;
Timothy Wayne; (Lubbock, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ZRODELTA, LLC |
Connelly Springs |
NC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ZRODELTA, LLC
Connelly Springs
NC
|
Family ID: |
1000005458709 |
Appl. No.: |
17/180733 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16209932 |
Dec 4, 2018 |
10955204 |
|
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17180733 |
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15678483 |
Aug 16, 2017 |
10260828 |
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16209932 |
|
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|
62623042 |
Jan 29, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 23/10 20130101;
F41A 3/66 20130101; F41C 3/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41C 23/10 20060101
F41C023/10; F41C 3/00 20060101 F41C003/00; F41A 3/66 20060101
F41A003/66 |
Claims
1. A pistol frame comprising: a body having a grip; the grip
defining a magazine passage; the body having a trigger guard
defining a trigger space; the body having an upper surface; the
body having a first mounting facility; an upper frame assembly
removably connected to the body in a connected position; the upper
frame assembly including a trigger element extending into the
trigger space when in the connected position; a body stop portion
proximate the upper surface of the body; the body stop portion
having a forward-facing first bearing surface; and the upper frame
assembly having a rear-facing second bearing surface adapted to
abut the first bearing surface when in the connected position to
transmit recoil forces from the upper frame assembly to the
body.
2. The pistol frame of claim 1 wherein the upper frame assembly has
a slide rail.
3. The pistol frame of claim 1 wherein the upper frame assembly
defines a horizontal slide plane, and wherein the forward-facing
first bearing surface is angled downward with respect to the slide
plane at a selected angle.
4. The pistol frame of claim 1 wherein the rear-facing second
bearing surface is parallel to the forward-facing first bearing
surface.
5. The pistol frame of claim 1 wherein the upper frame assembly has
a lower surface abutting the upper surface of the body.
6. The pistol frame of claim 1 wherein the upper frame assembly
defines a recess having opposed parallel sidewalls and receiving
the body stop portion in the recess.
7. The pistol frame of claim 1 wherein the body stop portion
defines a first transverse bore, and the upper frame assembly
defines a second bore registered with the first transverse bore
when in the connected condition.
8. The pistol frame of claim 7 including a pin received in the
first transverse bore and second bore.
9. The pistol frame of claim 1 wherein the body stop portion is
forward of the magazine passage.
10. The pistol frame of claim 1 wherein the upper surface of the
body defines a trigger opening communicating with the trigger
space.
11. The pistol frame of claim 1 wherein the body stop portion is
forward of the trigger opening.
12. The pistol frame of claim 1 including mating elements on the
body and on the upper frame assembly adjacent to the magazine
passage and adapted to prevent sliding motion of the upper frame
assembly with respect to the body upper surface.
13. The pistol frame of claim 12 wherein the mating elements
include a body stop portion on at least one of the body and the
upper frame assembly and a recess on the other of the body and the
upper frame assembly.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/209,932 filed on Dec. 4, 2018, entitled
"PISTOL," which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/678,483 filed on Aug. 16, 2017 now issued
as U.S. Pat. No. 10,260,828, entitled "RECEIVER ASSEMBLY FOR LOCKED
BREECH PISTOL," which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein.
[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,932 also claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/623,042 filed
on Jan. 29, 2018, entitled "DETACHABLE AND MODULAR HANDGUN DUST
COVER," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety
for all that is taught and disclosed therein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates a pistol receiver assembly. In
particular, it relates to a receiver assembly for a semi-automatic
pistol.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The introduction of the semi-automatic pistol having a short
recoil locked breech (hereinafter semi-automatic pistol) by Glock
revolutionized the pistol market for semi-automatic weaponry. While
the slide, barrel, and recoil spring are made of steel, the
remaining receiver assembly is a one-piece device. About 90% of the
receiver assembly is plastic. The receiver assembly is manufactured
as a single-piece assembly. If you wish to have a different part of
the receiver assembly, it is necessary to replace the entire
assembly.
[0005] In addition, while the lightweight nature of plastic adds
some advantages, as the gun heats up during use, the differences in
expansion coefficients for steel versus plastic have been known to
cause some problems. In addition, if a portion of the assembly is
damaged, once again, the entire assembly must be replaced. At this
point, however, no one has determined how to design a multiple
piece receiver assembly which overcomes the problems associated
with the current technology for semi-automatic pistols.
[0006] Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved pistol that
is modular in construction, thereby providing extensive
customization options for the user without requiring replacement of
the entire receiver assembly. In this regard, the various
embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least
some of these needs. In this respect, the pistol according to the
present invention substantially departs from the conventional
concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an
apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a pistol
that is modular in construction, thereby providing extensive
customization options for the user without requiring replacement of
the entire receiver assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The current invention relates to a semi-automatic pistol
assembly wherein there are multiple pieces that fit together to
form a receiver assembly. Because of the nature of the design, the
assembly can be plastic, as in previous models, but can also be
entirely of metal, which not only allows for solving the problems
noted above, but allows for further customizing of the receiver
assembly without having to have a new assembly for each
modification.
[0008] To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present
invention essentially comprises a body having a grip, the grip
defining a magazine passage, the body having a trigger guard
defining a trigger space, the body having an upper surface, the
body having a first mounting facility, an upper frame assembly
removably connected to the body in a connected position, the upper
frame assembly including a trigger element extending into the
trigger space when in the connected position, a protrusion
extending upward from the upper surface of the body, the protrusion
having a forward-facing first bearing surface, and the upper frame
assembly having a rear-facing second bearing surface adapted to
abut the first bearing surface when in the connected position to
transmit recoil forces from the upper frame assembly to the body.
The upper frame assembly may have a slide rail. The upper frame
assembly may define a horizontal slide plane. There are, of course,
additional features of the invention that will be described
hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims
attached.
[0009] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of the
sub-receiver.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front dust cover.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pistol grip frame.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the grip back strap.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the magazine well
funnel.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the trigger assembly.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side view of a slide, barrel, and recoil
spring.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a side view of the trigger, slide barrel, and
recoil spring mounted on the assembly of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a side view of the assembled receiver assembly of
the invention.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a top front isometric exploded view of a first
alternative embodiment of the pistol constructed in accordance with
the principles of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a bottom front isometric exploded view of the
pistol of FIG. 10.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a left side sectional view of the pistol of FIG.
10.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a right side sectional view of the pistol of FIG.
10.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a bottom sectional partial view of the pistol of
FIG. 10.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a rear isometric view of the dust cover of FIG.
10.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a bottom front isometric view of the sub receiver
of FIG. 10.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a bottom sectional view of the pistol of FIG.
10.
[0027] FIG. 18 is a left side sectional view of a second
alternative embodiment of the pistol constructed in accordance with
the principles of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 19 is left side view of a first alternative embodiment
of the front dust cover incorporating a laser emitter suitable for
use with the pistols of FIGS. 10 and 18.
[0029] FIG. 20 is left side view of a second alternative embodiment
of the front dust cover incorporating a light suitable for use with
the pistols of FIGS. 10 and 18.
[0030] FIG. 21 is front isometric view of a third alternative
embodiment of the front dust cover incorporating a suppressor
suitable for use with the pistols of FIGS. 10 and 18.
[0031] FIG. 22 is front isometric view of a fourth alternative
embodiment of the front dust cover incorporating a compensator
suitable for use with the pistols of FIGS. 10 and 18.
[0032] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts
throughout the various figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding
that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered
as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the
description below, like reference numerals, if any, are used to
describe the same, similar, or corresponding parts in the several
views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the
meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes
embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the
invention.
Definitions
[0034] The terms "about" and "essentially" mean.+-.10 percent.
[0035] The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or
as more than one. The term "plurality", as used herein, is defined
as two or as more than two. The term "another", as used herein, is
defined as at least a second or more. The terms "including" and/or
"having", as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open
language). The term "coupled", as used herein, is defined as
connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily
mechanically.
[0036] The term "comprising" is not intended to limit inventions to
only claiming the present invention with such comprising language.
Any invention using the term comprising could be separated into one
or more claims using "consisting" or "consisting of" claim language
and is so intended.
[0037] Reference throughout this document to "one embodiment",
"certain embodiments", and "an embodiment" or similar terms means
that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described
in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one
embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such
phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the
particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined
in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without
limitation.
[0038] The term "or", as used herein, is to be interpreted as an
inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, "A, B,
or C" means any of the following: "A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and
C; A, B, and C". An exception to this definition will occur only
when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in
some way inherently mutually exclusive.
[0039] The drawings featured in the figures, if any, are for the
purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the
present invention, and are not to be considered as limitation
thereto. The term "means" preceding a present participle of an
operation indicates a desired function for which there are one or
more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or
apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled
in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of
the disclosure herein and use of the term "means" is not intended
to be limiting.
[0040] As used herein, the term "semi-automatic pistol" refers to a
semi-automatic pistol having a short recoil locked breech. These
are the pistols generally referred to in the trade as Glock pistols
or Glock safe "Action.RTM." pistols. These are various caliber
bullet type pistols which, in the prior art, have a one-piece metal
and plastic receiver assembly. As used herein, the term
"semi-automatic receiver assembly" refers to a collection or kit of
parts comprising a sub receiver, a front dust cover, a pistol grip
frame, and at least one of a front and rear grip strap which
assemble into a receiver for accepting a trigger assembly, a slide,
a barrel, a recoil spring assembly, a bullet magazine tube, and a
magazine well funnel.
[0041] As used herein, the term "sub receiver" refers to a piece of
the whole receiver that is designed to receive the barrel and the
slide with the recoil spring attached. In the original Glock, this
is just a molded area and not a separate piece. The front of the
sub receiver has a device for removably attaching a front dust
cover. In the first embodiment shown in the Figures, there are two
cylindrical locking posts. These each have a spring-loaded ball
bearing and front with two holes in the front dust cover to
assemble the pieces together.
[0042] As used herein, the term "front dust cover" refers to a
piece, as shown in the Figures, which attaches to the front of the
sub receiver. It is a protective cover positioned below the barrel
to protect the exposed bottom portion of the barrel on the pistol,
the top portion covered by the slide assembly. In one embodiment,
there are two holes on the back side for mounting/connecting to the
receiver sub-assembly, as shown in the Figures.
[0043] As used herein the term "pistol grip frame" refers to the
portion of the pistol, as shown in the Figures, which includes the
trigger guard, the trigger mounting, the handle to hold the pistol,
trigger guard, and a space to insert the magazine tube
assembly.
[0044] As used herein the term "grip strap" refers to a detachable
front and back piece which, as shown in the Figures, mounts to the
front and back of the handle on the pistol grip frame in order to
change the size of the grip handle for different size hands. The
connection can be by any means. In one embodiment, it is a
removable attachment, for example by screws, clips, or the
like.
[0045] As used herein, the term "magazine well funnel" refers to a
device at the end of the space to insert the magazine tube assembly
which widens the opening in a funnel fashion to make it easier to
insert a magazine with bullets into the magazine well.
[0046] As used herein, the term "trigger assembly" refers to the
mechanism in a semi-automatic pistol that comprises the trigger and
the mechanism used to transfer the trigger movement to firing a
bullet. A representative example of such mechanism is shown in the
Figures and mounts on the pistol grip frame.
[0047] As used herein, the term "slide" refers to the standard
slide used with semi-automatic pistols and is well known in the
art.
[0048] As used herein, the term "barrel" refers to a standard
barrel used with semi-automatic pistols and is well known in the
art.
[0049] As used herein, the term "recoil spring assembly" refers to
the standard recoil spring used in semi-automatic pistols and is
well known in the art.
[0050] As used herein, the term "magazine tube assembly" refers to
the magazine that holds bullets, e.g. 9 mm bullets, that is
inserted into the grip frame handle for delivering bullets during
use. The standard semi-automatic pistol magazine is intended.
DRAWINGS
[0051] Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1A is a perspective view
of the receiver sub-assembly 1 of the present invention. In this
view, there are two locking posts 2 in the front 3 of the
sub-assembly 1 for mounting the front dust cover. In the back 4 of
the sub-assembly, there is a slide clip 5 for mounting to the
pistol grip frame. For additional mounting to the grip frame are
pin holes 7 which mate with holes on the pistol grip frame. The
internal mechanism 8 is designed to hold the barrel and receiver in
the manner known in the art. FIG. 1B is a side view of the
sub-assembly 1.
[0052] FIG. 2 is a front dust cover 20 having channel 21 for
clearance of the recoil spring and mounting holes 22 for receiving
the posts of the sub-assembly and connecting the two.
[0053] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pistol grip frame 30
where the receiver mounts to the grip frame 30 at front 31. The
grip frame 30 has handle 32 for receiving a magazine in a well 33
and mounting lugs 34 for receiving a back grip strap. A front grip
strap 38 is already attached to the front of handle 32. It is
designed to receive a trigger assembly and position a trigger in
trigger guard 37.
[0054] FIG. 4 is a side view of a grip back strap 40 which mounts
on the mounting nuts 34 of the pistol grip frame handle 32, shown
in FIG. 3.
[0055] FIG. 5 is a magazine well funnel 50 which mounts on the
bottom of the pistol grip frame handle for making it easier to
insert a magazine quickly by increasing the size of the initial
opening. Mounting is shown in FIG. 9. In this view, screws are used
with mounting holes 51 to attach the well funnel 50.
[0056] FIG. 6 shows a typical trigger assembly 60. In this view, we
see trigger 61, connector 62, and trigger bar 63 which is inserted
into the pistol grip frame in the normal manner known in the
art.
[0057] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the typical slide 70, barrel 71,
and recoil spring 72 which is used in a semi-automatic pistol.
These items are within the skill of the art and the present
invention, as noted above, is designed to receive these items.
[0058] FIG. 8 shows the assembled slide 70 with the barrel 71 and
spring (hidden from view) and trigger assembly 60 on an assembled
receiver assembly of the invention 80.
[0059] FIG. 9 is the assembled semi-automatic pistol receiver 90 of
the invention. In this view, bullet magazine 91 is shown being
inserted into the receiver assembly 90. The parts from the previous
figures are numbered here to show their position in the assembled
product.
[0060] FIGS. 10-14 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the
improved pistol 100 of the present invention. More particularly,
the pistol has a body 112 having a forward trigger guard 114, a
rearward grip 116, and an upper surface 296. The trigger guard
defines a trigger space 118. A recoil lug 120 having a transverse
bore 122 is located on top of the trigger guard forward of an
elongated central magazine passage 124 defined by the grip. The
recoil lug is a protrusion extending upward from the upper surface
of the body having a forward-facing first bearing surface 292. The
magazine passage is adapted to receive a magazine and defines a
magazine axis 284. The grip has opposed left and right side walls,
a front portion, and an opposed rear portion. The front portion of
the pistol grip frame includes a first front grip strap attachment
facility, which is a dovetail 126. In the specification, the term
dovetail feature is not limited to the traditional woodworking
tapered shape. The rear portion of the pistol grip frame includes a
rear protrusion 128 with a bore (not visible). A front strap
element 130 has a second front strap attachment facility, which is
a rear slot 132 that slidably receives the dovetail to removably
connect the front grip strap element to the dovetail on the pistol
grip frame. The front portion of the pistol grip frame defines a
front path, and the front grip strap element is an elongated
element movable along the front path, such that the front grip
strap element is removable for replacement by an alternate front
grip strap element. The first front grip strap attachment facility
and the second front grip strap attachment facility form a sliding
interface. The sliding interface includes a protrusion/male feature
having a constant cross-section (the dovetail) and a recess/female
element having a constant cross-section (the rear slot) adapted to
closely receive the protrusion. In the specification, the term
cylindrical is not limited to circular cross-section, but to forms
having the same cross-sectional profile along their length. Thus,
the sliding interface includes closely mating cylindrical forms
defining a sliding axis 282. The sliding interface is parallel to
the front path.
[0061] The body 112 has a lower rim 274. A magazine funnel element
228 is adapted for connection to the pistol grip frame at the lower
rim at an installed position. The top front of the magazine funnel
element 228 defines a stop portion/step 248. The step is positioned
proximate the front strap element 130 to prevent removal of the
front strap element by vertical movement of the front strap element
on the dovetail 126 when the magazine funnel element is secured
beneath the grip in the installed position a manner to be described
subsequently. The front strap element has a lower end surface 276
abutting the step. The lower rim of the grip defines a rim plane,
and the front path is perpendicular to the rim plane. The front
strap element is an elongated body perpendicular to the rim
plane.
[0062] A sub receiver 134 is removably connected to the upper
surface 296 of the body 112 in a connected position where the lower
surface 138 of the sub receiver abuts the upper surface of the
body. The sub receiver also has an upper slide interface surface
136 that acts as a slide interface facility, forward end 140, rear
end 142, and opposed major right and left faces 144, 146. A trigger
element 148 protrudes downwardly from the lower surface of the sub
receiver. The trigger element is received by a trigger opening 150
in the body communicating with the trigger space 118, thereby
enabling the trigger element to extend into the trigger space when
the sub receiver is in the connected position. The recoil lug 120,
which is also forward of the trigger opening, is received within a
slot 152 located in the lower surface of the sub receiver in front
of the trigger. The slot has opposed parallel sidewalls. The slot
includes a rear-facing second bearing surface 294 adapted to abut
the forward-facing first bearing surface 292 of the recoil lug. A
front frame pin 154 is inserted through bore 156 in the right face
of the sub receiver and bore 122 in the recoil lug, which are
registered when the sub receiver is in the connected position, to
releasably secure the sub receiver to the body. The forward end of
the sub receiver includes a forward protrusion 158 defining a bore
160 and a first mounting facility 162. In the current embodiment,
the first mounting facility is a pair of recesses 164, 166. The
recesses are a pair of spaced-apart connection elements, each
proximate to a respective opposed major right and left face. The
forward end of the sub receiver also defines a first bore 168 that
is in communication with the recesses. The trigger mechanism
housing 206 extends downwardly from the lower surface of the sub
receiver adjacent to the rear end. The trigger mechanism housing
defines a bore 208 and a downward facing slot 210. When the sub
receiver is attached to the body, the downward facing slot receives
the rear protrusion 128 on the body, and a rear frame pin 212 is
inserted through the bore 208 and the bore (not visible) and the
rear protrusion on the body to releasably secure the rear end of
the sub receiver to the body. The recoil lug being received by the
slot and the rear protrusion being received by the downward facing
slot both serve as mating elements on the body and on the sub
receiver adjacent to the magazine passage 124 and adapted to
prevent sliding motion of the sub receiver with respect to the
upper surface of the body. It should be appreciated that the sub
receiver can be viewed as a portion of the body from the
perspective of the remaining components of the pistol 100 once the
sub receiver is connected to the body.
[0063] A front dust cover 170, which is an elongated form, is
releasably attached to the forward end 140 of the sub receiver 134.
The front dust cover has a forward end 172, rear end 174, upper
surface 176, and lower surface 178. The upper surface defines a
concave channel 180. The lower surface includes a Picatinny rail
portion 182 or any other suitable type of accessory mount. The rear
end includes a connection facility/second mounting facility 184 and
defines a bore 186. In the current embodiment, the connection
facility/second mounting facility is a pair of posts 188, 190
adjacent to right and left faces 192, 194 of the front dust cover.
The posts are sized to be slidably received within the pair of
recesses 164, 166 that form the first mounting facility 162. The
rear end also defines a slot 196 that receives the protrusion 158
on the sub receiver when the posts are slidably received by the
recesses. A screw 198 is threadedly received by the bore 186 in the
front dust cover and bore 160 in the protrusion to releasably
secure the front dust cover to the forward end of the sub receiver.
A front dust cover pin 200 is inserted through first bore 168 in
the sub receiver and second bore 202 in the front dust cover to
further releasably secure the front dust cover to the forward end
of the sub receiver. The first and second bores are registered when
the front dust cover is in the attached position, and the front
dust cover pin is closely received in the first and second bores to
secure the front dust cover in the attached position. The front
dust cover has a height at the rear end extending from the upper
surface to the opposed lower surface. In the current embodiment,
the front dust cover is cantilevered from the sub receiver.
[0064] A slide 204 is slidably attached to the upper slide
interface surface 136 of the sub receiver 134 by slide rails 288
that define a horizontal slide plane. The slide reciprocates fore
and aft in response to recoil forces resulting from the discharge
of the pistol 100. The angled shape of the recoil lug 120 directs
the recoil forces transmitted from the second bearing surface 294
of the sub receiver to the first bearing surface 292 of the recoil
lug downwards into the body 112 to prevent undesirable muzzle rise
that would otherwise be created by the recoil forces. The second
bearing surface is parallel to the first bearing surface. The slide
has a selected slide length between a rear slide end 270 and a
forward slide end 272. The front dust cover 170 has a forward end
172 defining a front dust cover length with respect to the rear end
174 of the front dust cover. The length of the front dust cover is
selected to extend to underlay the forward end of the slide with
the forward end of the front dust cover registered with the forward
end of the slide such that the front dust cover can be interchanged
with a different length front dust cover to be compatible with a
different length slide. The connection facility/second mounting
facility 184 enables movement of the front dust cover with respect
to the slide only in a vertical direction, and limits motion and
all other directions.
[0065] A back grip strap element 214 is releasably attached to the
rear end 142 of the sub receiver 134. The top of the back grip
strap element includes a second linear interface element/dovetail
216 that slidably receives a first linear interface
element/dovetail slot 218 located at the rear end 142 of the sub
receiver 134. In the specification, the term dovetail feature is
not limited to the traditional woodworking tapered shape. The first
linear interface element is aligned with an attachment axis 286
offset from the magazine axis 284, which is perpendicular to the
rim plane defined by the lower rim 274 of the body 112. The first
linear interface element is parallel to the side plane defined by
the slide rails 288. The first linear interface element and the
second linear interface element form a sliding interface. The
sliding interface includes a protrusion/male feature having a
constant cross-section (the dovetail) and a recess/female element
having a constant cross-section (the dovetail slot) adapted to
closely receive the male element. In the specification, the term
cylindrical is not limited to circular cross-section, but to forms
having the same cross-sectional profile along their length. Thus,
the sliding interface includes closely mating cylindrical forms
defining a sliding axis 290. The back grip strap element includes
pin cutouts 220, 222 that expose the bore 208 in the trigger
mechanism housing 206 to enable rear frame pin 212 to be inserted
into the bore. The bottom of the back grip strap element defines a
downwardly facing slot 224 having a threaded bore 226. It should be
appreciated that the back grip strap element depends only from the
rear end of the sub receiver and is not attached to the rear of the
body 112, but merely abuts the rear of the body.
[0066] The magazine well funnel element 228 is removably connected
to the bottom of the back grip strap 214. The top of the magazine
well funnel element has an upwardly facing protrusion 230 with a
passage 232 that is received within the downwardly facing slot 224
of the back grip strap 214. A fastener in the form of screw 234 is
received by the passage 232 and threadedly engaged with the
threaded bore 226 in the back grip strap element 214 to releasably
attach the magazine well funnel element to the bottom of the back
grip strap. The sub receiver 134, back grip strap element, and
magazine well funnel element effectively form a C-clamp around the
pistol grip frame 32, which enables the back grip strap and
magazine well funnel element to be held tightly against the pistol
grip frame to compress the pistol grip frame without a fastener
connecting the back grip strap element to the body. The top of the
magazine well funnel element also includes a front tab 236, rear
tab 238, right tab 240, and left tab 242. The front tab includes a
forward protrusion 244. The tabs are received within the magazine
passage 124 of the body 112 at the lower rim 274 of the body with
the forward protrusion within the dovetail 126 to align a magazine
well opening/funnel inlet 246 in registration with the magazine
passage. The tabs serve as a second engagement adapted to prevent
the magazine well funnel element from sliding with respect to the
lower rim of the grip. In the current embodiment, the funnel inlet
is tapered to facilitate insertion of a magazine (not shown)
through the funnel inlet and into the magazine passage. The
magazine well funnel element also includes an engagement facility
adapted to prevent separation of a forward portion of the magazine
well funnel element (the front tab) away from the body. In the
current embodiment, the engagement facility is a hook element 278
having an engagement surface 280 facing away from the grip. The
hook element extends in a forward direction to enable removal of
the magazine well funnel element from the body only in a rearward
direction.
[0067] FIGS. 15-17 illustrate how the sub receiver 134 and the
front dust cover 170 of the improved pistol 100 of the present
invention form a puzzle lock to releasably secure the sub receiver
to the front dust cover. More particularly, in FIG. 15, it can be
appreciated that posts 188, 190 of the second mounting facility 184
are elongated protruding male elements defining a male constant
cross-sectional cylindrical/profile having heads 250, 252 having a
head width and necks 254, 256 having a second width less than the
head width. The posts define sliding axes 258, 260 that are
angularly offset/perpendicular to the slide interface plane defined
by the upper slide interface surface 136. In FIG. 16, it can be
appreciated that the recesses 164, 166 of the first mounting
facility 162 are female elements having constant cross-sections
defining passages 262, 264 adapted to closely receive the heads and
gaps 266, 268 adapted to closely receive the necks. Thus, the
second mounting facility is adapted to removably dock with the
first mounting facility in an attached position. The upper surface
176 of the front dust cover is in the slide interface plane when
the front dust cover is in the attached position, and the first
mounting facility and second mounting facility form a sliding
interface. In the current embodiment, the sliding interface is a
dovetail feature, which is defined as any feature having a wider
head than an associated neck. In the specification, the term
dovetail feature is not limited to the traditional woodworking
tapered shape. Furthermore, in the specification, the term
cylindrical is not limited to circular cross-sections, but to forms
having the same cross-sectional profile along their length. Thus,
sliding interface is perpendicular to the slide interface plane and
includes closely mating cylindrical forms that also define the
sliding axes. The sliding interface includes elongated connection
elements (the posts) that extend from a lower end proximate the
lower surface 178 of the front dust cover to an upper end proximate
the upper surface of the front dust cover. In the current
embodiment, the posts extend from the lower surface of the front
dust cover to a location 0.0965 inches below the upper surface of
the dust cover. The puzzle lock between the front dust cover and
the sub receiver and the transverse front dust cover pin provide
strength and resistance to bending. These characteristics are
essential because the front dust cover is cantilevered and can
receive lights or other accessories on the Picatinny rail portion
182 that add weight to the forward end of the front dust cover.
[0068] FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
improved pistol 300 of the present invention. More particularly,
the pistol has a body 312 having a forward trigger guard 314, a
rearward grip 316, and an upper surface 496. The trigger guard
defines a trigger space 318. A trigger opening 350 in the body
communicates with the trigger space 118. A slot 352 having opposed
parallel sidewalls is located on top of the trigger guard forward
of an elongated central magazine passage 324 defined by the grip.
The slot is defined by the upper surface of the body and has a
forward-facing first bearing surface 492. The magazine passage is
adapted to receive a magazine and defines a magazine axis 484. The
grip has opposed left and right side walls, a front portion, and an
opposed rear portion.
[0069] A sub receiver 334 is removably connected to the upper
surface 496 of the body 312 in a connected position where the lower
surface 338 of the sub receiver abuts the upper surface of the
body, thereby enabling the trigger element to extend into the
trigger space when the sub receiver is in the connected position. A
recoil lug 320 having a transverse bore 322 is a protrusion
extending downward from the lower surface of the sub receiver
having a rearward-facing second bearing surface 294. The recoil
lug, which is forward of the trigger opening 350, is received
within slot 352. The recoil lug includes a rear-facing second
bearing surface 494 adapted to abut the forward-facing first
bearing surface 492 of the slot. It should be appreciated that the
sub receiver can be viewed as a portion of the body from the
perspective of the remaining components of the pistol 300 once the
sub receiver is connected to the body.
[0070] FIG. 19 illustrates a first alternative embodiment of the
improved front dust cover 400 of the present invention. More
particularly, the front dust cover 400 is suitable for use with
pistols 200 or 300. The front dust cover 400, which is an elongated
form, is releasably attached to the forward end of the sub receiver
of pistols 200 or 300. The front dust cover has a forward end 402,
rear end 404, upper surface 406, and lower surface 408. The upper
surface defines a concave channel (not visible). The lower surface
includes a laser emitter 412. The rear end includes the same
connection facility/second mounting facility 414 as does the front
dust cover 170 (a pair of posts and a slot). Thus, the sub receiver
of pistols 200 or 300 and the front dust cover 400 of the present
invention form a puzzle lock to releasably secure the sub receiver
to the front dust cover 400. The front dust cover 400 also has the
same bores as the front dust cover 170 to receive the same screw
and front dust cover pin to secure the front dust cover 400 to the
forward end of the sub receiver of pistols 200 or 300 in the same
manner.
[0071] FIG. 20 illustrates a second alternative embodiment of the
improved front dust cover 500 of the present invention. More
particularly, the front dust cover 500 is suitable for use with
pistols 200 or 300. The front dust cover 500, which is an elongated
form, is releasably attached to the forward end of the sub receiver
of pistols 200 or 300. The front dust cover has a forward end 502,
rear end 504, upper surface 506, and lower surface 508. The upper
surface defines a concave channel (not visible). The lower surface
includes a light 512. The rear end includes the same connection
facility/second mounting facility 514 as does the front dust cover
170 (a pair of posts and a slot). Thus, the sub receiver of pistols
200 or 300 and the front dust cover 500 of the present invention
form a puzzle lock to releasably secure the sub receiver to the
front dust cover 500. The front dust cover 500 also has the same
bores as the front dust cover 170 to receive the same screw and
front dust cover pin to secure the front dust cover 500 to the
forward end of the sub receiver of pistols 200 or 300 in the same
manner.
[0072] FIG. 21 illustrates a third alternative embodiment of the
improved front dust cover 600 of the present invention. More
particularly, the front dust cover 600 is suitable for use with
pistols 200 or 300. The front dust cover 600, which is an elongated
form, is releasably attached to the forward end of the sub receiver
of pistols 200 or 300. The front dust cover has a forward end 602,
rear end 604, upper surface 606, and lower surface 608. A rear
portion of the upper surface defines a concave channel 610. A
forward portion of the upper surface includes a suppressor 612 that
sits in front of the muzzle of pistols 200 or 300. The rear end
includes the same connection facility/second mounting facility 614
as does the front dust cover 170 (a pair of posts and a slot).
Thus, the sub receiver of pistols 300 or 400 and the front dust
cover 600 of the present invention form a puzzle lock to releasably
secure the sub receiver to the front dust cover 600. The front dust
cover 600 also has the same bores as the front dust cover 170 to
receive the same screw and front dust cover pin to secure the front
dust cover 600 to the forward end of the sub receiver of pistols
200 or 300 in the same manner. Furthermore, the alignment of the
connection of the front dust cover 600 to the sub receiver of
pistols 200 or 300 is repeatable. This enables the front dust cover
600 to be repeatedly removed and reinstalled without creating a
risk of bullet strikes on the baffles (not visible) within the
suppressor as the bullet enters through a rear passage (not
visible) and exits through front passage 616.
[0073] FIG. 22 illustrates a fourth alternative embodiment of the
improved front dust cover 700 of the present invention. More
particularly, the front dust cover 700 is suitable for use with
pistols 200 or 300. The front dust cover 700, which is an elongated
form, is releasably attached to the forward end of the sub receiver
of pistols 200 or 300. The front dust cover has a forward end 702,
rear end 704, upper surface 706, and lower surface 708. A rear
portion of the upper surface defines a concave channel 710. A
forward portion of the upper surface includes a compensator 712
that sits in front of the muzzle of pistols 200 or 300. The rear
end includes the same connection facility/second mounting facility
714 as does the front dust cover 170 (a pair of posts and a slot).
Thus, the sub receiver of pistols 200 or 300 and the front dust
cover 700 of the present invention form a puzzle lock to releasably
secure the sub receiver to the front dust cover 700. The front dust
cover 700 also has the same bores as the front dust cover 170 to
receive the same screw and front dust cover pin to secure the front
dust cover 700 to the forward end of the sub receiver of pistols
200 or 300 in the same manner. Furthermore, the alignment of the
connection of the front dust cover 700 to the sub receiver of
pistols 200 or 300 is repeatable. This enables the front dust cover
700 to be repeatedly removed and reinstalled without creating a
risk of bullet strikes on the compensator as the bullet passes
through front passage 716. The top of the compensator defines a
front vent 718 and a rear vent 720 that vent a portion of the hot
gasses emitted by the muzzle of pistols 200 or 300 upwards to
compensate for muzzle rise resulting from recoil forces. A potion
of the lower surface of the front dust cover 700 includes a
Picatinny rail portion 722 or any other suitable type of accessory
mount.
[0074] In the context of the specification, the terms "rear" and
"rearward," and "front" and "forward" have the following
definitions: "rear" or "rearward" means in the direction away from
the muzzle of the firearm while "front" or "forward" means it is in
the direction towards the muzzle of the firearm.
[0075] While current embodiments of a pistol have been described in
detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations
thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and
scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then,
it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for
the parts of the invention, to include variations in size,
materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly
and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in
the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in
the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be
encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is
considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily
occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the
invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and
equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *