U.S. patent number 3,728,939 [Application Number 05/183,601] was granted by the patent office on 1973-04-24 for apparatus for joining the slide-bolt and the barrel-frame of a firearm.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Plainfield Ordinance Corporation. Invention is credited to Gary Wilhelm.
United States Patent |
3,728,939 |
Wilhelm |
April 24, 1973 |
APPARATUS FOR JOINING THE SLIDE-BOLT AND THE BARREL-FRAME OF A
FIREARM
Abstract
A first member of at least partly tubular configuration is keyed
to a solid member disposed within the tubular member by means of a
lock piece. In a firearm, the tubular member, which is provided
with a cut out extending generally transverse to the path of motion
of the slide, will comprise the slide and the solid member, which
is provided with a recess for receiving the lock piece, will
comprise the bolt. The lock piece will have a size and shape at
least commensurate with the combined dimensions of the slide cut
out and bolt recess, which will be aligned, and will be retained in
position by an axial pin having a bent over and forwardly extending
spring loaded locking tab which engages the exterior of the slide.
In the environment of a firearm the invention further comprises the
frame having a precision barrel bedding recess and a barrel
characterized by two diameters with a portion of the smaller
diameter barrel section defining the barrel bedding; the remainder
of the smaller diameter barrel section being circumscribed by a
collar.
Inventors: |
Wilhelm; Gary (Hamden, CT) |
Assignee: |
Plainfield Ordinance
Corporation (Middlesex, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
22673517 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/183,601 |
Filed: |
September 24, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/196;
42/75.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G
1/16 (20130101); F41A 11/00 (20130101); F41A
3/64 (20130101); F41A 21/484 (20130101); F41A
21/488 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41A
21/48 (20060101); F41A 11/00 (20060101); F41G
1/16 (20060101); F41A 21/00 (20060101); F41A
3/64 (20060101); F41G 1/00 (20060101); F41A
3/00 (20060101); F41c 011/00 (); F41c 021/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;42/75A,75B,75C
;89/194,195,196,197 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Bentley; Stephen C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A firearm comprising:
frame means;
barrel means, said barrel means including a barrel having a chamber
at one end thereof, said barrel means supported by said frame means
at least adjacent a first end of said barrel means;
a slide member mounted for reciprocating motion on said frame means
relative to said barrel means, said slide member defining a
channel, said slide member further being provided with a cut out
which extends generally transversely of the axis of said barrel and
which provides communication between the exterior of said slide
member and said channel;
bolt means mounted for reciprocating motion relative to said
chamber, at least part of said bolt means being commensurate in
size and shape with said slide member channel whereby said bolt
means is received in said slide member, said bolt means further
being provided with a recess in its external surface, said recess
being aligned with said slide member cut out and being
substantially equal in width to the width of said slide member cut
out and having a maximum length substantially equal to said slide
member cut out maximum length, said bolt means further having a
slot in its exterior surface, said slot extending inwardly from the
rearwardly facing end of said bolt means and extending on both
sides of said recess;
a locking member having a size and shape at least commensurate with
the size and shape of the opening defined by said slide member cut
out and bolt means recess, said locking member being positioned in
said recess and cut out whereby motion of said slide member is
transmitted to said bolt means by said locking member, said locking
member being further characterized by an aperture therethrough
which is aligned with said bolt means slot; and
locking pin means received in said bolt means slot, said locking
pin passing through said locking member aperture.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said slide member is further
characterized by a locking groove in its external surface, at least
a portion of said locking groove extending generally transversely
of said barrel axis, and wherein said locking pin means
comprises:
an elongated portion having a size and shape commensurate with the
combined dimensions of said bolt means groove and locking member
aperture;
a spring loaded locking portion extending from one end of said
elongated portion, said locking portion being partly commensurate
in size and shape with said slide member locking groove whereby
said locking portion of said pin may be snapped into position in
said locking groove.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said pin means locking portion
comprises:
an extension of said pin means elongated portion, said extension
being bent over so as to form a portion oriented generally parallel
to said elongated portion, said bent over portion also having a tab
extending generally transversely of said barrel axis.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame means further
comprises:
drive spring means, said spring means engaging a portion of said
slide member for urging said slide member to a forward position;
and
a precision machined barrel bedding recess for supporting said
barrel means adjacent a first end of said barrel.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said barrel means
comprises:
a barrel, said barrel having a first cylindrical portion with a
first diameter and a second cylindrical portion located
intermediate the ends of said first portion, the diameter of said
second portion being less than that of said first portion, the
length of said second portion being commensurate with the width of
said frame means barrel bedding recess; and
a collar mounted on said barrel and partly circumscribing said
second portion thereof, the arc of said second portion of said
barrel not circumscribed by said collar cooperating with said
barrel bedding recess to provide precision mounting of said barrel,
the oppositely disposed ends of said collar cooperating with said
frame means to either side of said barrel bedding recess to prevent
turning of said barrel.
6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said frame means further
comprises:
drive spring means, said spring means engaging a portion of said
slide member for urging said slide member to a forward position;
and
a precision machined barrel bedding recess for supporting said
barrel means adjacent a first end of said barrel.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said barrel means
comprises:
a barrel, said barrel having a first cylindrical portion with a
first diameter and a second cylindrical portion located
intermediate the ends of said first portion, the diameter of said
second portion being less than that of said first portion, the
length of said second portion being commensurate with the width of
said frame means barrel bedding recess; and
a collar mounted on said barrel and partly circumscribing said
second portion thereof, the arc of said second portion of said
barrel not circumscribed by said collar cooperating with said
barrel bedding recess to provide precision mounting of said barrel,
the oppositely disposed ends of said collar cooperating with said
frame means to either side of said barrel bedding recess to prevent
turning of said barrel.
8. A firearm comprising:
frame means, said frame means being provided with a precision
machined arcuate barrel bedding recess;
a barrel, said barrel being generally of cylindrical shape and
having a portion of reduced outer diameter located intermediate its
ends, said portion of reduced diameter having a width commensurate
with the width of said frame means barrel bedding recess;
a spring loaded barrel collar circumscribing said reduced diameter
portion of said barrel, the opposite ends of said collar
cooperating with said frame means to prevent rotation of said
barrel and the exposed surface of said reduced diameter portion
disposed between said collar ends operating with said frame means
barrel bedding recess to precisely align said barrel relative to
said frame;
slide means mounted for reciprocating motion on said frame means
relative to said barrel;
bolt means mounted for reciprocating motion with said slide means;
and
means for securing said bolt means to said slide means.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said slide means comprises:
a slide member which defines a channel, said channel partly
circumscribing said barrel, said slide member being provided with a
cut out which extends generally transversely of the axis of said
barrel.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said bolt means comprises:
a bolt member commensurate in size and shape with said slide member
channel whereby said bolt member is received in said channel, said
bolt member being provided with a recess in its external surface
and aligned with said slide member cut out, said bolt member also
having an external slot extending from its rearwardly facing end to
a point forwardly of said recess.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said securing means
comprises:
a locking member positioned in said bolt member recess, said
locking member being sufficiently larger than said recess so as to
contact edges of said slide member cut out during motion thereof
whereby motion of said slide member is transmitted to said bolt
member by said locking member, said locking member further having
an aperture therethrough, said aperture being aligned with said
bolt member external slot; and
a locking pin received in said bolt member external slot and
passing through said locking member aperture.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said slide member is further
characterized by a locking groove in its external surface, at least
a portion of said locking groove extending generally transversely
of said barrel axis, and wherein said locking pin comprises:
an elongated portion having a size and shape commensurate with the
combined dimensions of said bolt member groove and locking member
aperture;
a spring loaded locking portion extending from one end of said
elongated portion, said locking portion being partly commensurate
in size and shape with said slide member locking groove whereby
said locking portion of said pin may be snapped into position in
said locking groove.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said pin locking portion
comprises:
an extension of said pin elongated portion, said extension being
bent over so as to form a portion oriented generally parallel to
said elongated portion, said bent over portion also having a tab
extending generally transversely of said barrel axis.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mechanical apparatus which may be
easily assembled and disassembled and wherein the components will
be precisely aligned in the assembled position. More specifically,
this invention is directed to firearms characterized by ease and
economy of manufacture and a high degree of accuracy. Accordingly,
the general objects of the present invention are to provide novel
and improved apparatus of such character.
2. Description of the Prior Art
While the present invention may be employed wherever it is desired
to fasten two or more shafts securely together and be able to
assemble and disassemble the thus secured elements rapidly and
without tools, the invention has been found to be particularly
useful in the firearms art. In firearms, and particularly in the
case of self-loading and/or semi-automatic and automatic firearms,
particularly of the blow back or unlocked breach type, it is often
desirable to employ a two piece slide. Such a two piece slide
assembly includes a slide member and a bolt and the weapon is
assembled by inserting the slide onto the frame from the muzzle end
and the bolt is thereafter assembled into the slide from the
opposite end. In operation the slide assembly, that is the bolt and
slide, move as a unit. The easiest manner of joining the bolt to
the slide, or in fact for joining any two shafts or components,
constitutes the drilling of a hole through both parts and inserting
therethrough a cross pin. In the firearms art, however, the force
of detonation of a cartridge and the resulting reciprocating motion
of the slide assembly may result in such a cross pin becoming
fatigued and thus being prone to shear. The shearing of a cross pin
employed to join the bolt and slide of a pistol would result in the
loose bolt being expelled from the weapon to the rear thus possibly
causing severe injury.
Continuing further with a discussion of the firearms art, the
desirable attributes of a hand gun include ease of assembly,
without special tools, and accuracy. These attributes have
previously been thought to be mutually exclusive. That is, hand gun
design has previously been a compromise between maintaining good
alignment between the barrel, slide and frame and facilitating the
assembly and disassembly of the weapon for cleaning or other
purposes.
With further respect to the accuracy of prior art weapons, those
hand guns which have previously been characterized by a high degree
of accuracy have also been comparatively expensive. The
comparatively high expense of quality prior art hand guns is, at
least in part, attributable to the design of the barrels and slides
which required complex and thus expensive precision machining
operations in order to obtain the requisite alignment between the
barrel, slide and frame. Accordingly, the art has long desired a
weapon which was comparatively inexpensive to manufacture while
retaining the requisite accuracy.
As a consequence of the expense of ammunition, it has also long
been desired to provide a hand gun wherein the caliber of the
weapon could be changed while retaining the weight and feel
thereof. Weapons of this type have been proposed for use as both
service and practice weapons by law enforcement officers. While
attempts have previously been made to provide weapons of changeable
caliber, such prior art changeable hand guns have either been very
expensive or highly inaccurate and, in any event, have not
maintained constant handling characteristics with changes in
caliber.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above briefly discussed and
numerous other deficiencies and disadvantages of the prior art by
providing a novel manner for securing together a pair of movable
components; the invention being particularly well suited for use in
weapons. In the environment of a hand gun the present invention is
also characterized by a high degree of accuracy and ease of
assembly and disassembly. Further in the environment of a weapon
the present invention is characterized by the ability to change
caliber by replacing the magazine, bolt and barrel while retaining
use of the frame and slide.
In accordance with the present invention a member which is at least
partially tubular is keyed to a solid member, the solid member
being at least partly circumscribed by the tubular member, by means
of a lock piece. Considering a firearm, the partly tubular member
will be the slide and the solid member will be the bolt. The bolt
is provided with a recess and the slide is provided with an aligned
cut out; the cut out and recess being generally transverse to the
direction of movement of the members. The lock piece is a solid
body having a size and shape at least commensurate with combined
dimensions of the recess and cut out whereby the reciprocating
forces will be delivered from the slide to the bolt via the lock
piece. Retention of the lock piece in the bolt recess is insured
with a spring loaded locking pin which extends through the lock
piece and coaxially of the path of motion of the bolt. The locking
pin has an end portion which is bent outwardly and forwardly and
which snaps into a locking groove at the exterior of the slide.
In the environment of a weapon, the present invention is also
characterized by a frame having a precision machined barrel bedding
recess and a unique barrel having a precisely machined bedding
which cooperates with the bedding recess to insure precise
alignment of the components. The barrel is characterized by the two
diameters, preferably concentric, with the smaller diameter portion
being located intermediate the ends of the larger diameter portion
and being partly encircled by a spring loaded barrel collar. The
arc of the smaller diameter portion which is not enclosed within
the barrel collar will define the barrel bedding.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The present invention may be better understood and its numerous
objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the
art by reference to the accompanying drawing wherein like reference
numerals refer to like elements in the several figures and in
which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a hand gun in accordance with and
embodying the features of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of apparatus for securing a
pair of components together in accordance with the invention, FIG.
2 depicting several of the elements of FIG. 1 in assembled
position;
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional front view, taken along line 3--3 of
FIG. 1, of the novel barrel of the weapon shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the barrel collar of FIGS. 1 and
3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to FIG. 1, a self-loading piston in accordance
with and embodying the present invention is shown in an exploded
view. The weapon of FIG. 1 includes, as major subassemblies, the
frame 10, barrel 12, slide 14 and bolt 16. As will be described in
greater detail below, slide 14 and bolt 16 will be joined together
by means of a locking piece 18 and pin 20 when the weapon is
assembled.
The frame subassembly 10 includes a shelf 22, a barrel bedding
recess 24 and a pair of oppositely disposed slide guide grooves 26
and associated lands. The frame subassembly provides a housing for
the drive spring 28 and its associated support rod 30. Also mounted
in frame subassembly 10 is the trigger mechanism 32 and it is to be
noted that, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, spring 28 and pin 30 pass through an aperture,
not shown, in trigger 32 in the interest of a more compact
reciprocating design. Also mounted in frame subassembly 10 is the
hammer mechanism 34 and the magazine, not shown. The magazine and
various other elements such as the safety mechanism, not shown, are
all conventional components and thus have been omitted from the
drawing in the interest of facilitating understanding of the
invention. A particularly novel feature of the present invention is
the design of the frame assembly which facilitates precision
machining of the barrel bedding recess 24 through the expedient of
a plunge cut with a horizontal milling machine. The precision
recess, in combination with the unique design of barrel assembly 12
and slide assembly 14, insures precise alignment between the three
subassemblies.
Considering now jointly FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the barrel subassembly
comprises the barrel and a barrel collar 36. In accordance with the
present invention, the barrel is formed with two different
diameters, the larger or major diameter portion being indicated at
38 and the smaller or minor diameter portion being indicated at 40.
The design of the barrel with two diameters permits the barrel to
be manufactured with minimum cost through employment, in the
obtaining of the outer diameter, of a centerless grinding (turning)
operation. Accordingly, the barrels of the present invention are
less expensive, when compared to prior art devices of like
character, while nevertheless being precisely dimensioned
components. The larger diameter portion 38 of the barrel is
provided with a rearwardly extending slot which communicates with
the smaller diameter portion 40 and an extension or tongue 41 of
collar 36 fits into this slot. The collar 36 is formed of spring
steel and, when installed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, becomes a
permanent part of the barrel subassembly 12. The shoulders 42 and
44 defined by opposite ends of collar 36 will, with the barrel
snapped into place in the frame, engage the top of the frame at
opposite sides of the barrel bedding recess 24 and the collar 36
will thus prevent the barrel from turning. Collar 36, of course,
defines an arc greater than 180.degree. and the remaining exposed
section of smaller diameter portion 40 of the barrel, which defines
the barrel bedding, will rest in barrel recess 24 whereby the rear
end of the barrel will be supported by engagement between two
precision machined surfaces. It may be noted that the forward end
of the barrel could be turned down to permit the barrel to also
function as the drive spring guide.
Slide subassembly 14 is machined from a single piece. The inner
clearance hole for the bolt subassembly 16 and barrel subassembly
12 is drilled and reamed thus further minimizing manufacturing
expense. The downwardly extending extension 46, with the weapon
assembled, will ride on frame shelf 22 and will function as a stop
to limit rearward motion of the slide by cooperating with a stop
surface 48 which is integral with the frame. The slide subassembly
14 will have, internally thereof, precision machined lands and
grooves which cooperate with guide grooves 26 and their associated
lands on the frame. The bottom surfaces of slide 14 will also
cooperate with the surfaces 52 of the frame to insure alignment of
the frame and slide. The forward end of the barrel will be received
in and supported by the precision drilled aperture 54 at the
forward end of the slide subassembly 14. The extension 46 of the
slide subassembly 14 is also provided with an aperture 56; aperture
56 having a counter bore; the junction between the two portions of
aperture 56 providing a shoulder against which the forward end of
spring 28 is seated. The guide rod 30 for spring 28 will pass
through the smaller diameter portion of aperture 56 and may, if
desired, be provided with an easily removable cap or plug of
increased diameter.
Considering further the slide subassembly 14, it is to be noted
that the slide is provided with an arcuate cutout, indicated
generally at 58, adjacent its rearward disposed end. Cutout 58 is
commensurate in size, for the purposes to be explained below, with
the locking piece 18. The slide 14 is also provided with a
generally L-shaped groove 60 which communicates with the top rear
end of the slide. Groove 60 receives, for the purposes to be
described below also, a locking portion of pin 20.
The bolt subassembly 16 will provide the housing for the firing
pin, not shown, and the cartridge ejector 62. With the weapon in
the assembled condition, the bolt subassembly 16 is, in the manner
to be described below, joined to the slide subassembly 14 and moves
therewith. The bolt 16 of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention is characterized by a recess 64 machined in its upper
surface. Recess 64, with the weapon in the assembled condition,
will be aligned with cutout 58 in slide 14 and the width of recess
54 and cutout 58 will be substantially equal to the width of
locking piece 18. The bolt 16 is also provided with a slot 66 which
communicates with the rear top surface of the bolt and extends
forward of recess 64. The bolt is further provided with a pair of
rearwardly extending arms 68 which provide clearance for hammer 34.
It is particularly to be observed that, like the barrel, the bolt
may be precisely machined at relatively low cost by means of an
inexpensive and inherently accurate turning operation.
It may be noted that the locking piece 18 also defines the rear
sight 70 of the weapon. The rear sight could, however, be formed on
the top surface of slide 14 or affixed thereto in the same manner
as the front sight 72. Locking piece 18 is also provided with a
bore 74 which is commensurate in size and shape with the major
portion of pin 20. The length of bore 74 will be longer than its
diameter with a 5:1 ratio having been employed in one operative
embodiment. Also, if desired, the locking piece 18 can be utilized
to retain the firing pin in the bolt.
The pin 20 is formed from spring steel. Preferably, but not
necessarily, the end of the spring which is bent up and over to
define a locking member commensurate in size and shape with groove
60 in the top of slide 14 will be flattened as shown. The locking
portion of pin 20 includes an L-shaped tab member 76 which is
spring loaded toward the major portion of the pin whereby it will
snap into and be self-locking in groove 60.
Presuming that the weapon of FIG. 1 has been taken apart for
cleaning or other maintenance procedure, the first step in assembly
comprises reinsertion of spring 28 and rod 30. Thereafter, the
barrel will be positioned on the frame with the bottom of the minor
diameter portion 40 resting in bedding recess 24. As noted above,
the completely concentric barrel 12 has two diameters, the major
diameter 38 being substantially the same as the bolt diameter. The
spring collar 36 surrounds a major portion of the minor diameter
section 40 of the barrel and rotation of collar 36 is prevented by
engagement of the tongue 41 with the cooperating slot in the major
diameter portion of the barrel. When assembled in the manner
described the shoulders 42 and 44 defined by the ends of collar 36
abut against the top of the frame thereby preventing the barrel
from turning and keeping the extractor slot, not shown aligned with
the extractor 62 on the bolt.
With the barrel held in position, the slide subassembly 14 is
inserted from the forward or muzzle end whereby the front end of
major diameter portion 38 of barrel 12 will be inserted in aperture
54 and the end of pin 30 will pass through aperture 56. In order to
facilitate assembly, the slide may be manually urged toward the
rear, thus compressing spring 28, and will be held in the full
rearward position by the safety mechanism, not shown, which is
mounted on the left side of the frame and in operative relationship
to a cutout in the bottom left side of slide 14. Next, the bolt
subassembly 16 will be inserted into slide 14 from the rear and
will be moved forwardly until the recess 64 is in alignment with
the slide cutout 58. The locking piece 18 will then be dropped into
position from the top. Finally, the pin 20 will be inserted from
the rear into the slot 66 in the top of the bolt 16; the pin
passing through the bore 74 in locking member 18. The pin will be
urged forwardly whereby the locking portion 76 thereof will pass up
and over the top of slide 14 and snap down into the L-shaped
locking groove 60. Assembly of the weapon will thereupon be
completed. Disassembly will, of course, proceed in the opposite
sequence with the locking portion 76 of pin 20 being raised out of
engagement with groove 60 and removed to the rear as the first
step.
In operation, the forces generated by detonation of a cartridge in
the chamber of barrel 12 will result, in a manner well known in the
art, in the slide and bolt being driven rearwardly until the slide
member portion 46 contacts frame stop 48. As the bolt moves
rearwardly the extractor 62 will remove the spent cartridge case
from the chamber and the cartridge case will be ejected through the
ejection port 80 provided therefor in the side of the slide 14.
During rearward movement, the slide pushes against the front of
lock piece 18 and motion of the slide is thus transmitted to the
bolt via the locking piece. It is to be noted that the locking
piece 18 will be formed of the quality steel, such as SAE 4140 or
equivalent, and will preferably be heat treated as to be able to
withstand the forces imparted thereto. It may also be noted that
the lock piece 18 has no sharp corners, which are stress raisers,
and has ideal grain flow.
On the closing stroke, the drive spring 28 urges the slide 14
forwardly as far as it will go. During forward motion, the slide
pushes against the rear area of lock piece 18 and the lock piece in
turn pushes the bolt against the breach face. When the bolt stops
against the breach face of the barrel the force of the drive spring
will push the slide against the lock piece and it in turn against
the bolt closing the gap completely. During forward motion the bolt
will, of course, carry a new cartridge from the magazine into the
chamber.
To review several of the attributes of the invention, it may be
noted that all the forces generated during detonation and
subsequent rearward motion of the slide and bolt and also during
forward motion of the slide and bolt under influence of the drive
spring act upon the lock piece 18. Thus, there are no forces on the
locking pin 20. It is also to be noted that the lock piece 18 may
be formed so as to blend perfectly with the slide outer
configuration without any external projections or indentations. The
lock piece can not tilt or tip since, as noted above, the lock pin
aperture is longer than its diameter thereby enabling the lock pin
to guide the lock piece with a long bearing surface in relation to
its diameter.
The caliber of weapons employing the present invention may be
changed merely by replacing the magazine, the bolt and barrel. This
permits the same frame and slide to be used and enables the weapon
to fire inexpensive ammunition while retaining the weight and feel
associated with the service or regular caliber weapon.
While a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, various
modifications and substitutions may be made to the present
invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
Thus, while the weapon shown in FIG. 1 employs a cylindrical slide,
any shape slide member may be chosen and a lock piece formed to fit
the member. Also, while the invention has been shown in the
environment of a blow back type weapon, it is suitable for use in
many types of weapons including those of the locked breach self
loading, submachine, semi and fully automatic rifle and cartridge
cannon types. The invention also has utility outside of the
firearms art and is particularly well suited for use where a solid
and hollow shaft rotate in concert inside a guide tube and must
partly leave the guide tube such as, for example, in earth boring
equipment. Accordingly, it is to be noted that the present
invention has been described by way of illustration and not
limitation.
* * * * *