U.S. patent number RE48,611 [Application Number 15/667,410] was granted by the patent office on 2021-06-29 for semiautomatic firearm.
This patent grant is currently assigned to CABOT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS. The grantee listed for this patent is Cabot Intellectual Property Holdings. Invention is credited to Robert Bianchin, Michael Hebor, Brian Zins.
United States Patent |
RE48,611 |
Zins , et al. |
June 29, 2021 |
Semiautomatic firearm
Abstract
A semiautomatic handgun includes various unique features to
facilitate rapid, accurate shooting. Some examples of the handgun
include a more compact recoil spring system, locating the recoil
spring around the barrel while permitting rearward movement of the
barrel in conjunction with the slide. Other examples include an
automatic magazine release for releasing the magazine upon the
discharge of the last cartridge in the magazine. Still other
examples include a grooved or roughened top slide surface for
facilitating slide manipulation with one hand. Further examples
include auxiliary sight systems to facilitate determining the
proper distance by which to lead a moving target. Other examples
include a takedown tool stored within the handgun.
Inventors: |
Zins; Brian (Girard, OH),
Bianchin; Robert (Butler, PA), Hebor; Michael
(Pittsburgh, PA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cabot Intellectual Property Holdings |
Sarver |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CABOT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
HOLDINGS (Sarver, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
1000004872335 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/667,410 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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61637800 |
Apr 24, 2012 |
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Reissue of: |
13869918 |
Apr 24, 2013 |
9097474 |
Aug 4, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G
1/473 (20130101); F41A 17/38 (20130101); F41A
5/02 (20130101); F41A 5/04 (20130101); F41A
9/62 (20130101); F41A 3/88 (20130101); F41A
9/65 (20130101); F41C 23/10 (20130101); F41A
3/72 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41A
5/02 (20060101); F41A 9/65 (20060101); F41G
1/473 (20060101); F41A 3/88 (20060101); F41A
9/62 (20060101); F41A 5/04 (20060101); F41A
17/38 (20060101); F41A 3/72 (20060101); F41C
23/10 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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3035796 |
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May 1982 |
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DE |
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282602 |
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Dec 1927 |
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GB |
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2433369 |
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Nov 2001 |
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RU |
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2373475 |
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Nov 2009 |
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RU |
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2596261 |
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Sep 2016 |
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RU |
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32330 |
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Sep 1933 |
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SU |
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Other References
Translations for related foreign documents (Year: Various). cited
by examiner .
"ASP Pistol," World Guns,
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg/usa/asp-e.html, as viewed on Apr.
10, 2012. cited by applicant .
"Blowback (firearms)," Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowback_%28firearms%29, as viewed on
Apr. 24, 2013. cited by applicant .
Glock Store website showing Glock disassembly tools,
http://www.glockstore.com/maintenance/tools/disassembly-tools-for-glock,
as viewed on Apr. 24, 2013. cited by applicant .
Springfield Armory, Springfield M1 Garand Owner's Manual, 2001.
cited by applicant .
Operator's Manual for P7 Series Pistols, Heckler & Koch, 2007.
cited by applicant .
"ASP Pistol," World Guns,
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg/usa/asp-e.html. cited by applicant
.
Fake advertisement for "Homeboy Nyte Sytes". cited by applicant
.
"Homeboy Sights for Rifles," Cheaper Than Dirt, Nov. 24, 2011,
http://cheaperthandirt.com/blog/?p=14428. cited by applicant .
Photographs of a dejamming tool consisting of a piece of bent wire,
designed by Claude Werner,
http://www.totalprotectioninteractive.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10326.
cited by applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Jastrzab; Jeffrey R
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lang, IV; William F. Lang Patent
Law LLC
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent
application No. 61/637,800, which was filed on Apr. 24, 2012, and
entitled "Semiautomatic Firearm."
Claims
What is claimed is:
.[.1. A semiautomatic handgun, comprising: a detachable magazine
for holding a plurality of cartridges, the magazine including a
generally tubular body defining a closed end, an open end, and a
spring-biased follower slidably disposed within the body, the
follower being structured to push cartridges towards the open end
of the magazine; a frame that is structured to detachably retain
the magazine; a magazine release mechanism that is structured to
automatically release the magazine from the pistol upon the
discharge of a last cartridge from the magazine; the magazine
release mechanism comprising: a magazine release having a magazine
engaging portion and defining a ramped surface, the magazine
release being movable between a magazine retaining position wherein
removal of the magazine is resisted and a magazine releasing
position wherein removal of the magazine is permitted; and a
magazine release actuator having a first end and a second end, the
second end defining a ramped surface structured to engage the
ramped surface of the magazine release, the first end being
structured to operatively engage the magazine follower when the
follower is adjacent to the open end of the magazine..].
.[.2. The semiautomatic handgun according to claim 1, wherein the
magazine release is a magazine release button..].
3. .[.The.]. .Iadd.A .Iaddend.semiautomatic handgun.[. according to
claim 1.]., .Iadd.comprising a detachable magazine for holding a
plurality of cartridges, the magazine including a generally tubular
body defining a closed end, an open end, and a spring-biased
follower slidably disposed within the body, the follower being
structured to push cartridges towards the open end of the magazine;
a frame that is structured to detachably retain the magazine; a
magazine release mechanism that is structured to automatically
release the magazine from the pistol upon the discharge of a last
cartridge from the magazine; the magazine release mechanism
comprising: a magazine release having a magazine engaging portion
and defining a ramped surface, the magazine release being movable
between a magazine retaining position wherein removal of the
magazine is resisted and a magazine releasing position wherein
removal of the magazine is permitted; and a magazine release
actuator having a first end and a second end, the second end
defining a ramped surface structured to engage the ramped surface
of the magazine release, the first end being structured to
operatively engage the magazine follower when the follower is
adjacent to the open end of the magazine, the semiautomatic handgun
.Iaddend.further comprising a paddle that is pivotally secured to
the magazine follower, the paddle being rotatable between a first
position wherein the paddle engages the magazine release actuator
when the follower is adjacent to the open end of the magazine, and
a second position wherein the paddle does not engage the magazine
release actuator when the follower is adjacent to the open end of
the magazine.
.[.4. The semiautomatic handgun according to claim 1, wherein the
magazine further comprises a spring assembly disposed at one side
of the body, the spring assembly being structured to bias the
magazine release actuator in the direction of the actuator's first
end upon the follower reaching a position adjacent to the open end
of the magazine..].
5. .[.The.]. .Iadd.A .Iaddend.semiautomatic handgun.[. according to
claim 4, wherein.]..Iadd., comprising a detachable magazine for
holding a plurality of cartridges, the magazine including a
generally tubular body defining a closed end, an open end, and a
spring-biased follower slidably disposed within the body, the
follower being structured to push cartridges towards the open end
of the magazine; a frame that is structured to detachably retain
the magazine; a magazine release mechanism that is structured to
automatically release the magazine from the pistol upon the
discharge of a last cartridge from the magazine; the magazine
release mechanism comprising: a magazine release having a magazine
engaging portion and defining a ramped surface, the magazine
release being movable between a magazine retaining position wherein
removal of the magazine is resisted and a magazine releasing
position wherein removal of the magazine is permitted; and a
magazine release actuator having a first end and a second end, the
second end defining a ramped surface structured to engage the
ramped surface of the magazine release, the first end being
structured to operatively engage the magazine follower when the
follower is adjacent to the open end of the magazine, the magazine
further comprising a spring assembly disposed at one side of the
body, the spring assemby being structured to bias the magazine
release actuator in the direction of the actuator's first end upon
the follower reaching a position adjacent to the open end of the
magazine, .Iaddend.the spring assembly .[.comprises:.].
.Iadd.comprising.Iaddend. a head disposed adjacent to the open end
of the magazine; a release actuator spring operatively engaging the
head; a release lever structured to hold the head in a first
position wherein the release actuator spring is compressed, and to
release the head upon the follower reaching a position adjacent to
the open end of the magazine.
6. The semiautomatic handgun according to claim 5, further
comprising a base slidably disposed within the spring assembly,
operatively engaging the release actuator spring opposite the head,
the base being structured to be secured in a first position wherein
the release actuator spring is substantially uncompressed, and a
second position wherein compression of the release actuator spring
is facilitated.
7. The semiautomatic handgun according to claim 6: further
comprising a spring assembly housing, the housing defining a slot
therein, the slot having a first end and a second end, the second
end defining a ledge; and wherein the base includes a lug that is
structured to engage the slot; whereby the release actuator spring
is uncompressed when the base is adjacent to the first end of the
slot, and the release actuator spring may be compressed when the
lug engages the ledge at the second end of the slot.
.[.8. The semiautomatic handgun according to claim 1, wherein the
magazine release mechanism may be selectively actuated either
automatically upon the discharge of the last cartridge in the
magazine, or utilizing a manually operated magazine release..].
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to semiautomatic firearms. More
specifically, a semiautomatic firearm having unique features to
facilitate fast, accurate shooting is provided.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Semiautomatic firearms have been in use for over a century, and are
popular for military, law enforcement, defensive, and sporting
purposes. A semiautomatic firearm utilizes a reciprocating bolt or
slide. Retraction of the slide upon discharging the weapon ejects
the spent casing from the chamber. The slide then returns forward
under spring pressure, carrying a fresh cartridge from the magazine
into the chamber. The frame of a semiautomatic handgun typically
includes an ejector for pushing the spent casing out of an ejection
port in a predetermined direction. The slide typically includes a
spring biased extractor having a hook for engaging the rim of a
casing, permitting the casing to be extracted from the chamber in
the absence of discharging a firearm.
It is necessary to control the retraction of the slide so that the
slide does not retract a significant distance before the bullet
exits the muzzle. While the bullet is being propelled forward
within the barrel, gas pressure within the barrel is quite high.
Excessive retraction of the slide at this time would direct at
least some of this high gas pressure in undesirable directions,
potentially endangering the shooter. Various mechanisms have been
developed toward this end.
The simplest method of controlling slide retraction, commonly known
as straight blowback, simply relies on gas pressure inside the
casing to retract the slide. The mass of the slide, as well as the
strength of the recoil spring, are selected so that the slide does
not travel rearward a significant distance before the bullet exits
the muzzle. This system is commonly used with small caliber
semiautomatic handguns, up to and including 0.380 ACP. Because the
barrel of such handguns is fixed, some handguns utilizing the
system utilize a recoil spring that is coiled around the barrel, so
that the barrel effectively serves as a recoil spring guide. Due to
the increasing slide mass and recoil spring strength required with
increasing pressure levels, this system is typically not utilized
for handguns of 9.times.19 mm. caliber or higher calibers.
With increasing pressure levels, other mechanisms are necessary to
ensure that significant slide retraction does not occur before the
bullet leaves the muzzle, ensuring that gas pressure within the
barrel has dropped to a safe level. A tilting barrel system is
commonly used for this purpose. In such systems, the barrel is
locked to the slide by either a projection that fits within the
ejection port of the slide, or by a plurality of locking lugs that
engage corresponding locking lugs on the interior of the slide. As
the slide retracts, the barrel moves rearward with the slide for a
short distance, before a pivoting link or lug on the bottom of the
barrel causes the breech end of the barrel to pivot downward,
disengaging with the slide, and allowing the slide to continue to
retract independently. All such systems which are known to be
present inventors utilize a recoil spring assembly that is adjacent
to the barrel, thereby occupying additional space that could
otherwise be occupied by additional devices.
Another means of ensuring that the barrel and slide do not
disengage prematurely is a gas retarded blowback system, such as
that used within the Heckler & Koch P7 pistol. This system is
similar to a straight blowback design, but utilizes a vent within
the barrel to direct gas into a cylinder that contains a piston.
When the pistol is discharged, the piston applies forward pressure
to the slide until the bullet exits the muzzle, thereby resisting
premature slide retraction. This mechanism results in reduced felt
recoil, contributing to the accuracy with which the firearm may be
shot. This mechanism also permits the recoil spring to be coiled
around the barrel. However, this system is difficult to
manufacture, and can in some instances result in excessive heat
buildup within the firearm.
Other systems for controlling the movement of the slide include the
falling locking block design of the Beretta 92F pistol, which
provides for in-line movement of the barrel. This in-line barrel
movement enhances the accuracy of the pistol. However, the locking
block is subject to wear. The recoil spring of this pistol is
located underneath the barrel, thereby adding bulk to the overall
design.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system that controls the
movement of the slide with respect to the barrel, wherein the
recoil spring is coiled around the barrel, and avoiding the
disadvantages of gas retarded blowback designs. Such a system would
reduce the weight and bulk of the firearm, particularly when
lights, laser aiming devices, or other accessories are secured to
the dust cover of the frame, located in front of the trigger guard
and below the barrel.
Sighting systems for handguns generally fall within two types. Iron
sights typically consist of a post adjacent to the muzzle, which is
aligned with a rear sight in the form of a U-shaped notch, V-shaped
groove, or aperture. Iron sights may in some instances include
various features to improve visibility, such as coloring, dots,
fiber optic inserts, and/or tritium inserts. Iron sights are
simple, generally durable, and compact. However, they often provide
no indication of the proper lead for hitting a moving target.
Optical sighting systems, such as those using illuminated dot
reticles, display an illuminated dot or other shape that is placed
over the target when looking through the sight. Some optical sights
provide a means of estimating lead for hitting moving targets.
However, such sights add bulk and weight to a firearm. Particularly
in the case of a handgun, such sights can increase the difficulty
of carrying the handgun, particularly if concealment is important.
Furthermore, such sights are often dependent upon batteries or
other illumination means such as tritium. In the case of iron
sights, if the tritium inserts go dim, the iron sights themselves
are still useful. However, in the event of a battery powered or
tritium powered optical sight, if the battery dies or the tritium
goes dim, the sight is significantly less useful.
Accordingly, there is a need for a sighting system that combines
the simplicity, ruggedness, and compactness of iron sights with a
means of estimating lead when shooting at a moving target. Moving
targets are common in both sporting and practical shooting
applications, making a means of lead estimation particularly
useful.
Many shooting situations in both sporting and practical contexts
require the ability to manipulate the firearm with only one hand,
including not only aiming and trigger squeeze, but also reloading
and malfunction clearance. Reloading and clearing a malfunction
require the ability to manipulate the slide. When working with only
one hand, for example, in the case of a real or simulated injury, a
portion of the slide such as the rear sight, ejection port, or
muzzle portion of the slide is generally engaged with the shooters
belt, the heal of the shooters shoe, or a convenient nearby hard
surface.
However, many presently available handguns do not include a
convenient projection on the slide for use during one-handed slide
retraction. While some rear sights include a vertical forward
surface that is useful for engaging convenient objects to retract
the slide, many popular rear sights include a sloped forward
surface, making the rear sight difficult to hook. Furthermore,
although some ejection ports, such as those on a 1911 handgun, are
easy to engage, ejection ports that lock up with the barrel by
receiving a portion of the barrel have little excess material for
engaging convenient objects to retract the slide. Many handguns are
not suited for slide retraction by pushing the muzzle end of the
slide against a convenient object, and this method of slide
retraction is typically only practiced with full-size 1911 handguns
without full-length guide rods. While it is known to include an
additional projection within the slide to aid in one hand
manipulation, the very few presently available projections would
limit the selection of compatible sights, as well as interfere with
some older methods of malfunction clearance, such as wiping the
hand across the top of the slide to clear a stovepipe
malfunction.
Some users attempt to overcome the above-described deficiency by
applying skateboard tape to the top of the slide. The application
of skateboard tape results in cosmetic disadvantages, as well as
the potential for the tape to wear or to lose adhesion.
Accordingly, there is a need for a handgun slide having a means of
engaging a convenient surface to facilitate one-handed slide
retraction without interfering with the selection of sights or with
the user's preferred method of malfunction clearance.
Presently available semiautomatic handguns utilize a detachable box
magazine that is held in place in one of two ways. The most common
method is a catch engaging a hole defined within the body of the
magazine. The catch is released utilizing a button that is
reciprocally secured within the frame of the handgun, behind and
slightly below the trigger guard, for actuation with the user's
thumb. The design of the magazine release must balance the ease
with which the magazine can be released intentionally with the need
to avoid releasing the magazine unintentionally. These needs are
typically balanced by the size of the magazine release button, the
strength of the magazine release spring, and/or the placement of
the magazine release button. Often, the magazine release button is
placed so that slight rotation of the handgun within the user's
hand is required to engage the magazine release with the shooter's
thumb and release the magazine. Although this location minimizes
the likelihood of accidental magazine release, it also slows the
speed of reloading. Other presently available handguns utilize a
magazine catch located at the base of the grip, sitting underneath
the bottom of the magazine. Although this style of magazine catch
is generally more secure, it is much slower to reload, and can make
malfunction clearance significantly more difficult.
In the field of semiautomatic rifles, it is known to automatically
eject a stripper clip from an M1 Garand rifle upon firing the last
round within the magazine. However, the present inventors are
unaware of any prior means of automatically releasing a box
magazine from a semiautomatic firearm upon firing the last round
within the magazine. Such a feature would significantly speed
reloading not only by avoiding the need to depress the magazine
release, but also by avoiding the need to shift the user's grip.
The user would simply be able to focus on grasping and inserting
the fresh magazine, and chambering the next cartridge.
Shooters involved in stressful situations, whether competition or
life and death struggles, have been known to lose count of the
number of cartridges remaining within their magazine. With most
semiautomatic firearms, determining the number of cartridges
remaining in a magazine requires removal of the magazine, which may
be undesirable depending on the anticipated immediacy with which
the firearm may be needed. At least one semiautomatic handgun,
known as the ASP, attempted to address this need with transparent
grip panels, permitting the shooter to determine the number of
cartridges remaining by looking at the side of the pistol. However,
in poor light conditions, determining the number of cartridges
remaining is still potentially difficult. Accordingly, a means of
determining the number of cartridges remaining within a magazine,
even in poor light, is desired.
SUMMARY
The above needs are met by various examples of semiautomatic
handguns according to the present invention. One example of the
semiautomatic handgun includes a recoil spring that is coiled
around the barrel, along with a barrel that is structured to move
rearward with the slide for a predetermined distance. Upon moving
for the predetermined distance, the barrel disengages from the
slide, permitting the breech face of the slide to separate from the
chamber.
Another example of the semiautomatic handgun utilizes a magazine
release that automatically releases the magazine from the handgun
upon the discharge of the last cartridge in the magazine.
Another example of the semiautomatic handgun includes a slide
having a grooved or roughened portion of its top surface to
facilitate manipulation of the slide with one hand.
Yet another example of the semiautomatic handgun includes a sight
system along the side of the handgun. This sight system is intended
to facilitate estimating the correct distance by which to lead a
moving target.
A further example of the semiautomatic handgun includes a magazine
having a visibility indicator secured to the follower, and a slot
defined within the side of the magazine so that the visibility
indicator may be viewed. The grip of the semiautomatic handgun has
a slot defined therein, corresponding to the slot within the side
of the magazine. The visibility indicator within the magazine
follower may therefore be viewed by the shooter to gain an
approximate idea of the number of cartridges remaining in the
magazine.
These and other aspects of the various embodiments of the
semiautomatic firearm will become more apparent through the
following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a right side elevational view of a semiautomatic
handgun.
FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway right side elevational view of a
semiautomatic handgun.
FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway right side elevational view of a
semiautomatic handgun.
FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of a semiautomatic
handgun.
FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of a semiautomatic
handgun.
FIG. 6 is a left side elevational view of a magazine for a
semiautomatic handgun.
FIG. 7 is a right side elevational view of a magazine for a
semiautomatic handgun.
FIG. 8 is a right side elevational view of a semiautomatic
handgun.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the magazine release components of
an example of a semiautomatic handgun, showing these components
interacting with a magazine on which the follower is depressed.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the magazine release components of
FIG. 9, showing these components interacting with a magazine on
which the follower in its uppermost position.
FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a magazine and magazine follower for
a semiautomatic handgun.
FIG. 12 is a top plan view of another example of a magazine for a
semiautomatic handgun.
FIG. 13 is a left side elevational view of a magazine for a
semiautomatic handgun, showing a magazine ejection spring
deactivated.
FIG. 14 is a left side elevational view of a magazine for a
semiautomatic handgun, showing a magazine ejection spring
compressed.
FIG. 15 is a left side elevational view of a magazine for a
semiautomatic handgun, showing a magazine ejection spring upon
ejecting the magazine.
Like reference characters denote like elements throughout the
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As used herein, terms such as "upper," "lower," "above," "below,"
etc. are used for convenience only, and refer to the normal
orientation of the components. Such terms are not intended to be
limiting with respect to components that may be oriented in
different orientations. Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a
semiautomatic handgun 10 is illustrated. The handgun 10 includes a
frame 12 that houses the action, in a manner that is well
understood to those skilled in the art. The frame 12 includes a
grip portion 14, which in some examples may have a pair of grip
panels 16 removably secured thereto. In the drawings, only the
right side grip panel 16 is illustrated, with the left side grip
panel being essentially a mirror image. The frame 12 includes an
action housing portion 18 at the top and of the grip portion 14,
and a trigger guard 20 in front of the action housing portion 18.
The top portion of the frame 12 includes a pair of slide rails (not
shown, but well understood to those skilled in the art) for
receiving a reciprocating slide (described below). The forward
portion of the frame 12 includes a dust cover 22 which, in the
illustrated example, includes a universal rail 24, such as a
Picatinny rail or other commonly used rail, for mounting various
accessories such as lights and/or lasers. A trigger 26 is
reciprocally mounted towards the rear of the trigger guard 20, and
is biased towards a forward position, in a manner that is well
understood to those skilled in the art. Similarly, a magazine
release 28 is reciprocally mounted within the frame 12 behind the
trigger guard 20, and is biased towards the left side of the frame
12, in a manner that is well known to those skilled in the art. A
grip safety 30 may optionally be included in the upper rear portion
of the grip portion 14 of the frame 12. As understood by those
skilled in the art, the grip safety 30 is biased towards a rearward
position, and resists rearward movement of the trigger 26 until the
grip safety 30 is pushed forward by the shooter's grip. Depending
on the specific action type of the semiautomatic handgun 10, the
frame 12 may further include a slide stop, a manual thumb safety,
and/or a decocking lever, all of which are well understood to those
skilled in the art. Also depending on the specific action type, the
upper rear portion of the frame 12 may include a hammer, which is
well known to those skilled in the art.
The handgun 10 also includes a slide 32 that includes a pair of
rails that correspond to the slide rails of the frame 12. The slide
is reciprocally mounted on the slide rails in a manner that is well
known to those skilled in the art. The slide 32 includes a forward
portion 34 and a rear portion 36. The forward portion 34 surrounds
the barrel 38, and defines a muzzle opening 40 supporting the
muzzle end 42 of the barrel 38, and an ejection port 44 adjacent to
the chamber portion 46 of the barrel 38. The rear portion 36
contains, depending on the type of action, either a striker or a
firing pin, both of which are well understood to those skilled in
the art. The rear portion 36 also includes an extractor, which may
either be internal or external, and which is well understood to
those skilled in the art.
The rear portion 36 includes grasping grooves 48 to provide
traction between a user's hand and the slide during retraction of
the slide. The unique grasping grooves 48 illustrated in FIG. 1 are
located not only along the sides 50 of the slide 32, but also
across the top 52 of the slide 32. Although grasping grooves are
used in the illustrated example, checkering or other surface
roughening may alternatively be used. This configuration of
grasping grooves 48 is particularly useful in the event that the
user must retract the slide with only one hand, either because of
an injury or as may be required during a training exercise or a
stage in a competition. The user may engage the grasping grooves 48
disposed on the top 52 of the slide 32 utilizing the shooter's
belt, the heal of the shooter's shoe, or any physical structure
which may be conveniently located at the time that the slide must
be retracted. The shooter, whose hand will be wrapped around the
grip frame 14, may then push forward on the grip frame 14 while
maintaining the engagement of the grasping grooves 48 with whatever
reasonably fixed surface may have been convenient at the time,
thereby causing the slide 32 to move rearward relative to the frame
12. This unique configuration of grasping grooves 48 therefore
provides a means of retracting the slide with only one hand,
without placing any restrictions on the style of rear sight
(discussed below) selected, and without placing a structure on the
slide 32 that could potentially interfere with reholstering the
handgun 10. Furthermore, if the shooter prefers to clear
"stovepipe" malfunctions (in which a spent shell casing is trapped
between the barrel 38 and slide 32, within the ejection port 44) by
wiping a hand across the top 48 of the slide, the grooves 48 will
not interfere with this action.
Referring to FIGS. 2-3, additional details of the barrel 38, slide
32, and recoil spring 54 are shown. The recoil spring 54 is coiled
around the barrel 38, abutting a front 55 of the slide 32 at one
end, and abutting a spring stop 57 secured to the frame 12 at its
other end. The recoil spring 54 thereby utilizes the barrel 38 as a
recoil spring guide rod instead of having a separate recoil spring
guide rod below the barrel. This design reduces the weight of the
handgun 10, and also permits the dust cover 22 and rail 24 to be
disposed higher on the handgun 10. However, unlike previous designs
which utilize a recoil spring coiled around the barrel, the handgun
10 utilizes a tilting barrel mechanism in order to ensure that the
slide 32 and barrel 38 do not separate until a bullet has exited
the muzzle 42. Although the illustrated example of a handgun 10
utilizes a chamber and 46 of the barrel 38 that fits within the
ejection port 44 in order to ensure that the barrel 38 and slide 32
move rearward together, interconnecting barrel and slide lugs such
as those used on 1911 style pistols may also be used.
In the example of FIG. 2, the barrel 38 includes at least one lug
56 extending below the chamber portion 46. A link 58 is pivotally
secured between the lug 56 and the frame 12. In the illustrated
example, the link 58 is pivotally secured to the frame by a pin 60
formed as a part of the slide stop 62, in a manner that is commonly
used on 1911 style pistols. In this example, when the handgun 10 is
fired, the link 58 permits the barrel 38 to travel rearward a short
distance with the slide 32, before pulling the barrel 38 downward
and out of engagement with the slide 32.
In the example of FIG. 3, the chamber portion 46 of the barrel 38
includes a downwardly depending lug 64 having an angled rear
surface 66. The frame 12 includes a corresponding engagement 68,
having a similarly angled forward surface 70. When the handgun 10
is discharged, the barrel 38 and slide 32 again move rearward
together, until the surface 66 of the lug 64 comes in contact with
the surface 70 of the lug 68. At this point, the mating surfaces
66, 70 guide the barrel 38 downward out of engagement with the
slide 32, permitting the slide 32 to travel rearward without the
barrel 38. Although a tilt barrel mechanism is illustrated, the use
of a spring stop 57 as described above will allow the use of a
falling locking block mechanism. In each case, the recoil spring 54
will provide appropriate resistance to rearward movement of the
barrel and slide, both before and after disengagement of the barrel
and slide.
Referring to FIG. 6-7, an improved magazine 98 is illustrated. The
magazine 98 functions much like standard magazines, having a
generally tubular body 100 that is closed at its lower end (by a
removable baseplate 108 in the illustrated example), and open at
its upper end. The upper end 109 includes a pair of feed lips 111
that are structured to hold cartridges within the magazine 98, as
well as to assist in guiding cartridges into the chamber of the
barrel. A follower 110 is slidably secured within the body, and is
biased upward by a spring (not shown, and well known to those
skilled in the art) disposed between the follower and the closed
lower end. A hole 107 is defined within one side of the body for
engaging the magazine release 28.
The improved magazine 98 includes a means for providing a shooter
with information about the approximate number of cartridges
remaining in a magazine. A magazine 98 is illustrated in FIGS. 6-7.
The magazine body 100 defines a pair of side walls, with the left
side wall 102 visible in FIG. 6, and the right side wall 103 being
shown in FIG. 7. The magazine body 100 further includes a front
wall 104 and back wall 106. A follower 110 is reciprocally secured
within the body 100, and is biased upward by a spring (not shown,
but well understood to those skilled in the art. A slot 112 is
defined within the left side wall 102, and a slot 113 is defined
within the corresponding right side wall 103. The follower 110
includes a visibility element 114 that is structured to be visible
through the slots 112, 113. The visibility element 114 may be a
polished metal surface such as that shown in FIG. 6, or a tritium
filled insert as shown in FIG. 7.
Referring to FIG. 8, each of the grip panel 16 includes a means for
viewing the slot 112 or 113. In the illustrated example, a slot 116
is provided within the grip panel 16, corresponding to the slots
112 or 113 of the magazine 98. The slot 116 may be empty, or may
include a transparent or translucent panel therein, made from
polycarbonate, acrylic, or other suitable plastic. Alternatively,
the grip panels 16 may be made from transparent or translucent
plastic. A shooter viewing the side of the grip portion 14 of the
frame 12 will be able to observe the position of the visibility
element 114 within the magazine follower 110, and will thereby
learn the approximate position of the follower 110 within the
magazine 98. If the follower 110 is relatively high within the
magazine 98, the shooter will know to plan to reload soon.
Conversely, if the follower 110 is relatively low within the
magazine 98, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the shooter will know that
reloading is not necessary. Particularly in the case of a tritium
insert, the visibility element 114 permits the shooter to learn the
approximate number of cartridges within the magazine 98 in poor
light conditions.
Referring to FIGS. 2-3 and 9-15, a mechanism for automatically
ejecting a magazine after the last round in the magazine is fired
is illustrated. Most presently available semiautomatic handguns
include a slide stop .[.64.]. .Iadd.62 .Iaddend.that is structured
to engage the follower within the magazine after the last cartridge
within the magazine is loaded into the chamber. When the handgun is
discharged and the slide moves rearward, upward pressure created by
the magazine spring on the follower pushes the slide stop .[.64.].
.Iadd.62 .Iaddend.upward, into the path of the slide 32 as the
slide 32 returns forward under pressure from the recoil spring 54.
When the slide 32 engages the slide stop 62, further forward
movement of the slide 32 is resisted by the slide stop 62.
In some examples of the handgun 10, an automatic release mechanism
72 is operatively connected to the magazine release 28. The
automatic release mechanism 72 either operates in conjunction with
the slide stop 62, or may include a completely separate mechanism.
When the last cartridge within the magazine is loaded into the
chamber and is discharged, either the upward pressure of the
magazine spring and/or the reciprocating motion of the slide 32 may
be utilized to actuate the magazine release 28, causing the empty
magazine to automatically drop free from the handgun 10. The
shooter therefore does not need to worry about engaging the
magazine release 28, and needs only to focus on grabbing a fresh
magazine, inserting the fresh magazine into the handgun 10, and
chambering the first cartridge from the fresh magazine. Once the
magazine release is actuated, the magazine release mechanism is
disengaged until the next magazine is emptied, so that a new
magazine may be inserted and retained by the magazine release.
In some examples of the handgun 10, the automatic magazine release
mechanism may be selectively engaged or disengaged by the shooter.
The mechanism may be disengaged by locking the mechanism components
into place, and/or by disengaging the operative connection with
either the slide stop and/or with the magazine release. A shooter
competing in a competition having rules against the use of an
automatic magazine release, or a soldier operating well away from
sources of supplies who may wish to retain magazines, therefore has
the option of either utilizing or disengaging the automatic
magazine release mechanism.
Referring specifically to FIGS. 9-11, one example of an automatic
magazine release 120 is illustrated. The automatic magazine release
120 includes a magazine release actuator 122, having a top end 124
disposed adjacent to the slide stop 126. The top end 124 of the
magazine release actuator 122 includes a lug 127 that is structured
to engage a follower 128 of the magazine 130. The bottom end 131
defines a ramped surface 132 that is structured to engage a
corresponding ramped surface 134 defined on the magazine release
28. Although the illustrated example shows the actuator 122
operating separately from the slide stop 126, those skilled in the
art will recognize from the description herein that the actuator
122 could be operatively connected to the slide stop 126 so that
the raising of the slide stop 126 will also raise the actuator 122.
The operative connection between the actuator 122 and follower 128
can therefore be established either directly or indirectly through
the slide stop 126.
FIG. 9 shows the position of the magazine release actuator 122
whenever the firearm 10 does not contain a magazine 130, or a
loaded magazine 130 is in place. Once the last cartridge in the
magazine 130 is fired and ejected, the follower 128 engages the lug
127, raising the magazine release actuator 122 at the same time as
it raises the slide stop 126, to the position of FIG. 10. As the
magazine release actuator 122 moves from the position of FIG. 9 to
the position of FIG. 10, the ramped surface 132 engages the ramped
surface 134, moving the magazine release 28 from left to right, in
the same manner as if the magazine release 28 had been engaged by
the users thumb. The right side of the magazine release 28 engages
the notch 107 in the magazine 130 to retain the magazine 130 within
the firearm 10. Movement of the magazine release 28 from left to
right will disengage the magazine release 28 from the notch 107 to
release the magazine 130, causing it to drop free from the pistol
10. Once the magazine 130 is released, the spring of the magazine
release 28 returns the magazine release 28 to its default position,
causing the corresponding ramped surfaces 132, 134 to bring the
magazine release actuator 122 back to the position of FIG. 9. An
additional spring biasing the magazine release actuator 122
downward may also be used for this purpose if desired.
FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a follower 128 that permits the
selective activation or deactivation of the automatic magazine
release 120. The follower 128 includes a paddle 136 that is
pivotally secured to the follower 128 by the pivot 138. When the
paddle 136 is in the position shown in FIG. 11, it will strike the
lug 127 of the magazine release actuator 122. Pivoting the paddle
136 away from this position will deactivate the automatic magazine
release 120.
FIGS. 12-15 illustrate another example of an automatic magazine
release 140. The automatic magazine release 140 includes all of the
components of FIGS. 9-10, with the additional components described
below. While the example of FIGS. 9-10 depends on balancing the
strength of the magazine spring with the strength of the magazine
release spring so that the magazine spring will have sufficient
strength to actuate the magazine release through the movement of
the actuator 122, the example of FIGS. 12-15 utilizes a separate
release actuator spring assembly 142 to bias the actuator 122
upward. The spring assembly 142 is contained within a tube 144
defined within, or outside of the magazine 146. The tube 144
contains a spring 148. A base 150 is disposed below the spring 148.
The base 150 includes a lug 152 that is structured to fit within a
channel 154. The channel 154 includes a lower end 156, and an upper
end 158 at which a ledge 160 is defined. When the base 150 is
within the lower end 156 of the channel 154 (FIG. 13), the spring
148 is uncompressed, and the spring assembly 142 is therefore
deactivated. Pushing the base 150 upward so that the lug 152 rests
on the ledge 160 compresses the spring 148 (FIG. 14), thereby
activating the spring assembly 142. In some examples, the channel
154 may be defined so that the lug 152 penetrates the channel 154
so that a shooter may manipulate the base 150 by pushing upward or
downward on the lug 152. In other examples, the channel may not
penetrate completely through the tube 144, so that a tool may be
inserted into the bottom of the tube 144 to manipulate the base
152.
A head 162 is disposed above the spring 148. The head 162 includes
an engagement surface 164 about its lower periphery. The upper end
166 of the head 162 is structured to engage the lug 127 of the
actuator 122. A lever 168 is pivotally secured at pivot 170 to the
tube 144. The lever 168 includes a follower engaging end 172 and
the head engaging end 174. The lever 168 is typically positioned as
shown in FIGS. 13-14, with the head engaging end 174 engaging the
surface 164 of the head 162 to hold the head 162 within the tube
144. As the follower 129 strikes the follower engaging end 172
(FIG. 15), as it would when the follower 129 rises to its uppermost
position, the lever 168 pivots so that the head engaging end 174
disengages from the head 162, allowing the head 162 to strike the
lug 127 of the actuator 122, thereby releasing the magazine 140.
Some examples of the lever 168 may be spring biased towards the
position of FIGS. 13-14.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that a base having a fixed
position may be substituted for the base 150, and that the follower
128 may be substituted for the follower 129. In this case,
activation or deactivation of the automatic magazine release
mechanism would be by movement of the paddle 136 rather than the
base 150.
Referring back to FIGS. 2-3, in the event that a disassembly tool
74 is required either for routine disassembly for cleaning, or
detailed disassembly, the disassembly tool 74 may be stored within
the handgun 10. In the illustrated example of the handgun 10, the
disassembly tool 74 is stored within a receptacle 76 defined within
a lower rear portion of the grip portion 14 of the frame 12. Other
examples of the handgun 10 may store the disassembly tool 74 in
other locations, for example, in other locations within the grip
portion 14, or other locations on the frame 12.
Referring to FIGS. 4-5, a unique sight configuration is
illustrated. The handgun 10 includes a conventional front sight 78
and rear sight 80, which may be of any conventional type. The front
sight 78 and rear sight 80 may in some examples be secured to the
top 52 of the slide 32 in a manner that permits replacement with
alternative front and/or rear sights, using any presently used
arrangement which is known to those skilled in the art (dovetail
cuts, etc.). These sights are intended to be used in a conventional
manner, and are therefore not further described. However,
additional sights are provided along each side 50. These additional
sights are used with the handgun held in a conventional
substantially vertical orientation, and provide a horizontal offset
from the conventional point of aim. These sights may therefore be
used when estimating the distance by which to lead a moving target.
Hitting a moving target requires taking into account the speed at
which the target is moving relative to the reaction time of the
shooter, the mechanical time between pulling the trigger and firing
the gun, and the time required for the bullet to travel to its
target. The shooter will therefore generally aim a short distance
ahead of the target, rather than directly at the target.
Determining the correct lead, or distance ahead of the target to
aim, is largely a function of skill and experience, but can be
simplified by lead-estimating sighting devices.
Referring to FIG. 4, a lengthwise channel 82 is defined within each
side 50 of the slide 32. The structures described herein are
illustrated on the right side of the handgun 10, but the left side
of the handgun 10 is a mirror image of the right side. A front
sight 84 is disposed within a forward portion of the channel 82,
relatively close to the muzzle 42. A rear sight 86 is disposed in a
rear portion of the channel 82, in proximity to the rear sight 80.
The illustrated example of the front sight 84 and rear sight 86 are
of a post front, U-notch rear configuration, but other
configurations, for example, an aperture rear sight, or a V-notch
rear sight combined with a rounded front sight, may be used.
Regardless of the sight configuration used, the front sight 84 and
rear sight 86 will, in some examples, be contained entirely within,
or will not substantially protrude outward from, the channel 82.
Avoiding substantial protrusion of the sights 84, 86 from the
channel 82 resists interference of the sights 84, 86 with standard
holsters. The sights 84, 86 may optionally include tritium inserts,
fiber optic inserts, colored surfaces, gold beads, or other
visibility enhancements which are well known to those skilled in
the art.
Referring to FIG. 5, an alternative additional sight configuration
is illustrated. In this configuration, a lengthwise channel 88
extends from the rear face 90 of the slide 32. In the illustrated
example, the channel 88 extends to a position in proximity to, but
rearward of, the ejection port 44. Depending on the configuration
of the slide 32, other lengths for the channel 88 may be used. A
forward visibility enhancer 92 is placed at the forward end of the
channel 88, effectively forming a front sight, so that the forward
visibility enhancer 92 may be viewed by the shooter while looking
at the slide's rear face 90. At least one other visibility enhancer
is disposed at the rear of the channel 88, effectively forming a
rear sight, so that it may be viewed by a shooter looking at the
slide's rear face 90. In the illustrated example, a pair of rear
visibility enhancers 94, 96 are placed above and below the channel
88, respectively. Preferred visibility enhancers 92, 94, 96 are
tritium inserts, but other visibility enhancers, such as fiber
optic tubes, colored dots, or gold beads may alternatively be used.
A shooter may align the additional sight of FIG. 5 by visually
aligning the visibility enhancers 92, 94, 96 so that they form a
vertical line, with equal space between the visibility enhancers
92, 94, 96.
A shooter may therefore selectively use either the conventional
sights 78, 80 to engage stationary targets or some moving targets,
or may elect to use the additional sights of FIGS. 4-5 to engage
moving targets. When the sights 84, 86 or the visibility enhancers
92, 94, 96 are aligned, the dimensions and locations of the sights
84, 86 or the visibility enhancers 92, 94, 96 relative to each
other will be selected to indicate a point that is horizontally
offset from the normal point of aim. This horizontal offset can
assist the shooter in determining the proper distance by which to
lead a moving target in order to hit that target.
The present invention therefore provides a handgun having unique
improvements over prior handguns. Some examples of the handgun 10
include an improved cycling mechanism combining the advantages of a
tilt barrel system with the compactness of a recoil spring that is
wrapped around the barrel. Other examples of the handgun 10 include
an automatic magazine release that is actuated upon discharge of
the last cartridge in the magazine, thereby speeding the reloading
process. Still other examples of the handgun 10 include a
disassembly tool stored within the handgun 10. Further examples of
the handgun 10 include grasping grooves on top of the slide as well
as along the sides of the slide, thereby facilitating manipulation
of the slide with only one hand, and without limiting rear sight
design. Still other examples of the handgun 10 include sight
systems along the sides of the handgun 10 to facilitate the
determination of the proper distance by which to lead a moving
target. Further examples of the handgun 10 provide a means of
determining an approximate number of cartridges within the magazine
without removing the magazine, even in poor lighting
conditions.
A variety of modifications to the above-described embodiments will
be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. Thus,
the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. The
particular embodiments disclosed are meant to be illustrative only
and not limiting as to the scope of the invention. The appended
claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, should be
referenced to indicate the scope of the invention.
* * * * *
References