REVOLVER CYLINDER RELEASE LEVER

Abstract

A Ruger® revolver has a cylinder release button for loading/unloading that is stiff. It is difficult to push into the frame to release the cylinder. A spring force keeps the cylinder locking rod pushed rearward into a locking hole. When the cylinder release button is pushed into the frame, a short lever arm moves the release arm pin forward to overcome the spring bias force rearward. The present invention attaches to the face of the release button to extend the lever arm from the fulcrum of the cylinder release rod. A bolt and/or glue can attach the extension lever arm to the face of the cylinder release face. A factory model could provide a one piece cylinder release rod with an extended rearward projecting face.

Claims

1. An accessory for a pivoting cylinder release rod of a revolver firearm, wherein the cylinder release rod includes a cylinder release button having a concave top surface finger face, wherein the cylinder release rod releases a cylinder of the revolver from a frame of the revolver when the finger face of the cylinder release button is pressed, comprising: a lever arm having a length longer than a length of the cylinder release button, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface includes a convex surface matching the cylinder release button concave finger face, such that when the lever arm is rigidly coupled to the cylinder release button of the revolver the concave finger face is proximate to and aligns with the matching convex surface of the lever arm and a portion of the lever arm overhangs the cylinder release button in a rearward direction, whereby, when the lever arm is rigidly coupled to the cylinder release button, pressing the overhanging portion of the lever arm releases the cylinder from the frame.

2. The accessory for the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 1 wherein a length of the overhanging portion is at least half the length of the cylinder release button.

3. The accessory for the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 1 wherein a length of the overhanging portion ranges from ⅓ to ⅔ the length of the cylinder release button.

4. The accessory for the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of a top surface of the overhanging portion is ridged.

5. The accessory for the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 1, the rigid coupling further comprising a fastener coupling the lever arm to the cylinder release button.

6. The accessory for the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 5, the lever arm further including a through-hole for receiving the fastener.

7. The accessory for the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 1, wherein the coupling of the lever arm to the cylinder release button includes an adhesive inserted between the lever arm and the finger face.

8. The accessory for the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the lever arm is within a range of 1/16 inch to 3/16 inch.

9. The accessory for the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the top surface of the lever arm is concave.

10. A method for modifying a pivoting cylinder release rod of a revolver firearm, wherein the cylinder release rod includes a cylinder release button having a concave top surface finger face, wherein the cylinder release rod releases a cylinder of the revolver from a frame of the revolver when the finger face of the cylinder release button is pressed, comprising: placing a lever arm in relation to the cylinder release button, the lever arm having a length longer than a length of the cylinder release button, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface includes a convex surface matching the cylinder release button concave finger face, the placing further comprising the concave finger face being proximate to and aligning with the matching convex surface of the lever arm and a portion of the lever arm overhanging the cylinder release button in a rearward direction; and rigidly coupling the lever arm to the cylinder release button.

11. The method for modifying the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 10, wherein a length of the overhanging portion is at least half the length of the cylinder release button.

12. The method for modifying the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 10, wherein a length of the overhanging portion ranges from ⅓ to ⅔ the length of the cylinder release button.

13. The method for modifying the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of a top surface of the overhanging portion is ridged.

14. The method for modifying the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 10, wherein the rigidly coupling the lever arm to the cylinder release button further comprises a fastener coupling the lever arm to the cylinder release button.

15. The method for modifying the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 14, further including a through-hole for receiving the fastener and wherein the rigid coupling further includes inserting the fastener through the through-hole.

16. The method for modifying the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 15, further comprising the step of, prior to rigidly coupling the lever arm to the cylinder release button, drilling a hole into the cylinder release button, and wherein the rigidly coupling the lever arm to the cylinder release button further comprises the fastener inserted into the hole.

17. The method for modifying the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 10, wherein the coupling of the lever arm to the cylinder release button includes inserting an adhesive between the lever arm and the finger face.

18. The method for modifying the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 10, wherein a thickness of the lever arm is within a range of 1/16 inch to 3/16 inch.

19. The method for modifying the pivoting cylinder release rod of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the top surface of the lever arm is concave.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 (prior art) is a partial exploded view of the cylinder assembly of a Ruger®SP101.

[0013] FIG. 2 (prior art) is a side elevation view of the cylinder button of a Ruger®SP 101.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the aftermarket embodiment installed on a Ruger® revolver.

[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the lever attached to the internal cylinder release lever.

[0016] Before explaining the disclosed embodiments in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in application to the details of the particular arrangements shown, since other embodiments are possible. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 a Auger® Model SP101 is shown in an exploded view. The frame 2 has a slot 3 into which the cylinder release latch 4 extends. When the cylinder 5 is locked, the latch 4 seats into grooves 6. The trigger 9 forces the latch 4 down for rotation of the cylinder 5.

[0018] The cylinder release rod 7 has a ridged finger face 8. The shooter exerts a line of effort force F on the ridged finger face 8 to move the pin 10 forward to release the cylinder 5 to open for loading. Several pounds of force F are needed to overcome a spring force to move pin 10 forward. In referring to FIG. 1 when the ridged finger face 8 is pushed into the frame, the pin 10 is pushed into the frame, the pin 10 is pushed against the cylinder locking rod 98 to release the cylinder 5 from the frame 2. The force from spring 99 must be overcome to push the cylinder locking rod 98 forward. It is this spring 99 force that is difficult to overcome if you have a weak thumb.

[0019] Referring next to FIG. 3 the cylinder release rod 7 can be removed for maintenance by unscrewing the screw 30. It is seen that the ridged finger face 8 is slightly concave. The accessory lever 100 has a matching convex bottom 101 to the concave ridged finger face 8. The accessory lever 100 has a rearward facing force tip 102 on which the shooter exerts the line of action effort force NEW F to release the cylinder 5.

[0020] Referring next to FIG. 4 the approximate length d1 of the ridged finger face 8 is about 6/16 inch. The extension distance d2 ranges from about 2/16 inch to about 4/16 inch. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 has about a 3/16 inch distance d2, which is about one half the length of ridged finger face 8. The fulcrum 40 allows pin 10 to move forward in direction FOR. The old line of action force F is shown with arrow F. The new line of action force is shown with arrow NEW F.

[0021] For installation of the lever 100 the preferred method is to drill a hole H through both the lever 100 and the release rod 7. Next the hole H is threaded as shown. Next a bolt 45 is screwed into hole H. Additionally a glue G could be inserted between the lever 100 and the ridged finger face 8.

[0022] Alternately just a glue G could be used. Another embodiment implied but not drawn is a factory made one piece combination of the release rod 7 and the lever 100.

[0023] The lever 100 allows a woman or any weaker handed shooter to easily release the cylinder 5. The approximate force NEW F is about optional ridges 110 are shown on the lever 100. The thickness of the lever can range from about 1/16 to about 3/16 inch.

[0024] While a number of exemplifying features and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and subcombinations thereof. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.