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. In a revolver having a frame, a hinged cylinder, and a central spring loaded cylinder-locking rod facing rearward and having a pivoting cylinder release rod pivotally coupled to the frame at a fulcrum and with a release pin engaged with the spring loaded cylinder locking rod, the pivoting cylinder release rod having an integral cylinder release button including a ridged finger face, the cylinder release button requiring a manual force inward toward the revolver frame in order to pivot the pivoting cylinder release rod about the fulcrum, thus moving the release pin forward to push the spring loaded cylinder locking rod forward, thus releasing the cylinder from the frame, an improvement comprising: a lever arm mounted on the ridged finger face, wherein a bottom surface of the lever arm is juxtaposed with the ridged finger face; said lever arm having a rearward projection over a surface of the frame such that a magnitude of the manual force required on the rearward projection to pivot the pivoting cylinder is less than a magnitude of the manual force required on the cylinder release face to release the cylinder from the frame, wherein the ridged finger face is concave, and the lever arm bottom surface is a convex surface matching the concave ridged finger face.

2. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the lever arm has a length beyond a rear edge of the ridged finger face of at least one half a length of the ridged finger face.

3. The improvement of claim 2, wherein a threaded mounting hole runs through the lever arm and the cylinder release button, and a bolt is threaded through the threaded hole to mount the lever arm to the ridged finger face.

4. The improvement of claim 3 further comprising a glue between the lever arm and the ridged finger face.

5. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the lever arm has a non-ridged top surface over the ridged finger face and ridges on a top surface of the rearward projection.

6. The improvement of claim 1 further comprising a glue between the lever arm and the ridged finger face.

7. The improvement of claim 1, wherein a length of the rearward projection is at least 2/16 inch.

8. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the lever arm is curved to match a curvature of the ridged finger face.

9. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the lever arm has a generally uniform thickness ranging from 1/16 inch to 3/16 inch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 (prior art) is a partial exploded view of the cylinder release assembly of a Ruger SP101.

(2) FIG. 2 (prior art) is a side elevation view of the cylinder release button of a Ruger SP101.

(3) FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the aftermarket embodiment installed on a Ruger revolver.

(4) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the lever attached to the internal cylinder release lever.

(5) 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 OF THE DRAWINGS

(6) Referring first to FIGS. 1,2 a Ruger 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.

(7) 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.

(8) 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.

(9) 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.

(10) 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.

(11) 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.

(12) The lever 100 allows a woman or any weaker handed shooter to easily release the cylinder 5. The approximately 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.

(13) 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.